using it, until it be reviewed, and effectually reformed, as aforesaid. VIII. Lastly, Concerning ceremonies, which have administered so much matter of difference and contention, 5 and which have been introduced by the wisdom and authority of the church, for edification, and the improvement of piety, we shall say no more, but that we have the more esteem of all, and reverence for many of them, by having been present in many of those churches, where 10 they are most abolished, or discountenanced; and it cannot be doubted, but that as the universal church cannot introduce one ceremony in the worship of God, that is contrary to God's word expressed in the scripture, so every national church, with the approbation 15 and consent of the sovereign power, may, and hath always introduced such particular ceremonies, as in that conjuncture of time are thought most proper for edification and the necessary improvement of piety and devotion in the people, though the necessary practice thereof cannot 20 be deduced from scripture; and that which before was, and in itself is indifferent, ceases to be indifferent, after it is once established by law: and therefore our present consideration and work is to gratify the private consciences of those, who are grieved with the use of some 25 ceremonies, by indulging to and dispensing with their omitting those ceremonies, not utterly to abolish any which are established by law, (if any are practised contrary to law, the same shall cease,) which would be unjust, and of ill example; and to impose upon the con30 science of some, for the satisfaction of the conscience of others, which is otherwise provided for. As it could not be reasonable that men should expect, that we should ourself decline, or enjoin others to do so, to receive the blessed sacrament upon our knees, which in our conscience is the most humble, most devout, and most agreeable posture for that holy duty, because some other men, 35 upon reasons best, if not only, known to themselves, choose rather to do it sitting or standing; we shall leave all decisions and determinations of that kind, if they shall be thought necessary for a perfect and entire unity and uniformity throughout the nation, to the advice of a 5 national synod, which shall be duly called after a little time, and a mutual conversation between persons of different persuasions hath mollified those distempers, abated those sharpnesses, and extinguished those jealousies, which make men unfit for those consultations; and upon 10 such advice, we shall use our best endeavour, that such laws may be established, as may best provide for the peace of the church and state. Provided that none shall be denied the sacrament of the Lord's supper, though they do not use the gesture of kneeling in the act of 15 receiving. In the mean time, out of compassion and compliance towards those, who would forbear the cross in baptism, we are content that no man shall be compelled to use the same, or suffer for not doing it; but if any parent 20 desire to have his child christened according to the form used, and the minister will not use the sign, it shall be lawful for that parent to procure another minister to do it; and if the proper minister shall refuse to omit that ceremony of the cross, it shall be lawful for the parent, 25 who would not have his child so baptized, to procure another minister to do it, who will do it according to his desire. No man shall be compelled to bow at the name of Jesus, or suffer in any degree for not doing it, without 30 reproaching those who out of their devotion continue that ancient ceremony of the church. For the use of the surplice, we are contented that all men be left to their liberty to do as they shall think fit, without suffering in the least degree for wearing or not 35 wearing it; provided, that this liberty do not extend to our own chapel, cathedral or collegiate churches, or to any college in either of our universities, but that the several statutes and customs for the use thereof in the said places, be there observed as formerly. 5 And because some men, otherwise pious and learned, say, they cannot conform unto the subscription required by the canon, nor take the oath of canonical obedience; we are content, and it is our will and pleasure (so they take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy) that they shall 10 receive ordination, institution, and induction, and shall be permitted to exercise their function, and to enjoy the profits of their livings, without the said subscription or oath of canonical obedience; and moreover, that no persons in the universities shall for the want of such sub15 scription be hindered in the taking of their degrees. Lastly, that none be judged to forfeit his presentation or benefice, or be deprived of it, upon the statute of the thirteenth of queen Elizabeth, chapter the twelfth, so he read and declare his assent to all the articles of religion, 20 which only concern the confession of the true Christian faith, and the doctrine of the sacraments comprised in the book of articles in the said statute mentioned. In a word, we do again renew what we have formerly said in our declaration from Breda, for the liberty of tender con25 sciences, that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matters of religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and if any have been disturbed in that kind since our arrival here, it hath not proceeded from any direction 30 of ours. To conclude, and in this place to explain what we mentioned before, and said in our letter to the house of commons from Breda, that "we hoped in due time, ourself to propose somewhat for the propagation of the pro35 testant religion, that will satisfy the world, that we have always made it both our care and our study, and have 10 enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it" we do conjure all our loving subjects to acquiesce in and submit to this our declaration concerning those differences, which have so much disquieted the nation at home, and given such offence to the protestant churches 5 abroad, and brought such reproach upon the protestant religion in general, from the enemies thereof; as if upon obscure notions of faith and fancy, it did admit the practice of Christian duties and obedience to be discountenanced and suspended, and introduce a license in opinions and manners, to the prejudice of the Christian faith. And let us all endeavour, and emulate each other in those endeavours, to countenance and advance the protestant religion abroad, which will be best done by supporting the dignity and reverence due to the best re- 15 formed protestant church at home; and which being once freed from the calumnies and reproaches it hath undergone from these late ill times, will be the best shelter for those abroad, which will by that countenance both be the better protected against their enemies, and be the more 20 easily induced to compose the differences amongst themselves, which give their enemies more advantage against them and we hope and expect that all men will henceforward forbear to vent any such doctrine in the pulpit, or to endeavour to work in such manner upon the affec- 25 tions of the people, as may dispose them to an ill opinion of us and the government, and to disturb the peace of the kingdom; which if all men will in their several vocations endeavour to preserve with the same affection and zeal we ourself will do, all our good subjects will by 30 God's blessing upon us enjoy as great a measure of felicity as this nation hath ever done, and which we shall constantly labour to procure for them, as the greatest blessing God can bestow upon us in this world. Given at our court at Whitehall this twenty-fifth day of October, 35 MDCLX. CL. Archiepisc. Cant. Anno Christi Reg. Angliæ A proclamation prohibiting all unlawful and seditious meetings and conventicles under pretence of religious worship. CHARLES R. ALTHOUGH nothing can be more unwelcome to us, than the necessity of restraining some part of that liberty, which was indulged to tender consciences by our 5 late gracious declaration; yet since divers persons (known by the name of Anabaptists, Quakers, and Fifth-monarchy men, or some such like appellation, as a mark of distinction and separation) under pretence of serving God, do daily meet in great numbers in secret places, and at 10 unusual times, by reason whereof they begin to boast of their multitudes, and to increase in their confidences, as having frequent opportunities to settle a perfect correspondency and confederacy between themselves, of which some evil effects have already ensued, even to the dis15 turbance of the public peace by insurrection and murder, for which the offenders must answer to the law, and far worse may be still expected, unless some speedy course be taken to prevent their further growth. A proclamation] The insurrection of Venner and the fifth-monarchy 20 men (of whose opinions sir Henry Vane was the principal promoter) took place on the 7th of January 1661. The quakers and anabaptists disowned all connection with them, on finding themselves included within the terms of the proclamation. Kennet, Reg. p. 357. Clarke's Life of James II. vol. i. p. 388. Lingard, vol. vii. p. 365. |