Appendix 1 - Orders to be observed of every bishop in his diocese within the province of York

Summary

• 1. Imprimis, that no bishop shall make any ministers, but first shall give public notice thereof, and shall make none but such as be of his own diocese or of the universities, and that they bring with them good testimony of their conversation and former life, and shall be thoroughly examined by the bishop himself and other of the learned clergy, whether they have been students of divinity and are able in the Latin tongue to show forth the Scriptures, whereupon the articles of religion agreed upon in the synod are grounded. And that this action of admitting any into the ministry be done in public place, according to the order of the book of making of ministers in that behalf provided and established. And that none be admitted into the ministry but such as do know where presently to be placed. The bishop that will not danger his soul must be careful herein: ‘Ne cito cui manus imponas’ saith Paul, for the making of unworthy ministers hath turned to the great slander of this Church of England.

• 2. Item, that the censure of excommunication be avoided so much as may be in trifling matters, for this high censure of the church is to be executed chiefly in great and criminal causes.

• 3. Item, that no commutation of penance be used, but only by the bishop, and then when he shall evidently perceive that the offender may rather be won thereby than by corporal punishment; yet let it be known openly in his parish church that he acknowledged his fault before his ordinary, submitted himself, and given such a piece of money for the relief of the poor, as a fruit of his repentance; the whole sum whereof shall be delivered to the minister and churchwardens; they to distribute the same amongst also the poor of the parish, and to certify the bishop of their doing therein.

• 4. Item, that no dispensations for not asking banns of matrimony be granted, but under sufficient and large bonds, with these conditions following:

  • i. That afterward there shall not appear any lawful let or impediment by reason of any precontract, consanguinity, affinity or any other lawful means whatsoever.