THE
KINGES
MAIESTIES
DECLARATION
OF
his
Acts
confirmed
in
Parliament
.
FORASMVCH
as
there
is
some
euil
affected
men
that
goeth
about
so
farre
as
in
them
lieth
,
to
inuent
lies
and
tales
to
slaunder
and
impaire
the
kings
maiesties
fame
and
honour
,
and
to
raise
reportes
as
if
his
Maiestie
had
declined
to
Papistrie
,
and
that
he
had
made
many
Actes
to
abolish
the
frée
passage
of
the
Gospel
,
good
order
and
discipline
in
the
Church
:
Which
bruites
are
maintained
by
rebellious
subiectes
who
would
gladly
couer
their
seditious
enterprises
vnder
pretense
of
Religion
(
albeit
there
can
be
no
godly
religion
in
such
as
raiseth
rebellion
to
disquiet
the
state
of
their
natiue
soueraigne
,
and
periuredly
doeth
stand
against
the
othe
,
band
,
and
obligation
of
their
faith
,
whereunto
they
haue
sworne
and
subscribed
)
therefore
that
his
Maiesties
faithfull
subiects
be
not
abused
with
such
slanderous
reportes
,
and
his
highnes
good
affectionated
friends
in
other
countries
may
vnderstand
the
veritie
of
his
vpright
intention
,
his
highnesse
hath
commaunded
this
briefe
declaration
of
certaine
of
his
maiesties
Acts
of
Parliament
holden
in
May
1584.
to
be
published
&
imprinted
,
to
the
effect
,
that
the
indirect
practises
of
such
as
slaunder
his
maiestie
and
his
lawes
,
may
be
detected
and
discouered
.
IN
the
first
Acte
his
Maiestie
ratifies
and
approues
the
true
profession
of
the
Gospell
,
sincere
preaching
of
the
Worde
,
and
administration
of
the
Sacraments
presently
by
the
goodnes
of
God
established
within
this
Realme
,
and
aloweth
of
the
confession
of
the
Faith
set
downe
by
Acte
of
Parliament
,
the
first
yéere
of
his
maiesties
raigne
.
Likewise
,
his
highnesse
not
onely
professeth
the
same
in
all
sinceritie
,
but
praysed
be
God
is
come
to
that
ripenesse
of
iudgement
by
reading
and
hearing
the
worde
of
God
,
that
his
highnesse
is
able
to
conuince
and
ouerthrow
by
the
doctrine
of
the
Prophets
and
Apostles
,
the
most
learned
of
the
contrary
sect
of
the
aduersaries
:
So
that
as
Plato
affirmeth
,
that
common
wealth
to
be
most
happy
wherein
a
Philosopher
raigneth
,
or
he
that
raigneth
is
a
Philosopher
.
We
may
much
more
estéeme
this
countrey
of
Scotland
to
be
fortunate
wherein
our
king
is
a
Diuine
,
&
whose
heart
is
replenished
with
the
knowledge
of
the
heauenly
Philosophy
,
for
the
comfort
not
onely
of
his
good
subiects
and
friends
in
other
countreys
,
but
of
them
that
professeth
the
Gospell
euery
where
,
he
beyng
a
king
of
great
wisedome
,
and
by
his
birthright
borne
to
great
possessions
,
but
much
more
his
highnesse
vertue
,
godlinesse
and
learnyng
,
and
daily
encrease
of
all
heauenly
sciences
,
doth
promise
and
assure
him
of
the
mightie
protection
of
God
,
and
fauour
of
all
them
that
feare
his
holy
name
.
IN
the
second
Acte
,
his
Maiesties
royall
authoritie
ouer
all
estates
both
spirituall
and
temporall
,
is
confirmed
.
Which
Acte
,
some
of
malice
and
other
some
of
Ignorance
,
doth
traduce
,
as
if
his
Maiestie
pretended
to
be
called
the
head
of
the
Church
:
A
name
which
his
Maiestie
acknowledgeth
to
be
proper
and
peculiar
to
the
sonne
of
God
the
Sauiour
of
the
world
,
who
is
the
head
,
and
bestoweth
life
spirituall
vpon
the
members
of
his
misticall
body
,
and
he
hauyng
receiued
the
holy
spirite
in
all
aboundance
,
maketh
euery
one
of
the
faithful
,
pertakers
thereof
,
according
to
the
measure
of
faith
bestowed
vpon
them
.
Of
the
which
number
of
the
faithful
vnder
the
head
Christ
,
his
Maiestie
acknowledgeth
himselfe
to
be
a
member
,
baptised
in
his
name
,
pertaker
of
the
mysterie
of
the
crosse
and
holy
communion
,
and
attending
with
the
faithfull
for
the
comming
of
the
Lord
,
and
the
finall
restitution
of
Gods
elect
.
And
not
withstanding
,
his
Maiestie
surely
vnderstandeth
by
the
scriptures
,
that
he
is
the
chiefe
and
principall
member
appointed
by
the
law
of
God
,
to
sée
God
glorified
,
vice
punished
,
&
vertue
maintained
within
his
Realme
,
and
the
soueraigne
iudgement
for
a
godly
quietnesse
and
order
in
the
common
wealth
,
to
appertaine
to
his
highnesse
care
and
solicitude
.
Which
power
and
authoritie
of
his
highnesse
,
certaine
ministers
being
called
before
his
Maiestie
for
their
seditious
and
factious
sermons
in
stirring
vp
of
the
people
to
rebellion
against
their
natiue
king
(
by
the
instigation
of
sundry
vnquiet
spirites
)
would
in
no
wyse
acknowledge
but
disclaime
his
Maiesties
authoritie
as
an
incompetent
iudge
:
and
specially
one
called
M.
Andrew
Meluile
an
ambitious
man
,
of
a
salt
and
fiery
humour
,
vsurping
the
pulpit
of
Sandroyes
,
without
any
lawfull
callyng
,
and
priuie
at
that
tyme
to
certaine
conspiracies
attempted
against
his
Maiestie
and
crowne
,
went
about
in
a
Sermon
vpon
a
Sunday
,
to
inflame
the
hearts
of
the
people
,
by
odious
comparisons
of
his
Maiesties
progenitours
and
counsaile
,
albeit
the
duetie
of
a
faithfull
preacher
of
the
Gospell
be
rather
to
exhort
the
people
to
the
obedience
of
their
natiue
King
,
and
not
by
popular
Sermons
(
which
hath
béene
the
euersion
and
decay
of
great
cities
and
common
wealths
,
and
hath
greatly
in
tymes
past
bred
disquietnesse
to
the
state
thereby
)
to
trouble
and
perturbe
the
countrey
.
The
sayd
M.
Andrew
beyng
called
before
his
highnesse
,
presumptuously
answered
that
he
would
not
be
iudged
by
the
king
&
counsaile
,
because
he
had
spoken
the
same
in
pulpit
,
which
pulpit
in
effect
he
alleged
to
be
exempted
from
the
iudgement
&
correction
of
princes
,
as
if
that
holy
place
sanctified
to
the
word
of
God
,
and
to
the
breaking
of
the
bread
of
life
,
might
be
any
colour
to
any
sedition
in
worde
or
déede
,
against
the
lawfull
authoritie
without
punishment
.
Alwaies
his
Maiestie
(
béeing
of
himselfe
a
most
gratious
Prince
)
was
not
willing
to
haue
vsed
any
rigour
against
the
saide
Maister
Andrew
,
if
he
had
humbly
submitted
himselfe
,
acknowledged
his
offence
,
and
craued
pardon
.
Who
notwithstanding
afraid
of
his
owne
guiltines
,
being
priuie
to
diuers
conspiracies
before
,
fled
out
of
the
Realme
,
whose
naughty
and
presumptuous
refusing
of
his
Highnes
iudgement
was
the
occasion
of
the
making
of
this
seconde
Acte
:
videlicet
,
that
none
should
decline
from
his
highnes
authoritie
,
in
respect
that
the
common
Prouerbe
beareth
,
Ex
malis
moribus
bonae
leges
natae
sunt
:
that
is
,
Of
euill
maners
good
lawes
procéede
.
And
in
verie
déede
it
wanteth
not
any
right
intollerable
arrogancy
in
any
Subiect
called
before
his
Prince
,
professing
and
ancthorising
the
same
truth
,
to
disclaime
his
authoritie
,
neither
doe
the
Prophets
,
Apostles
,
nor
others
(
conducted
by
the
spirite
of
God
)
minister
the
like
example
:
for
it
is
a
great
errour
to
affirme
(
as
many
doe
)
that
Princes
and
Magistrates
haue
onely
power
to
take
order
in
ciuill
affaires
,
and
that
Ecclesiasticall
matters
doth
onely
belong
to
the
Ministerie
.
By
which
meanes
the
Pope
of
Rome
hath
exempt
himselfe
and
all
his
Clergie
,
from
all
iudgements
of
Princes
,
&
he
made
himself
to
be
Iudge
of
Iudges
,
and
to
be
iudged
of
no
man
:
whereas
by
the
contrarie
,
not
onely
by
the
examples
of
the
godly
gouernors
,
Iudges
and
Kings
of
the
old
Testament
,
but
also
by
the
new
Testament
,
and
the
whole
history
of
the
primitiue
Church
,
in
the
which
the
Emperors
being
Iudges
ouer
the
bishop
of
Rome
,
deposed
them
from
their
seates
,
appointed
Iudges
to
decide
and
determine
in
causes
Ecclesiastical
,
and
chalenge
innocent
men
as
Athanasius
from
the
determination
of
the
Councell
holden
at
Tyrus
,
and
by
infinite
good
reasons
which
shall
bée
set
downe
by
the
grace
of
God
in
an
other
seuerall
worke
shall
be
sufficiently
prooued
and
verified
.
But
this
appeareth
at
this
present
to
bée
an
vntimely
and
vnprofitable
question
,
which
hath
no
ground
vpon
their
part
,
but
of
the
preposterous
imitation
of
the
pretended
iurisdiction
of
the
Pope
of
Rome
.
For
if
there
were
any
question
in
this
land
of
heresie
whereby
the
profound
mysteries
of
the
Scriptures
behooued
to
be
searched
foorth
,
his
Maiestie
would
vse
the
same
remedy
(
as
most
expedient
)
which
the
most
godly
Emperours
hath
vsed
:
And
his
Maiestie
following
their
example
,
would
alow
the
councell
of
learned
Pastours
,
that
by
conference
of
Scriptures
,
the
veritie
might
be
opened
and
heresie
repressed
.
But
God
be
thanked
we
haue
no
such
controuersies
in
this
land
,
neither
hath
any
heresie
taken
any
déepe
roote
in
the
country
,
but
that
certaine
of
the
ministerie
ioyning
themselues
to
rebels
,
hath
traueled
to
disquiet
the
state
with
such
questions
that
the
people
might
embrace
any
sinister
opinion
of
his
Maiesties
vpright
procéedings
,
and
factions
might
be
nourished
and
entertained
in
the
countrey
.
Neither
is
it
his
maiesties
meaning
nor
intention
in
any
sort
to
take
away
the
lawfull
and
ordinarie
iudgement
in
the
Church
,
whereby
discipline
&
good
order
might
decay
,
but
rather
to
preserue
,
maintaine
,
and
increase
the
same
.
And
as
there
is
in
the
realme
Iustices
,
Constables
,
Shirifes
,
Prouosts
,
Bailifes
,
and
other
iudges
in
temporall
matters
,
so
his
Maiestie
aloweth
that
all
things
might
be
done
in
order
,
and
a
godly
quietnes
may
be
preserued
in
the
whole
estate
,
the
Sinodal
assemblies
by
the
Bishops
or
Commissioners
where
the
place
was
vsed
to
be
conuenient
twise
in
the
yéere
,
to
haue
the
ordinary
trial
of
matters
belonging
to
the
ministery
and
their
estate
.
Alwaies
reseruing
to
his
highnesse
,
that
if
they
or
any
of
them
doe
amisse
,
neglect
their
duetie
,
disquiet
the
estate
,
or
offend
in
any
such
maner
and
sort
,
that
they
in
no
wayes
pretend
that
immunitie
priuiledge
and
exemption
,
which
onely
was
inuented
by
the
Popes
of
Rome
,
to
tread
vnder
foote
the
scepters
of
Princes
,
and
to
establish
an
Ecclesiasticall
tyranny
within
this
countrey
,
vnder
pretence
of
new
inuented
Presbiters
,
which
neither
should
answer
to
the
king
,
nor
Bishop
vnder
his
Ma.
but
should
haue
such
infinite
iurisdiction
,
as
neither
the
lawe
of
God
nor
man
can
tolerate
.
Which
is
onely
his
Maiesties
intention
to
represse
,
and
not
to
take
away
any
godly
or
due
order
in
the
Church
,
as
hereafter
shall
appeare
.
THe
third
Act
of
his
Maiesties
foresaid
Parliament
,
dischargeth
all
iudgements
Ecclesiasticall
,
and
all
assemblies
which
are
not
allowed
by
his
Maiestie
in
Parliament
,
which
acte
specially
concerneth
the
remouing
and
discharging
of
that
forme
inuented
in
this
land
,
called
the
presbyterie
:
wherin
a
number
of
Ministers
of
a
certeine
precinct
and
boundes
,
accounting
themselues
to
be
equal
,
without
any
difference
,
and
gathering
vnto
them
certeine
Gentlemen
,
and
others
of
his
Maiesties
subiects
,
vsurpe
all
the
whole
Ecclesiasticall
iurisdiction
,
and
altereth
the
lawes
at
their
owne
pleasure
,
without
the
knowledge
and
approbation
of
the
king
or
the
estate
.
A
forme
of
doing
without
example
of
any
nation
.
subiect
to
a
Christian
Prince
The
perill
whereof
did
so
increase
that
,
in
case
it
had
not
béene
repressed
in
due
season
,
and
forbidden
by
his
Maiesties
lawes
,
the
same
had
troubled
the
whole
countrey
.
And
béeing
tried
by
his
highnes
to
be
the
ouerthrow
of
his
Maiesties
estate
,
the
decay
of
his
Crowne
,
and
a
ready
introduction
to
Anababtistrie
and
popular
confusion
in
all
estates
,
his
maiestie
hath
giuen
commaundement
against
the
same
.
And
that
the
Reader
may
vnderstand
the
daunger
thereof
by
many
inconueniences
,
which
thereby
ensueth
in
this
lande
,
I
will
not
onely
set
downe
one
whereby
they
may
vnderstand
what
peril
was
in
the
rest
.
The
embassadour
of
Fraunce
returning
home
vnto
his
owne
countrey
,
commaunded
the
Prouost
,
Baliffes
and
Counsaile
of
Edingbrough
to
make
him
a
banket
,
that
he
might
be
receiued
honourably
,
according
to
the
amitie
of
auncient
times
betwéene
the
two
Nations
.
This
commaund
was
giuen
on
the
Saturday
by
his
highnes
:
and
the
banquet
appointed
to
be
on
the
Monday
.
A
number
of
the
foresaid
pretended
presbyterie
vnderstanding
thereof
,
assembled
themselues
on
Sonday
in
the
morning
,
and
presumptuously
determined
and
agréed
,
that
the
Ministers
of
Edinbrough
should
proclaime
a
fasting
vppon
the
same
monday
,
where
thrée
seuerall
Ministers
one
after
another
,
made
thrée
seueral
sermons
inuectiues
against
the
Prouost
,
Bayliffes
,
and
Counsaile
for
the
time
,
and
the
noble
men
in
the
cuntry
,
who
repaired
to
the
banquet
at
his
Ma.
commaund
.
The
foresaid
presbyterie
called
and
perswaded
them
,
and
scarsly
by
his
Maiesties
authoritie
could
bee
witholden
from
excommunicating
the
saide
Magistrates
and
noble
men
,
for
obeying
onely
his
highnes
lawfull
command
which
the
law
of
all
countreys
,
called
Ius
gentium
,
requires
towards
Embassadors
of
forreine
countreys
.
And
not
onely
in
this
,
but
innumerable
other
things
,
their
commaundement
was
proclaimed
directly
,
vnder
the
paine
of
excommunication
,
to
the
kings
Ma.
and
his
laws
.
Which
forme
of
procéeding
,
ingendred
nothing
but
disbut
disquietnes
,
sedition
,
and
trouble
:
as
may
manifestly
appéere
,
in
that
,
the
speciall
authors
of
the
inuenting
,
promoting
and
assisting
of
the
foresaide
pretended
Presbyteries
,
hath
ioyned
themselues
with
his
Maiesties
Rebels
:
and
fleing
foorth
of
the
realme
,
in
respect
of
their
giltines
,
hath
discouered
what
malitious
practises
was
deuised
amongst
them
,
if
God
had
not
in
time
prouided
remedie
.
The
other
forme
of
iudg
ment
which
his
Maiesty
hath
discharged
,
is
the
generall
assembly
of
the
whole
Clergie
in
the
Realme
:
vnder
pretence
whereof
,
a
number
of
Ministers
from
sundry
presbyteries
did
assemble
,
with
some
Gentlemen
of
the
cuntrey
,
wherof
some
for
that
time
malcontents
of
the
estate
,
sought
that
color
as
fauorers
of
the
Ministerie
,
by
the
which
thei
haue
practised
many
enterprises
in
the
realme
:
where
there
was
no
certeine
law
in
Ecclesiasticall
affaires
,
but
all
depended
vpon
the
saide
generall
conuention
,
where
the
lawes
of
the
church
were
alterable
after
the
number
of
voices
,
which
for
the
most
part
succéeded
vnto
the
most
vnlearned
of
the
multitude
.
This
generall
assembly
amongst
other
things
did
appoint
and
agrée
with
his
Maiest
.
regentes
in
his
highnes
minority
,
that
the
estate
of
bishops
which
is
one
of
the
estates
of
Parliament
,
should
bee
mainteined
&
authorised
:
As
it
is
registred
in
the
bookes
of
counsel
,
and
subscribed
by
the
commissioners
for
the
time
.
Which
order
was
obserued
many
yéeres
,
and
Bishops
by
their
consentes
,
appointed
to
the
diocesse
,
vntill
within
this
late
time
,
in
assemblies
holden
at
Dundie
and
Glasgow
,
respecting
the
foresaid
ministers
&
assemblies
,
tooke
vppon
them
,
contrarie
to
their
owne
hand
writing
,
to
discharge
the
estate
,
and
to
declare
the
same
to
be
vnlawfull
,
in
their
pretended
maner
.
And
there
commaunded
the
Bishops
of
the
countrey
to
demit
and
leaue
their
offices
&
iurisdictions
,
&
that
in
no
wise
they
should
passe
to
the
kings
Maiesties
counsell
,
or
Parliament
without
commission
obteined
from
their
assemblie
:
That
they
should
confirme
nothing
in
parliament
and
counsell
,
but
according
to
their
acts
and
iniunctions
.
And
further
,
they
directed
their
Commissioners
to
the
kings
maiestie
,
commanding
him
and
the
councell
,
vnder
paine
of
the
censures
of
the
Church
(
whereby
they
vnderstoode
excommunication
)
to
appoint
no
Bishop
in
time
to
come
,
because
they
had
concluded
that
estate
to
be
vnlawfull
.
And
notwithstanding
,
that
which
they
would
haue
deiected
in
the
bishops
,
they
purposed
to
erect
in
themselues
,
desiring
that
such
commissioners
as
they
should
send
to
parliament
and
counsell
,
might
bee
authorised
in
place
of
the
estate
,
wherby
it
should
haue
come
to
passe
,
that
where
as
now
his
Ma.
may
select
the
most
godly
,
learned
,
wise
and
experimented
of
the
ministerie
,
to
bee
on
his
Ma.
estate
,
his
highnesse
should
haue
been
by
that
means
compelled
to
accept
such
as
the
multitude
,
by
an
odde
consent
of
the
most
vnlearned
should
haue
appointed
,
which
could
not
tend
but
to
the
ouerthrow
of
the
realme
,
whereof
that
estate
hath
bene
a
special
stop
.
After
they
had
discharged
bishops
,
they
agréed
to
haue
Superintendents
,
Commissioners
,
and
Uisitours
:
but
in
the
end
,
they
discerned
that
there
should
be
no
difference
amongst
the
ministers
,
&
imagined
that
new
forme
of
Presbiterie
,
wherof
we
haue
spoken
before
.
Neither
was
there
any
other
appearance
that
they
should
haue
staid
from
such
daily
alterations
in
the
common
wealth
,
which
could
not
but
continually
be
disquieted
,
where
the
law
of
conscience
which
they
maintained
by
the
sword
of
cursing
,
was
subiect
to
such
mutations
,
at
the
arbitrement
of
a
number
whereof
the
most
part
had
not
greatly
tasted
of
learning
.
At
our
the
foresaid
assembly
was
accustomed
not
only
to
prescribe
the
law
to
the
king
and
estate
,
but
also
did
at
certain
times
appoint
general
fastings
throughout
the
realme
,
specially
when
some
factioners
in
the
countrey
was
to
mooue
any
great
enterprise
.
For
at
the
fast
,
all
the
ministers
was
commanded
by
the
assemblie
to
sing
one
song
,
and
to
cry
out
vpon
the
abuses
,
as
they
termed
it
,
of
the
court
and
estate
for
the
time
,
whereby
it
is
most
certaine
great
alterations
to
haue
ensued
in
this
land
,
while
at
the
good
pleasure
of
God
,
and
his
blessing
towardes
his
Ma.
the
pretence
of
the
last
fast
was
discouered
,
&
his
highnes
deliuered
from
such
attempts
,
whereby
his
Ma.
hath
bene
iustly
mooued
to
discharge
such
conuentions
which
might
import
so
preiudicially
to
his
estate
.
But
specially
his
Ma.
had
no
small
occasion
,
whereas
the
same
assemblie
being
met
at
Edenbrough
,
did
authorise
&
auow
the
fact
perpetrate
at
Ruthuen
,
in
the
takyng
of
his
highnes
most
noble
person
.
The
which
déed
,
notwithstanding
his
Ma.
with
the
aduise
of
his
estates
in
Parliament
accounted
to
be
treason
,
the
said
assembly
estéeming
their
iudgement
to
be
the
soueraigne
iudgement
of
the
realme
,
hath
not
onely
approoued
the
same
,
but
ordained
all
them
to
be
excommunicate
that
would
not
subscribe
and
allow
the
same
.
So
the
actes
of
this
assembly
,
and
the
lawes
of
the
estate
directly
weighed
in
ciuil
matter
,
with
the
which
the
assembly
should
not
haue
medled
,
it
behooued
his
highnes
either
to
discharge
himselfe
of
the
crown
,
or
the
ministerie
of
that
forme
of
assembly
,
which
in
déede
of
it selfe
,
without
the
kings
Maiesties
licence
&
approbation
,
could
not
be
lawfull
.
Like
as
generall
councels
at
no
time
could
assemble
without
the
commaundement
of
the
Emperour
for
the
time
:
and
our
king
hath
no
lesse
power
within
his
owne
realme
,
then
any
of
them
had
in
the
empire
.
Yea
,
the
Bishop
of
S.
Androis
had
not
in
time
of
Poperie
,
power
to
conuent
the
Bishops
&
clergie
out
of
their
owne
Diocesse
,
with
out
licence
giuen
before
of
his
highnes
most
noble
progenitors
of
good
memorie
,
and
the
causes
thereof
intimated
&
allowed
.
Notwithstanding
that
his
Maiesties
intention
and
meaning
may
fully
be
vnderstood
,
It
is
his
highnesse
wil
,
that
the
Bishop
or
Commissioners
of
any
Diocesse
or
Prouince
,
or
part
thereof
,
shall
at
their
Uisitation
appointed
in
euery
parish
,
accordyng
to
the
greatnesse
thereof
,
some
honest
,
vertuous
and
discrete
men
,
to
aide
and
assist
the
Minister
,
and
to
haue
the
ouersight
and
censure
of
the
maners
and
behauiour
of
the
people
of
that
parish
.
And
if
there
be
any
notable
offence
worthy
of
punish
ment
,
that
the
Bishop
and
Commissioners
bée
aduertised
thereof
,
who
shall
haue
an
Officer
of
armes
to
be
assistant
for
the
punishment
of
vice
,
and
executions
to
follow
thereupon
:
that
they
who
contemneth
the
godly
and
lawfull
order
of
the
Church
,
may
finde
by
experience
his
maiesties
displeasure
,
and
be
punished
according
to
their
deseruings
.
And
further
,
his
Maiestie
vpon
necessary
occasions
which
may
fall
foorth
by
diuers
maner
of
wayes
among
the
Clergie
,
vpon
humble
supplication
made
vnto
his
highnesse
,
will
not
refuse
to
graunt
them
licence
to
assist
the
bishops
,
Commissioners
,
and
some
of
the
most
vertuous
,
learned
,
and
godly
,
of
their
Diocesse
,
where
such
Ecclesiasticall
matters
as
appertaineth
to
the
vniformitie
of
doctrine
,
and
conseruation
of
a
godly
order
in
the
Church
,
may
be
intreated
and
concluded
in
his
maiesties
owne
presence
,
or
some
of
his
Maiesties
honourable
counsell
,
who
shall
assist
for
the
tyme
:
Where
,
if
necessitie
so
require
,
a
publike
fast
throughout
the
whole
realme
may
be
commaunded
,
and
by
his
Maiesties
authoritie
proclaimed
,
to
auoide
the
imminent
displeasure
and
daunger
of
the
wrath
of
the
Lordes
iudgements
,
which
is
the
right
ende
of
publike
humilitie
,
and
not
vnder
pretence
thereof
,
to
couer
such
enterprises
,
as
hath
heretofore
greatly
disquieted
and
troubled
the
peace
of
this
common
wealth
.
THe
xx
.
Acte
ratifieth
and
approoueth
,
and
establisheth
the
estate
of
the
Bishops
within
the
realme
,
to
haue
the
ouersight
and
iurisdiction
,
euery
one
in
their
owne
Dioces
.
Which
forme
of
gouernment
,
and
rule
in
Ecclesiastical
affaires
,
hath
not
onely
continued
in
the
church
from
the
dayes
of
the
Apostles
,
by
continuall
succession
of
tyme
,
and
many
Martyrs
in
that
calling
shed
their
bloud
for
the
trueth
:
but
also
,
since
this
Realme
embraced
and
receiued
the
Christian
religion
,
the
same
estate
hath
béene
maintained
to
the
welfare
of
the
Church
,
and
quietnesse
of
the
realme
,
without
any
interruption
,
vntill
within
this
few
yéeres
,
some
curious
and
busie
men
haue
practised
to
induce
in
the
ministerie
,
an
equalitie
in
all
thinges
,
as
well
concernyng
the
preaching
of
the
word
,
administration
of
the
Sacramentes
,
as
likewise
in
discipline
,
order
and
pollicie
.
The
which
confusion
his
Maiestie
finding
by
most
dangerous
experience
,
to
haue
bene
the
mother
and
Nurse
of
great
factions
,
seditions
and
troubles
within
this
Realme
,
hath
with
aduise
of
his
highnes
estates
,
aduisedly
concluded
the
said
pretended
partie
in
discipline
,
orders
and
pollicie
in
the
Church
,
to
be
no
longer
tollerate
in
this
Country
:
but
the
sollicitude
and
care
of
all
churches
in
one
diocesse
,
to
appertaine
to
the
Bishop
and
commissioner
thereof
,
who
shall
be
aunswerable
to
God
,
and
his
Maiesty
,
and
estates
,
for
the
right
administration
and
discharge
of
the
office
of
particular
Ministers
,
within
the
boundes
of
their
iurisdiction
.
For
as
it
becommeth
his
Maiestie
,
as
Eusebius
writeth
of
Constantinus
the
great
,
to
be
a
Bishop
of
Bishops
,
and
vniuersall
Bishop
within
his
Realme
,
in
so
far
as
his
maiestie
should
appoint
euerie
one
to
discharge
his
duetie
:
which
his
highnesse
cannot
,
his
country
béeing
large
and
great
,
take
him
to
euerie
Minister
that
shall
offend
,
and
transgresse
agaynst
duetie
,
or
quarrell
with
the
whole
number
of
the
Ministerie
:
but
it
behooueth
this
Maiestie
to
haue
Bishops
and
ouerséeers
vnder
him
,
which
may
bee
aunswerable
for
such
boundes
,
as
the
law
and
order
of
the
countrey
hath
limited
and
appointed
vnto
euerie
one
of
them
.
And
that
they
hauing
accesse
to
his
Maiesties
Parliament
&
counsell
,
may
intercide
for
the
rest
of
the
brethren
of
the
Ministerie
,
propone
their
griefe
vnto
hys
highnesse
and
estates
,
and
receiue
his
maiesties
fauourable
aunswere
therin
.
The
which
forme
doth
preserue
a
godly
quietnes
,
vnitie
,
concorde
,
and
peace
in
the
estate
,
and
an
vniforme
order
in
the
Church
.
As
contrariwise
,
the
pretended
equalitie
deuideth
the
same
,
and
vnder
the
pretence
of
equality
,
maketh
some
of
the
most
craftie
and
subtill
dealers
to
bee
aduaunced
and
enriched
:
and
in
pretending
of
partie
,
to
séeke
nothing
but
their
owne
ambition
,
and
aduauncement
aboue
the
rest
of
the
simple
sort
.
And
notwithstanding
that
his
Maiestie
hath
restablished
the
said
estate
,
it
is
not
his
highnes
will
&
intent
,
that
the
foresaid
Bishop
shall
haue
such
full
power
,
as
to
do
within
his
diocesse
what
he
plea
seth
.
For
as
his
Ma.
cannot
allow
of
any
popular
confusion
,
wherin
as
the
prouerbe
saith
,
Nulla
tyrannis
aequiparanda
est
tyrannidi
multitudinis
.
That
is
,
No
tyrany
can
be
compared
to
the
tyranny
of
a
multitude
,
hauing
commandement
&
power
in
his
hands
:
so
on
the
other
part
his
M.
will
is
,
that
the
Bishops
authoritie
in
any
graue
matter
,
be
limited
to
the
councel
of
13.
of
the
most
auncient
,
wise
,
&
godly
pastors
of
his
diocesse
,
selected
out
of
the
whole
synodal
assembly
of
the
prouince
:
by
whose
aduise
,
or
at
least
the
most
parte
therof
,
the
weightie
affaires
of
the
church
may
be
gouerned
,
to
the
glory
of
God
,
&
quietnes
of
the
realme
.
Further
,
it
is
his
highnes
wil
&
commandement
,
that
their
bishops
or
commissioners
,
twise
in
the
yéere
,
to
wit
,
10.
dayes
after
Easter
,
&
the
6.
of
September
,
hold
their
synodall
assemblies
,
in
euerie
diocesse
,
for
the
kéeping
of
good
order
therin
.
And
if
any
be
stubborne
,
or
contemne
within
their
bounds
the
good
order
of
the
church
,
that
it
may
be
declared
vnto
his
Ma.
&
punished
to
the
example
of
others
,
according
to
their
deseruings
Neither
is
it
his
Ma.
meaning
or
intent
,
that
such
bishops
or
commissioners
as
shall
be
appointed
,
shall
receiue
their
onely
&
full
commission
of
his
Ma
without
admission
ordinary
,
by
such
as
are
appointed
to
that
effect
in
the
church
:
but
hauing
his
highnes
nomination
,
presentation
,
and
commendation
,
as
lawfull
&
only
patron
,
they
to
bée
tried
and
examined
,
that
their
qualities
are
such
as
thei
are
able
to
discharge
their
cure
&
office
.
And
if
it
shall
happen
any
of
the
said
bishops
or
commissioners
,
to
bee
negligent
in
their
office
,
or
to
be
slanderous
&
offensiue
in
their
behauiour
,
life
,
&
maners
,
in
tyme
to
come
,
it
is
not
his
highnes
wil
,
that
they
shal
be
exempted
from
correction
,
notwithstanding
any
priuilege
of
his
highnes
estate
,
coum
sell
,
or
parliament
,
but
their
labors
,
trauels
,
diligence
,
&
behauiour
,
to
be
tried
in
the
generall
assembly
,
not
consisting
of
a
confused
multitude
,
as
it
was
before
,
but
of
such
worshipfull
persons
,
as
is
heretofore
prescribed
in
his
highnes
presence
,
or
his
deputies
to
that
effect
.
Lastly
,
his
maiestie
giueth
commission
to
the
saide
Bishops
,
or
commissioners
at
their
visitations
to
consider
in
what
part
of
the
cuntrey
,
the
exercise
,
or
interpretation
of
the
scripture
,
by
conference
of
a
certeine
number
of
the
Ministerie
within
those
bounds
,
may
be
most
commodiously
once
in
euerie
xv
.
daies
.
For
as
his
Ma.
inhibits
all
vnlawfull
méetings
,
that
may
ingender
trouble
&
contention
in
the
countrey
:
so
his
Ma.
is
well
affected
,
to
sée
the
Ministerie
increase
in
knowledge
&
vnderstanding
,
&
by
all
meanes
to
fortifie
&
aduaunce
the
same
.
Wherein
his
highnes
commandement
is
,
that
a
graue
,
wise
,
&
sage
man
,
shal
be
appointed
president
,
who
may
haue
the
ouersight
of
these
bounds
,
&
be
answerable
therefore
to
the
bishop
,
his
counsell
&
synode
,
&
he
to
be
respected
reasonably
for
his
paines
,
at
the
modification
of
stipends
:
that
all
things
may
be
orderly
done
in
the
church
,
peace
&
quietnes
mainteined
in
the
realme
,
&
we
delyuered
from
apparant
plagues
,
&
the
blessing
of
God
continued
,
to
the
comfort
of
our
posteritie
.
And
in
the
mean
time
his
highnes
inhibits
and
expresly
forbids
,
vnder
the
paines
conteined
in
his
Ma.
acts
of
parliament
,
&
al
other
paines
arbitral
,
at
his
Ma.
sight
&
counsell
,
that
no
Minister
take
in
hand
to
assemble
themselues
for
the
foresaid
cause
,
without
the
appointment
&
order
taken
by
the
said
bishops
or
commissioners
:
wherby
his
highnes
may
be
certeinly
enformed
,
that
the
foresaid
Ministers
assemble
not
,
to
meddle
with
any
ciuill
matters
,
or
affaires
of
estate
,
as
was
accustomed
before
,
but
onely
to
profit
in
the
knowledge
of
the
word
,
&
to
be
comforted
one
by
another
,
in
the
administration
of
their
spirituall
office
:
which
his
highnes
wisheth
them
faythfully
to
discharge
,
&
then
to
call
to
God
,
that
his
Maiestie
may
in
a
prosperous
reigne
enioy
good
and
long
life
,
and
continue
and
increase
into
the
feare
of
the
Almightie
.
FINIS
.
THE
KINGS
MAIESties
Intention
.
HIs
Maiesties
intention
is
,
by
the
grace
of
God
,
to
mainteine
the
true
and
sincere
profession
of
the
Gospell
,
&
preaching
thereof
within
this
realme
.
2
His
Maiesties
intention
is
,
to
correct
,
and
punishe
such
as
seditiously
abuse
the
truth
,
and
factiously
apply
or
rather
bewray
the
text
of
the
scripture
,
to
the
disquieting
of
the
estate
,
&
disturbing
of
the
common
welth
,
or
impayring
of
his
highnes
and
counsels
honour
.
3
His
Maiesties
intention
is
,
if
any
question
of
faith
and
doctrine
arise
,
to
conuocate
the
most
learned
,
godly
,
wise
,
and
experimented
pastors
,
that
by
conference
of
scriptures
,
the
veritie
may
be
tryed
,
and
all
heresie
,
and
schisme
by
that
meanes
repressed
.
4
His
Maiesties
intention
is
,
that
for
the
keeping
of
good
order
in
euerie
parish
,
certeine
ouerseeers
to
the
good
behauiours
of
the
rest
,
be
appointed
at
the
visitation
of
the
Bishop
,
or
visitour
,
who
shal
haue
his
Maiesties
authoritie
,
and
officers
of
armes
concurring
for
the
punishment
of
vice
.
5
His
Maiesties
intention
is
,
to
mainteine
the
exercise
of
prophesie
,
for
the
increase
&
continuing
of
knowledge
amongst
the
Ministerie
:
In
which
,
a
wise
and
graue
man
,
selected
by
the
bishop
or
commissioner
,
at
the
synodall
assembly
,
shall
render
an
account
of
the
administration
of
those
bounds
,
where
the
exercise
is
holden
:
for
which
cause
,
some
respect
of
liuing
shal
be
had
vnto
him
,
who
sustaines
that
burthen
.
6
His
Ma.
intention
is
,
not
to
derogate
,
vnto
the
ordinary
iudgment
of
matters
of
the
church
,
by
the
ordinary
Bishops
,
their
councels
,
and
synodes
:
but
if
any
of
them
do
amisse
,
and
abuse
their
calling
,
to
take
order
for
correcting
,
amending
,
and
punishing
thereof
.
7
His
Maiesties
intention
is
,
not
to
hinder
or
stay
any
godly
or
solide
order
,
grounded
vppon
the
worde
of
God
,
and
order
of
the
primitiue
Church
:
but
that
the
Ministers
of
the
word
meddle
themselues
onely
with
their
owne
calling
,
&
iudge
not
fearfully
of
the
estate
.
8
It
is
his
maiesties
intention
,
that
the
presbyteries
consisting
of
many
Ministers
and
Gentlemen
,
at
landwart
or
other
waies
,
be
no
further
tolerate
in
this
his
realme
:
but
the
excrcise
of
iurisdiction
of
all
churches
,
to
be
in
the
hands
of
the
Bishop
or
commissioner
,
and
their
councels
and
synods
.
9
It
is
his
Maiesties
intention
,
that
the
Bishops
or
commissioners
assemble
not
any
generall
assembly
out
of
the
whole
realme
,
without
his
maiesties
knowledge
&
licence
obteined
thereunto
:
which
vpon
supplication
his
highnes
wil
not
denie
:
that
an
vniforme
order
may
be
obserued
in
the
whole
realme
,
&
the
Bishops
&
their
diligences
there
tryed
and
examined
,
&
the
complaints
of
euery
pertituler
heard
and
discussed
.
10
It
is
his
Maiesties
intention
,
to
assist
this
assembly
himself
,
or
by
a
noble
man
of
his
counsaile
,
his
highnes
deputie
.
11
It
is
his
Maiesties
intention
,
that
when
any
parish
findeth
necessitie
of
any
fast
,
they
enforme
the
occasion
to
the
Bishop
or
commissioner
their
counsaile
,
that
they
may
vnderstand
the
cause
to
be
lawfull
,
as
lykewise
the
Bishop
of
the
diocesse
findiug
lawful
occasion
way
within
the
same
with
his
counsaile
prescribe
any
publike
humiliation
.
12
It
is
his
Maiesties
intention
,
that
a
general
fast
throughout
the
whole
realme
,
shall
not
be
proclaimed
but
by
his
Ma.
commandement
,
or
by
a
generall
counsaile
,
wherin
his
Ma.
or
his
highnes
deputy
is
present
.
13
It
is
his
highnes
intention
,
that
the
Bishops
in
the
realme
in
euery
diocesse
with
their
counsaile
,
proceede
into
the
ecclesiasticall
gouernment
,
but
as
is
sayd
with
a
counsaile
,
that
both
tyranny
and
confusion
may
be
auoided
in
the
church
.
14
It
is
his
highnes
intention
,
that
commissioners
be
directed
vniuersally
throughout
the
whole
Realme
to
establish
a
godly
order
,
and
that
his
Maiesties
commissioners
take
order
presently
for
the
translation
of
such
ministers
,
whose
trauels
they
esteeme
may
more
conueniently
and
profitably
serue
in
another
place
.
FINIS
.