¶ Iohn Peccham . ¶ All ministers of the chirche are bounden , to knowe and to beleue the .xiiii. artycles of the fayth catholyk , of whiche .vii. aperteyn & belonge to the mystery of the holy Trinite , and the other .vii. to the humanyte of Christe , as in this constitution and deere is rehersed .

IGnorantia sacerdotum & infra . That no person may excuse hym selfe by ignoraunce , but that he knowe thartycles of the faythe whiche all mynysters of the chyrch be bounde to knowe , we shortly & breuely touche and reherse theym in maner and forme as here foloweth . For it is to be knowen that there be .vii. artycles of the faythe apperteynyng to the mistery of the Trinite , of whiche .vii. foure apparteyne and belonge to the priuites of the diuinite or godhed of the same Trinite , and thre belonge to theffectes that is to seye , the operation of god . The fyrste article is the vnite of the essentie of god , that is to sey , that there is nomo but one god , in an vndiuisible and vnseparable Trinite of thre persones accordynge to the fyrst article of the Crede . Credo in vnum deum , that is to say in Englysshe , I beleue in one god . The secound article is to beleue the father vnbegoten , beynge of hym selfe and not of any other to be god . The thyrde is to beleue the son of god onely begoten to be god . The fourth is to beleue the holy ghost to be god , beynge neyther begoten nor vnbegoten , but procedynge together and egally from bothe the father and the son . The fyfte ys the creation of heuen and of yerthe that ys to sey of all and euery creature , both visible and vnuisible by the hole & vndiuisible Trinite . The syxte is the sanctification and halowynge of the chyrche by the holy ghost , and the sacramentes of grace , and all other thynges in whyche the chyrche of Christ doth common and participate wherin is vnderstonded that the sayde chyrche with her sacramentes and lawes through the holy ghoste is sufficiente , for and vnto euery man howe greate a synner soeuer he be for his saluation , and that out of this chyrche is no helth of saluation . The seuenthe is the consummation of the same chyrch , militaunt , by eternall glory certeynly to be suscitate & reysed in flesshe or body and soule , and by the contrary of this is vnderstonded the eternall dampnation of euyll persones refused of god . The other .vii. articles apperteyne to the humanite or manhed of Christ . The fyrst is the incarnation or true assumption and takyng of mans flesshe & body of the glorious virgyn onely by the holy ghost . The secounde is the natiuite of god truely & verely incarnate of a virgyne pure clene & vndefoiled . The thyrd is the true passion & deathe of Christe vpon the crosse vndre the tyran Pylate . The fourthe is the descension and goyng downe of Christe to helle in his soule , his body remaynynge & lyenge in the sepulchre , to spoyle and destroy helle , that ys to delyuer the soules of the holy fathers there lyenge , and abydynge redemption . The fyfte is the true resurrection and agayne rysynge of Chryste . The syxte is the true ascension of the same Christ to heuen . The seuenthe ys the most sure certeyn and vndoubted expectation and lokynge for the same Christe , to come to iudge both quycke and deed .

¶ They that ministre the body of our lorde must teache and informe theym vnto whome they do ministre , that vndre the forme of brede ys very Christ , and that he ought to be receyued comely and semyngly , and that vndre the forme of wyne beyng gyuen and ministred not before consecrate ys but wyne onely and nothyng elles .

ALtissimus et infra . The preestes ought to take hede that when they gyue or ministre , the communion of the holy sacrament to the symple folke in the easter season or els when , that they teache and enforme theym curiously & substantially that in forme of brede is gyuen and minystred vnto theym both the body and the blode of our lorde ye and very Christe hole and a lyue whiche is there hole vndre the forme of the sacrament . They ought also to teache the same symple rude & vnlearned folke that that whiche at the same tymes is gyuen & mynystred in the chalice not to be any sacramente but pure wyne onely gyuen to theym to drynke that they maye the more easely & soner swalowe downe the sacrament whyche they haue receyued , for in suche inferiour chyrches , that is to sey chyrches or chapelles of the contrey ye and paryshe chirches of the City or any other chyrches beynge not cathedrall chyrches . yt is permytted and graunted only to theym that do celebrate to receyue the blode of Christe vndre the forme of wyne consecrate , let theym also teache the same rude and symple folke , not to breake ouer smalle nor tomyche with theyre tethe the sayde holy sacrament receyued with theyr mouth , but the same very lytell broken hole to take and swalowe downe perfectly that no lytell parte or pece therof by chaunce remayne betwene the tethe or els where .

John peccham . ¶ That the constitucion made and ordeyned agaynste concubynaries be kept inuiolably , and in the most straite wyse and the same constitucion to be denounsed and publyshed by the officialles in foure principal chapiters rurall .

QVia incontinentie vicium et infra . we bede and commaunde the constitution of the late lorde Octobonus publyshed and made agaynste concubinaries to be inuiolably obserued and kept . And we straitly enioynynge charge and commaunde all and euerye our Lobysshoppes and suffragans in the vertue of obedience , and vndre the payne of suspension from theyr offyce , and from theyr benefice which suspension we {pro}nounce on theym yf they or any of theym shal be found wyllyngly negligent on this behalf , that they cause the constitucion afore named to be recited and rehersed and openly in the foure principall chapitres rurall of the yere eyther by theym selues or by theyr officialles or at the leaste wyse by the deanes rurall or theyr deputies before all the chapitre excludinge thense & seperatyng all lay {per}sons which recitacion or rehersall we woll & commaunde to be had and taken for a monition that processe may be frely had & made agaynste all such vicious concubinaries that after the sayd recitacion they maye haue no excuse to laye for theym when processe shall be made agaynste theym for and concernynge the execution of priuation of theyr benefyces accordynge to theffecte of the sentence and decre made in the constitution aforesayd . But if any person or persones shall maliciously let the said recitacyon of this constitutyon aforesayde they shall ymmediatly for so doynge be excommunicate and accursed , and yf any deane or his deputy shal be negligent to recyte the sayd constitution as aforesayde he shal be bounden to fast brede and water euery fryday ( excepte infirmite and sycknes shall let hym ) vnto suche tyme as he shall haue recyted or caused to be recyted the sayd constitucion in the chapitre then nexte folowynge .

¶ Of the custome of the habite & apparell comenly and semyng for clerkes to weare commaundynge the obseruation and kepynge of the same , vndre the payne constitute and set vpon the same .

EXterior habitus et infra . By thauctorite of this counsaill we commaunde that the ordynaries of places vnto whome yt belongeth to enquere of thexcesses of the subiectes , make inquisicion and serche yerely in all places beynge subiect vnto theyr iurisdiction by them selues or by other for and vpon thobseruation of that constitucion made and published by vs of the habyte wede and apparel of clerkes , and that they see and cause with all diligence to be obserued kept and executed agaynste all transgressours and offenders on this behalfe the same constitucion vpon the paynes and penalytes in the same constitution lymytted .

¶ These constitucions be dylygently to be obserued and kept , and faythfully publyshed and declared .

We charge & commaunde the constitucions and remedyes prouyded by this counsaill fromhensforthe to be vnuiolably obserued & kept in this our prouince of Cantorbury commaundyng all our Cobysshoppes and suffraganes that they publysshe and declare & cause to be publyshed and declared & to be brought to euerye bodys knowlege by them selues or by other as the lawe dothe require these constitucions for the comen profyt and the laude & glory of the name of Iesu Christe .

Symon langham . ¶ Albeyt by the olde constitucion onely the husbonde yf he haue contynued mayster and owner of thre lyuynge beastes or mo , and the wyfe if she haue kept & guyded her household by the space of one hole yere was bounden to the solucion and payment of a mortuary , yet nowe bothe beynge owner of thre , or fewer , shal be iudge to pay a mortuary by the ordinaries of the places .

STatutum et infra . Because that by occasion of this statute often tymes doo arryse contention and debate betwene the persones of chyrches & theyr parochians , whiche stryfe and debate we entierly desire to extinguysshe and put awey , we thought necessary to declare the same statute or custome by synodall interpretation expounynge the same in this our generall conuocation to be vnderstonded in this maner & forme folowing that is to sey , yf the persone deceassed haue or had at the tyme of his decease in his goodes , thre lyue beastes or mo of what kynde soeuer they be , that then the principall best reserued to that partie vnto whome of ryght it is owyng , the secounde beste of the sayd thre or mo lyuinge beastes be reserued vnto that his parysshe chyrche of the whiche by his lyfe tyme he receyued the benefyte of the sacramentes for & in recompence and satisfaccion of such tythes and offeringes as he hath taken or kept from the sayd person , and the same after the death of any suche lay man to be delyuered to his sayde parysshe chyrche without any maner fraude gyle deceypte crafte or collusion and without any contradiction or denyeng in any wyse for the helthe of the sayd parties soule , but yf there shal be in the goodes of such part so deceasynge onely two lyuynge beastes and nomo , then of the gentle curtesy of the chyrch all such actyon as is in the name or title of a mortuary must to be remytted , & that yf any woman so deceasse her husbonde suruiuynge and remaynyng in lyfe that in no wyse a mortuarye be payed for her . But yf the woman suruyue her husbonde and after his deceasse contynue and remayne wydowe kepyng and guydynge her householde by the space of one yere , that then she be bounde to pay a mortuary , in maner and forme as beforesaid . But yet we wyl in no wyse by this interpretation any {pre}iudice to growe vnto the laudable custume and vsage to fore had vsed & kept in this our prouince , for and concerning mortuaries , but that if the partye or parties deceasynge as aforesayd haue the full nombre of such lyuing beastes whether the husbond or the wyfe deceasse before or after the custume and vsage of the chyrche concernynge the gyuyng & performynge of the mortuary be obserued and kept . And to the paymente of the sayde mortuarie due by lawe or custome we woll all suche parties as shall refuse withstonde or agayne say the same by the ordynaryes of places to be constreyned by the censures of the chyrche .

¶ Edmunde . ¶ No persone of any chyrch presume to sell the tythes of his chyrch not yet perceyued .

NO person may presume to sell the tythes of his chyrche not perccyued before the feaste of thannunciacion of the blessed virgyn Mary , from which day the frutes ought to be gyuen to paye the dettes or legacies of theyr persons if they dye before the perception of the same frutes .

¶ That all irregulers be suspended from the execucion of theyr offyce vntyll they haue a laufull dispensacion .

IN primis et infra . All those whiche be irreguler , when they do take ordres or before or after theyr ordres takynge withoute they be expressely dyspensed with by theym which may dispence with such , we denounce theym to be suspended from thexecutynge of theyr offyce vntyll suche tyme as they be laufully dyspensed with for the same . And as concernynge the premysses those which be irreguler be these folowyng murderers or man kyllers , aduocates in cause of blode , or symonyakes , and interuentours or brokers of symonyacall couenauntes or bargaynes , or who so euer wittyngly dothe take orders of theym that be infecte with that contagion of symony , or who so euer wittyngly doth receyue ordres of heretykes , scismatikes , or by name excommunicate . Also bygamyes , husbondes of women actually corrupte before they were maried and such as do corrupt virgynes professed into religion or consecrate to god , excommunicate persones , and suche as by stealethe take ordres , southsayers or prophesyers , and burners of chyrches and such other lyke .

¶ Let no man be admytted to ordres out of his owne dioces , of not his owne bysshoppe wittyngly . ¶ Richarde .

QVia quidam et infra . A bysshoppe beynge vndre our iurisdiction whyche shall wittyngly gyue ordres to the Clerke or parishener of another bysshoppe without the specyall lycence of the same bysshoppe from the tyme of the gyuynge of the same ordres , at whych tyme he receyued or admytted to ordres any suche persone vntyll he hathe made condigne satisfaccion , let hym knowe hym selfe to be suspended .

¶ walter . ¶ A prelate shall not cause any of his subiectes to be admytted to ordres of not theyr owne bysshoppe without letters dimissories .

CVm quanta et infra . we do forbed that no Abbot or priour cause theyr monkes or chanons to take ordres of any other bysshop then of the diocesane of the place without the letters dymyssory of the same bisshop or in his absence of his vicar generall .

¶ walter . ¶ The sacrament of confirmation must be ministred comēly & assone as may be without interuention of the parentes , or of the father inlawe or of the mother inlawe .

SAcerdotes et infra . A yonge man of thage of .xiiii. yeres and aboue to be confyrmed must be monyshed by the preest of the place where as he dwelleth , fyrste to be confessed and so afterwarde must be confirmed , & muste come fastynge to confirmation for the reuerence of the sacrament . Also let the parentes be often tymes warned by the preestes that they bring theyr yonge chyldren which be baptised to confirmatyon , and that they do not longe abyde the commynge of the bysshoppe , but that they brynge theyr chyldren to hym for confirmation when they shall here hym to be nere hand , and that they bryng with theym conuenyent bysshopbondes , and the yonge chyldren also beynge confirmed the thyrd day after theyr confirmation muste be brought to the chyrche / and theyr forehedes must be wasshed by the handes of the preestes at the fonte for the reuerence of the crysme / and in the same place theyr bisshopbondes thē to gether must be brent . And that at the confirmation no chylde be holden of the father or mother stepfather or stepmother . And we wyll that this prohibition be often publysshed by the preestes in the chyrches that the parentes and other whiche do holde chyldren to the confirmynge may knowe that a spiritual bonde is aswell contracted and made by this sacramente as by baptyme .

¶ All christiē of thage of .xiiii. yeres or aboue shulde be exhorted to receyue the sacrament of the last an oyling comely & in due tyme .

THe oyle of the syck folks shal be brought to the syck with greate reuerence and the preestes shal anoynt thē with yt , with greate douotion & solempnite of many prayers which be ordeyned for the same , let the preestes also often monysshe the people ( at the leaste ) those which be of .xiiii. yeres and aboue to receyue the sacramente of extreme vnction , and that also after they haue receyued the sacramente they maye laufully retorne to matrymonyall copulacion . The effecte & vertue of this sacramente is knowen by the wordes of thapostle Iamys sayenge . yf any of you be dysseased let hym brynge in the preestes of the chyrch that they maye praye ouer hym anoyntynge hym with the holy oyle in the name of the lorde & the prayer of faythe shall saue the dysseased and the lorde shall alleuyat hym , make hym lyght , or helpe hym , & yf he be in synnes they shal be forgyuen hym .

¶ The mynystres of the holy Crysme askyng & requiryng euery yere the same crysme . euery yere new of theyr bysshop ought to minystre the same duely . ¶ Iohn peccham .

Where as the makynge of the holy oyntement is to be done from yere to yere by the bysshop of the diocesse after the decrees of the holy canons , & the same crysme by them made euery yere to be gyuen to faythfull persones , & the olde or what so euer ys lefte of the olde Crysmes ys to be brent in the chyrches . The persones also eyther by them selues or by theyr deacons or subdeacons ar bounde for euery of theyr chyrches to aske of the bysshoppes of the dioces the holy Crysme euerye yere before the feaste of Easter or as shortly as yt may be done , in somyche that yf any attempte to cristen or to anoynte the christened in the forehed ( without yt be in icopardy of deathe ) with any other crysme then with this newe which he hath receyued of the fre graunte or gifte of the bysshop he sheweth hym selfe to haue the sentence of dampnation gyuen ouer hym . yet neuertheles some men beyng led with blynde ignoraunce whiche is sayde to be very nyghe neyghboure to deceypte or with a stubborne spirite stryuynge agaynste the holy canons in that behalfe , which thynge is not farre from the cryme of idolatry or the synne of wytcraft do kepe in some places the holy Crysme two yeres some where thre yeres & more & do dampnably abuse the same in theyr christinynge & other sacryfyces not askynge nor receyuynge of the bysshoppes of theyr dioces from yere to yere any newe , which thynge leaste yt shulde be from hensforth done any more , we straitly commaunde vnder payne of suspension which we gyue vpon all those stubburne persones that wyll do the contrary , whiche thyng also we beleue ought to be taken and vnderstonded of the holy oyle of them that be cathecumini , that is to saye newely instructed in the fayth of Chryste to be christiened .

¶ The same . ¶ Noman ought to be receyued to the sacrament of the alter , but in tharticle and poynte of deathe except he be confirmed or haue laufull impediment .

COnfirmationis et infra . Againste theym that be negligent to receyue the sacrament of confirmation we ordeyne that noman be admytted to the sacrament of the body and blode of our lorde , but in the poynte of deathe without he be confirmed or except he haue ben reasonably letted from receyuynge the sayde confirmation .

¶ Let the parentes beware that they suffre not theyr chyldren to be twyce confirmed for asmoche as therby the men chyldren do incurre irregularite , and the parentes selues greate hurte . ¶ walter .

SAcerdotes et infra . Let the parentes dilygently beware and take hede that they brynge not theyr chyldren to be confirmed twyce for asmoch as the same chyldren by receyuynge of the same sacrament agayne yf they ben men chyldren be made irreguler , and the parentes selues by such neglygence , by sentence of the Canons be vndre greate vengeance and punyshement .

¶ walter . ¶ Extreme vnction or last annoylyng ought not to be iterate or gyuen agayne , but one hole yere passed betwene , and not then but in euydent perell of deathe .

THe sacrament of extreme vnction maye be laufully euery yere renewed , so that euery yere ones yt may be gyuen to a persone beynge in great dysease and syknes , of the which syknes the syk man is in ieopardy and feare of deathe .

¶ Iohn peccham . ¶ Also baptisme duely minystred by lay persones is not to be iterate renewed or mynystred agayne by a preste .

QVod in constitutione & infra . yf it chaunce yonge chyldren to be baptised of lay persons , because of perell of death , let the prestes beware that they be not so bolde to renewe the baptysme duely and laufully done and mynistred .

¶ Of the .vii. sacramentes of grace .v. muste and ought to be duely receyued of all christen men , whiche be baptysme , confirmation penaunce , eucharistie , or the body of our lorde in his due tyme & extreme vnction in tharticle or poynt of death , of such as yet be in theyr ryght mynde , and haue theyr wyttes or at the leaste wyse desyre to receyue yt , whyle they were in theyr ryght mynde & had theyr wyttes . But the .vi. sacrament that is to sey holy ordres of them that be perfecte , and the .vii. that is matrymony of suche as be not perfecte . ¶ Iohn peccham .

IGnorantia sacerdotum et infra . There be .vii. sacramentes of grace , the dispensatours and mynystres of which ben prelates of the chyrche , of whiche .vii. sacramentes .v. ought to be receyued of euerye chrysten man , that is to saye Baptysme , confirmation , penaunce , and housle at tyme conuenient , and annoylyng or last anoyntment , which ought to be minystred onely vnto such as by tokens lykely & apparaunt of greate infyrmyte seme to drawe nere to the perell of deathe , vnto whome ( yf yt may be ) let yt be gyuen and mynystred whyle they haue theyr ryght mynde & perfecte reason . And yf yt chaunce or happen them to be trobled & dyseased with phrenesy or any other alienation of mynde whan so euer yt be , yet yf before the tyme of such alienation they were desirous & toke any thought or care for theyr soule helth . we counsell that this sacrament be faythfully mynystred vnto them for we beleue , and haue also lerned by goode proues and experience that the receyuynge of the sayd sacrament of extreme holy vnction , wylbe profytable and helpe a man be he neuer so phrenetyke , so that he be the chyld of predestination or saluation that he shall eyther haue tyme ynough to retourne to his mynde and recouer his wyttes agayne , or at the leaste shall obteyne spiritual profet & help of the soule to the encrease of grace . There be also two other sacramentes that is to wyt ordres and matrymony , of the which two the former besemeth and agreeth onely vnto perfect . The secound onely to vnperfecte , euer syth the fyrste tyme of the newe testament and the lawe of Chryst , and yet the same of the power of the sacrament we thynke geueth grace yf yt be contracted with pure harte & mynde .

¶ Iohn peccham . ¶ For asmyche as the sonnes of persones of chyrches and preestes may not by the lawe enioy ecclesiastical benefyces of theyr fathers by immediat succession , yf they any such benefyces of theyr fathers haue occupy or enioye , let hym be expelled and put from the same .

FOr asmych as yt is forbeden by the law that the sonnes of Curates persones or preestes shal not be made Curates or persons in the same chyrces where as theyr fathers ymmediatly and next before theym byd minystre without the popes dyspensacion before had on that behalfe , and for asmych as yt ys manyfest and well knowen by the same lawe all such benefyces to be vacant yf the contrary to this be in facte and dede attempted , we do straitly charge and commaunde that the {pre}lates make diligent inquisicion of the c●yrch so beyng vacant , and that they make no delay to ordeyne and determyne the same accordynge to the lawe takynge better hede from hensforthe that they admytte no such men to any such benefices by any maner of tytle least that contrary to iustyce and the goode ordre of the lawe by such pryuy entrynge there myght seme to be a place of succession vnto the inheritaunce of hym that hanged in the crosse .

walter . ¶ Aliens or straungers & men vnknowen , may not be admytted to execute theyr ordre , without letters of commendations or lettres dymissoryes of theyr ordinaries , without sufficient dyspensacion and proue before had of theyr ordination or ordres takynge , and also admyssion therunto by the bysshop .

CVm quanta et infra . Suche as be ordeyned or haue taken ordres in Ireland , wales , or Scotlande shall not be admytted of any man within our prouynce to execute theyr ordre so taken except great necessyte do require and then also that they be dyspensed with by sufficient auctorite for and vpon the execucion of theyr forsayde ordre , or els that the ordres which they haue taken be otherwyse by theyr ordynaries ratifyed . Prouided neuertheles that in no wyse they be admytted before yt be knowen of theyr laufull ordinacion or admission to ordres , of theyr purite and clennes of lyuyng . and also of theyr lernynge , and furder we commaunde that no straunger and vnknowen preest , whose ordinacion or admission to ordres is not well knowen to be admytted to serue any chyrches , there to celebrate and execute the dyuyne seruyce , but by lycence of the bysshop of the dioces after that it shal be truely knowen of theyr ordinacion or admission to ordres by lettres testimonialles or wytnes of goode and honeste men , and that sufficient knowlege and profe be gyuen and made .

¶ The thyrde counsell of Oxforde . ¶ Thomas Arundell . ¶ No chapleyn of a straunge diocesse maye be admytted to celebrate without the lettres of his owne diocesane or some other bisshop vnto such tyme as goode opinion be sayde of his honeste goode maners & goode behauour .

NO chapeleyn shall be admytted to celebrate in any dioces of our prouynce of Cantorbury other then in the which he was borne or be admitted to ordres except he bring with him the lettres of his ordres & lettres of commendations of his diocesane . And yet neuertheles the lettres of other bysshoppes in whose diocesse in the meane whyle he hath contynued & lyued by longe space . In the whiche sayd lettres of commendations we wyll and commaunde caution and warantise to be expressely made of the behauour ma●ers & conuersation of the same , and whether he be diffamed of and vpon any newe opinions concernyng the catholyk fayth or of any ypocritical maners , or whether he be vtterly clere , & free from all such opinions , or els let aswell hym that dothe otherwyse celebrate as hym that permytteth and suffreth suche chapleyn or preest so to synge be greuously and sharpeley punyshed .