AS we haue euer from our infancie had manifold proofes of Gods great goodnes towards vs in his protecting of vs from many dangers of our Person , very neerely threatning vs , and none more notorious then his happy conducting of vs in the late case of our succession to this Crowne , which contrary to most mens expectation wee haue receiued with more quiet and concurrencie of good will of our people ( otherwise perhaps of different dispositions ) then euer in like accident hath bene seene : So doe we thinke that the memory of his benefits ought to be a continuall solicitation to vs to shewe our selues thankefull to his diuine Maiestie , wherein soeuer opportunitie shall be offered vs to doe him seruice , but especially in things concerning his honour and seruice , and the furtherance of the Gospel , which is the duety most beseeming Royall authoritie . Wherefore after our entry into this Kingdome , when wee had receiued information of the state thereof at the decease of the Queene our Sister of famous memory , Although we found the whole Body thereof in generall by the wisedome of her selfe and care of those who had the administration thereof vnder her , in such good state of health as did greatly commend their wisedomes , as well in the Politique part of it , as also in the Ecclesiasticall , whereof since wee haue vnderstood the forme and frame , we are perswaded that both the constitution and doctrine thereof is agreeable to Gods word , and neere to the condition of the Primitiue Church : Yet forasmuch as experience doeth shewe dayly , that the Church militant is neuer so well constituted in any forme of Policie , but that the imperfections of men who haue the exercise thereof , doe with time , though vnsensibly , bring in some corruptions : As also for that informations were daily brought vnto vs by diuers , that some things vsed in this Church were both scandalous to many seeming zealous , and gaue aduantage to the Aduersaries , Wee conceiued that no subiect could be so fit for vs to shew our thankefulnesse to God , as vpon serious examination of the state of this Church , to redeeme it from such scandals , as both by the one side and the other were layd vpon it . For our instruction wherein , we appointed a meeting to be had before our Selfe and our Counsell , of diuers of the Bishops and other learned men , the first day of the next moneth , by whose information and aduice we might gouerne our proceeding therein , if we found cause of amendment . But by reason of the sicknesse reigning in many places of our Kingdome , the vnseasonable time of the yeere for trauaile , and the incommoditie of the place of our abode for such an assembly , we were constrained to deferre it till after Christmas : At which Consultation we shall both more particularly vnderstand the state of the Church ; and receiue thereby light to iudge whether there be indeed any such enormities as are pretended , and know how to proceed to the redresse . But this our godly purpose we finde hath bene misconstrued by some mens spirits , whose heat tendeth rather to combustion then reformation , as appeareth by the courses they haue taken , Some vsing publique Inuectiues against the state Ecclesiasticall here established , some contemning their Authoritie and the Processes of their Courts , some gathering subscriptions of multitudes of vulgar persons to Supplications to be exhibited to vs to craue that Reformation , which if there be cause to make , is more in our heart then in theirs . All which courses it is apparant to all men are vnlawfull and doe sauour of tumult , sedition , and violence , and not of such a Christian modestie as beseemeth those , who for pieties sake onely desire redresse of things they thinke to be amisse , and cannot but be the occasions of dissentious partialities , and perhaps of greater inconueniences among our people .

For preuenting whereof , We haue thought it necessary to make publique declaration to all our Subiects , that as we haue reason to thinke the estate of the Church here established , and the degrees and orders of Ministers gouerning the same , to be agreeable to the worde of God , and the forme of the Primitiue Church , hauing found the same blessed in the reigne of the late Queene , with great increase of the Gospel , and with a most happy and long peace in the politique State , which two things , the true seruice of God , and happinesse of the State doe commonly concurre together : So are we not ignorant , that time may haue brought in some Corruptions , which may deserue a reuiew and amendment , which if by the assembly intended by vs we shall finde to be so in deede , we will therein proceede according to the Lawes and Customes of this Realme by aduise of our Councell , or in our high Court of Parliament , or by Conuocation of our Clergie , as we shall finde reason to leade vs ; not doubting but that in such an orderly proceeding , we shall haue the Prelates and others of our Clergie no lesse willing , and farre more able to affoord vs their duetie and seruice , then any other whose zeale goeth so fast before their discretion . Vpon which our Princely care , our pleasure is , that all our Subiects doe repose themselues , and leaue to our conscience that which to vs only apperteineth , auoyding all vnlawfull and factious manner of proceeding , for that hereafter if any shall either by gathering the subscriptions of multitudes to Supplications , by contemptuous behauiour to any authoritie by the Lawes resting in Ecclesiasticall persons , by open inuectiues and vndecent speeches either in the Pulpit or otherwise , or by disobedience to the processes proceeding from their Iurisdiction , giue vs cause to thinke that he hath a more vnquiet spirit then becommeth any priuate person to haue toward publike authority , We wil make it appeare by their chasticement , how farre such a maner of proceeding is displeasing to vs , and that we finde that these Reformers vnder pretended zeale affect Noueltie , and so confusion in all estates : whereas our purpose and resolution euer was , and now is to preserue the estate aswell Ecclesiasticall as Politike , in such forme as we haue found it established by the Lawes here , reforming onely the abuses which we shall apparantly finde prooued , And that also to doe by such mature aduise and deliberation , as we haue aboue mentioned . Wherefore we admonish all men hereby to take warning , as they will answere the contrary at their perill .