THe Care which Wee haue had , and Paines which Wee haue taken to settle the Affaires of this Church of England in an Vniformitie as well of Doctrine , as of Gouernment , both of them agreeable to the Word of God , the Doctrine of the Primitiue Church , and the Lawes heretofore established for those matters in this Realme , may sufficiently appeare by our former Actions . For no sooner did the Infection of the Plague , raigning immediatly after Our entry into this Kingdome , giue vs leaue to haue any Assembly , but Wee held at Our Honor of Hampton Court for that purpose a Conference betweene some principall Bishops and Deanes of this Church , and such other Learned men as vnderstood or fauoured the Opinions of those that seeke Alteration , before our Selfe and our Councell . Of which Conference the issue was , That no well grounded matter appeared to vs or our sayd Councell , why the State of the Church here by Law established , should in any materiall point be altered , Nor did those that before had seemed to affect such Alteration , when they heard the contrarie Arguments , greatly insist vpon it , but seemed to be satisfied themselues , and to vndertake within reasonable time to satisfie all others that were misse-led with opinion that there was any iust cause of Alteration , Whereupon we published by our Proclamation what had beene the Issue of that Conference , hoping that when the same should be made knowen , all reasonable men would haue rested satisfied with that which had beene done , and not haue mooued further trouble or speech of matters , whereof so solemne and aduised Determination had beene made . Notwithstanding , at the late Assembly of our Parliament , there wanted not many that renewed with no little earnestnesse the Questions before determined , and many more aswell about the Booke of Common Prayer , as other matters of Church Gouernment , and importuned vs for our Assent to many Alterations therein : But yet with such successe , as when they had heard both Our owne speeches made vnto them at sundry times , shewing the Reasons of Our former proceedings in those matters , And likewise had had Conference with some Bishops , and other Lords of the vpper House about the same , they desisted from further prosecution thereof ; finding , that of all things that might any way tend to the furtherance of Religion , and establishment of a Ministerie fit for the same , Wee had before with the aduise of our Counsel , had such consideration , as the present state of things would beare , And taken order how the same should be prosecuted by such meanes , as might be vsed without any publique disturbance or Innouation : And so the end of all their motions and ouertures falling out to be none other in Substance , then was before at the Conference at Hampton Court , That is , that no apparant or grounded Reason was shewed , why either the booke of Common Prayer , or the Church discipline here by Law established should be changed ( which were vnreasonable ) considering that particular and personall abuses are remediable otherwise , then by making generall Alterations : Wee haue thought good once againe to giue notice thereof to all our Subiects , by publike Declaration , who We doubt not but will receiue great satisfaction , when they shall vnderstand that after so much impugning , there appeareth no cause why the forme of the Seruice of God , wherein they haue beene nourished so many yeeres , should be changed : And consequently to admonish them all in generall to conforme themselues thereunto , without listning to the troublesome spirits of some Persons , who neuer receiue contentment , either in Ciuill , or Ecclesiasticall matters , but in their owne fantasies , especially of certaine Ministers , who vnder pretended Zeale of Reformation , are the chiefe Authors of Diuisions and Sects among our people . Of many of which , we hope that now , when they shal see that such things as they haue proposed for Alteration , prooue vpon tryall so weakely grounded , as deserue not admittance , they will out of their owne iudgement conforme themselues to better aduice , and not omit the principall & substantial parts of their duties , for shadowes & semblances of Zeale , but rather bend their strength with our intent to ioyne in one end , that is , the establishing of the Gospel , and recouering of our People seduced out of the hands of the common aduersaries of our Religion , which shal neuer be wel performed but by an Vniformitie of all our endeuours therin . But if our hope herein faile vs , Wee must aduertise them , that our duetie towards God requireth at our hands , that what vntractable men doe not performe vpon admonition , they must bee compelled vnto by Authoritie , whereof the Supreme power resting in our hands , by Gods ordinance , Wee are bound to vse the same in nothing more , then in preseruation of the Churches tranquillitie , which by Gods grace We are fully purposed to doe : And yet by aduise of our Councell , and opinion of the Bishops , although our former Proclamations both before the Conference and since , ought to bee a sufficient warning and admonition to all men , who are within the danger of them , Wee haue thought good to giue time to all Ministers disobedient to the Orders of the Church and to Ecclesiastical Authoritie here by Law established , and who for such disobedience , either in the dayes of the Queene our Sister of famous memorie deceased , or since our Reigne haue incurred any censures of the Church , or penalties of Lawes , vntill the last day of Nouember now next ensuing , to bethinke themselues of the course they will hold therein .

In which meane time both they may resolue either to conforme themselues to the Church of England , and obey the same : Or els to dispose of themselues and their families some other wayes , as to them shall seeme meete : And the Bishops and others whom it concerneth , prouide meete persons to be substitutes in the place of those who shall wilfully abandon their Charges vpon so sleight causes : Assuring them that after that day , We shall not faile to doe that which Princely prouidence requireth at Our hands : That is , to put in execution all wayes and meanes that may take from among Our people , all grounds and occasions of Sects , Diuisions , and Vnquietnesse : Whereof as We wish there may neuer be occasion giuen vs to make proofe , but that this our admonition may haue equall force in all mens hearts , to worke an vniuersal conformitie : So We do require all Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ecclesiastical persons , to do their vttermost endeuours by conferences , arguments , perswasions , and by all other wayes of loue and gentlenesse to reclaime all that be in the Ministerie , to the obedience of our Church Lawes ; For which purpose only We haue enlarged the time formerly prefixed for their remooue or Reformation , to the end that if it be possible , that Vniformitie which Wee desire , may be wrought by Clemencie , and by weight of Reason , and not by Rigour of Law . And the like aduertisement doe We giue to all Ciuill Magistrates , Gentlemen , and others of vnderstanding , as well abroad in the Counties , as in Cities and Townes , Requiring them also , not in any sort to support , fauour , or countenance any such factious Ministers in their obstinacie : of whose endeuours Wee doubt not , but so good successe may follow , as this Our admonition , with their indeuours , may preuent the vse of any other meanes to retaine our people in their due Obedience to vs , and in Vnitie of minde , to the Seruice of Almighty God .