Search York

vile the holy sacrament of the body and bloud of oiu* Lord,

commonly called the sacrament of the altar : and the said

estatute hath most prudently declared, by al the words and

terms which Scripture speaketh of it, what is undoubtedly

to be accepted, beleved, taken, and spoken by and of the

said sacrament : yet this notwithstandyng, his Majesty is

advertised, that some of his subjects, not contented with

such words and terms as Scripture doth declare therof, nor

with that doctrine which the Holy Ghost by the evangelists

and St. Paul hath taught us, do not cease to move conten-

tious and superfluous questions of the said holy sacrament

and supper of the Lord ; entryng rashly into tlie discussing

OF ORIGINALS. 341

of the high mystery therof, and go about in their sermons or

talks, arrogantly to define the maner, nature, fashion, ways,

possibility or impossibility of those matters ; which neither

make to edification, nor God hath by his holy word opened.

Which persons, not contented reverently and with obedi-

ent faith t' accept that the said sacrament according to the

saying of St. Paul, the bread is (he communion or partak-

ing of the body of' the Lord: the zoitie, likewise, the pm-tak-

ing of the bloud of Christy by the words instituted and

taught of Christ; and that the body and bloud of Jesu42

Christ is there ; which is our comfort, thanksgiving, love-

token of Christs love towards us, and of ours, as his mem-

bers, within our self; search and strive unreverently, whe-

ther the body and bloud aforesaid is there really or figura-

tively, locally or circumscriptly, and having quantity and

greatnes, or but substantially and by substance only, or els

but in a figure and maner of speaking ; whether his blessed

body be there, head, leggs, armes, toes, and nails, or any other

ways, shape and maner, naked or clothed ; whether he is

broken or chewed, or he is always whole ; whether the

bread there remaineth, as we se, or how it departeth ; whe-

ther the flesh be there alone, and the bloud, or part, or ech

in other, or in th'one both, in th'other but only bloud ; and

what bloud ; that only which did flow out of the side, or

that which remained : with other such irreverent, superflu-

ous, and curious questions, which, how and what, and by

what means, and in what forme, may bring into theim,

which of human and corrupt curiosity hath desire to search

out such mysteries as lyeth hid in the infinite and bottom-

less depth of the wisdom and glory of God ; and to the

which our humain imbecillity cannot attain : and therfore

oftymcs turneth the same to their own and others destruc-

tion, by contention and arrogant rashnes ; which simple and

Christian affection reverently receiving, and obediently be-

leving, without further search, taketh and useth to most

great comfort and profit.

For reformation wherof, and to the intent that further

contention, tumult, and question might not rise amonges the

z3

342 A REPOSITORY

Kings subjects, the Kings Higlines, by the advice of the

Lord Protector, and other his Majesties councel, straitly

willeth and commaundelh, that no maner person from hence-

forth do in any wise contentiously and openly argue, dis-

pute, reason, preach, or teach ; affirming any more termes of

the said bl. sacrament than be expressely taught in the holy

Scripture, and mentioned in the foresaid act, nor deny none

which be therin contained and mentioned ; until such tyme

as the Kings Majesty, by the advice of his Highnes Council,

and the clergy of this realm, shal define, declare, and set

furthe an open doctrin therof ; and what termes and words

may justly be spoken therby, other then be expressly in the

Scripture conteined in the act before rehersed.
In the mean while the K. H. pleasure is, by the advice

aforesaid, that every his loving subjects shal devoutly and

reverendly affirm and take that holy bread to be Christs

body, and that cup to be the cup of his holy bloud, accord-

ing to the purport and effisct of t'holy Scripture, conteined

in tir act before expressed, and accommodate theimself ra-

ther to take the same sacrament worthily, than rashly to

entre into the discussyng of the high mystery therof.

Yet the K. H. mindeth not hereby to let or stop the igno-

rant, and willing to learn, reverently or privatly to demaund

of those whom he thynketh knoweth more, the further in-

struction and teaching in the said bl. sacrament; so that the

same be not doen with contention, nor in open audience,

with a company gathered together about them, nor with

tunmlt: nor doth prohibite any man hereby likewise so

43 quietly, devoutly, and reverently to teach or instruct the

weak and unlearned, according to the more talent and learn-

yng geven to hym of God. But only, that al contention,

strife, and tumult, and irreverentness might be avoyded, and

in open audience and preachyng nothing taught but which

may have the holy Scripture for warrant.
Upon pain that whosoever shal openly, with contention

or tumult, and in a company gathered together, either in

churches, alehouses, markets, or elswhere, contrary to the

fourm and effect of this proclamation, defend and maintein.

OF ORIGINALS. 343

or irreverently and contentiously demaund of any man, any

of the questions before rehersed, either on the one part or

of the other, or any such like, or do otherwise revile, con-

tempne, or despise the said sacrament, by calling it an idol,

or other such vile name ; shal incurre the Kyngs high in-

dignation, and sufFre imprisonment; or to be otherwise

grievously punished at his Majesties wil and pleasure.
Gevyng further in aucthority to al justices of peace

within the shires where they dwel, to apprehend and take

al such as contentiously and tumultuously, with companies

or routs assembled about them, do dispute, argue, or rea-

son, or stifly mantein, or openly preach and define the

questions before rehersed, or any of them, or such like,

cither on the one part or th'other ; and to commit the same

to prison, untyl such tyme as the K. M. pleasure herein be

known ; and that they immediately do certify the name or

names of the party so ofFendyng, and of theim who were

there at the same tyme present, makyng the rout or as-

semble to the K. H. counsel : willying and commaundyng

the said justices, with al diligence to execute the premisses,

according to the purport, effect, and true meanyng of the

same, and their most bound duties, as they tender his High-

nes wil and pleasure, and \nll answer to the contrary upon

their peril.

N. 44
A proclamation ^or the abstaining Jrom Jlesh i7i tJie Lent

time. Dated the \Qth day of January, an. reg, primo.

THE Kings Hiffhnes, by the advice of his most entirely E Bibiioth.

^ b ^ J i llev.Joh.
beloved uncle, Edward Duke of Somerset, governor ol his ^p. Eiien.

person, and protector of al his realms, dominions, and sub-

jects, and other of his Privy Council ; considering that his

Highnes hath not only cure and charge of the defence of

his realms and dominions as a king, but also as a Christian

king, and supreme hed of the Church of England and Ire-

land, a desire, wil, and charge to lead and instruct his

people, to him committed of God, in such rites, ways, and

z 4

344 A REPOSITORY

customs, as might be acceptable to God, and to the further

cncrease of good hving and vertue, and that his subjects

now liaving a more perfect and clear light of the gospel

and true word of the Lord, thorow the infinite clemency

and mercy of Almighty God, by the hands of his Majesty

and his most noble father of famous memory, promulgate,

shewed, declared, and opened unto them, should and ought

thcrby, in al good works and vertues increase, be more

forward and diligent and plentiful : as in fasting, prayer,

and almose deeds, in love, charity, obedience, and other

such good works commaunded to us of God in his holy

Scripture:

Yet his Highncs is advertised and informed, that diverse

of his subjects be not only to al these more slow and negli-

gent, but rather contempners and despisers of such good

and godly acts and deeds ; to the which if they were of their

own minds bended and inclined, they needed not by out-

Avard and princely power be apjiointed and commaunded.

But forsomuch as at this time now alate, more then at any

other tyme, a great part of his subjects do break and con-

tempne that abstinence which of long tyme hath been used

in this his Majesties realm, upon the Fridays and Saturdays,

and the tyme commonly called Lent, and other accustomed

tymes ; his Highnes is constreined to se a convenient order

herein set and appointed : not mindyng therby that his sub-

jects should thynk any difference to be in the days or

meats, or that the one should be to God more holy, more

pure, or more clean then the other ; for al days and al

meats be of one and equal purity, cleannes, and holines,

that we should in theim and by them live to the glory

of God, and at al tymes and for al meats ge\e thanks

unto hym, of the which none can defile us at any tyme,

or make us uiiclene ; being Christian men, to whom al

things be holy and pure, so that they be not used in dis-

obedience and vice ; but liis Majesty hath allowed and ap-

proved the days and tymes before accustomed, to be conti-

nued and stil observed here in this Church of England ;

both that men should on those days abstein and forbear

OF ORIGINALS. 345

their pleasures, and the meats wherln they have more de-

light ; to the intent to subdue their bodies unto the soul 45

and spirit ; unto the which to exhort and move men is the

office of a good and godly hedd and ruler :

And also for worldly and civil policy, certain days in the

yere to spare flesh, and use fish, for the benefit of the com-

monwealth, and profit of this his Majesties realm : whereof

many be fishers, and men using that trade of living, unto

the which this realm, on every part environed with the seas,

and so plentiful of fresh waters, doth easily minister occa-

sion ; to the great sustinaunce of this his Highnes people.

So that hereby both the nourishment of the land might be

encreased by saving flesh, and specially at the spring tyme,

when Lent doth commonly fal, and when the most com-

mon and plenteous breedyng of flesh is ; and also, divers of

his loving subjects have good lyvyngs, and get great riches

therby, in utteryng and selling such meats as the sea and

fresh water doth minister unto us ; and this his Majesties

realm hath more plenty of ships, boats, crayes, and other

vessels, by reason of those which by hope of lucre do fol-

low that trade of livyng.
Wherfore his Majesty, having consideration, that where

men of their own mynds do not geve themselfes so oft as

they should do to fastyng, a common abstinence may and

should be by the prince enjoyned and commaunded, and

having an ey and mind to the profit and commodity of

his realm and subjects, and to a common and civil policy,

hath willed and commaunded, and by these presents doth

wil and commaund, by th'advice aforesaid, al maner of

person and persons, of what estate, degree, or condition he

or they be, (other then such as already be, or hereafter shal

be excused by law, or licensed or authorized sufficiently to

the contrary,) to observe and keep from hencefurth such

fastyng days, and the time commonly called Lent, in ab-

steining from al maner of flesh, as heretofore in this realm

hath been most commonly used and accustomed : upon

pein that whosoever shal, upon any day heretofore wont to

be fasted from flesh, and not by the K. H. or his predeces-

A REPOSITORY

sors abrogate and taken away, eat flesh contrary to this

proclamation, shal incurr the Kings high indignation, and

shal sufFre imprisonment, and be otherwise grievously pu-

nished at his Majesties wil and pleasure.

And further the Kings Highnes, by the advice aforesaid,

straitly chargeth and commaundeth al maiors, bailiffs, and

other hed-officers, and rulers of cities and townes, and al

justices of peace in the sheres where they be in commission,

to be attendant and diligent to the execution of this procla-

mation ; in committing to prison the offenders contrary to

the proclamation, upon sufficient proof therof by two suffi-

cient witnesses, before them had and made : there to re-

main during the Kings pleasure, according to the true pur-

port, effect, and meanyng of the same ; as they tender the

K. M. wil and pleasure, and wil answer the contrary at their

peril.
And where the late King of most famous memory, fa-

ther to his Highnes, hath given divers yeres licence to his

subjects, in the tyme of Lent to eat butter, chese, and other

meats, commonly called ivhite meats^ the K. H. by th"" ad-

vice aforesaid, considerino- the same to have been doen not

46 without great considerations, doth geve likewise licence and

aucthority to al his loving subjects from henccfurth freely

for ever in the tyme of Lent, or other prohibited tymes by

law or custom, to eat butter, eggs, chese, and other white

meats, any law, statute, act, or custome to the contrary

notwithstandyng.

o.
A proclamation against such as innovate any ceremony, or

preach without licence. Dated the 6th of Febr. an. reg.

primo.

Ubi supra. THE K. H. by the advice of his most entirely beloved

uncle, the Duke of Somerset, governor of his most royal

person, and protector of al his realms, dominions, and sub-

jects, and others of his Council ; consideryng nothing so

much to tend to the disquietyng of his realm, as diversity

OF ORIGINALS. 347

of opinions, and variety of rites and ceremonies, concern-

ing religion and worshiping Almighty God ; and therfore

studying al the ways and means which can be, to direct this

Church, and the cure committed to his Highnes, in one and

most true doctrine, rite, and usage :
Yet it is advertised, that certain private curats, preachers,

and other laymen, contrary to their bounden duties of obe-

dience, do rashly attempt, of their own and singular wytt

and mynd, in some parish churches, and otherwise, not only

to persuade the people from the old and accustomed rites

and ceremonies, but also themself bringeth in new and

straunge orders, every one in their church, according to

their phantasies ; the which, as it is an evident token of

pride and arrogancy, so it tendeth both to confusion and

disorder, and also to the high displeasure of Almighty

God ; who loveth nothing so much as order and obedience.
Wherfore his M. straitly chargeth and commaundeth,

that no maner person, of what estate, order, or degree so-

ever he be, of his private mynd, wil, or fantasy, do omyt,

leave down, chaunge, alter, or innovate any order, rite, or

ceremony, commonly used and frequented in the Church of

England, and not commaunded to be left down at any

tyme in the reign of our late soveraign Lord his Highnes

father ; other then such as his H. by the advice aforesaid,

by his Majesties visitors, injunctions, statuts, or proclama-

tions, hath already, or hereafter shal commaund to be omit-

ted, left, innovated, or chaunged : but that they be ob-

served after that sort as before they were accustomed, or

els now sith prescribed by the aucthority of his M. and by

the means aforesaid : upon pein, that whosoever shal offend

contrary to this proclamation, shall incurr his H. indigna-

tion, and sufFre imprisonment, and other grevous punish-

ments at his M. wil and pleasure.
And to th"" intent, that rash and seditious preachers should 4/

not abvise his H. people, it is his M. pleasure, that whoso-

ever shal take upon hym to preach openly in any parish

church, chappel, or any other open place, other than those

which be licensed by the K. M. or his H. visitors, the

348 A REPOSITORY

Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bp. of the diocese

where he cloth preach, (except it be the bishop, person, vi-

car, dean, or provost, in his or their own cure,) shal be

furthwith, upon such attempt and preaching contrary to

this proclamation, committed to prison, and there remain,

until such tyme as his M. by th' advice aforesaid, hath taken

order for the further punishment of the same.
And that the premisses shuld be more spedily and dili-

gently done and performed, his H. geveth straitly in com-

maundment to al justices of peace, maiors, sheriffs, con^

stables, hed-borows, church- wardens, and al other his M.

officers and ministers, and rulers of towns, parishes, and

hamlets, that they be diligent and attendant to the true

and faithful execution of this proclamation, and every part

therof, according to the intent, purport, and effect of the

same ; and that they of their procedyngs herein (or if any

offender be, after they have committed the same to prison)

do certify his H. the Lord Protector, or his M. Council,

with al spede therof accordingly, as they tender his M.

pleasure, the wealth of the realm, and wil answer the con-

trary at their uttermost perills.

P.
The King's commission Jbi' redress of enclosures.

EDWARD the Sixth, &c. to ovu* trusty and wel beloved

Sir Frauncis Russel, kt. Foulk Grcvyl, kt. John Hales,

John Marslic, William Pynnocke, and Roger Amys, gret-

yng. Where, as wel in the fourth year of the reign of the

most noble Prince and our graundfather, K. Henry VII. and

in the seventh, the twenty-fifth, and twenty-seventh years of

the most excellent Prynce of famous memory, and our most

dearly beloved father K. Henry VIII. many good, whol-

some, and profitable laws were, by the universal consent of

al the whole realm, made for restitution, preservation, and

maintenance of the state and policy of the same : and

namely, for the maintenance and keeping up of houses of

OF ORIGINALS.

husbandry ; for advoiding destructions, and pulling down

of towns for inclosures, and converting of arable ground

into pastures ; for limiting what number of sheep men

should have and keep in their possession at one time;

against plurality and keeping together of farms ; and for

maintenance of hospitality, housekeeping, and tillage, on

the scytes, and precincts, and demcasnes of such monasteries,

priories, and religious houses, as were dissolved by act of

Parlament made in the said xxviith year of the reign of 48

our said most dearly beloved father, as in the same statutes

it doth and may more at large appear : which statutes have

not wrought th'ffect that was hoped should follow : partly

for that the same, for fear of displesure, and chiefly through

the corruption and infection of private lucre grown univer-

sally among our subjects, were not put in execution : by

reason wherof the force and puissance of this our realm,

which was wont to be greatly feared of al foreign powers,

is very much decayed, our people wonderfully abated, and

those that remain grievously oppressed ; the price of al

things excedingly encreased, and the common sort of our

subjects brought to and kept in extreme misery and po-

verty : to the great hindrance of the glory of God, our dis-

honour, and the subversion, utter undoing, and decay of

this our realm, if speedy remedy be not provided :

We, coveting above al things the glory of God, by whose

goodnes we be brought and maintained in this royal estate

and dignity, and the wealth and saveguard of our realms

and subjects committed to our charge ; having conceived a

good opinion, that you be men that love and fear God, and

desire the maintenance of our honor and savety, and ten-

der the universal wealth of this our realm and subjects ; by

th' advice and consent of ovu* most dearly beloved uncle Ed-

ward Duke of Somerset, governor of our royal person, and

protector of al our realms, dominions, and subjects, and the

rest of our counscllours ; have appointed and assigned you

six, five, four, three, or two of you, our commissioners : to

enquire by the oaths of twelve good and leful men of our

counties of Oxford, Bark, Warwick, Leycestre, Bedford,

350 A REPOSITORY

Buck, and Northampton, and every of them, as wel within

the liberties as without, and by al other ways and means

" that you can devise, wherby the truth may the better ap-

pear, of al and singular transgressors, breakers, and offend-

ers of the said statutes, or any of them, or any part or par-

cel of them, and of al and singular articles and circum-

stances conteined in the instructions hereunto annexed.
And therfore we straitly charge you and every of you,

as ye ^v^l answer to us, God, and the commonwealth of this

our realm, that you diligently attend and apply the pre-

misses, and execute the same earnestly and with effect.

We also streitly charge and command our sheriffs and

justices of our peace of our said shires, excheators, and al

and singular other our officers, ministers, and subjects,

that from time to time, and at al times, they be attendaunt,

aiding and assisting you in th"* execution of the premisses.

And that the said sheriffs from time to time do cause to

come and appear before you six, five, four, three, or two

of you, at such times and places as you shal appoint, as

many and such good and leeful men of their bailifwick, by

whom the truth may be the better known and come to

light, in and concerning the premises, as you shal think re-

quisite and necessary. And we wol and command also, al

and singular keepers of our records in al and every our