KING EDWARD THE SIXTH
9. Now, as for the Injunctions above mentioned, although I might exemplify them as they stand at large in the first edition of the Acts and
Monuments (fol. 684), FB294 yet I shall choose rather to present them in a smoother abstract, as it is done unto my hand by the Church-historian: FB295 the method of them only altered in this manner following:
1. That all ecclesiastical persons observe, and cause to be observed, the laws for the abolishing the pretended and usurped power of the Bishop of Rome, and confirmation of the King’s authority and supremacy: and four times in the year, at the least, that they teach the people, that the
one was now justly taken away, according to the Word of God, and that the other was, of most legal duty, only to be obeyed by all the subjects.
2. That once a quarter, at the least, they sincerely declare the Word of God, dissuading the people from superstitious fancies of pilgrimages, praying to images, etc., exhorting them to the works of faith, mercy, and charity.
3. And that images, abused with pilgrimages and offerings thereunto, be forthwith taken down and destroyed, and that no more wax-candles or tapers be burnt before any image; but only two lights upon the high altar, before the Sacrament, shall remain still, to signify that Christ is the very Light of the world.
4. That every holy-day, when they have no sermon, the Pater-Noster, Credo, and Ten Commandments shall be plainly recited in the pulpit to the parishioners.
5. And that parents and masters bestow their children and servants either to learning or some honest occupation.
7. That, within three months after this Visitation, the Bible, of the larger FB296 volume, in English; and within twelve months Erasmus his Paraphrases on the Gospels, be provided, and conveniently placed in the church, for the people to read therein. 20. And that every
ecclesiastical person, under the degree of a Bachelor of Divinity, shall, within three months after this Visitation, provide of his own the New Testament in Latin and English, with Erasmus his Paraphrases thereon.
And that Bishops, by themselves and their officers, shall examine them how much they have profited in the study of holy Scripture.
6. That such who, in cases expressed in the statute, are absent from their benefices, leave learned and expert curates to supply their places.
14. That all such ecclesiastical persons, not resident upon their benefices, and able to dispend yearly pounds L20, and above, shall, in the presence of the Church-wardens or some other honest men, distribute the fortieth part of their revenues amongst the poor of the parish. 15. And that every ecclesiastical person shall give competent
exhibition to so many scholars in one of the universities, as they have hundred pounds a-year in church-promotions.
16. That a fifth part of their benefices be bestowed on their mansion- houses or chancels, till they be fully repaired. 8. And that no
ecclesiastical persons haunt ale-houses, or taverns, or any place of unlawful gaming.
9. That they examine such as come to confession in Lent, whether they can recite their Credo, Pater-Noster, and Ten Commandments in English, before they receive the blessed Sacrament of the altar; or else they ought not to presume to come to God’s board.
10. That none be admitted to preach, except sufficiently licensed. FB297 11. That, if they have heretofore extolled pilgrimages, reliques, worshipping of images, etc. FB298 they now openly recant, and reprove the same, as a common error, groundless in Scripture. 12. That they detect and present such who are letters of the Word of God in English, and fautors of the Bishop of Rome his pretended power.
19. That no person from henceforth shall alter any fasting-day, or manner of Common Prayer, or Divine Service, (otherwise than is specified in these Injunctions), until otherwise ordered by the King’s authority. 21. And that, in the time of high mass, he that sayeth or singeth the same FB299 shall read the Epistle and Gospel in English, and one chapter in the New Testament at Matins, and another at Even- song; FB300 and that, when nine lessons are to be read in the church, three of them shall be omitted, with responds; and at the Even-song, the responds with all the memories. FB301 By which last word I
understand the anniversary commemoration of deceased persons on the day of their deaths, which frequently were expressed by the name Obits.
26. That every Dean, Archdeacon, etc. being a priest, preach by himself, personally, [twice] every year at least. 27. That they instruct their people not obstinately to violate the ceremonies of the Church, by the King commanded to be observed, and not as yet abrogated; and, on the other side, that whosoever doth superstitiously abuse them, doth the same to the great peril of his soul’s health. 25. And that no curate
admit to the Communion such who are in rancor and malice with their neighbors, till such controversies be reconciled.
23. That, to avoid contentions and strife which heretofore have risen amongst the King’s subjects, by challenging of places in procession, no procession hereafter be used about the church, or churchyard: but immediately before high mass, the Litany shall be distinctly sung or said in English; none departing the church without just cause, FB302 and all ringing of bells (save one) utterly forborne.
28. That they take away and destroy all shrines, covering of shrines, tables, candlesticks, trindils, and rolls of wax, pictures, paintings, and other monuments of reigned miracles, so that no memory of them remain in walls or windows; exhorting their parishioners to do the like in their several houses.
24. That the holy-day, at the first beginning godly instituted and ordained, be wholly given to God, in hearing the Word of God read and taught, in private and public prayers, in acknowledging their offenses to God, and amendment, in reconciling themselves to their neighbors, receiving the Communion, visiting the sick, etc. Only it shall be lawful for them, in time of harvest, to labor upon holy and festival days, FB303 and save that thing which God hath sent; and that
scrupulosity, to abstain from working upon those days, doth grievously offend God.
13. That a register-book be carefully kept in every parish for
weddings, christenings, and burials. 29. That a strong chest, with an hole in the upper part thereof, (with three keys thereunto belonging), be provided to receive the charity of the people to the poor; and the same, at convenient times, be distributed unto them in the presence of the parish. And that a comely pulpit be provided, in a convenient place.
FB304
32. That, because of the lack of preachers, FB305 curates shall read homilies, which are or shall be set forth by the King’s authority. 36.
That, when any such sermon or homily shall be had, the primes and hours shall be omitted. 18. That none bound to pay tithes detain them, by color of duty omitted by their curates, and so redoub one wrong with another. 33. And whereas many indiscreet persons do
uncharitably contemn FB306 and abuse priests having small learning, his Majesty chargeth his subjects, that from henceforth they be reverently used, for their office and ministration sake. 31. And that, to avoid the detestable sin of simony, the seller shall lose his right of patronage for that time, and the buyer to be deprived, and made unable to receive spiritual promotion.
22. That, to prevent sick persons in the damnable vice of despair, they shall learn, and have always in readiness, such comfortable places and sentences of Scripture as do set forth the mercies, benefits, and
goodness of God Almighty towards all penitent and believing persons.
30. But that priests be not bound to go visit women in child-bed, except in times of dangerous sickness; and not to fetch any corse, except it be brought to the churchyard. FB307 34. That all persons not understanding Latin, shall pray on no other primer but what lately was set forth in English by King Henry the Eighth; and that such, who have knowledge in the Latin use no other also; FB308 that all graces before and after meat be said in English; and no grammar taught in schools, but that which is set forth by authority. FB30935. That chantry-priests teach youth to read and write.
17. And finally, that these Injunctions be read once a quarter.
10. Besides these general Injunctions for the whole estate of the realm,