An Ordinance of Parliament for the taking away the Book of Common-Prayer, and for the establishing and putting in execution of the Directory for the Public Worship of God
James Dodson
Die Jovis, 13. Martii, 1644.
It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That this Directory, and Ordinance concerning it, be forthwith Printed and Published; wherein, Mr. Henry Roxbrough, and Mr. Adoniram Byfield, the Scribes of the Assembly of Divines, are required to use all possible care and diligence, that it be from time to time faithfully and exactly done. And for preventing of all abuses therein; It is further Ordered, That no Person or Persons whatsoever, shall presume to Print or Reprint the same, in any Volume, but only such as shall be appointed and Authorized thereunto by the said Scribes. And that no Person or Persons shall presume to Sell, Barter, or any way to spread or convey any Book, or Copies of the said Directory, Printed without the appointment above said, upon pain and forfeiture of the whole Impression, if any such be so Printed, and of all such Books, or Copies thereof as shall be offered to Sale, Bartering, or be any other ways spread abroad. And all and every Person offending in any of the Premises, to be liable to such further punishment, as the contempt of an Ordinance of Parliament shall deserve.
Jo: Brown, Cleric Parliamentorum.
H: Elynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
Die Veneris, 3. Januarii, 1644.
An Ordinance of Parliament for the taking away of the Book of Common-Prayer, and for the establishing and putting in execution of the Directory for the public Worship of God.
THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, taking into serious consideration the manifold Inconveniences that have arisen by the Book of Common-Prayer in this Kingdom, and resolving, according to their Covenant, to reform Religion according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches, Have Consulted with the Reverend, Pious and Learned Divines, called together to that purpose; And do judge it necessary that the said Book of Common-Prayer be abolished, & the Directory for the Public Worship of God, herein after mentioned, be established and observed in all the Churches within this Kingdom: Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, That the Statute of the second and third years of King Edward the sixth, Entitled, The Penalty for not using Uniformity of Service, and Administration of Sacraments,& c. And the Statute of the fifth and sixth years of the same King, Entitled, Uniformity of Prayer, and Administration of Sacraments, shall be used in the Church: And so much of the Statute of the first year of Queen Elizabeth, Entitled, There shall be Uniformity of Prayer and Administration of Sacraments, as concerns the said Book of Common-Prayer, and the Uniformity of Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments: And so much of the Statute of the fifth year of the same Queen, Entitled, By whose Order, the Bible, and Book of Common-Prayer shall be Translated into the Welch Tongue, as concerns the Book of Common-Prayer: And so much of the Statute of the eighth year of the same Queen, Entitled, All Acts made by any person since Primo Eliz. for the Consecrating, Investing,& c. of any Archbishop, or Bishop, shall be good, as concerns the said Book, Be, and stand from henceforth Repealed, void, and of none effect, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, And that the said book of Common-Prayer, shall not remain, or be from henceforth used in any Church, Chapel, or place of Public Worship, within the Kingdom of England, or Dominion of Wales; And that the Directory for Public Worship herein set forth, shall be henceforth used, pursued, and observed, according to the true intent and meaning of this Ordinance, in all exercises of the Public Worship of God, in every Congregation, Church, Chapel, and place of Public Worship within this Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales; Which Directory for the Public Worship of God, with the Preface thereof followeth. And it is further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That there shall be provided at the charge of every Parish, or Chappelry in this Realm of England, and Dominion of Wales, a fair Register Book of Velim, to be kept by the Minister and other Officers of the Church; And that the Names of all Children Baptized, and of their Parents, and of the time of their Birth and Baptizing, shall be written and set down by the Minister therein; and also the Names of all persons Married there, and the time of their Marriage; And also the Names of all persons Buried in that Parish, and the time of their Death and Burial: And that the said Book shall be shewed by such as keep the same, to all persons reasonably desiring to search for the Birth, Baptizing, Marriage, or Burial of any person therein Registered, and to take a Copy or procure a Certificate thereof.