Uniformity Act 1548
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 1548 c. 1 |
| Year | 1548 |
(2 & 3 Edw. 6) C A P. I.
'W H E R E of long Time there hath been had in this Realm ofEngland and in Wales divers Formsof Common Prayer, commonly called the Service of the Church; that is to say, The Use ofSarum , of York , of Bangor and of ; and besides the same now of late much more divers and sundry Forms and Fashions have been used in the Cathedral and Parish Churches ofEngland and Wales , as well concerning the Mattens or Morning Prayer and the Evensong, as also concerning the Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass, with divers and sundry Rites and Ceremonies concerning the same, and in the Administration of other Sacraments of the Church: (2) And as the Doers and Executors of the said Rites and Ceremonies, in other Form than of late Years they have been used, were pleased therewith: So other not using the same Rites and Ceremonies were thereby greatly offended: (3) And albeit the King's Majesty, with the Advice of his most entirely beloved Uncle the Lord Protector and other of his Highness Council, hath heretofore divers Times assayed to stay Innovations or new Rites concerning the Premisses; yet the same hath not had such good Success as his Highness required in that Behalf; whereupon his Highnessby the most prudent Advice aforesaid, being pleased to bear with the Frailty and Weakness of his Subjects in that Behalf, of his great Clemency hath not been only content to abstain from Punishment of those that have offended in that Behalf, for that his Highness taketh that they did it of a good Zeal; but also to the Intent a uniform, quiet and godly Order should be had concerning the Premisses, hath appointed the Archbishop ofCanterbury , and certain of the most learned and discreet Bishops, and other learned Men of this Realm, to consider and ponder the Premisses; (4) and thereupon having as well Eye and Respect to the most sincere and pure Christian Religion taught by the Scripture as to the Usages in the primitive Church, should draw and make one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fashion of common and open Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, to be had and used in his Majesty's RealmofEngland and Wales ; the which at this Time, by the Aid of the Holy Ghost, with one uniform Agreement is of them concluded, set forth and delivered to his Highness, to his great Comfort and Quietness of Mind, in a Book intituled, The Book of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, after the Use of the Church of England. (5) Wherefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, considering as well the most godly Travel of the King's Highness, of the Lord Protector, and of other his Highness Council, in gathering and collecting the said Archbishop, Bishops and learned Men together, as the godly Prayers, Orders, Rites and Ceremonies in the said Book mentioned, and the Considerations of altering those Things which be altered, and retaining those Things which be retained in the said Book, but also the Honour of God and great Quietness, which by the Grace of God shall ensue upon the one and uniform Rite and Order in such Common Prayer and Rites and external Ceremonies to be used throughout England and in Wales , at Calice and the Marches of the same, do give to his Highness most hearty and lowly Thanks for the same:' (6) And humbly prayen, that it may be ordained and enacted by his Majesty, with the Assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That all and singular Person and Persons that have offended concerning the Premisses, other than such Person and Persons as now be and remain in Ward in the Tower of London , or in the Fleet, may be pardoned thereof; (7) and that all and singular Ministers in any Cathedral or Parish Church or other Place within this Realm of England, Wales, Calice , and the Marches of the same or other the King's Dominions, shall, from and after the Feast of Pentecost next coming, be bounden to say and use the Mattens, Evensong, Celebration of the Lord's Supper, commonly called the Mass, and Administration of each of the Sacraments, and all their common and open Prayer, in such Order and Form as is mentioned in the same Book, and none other or otherwise. (8)And albeit that the same be so godly and good, that they give Occasion to every honest and conformable Man most willingly to embrace them, yet lest any obstinate Person who willingly would disturb so godly Order and Quiet in this Realm should not go unpunished, that it may also be ordained and enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any manner of Parson, Vicar or other whatsoever Minister, that ought or should sing or say Common Prayer mentioned in the said Book, or minister the Sacraments, shall after the said Feast ofPentecost next coming refuse to use the said Common Prayers, or to minister the Sacraments in such Cathedral or...
To continue reading
Request your trial