This last Act is one of very considerable importance.. It provides: 1. That every person under the degree of a bishop which doth or shall pretend to be a priest or minister of God's holy word and Sacraments by reason of any other form of institution, consecration, or ordering, than the form set forth by Parliament in the time of the late King of most worthy memory. King Edward VI., or now used in the reign of our most gracious sovereign lady &c., shall declare his assent and subscribe all the Articles of Religion … and shall bring a testimonial of such assent, and shall openly read in church the said testimonial and Articles;
2. That he shall be deprived if he affirm or maintain any doctrine directly contrary to the said Articles;
3. That he shall be twenty-three years old, at least, and a deacon, and must read himself in within two months; and
4. That he must have due testimonials, &c.
Also another Act, 13 Eliz. c. 20, touching leases for benefices and other ecclesiastical livings with cure, &c.[1]
In this Parliament two notable instances were given of Elizabeth's jealousy in the matter of her prerogative as supreme governor of the Church. A bill was passed in the Commons for the conservation of order and unity in the Church, and was duly sent up to the Lords; but an answer came from the latter to the effect that 'the Queen's Majesty having been made privy to the said articles liketh very well of them, and mindeth to publish them, and have them executed by the bishops, by direction of her Highness's royal authority and supremacy of the Church of England, and not to have the same dealt
- ↑ Lewis, Reformation Settlement, p. 267, note.
Roman orders. That it was considered so to do is proved by two passages from the works of Bishop Cosin, vol. iv. pp. 403-7 and 449-50.
