Being given to understand of certaine notorious abuses within this dioces, not reformable by ordinary courses, so that for the redresse of them I shall be constrained to use meanes and punishments extraordinary; (grassantibus exemplis, pene sunt aggravandae) I have thought good to give signification of my intent in this behalfe, to see, if happely the feare of that future punishment, may not effect that, which otherwise the example must.

1. First therefore, whereas it is informed that notwithstanding the late proclamation of our soveraigne L. the kings maiestie, straightly commaunding a religious sanctification of the sabaoth day, the same is horribly prophaned every where, by using unlawfull games even in the time of divine service, and that oftentimes in the verie church-yard; by reason wherof it commeth to passe that many absent themselves from service, especially in the after-noone: I must require you to admonish your parishioners, that heereafter they take heede of prophaning either the saboth, church or churchyard; and that in repayring unto divine service aswell in the afternoone as in the fore-noone, they use such diligence as by the law they are bound; assuring them otherwise, to finde the uttermost extremity of that punishment which the law wil inflict.

2. Wheras complaint is made that many churches and chauncells lye unrepaired; you are to admonish them to whom it may appertaine, with all speede convenient to repaire and amend the same, or else to expect such punishment as there defects in that behalfe may seeme to deserve.

3. If you cannot finde meanes that your quarter sermons may bee duely preached, make your repaire unto me that I may take order for the same.

4. If already you be not sufficiently authorised, I require you, that you presume not to serve any cure, or to preach within my dioces, till by my selfe under my seale you be licensed so to doe.

5. Whereas people are very backward in sending their children unto the minister to be catechised; you shall doe well hereafter to admit none to the holy communion that have not already received the same, except they be fit to bee confirmed by the bishop, that is, except they bee able to aunswere to all the questions of the catechisme: and if I understand you receive any that are not so qualified, you must make reckoning to aunswere for the same.