Draft of canons for regulating matrimonial licences, in order to the more effectual preventing of clandestine marriages.

1. We do straitly charge and enjoin all persons concerned to see that the 62, 63, 70, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104th canons be duly observed.

2. Whereas it is by the 102nd canon provided that the security to be taken at the granting of licences for matrimony shall contain this condition, that the parties shall celebrate matrimony publicly in the parish church or chapel where one of them dwelleth, and in no other place, and whereas the good intent of the said canon hath been frustrated by inserting in such licences the names of other parish churches or chapels besides those where the parties to be married dwell, we do constitute and appoint that in every faculty or licence which shall be henceforth granted, the name of the parish church or chapel where one of the parties to be married dwells, or the names of both (if both parties lie within the jurisdiction) shall be inserted and no other, and if any ordinary, commissary for faculties, vicar general or other judge shall offend herein, he shall for every time so offending be suspended from the execution of his office for the space of one whole year; and if any faculty or licence shall be obtained for the elebration of matrimony in any church or chapel besides the parish church or chapel where the parties to be married (or one of them) dwells, such licence shall be held void to all effects and purposes as if there had never been any such licence granted, and the parties marrying by virtue of such licence shall be subject to the punishments which are appointed for clandestine marriages, and the minister who married them shall be suspended for one year.

3. No licence for matrimony shall be granted to any parties by any ordinary or judge unless at least one of the said parties be usually inhabiting within the jurisdiction, or hath been commorant therein for the space of one whole month immediately before the said licence be desired; and one of the conditions in the said bond of security given by the parties taking such licence shall be that the said parties or one of them have or hath been inhabiting or commorant as aforesaid.