To all and every the ministers, church-wardens, and side-men, within the citie, suburbs and diocesse of London.

Whereas I am daily advertised by the relations of many honest and religious persons, of a generall misbehaviour in most churches in, and about the citie of London, in time of divine service; men and boyes sitting covered with their hats on their heads, without all shew of reverence or respect, either of that holy place or action, the one being the house of Almightie God, the other a continued vicissitude (as it were) of speech betweene God and his people. The due consideration whereof might easily induce any well disposed Christian to use such outward posture and gesture of his body as becommeth that sacred place, and the great maiestie of that God, to whom they come at that time professedly to performe a divine worship.

I have therefore thought it my dutie, instantly to recommend to you the ministers, church-wardens and side-men, the reformation of this prophane abuse, scandalous to our religion, against an expresse law in that case provided, and condemned by the contrary practise of all Christians in all ages in their like solemnities and assemblies; praying and requiring you to ioyne together your utmost and best endevors to effect the same, for which purpose it shalbe necessary for you the church-wardens and side-men, during the time of divine service, diligently to looke after the church, and where you see any covered, if boyes, or of the yonger sort, these to shame openly by putting off their hats, and chastice with such discipline, as you have bin laudably accustomed to inflict on such rude and unmannerly fellowes. I f of the elder or better sort (though I well hope that none of that condition out of their owne iudgement will hereafter offend in this kind) those to admonish gravely of their duety, representing unto them the inconveniences of this their ill example, and directly repugnant It is to the apostles rule of decency in the church, thus to celebrate divine service, and to performe a professed and religious worship of Almighty God.