Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

CONFORMITY TO THE LITURGY.

131

well described by the plain and literal sense of the expression-the Cure of Souls.'

It does not become me, especially in a work of this character, to attempt to dictate to my Ecclesiastical superiors upon a subject so intricate and perplexing as Rubrical Conformity; and which, from the conflicting nature of the Law, and usage, no Episcopal injunctions, nor learned disquisitions have been able yet to make lucid, and decisive: nor would I lead astray my Readers by venturing opinions that might either be at variance with the present state of the Law, or opposed to existing practice, with the view of effecting a compromise, or of offering a remedy, and which of course ought not to be at the sacrifice of pure religion, and the spiritual edification of the people. In cases of doubt, the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer, which is binding upon you by your Declaration of Conformity, directs you to the Ordinary (see page 111.); and to whom alone, of course, I must at present refer you: for nothing but an Act of the Imperial Legislature can now definitively and satisfactorily settle this 'vexata quæstio.' In the 'Paper' on the 'OFFICIATING MINISTER' will be found the present state of the Rubrical question according to the Canon, and Statute Law, as well as the prevailing Liturgical usages, as they may vary in the different Dioceses.

I

The Act of Uniformity (13 & 14 Car. II. c. 4. ss. 6, 8, 10, 11, 19-23.) demands a Declaration of Conformity to the Liturgy to be made in these words:

[ocr errors]

'I A*** B*** do hereby declare my unfeigned assent, and consent, to all and everything 'contained and prescribed in and by the Book intituled 'THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER and Administration ' of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of 'the Church, according to the use of the Church of 'England; together with the Psalter or Psalms of 'David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches; and the Form or Manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and 'Deacons.'-sect. 4.

The other Sections of the Act bearing on this point are of too lengthy a character to be introduced in full, the condensed abstract given in the preamble of the explanatory Act of 23 Geo. II. is here supplied :

[ocr errors]

'Every Parson, Vicar, Curate, Lecturer, and ' every other person in Holy Orders, should before his or their respective admission to be Incumbent, or 'have possession of any Parsonage, Vicarage, or any 'Curate's place, or Lecture, subscribe the Declaration or acknowledgement therein directed (in 13 & 14 'Car. II. See pages 42, 48) before the respective Archbishop, Bishop, or Ordinary of the Diocese, upon pain that all and every of the persons afore'mentioned, failing in such subscription, should lose and forfeit such respective Parsonage, Vicarage, 'Curate's place, or Lecture, and should be utterly 'disabled and ipso facto deprived of the same; and 'that every such respective Parsonage, &c., should 'be void, as if such person so failing were naturally 'dead. And that after such Subscription made,

6

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

'every Parson, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, should procure a CERTIFICATE under the hand and 'seal of the respective Archbishop, Bishop, &c. (who were thereby enjoined and required upon demand, to 'make and deliver the same), and should publicly and 'openly read the same, together with the 'Declaration' or acknowledgement therein mentioned upon some 'Lord's Day within three months next following in 'his Parish Church, where he was to officiate, in the presence of the Congregation there assembled in the time of Divine Service; upon pain, that every person failing therein should lose such Parsonage, &c.'— 23 Geo. II. c. 28. s. 1.

When licensed to two Curacies this Declaration of Conformity is to be signed but once :-Whenever any person shall be licensed to two Curacies within the same Diocese at the same time, it shall be sufficient for 'such person to sign a Declaration, appointed to be signed. 'by an Act, intituled 'An Act of Uniformity,' once only; and it shall be sufficient for such person to produce 'one Certificate only of his having so signed such 'Declaration.'-1 & 2 Vict. c. 106. s. 82.

8. Discipline.

Ir behoves the Clergyman ever to be on his guard against errors of judgment, the refusal or neglect of duties, the indulgence of intemperate and vicious habits, the commission of scandalous actions; and, I need hardly add, the perpetration of crime. If he should unfortunately forget himself and his Holy calling, the Canon, and Statute Law both, provide restraints, and punishments. As a citizen he is of course amenable to the

ordinary Laws, but as a Clergyman he is also obnoxious to the Laws of the Church bearing upon the due performance of Divine Worship; of Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, and the other Offices; and upon his Conformity to the Liturgy, all which will appear under "THE OFFICIATING MINISTER'. To which may be added Brawling, Quarreling, Drunkenness, Lasciviousness, and other offences against the Laws Ecclesiastical. under' PUBLIC WORSHIP.)' By Canon 75

(See

'No Ecclesiastical Person shall at any time other than ' for their honest necessities, resort to any Taverns, or 'Ale-Houses, neither shall they board or lodge in any 'such places. Furthermore, they shall not give them'selves to any base or servile labour, or to drinking or 'riot, spending their time idly by day or by night, playing at dice, cards, or tables, or any other unlawful " games under pain of Ecclesiastical censures, to be inflicted with severity, according to the qualities ' of their offences.'

....

[ocr errors]

For the more ready correction of Clerks, the 3 & 4 Vict. c. 86, called the Church Discipline Act', enacts

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

'That in every case of any Clerk in Holy Orders ' of the United Church of England and Ireland, who 'may be charged with any offence against the Laws Ecclesiastical, or concerning whom there may exist 'scandal, or evil report, as having offended against the said Laws, it shall be lawful for the Bishop of the 'Diocese within which the offence is alleged or re'ported to have been committed, on the application of any party complaining thereof, or if he shall think 'fit of his own mere motion to issue a Commission ' under his hand and seal to five persons, of whom one 'shall be his Vicar-general, or an Archdeacon, or

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Rural Dean within the Diocese, for the purpose of 'making inquiry as to the grounds of such charge, or report; provided always, that Notice of the intention 'to issue such Commission under the hand of the Bishop, containing an intimation of the nature of the 'offence, together with the names, addition, and resi'dence of the party on whose application, or motion, 'such Commission shall be about to issue, shall be sent 'by the Bishop to the party accused 14 days at least 'before such Commission shall issue.'-Sect. 3.

These Commissioners (by sect. 4.) may examine witnesses on oath; must give to the accused 7 days notice in writing of the place of meeting; which may be public, or private; and the accused or his agent may be present, and examine any of the witnesses. After due inquiry, the Commissioners are to report, whether or not there be sufficient prima facie ground for instituting further proceedings. In the latter case (by sects. 5, 6), the Bishop may, by consent of the accused and complaining party, pronounce sentence without further proceedings; which Sentence (by sect. 12) shall be good and effectual in Law: and such Report is to be filed in the Registry of the Diocese. If proceedings beyond these are necessary, Articles will be drawn up in accordance with the remaining sections of this Act; and the charge go through the Ecclesiastical Court in due form.

9. Exemptions.

CLERGYMEN are exmepted by Law from serving any Civil, or Secular Office that might interfere with the due performance of their Ministerial Duties; such as that of Churchwarden, Guardian of the Poor, Overseer, Highway Surveyor, Constable, &c.; also from attending the tourn or leet of Sheriffs; and from serving on Juries, and in the Militia, &c.

« AnteriorContinuar »