To my very louing Brethren the Ministers, and to the Church-wardens, and Side-men, of euery Parish, and Precinct, within my Archdeaconry of London.
WHereas, for the greater honour, and worship of Gods holy Maiestie, it was anciently ordayned in the Church of England, that on Wednesdayes, and Frydayes weekely, the Ministers, and People, should assemble themselues, in their Parish Churches, there to offer their humble thankesgiuings, and Prayers, according to the forme prescribed in the Booke of common Prayer, established by the lawes of this Kingdome of England: And vpon iust complaint, of the great neglect of that religious ordinance, with humble desire of reformation therein; it hath pleased the right reuerend Father in God, my Lord Bishop of London, our Diocesan, to giue in charge vnto me, that (with all care) I do speedily endeauour that reformation, within my Archdeaconry, according to the lawes, and Canons, in that behalfe prouided. I therefore (according to his Lordships charge, imposed on me) do pray, and require you the Ministers, to giue publike warning, in your full Congregations, assembled in your Parish Churches, on the next ensuing Sunday, (with religious, and zealous exhortations to the same) that euery houshoulder of your Parishes, do duely from henceforth, come in person, or else send some, or one (at the least) of his Family, to your seuerall Parish Churches, there to ioyne with you, in thankesgiuings, and Prayers, to Almighty God, in that holy▪ and religious manner, commanded in the sayd Booke of common Prayer; And you the Church-wardens, and Side-men, or some of you, to bee alwaies present at those weekely divine exercises, whereby you may not onely giue good example to others, but also obserue those that bee negligent, and admonish them to do their duties therein; And that not preuailing with them, to present the transgressors vnto me, or my Officiall, who will (to Gods glory) vse the best meanes of our authority, in reducing the offenders vnto the performance of that Christian duty. And so (hartily desiring your due consideration of, and care in the premisses) I commend you to the grace of the Almighty. London, this Tenth day of December. An. Dom. 1627.