WHereas amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation, none is, or can be more dear unto us, then the purity of our Religion, and that for as yet many things remain in the Liturgy, Discipline, and Government of the Church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect Reformation, then as yet hath been attained: And whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons as­sembled in Parliament, That the present Church-Government by Arch­bishops, their Chancellors, Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierar­chy, is evil and justly offensive and burthensome to the Kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of Religion, and very prejudicial to the State and Government of this Kingdom, and that therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, and that such a Government shall be setled in the Church, as may be most agreeable to Gods holy Word, and most apt to procure and preserve the Peace of the Church at home, and neerer agreement with the Church of Scotland, and other reformed Churches abroad, and for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating, and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England, from all false calum­nies and aspersions, It is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of learned, godly, and judicious Divines, who together with some members of both the Houses of Parliament are to consult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premises, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein, to both or either of the said Houses, when and as often as they shall be thereunto required. Be it therefore ordained by the Lords and Commons [Page]in this present Parliament assembled, That all and every the persons here­after in this present Ordinance named, that is to say.

• Algernon, Earl of Northum­berland.
• William, Earl of Bedford.
• Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery.
• William, Earl of Salisbury.
• Henry, Earl of Holland.
• Edward, Earl of Manchester
• William, Lord Viscount Say and Seal.
• Edward, Lord Viscount Conway.
• Philip Lord Wharton
• Edward Lord Howard.
• John Selden Esquire.
• Francis Rous Esquire.
• Edmund Prideaux Esquire.
• S. Hen. Vane Knight senior
• John Glyn Esquire, Re­corder of London.
• John White Esquire.
• Bulstrode Whitlocke Esquire
• Humphrey Salloway Esq
• Mr. Serjeant Wild.
• Oliver Saint John Esq His Majesties Sollicitor.
• Sir Benj. Rudyard Knight
• John Pym Esquire.
• Sir John Clotworthy Knight
• John Maynard Esquire.
• S. Hen. Vane Knight junior
• William Pierpoint Esquire.
• William Wheeler Esquire
• Sir Tho. Barrington Knight
• Walter Yong Esquire.
• Sir John Evelin Knight.

• Oliver Bowles of Sutton, Batchellor in Divinity
• Herbert Palmer of Ashwel, Batchel­lor in divinity
• Henry Wilkinson of Waddesdon, Batehelour in Divinity.
• Thomas Valentine of Chalfont Giles, Batchelor in Divinity
• Dr. William Twisse of Newbury.
• William Reynor of Egham
• Mr. Hannibal Gammon of Maugan
• Mr. Jasper H [...]cks of Lawrick
• Dr. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin in Ireland
• William Bridges of Yarmouth
• Thomas Whincop of Ellesworth, Do­ctor in Divinity
• Thomas Goodwin of London, Bat­chellour in Divinity
• John Ley of Budworth in Cheshire
• Thomas Case of London
• John Pyne of Bereferrers
• Mr. Whidden of Mooreton
• Dr. Richard Love of Ekington
• Dr. William Gouge of Blackfriers London
• Dr. Ralph Brownerigg Bp of Exeter
• [Page]Dr. Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge
• John White of Dorchester
• Edward Peale of Compton
• Stephen Marshal of Finching­field, Batchelour in Divinity
• Obadiah Sedgewicke of Cog­shall, Batchelour in Divinity
• Mr. Carter
• Peter Clerk of Carnaby
• William Mew of Eslington, Batchelour in Divinity
• Richard Capell of Pitchcombe
• Theophilus Bathurst of Over­ton Watervile
• Phil. Nye of Kimbolton
• Dr. Brocket Smith of Bark­way
• Dr. Cornelius Burges of Wat­ford
• John Greene of Pencombe
• Stanley Gower of Brampton Bryan.
• Francis Taylor of Yalding
• Thomas Wilson of Otham
• Antho. Tuckney of Boston, Ba­chelour in Divinity
• Thomas Coleman of Bliton
• Charles Herle of Winwicke
• Richard Herricke of Manche­ster
• Richard Cleyton of Showell
• George Gibbs of Ayleston
• Dr. Calibute Downing of Hack­ney
• Jeremy Boroughs of Stepney
• Daniel Cawdrey
• George Walker Batchelour in Divinity.
• Edmund Calamy Batchelour in Divinity
• Joseph Caryll of Lincolns Inne
• Lazarus Seaman of London
• Dr. John Harris Warden of Winchester Colledg
• George Morley of Mildenhall
• Edward Reynolds of Bramston
• Thomas Hill of Titchmarch Batchel or in Divinity
• Dr. Robert Saunderson of Booth by Pannell
• John Foxcroft of Gorham
• John Fackson of Marske
• William Carter of London
• Thomas Thorowgood of Mas­singham
• John Arrowsmith of Lynne
• Robert Harris of Hanwell, Bat­chelour in Divinity
• Robert Crosse of Lincoln Col­ledge, Bachelour in Divinity
• James Arch-Bishop of Ar­magh
• Dr. Matthias Styles of Saint George Escheape London
• Samuel Gibson of Burley
• Jeremiah Whitaker of Stret­ton
• Dr. Edmund Staunton of King­ston
• Dr. Daniel Featley of Lam­beth
• [Page]Francis Coke of Yoxhall
• John Lightfoote of Ashley
• Edward Corbet of Merton Col­ledge Oxon
• Samuel Hildersham of Felton
• John Langley of Westuderley
• Christopher Tisdale of Uphus­borne
• Thomas Young of Stowmarket
• John Philips of Wrentham
• Humphrey Chambers of Claver­ton, Bachelour in Divinity
• John Conant of Lymington Batchelour in Divinity
• Henry Hall of Norwich, Bat­chelour in Divinity
• Henry Hutton
• Henry Scudder of Colingborn
• Thomas Baylie of Manningford Bruce
• Benjamin Pickering of East­hoately
• Henry Nye of Chapham
• Arther Sallaway of Seaverne­stoake
• Sidrach Sympson of London
• Anthony Burgesse of Sutton Coldfield
• Richard Vines of Calcot
• William Greenhill of Stepney
• William Moreton of Newcastle
• Richard Buckley
• Dr. Thomas Temple of Batter­sey
• Simeon Ashe of Saint Brides
• Mr. Nicholson
• Thomas Gattaker of Rother­hithe, Batchelour in Divi­nity
• James Weldy of Sylatten
• Dr. Christopher Pashley of Ha­warden
• Henry Tozer Batchelour in Di­vinity
• William Spurstow of Hampden in Com. Bucks
• Francis Cheynell of Oxon
• Edward Ellis of Gilsfield, Bat­chelour in Divinity
• Dr. John Hacket of St. An­drews Holborne
• Samuel de la Place
• John de la March
• Matthew Newcomen of Dedham
• William Lyford of Sherborne in Com Dorset
• Mr. Carter of Dynton in Com. Bucks
• William Lance of Harrow in Middlesex
• Thomas Hodges of Kensington in Com. Middlesex
• Andreas Perne of Wilby in Com. Northampton
• Dr. Thomas Westfield of Saint Bartholomew le great Lon­don, Bishop of Bristoll
• Dr. Henry Hammon of Pen­shurst in Kent
• Nicholas Proffet of Marlbo­rough in Com. Wilts
• Peter Sterry of London
• [Page]John Erle of Bishopston in Com. Wilts
• Mr. Gibbon of Waltham
• Henry Painter of Exeter, Bat­chelour in Divinity
• Mr. Micklethwaite of Cherry­burton
• Dr. Iohn Whincop of St. Martins in the fields
• Mr. Price of Pauls Church in Covent Garden
• Henry Wilkinson junior, Batche­lour in Divinity
• Dr. Richard Oldsworth Master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge
• M. William Duning of Coloa­ston.

And such other person and persons as shall be nominated & appointed by both Houses of Parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sickness or other necessary impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby re­quired and enjoyned upon summons signed by the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament, left at their several respective dwellings, to meet and assem­ble themselves at Westminster in the Chappel called King Henry the sevenths Chappel on the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand six hun­dred forty three: And after the first meeting, being at least of the number of forty, shall from time to time sit and be removed from place to place, and also that the said Assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as by both Hou­ses of Parliament shall be directed: And the said persons, or so many of them as shall be so Assembled, or sit, shall have power and Authority, and are hereby likewise enjoyned, from time to time during this present Parlia­ment, or until further Order be taken by both the said Houses, to confer and treat among themselves of such matters and things, touching and concern­ing the Liturgy, discipline and Government of the Church of England, or the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the same from all false asper­tions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the said Houses of Parliament, and no other, and deliver their Opinions and Advises of, or touching the matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the Word of God, to both or either of the Houses, from time to time, in such manner and sort, as by both or either of the said Houses of Parliament shall be required, and the same not to divulge by printing, writing, or other­wise, without the consent of both or either House or Parliament. And be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that William Twiss Doctor in Divinity shall sit in the Chair as Prolocutor of the said Assembly, and if he happen to dye, or be letted by sickness or other necessary impediment, then such other person to be appointed in his place as shall be agreed on by both the said Houses of Parliament: And in case any difference in Opini­on shall happen amongst the said persons so assembled, touching any the mat­ters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the same together with the reasons thereof to both or either the said Houses [Page]respectively, to the end such further direction may be given therein as shall be requisite to that behalf. And be it be further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid,; That for the Charges and Expences of the said Divines, and every of them in attending the said service, there shall be allowed every of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten dayes before and ten dayes after the summe of four Shillings for every day, at the charges of the Common-wealth, at such time and in such manner as by both Houses of Parliament shall be appointed. And be it further Ordained, That all and every the said Divines, so as aforesaid required and enjoyned to meet and assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, losse or damage which shall or may arise or grow by reason of any non-residence or absence of them or any of them, from his or their, or any of their Church, Churches or Cures, for, or in respect of their said attendance upon the said Service, any Law or Statute of Non-residence, or other Law of Statute enjoyning their attendance upon their respective Ministries or Charges to the contrary thereof notwithstand­ing; And if any of the persons before named shall happen to dye before the said Assembly shall be dissolved by Order of both Houses of Parliament, then such other person or persons shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such person and persons so dying, as by both the said Houses shall be thought fit and agreed upon: And every such person or persons so to be named shall have the like Power and Authority, Freedome, and acqui­tal to all intents and purposes and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this Ordinance is by this Ordinance limited and ap­pointed, Provided alwayes that this Ordinance or any thing there in con­tained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this assembly assume to exercise any Iurisdiction, Power, or Authori­ty Ecclesiastical whatsoever, or any other Power, then is herein particu­larly expressed.

Many of the PERSONS who were called to attend the ASSEM­BLY appeared not; Whereupon the whole Work lay on the hands of the Persons hereafter mention­ed.