184. [1586.] “An acte for the restitution of Christian discipline in the Churche of England, and for the abolishing of the Cannon Lawe in that behalfe.”

“Wheras in the Reigne of her Matys most renowned father, Kinge Henrie the eight and other times since it hath bin intimated unto this honourable Courte of Parliament of the great disorders that are in the Cannon Lawe, wherby the ministers of the popes decrees in the time of grosse ignorance and idolatrie did divert the churche orders to the great derogation of the authoritie of the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme and the intolerable burthen of the Churche of England, for the abolishing whereof somewhat was also intended, but nothing brought to perfection:

To the end that the same maye nowe be fullie accomplished and that such Churche discipline maie be established as Gods word doeth appointe, Be it enacted &c, that wthin three monthes after the end of this present parliament, the minister and whole congregation, or the moste parte therof, in all and everie parishe and parishes wthin her maties Realme of England, and of Wales, and other her highnes domynions, shall nominate and elect six at the leaste of everie parishe, being knowen to be the moste forward and sound in setting forth the proceeding of the gospell, and not spotted with any notorious crime, whiche by vertue of this acte shall have full power and authoritie, together with the minister (and whiche shalbe named the presbiterie of the parishe), to heare and examyne all causes of offence to the churche whiche shall arise in their severall parishes concerning any disorder of life, whiche nowe is used to be broughte into any of those courts that thei call Spirituall Courts, of Archbishops, Bishops, Chauncelors, Archdeacons, and Officialls;