CANONS OF 1640

On the 27th May, 1640, the archbishop of Canterbury stated before the convocation that the Canons agreed upon in the sacred synod had been read before the king and the privy-council, and unanimously approved. The first Canon is concerning the regal power; and, I. Enacts that every parson, vicar, curate, or preacher, shall, under pain of suspension, on four Sun days in each year, at morning prayer, read certain explanations of the regal power, to the effect:— (1.) That the sacred order of kings is of Divine right, that a supreme power is given by God in Scripture to kings to rule all persons civil and ecclesiastical. (2.) That the care of God’s Church is committed to kings in the Scripture. (3.) That the power to call and di olve national and provincial councils within their own territories is the true right of princes. (4.) That it is treason against God and the prince for any other to set up any independent co-active power, either papal or popular, within the prince’s territory. (5.) That subjects who resist their natural prince by force resist God’s ordinance, and shall receive damnation. (6.) That as tribute is due from subjects to their prince, so those subjects have not only po e ion of, but a true and just title to, all their goods and estates; that as it is the duty of subjects to supply their king, so is it his duty to defend them in their property. Forbids, under pain of excommunication, all persons to preach or teach anything contrary to the tenor of these explanations. II. For the better keeping of the day of his Majesty’s most happy inauguration. Orders all persons to keep the morning of the said day in coming diligently to church, and that due inquiry be made by bishops and others as to how the day is observed, in order that offenders may be punished.