May 1644
[9 May, 1644.]
Representations of God, Angels, and Saints.; Copes, Surplisses, Roods, &c.; Orgaus.
The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, the better
to accomplish the blessed Reformation so happily begun, and to
remove all offences and things illegal in the worship of God, do
Ordain, That all Representations of any of the Persons of the
Trinity, or of any Angel or Saint, in or about any Cathedral,
Collegiate or Parish Church, or Chappel, or in any open place
within this Kingdome, shall be taken away, defaced, and utterly
demolished; And that no such shall hereafter be set up, And
that the Chancel - ground of every such Church or Chappel,
raised for any Altar, or Communion Table to stand upon, shall
be laid down and levelled; And that no Copes, Surplisses,
superstitious Vestments, Roods, or Roodlons, or Holy-water
Fonts, shall be, or be any more used in any Church or Chappel
within this Realm; And that no Cross, Crucifix, Picture, or
Representation of any of the Persons of the Trinity, or of any
Angel or Saint shall be, or continue upon any Plate, or other
thing used, or to be used in or about the worship of God; And
that all Organs, and the Frames or Cases wherein they stand
in all Churches or Chappels aforesaid, shall be taken away, and
utterly defaced, and none other hereafter set up in their places;
And that all Copes, Surplisses, superstitious Vestments, Roods,
and Fonts aforesaid, be likewise utterly defaced; whereunto all
persons within this Kingdome, whom it may concern, are hereby
required at their peril to yield due obedience.
Who shall put this Ordinance in execution.
Provided, That this Ordinance, or any thing therein contained,
shall not extend to any Image, Picture, or Coat of Arms, in Glass,
Stone, or otherwise, in any Church, Chapel, Church-yard, or
place of publique Prayer as aforesaid, set up or graven onely for
a Monument of any King, Prince or Nobleman, or other dead
person which hath not been commonly reputed or taken for a
Saint: But that all such Images, Pictures, and Coats of Arms
may stand and continue in like manner and form as if this
Ordinance have never been made; And the several Churchwardens
or Overseers of the Poor of the said several Churches and
Chappels respectively, and the next adjoyning Justice of the
Peace, or Deputy Lieutenant, are hereby required to see the due
performance hereof. And that the repairing of the Walls,
Windows, Grounds, and other places which shall be broken or
impaired by any the means aforesaid, shall be done and performed
by such person and persons as are for the same end and purpose
nominated and appointed by a former Ordinance of Parliament
of the Eight and twentieth of August, 1643, for the utter
demolishing of Monuments of Superstition or Idolatry.