Bible Encyclopedias

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Uniformity

The ecclesiastical use of this word is to denote the use of one and the same form of public prayers, administration of sacraments, and other rites, etc., prescribed by the Acts of Uniformity. The first of these was issued by Parliament during the reign of Elizabeth, and provided-for the first offence, forfeiture of one year's profits and six months imprisonment; for the second offense, deprivation of all spiritual promotions and imprisonment for one year; and for the third offence, deprivation of all spiritual promotions and imprisonment for life (see stat. 1 Eliz. c. 2, 4-8). According to the act passed in; the reign of Charles II, 1662, every person obtaining preferment in the Church or universities must declare his assent to everything contained in the Book of Commons Prayer. (See CONFORMITY).