they to the houses where their wiues dwelled: but if they had any
thing to say to them, they should take two or thrée witnesses,
and talke with them abroad in the street.

4 That if any of them chanced to be accused of breaking this
ordinance, he should be driuen to purge himselfe with six
sufficient witnesses of his owne order, if he were a préest: if a
deacon, with foure: and if a subdeacon, with two.

5 That such preests as would forgo seruing at the altar, and
holie order (to remaine with their wiues) should be depriued of
their benefices, and not suffered to come within the quire.

[Sidenote: Archdeacons and canons.] 6 That such as contemptuouslie
kept still their wiues, and presumed to say masse, if being called
to satisfaction, they should neglect it, they should then be
excommunicated. Within compasse of which sentence all archdeacons
and prebendarie canons were comprised, both touching the forgoing
of their women, and auoiding of their companie; and also the
punishment by the censures of the church, if they transgressed the
ordinance.

[Sidenote: Archdeacons to be sworn.] 7 That euerie archdeacon
should be sworne, not to take any monie for fauouring any person
transgressing these statutes: and that they should not suffer any
preests, whome they knew to haue wiues, either to say masse, or to
haue any vicars. The like oth should a deane receiue. Prouided that
such archdeacons or deanes as refused this oth, should be depriued
of their roomes.