Section 40 Saving of ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

Provided always, that this Act or anything therein contained shall not extend or be construed to extend to invalidate or avoid any ecclesiastical law or constitution of the Church of England, save and except so far as concerns the appointment of vestries, or to destroy any of the rights or powers belonging to the archbishops, bishops, deans, or other of the clergy of the said Established Church, either as individuals or as corporate bodies, or in anywise to abridge or control their ordinary jurisdiction over or relating to any matter or thing respecting the ministers thereof.