Articles to be enquired of, throughout the whole diocesse of Chichester ministred and giuen in charge to the church-wardens and sidemen within the same diocesse by the reuerend father in God Richard by Gods prouidence Bishop of Chichester, in his generall visitation holden anno Domini 1631.

Articles concerning the Parishioners.

DOe any in your Parish prophane the Sunday by vnlaw∣full games, drinking, or tipling in the time of common prayer or Sermon; and by working and doing the ordinarie workes of their vocation and trades?

2 Are there any in your parish that doe impugne or speake a∣gainst the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, or the lawfull vse of them? And the gouernment of this Church vn∣der his Maiestie by Archbishops, Bishops and other ecclesiasticall officers?

3 Who in your Parish doe come to Sermon onely, and not to diuine Seruice, And who doe not reuerently behaue them∣selues during the time of diuine Seruice, deuoutly knèeling, when the generall Confession of Sinnes the Letany, the ten Comman∣dements, and all Prayers and Collects are read, and vsing all due and lowly reuerence, when the blessed name of the Lord Ie∣sus is mentioned, and standing vp when the Articles of the Be∣liefe, and Gloria Patri are read or said? who doe couer their heads in the Church during the whole time of Diuine Seruice, vnlesse it be in case of necessitie, in which case they may weare a night∣cap, or who doe giue themselues to babling, talking, or walking, and are not attentiue to heare the Word read and preached? Haue any to your knowledge, publikely or priuately spoken a∣gainst

the bending of the knée at the name of the Lord Iesus, or vsed disgracefull speech against the acte, or such as vse the act of reuerend bowing toward the Communion Table, when they come to it to administer the Sacrament &c. what words haue béene vsed, by whom, or where that way: tell their names, and words spoken, if you can?

4 Is there any of your Parish hauing a Preacher to their Mi∣nister, that doe absent themselues from his Sermons, and resort to other places, to heare other Preachers: Or doe any in your pa∣rish communicate or baptize their children in any other parish?

5 Are there any in your parish that refuse to haue their chil∣dren baptized, or themselues to receiue the Communion of your Minister, taking exception against him, or haue any wiues that refuse to come to Church, according to the booke of Common Prayer, to giue thanks to God for their safe deliuerance, in a de∣cent habite, as hath béene anciently accustomed?

6 Hath any in your Parish spoken slanderous and reproach∣full words against your Minister, to the scandall of his vocation, or against his Neighbour, defaming them touching any crime of Ecclesiasticall cognizance?

7 Whether doe any in your parish exercise any trade, or la∣bour, buy, or sell, or kéepe open shops, or set out any wares to be sold vpon Sundayes, or Holidayes, by themselues, their seruants, or Apprentices, or haue otherwise prophaned the said dayes?

8 Is the fift of Nouember kept holy, and thansgiuing made to God, according to the order set forth in that behalfe?

9 Is there any in your Parish that bee, or are commonly knowne, or reputed to bee Blasphemers of Gods holy name, Drunkards, Adulterers, Fornicators, incestuous persons, con∣cealers or harbourers of Fornicators, or Adulterers: Haue any béene detected or vehemently suspected of such notorious crimes, and what penance haue they done for the same?

10 What person, or persons haue died, and departed this mortall life since the second day of February last past; and whe∣ther did they make any last wils, or Testaments, and who were their Executors, or whether dyed they intestate, and who hath the administration of their Goods: and what be the names of such deceased, and Executors, and Administrators?

11 Whether haue any in your parish administred the goods of any person deceased without lawfull authority, and before he or they haue proued the will or Testament of the party deceased, or haue obtained commission from the Ordinary to dispose the said moueable goods; or are there any Willes vnproued, or Goods not administred?

12 What persons be excommunicate within your Parish, and for what cause to your knowledge, and doe any of them re∣paire to the Church, in time of prayer vnabsolued?

13 Whether haue any in your Parish giuen to the Church-wardens or Side-men, or to any of them, any euill words for doing their duties according to their Oathes and conscience, in making presentment for any fault?

14 Whether haue any within your Parish harboured any woman vnlawfully begotten with childe, and haue suffered her to depart away vnpunished?