Articles to be inquired of in the first trienniall visitation of the most reverend father VVilliam, by Gods providence, lord arch-bishop of Canterbury, primate of all England; and metropolitan: in and for the dioces of Canterbury, in the yeare of our lord God 1637, and in the fourth yeere of his Graces translation.

Concerning the Church, the Ornaments thereof, and the Churches possessions.

IMprimis, Whether haue you in your seuerall Churches, and Chappels th•• whole Bible of the largest volume, and the Booke of Common Prayer•• both fairly and substantially bound: A Font of stone set vp in the anc••¦ent vsuall place: A conuenient and decent Communion Table, with a Carpet of silke, or some other decent stuffe, continually laid vpon the same at time of Diuine Seruice, and a faire linnen cloth thereon, at the time of the receiuing of the holy Communion. And whether is the same Table placed in such conuenient sort within the Chancell or Church, as that the Minister may be be•••• heard in his Prayer and Administration, and that the greatest number may communi¦cate. And whether is it so vsed out of time of diuine seruice, as is not agréeable to the holy vse of it; as by sitting on it, throwing hats on it, writing on it, or is it abused to other prophaner vses: and are the ten Commandements set vpon the East end of your Church or Chappell, where the people may best see and reade them, and other sentences of holy Scripture, written on the wals likewise for that purpose?

2 Whether are the afternoone Sermons, in your seuer all Parishes, turned into Catechizing by question and answer; according to the forme prescribed in the Booke of Common Prayer? And whether doth euery Lecturer reade diuine Seruice, according to the Liturgie printed by authority, in his Surplice and Hood, before the Lecture? And whether are his Maiesties Instructions in all things duly obserued?

3 Whether haue you in your said Church or Chappel, a conuenient seat for your Mini∣ster to reade Seruice in, together with a comely Pulpit set vp in a conuenient place, with a decent cloth or cushion for the same, a comely large Surplice, a faire Communi∣on Cup, with a couer of siluer, a Flagon of siluer, tinne, or pewter, to ••ut the Wine in, whereby it may be set vpon the Communion Table, at the time of the blessing there∣of, with all other things and ornaments necessary for the celebration of diuine Seruice, and administration of the Sacraments? And whether haue you a strong Chest for Almes for the poore, with thrée locks and keyes, and another Chest for kéeping the Bookes, and Ornaments of the Church, and the Register Book? And whether haue you a Register Booke in Parchment, for Christnings, Weddings, and Burials, and whe∣ther the same be kept in all points, according to the Canons in that behalfe prouided? And is the Mothers Christian name therein Registred as well as the Fathers, and a transcript thereof brought in yéerely within one Moneth after the 25 of March into the Lord Archbishop or Bishop of the Diocesse his principall Register? And whether haue you in your said Church or Chappell, a Table set, of the degrees wherein by law men are prohibited to marry?

4 Whether are your Church and Chappels, with the Chancels thereof, and your par∣sonage or vicarage house, your parish Almes-house and Church-house, in good repara∣tions: and are they imployed to godly, and their right holy vses? Is your Church, Chan∣cell, and Chappell decently and comely kept, as well within as without, and the seats well maintained, according to the 85. Canon, in that behalfe prouided? Or haue any

patrons or others decayed the Parsonage-houses, and kéep a stipendary Priest or Cu∣••••te, in place where an incumbent should be possessed? Whether is your Church-yard ••ell fenced with wals, railes, or pales, and by whom: and if not, in whose default the ••••me is, and what the defect or fault is? And whether any person haue incroached vpon ••he ground of the Church-yard, or whether any person or persons, haue vsed any thing ••r place consecrated to holy vse, prophanely or wickedly?

5 Is your Church or Chappell decently paued, and is your Church-yard well and or∣••erly kept without abuse? Are the bones of the dead decently interred, or laid vp in ••••me fit place as be séemeth Christians? And is the whole consecrated ground kept frée ••rom Swine and all other nastinesse, as becommeth the place so dedicated?

6 Whether haue any ancient Monuments or Glasse-windowes béene defaced, or any ••rasse Inscriptions, Lead, Stones, or any thing else belonging to your Church or Chap∣pell, béene at any time purloined, and by whom?

7 Whether haue you the Terrier of all the Glebe lands, Medowes, Gardens, Or∣••hards, Houses, Stocks, Implements, Tenements, and portions of Tithes (whether within your parish or without) belonging vnto your Parsonage or Vicarage, taken by ••he view of honest men in your said parish? And whether the same Terrier be laid vp ••n the Bishops Registry, and in whose hands any of them are now? And if you haue no Terrier already made in Parchment, you the Church-wardens and Sidemen, together with your Parson or Vicar, or in his absence with your Minister, are to make diligent inquiry and presentment of the seuerall particulars following, and make, subscribe, and signe the said Terrier, as aforesaid?

1 How many seuerall parcels of Glebe-land, doe you know, or haue you credibly heard to belong vnto your Rectory, Church, Parsonage, Vicaridge, &c. and by what Names are they (or any of them) commonly called and knowne; and what yéerely rent haue you knowne or heard to haue béene paid, vnto the Parson, Vicar, or to his or their Assignes, for euery, or any of the said parcels?

2 In whose occupation are the said parcels at this present? How much doth each parcell containe by measure of the 16 foot Poale? How is each parcell Butted, on eue∣ry part? And who is to repaire the fences on each side thereof?

3 What hedge, ditch, méere, trée, thorne, doole, or distinction, is there now, at this present, whereby the said parcels of Church-lands may be apparently knowne and di∣stinguished, from the lands of other men, vpon whom they doe abutt?

4 What Cart-way, Horse-way, Foot-way, Gates or Stiles doe lead from your Parsonage or Vicarage-house, vnto euery of the said parcels of Glebe land? Declare your knowledge therein.

5 Whether doe you know, or haue you credibly heard, that some stiles, gates, hed∣ges, ditch, méere, tree, thorne, or other doole (formerly growing or being, betweene the said parcels of Gleabe (or some of them, and the Lands of other men) haue beene dig∣ged vp, felled downe, destroied, put by or defaced? And who had the said parcell (so wron∣ged) in occupation, when the said stile, gate, hedge, ditch, meere, tree, thorne, or other ancient doole, was so digged vp, felled downe, destroied, put by or defaced?

Concerning the Clergy.

1 WHether doth your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, distinctly and reuerently say Di∣uine Seruice vpon Sundayes and Holydayes, and other dayes appointed to bee obserued by the Booke of Common Prayer; as Wednesdayes, and Fridayes, and the Eues of euery Sunday and Holyday, at fit and vsuall times? And doth hee duly ob∣serue the Orders, Rites, and Ceremonies, prescribed in the said booke of Common Prayer, as well in reading publike prayers and the Letany, as also in administring the

Sacraments, solemnization of Matrimony, visiting the sick, burying the dead, Chur••¦ing of Women, and all other like Rites and Offices of the Church, in such manner a•• forme as in the said booke of Common Prayer he is inioyned, without any omission addition. And doth he reade the Booke of the last Canons yearely, and weare a Surpl•• according to the said Canons?

2 Whether haue you any Lecturer in your parish, who hath preached in his Cloa•• and not in his Gowne, and whether haue you any Lecturer who will not professe h•• willingnesse and readinesse to take vpon him a Liuing or Benefice, with cure of soul•• or who hath refused a Benefice when it hath béene offered vnto him?

3 Doth your Minister bid Holy-dayes and Fasting-dayes, as by the Booke of Co••¦mon Prayer is appointed? And doth he giue warning beforehand to the parishioner•• for the receiuing of the holy Communion, as the two and twentieth Canon requiret•• and whether he doth administer the holy Communion so often, and at such times, that euery parishioner may receiue the same, at the least thrice in euery yéere; where once at Easter, as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed? And doth your A••¦nister receiue the same himselfe, on euery day that he administreth it to others, a•••• vse the words of institution according to the Booke, at euery time that the Bread a•••• Wine is renewed, accordingly as by the prouiso of the 21. Canon is directed: A•••• doth he deliuer the Bread and Wine to euery Communicant seuerally, and knéeling Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion, any notorious Offender or Sch••¦maticke, contrary to the 26. and 27. constitutions, or receiued any to the Communio•• being not of his owne Cure, or put any from the Communion, who are not public••¦ly infamous for any notorious crime? Doth he vse the signe of the Crosse in Ba••¦tisme, or baptise in any Bason, or other Vessell, and not in the vsuall Font; or a••¦mit any Father to be Godfather to his owne childe, or such who haue not receiued 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy Communion, or baptize any children that were not borne in the parish, or willfu•• refuse to baptize any infant in his parish, being in danger, hauing béene enformed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she weaknesse of the said childe; and whether the childe dieth through his default wi••••¦out baptisme?

4 Whether hath your Minister married any without a King, or without Banes p••••¦lished threée seuerall Sundayes or Holidayes in time of diuine Seruice, in the seuer•• Churches or Chappels of their seuerall abode, according to the Book of Common pra••¦er, or in times prohibited, albeit the Banes were thrice published, without a License dispensation from the Archbishop, the Bishop of the Diocesse, or his Chancellor, fi•• obtained in that behalfe? Or not betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the for noone, or haue married any in any priuate house, or if the parties be vnder the age 21 yéeres, before their parents and gouernours haue signified their consent vnto hi••

5 Doth he refuse to bury any, which ought to be interred in Christian buriall, or ••¦fer the same longer than he should, or bury any in Christian buriall, which by the con••¦tutions of the Church of England, or Lawes of the Land, ought not to be so interr••

6 Is your Minister a Preacher allowed, if yea, then by whom? If not, whether do•• he procure some who are lawfully licensed, to preach monthly amongst you at the lea••••

7 Doth your Minister (being licensed,) preach vsually according to the Cano•• either in his owne Cure, or in some other Church or Chappell néere adioyning, wh•• no other Preacher is, and how often he hath beene negligent in that behalfe, & doth preach standing, and with his hat off? Or whether doth he or his Curate vpon eue•••• Sunday, when there is no Sermon, reade an Homily, or some part thereof, accordi•••• as he ought to doe; or in case he be not licensed to preach, doth he take vpon him Preach or expound the Scriptures in his owne Cure, or elsewhere? If so, then you 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 present the same, the time and place, when, and where he did it?

•• Doth your Minister vse to pray for the Kings Maiesty, King Charles, and for the ••aéenes Maiesty, Prince Charles, and all the royall Progeny, with addition of such ••le and Titles as are due to his Highnesse, and exhort the people to obedience to his ••aiesty, and all Magistrates in authority vnder him: And doth he also pray for all ••••ch-bishops, Bishops, and other Ecclesiasticall persons?

9 Is your Minister continually resident vpon his Benefice, and how long time hath bin absent, and in case he be licensed to be absent, whether doth he cause his Cure to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sufficiently supplied, according to the Canons? Or in case he hath another Benefice, ••••ether doth he supply his absence by a Curate sufficiently licensed to preach in that ••ure where he himselfe is not resident? Or otherwise, in case the smalnesse of the li∣••ng cannot finde a preaching Minister, doth he preach at both his Benefices vsually?

10 Doth your Minister or Curate, serue any more Cures than one: If yea, then what ••her Cure doth he serue, and how far are they distant?

11 Doth your Minister or Curate euery Sunday and Holyday, before Euening ••••ayer, for halfe an houre or more, examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Parish, in the ten Commandements, Articles of the Beliefe, and in the Lords ••rayer, and the Sacraments, according as it is prescribed in the Catechisme, set ••••th in the booke of Common Prayer only? And if he doe not, where is the fault, either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Parents and Masters of the children, or in the Curate neglecting his duty? And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he carefull to tender all such youth of his parish as haue béene well instructed in their ••atechisme, to be confirmed by the Bishop in his Visitation, or any other conuenient ••ne, as is appointed by the booke aforesaid.

12 Doth your Minister in the Rogation dayes, go in perambulation of the circuit of ••••••e parish, saying, and vsing the prayers, Suffrages, and Thanksgiuing to God, ap∣••••inted by Law, according to his duty, thanking GOD for his blessings, if there plenty on the earth: Or otherwise, to pray for his grace and fauour, if there be a feare scarcity?

13 Hath your Minister admitted any Woman begotten with childe, in adultery or ••••nication, to be churched without license of the Ordinary?

14 Hath your Minister, or any other Preacher, baptized children, churched any wo∣••••n, or ministred the holy Communion in any priuate house, otherwise than by law is ••••••owed?

••5 Doth your Minister endeauour and labour diligently to reclaime the popish Recu∣••nts in his parish from their errours (if there be any such abiding in your parish.) Or ••••ether is your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, ouerconuersant with, or a fauourer of Recu∣••nts, whereby he is suspected not to be sincere in Religion?

16 Hath your Minister taken vpon him, to appoint any publike or priuate Fasts, ••ophesies, or Exercises, not approued by Law, or publike authority, or hath vsed to ••et in any priuate house or place, with any person or persons, there to consult how to ••peach or depraue the Booke of Common Prayer, or the doctrine or discipline of the ••••urch of England: If yea, then you shall present them all?

17 Hath your Minister staied the publication of any excommunications or suspenti∣••s, or doth he euery halfe yéere deuounce in his parish Church, all such of his Parish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are excommunicated, and perseuere therein without séeking to be absolued, or doth he ••••ttingly and willingly kéepe company with such as are excommunicate: And hath he ••mitted into your Church any person excommunicate, without a certificate of his ab∣••ution from the Ordinary, or other competent Iudge?

18 Doth your Minister carefully looke to the reliefe of the poore, and from time to

time call vpon his parishioners to giue somewhat, as they can spare to godly and chari∣table vses, especially when they make their Testaments.

19 Whether your Minister or any, hauing taken holy Orders, being now silenced or suspended, or any other person of your knowledge, or as you haue heard, hold any con∣uenticles, or doth preach in any place, or vse any other forme of diuine Seruice than is appointed in the Booke of Common prayer: If yea, then you are to present their names, and with whom?

20 Whether is your Curate licensed to serue, by the Bishop of this Dioces, or by any other, and by whom?

21 Doth your Minister vse such decency and comelinesse in his apparell, as by the 47. Canon is enioyned: is he of sober behauiour, and one that doth not vse such bodily labour, as is not seemely for his function and calling?

22 Is your Minister noted or defamed, to haue obtained his Benefice or his orders, by Symonie, or any other way defamed, to be a Symoniacall person, or any way noted to be a Schismaticke, or schismatically affected, or reputed to be an incontinent person, or doth table or lodge any such in his house: or is he a frequenter of Tauernes, Innes, or Ale-houses, or any place suspected for ill rule: Or is he a common Drunkard, a com∣mon Gamester, or player at Dice, a Swearer, or one that applieth himselfe not at his study, or is otherwise offensiue and scandalous to his function or Ministery?

23 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer reade Diuine Seruice, before his Sermon or Lecture, and Minister the Sacraments twice a yéere, at least, in his owne person, accor∣ding to the Canons?

24 When any person hath béene dangerously sick in your Parish, hath he neglected to visit him, and when any haue béene parting out of this life, hath he omitted to do his last duty in that behalfe?

25 Doth your Minister, Curate, or Lecturer, in his or their Sermons deliuer such doctrine as tends to obedience and the edifying of their auditory in faith and religion, without intermedling with matters of State, not fit to be handled in the pulpit, but to be discussed by the wisdome of his Maiesty and his Councell. And if you find any faulty herein, you shall present them?

Schoole-Masters.

1 DOth any in your Parish openly or priuately take vpon him to teach Schoole, with∣out license of the Ordinary, and is be conformeable to the Religion now establi∣shed? And doth he bring his Schollers to the Church, to heare diuine Seruice and Ser∣mons? And doth he instruct his Schollers in the grounds of the Religion now establi∣shed in this Church of England, and is he carefull and diligent to benefit his schollers in learning?

2 Doth your Schoole-master teach and instruct his youth in any other Catechisme than is allowed by publike authority? And what Catechisme it is that he so teacheth?

3 Is any Liuing or meanes giuen towards the erection or maintenance of any Schoole with-holden back or otherwise impolyed, and by whom?

4 Doth any kéepe schoole in the Chancell or Church, by which meanes, that holy place, and the Communion Table are many wayes profaned, and the windowes broken?

Parish Clarke and Sextons.

1 HAue you a fit Parish Clarke, aged twenty yéeres at least, of honest conuersation, able to reade and write? Whether are his and the Sextons wages paid with∣out fraud, according to the ancient custome of your parish: if not, then by whom are they so defrauded or denied? by whom are they chosen? and whether the said Clarke be approued by the Ordinary? And hath he taken an Oath, as in such cases is fit and required: and is he diligent in his Office, and seruiceable to the Minister, and doth he

take vpon him to meddle with any thing aboue his Office: as Churching of Women, burying the dead, or such like?

2 Doth your Clarke or Sexton kéep the Church cleane, the doores locked at fit times? is any thing lost or spoiled in the Church, through his default? Are the Communion Table, Font, Bookes, and other Ornaments of the Church kept faire and cleane? Doth he suffer any vnseasonable ringing, or any prophane exercise in your Church? Or doth he (when any is passing out of this life) neglect to toll a bell, hauing notice thereof?

Concerning the Parishioners.

1 WHether any of your Parishioners, being sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards, or others lodging or commonly resorting to any house within your Parish, do wil∣fully absent themselues from your parish Church vpon Sundayes and Holydayes at Morning and Euening prayers? Or who come late to Church, and depart from Church before seruice be done vpon the said dayes? Or who doe not reuerently behaue them∣selues during the time of Diuine Seruice, deuoutly knéeling, when the generall confes∣sion of sins, the Letany, the tenne Commandements, and all Prayers and Collects are read, and vsing all due and lowly reuerence, when the blessed name of the Lord Iesus Christ is mentioned, and standing vp when the Articles of the Beliefe are read; or who doe couer their heads in the Church during the time of Diuine Seruice, vnlesse it be in case of necessity, in which case they may weare a Night cap or Coife? Or who do giue themselues to babling, talking, or walking, and are not attentiue to heare the Word preached, or read? Whether any of your parish, being of sixtéene yéeres of age or vp∣wards, doe not receiue the holy Communion in your Church thrice euery yéere: whereof once at Easter, and whether they doe not deuoutly kneele at the receiuing thereof? And whether any hauing diuerse houses of remoue, doe shift from place to place of purpose to defeat the performance of their Christian duties in that behalfe?

2 Whether any of your parishioners, being admonished thereof, do not send their chil∣dren, seruants, and apprentices, to the Minister, to be catechized vpon such Sundayes and Holydayes as are appointed? Or whether any of them doe refuse to come; or if they come, refuse to learne those instructions set forth in the Booke of Common Prayer?

3 Whether any of your Parish doe entertaine within their house, any soiourner, common guests, or other persons, who refuse to frequent Diuine Seruice, or receiue the holy Communion, as aforesaid? present their names, their qualities or conditions.

4 What Recusant Papists are there in your Parish, or other Sectaries? present their names, qualities, or conditions? whether they kéep any Schoole-master in their house, which commeth not to Church to heare diuine Seruice, and receiue the Commu∣nion? What is his name, and how long hath he taught there, or elsewhere?

5 Whether any of the said popish Recusants, or other Schismaticks, doe labour to seduce and withdraw others from the Religion now established? Or instruct their fami∣lies or children in popish religion: or refuse to entertaine any, especially in place of greatest seruice, or trust, but such as concurre with them in their opinions?

6 How long haue the said popish Recusants abstained from diuine Seruice, or from the Communion, as aforesaid?

7 Is there any in your parish that retaine, sell, vtter, or disperse, any popish bookes, or Writings, or other Bookes, Libraries, or writings of any Sectaries, touching the Religion, State, and Gouernement Ecclesiasticall of this Kingdome of England, or kéep any Monuments of Superstition vncancelled or defaced?

8 Whether haue you any in your Parish, which heretofore being popish Recusants or Sectaries, haue since reformed themselues, and come to Church to heare diuine Ser∣uice, and receiue the Sacraments: if yea, then who are they? And how long since hau•• they so reformed themselues? And whether they still remaine and abide in that confor∣mity.

9 Is there any in your parish that refuse to haue their children baptized, or them¦selues to receiue the Communion at the hands of your Minister, taking exception a¦gainst him, and what causes or exceptions doe they alleage; or haue any maried wiues refused to come to Church, according to the Booke of Common Prayer, to giue God thankes after their childe-birth, for their safe deliuerance? And whether doe any of, or in your Parish, refuse to haue their children baptized in your parish-Church, according to the forme prescribed in the Booke of Common Prayer?

10 Doe any of your Parish vsually goe to other Parish Churches to heare Diuine Seruice or Sermons? Or doe they communicate, or baptize their children in any other Parish?

11 Whether there be any in your Parish who will come to heare the Sermon, but will not come to publike prayers appointed by the Booke of Common Prayer, making a schisme or diuision (as it were) betweene the vse of publike prayer and preaching?

12 What persons within your parish, for any offence, contumacy, or crime, of Ec∣clesiasticall Conusance doe stand excommunicate? present their names, and for what cause they are excommunicated, and how long haue they so stood, and what person or persons do wittingly and vsually keepe them company?

13 Whether any not being in Orders, doe execute any Priestly or Ministeriall Of∣fice, in your Church, Chappell, or Church-yard, and what be their names?

14 Whether any in your parish, that hauing heretofore taken vpon him the order of Priest hood or Deacon, hath since relinquished the same, and liues as a Lay-man neglecting his vocation?

15 Hath any person in your Parish quarrelled, or stricken, or vsed any violence to your Minister, or haue stricken or quarrelled with any other person within your Church or Church-yard, or demeaned himselfe disorderly in the Church, by filthy or prophane talke, or any other base or immodest behauiour? Or hath disturbed the Minister in time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon, or hath libelled or spoken slanderous words against your Minister, to the scandall of his vocation, or defamed any of his Neighbours, tou∣ching any crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance?

16 Whether any of, or in your Parish, without consent of the Ordinary, or other lawful authority, haue caused any to do pennance, or to be censured or punished for any matter of Ecclesiasticall Conusance, by any Vestry-meetings, or otherwise by their own authority? Or haue taken any money or commutation for the same? Present their names that haue done it: And who haue beene so punished? In what manner, and vpon what cause?

17 Whether any person in your Parish, doe exercise any Trade or labour, buy or sell, or kéep open Shops, or Ware-houses vpon any Sunday or Holiday by themselues, their Seruants, or Apprentices, or haue otherwise prophaned the said dayes, contrary to the orders of the Church of England? And whether there be any Inne-kéepers, Ale-house-kéepers, Victuallers or other persons, that permit any persons in their houses, to eate, drink, or play, during the time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon, or reading the Ho∣milies, in the forenoone or afternoone, vpon those dayes?

18 Whether the fifth day of Nouember be kept holy, and thanksgiuing made to God, for his Maiesties and this States happy deliuerance, according to the ordinance in that behalfe?

19 Whether any of your Parish hold or frequent any conuenticles or priuate Con∣gregations, or make or maintaine any constitutions, agreed vpon in any such assem∣blies? Or any that doe write, or publikely or priuately speake against the Booke of Common prayer, or any thing therein contained, or against any of the Articles of Re∣ligion agreed vpon, in Anno 1562. or against the Kings Supremacy, in causes Ecclesi∣asticall,

or against the Oath of Supremacy, or of Allegiance, as pretending the same to be vnlawfull and not warrantable by the Word of God? Or against any of the Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England, now established? Or against the Go∣uernment of the Church of England vnder the Kings most excellent Maiesty, by Arch∣bishops, Deanes, Arch-Deacons, and other Officers of the same: affirming, that the same is repugnant to the Word of God, and that the said Ecclesiasticall Offi∣cers, are not lawfully ordained? Or whether there be any Authors, Maintainers or fa∣uourers of Heresie or Schisme, or that be suspected to be Anabaptists, Libertines, Brownists, of the Family of Loue, or of any other heresie or schisme? present their names?

20 Whether any in your Parish haue maried within the degrées by Law prohibited, and where, and by whom? And whether any couple in your parish being lawfully ma∣ried, liue apart one from the other, without due separation by the law, or any that haue béene diuorced, which keep company with any other at bed or at boord?

21 Whether do any persons administer the goods of the dead without lawfull autho∣rity, or suppresse the last will of the dead? Or are there in your parish any wils not yet proued or goods of the dead (dying intestate) left vnadministred? By authority in that behalfe you shall not faile to present the Executors and all others faulty therein: and also how many persons being possessed of any goods and chattels, haue died within your Parish, since the x. day of February? 163••.

22 Whether any with-hold the Stocke of the Church, or any goods, or other things, giuen to good and charitable vses?

23 Whether your Hospitals and Almes-houses, and other such houses and corporati∣ons, founded to good & charitable vses, and the lands, possessions, and goods of the same, be ordered and disposed of as they should be? And doe the Masters, Gouerners, Fel∣lowes, and others of the said Houses and Corporations, behaue and demeane themselues according to the godly ordinances and statutes of their seuerall Foundations?

24 Whether haue you any in your Parish to your knowledge or by common fame or report, which haue committed adultery, fornication, or Incest: or any which haue im∣pudently bragged or boasted, that he or they haue liued incontinently with any person or persons whatsoeuer: or any that haue attempted the chastity of any Woman, or solici∣ted any Woman to haue the carnall knowledge of her body, or which are commonly reputed to bee common Drunkards, Blasphemers of Gods holy Name; common Swearers, common Slanderers of their neighbours, and sowers of discord, filthy and lasciuious Talkers, Vsurers, Symoniacall persons, Bawdes, or harbourers of Wo∣men with-childe, which be vnmaried, or conueying or suffering them to goe away be∣fore they haue made satisfaction to the Church, or any that hauing heretofore béene pre∣sented, or suspected of any the aforesaid crimes, haue for that cause departed your Pa∣rish, and are now returned againe? Or any which haue vsed any inchantments, sorce∣ries, incantations, or witchcrafts, which are not made felony by the Statutes of this Realme, or any which haue committed any periury in any Ecclesiasticall Court, in an Ecclesiasticall cause, or which haue committed any forgerie, punishable by the Ecclesi∣asticall Lawes, and the procurors and abettors of the said offences: you shall truly pre∣sent the names of all, and singular the said offendors, and with whom they haue com∣mitted the said offences, in case they haue not béene publikely punished to your know∣ledge for the same crimes?

Physitions, Chirurgions, and Midwives.

25 HOw many Physitions, Chirurgions, or Mid-wiues, haue you in your Parish? How long haue they vsed their seuerall Sciences or Offices, and by what authori∣ty? And how haue they demeaned themselues therein, and of what skill are they accoun∣ted to be in their profession?

Touching the Church-wardens and Side-men.

1 WHether you and the Church-wardens, Quest-men, or Side-men, from time to time, do, and haue done their diligence, in not suffering any idle person to abide either in the Church-yard or Church-porch, in Seruice or Sermon time, but causing them either to come into the Church to heare diuine Seruice, or to depart, and not di∣sturbe such as be hearers there? And whether they haue, and you doe diligently sée the parishioners duely resort to the Church euery Sunday & Holiday and there to remaine during diuine Seruice and Sermon? And whether you or your predecessors, Church-wardens there, suffer any playes, Feasts, drinkings, or any other prophane vsages, to be kept in your Church, Chappell, or Church-yards, or haue suffered to your and their vttermost power and endeauour, any person or persons to be tipling or drinking in any Inne or Victualling house in your parish, during the time of diuine Seruice or Ser∣mon, on Sundayes and Holidayes?

2 Whether, and how often haue you admitted any to preach within your Church or Chappell, which was not sufficiently licensed? And whether you together with your Minister, haue not taken diligent heed and care, that euery parishioner being of sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards, haue receiued thrice euery yéere, as aforesaid: and also that no stranger haue vsually come to your Church, from their owne parish Church?

3 Whether haue there béene prouided against euery Communion, a sufficient quan∣tity of fine white bread, and good and wholesome wine for the communicants that shall receiue? And whether that wine be brought in a cleane and swéet standing-pot of pew∣ter, or other purer mettall?

4 Whether were you chosen by the consent of the Minister and the Parishioners? And haue the late Church-wardens giuen vp a iust account for their time, and deliuere•• to their successors by Bill indented the money, & other things belonging to the Church which was in their hands? And are the Almes of the Church faithfully distributed to the vse of the poore?

5 Whether doe you sée the names of all Preachers which are strangers and preach in your parish Churches, to be noted in a Booke for that purpose, and whether euery Preacher doe subscribe his name, and of whom he had his License?

6 Whether any doe trouble or molest you for doing your duties?

7 Whether there be any Legacies with-holden giuen to the Church or poore people, or to the mending of Highwayes, or otherwise by the Testators? In whose hands it is, by whom it was giuen, and by whom it is with-holden?

8 Do you know of any thing that hath béen complained of, that is not yet redressed?

Concerning Ecclesiasticall Magistrates and Officers.

1 Whether doe you know or haue heard of any paiment, composition or agréement, to, or with any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate, Iudge, or Officer, for winking at or sparing to punish any person for any offence of Ecclesiasticall Conusance, or for sup∣pressing or concealing of any excommunication, or any other Ecclesiasticall Censure, of or against any Recusant, or any other offendor in the cases aforesaid? What summe of money, or other consideration hath beene receiued or promised, by, or to any of them in that respect, by whom, and with whom?

2 Hath any person within your parish, paid, or promised any summe of money or o∣ther reward, for commutation of pennance, for any crime of Ecclesiastical Conusance? If so, then with whom? When, and for what, and how hath the same beene imployed?

3 Are your Ecclesiasticall Iudges and their substitutes Masters of Arts, or Batch∣ellors of the Lawes at the least, learned and practised in the Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall Lawes: Men of good life and fame, zealously affected in Religion, and iust and vp∣right in executing their Offices? Haue they heard any matter of Office priuately

in their Chambers, without their sworne Registers, or their Deputies presence?

4 Doe you know, or haue you heard, that any Ecclesiasticall Iudge, Officer, or Mi∣nister, hath receiued or taken any extraordinary fees, or other rewards or promises, by any wayes or meanes, directly or indirectly, of any person or persons whatsoeuer, either for the granting of the administration of the goods and chattels of those that haue died intestate, to one before another, or for allotting of larger portions of the goods and chat∣tels of those that haue died intestate, to one more than to another: or for allowing lar∣ger and vnreasonable accounts, made by Executors or Administrators: or for giuing them Quietus est, or discharges, without Inuentory or account, to defraud Creditors, Legataries, or those who are to haue portions. And what summes of money doe you know, or haue you heard, that any Ecclesiasticall Iudge or Officer hath taken out of the state of any dying intestate, vpon pretence to bestow the same in pios usus: and how haue the same beene bestowed?

5 Hath any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate, Iudge, Officer, or any other exercising Ec∣clesiasticall Iurisdiction within this your Dioces: Or any Aduocate, Register, Procter, Clarkes, Apparitors, or other Minister belonging to the same Ecclesiasticall Courts, exacted or taken by any wayes or meanes, directly or indirectly, extraordinary or grea∣ter Fees than are due and accustomed? And whether is there a Table for the rates of al Fees, set vp in their seuerall Courts and Offices? And whether they haue sent or suffe∣red any Processe to goe out of the Ecclesiasticall Courts otherwise than by law they ought? Or haue they taken vpon them the Offices of Informers or Promoters to the said Courts, or any other way abused themselues in their Offices, contrary to the Law and Canons in that behalfe prouided?

6 What number of Apparators haue euery seuerall Iudge Ecclesiasticall? And wherein, and in what manner is the Countrey ouerburthened by them? And wherein haue they caused or summoned any to appeare in the said Courts, without a present∣ment or citation first had? Or whether haue they threatned any to prosecute them in the said Courts if they would not giue them some rewards, and what bribes in that be∣halfe haue they taken?

7 What reward or fees hath any of the Apparators taken, to saue the iourneyes to y^e Ecclesiasticall Court of any persons, and what (after composition so made) haue they or any of them taken and receiued, and what acquittance or discharge haue they giuen or promised them, and whether haue they not cited some to appeare before the Arch-dea∣con, or his Officiall, after they haue béene ordered by the Commissary, and done their pennance accordingly, and whom haue they so cited and troubled, and what hath it cost them, as you know or haue heard, or by inquiry can finde.

If you know of any other default or crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance, you are to present the same by vertue of your Oathes?

The Minister of euery Parish, may and ought to ioyne in presentment with the Church-wardens and Sidemen, and if they will not present, the Minister may and ought himselfe to present the defaults and crimes aforesaid: and there must be seuerall presentments made to euery seuerall Article: and the Minister, Church-wardens, and Sworne-men, are to meet and conferre about the said presentments, and answering of euery of the aforesaid Articles?

FINIS.