Articles to be inquired of in the metropoliticall 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 London, in the yeere of our Lord God 163[blank], and in the [blank] yeere of His Graces translation. Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Archbishop (1633-1645 : Laud) 1635 Approx. 41 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A00211 STC 10265.5 ESTC S2639 24438958 ocm 24438958 27666 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00211) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 27666) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1850:80) Articles to be inquired of in the metropoliticall 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 London, in the yeere of our Lord God 163[blank], and in the [blank] yeere of His Graces translation. Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Archbishop (1633-1645 : Laud) Laud, William, 1573-1645. [12] p. By Richard Badger, Printed at London : 163[5?] Imprint date suggested by STC (2nd ed.); completed in manuscript as 1636. Signatures: A⁴(-A1) B⁴ (last leaf blank). Reproduction of original in the Christ Church (University of Oxford). Library. 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Visitations, Ecclesiastical -- England. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2001-11 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-03 TCP Staff (Oxford) Sampled and proofread 2002-03 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion ARTICLES TO BE INQVIRED OF IN THE METROPOLITICALL 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 LONDON , In the yeere of our LORD GOD 163● , And in the 〈◊〉 yeere of his Graces Translation . EX IGNE RESVRGIT VIRTVS Printed at London , by Richard Badger . 163● . The Tenour of the Oath , to be Ministred to the Church-wardens and Side-men . YOu shall sweare , that you , and every of you , shall duly consider and diligently enquire , of all and every of these Articles given you in charge ; and that all affection , favour , hatred , hope of reward and gaine , or feare of displeasure , or malice set aside ; you shall present all and every such person , that now is , or of late was within your parish , as hath committed any offence , or made any default mentioned in these , or any of these Articles ; or which are vehemently suspected or defamed of any such offence or default : Wherein you shall deale uprightly and fully ; neither presenting , nor sparing to present any , contrary to truth : having in this action GOD before your eyes , with an earnest zeale to maintaine truth , and to suppresse vice . So helpe you GOD , and the holy Contents of this Booke . Concerning the Church , the Ornaments thereof and the Churches possessions . IMprimis , Whether haue you in your seuerall Churches , and Chappels , the whole Bible of the largest volume , and the Booke of Common Prayer , both fairely and substantially bound . A Font of stone , set vp in the ancient 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 bee best heard in his Prayer and Administration : and that the greatest number may communicate . And whether is it so used out of time of diuine seruice , as is not agréeable to the holy use 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 sée and reade them , and other sentences of holy Scripture , written on the walles likewise for that purpose ? 2 Whether are the afternoones Sermons , in your seuerall Parishes , turned into Catechizing by question and answer ; according to the forme prescribed in the Booke of Common Praier ? and whether doth euery Lecturer reade diuine Seruice , according to the Liturgy 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 Minister to read Seruice in , together with a comly pulpet set vp in a conuenient place , with a decent cloath or cufhion for the same , a comely large Surplice , a faire Communion Cup , with a couer of siluer , a Flagon of siluer , tinne , or pewter , to put the Wine in , whereby it may be set vpon the Communion Table , at the time of the blessing thereof , 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 Lockes and Keies , 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 wether 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 yearely 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 Chancell , a Table set , of the degrées wherein by Law men are prohibited to marry ? 4 Whether are your Church and Chappels , with the Chancels thereof , and your p●rsonage or vicarage house , your parish Almes-house and Church-house , in good reparations : and are they imployed to godly , and their right holy vses ? Is your Church , Chancell , and Chappell decently and comly kept , as well within as without , and the seats well maintained , according to the 85. Canon , in that behalfe provided ? Or haue any Patrons or others decayed the Parsonage , houses , and keepe a stipendary Priest or Curate , in place where an incumbent should be possessed ? Whether is your Church-yard well fenced with walles , railes , or pales , and by whom : and if not , in whose default the same is , and what the defect or fault is ? And whether any person haue incroached vpon the ground of the Church-yard , or whether any person or persons , haue vsed any thing or place consecrated to holy vse , prophanely or wickedly ? 5 Is your Church or Chappell decently paued , and is your Church-yard well and orderly kept without abuse ? Are the bones of the dead decently interred , or laid vp in ●ome fit place as beseemeth Christians ? And is the whole consecrated ground kept free from Swine and all other nastinesse , as becommeth the place so dedicated ? 6 Whether haue any ancient Monuments or Glasse-windowes béen defaced , or any ●rasse Inscriptions , Lead , Stones , or any thing else belonging to your Church or Chap●ell , beène at any time purloyned , and by whom ? 7 Whether haue you the Terrier of all the Gleabe Lands , Medowes , Gardens , Orchards , Houses , Stockes , Implements , Tenements , and portions of Tithes ( whether wi●hin your Parish or without ) belonging vnto your parsonage or vicarage , taken by the vsew of honest men in your said Parish ? And whether the same Terrier be laid vp in the Bishops Registery , 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 wi●h your Parson or Uicar , or in his absence with your Minister , are to make diligent in●uiry and presentment of the seuerall particulars following , and make , subscribe , and signe the said Terrier , as aforesaid . 1 How many seuerall parcelis of Glebe-land , doe you know , or haue you credibly heard to belong vnto your Rectory , Church , Parsonadge , Uicaridge &c. and by what Names are they ( or any of them ) commonly called and knowne ; And what yearly Rent haue you knowne or heard to haue beene paid , vnto the Parson , Uicar , or to his or their Asignes , for euery , or any of the said parcels ? ● In Whose occupation , are the said parcells at this present ? How much doth each pa●cell conteyne by measure of the 16. foote Poale ? How is each parcell Butted , on eu●ry parte ? And who is to repaire the Fences on each side thereof ? 3 What hedge , ditch méere , trée , thorne , doole or distination , is there now , at this pr●sent , whereby the said parcells of Church-lands may bee apparentlie knowne and di●●inguished , from the lands of other men , vpon whom they doe abutt ? 4 What Cart-way , Horse way , foote way , Gates or Styles doe leade from your Parsonadge or Uicaridge-House , vnto euerie of the said parcells of Gleab-land ? Decl●re your knowledge therein . 5 Whether doe you know , or haue you crediblie heard , that some Styles , gates , hedges , ditch , méere , Trée , Thorne , or other Doole ( formerlie growing or being , betwéene the said parcells of Gleabe ( or some of them ) and the Landes of other men ) haue bin digg●d vp , felled downe , destroied , put by or defaced ? And who had the said parcell ( so wrong●d ) in occupation , when the said Style , Gate , hedge , ditch , méere , Tree , Thorne , or oher antient Doole , was so digged vp , felled downe , destroyed , put by or defaced ? Concerning the Clergy . 1 VVHether doth your Parson , Uicar , or Curate , distinctlie and reuerently say Diuine seruice vpon Sundayes and Holidayes , and other dayes appointed to bee o●serued by the book of Common Prayer ; as Wednesdayes , ●nd Fridayes , and the Eues of euery Sunday and Holiday , at fit and vsuall times ? And doth he dulie obserue the Orders , Kites and Ceremonies , prescribed in the said Booke of Common Prayer , as well in reading publike prayers and the Letanie , as also in administring the Sacraments , solemnization of Matrimony , visiting the sicke , burying the dead , Churching of Women , and all other like Rites and Offices of the Church , in such manner and forme as in the said Booke of Common prayer he is inioyned , without any omission or addition . And doth he reade the Book of the last Canons yearely , and weare a Surplice according to the said Canons ? 2 Whether haue you any Lecturer in your Parish , who hath preached in his Cl●ake and not in his Gowne , and whether haue you any Lecturer who will not professe his willingnesse and readinesse to take vpon him a Liuing or Benefice , with cure of sotles , or who hath refused a Benefice when it hath béene offered vnto him ? 3 Doth your Minister bid Holidayes and Fasting-dayes , as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed ? And doth he giue warning beforehand to the Parishioners , for the receiuing of the holy Communion , as the two and twentieth Canon requi●th : and whether hée doth administer the holy Communion so often , and at such times as that euery Parishioner may receiue the same , at the least thrice in euery yéere : whe●eof once at Easter , as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed ? And doth your Minister receiue the same himselfe , on euery day that he administreth it to others , and vse the words of institution according to the Booke , at euery time that the Bread and Wine is renewed , accordingly as by the prouiso of the 21. Canon , is directed : And doth he deliuer the Bread and Wine to euery Communicant seuerally , and knéeli●g ? Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion , any notorious Offender or Shismaticke , contrary to the 26. and 27. constitutions , or receiued any to the Communon , being not of his owne Cure , or put any from the Communion , who are not publckly infamous for any notorious crime ? Doth he use the signe of the Crosse in Baptisme , or baptise in any bason , or other vessell , and not in the vsuall Font , Or admit any Father to be God-father to his owne Child , or such who haue not receiued the holy Communion , or baptize any Children that were not borne in the parish , or wilf●lly refuse to Baptise any infant in his Parish , being in danger , hauing béene enformed of the weaknesse of the said child : and whether the child dieth through his default without Baptisme ? 4 Whether hath your Minister married any without a Ring , or without Banes p●blithed thrée seuerall Sundayes or Holidayes in time of Diuine seruice , in the seuerall Churches or Chappels of their seuerall abode , according to the book of Common p●ayer , or in times prohibited , albeit the Banes were thrice published , without a Licens● or dispensation from the Archbishop , the Byshop of the Diocesse , or his Chancellor , ●rst obtained in that behalfe ? Or not betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the f●renoone , or haue maried any in any priuate house , or if the parties be under the age of 21. yéeres , before their Parents or gouernours haue signified their consent vnto him ? 5 Doth he refuse to bury any , which ought to be interred in Christian buriall , or defer the same longer than he should , or bury any in Christian buriall , which by the consttutions of the Church of England , or lawes of the Land , ought not to be so interred ? 6 Is your Minister a Preacher allowed ? If yea , then by whom ? If not , whether d●th he procure some who are lawfully licensed , to preach monethly amongst you at the least ? 7 Doth your Minister ( being licensed , ) preach vsually according to the Canois , either in his owne Cure , or in some other Church or Chappell neare adioyning , whre no other Preacher is , and how often he hath beèn negligent in that behalfe , and dot● he preach standing , and with his Hat off ? Or whether doth he or his Curate vpon eury Sunday , when there is no Sermon , reade an homilie , or some part thereof , accordng as hée ought to doe : or in case he bee not licensed to preach , doth he take vpon him to Preach or expound the Scriptures in his owne Cure , or elsewhere ? If so , then you ●e to present the same , the time and place , when , and where he did it ? 8 Doth your Minister use to pray for the Kings Majesty , King Charles , and for the Queenes Majesty , Prince Charles , and all the royall Progeny , with addition of such Stile and Titles as are due to his Highnesse , and exhort the people to obedience to his Majesty , and all Magistrates in authoritie vnder him : And doth he also pray for all Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ecclesiasticall persons ? 9 Is your Minister continually resident vpon his benefice , and how long time hath he ●in absent , and in case he be licensed to be absent , whe●her doth he cause his Cure to be s●fficiently supplied , according to the Canons ? Or in case he hath another Benefice , whe●her doth he supply his absence by a Curate sufficiently licensed to preach in that Cu●e where he himselfe is not resident ? Or otherwise , in case the smalnesse of the liuing can●ot find 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 oth●r Cure doth he serue , and how farre are they distant ? 11 Doth your Minister or Curate euery Sunday and Holiday , before Euening pra●er , for halfe an houre or more , examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of ●is Parish in the Tenne Commandements , Articles of the Beliefe , and in the Lods Prayer , and the Sacraments , according as it is prescribed in the Catechisme , set forh in the booke of Common prayer only ? And if he doe not , where is the fault , either in he Parents and Masters of the children , or in the Curate neglecting his duty ? And in ●e carefull to tender all such youth of his Parish as haue béene well instructed in ther Catechisme to be confirmed by the Bishop in his Uisitation , or any other conuenie●t time , as is appointed by the booke aforesaid ? 12 Doth your Minister in the Rogation dayes , goe in perambulation of the circuit of the Parish , saying and vsing the prayers , Suffrages , and Thankesgiuing to God , appo●nted by Law , according to his duty , thanking GOD for his blessings , if there be plenty on the earth : Or otherwise , to pray for his grace and fauour , if there be a feare of ●carcity ? 13 Hath your Minister admitted any Woman , begotten with childe in adultery or for●ication , to be Churched without licence of the Ordinary ? 14 Hath your Minister , or any other Preacher , baptized children , churched any woman , or ministred the holy Communion in any priuate house , otherwise than by Law is allowed ? 15 Doth your Minister endeuour and labour diligently to reclaime the popish Recusa●ts in his parish from their errors ( if there be any such abiding in your parish . ) Or whether is your Parson , Uicar , or curate , ouer conuersant wish , or a fauourer of Recusa●ts , whereby he is suspected not to be sincere in Religion ? 16 Hath your Minister taken vpon him , to appoint any publike or priuate Fasts , Pophestes , or exercises , not approued by Law , or publike authority , or hath vsed to met in any priuate house or place , with any person or persons , there to consult how to impeach or depraue the Booke of Common Prayer , or the doctrine or discipline of the Curch of England : If yea , then you shall present them all ? 17 Hath your Minister staied the publication of any excommunications or suspentio●s , or doth he euery halfe yéere denounce in his Parish Church , all such of his parish a● are excommunicated , and perseuere therein without seeking to be absolued , or doth he vittingly and willingly kéep company with such as are excommunicate : And hath hee a●mitted into your Church any person excommunicate , without a certificate of his abs●ution from the Ordinary , or other competent Iudge ? 18 Doth your Minister carefully looke to the reléefe of the poore , and from time to time call vpon his Parishioners to giue some what , as they can spare to godly and ch●ritable 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 co●uenticles , or doth preach in any place , or vse any other forme of Diuine Seruice ●ha●●s appointed in the Book of Common prayer : If yea , then you are to present their name , and with whom ? 20 Whether is your Curate licensed to serue , by the Bishop of this Diocesse , or b● any other , and by whom ? 21 Doth your Minister vse such decencie and comelinesse in his apparell , as by ●e 47. Cannon is enjoyned : is he of sober behauiour , and one that doth not vse such bodlie labour , as is not seemelie for his function and calling ? 22 Is your Minister noted or defamed , to haue obtained his Benefice or his orde● , by Symonie , or any other way defamed , to be a Symoniacall person , or any way no●d to be a Schismaticke , or schismatically affected , or reputed to be an incontinent perso● , or doth table or lodge any such in his house : or is he a frequenter of Tauernes , Inns , or Ale-houses , or any place suspected for ill rule : Or is he a common Drunkard , a co●mon Gamester , or player at Dice , a Swearer , or one that applieth himselfe not at hs studie , or is otherwise offensiue and scandalous to his function or Ministerie ? 23 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer reade Diuine seruice , before his Sermon , ●r Lecture , and Minister the Sacraments twice a yeere at least in his owne person , acc●ding to the Canons ? 24 When any person hath béene dangerously sicke in your Parish , hath he neglectd ●o visit him , and when any haue béene parting out of this life , hath he omitted to doe ●s last dutie in that behalfe ? 25 Doth your Minister , Curate , or Lecturer , in his or their Sermons deliuer suh doctrine as tends to obedience and the edifying of their Auditorie in faith and Religio● , without intermedling with matters of State , not fit to be handled in the pulpit , but ●o be discussed by the wisdome of his Maiesty and his Councell . And if you find any faulte herein , you shall present them ? Schoole-Masters . DOth any in your Parish openlie or priuatelie take vpon him to teach Schoole , wi●out license of the Ordinarie , and is he conformable to the Religion now establishe ? And doth he bring his Schollers to the Church , to heare diuine Seruice and Sermons ? And doth he instruct his Schollers in the grounds of the Religion now established ●n 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 authoritie ? And what Catechisme it is that he so teacheth ? 3 Is any Living or meanes giuen towards the erection or maintenance of any Schoole withholden backe or otherwise imployed , and by whom ? 4 Doth any kéepe Schoole in the Chancell or Church , by which meanes , that hoy place , and the Communion Table are many waies profaned , and the windowes brok●● ? Parish Clarke and Sextons . 1 HAue you a fit Parish Clarke , aged twentie yeeres at least , of honest conuersati●● , able to reade and write ? Whether are his and the S●xtons wages paid w●●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 bee approued by the Ordinarie ? And hath hee taken an Oath , as in such cases is fit and ●●quired● and is he diligent in his Office , and seruiceable to the Minister , and doth he tale vpon him to meddle with any thing aboue his Office : as Churching of Women , burying the dead , or such like ? ● Doth your Clark 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 Tble , Font , Books , and other Ornaments of the Church kept faire and cleane ? doth he suffer any unseasonable ringing , or any prophane exercise in your Church ? Or doth he ( wen any is passing out of this life ) neglect to toll a bell , hauing notice thereof ? Concerning the Parishioners . 1 VVHether any of your Parishioners , being sixtéene yéeres of age or upwards , or others lodging or commonly resorting to any House within your Parish . d●e wilfully absent themselues from your parish Church , vpon Sundayes or Holidayes a● 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 thmselues during the time of Diuine seruice , deuoutly knéeling , when the generall confession of sins , the Letany , the tenne Commandements , and all Prayers and Collets are read , and using all due and lowly reuerence , when the blessed name of the Lord ●esus Christ is mentioned , and standing vp when the Articles of the Beliefe are read ; 〈◊〉 who doe couer their heads in the Church during the time of Diuine Seruice , vnlesse 〈◊〉 be in case of necessity , in which case they may weare a Night cap or Coyfe ? Or who ●●e giue themselues to babbling , 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 o vpwards , doe not receiue the holy Communion in your Church thrice euery yéere : ●●ereof once at Easter , and whether they doe not deuoutly knéele at the receiuing thereo ? And whether any hauing diuerse houses of remoue , doe shift from place to place of p●rpose to defeat the performance of their Christian duties in that behalfe ? 2 Whether any of your parishioners , being admonished therof , do not send their Childen , Seruants , and Apprentices , to the Minister , to be catechized vpon such Sundayes ●●d Holydayes as are appointed ? Or whether any of them do refuse to come ; or if they cme , refuse to learne those instructions set forth in the Book of Common prayer ? 3 Whether any of your Parish doe entertaine within their house , any soiourner , cmmon guests , or other persons , who refuse to frequent Diuine Seruice , or receiue 〈◊〉 holy Communion , as aforesaid , present their names , their qualities , or conditions ? 4 What Recusant Papists are there in your Parish , or other Sectaries ? present t●eir names , qualities , or conditions ? whether they keep any Schoole master in their h●use , which commeth not to Church to heare Diuine Seruice and receiue the Com●uni●n ? 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 ●ouce and with-draw others from the Religion now established ? Or instruct their familes or children in Popish religion : or refuse to entertaine any , especially in place of g●eatest seruice , or trust , but such as t●ntur●e 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 . o● Writings , or other Bookes , Libraries , or w●itings of any Sectaries , touching the Religion , State , or Gouernement Ecclesiastical of this Kingdom of England , or kéep any Monuments of Superstition vncancelled or vndefaced ? 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 Seruice , and receiue the Sacraments : If yea , then who are they ? And how long since haue they so reformed themselues ? And whether they still remaine and abide in that conformitie ? 9 Is there any in your Parish that refuse to haue ●heir Children Baptised , or the●selues to receiue the Communion at the hands of your Minister , taking excep●ion against 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 G●d thankes after their child-birth , for their safe deliuerance ? And whether doe any of , or ●n your Parish , refuse to haue their children Bap●ized in your Parish Church , according ●o the forme prescribed in the booke of common Prayer ? 10 Doe any of your Parish usually goe to other Parish Churches to heare Diuine Seruice or Sermons ? Or doe they communicate , or Baptize their Children in any ●ther Parish ? 11 Whether there be any in your Parish who will come to heare the Sermon , b●t will not come to publike prayers ap●ointed by the Book of Common Prayer , making● Schisme or diuision ( as it were ) betwéene the use of publike prayer and preaching ? 12 What persons within your Parish , for any offence , contumacy , or crime , 〈◊〉 Ecclesiasticall Conusance doe stand excommunicate ? present their names , and for wh● cause they are excommunicated , and how long they haue so stood , and what person 〈◊〉 persons doe wittingly and usually kéepe them company ? 13 Whether any , not being in Orders , doe execute any Priestly or Ministeriall o●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 orde● of Priest-hood or Deacon , hath since relinquished the same , and liues as a Lay-ma● neglecting his vocation ? 15 Hath any person in your Parish quarrelled , or stricken , or vsed any violence 〈◊〉 your Minister , or haue stricken or quarrelled with any other person within your Chur● or Church yard , or demeaned himselfe disorderly in the Church , by filthie or prophan talke , or any other base or immodest behauiour ? Or hath disturbed the Minister in tim of Diuine Seruice or Sermon , or hath libelled or spoken slanderous words again● your Minister , to the scandall of his vocation , or defa●ed any of his Neighbours , to●●ching any crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance ? 16 Whether any of , or in your Parish , without consent of the Ordinarie , or othe● lawfull authoritie , haue caused any to do pennance , or to be censured or punished for an● matter of Ecclesiasticall Conusance , by any Uestrie méetings , or otherwise by thei● own authoritie ? Or haue taken any mony or commutation for the same ? Present thei● names that haue done it ? And who haue beene so punished ? In what manner , and vpo● what cause ? 17 Whether any person in your Parish , doe exercise any Trade or labour , buy o● sell , or kéepe open Shops or Ware-houses vpon any Sunday or Holiday by themselues their Seruants , or Apprentices , or haue otherwise prophaned the said dayes , contrar● to the orders of the Church of England ? And whether there be any Inne-kéepers , Ale house-kéepers , Uictuallers or other persons , that permit any persons in their houses , t● 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 holie , and thankesgiuing made t● God , for his Maiesties and this States happy deliuerance , according to the Ordinanc● in that behalfe ? 19 Whether any of your Parish hold or frequent any conuen●●cles or priuate Con●gregations , or make or maintaine any constitutions , agréed vpon in any such assem●blies ? Or any that doe write , or publikely or priuately speake against the Booke o● Common prayer , or any thing therein contained , or against any of the Articles of Re●ligion agréed vpon , in Anno 1562 or against the Kings Supremacie , in causes Eccless●●sticall , or against the Oath of Supremacie , or of Allegiance , as pretending the same t● be vnlawfull and not warrantable by the Word of GOD ? Or against any of the ●ites or Ceremonies of the Church of England , now established ? Or against the Gouernment of the Church of England vnder the Kings most excellent Majesty , by Arch-Bishops , Deanes , Arch-Deacons , and other Officers of the same : affirming ; ●hat the same is repugnant to the Word of God , and that the said Ecclesiasticall Offi●rs , are not lawfully ordained ? Or whether there be any Authors , Maintainers or Fa●urers of Heresie or Schisme , or that be suspected to be Anabaptists , Libertines , ●rownists , of the Familie of Loue , or of any other Heresie or Schisme ? present their ●m●s ? 20 Whether any in your Parish haue maried within the degrées by Law prohibited , ●●d where , and by whom ? And whether any couple in your Parish being lawfullie ma●ed , liue apart one from the other , without due separation by the Law , or any that haue bene diuorced , which kéepe company with any other at Bedde or at Boord ? 21 Whether doe any persons administer the goods of the dead without lawfull autho●ty , or suppresse the last will of the dead ? Or are there in your Parish any wils not yet ●oued , or goods of the dead ( dying intestate ) left vnadministred ? By authority in that ●halfe , you shall not faile to present the Executors and all others faultie therein : and ●●o how many persons being possessed of any goods and chattels , haue died within your ●arish , since the x. day of Februarie ? 1635. 22 Whether any with-hold the Stocke of the Church , or any goods or other things , euen to good and charitable vses ? 23 Whether your Hospitals and Almes-houses , and other such houses and corporati●s , founded to good and charitable vses , and the lands , possessions and goods of the same , ● ordered and disposed of as they should be ? And doe the Masters , Gouernours , Fellwes , and others of the said Houses and Corporations , behaue and demeane themselues acording 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 ●port , which haue committed Adultery , Fornication , or Incest : or any which haue im●dently bragged or boasted , that he or they haue liued incontinently with any person or ●rsons whatsoeuer : or any that haue attempted the chastity of any Woman , or solici●● any Woman to haue the carnall knowledge of her bodie , or which are commonly ●puted to bee common Drunkards , Blasphemers of Gods holy Name ; common ●wearers , common Slanderers of their Neighbours , and sowers of discord , filthy and ●sciuious Talkers , Usurers , Symoniac all Persons , Bawdes , or Harborers of Wo●en with childe , which be vnmaried , or Conueying or suffering them to goe away be●e they haue made satisfaction to the Church , or any that hauing heretofore béene pre●nted , or suspected of any the aforesaid crimes , haue for that cause departed your Pa●h , and are now returned againe ? Or any which haue vsed any inchantments , sorce●es , incantations , or witchcrafts , which are not made felony by the Statutes of this ●ealme , or any which haue committed any perjurie in any Ecclesiasticall Court , in an ●cclesiasticall cause , or which haue committed any forgerie , punishable by the Ecclesi●●icall Lawes , and the procurors and abettors of the said offences : you shall truly pres●t the names of all , and singular the said offendors , and with whom they haue committd the said offences , in case they haue not béene publikely punished to your knowledge 〈◊〉 the same crimes ? Physitions , Chir●rgions , and Mid-wives . 2 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 authorite ? And how haue they demeaned themselues therein , and of what skil are they accountd to be in their profession ? Touching the Church-wardens and Side-men . 1 VVHether you and the Church-wardens , Quest-men , or Side-men from tine to time , doe , and haue done their diligence , in not suffering any idle persor to abide either in the Church-yard , or Church-porch , in Seruice or Sermon time , bu causing them either to come into the Church to heare Diuine Seruice , or to depart , an● not disturbe such as be hearers there ? And whether they haue , and you doe diligently se the parishioners duely resort to the Church euery Sunday and Holiday and there to renaine during diuine Seruice and Sermon ? And whether you or your predecessors , Ch●rch-Wardens there , suffer any playes , Feasts , drinkings , or any other prophane vsag●s , to be kept in your Church , Chappell , or Church-yards , or haue suffered to your and heir vttermost power and endeauour , any person or persons to be tipling or drinking in any Inne or Uictualling house in your Parish , during the time of Diuine Seruice or ●ermon , on Sundayes and Holidayes ? 1 Whether , and how often haue you admitted any to preach within your Churh or Chappell , which was not sufficientlie licensed ? And whether you together with your Minister , haue not taken diligent héed and care , that euerie parishioner being of sixtene yéeres of age or vpwards , haue receiued thrice euerie yéere , as aforesaid : and also hat no stranger haue vsuallie come to your Church , from their owne Parish-Church ? 3 Whether haue there béene prouided against euerie Communion , a sufficient q●antitie of fine white bread , and good and wholesome wine for the communicants that ●all receiue ? And whether that wine be brought in a cleane and swéet standing pot of pewter , or of other purer mettall ? 4 Whether were you chosen by the consent of the Minister and the Parishiones And haue the late Church-wardens giuen vp a just account for their time , and deliu●red to their successors by Bill indented the money , ●nd other things belonging to the Church which was in their hands ? And are the Almes of the Church faithfullie distributed to the vse of the poore ? 5 Whether doe you sée the names of all Preachers which are strangers and pre●ch in your Parish Churches , to be noted in a Booke for that purpose , and whether eu●ie Preacher doe subscribe his name , and of whom he had his License ? 6 Whether any man doe trouble or molest you for doing your duties ? 7 Whether there be any Legacies witholden giuen to the Church or poore people o● 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 béene complained of , that is not yet redresse ? Concerning Ecclesiasticall Magistrates and Officers . 1 VVHether doe you know or haue heard of any payment , composition or agrement , to , or with any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate , Iudge , or Officer , for wil●ing at or sparing to punish any person for any offence of Ecclesiasticall Conusance , ●r for suppressing or concealing of any excommunication , or any other Ecclesiasticall C●sure , of or against any Recusant , or any other offendor in the cases aforesaid ? Wh●t summe of money , or other consideration hath béene receiued or promised , by , or to any ●f them , in that respect , by whom , and with whom ? 2 Hath any person within your Parish , paid or promised any summe of money or ●ther reward , for commutation of pennance , for any crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance ? If so , then with whom ? When , and for what , and how hath the same beéne impl●yed ? 3 Are your Ecclesiasticall Iudges and their substitutes Masters of Arts , or Batcellors of the Lawes at the least , Learned and practised in the Ciuill and Ecclesiastic●l Lawes : Men of good life and fame , zealously affected in Religion , and iust and v●right in executing their Offices ? Haue they heard any matter of Office priuatel●e in th●●● 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 extraordinarie fées , or other rewards or promises , b● any vayes or meanes , directly or indirectlie , of any person or persons whatsoeuer , eithe● for th● granting of the administration of the Goods and Chattels of those that haue die● inte●●te , to one before another , or for allotting of larger portions of the G●ods and Chatels of those that haue died i●testate , to one more than to another : or for allowing large and vnreasonable accounts , made by Ex●cutors or administrators : or for giuing them Quietus est , or discharges , without Inuentory or account , to defraude Creditors , Leg●aries , or those who are to haue portions . And what summ●s of money doe you knov , or haue you heard , that any Ecclesiasticall Iudge or Officer hath taken out of the s●te of any dying intestat● , vpon pretence to bestow the same , in Pios vsus : and how ●aue the same béene bestowed ? 5 Hath any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate , Iudge , Officer , or any o●her exercising Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction within this your Diocesse : Or any Aduocate , Register , Procter , Cla●kes , Apparators , or other Minister belonging to the same Ecclesiasticall Courts exaced or taken by any wayes or meanes , directly or indirectly , extraordinarie or greater Fées than are due & accustomed ? And whether is there a Table for the rates of all Fée● , set vp in their seuerall Courts and Offices ? And whether they haue sent or suffered my Processe to goe out of the Ecclesiasticall Courts otherwise than by Law they oug●t ? 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 , contrarie to the Law and Canons in that behalfe prouided ? 6 What number of Apparators haue euery seuerall Iudge Ecclesiasticall ? And whe●ein , and in what manner is the Countrey ouerburthened by them ? And wherein hau● they caused or summoned any to appeare in the said Courts , without a presentme●t 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 behal● haue they taken ? 7 What reward or fees hath any of the Apparators taken , to saue the iournies to the Ec●esiasticall Court of any persons , & what ( after composition so made ) haue they or any of hem 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-Deacon , or his Officiall , after they haue béene ordered by the Commissary , and done their pennance acc●rdingly , and whom haue they so cited and troubled , and what hath it cost them , as you 〈◊〉 or haue heard , or by inquiry can finde ? I● you know of any other default or crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance , you are to ●●●ent the same by vertue of your Oathes ? ●he Minister of euerie Parish , may and ought to ioyne in presentment with the Ch●rch-wardens , and Side men , and if they will not present , the Minister may and ou●ht himselfe to present the defaults and crimes aforesaid : and there must be seuerall pr●entments made to euery seuerall article : and the Minister , Church-wardens , and Sw●rne-men , are to méete and conferre about the said presentments , and answering of eu●ry of the aforesaid Articles ? FINIS .