ARTICLES ECCLESIASTICAL TO be enquired of by the Churchwardens and Sworne-men within the _____  
In the Visitation of the _____  
And in the _____ year of the Reign of our most dread Sovereign Lord King JAMES.  
LONDON Printed by JOHN BILL. 1621.   

❧ The Oath.  
YOu shall swear by the Name of Almighty God, well and truly to execute the Office of Churchwardens and Sidemen, etc. That you shall diligently consider, and inquire of all and every the Articles following, and make a true answer to every of the same severally, and distinctly in writing, presenting every person of your Parish, who hath, or shall, in your Parish, or elsewhere: and every person of any other Parish, who hath, or shall in your Parish commit any offence or fault, mentioned in any of the said Articles, or which are publicly, and credibly defamed for any such offence, or fault: wherein you shall not unduely present any person or persons of evil will, malice, or any corrupt affection, nor shall for love, favour, dread, or any other indirect affection, spare to present any that be offenders in any of those cases, but shall do uprightly, as men having the fear of God before your eyes, and desirous to maintain virtue, and suppress vice. So help you God by Christ jesus.   

¶ Note, you are by your said Oath to present truly what you either know of your own knowledge, or what is publicly or credibly famed and spoken touching any matter or thing contained in any Article following.  
FIrst, whether any person whatsoever of your Parish doth maintain or defend any Heresies, false opinions, or Popish errors, contrary to the word of God, and the Articles of Religion established in this Realm?  
2 Whether any person be an impugner or depraver either in word or writing the of form of Ecclesiastical government of the Church of England, or of the Book of Common prayer, or the Rites and Ceremonies prescribed therein, or of the King's supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical, or of the Oath of Supremacy or Allegiance?  
3 Whether any Parson doth read public Service in any Church or Chapel, not being lawfully ordered Deacon at the least, and licenced by the Lord Bishop or his Chancellor.  
4 Whether any Parson, Vicar, or Curate presume to preach in their Cures, or elsewhere, not being licenced by the Bishop or Ordinary?  
5 Whether is your Parson or Vicar known, or probably and publicly famed or reported to have obtained his Benefice by Simony, or to let out his Living to farm, or any part thereof to any person in consideration of any such Simoniacal compact.  
6 Whether have you had a Sermon preached every Sabbath day this last year in your Church: if not, yet how many have you had? and upon those Sundays that you had not a Sermon, have you had an Homely read?  
7 Whether hath any stranger been suffered to preach in your Church or Chapel, without having first shown his licence to preach unto the Minister and Churchwardens according to the 50. Canon.  
8 Whether doth your Minister upon every Sunday and Holy day in the afternoon before evening prayer call for, and instruct all the youth and ignorant persons of your Parish, of both Sexes, in the Catechism, and grounds of Christian Religion for half an hour or more?  
9 Whether be there any Parents, Masters, or governors, who send not their children, or servants to be chatechized on every Sabbath day, and Holy day, or any children or servants that refuse to be instructed or examined?  
10 Whether doth your Minister neglect or forsake his calling, and betake himself to worldly affairs, mercenary, or manuel Trades, haunt markets, or intermeddle with, or solicit matters of Law for other men?  
11 Whether doth your Minister haunt or frequent Alehouses, or Taverns, or is he probably or publicly famed or any notorious crime, or any evil example of life, to the offence and scandal of his vocation?  
12 Whether doth your Minister use or wear any kind of apparel which is unseeming his calling, for colour or fashion of the same, or otherwise then according to the 74. Canon?  
13 Whether doth your Minister at all times wear the Surplice in the time of Divine Service and administration of the Sacraments? And if he be a Graduate, whether doth he also upon his Surplice wear a hood incident to his degree?  
14 Whether do you know, or have credibly and publicly heard of any within your Parish that are procurers of Schisms, or maintainers of Schismatics, or which are resorters to conventicles, or congregations of the King's Subjects, other than such as by the Laws Ecclesiastical of this Realm are allowed?  
15 Whether doth your Minister use any other form of Common prayer, then is prescribed in the Book of Common prayer, and whether doth he use such directions, rites, and ceremonies in Service, and the administration of the Sacraments, as by the said book are required, and none other?  
16 Whether doth your minister admit to the Communion any notorious adulterer fornicator, or incestuous person, or other great offender which hath not first done his penance, or any stranger of another Parish, contrary to the 28. Canon?  
17 Whether have any been married within your Parish that have not upon the day of their marriage received the holy Communion? or any been married in times prohibited, or without banes solemnly asked three several Sundays, otherwise then by licence of the Ordinary, as you know, or credibly and publicly have heard?  
18 Whether hath your Minister used the form of thanksgiving prescribed for women after childbirth, for any woman unlawfully begotten with child, otherwise then in the habit of a penitent sinner, or before sufficient caution be taken for her not departing the Parish until she hath done penance for her offence?  
19 Whether doth your Parson, Preacher, Lecturer, and Vicar in his own person, at the leastwise in every year upon two Sundays publicly, both in the forenoon and afternoon in your Church or Chapel, read Divine Service, and administer both the Sacraments in such manner and form as is prescribed by the Book of Common prayer according to the 56. Canon?  
20 Whether doth your Minister daily visit the sick, and exhort them truly to believe in Christ, and repent thereof their sins, and comfort and pray for them, as is prescribed in the Book of Common prayer?  
21 Whether doth your Parson, Vicar, or Farmor of the Tithes, suffer either the Parsonage or Vicarage-house or other buildings thereto belonging, or the Chancel to fall to ruin or decay, and doth not presently repair them?  
22 Whether hath any person taken away or uncovered any Church, Chapel or Chancel, or any part of them, or any Church porch, or Vestry, or hath pulled down the bells, or made any other spoil or waste upon his Benefice, either in timber, or woods?  
23 Whether is your Church every way sufficiently, and well repaired, and no defect in glazing, tiling, ceiling, paving, or in any thing else belonging to the same: and whether the Church be beautified, and adorned with Scripture sentences?  
24 Whether is your Churchyard sufficiently fenced with Wall, Rail, Pale or other fence, and is your Churchyard profaned, or swine suffered to root there?  
25 Whether have you in your Parish Church or Chapel the new book of Common prayer, two Psalters, the Bible in English of the largest volume, lately set forth by his Majesty's authority, the two volumes of Homilies, Master jewels works, Erasmus Paraphrase, the table of the ten Commandments, and the Table of the degrees of Affinity and Consanguinity, wholly and untorne, a convenient Pulpit, a fit seat for your Minister, a decent Communion Table upon a frame, a linen cloth to cover it, with some other cover of silk, or such like, a Communion cup of silver, and cover of the same, a clean sweet standing Pet, or stoop of pewter, or other purer mettle, to put in the wine for the use of the Communion, a sufficient fou● well covered, decent Surplice of fine holland, with large sleeves, a sure coffer with three locks for the Register Book, a strong chest with three locks there to for the almesboxe, and have your Minister and Churchwardens several keys to those Coffers according to the 70. Canon?  
26 Whether doth your Minister and Churchwardens every Sunday after Evening prayer take the Register book, and then Register the names of all those who were Christened, married or buried the week before, and is the same a fair book of parchment, and safely kept under locks and keys?  
27 Whether doth any Parson serve two Cures, or any Curate serve his Cure not in due time? and what slipend hath your Curate by the year?  
28 Whether hath your Minister published and executes all such processes, excommunications, and penances as have been directed unto him from the Lord Bishop or his Chancellor, in such sort as was prescribed and without delay? and whether hath he duly made Certificates thereof, and of all penances according as they have been performed and no otherwise, as you know, or credibly and publicly have heard?  
29 Whether hath your Parson or Vicar more Benefices than one, how many, and in what places be they? what be the names, and values of them, and whether is he absent from among you above 80. days in all in any one year? and if he hath two Benefices, hath he a preaching Curate on that Benefice whereon he doth not reside? and whether doth he let any lease of any of his Benefices, or any part thereof? and to whom? and for how long?  
30 Whether is your Clerk aged twenty years at least, and approved by the Ordinary, and hath he taken an Oath, and is he able to read distinctly, as by law is required, and is he diligent in keeping the Church, Chancel, Communion table, Font, Books, ornaments of the Church, and all such things as belong to his charge safe, decent and clean?  
31 Whether is there any Schoolmaster teaching either openly or privately in your Parish, or any person who practiseth Physic, or Surgery? and what be their names?  
32 Whether have any Lords of Misrule, Dancers, Players, or any other disguised persons been suffered to enter the Church, chapel, or Churchyard with their sports? and if they have, what be the names of such disordered persons?  
33 Whether be there in your Parish any unlawful exercises used upon any Sabaoth, or Festival days? whether do any use dancing or such like sports on the Sabaoth day before the end of all divine Service appointed for that day? whether be there any common drinking in your Church? who were present at such drinking, or sports, and whether any do sit in the Tavern, Alehouse, or Street upon Sundays or Holidays in the time of morning or evening prayer?  
34 Whether be there any in your Parish that use any handy craft, or work, or keep open shop upon any Sabbaoth or Festival day, or that within time of Harvest do upon Holiday's labour about their Harvest, or then use any carriages by Wain, or otherwise, unless necessity shall require, or the law permit it?  
35 Whether there be in your Parish any disturbers of the divine service of God, or which do use any talking, walking, or any unreverent behaviour in Church or Churchyard in time of divine service?  
36 Whether doth your Minister give warning aforehand to his Parishioners for the receiving of the Communion, and are there any in your Parish of convenient age, viz. above sixteen years, that do not receive the Communion thrice in every year at the least? or any that receive the Communion otherwise then most reverently kneeling on their knees?  
37 Whether any of your Parish do receive Seminary Priests or other Seducers into their houses, and whether there be any Strangers that socourne in your Parish, especially about Easter, and do absent themselves from Church?  
38 Whether have your Churchwardens been diligent themselves in frequenting divine service, and doing their office? and duly given account at the years end of the goods, and rents of the Church, or not distributed the public alms indifferently?  
39 Whether when any man or woman is passing out of this life, the Bell be tolled to give warning to the people to pray for the sick person? if not, in whose default.  
40 Whether any person of your Parish hath remained excommunicate by the space of forty days? and whether any excommunicate person hath intruded himself or been admitted unto divine service, the Sacrament or like public assemblies? and who are keepers of company with any excommunicate person, or do harbour any excommunicate person in their houses, or set them to work contrary to the law?  
41 Whether any excommunicate Recusant, or other obstinate excommunicants have been buried in your Church, or Churchyard? by whom were they so buried? and who were present?  
42 Whether any of your Parish be known, or credibly and publicly famed to be attempters of the chastity of any woman, or incestuous persons, or adulterers, or fornicators before or after marriage? Bawds or receptors of incontinent persons into their houses, or which convey them away before they have done penance for the same? and whether any that heretofore have for those crimes departed your Parish unpunished, are now returned again?  
43 Whether there be any blasphemers of the name of God, or swearers, or any common drunkards, slanderers or defamers of their neighbours in your Parish? and what are their names?  
44 Whether any person in your Parish be known or reputed to use any Witchcraft, Sorcery, Charms, or any that do take upon them to tell destinies, or to guide men to things lost, or any that resorteth unto such for help and counsel?  
45 Whether have there been any children borne in your Parish, which have not been brought to be baptised in your Parish Church? (and whether any children of your Parish have been baptised by a Seminary Priest? what is the name of that Priest? and whether any of the children of Recusants or Sojourners with Recusants have had their baptism deferred longer than the next Sabbath day, or which remain as yet unbaptized? and whose are those children?)  
46 Whether hath any Father answered as Godfather to his own child, and whether have any been admitted to be Godfather or Godmother to any child in your Parish, who before that time have not received the holy Communion?  
47 Whether any persons of your Parish divorced lawfully, do notwithstanding accompany together? and whether any persons lawfully married, have forsaken their wives or husbands, or live not together, or any which have married any person contracted to others, or which had not the consent of their parents? and whether any were married in any private house, or within the degrees prohibited, or not between the hours of eight and twelve of the clock in the forenoon?  
48 Whether do you know any person formerly presented, which hath not been convented and censured by the ordinary for the same? or any enjoined to do penance, who either hath not done it, or done it not penitently, but scornfully, and not in form, habit, and time prescribed, or any that have laughed or scorned at those, who have done their penance? and what be their names?  
49 Whether any Hospital or Almshouse be either pulled down or grown to decay? whether the number of poor and impotent persons appointed by the founders are maintained there? and if not, in whose default? whether any lands or legacies given to such or other godly uses, are not employed accordingly? and whether any rights, or duties belonging to your Church be detained by any person?  
50 Whether do you know any person within your Parish, who directly or indirectly taketh usury or interest for money lent, contrary to the laws of God and this Realm? who are they? and what is the manner of their usury?  
51 Whether any person of your Parish hath suppressed the last will and testament of any person deceased, or administered the goods of any person intestate before administration committed unto him? whether do you know any forgers or changers of such will? or any Executor which hath not fulfilled the Testators will in payment of Legacies to good and godly uses?  
52 Whether have your Churchwardens sold or alienated any of the Church books, ornaments, or goods? if yea, then to whom? and upon what cause? and in whose possession are they? and whether hath any Churchwarden or Sworneman at any time concealed any disorder, crime, or fame of any crime, and not presented the same to be reform?  
53 Whether for the retaining of the circuit, and limits of your Parish do your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, Churchwardens, and certain of the substantial men of your Parish in the days of perambulation, commonly called the Rogation week, walk and compass the accustomed bounds of your Parish? and whether in the said perambulation doth the Minister use any other right or ceremony, then to say or sing to the praise of God some Psalm of David of thanksgiving, as the hundred and third, or hundred and fourth Psalms, with the Lettanie and prayers following, or reading some part of holy Scripture or homely, and without carrying of Banners or handbels, or such like Popish observations?  
54 Whether are there any persons in your Parish which do not diligently resort to your Parish Church, or Chapel accustomed, every Sunday and Holiday according to the statute? what are their names, who do not so resort? when have they so been absent? and whether doth your Minister admonish the Churchwardens openly in the Church after the second Lesson at morning and evening prayer, to look to their charge in that behalf?  
55 What Recusant Papists are there in your Parishes? present their names, qualities, and conditions, how long have they abstained from divine Service or from the Communion: or do any of them keep any ornaments of superstition undefaced.  
56 Whether any in your Parish (who heretofore being Popish Recusants, have reform themselves) do still remain and abide in the same conformity, and is there a book provided in your Parish, to register the names of all such Recusants, who so conform and submit themselves according to the Statute of 35. Eliz.  
57 Whether have you a terrier of all the gleabelands, meadows, gardens, orchards, houses, stocks, implements, tenements, and portions of tithes (whether within your Parish or without) belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage, taken by the view of honest men in your Parish: and whether the same terrier be laid up in the Bishop's registry? and in whose hands are any of them now: and if you have no terrier already made in parchment, you the Churchwardens & Sidemen together with your Parson or Vicar, or in his absence with your Minister, are to make diligent inquiry and presentment of the premises, and to make, subscribe, and sign a terrier as aforesaid.  
58 Whether doth your Minister upon Wednesdays and Fridays, not being Holidays, read in your Church or Chapel publicly the Litany, and other prayers appointed in the book of Common prayer for those days: and whether doth he read the Commination against sinners, in such order and form as it is there also prescribed.  
59 Whether doth your Minister upon some Sundays or Holidays in the after noon before divine service, read over once every year all the Canons Ecclesiastical, published by his Majesty's authority Anno 1603. publicly in your Church or Chapel where he serveth, dividing the same in such sort, as that the one half may be read one day, and the other another day.  
60 Whether doth your Minister refuse or delay to christian any child brought to be christened upon Sundays and Holidays, according to the book of Common prayer: or being informed of his weakness, or danger of death, doth refuse to go to the place where the said Infant remaineth to baptise it.  
61 Whether hath there been since the last Visitation or before, which is not presented, any contention, brawling, or fight in your Church, or Churchyard, betwixt any of the Parishioners touching the placing or displacing of any in any seat or Pew in the Church, or touching any other cause? and whether hath there been any Pew builded, or alteration made since the foresaid time in any your Churches, without the express leave of the Ordinary of the Diocese, and by whom hath the same been done?  
62 Whether are there any Innkeepers, Alewives, or Victuallers in your Parish, that suffer any person to eat, drink, or play at Dice, Cards, Tables, Bowls, or such like games in their houses in the time of Common prayer, or Sermon on Sundays or Holidays: whether any Butchers or others do sell meat or other things in the time of Common prayer, preaching, or reading of Homilies.  
63 Whether hath any person cut down any tree or trees growing in your Churchyard, to the hurt or prejudice of the Church: and to what use was it converted as you know, or credibly and publicly have heard.  
64 Whether hath your Minister or any other Minister baptised any child in your Parish, without using the sign of the Cross at the baptism thereof: or solemnised marriage without using the Ring therein according to the book of Common prayer.  
65 Whether is all due reverence used in time of divine service, and of every part thereof, according to the 18. Canon, and whether there be any in your Parish that use any unreverent speeches or gestures against Ministers, and in contempt of their calling and function.  
66 Whether any Apparitor or other person hath compounded or smothered for reward or favour, any cause or matter of office belonging to the Ecclesiastical Court: if yea, then do you declare the same, and what money or reward he had for the same.  
67 And generally whether do you know of any of the Laws Ecclesiastical violated or broken, or any Ecclesiastical matters worthy of redress: and if you do, than you are to present the same, and in all your presentments as near as possible you may, you are to note the year, time, and place of every offence committed.  
FINIS.