ARTICLES To be inquired of, in the first Metropolitical visitation, of the most Reverend Father, GEORGE, by God's providence, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Primate of all England; in, and for the Diocese of _____ in the year of our Lord God, _____ and in the fifth year of his Grace's Translation.  
HEB DDIEV HEB DDIM  
LONDON, Printed by William jaggard.   

The Tenor of the Oath, to be Ministered to the Churchwardens and Sidemen.  
YOu shall swear, that you, and every of you, shall duly consider, and diligently inquire, of all and every of these Articles given you in charge; and that all affection, favour, hatred, hope of reward and gain, or fear of displeasure, or malice set aside; you shall present all and every such person, of, or 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 deal uprightly and fully; neither presenting, nor sparing to present any, contrary to truth: having in this action God before your eyes, with an earnest zeal to maintain truth, and to suppress vice. So help you God, and the holy Contents of this Book.   


¶ Concerning the Church, the Ornaments thereof, and the Church's possessions.  
1 IMprimis, whether have you in your several Churches and Chapels, the whole Bible of the largest volume, and the Book of Common Prayer, lately set forth by his majesties authority, both fairly and substantially bound: a Font of Stone, set up in the ancient usual place: a convenient and decent Communion Table, with a Carpet of Silk, or some other decent stuff, continually laid upon the Table at time of Divine service, and a fair Linen  upon the same, at the time of the receiving of the holy Communion. And whether is the same table placed in such convenient sort within the chancel or church, as that the Minister may be best heard in his Prayer and administration, and that the greatest number may communicate: And whether is it so used out of time of Divine service, as is not agreeable to the holy use of it; and by sitting on it, throwing Hats on it, writing on it, or is it abused to other profaner uses: and are the Ten Commandments set upon the East-end of your church or chapel where the people may best see and read them, and other sentences of holy Scripture, written on the walls likewise for that purpose?  
2 Item, whether have you in your said church or chapel, a convenient seat for your Minister to read service in, together, with a comely pulpit set up in a convenient place, with a decent cloth or cushion for though same, a comely large Surplice, a fair Communion cup, with a cover of Silver, a Flagon of Silver, Tin, or Pewter to put the Wine in, whereby it may be set upon the Communion Table, at the time of the blessing thereof, with all other things and ornaments necessary for the celebration of Divine Service, and administration of the Sacraments? And whether have you a strong Chest for Alms for the poor, with three Locks and Keys, and another chest for keeping the Books, and Ornaments of the Church, and the Register Book. And whether have you a Register Book in Parchment, for christenings, Weddings, and Burials, and whether the same be kept in all points, according to the Cannons in that behalf provided? And whether have you in your said Church or Chancel, a Table set, of the degrees wherein by Law Men are prohibited to marry?  
3 Whether are your Church and Chapels, with the Chancels thereof, and your parsonage or vicarage house, your Parish alms-house and Church-house, in good reparations: and are they employed to godly, and their right holy uses? Is your Church, Chancel, and Chapel decently and comely kept, as well within as without, and the seats well maintained, according to the 85. Cannon, in that behalf provided? Whether your Churchyard be well fenced, and kept without abuse: and if not, in whose default the same is, and what the defect or fault is? And whether any person have encroached upon the ground of the Churchyard, or whether any person or persons, have used any thing or place consecated to holy use, profanely or wickedly?  
4 Whether have you the Terrier of all the Glebe Lands, Meadows, Gardens, Orchards, Houses, Stocks, Implements, Tenements, and portions of Tithes (whether within your Parish or without) belonging unto your parsonage or vicarage, taken by the view of honest men in your said Parish? And whether the same Terrier be laid up in the Bishops Registery, and in whose hands any of them are 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 make, subscribe, and sign, the said Terrier, as aforesaid?   

Concerning the Ministers.  
1 whether doth your Minister, distinctly and reverently say Divine service upon Sundays and Holidays, and other days appointed to be observed by the book of Common Prayer; as Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the eves of every Sunday and Holiday, at fit and usual times? And doth your Minister duly observe the Orders, Rites, and Ceremonies, prescribed in the said Book of common Prayer, as well in reading public prayers and the Litany, as also in administering the Sacraments, solemnisation of Matrimony, visiting the sick, burying the dead, Churching of Women, and all other like Rites and Offices of the Church, in such manner and form, as in the said Book of Common prayer he is enjoined, without any omission or addition. And doth he read the Book of the last Cannons once yearly, and wear a Surplice according to the said Cannons?  
2 Doth your Minister bid Holidays and Fasting-days, as by the Book of Common Prayer is appointed? And doth he give warning before hand to the Parishioners, for the receiving of the holy Communion, as the two and twentieth Canon requireth: and whether he doth administer the holy Communion so often, and at such times, as that every Parishioner may receive the same, at the least thrice in every year: whereof once at Easter, as by the Book of Common Prayer is appointed? And doth your Minister receive the same himself, on every day that he administereth it to others, and use the words of Institution according to the Book, at every time that the Bread and Wine is renewed, accordingly as by the proviso of the 21. Canon, is directed: And doth he deliver the Bread and Wine to every Communicant severally, Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion, any Offender or Schismatic, contrary to the 26. and 27. constitutions, or received any to the communion being not of his own Cure, or put any from the communion, who are not publicly infamous for any notorious crime? Doth he use the sign of the cross in Baptism, or baptise in any Bazon, or other vessel, and not in the usual font, Or admit any Father to be Godfather to his own child, or such which have not received the holy Communion, or baptise any Children that were not borne in the parish, or wilfully refuse to Baptize any Infant in his parish, being in danger, having been informed of the weakness of the said child: and whether the child died through his default without Baptism?  
3 Whether hath your Minister married any without a King, or without Banes published three several Sundays or Holidays in time of divine service, in the several Churches or Chapels of their several abode, according to the Book of common Prayer, or in times prohibited, albeit the Banes were thrice published, without a Licence or dispensation from the Archbishop, the Bishop of the Diocese, or his Chancellor, first obtained in that behalf? Or not betwixt the hours of eight and twelve in the forenoon, or have married any in any private house, or if the parties be under the age of 21. years, before their parents or governors have signified their consent unto him?  
4 Doth he refuse to bury any, which ought to be interred in Christian burial, or defer the same longer than he should, or bury any in Christian burial, which by the constitutions of the Church of England, ought not to be so interred?  
5 Is your Minister a preacher allowed? If yea, then by whom. If not Whether doth he procure some who are lawfully licenced, to preach monthly amongst you at the least?  
6 Doth your Minister (being licensed,) preach usually according to the Cannons, either in his own Cure, or in some other Church or Chapel near adjoining, where no Preacher is, and how often he hath been negligent in that behalf, and doth he Preach standing, and with his Hat off? Or whether doth he or his Curate upon every Sunday, when there is no Sermon, read an homily, or some part thereof, according as he ought to do: or in case he be not licenced to Preach, doth he take upon him to preach or expound the Scriptures in his own Cure, or elsewhere: If so, than you are to present the same, the time and place, when, and where he did it.  
7 Doth your Minister use to pray for the King's Majesty, King james, and for the queens Majesty, the Prince, and all their Royal Progeny, with addition of such style and Titles as are due to his Highness, and exhort the people to obedience to his Majesty, and all Magistrates in authority under him?  
8 Is your Minister continually resident upon his Benfice, and how longtime hath he been absent, & in case he be licenced to be absent: whether doth he cause his Cure to be sufficiently supplied, according to the Cannons: or in case he hath another Benefice, whether doth he supply his absence by a Curate sufficiently licensed to preach in that Cure where he himself is not resident. Or otherwise, in case the smallness of the Living cannot find a Preaching Minster, doth he Preach at both his Benefices usually?  
9 Doth your Minister or Curate, serve any more Cures than one: If yea, then what other Cure doth he serve, and how far are they distant?  
10 Doth your Minister every Sunday and holiday, before Evening Prayer, for half an hour or more, examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his Parish, in the Ten Commandments, Articles of the Belief, and in the lords Prayer, and the Sacrament, according as it is prescribed in the Catechism, set forth in the Book of Common Prayer?  
11 Doth your Minister in the Rogation days, go in perambulation of the circuit of the Parish, saying and using the Prayers, Suffrages, and Thanksgiving to God, appointed 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 favour, if there be a fear of scarcity?  
12 Hath your Minister admitted any Woman, begotten with child in adultery or Fornication, to be Churched without licence of the ordinary?  
13 Hath your Minister or any other Preacher, baptised children, churched any woman, or ministered the holy Communion in any private house, otherwise then by Law is allowed?  
14 Doth your Minister, being a Preacher, endeavour and labour diligently to reclaim the Popish Recusants in his parish from their errors, (if there be any such abiding in your parish.) Or whether is your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, over conversant with, or a favourer of Recusants, whereby he is suspected not to be sincere in Religion?  
15 Hath your Minister taken upon him, to appoint any public or private Feasts, Prophecies, or exercises, not approved by Law, or public authority, or hath used to meet in any private house or place, with any person or persons, there to consult how to impeach or deprave the Book of common prayer, or the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England: If yea, than you shall present them all?  
16 Hath your Minister stayed the publication of any excommunications or suspicions, or doth he every half year denounce in his Parish church, all such of his parish as are excommunicated, and persever therein without seeking to be absolved or doth he wittingly and willingly keep company with such as are excommunicate: And hath he admitted into your church any person excommunicate, without a certificate of his absolution from the Ordinary, or other competent judge?  
17 Doth your Minister carefully look to the relief of the poor, and from time to time call upon his Parishioners to give somewhat, as they can spare to godly and charitable uses, especially when they make their Testaments?  
18 Whether your Minister or any having taken holy Orders, being now silenced or suspended, or any other person of your knowledge, or as you have heard, hold any conventicles, or doth preach in any place, or use any other form of Divine service than is appointed in the Book of Common prayer: If yea, than you are to present their names, and with whom?  
19 Whether is your Curate licenced to serve, by the Bishop of this Diocese, or by any other, and by whom?  
20 Doth your Minister use such decency and comeliness in his apparel, as by the 47. Cannon is enjoined: and is he of sober behaviour, and one that doth not use such bodily labour, as is not seemly for his function and calling?  
21 Is your Minister noted or defamed, to have obtained his Benefice or his orders, by Simony, or any other way defamed, to be simoniacal person, or any way noted to be a Schismatic, 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 Taverns, Inns, or Ale houses, or any place suspected for ill rule: Or is he a common Drunkard, a common Gamester, or player at Dice, a Swearer, or one that apply himself not at his study, or is otherwise offensive and scandalous to his function or Ministry?  
22 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer read Divine service, and Minister the Sacraments twice a year at least in his own person, according to the Cannons?  

Schoolmasters.  
23 DOth any in your Parish take upon him to teach School, without Licence of the Ordinary, and is he conformable to the Religion now established? And doth he bring his Scholars to the Church, to hear Divine service, and Sermons? And doth he instruct his Scholars in the grounds of the Religion now established in this Church of England, and is he careful and diligent to benefit his Scholars in learning?   

Parish clerk and Sextons.  
24 Have you a fit Parish Clerk, aged twenty years at least, of honest conversation, able to read and write? Whether are his and the Sexton's wages paid without fraud, according to the ancient custom of your Parish: if not, then by whom are they so defrauded or denied? By whom are they chosen? and whether the said Clerk be approved 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 serviceable to the Minister, and doth he take upon him to meddle with any thing above his Office: as Churching of women, burying the dead, or such like?  
25 Doth your Clerk or Sexton keep the Church clean, the doors locked? Is any thing lost or spoiled in the Church, through his default? doth he suffer any unseasonable ringing, or any profane exercise in your Church? Or doth he (when any is passing out of this life) neglect to toll a Bell, having notice thereof.    

Concerning the Parishioners.  
1 whether any of your Parishioners, being sixteen years of age or upwards, or others lodging or commonly resorting to any House within your Parish, do wilfully absent themselves from your Parish-church, upon Sundays or Holidays, at Morning and Evening Prayers? Or who come late to Church, and departed from Church, before service be done upon the said days? Or who do not reverently behave themselves during the time of Divine service, devoutly kneeling, when the general confession of sins, the Litany, the ten Commandments, and all Prayers and Collects are read, and using all due and lowly reverence when the blessed Name of the Lord jesus Christ is mentioned, & standing up when the Articles of the Belief are read; or who do cover their head, in the Church during the time of Divine service, unless it be in case of necessity, in which case they may wear a Nightcap or coif? Or who do give themselves to babbling, talking, or walking, and are not attentive to hear the word preached, or read: or reading, or praying, during the time aforesaid? Whether any of your parish being of sixteen years of age or upwards, do not receive the holy communion in your Church thrice every year: whereof once of Easter, and whether they do not devoutly kneel at the receiving thereof?  
2 Whether any of your Parishioners, being admonished thereof, do not send their Children, Servants, and Apprentizes, to the Minister, to be Catechised upon such Sundays and Holidays as are appointed? Or whether any of them do refuse to come; or if they come, refuse to learn those instructions set forth in the Book of common prayer.  
3 Whether any of your parish do entertain within their house, any sojourner, common guests, or other persons, who refuse to frequent Divine service, or receive the holy communion, as aforesaid? Present their names, their qualities, or conditions.  
4 What Recusant Papists are there in your parish? present their names, qualities, or conditions? whether keep they any Schoolmaster in their house, which cometh not to church to hear Divine service and receive the Communion? What is his Name, and how long hath he taught there, or else where?  
5 Whether any of the said Popish Recusants, do labour to seduce and withdraw others from the Religion now established? Or instruct their Families or children in popish Religion: or refuse to entertain any especially in place of greatest service, or trust, but such as concur with them in their papistry?  
6 Now long have the said Popish Recusants abstained from divine service, or from the communion, as aforesaid?  
7 Is there any in your parish that retain undefaced, or sell, utter, or disperse, any popish Books or Writings, or other Books, Libels, or writings of any Sectuaries, touching the Religion, State, or Government Ecclesiastical of this Kingdom of England, or keep any Ornaments of superstition uncancelled or defaced?  
8 Whether have you any in your Parish, which heretofore being Popish Recusants or Sectuaries, have since reform themselves, and come to Church to heart Divine Service, and receive the Sacraments: If yea, than who they are? And how long since have they so reform themselves? And whether they still remain and abide in that conformity?  
9 Is there any in your Parish that refuse to have their Children baptized, or themselves to receive the Communion at the hands of your Minister, taking exception against him, and what causes or exceptions do they allege; or have any married Wines refused to come to church, according to the Book of common Prayer, to give God thanks after their Childbirth, for their safe deliverance? And whether do any of, or in your Parish, refuse to have their children baptized in your parish-church, according to the form prescribed in the Book of common Prayer?  
10 Whether any of your Parish having a Preacher to their parson, Vicar, or Cudite, do absent themselves from his Sermons, and resort to other places to hear other Preachers? Or whether any of your parish do communicate or baptise their Children in any other parish?  
11 What persons within your parish, for any offence, contumacy, or crime, of Ecclesiastical Conusance do stand excommunicate? present their names, and for what cause they are excommunicated, and how long they have so stood, and what parson or persons do writingly and usually keep them company?  
12 Whether any, not being in orders, do execute any priestly or ministerial office, in your Church, chapel, or Churchyard, and what be their names?  
13 Whether any in your parish that having heretofore taken upon him the order of Priesthood or Deacon, hath since relinquished the same, and lives a Lay-man, neglecting his vocation?  
14 Have any person in your Parish, quarreled, or stricken, or used any violence to your Minister, or have strucken or quarreled with any other person within your Church or Church-yard, or demeaned himself disorderedly in the Church, by filthy or profane talk, or any other lend or immodest behaviour? Or have disturbed the Minister in time of Divine service or Sermon, or have libeled or spoken slanderous words against your Minister, to the scandal of his vocation, or defamed any of his Neighbours, touching any crime of Ecclesiastical conusance?  
15 Whether any of, or in your Parish, without consent of the Ordinary, or other lawful authority, have caused any to do penance, or to be censured or punished for any matter of Ecclesiastical conusance, by any Vestry meetings, or otherwise by their own authority? Or have taken any money or commutation for the same? Present their names that have done it? And who have been so punished? In what manner, and upon what cause?  
16 Whether any person in your Parish, do exercise any Trade or labour, buy or sell, or keep open Shops or Warehouses upon any Sunday or Hollidaie by themselves, their Servants, or Apprentices, or have otherwise profaned the said days, contrary to the orders of the Church of England? And whether there be any Inne-kéepers, ale-house-keepers, Victuallers, or other persons, that permit any persons in their Houses, to eat, drink, or play, during the time of Divine Service or Sermon, or reading the Homilies in the forenoon or afternoon, upon those days?  
17 Whether the fift day of August, and the fift day of November, be kept holy, and thanksgiving made to God, for his Majesties and this States happy deliverance, according to the Ordinance in that behalf?  
18 Whether any of your Parish hold or frequent any conventicles or private Congregations, or make or maintain any constitutions, agreed upon in any such assemblies? Or any that do write, or publicly or privately speak against the Book of Common prayer, or any thing therein contained, or against any of the articles of Religion agreed upon, in Anno 1562. or against the kings Supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical, or against the Oath of Supremacy, or of Allegiance, as pretending the same to be unlawful, 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 government of the Church of England, under the Kings most excellent Majesty, by archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Arch-Deanes and other Officers of the same: affirming, that the same is repugnant to the word of GOD, and that the said Ecclesiastical Officers, are not lawfully ordained? Or whether there be any Authors, Maintainers, or Favourers of Heresy or Schism, or that be suspected to be Annabaptists, Libertines, Brownistes, of the Family of Love, or of any other Heresy or Schism? present their names?  
19 Whether any in your parish have ●arried within the de●rées by Law prohibited, or any couple in your parish being lawfully married, live apart one from the other, without our separation of the Law, or any that have been divorced, which keep company with any other at B●ode or at Board, and when and where were they married?  

Physicians, Surgeons, and Midwives.  
20 HOw many Physicians, chirurgeons, or Midwives have you in your parish? How long have they used their several Sciences or Offices, and by what authority? And how have they demeaned themselves therein, and of what skill are they accounted to be in their profession?  
21 Whether do any persons administer the goods of the dead without lawful authority, or suppress the last will of the dead? Or are there in your parish, any wills not yet proved, or goods of the dead dying intestate) left unadministred? By authority in that behalf, you shall not fail to present; the Executors, and all others faulty therein: and also how many persons being possessed of any Goods and chattels, have died within your parish since the xvii. day of April. 1613.  
22 Whether any withhold the stock of the church, or any goods, or other things, given to good and charitable uses.  
23 Whether your Hospitals and alms-houses, and other such houses and corporations, founded to good and charitable uses: and the lands possessions, and goods of the same, be ordered & disposed of as they should be? And do the Masters, Governors, Fellows, and others of the said Houses and corporations, behave and demean themselves, according to the godly Ordinances and Statutes of their several Foundations?  
24 Whether have you any in your parish to your knowledge, or by common fame or report, which have committed Adultery, Fornication, or Incest; or any which have impudently bragged or boasted, that he or she have lived incontinently with any person or persons whatsoever: or any that hath attempted the chastity of any woman, or solicited any woman to have the carnal knowledge of her body, or which are commonly reputed to be common Drunkards, Blasphemers of Gods holy Name; common Sweaters, common Slanderers of their Neighbours, and sowers of discord, filthy and lascivious Talkers, Usurers, fr●monicall persons, Bawds, or Harbourers of women with child, which be unmarried, or conveying or suffering them to go away before they have made satisfaction to the congregation, or any that having heretofore been presented, or suspected of any the foresaid crimes, have for that cause departed your Parish, and are now returned again? Or any which have used any enchantments, sorceries, incantations or witchcrafts, which are not made felony by the statutes of this Realm, or am which have committed any periuty in any Ecclesiastical Court, in an Ecclesiastical cause, or which have committed any forgery, punnishable by the Ecclesiastical Laws, and the procurors and abeitors of the said offences: You shall truly present the names of all, and singular the said Offenders, and with whom they have committed the laid offences, in case they have not been publicly punished to your knowledge for the same crimes?    

Touching the Churchwardens, and Sidemen.  
1 WHether you and the Churchwardens, questmen, or Sidemen from time to time, do, and have done their diligences, in not suffering any idle person to abide either in the Church yard, or Church-porch, in Service or Sermon time, but causing them either to come into the church to hear divine Service, or to departed, and not disturb such as be hearers there? And whether have they, and do you diligently see the parishioners duly resort to the Church every Sunday and holiday and there to remain during Divine Service and Sermon? And whether you or your predecessors, Churchwardens there, suffer any Plays, Feasts, Drink or any other profane usages, to be kept in your church, chapel or churchyards, or have suffered to your and their uttermost power and endeavour, any person or persons to be tippling or drinking in any Inn or Victuling House in your parish, during the time of Divine Service or Sermon, on Sundays and Holidays?  
2 Whether, and how often have you admitted any to preach within your church or chapel, which was not sufficiently licenced? And whether you, together with your Minister, have not taken diligent heed and care, that every of your parishioners being of sixteen years of age o●vowards, have received thrice every year, as aforesaid: and also th●t no stranger have usually come to your church, from their own parish church?  
3 Whether have there been provided against every communion, a sufficient quantity of five white bread, and of good and wholesome wine forth communicants that shall receive? And whether that wine be brought in a clean and sweet standing pot of pewter, or of other purer metal?  
4 Whether were you chosen by the consent of the Minister and the parishioners? And have the late Churchwardens given up a just account for their time, and delivered to their Successors the Money, and other things belonging to the Church, which was in their hands? And are the Alms of the Church faithfully distributed to the use of the poor?   

Concerning Ecclesiastical Magistrates and Officers.  
1 whether do you know or have heard of any payment, composition, or agreement, to, or with any Ecclesiastical Magistrate judge, or Officer, for winking at, or sparing to punish any person for any offence of Ecclesiastical Conusance, or for suppressing or concealing of any excommunication, or any other Ecclesiastical Censure, of, or against any Recusant, or any other offender in the cases aforesaid? what sum of Money, or other consideration hath been received 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 sum of Money or other reward, for comutation of penance for any crime of Ecclesiastical Conusance? If so, then with whom? When, and for what, and how hath the same been employed?  
3 Are your Ecclesiastical judges and their substitutes Masters of Arts, or Bachelors of the Laws at the least, learned and practised in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Laws: Men of good Life and Fame, zealously affected in Religion, & just and upright in executing their offices? Have they heard any matter of office privately in their Chambers, without their sworn Registers, or their Deputies presence?  
4 Do you know, or have you heard, that any Ecclesiastical judge, Officer, or Minister, hath received or taken any extraordinary Fees, 〈◊〉 other rewards or promises, by any ways or means, directly or indirectly, of any person or persons whatsoever, either for the granting of the administration of the Goods and Chattelles of those that have died intestate, to one before another, or for allotting of larger portions of the goods and chattels of those that have died intestate, to one more than to another: or for allowing large and unreasonable accounts, made by Executors or Administrators: or for giving them Quietus est, or discharges, without Inventory or account, to defraud Creditors, Legataries, or those who are to have portions. And what sums of Money do you know, or have you heard, that any Ecclesiastical judge or Officer hath taken out of the state of any dying intestate, upon pretence to bestow the same, in pios usus: and how have the same been bestowed?  
5 Hath any Ecclesiastical Magistrate, judge, Officer, or any other, exercising