Articles to be inquired of within the Diocese of Chester, in the visitation of the reverend father in GOD, William Bishop of Chester. In the xxij year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign Lady Elizabeth. etc. Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queen's Majesty. decorative border royal blazon with angel holding book and quill on one side and eagle on the other side HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE depiction of woman with shield and flaming sword FIDES depiction of woman holding sheep HUMILITAS depiction of lion with wings and bull with wings Articles. Church and Churchyards. FIrst, whether your Church, Chappel, or Chancel be well and sufficiently repaired, and cleanly, kept, and the mansion house of your Parson or Vicar, with the buildings thereunto belonging, likewise well and sufficiently repaired, and your Churchyard well fenced, and cleanly kept? And if any default be made in the premises: or your said Church, chapel, or churchyard be abused or profaned by any unlawful, or unseemly act, game, or exercise, as by Lords of misrule, Summer lords, or ladies, Pipers, Rushebearers, Moricedancers, peddlers, Bearewardes, and such like. Then through whose default, and what be the names of the offenders in that behalf. Wax, 2 Whether any man hath pulled down, or discovered any Church, Chancel, or Chapel, or any part of any of them, any church porch, Vestry, or Steeple, Almeshouse, Churchhouse, or such like, or have pulled down any bells, or have felled or spoiled any wood, or timber in any churchyards? The benefice. 3 Whether your parish church be now vacant, or destitute of an incumbent, or no? Whether any Chapel where divine service hath accustomed to be said usually, be without a Curate or no? And if they be, how long have they been so, and who is the Patron, and who occupieth the parsonage, or vicarage house with the glebe land, and taketh other the tithes and commodities belonging to the same? The parsonage 4 Whether any vitailing, tippling, or ale selling be kept, or used within the mansion house of any parson or vicar. Necessary ornaments. 5 Whether you have in your church or chapel all things necessary, and requisite for common prayer and administration of the holy sacraments, specially the book of common prayer with the new calendar, the Psalter, the Bible of the largest volume, the Homilies, both first and second tome, Erasmus Paraphrasis translated into English, or for want thereof, Marlorates exposition upon S. Matthewes Gospel, A comely and decent table standing on a frame for the Communion table, with a fair linen cloth to lay upon the same, and some covering of silk, buckram or other such like for the clean keeping thereof; a fair and comely communion cup of silver, and a cover of silver for the same, a comely large surplice with wide sleeves, A sure coffer with two locks and keys for keeping of the Register book and all other things necessary for the premises, with a comely pulpit conveniently placed, and also a chest or box for the poor? Altars defaced. 6 Whether in your churches and chapels all altars be utterly taken down and clean removed even unto the foundation, and the place where they stood paved, and the wall whereunto they joined whited over, and made uniform with the rest, so as no breach or rapture appear, And whether your Rood lofts be taken down and altered, so that the upper parts thereof with the cellar or loft be quite taken down unto the cross beam, & that the said beam have some convenient crest put upon the same? Implements unlawful. 7 Whether all and every Antiphoners, Mass books, Grailes, portesses, processionals, manuals, legendaries, and all other books of late belonging to your church or chapel, which served for the superstitious Latin service, be utterly defaced, rend, and abolished, and if they be not, through whose default that is, and in whose keeping they remain? And whether all vestiments, albes, tunicles, stoles, phanons, pixes, paxes, handbels, sacringbelles, censers, chrismatories, crosses, candlesticks, holy waterstickes, Images, and such other relics, and monuments of superstition and idolatry be utterly defaced, broken and destroyed: And if not, where, and in whose custody they remain? Service. 8 Whether common prayer be used in your church or chapel upon Sundays and holy days at convenient hours, reverently, distinctly, and in such order without any kind of alteration as is appointed by the book of common prayer, and the laws of this Realm? And whether your Minister so turn himself and stand in such place of your church or chancel, as the people may best hear the same? And whether your Parson or Vicar do once every quarter, at the least, in his own proper person, say divine service, and administer the Sacraments, wearing a surplice according unto the Queen's Injunctions and the laws of this Realm? And whether the holy Sacraments be duly and reverently ministered in such manner as is set forth by the same book? And whether your Minister at all times upon Sundays and holy days, do we are in time of divine service & administration of the Sacraments, the surplice yea or no, or do suffer any other to say the common prayer, or minister either of the Sacraments in your Church, not wearing the same? Preaching, 9 Whether your Parson or Vicar be a preacher allowed, and hath preached, or caused to be preached four sermons at the least every year in your church, and what be the names of him or those that so did preach, and whether they were lawfully licenced so to preach, if any other than your Parson or Vicar did preach the same? And whether if there be no Sermon, your Minister do read for the most part every sunday distinctly and plainly, some part of the Homilies appointed to be read, and the Queen's Injunctions every quarter of a year or no? Catechism 10 Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, do every sunday and holy day openly in the Church, call for, hear, and instruct, all the children, apprentices, and servants of both sexes that be of convenient age within your parish, or at the least so many of them by course as the time will serve, and as he may well hear and instruct for half an hour at the least, before or at the evening prayer, in the ten Commandments, the Articles of the belief, and the lords prayer, and diligently examine and teach them the Catechism, as it is now last allowed and set forth? And whether for that purpose doth he take the names of them all, and by course call certain of them by name every sunday and holy day, to come to learn the same Catechism? Superstition & innovation, 11 Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, or any other within your Parish, be a favourer of the Romish church or religion, or hath or doth maintain or teach and doctrine contrary or repugnant to any of the Articles agreed upon by the Clergy in the convocation holden at London, An. Dom. 1562. And whether they have publicly or secretly taught and doctrine tending to the discredit and dispraise either of the book of Common prayer, or of the Preachers and Ministers of the word and sacraments, or of the received order for government in the Church of England, or make any other Innovation? And whether they have permitted any man so teaching or making such innovation? And whether any keep and secret conventicles, preachings, lectures, or readings, or private Communions, contrary to the law, and what be their names? Curate. 12 Whether any person or persons not being ordered at the least for a Deacon, or licenced by the Ordinary, do say Common prayer openly in your Church or Chapel, or any not being at the least a Deacon, do solemnize Matrimony or administer the Sacraments, and what he or they be that so do? And whether the Parson, Vicar, or Farmer of your benefice, do cause or suffer any Curate to serve your Church before he be examined and admitted by the Ordinary or his deputy in writing, and show the same to the Churchwardens. Communion. 13 Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate hath admitted any to the receiving of the holy Communion above xx. years of age that cannot say by heart the Catechism, the lords prayer, the Articles of the faith, and the ten Commandments in English, or any above xiiii. years of age and under xx. that cannot say the Catechism set forth in the book of common prayer, or hath admitted any of any other parish to receive the holy Communion without reasonable cause or special licence of their own minister? or whether hath he admitted to receive the holy Communion and open and notorious blasphemer, fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, or evil liver, by whom the Congregation is offended, without dew penance first done to the satisfaction of the congregation, or any malicious person that is notoriously known to be out of charity, or that hath done any open wrong to his neighbour by word or deed, without dew reconciliation first made to the party that is wronged? Baptism. 14 Whether your Font be sweetly kept and renewed from time to time with clean and fresh water, and whether any Minister leaving the use of the Font, do Christian or Baptize in any basins or other profane vessels not customably used in the Church before time? Or whether your Minister do Baptize or christian any out of the face of the Church and Congregation, & at any other time then upon Sundays or holy days without special cause, or without Godfathers and Godmothers, & whether any person or persons be admitted to answer as Godfathers or Godmothers at the Christening of any child, except he or she have before received the holy Communion, and can say by heart the Articles of the Christian faith, the ten Commandments of God, and the lords prayer, and will recite the same before the Minister if he or she be thereunto required? Register of Christenings. 15 Whether the Register book of all Christenings, Marriages and Burials that hap in your parish from time to time, be duly kept: and the same Christeninges, Marriages, and Burials, entered into the same book by your Minister according to the Queen's majesties Injunctions? Marriage. 16 Whether your minister hath married any persons privately in any house or corner out of the Church or face of the Congregation, or the Banes not being thrice solemnly on three Sundays or holy days asked in the parish Church where such persons dwelled, or any such person or persons married at any other parish church or chapel? And whether your minister hath married any Infants, or children under age, or any within the degrees prohibited by God's laws and the laws of this Realm, or any that hath a husband or wife living, and if he have done so, then who be the parties, & who were present at any such marriage, and in what place was the same solemnized? Churching 〈◊〉 women. 17 Whether your Minister do Church any unmarried women, after they have been delivered of their children begotten unlawfully, before they have acknowledged their faults openly, according to the order prescribed by the ordinary or his deputy? Visitation of the sick and Burial. 18 Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate be diligent in visiting the sick, and comforting them, and do move them earnestly, especially when they make their testaments, to consider the need of the poor, and to give to their box or chest their charitable devotion? And whether they bury the dead without any popish ceremonies or superstition in such Christian and comely manner as is prescribed by the book of Common prayer? Perambulation. 19 Whether for the retaining of the perambulation of the circuit of your parish, the Minister and Clerk with the Churchwardens and certain of the substantial men of the parish, in the days of Rogations, walk about your parish according to the Queen's majesties Injunctions? And whether do they use in such perambulation any banners, crosses, handbelles, or any such like popish ceremonies, other than is prescribed and permitted by the book of common prayer and the laws of this Realm? Admonition to the Churchwardens. 20 Whether for the putting of the churchwardens & swornemen the better in remembrance of their duty in observing and noting such as offend in not coming to divine service, your Minister or Reader do openly every Sunday, after he have read the second lesson at morning & evening prayer, monish & warn the Churchwardens and sworn men, to look to their charge in this behalf, and to observe who contrary to the said statute offend in absenting themselves negligently or wilfully from their parish Church or Chapel, or unreverently as is aforesaid, use themselves in time of divine service? Pluralities. 21 Whether hath your Parson or Vicar any more benefices or spiritual promotions than one, how many, and in what country be they, what are their names, and who is the Patron of every of them? Residence. 22 Whether is your Parson or Vicar resident, and dwelling upon his benefice or no? if he be resident, whether doth he keep the parsonage or vicarage with the glebe and other his tithes & commodities in his own hands, or doth he demise the same or any part thereof to his Patron or any other person or persons? what parcels are so demised, to whom, & for what rent? if he be not resident, or absent above lxxx. days in the year, then whether doth he demise his benefice to his Curate? and if he be able to dispend xx. pound by year, doth he distribute the fortieth part thereof yearly to the poor of the parish or no? Simony. 23 Whether you Parsons or Vicars have come to their benefices by any Simony, fraud or deceit, or by any conference or agreement of friends, or by any other bond, composition or agreement, or by any other colourable pact, or unlawful mean whatsoever, or be vehemently suspected or defamed thereof? And whether in performance of any such pact, covenant or promise, there hath been any bond or lease made between the Patron & Incumbent directly or indirectly? Suspected women. 24 Whether your Parson, Vicar or Curate, do keep any suspected woman in his house, or be an incontinent person, given to drunkenness or idleness, or be a haunter of Taverns, Alehouses, or suspected places, a Hunter, Hauker, Dicer, carder, Tabler, Swearer, or otherwise give any evil example of life? And whether his apparel be comely and grave as becometh his calling and function? Parish Clarke 25 Whether the Parish Clarke be appointed according to the ancient custom of the parish? And whether he be not obedient to the Parson, Vicar, or Curate, especially in the time of celebration of divine service, or of the Sacraments, or in any preparation thereunto? And whether he be able & ready to read the first Lesson, the Epistle, and the Psalms with answer to the suffragies as is used, and whether he keep not the books and ornaments of the Church fair and clean, & cause the church & quire, the Communion table, the Pulpit and the Font, to be made decent and clean against the service time, the Communion, Sermon, and Baptism? Churchwardens. 26 Whether have your Churchwardens assisted your Minister in his office and function from time to time, and whether have they done their diligence to bring such into the Church as stand gazing & talking in the Churchyard, or frequent & lurk in Alehouses or tippling houses in the time of divine service, & whether have they been careful and diligent to see good order and silence kept in the Church during the time of Sermons & Service, and whether have they diligently noted the names of all such parties every Sunday and holy day, as have been absent from divine service at any time, and levied the forfeiture of xii. pennies for every absence from common prayer, according to the statute, and put the same to the use of the poor of the parish? And if they have offended ●n any of the premises, then how often have they so offended, and what be their names, and what particular sums of money have been forfeited that way, and by whom, since the last visitation, and how much of such forfeitures have been levied by the Churchwardens, and by them delivered to the use of the poor of the parish, and to whom hath the same been delivered? Churchwardens account. 27 Whether your Churchwardens have yearly given an account of the Church goods committed to their charge, and of other their receipts and expenses? And whether have they sold any bells or other church goods without consent of the Ordinary fist had in writing? And whether have they employed all such goods, receipts, and sums of money, to the use of the church or no? and what be the names of the offenders? Churchwardens, concealers. 28 Whether the Churchwardens and sworn men in former years, have of any private corrupt affection concealed any crime or other disorder done in their times, and have not presented the same, and if so, then what faults have they so concealed, & what were the names of such Churchwardens and sworn men, so concealing the same? Collectors for the poor. 29 Whether have ye Collectors for the poor of the Parish, and whether do they their duty in gathering and distributing the Alms of the Parishioners, and whether have any Collectors any money in their hands not accounted for, or not bestowed upon the poor? And whether be there any of ability within your parish, that wilfully or obstinately refuse to give reasonably to the relief of the poor? Ringing and tolling of bells. 30 Whether when any Christian body is in passing, the bell be tolled to move the people to pray for the sick person, especially in the greater towns where the sick person dwelleth near unto the Church, and whether after the time of his or their passing out of this world, there be any more ringing but one short peal before the burial, and another short peal after the burial? And whether on all Saints day after Evening prayer, there be any ringing at all in your Church or Chapel, or any other superstitious ceremonies used, tending to the maintenance of the Popish purgatory or prayer for the dead, and who they be that use or do the same? And whether there be any ringing on Sundays or holy days in the service time, or between Morning prayer and the Litany, or at any other times, contrary to good order or Law? Schoolmasters. 31 What Schoolmasters have you within your Parish or chapelry, that teach either openly or privately in any school, gentleman's house or else where, and whether be they of good & sincere religion, and licenced by the Bishop of the Diocese to teach, in writing under his seal, and whether be they diligent in teaching and bringing up youth, and to instruct them in godliness and virtue, and especially in Master Nowel's Catechism lately set forth? And whether teach they any thing contrary to the religion now godlily established, or do not cause their children to resort unto the Church to hear divine service & Sermons? Deans Rural and Sumners 32 Whether the Archdeacon, Chancellor, commissary, Official, or any other using Ecclesiastical jurisdiction in this Diocese, their registers or actuaries, Apparitors or Summoners, have at any time winked at, and suffered any adulteries, fornications, incests, or other faults or offences, to pass and remain unpunished and uncorrected, for money, rewards, bribes, pleasure, friendship, or any other partial or affectionate respect? or have permitted any penance without special licence of his ordinary? Masters and Dames. 33 Whether all fathers, mothers, masters & dames of your parish, cause their children, servants, and apprentices, both mankind and womankind, being above six years of age, and under twenty, which have not learned the catechism, to come to the church on the Sundays & holy days, at the times to them appointed, or at the least such or so many of them as your Minister shall appoint, and there diligently and obediently to hear, and to be ordered by the minister, until such time as they have learned the same Catechism, and what be the names of those that do not cause their children, servants and apprentices, so to come to the Church to be instructed and examined? Absents from the Church. 34 Whether the people of your parish, especially householders, having no lawful excuse to be absent, do faithfully and diligently endeavour themselves to resort with their children, and servants, to their parish Church or Chapel, on the holidays, & chief upon Sundays, to Morning and Evening prayer, and then & there abide orderly & soberly during the time of Common prayer, Homilies, Preachings, and other service of God there used, reverently and devoutly giving themselves to the hearing thereof, & who they be that either negligently or wilfully absent themselves, or come very late to the Church upon Sundays especially, and how long hath any of your parish absented himself from his parish Church, or who be they that walk, talk, or otherwise unreverently behave themselves in the Church, or use any gaming abroad, or pastime in any house, or sit in the streets or Churchyard, or in any Tavern or Alehouse upon the Sunday or holy day in the time of Common prayer, Sermon, or reading of the Homilies, either before noon or after noon? Not Communicating. 35 Whether there be any in your parish, man or woman, being of convenient age, that hath not received the holy Communion thrice at the least this last year, and namely at Easter last (or thereabout) for once, and what be their names, and for what cause in your judgement they do abstain from the holy Communion? and whether any have received the holy Communion in any other parish Church or Chapel then their own, and for what causes in your opinion? christenings out of the parish. 36 Whether do you know any such parents, having children borne that were not Christened at their own parish Church, and for what cause they have not been so Christened there, or do you know, have heard, or vehemently suspect any such parents, whose children have been Christened by any Popish priest, or otherwise then is now lawfully allowed by her majesties Laws and Injunctions? Suppressors of Testaments. 37 Whether there be any within your parish that minister the goods of those which be dead without lawful authority, or any that suppress the testaments or last will of the dead, or any executor that hath not fulfilled the Testators will, especially such as have not discharged such legacies as are bequeathed to the Church, or to Orphans, poor maids marriages, highways, schools, or other godly uses, and what be their names? Testaments not proved. 38 Whether do you know any householder or other person whatsoever, within your Parish or chapelry, that is deceased, that have made their last wills & Testament and the same not hitherto proved nor administration taken, from the Ordinary or other judge competent, of the goods, debts, and chattels of the said decedent? if any such be, express their names, & of them who unlawfully do detain any the said goods, debts, or chattels. The oath for an Inuentarie. 39 Whether doth your Dean Rural, usually swear all such executors and administrators that prove Testaments, or take administrations before him, to exhibit a true and perfect Inuentarie of all such goods, debts, and chattels, as every such person died possessed of, or for any private respects forbeareth to minister such oath unto them, and whether do you know or have heard your Dean hath done so at any time? Leases not prized in Inuentaries. 40 Whether do you know any the Executors or Administrators of any person or persons deceased, that dwelled in your Parish or chapelry, that have not inserted all such lease or leases, or other demise for term of one or more years, in the inventary of the goods, debts, and chattels of the said deceased, at such time as they procured the said Testaments to be proved, or administration of the said goods to be to them orderly committed? or have not procured the same leases to be prised and valued among other the goods and chattels of the said decedent, for the benefit of the wife, children, or of others to whom the benefit of them ought to appertain, and whether do you know, have heard or believe, your Dean hath borne, winked at, or willingly suffered such lease or leases for his private commodity, to be left out of the said inventary? Hospitals and Spittlehouses 41 Whether your Hospitals, Spitals, and Alms houses be well and godly used, according to the foundations and ancient ordinances of the same? whether there be any placed in them other the poor, impotent, and needy persons, that have not wherewith or whereby to live? Incest. etc. 42 Whether there be any that be married in degrees forbidden, or that have married two wives, or two husbands, both living, or that live not together with their wives, and what be their names? any married that have made precontracts, any that have married without banes thrice solemnly asked, or that have married forth of their parish Church, where they ought to have solemnized marriage? Usurers. 43 Whether any person or persons within your parish, have committed usury contrary to an Act against usury, made in the xxxvii. year of the reign of the late King Henry the eight, and lately revived, and what are the names of such Usurers? & what is the manner of their usury? Sorcery. 44 Whether there be any man or woman in your parish, that useth witchcraft, sorcery, charms, or unlawful prayer, or invocations in Latin or English, or upon any Christian body or beast, or any that resorteth to the same for council or help, and what be their names? Alehouses, Markets and Fairs. 45 Whether be there any innkeepers, Alewives, Vitailers, or Tipplers, that suffer or do admit any person or persons in their houses, to eat, drink, or play at Cards, Tables, or such like games in time of Common prayer, or Sermon on the Sundays and holy days, and whether there be any shops open on Sundays or holidays, or be there any Butchers, Pedlars, or others that use to sell meat and other things, in the time of Common prayer, Preaching, or reading of the Homilies? And whether in any Fairs or common Markets, falling on the Sunday, there be any showing of any wares before the divine service be done in the forenoon? Contention & Drunkenness. 46 Whether there be in your Parish any that be malicious, contentious, or uncharitable persons, seeking the unjust vexation of their neighbours, scolds, common swearers, or blasphemers of the name of God, any fornicators, adulterers, incestuous persons, bawds, or receviours of such incontinent persons, or harbourers of women with child which be unmarried, conveying or suffering them to go away before they have done any penance, or make satisfaction to the congregation, or any persons that are vehemently suspected of such faults, or that be not of good name and fame touching such crimes and faults, any common drunkards, ribaudes, or other notorious evil livers? Papistry, Mass and Priests. 47 Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, openly or privately say mass or other service forbidden, or hear the same? And whether do you know any popish priests or runagate persons, that do preach or minister the Sacraments otherwise then they are now used, or that doth use shrift and auricular confession, or make haliwater, or halybread, or bless palms, or practise any such like Romish ceremonies, or do not frequent common prayer, or else do resort secretly or openly into your Parish. And whose house do they so resort unto, and of whom are they harboured, & what be the names of such popish priests or runagates, & such as so harbour them? and whether know you any that keep any secret conventicles, readings, preachings, or lectures, contrary to the Law? Rebellious books. 48 Whether be there any person or persons, Ecclesiastical or Temporal within your parish, or else where within this Diocese, that of late hath retained or kept in their custody, or that read, sell, utter, disperse, carry, or deliver to others, any English books, set forth of late years at Louvain, or in any other place beyond the seas, by Harding, Dorman, Allen, Sanders, Stapleton, Martial, Bristol, or any of them, or by any other English Papist, either against the Queen's majesties supremacy in matters Ecclesiastical, or against true Religion, and Catholic doctrine now received & established by common authority within this Realm, and what their names and surnames are? Beads and Primers. 49 Whether be there any in our Parish that useth to pray in English or in Latin, upon beads, or other such like things, or upon any superstitious popish Primer or other like book, and what be their names? Adulterers. 50 How many Adulteries, incests, and Fornications have been committed within your Parish or chapelry, since the last visitation, and how many offenders in those faults have been put to penance and openly corrected? W. Cestren.