ARTICLES TO BE inquired OF Within the diocese of LONDON. In the third triennial Visitation Of the Right Honourable, and Right Reverend Father in GOD, WILLIAM, Lord Bishop of LONDON, Lord High Treasurer of ENGLAND. Holden in the year of our LORD GOD, 1640 LONDON, Printed by RICHARD BADGER. M.DC.XL The Oath to be administered to the churchwardens and Sworn-men. YOu shall swear that you and every of you shall diligently inquire of the Articles given you in charge; and without any affection, favour, 〈◊〉, hope of reward and gain, or fear of displeasure, or malice of any person, you shall present all and every such person and persons that now is, or ●f late was within your Parish, as hath committed any incest, adultery, fornication, or simony, and any misdemeanour or disturbances committed or made in any Church or Ch●ppell, in time of Common Prayer, Preaching, or Divine Service there used, to the disturbance thereof: and also that have committed or done any other offence, fault or default, presentable in the E●clesiasticall Court, according to the Articles now delivered to you. Wherein you shall deal uprightly and according to truth, neither of malice presenting any contrary to truth, nor of corrupt affection sparing to present any, and ●o conceal the truth: having in this action God before your eyes, with an earnest zeal to maintain the truth, and suppress vice. So help you God, and the Contents of this book. Articles to be inquired of within the diocese of LONDON, in the Visitation to be holden in the year of our LORD, 1640. Concerning Religion, and the true worship of God▪ In This realm established. IS there any who doth affirm & teach that the 39▪ Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops in b●th Provinces, Can. 5. and the whole clergy, in the Convocation h●lden at London, Anno▪ 1562. are in any part superstitio●s or 〈◊〉, or such as he may not with a good conscience subscribe unto? Who is that so teacheth or affirmeth, and what is his name? 2 Is there any who doth affirm and ●ea●h▪ that the form of God's worship in the Church of ●●gland, Can. 4. established by the Law, and contai●●d in the book of Common ●rayer and administration of Sacraments, is a corrupt, superstitio●s, 〈◊〉 unlawful worship of God, or containeth any thing in it that is rep●g●●nt, to the Scriptures, Who is it that so teacheth, & c.? 3 Is there any who doth affirm or teach, Can. 6. that the Rites and Ceremo●ies of the Church of England by Law established, are wicked, antichristian, or superstitious, or such as being commanded by lawful authority, ●ay not with good cons●ience ●ee approved, used, or subscribed unto, by men who are zealously and godly affected, who is it, & c? 4 Is there any that separateth himself from the Communion of Saints, Can. 9 as it is approved by the Apostles Rules in the Church of England, and c●mbine themselves together in a new brotherhood, accounting the Christians who are conformable to the Doctrine, government, ●ites, and Ceremonies of the Church of England, to be profane or unmeet for him to join within Christian profession, who are they that so separa●e ●●mselves, and what are their names? Concerning the Church, the government, authority, and Discipline thereof. 1 IS there any who doth affirm or teach, Can. 3. that the Church of England by Law established under the King's majesty, is not a true and apostolical Church, teaching and maintaining the Doctrine of the Apostles. Who is it that doth so affirm and teach, & c? 2 Is there any who doth affirm and teach, Can. 7. that the government of the Church of England under his majesty by Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, and the rest that bear office in the same, is antichristian and repugnant to the Word of God. Who is it that doth, &c. 3 Is there any who doth affirm or teach, Can. 8. that the forms or manner of making and Consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, containeth any thing in it, that is repugnant to the Word of God: or that they who are made Bishops, Priests, and Deacons in that form, are not lawfully made, nor aught to be accounted either by themselves or others, to be truly either Bishops, Priests, or Deacons, until they have some other calling unto those Divine Offices. Who is it, &c. 4 Is there any who doth affirm or teach, Art. 20. 34. that the Church hath no power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, nor any authority in Controversies of Faith, or in the changing & abolishing of Ceremonies and R●tes of the Church, ordained only by man's authority, contrary to the 20. and 34. Articles of the Church of England. Who is it, &c. 5 Is there any who doth affirm or teach, Can. 2. & 1. that the King's majesty hath not the same authority in causes ecclesiastical, that the godly Kings had among the Jews, and Christian Emperors in the Primitive Church. Or that the King's majesty within his realms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and all other his Dominions and Countries, is not the highest Power under God, to whom all men, as well Inhabitants as bor●e within the same, do by God's law owe most loyalty and obedience. Or that impeach any part his royal supremacy in the said causes restored to the crown, and by the laws of the realm therein established. Who is it, & c? 6 Is there any who doth affirm or teach, ●an. ● 4 that no manner of person eith●r of the clergy or laity, are to be subject to the Decrees and Constitutions of the Church in causes ecclesiastical, made and ratified by the King's majesty's Supreme authority, other than such as are particularly assembled in the sacred Synods of the Church for the making of the said Decrees, and Constitutions, and have given their voices, to the same. Who is it, & c? 7 Is there any that doth affirm or teach, Can. 12. that it is lawful for any sort of Ministers and lay persons, or either of them to join together, and make rules, orders, and Constitutions in Causes ecclesiastical without the King's Authority, or any that submit themselves to be ruled and Governed by the same. Who is it, & c? 8 Is there any who doth affirm, Can. 10. teach▪ maintain or publish, that such Ministers who refuse to subscribe to the form and manner of God's worship in the Church of England, Can. 11. and their adherents may truly take unto them the name of another Church: or that there are within this realm, other meetings, assemblies, or congregations of the Kings born subjects, than such as by the laws of this Land are held and allowed, which may rightly challenge to themselves the name of true and lawful Churches. Who is it that doth so affirm, & c? 9 Doth any Minister or Ministers, Can. 72. without the Licence and direction of the Bishop of the diocese first obtained, appoint or keep any solemn Fasts publicly, or in any private houses, other than such as are or shall be appointed by lawful authority, or not being licenced as afore is said, presumes to appoint or hold any meeting for Sermons, Sermon Lectures, Prophecies, or exercises in Market towns or other places, or doth attempt without such Licence upon any pretence whatsoever, either of possession or obsession, to cast out any devil or devils. Who is it that offendeth in the premises, &c. 10 do any Priests or Ministers of the Word of God, Can. 73. or any other persons meet together in any private hou●e or el●ewhere, to consult upon any matter or course to be taken by them or by any other, upon their motion and direction, which may any way tend to the impeaching or depraving of the Church of E●gland, or of the book of Common Prayer, or of any part of the Government or Discipline in the Church of England now established, and who are they? Concerning Churches, the Ornaments, utensils, and other necessaries to the same belonging. 1 IS your Parish Church or chapel well and sufficiently repaired, Can. 85. and so from time to time maintained and kept? Are the windows well glazed, the floor kept paved plain and even, and all things there in such ●n orderly ●nd decent sort, without dust, or any thing that may be either noisome or un●eemely, as best becometh the house of God? 2 Are the ten commandments set upon the East end of your Church or chapel, Can. 82. where the people may best see and read the same, and other chosen sen●ences written upo● the walls of your said Church or chapel, in convenient places? 3 do the Cha●cels remain as they have d●ne in times past, Rubr. before Morning Prayer. that i● to say, in the convenient situation of the seats, and in the ascent or 〈◊〉 unto the place appointed anciently for the standing of the holy Tab●●? Is the chancel of your Church or chapel clean kept, Orders of Queen Elizabe●●, An. 1561. Ib. Order ●. and repaire● within and without, in the windows and otherwhere as appertaineth▪ And is there a comely partition betwixt your chancel and the body of the Church or chapel, as is required by the Law? 4 Is the churchyard of your Church or chapel well and sufficiently sensed, Can, 85. maintained and kept with walls, ●ailes or poles, as hath been heretofore accustomed: And if not, then by whose neglige●●e or default is it, that the fences of the same are grown into decay▪ 5 Are there any plays, Can. 88 Foasts, Banquets, Suppers, Church-Ales, Drinkings, temporal Courts or Le●tes, Lay-iuries or Musters: or is there any other profane usage, kept in your Church, chapel, o● Churchyards, of what sort soever▪ By whom ●re your said Church or chapel, or Churchyard so profaned as afore is said, and by whose permission. 6 Have you in the chancel of your Church or chapel a decent and convenient Table for the celebration of the Holy Comm●●ion? Is i● so set as is directed in the Queen's injunctions, Injunct. of Q▪ Eliz. order of Q▪ Eli●. and appointed by the Canon made in the Synod held at London, Can. 82. Anno 1640. Have you a Carpet of silk or other decent stuff, appointed by the Ordinary, to lay upon the Table in the time of Divine Service, and a fair linen cloth to lay upon the same in time of the Communion? And is the said Carpet and linen cloth laid constantly upon the Table, at the times aforesaid? 7 Have you a fair Communion Cup, Com. Book. or Chalice of silver, with a cover of the same, Can. 20. and a decent standing pot or Flagon of pewter, if not of purer metal, in which the wine for the Communion is to be brought unto the holy Table? Is the said Table, Carpet, linen cloth▪ Cup, or Flagon, or either of them any ways profaned, or otherwise employed, then to their own proper and right holy uses? 8 Have you in your Church or chapel a Font of stone, Can. 81. where baptism is to be administered, decently made, and kept as it ought to be? Is the same set in the Ancient usual place appointed for it, and doth your Minister publicly baptize, in the same Font only? 9 Have you in your Church or chapel, Can. 82. 83. a convenient Seat made 〈◊〉 the Minister to read Service in, as also a comely and decent Pulpit set in a convenient place within the same for the preaching of God's Word, and there seemly kept? 10 Have you in your Church or chapel a strong Chest with an hole in the upper part thereof, Can. 84 〈◊〉 the alms of the poor? Hath the same chest three several keys, and is the one of them in the custody of the Parson, vicar, or curate? Is the same so set and fastened in the most convenient 〈◊〉, to the intent the parishioners may put into it their alms, for their poor neighbours? 11 Have you a true note and Terrar, Can. ●7 of all the Glebes, Lands, meadows, Gardens, Orchards, Houses, stocks, implements, Tenements and portions of tithes lying out of your Parish, which belong unto your Parsonage, or Uicarage? And is the same, or a true copy of the same laid up in the Bishop's Registry for a perpetual Memory thereof? 12 Have you a comely decent surplice with sleeves for the use of your Minister in saying the public prayers, Can. 58. or ministering the Sacraments, and other rites of the Church: together with an university hood, according to the degree of your said Minister? And doth the Parson, vicar, or Cu●●te use the same, as oft as he officiates Gods public Service, administereth the Sacraments, or dischargeth any public duty in the Congregation? 13 Have you a Bible of the largest volume, Can. 80. allowed by authority, the book of Common Prayer, and the book of Homilies, all very well, and fairly bound? As also a book of the Canons And Constitutions, made in the Synod held at London, Anno 1603. and ratified by the King's Authority? A book of prayers for the 5. of November, and for the 27. of March being the day of his majesty's most happy Inauguration? Have you a parchment Register book wherein to keep upon record, Can. 70▪ the several Christenings, Weddings, and Burials, which happen weekly, quarterly, Can. 52 or yearly, in your Parish? Have you also a Register book wherein to write the names of all Preachers, which come and Preach in your Church from other places? Can. 70 And have you one sure Co●er with three locks and keys, for keeping of the books aforesaid. And doth one of your keys remain always in the hands of your Minister? Whether is your Parsonage-house or Vicarage-house, Barnes, Stables, and other outhouses thereto belonging, in good and sufficient repair. Whether hath any person in●roached upon the ground of your churchyard, or other consecrated ground, if any hath, than you shall present him, and set out what quantity of ground is so encroached upon, and whether any new door or window hath be●ne lately made into your Church or Church-yard▪ and by what authority? Concerning the Celebration of Divine Service, the Administration of the Sacraments. &c. DOth your Minister or Curate that ministereth in your Parish Church or chapel, rubric after the Pre●ace. say daily the Morning and Evening Prayer, in the same Parish Church or chapel where he ministereth, unless he be lawfully hindered? And doth he cause a Bell to be tolled thereunto, a convenient time before he begin, that such as be disposed may come to hear God's Word, and to pray with him? Especially, Is the Common Prayer said or sung distinctly and rev●rently upon such days as are appointed to be kept holy, Can. 14▪ and upon their E●es? Is the same said or sung at convenient and usu●ll times of those days, and in such pl●ce of every Church, as the people may be most edified thereby? And doth the Pars●n U●car or Curate▪ observe the Orders Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the book of Common Prayer, as well in reading the holy Scripture, and saying of prayers, a● in administration of the Sacraments: without either diminishing in regard of Preaching, or in any other respect, or adding any thing, in the matter and form thereof? 2 Doth the Minister read the psalms, Rub●i●k of the Common P●ayer book▪ and Lessons appointed in the calendar for Morning and Evening Prayer? And at the end of every psalm throughout the year, and likewise at the end of the Benedictus, Benedicite, Magnificat, and Nunc dimittis, doth he repeat, Glory be to the Father, &c. And at the reading of the Lessons, doth he stand and turn him so, as he may best be heard of all such as be present? And is the Creed called Athanasius Creed, beginning with (Whosoever will be saved) said by your Minister constantly at the times appointed in the Common Prayer book, and doth your Minister sing or say any other psalms or Hymns other then aforesaid in the place of those, contrary to Law? 3 Doth your Parson, Can. 15. vicar, or Curate, say the litany on every Sunday duly throughout the year▪ as also upon all Wednesdays and Fridays weekly, though they be not holy-days? In what convenient place of your Church or chapel doth he say the same, and by whom was that place appointed? Doth he say the same at the accustomed hours of Service, and is there warning given to the people by the tolling of a Bell? And doth every householder dwelling within half a mile of the Church, come, or send one at the least of his household to join with the Minister? 4 Doth your Minister read the Communion Service, Rubr. f●●r the Communion. or the second Service on every Sunday and holiday throughout the year, though● there be no Communion, according as it is appointed in the book of Common Prayer? 5 Doth your Parson re●ide upon his Bene●●ce or not, Can. 4● If yea, then, being a licenced Preacher, doth he preach one Sermon every Sunday in the year in his own Cure, Can. 4● 46▪ or in some Church or chapel near adjoining, having no lawful impediment? And being not a licenced Preacher, doth he offer at any time to preach or expound the Scriptures, or rather doth he procure Sermons to be Preache● in his Cure once every month at the least by Preachers which be lawfully licenced? Can. 47 If he be licenced by the laws of this realm not to reside upon his Benef●ce, then in that Case doth he supply his cure by one that is a sufficient and licenced Preacher? And is your Curate allowed to serve there by the Bishop of the diocese, Can. 48 or by the Ordinary of the place having episcopal jurisdiction, and by no other? 6 Doth your Parson, Rubr▪ vicar, or Curate upon every Sunday and holiday throughout the year when there is no Sermon, read one of the Homilies set forth by public Authority? Doth he use to read the same in the Pulpit only, according as he is required in the Canons of the year 1571. Cap. 4. And doth your Minister as well before the homily as before his Sermon move and exhort the people ●o join with him in Prayer according to the form laid down in the book of Canons, Can. 55 and doth he use any other form than is there prescribed? 7 Have you in your Parish, Can. 55▪ besides your Parson, vicar, and Curate, any Lecturer or Lecturers not having cure of souls therein? Can. 56 Doth your Lecturer use before his Lectures, the form of prayer before remembered, and no other form? And doth he twice at the least every year read the Divine Service on two several Sundays both in the forenoon and afternoon, publicly and at the usual times, and doth he as oft in every year administer the Sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, in such manner and form, and with the observation of such Rites and Ceremonies as are prescribed in the book of Common Prayer? 8 do your Lecturer or Lecturers preach in their gowns and not in their Cloaks, according to his majesty's Instructions, An. 1629. Doth he profess his willingness to take upon him a Living with cure of souls, in that place or Parish, in the which he Lectures or elsewhere. And doth he actually take such Cure or Benef●ce if any hath been offered to him? 9 Is your Lecturer licenced by the Bishop of the diocese? Can. 5● And doth your Lecturer or any other Preacher that Lectureth or preacheth in your Church or chapel, impugn or confute any Doctrine formerly delivered in the same, or in any Church near adjoining, before he hath acquainted the Bishop of the diocese therewith, and received order from him what to do in that case for the avoiding of dissension? 10 Doth your Lecturer conform himself to the laws, can. 5● Ordinances, and Rites ecclesiastical established in the Church of England? If not, you are to certify the same unto the Bishop of the diocese, or other Ordinary of the place, to the end that if the said Lecturer do not conform himself after admonition, his Licence may be voided, and himself removed? 11 Doth your Parson, Can. 21▪ vicar, or Curate, administer the Communion in your Church or chapel so often, and at such times, as every parishioner may communicate at least thrice in the year, whereof the Feast of Easter to be one? Can. 2●▪ And doth he give warning to his parishioners publicly in the Church at Morning prayer the Sunday before, for the better preparation of themselves? And do such as purpose to communicat● signify their minds unto the ●urate over night or the morning early? 12 Doth your Minister admit to the receiving of the holy Communion, Can. 26▪ such of his Cure which be openly known to live in sin notorious without repentance, or any who have openly or maliciously contended with their neighbours, and will not be induced by him to a reconcilement? Or any churchwardens or Sidemen, who having taken oath to present to their Ordinaries every such public offence, as they are particularly charged to inquire of in their several parishes, shall wittingly incur the horrible crime of perjury? 13 Doth he wittingly administer the same to any but to such as kneel, Can. 27. or to any that refuse to be present at the public prayers, or to any that be common and notorious depravers of the book of commonprayer, or of any thing contained in the book of Articles agreed upon in the Convocation, Anno 1562. Or in the book of Ordering Priests and Bishops, or to any that hath spoken against, and depraved his majesty's sovereign Authority in causes ecclesiastical, except such persons do first acknowledge to the Minister before you the churchwardens that he is sorry for the same, and promise either by word of mouth, or under his hand to do so no more? 14 Is the bread provided for the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, ●ubr. of the best and purest white-bread that may conveniently be gotten? Doth the Minister take the same into his hands to bless and consecrate it to that holy use as oft as he administereth the Communion? Doth he so likewise with the wine provided? And if any bread or wine be newly brought, doth he first use the words of the Institution before it be distributed to the Communicants? ●an. ●1. 15 Doth your Minister as oft as he celebrateth the Communion, ●ubr. receive the Sacrament first in both kinds himself, ●an. 21. and having so received the same, doth he severally deliver the bread and wine to every Communicant in their ha●ds kneeling? And at his delivery of the same, doth he rehearse the whole form mentioned in the Communion book saying (The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.) or doth he only use some part thereof, as he list himself? 16 Doth your Parson vicar or Curate administer the Communion at any time publicly in the congregation except there be four or three (at the least) to communicate with him? Rubr. & Doth he administer the same to any strangers, which come often and commonly from their own Parish Churches? And do you the churchwardens give notice to your Minister of such strangers, Can. 28. 57 that so he may remit them home to their own Parish Churches, there to Communicate with their own Minister and neighbours? 17 Doth your Minister, Can. 71▪ except it be in times and cases of necessity, Preach or administer the holy Communion in any private house in which there is no chapel dedicated and allowed by the ecclesiastical laws of this kingdom? Doth any chaplain living within your parish, preach or administer the Communion in any other place then in the chapel of the said houses? Doth the Lords and Masters of such chaplains, or houses, at other times resort to their own Parish Churches, Instructions. and there receive the holy Communion, at least once in the year? And do any under Noble men, and men qualified by law keep any private chaplain in their house or houses? 18 Doth your Minister refuse or delay to christian any child that is brought to him to the Church on Sundays or holidays, Can. 6●▪ knowledge thereof being given to him over night or in the morning before Morning prayer? Rubr▪ o● Bap. Doth he proceed therein in all things according to the form of public baptism in the Common prayer book, Can. 30. doth he neglect, refuse, or pretermit at any time to sign the child baptised with the sign of the cross, or doth he admit the parent of a child to answer as a Godfather to his own child, Can. 29. or any other person to be a Godfather or Godmother, before the said pers●n so undertaking hath received the holy Communion? 19 Doth your Minister being duly informed of the weakness and danger of death of any infant unbaptised in his Parish, and being thereupon desired to go unto the place and baptize the same, either wilfully refuse to d●e it, Can▪ 69 or negligently delay the time, so that the child departeth without baptism ●hrough his def●ult: if the child so baptised do recover afterwards, is it brought into the Church by the Godfathers and Godmothers, to the intent the congregation may be certified of the baptising thereof, according to the ●orme prescribed in the Common prayer Book? 20 Doth your Minister having Cure and charge of ●oules, Can. 61 do his best endeavour to prepare children, Can▪ 59 and make them ready for confirmation? And to that end, Rubr. of Con●ir. doth he on every Sunday and holiday before Evening prayer for the space of half an hour or more instruct the youth and ignorant▪ persons of the parish, according 〈◊〉 the catechism set forth in the Common prayer book? And are the afternoon Sermons in your● parish (if you had any formerly) turned into Catechising by way of questions and answers according to the King's Instructions? Inst●ucti●ns▪ 21 Doth your Minister either bring, Rub. of Confirm. or send in writing to the Bishop of the diocese the names of all those Children of his parish which can answer to the questions contained in the catechism, that by the imposition of hands and prayer, they may receive strength and defence against temptation? And doth he admit any person or persons to the holy Comm●nion, until such time as he or they can orderly say the catechism and be confirmed? 22 Doth your Parson, Can. 62. vicar, or Curate celebrate Matrimony betwixt any persons, without a faculty or Licence granted by authority lawful, or without the Banes of Matrimony first published, on three several Sundays or holidays, in the parish Church or chapel where the said parties dwell, or at the times by Law prohibited without special Licence: Or doth he celebrate the same in any other place than in the Church, or in the Church at any other time than between the hours of eight and twelve in the forenoon, and at that time betwixt such persons as are under the age of twenty one years, without the consent of their parent's signifie● unto him▪ or a Licence granted to him so to do? 23 Doth your Minister in the solemnising of holy Matrimony keep himself to the form and Ceremonies prescribed in the Common Prayer book, Rubr▪ of Matrimo●ie. doth he at any time marry any without a King, or without going to the Lord's Table, as it is appointed: Doth he in case there be no Sermon read those Texts of Scripture, wherein the offices of man and wife, are declared, according as it is prescribed? And do the new married persons the same day of their marriage receive the holy Communion, as by Law they ought? 24 Doth your Minister or Curate resort to such of your parish as are dangerously sick (if the disease be n●t probably suspected to be infectious) to instruct and comfort them in that distress, Can. 87. doth he exhort the sick party to be in charity with all the world, Rubr. of ●isitation. and to dispose of his goods, and declare his debts, and doth he move him and that most earnestly to liberality towards the poor, and to unburden his conscience? 25 If any sick person find his conscience troubled with anyweighty matter, Rubr. of Visitation. and doth unburden the same to his Priest or Minister, doth the said Priest or Minister give him absolution according to the form prescribed: Can. 130 And have you ever heard that the said Priest or Minister hath revealed and made known at any time to any person whatsoever, any crime or ●ffence committed to his trust and secrecy, either in case of such extremity, or any other case whatsoever (except they be such crimes as by the laws of this realm, the life of the sai● Priest or Minister ma●●e called in questi●n for concealing of it) declare the name of the offender, when and by whom you hear the ●ame? 26 Doth the Curate that ministereth in your parish, rubric of Com. upon convenient notice given him, administer the Communion unto such as be dangerously sick, and not able to come unto the Church, and yet are desirous to receive the same in their houses, and are unquiet for he lack thereof: Or doth he obstinately and wilfully refuse so to do being thereunto required, and finding all things necessary for the doing of it? 27 Doth your minister refuse or delay to bury any corpse that is brought into the Church or Church-yard, Can. 68 convenient warning being given him before, except the party deceased were denounced excommunicate for some grievous crime, Majori Excommunicatione, and no man able to testify of his repentance: And doth he do it decently and gravely, not swerving from the form prescribed by the Church in the Common prayer book? 28 Doth any woman in your parish after her delivery from the pains and peril of Childbirth refuse to come into the Church to render thanks to God for so great a mercy: Doth she go thither covered with a decent veil according to the laudable and ancient custom: And being come doth she go▪ n●ere unto the place where the Table standeth, Rubr. and offereth her accustomed offerings: And doth your Minister do his duty in churching the said women according to the form prescribed: And doth the woman that cometh to give her tha●kes▪ receive the holy Communion if there by any? 29 Doth your Minister at and upon seasonable times, especially on the first day of Lent, cause the people, to be called together and assembled in the Church by the ringing of a Bell: And being drawn together doth he read unto them the commination against sinners, with the other prayers appointed? Concerning the clergy, their Duty, Carriage▪ &c. DOth your Parson, Can. 1. vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, (if you have any) purely and sincerely teach, manifest and declare four times every year at the least in his Sermons and other Collations and Lectures that all usurped and foreign power is for most just cau●es taken away and abolished, and that therefore no obedience or subjection within his majesty's realms and Dominions, is due unto any such foreign power. And doth he preach the Doctrine of obedience, and the King's authority according to the Canons published, and set out by the late holy Synod, Can. 64. Anno 1640. Rub. of Com. 2 Doth your Minister declare to the parishioners, every Sunday at the time appointed in the Communion book whether there be any holidays or fasting-days in the following week: And doth he call upon them to observe the same, according to the laws of the Land, and of holy Church? 3 Doth your Minister or Curate in the Rogation days go in perambulation about your parish saying and using the psalms and suffrages by Law appointed, Injunctions and Adver●isements of Q Eliz●b. as viz. psalm 103. & 104. the litany and suffrages, together with the Homily set out for that end and purpose: Doth he admonish the people to give thanks to God, if they see any likely hopes of plenty, and to call upon him for his mercy, if there be any fear of scarcity: And do you the Churchwardens assist him in it? 4 Doth your Curate serve more than one Church or chapel upon one day, Can. 48. except the said chapel be a member of the parish Church or united thereto: Can An. 1571. Cap. ult. How far distant are the said Churches or chapels which he serveth from one another? What wages hath he for his pains? 5 Doth your Minister if he be commanded by the Ordinary, Can. 65. openly on some Sunday denounce and declare for excommunicate, all those, who either for refusing to frequent the divine service of the Church, or for notorious contumacy, or other notable crimes stand lawfully excommunicated by the laws of the Church, that others thereby may be admonished to refrain their Companies: And doth your Minister himself refrain the company of persons excommunicated and so denounced? 6 Doth your Parson, Can. 74. vicar, or Curate usually wear such apparel as is prescribed by the Canon, that is to say, a gown with standing colla● and wide sleeves straight at the hands, and a square cap: Or doth he go● at any time abroad in his doublet and ho●e without coat or cassock, or doth he use to wear any light coloured stockings, doth he wear any ●oi●e, and wrought nightcaps, or only plain nightcaps of silk, satin, or velvet: And in his journeying, doth he usually wear a cloak with sleeves, commonly called the priest's cloak, without guards, we●ts, long buttons or cuts? 7 Doth your Parson, Can. 75. vicar, or Curate resort at any time, other than for his honest necessities to any taverns, or Ale●ouses, or doth your Curate lodge or board, in any such places: do they or either of them give themselves to any base or servile labour, or to drinking or Riot, or to playing at di●e, cards or tables, or to an● other unlawful game, or games: or do they otherwise spend their time idly by day or by night? 8 Is there any in your Parish, Can. 76. who having been a Deacon or Minister hath voluntaryly relinquished his calling, and doth u●e himself in the course of his li●e as a lay man, what are their names that have forsaken their said calling? 9 Doth your Minister (if he be a Preacher, Can. 66▪ and thought fit by your Bishop) having any popish Recusant, or Recusants in his parish, labour diligently with them from time to time, Can. 66. thereby to reclaim them from their errors: And if he be n● Preacher, or not such a Preacher, doth he procure some that are Preachers so qualified, to take pains with them to that purpose? 10 Doth your Parson, Can. 114 vicar, or Curate, carefully inform himself every year, how many popish Recusants, men, women, and children above the age of thirteen years, or being otherwise popishly given, are inhabitants within their parish or parishes, or make their abode there, either as sojourners or common guests? 11 Doth your Minister every Sunday weekly (if there be occasion) in the presence of you the Churchwardens, Can. 70. write and record in the▪ register-book the names of all persons christened, together with the names and surnames of their parents, as also, the names and surnames of all persons married and buried in that parish the week before, and the day and ●eare of every such Christening, Marriage, and Burial, and unto every page thereof when it is filled, do you and your said Minister subscribe your names: And is a true copy of the said christenings, Marriages, and Burials, subscribed with the names of your Minister and you the Churchwardens, transmit●ed yearly within one month after the 25 of March, unto the Bishop of the diocese to be preserved in his Registry? 12 Doth your Minister in the parish Church or chapel, where ●ee hath charge, read the Canons, Orders, and Constitutions, (agreed on in the Synod held at London, Anno 1603.) once every year upon some Sundays or holidays in the afternoon before Divine Service: and doth he so divide the same, as the one half may be read one day▪ and the other half the other day? Whether hath your Minister, Churchwardens, and Sidemen, presented unto the Lord Bishop of London, or his chancellor, within forty days after ●aster, the names of all the Parishioners, as well men as women, which being ●bove 16. years of age, received not the Communion, at or about Easter be●ore according to the 112. Canon; If not, you shall present, whether that ●resentment should have been brought in by yourselves or your predecessors, ●nd specify the names of every one that should have made such presentment at ●aster last past? Concerning schoolmasters, Parish clerks, and Sextens. DOth any man in your Parish ●each either in public Schoo● or ●●iva●e house, Can. 77. but such as ●e allowed by the Bishop of the diocese or other Ordinary of the place under his hand and seal: Can. 78. And if there 〈◊〉 no public grammar-school founded in y●ur parish, doth any other teac● school in your parish, than your Cura●e only, if he be willing so to do? 2 Doth your schoolmaster teach in English or Latin, Can. 79. as the chil●dren are able to bear, the shorter or longer catechism set forth by Autho●rity and no other: doth he on Sundays and holidays when there is● Sermon cause his scholars to ●ome unto the Church, and there see the● quietly and orderly behave themselves▪ And doth he train them up at 〈…〉 in sentences of holy Scripture▪ And doth he teach them any o●ther Grammar than that which was set forth by King. Henry VIII. an● hath since conti●ued▪ 3 Have you belonging to your Church or chapel a Parish Clark● aged: Can. 91. 21. years at the least? As he of 〈◊〉 convers●tion, sufficient 〈◊〉 his reading, writing: and also for his 〈…〉 said Clarke chosen by any your Parson, vicar, o● other Minister. An● doth your clerk so chosen as before is said, receiv● his 〈…〉, without any fraud or diminution, as hath been a● 〈…〉 who is it that denyeth to pay that wages? 4 doth your Se●ten or your Parish clerk (if there be no Se●ton) wh●n, Can. 67. and as often as any person in passing out of this life, cause 〈◊〉 Bell 〈◊〉 be tolled, that so his neighbours may be warned to recommend his soul 〈◊〉 the grace of God? And after the said parties death (if it so ●all out) doth 〈◊〉 ring or cause one short peal to be ●orthwith run●, that so his neighbour may have notice that he is departed: Whether do you the Churchwardens of every Parish within the Ci●ie an● Suburbs of London (according to the King's majesty's Letters Patents, unde● the great seal of England in that behalf granted) suffer your Parish Clar●● to gather his wages himself, in as full and ample manner, as the fame ha●● formerly been gathered, in or by colour of his name, without dimin●tio● upon pre●ence of pewage, or the like, and without any manner of disturban●● or interruption or forbidding any one so to pay the same unto him, and wh●●ther do you assist your clerk in collecting his wages (if need be) accordin● to his majesty's said Letters Patent: and whether do you duly present a● such persons of your Parish as refuse to pay the said clerks accustomed wage● as by his majesty's said grant, you are required and commanded? Concerning Parishioners. IS there any in your Parish either Mas●er or servant, Can 109 Soiour●er or Inhabiter, that hath offended either by Adultery, whoredom, Incest, or drunkenness, or by swearing, ribaldry, (or filthy speaking) usury, or any other uncleanness, or wickedness of life? you shall faithfully present all and every the said offenders. 2 do you know of any in your Parish, Can. 110 or elsewhere, that is an hinderer of the word of God to be read, or sincerely preached, or of the execution of any ecclesiastical Canons, now by law in force? or a fa●●our of any usurped or foreign power, by the laws of this realm ●ustly rejected and taken away, or a defendor of any popish and erroneous doctrine? you shall de●ect, and faithfully present. &c. 3 Have you in your parish any popish Recusants, Can. 114. men, women▪ or children, above the age of 13. years, whether inhabitants, or sojourners, and common guests, that refuse to come to Church, or coming to the Church, refuse to receive the Communion? you shall set down their names in writing, if you know their names, or otherwise▪ those names by which they are called, and who they are that entertain such guests or sojourners. 4 Have you any that dissuade any of his Majes●ies subjects, Q Eliz. ●. ● from coming to the Divine Service in this Church established, or that have or do practice with any of them to dissuade them from taking the oath of Allegiance▪ or that have any ways offended against the Canon lately made, for the suppressing of popish superstition: 5 do all and every person or persons inhabiting or so●ourning within your Parish, 1 E●z. c. ● diligen●ly and faithfully resort unto your parish Church, or chapel accustomed, upon every Sunday, and other days appointed to be u●ed and kept as holidays, do they then and there abide orderly and soberly, 〈◊〉 the time of common prayer, preaching, or other service of God there to be used, or m●nistred? Or, (which is contrary thereunto) have you any that come unto the preachings only, Can. Ann● 157 1. c●. 5 and not unto the common prayer, or coming to the common prayer, neither use to come at the beginning, Can. 111 nor ●arry out unto the end? Or that being there do rudely and disorderly behave themselves, or which by walking, talking, or any other noise do hinder the Minister or Preacher? 6 Have you any that upon the Sundays or holidays, employ themselves in their bodily and ordinary labour, or that permit their servants so to do? Or that keep open Shops in time of divine Service? Or any Uintners, Can: An● 1571. innkeepers, or other Uictuallers, that permit any to lie tippling in their houses, or that do tipple, dice▪ or play at cards, or any other game in time of divine Service on the aforesaid days? Or that use any ploughing, carting, or works of husbandry, on any of those Sundays or holidays, throughout the year, unless according to Law, or otherwise dispose themselves then according ●o Gods holy will and pleasure, and the orders of the Church of England pres●ribed in that behal●e, and by Law in force? 7 Doth any manner of person cover his head in your Church or chapel in time of divine Service or Sermon, Can. 18. or any part thereof, except he have some infirmity, and in case of such infirmity, doth he wear a co●● or nightcap only, and not his hat? do all and every person of your parish reverently kneel upon their knees, when the general Confession, the litany, the ten commandments and other prayers are read, and also at the receiving the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, do they all say the Creed, and Lord's prayer, next immediately following in a loud voice together with the Minister? Can. 18. do they stand up at the saying of the belief, and such other parts of divine Service as former●y they have been used to stand up at, according to the Rules and ancient custom of this Church? And when and as often as in the time of divine service the Lord Jesus shall be mentioned, is due and lowly reverence done by all persons present? have you any that offend in the neglect of these particulars▪ and what are there names? 8 Have you any parishioner that being 16. Can. 114 years of age doth not receive the Communion, Rubr. at the least thrice in the year, of which Easter to be one, or that doth not receive the Sacraments, and other rites according to the order of the common prayer book? Can. 122 Or that doth not reckon with his Parson vicar or Curate, or his or their deputies at Easter, yearly paying such ecclesiastical du●ies as are accustomably due then, and at that time to be paid? 9 The Minister standing as he is appointed at the North side, Rubr. or end of the Table, when he prepares to celebrate the holy Communion, and calling on those who do intend to communicate, to draw near and take that holy Sacrament to their comfort, ●nvi●ation as it is in the words of the common prayer book, have you any in your parish that keep their seats, and sit still in their places, not drawing near as is commanded by the Church, but looking that the Minister should forsake the place of his station, by the Church appointed, to bring it to them? 10 Is there any of your parish, ●an. 58. who doth forsake his own Church or chapel to receive the Communion at the hands of any other than their own Minister, or any strangers that usually repair to your Church or Ch●●●ell to the same intent, or any that refuse to receive the holy Communion at ●●e hands of their own Minister, because he is no Preacher or to have their children baptised by him in the same respect, or that in the same respects communicate, or cause their children to be baptised in other Parishes abroad? Or doth your Minister baptize any children presented unto him out of other Parishes? you shall present the names of all offenders in these particulars. 11 Have you any that procure their children to be baptised at home in their houses without great cause and necessity, Rubr of B●● or by any other than their own lawful Minister if he may be had? Or after any other form and manner than is pr●scribed by the liturgy of the Church of England, or any that procure themselves to be married privately, or ●fter any other manner than the Church prescribes? 12 Do all and every householder of your Parish, Can. 59 Fathers, Mothers, Masters & Mistresses, cause their children, servants, and apprentices, which have not learned their catechism, come unto the Church on Sundays and holidays in the afternoon, obediently to hear and to be ordered by the Minister till they have learned the same. 13 Have you any in your Parish that refuse to contribute, Can. 91 and pay the rate ass●ssed ●pon him, Can. 8 for the repair of your Church or Chapp●ll, or the providing of any books, utensils or necessary ornaments to the same belonging? present the names of those which do so refuse. 14 Have you any that keep company and hold society with suc● as are denounced and declared Excommunicate? Can. 6● 15 Have you any living in your Parish, Can. 10 which have been legally separated and divorced, have afterwards been married unto others, either men or women, during the life of each other, or that being so divorced as afore is said, keep company with each other at bed and at board? Or any that being lawfully married, do yet live asunder, without a separation in due course of law? 16 Have you any persons in your Parish▪ Can. 9 which are and have been married within the d●grees prohibited by the laws of God, and expressed in a Table set forth by authority? And is the said Table publicly set up and fix●d in your Church or chapel at the Charge of the Parish? 17 Are there in your Parish any Wills unproved, Can. ● or any goods unadministred by lawful Authority? Did any dying in your Parish give any legacy unto your Church or chapel, or to the use of the▪ poor and needy? 〈◊〉 how have the said legacies so given been disposed of by whom and by whose Authority? And have they otherwise been disposed of, then to the said pious and charitable uses? Whether is there in your parish, a common fame and report of any which have committed adultery, Fornication, or Incest, or any bawds, harbourers, or receivers of such persons, or vehemently suspected thereof, if yea, then specify their names; Whether have you any in your Parish, which are by common fame and report and vehement suspicion, reputed and taken to be common Drunkards, blasphemers of God's holy Name, common and usual swearers, filthy speakers, railers, sowers of discord among their neighbours, or speakers against Ministers Marriages; or usurers, contrary to the Sta●ute made in the 37. year of King Henry the eighth? you shall not fail to present their names. Whether have any in your Parish, received or harboured any women with child, suspected to be of a● incontinent life, or have had any such woman delivered of child in his or her house, or have suffered such women to depart without penance first inflicted upon them by the Ordinary, if yea, you shall present as well the party harbouring, as harboured, and all that help to convey them away, and the parties suspected to have committed adultery or fornication with them. Whether do you know, or have heard of any Patron, or any having an Advowson in your Parish, that have made gain by any colour, deceit, or simoniacal pact in bestowing his Be●efice and presenting to the same for gain, for or receiving money, or promise of the Lease of the whole or part▪ or by reserving his own tithes, or any pension to himself, or any other? What almshouses, Hospitals, free-schools have you in your Parish, that are not of t●e Foundation or Patronage of the King, and who was the Patron or Founder thereof, and whether the said almshouses, Hospitals, or free-schools in your Parish, being under the Rule and Government of the Lord Bishop of London, be well and godly used, according to the ancient Foundations and Ordinances of the same. Whether any Persons within your Parish, either for the offences aforesaid, or for any other contumacy or crime, do remain excommunicated, what be their names, and for what cause, and how long have they stood excommunicated? Concerning churchwardens and Sidemen. ARe you the Churchwardens chosen by the joint consent of your Minister and Parishioners, ●●n. 89 or one of you by the Minister, and the other by the Parishioners: Have the last Churchwardens given up their accounts, delivering up to the Parishioners the money remaining in their hands, and other things of right belonging to your Church or chapel, and is the same delivered to you by bill indented? 2 Do you the Churchwardens and Sidemen diligently see that all your parishioners resort duly to your Church or chapel, Can. 90▪ upon Sundays and holidays, and there continue the whole time of Divine Service? do you suf●er any to walk or stand idle or talk in the Church or in the churchyard, Can. 19 90 or Church●porch, during that time, to the disturbance of the Minister and scandal of the congregation? You must present the names of such as offend herein? 3 Do you against the time of every Communion, Can. 20. at the charge of the Parish provide a sufficient quantity of fine white bread, and of good and wholesome wine, for the number of the Communicants? And do you do the same with the advice and direction of your Minister? And the wine so provided, do you bring to the Communion Table in a clean and sweet standing pot or flagon? 4 do you the Churchwardens and Sidemen see, Can. 52. that the names of all Preachers which come to your Church from other places, be noted in a book provided for that purpose? And doth every such Preacher subscribe his name in the said book, the day when he preached, and the name of the Bishop of whom he had licence to preach? 5 If there be any public dissension and contradicting in your Pulpit, Can. 53. between the Minister of your Church or chapel, and any other Preacher or Preachers, whereby disquietness and offence may grow among the people, do you forthwith signify the same unto the Bishop, and not suffer the party to enjoy the place so by him abused, until the Bishop hath taken further order in it? 6 do any person or persons, Can. 115● trouble or molest you the Churchwardens, for presenting all or any of those persons, which do off●nd in any of the premises, who are they that do so molest or trouble you, and before whom, and in what Court do they so molest you? 7 do you the Churchwardens levy by way of distress, 1. Eliz. ●. ●● on the goods Lands and Te●ements of every person in your Parish, that doth not re●ort unto your Parish Church or chapel on every Sunday and holiday throughout the year, Ca●. 1571▪ (having no reasonable excuse to be absent) the ●umme of xii. pence, for every Sunday or Holydaie that he is so absent? And do you dist●ibute the several sums so levied as before is said, among the poor of the parish, according to the Law in that case provided? 8 Have you had time sufficient for drawing up of your presentments? Can. 119 ●ow long is it since this book of Articles was sent unto you? have you ●erused and considered as well the Oath you are to take, as the Articles ●hereon to ground your presentments, and ●very branch and clause thereof, and have you framed your presentments punctually, according to the ●everall branches and clauses of those Articles? For know assuredly that as well the discharging of your Office, Can. ●6. is the chie●e me●●es whereby public sins and offences may be reformed and punished, so if you wil●●lly omit to present such crimes as either you know to be commi●●ed, or otherwise have heard by public fame, C●n. 117 that in such cases your Ord●naries are to proceed against you, as in causes of wilful perjury, in their ecclesiastical Courts? Concerning Chancellors, Registers, Proctors, Apparators, and other ecclesiastical Officers. IS the Chancellor, Can. Art. 1571. p. 11. commissary, or official, that exerciseth ecclesiastical jurisdiction according as you know or have heard in holy Orders of the ministry, Can. An. 1603. c. 127. or if he be not, is he well affected and zealously bent towards Religion, and such a man touching whose life no evil example is had? 2 do they or any of them substitute any in their absence to keep Court for them, Can. 178 that is not either a grave Minister, and a Graduate, o● a licenced public Preacher, and a Benificed man near the place where the Courts are kept, or a bachelor of Law, or a Master of Ar●s at the least, who hath some skill in the civil and ecclesiastical laws? Is he or they so substituted, a favourer of true Religion, and a man of modest and honest conversation? Declare the truth according to your knowledge or best information in these particulars. 3 Do they or any of them (not being themselves in holy Orders) pronounce the sentence of Excommunication, Can An. 1571. or leave it only to the Bishop, and is the same pronounced only by the Bishop, or by some grave man o● his appointment, which is in the ministry? Or do they or any of them absolve any that are Excommunicated at his or their own house or houses, or otherwise in private houses, or only openly and in the Consistorie● declare your knowledge in this point. 4 Doth your Chancellor, Can. An. 1571. & 1597. Archdeacon, Commi●sarie or official take upon him, or them to a●ter any penanc● enjoined without leave o● the Bishop? Have they or either or any of them, comm●ted any penan●● with any dwelling in your Parish? What sum of money hath been taken for the said commutation? Is the said sum made known unt● you in the congregation either by the penitent himself, or by the Ministe● of your Parish, As by the Canons of the year 1597. it ought to be ● An● being so made known, hath the same sum or sums of money, bee● distributed on the poor of your Parish▪ or otherwise bestowed upon pio●● uses? And on what pious uses, as you have been credibly informed, wa● the samebestowed? 5 Doth your Chancellor, Can. 120▪ Archdeacon, Of●iciall, or other ecclesiastical judge, suffer any general process of Quo●um Nomina▪ to be sent out of the Court, except the names of all such as be cited▪ are first expres●●e entered by the hand of the Register or his deputy, and the said proc●sses and names be subscribed by the judge or his deputy, and his seal of Office thereto affixed? 6 Doth the Chancellor, Can. 12●. or any commissary within your diocese, cite any of your Parish for any crime into his court, that hath been formerly detected or presented to the Archdeacon? Or doth your Archdeacon cite any dwelling in your Parish, to appear before him for any ●rime presented to the Chancellor in his Uisitation? by which of the two aforesaid Iuris●ictions was the party offending cited last? 7 Doth your Chancellor, Can. 123▪ commissary▪ Archdeacon, official, or any other using ecclesiastical Iuris●iction, speed any judicial▪ Act except he have the Ordinary▪ Register of the court, or his lawful Deputy, or else such persons to write and speed the same, as are by ●aw allowed in that behalf? Or have they, or either, or any of them, without the Bishops consent any more seals than one, for the sealing of all matters incident to his or their Office? And doth the said seal remain in the custody of the judge himself, or of the lawful substitute by him appointed? And is the same kept in the city or principal town in the ●ountie, as the Law requireth? 8 Doth your Chancellor, Can. 125. commissary, Archdeacon, official or others exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction, or eith●r or any of them, appoint such place or places for the keeping of their Courts, as are convenient for the entertainment of those that are to make their appearance there, and most indifferent for travel? And do they end in their Courts in such convenient time or times, as every man may return homewards in as due season as may be? 9 Hath any Register unto your knowledge, Ca●. 134 or as you have credibly been informed, received wittingly any certificate without the knowledge of the judge? Or willingly omitted to call any persons cited to appear upon any Court day? Or that hath unduly put off, and deferred the Examination of witnesses to be examined by a day, set and assigned by the judge? Or that hath set down or enacted any thing false, or conceited by himself, as decreed by the judge, or not as so ordered or decreed by the judge? Or that hath received any reward in any Causes whatsoever in favour of any party, or that is of counsel directly or indirectly with either of the parties in suit? declare your knowledge in these particulars. 10 Do●h any Register or any other Minister of Ecclesiastical Courts 〈…〉 or any of the judges of the said Courts take or receive any other or greater fees, than such as were ratified and approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno 1597. and contained in the Tables of fees, for that purpose made: And are two Tables, containing the several rates and sums of the said fees, Can. 136 set up according to the Law in that case provided? That is to say, one of them in the usual place or consistory where the Court is kept, and the other of them in the Registry, or Registers Office? And are they set up in such sort that every man whom it concerneth may without difficulty come to the view thereof and take a copy of them if they so desire? Can. 137 And doth any Register or other ecclesiastical Officer take more for showing Letters of Orders▪ then is appointed in the 137. Canon? 11 Doth any Proctor take upon him to appear in any Cause or pretend to be entertained in the same, Can. 1●9 unless he be constituted and appointed by the party himself either before the judge and in open Court, or by sufficient proxy con●●rmed by some authentical seal, the party's ratification therewithal concurring? If you know any such present him, that so he may be punished as the law provides? Or doth any Proctor ●ake the oath in Animam Domini, in any cause what ever, contrary to the ordinance of holy Church? 12 How many apparators have you in your Dioc●sse or archdeaconry, Can. 138 as you either know or do conjecture? Do they or any of them execute their Office by themselves or by their Deputies? And if by their Deputies, then is the cause of such their deputation and employment made known and approved of by the Ordinary of the place? Do they take upon them the Offfce of promoters or Informers for the Court, or exact more or greater fees than are prescribed in the Tables before remembered? What other abuses and aggrievances can you complain of justly in the said Apparators? Whether any Archdeacon or official within the diocese of London hath or doth commute or change any p●nance or corporal punishment, in whole or in part, and what money such Archdeacon or official hath received, what 〈◊〉 offence was for which any sum of money was received, or appointed to be paid? set down the particulars of the premises. Whether any Archd●acon or official, or his Surrogate, have within thes● three years' last past, granted any Licences for the Marriage of any parties in your parish Church, or elsewhere, whether hath your Minister by virtue o● the said Licences, so married them, and by whom the said Licences were so granted, and you are likewise required by virtue of your corporal oath to make diligent search in the Register book of marriages kept within your parish, what parties have been married by the said authority, and if you know any such, present their names, and places where they dwell. Whether have you in your Parish any curates, schoolmasters, physicians, Ch●●urgions, Parish clerks, or Midwives, licenced by any other authority than of the Lord-bishop of this diocese, or his Chancellor, and whether any fees have been demanded or received by any other besides the Lord Bishop of this diocese, or his Chancellor, in the Lord Bishops Visitation, for exhibiting the said licences? Whether any commissary, Archdeacon, or official, have at any time, especially within these three years' last past, intermedled in the placing or displacing of any persons in pews, in your Parish Churches, or have granted any confirmation of seats, under his seal of office, or by his authority hath caused to be removed the Pulpit, or Font, or reading desk f●om their ancient and accustomed place, or given way to making of doors or windows in Churches or chapels, or erecting of Galleries? Whether any commissary, Archdeacon or official have proved the wills, or granted Administration of the goods of any beneficed man or curate dying within his jurisdiction, or of any other person being in holy Orders? The Charge of the churchwardens and Sworn men set down for the better performance of their duties, and discharge of their Oaths. THey are not to bring in any Bills into the archdeacon's Court upon the Articles to be inquired of in their Visitation, by reason of my Lord's Visitation, but only now during the said Visitation, to make their presentments upon these Articles. They are therefore charged, that after their Oath taken, and their return home, they do require their Minister to read over both the Book of Canons or Constitutions, set forth by his majesty, in the Convocation holden in the year of our God, 1604. and also these Articles unto them, and to consider of every particular Article, and of the offences by them to be presented, as also of such persons in their Parish as shall be noted to offend in the same: and so the churchwardens and sidemen assembling themselves together within some convenient time, are to make their Bill, answering every Article by itself, before the time hereafter appointed them, which Bill shall be signed with the hands of all the churchwardens and Side●men, with conference had with their Minister upon the said Bill of presentment, who, according to the 26. Canon▪ is to see that the said churchwardens do their duties in presenting, upon the penalty in the 26. Canon prescribed. These Bills shall be brought by both the churchwardens AT the delivery of your Bill of presentment, at the time and place before set down, you the churchwardens are likewise in the said Bill, to set down the names of all such as have died within your parish at any, time since the day of July last past being Men, maids or widows: and what person or persons have been married since the said time, and by what Licence or authority: and likewise you the Minister, churchwardens and sidemen of every Parish, must in the end of the said Bill of presentment, set down, the number of all Recusants, and non-Communicants as followeth Recusants men— Recusants women.— Non-Communicants of both sex.— Communicants of both sex in the whole Parish So setting down the number of every one, you the Minister, churchwardens and sidemen must put your hands to the said Note. FINIS.