ARTICLES TO BE ENQVIRED OF, BY THE MINISTER, CHVRCH-WARDENS AND SIDE-MEN, OF EVERY PARISH WITHIN THE ARCHDEACONRY OF LONDON.  
WHICH WERE GIVEN IN CHARGE, IN the annual Visitation of the Right worshipful Mr. Theophilus Allmer. Doctor of divinity, Archdeacon of LONDON, in the year of our Lord GOD, one thousand six hundred and twenty.  
LONDON, ❧ Printed by Thomas Purfoot.( 1620.)   

A BRANCH OF THE STA●ute made in the first year of the reign of our late sovereign Lady queen ELIZABETH, entitled an Act for the uniformity of Common Prayer, and service of the Church.  
THat from and after the feast of the nativity of S. John Baptist next coming, all and every person, and persons inhabiting within this realm, or any other the queens majesties dominions, shall ●●ligently& faithfully( having no lawful or reasonable ●●cuse to be absent) endeavour themselves to resort to their Parish Church, or chapel accustomend, or vpon reasonable let therof, to some usual place where Common Prayer, and such like service of God shall be used in such time of let, vpon every Sunday, and other dayes ordained and used to be kept as holidays, and then and there to abide orderly, and soberly during the time of Common Prayer, preaching, or other service of God, there to be used and ministered, vpon pain of punishment by the censures of the Church; and also vpon pain that every person so offending, shall forfeit for ●uery such offence twelve pence, to bee levied by th● Churchwardens of the Parish where such offence sha●● be done, to the use of the poor of the same Parish, 〈◇〉 the goods, lands, and Tenements of such offendor, b●● way of distress. And for due execution hereof, th● queens most excellent majesty, the Lords temporal● and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, do in Gods name earnestly require and charge al● Arch-Bishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries, that the shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of thei● knowledge, that the true and due execution hereof ma●● be had throughout their diocese, and charges, as 〈◇〉 they will answer before God, for such evils and plagues wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his people, for neglecting this good and wholesome law.   

The form of the Oath to be ministered unto the Church-wardens onely.  
YOu shall swear, that you shall duly and faithfully administer, and dispose of the Stock, and goods belonging to your Parish Church, which shall come to your hands and possession, to and for the best benefit of your Church; and in the end of your office of Church warden-ship, you shall make a true, just, and perfect account thereof; and yield, and deliver the remainder thereupon, into the hands, and custody of those persons who shall succeed you in the same Office, So help you God, and his faithful promises in Iesus Christ.   

The form of the Oath to be ministered unto the Church-wardens, and Side-menioyntly.  
YOu shall swear, that you, and every of you, shall duly consider, and diligently inquire of all these Articles given you in charge, and that all favour, hatred, hope, fear, or any other corrupt affection set aside, you shall present unto us, or our official, all and every such person which now is, or lately was in your Parish, as haue committed any offence, or default comprised in any of these Articles, or which are vehemently suspected or defamed of any such offence, or default. Wherein you shall deal according to an upright conscience, neither presenting, nor sparing to present any person 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 his faithful promises in Iesus Christ.   

The charge of you the Church-wardens and Side-men, set down for the better performance of your duties, and discharge of your OATHS.  
YOu are straightly charged, that within the space of one week 〈◇〉 the farthest, next ensuing this your admission, by us, or our authority, into this your Office; and after the same, once in every month at the least, during your said Office, you do diligently 〈◇〉 carefully read, or hear to beread, and duly consider of all, and every of these subsequent Articles, now given you in charge; and also tha● you do diligently and carefully endeavour to inquire, and know a●● offences and offenders, against the same Articles. Which being we●● observed, you shall be readily prepared to disburden your consciences in this behalf.  
And that at fit seasons you do meet together, and confer with you● Minister about, and require him to be assistant unto you, in the true understanding, and detecting of sin, and the breach of his majesties laws ecclesiastical established; that so condign punishment may be inflicted on the offenders, and their reformation be effected. Your Minister being deeply charged in this behalf, in, and by the 26. Canon ecclesiastical, lately ordained.  
And lastly, that in your presentments to be made, you do specifi 〈◇〉 the fault, or crime, proper name, and surname, trade or profession, and place of dwelling of every person presented. And that you shal bring your first general presentment vpon all the said Articles, into Christ-Church in London, in the forenoon, between the houres of eight, and eleven of the clock, on the three and twentieth day of September, Anno Dom. 1620. and your last general presentment on the Tuesday Senight immediately ensuing after Easter day next, according to the tenor of the 118. Canon, or else then, and there to appear personally, to show the cause of your default therein.  
Intimating unto you further, that you may( besides those general presentments) present offenders as often as you shall think meet, as by the 116. Canon is prescribed.   

ARTICLES TO BE ENQVIred of by the Minister, Churchwardens, and Side-men, within the Archdeaconry of LONDON.  

Concerning the Church.  
WHETHER haue you in your Church all things requisite for the Common Prayer, and due administration of the Sacraments, according to his majesties laws, and Canons ecclesiastical lately established? and namely, a faire Bible, the book of Common Prayer lately ordained onely to be used, a Font of ston set 〈◇〉 in the ancient usual place, a decent Communion table standing ●●●n a frame, with a Carpet of silk, or some other seemly stuff, 〈◇〉 a faire linen cloth to lay thereon at the time of the Communi●●, a faire Communion cup with a cover of silver, a decent Pulpit ●ith a cloth and Cushion for the same, a convenient Pulpit or seat to ●ade service in, a comely large surplice, a strong Chest for alms for 〈◇〉 poor, having three locks and keys, and another Chest for keeping 〈◇〉 the Ornaments of the Church,& the Church Register book?& whe●●er haue you a Register book of Parchment, of all christenings, wed●●●gs, and burials? and whether is the same kept according to the ●●anous? and whether doth your Minister vpon every Sunday read 〈◇〉 names of such as haue been Christened, married, or butted the 〈◇〉 and before?  
2 Whether your Church, chancel, and Churchyard be kept in good ●●parations, as well within, as without? whether any profanation 〈◇〉 used in thē, or any man hath encroached vpon them?& whether your ●arsonage or Vicarage house, and all the housing thereunto belong●●g, be likewise maintained in sufficient reparations? If not, through ●hese default is it? and what is the defect?  
Whether haue you a Terrier of all the Gleabes, Lands, Mea●●es, Gardens, Orchards, Houses, stocks, Implements, Tenements, and portions of tithes lying within, or without your ●●rish; which belong unto your Parsonage or Vicarage, and in wh●●● hands it doth remain? If not, you shall together with your Mini●●● make diligent inquiry of all the premises, and exhibit with your 〈◇〉 presentment a true note of them in parchment, subcribed with y●● hands, specifying how they are buttalled and bounded, and in wh● accupation at this present they are?   

Concerning the Minister.  
4 WHether divine service be said in your Church by your ●●nister distinctly and reverently, on all sundays, and h●●● dayes appointed to be observed by the laws of England, and on th●● Eeues, and on Wednesdays and Fridays at convenient usual time and whether doth he in ministering the Sacraments, solemnizing 〈◇〉 Matrimony, visitation of the sick, burying the dead, churching of 〈◇〉 men, and all other Rites and offices of the Church, use the forms 〈◇〉 Prayers prescribed in the book of Common Prayers, without any ●mission or addition? and whether doth he read the book of Cano● once yearly, and were a surplice according to the Canon?  
5 Whether doth your Minister solemnly give warning to his P●rishioners for the administration of the holy Communion, and for t●●● observation of all holidays, and fasting dayes? and whether doth 〈◇〉 visit the sick,& exhort them to gius to the poor? and whether doth 〈◇〉 confer with Recusants in your Parish( if there be any) according 〈◇〉 the Canons? and whether doth he admit to the holy Communion a●● notorious offenders, schismatics, or strangers, or rei●ct any w●●●● are not by presentment, or public scandal infamous for some notor●ous crime? and whether doth he admit any Father to be Godfath●● to his own child, or any to be Godfathers and Godmothers, whi●● haue not received the holy Communion? and whether doth he not v●●● the signé of the cross in baptism, or doth baptize in any basin, or 〈◇〉 ther vessel, and not in the usual Font, or doth baptize in any childr●●● that were not born within the Parish? and whether doth he mar●●● any in any exempt place, or without Banes published three seuer●● sundays or holidays, or without a sufficient dispensation or licens●● or without licence in times prohibited, albeit the Banes were thre●● published, or not, between the houres of eight& twelve in the for noon, or( if the parties be under the age of One and Twenty yeare●● before their Parents or Cournors haue signified their consent 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 and whether doth he refuse to christen, or to bury, or deser the 〈◇〉 longer then he should? and whether by his default any child 〈◇〉 dyed without baptism in your Parish?  
6 Whether doth he preach, minister the Communion, baptize children, unless in case of necessity, solemnize marriage, or church ●●omen in private houses? or doth he keep or suffer any Fasts, pro●●hesies, Exercises, or exorcisms, without lawful authority? or doth he hold or suffer any private conventicles contrary to the Canons? and whether doth he frequent taverns, Alehouses, or any ●lace suspected for incontinency? or doth he table or lodge in any ●●ath house? or is he a common gamester at Dice, Cards, Tables, or any other unlawful game? or is he a swearer, or drunkard, or one that applieth not himself to his study, or is otherwise offensive, or standalous to his function, and ministry? or doth not he use derency in his apparel, as by the Canons he is enjoined?  
7 Whether is he continually resident vpon his bnfice? or how long time hath he been absent from the same? and( in case he he licenced to be absent) whether doth he cause his Cure to be sufficiently supplied according to the Canons? whether( if he be a Preacher allowed) doth he preach one sermon every Sunday, or( if not so allowed) doth he procure monthly Sermons, and read Homilies? and whether( not being so allowed) doth he expound any Scripture, or suffer any man to preach in your Church, whom you haue not well known to haue been sufficiently licenced, and who hath not first subscribed his name, together with the day when he did preach, and who was not soberly or decently appareled?  
8 Whether your Preacher and Lecturer read divine service, and minister the Sacraments twice in the year at the least, in his own person, according to the Canons? and whether doth he use the form of Prayer, before his Sermon, for the Kings most excellent majesty, exhorting the people to obedience to his majesty, and ●ther Magistrates in authority under him?  
9. Whether doth your Minister on sundays and holidays catechize the youth and ignorant persons in your Parish, according to the order prescribed in the beak of Common Prayer, and according to the Canons? and whether doth he in the Rogation dayes use the pera●bulation of the rircuite of the Parish, appointed by the law, according to his duty?  
10 Whether doth he every six moneths denounce in your Parish Church, all such of your Parish as dot persevere in the sentence 〈◇〉 Excommunication, not see king to be absolved? and whether hat● he admitted any such Excommunicate person to the Communion or to the Church, without Certificate of his absolution: and whether doth he, or any of your Parish, familiarly frequent the company of any such excommunicate person?   

Concerning Parishioners.  
11 WHether any of your Parishioners one not cause their children, seruants, and Apprentices to come to their Minister vpon sundays and holidays, to be instructed in the Ga●iechsme by him? and whether any of them refuse or neglect to come, or coming, refuse to learn those instructions set forth in the book of Common Prayer? and what be the names of them so not causing, or refusing?  
12 Whether any of your parishioners, or other strangers sojourning, lodging, or commonly resorting to any house within your Parish, being above sixteen yeares of age, do wilfully or negligently absent themselves from your Parish Church, vpon sundays, or holidays, at Morning and evening prayer? or who come very late to Church vpon the said dayes? or who depart from Church before the divine service be finished? or who do not reverently behave themselves during the time of divine service, devoutly knoeling at such times as the general confession of sins, the litany, the ten Commandements, and all prayers and Collects are red? and what Men, youths, and Boyes, during all that time, haue not had their heads wholly vncouered, except in case of apparent sickness? and who do use any game or pastime abroad, or in any house, or do sit in the street, or Churchyard, or in any tavern or Victualling house, vpon any of those days in the time of divine service? and who haue quarreled, brawled, or used violence to any person within your Church, or Churchyard? and who haue used filthy and profane talk, or other rude and immodest behaviour? and what be the names of the offenders herein?  
13 Whether there be any of, or within your Parish, being sixteen yeares of age, and upward, that do not receive the holy Communion in your Church thrice in this year at the least, and chiefty once at Caster next? and whether any of your Parish do not devoutly kneel at the receiving thereof? and whether doth not your ●●nister receive it himself? on every day that he administereth it to 〈◇〉, and use the words of Institution at every time that the Bread ●●●ine is administered? and whether haue all those persons which ●●●●e been partakers of the holy Communion, signified their names ●nto the Minister, or unto some other person by him thereunto appointed oner-night, or else in the morning before the beginning of Morning prayers, according to the form prescribed in the book of Common Prayers aforesaid, to the intent that the Minister, and all ●thers appointed to haue the charge and care thereof, may fully be ●●vertised, and take notice( in due time) of all them that haue ●●éne Communicants, and of all them that haue not been Communicants at the time and times appointed for the same? To which purpose, that the people may be prepared so to do, the Minister shall give public warning thereof in the Church, on the next Sunday before the Communion shall be celebrated. And whether do yourselves diligently observe your office, in marking what persons of or within your Parish offend against this, and the next precedent Article, in due presenting of their names?  
14 Whether any in your Parish having a Preacher to their person, Uicar, or Curate, do absent themselves from his Sermons, and resort to other places to hear other Preachers? and whether any having been ordained Prieff, or Deacon, hath relinquished the same, and betaken himself to a course of life as a Lay man? And whether any( not being in Orders) do openly read common Prayer, or execute any ministerial duty in the Church, and what be their names?  
15 Whether there be any that do publicly or privately speak against the book of Common Prayer, depraving the same, or any therein contained? or do so speak against, or deprave any of the Articles of Religion, agreed vpon in Anno Dom. 1562? or against the Kings rovall supremacy in causes ecclesiastical? or against any of the Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England? or against the government of the said Church of England, under the kings most excellent majesty, by Archbishops, Bishops, deans, Archdeacon●, and other Officers thereunto lawfully appointed, 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 that be Authors, or Maintainers of schism, or any persons in their houses, to eat, drink, or play at any game during the time of divine service, or Sermon on those dayes? an● you are to specify the offences, and offenders.  
24 Whether do any in your Parish familiarly frequent th●● company of excommunicate persons? and whether doth your Minister, or any of your Parish, without consent of your Ordinary, cause any to do penance? or to be censured or punished by any vestry meetings, or otherwise by their own authority? or one or haue taken any money for any crime or matter punishable by the ecclesiastical laws? and you are to specify the names of them that haue been so punished, and in what manner, and vpon what cause.  
25 Whether haue you, and every of you the Churcwardens, and Sidemen, within the space of one week next and immediately ensuing your admission( by us, or our authority) into this your Office, and sithence the same, once in every month at the least, diligently and carefully rea●y, or hear red, and duly considered of all and every of these Articles given you in charge? and whether haue you, and every of you diligently and carefully endeavoured to inquire and know the offences and offenders, against any of the contents of these Articles? and whether haue you duly presented all and every of them, unto us the Archdeacon of London your Ordinary, or unto our official, according to your several oaths, by us, or our authority in this behalf, administered unto you? and if any one, or more of you the Churchwardens, and Sidemen, do know, or haue heard of any fault enquired of in these Articles, or of any other crime( the reformation whereof belongeth to the ecclesiastical Zurisdiction) happening from the five and twentieth day of March. Anno Dom. 1620. that then you shall inform one another thereof. and shall likewise present the same, by virtue of your oaths taken as aforesaid.  
Whether haue you the Churchwardens, and Sidemen, at fif seasons, met togethers, and( in the presence of your Minister) conferred of your presentments to be made vpon, and your answers unto every of these preceding Articles? and whether haue you required your Minister, to be present with you, and to assist you at those times? In●●mating hereby, that if you will not present, according to your o●●●s, and charge, your Minister may himself present unto us, or●●● official, such faults and crimes as are before particularly enquired of, in these precedent Articles, for the due refornation of the same  
WHereas in diuers great Parishes within the Archdeaconry of London, multitudes of people usually come to receive the holy C●●●nunion, some of whom are persons excommunicated: It is thought to be very convenient, that in every Parish the names of all such persons excommunicated, be always kept in writing, from time to time. That so the Minister( when he is to administer that holy Sacrament) may thereby be remembered of those persons excommunicated, and so avoyde them.  
FINIS.