¶ certain necessary Articles set out by the Archbishop of york and his Associates, Commissioners in causes ecclesiastical, to be observed in the diocese of york. 1582. Martij. 3.  
WHereas not withstanding the great plenty of knowledge which in these daies of the gospel it hath pleased God to power forth among us in most bountiful maner: yet diuers of the people in many places remain still in ignorance and Superstition, not much regarding godly instruction, and withdrawing themselves more and more from divine service on the sabbath daies and other Hollidaies by law appointed, vpon every triefling occasion, which rather following their own phantasy, and seeking their own pleasures, then studying to serve God according to his laws. We haue thought good on the behalf of the glory of God, and for the souls health of the people, to haue a special regard to this matter, and by the authority of the high Commission for causes ecclesiastical to us committed, to provide that the good and godly laws on that behalf made, bee more diligently put in execution, upon pain of such censures, punishments, and fines, as by the queens Maistes laws and her highnesse Commission to us directed are already provided: and so much the rather at this present, because of the want of convenient instruction, and by means of so much absenting themselves from the Church, and the needful exercises of Religion used therein, diuers of them do become in the end wilful recusantes, and very evil subiectes besides: as diuers examples of late haue given sufficient testimony thereof.  
We therfore, Edwin by the grace of God, Archbishop of york, Primate of England, and metropolitan, and other our Associates her majesties Commissioners for causes ecclesiastical within the province of york: whose names are under written, do in the name of God most instantly require, and by virtue of her majesties Commission afore said, to us and others directed most straightly, charge and command that these few points ensuring, be more diligently observed of all, as unto every one it shall appertain.  
FIrst, 
That Ministers do their duty.  that all which are of the ministery, do not only read unto the people distinctly and reverently divine service and Homilies, and( such as are able and aucthorised) preach unto them likewise as is appointed, but also that they catechize the younger sort as is prescribed, teaching them both to say it by heart and to understand the same in reasonable maner: And that in quiet and gentle maner they likewise teach the residue of their parish( so many 〈◇〉 already cannot do it) the Articles of the faith, the ten commandments, and the Lords prayer, both to say them by heart, and in some good measure also to understand them, and that they do it in so diligent and faithful maner, as becometh & behoveth those which are to give account of the same in the day of the Lord.  
Secondly, 
That the people keep Church and catechism.  that the people themselves together with their children and servants come diligently both to morning and evening prayer: and that then and there they give diligent ear withal reverence to the word of God, and that they haue their servants and children at convenient time in the afternoon at evening prayer, as is already appointed, to the catechism, to be instructed and examined therein: and themselves likewise so oft as they may conveniently be also there, to hear those things expounded for their own instruction, that so they may be more ready to come to the Lords Table so often and accordingly, as by law they are bound at the least.  
Thirdly, 
That church wardens take the forfeiture of absentes.  that the Church wardens bee not absent themselves neither from Morning nor evening prayer without special cause: and in such case, that they haue some of their honest neighbors sufficient for the office to supply their rooms. And that they diligently mark what householders or others of their families are absent either from divine service or catechism, or otherwise misbehaue themselves there, that after service together with their Minister they take a note thereof in writing( especially of the chiefest offenders) and after levy of them by way of distress the for faiture by Statute appointed( if they haue not lawful and reasonable cause of their absence) as they are by Statute directed: and that they bestow the same on the poor as accordingly is appointed: And that if any Churchwardens make default herein, the Minister certify us thereof in convenient time, that reformation thereof be not overlong delayed.  
Fourthly, 
That church wardens keep a note thereof.  that the Churchwardens shall keep a continual account of such sums so received and bestowed, and once every quarter of the year make by those accounts to their own proper Ministers in writing: and that done, lay the same up in the common Chest under safe custody to be in a readiness to be shewed to the said Archbishopp and his said Associates, or to three of them; so often as they shall think good to call for the same, or otherwise to be shewed to such as they shall think good from time to time to appoint for the better execution thereof and ease of the people, that so the offenders therein may be known and punished accordingly.  
Lastly, wee exhort and require all Preachers lawfully aucthorised, that they do not onely look to their own charge, but also so much as conveniently they can, help to supply the want which is in their next and nigh neighbours not able by themselves to feed their flock. And we also charge & command the Churchwardens that they suffer none to preach, or serve as Curate, unless they bee allowed and lawfull● licenced thereunto by sufficient authority.  


Edwyne Eborum.  
William Palmer.  
matthew Hutton.  
Henry wight.  
Ro. Lougher.  
Ry. Percy.