ARTICLES To be inquired of in the Diocese of Carlisle IN THE VISITATION OF THE Right Reverend Father in God EDWARD LORD BISHOP of CARLISLE An. Dom. 1666.  
LONDON, Printed for T. Garthwait, at the Kings-Head in St. Pauls Church-yard, M.DC.LXVI.   

The tenor of the Oath to be tendered to the Church-Wardens and Side-men.  
YOU shall swear diligently to inquire, and true Presentment make of all such Defaults and Offences as are by you Enquirable by the Laws Ecclesiastical of this Realm. So help you God.   

ARTICLES OF ENQUIRY Within the DIOCESE of CARLISLE.  

Tit. I. Concerning Churches or chapels, with the Ornaments, Furniture and Possessions belonging to them.  
1. IS the fabric of your Church( or chapel) with all things appertaining to it, kept in good repair within and without, in such order and decency, and free from all profanation, as becometh the House dedicated to the public worship of God?  
2. IS there in the Church( or chapel) a Font of ston, standing in the usual, ancient place, with a Cover to it, for the Administration of Baptism? Is there also a Communion Table conveniently placed and secured from abuses, covered with a fair Carpet of Silk, or other decent Stuff, in time of Divine Service; and with a fair linen Cloth, at the time of administering the Sacrament? What Cup, Chalice, Paten or Flagons, have you belonging to that Service?  
3. HAVE you in your Church( or chapel) a convenient Seat for the Minister to red Divine Service in? And a Pulpit with a decent Cloth or Cushion for the same? Have any Pews or Seats been erected by any private person of his own Authority, without leave from the Ordinary?  
4. HAVE you a large Folio Bible of the last Translation, with the Book of Common-Prayer last set forth, well bound? Have you the Book of Homilies set forth by Authority, the Book of Canons, and the Table of Degrees allowed and prohibited in Marriage; the Thirty nine Articles, and Bishop Jewel's works? Or have any of these been lost or imbezilled?  
5. HAVE you a Register-book of Parchment, for all who are Christened, Married and butted in the Parish, in which are set down the Names of the Parties, with the Day, Month and Year of each Christening, Marriage and Burial? Is the Transcript thereof every year, within one month after the Twenty fifth of March, carried into the Bishops Registry?  
6. HAVE you a Paper-book, in which the Names of Strangers who Preach or Officiate in the Church( or chapel) are set down, as directed Canon 52; and another Book for the Church-wardens accounts?  
7. HAVE you a fair Surplice for the Minister to wear at all times of his public Ministration, provided at the charge of the Parish?  
8. HAVE you a Chest for Alms, with three Locks and Keys, and another Chest to keep the Books and Ornaments of the Church, used as is directed Canon 70, and 84?  
9. IS the Church-yard sufficiently fenced with Walls, Pales, or Rails, and decently kept from all Annoyance and Encroachments; Are the Trees therein preserved?  
10. IS the Mansion-House of your Minister, with all other Houses thereto belonging, kept in good Repair? Have any of them been pulled down or defaced? Have any Encroached upon the Land thereto belonging, or felled the Trees therein growing?  
11. HAVE you a perfect Terrier of all Glebe-lands, Gardens, Orchards and Tenements, belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage; also a particular List of such Pensions, tithes, Augmentations by any Bishops, or Deans and Chapters, or other yearly profits( either within or without the Parish) as belong thereto? How are they settled or secured? Are any of them withheld from your Minister, as you know, or have heard, and by whom? Is a true copy of your Terrier transmitted to the Bishops Register?  
12. HAVE any of the ancient Glebe-lands belonging to the Parsonage or Vicarage, been taken away, or alienated by Sale or Exchange, without licence from the Ordinary, and free consent of the Incumbent? Are any of them so Occupied by the Patron, his Assignee, or Assignees?   

Tit. II. Concerning Ministers.  
1. IS your Minister Episcopally Ordained Deacon or Priest according to the Laws of the Realm of England? Is he defamed or suspected to have obtained his Orders or bnfice by any Simoniacal compact? Hath he been legally instituted and inducted into his bnfice? And did he within Two Months after his Induction, publicly red in the Church, in the time of Divine Service, the Thirty nine Articles of Religion, established in the Church of England? And did he then and there declare his Assent thereunto? Hath he declared his unfeigned assent and consent to the use of all things contained in the Book of Common-Prayer, and red the Ordinaries Certificate of his Subscription to the Declaration, according to the Act of uniformity?  
2. HATH your Minister been licenced to preach by the Arch-bishop, Bishop of this diocese, or either of the two universities? Doth he diligently red Divine Service, and preach every Lords Day in the Church, unless hindered by sickness, or reasonable absence? And in such case doth he procure some lawful Minister to red prayers, to preach, and perform other Ministerial Duties? Doth he Four times in the Year preach of the Kings Supremacy, and red and observe his Majesties Declaration set out 1662?  
3. HATH your Minister( or other who preached in the Church) published in his Sermons any Doctrine which is new, strange and disagreeing from the Word of God, and the Articles of the Christian Faith, or any thing against the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, or the Government of it, as it is now established? Doth he use before his Sermon the Form of Prayer prescribed by the Fifty fifth Canon? Doth he in his Preaching, soberly and sincerely divide the Word of Truth, to the glory of God, and the edifying the people?  
4. DOTH your Minister in the Morning and Evening-Service, in the Administration of the Sacraments, and in performing other Religious Offices appointed by the Church of England, use the respective Forms in the Book of Common-Prayer, without altering, adding or diminishing, upon any pretence, together with all those Rites and Ceremonies which are enjoined in this Church? And doth he make use of the Surplice when he reads Divine Service, or Administers the Sacraments?  
5. Doth your Minister diligently catechize the youth of his Parish every Sunday and Holiday before Evening-Service? Doth he prepare and procure thom( as occasion is offered) to come and be confirmed by the Bishop? And doth he confer with, and endeavour to reclaim all Popish Recusants, and all Sectaries, in your Parish, to the true Religion?  
6. IS your Minister a Man of sober, unblamable and exemplary life? Is he grave, modest and regular in his outward demeanour and apparel, according to the Constitutions of the Church ( Cannon 74?) Or is his carriage, conversation, or company in any kind whatsoever, disorderly, or scandalous, and unbeseeming his Calling and Charge?  
7. IS your Minister ready to visit the Sick? Doth he examine, admonish, exhort, comfort and absolve, according to the Order prescribed? Hath he revealed what any have confessed for the unburthening of their consciences, and receiving spiritual consolation? Doth he baptize Infants in danger of death, if desired? Is any Infant, or more aged person in the Parish yet unbaptised by his default? Have those Children which have been Baptized in private houses by the Minister of the Parish, afterward been brought into the Church; and did the Minister there certify the Congregation, That the true Form of Baptism was by him privately before used? Or if any Children in the Parish have been baptized privately by any other lawful Minister, have those Children been brought to your Church? And hath the Minister of the Parish there examined, whether such Children were lawfully Baptized or not? Doth your Minister refuse to give the Sacrament to any in the Parish, and for what cause? or doth he give it to such as are scandalous, not well instructed, or notorious sinners, or to any Excommunicate persons? Doth he duly Administer the Blessed Sacrament three times every year at the least, whereof Easter to be one, and give due warning before?  
8. DOTH your Minister mary any persons in private houses, or such as are under age, not having the consent of their Parents and Guardians? doth he mary any without Banes first published three Sundays or Holidays, in the Church? Or at Prohibited times or hours, without Licence so to do, granted by lawful Authority?  
9. DOTH your Minister duly bid and observe Holidays and Fasting-days, as is appointed? Are the Fifth of November, the Thirtieth of January, and the Twenty ninth of May, and all days appointed for Fasting and Humiliation duly observed? Doth he the First day of Lent red the Commination and forms of Prayer appointed? the litany on Wednesdays and Frydays throughout the year, and observe the Ember and Rogation weeks by prayer and Perambulation? Hath he taken upon him to appoint any Private Fasts, or Religious Exercises without lawful Authority? Doth he, or any other( Minister, or Lay-person) in your Parish, hold any Conventicles, or pretended Religious Meetings for people of several Families to resort unto, contrary to the Laws in that Case provided?  
X. IS your Minister constantly Resident among you, and how many weeks in the year hath he been absent from his bnfice? Hath he a Curate to assist him in his absence or presence? Is that Curate in Holy Orders, and hath he a licence from the Bishop to serve the said Cure? Doth he carry himself in all things as an able and discreet Minister, and Conformable to the Church of England? Doth he serve any more Cures beside that of your Parish, and at what distance? what stipend hath he? and is it duly paid? and doth any not being in holy Orders, or not duly licenced, presume to preach, or red public Prayers in the Church, or to Administer the Sacraments?  
XI. IS there in your Parish any Lecturer? Is he in Orders, and duly licenced? Doth he red Divine Service before his Lecture; and is he conformable to the Discipline of the Church of England?  
XII. DOTH your Minister every Six Moneths publicly denounce all such as persevere in the Sentence of Excommunication, not seeking to be absolved? Have any Excommunicate persons been received into the Church, without a Certificate from the Ordinary of their Absolution? Or any so dying, butted with Christian Burial?   

Tit. III. Concerning Parishioners.  
1. ARE there any in your Parish who are reputed heretics or schismatics, refusing Communion with the Church of England? Any Impugners of the Religion established, of His Majesties Supremacy, or of any the Laws, Rites, and Ceremonies Ecclesiastical? Have any spoken or declared any thing in derogation, or to the depraving of the Form of Gods worship in the Church of England, and Administration of the Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer, as it is now established by Law?  
II. ARE there any in your Parish, who lye under a common famed, or vehement suspicion of Adultery, Fornication, or Incest? Are there any common Drunkards, Swearers, or Blasphemers of Gods holy Name and Word? Are there any Excommunicate persons, or any who countenance, or keep company with them? What punishment for any such offences have been commuted and exchanged into a Pecuniary mulct or sum of money by any Ecclesiastical judge, exercising jurisdiction within this Diocese, by virtue of any Grant or Commission? What was the sum of Money by them or any of them so received and taken, and to what uses was the same bestowed?  
III. DO any of your Parish profane the Lords Day by neglecting of public Holy Duties, or by doing the works of their ordinary Calling, or using unlawful Recreations, or permitting their Children and Servants so to do? Do they duly observe other Holidays, Festivals and Fasts appointed by Authority?  
IV. Do all those who inhabit in your Parish, duly resort to your Church( or chapel) and continue there during Divine Service, Sermon, and other Holy Duties, with that Reverence, Order, and Decency, as befits devout Christians? or have any occasioned Riot, Clamour, or Fighting in the Church at any time? are there any Recusants, convicted Papists, Quakers, Anabaptists, or Sectaries in your Parish? do they or any of them keep any School-Master in their house, who cometh not to Church to hear Divine Service, and receive the Holy Communion?  
V. Are there any in your Parish, who refuse to have their Infant Children Baptized by your Minister? or do they keep them unbaptised longer then the Church allows? and what Infants or more aged persons are there in your Parish unbaptised?  
VI. Do all your householders duly sand their Children, Apprentices, and Servants to be catechized? and do they take care( when occasion is offered) they should be confirmed by the Bishop?  
VII. Is there any person in your Parish so confirmed and instructed, and being 16 years of age, who refuseth to receive the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper at least three times in every year, whereof Easter to be one? and do all receive this Sacred Mystery with that outward Gesture, Humility, and Reverence, as becomes them, meekly kneeling upon their Knees according to the Order and Custom of the Church?  
VIII. Are there any in your Parish who are known or suspected to be unlawfully Married, contrary to the laws of God and this Church? or being within degrees of Affinity or Consanguinity prohibited? Are there any who being lawfully Married( and never divorced) do yet live asunder? Or any who being lawfully divorced, do live together again? Or being separated for Adultery, have afterwards Enter-married with any other during the life of their first Consort?  
IX. Are there any Married women in your Parish, who after their safe delivery from Child-birth, refuse to make their humble and public Thanksgivings to God, according to the appointment of the Church?  
X. Are there any of your Church who refuse to pay their Easter offerings, and other duties to your Minister, or to pay the Rates assessed on them, for the repair and provisions of the Church?  
XI. Do you know, or have you heard of any Patron or other Person in your Parish, who, having the Gift of an Ecclesiastical bnfice, hath made gain thereby, upon bargain either for Money, Pension, Lease, Reserve of tithes or Glebe, or other Simoniacal Compact whatsoever?  
XII. Do any among you refuse to bury their Dead according to the Rites of the Church of England? Are there any wills of deceased persons unproved, or Goods not administered? Do you know of any Legacies given to yours or any other Church, or to the Poor, or to other Charitable uses, not yet received by you, or detained from you, or not applied to the charitable uses appointed?   

Tit. IV. Concerning the Officers belonging to the Church.  
I. Are the Church-wardens of the Parish yearly chosen according to Law? Have the former and last Church-wardens with the advice and direction of the Minister, provided for the Communion, at the charge of the Parish, a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread, and of good and wholesome Wine? And have they taken care that such who commonly absent from Divine Service, without sufficient cause pay 12 d. for every such absence, being by warrant from some of the Iustices of the peace, levied by way of distress upon their Goods, according to the Act of Parliament in that case provided? Have they given up their accounts to those that succeed them, together with all moneys and other things belonging to your Church or chapel?  
II. Have you a Parish Clerk, aged 20 years at least, who is of a sober life and good report? Is he chosen by your Minister, and approved by the Parish, and is he able for reading, writing, and singing, as a Clerk? Are his wages duly paid him?  
III. Doth he or your Sexton take care of your Church, to keep it locked and clean, to open the Doors, and ring the Bells in due time, to call the parishioners to the worship of God? also is admonish them by talling of a passing Bell for any that are dying, thereby to meditate of their own Death, and to commend the others weak condition to the Mercy of God?   

Tit. V. Concerning alms-houses, Schools, and School-masters, Physitians, chirurgeons, and Midwives.  
1. IS there any Hospital, alms-house, or Free-School founded in your Parish? Are they so governed and ordered in the use and Revenue as the Founders appointed, according to the Ordinances and Statutes which have been made concerning the same? Have you any Church-stock? In whose hands is it? Is it well secured and duly employed, if not in whom is the default?  
II. Doth any man keep a public or private School in your Parish? Is he of sober, honest, and religious conversation? Is he or they licenced and allowed thereunto by the Bishop? Hath he subscribed the Articles as required by the 36. & 77 Canons, and to the Declaration and acknowledgement specified in the late Act for uniformity? Doth he instruct his Scholars in the Catechism and Religion of the Church of England? and comform to the 79 Canon? Is there any Woman that taketh upon her to instruct and Educate any young Maidens? Doth she resort duly, and bring with her to Divine Service, upon the Lords day and Holidays, all such young Maidens as are committed to her care.  
III. Do any in your Parish practise physic, Chirurgery, or Midwifery without licence from the Ordinary?   

Tit. VI. Touching Ecclesiastical Officers.  
I. ARe there any Ecclesiastical Officers, that Exercise Ecclesiastical jurisdiction within this Diocese, that take and receive any extraordinary Fees for any Cause? or that have any ways offended against the Laws and Canons Ecclesiastical? Have abuses or offences been presented by Church-wardens? And are such offences being presented, suppressed or lest unpunished?  
II. Have any Apparitors neglected their duty, or taken any reward for the concealing of any offence, or the avoiding the punishment of the Offenders? And do they summon any without a citation first had?  
IF you know any other Default or Crime of Ecclesiastical Cognizance, you are to present the same.  
THe Minister of every Parish may join in Presentments with the Church-wardens and Sidemen; and if they will not present, then the Ministers themselves( being the persons that have the chief care for the suppressing of Sin and Impiety in their Parishes) may present the Crimes aforesaid, and such things a shall want due Reformation. Can. 113.  
EDWARD CARLIOL.