ARTICLES TO BE ENQUIRED OF WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF LINCOLN, In the General and Triennial Visitation OF THE Right Reverend Father in God WILLIAM By Divine Permission Lord Bishop of that DIOCESE, Anno Dom. 1671. Et Translationis suae Anno Quarto. In the SAVOY, Printed by Tho. Newcomb 1671. THe Churchwardens are not to put off the making of their Presentments to the very day of the Bishop's Visitation, but at some convenient time before, the Minister, Churchwardens, and Sidemen, are to read over these Articles of Enquiry diligently. The Minister at the reading of each Article, is to ask the Churchwardens and Sidemen what they can present concerning that Article, and accordingly to write and set it down. And to avoid all Errors in drawing up the Bill of Presentment, it is to be made according to this following Form, or as near unto it, as conveniently may be; and to be given up in a Sheet of Paper, viz. A Direction for the Churchwardens to draw up, their Presentations. At the Lord Bishop of Lincoln's Visitation held at the day of 1671. WE the Churchwardens and Sidemen of _____ have diligently perused all the particulars contained in the First Title of the Book of Articles; and we present _____ And otherwise we have nothing to present concerning that Title. Also we have perused the Second Title, and we present _____ And so the Third, until the Book be gone through. And under all, let every Church-wurden and Side-man write or subscribe his own hand or mark to the Presentment, and so deliver it; for it will be required of them to give an Answer thus particularly unto every Title of these Articles, if not to every particular Article in the Book. THe Minister of every Parish, both may and aught to join with the Churchwardens, or other sworn Men, for the Presenting of Offences; and if they be so irreligious as not to do it, the Minister of himself may and aught to present either the Offences, or the Churchwardens and Questmen, for not presenting the same; and is required in his Canonical Obedience so to do. And if (their Oath and all this punctual Direction and Advertisement notwithstanding) any Churchwardens or other sworn Men, shall follow the Customary manner, and be careless in enquiring and presenting as they ought, then shall they not be able hereafter to say; that they had not fair warning to the contrary given them in the spirit of Meekness, or to complain they are hardly dealt with, if (upon information and proof otherwise had) they be called to answer their wilful Perjury, in some other Court, or Course of Justice, for neglecting to inquire and present to all the particulars herein proposed. Lastly, with their Bill of Presentment they are to certify the Names of all Persons which have been married in their Parish since the 28th day of May last, by any Licence or Dispensation, and what Ecclesiastical Judge granted the same? And also the Name and Surnames of all Persons which since the same day have died possessed of any Goods in their Parish, and who do now possess the same, and by what Right? And this will be particularly required of all Churchwardens. The Oath ministered to the Churchwardens and Sidemen. YOu shall swear diligently and duly to inquire, and true Presentment make, so far as by Law you stand bound, of all Offences or Defaults mentioned in the Articles given you in charge, or otherwise against the Ecclesiastical Laws, together with the Names of the several Offenders therein: And that you will not present any person out of malice or ill-will, nor spare any for fear or favour. So help you God. ARTICLES to be enquired of in the Diocese of LINCOLN. TIT. I. Concerning the King's Supremacy and Authority. 1. IS there any who doth affirm or teach, Canon 1, & 2. 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? Or that doth impeach any part of his Royal Supremacy? Who is it, declare your knowledge herein, & c? 2. Is there any that doth affirm or teach, Canon 12. That it is lawful for any sort of Ministers and Lay Persons, or either of them, to join together and to 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? TIT. II. Concerning Churches and Chapels, with the Ornaments, Furniture, and Possession belonging to them. 1. IS your Parish Church or Chappel well and sufficiently repaired? Canon 85. Are the Windows well glazed, the Floor kept paved plain and even, and all things therein in such an orderly and decent sort without dust, or any thing that may be either noisome or unseemly? 2. Is there in the Church or Chappel a Font of Stone standing in the usual ancient place, with a Cover to it, Canon 81. for the Administration of Baptism? Can. 82. Is there also a convenient Communion Table, with a fair Carpet of Silk or other, decent Stuff, in the time of Divine Service, and with a fair Linen Cloth, at the time of Administering the Sacrament? Can. 20. What Cup, Chalice, Patin, or Flagons, have you belonging to that service? 3. Have you a fur Surplice for the Minister to wear at the time of his public Administration, Can. 58. provided and duly washed at the Charge of the Parish? 4. Have you in the Church or Chappel a convenient Seat or Pew for the Minister to read Divine Service in, Can. 83. and a Pulpit with a decent Cloth or Cushion for the same? Can. 99 A Bible of the last Translation in a large Volume, and two Books of Common Prayer well bound, one for the Minister and another for the Clerk, Can. 58. the Book of Homilies, the Book of Canons, and the Table of Degrees allowed and prohibited in Marriages? 5. Have you a Register Book in Parchment of all the Names and Surnames of all such as are Christened, Can. 70 with the Names and Surnames of their Parents, as also of such as are Buried and Married? And is the same kept in all Points according to the ancient use? And are the Names of all such Parties set down by your Minister every Lord's Day in the presence of the Churchwardens? Can. 52. Have you a Book of Paper, to record the Names, Surnames, and Licences of such Strangers as are admitted to preach in the Church or Chappel? And do such Strangers subscribe their Names? As also a third Book for the Churchwardens Accounts? Can. 89. And also a Chest with Locks and Keys, wherein to keep the said Books and the Furniture? And is the Transcript of all these Books yearly within one Month next after the 25th of March brought into the Bishop's Registry? 6. Is your Churchyard well and sufficiently fenced, maintained, Can. 85. and kept with Walls, Rails, or Pales, as hath been heretofore accustomed; and it not, by whose negligence or default is it that the Fences of the same are grown to decay? And are the Trees therein preserved? 7. Have any Persons encroached upon the ground of the Churchyard or other consecrated ground, if so, set out what quantity of ground is so encroached upon, and what new door hath been made out into the Churchyard? Except. in the Act of Indempn. 8. Do you know, or have you heard of any person who hath imbezzled, concealed, or converted to his own use, or sold to others any Ornaments, Utensils, or Materials, belonging to any Church, Chappel, Parsonage, or Vicarage House, during or since the late War? 9 Is the House of the Parson, Lind. lib. 1. 〈◊〉 Offic. Archid. Vicar, or Curate, (with all the Outhouses thereunto belonging) kept in good and sufficient repair? Or have any of the said Houses or Outhouses been defaced or pulled down without Licence from the Ordinary, and by whom? Hath any person encroached upon any Garden, Yard, or Close belonging to the Parsonage or Vicarage House? Or cut up any Trees growing thereon? Ibid. de Ecclesiast. Aedif. Or changed, or removed the Ancient Marks and Bounds of the same? 10 Have any of the ancient Glebe Lands belonging to the Parsonage or Vicarage been taken away or exchanged for other, Lind. lib. 3. de Rebus Ecclesiast. without the free consent of the Incumbent, and Licence from the Ordinary? Have any Enclosures been made in the Parish, to the detriment of the Church, by the decay of Tillage, and converting Arable Land into Pasture? By whom hath the same been made, and how many years since; and how much is your Parsonage or Vicarage damnified thereby in the yearly value thereof, as you know, believe, or have heard? TIT. III. Concerning Ministers. 1. IS the Minister, Curate, or Lecturer, Episcopally ordained? Can. 36. Is he licenced to preach by the Bishop or either of the Universities? 2. Is the Minister suspected to have obtained his Benefice by any Simonaical Contract? Hath he been legally inducted into the same? Q. Eliz. Injunct. 26. And did he within two Months after his Induction, Can. 40. publicly in your Church, upon some Sunday or Holiday, in the time of Divine Service, read the 39 Articles of the Church of England, established by Authority, and there publicly declare his assent thereunto? 3. Is the Minister constantly resident among you? Can. 47, and 48. Hath he an able and conformable Curate to assist him in his absence or presence? 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 the Parish, and at what distance? What is the name of your Curate, and what yearly Stipend doth your Minister allow him? 4. Have you in the Parish besides the Parson, Vicar, or Curate, Can. 55, and 56. Can. 54. any Lecturer or Lecturers, not having Cure of Souls therein? Doth your Lecturer conform himself to the Laws, Ordinances, and Rites Ecclesiastical established in the Church of England? Act of Parliament before the Common Prayer. Doth he at the place appointed for his Lecture, upon the first Lecture day of every Month, before his Lecture, openly, publicly, and solemnly read the Common Prayer and Service appointed to be read for that time of the day? And doth he as oft in every year administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper, in such manner and form, and with the observation of such Rites and Ceremonies as are prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer? 5. Doth your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, audibly and distinctly, with reverence and devotion, Can. 14 read all Morning and Evening Service, and in reading of the same, Administration of the Sacraments, Celebration of Marriage, Churching of Women after Childbirth, Visitation of the Sick, Burial of the Dead, and Pronouncing God's Commination against Impenitent Simers, use the form and words prescribed in the Common-Prayer, without any addition, omission, or alteration of the same? And doth he use all such Rites and Ceremonies in all parts of Divine Service, as are appointed in the said Book, so far as you have observed? 6. Doth your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, read the Canons of the Church publicly once every year; Can. 15. and doth he publicly read the Litany every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday in every Week? Doth he declare on the Sunday what holidays and Fasting days are in the Week following? Can. 64. And doth he and the Parishioners observe the same? Doth he give notice of the Communion, Banns of Matrimony, Can. 65. and Perambulation in Rogation Weeks, and read the Briefs and Excommunications delivered to him? 7. Doth your Parson, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, preaching or catechising in your Church or Chappel, declare or assert any Opinion or Doctrine Schismatical, Can. 51. Heretical, or Seditious, contrary to the Articles of the Church of England by Law established; thereby to seduce the People into Parties and Factions, to the disturbance of the Public Peace and Unity of the Church of State? 8. Hath your Minister taken upon him to appoint any Public or Private Fasts, Can. 72, and 73. Prophecying, or Exercises, not appointed by Authority? Or doth he or any other, either Minister or Lay Person, hold any Conventicles or Meetings in Private Houses within your Parish, for People of several Families to resort unto, under the pretence of Preaching, Praying, Thanksgiving or Humiliation, contrary to the Laws and Canons in that Case provided? 9 Doth your Minister, Can. 45, and 46. being licenced to preach himself, preach in your Church or Chappel one Sermon every Sunday in the year? Being no licenced Preacher, doth he procure Sermons to be preached in his Cure once every Month at the least by Preachers which are lawfully licenced: Or one of the Homilies set forth by Authority to be there read every Sunday by a Priest or Deacon? 10. Doth your Minister at the reading or celebrating any Divine Officeth your Church or Chappel wear the Surplice, Can. 58. together with such other Scholastical Habit as is suitable to his degree; and in preaching doth he wear a Gown? 11. Doth your Minister refuse or delay to christian any Child that it brought to him to the Church on Sundays or Holydays? Can 68 Doth he proceed therein in all things according to the Form of Public Baptism in the Common-Prayer Book? Or doth he permit any person to be Godfather or Godmother before he or she hath received the Holy Communion? Can. 29. 12. Doth your Minister, being duly informed of the weakness and danger of Death of any Infant unbaptised in his Parish; Can. 69. and being thereupon desired to go unto the place, and baptise the same, either wilfully refuse to do, or negligently delay the time; so that the Child departeth without Baptism through his default: Or if the Child so baptised do recover afterwards, is it brought into the Church by the Godfathers and Godmothers, to the intent that the Congregation may be satisfied of the Baptising thereof? 13. Doth your Minister diligently instruct the youth of your Parish in the Church Catechism 〈…〉, Can. 59, and 61. and doth he prepare and present them, being so instructed, to be confirmed by the Bishop? And doth he endeavour to reclaim all Popish Recusants and other Sectaries (if any such be inhabiting within your Parish) to the true Religion established in the Church of England, and to their bounden duty, in obeying the Law, and submitting to the Government thereof? Rubric for Confirmat. 14. Doth your Minister, as often as the Bishop giveth notice for Children to be brought to him for their Confirmation, either bring or send in Writing to the Bishop of the Diocese the Names of all those Children whom he thinks to be fit for Confirmation? 15. Doth your Minister, or any other in your Parish, celebrate Matrimony between any Persons, Can. 62. without Banes of Matrimony first published on three several Sundays or Holydays, except by special Licence granted duly and by lawful Authority; or at any other place than in the Church: and in the Church at any other time than between the hours of Eight and Twelve in the Forenoon: Can. 99 and at any time betwixt such Persons as are prohibited in the Table of Marriage, or are under the age of One and twenty years, without the consent of the Parents signified unto him, Can. 100 or of their Guardians and Governors, if the Parents be deceased? Or hath he married those, of whom neither party dwelleth in the Parish? 16. 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 (Majori Excommunicatione) for some grievous Crime, 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? 17. Is your Parson, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, a Man of sober, Can. 75. unblameable, and exemplary life? Doth he familiarly converse with ungodly, vicious, and excommunicate persons? Can. 62. Is he a frequenter of Taverns or Ale house 〈◊〉 Common Gamester, a Swearer, Railer, or Quarreller's Doll ho●se● Neighbor 〈…〉 one with another, or encourage them to Suits and Contentions? Is he noted to be an intemperate Drinker, or vehemently suspected of Incontinenty with any Person, either within the Parish or without? Doth he wear his Hair and Band of an immoderate and uncomely length? Is his Apparel gra●e and decent, Can. 74. as the Canons of the Church require; or is his Carriage and Conversation, in any kind whatsoever, disorderly or scandalous, and unbeseeming a Minister of Jesus Christ? TIT. IU. Concerning the Parishioners. 1. IS there in your Parish any person a known or reputed Heretic or Schismatic, Can. 110. any Papist, Familist, Anabaptist, Quaker, or other Sectaries, that refuse to come unto the Public Assemblies, Prayers, or Services of the Church, that makes Profession of any other Religion than what is established in the Church of England; and if there be any such, what are their Names? 2. Is there any person in your Parish that liveth under a common same, Can. 109. or vehement suspicion of Adultery, Fornication, or Incest? Are there any Common Drunkards within your Parish, or Common Swearers, or Blasphemers of God's Name; or any that are hoted to be Railers, unclean, or filthy Talkers, or Sowers of Sedition, Faction, and Discord amongst their Neighbours? 3. Do any of your Parish upon Sundays or Holydays, 5 & 6 Ed. 6. Chap. 3. Can. 13. follow their bodily and ordinary labour; or permit their Servants so to do, unless it be at the time of Harvest, or any other time when necessity requires? Are any Shops kept open, or Wares sold: Or do any Vintners, Innkeepers, or other Victuallers and Sellers of Beer or Ale, suffer any persons to tipple or game in their Houses upon those days? 4. Doth every person inhabiting and so journing within your Parish, 1. Q. Eliz. 2. duly resort unto your Church or Chappel, upon every Sunday and Holiday appointed for Divine Service; Do they then and there abide quietly, with reverence, Can. 18. order, and decency, during all the whole time of Common-Prayer, Preaching, or other Service of God there used: And are there any among you that come only to the Preaching, and not to the Common-Prayers of the Church? 5. Doth every person reverently uncover his head, Can. 18. and so continue all the time of Divine Service in the Church? Do they all reverently kneel at the Prayers, and stand up when the Creed and Gospel are read, making due reverence when the Name of our Lord Jesus is mentioned? Rubric of Baptism. 6. Are there any in your Parish that refuse to send their Infant-childrens to be baptised publicly in the Church, unless in case of urgent danger; in which case the Child may be baptised at home by a lawful Minister, after the Form and Rites appointed in the Liturgy? If baptised at home, by whom? Give his Name and Place of abode▪ Or do they send them from their own Minister, to be baptised in any other Parishes; or after other Form than is appointed? Or do they keep them unbaptised any longer time than the Church alloweth▪ and are there any Infants or more aged persons in your Parish, as yet unbaptised? 7. Doth every Housholder in your Parish cause their Children and Servants to come to Church to learn their Catechism, Can. 59 and to give an account thereof unto your Minister, as he shall require it of them openly in the Church upon Sundays and Holydays, as in the Book of Common-Prayer is appointed; that when they are well instructed in the same, they may be confirmed by the Bishop? 8. Is there any person in your Parish, Can. 112. who being sixteen years of age, and well-instructed in Religion, doth not receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, at least three times in the year, of which Easter is always to be one? Can. 114. Doth any in your Parish refuse to receive the same kneeling, or from the hands of your own Minister, repairing for it to other Parishes and Ministers abroad: Or are there any Strangers, not of your Parish, that forsake their own Churches, and usually repair to yours for it? 9 Have you any among you that be denounced and declared Excommunicate, Can. 65. for any Crime committed? How long have they been so excommunicated; and do any of your Parish keep society with them before they be reconciled to the Church and absolved? 10. Are there any in your Parish, Can. 99.8.1 who are known or suspected to be unlawfully married, contrary to the Laws of God and his Church? Or any living as Man and Wife, who are within the Degrees prohibited? Or any (who being lawfully married and never divorced) do yet live asunder: Or any who being lawfully divorced, Can. 107. do live together again: Or being separated for Adultery, have afterwards entermarried with any other, during the life of their first Consort? 11. Are there any Married-Women in your Parish, who, Rubric Com. Pray. after their Delivery from the Peril of Childbirth, refuse to make their Public Thanksgiving to God in the Church: And when they come so to do, do they come decently apparelled, and make their Offerings according to Custom? 12. Are there any belonging to your Parish, 27 Hen. 8.20. Rubric Com. Pray. who refuse to pay their duty for Easter-Offerings to your Minister: Or any that refuse to contribute and pay the Rate assessed upon them for the repair of your Church or Chapel; and for the providing of such Books, Furniture, and Ornaments, Can. 85. as be requisite for the performance of all Divine Offices there? Present the Names of such as do refuse. 13. Do any refuse to bury their Dead according to the Rites of the Church of England? Rubr. Do any bury their Dead in unconsecrated places? Can. 92. Name them. Are there any Wills or Testaments of Persons dead in your Parish, that be yet unproved; or any Goods administered, without a due Grant from the Ordinary? Lind. lib. 3. de Test. Did any dying in your Parish, or elsewhere, leave any Legacy to your Church or Chappel, to the use of the Poor, or any other Charitable Purposes: What were those Legacies, and how have they been bestowed? 14. Is there any strife and contention among any of your Parish for their Pews or Seats in the Church? Have any new Pews been erected in the Chancel, or in the Body of the Church or Chappel, without leave from the Ordinary? 15. Do you know, Act Parl. 1671. or have heard of any Person or Persons, who detain in their hands any Money collected for the Poor, afflicted by the late Plague or Burning of the City of London, what is the sum, and by whom is it detained? TIT. V. Concerning Ecclesiastical Officers. 1. DO you know that any Ecclesiastical Judge, Vide Oath. Can. 127. or any of the Registrars or Apparators, or other Officer belonging to the Ecclesiastical Courts, hath taken Rewards or Gifts for perverting Justice, or denied Justice to any man who lawfully required the same? 2. Do you know or have heard that any of the said Judges or Registrars, or any belonging to the said Courts, do favour any Popish or other Recusants, or do forbear to inquire, cite, denounce and censure them? 3. Have the said Ecclesiastical Judges appointed and constituted certain and determined Surrogates and Substitutes, Can. 128. such as are Persons of Gravity, Favourers of true Religion, and men of modest and honest Conversation? Or otherwise have they appointed persons scandalous for being addicted to Intemperance, Incontinence, or any kind of vice, or Persons that are Favourers, Promoters, or Assisters of Clandestine Marriages, or such as care not to preserve the necessary Discipline, and honour of the Church? 4. Whether hath the Chancellor, Commissaries, or any using Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction upon the Presentment or Information given unto him, of any foul Offences or Scandals in your Parish, not punished the Persons detected, so that the Congregation hath not been satisfied both of Justice done, and of the amendment of the Party, and who were the Parties committing the said Offences, as Incest, Adultery, Fornication, Drunkenness, Blasphemy, Heresy, Clandestine Marriage, Profaning of the Church, or such like? 5. Whether hath any Ordinary in the Diocese commuted the Penance of any Delinquent convicted? Vide Can. An. 1571. Tit. Cancellarii & Can. 1597▪ C. nequa, etc. Can. 115. What persons have so commuted, and how hath the Money been disposed of to Charitable Uses, as far as you know or have heard? 6. Whether do the Ecclesiastical Judges suffer any persons detected for Crimes, to sue and molest Churchwardens who detected them for the same? 7. Whether do you know or have heard that any of the said Judges, when the deceased died without a Will, Plowden, An. 7 Eliz. fol. 278. hath assigned any part of the Goods to Charitable Uses, and how have you known them to have been employed? 8. Whether in such Cases of dying without a Will, doth the Ecclesiastical Judge send out Intimation to summon the Creditors, Wife, Stat. 21 H. 8. Children, and Kindred to come and take Administration, and commit the same as far as the Law permits, not to needy persons, but to able men, and such as enter sufficient Bond, to preserve the Estate, and to answer all that is due, and save the Lord Bishop harmless? 9 Whether doth the said Judge Ecclesiastical when a Benefice is vacant, commit Sequestration to able men, that do answer and account truly for the mean profits? And whether are the Parishes during the vacancy well served with able Ministers? 10. Whether do you know, or have credibly heard, that the said Judges Ecclesiastical, Registers, or Apparators, do take any extraordinary or more Fees for Probate of Wills, Administrations, Accounts, Can. 135. Assignations of Portions or Citations, or for any other Act or thing done or sped by them, then are allowed by the Statutes of the Land, or any Fees greater than heretofore have been accustomed, in other Businesses belonging to their Courts? 11. Whether do you know, or have heard, Can. 134. that any Registrar of the said Courts hath sped any Act, or dismissed any Person detected, without the knowledge and actual consent of the Judge? 12. Doth the Chancellor, Commissary, or Official, Can. 103. & Constit. 1597. Tit? de moderandis Indulgentiis. or any of their Surrogates, carelessly, or for hope of gain, disperse or grant Licenses for the Celebration of Matrimony, until it do appear to the person himself who is Judge in these Cases, by the Oaths of two sufficient Witnesses, one of them known to the Judge, or to some person whom the Judge dares trust in this particular, That the express consent of the Parents or Parent (if one be dead) or Guardians, or Guardian of the Parties, is thereunto had and obtained, and until one of the Parties to be married have personally sworn that he believeth there is no let or impediment of Precontract, Kindred, or Alliance, nor any other lawful Cause, nor any Suit commenced in any Ecclesiastical Court, to bar or hinder the proceeding of the said Matrimony? 13. Whether is there in every place where Ecclesiastical Courts are Can. 136. kept, and also in the Registry of every such Office or Court a Table of Fees set up, that every one may read the same, containing all the Fees that every Officer of the Court ought to take, according to the Canon made at the Convocation under Archbishop Whitguift, An. Dom. 1597. 14. Whether are there more Apparators belonging to the Courts than the Law alloweth, Can. 138. or heretofore were accustomed? Whether do any of the Apparators buy or take to farm their Offices, or the execution of the same? Or do entrench upon the Office of the Judge? 15. Whether doth any person to your knowledge, or as you have heard, take upon him to execute both the places of Judge and Register, directly or indirectly? TIT. VI Concerning Parish-Clerks and Sextons. 1. HAve you belonging to your Church or Chappelry a Parish-Clerk, Can. 91. aged 21 years at least? Is he of honest life and conversation? and sufficient or able to perform his duty, reading, writing, and singing? Is he chosen by your Minister, and doth he duly attend him in all Divine Services at the Church? Are his Wages duly paid unto him? and who with holdeth the same from him? 2. Doth he or the Sexton (if there be any such appointed in your Parish) diligently look to the Doors of the Church, that they be locked and opened at due time; and doth he keep the Church or Chappel clean from dust, cobwebs, and other annoyances? Doth he toll or ring the Bells at the due accustomed hours before the beginning of Divine Service, Morning and Evening, that the people may be warned to come unto the Church? And when any person is passing out of this life, Canon 67. doth he upon notice given him thereof, toll a Bell, as hath been accustomed, that the Neighbours may thereby be warned to recommend the dying person to the grace and favour of God? TIT. VII. Concerning Hospitals, Schools, Schoolmasters, School-Mistresses, Physicians, Surgeons, and Midwives. 1. IS there in your Parish any Hospital, 2 Men. 5.1. Q. Eliz. A. 3, 4. Alms-house, or Free-School, not of the Kings, Foundation or Patronage? Who was the Founder, or is now the Patron thereof? Or what is the yearly Revenue, or Stipend, belonging to the Governors or Masters of the same? Is the same ordered and governed in every respect as it ought to be? And are the Revennes thereof rightly employed, according to the intention of the Founder, and of such Grants or Ordinances as have been made concerning the same? 2. Doth any man keep a public or private School in your Parish, who is not allowed thereunto by the Bishop? Can. 77. Doth your Schoolmaster or Usher teach his Scholars the Catechism of the Church? Can. 79. Doth he teach any other Catechism or any other Grammar, than what are set forth by Authority? Doth he cause them upon Sundays and holidays orderly to repair to your Church or Chapel; and see that they behave themselves there quietly and reverently, during the time of Divine Service and Sermon? 3. Doth any Woman keep a School in your Parish, who is not allowed thereunto by the Bishop? Is she modest, of good report, and conformable to the Church of England? Doth she teach them the Catechism of the Church, and doth she with them repair to the Church upon Sundays and Holydays, and there demean themselves reverently the whole time of Divine Service and Sermon? And doth she bring her Scholars to the Minister of the Parish, to be prepared for Confirmation by the Bishop? 4. Doth any man in your Parish practise Physic, or Chirurgery, 3 H. 8.11. or any Woman take upon her to exercise the Office of a Midwife, without Approbation and Licence from the Ordinary? TIT. VIII. Queries to be put to the Minister, concerning the Churchwardens and Sidemen. 1. ARe the Churchwardens of your Parish yearly and duly chosen by the joint consent of the Minister and Parishioners; Can. 89. or one of them by the Minister, and the other by the Parishioners? And are there Sidemen appointed to assist them for the due ordering of the Church? 2. Have the former and last Churchwardens given up their due Accounts to the Parish, Can. 89. and delivered up to the succeeding Churchwardens the moneys remaining in their hands, together with all other things belonging to your Church or Chappel? 3. Do the Churchwardens and Sidemen take diligent care, Can. 90. and see who of the Parishioners be absent from the Divine Service and Sermon in your Church or Chappel, upon Sundays or holidays? And if they find any of them to have absented themselves without a sufficient cause? Do they by Warrant from some of the Justices of Peace, levy of them by way of Distress upon their Goods, 1 Q. Eliz. 2. the sum of 12 d. for every such day of their absence, according to the Act of Parliament in that case provided? And do they, the several sums so levied, distribute among the Poor of the Parish, according to the Law? 4. Do they present them that come late to Church, Can. 18. after Divine Service is begun, or departed before it be ended? Do they suffer none to stand idle, or talk together in the Church-Porch, Can. 19 or to walk in the Church or Church-yard, during the time of Prayers, Preaching, or other Sacred Offices? Do they about the midst of Divine Service asually wall forth and make search for such as are then abroad in the Streets or in Taverns or Alehouses, suspected to harbour ill company? 5. Do they suffer no misbehaviour or disorder to be done by Men, Can. 18. or Women, Servants or Children, in your Church or Chappel? Are they careful that none of them sit, lean, or lay their Hats upon the Communion Table? Can. 88 Do they permit no Minstrels, no Morris-dancers, no Dogs, Hawks, or Hounds, to be brought into your Church, to the disturbance of the Congregation? 6. Do they against every Communion appointed in your Church or Chappel, Can. 20. provide a sufficient quantity of fine White Bread, and of good Wine, according to the number of Communicants? 7. Do they cause all Strangers, Can. 52. that preach in your Church or Chappel, to subscribe their Names the same day in a Book provided for that purpose, together with the Name of the Bishop that licenced them to preach in this Diocese? And do they permit no other to preach? 8. Were there any Presentments made upon any of the Articles before rehearsed at my Primary Visitation, Anno Dom. 1668. by the Churchwardens of your Parish? were the Presentments prosecuted, and Delinquents punished, if not, by whose fault or neglect was the same omitted, declare your knowledge, and what you have heard herein? 9 Have they (the Church warden and Sidemen) now sworn to give in a true Answer unto all these Articles of Inquity in all their several Titles, Can. 119. taken sufficient time to draw up their Presentments, and therein consulted with you their Minister, for your faithful Assistance? FOr know you assuredly, that as the true discharging of your Office is the chest means whereby public Disorders, Sins, and Offences in your Parish may be reform and punished, the Bishop however willing, not being able to punish, till due Presentments are made: so if you wilfully refuse to present such Grimes and Faults as either you know to have been committed, or otherwise to have heard of by public same; that, in such Cases the Bishop and his Officers are to proceed against you, in their Ecclesiastical Courts, as in Cases of Wilful Omission and Perjury. THe Ministers of every Parish are desired to prepare and give in the Names of such of the younger sort of their several Parishes, as they judge fit to receive Confirmation from the Bishop, and to present them to be confirmed; especially such as having competently learned their Catechism▪ have not yet received the Holy Communion, and to present them to the Bishop to be confirmed, as there shall be opportunity. FINIS.