ARTICLES OF Visitation & Enquiry Concerning MATTERS ECCLESIASTICAL EXHIBITED To the Ministers, Churchwardens, and Sidemen, of every Parish within the Diocese of OXON.  
In the first EPISCOPAL VISITATION OF THE Right Reverend Father in God, WALTER By Divine Permission Lord Bishop of OXON.  
OXFORD, Printed by William Hall, Anno. Dom. 1666.   

The Tenor of the Oath to be Administered to the Churchwardens and Sidemen of every Parish.  
YOU shall Swear diligently to inquire, and to make a true Answer unto every Article in this Book now given you in Charge; and to Present every Person that now is, or of late was, inhabiting within your Parish, that hath done any Offence, or omitted any Duty therein mentioned. And this you shall do uprightly and truly, without Favour or Malice, Hope of Reward, or Fear of Displeasure, so far as by the Laws you are bound.  
So Help You God.   

ARTICLES OF VISITATION and ENQUIRY Within the DIOCESE of OXON.  

TITUL. I. Concerning Churches and Chapels, with the Ornaments, and Furniture thereunto belonging.  
IS your Parish Church or Chappel kept in good and sufficient repair? Are the Roofs thereof well covered with Lead, Tile or Slat; the Windows well Glazed, the Floors well paved, the Seats well fastened, and conveniently placed; and all things so decently ordered as becometh the House of God?  
II. HATH the Steeple or Tower of your Church or Chappel, or any part thereof, been pulled down, or any of the Lead or Bells formerly belonging thereunto been embezzled, sold or made away? In whose hands or custody doth the same or any part thereof, remain? Declare what you know, or have heard therein.  
III. IS there a Font of Stone, with a good Cover thereunto, standing in a convenient place towards the lower part of your Church, for the Administration of Baptism? And is there in your Chancel a decent Communion Table, for the Administration of the Lords Supper; with a Carpet of Silk, Stuff, or fine Woollen-cloth, and another Covering, of white and pure Linen, to spread thereupon? And have you a fair Communion-Cup, or Chalice, with a Cover of Silver, and one or more Flagons of Silver or Pewter thereunto belonging?  
IU. HAVE you in your said Church, or Chapel, a convenient Seat, or Pew, for your Minister to read Divine Service in? A Pulpit, with a comely Cloth or Cushion for the same? A Bible of the last Translation in a large Volume, and two Books of Common-Prayer, one for the Minister, and the other for the Clerk, all well and substantially bound? Have you likewise the Book of Homilies set forth by Authority? A Book of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical, the Book of the Thirty nine Articles of Religion, And a Printed Table of the Degrees wherein Marriage is prohibited? Have you also his Majesty's Proclamation commanded to be read Yearly, upon the Sunday before the Thirtieth day of January?  
V HAVE you a comely large Surplice for the Minister to wear at all times of his Public Ministration in the Church, provided, and to be duly washed at the Charge of your Parish?  
VI HAVE you a Register-Book of Parchment, wherein to Register the Names and Surnames of all such persons as are Married, Christened, or Buried, within your Parish; together with the Names and Surnames of both the Parents of the Children so Christened, expressing the day, month, and year of all such Christen; Marriages, and Burials? And is the transcript thereof yearly, within one Month next after the 25 of March, brought into the Bishop's Registry?  
VII. HAVE you likewise another Book of Paper, wherein to record the Names and Licenses of all such Strangers as are admitted at any time to Preach in your Church or Chappel? As also a third Book wherein to write down the Churchwardens Accounts: and such sums of money as have been collected in your Parish upon any Briefs that have come unto it? together with a strong Chest, with Locks and Keys, wherein to keep the aforesaid Books, and all other the afore mentioned Furniture, in safe Custody? And lastly, have you a Bier, with a black Hearse-cloth, for the Burial of the Dead?   

TIT. II. Concerning the Churchyard, the Houses, Glebes, and Tithes belonging to the Church.  
I. IS your Churchyard sufficiently fenced and kept from the annoyance of Swine? Hath any person encroached upon the same, or made any Door into it, out of his own Grounds or Habitation, without allowance from the Ordinary? Have any Trees there growing been cut down? How long since, by whom, and to whose use and benefit?  
II. IS the house of your Parson, 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 your Parsonage or Vicarage House? or cut up any Trees growing thereon? or changed or removed the ancient Marks and Bounds of the same? Or is there any House belonging to your Minister, or any part of his Glebe detained from him by the Patron or any other?  
III. HAVE you a true and perfect Terrier of all the Glebe-lands, Gardens, Orchards Tenements, or Cottages, belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage? As also a note of such Pensions, Rate-tithes and Portions of Tithes, or other yearly Profits (either within or without your Parish) as belong thereunto? Have any of the same been withheld from your Minister? and by whom, as you know or have heard?  
IU. HAVE any of the ancient Glebe-lands belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage, been taken away, or exchanged for other, without the free consent of the Incumbent, and Licence from the Ordinary? Hath any Enclosure been made in your Parish to the detriment of the Church by converting Arable lands into Pasture? By whom hath the same been done? 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.  
I. IS your Minister defamed, or suspected to have obtained either his Benefice or Orders by any Simoniacal compact?  
II. HATH he been legally Inducted into his Benefice?  
III. DID he within two months after his Induction, publicly in the 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? And hath be published the Bishop's Certificate of his subscribing the declaration for the Book of Common Prayer, and against the Covenant openly in the Church, at the time of Divine Service?  
iv HATH he any other Ecclesiastical Benefice? Is he constantly resident upon his Benefice among you? How many weeks in any one year hath he been absent from it?  
V HATH your Minister a Curate to assist him? Who is that Curate? Is he conformable to the Laws and Orders of the Church of England? and doth be serve in any other Church beside? and what yearly stipend doth your Minister allow him?  
VI DOTH your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, in reading the daily Morning and Evening Service, Administration of the holy Sacraments, celebration of Marriage, Churching of Women after Childbirth, Visitation of the Sick, Burial of the Dead, and pronouncing God's Commination against impenitent Sinners, use the form and words prescribed in the Book of 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?  
VII. DOTH your Minister at the Reading or Celebrating the Divine Offices in your Church or Chappel, wear the Surplice?  
VIII. DOTH be observe the holidays and Fasting-days, as also the Ember-weeks, and the yearly Perambulation in Rogation-week, as in the Common-Prayer book is appointed? giving notice to the Parishioners of every of the same in the Church, in the time of Divine Service, upon the Sunday next before?  
IX. HATH your Minister been licenced to preach by the Bishop? If so, doth he then constantly (unless in case of Sickness, necessary absence, or other reasonable impediment) himself Preach in your Church or Chappel one Sermon every Sunday? Or if he be not a Licenced Preacher, or being so Licenced he hindered by Sickness, or otherwise, as aforesaid doth he procure a Sermon to be so preached by some other Minister, a Licenced preacher? or one of the Homilies set forth by Authority to be there read by a Priest or Deacon?  
X. DOTH your Minister diligently instruct the Youth of your Parish in the Church Catechism? 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 Laws, and submitting to the Government thereof?  
XI. DOTH he neglect or refuse to visit the Sick, or delay the Baptism of any Infant that is in danger of death? Is there any Child past Infancy, or other person of more years, through your Minister's default, yet remaining unbaptised in your Parish? Doth he use to baptise any without Godfathers and Godmothers? or admit either of the Parents to be Godfather or Godmother to their own Children?  
XII. HATH he at any time (as you know, or have heard) preached any False, Heretical, Seditious, or Schismatical Doctrine, thereby to seduce the people into parties and factions, to the disturbance of the public peace and unity either of Church or State?  
XIII. HATH he presumed to Marry any persons in private houses? or such as, being under age, have not the consent of their Parents? or without the Banes first published on three Sundays or holidays in the Church? or at any other hours then between Eight and Twelve in the Morning, unless he had a Licence or Dispensation so to do? Or hath he buried with Christian Burial, any who died Unbaptised or Excommunicated, or that have laid violent hands upon themselves?  
XIV. DOTH any person Preach in your Parish as a Lecturer? Hath he allowance from the Bishop for so doing? Doth he before his Lecture, read Divine Service, according to the Book of Common-prayer? and is he in all respects conformable to the Laws and Orders of the Church of England?  
XV. HATH your Minister taken upon him to appoint any public or private Fasts, 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?  
XVI. IS your Parson, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, a man of a sooner, unblamable, and exemplary life? Doth he familiarly converse with ungodly, vicious, and Excommunicate persons? Is he a frequenter of Taverns, or Alehouses? a common Gamester? a Swearer, Railer, or Quarrel? Doth he set Neighbours at variance one with another? or encourage them to Suits and Contention? Is he noted to be an intemperate Drinker? or vehemently suspected of Incontinency with any persons either within your Parish, or without? Is his apparel grave, and decent, 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.  
I. IS there in your Parish any person a known or reputed Heretic or Schismatic? any Papist, Familist, Anabaptist, Quaker, or other Sectary, that refuse to come unto the public Assemblies, Prayers, or Services of the Church? or that makes profession of any other Religion then what is established in the Church of England? and if there be any such, of what Sect are they, and what are their Names?  
II. IS there any person in your Parish that lieth under a common fame, 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 noted to be railers, unclean or filthy talkers, or sowers of sedition, faction, and discord amongst their neighbours?  
III. DO any of your Parish upon Sundays or holidays, follow their bodily or ordinary labour, or permit their servants so to do? 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?  
iv DOTH every person inhabiting, and so journing within your Parish, 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, 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?  
V DOTH every person Reverently uncover his Head, 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  
VI ARE there any in your Parish that refuse to send their Infant children 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? 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?  
VII. DOTH every Housholder in your Parish cause their children and servants to come to Church to learn their Catechism, and to give an account thereof unto your Minister, as he shall require it of them openly in the Church upon Sundays and holidays, 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?  
VIII. IS there any person in your Parish, who, being 16 years of age, doth not receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, at least three times in the year, of which Easter is always to be one? 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?  
IX. HAVE you any among you that be denounced and declared Excommunicate 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?  
X. ARE there any living in your Parish as man and wife who are within the degrees prohibited; Or any that being lawfully divorced have married again: Or any that being lawfully married, and not separated, or divorced by course of Law, do not cohabit together?  
XI. ARE there any married women in your Parish, who, 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, & make their offerings according to custom?  
XII. ARE there any belonging to your Parish 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 Chappel, and for the providing of such Books, Furniture, and Ornaments as be requisite for the performance of all Divine Offices there? Have you a Rate for the reparation of your Church, confirmed by my Lord Bishop or his Ordinary?  
XIII. DO any refuse to bury their dead according to the Rites of the Church of England? and 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? Did any dying in your Parish, or elsewhere, leave any Legacy to your Church or Chappel, or to the use of the poor, or to any other pious and charitable purposes? what were those Legacies, and how have they been bestowed?  
XIV. IS there any strife and contention among any of your Parish for their Pews or Seats in your Church? Have any new Pews been erected in your Chancel, or in the Body of your Church or Chappel, without leave from the Ordinary?   

TIT. V. Concerning Parish-Clerks, and Sextons.  
I. HAVE you belonging to your Church or Chappelry a Parish Clerk, aged 21 years at the least? Is he of honest life and conversation? and sufficient or able to perform his duty in 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? or who withholdeth the same from him?  
II. DOTH he, or your Sexton (if there be any such appointed in your Parish) diligently look to the doors of your Church, that they be locked and opened at due time? And doth he keep your Church or Chappel clean from dust, cobwebs, and other annoyance? 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, 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. VI Concerning Hospitals, Schools, Schoolmasters, Physicians, Surgeons, and Midwives.  
I. IS there in your Parish any Hospital, Alms house, or Free-School, not of the King's Foundation or Patronage? Who was the Founder, or is now the Patron thereof? And 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 Revenues thereof rightly employed, according to the intention of the Founder, and of such grants and ordinances as have been made concerning the same?  
II. DOTH any man keep a public or private School in your Parish, who is not allowed thereunto by the Bishop; Doth your Schoolmaster teach his Scholars the Catechism of Religion set forth by Authority: Doth he cause them upon Sundays and holidays orderly to repair to your Church or Chappel? and see that they behave themselves there quietly and reverently, during the time of Divine Service and Sermon?  
III. DOTH any man in your Parish practice Physic, or Chirurgery, or any Woman take upon her to exercise the Office of a Midwife, without approbation and licence from the Ordinary?   

TIT. VII. Queries to be put to the Minister, concerning the Churchwardens and Sidemen.  
I. ARE the Churchwardens of your Parish yearly and duly chosen by the joint consent of the Minister and parishioners; or one of them by the Minister, and the other by the Parishioners?  
II. HAVE the former and last Churchwardens given up their due Accounts to the parish, and delivered up to the succeeding Churchwardens the moneys remaining in their hands, together with all other things belonging to your Church or Chappel?  
III. DO the Churchwardens and Sidemen take diligent care, and see who of the parishioners be absent from the Divine Service and Sermon in your Church or Chapel upon Sundays and 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, the sum of 12 pence for every such day of their absence, according to the Act of Parliament in that case provided? And do they distribute the several sums so levied among the poor of your Parish, according to the Law?  
iv DO they present them that come late to Church 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, or to walk in the Church or Church-yard, during the time of Prayer, Preaching, or other Sacred Offices? Do they take care, and see that all Persons Excommunicated, and so denounced, be kept out of the Church?  
V DO they suffer no mis-behaviour or disorder to be done by Men, Women, or Servants or Children, in your Church or Chappel? Are they careful that none of them fit, lean, or lay their Hats upon the Communion-Table? Do they permit no Minstrels, no Morris-dancers, no Dogs, Hawks or Hounds, to be brought or come into your Church to the disturbance of the Congregation?  
VI DO they against every Communion appointed in your Church or Chappel, provide a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread, and of good Wine, according to the number of Communicants?  
VII. DO they cause all Strangers that Preach in your Church or Chapel 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?  
VIII. HAVE they (the Churchwardens and Sidemen) now sworn to give in a true answer unto all these Articles of Enquiry in all their several Titles, 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 chief means whereby public Disorders, Sins and Offences in your Parish may be reform and punished: So if you wilfully refuse to present such crimes and faults as either you know to have been committed, or otherwise have heard of by public fame; 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 give in the Names of such of the Younger sort in their several Parishes, as they shall think fit to receive Confirmation from the Bishop, and to present them to the Bishop to be Confirmed, Especially such as having competently learned their Chatechism, and have not yet received the Holy Communion. And every Person that is to be Confirmed, is to have a Godfather, or Godmother as a witness at their Confirmation, as is appointed by the Book of Common-Prayer.  
WALTER OXON.