ARTICLES TO BE inquired OF BY THE Ministers and Churchwardens of every Parish within the ARCH-DEACONRY of Northumberland. Which are given in Charge, in the Annual VISITATION of Isaac Basire, D. D. And archdeacon of that Jurisdiction.  Levit. 19.12. 
Ye shall not swear by my name falsely.  
For,  Exod. 20.7. 
The Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain.  
LONDON, Printed for Timothy Garthwait at the Kings Head in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1662.   

The Tenor of the Oath to be administered to the Church-wardens.  
YOu shall swear, that you, and every of you, shall diligently inquire of all and every these Articles given you in Charge: And that laying aside all partial affection, hatred, fear of displeasing others, or any by respect whatsoever; you shall present all and every such person or persons of, or within your Parish, or who lately were of your Parish, who are offenders, or who vehemently are suspected to be offenders, touching any thing contained in these Articles. And this you shall do uprightly and fully, as placing the searcher of the hearts, and the judge of heaven and earth before your eyes: So help you God, and the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Directions to the Clergy.  
YOu are desired by your Ordinary, to red these Articles distinctly unto the Churchwardens, and to warn them of their duty so often as you shall see occasion; but especially, to meet together some day before they are to give in their Presentments, and that then you confer with them in directing them about their said Presentments, for the better preventing of perjury on their part.  
Isaac Basire.   

ARTICLES OF VISITATION Within the Arch-Deaconry of Northumberland.  

Tit. I. Concerning the Ministers.  
1. WHether does any take upon him to red the Prayers in any of your Churches or chapels, who is not admitted into sacred orders Canonically; that is, by Episcopal Ordination? And hath he subscribed, and red, and solemnly and openly declared his assent to the use of the whole book of Common-prayer, according to the late Act of Uniformity? Have you any amongst you, who after lawful admission, hath relinquished his calling, and betaken himself to a course of life as a Lay-man.  
2. Whether doth your Minister red Prayers according to the rubric, or doth he of his own head alter any prayer or Collect in the public liturgy? or doth he omit any appointed to be red, in regard of preaching or any other respect? And doth he wear the Surplice, and other Ornaments appointed, according to his Degree in time of officiating?  
3. Whether doth he on Wednesdays and Frydays resort to the Church, and say the litany prescribed? And doth your clerk or Sexton give warning before by tolling of a Bell?  
4. Whether doth he being a licenced Preacher, preach every Sunday? or not being a Preacher, doth he procure monthly Sermons, and red the Homilies of the Church, and once a year the Canons of the Church, and twice every year the 39 Articles.  
5. Whether doth he duly administer the Sacraments of the Church according to the Forms enjoined in the book of Common-prayer? And in special, doth he use to sign Infants baptized with the sign of the across? Doth he privately administer Baptism, if necessity so require? And doth he certify to the Congregation the Baptism of such, when they recover, and are brought into the Church?  
6. Whether doth he give due warning before the celebrating of the Holy Communion, that the people may come better prepared? And whether doth he in particular( according to the Tenor of the second exhortation before the Communion) seriously admonish the people committed to his charge, not to presume to come to that Holy Sacrament, before they have sincerely endeavoured to be reconciled, as to God, by true Repentance, and humble Confession of their sins to God: and if need be, for the quiet of their own Conscience, to Gods Priest also. So in case of offence, to be reconciled to their neighbour, both by acknowledgement, and likewise farther, to their power by making restitution and satisfaction for any wrong by them done, or for other mens ill gotten goods heretofore at any time usurped under whatsoever public or private pretence, that so they may come to the Lorde-table, as they ought, with a clear, and a quiet Conscience?  
7. Again, Whether doth your Minister declare to the people every Sunday, whether there be any holidays, or fasting-days the week following? and doth he warn them to solemnize the 30. of January, the 29. of May, and the 5. of November.  
8. Whether doth he at such times as through the number of Communicants, new bread and wine are brought to the Lords Table, consecrate the Elements anew, according to the rubric? and whether after Consecration doth he give the Sacrament to every one severally?  
9. Whether if any sick persons, or in health, having confessed their sins Privately unto him for the unburthening of their Conscience, and receiving of spiritual comfort by the Ministerial Absolution? hath the said Minister revealed to any person whatsoever such crimes and offences so committed to his trust and secreste, contrary to the 113 Canon?  
10. Whether doth he mary any parties without thrice asking the Banes on three several sundays or holidays, except the said parties have procured a licence otherwise, either from the Lord-bishop, his Chancellor, or the Archdeacon of this jurisdiction? Or doth he mary any at other hours and places, than as 〈◇〉 the 62 Canon doth allow?  
11. Whether doth your Minister in his Sermons four times in the year, teach and declare the Kings Majesties Power within his Realms to be the highest power under God, to whom all persons whatsoever, as well jointly as severally, in all 〈◇〉 whatsoever, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, within the same Realms, owe most Loyalty and Obedience; and that all foreign power whatsoever, is justly taken away?  
12. Also whether doth your Minister in obedience to his Majesties late Instructions, diligently preach, and practise the Fundamental religious and moral duties of Faith and Obedience, such as are Self-denial, Contempt of the World, Temperance, Justice, and Mercy? Doth he in his Sermons, abstain from meddling with matters of State and government? doth he forbear to spend his time about, or determine the deep points of Election and Reprobation, and the like incomprehensible Mysteries? As also decline all unprofitable controversies of less moment; observing in all his doctrines all due modesty, gravity, and candour, as becometh his holy Office?  
13. Whether doth he every half year publicly denounce the names of such as stand Excommunicate within your Parish; And whether doth he admit any Excommunicate person to partake with the Congregation at the performance of the holy Ordinances in the Church?  
14. Whether doth he give Christian Burial to the Corps of any Excommunicate person.  
15. Whether doth he suffer any who are enjoined to do their public Penance in the Church, in the face of the Congregation, to perform the same privately, as in the Vestry, or otherwise, at other times when the Congregation is not assembled?  
16. Whether doth he suffer any to be Godfathers or Godmothers to Children, to receive the Holy Communion, or to be married before they have learned their Catechism, and be confirmed by the Bishop?  
17. Whether doth he duly catechize upon every Sunday and holiday, after the second Lesson at Evening-prayer? and is he careful in visiting the Sick, and conferring with Recusants, new, or old?  
18. Whether doth he duly Reside upon his bnfice, and doth he keep the Chancel if so of right it belong unto him) and his Parsonage, or Vicarage-house, in good reparation?  
16. Whether doth your Preacher before his Sermon use a Prayer of his own private invention? or doth he onely exhort the people to pray for Christs holy catholic Church, the Kings Majesty, the Lords, Arch-bishops, and Bishops, &c. as is prescribed in the 55 Canon? And doth he once every month, at least on the Lords day, red Divine-service both morning and evening, and likewise administer the Holy Sacraments publicly, in his Surplice and habit, with such Rites and Ceremonies as is prescribed by the book of Common-prayer, according to the late Act of uniformity?  
20. Whether doth any, being in holy Orders, go otherwise in Apparel than is commanded by the 74 Canon? do they frequent Alehouses, or any suspected places, or are they otherwise scandalous in their lives?  
21. Hath your person or Vicar been guilty of Simony?  
22. Doth he observe the three Rogation dayes?   

Tit. II. Concerning the Church, and Church-yard.  
1. FIrst, Whether have you in your Church a large Bible, of the last English Translation? As likewise a fair book of Common-prayer, as is enjoined by the late Act of uniformity, with the book of Homilies, and Bishop Jewels works: Together with a book of the Canons, and a Table of Marriage in the degrees prohibited by the Law of God.  
2. Whether have you a decent Pulpit, a Font of ston, and a decent Communion-Table, with a seemly Covering of silk, or other stuff? and have you a convenient Pew for the Minister to red Service in.  
3. Whether have you Bells, Ornaments, and other Utensils, as have anciently belonged to your Church; a Communion-Cup of silver, a fair standing Pot, or two of pewter or purer metal, for the Wine upon the Communion-Table? And are any of the Church-goods embezzled?  
4. Whether have you a Chest for alms, and likewise a Chest with locks or keys, wherein to keep the Register-book, and other Church-furniture; a Register-book of christenings, Weddings, Burials; and wherein the name of every strange Preacher who preacheth among you is set down? And are the names of all persons baptized, married, and butted, written therein by the Minister? and doth he, together with the Churchwardens, subscribe their names to every page., transmitting a Copy thereof into the Bishops Registry?  
5. Whether is there any School taught within your Church, or Parish, and by whom, and how is he allowed? And is there any alms-house or Hospital? And are there any unlicensed Physicians, chirurgeons, or Midwives?  
6. Whether is your Church kept in all due reparations, so well within as without; are the Seats well maintained, the Steeple and Bells preserved, the Windows well glazed, and not closed up with wood, or daubed up with lime and ston, the Floor well paved, and all other things in order, as is meet for the House of God?  
7. Whether is your Church-yard kept well fenced, and are not Hogs suffered to come and root in the same, to the scandal of the living, and the dishonour of the dead?  
8. Is there a Terrier of the Glebe-land?  
9. What Legacies are bequeathed to the Church or Poor?   

Tit. III. Concerning the Parishioners.  
1. WHether have you in your Parish any Common-swearer, Drunkard, civiler, Scolds, filthy and lascivious talkers, Adulterers, or other incontinent persons, rebels or Sectaries, slanderers, letters, or disturbers of the Divine-service, or who are vehemently suspected so to be?  
2. Whether do any in time of Divine-service, use prateing, talking or sleeping in the Church or Church-yard, or otherwise not attending to the Word of God, and Prayers of the Church, contrary to the 3 Canon?  
3. Whether doth any of what rank or quality soever, sit with his hat on his head in time of Divine service?  
4. Whether do all so oft as in time of Divine service the holy Name of Jesus shall be mentioned, express due and lowly Reverence? do they stand up at the Creed, and at the reading of the Gospel?  
5. Whether do any profane the holy Communion-Table by leaning or sitting thereon, or throwing their hats upon it, or use other such-like irreverence?  
6. Whether do all of you with a loud voice, say with the Minister the Lords-Prayer, and the Apostles Creed, as the rubric commands?  
7. Whether do any refuse to receive the holy Communion kneeling? and whether have you any above 16 years of age, who receive not three times a year, at the least, whereof one to be at Easter?  
8. Whether have you any who presumes to disturb or affront the Minister in his ministry, or who have spoken scandalous words against him, or his calling, or deny to pay him his acoustomed deuce, or refuse to pay Church Sesses?  
9. Whether have you any who hold private Conventicles; and what he their names?  
10. Whether have you any who leaving their own Parish-Church, upon sundays or holidays frequent other Ministers, and desert their own?  
11. Whether have you any profane persons, who showing thereby the little regard they have to the House of God, make water against the Church-walls, or use other unséemliness about the same?  
12. Whether have you any Inn-kéeper, Vintner, or Alehouse-kéeper, who in time of Divine-service, entertains any one either drinking, or gaming?  
13. Whether have you any Women who refuse to go to Church to be churched after their Child-bearing, there to give God thanks for their safe deliverance?  
14. Whether do any refuse to sand their Children and Servants to be catechised?  
15. Whether is you Parish-Clark a meet man for his Office, and what age is he of? And doth he duly attend on the Minister when occasion requires? and doth he toll a Bell when any are deceasing?  
16. Whether have you any who speak against the Ecclesiastical Government under his Majesty, by Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, and others thereunto called?  
17. Whether have you any negligent comers to Church, who either quiter absent themselves from the same, or else who come late when prayers are almost done, or who depart out of the Church before the Minister pronounce the blessing?  
18. Whether do any raise a scandal of the Churchwardens and Sidemen, by saying that they present upon spléen or malice, when they do it in discharge of their Office, and not otherwise?  
19. Are any unbaptised or excommunicated, and how long have they so continued, and who accompanies with them?  
20. Are there any persons divorced, or any married after their divorce?   

Tit. IV. Concerning Church-wardens and sworne-men.  
1. WHether do any in your Parish take upon them to be Churchwardens or Sidemen, who are not lawfully chosen by the Minister and Parishioners, according to the 89 Canon? or do any continue in the Office longer than one year, except they be chosen again? or that it be a custom of your Parish for a Churchwarden to continue two years? and are all such Officers chosen yearly in Easter-week?  
2. Whether do your Churchwardens within one month at the most after their year ended, before the Minister & Parishioners, give up a just Account of all such money, and other things as they have received and bestowed? have they delivered all remaining in their hands belonging to their Church, or Parish, by Bill indented to the next Church-wardens?  
3. Whether have the Churchwardens, with the advice of your Minister, from time to time provided a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread, and wholesome Wine, for the number of the Communicants?  
4. Whether do you the Churchwardens and Sidemen about the midst of Divine service, usually walk out of the Church, and see who are abroad in any Alehouse, or elsewhere, absent, or ill-employed, doing their ordinary work on sundays, or Holy dayes, and have you presented all such offenders to the Ordinary? And do they by warrant from some Iustice of Peace, levy one shilling for every wilful absence from the Church, according to the Statute.  
5. Whether do the Churchwardens and their Assistants suffer any plays, Feasts, Banquets, &c. or any other profane usage to be kept in the Church, chapel, or Church-yard, or the Bells to be rung superstitiously upon holidays, or Eves abrogated by the book of Common-prayer, or at any other time, without good cause to be allowed by the Minister of the place, and by themselves?  
6. Whether do you know or hear of any Offence committed, or duty omitted by any of the Parish before your time, and heretofore not presented by the former Churchwardens to the Ordinary, or as yet not reformed? and have you presented the same?  
7. Finally, do you know of any matter or cause which is a breach of the laws Ecclesiastical, not here expressed, and have you presented the same?  
THe Minister of every Parish, may join in Presentment with the Churchwardens, and Side-men: And if they will not present, then the Ministers themselves being the persons that should have the chief care for the suppressing of sin and impiety in their Parishes, may present the Crimes aforesaid, and such things as shall be thought to require due Reformation:( Canon 113.)  
There must be several Presentments made to every several Article.  
FINIS.