ARTICLES FOR VISITATION Concerning certain MATTERS Ecclesiastical: EXHIBITED To the Ministers, Church-wardens and Sidemen of every Parish within the ARCH-DEACONRY OF SUDBURY. In the fifth VISITATION OF JOHN SPENCER D. D. Archdeacon OF SUDBURY.  
CAMBRIDGE, Printed by John hays, Printer to the University. M.DC.LXXII.   

The tenor of the Oath of the Church-wardens and sworne-men.  
YOu shall well and truly execute your several Offices of Church-wardens, and Side-men, according to the Kings Ecclesiastical Laws.  
So help you God and the Contents of his holy Gospel.   

Articles of Instruction to the Church-wardens and Side-men, in some more special matters to direct them in their Presentments. Anno Domini 1672  

Tit. I. Concerning Churches, chapels, with the Ornaments and Furniture thereunto belonging.  
1 IS your Parish Church or chapel in good and sufficient repair, both for the Roof, 
Can. 85.  Windows, Floor, and Seats?  
2 Hath any part of your Church, chapel, or Steeple been demolished or pulled down? what part, and how long since? or any of the led, Timber or Bells thereunto formerly belonging, any way embezzled or sold, and by whom?  
3 Is there a decent Font of ston with a cover? and doth the same stand at or near the nether end of your Church, 
Can. 81.  in such manner as anciently and usually Fonts have stood for the baptizing of children? Doth the Minister baptize publicly onely with water poured into the said Font, without the use of a basin? 
82.  Is there a decent Communion-table in your Chancel, with a decent Carpet, and another covering of white Linen, to be spread thereon at the time of the Administration of the Lords Supper? and have you a fair Chalice and Communion cup, with a Cover, and one or more Flagons? have they been profaned by common use? 
20.   
4 Have you a convenient Seat or Pew wherein to red Divine Service; 
82.  a Pulpit with a decent Cloth or Cushion, 
83.  a large Bible of the last Translation, 
80.  and a Book of Common-prayer lately published Anno 1662. the Book of Homilies set forth by Authority; 
Stat. 99.  and a Printed Table of the degrees wherein Marriages are prohibited, and a Book of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical; 
58.  and a Decent Surplice and Hood?  
5 Have ye a Register-book in Parchment of Christenings, 
87.  Burials, and Marriages? 
70.  and is the same kept in all points according to the ancient use? 
52.   
6 Have you a Book of Paper, to record the names and Licenses of such Strangers as are admitted to Preach in your Church or chapel? and do such Strangers subscribe their Names in the same? As also a third Book for the Church-wardens Accounts? as also a Chest with Locks and keys, 
70.  wherein to keep the said Books, and the aforementioned Furniture?  
7 Hath any in your Parish defaced or caused to be defaced any Monuments or Ornaments in your Church, chapel or Chancel, or erected any new Pews or Monuments therein without licence from the Ordinary?   

Tit. II. Concerning the Church-yard, the Houses, Glebes and tithes belonging to the Church.  
1 IS your Church-yard sufficiently fenced, and decently kept? Hath any Person encroached upon the same, or made any door into it? and how long since?  
2 Is the House of your person, Vicar, or Curate, and the Outhouses in good repair? have any of them been defaced or pulled down without licence? have there been any encroachments made upon the same, or any of the ancient marks or bounds removed or changed? and by whom?  
3 Have you a true and perfect Terrier of all the Glebe-lands, Gardens, Orchards, Tenements or Cottages belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage? 
C. 87.  as also a note of such Pensions, Rate-tythes, 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?   

Tit. III. Concerning Ministers.  
1 IS your Minister a Priest or Deacon, Episcopally ordained, according to the Laws of the Church of England?  
2 Hath he been legally instituted and inducted into his bnfice? And did he within two moneths after his induction, publicly in the Church upon some Sunday or Holiday, in the time of Divine Service, red the 39 Articles of the Church of England, established by Authority, and there publicly declare his assent thereunto?  
3 Is he resident among you? how many weeks hath he been absent from you without urgent necessity?  
4 Hath your Minister a Curate? Is he in holy Orders, 
Can. 47.  and conformable to the Laws of the Church? Is he allowed by the Ordinary?  
5 Doth your person, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer, if you have any, perform his Office in all things according to the rubric of the Book of Common-Prayer lately established, and the Act of Uniformity published therewith, 
14.  without either diminishing in regard of Preaching or in any other respect, or adding any thing in the Matter or Form?  
6 Doth your Minister at the Reading Divine Service, 
58.  wear a Surplice and Hood?  
7 Doth he observe the Holidays and Fasting-days, the Ember-weeks, and the yearly perambulation of Rogation-week, as is appointed by the rubric?  
8 Is your Minister licenced to Preach? if so, 
45, 46, 47.  doth he constantly( not having a reasonable impediment) Preach one Sermon in your Church or chapel every Sunday? or if he be not licenced, or be hindered, doth he procure one to supply his Office by preaching or Reading one of the Homilies?  
9 Doth your Minister instruct the youth in your Parish in the Church Catechism, 
Can. 59. Rubr. before Confirm.  and prepare and present them to be confirmed by the Bishop?  
10 Doth he neglect or delay to visit the Sick, or to Baptize any Infant that is in danger of death? 
67.  Doth he baptize any without Godfathers and Godmothers, 
69.  or admit either of the Parents to be Godfather or Godmother to their own Children?  
11 Hath your Minister married any persons without publishing the Banns on three Sundays or Holidays, 
62.  or hath he married any in private houses, 
101.  or not between the hours of eight and twelve in the morning, unless he had a licence or dispensation from the Arch-Bishop or Bishop of this diocese, or from their chancellors or Vicars General, or from the Commissary for faculties so to do? Name who were the parties so married, and who were present at such marriages, and what Minister married them as far as you know or have heard.  
12 Hath your Minister taken upon him to appoint any public or private Fasts, 
72.  Prophesyings or Exercises not appointed by Authority? Or doth he, 
73.  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?  
13 Is your person, 
75.  Vicar, Curate or Lecturer, a man of a sober life and conversation? or is his carriage in any kind disorderly or scandalous, and unbeseeming a Minister?  
14 Hath the Sacrament of the Lords Supper been duly administered in your Church or chapel so often, and at such convenient times, that at least thrice every year,( whereof once at Easter) every Parishioner within your Parish, being of the age of sixteen years or upwards, might receive the same?  
15 Hath any Child been Baptized within your Parish in any private House,( except upon great necessity; and if so what was the same?) 
3. Jac. 5.  or by any Lay-person, or Midwife, or Popish Priest, or by any other then your own Minister? and hath such Child which was privately baptized, 
Rubr. of private Bapt.  if he lived, been afterwards brought to your Church, that the Congregation and the Minister of the Parish( in case such Child was not Baptized by him) might be certified whether such Child was lawfully Baptized, or no?  
16 Doth your Minister publicly in your Parish Church or chapel, 
Ratif. Can.  once every year, red over the Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical, agreed upon by the Clergy of both Provinces An. Dom. 1603. in such manner as is commanded to be done?  
17 Doth your Minister every six moneths in your Parish Church, 
C. 65.  openly in the time of Divine Service, upon some Sunday denounce and declare Excommunicate by name, all such of your Parish as do persevere in the sentence of Excommunication, not seeking to be absolved?  
18 Hath your Minister said Divine Service while any Excommunicate person hath been present in the Church? or hath he delayed to denounce any Excommunication, Suspension, or Absolution that hath been sent unto him from his Ordinary, further then the next Sunday or Holiday after the receipt thereof under Seal?  
19 Doth your Minister, 
Rubr. after Nic. Creed. C. 64.  upon Sundays at Morning Prayer declare unto the Parishioners, what Fasting-days and Holidays are to be kept the week following?  
20 Hath any strange Minister been admitted to preach in your Church, 
C. 50.  who did not before the Church-wardens subscribe his name in your Book provided for that purpose, 
52.  and the day when he Preached, and the name of the Bishop or Bishops of whom he had licence to Preach?  
21 Doth your Minister publicly red over the thirty nine Articles unto the people twice every year, to the end that they may the better understand the same, and be made more thoroughly acquainted with the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, and not so easily drawn away from the same, as formerly they have been?   

Tit. IV. Concerning the Parishioners.  
1 IS there any in your Parish that makes profession of any other religion then what is established in the Church of England? Doth any reproach the same religion, or seduce others from it, 
Act for Uniformity 1 Q. Eliz.  or endeavour to alienate the hearts of the people from their loyalty and obedience to the King? Do any absent themselves from the public assemblies of the Church, or that come not in due time as well to Service as Sermons? If there be any, what are their names?  
2 Is there any person in your Parish, that lieth under a common famed, or suspicion of Adultery, Fornication, or Incest? 
C. 109.  Are there any common Drunkards within your Parish, or common Swearers, or Blasphemers of Gods name, or any that are noted 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 Holidays follow their bodily and ordinary labour, or permit their servants so to do? Are any Shops kept open, or wears sold? or do any Vintners, Innkeepers, or other Victuallers or sellers of Beer or Ale, suffer any persons to tipple or game in their houses upon those days?  
4 Doth every person in your Parish duly resort to your Church or chapel upon Sundays and Holidays, 
Can. 13.  and as well during Divine Service, as preaching the Word of God, demean themselves reverently, 
18. Rubr.  uncovering their heads, kneeling at Prayers, standing up when the Creed and Gospel are red?  
5 Is there any in your Parish that refuse to sand their Infant-children to be Baptized in the Church, 
Rubr. of Bapt.  unless in case of urgent danger? or do they sand them to be Baptized in other Parishes? or are they Baptized after other Form then is appointed? or are they kept unbaptised longer then is allowed? or is there any Infants, or more aged persons as yet unbaptised?  
6 Is there any person in your Parish of 16 years of age who doth not receive the Sacrament three times in the year, of which Easter is always to be one? 
112. Rubr. after Commun. 27, 28.  Doth any refuse to receive it kneeling, or resort to other Parishes? or do any Strangers come to your Parish-Church to receive it?  
7 Are there any in your Parish that be denounced and declared excommunicate for any crime committed? 
63.  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?  
8 Are there any living in your Parish, 
expressed in a table set forth by Authority. Anno Dom. 1563.  who have been unlawfully married, contrary to the Laws of God? 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?  
9 Are there any Married Women in your Parish, who after their Delivery from the Peril of childbirth, 
99.  refuse to make their public Thanksgiving to God in the Church? 
107.  And when they come so to do, do they come decently appareled, and make their offerings according to Custom?  
10 Are there any that refuse to pay their duty for Easter Offerings, 
Rubr. Can. 85.  or refuse to contribute to the Rates made for the repair of your Church or chapel, or any thing thereunto belonging?  
11 Do any refuse to bury their dead according to the Rites of the Church of England? 
Rubr. b.  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 chapel, 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?  
12 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 chapel, without leave from the Ordinary?  
13 Do all, 
Can. 59.  and every householder of your Parish, Fathers, Masters, Mothers, and Mistresses, cause their Children, Servants and Apprentices, which have not learned their Catechism to come unto Church on Sundays and Holidays in the afternoon, obediently to hear, and to be ordered by the Minister till they have learned the same?  
14 Do such as intend to be partakers at the holy Communion signify their names to the Curate, 
Rubr. before the Commun.  at least some time the day before as is appointed by the rubric?   

Tit. V. Concerning Parish-Clerks, and Sextons.  
1 HAve you belonging to your Church or chapel a Parish-Clerk, aged 21 years at the least? 
Can. 91.  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?  
2 Doth he diligently do his duty in keeping the Church clean and decent, in tolling and ringing the Bells before Divine Service, and when any person is passing out of this life, doth he upon notice, toll a Bell, that the neighbours may thereby be warned to recommend the dying person to the grace and favour of God?   

Tit. VI. Concerning School-masters, Schools, Physicians, surgeons and Midwives.  
1 DOth any man keep a public or private School in your Parish, who is not allowed thereunto by his Ordinary? 
Can. 77.  doth he teach his Scholars the Catechism of Religion set forth by Authority? 
79.  doth he cause his Scholars upon Sundays and Holidays orderly to repair to your Church or chapel, and see that they behave themselves quietly and reverently during the time of Divine Service and Sermon?  
2 Doth any in your Parish practise physic and Chirurgery? or any woman take upon her to exercise the office of Midwife, without licence from the Ordinary?   

Tit. VII. Concerning Church-wardens and Side-men.  
1 ARe the Church-wardens of your Parish yearly and duly chosen by the joint consent of your Minister and Parishioners? 
Can. 89.  or one of them by your Minister, and the other by the Parishioners?  
2 Have the former and last Church-wardens given up their Accounts to the Parish, and delivered up to the succeeding Church-wardens the moneys remaining in their hands, together with all other things belonging to your Church or chapel?  
3 You are further to understand, That according to your Office, you are to provide against every Communion appointed in your Church or chapel, 
Rubr. at Commun.  a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread, and of good Wine, according to the number of Communicants.  
4 Have you a decent basin provided by the Parish, wherein to receive the Alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people at the administration of the Lords Supper, 
Rubr. at Commun.  and are they then especially collected by you the Church-wardens, or some other fit person for that purpose?  
YOu also are to exhibit a Bill of Presentments to this Court, of all Ecclesiastical offences committed by any that now is, or of late was inhabiting within your Parish; especially concerning the matters mentioned in the precedent Articles, and therein to take the assistance of your Minister.  
FINIS.