ARTICLES Given by _____ and delivered to the Churchwardens to be considered, and Answered in his Visitation holden in the year of our Lord God. 1671  
LONDON, Printed for George Daws, over against Lincoln's Inn Gate in Chancery Lane, M.DC.LXXI.   

The Oath ministered to the Churchwardens and Sworn men.  
YOu shall swear truly to execute the Office ' of Churchwardens for the year ensuing, and (upon due consideration of the Articles delivered unto you) to inquire with the best diligence that you may; and as far as you are bound by Law, to present every person of your Parish that hath done any offence contrary to the Ecclestastical Laws of this Kingdom now in force, or omitted any duty thereby required. And this you shall do with uprightness, and without partiality. So help you God, and by the Contents of this Book.   

ARTICLES. Concerning the Church, the Ornaments thereof, and the Church's Possessions.  
IMprimis, Whether have you in your several Churches and Chapels, the whole Bible of the largest Volume and newest Translation, and the book of Commen-Prayer, lately set forth by Act of Parliament, both fairly and substantially bound; A Font of stone, set up in the ancient usual place; A convenient and decent Communion Table, with a Carpet of silk, or some other decent stuff, continually laid upon the same at the time of Divine Service, and a fair linen cloth thereon, at the time of receiving of the holy Communion? And whether it is so used out of time of Divine Service, as is not agreeable to the holy use of it, as by sitting on it, throwing hats on it, writing on it; or is it abused to other prophaner uses? and are the ten Commandments set up in your Church or Chappel, where the people may best see and read them, and other sentences of holy Scripture written on the walls likewise for that purpose?  
2. Whether you have in your said Church or Chappel a convenient seat for your Minister to read Service in, together with a complete Pulpit set up in a convenient place, with a decent cloth or cushion for the same, a comely large Surplice, a fair Communion-cup, with a Flagon of Silver, Tin, or Pewter, to put the Wine in, whereby it may be set upon the Communion Table, at the time of the blessing thereof, with all other things and ornaments necessary for the celebration of Divine Service, and administration of the Sacraments? And whether have you a strong Chest for Alms for the poor, with three Locks and Keys, and another Chest for keeping the Books and Ornaments of the Church, and the Register Book? and whether have you a Register Book in Parchment, for Christen, Weddings, and Burials; and whether the same be kept according to the Canons in that behalf provided? And is the Mother's Christian name therein Registered as well as the Fathers, and a transcript thereof brought in yearly within one month after the 25 of March unto the Lord Archbishopor Bishop of the Diocese his principal Register? And whether have you in your Church or Chappel, a Table set, of the degrees wherein by Law men are prohibited to marry?  
3. Whether are your Church and Chapels, with the Chancels thereof, and your Parsonage or Vicarage-house, and other Church-houses in good reparations: and are they employed to godly, and their right holy uses? Is your Church, Chancel, and Chapel decently and comely kept, as well within as without, and the seats well maintained, according to the 85 Canon in that behalf provided? Or have any Patrons or others decayed the Parsonage houses, or keep a stipendiary Priest or Curate, in place where an Incumbent should be possessed? whether is your Churchyard well fenced with walls, rails, or pales? and if not, in whose default the same is, and what the defect or fault is? And whether any persons encroached upon the ground of the Churchyard, or whether any person or persons have used any thing or place Consecrated to holy use, profanely or wickedly?  
4. Is your Church or Chappel decently paved, and is your Churchyard well and orderly kept without abuse? Are the bones of the dead decently interred or laid up in some fit place, as beseemeth Christians: And is the whole Consecrated ground kept from Swine, and all other nastiness, as becometh the place so dedicated?  
5 Whether have you the Terrier of all the Gleab-land, Meadows, Gardens, Orchards, Houses, Stocks, Implements, Tenements and portions of Tithes (whether within your Parish, or without) belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage, taken by the view of honest men in your said Parish? And whether the said Terrier be laid up in the Bishop's Registry, and in whose hands any of them are now? And if you have no Terrier already made in Parchment, you the Church wardens and Sidemen, together with your Parson or Vicar, or in his absence with your Minister are to make diligent enquiry and presentment of the several particulars following, and make, subscribe and sign the said Terrier as aforesaid.  
1. How many several parcels of Gleab-land do you know, or have you credibly heard to belong unto your Rectory, Church, Parsonage, Vicarage, etc. and by what names are they (or any of them) commonly called and known? And what yearly Rent have you known, or heard to have been paid unto the Parson, Vicar, or to his or their Assigns for every, or any of the said parcels?  

Concerning the Clergy.  
WHether doth your Parson, Vicar, or Curate distinctly and reverently say Divine Service upon Sundays and holidays, and other holidays appointed to be observed by the Book of Common-Prayer, as Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Eves of every Sunday and Holiday, at fit and usual times? And doth he duly observe the Orders, Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the said new Book of Common-Prayer; as well in reading in the public Prayers as the Litany, as also in administering the Sacraments, solemnisation of Matrimony, vistting the Sick, burying the Dead, Churching of Women, and all other the Rites and Offices of the Church, in such manner and form as in the said Book of Common-Prayer he is enjoined, without any omission or addition? And doth he read the Book of the last Canons yearly, and wear a Surplice according to the said Canons?  
2. Doth your Minister bid holidays and Fasting-days, as by the Book of Common-Prayer is appointed? And doth he give warning beforehand to the Parishioners, for the receiving of the Holy Communion? and whether he doth administer the Holy Communion so often and at such times as that every Parishioner may receive the same, at the least thrice in every year: whereof once at Easter, as by the Book of Common-Prayer is appointed? And doth your Minister receive the same himself, on every day that he administereth it to others? and use the words of institution according to the Book at every time that the Bread and Wine is renewed, accordingly as by the proviso of the 21 Canon is directed? And doth he deliver the Bread and Wine to every Communicant severally, and kneeling? Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion any notorious Offender or Schismatic, contrary to the 26. and 27. Constitutions, or put any from the Communion, who are not publicly infamous for any notorious crime? Doth he use the sign of the Cross in Baptism, or baptise in any Basin, or other Vessel, and not in the usual Font? or admit any Father to be Godfather to his own child, or such who have not received the Holy-Communion; or baptise any children that were not born in the Parish; or wilfully refuse to baptise any Infant in his Parish, being in danger, having been informed of the weakness of the said child? and whether the Child dieth through his default without Baptsim?  
3. Whether hath your Minister married any without a King, or without Banes published three several Sundays or holidays in time of Divine service in the several Churches or Chapels of their several abode, according to the Book of Common-Prayer, or in times prohibited, albeit the Banes were thrice published, without a Licence or Dispensation from the Archbishop, the Bishop of the Diocese, his Chancellor, or other Ordinary of the place, first obtained in that behalf, or not betwixt the hours of eight and twelve in the forenoon? Or have married any in any private house, or if the parties be under the age of 21 years, before their Parents or Governors have signified their consent unto them?  
4. Doth he refuse to bury any, which ought to be interred in Christian Burial; or defer the same longer than he should: or bury any in Christian burial, which by the constitutions of the Church of England, or Laws of the Land, ought not to be so interred; as feloes de se, and excommunicated Persons?  
5. Is your Minister a Preacher lawfully licenced?  
6. Doth your Minister (being licenced) preach usually according to the Canons? Or whether doth he or his Curate upon every Sunday, when there is no Sermon, read an Homily, or some part thereof? or in case he be not licenced to Preach, doth he take upon him to Preach or Expound the Scriptures in his own Cure, or elsewhere? If so, than you are to present the same, the time and place, when and where he did it.  
7. Doth your Minister use to pray for the King's Majesty, King Charles, and for the Queen's Majesty, and all the Royal Progeny, with addition of such Style and Titles, as are due to their Highnesses, and exhort the people to obedience to his Majesty, and all Magistrates in Authority under him? And doth he also pray for all Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ecclestastical persons?  
8. Is your Minister constantly resident unto his Benefice, and how long time hath he been absent and in case he be licenced to be absent, whether doth he cause his Cure to be sufficiently supplied according to the Canons? Or in case he hath another Benefice, whether doth he supply his absence by a Curate, sufficiently licenced to preach in that Cure where he himself is not resident? Or otherwise in case the smallness of the living cannot find a preaching Minister, doth he preach at both his Benefices usually?  
9 Doth your Minister or Curate every Sunday or Holiday before Evening Prayer, for half an hour or more examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his Parish in the ten Commandments, Articles of the Belief, and in the Lords-Prayer, and the Sacraments, according as it is prescribed in the Catechism, set forth in the Book of Common-Prayer only? and if he do not, where is the fault, either in the Parents and Masters of the Children, or in the Curate neglecting his duty? And is he careful to tender all such youth of his Parish as have been well instructed in their Catechism to be confirmed by the Bishop in his Visitation, or any other convenient time, as is appointed by the Book aforesaid?  
10. Doth your Minister in the Rogation days go in procession or Perambulation of the Parish, saying and using the Prayers, Suffrages and Thanksgiving to God according to ancient custom, thanking God for his blessings, if there be plenty on the earth: Or otherwise to pray for his grace and favour, if there be a fear of scarcity?  
11. Hath your Minister admitted any Woman gotten with child in adultery or fornication to be Churched without licence of the Ordinary, having not done penance?  
12. Hath your Minister or any other Preacher or Parson baptised Children, Churched any Woman, or Ministered the Holy Communion in any private house otherwise than by Law is allowed?  
13. Doth your Minister carefully look to the relief of the poor, and from time to time call upon his Parishioners to give somewhat as they can spare to Godly and Charitable uses, especially when they make their Testaments?  
14. Doth your Minister use such decency and comeliness in his apparel, as by the 47. Canon is enjoined? is he of sober behaviour, and one that doth not use such bodily labeur or trading as it is not seemly for his function and calling?  
15. When any person hath been dangerously sick in your Parish, hath he neglected to visit him: and when any have been parting out of this life, hath he omitted to do his last duty in that behalf, being requested thereunto?  
16. Doth your Minister, Curate, or Lecturer, in his or their Sermons, deliver such doctrine as tends to obedience, and the edifying of their Auditory in Faith and Religion, without intermeddling with matters of State, not fit to be handled in the Pulpit, but to be discussed by the wisdom of his Majesty and his Council? And if you find any fault herein, you shall present them.   

Schoolmasters.  
1. DOth any in your Parish openly or privately take upon him to teach School without a licence of the Ordinary, and is he conformable to the Religion now established? And doth he bring his Scholars to the Church, to hear Divine Service and Sermons? And doth he instruct his Scholars in the grounds of the Religion now established in this Church of England?  
2. Doth your Schoolmaster teach and instruct his youth in any other Catechism than is allowed by public Authority? And what Catechism is that he so teacheth?  
3. Is any Living or means given toward the erection or maintenance of any School withholden back, or otherwise employed, and by whom?  
4 Doth any keep School in the Chancel or Church, by which means that Holy place and the Communion-Table are many ways profaned, and the windows broken?   

Parish Clerks and Sextons.  
1. HAve you a fit Parish Clerk, aged twenty years at least, of honest Conversation, able to read and write? Whether are his and the Sexton's wages paid without fraud according to the custom of your Parish? if not, then by whom are they so defrauded and denied? by whom are they chosen? and whether the said Clerk be approved by the Ordinary? And hath he taken an Oath, as in such Cases is fit and required? and is he diligent in his Office, and serviceable to the Minister? and doth he take upon him to meddle with any thing above his Office, as Churching of women, burying the dead, or such like?  
2. Doth your Clerk or Sexton keep the Church clean, the doors locked at fit times? Is any thing lost or spoiled in the Church through his default? Are the Communion Table, Font, Books, and other Ornaments of the Church kept fair and clean? Doth he suffer any unseasonable Kinging, or any profane exercise in your Church? Or doth he (when any is passing out of this life) neglect to toll a Bell, having notice thereof?   

Concerning the Parishioners.  
1. WHether any of your Parishioners, being sixteen years of age or upwards, or others lodging or commonly resorting to any house within your Parish, do absent themselves from your Parish Church upon Sundays, or holidays at Morning and Evening Prayer? Or who come late to Church, and dep●rt from Church before Service be done upon the said days? Or who do not reverently behave themselves during the time of Divine Service, devoutly kneeling, when the general confession of sins, the Litany, the ten Commandments, and all Prayers and Collects are read, and standing up when the Articles of the Belief are read; or who do cover their heads in the Church during the time of Divine Service, unless by wearing a Cap or Coif? Or who do give themselves to vabling, talking, or walking, and are not attentive to hear the Word preached, or read? Whether any of your Parish being of sixteen years of age and upwards, do not receive the Holy Communion in your Church thrice every year: whereof once at Easter, and whether they do not devoutly kneel at the receiving thereof? And whether any having divers houses of remove, do shift from place to place on purpose to defeat the performance of their Christian duties in that behalf?  
2. What Recusant Papists are there in your Parish, or other Sectaries? present their names, qualities, or conditions, Whether they keep any Schoolmaster in their house, which cometh not to Church to hear Divine Service, and receive the Communion? what is his Name, and how long hath he taught there, or elsewhere?  
3. Whether any of the said Popish Recusants, or other Schismatics do labour to seduce and withdraw, others from the Religion now established?  
4. Is there any in your Parish that refuse to have their Children Baptised▪ or themselves to receive the Communion at the hands of your Minister, taking exception against him; and what causes or exceptions do they allege? or have any married wives refused to come to Church, according to the Book of Common-Prayer, to give God thanks after their Childbirth, for their safe deliverance? And whether do any of, or in your Parish, refuse to have their children Baptised in your Parish Church, according to the form prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer?  
5. Do any of your Parish usually go to other Parish-Churches to hear Divine Service or Sermons? Or do they communicate or Baptise their Children in any other Parish?  
6. Whether there be any in your Parish who will come to hear the Sermon, but will not come to public Prayers appointed by the Book of Common-Prayer, making a Schism or diviston as it were between the use of public Prayer and Preaching?  
7. Hath any Person in your Parish quarrelled, or stricken, or used any violence to your Minister; or have stricken or quarrelled with any other person in your Church or Church-yard; or demeaned himself disorderly in the Church, by filthy or profane talk, or any other base or immodest behaviour? Or hath disturbed the Minister in the time of Divine Service or Sermon; or hath libelled or spoken standerous words against your Minister, to the scandal of his uccation: or defamed any of his Neighbours touching any crime of Ecclestastical Cognifance?  
8. Whether any person in your Parish, do exercise any Trade or labour, buy or sell, or keep open Shops or Warehouses upon any ●unday by themselves, their Servants, or Apprentices; or have otherwise profaned the said days, contrary to the Orders of the Church of England? And whether there be any Innkeepers, Alehouse-keepers, Victuallers, or other persons, that permit any persens in their Houses, to eat, drink, or play, during the time of Divine Service or Sermon, or reading the Homilies in the forenoon or afternoon, upon those days?  
9 Whether the sifch day of November be kept holy, and thanksgiving made to God for his Majesties and this States happy deliverance, according to the Ordinance in that behalf And the 30th. of January be kept as a day of humiliation for the murdering of King Charles the Martyr? and other days appointed by authority?  
10. Whether any of your Parish hold or frequent any Conventicles or private Congregations; or make or maintain any constitutions, agreed upon in any such Assemblies? Or any that do write, or publicly or privately speak against the Book of Common-Prayer, or any thing therein contained, or against any of the Articles of Religion agreed upon, in Anno. 1562. or against the Kings Supr macy in Causes Ecclestastical, or against the taking the Oaths of Supremacy, or of Allegiance? Or against any of the Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England now established, or against the Government of the Church of England, under the Kings most excellent Majesty, by Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Arch-deacons, and other Officers of the same?  
11. Whether any in your Parish have married within the degrees by Law prohibited, and where, and by whom? And whether any couple in your Parish, being lawfully married, live apart one from the other, without due separation by the Law?  
12. Whether do any persons administer the goods of the dead without lawful Authority, or suppress the last will of the dead? Or are there in your Parish any wills not yet proved, or goods of the dead (dying intestate) left unadministred, by Authority in that behalf? You shall not fail to present the Executors and all other faulty therein.  
13. Whether any withhold the Stock of the Church, or any goods or other things, given to good and charitable uses?  
14. Whether have you any in your Parish to your knowledge, or by common fame or report, which hath committed Adultery, Fornication, or Incest, or any which hath impudently bragged or boasted, that he or they have lived incontinently with any person or persons whatsoever; or which are commonly reputed to be common Drunkards, Blasphemers of Gods holy name, common Swearers, common Slanderers of their neighbours, and sowers of Discord, filthy and lascivious Talkers, Simoniacal Persons, Bawds, or Harbourers of women with Child, which be unmarried, or conveying, or suffering them to go away before they have made satisfaction to the Church; or any that have heretofore been presented, or suspected of any the aforesaid crimes, have for that cause departed the Parish, and are not returned again? or any which have committed any perjury in any Ecclestastical Court in an Ecclestastical cause, and the procurors and abettors of the said offences? You shall truly present the names of all, and singular the said offenders, and with whom they have committed the said offences, in case they have not been publicly punished to your knowledge for the said crimes?   

Physicians, Surgeons, and Midwives.  
HOw many Physicians, Surgeons, or Midwives have you in your Parish? How long have they used their several Sciences or Offices, and by what Authority? And how have they demeaned themselves therein, and of what skill are they accounted to be in their profession?   

Touching the Churchwardens and Sidemen.  
1. WHether your Predecessors the Churchwardens, Questmen or Sidemen, have done their diligence, in not suffering any idle person to abide either in the Churchyard or Church-porch, in Service, or Sermon time, but causing them either to come into the Church to hear Divine Service, or to departed, and not to disturb such as be hearers there? and whether they have in their time diligently observed that the Parishioners have duly resorted to the Church every Sunday and Holiday, and there remained during Divine Service and Sermon? And whether they have suffered any plays, feasts, drink, or any other profane usages, to be kept in your Church, Chappel, or Churchyards; or have suflered any person or persons to be tippling or drinking in any Inn or Victualling-house in your Parish during the time of Divine Service or Sermon, or Sundays and holidays?  
2. Whether, and how often have they admitted any to preach within your Church or Chappel, which was not lawfully licenced? And whether any stranger have usually come to your Church from their own Parish-Church?  
3. Whether have there been provided against every Communion, a sufficient quantity of fine white-bread, and good and wholesome Wine for the Communicants that shall receive? And whether that Wine be brought in a clean and sweet standing Pot of Pewter, or of other purer metal?  
4. Whether have the late Churchwardens given up a just account for their time, and delivered by Bill indented the mo●ey, and other things belonging to the Church which was in their hands? And are the Alms of the Church faithfully distributed to the use of the poor?  
5. Whether any man do trouble or molest you for doing your duties?  
6. Whether there be any Legacies withheld, given to the Church or poor people, or other pious uses: in whose hands is it, by whom was it given, and by whom is it withheld?  
7. Do you know any thing that hath been complained of, that is not redressed?   
FINIS.