ARTICLES OF VISITATION and ENQUIRY Concerning Matters. 
 ECCLESIASTICAL, EXHIBITED To the Ministers, Church-Wardens, and Side-men of every Parish within the diocese of WORCESTER, IN THE Episcopal Visitation Of the Right Reverend Father in God, JAMES, By Divine Permission, Lord Bishop of WORCESTER.  
Holden in the year 1679,  
LONDON, Printed for John Jones Bookseller in Worcester, 1679.   

The Tenor of the OATH to be Tendered to the CHURCH-WARDENS and SIDE-MEN of every Parish in the diocese of WORCESTER.  
YOU shall Swear truly and faithfully, according to the best of your Skill and knowledge, to execute the Office of Church-Warden within your Parish for this present year; and also present such things and Persons, as, to your knowledge, are presentable by the Laws Ecclesiastical of this Realm. So help you God.   

ARTICLES Of Visitation and Enquiry within the diocese of WORCESTER.  

Tit. I. Concerning Churches and chapels, with the Ornaments and Furniture thereunto belonging.  

I. IS your Parish-Church or chapel kept in good repair in all parts of it, with such cleanliness, decency, and order, as becomeeth a House dedicated to the public Worship and Service of God?  
II. Hath any thing belonging to them, as Bells, led or the like been sold or embezzled? When, and by whom?  
III. Is there a Font of ston, with a good cover to it, 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, with a fair Carpet of Silk, or fine Cloath, with another of fine linen, to spread thereon at the Administration of the Lord's Supper? And have you a fair Communion-Cup or Chalice with a Cover of Silver, and one or more Flagons of Silver or Pewter belonging to that Service?  
IV. Have you in your said Church or chapel a convenient Seat or Pew for your Minister to red Divine Service in: a Pulpit, with a comely Cloath 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 Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, and a printed Table of the degrees wherein Marriage is prohibited? Have you also His Majesties Proclamation commanded to be red yearly upon the Sunday before the Thirtieth day of January?  
V. Have you a comely large Surplice, and other Ornaments for your Minister, according to his Degree, to wear in his public Administrations, for outward decency and distinction?  
VI. Have you a Book of Parchment, wherein are registered the Names of all such persons as are Married, Christened and butted within your Parish? And is the Transcript thereof yearly, within a month next after the 25th of March, brought into the Bishops Registry?  
VII. Have you likewise another Book of Paper, wherein to Record the Names and Licences of all such strangers as are admitted, at any time, to Preach in your Church or chapel? As also a third Book wherein to writ down the Church-wardens 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 Herse-cloth for the Burial of the Dead?    

Tit. II. Concerning the Church-yard; the Houses, Glebe, and Tithes belonging to the Church.  

I. IS your Church-yard sufficiently fenced, and kept from all Annoyance? Hath any person encroached upon the same, or cut down the Trees therein?  
II. Is the Mansion-house of your Minister, with all other houses thereunto belonging, kept in good repair? Have any of them been pulled down, or defaced? Have any encroached upon the Land thereto belonging or felled the Trees thereon growing?  
III. Have you a perfect Terrier of all Glebe-lands, Gardens, Orchards and Tenements belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage? Also a particular List of such Pensions, Tithes, Rents, Customs, and other yearly Profits within or without your Parish, as belong thereto? Are any of them withheld from your Minister? And by whom?  
IV. Have any of the ancient Glebe-lands belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage been taken away, or alienated by Lease, Sale, or Exchange, without Licence from the Ordinary, and the free consent of the Incumbent? Have any Enclosures been made in your Parish, to the detriment of the Church?    

Tit. III. Concerning Ministers.  

I. IS your Minister Episcopally Ordained Priest or Deacon, according to the Laws of the Church of England?  
II. Is he defamed, or suspected to have obtained either his bnfice or Orders by any Simoniacal compact?  
III. Hath he been legally Instituted and Inducted into his bnfice: and did he, within two monthes, 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, and there publicly declare his assent thereunto?  
IV. Hath he any Ecclesiastical bnfice, or doth he supply any other Church besides his own? Is he constantly resident among you, or is he at any time, for any long season, absent? Hath he a settled Curate to assist him in his absence? Is that Curate an able, discreet, and Conformable person, licenced by the Bishop, residing and attending only upon that Cure? And hath he a competent allowance according to the value of the Living?  
V. Doth your person, Vicar, or Curate, red the daily Morning and evening Service, with the Second Service( as it is prescribed) on sundays and holidays? Doth he red also the Litany on sundays, as likewise on wednesdays and fridays. And doth he in Reading the Services, and in the Administration of the Holy Sacraments, Celebration of Marriage, Churching of Women after Child-birth, Visitation of the Sick, Burial of the Dead, and Pronouncing Gods Commination against impenitent sinners, use the Form and words presc●●●bed 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?  
VI. Doth your Minister, at the Reading and Celebrating the Divine offices in your Church, or chapel, constantly wear the Surplice, together with such other Scholastical habit, as is suitable to his Degree?  
VII. Doth your Minister give you notice of, and duly observe holidays, Festivals, or Feasts, with other Solemn times, as Ember and Rogation Weeks, according as it is by Laws and Canons of this Church appointed?  
VIII. Hath your Minister been licensed to officiate, by the Bishop of this diocese, or either of the two universities? Doth he, being thus licensed, diligently red Divine Service, and Preach every Lords-day in your Church or chapel, unless hindered by Sickness, or reasonable absence? And in such cases doth he procure some lawful Minister to red Prayers, to Preach and perform other Ministerial duties?  
IX. Doth your Minister constantly on sundays in the afternoon, immediately after the second Lesson 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 their bound duty in obeying the Laws, and submitting to the Government thereof?  
X. Doth your Minister celebrate the Sacrament of the Lords Supper so often every year, that every Parishioner may receive thrice at least? And doth he repel those that ought not to be admitted, giving an account of them to the Bishop?  
XI. Is he ready to Visit the Sick, and to Baptize Infants that are in danger of death? Is there any Infant, or other person, by his default Vnbaptized in your Parish? Doth he use to Baptize any without God-fathers or God-mothers or admit either of the Parents to be Godfather or Godmother to their own Child, or doth he Baptize any at home, except in case of imminent danger?  
XII. Hath he at any time( as you know, or have heard) Preached any False, Heretical, Sedetious, 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 mary any Persons in private Houses? Or such as being under age, have not the consent of their Parents, or Gaurdians? Or without the Banns first Published on three Sundays or holidays in the Church? Or at any other Hours than between Eight and Twelve in the morning, unless he had a Licence so to do?  
XIV. Hath your Minister taken upon him to appoint any public or private Fasts, prophesying 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 Famalies to resort unto, under the pretence of Preaching, Praying, Thanksgiving, or Humiliation, contrary to the Laws and Canons in that case provided?  
XV. Is your Minister conformable to the holy Rule, and Great Example of our Lord Jesus Christ? Is he a Man of a studious, sober, peaceable and exemplary life, for sanctity, charity and industry in his Calling? Is he grave, modest and regular in his outward demeanour, without Vanity in his hair, and his Apparel such as may distinguish him from the Laity, as the Canons of the Church require? Is his discourse and whole conversation becoming a Minister of the Gospel, who remembers the great account he must give for his own and other Mens Souls committed to his care? Or is he in any kind whatsoever Disorderly and Scandalous.    

Tit. IV. Concerning the Parishioners.  

I. ARe there any in your Parish that are reputed heretics, or schismatics, refusing Communion with the Church of England, or professing any other Religion than what is established in this Church, seducing others from it, and railing against it? Are there any convicted Papists, known Anabaptists, Familists, Quakers, or other Separatists in your Parish?  
II. Is there any person in your Parish, that lieth under any Common famed, or Vehement suspicion of Adultery, Fornication, or incest? Are there any common Drunkards, Swearers or Blasphemers of Gods Name, and his holy Word? Are any noted for Railers, Vnclean and Filthy Talkers, or Sowers of Sedition, or Living in discord and contention?  
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 wears sold? Or do any Vintners. Inn-keepers, or Victuallers, and sellers of Ale and Beer, suffer any persons to tipple, or Game in their houses upon those dayes?  
IV. Doth every person inhabiting and sojourning within your Parish duly resort unto your Church, or chapel, upon every Sunday and holiday appointed for Divine-Service? Do they then quietly abide 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 uncover his head, and so continue all the time of Divine-Service and Sermon in the Church? Do they all Reverently kneel at the Prayers, and stand up when the Creed and Gospel are red, making Due Reverence when the Name of our Lord Jesus is mentioned?  
VI. Are there any in your Parish that refuse to sand their Infant Children to be Baptized publicly in the Church, unless in case of urgent danger; in which case the Child may be Baptized at home by the lawful Minister, after the Form and Rites appointed in the Liturgy? Or do they sand them from their own Minister to be Baptized in any other Parishes, or make use of any other Minister to Baptize, when their own is at home? Or do they keep their Children any longer unbaptised than the Church alloweth? And are there any Infants or more Aged persons in your Parish as yet unbaptised? Who are they, and of what age;  
VII. Doth every Householder in your Parish cause their Children, Apprentices and Servants, to learn the Church-Catechism, and give account of it to your Minister, as he shall require it in the Church on sundays, or holidays, as it is appointed? And when they are therein well instructed, do they take care to have them brought by the Minister to Confirmation, when occasion is offered by the Bishop, for the increase of all Spiritual Gifts and Graces in them?  
VIII. Is there any person in your Parish, who being Sixteen 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?  
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 not so, or 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 appareled, and make their Offerings according to Custom?  
XII. Are there any of your Parish who refuse to pay their Easter-Offerings, and other Duties to your Minister; or to pay the Rates assessed on them for the repair and Provisions of the Church?  
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 Pacish, 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?  
XIV. Do you know, or have you heard of any in your Parish, who having the Presentation of an Ecclesiastical Living, hath made any Simoniacal Compact, or gain thereby, either in Money, or by reserve of any part of the Tithes, or Glebe belonging to that bnfice?  
XV. Have any Pews or Seats been erected in your Church or chapel, without leave from the Ordinary? Is there any strife or Contention about Seats in the Church? Have any occasioned Riot, Clamour, or Fighting in the Church at any time?    

Tit. V. Concerning Parish Clerks and Sextons.  

I. HAve you belonging to your Church or Chappelry a Parish-Clerk of honest Life and Conversation? And doth he 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 your Church? And are his wages duly paid unto him?  
II. Doth he or your Sexton take care of the Church, to keep it locked and Clean, to open the Doors, and to Ring the Bells in due time, to call the Living to the Worship of God; Also to admonish them, by Tolling of a Passing-Bell, of any that are Dying, thereby to meditate of their own death, and to commend the others weak condition to the Mercy of God?    

Tit. VI. Concerning Hospitals and Alms-houses, Schools, School-Masters, Physicians, chirurgeons, and Midwives.  

I. WHat Hospital, Alms-house, or Free-School, hath been Founded in your Parish? Are they so ordered in the Revenue and use as the Founders appointed, and the Law of the Land allows?  
II. What School-Master, private or public, is there in your Parish? Is he licenced by the Bishop? Doth he teach his Scholars in the Catechism of Religion 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?  
III. Do any in your Parish practise physic, chirurgery, or Midwifery, without Licence from the Ordinary?    

Tit. VII. Queries to be put to the Minister, concerning the Church-wardens and Side-men.  

I. ARe the Church-wardens 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 Church-wardens, given up their accounts duly to the Parish, and delivered up to the succeeding Church-wardens, the money remaining in their hands, together with all other things belonging to your Church or chapel?  
III. Do your Church-wardens and Side-men diligently take notice of their Names, who, without a sufficient cause, are absent from Divine Service and Sermons on the Lord's dayes, and other holidays? Do they, by Warrant from the next Iustices, Levy Twelve-pence, by way of Distress( according to Law) upon their Goods, in case they refuse to pay it, for their wilful and causeless absence? And is the Money so levied distributed to the Poor of your Parish, and kept upon account in a Book?  
IV. Do they present them that come late to Church, after Divine Service is begun, or depart before it be ended? Do they suffer any to stand idle, or talk together in the Church-Porch, or walk in the Church, or Church-yard, during the time of Prayer, Preaching, or other Sacred Offices?  
V. Do they, against every Communion appointed in your Church or chapel, provide a sufficient quantity of Fine White Bread, and of good Wine, according to the number of Communicants?  
VI. 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 Pr●ach in this diocese? And do they permit no other to Preach?  
VII. Have they( the Church-wardens, and Side-men) who are to give in a true answer, upon their oaths, unto all these Articles of Enquiry, in their several Titles, taken sufficient time to draw up their Presentments at home, before they come to the Visitation? And have they therein consulted with you their Minister for your faithful assistance?   
FOr both you and they are seriously to consider, that as the faithful discharge of your Trusts, according to your Duties, or Oaths, is a special means to Repress and reform all Sins and Disorders in your Parishes, and so to Preserve the Honor of Religion, and the Peace of this Church, to the Glory of our God and Saviour( which are the great Uses and Ends of all Church-Government and Visitations:) So if you neglect your Duties therein, by refusing to present such Crimes and Faults, as either you know to have been committed, or otherwise have heard of by public famed; you will not only Sin against God, your Consciences and the Churches Prosperity, and consequently draw upon yourselves the Guilt of being accessary to the said Decay of Religion, but also become liable to those Punishments, which, in case of wilful Omission and Perjury, are, by the Law, to be Inflicted on you for your Defaults, and must expect that the Bishop and his Officers will proceed against you accordingly.   
JA. WIGORN.  
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 him to be Confirmed; Especially such as having competently Learned their Catechism, have not yet Received the Holy Communion. And every person that is to be Confirmed, is to have a God-father, or Godmother, as a Witness, at their Confirmation, as is appointed by the Book of Common-Prayer.  
FINIS.