Concerning the Church , the Ornaments thereof , and the Churches possessions .

IMprimis , Whether haue you in your seuerall Churches , and Chappels , the whole Bible of the largest volume , and the Booke of Common Prayer , both fairely and substantially bound . A Font of stone , set vp in the ancient vsuall place : A conuenient and decent Communion Table , with a Carpet of silke , or some other decent stuffe , continually laid vpon the same at time of diuine seruice , and a faire linnen cloth thereon , at the time of the receiuing of the holy Communion . And whether is the same Table placed in such conuenient sort within the Chancell or Church , as that the Minister may be best heard in his Prayer and Administration : and that the greatest number may communicate . And whether is it so vsed out of time of Diuine seruice , as is not agréeable to the holy vse of it ; as by sitting on it , throwing hats on it , writing on it , or is it abused to other prophaner vses : and are the Ten Commandements set vpon the East end of your Church or Chappell where the people may best sée and reade them , and other sences of holy Scripture , written on the walles likewise for that purpose .

2 Item , whether are the afternoones Sermons , in your seuerall Parishes , turned into Catechizing by question and answer ; according to the forme prescribed in the Booke of Common Praier ? and whether doth euery Lecturer reade diuine Seruice , according to the Liturgy printed by authoritie , in his Surplice and Hood before the Lecture ? And whether are his Majesties Instructions in all things duly obserued ?

3 Whether haue you in your said Church or Chappel , a conuenient seat for your Minister to reade Seruice in , together with a comely pulpet set vp in a conuenient place , with a decent cloath or cushion for the same , a comely large Surplice , a faire Communion cup , with a couer of siluer , a Flagon of siluer , tinne , or pewter , to put the Wine in , whereby it may be set vpon the Communion Table , at the time of the blessing thereof , with all other things and ornaments necessary for the celebration of Diuine Seruice , and administration of the Sacraments ? And whether haue you a strong Chest for Almes for the poore , with thrée Lockes and Keies , and another Chest for kéeping the Bookes , and Ornaments of the Church , and the Register Book . And whether haue you a Register Booke in Parchment , for Christnings , Weddings , and Burials , and whether the same be kept in all points , according to the Canons in that behalfe prouided ? And is the Mothers Christian name therein Registred as well as the Fathers , and a transcript therof brought in yearely within one moneth after the 25 of March into the Lord Archbishop or Bishop of the Diocesse his principall Register ? And whether haue you in your said Church or Chancell , a Table set , of the degrées wherein by Law Men are prohibited to marry ?

4 Whether are your Church and Chappels , with the Chancels thereof , and your parsonage or vicarage house , your parish Almes-house and Church-house , in good reparations : and are they imployed to godly , and their right holy vses ? Is your Church , Chancell , and Chappell decently and comly kept , as well within as without , and the seats well maintained , according to the 85 Canon , in that behalfe prouided ? Or haue any Patrons or others decayed the Personage-houses , and kéepe a stipendary Priest , or Curate , in place where an incumbent should be possessed ? Whether is your Church-yard well fenced with walles , railes , or pales , and by whom : and if not , in whose default the same is , and what the defect or fault is ? And whether any person haue incroached vpon the ground of the Church-yard , or whether any person or persons , haue vsed any thing or place consecrated to holy vse , prophanely or wickedly ?

5 Is your Church or Chappell decently paued , and is your Church-yard well and orderly kept without abuse . Are the bones of the dead decently interred , or laid vp in some fit place as beseemeth Christians . And is the whole consecrated ground kept frée from Swine and all other nastinesse , as becommeth the place so dedicated ?

6 Whether haue any ancient Monuments or Glasse windowes béene defaced , or any brasse Inscriptions , Lead , Stones , or any thing else belonging to your Church or Chappell béene at any time parloyned , and by whom ?

7 Whether haue you the Terrier of all the Gleabe Lands , Medowes , Gardens , Orchards , Houses , Stockes , Implements , Tenements , and portions of Tithes ( whether within your Parish or without ) belonging vnto your parsonage or vicarage , taken by the view of honest men in your said Parish ? And whether the same Terrier be laid vp in the Bishops Registery , and in whose hands any of them are now . And if you haue 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 inquiry and presentment of the premises , and make , subscribe , and signe the said Terrier , as aforesaid .

Concerning the Clergy .

1 WHether doth your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , distinctly and reuerently say Diuine seruice vpon Sundayes and Holidayes , and other dayes appointed to be obserued by the booke of Common Prayer ; as Wednesdayes , and Fridayes , and the Eues of euery Sunday and Holiday , at fit and vsuall times ? And doth he duly obserue the Orders , Rites and Ceremonies , prescribed in the said Booke of common-Prayer , as well in reading publike prayers and the Letany , as also in administring the Sacraments , solemnization of Matrimony , visiting the sicke , burying the dead , Churching of Women , and all other like Rites and Offices of the Church , in such manner and forme , as in the said Booke of Common prayer he is inioyned , without any omission or addition . And doth he reade the Book of the last Canons yearely , and weare a Surplice according to the said Canons ?

2 Whether haue you any Lecturer in your Parish , who hath preached in his Cloake and not in his Gowne , and whether haue you any Lecturer who will not professe his willingnesse and readines to take vpon him a Liuing or Benefice , with cure of soules , or who hath refused a Benefice when it hath beene offered vnto him .

3 Doth your Minister bid Holidayes and Fasting-dayes , as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed ? and doth he giue warning beforehand to the Parishioners , for the receiuing of the holy Communion , as the two and twentieth Canon requireth : and whether hee doth administer the holy Communion so often , and at such times , as that euery Parishioner may receiue the same , at the least thrice in euery yeere : whereof once at Easter , as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed ? And doth your Minister receiue the same himselfe , on euery day that he administreth it to others , and vse the words of institution according to the Booke , at euery time that the Bread and Wine is renewed , accordingly as by the prouiso of the 21. Canon , is directed : And doth he deliuer the Bread and Wine to euery Communicant seuerally , and knéeling : Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion , any notorious Offender or Schismaticke , contrary to the 26. and 27. constitutions , or receiued any to the Communion , being not of his owne Cure , or put any from the Communion , who are not publickly infamous for any notorious crime ? Doth he vse the signe of the Crosse in Baptisme , or Baptize in any Bazon , or other vessell , and not in the vsuall Font , Or admit any Father to be God-father to his owne child , or such who haue not receiued the holy Communion ▪ or baptize any Children that were not borne in the parish , or wilfully refuse to Baptize any Infant in his parish , being in danger , hauing beene enformed of the weakenesse of the said childe : and whether the childe dieth through his default without Baptisme ?

4 Whether hath your Minister married any without a King , or without Banes published three seuerall Sundayes or Holydayes in time of Diuine Seruice , in the seuerall Churches or Chappels of their seuerall abode , according to the Booke of Common prayer , or in times prohibited , albeit the Banes were thrice published , without a License or dispensation from the Archbishop , the Bishop of the Diocesse , or his Chancellor , first obtained in that behalfe ? Or not betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the forenoone , or haue maried any in any priuate house , or if the parties be vnder the age of 21 yéeres before their parents or gouernours haue signified their consent vnto him ?

5 Doth he refuse to bury any , which ought to be interred in Christian buriall , or defer the same longer than he should , or bury any in christian buriall , which by the constitutions of the Church of England , or Lawes of the Land , ought not to be so interred ?

6 Is your Minister a Preacher allowed ? If yea , then by whom . If not , whether doth he procure some who are lawfully licensed , to preach monethly amongst you at the least ?

7 Doth your Minister ( being licensed , ) preach vsually according to the Canons , either in his owne Cure , or in some other Church or Chappell neare adioyning , where no Preacher is , and how often he hath béene negligent in that behalfe , and doth hee preach standing , and with his Hat off ? Or whether doth he or his Curate vpon euery Sunday , when there is no Sermon , reade an homilie , or some part thereof , according as hee ought to doe : or in case he be not licensed to preach , doth he take vpon him to preach or expound the Scriptures in his owne Cure , or elsewhere : If so , then you are to present the same , the time and place , when , and where he did it ?

8 Doth your Minister vse to pray for the Kings Maiesty , King Charles , and for the Quéenes Maiesty , Prince Charles , and all the royall Progeny , with addition of such Stile and Titles as are due to his Highnesse , and exhort the people to obedience to his Maiesty , and all Magistrates in authority vnder him : And doth hee also pray for all Arch-Bishops , Bishops , and other Ecclesiasticall persons ?

9 Is your Minister continually resident vpon his Benefice , and how long time hath he bin absent , and in case he be licensed 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 licensed to preach in that Cure where he himselfe is not resident . Or otherwise , in case the smalnesse of the liuing cannot finde a preaching Minister , doth he preach at both his Benefices vsually ?

10 Doth your Minister or Curate , serue any more Cures than one : If yea , then what other Cure doth he serue , and how farre are they distant ?

11 Doth your Minister or Curate euery Sunday and Holiday , before Euening prayer , for halfe an houre or more , examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his Parish in the Tenne Commandements , Articles of the Beliefe , and in the Lords Prayer , and the Sacraments , according as it is prescribed in the Catechisme , set forth in the booke of Common praier onely ? And if he doe not , where is the fault , either in the Parents and Masters of the children , or in the Curate neglecting his duty ? And is hee carefull to tender all such youth of his Parish as haue béene well instructed in their Catechisme to be confirmed by the Bishop in his Visitation , or any other conuenient time , as is appointed by the booke aforesaid ?

12 Doth your Minister in the Rogation dayes , goe in perambulation of the circuit of the parish , saying and vsing the prayers , Suffrages , and Thankesgiuing to God , appointed by Law , according to his duty , thanking God for his blessings , if there be plenty on the earth : Or otherwise , to pray for his grace and fauour , if there be a feare of scarcity ?

13 Hath your Minister admitted any Woman , begotten with childe in adultery or fornication , to be Churched without licence of the Ordinary ?

14 Hath your Minister , or any other Preacher , baptized children , churched any woman , or ministred the holy Communion in any priuate house , otherwise than by Law is allowed ?

15 Doth your Minister endeuour and labour diligently to reclaime the popish Recusants in his parish from their errors ( if there be any such abiding in your parish . ) Or whether is your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , ouer conuersant with , or a fauourer of Recusants , whereby he is suspected not to be sincere in Religion ?

16 Hath your Minister taken vpon him , to appoint any publique or priuate Fasts , Prophesies , or exercises , not approued by Law , or publique authority , or hath vsed to meet in any priuate house or place , with any person or persons , there to consult how to impeach or depraue the Booke of Common Prayer , or the doctrine or discipline of the Church of England : If yea , then you shall present them all ?

17 Hath your Minister staied the publication of any excommunications or suspentions , or doth he euery halfe yéere denounce in his Parish Church , all such of his parish as are excommunicated , and perseuere therein without séeking to be absolued , or doth he wittingly and willingly keep company with such as are excommunicate : And hath he admitted into your Church any person excommunicate , without a certificate of his absolution from the Ordinary , or other competent Iudge ?

18 Doth your Minister carefully looke to the releefe of the poore , and from time to time call vpon his Parishioners to giue somewhat , as they can spare to godly and charitable vses , especially when they make their Testaments .

19 Whether your Minister or any , hauing taken holy Orders , being now silenced or suspended , or any other person of your knowledge , or as you haue heard , hold any conuenticles , or doth preach in any place , or vse any other forme of Diuine Seruice than is appointed in the Booke of Common prayer : If yea , then you are to presents their names , and with whom ?

20 Whether is your Curate licensed to serue , by the Bishop of this Diocesse , or by any other , and by whom ?

21 Doth your Minister vse such decencie and comelinesse in his apparell , as by the 47. Cannon is enioyned : is he of sober behauiour , and one that doth not vse such bodily labour , as is not seemely for his function and calling ?

22 Is your Minister noted or defamed , to haue obtained his Benefice or his orders , by Symony or any other way defamed , to be a Symoniac all person , or any way noted to be a Schismaticke , or scismatically affected , or reputed to be an incontinent person , or doth table or lodge any such in his house : or is he a frequenter of Tauernes , Innes , or Ale-houses , or any place suspected for ill rule : Or is he a common Drunkard , a common Gamester , or player at Dice , a Swearer , or one that applieth himselfe not at his study , or is otherwise offensiue and scandalous to his function or Ministry ?

23 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer reade Diuine seruice , before his Sermon , or Lecture , and Minister the Sacraments twice a yeere at least in his owne person , according to the Canons ?

24 When any person hath bene dangerously sicke in your Parish , hath hee neglected to visit him , and when any haue béene parting out of this life hath he omitted to doe his last duty in that behalfe ?

25 Doth your Minister , Curate , or Lecturer , in his or their Sermons deliuer such doctrine as tends to obedience and the edifying of their Auditory in faith and religion , without intermedling with matters of State , not fit to be handled in the Pulpit , but to be discussed by the wisdome of his Maiesty and his Councell . And if you finde any faulty herein , you shall present them ?

Schoole-Masters .

1 DOth any in your Parish openly or priuately take vpon him to teach Schoole ? without license of the Ordinary , and is he conformable to the Religion now established ? And doth hee bring his Schollers to the Church , to heare diuine Seruice and Sermons ? And doth hee instruct his Schollers in the grounds of the Religion now established in this Church of England , and is hee carefull and diligent to benefit his Schollers in learning ?

2 Doth your Schoolemaster teach and instruct his youth in any other Catechisme than is allowed by publike authority ? And what Catechisme it is that he so teacheth ?

3 Is any Liuing or Meanes giuen towards the erection or maintenance of any Schoole withholden backe or otherwise imployed , and by whom ?

4 Doth any kéepe Schoole in the Chancell or Church , by which meanes , that holy place , and the Communion Table are many waies profaned , and the windowes broken ?

Parish Clark and Sextons .

1 HAue you a fit Parish Clarke , aged twenty yeeres at least , of honest conuersation , able to reade and write ? Whether are his and the Sextons wages paid without fraud , according to the ancient custome of your Parish : if not , then by whom are they so defrauded or denied ? by whom are they chosen ? and whether the said Clarke be approued 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 seruiceable to the Minister , and doth he take vpon him to meddle with any thing aboue his Office : as Churching of Women , burying the dead , or such like ?

2 Doth your Clark or Sexton kéep the Church cleane , the doores locked at fit times ? Is any thing lost or spoiled in the Church , through his default ? are the Communion Table , Font , Bookes , and other Ornaments of the Church kept faire and cleane ? doth he suffer any vnseasonable ringing , or any prophane exercise in your Church ? Or doth he ( when any is passing out of this life ) neglect to toll a bell , hauing notice thereof ?

Concerning the Parishioners .

1 WHether any of your Parishioners , being sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwarde , or others lodging or commonly resorting to any House within your parish , doe wilfully absent themselues from your parish Church , vpon Sundayes or Holidayes at Morning and Euening prayers ? Or who come late to Church , and depart from Church before seruice be done vpon the said dayes ? Or who do not reuerently behaue themselues during the time of Diuine seruice , deuoutly knéeling , when the generall confession of sinnes , the Letany , the ten Commandements , and all Prayers and Collects are 〈◊〉 , and ●●ing all due and ●●●ly reuerence , when the blessed name of the Lord Iesus Christ is mentioned , and standing vp when the Articles of the Beliefe are read : or who 〈…〉 in the Church during the time of Diuine Seruice , vnlesse 〈…〉 , in which case they may weare a Night-cap or Coyfe ? Or who doe giue themselues to babling , talking , or walking , and are not attentiue to heare the Word preached , or read ? Whether any of your Parish , being of sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards , doe not receiue the holy Communion in your Church thrice euery yéere : whereof once at Easter , and whether they doe not deuoutly knéele at the receiuing thereof ? And whether any hauing diuerse houses of remoue , doe shift from place to place of purpose to defeat the performance of their Christian duties in that behalfe ?

2 Whether any of your parishioners , being admonished thereof , doe not send their Children , Seruants , and Apprentizes , to the Minister to bee catechized vpon such Sundayes and Holydayes as are appointed ? Or whether any of them doe refuse to come ; or if they come , refuse to learne those instructions set forth in the Booke of Common prayer ?

3 Whether any of your Parish doe entertaine within their house , any soiourner , common guests , or other persons , who refuse to frequent Diuine Seruice , or receiue the holy Communion , as aforesaid , present their names , their qualities , or conditions ?

4 What Recusant Papists are there in your Parish , or other Sectaries ? present their names , qualities , or conditions ? whether they kéepe any Schoolemaster in their house , which commeth not to Church to heare Diuine Seruice and receiue the Communion ? What is his Name , and how long hath he taught there , or elsewhere ?

5 Whether any of the said Popish Recusants , or other Schismaticks , doe labour to seduce and withdraw others from the Religion now established ? Or instruct their families or children in Popish religion : or refuse to entertaine any , especially in place of greatest seruice , or trust , but such as concurre with them in their opinions ?

6 How long haue the said popish Recusants abstained from Diuine Seruice , or from the Communion , as aforesaid ?

7 Is there any in your Parish that retaine , sell , vtter , or disperse , any Popish bookes , or Writings , or other Bookes , Libraries , or writings of any Sectaries , touching the Religion , State , or Gouernement Ecclesiasticall of this Kingdome of England , or kéepe any Monuments of Superstition vncancelled or vndefaced ?

8 Whether haue you any in your Parish , which heretofore being popish Recusants or Sectaries , haue since reformed themselues , and come to Church to heare Diuine Seruice , and receiue the Sacraments : If yea , then who are they ? And how long since haue they so reformed themselues ? And whether they still remaine and abide in that conformitie ?

9 Is there any in your Parish that refuse to haue their Children Baptised , or themselues to receiue the Communion at the hands of your Minister , taking exception against him , and what causes or exceptions doe they alleage ; or haue any maried Wiues refused to come to Church , according to the Booke of Common Prayer , to giue God thankes after their Child-birth , for their safe deliuerance ? And whether doe any of , or in your Parish , refuse to haue their Children Baptized in your parish Church , according to the forme prescribed in the booke of common Prayer ?

10 Doe any of your Parish vsually goe to other Parish Churches to heare Diuine Seruice or Sermons ? Or doe they communicate , or Baptize their Children in any other Parish ?

11 Whether there be any in your Parish who will come to heare the Sermon , but will not come to publike prayers appointed by the Booke of Common Prayer , making a Schisme or diuision ( as it were ) betweene the vse of publike prayer and preaching ?

12 What persons within your Parish , for any offence , contumacy , or crime , of Ecclesiasticall 〈…〉 excommunicate ? present their names , and for what cause they are excommunicated , and how long they haue so stood , and what person or persons doe wittingly and vsually keepe them company ?

13 Whether any , not being in Orders , doe execute any Priestly or Ministeriall office , in your Church , Chappell , or Church-yard , and what be their names ?

14 Whether any in your Parish , that hauing heretofore taken vpon him the order of Priest-hood or Deacon , hath since relinquished the same , and liues as a Lay-man neglecting his vocation ?

15 Haue any person in your Parish quarrelled , or stricken , or vsed any violence to your Minister , or haue stricken or quarrelled with any other person within your Church or Church-yard , or demeaned himselfe disorderly in the Church , by filthy or prophane talke , or any other base or immodest behauiour ? Or haue disturbed the Minister in time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon , or haue libelled or spoken slanderous words against your Minister , to the scandall of his vocation , or defamed any of his Neighbours , touching any crime of Ecclesiasticall Conusance ?

16 Whether any of , or in your Parish , without consent of the Ordinarie , or other lawfull authority , haue caused any to doe pennance , or to be censured or punished for any matter of Ecclesiasticall Conusance , by any Vestry méetings or otherwise by their owne authority ? Or haue taken any money or commutation for the same ? Present their names that haue done it ? And who haue beene so punished ? In what manner , and vpon what cause ?

17 Whether any person in your Parish , doe exercise any Trade or labour , buy or sell , or kéep open Shops or Ware-houses vpon any Sunday or Holyday by themselues , their Seruants , or Apprentices , or haue otherwise prophaned the said dayes , contrary to the orders of the Church of England ? And whether there be any Inne-kéepers , Alehouse-keepers , Victualiers or other persons , that permit any persons in their houses , to eate , drinke or play , during the time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon , or reading the Homilies in the forenoone or afternoone , vpon those dayes ?

18 Whether the fifth day of Nouember , be kept holy , and thankes-giuing made to God , for his Maiesties and this States happie deliuerance , according to the Ordinance in that behalfe ?

19 Whether any of your parish hold or frequent any conuenticles or priuate Congregations , or make or maintaine any constitutions , agréed vpon in any such assemblies ? Or any that doe write , or publikely or priuately speake against the Booke of Common prayer , or anything therein contained , or against any of the Articles of Religion agreed vpon , in Anno 1562. or against the Kings Supremacie , in causes Ecclesiasticall , or against the Oath of Supremacie , or of Allegiance , as pretending the same to be vnlawfull and not warrantable by the Word of GOD ? Or against any of the Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England , now established ? Or against the Gouernement of the Church of England vnder the Kings most excellent Maiesty , by Arch-Bishops , Bishops , Deanes , Arch-Deacons , and other Officers of the same : affirming , that the same is repugnant to the Word of GOD , and that the said Ecclesiasticall Officers , are not lawfully ordained ? Or whether there be any Authors , Maintainers , or Fauourers of Heresie or Schisme , or that be suspected to be Anabaptists , Libertines , Brownists , of the Family of Loue , or of any other Heresie or Schisme 〈◊〉 present their names ?

20 Whether any in your Parish haue maried within the degrées by Law prohibited , and where , and by whom ? And whether any couple in your Parish being lawfully maried , liue apart one from the other , without due separation by the Law , or any that haue beene diuorced , which kéepe company with any other at Bedde or at Boord ?

21 Whether doe any persons administer the goods of the dead without lawfull authority , or suppresse the last will of the dead ? Or are there in your Parish any wils not yet proued , or goods of the dead ( dying intestate ) left vnto administred ? By authority in that behalfe , you shall not faile to present the Executors , and all others faulty therein : and also how many persons being possessed of any goods and chattels , haue died within your Parish , since ther day of February ? 1632.

22 Whether any with-hold the Stocke of the Church , or any goods or other things , giuen to good and charitable vses ?

23 Whether your Hospitals and Almes-houses , and other such houses and corporations , founded to good and charitable vses , and the lands , possession and goods of the same , be ordered and disposed of as they should be ? And doe the Masters , Gouernours , Fellowes , and others of the said Houses and Corporations , behaue and demeane themselues , according to the godly Ordinances and Statutes of their seuerall Foundations ?

24 Whether haue you any in your Parish to your knowledge or by common same or report , which haue committed Adultery , Fornication , or Incest : or any which haue impudently bragged or boasted , that he or she haue liued incontinently with any person or persons whatsoeuer : or any that haue attempted the chastity of any woman , or solicited any woman to haue the carnall knowledge of her body , or which are commonly reputed to bee common Drunkards , Blasphemers of Gods holy Name ; common Swearers , common Slanderers of their Neighbours , and sowers of discord , filthy and lascittious Talkers , Vsurers , Symoniacall Persons , Bawdes , or Harborers of Women with childe , which be vnmaried , or Conueying or suffering them to goe away before they haue made satisfaction to the Church , or any that hauing heretofore béene presented , or suspected of any the aforesaid crimes , haue for that cause departed your parish , and are now returned againe ? Or any which haue vsed any inchantments , sorceries , incantations , or witchcrafts , which are not made felony by the Satutes of this Realme , or any which haue committed any periury in any Ecclesiasticall Court , in an Ecclesiasticall cause , or which haue committed any forgery , punishable by the Ecclesiasticall Lawes , and the procurors and abettors of the said offences : you shall truly present the names of all , and singuler the said offendors , and with whom they haue committed the said offences , in case they haue not béene publikely punished to your knowledge for the same crimes ?

Phisitions , Chirurgions , and Mid-wiues .

25 HOw many Phisitions , Chirurgions or Mid-wiues , haue you in your Parish ? How long haue they vsed their seuerall Sciences or Offices , and by what authority ? And how haue they demeaned themselues therein , and of what skill are they accounted to be in their profession ?

Touching the Church-wardens and Side-men .

26 WHether you and the Church wardens , Quest-men , or Side-men from time to time , doe , and haue done their diligence , in not suffering any idle person to abide either in the Church-yard , or Church porch , in Seruice or Sermon time , but causing them either to come into the Church to heare Diuine Seruice , or to depart , and ●●●t disturbe such as be hearers there ? And whether they haue , and you doe diligently sée the parishioners duely resort to the Church euery Sunday and Holiday and there to remaine during Diuine Seruice and Sermon ? And whether you or your predecessors , Church-wardens there , suffer any Playes , Feasts , Drinkings , or any other profane vsages , to be kept in your Church , Chappell , or Church-yards , or haue suffered to your and their vttermost power and endeuour , any person or persons to be tipling or drinking in any Inne or Victualling house in your Parish , during the time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon , on Sundayes and Holydayes ?

2 Whether , and how often haue you admitted any to preach within your Church or Chappell , which was not sufficiently licensed ? And whether you together with your Minister , haue not taken diligent héed and care , that euery parishioner being or sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards , haue receiued thrice euery yeere , as aforesaid : and also that no stranger haue vsually come to your Church , from their owne Parish-Church ?

3 Whether haue there béene prouided against euery Communion , a sufficient quantity of fine white bread , and of good and wholsome wine for the communicants that shall receiue ? And whether that wine be brought in a cleane and swéet standing pot of pewter , or of other purer mittall ?

4 Whether were you chosen by the consent of the Minister and the Parishioners ? And haue the late Church-wardens giuen vp a iust account for their time , and deliuered to their successors by Bill indented the money , & other things belonging to the Church , which was in their hands ? And are the Almes of the Church faithfully distributed to the vse of the poore ?

5 Whether doe you sée the names of all Preachers which are strangers and preach in your Parish Churches , to be noted in a Booke for that purpose , and whether euery Preacher doe subscribe his name , and of whom he had his License ?

6 Whether any man doe trouble or molest you for doing your duties ?

7 Whether there be any Legacies witholden giuen to the Church or poore people , or to the mending of Highwayes , or otherwise by the Testators ? In whose hands it is , by whom it was giuen , and by whom it is with-holden ?

8 Doe you know of any thing that hath béene complained of that is not yet redressed ?

Concerning Ecclesiasticall Magistrates and Officers .

1 WHether doe you know or haue heard of any payment , composition or agreement , to , or with any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate , Iudge , or Officer , for winking at or sparing to punish any person for any offence of Ecclesiasticall Conusance , or for suppressing or concealing of any excommunication , or any other Ecclesiasticall Censure , of , or against any Recusant , or any other offendor in the cases aforesaid ? What summe of money , or other consideration hath béene receiued or promised , by , or to any of them , in that respect , by whom , and with whom ?

2 Hath any person within your Parish , paid or promised any summe of money or other reward , for commutation of pennance , for any crime of Ecclesiasticall Connsance ? If so , then with whom ? When , and for what , and how hath the same beene imployed ?

3 Are your Ecclesiasticall Iudges and their substitutes Masters of Arts , or Batchellors of the Lawes at the least , Learned and practised in the Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall Lawes : Men of good life and fame , zealously affected in Religion , and iust and vpright in executing their Offices ? Haue they heard any matter of Office priuately in their Chambers , without their sworne Registers , or their Deputies presence ?

4 Doe you know , or haue you heard , that any Ecclesiasticall Iudge , Officer or Minister , hath receiued or taken any extraordinarie fées , or other rewards or promises , by any wayes or meanes , directly or indirectly , of any person or persons whatsoeuer , either for the granting of the administration of the Goods and Chattels of those that haue died intestate , to one before another , or for allotting of larger portions of the Goods and Chattels of those that haue died intestate , to one more than to another : or for allowing larger and vnreasonable accounts , made by Executors or Administrators : or for giuing them Quietus est , or discharges , without Inuentory or account , to defraude Creditors Legataries , or those who are to haue portions . And what summes of money doe you know , or haue you heard , that any Ecclesiasticall Iudge or Officer hath taken out of ●he state of any dying intestate , vpon pretence to bestow the same , in Pios vsus : and how haue the same béene bestowed ?

5 Hath any Ecclesiasticall Magistrate , Iudge , Officer , or any other exercising Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction within this your Diocesse : Or any Aduocate , Register , Procter , Clarkes , Apparators , or other Minister belonging to the same Ecclesiasticall Courts , exacted or taken by any wayes or meanes , directly or indirectly , extraordinary or greater Fées than are due & accustomed ? And whether is there a Table for the rates of all Fées , set vp in their seuer all Courts and Offices ? And whether they haue sent or suffered any Processe to goe out of the Ecclesiasticall Courts otherwise than by Law they ought ? Or haue they taken vpon them the Offices of Informers or Promoters to the said Courts , or any other way abused themselues in their Offices , contrary to the Law and Canons in that behalfe prouided ?

6 What number of Apparators haue euery seuerall Iudge Ecclesiasticall ? And wherein , and in what manner is the Countrey ouerburthened by them ? And wherein haue they caused or summoned any to appeare in the said Courts , without a presentment or Citation first had ? Or whether haue they threatned any to prosecute them in the said Courts if they would not giue them some rewards , and what bribes in that behalfe haue they taken ?

7 What reward or fées hath any of the Apparators taken , to saue the iournies to Canterbury of any persons , and what ( after composition so made ) haue they or any of them taken and receiued , and what acquittance or discharge haue they giuen or promised them , and whether haue they not cited some to appeare before the Arch-Deacon , or his Officiall , after they haue béene ordered by the Commissary , and done their pennance accordingly , and whom haue they so cited and troubled , and what hath it cost them , as you know or haue heard , or by inquiry can finde ?

If you know of any other default or crime of Ecclesiasticall Comisance , you are to present the same by vertue of your Oathes ?

The Minister of euery Parish , may and ought to ioyne in presentment with the Church-wardens , and Side-men , and if they will not present , the Minister may and ought himselfe present the defaults and crimes aforesaid : and there must be seuerall presentments made to euery seuerall article : and the Minister , Church-wardens , and Sworne-men , are to meete and conferre about the said presentments , and answering of euery of the aforesaid Articles ?