Articles to be enquired of, 1548

¶ Articles to be inquired of , in visitacions to bee had , within the Diocesse of Cantorbury : in the seconde yere of the reigne of our moste drad souereigne Lorde Edward the . VI. by the grace of God , Kyng of Englande , Fraunce , and Irelande defender of the faithe and in yearth of the Churche of Englande and also of Irelande , the supreme hedde .

FIrst , whether Persones , Vicars , and Curates , and euery of them haue purely and sincerely , without colour or dissimulacion , foure tymes in the yere at the least , preached againste the vsurped power , pretensed aucthoritie , and iurisdiccion of the bishop of Rome .

Item , whether thei haue preached and declared likewise , iiii . times of the yere at the least , that the kynges maiesties power , aucthoritie , and preheminence , within his Realmes and dominions , is the highest power vnder God .

Item , whether any persone hath by writyng , Cyphryng , preachyng , or teachyng , deede or act obstinatly holden , and stande with to extoll , setfurthe , maintein or defend the aucthoritie , iurisdiccion , or power of the bishop of Rome , or of his sea heretofore claimed and vsurped , or by any pretense , obstinatly or maliciously , inuented any thyng for the extollyng of the same , or any parte thereof .

Item , whether in their common praiers , thei vse not the Collettes made for the Kyng , and make not speciall mencion of his maiesties name in the same .

Item , whether thei do not euery sondaie and holy day , with the collectes of the Englishe procession , saie the praier sette furthe by the Kynges maiestie for peace betwene England & Scotland

Item , whether thei haue not remoued , taken awaie , & vtterly extincted and destroyed , in their Churches , Chapelles , and houses , all Images , all shrines , couerynges of shrines , all Tables , candelstickes , trindels , or rolles of waxe , pictures , Paintynges , and all other monumentes of fained miracles , Pilgrimages , Idolatrie and Supersticion , so that there remain no memorie of the same , in walles , glaswindowes , or els wher

Item whether thei haue exhorted , moued and stirred their parishoners , to do the like in euery of their houses .

Item , whether thei haue declared to their parishoners , the articles concernyng the abrogacion of certain superfluous holy daies , and doen their indeuor to perswade the saied parishoners , to kepe and obserue the same articles inuiolably and whether any of those abrogate daies , hath been kepte as holy daies , and by whose occasion thei were so kept .

Item , whether thei haue diligently , duely , and reuerently , ministred the Sacramentes in their Cures .

Item , whether thei haue preached , or caused to bee preached , purely and sincerely the woorde of God , in euery of their Cures , euery quarter of the yere , once at the least , exhortyng their parishoners , to the workes commaunded by scriptures , and not to workes deuised by mennes phantasies besides scripture , as wearyng or praiyng vpon beades , or suche like .

Item , whether thei suffre any torches , candelles , Tapers , or any other lightes to bee in your Churches , but onely two lightes vpon the high Aulter .

Item , whether thei haue not euery holy daye , when thei haue no sermon , immediatly after the Gospell , openly , plainly , and distinctly , recited to their parishoners in the pulpit , the Pater noster the crede , and the .x. Commaundementes in English .

Item , whether euery Lent , thei examine suche persones as commeth to Confession to them , whether thei canne recite the Pater noster , the Articles of our faith , & the .x. Commaundementes in English .

Item , whether thei haue charged fathers and mothers , masters and gouernours of youthe , to bryng them vp in some verteous study or occupacion .

Item , whether suche beneficed menne , as bee lawfully absent from their benefices , dooe leaue their Cure to a rude and vnlearned person , and not to an honest well learned and expert Curate whiche can and will teach you holsom doctrine .

Item , whether in euery Cure thei haue , thei haue prouided one booke of the whole Bible of the largest volume in Englishe , and the Paraphrasis of Erasmus , also in Englishe vpon the Gospelles , and set vp the same in some conuenient place in the Church , where their parishoners maie moste commodiously resorte to the same .

Item , whether thei haue discoraged any persone , from readyng of any part of the Bible , either in Latin or in Englishe , but rather comforted and exhorted , euery persone to reade the same , as the very liuely woorde of God , and the speciall foode of mannes soule .

Item , whether Persones , Vicars , Curates , and other priestes , be common haunters and resorters to Tauernes , or Alehouses , geuyng themselfes to drinkyng , riotyng , or plaiyng at vnlawfull games , and doo not occupie theimselfes in the readyng or hearyng , of some parte of holy scripture , or in some other Godly exercise .

Item , whether thei haue admitted any man to preache in their cures , not beyng lawfully licensed thereunto , or haue refused or denied suche to preache , as haue been licensed accordyngly .

Item , whether thei which haue heretofore declared to their parishoners , any thyng to the extolling or setting furth of pilgrimages reliques or Images , or lightyng of candels , kissyng , knelyng deckyng of the same Images , or any suche supersticion , haue not openly recanted and reproued the same .

Item , whether thei haue one boke or register safely kepte , wherein thei write the daie of euery Weddyng , Christenyng , and Buriyng .

Item , whether thei haue exhorted the people to obedience , to the kynges maiestie and his ministers , and to Charitie and loue , one to another .

Item , whether thei haue admonished their parishoners , that thei ought not to presume , to receiue the Sacrament , of the body and bloud of Christ , before thei can perfectly the Pater noster the Articles of the faith , and the tenne commaundementes in Englishe .

Item , whether thei haue declared , and to their wittes and power haue perswaded the people , that the maner and kind of fastyng in Lent , and other daies in the yere , is but a mere positiue law , and that therfore al persones , hauyng iust cause of sickenes , or other necessitie , or beyng licensed by the kynges maiestie , maie moderatly eate all kynde of meates , without grudge or scruple of conscience .

Item , whether thei be resident vpon their benefices , and kepe hospitalitie or no , and if thei be absent , or kepe no hospitalitie , whether thei do make due distribucions emong the poore parishoners or not .

Item , whether Persones , Vicars , Clarkes , and other beneficed men , hauyng yerely to dispende an hundred pounde , doo not finde competently one scholer in the Vniuersitie , of Cambridge or Oxforde , or some Grammer schoole , and for as many hundred poundes , as euery of them maie dispende , so many scholers likewise to be found by them , & what be their names , that thei so find .

Item , whether Proprietaries , Persones , Vicars , and Clarkes , hauyng Churches , Chapelles or Mansions , dooe kepe their Chauncelles , Rectories , Vicareges , and all other houses apparteignyng to them , in due reparacions .

Item , whether thei haue counsailed , or moued their parishoners , rather to praie in a tonge not knowen , then in Englishe , or to put their trust in any prescribed nomber of praiers , as in saiyng ouer a nombre of beades or other like .

Item , whether thei haue red the kynges maiesties Iniunccions , euery quarter of the yere , the first holy daie of the same quarter .

Item , whether the Persons , Vicars , Curates and other priestes , beeyng vnder the degree of a bachelar of diuinitie , haue of their awne the new Testament , bothe in Latin and in Englishe , and the paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the same .

Item , whether within euery Churche , he that ministereth haue red or cause to be red , the Epistle and Gospell in Englishe , and not in Latin , either in the Pulpit or some other mete place , so as the people maie heare the same .

Item , whether euery Sondaie and holy daie at Matyns , thei haue read or cause to bee read , plainly and distinctly in the said place , one Chapiter of the newe Testament in Englishe , immediatly after the Lessons , and at Euensong after Magnificat , one Chapiter of the old testament .

Item , whether thei haue not at Matins , omitted three lessons , when .ix. should haue been read in the Churche , and at Euensong the Respondes with all the Memories .

Item , whether thei haue declared to their parishioners , that sainct Markes daie , and the euens of the abrogate holy daies should not bee fasted .

Item , whether thei haue the Procession boke in Englishe , and haue saied or song thesaed Letany in any other place , but vpon their knees in the middest of their Churche , and whether thei vse any other procession , or omit the said Letany at any tyme , or saie it or syng it in suche sorte as the people , cannot vnderstande the same .

Item , whether their haue put out of their churche bokes , this worde Papa , and the name and seruice of Thomas Bequet , and praiers hauyng rubrices , conteinyng pardones or indulgences , and al other supersticious legendes and praiers .

Item , whether thei bid not the beades accordyng to the order , appoynted by the Kynges Maiestie .

Item , whether thei haue opened and declared vnto you , the true vse of Ceremonies , ( that is to saie ) that thei be no workers nor workes of saluacion , but onely outwarde signes and tokens , to put vs in remembraunce of thynges of higher perfeccion .

Item , whether thei haue taught and declared to their parishoners , that thei maie with a safe & quiet conscience in the tyme of Haruest , labour vpon the holy and festiuall daies , and if supersticiously thei abstein from working vpon those daies , that then thei doo greuously offende and displease God .

Item , whether thei haue admitted any persones to the Communion , beeyng openly knowen to be out of charitie with their neighbors .

Item , whether the Deanes , Archedeacons , Masters of Hospitalles , and Prebendaries haue preached by theimselfes personally , twise euery yere at the least .

Item , whether thei haue prouided , and haue a strong Cheste for the poore mennes boxe , and set and fastened the same , nere to the high aultar .

Item , whether thei haue diligently called vpon , exhorted and moued their parishoners , and specially when thei make their Testamentes , to geue to the saied poore mennes Boxe , and to bestowe that vpon the poore Cheste , whiche thei were wont to bestowe vpon pardonnes , pilgremages , trentalles , Masses satisfactory , deckyng of Images , offeryng of Candelles , geuyng to Friers , and vpon other like blynde deuocions .

Item , whether thei haue denied to visite the sicke , or bury the dedde , beyng brought to the Churche .

Item , whether thei haue bought their benefices , or come to theim by fraude or deceipt .

Item , whether thei haue euery Sondaie , when the people be moste gathered , red one of the Homelies , in ordre as thei stande in the boke , sette furthe by the kynges maiestie .

Item , whether thei do not omit prime and howers , when thei haue any sermon or Homelie .

Item , whether thei haue saied or song any Masse , in any Oratory , Chapell , or any mannes house , not beyng hallowed .

Item , whether thei haue geuen open monicion to their parishoners , that thei should not weare beades , nor praie vpon theim .

Item , whether thei haue moued their parishoners , liyng vpon their death beddes , or at any other tyme , to bestowe any parte of their substance vpon Trentalles , Masses Satisfactory , or any suche blynd deuocions .

Item , whether thei take any Trentalles , or other Masses Satisfactorie to saie or syng , for the quicke or the dedde .

Item , whether thei haue geuen open monition to their parishoners , to detect and present to their Ordenary , all adulterers and fornicators , and suche men as haue two wiues liuyng , and suche women as haue twoo husbandes liuyng , within their parishes .

Item , whether thei haue not monished their parishoners openly , that thei should not sell , geue nor otherwise alienate , any of their Churche goodes .

Item , whether thei or any of theim , doo kepe mo benefices , and other Ecclesiasticall promocions , then thei ought to do , not hauyng sufficient license , and dispensacions therunto , and how many thei be , and their names .

Item , whether thei minister the Communion , any otherwise then onely after such fourme and maner , as is set furthe by the Kynges Maiestie , in the boke of the Communion .

Item , whether thei hallowed and deliuered to the people , any Candelles vpon Candelmas day any asshes vpon Ashe Wednesdaie , or any Palmes vpon Palme Sondaie last past .

Item , whether thei had vpon Good Fridaie last past , the Sepulchres with their lightes , hauyng the Sacrament therein .

Item , whether thei vpon Easter euen last past , halowed the Font , Fire , or Paschall , or had any Paschall set vp , or burnyng in their Churches .

Item , whether youre Persones and Vicars , haue admitted any curates to serue their Cures whiche were not first examined and allowed , either by my lorde of Cantorbury , Master Archedeacon , or their officers .

Item , whether you knowe any persone within youre parishe , or els where , that is a letter of the worde of God , to be red in Englishe , or syncerely preached , or of the execucion of the kynges Maiesties Iniunccions , or other his Maiesties procedynges , in matters of religion .

Item , whether euery parishe haue prouided a chest with twoo lockes and keyes , for the boke of Weddyng , Christenyng , and buriyng .

Item , whether in the tyme of the Letany , or any other common praier , in the tyme of the sermon or Homely , and when the priest readeth the scripture to the parishoners , any persone haue departed out of the churche , without a iuste and necessary cause .

Item , whether any belles haue bee knolled or rong at the tyme of the premisses .

Item , whether any persone hath abused the Ceremonies , as in castyng holy Water vpon his bed , or bearyng aboute hym , holy Bread , saincte Ihons Gospell , ryngyng of holy Belles , or kepyng of priuate holy daies , as Taylors , Bakers , Brewers , Smithes , Shoomakers , and suche other .

Item , whether the money commyng and risyng of any cattell , or other moueable stockes of the Churche , and money geuen or bequethed , to the findyng of Torches , lightes , tapers , or lampes , ( not paied out of any landes ) haue not been employed to the poore mennes Chest .

Item , who hath the saied stockes , and money in their handes , and what be their names .

Item , whether any vndiscrete persons do vncharitably contempne , and abuse priestes and ministers of the churche .

Item , whether thei that vnderstande not the Latin , doo praie vpon any primer , but the Englishe Primer , set furthe by the kynges Maiesties aucthoritie , and whether thei that vnderstande Latin , doo vse any other then the Latin Primer , set furthe by like aucthoritie .

Item , whether there bee any other Grammer , taught in any schoole within this Diocesse , then that whiche is set furthe by the kynges maiestie .

Item , whether any persone kepe their churche holy date , and the dedicacion daie , any otherwise or at any other tyme , then is appoynted by the kynges Maiestie .

Item , whether the seruice in the Churche , bee doen at due and conuenient howers .

Item , whether any haue vsed to commen iangle , and talke in the Churche , in the tyme of the common praier , Readyng of the Homelie , Preachyng , Readyng or declaryng of the scripture .

Item , whether any haue wilfully mainteined and defended , any heresies , errors , or false opinions , contrary to the faithe of Christe , and holy scripture .

Item , whether any bee common dronkerdes , swearers , or blasphemers of the name of God .

Item , whether any haue committed adultery , fornicacion or incest , or be common baudes , and receiuers of suche euill persones , or vehemently suspected of any of the premisses .

Item , whether any bee braulers , slaunderers , chiders , skolders , & sowers of discorde , betwene one persone and another .

Item , whether you knowe any that vse charmes , Sorcerie , Enchauntmentes , Witchecraft , Sothesaiyng , or any like crafte inuented by the Deuill .

Item , whether the Churches , Pulpittes , and other necessaties apparteignyng to the same bee sufficiently repared .

Item , whether you knowe any , that in contempt of their awne parishe Churche , do resorte to any other churche .

Item , whether any Inholders , or Alehousekepers , do vse commonly to sell meate and drynke , in the tyme of the common Praier , Preachyng , Readyng of the Homelies , or scripture .

Item , whether you knowe any to bee maried , within the degrees prohibited by the Lawes of God , or that be seperated or diuorsed , without a iust cause , alowed by the lawe of God , and whether any suche haue maried again .

Item , whether you knowe any , to haue made priuie contractes of Matrimony , not callyng twoo or mo thereunto .

Item , whether any haue maried solemply , the bannes not first lawfully asked .

Item , whether you knowe any executors , or administrators of ded mennes goodes , whiche doo not duely bestowe suche of the saied goodes , as were geuen and bequethed , or appoynted to bee destributed emong the poore people , repairyng of high waies , findyng of poore scholers , or mariyng of poore maides , or suche other like charitable deedes .

Item , whether any do contempne maried priestes , and for that thei be maried , will not receiue the communion , or other Sacramentes at their handes .

Item , whether you knowe any that kepe in their houses vndefaced , any abused or feined Images , any Tables , Pictures , Paintynges , or other monumentes of fained miracles , pilgremages , Idolatrie , or supersticion .