Articles to be inqvired of. 1548

¶ Articles to be enquired 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 times 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 Kynge , and make not speciall mencion of his maiesties name in the same .

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

Item , whether thei haue not remoued , taken awaie , & vtterly extincted and destroied , 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 , glasewindowes , 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 , exhorting 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 Aultare .

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

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 , doe 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 prouided one boke 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 theim selfes in the reading 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 thing to the extolling or setting furth of pilgrimages reliques or Images , or lightyng of candells , kissing , 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 Charitie and loue , one to a nother .

Item , whether thei haue admonished their parishoners , that thei ought not to presume , to receiue the Sacrament , of the body and bloud of Christe , 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 fasting in Lent , and other daies in the yere , is but a mere positiue law , and that therfore al persones , hauyng iust cause of sicknes , 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 schole , and for as many hundred poundes , as euery of them maie dispende , so many scholes likewise to be founde 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 reperacions .

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

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

Item , whether the Persons , Vicars Curates and other priestes , beeyng vnder the degree of a bacheler of diuinitie , haue of their awne the new Testament , both 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 or Gospell in Englishe , and not in Latin , either in the Pulpit or some other mete place , so as the people maie here 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 Engishe , 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 the said 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 connot vnderstande the same .

Item , whether thei 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 confidence 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 peached 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 Chest , whiche thei wer wont to bestowe vpon Pardonnes , Pilgremages , Trentalles , Masses satisfactorie , deckyng of Images , offeryng of Candelles , geuyng to Friers , and vpon other like blinde deuocions .

Item , whether thei haue denied to Visite the sicke , or Burie the dedde , beeyng brought to the Churche .

Item , whether thei haue bought their benefices , or come to them 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 them .

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 Satisfactory to say or syng , for the quicke or the dedde .

Item , whether thei haue geuen open monicion to their parishoners , to detect and present to their Ordenarie , 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 , dooe kepe mo benefices , and other Ecclesiasticall promocions , then thei ought to do , not hauyng sufficient licence , and dispensacions therunto , and how many thei be , and their names .

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

Item , whether thei halowed and deliuered to the people , any Candelles vpon Candelmas day any asshes vpon Ashe Wednesdai , or any Palmes vpon Palme Sondaie laste past .

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

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 lord 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 holi Water vpon his bed , or bearyng aboute hym , holy Bread , sainct Ihons Gospell , ringyng 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 ony 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 vnderstand Latin , doo vse any other then the Latin Primer , set furthe by like aucthoritie .

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

Item , whether any persone kepe their churche holy daie , 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 common , 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 necessaries apparteignyng to the same , be sufficiently repared .

Item , whether you knowe any , that in contempt of their awne parishe Churche , doo resort to any other Churche .

Item , whether any Inholders , or Alehousekepers , do vse commonly to sell meate and drinke , 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 Matrimonie , not callyng twoo or mo thereunto .

Item , whether thei haue maried solemnly , the bannes not first lawfully asked .

Item , whether you knowe any Executors , or Administrators of dedde mennes goodes , whiche do not duely bestowe suche of the saied goodes , as wer geuen and bequethed , or appoynted to be destributed emong the poore people , repairyng of high waies , fyndyng of poore scholers , or mariyng of poore maydes , 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 ,