Church and Churchyards . FIrst , whether your Church , Chappel , or Chauncell be well and sufficiently repayred , and clenly , kept , and the mansion house of your Parson or Vicar , with the buildings thereunto belonging , likewise well and sufficiently repayred , and your Churchyard well fensed , and clenly kept ? And if any default be made in the premisses : or your sayde Church , Chappell , or Churchyarde be abused or prophaned by any vnlawfull , or vnseemely acte , game , or exercise , as by Lordes of misrule , Summer lordes , or ladies , Pipers , Rushebearers , Moricedancers , Pedlers , Bearewardes , and such like . Then through whose default , and what be the names of the offenders in that behalfe .

Waxe , 2 Whether any man hath pulled downe , or discouered any Church , Chauncell , or Chappell , or any part of any of them , any church Porche , Vestry , or Steeple , Almeshouse , Churchhouse , or such like , or haue pulled downe any belles , or haue felled or spoiled any wood , or tymber in any churchyardes ?

The benefice . 3 Whether your parish church be now vacant , or destitute of an incumbent , or no ? Whether any Chappell where diuine seruice hath accustomed to be said vsually , be without a Curate or no ? And if they be , how long haue they bene so , and who is the Patrone , and who occupieth the parsonage , or vicarage house with the glebe lande , and taketh other the tythes and commodities belonging to the same ?

The parsonage 4 Whether any vitailing , tippling , or ale selling be kept , or vsed within the mansion house of any parson or vicar .

Necessary ornaments . 5 Whether you haue in your churche or chappell all thinges necessary , and requisite for common prayer and administration of the holy sacramentes , specially the booke of common prayer with the newe kalender , the Psalter , the Bible of the largest volume , the Homilies , both first and second tome , Erasmus Paraphrasis translated into English , or for want thereof , Marlorates exposition vpon S. Matthewes Gospell , A comely and decent table standing on a frame for the Communion table , with a faire linnen cloth to lay vpon the same , and some couering of silke , buckram or other such like for the cleane keeping thereof ; a faire and comely communion cuppe of syluer , and a couer of siluer for the same , a comely large surples with wyde sleeues , A sure coffer with two lockes and keyes for keeping of the Register booke and all other things necessary for the premisses , with a comely pulpit conueniently placed , and also a chest or box for the poore ?

Altars defaced . 6 Whether in your churches and chappels all altars be vtterly taken downe and cleane remoued euen vnto the foundation , and the place where they stoode paued , and the wall whereunto they ioyned whyted ouer , and made vniforme with the rest , so as no breach or rupture appeare , And whether your Roode loftes be taken downe and altered , so that the vpper partes thereof with the soller or lofte be quite taken downe vnto the crosse beame , & that the said beame haue some conuenient creast put vpon the same ?

Implements vnlawfull . 7 Whether all and euery Antiphoners , Masse bookes , Grailes , portesses , processionals , manuals , legendaries , and all other bookes of late belonging to your church or chappel , which serued for the supersticious Latine seruice , be vtterly defaced , rent , and abolished , and if they be not , through whose default that is , and in whose keeping they remaine ? And whether all vestimentes , albes , tunicles , stoles , phanons , pixes , paxes , handbels , sacringbelles , censers , chrismatories , crosses , candlestickes , holy waterstickes , Images , and such other reliques , and monuments of superstition and idolatrie bee vtterly defaced , broken and destroyed : And if not , where , and in whose custody they remaine ?

Seruice . 8 Whether common prayer be vsed in your church or chappell vpon Sondayes and holy dayes at conuenient houres , reuerently , distinctly , and in such order without any kinde of alteration as is appointed by the booke of common prayer , and the lawes of this Realme ? And whether your Minister so turne him selfe and stande in such place of your church or chauncell , as the people may best heare the same ? And whether your Parson or Vicar do once euery quarter , at the least , in his owne proper person , saye diuine seruice , and administer the Sacramentes , wearing a surplesse according vnto the Queenes Iniunctions and the lawes of this Realme ? And whether the holy Sacramentes be duely and reuerently ministred in such maner as is set foorth by the same booke ? And whether your Minister at al times vpon Sundayes and holy dayes , do we are in time of diuine seruice & administration of the Sacraments , the surplisse yea or no , or doe suffer any other to saye the common prayer , or minister either of the Sacraments in your Church , not wearing the same ?

Preaching , 9 Whether your Parson or Vicar be a preacher allowed , and hath preached , or caused to be preached foure sermons at the least euery yeere in your church , and what bee the names of him or those that so did preache , and whether they were lawfully licensed so to preache , if any other then your Parson or Vicar did preache the same ? And whether if there be no Sermon , your Minister do reade for the most part euery sunday distinctly and plainely , some part of the Homilies appointed to be read , and the Queenes Iniunctions euery quarter of a yeere or no ?

Catechisme 10 Whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , do euery Sundaye and holy daye openly in the Church , call for , heare , and instruct , all the children , apprentises , and seruantes of both sexes that be of conuenient age within your parish , or at the least so many of them by course as the time will serue , and as hee may well heare and instruct for halfe an houre at the least , before or at the euening prayer , in the tenne Commandements , the Articles of the beliefe , and the Lordes prayer , and diligently examine and teache them the Catechisme , as it is nowe last allowed and set forth ? And whether for that purpose doth hee take the names of them all , and by course call certaine of them by name euery sunday and holy daye , to come to learne the same Catechisme ?

Superstition & innouation , 11 Whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , or any other within your Parish , be a fauourer of the Romish church or religion , or hath or doth mainteine or teache and doctrine contrarie or repugnant to any of the Articles agreed vpon by the Clergie in the conuocation holden at London , An. Dom. 1562. And whether they haue publikely or secretly taught and doctrine tending to the discredit and dispraise either of the booke of Common prayer , or of the Preachers and Ministers of the word and sacraments , or of the receiued order for gouernement in the Church of England , or make any other Innouation ? And whether they haue permitted any man so teaching or making such innouation ? And whether any keepe and secret conuenticles , preachings , lectures , or readings , or priuate Communions , contrary to the law , and what be their names ?

Curate . 12 Whether any person or persons not being ordered at the least for a Deacon , or licensed by the Ordinarie , do saye Common prayer openly in your Church or Chappell , or any not being at the least a Deacon , do solemnize Matrimonie or administer the Sacraments , and what he or they be that so do ? And whether the Parson , Vicar , or Farmer of your benefice , do cause or suffer any Curate to serue your Churche before he be examined and admitted by the Ordinary or his deputie in writing , and shew the same to the Churchwardens .

Communion . 13 Whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate hath admitted any to the receiuing of the holy Communion aboue xx . yeeres of age that cannot saie by heart the Catechisme , the Lordes prayer , the Articles of the faith , and the ten Commaundementes in Englishe , or any aboue xiiii . yeeres of age and vnder xx . that cannot saye the Catechisme set forth in the booke of common prayer , or hath admitted any of any other parish to receiue the holy Communion without reasonable cause or speciall license of their own minister ? or whether hath he admitted to receiue the holy Communion and open and notorious blasphemer , fornicatour , adulterer , drunkard , or euill liuer , by whom the Congregation is offended , without dewe penaunce first done to the satisfaction of the congregation , or any malicious person that is notoriously knowen to be out of charitie , or that hath done any open wrong to his neighbour by worde or deede , without dewe reconciliation first made to the partie that is wronged ?

Baptisme . 14 Whether your Font be sweetly kept and renewed from time to time with cleane and fresh water , and whether any Minister leauing the vse of the Font , do Christen or Baptize in any basons or other prophane vessels not customablie vsed in the Church before time ? Or whether your Minister do Baptize or Christen any out of the face of the Church and Congregation , & at any other time then vpon Sundayes or holy dayes without speciall cause , or without Godfathers and Godmothers , & whether any person or persons bee admitted to answere as Godfathers or Godmothers at the Christening of any childe , except hee or shee haue before receiued the holy Communion , and can saye by heart the Articles of the Christian faith , the ten Commandements of God , and the Lordes praier , and will recite the same before the Minister if he or she be thereunto required ?

Register of Christenings . 15 Whether the Register booke of all Christenings , Mariages and Burials that happen in your parish from time to time , be duely kept : and the same Christeninges , Mariages , and Burials , entred into the same booke by your Minister according to the Queenes Maiesties Iniunctions ?

Mariage . 16 Whether your minister hath maried any persons priuatly in any house or corner out of the Church or face of the Congregation , or the Banes not being thrise solemnelie on three Sundaies or holy dayes asked in the parish Church where such persons dwelled , or any such person or persons maried at any other parish church or chappell ? And whether your minister hath maried any Infantes , or children vnder age , or any within the degrees prohibited by Gods lawes and the lawes of this Realme , or any that hath a husband or wife liuing , and if he haue done so , then who be the parties , & who were present at any such mariage , and in what place was the same solemnized ?

Churching 〈◊〉 women . 17 Whether your Minister do Church any vnmaried women , after they haue bene deliuered of their children begotten vnlawfully , before they haue acknowledged their faultes openly , according to the order prescribed by the Ordinarie or his deputie ?

Visitation of the sicke and Buriall . 18 Whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate be diligent in visiting the sicke , and comforting them , and do moue them earnestly , especially when they make their testaments , to consider the neede of the poore , and to giue to their boxe or chest their charitable deuotion ? And whether they burie the dead without any popish ceremonies or superstition in such Christian and comely maner as is prescribed by the booke of Common prayer ?

Perambulation . 19 Whether for the reteining of the perambulation of the circuit of your parish , the Minister and Clarke with the Church-wardens and certaine of the substanciall men of the parish , in the dayes of Rogacions , walke about your parish according to the Queenes Maiesties Iniunctions ? And whether doe they vse in such perambulation any banners , crosses , handbelles , or any such like popish ceremonies , other then is prescribed and permitted by the booke of common prayer and the lawes of this Realme ?

Admonition to the Church-wardens . 20 Whether for the putting of the churchwardens & swornemē the better in remembrance of their duetie in obseruing and noting such as offend in not comming to diuine seruice , your Minister or Reader do openly euery Sunday , after he haue read the second lesson at morning & euening prayer , monish & warne the Churchwardens and sworne men , to looke to their charge in this behalfe , and to obserue who contrarie to the said statute offende in absenting them selues negligently or wilfully from their parish Church or Chappell , or vnreuerently as is aforesaid , vse them selues in time of diuine seruice ?

Pluralities . 21 Whether hath your Parson or Vicar any moe benefices or spirituall promotions then one , how many , and in what countrie be they , what are their names , and who is the Patrone of euery of them ?

Residence . 22 Whether is your Parson or Vicar resident , and dwelling vpon his benefice or no ? if he be resident , whether doth he keepe the parsonage or vicarage with the glebe and other his tithes & commodities in his owne handes , or doth he demise the same or any part thereof to his Patrone or any other person or persons ? what parcels are so demised , to whom , & for what rent ? if he be not resident , or absent aboue lxxx . dayes in the yeere , then whether doth he demise his benefice to his Curate ? and if he be able to dispend xx . pound by yeere , doth he distribute the fourtieth part thereof yeerely to the poore of the parish or no ?

Symonie . 23 Whether you Parsons or Vicars haue come to their benefices by any Symonie , fraude or deceipte , or by any conference or agreement of friends , or by any other bond , composition or agreement , or by any other colourable pact , or vnlawfull meane whatsoeuer , or be vehemently suspected or defamed therof ? And whether in performance of any such pact , couenaunt or promise , there hath bene any bond or lease made betweene the Patrone & Incumbent directly or indirectly ?

Suspected women . 24 Whether your Parson , Vicar or Curate , do keepe any suspected woman in his house , or be an incontinent person , giuen to dronkennesse or idlenes , or be a haunter of Tauernes , Alehouses , or suspected places , a Hunter , Hauker , Dicer , carder , Tabler , Swearer , or otherwise giue any euill example of life ? And whether his apparell bee comely and graue as becommeth his calling and function ?

Parish Clarke 25 Whether the Parish Clarke be appointed according to the auncient custome of the parish ? And whether hee be not obedient to the Parson , Vicar , or Curate , especially in the time of celebration of diuine seruice , or of the Sacramentes , or in any preparation thereunto ? And whether he be able & ready to reade the first Lesson , the Epistle , and the Psalmes with answere to the suffragies as is vsed , and whether he keepe not the bookes and ornamentes of the Church faire and cleane , & cause the church & quier , the Communion table , the Pulpit and the Font , to bee made decent and cleane against the feruice time , the Communion , Sermon , and Baptisme ?

Churchwardens . 26 Whether haue your Churchwardens assisted your Minister in his office and function from time to time , and whether haue they done their diligence to bring such into the Church as stand gazing & talking in the Churchyard , or frequent & lurke in Ale-houses or tippling houses in the time of diuine seruice , & whether haue they bene careful and diligent to see good order and silence kept in the Church during the time of Sermons & Seruice , and whether haue they diligently noted the names of all such parties euery Sunday and holy daye , as haue bene absent from diuine seruice at any time , and leuied the forfaiture of xii . pence for euery absence from common prayer , according to the statute , and put the same to the vse of the poore of the parish ? And if they haue offended ●n any of the premisses , then howe often haue they so offended , and what be their names , and what particular summes of mony haue bene forfeited that waye , and by whome , since the last visitation , and howe much of such forfeitures haue bene leuied by the Churchwardens , and by them deliuered to the vse of the poore of the parish , and to whom hath the same bene deliuered ?

Churchwardens accompt . 27 Whether your Churchwardens haue yeerely giuen an accompt of the Church goodes committed to their charge , and of other their receipts and expenses ? And whether haue they sold any bels or other church goodes without consent of the Ordinarie fist had in writing ? And whether haue they employed all such goodes , receiptes , and summes of mony , to the vse of the church or no ? and what be the names of the offenders ?

Churchwardens , concealers . 28 Whether the Churchwardens and sworne men in former yeeres , haue of any priuate corrupt affection concealed any crime or other disorder done in their times , and haue not presented the same , and if so , then what faultes haue they so concealed , & what were the names of such Churchwardens and sworne men , so concealing the same ?

Collectors for the poore . 29 Whether haue ye Collectors for the poore of the Parish , and whether do they their duetie in gathering and distributing the Almes of the Parishioners , and whether haue any Collectors any money in their handes not accompted for , or not bestowed vpon the poore ? And whether be there any of abilitie within your parish , that wilfully or obstinatly refuse to giue reasonably to the reliefe of the poore ?

Ringing and tolling of bels . 30 Whether when any Christian bodie is in passing , the bell be tolled to moue the people to praye for the sicke person , especially in the greater townes where the sicke person dwelleth nere vnto the Church , and whether after the tyme of his or their passing out of this world , there be any more ringing but one short peale before the buriall , and another short peale after the buriall ? And whether on all Saintes day after Euening prayer , there be any ringing at all in your Church or Chappell , or any other supersticious ceremonies vsed , tending to the maintenance of the Popish purgatorie or prayer for the dead , and who they bee that vse or doe the same ? And whether there be any ringing on Sondaies or holy dayes in the seruice time , or betweene Morning prayer and the Letanie , or at any other times , contrarie to good order or Lawe ?

Scholemasters . 31 What Scholemasters haue you within your Parish or Chappelrie , that teache either openly or priuately in any schoole , gentlemans house or els where , and whether be they of good & sincere religion , and licensed by the Bishop of the Diocesse to teach , in writing vnder his seale , and whether bee they diligent in teaching and bringing vp youth , and to instruct them in godlines and vertue , and especially in Master Nowels Catechisme lately set forth ? And whether teache they any thing contrarie to the religion now godlily established , or do not cause their children to resort vnto the Church to heare diuine seruice & Sermons ?

Deanes Rural and Sumners 32 Whether the Archdeacon , Chancellor , Commissarie , Officiall , or any other vsing Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in this Diocesse , their registers or actuaries , Apparitors or Sumners , haue at any time winked at , and suffered any adulteries , fornications , incestes , or other faultes or offences , to passe and remaine vnpunished and vncorrected , for money , rewardes , bribes , pleasure , friendship , or any other parciall or affectionate respect ? or haue permitted any penance without special licence of his Ordinarie ?

Masters and Dames . 33 Whether all fathers , mothers , masters & dames of your parish , cause their children , seruants , and apprentices , both mankinde and womankinde , being aboue six yeeres of age , and vnder twenty , which haue not learned the Cathechisme , to come to the church on the Sundayes & holy dayes , at the times to them appointed , or at the least such or so many of them as your Minister shall appoint , and there diligently and obediently to heare , and to bee ordered by the minister , vntill such time as they haue learned the same Catechisme , and what bee the names of those that doe not cause their children , seruants and apprentices , so to come to the Church to be instructed and examined ?

Absents from the Church . 34 Whether the people of your parish , especially housholders , hauing no lawful excuse to be absent , do faithfully and diligently endeauour them selues to resort with their children , and seruants , to their parish Church or Chappell , on the holydayes , & chiefly vpon Sundayes , to Morning and Euening prayer , and then & there abide orderly & soberly during the time of Common prayer , Homilies , Preachings , and other seruice of God there vsed , reuerently and deuoutly giuing them selues to the hearing thereof , & who they be that either negligently or wilfully absent themselues , or come very late to the Church vpon Sundayes especially , and how long hath any of your parish absented him selfe from his parish Church , or who be they that walke , talke , or otherwise vnreuerently behaue them selues in the Church , or vse any gaming abroade , or pastime in any house , or sit in the streetes or Churchyarde , or in any Tauerne or Alehouse vpon the Sunday or holy daye in the time of Common prayer , Sermon , or reading of the Homilies , either before noone or after noone ?

Not Communicating . 35 Whether there be any in your parish , man or woman , being of conuenient age , that hath not receiued the holy Communion thrise at the least this last yeere , and namely at Easter last ( or thereabout ) for once , and what be their names , and for what cause in your iudgement they do absteine from the holy Communion ? and whether any haue receiued the holy Communion in any other parish Church or Chappell then their owne , and for what causes in your opinion ?

Christnings out of the parish . 36 Whether do you know any such parentes , hauing children borne that were not Christened at their own parish Church , and for what cause they haue not bene so Christened there , or do you know , haue heard , or vehemently suspect any such parentes , whose children haue bene Christened by any Popish priest , or otherwise then is now lawfully allowed by her Maiesties Lawes and Iniunctions ?

Suppressors of Testaments . 37 Whether there be any within your parish that minister the goodes of those which be dead without lawfull authoritie , or any that suppresse the testamentes or last will of the dead , or any executor that hath not fulfilled the Testators will , especially such as haue not discharged such legacies as are bequeathed to the Church , or to Orphanes , poore maides mariages , highwayes , schooles , or other godly vses , and what be their names ?

Testaments not proued . 38 Whether do you knowe any housholder or other person whatsoeuer , within your Parish or Chappelrie , that is deceased , that haue made their last willes & Testament and the same not hitherto proued nor administration taken , from the Ordinarie or other Iudge competent , of the goodes , debtes , and cattals of the said decedent ? if any such be , expresse their names , & of them who vnlawfully do deteyne any the said goodes , debts , or cattals .

The othe for an Inuentarie . 39 Whether doth your Deane Rural , vsually sweare al such executors and administrators that proue Testaments , or take administrations before him , to exhibite a true and perfect Inuentarie of all such goods , debts , and cattalles , as euery such person died possessed of , or for any priuate respectes forbeareth to minister such oth vnto them , and whether do you know or haue heard your Deane hath done so at any time ?

Leases not prised in Inuentaries . 40 Whether do you knowe any the Executors or Administrators of any person or persons deceased , that dwelled in your Parish or Chappelrie , that haue not inserted all such lease or leases , or other demise for terme of one or moe yeeres , in the Inuentarie of the goodes , debtes , and cattals of the said deceased , at such time as they procured the said Testamentes to be proued , or administration of the said goodes to be to them orderly committed ? or haue not procured the same leases to be prised and valued among other the goodes and cattals of the saide decedent , for the benefite of the wife , children , or of others to whom the benefite of them ought to appertaine , and whether do you know , haue heard or beleeue , your Deane hath borne , winked at , or willingly suffered such lease or leases for his priuate commoditie , to be left out of the said Inuentarie ?

Hospitals and Spittlehouses 41 Whether your Hospitalles , Spittles , and Almes houses be well and godly vsed , according to the foundations and ancient ordinances of the same ? whether there be any placed in them other the poore , impotent , and needy persons , that haue not wherwith or whereby to liue ?

Incest . &c. 42 Whether there be any that be maried in degrees forbidden , or that haue maried two wiues , or two husbandes , both liuing , or that liue not together with their wiues , and what be their names ? any maried that haue made precontractes , any that haue maried without banes thrise solemnely asked , or that haue maried foorth of their parish Church , where they ought to haue solemnized mariage ?

Vsurers . 43 Whether any person or persons within your parish , haue committed vsurie contrarie to an Act against vsurie , made in the xxxvii . yeere of the reigne of the late King Henry the eight , and lately reuiued , and what are the names of such Vsurers ? & what is the maner of their vsurie ?

Sorcerie . 44 Whether there be any man or woman in your parish , that vseth witchcraft , sorcerie , charmes , or vnlawfull prayer , or inuocations in Latin or English , or vpon any Christian body or beast , or any that resorteth to the same for councell or helpe , and what be their names ?

Alehouses , Markets and Fayres . 45 Whether be there any Inkeepers , Alewiues , Vitailers , or Tipplers , that suffer or do admit any person or persons in their houses , to eate , drinke , or playe at Cardes , Tables , or such like games in time of Common prayer , or Sermon on the Sundays and holy dayes , and whether there bee any shops open on Sundayes or holydayes , or be there any Butchers , Pedlars , or others that vse to sell meate and other thinges , in the time of Common prayer , Preaching , or reading of the Homilies ? And whether in any Fayres or common Markets , falling on the Sunday , there be any showing of any wares before the diuine seruice be done in the forenoone ?

Contention & Drunkennes . 46 Whether there be in your Parish any that be malicious , contentious , or vncharitable persons , seeking the vniust vexation of their neighbours , scoldes , common swearers , or blasphemers of the name of God , any fornicatours , adulterers , incestuous persons , bawdes , or receuiours of such incontinent persons , or harborers of women with childe which be vnmaried , conueying or suffering them to go away before they haue done any penance , or make satisfaction to the congregation , or any persons that are vehemently suspected of such faultes , or that be not of good name and fame touching such crimes and faultes , any common drunkerds , ribaudes , or other notorious euill liuers ?

Papistrie , Masse and Priestes . 47 Whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curat , openly or priuately saye masse or other seruice forbidden , or heare the same ? And whether do you knowe any popish priestes or runnagate persons , that do preach or minister the Sacraments otherwyse then they are now vsed , or that doth vse shrift and auricular confession , or make haliwater , or halybread , or blesse palmes , or practise any such like Romish ceremonies , or do not frequent common prayer , or els do resort secretly or openly into your Parish . And whose house do they so resort vnto , and of whom are they harbored , & what be the names of such popish priestes or runnagates , & such as so harbour them ? and whether know you any that keepe any secret conuenticles , readings , preachings , or lectures , contrary to the Lawe ?

Rebellious bookes . 48 Whether be there any person or persons , Ecclesiasticall or Temporall within your parish , or els where within this Diocesse , that of late hath reteined or kept in their custody , or that reade , sell , vtter , disperse , carrie , or deliuer to others , any English bookes , set forth of late yeeres at Louaine , or in any other place beyond the seas , by Harding , Dorman , Allen , Sanders , Stapleton , Marshall , Bristow , or any of them , or by any other English Papiste , either against the Queenes Maiesties supremacie in matters Ecclesiasticall , or against true Religion , and Catholike doctrine now receiued & established by common authoritie within this Realme , and what their names and surnames are ?

Beades and Primers . 49 Whether be there any in our Parish that vseth to praye in English or in Latin , vpon beades , or other such like things , or vpon any superstitious popish Primer or other like booke , and what be their names ?

Adulterers . 50 How many Adulteries , Incestes , and Fornications haue bene committed within your Parish or Chappelrie , since the last visitation , and how many offenders in those faultes haue bene put to penance and openly corrected ?