Articles concerning Religion and Doctrine .

WHETHER be there any one , or more residing , lodging or abiding in your Parish , that hold , defend , set forth , or propose any Heresie , errors , or false opinions , contrary to holy Scripture , the Thrée Créedes , the Booke of Thirtie nine Articles , the Booke of Common Prayer , the Booke of Consecrating and ordayning Bishops , Priests , and Deacons ?

2 Whether there be any in your Parish , that oppose , denie , or otherwise traduce the Kings Maiesties lawfull , and established supremacie ouer all persons , in all causes as well Ecclesiasticall as Temporall within his Highnesse Realmes and Dominions .

3 Whether there be any that affirme , or maintaine that the Church of England is not a true Church , but Hereticall , or Schismaticall , and that refuse to come into the publike Seruice , to receiue the Sacraments , to participate in other Diuine Rites and ceremonies with the Church of England , either as Popish Recusants , or Puritanicall Separatists and Schismatickes .

4 Whether there be any in your Parish that doe or hath frequented , celebrated , or vsed any vnlawfull Assemblies , priuate méetings , or conuenticles in priuate houses , vnder colour or pretext of Religion , repeating of Sermons , expounding of Scripture , or that holdeth such méetings to be lawfull , to be according to Gods word , or such as may challenge the name of a Church ?

5 Whether any in your Parish doe publish , sell , disperse , or communicate to others , any superstitious or Popish bookes , or writings , any Schismaticall , and Puritanicall , Libelles , treatises , or papers Derogatorie from , or contrary to the Religion , State , Church Gouernment of this Kingdome of England , the Lawes and Canons of the same , the Ministery and Priesthood therein ? Present their names , qualities , and conditions .

Articles concerning diuine Seruice and administration of the Sacraments .

1 HAth any of , or in your Parish spoken , or declared any thing to disgrace , depraue , contemne or derogate from the forme of Diuine Seruice , in the Book of Common Praier ?

2 Bée there any in your Parish that either absolutely refuse to come into Church and be present at Prayer , or ordinarily walke abroad , or that vsually tarrie at home , or come not into the Church till Sermon begin ?

3 Doth your Minister reade diuine Seruice according to the Iniunctions in the booke of Common Prayer ; doth he diminish , alter , or change the forme prescribed , in part , or in all , vsing Prayers in stead thereof of his owne deuising , and conceiuing ?

4 Whether doth hee reade the Confession , and absolution thereupon to be pronounced , or doth he change the words thereof to make it a Prayer , doth hee in reading the first , and second lessons , expound the Chapters , as he readeth : doth hee stand at the Gospell and Créed , and obserue the forme prescribed in the Booke , or not ?

5 Whether is the Sacrament of Baptisme by him rightly and duely administred according to the prescript forme expressed in the Booke of common Prayer , without adding , altering , or detracting from any part , or point therein : Doth he refuse to vse the Interrogatories prescribed , the signe of the Crosse commanded : Doth he vse the words , and not doe the Acte : hath he admitted the Fathers , or Mothers in publike , or in priuate Baptisme to be Godfathers and Godmothers to their owne children : whether doth he vse to baptise the childe at the Font , or in some Bason at his seate where hée readeth Prayer , or is the Font translated and placed there , or néere thereto from the Church-doore , where it should stand , signifying that Baptisme is our entry into the Church of God ?

6 Whether hath he refused in case of necessity , to baptise Children at home , haue any so dyed vnbaptised , or will he not baptise the children of Papists being offered to baptisme : such as he borne out of wedlocke as Bastards , or vnlesse the Father will affirme publikely at the Font , being asked , it is his owne childe ?

7 Whether is the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper so administred as is prescribed , viz. once euery Moneth , or thrice at the least in the yeare ?

8 Item in time of administration are any suffered to bee present , that doe not communicate : Doth your Minister in administring it vse the garments , and vestments prescribed , Doth he consecrate the Bread and Wine , with those words that are set downe , if not , how and in what manner ?

9 Doth he first reuerently vpon his knées receiue himselfe and then seuerally , and distinctly giue it to the communicants , they méekely knéeling , and not standing or sitting either at the Table , or vpon some bench ? Whether is the Bread wholsome and swéet ? Is the Wine as it should be , representing blood ; not Sacke , White-wine , Water , or some other Liquor . And if more bread and wine be afterward brought , the first not sufficing which was consecrated , doth hée first vse the words of consecration vpon it , before he giue it to the Communicants , as is prescribed Can. xxj .

10 Whether in solemnizing of Marriage , visitation of the sicke , Buriall of the dead , Churching of women , doth your Minister vse such maner and forme , such words , Rites , and Ceremonies as are prescribed : and if not , then in what maner doth he performe them ?

Articles concerning the Church , the Ornaments , sacred vtensils , and possessions of the same .

1 WHether haue you in your Church , the whole Bible of the largest volumne , and last Translation , the Booke of Common Prayer , with the Booke of Ordination of Bishops , Priests , and Deacons , the two Bookes of Homilies ?

2 Haue you a Font of Stone , for the administration of Baptisme , set vp in the vsuall place néere the Church doore , with a couer to kéepe it from dust and soyle ?

3 Haue you a conuenient , and decent Communion Table , placed conueniently as it ought , with a Carpet of silke , or some other comely stuffe to be laid vpon it in time of diuine Seruice , and a cleane linnen cloth for the time of Communion ?

4 Is it prophaned at any time , by sitting on it , casting hats or cloakes vpon it , writing , or casting vp accounts , or any other indecent vsage ?

5 Haue you in your Church a conuenient seate for your Minister to reade Diuine Seruice , and to preach in a comely , large , and fine Surplice , a Communion Cup and flagon of siluer or pewter , a Chest for Almes with thrée lockes and keyes , another chest for kéeping the bookes , ornaments , and vtensils of the Church : Haue you a Register Booke in parchment for Christnings , Burials , Marriages , and are these duely and faithfully written and recorded therein , or not , and is the same safely kept in a chest with thrée lockes and keyes according to the Canon ?

6 Whether is your Church , Chappell , Chancell , sufficiently repaired , decently and comely kept , as well within as without , be the seats maintained , the Stéeple and bels preserued , the windowes glased , the floore paued , and all things in such sort as may well be séeme the house of God ?

7 Whether is your Church-yard well mounded , and fenced , kept cleane without Nusance , or soyle cast into it : is it incroached vpon , and by whom ? doe any offensiuely kéepe doores , outletts , or passages into your Church-yard : doe any vse to quarrell , fight , play , or make méetings , banquets , Church-ales there : doe any kéepe Courts , Léetes , Lawdayes , Musters there : or otherwise vse it being a consecrated place , prophanely contrary to the 88. Canon ?

Articles concerning Ministers and Preachers of Gods word .

1 WHether is your Minister a Preacher or not : of what degrée is he in the Vniuersitie , is he a licensed Preacher , doth he personally reside vpon his benefice : if not , how long doth he vse to absent himselfe , how doth he take order for seruing of his Cure , whether by a sufficient and honest man : what allowance doth he make him according to the proportion of his Benefice ?

2 Whether is your Minister or Curate a man of honest life , fame and reputation , a quarreller , make-bate , sower of strife , sedition , dissention , or doth he commonly vse Ale-houses , or vnlawfull games , is hee defamed or detected for drunkennesse , swearing , swaggering , or any indecent misbehauiour , to the disgrace of his holy function and calling ?

3 Doth your Minister catechize the youth of the Parish vpon Sundayes in the after-noone , halfe an houre before euening prayer , in that Catechisme authorised in the common booke , and no other , and if any Parishioners refuse to send their Children , or Seruants to be catechised , let them be presented ?

4 Whether doth your Minister admit to preach in his Cure any stranger without requiring his Licence , or any inconformeable man , or suspended from Preaching , and if yea , how often , and whom hath he so admitted ?

5 Hath your Minister preached against , or confuted any Doctrine deliuered by any other minister , in the same , or any other Church within the Diocesse , before hee hath acquainted the Bishop therewith , and bin directed by him what to doe : to the disturbance of the Churches peace , or the scandall , or offence of others ?

6 Hath your Minister preached or taught any new , and strange Doctrine , contrary vnto , or disagréeing from the booke of Articles , and the literall sense thereof ? Doth your Minister preach or teach any thing contrary to his Maiesties late Iniunctions , about Predestination , falling from Grace , &c. to trouble mens minds with those déep and darke points , which of late haue so distracted and ●engarboyled the world ?

7 Doth your Minister vse in his prayer , to pray for the King , the Quéene , Clergie , Counsell , &c. and conclude with the Lords prayer according to the 55. Canon ?

8 Haue you any superinducted Preacher , or Lecturer in your Parish : doth he twice in the yeare at least , reade Diuine Seruice , both morning & euening , two seuerall Sundayes , publikely in his surplice : doth he twice a yeare administer the Sacraments , with such Rites and Ceremonies as be prescribed in the Communion booke , according to the .56 . Canon ?

9 Doth your Minister solemnly bid holi-dayes , and fasting dayes in the wéek following , hath he married any without asking the banes thrice , doth he of his owne head and voluntarie motion , appoint or kéep any solemne fasts publikely or in priuate houses , other than such as by Law are , or by authority shall be appointed , or is he present at any such , in , or out of his Parish : Doth he hold , or frequent any méetings for Sermons , commonly called Prophesyings , or Exercises in market townes or other places : Doth hee vpon any pretence whatsoeuer by Fasting and Prayer take vpon him to cast out any Deuill , or Deuils in any obsessed , or possessed person ?

10 Doth your Minister vpon euery Sunday when there is no Sermon , reade an Homilie , or some part thereof , doth he once in the yeare reade ouer the booke of Canons , vpon some Sundayes , or Holi-dayes , before euening prayer , according to the Iniunction from his Maiestie ?

11 Doth your Minister vpon euery Wednesday and Friday reade the Letany in your Parish Church , or Chappell , according to the 15. Canon : hath he not diuers times omitted so to doe since your last presentments .

12 Doth your Minister alwayes , and at euery time both morning and euening , reading diuine Seruice , and administring the Sacraments , and other Rites of the Church , weare the Surplice according to the Canons , and doth he neuer omit wearing of the same at such times ?

13 Doth your Minister vse in his common course of life that decent apparell , answerable to his calling and degrée , both abroad and at home , in iourneys and otherwise , as is ordained by the 74. Canon ?

14 Hath any man residing in your Parish being a Deacon , or Priest , relinquished his Function , and betaken himselfe to a Lai-mans life , or vocation ?

15 Doth any Person of what degrée or calling soeuer , kéepe or retaine in his house any Chaplaine , or Minister , to reade Prayers , Preach , instruct his Family , who are they , how many , of what condition or degrée ?

16 Doth your Minister reside , and dwell vpon his Parsonage , the Uicarage house , or else-where , doth he kéepe it in good and sufficient reparations or not ?

17 Doth your Minister yearely in Rogation wéeke , for the knowing and distinguishing of the bounds of Parishes , and for obtaining Gods blessing vpon the fruits of the ground , walke the Perambulation , and say ▪ or sing in English , the Gospells , Epistles , Letanie , and other deuout prayers , together with the hundred and third , and hundred and fourth Psalmes ?

18 Whether your Minister be knowne to be , or is vehemently suspected to be , an Usurer , Regrator , Wood-monger , buyer and seller of Timber , or to vse any other scandalous and defamed trade , and course of life , contrary to the Statute of this Realme , and honour of his calling ?

19 Doth your Minister before the seuerall times of administring the holy Communion , especially before Easter , admonish and exhort his Parishioners , if they haue their consciences troubled , to resort vnto him , or some other learned and discréet Minister , to reueale , and open his griefe , and dis●●i●tnesse ▪ that so he may receiue such Ghostly counsell and comfort , that his conscience may be quieted , and himselfe receiue the benefit of Absolution ?

20 If any man confesse his secret and hidden sinnes to the Minister , for the disburthening of his conscience and receiuing consolation , doth , or hath the Minister at any time reuealed that thing committed to his trust and secresie , contrarie to the 113. Canon ?

Articles concerning Matrimonie .

1 HAue any béene married within your Parish , that were within the degrées of affinity , or consanguinity by the law of God forbidden ; if any present their names ?

2 Haue any within your Parish , béene married secretly in priuate houses , or without their parents , or gouernours consent signified , being vnder the age of one and twenty yeares ?

3 Doe any persons lawfully married , liue asunder , vnlawfully , and in whom is the default ?

4 Haue any persons ( their banes being not thrice published in the Church ) béene married without Licence , who were present at such marriages , and what Minister married them ?

5 What Popish Recusants , or their children haue béene married in your Parish , in what sort was that Matrimonie solemnized , when , and by whom ? haue any persons béene married in prohibited times without licence ?

Articles concerning the Church-wardens .

1 BEE the Church-wardens chosen by the Minister and Parishioners , according to the 89. Canon , and whether hath any taken vpon him to be Church-warden , being not chosen , or hath any continued one yeare in his office without a new choyse ?

2 Haue any Church-wardens retained any of the Church goods , and not made a iust account of what they haue receiued , and expended ?

3 Haue your Church-wardens , and Sidemen béene , and are they diligent in their office , to sée decencie kept in the Church , and order in the time of Common Prayer , and administration of the Sacraments , and that there be no disturbance , but sobernesse and quietnesse in the Church . And doe the Church-wardens kéep a booke in your Parish , wherein the Names of euery strange Preacher in your parish is set downe , and haue the Church-wardens suffered any to preach not shewing or hauing no Licence ?

Articles concerning the Parishioners .

DOe any in your Parish prophane the Sunday by vnlawfull games , drinking , or tipling in the time of common prayer or Sermon ; and by working and doing the ordinarie workes of their vocation and trades ?

2 Are there any in your parish that doe impugne or speake against the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England , or the lawfull vse of them ? And the gouernment of this Church vnder his Maiestie by Archbishops , Bishops and other ecclesiasticall officers ?

3 Who in your Parish doe come to Sermon onely , and not to diuine Seruice , And who doe not reuerently behaue themselues during the time of diuine Seruice , deuoutly knèeling , when the generall Confession of Sinnes the Letany , the ten Commandements , and all Prayers and Collects are read , and vsing all due and lowly reuerence , when the blessed name of the Lord Iesus is mentioned , and standing vp when the Articles of the Beliefe , and Gloria Patri are read or said ? who doe couer their heads in the Church during the whole time of Diuine Seruice , vnlesse it be in case of necessitie , in which case they may weare a night-cap , or who doe giue themselues to babling , talking , or walking , and are not attentiue to heare the Word read and preached ? Haue any to your knowledge , publikely or priuately spoken against the bending of the knée at the name of the Lord Iesus , or vsed disgracefull speech against the acte , or such as vse the act of reuerend bowing toward the Communion Table , when they come to it to administer the Sacrament &c. what words haue béene vsed , by whom , or where that way : tell their names , and words spoken , if you can ?

4 Is there any of your Parish hauing a Preacher to their Minister , that doe absent themselues from his Sermons , and resort to other places , to heare other Preachers : Or doe any in your parish communicate or baptize their children in any other parish ?

5 Are there any in your parish that refuse to haue their children baptized , or themselues to receiue the Communion of your Minister , taking exception against him , or haue any wiues that refuse to come to Church , according to the booke of Common Prayer , to giue thanks to God for their safe deliuerance , in a decent habite , as hath béene anciently accustomed ?

6 Hath any in your Parish spoken slanderous and reproachfull words against your Minister , to the scandall of his vocation , or against his Neighbour , defaming them touching any crime of Ecclesiasticall cognizance ?

7 Whether doe any in your parish exercise any trade , or labour , buy , or sell , or kéepe open shops , or set out any wares to be sold vpon Sundayes , or Holidayes , by themselues , their seruants , or Apprentices , or haue otherwise prophaned the said dayes ?

8 Is the fift of Nouember kept holy , and thansgiuing made to God , according to the order set forth in that behalfe ?

9 Is there any in your Parish that bee , or are commonly knowne , or reputed to bee Blasphemers of Gods holy name , Drunkards , Adulterers , Fornicators , incestuous persons , concealers or harbourers of Fornicators , or Adulterers : Haue any béene detected or vehemently suspected of such notorious crimes , and what penance haue they done for the same ?

10 What person , or persons haue died , and departed this mortall life since the second day of February last past ; and whether did they make any last wils , or Testaments , and who were their Executors , or whether dyed they intestate , and who hath the administration of their Goods : and what be the names of such deceased , and Executors , and Administrators ?

11 Whether haue any in your parish administred the goods of any person deceased without lawfull authority , and before he or they haue proued the will or Testament of the party deceased , or haue obtained commission from the Ordinary to dispose the said moueable goods ; or are there any Willes vnproued , or Goods not administred ?

12 What persons be excommunicate within your Parish , and for what cause to your knowledge , and doe any of them repaire to the Church , in time of prayer vnabsolued ?

13 Whether haue any in your Parish giuen to the Church-wardens or Side-men , or to any of them , any euill words for doing their duties according to their Oathes and conscience , in making presentment for any fault ?

14 Whether haue any within your Parish harboured any woman vnlawfully begotten with childe , and haue suffered her to depart away vnpunished ?

Articles concerning Schoole-masters , Physitians , and Chirurgians , and Parish Clarkes .

1 IS there any Schoolemaster in your Parish that teacheth publikely or priuately , not licensed by the Ordinary , the Bishop of the Diocesse . Doth he teach any Papists , or sectuaries children that come not to Church . And doth he instruct all his Schollers to learne the short Catechisme , by Law established , contained in the booke of Common Prayer . Is he a graduate , and sufficient to teach ?

2 What Physitian or Chirurgion is in your Parish vnlicensed , and being not a Doctor of Physicke , in either of the Uniuersities , doth practise Physicke . And what ignorant persons haue left their trade , and taken vpon them to professe physicke , or Chirurgery ; and who be they that so abuse the people ?

3 Haue you a fit Parish Clarke aged twenty yeares at least , of honest life , able to reade and write . Are his and the Sextons wages paid without fraud ; if not , then whose default is it . By whom is he chosen : is he diligent in his Office , and seruiceable to the Minister ; Doth he meddle with any thing aboue his Office , doth he kéepe the Church cleane , the Doores locked . Is any thing lost or spoyled by his default , and doth he execute his Office duly ?

Articles concerning Ecclesiasticall Officers .

1 HAth any Chancellor Deputy , or Surrogate , or any other exercising Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction within this Diocesse , or any Register , Apparitor or other Officer belonging to the Ecclesiasticall Court , exacted any extraordinary or greater Fées , than heretofore of late hath béene accustomed , or than are expressed in the table of Fées set vp in the Consistory , declaring what fées are due ?

2 Lastly , Doe you know any other matter worthy of presentment , or any other person or persons , which haue committed any fault , or offence contrary to his Maiesties Ecclesiasticall Lawes , or hereof vehemently suspected not set downe or expressed in these Articles , by vertue of your Oathes present the said faults , and the names of the persons which haue committed , or are vehemently suspected for committing the same offences ?

THere must be a full , and seuerall presentment , on answer made to euery seuerall Article .