Articles to be ministred, enquired of, and answered in the visitation of the Right Worshipfull Richard Fitzharbert, Master of Arts, and Archdeacon of Dorset, 1624

Articles to be ministred , inquired of , and answered in the Visitation of the right Worshipfull RICHARD FITZHARBERT , Master of Arts , and Arch-Deacon of Dorset . 1624.

Booke of Canons . INprimis , Whether haue you in your seuerall Churches and Chappels , the booke of Constitutions or Canons Ecclesiasticall , ready to be read by your Minister , according to his Maiesties pleasure , published by his Highnesse authority , vnder the great Seale of England : and whether hath your Minister read the same or any part thereof vpon Sundaies and Holidaies in the afternoone before Diuine Seruice accordingly , yea or not ?

Articles of Religion . 2 Item , whether is there any in your Parish , that doth impugne any of the Articles of Religion , agréed vpon in Anno 1562. and established in the Church of England ?

3 Item , whether doth your Minister vse to pray for the Kings Maiestie , King Iames , Prince Charles , Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine , with the Lady Elizabeth his wife , and all their royall Progeny , with addition of such stile and titles , as are due and appertaining to his Maiestie , and exhort the people to obedience to his Highnesse ? And whether doth he pray for the Lords of his Maiesties most Honourable Counsell , and for all other Magistrates being in authority vnder him ?

4 Item , whether doth he pray for the Ministers of Gods holy Word and Sacraments , aswell Arch-Bishops and Bishops , as other Pastors and Curates ?

Impugne the Rites or Ceremonies . 5 Item whether is there any in your parish , that impugneth or speaketh against the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England , or the lawfull vse of them ? you shall present their names .

Impugne the Church gouernment . 6 Item , are there any in your parish that doe impugne the gouernment of the church of England , vnder the Kings most excellent Maiestie by Arch-bishops , Bishops , Deanes , Archdeacons , and the rest that beare office in the same ; affirming that the same is Antichristian or repugnant to the word of God ?

Prophaning the Sabbath . 7 Item , whether any persons haue lurked and tippled in Tauernes or Ale-houses on Sundaies or other Holidaies , or vsed his or their manuall craft or trade vpon the said daies , or otherwise prophaned them , or any of them , in any sort , and especially in the time of Diuine Seruice ?

Prescript forme of Diuine Seruice . 8 Item , whether is the prescript forme of diuine Seruice vsed by your Minister vpon Sundaies and Holidaies , according to the booke of common Praier : and whether doth your Minister duely obserue all the orders , rites , and ceremonies prescribed in the said booke of common Praier , as well in reading publike prayers , the Letany , as also in administring the Sacraments in such manner and forme as in the booke of common Praier is inioyned ?

Brawling in Church or Church-yard . 9 Item , whether hath any person in your parish quarrelled or stricken , or vsed any violence vnto , or with your Minister , or any other in your Church or church-yard , or vsed himselfe disorderly in the Church , by filthy and prophane talke , or any other rude and immodest behauiour ?

Reuerence in time of diuine Seruice . 10 Item , whether is that due reuerence and humble submission vsed within your church or chappell in the time of diuine seruice , as by the 18. Constitution is prescribed : whether each one in the church or chappell doe apply and order himselfe there in time of diuine Seruice as by the latter part of the same Constitution is most commendably inioyned ?

Bread and Wine at the Communion . 11 Item , whether the Church-wardens doe prouide against euery Communion , with the aduice of the Minister , a sufficient quantitie of fine white bread , and of good and wholesome wine for the number of the communicants that shall receiue , and that to be brought in a cleane and swéet standing pot of pewter or of other pure metall ?

Ministring & receiuing of the Communion . 12 Item , whether doth your Minister administer the holy Communion so often , and at such time , as that euery parishioner may receiue the same at least thrice in euery yéere , whereof once at Easter , as by the booke of Common Prayer is appointed : and whether doth your Minister receiue the same himselfe on euery day , before that he administreth it to others , and vse the words of the institution according to the booke at euery time that the bread or wine is renewed , in such manner and forme , as by the prouiso of the 21. Canon is directed , or wherein he is faultie : and whether is warning giuen by him before hand for the communion , as the 22. Canon requireth ?

Kneeling at the Communion . 13 Whether doth your Minister administer the said Communion to any that doth not humbly knéele at the receiuing of the same ? what are the names of them that refuse to kneele at the receiuing thereof ?

Offenders not to be admitted . 14 Item , whether hath your Minister admitted any notorious offenders or schismatickes to the Communion , contrary to the 26. and 27. Constitutions ?

No strangers to be admitted . 15 Item , whether the Minister together with the Church-wardens and Questmen , doe take diligent héed and care , not only that all and euery your owne parishioners doe receiue thrice in euery yéere as aforesaid , but also that no strangers of any other Parish doe come often and commonly to your Church from their owne parish Church : and you are now to present the names of all those , who being sixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards , haue not in their owne Parish receiued the Communion , at or since Easter last .

Signe of the Crosse . Refuse to Baptize . 16 Item , whether doth your Minister vse to signe the children with the signe of the Crosse when they are baptized , according to the booke of Common Praier : and whether he hath deferred , or wilfully refused to baptize any infant in his Parish being in danger , hauing béene duely informed of the weaknesse thereof : and whether the childe hath died in his default without baptisme : or whether hath he at any time refused or neglected to burie the dead , or to minister the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to any being in extremity of sicknesse , hauing béene required thereunto ?

Residencie . 17 Item , whether is your Minister continually resident with you vpon his Benefice , or for how long time hath he bin absent : and where is he resident for the most part , and what other Benefice hath he ?

Preaching according to the Canons . 18 Item , whether doth your Minister preach vsually , according to the constitutions , either in his owne Cure with you , or else in some other Church or Chappell néere adioyning , where no Preacher is : or how oft hath he béene negligent in that behalfe ?

More Cures ●han one . 19 Item , whether doth your Minister or Curate serue any more Cures than one : if yea , then what other Cure doth he serue ?

Licensed to preach . 20 Item , if your Minister be not licensed to preach , whother doth he take vpon him to expound the Scriptures , either in his owne Cure or elsewhere ?

None to preach but licensed . 21 Item , whether hath any person béene admitted to preach within your church or chappell , but such as you haue well knowne to be sufficiently licensed ?

Preaches to read Seruice , &c. twice a yeere . 22 Item , whether doth your Lecturer and Preacher , your Parson or Vicar , read diuine seruice , and administer the Sacraments in his owne person twice euery yéere ; obseruing all the ceremonies in the booke of Common praier established ?

Not to refuse the Communion because the Minister is no Preacher . 23 Item , is there any in your Parish that refuse to haue their children baptized , or themselues to receiue the Communion at the hands of your Minister , because he is no Preacher ? you shall present their names . And if your Minister , sithence the publishing of the said Booke of Canons , hath receiued any such persons ( being not of his owne Cure ) to the Communion , or baptized any of their children , you shall likewise present him .

24 Item , whether are there any priuate méetings , assemblies , or conuenticles , either by day or by night , vsed or had within the Parish by any Minister , or Ministers , or any Lay-persons tending to faction and schisme ? Declare the parties names , the places where , the times when , and how often haue you knowne any such meetings , assemblies , or conuenticles .

Surpli●e , Hood , &c 25 Item , whether doth your Minister weare the Surplice whilest he is saying the publike praiers , and ministring the Sacraments : and if he be any Graduate , whether then doth he also we are vpon his Surplice , during the times aforesaid , such a hood as by the order of his Vniuersity is agréeable to his degrée ?

Catechize . 26 Item , whether doth your Minister on euery Sunday and Holiday before Euening praier for halfe an houre or more , examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his parish , in the Ten Commandements , Articles of Beléefe , and in the Lords Prayer , as also in the Catechisme , set forth in the Booke of common Prayer : and whether doe all Fathers , Mothers , Masters , and Mistresses , cause their children , seruants and apprentises , to come thither to heare , and to be instructed and taught therein : and those that do not their duties herein , you shall present their names .

Vnlawfull solemnization of mariage . 27 Item , whether hath your Minister , without license from the Archbishop , the Bishop of the Diocesse , or his Chancellor , solemnized mariage betwixt any parties , the banes not being thrée seuerall Sundaies or Holidaies first published in time of Diuine Seruice , in the seuerall churches or chappels of their seuerall abode , according to the Booke of Common Prayer , and that also betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the forenoone : and furthermore , whether hath your Minister since the last Canons published , solemnized any mariage betwixt any persons , being vnder the age of one and twenty yéeres , although the banes be thrice asked , before such time as the parents haue made knowne vnto him their consent thereunto : and whether hath he maried any of another Diocesse , who are they , and by what authority , and when ?

Bid Holidaies and fasting daies . 28 Item , whether your Minister doth euery Sunday bid Holidaies , and fasting daies , as by the Books of Common Praier is appointed ?

Denounce excommunicate persons . 29 Item , whether doth your Minister euery six moneths , denounce in his Parish all such of his Parish , as doe perseuere in the sentence of excommunication , not séeking to be absolued ? and whether hath he admitted into the Church , any person excommunicate , without a certificate of his absolution from the Ordinary , or his Substitute ?

Excommunicated persons not to be present at publike prayer in the Church . 30 Item , whether your Parson Vicar or Curate , hatly celebrated and said diuine Seruice and praiers in the Church , when any person that he knew to be excommunicated , or denounced for an excommunicate person , was present in the same Church ?

Staying the publishing of excommunication or suspensions . 31 Item , whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , of any your churches or chappels , hauing receiued any excommunication , suspension or aggrauation from his Ordinary , or his Substitute against any of their Parishioners , haue presumed to make stay of , and not published such excommunication , suspension or aggrauation , according to the tenor thereof , the next Sunday or Holiday after the receit of the same in your church or chappell at the time of diuine Seruice ? if any be faulty herein , present their names , and how oft default hath béene made in that behalfe ?

Visit the sicke . 32 Item , whether is your Minister painfull in visiting the sicke , according to the Booke of common Praier ?

Fauourer of Recusants . 33 Item , whether is your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , suspected to frequent , or to be ouer-conuersant with , or a fauourer of Recusants , whereby he is suspected not to bée sincere in Religion ?

Lay-persons executing the office of a Minister in the Church . 34 Item , hath any presumed to execute the office of a Minister or Deacon in any your churches , and to say and celebrate the diuine Seruice there , or to serue she Cure of your Parish , not being a Minister or Deacon : and whether any Deacon hath presumed to minister the Sacraments in any your Churches , not hauing first receiued the full Orders of Priesthood : if yea , present what his name is , where he dwelleth , and how often he hath offended herein ?

Register booke . 35 Item , whether is there in your church or chappell one parchment Register Booke prouided for Christnings , Marriages and Burials : and whether is the same duely and exactly kept according to the Constitutions in that behalfe prouided ?

Decency in apparell . 36 Item , whether doth your Minister vse such decency and comelinesse in his apparell , as by the 74. Constitution is enioyned ?

Schoolmaster . 37 Item , doth any take vpon him to teach Schoole in your parish , without speciall licence of his Ordinary : and whether doth your Schoolemaster bring his schollers to the Church to heare diuine Seruice and Sermons : and whether doth he instruct them in the Catechisme ?

Common Praier booke , &c. 38 Item , whether haue you prouided the Booke of common Praier , and the Bible of the new Translation lately set foorth by his Maiesties authority , and the Booke of Homilies : and whether haue you in your Church or Chappell a Font of store set vp in the ancient vsuall place , a conuenient and decent Communion Table , with a carpet of silke , or some other decent stuffe , and a faire linnen cloth to lay thereon at the Communion time : and whether is the same Table then 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 greater rumber may communicate : and whether are the Ten Commandements set vpon the East end of your Church or Chappell , where the people may best sée and read them , and other sentences of holy Scriptures written on the walls also for that purpose ?

Things necessary for diuine Seruice . 39 Item , whether haue you a conuenient seat for your Minister to read seruice in , together with a comely Pulpit set vp in a conuenient place , with a decent cloth or cushion for the same : a comely large Surplice , a faire Communion cup of gold , siluer , or other pure meltall , and couer agréeable for the same , with all other things and ornaments necessarie for the celebration of Diuine Seruice , and administration of the Sacraments ?

Reparation of the Church , Parsonage-house , &c. 40 Item , whether are your Church or Chappels , with the Chancels thereof , and your Parsonage or Vicarage house , and all other housing thereto belonging , in good reparations , and decent and comely kept , as well within as without , the seats well maintained , a sure coffer with thrée locks and keyes , for the safe kéeping of your Register booke , your Church-yards well fenced and kept without abuse ? if not , then through whose default , and what defects are th●rein ?

Gifts given to the vse of the Church . 41 Item , whether doe you know , or haue heard of any legacie by any mans will , or any gift otherwise giuen to the poore , to the Church , or any other holy vses , and not performed or bestowed according to his will and gift , and in whose hands the same doth now remaine ?

Recusants . 42 Item , how many inhabitants within your parish , men or women , aboue 16. yéeres of age , be Popish Recusants , or doe refuse to frequent Diuine Seruice established by publike authoritie of this Realme , or to receiue the holy Communion , what be their names , and of what degrée , state or trade of life are they ? you are to present them all of both sorts .

How long they have bin Recusants . 43 Item , how long the said Popish Recusants haue obstirately abstained either from diuine seruice , or from the Communion , as is aforesaid : whether any long time , or only since his Maiesties raigne ?

Whether the Minister seeks to reclaime the Recusants . 44 Item , whether is your Minister a Preacher sufficiently qualifted : and if he be , whether doth he from time to time offer quiet and temperate conference to reclaime the Popish Recusants from their errors : and whether they , or any of them doe refuse such conference with your Minister , or any o●her Preacher , who shall present vnto them his diligence in that behalfe ?

Excommunicate person . 45 Item , what persons aforesaid within your Parish , either for the offence aforesaid , or for any other contumacie or crime , doe remaine excommunicate , what be their names , and for what cause , and how long haue they so stood excommunicate ?

Church-wardens & Sidemen . 46 Item , whether were you the Church wardens and Questmen chosen by the consent of the Minister and Parishioners : and whether haue the Church-wardens before you , giuen vp a iust account for their time , and deliuered to you their successors whatsoeuer money , or other things of right belonging to the Church , that was in their hands ; and whether doe you , and euerie of you diligently sée , that all the Parishioners doe duely resort to their Church euerie Sunday and Holiday , and there continue the whole time of Diuine Seruice , and nore to walke or stand idle , or talking in the Church or Church porch , or Church-yard , during that time : and whether doe all the Parishioners and their families accordingly frequent their Parish Church , and there behaue themselues soberly , attentiuely , and decently , all the time of Diuine Seruice , yea , or no ? if no , then you shall present their names .

All resort to Church , and receiue thrice a yeere . 47 Item , whether doe all persons aboue the age of sixtéene yéeres , vsually resort to heare diuine seruice vpon Sundaies and Holidaies appointed : and whether hath each one of your Parishioners ( being aboue the age of sixtéene yéeres aforesaid ) receiued the Holy Communion thrice this last yéere , and chiefly once at Easter last , in your Parish Church knéeling ? if no , then you shall present their names which haue not so done .

Parish Clarke 48 Item , whether haue you a fit Parish Clarke , aged twentie yéeres at least , of honest conuersation , and sufficient for reading and writing : and whether he be paid his wages without fraud , according to the most ancient custome of your Parish : if not , then by whom is he so defrauded and denied ? and whether he be chosen by the Parson , or Vicar , or by whom ?

Table for Mariages . 49 Item , whether haue any in your Parish béene maried within the prohibited degrées , forbidden by the Law of God , and expressed in a certaine Table , published by authoritie in the yéere 1583. if yea , then shall you present their names , and whether haue you the said Table publikely set vp in your Church , and fastned to some conuenient place there ?

Persons diuorced . 50 Item , whether doth any heretofore diuorced , kéepe companie with any other at bed and at boord , what be their names , when and where were they maried ?

To giue thanks after child-birth . 51 Item , doth your Minister vse the forme of thanksgiuing to women after childbirth : and whether hath he admitted any thereunto that was begotten with childe in adulterie , or fornication , without licence of his Ordinary ? And whether haue any maried wiues refused to come to Church according to the Booke of Common Prayer , to giue God thankes after child birth , in such vsuall and decent manner , as anciently hath béene accustomed ? if any be faultie herein , you shall present their names .

Incontinent persons , drunkards , swearers , &c. 52 Item , whether haue you any in your parish , to your knowledge , or by common fame and report , which haue committed adulterie , fornication , or incest , which haue not beene publikely punished to your knowledge : if yea , then with whom : or any man that hath attempted the chastitie of any woman , or hath sollicited any woman , to the intent to haue the carnall knowledge of her body , or any in your parish to be Bawds , or receiuers of any such persons , or suspected of any the crimes aforesaid : are there any that are , or by common fame and report are reputed and taken to be such persons , or be common drunkards , blasphemers of Gods holy name , common & vsuall swearers , filthy speakers , vsurers , symoniacall persons , fighters , brawlers , or quarrellers in Church , or Churchyard ? you shall not faile to present their names .

Harbouring incontinent persons . 53 Item , whether haue any in your parish receiued or harboured any woman begotten with childe out of wedlock , and suffered them to depart againe without punishment first inflicted on them by their Ordinary : you shall truly present as well the party harbouring , as harboured , and who is suspected to be the father of her childe ?

Wills . 54 Item , whether are there in your parish any Wills not yet proued : you shall not faile to present the Executors , and all others faultie and culpable therein .

Witches , and such like . 55 Item , whether you know in any your Parishes and Witches , Southsayers , Coniurers , Charmers , Sorcerers , or any that be suspected for such persons : present their names , and what speciall hurt they haue committed .

Hospitals , and Almeshouses . 56 Item , whether there be any Hospitals or Almeshouses in your parish , and whether the same be vsed , kept , & ordered according to the foundations , lawes , and statutes thereof , and in whom the fault is that they are not so vsed and kept ?

57 Item , Perambulation . whether your Parson , Vicar , or Curate , doth vsually euery yéere in the Rogation wéeke , goe with the Parishioners in the perambulations about the parish , according to the custome and vse of ancient time , and doth say the prayers and suffrages appointed for the same ?

Fift of August to be kept Holiday . 58 Item , whether is the fift day of August ( being the day of the Kings Maiesties most happy deliuerance from the traiterous and bloudy attempt of the Earle Gowry , and his brother , with their adherents ) obserued and kept festiuall within your parish , with prayer and thanksgiuing , and with cessation from labour , as by publike authority it is appointed : and whether haue you in your parish the booke published by authoritie , which containeth the forme of praier with thanksgiuing appointed for that day : Gun-powder Treason , Nouemb . 5. and whether is the fift day of Nouember obserued and kept festiuall , as by a speciall act of Parliament in that case prouided , is appointed ?

Any thing else . 59 Doe you know of any other matter of Ecclesiasticall cognizance worthy the presentment in your iudgement , which you hold fit to be reformed ? if you doe , you shall likewise present the same by vertue of your Oathes aforesaid .

FINIS .