Articles concerning the Church .

WHether haue you in your seuerall Churches and Chappells the Booke of Constitutions or Canons Ecclesiasticall , ready to be read by your Minister , according to his Maiesties pleasure , published by his highnes authority vnder the great Seale of England .

2 Whether is there in your Church or Chappell , one parchment register Booke , prouided for Christnings , Marriages , and Burialls : and whether is the same duely and exactly kept , according to the Constitutions in that case prouided , and a transcript thereof brought in yearely within one moneth after Easter , into my Lord Bishops principall Registers office ? and whether doth your Minister vpon euery Sunday reade the names of all such as haue béene married , christned , or buried the wéeke before ?

3 Whether haue you prouided the Booke of Common Prayer lately commaunded by his Maiesties authority onely to be vsed , and the Booke of Homilies , and two Psalters : and whether haue you in your Church or Chappell a Font of stone , set vp in the antient vsuall place : a conuenient and decent Communion table standing vpon a frame , 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 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 number may communicate : and whether are the ten Commaundements set vp on the East end of your Church or Chappell , where the people may best sée and reade them , and other sentences of holy Scriptures written on the walls likewise for the same purpose ?

4 Whether haue you a conuenient seate for the Minister to reade 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 Surples , a 〈◊〉 Communion Cup of Siluer , and a couer agreable for the same , with all other things and ornaments necessary for the celebration of diuine Seruice , and administration of the Sacraments , and a strong chest for the almes of the poore , with thrée lockes and keyes , and another chest for the kéeping of the ornaments of the Church , and Register Booke .

5 How many Bells are there at this present , hanging in the Belfrée of your parish Church , and how many haue there béene heretofore : whether any of your said Bells haue béene taken downe and sold , or made away : and what other Church goods are now wanting in your Church .

6 Whether are your Church or Chappells with the Chancells thereof , and your Parsonage or Vicarage house , and all other housing thereto belonging , in good reparations , and decently and comely kept , aswell within as without : the seates well maintained , your Churchyards well fenced , and kept without abuse , according to the 85. Canon : if not , then through whose default , and what defects are ? All these things in these Articles to be prepared , according to the Canons vnder the title appertaining to Churches .

Articles concerning the Clergie .

WHether hath your Minister read the Constitutions set foorth by his Maiesty , once euery yeare , vpon some Sundayes or Holidayes , in the afternoone , before diuine seruice : according as by the Canons he is bound ?

2 Whether doth your Minister vse to pray for the Kings Maiesty , King Iames , and for the Quéenes Maiesty , Prince Charles , Fredericke Count Palatine of the Rheine , with the Lady Elizabeth his Wife , giuing vnto his highnesse such stile and title of Supreme Gouernour of all causes , and ouer all persons , as well Ecclesiasticall as temporall , as by lawe are due vnto him , exhorting their Parishioners to yealde him obedience according to the same , and also in their said Sermons , doe pray for all Arch-bishops , Bishops , and other Ecclesiasticall persons , according to the 55. Canon .

3 Whether is the prescript forme of diuine seruice vsed by your Minister vpon Sundayes , Holydayes , Wednesdayes , and Fridayes , according to the booke of Common prayer . And whether doth your Minister duly obserue all the orders , rites , and ceremonies prescribed in the said booke of Common Prayer : as well in reading publike prayers , the Letany , as also in administring the Sacraments in such manner and forme , wearing the Surples , as by the booke of Common Prayer by law now established is inioyed .

4 Whether doth your Minister administer the holy Communion so often , and at such times as that euery Parishioner may receiue the same , at the least thrice euery yeare , whereof one at Easter , as by the booke of Common Prayer is appointed . And whether doth your Minister receiue the same himselfe on euery day that he administreth it to others , knéeling at the same , and administreth it to none but to such as doe knéels at the receiuing thereof , and vse the words of the Institution according to the Booke , at euery time that the bread and wine is receiued , in such manner and forme as by the prouiso of the 21. Canon is directed , or wherein is he faulty , and whether is warning giuen by him before hand for the Commuion , as the 22. Canon requireth .

5 Whether hath your Minister admitted any notorious offenders , or Schismatickes to the Communion : contrary to the 26. and 27. Constitutions , without satisfaction by due course of law before enioyned them ; or reiected any from the Communion , who were not by publike presentment , or other open scandall , infamous , and detected of some notorious crime by common fame published in the Parish .

6 Whether the Minister , together with the Churchwardens and Questmen , doe take diligent héed and care , that not onely all and euery of your owne Parishioners doe receiue thrice in euery yeare , as aforesaid : but also that no strangers of any other Parish doe forsake their owne Minister and Parish , to receiue with you , contrary to the 28. Canon .

7 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 Prayer , and the 30. Canon : and whether he hath deferred , or wilfully refoled to baptize any infant in his Parish being in danger , hauing béene onely infor●● the weaknesse thereof , and whether the childe hath died by him default without baptisme , contrary to the 68. and 69. Canons .

8 Whether is your Minister continually resident with you vpon his benefice : or for how long time hath he béene absent , and where is he resident for the most part , and what other be 〈…〉 .

9 Whether doth ydl●● Minister being a Preacher ; preach vsually according to the constitutions , eyther in his owne thee with your once euery sunday or else in some other Church or Chappell néere adioyning , where no Preacher is , according to the 45. Canon , or how hath he bene negligent in that behalfe .

10 Whether is your Minister a Preacher allowed if yea , then by whome : if no , whether doth he procure Sermons to be preached among you once in euery moneth at the least , by such as are lawfully licensed , according to the 46. Canon , or doth contribute toward a licensed Preacher , if his liuing will beare it .

11 Whether hath your Minister another benefice : and whether doth he supply his absence by a Curate , that is sufficiently licensed to preach in that cure of his , whereon he himselfe is not resident : or otherwise in case he doe not finde a preaching Minister there , by reason of the smalnesse thereof , whether doth he preach at both his benefices vsually himselfe , according to the 47. Canon ?

12 Whether is your Preacher or Curate licensed to preach or serue the Cure , by the Bishop of this Dioces , or by any other , and by whom : whether doth your Minister or Curate serue more cures then one , contrary to the 48. Canon . If yea , then what other cure doth he also serue ?

13 If your Minister be not licensed to preach as aforesaid , whether doth he reade Homilies , or rather take vpon him to expound the Scriptures either in his owne cure or else where contrary to the 49. Canon : If yea , then you are to present him ; and spot me the place where he so hath preached .

14 Whether hath any person béen admitted to preach within your Church or Chappell , but such as you haue well knowne to be sufficiently licensed : whome haue you so admitted ? you shall present their names , and how often haue any such béene admitted to preach , and by whose procurement : and whether haue you caused euery strange Preacher , licensed or not licensed , to subscribe his name , together with the day when he preached , according to the 50. and 51. Canons : and if he were licensed , then by whom he was licensed : And whether haue they or any other preached in your Church not being soberly and decently apparrelled according to the 47. Canon .

15 Whether doth your Lecturer and Preacher reade diuine Seruice , and administer the Sacraments in his owne person twice euery yeare , obseruing all the Ceremonies in the booke of Common Prayer established according to the 56. Canon .

16 Whether doth your Minister weare the Surples whilest he is saying the publike prayers , and administring the Sacraments : And if he be any Graduate , whether then doth 〈◊〉 we are vpon his Surples , during the times aforesaid , such a hood , as by the ●●ders of his Vniuersitie is agréeable to his degrée , according to then 58. Canon .

17 Whether doth your Minister euery Sunday and Holyday , before Euening Prayer , for halfe an houre or more , examine and instruct the youth , and ignorant persons of his Parish , in the ten Commandements the Articles of beliefe , and the Lords Prayer , as also in the Catechisme last set forth in the booke of Common prayer , whereby the children of the Parish may be prepared for confirmation , according to the 90. Canon .

18 Whether hath your Minister without license from the Archbishop , the Bishop of the Diocesse , or his Chancelor , or without Lycence vnder the seale of office of the Archdeacon or his Officiall , solemnized mariage betwixt any parties , the Banes not being three seuerall Sundayes or Holly-dayes 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 the 62. Canon : and that also betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the forenoone , contrary to the 102. Canon . And whether hath your minister in the times prohibited marryed , any without such Licence , notwithstanding the banes haue bene asked , as you doe knowe , beléeue , or haue heard say .

19 Whether hath your Minister , since the last Canons published , solemnized any marryage betwixt any persons , being vnder the age of 21. yéeres , alchough the Banes be thrice asked , before such time as the parents haue made knowne vnto him their consent thereunto , contrary to the 99. and 100. Canons : and whether hath he married any of another Diocosse , and who are they , and by what authoritie , and when .

20 Whether doth your Minister vpon Sundayes at morning prayer , declare vnto the Parishioners what holy dayes and fasting dayes are appointed to be kept the wéeke following , according to the 64. Canon , whereby they may be put in minde to prepare themselues accordingly , and to repaire to the Church to publike prayer , as by law they are bound .

21 Whether doth your Minister in the Rogation dayes , vse the perambulation of the circuit of the parish appointed by law , and in the same perambulation , moue the people to giue thankes to God for his benefits vsing such Psalmes , Prayers , Homilies , as are to that end set forth .

22 Whether doth any man ( being neither Minister nor Deacon ) reade Common-prayer openly in your Church or Chappell , or administer the Sacrament of Baptisme , or solemnize Matrimonie , or take vpon him to practise any other ministeriall dutie in the Church , that is prescribed to be executed particularly by such , as are either Ministers , or Deacons , and what is his name that so doth .

23 Whether doth your Minister euery sixe moneths denounce in his parish , all such of his parish , as doe perseuer in the sentence of excommunication , not séeking to be absolued : and whether hath he admitted any person excommunicate , into the Church , without a Certificate of his absolution from the Ordinarie or other competent Iudge , vnder his seale , according to the Canons .

24 Whether doth your Minister being a Preacher , endeuour and labour diligently with mildenes and temperance to conferre with , and thereby to reclaime the Popish Recusants in his parish from their errours , if there be any such there being : and whether is he painefull in visitation of the sicke , according to the booke of Common-prayer , and the Canons in that case prouided .

25 Whether is your Parson , Vicar , Lecturer , or Curate too much frequent or ouer conuersant with , or a fauourer or Recusants , whereby he may be suspected not to be sincere in Religion .

26 Whether hath your Minister , or any other , taking vpon him the place of a Minister , preached , baptized children ( vnlesse in case of necessitie ) solemnized marriage , churched any woman , or ministred the holy Communion in any priuate house or houses : if yea , then where , whome , and how often hath he so offended in any of the premises .

27 Whether hath your Minister taken vpon him to appoint any publike or priuate fasts or prophesses , not approoued and established by lawe or publike authority : or hath he attempted vpon any pretence either of possession , by fasting and prayer to cast out deuills , contrary vnto the 72. Canon .

28 Whether hath your Minister , or any other person or persons within your Parish vsed to méete in any priuate house or other place , and to hold priuate conuenticles , contrary to the 73. Canon : if yea , then you shall present them all and euery one of them .

29 Whether doth your Minister vse such decencie and comelinesse in his apparrell , as by the 74. constitution is enioyned him , as well at home as when he goeth abroad .

30 Whether doe you know in your Parish , any that hauing heretofore taken vpon him or them , the order of Priest-hood or of a Deacon , hath since relinquished the same , and betaken himselfe to the course of his life , a Lay-man , neglecting his vocation : if yea , then you shall present his name and the place of his abode .

31 Whether is your Minister noted or defamed to haue obtained his Benefice by Symony , or reputed to be an incontinent person , or doth kéepe any man or woman in his house , that are suspected either to be of euill religion , or bad life , himselfe to be a common drunkard , or to be a common hunter of Tauernes , Alchouses , or other suspected places , a common gamester or player at dice , or other vnlawfull games , a common swearer , or notorious person , or faulty in any other crime punishable by Ecclesiasticall censures , whereby he is offensiue and scandalous to his function or ministery .

32 Whether doth your Minister vse the forme of thankesgiuing to women after their childbirth , and whether hath he admitted any thereunto that was begotten with childe in adultery or fornication , without license of his Ordinary , and whether haue any married wiues refused to come to Church , according to the booke of Common Prayer , to giue God thankes after childe-birth : if any be faulty herein , you shall present their names .

33 Whether doth your Minister baptize any children in any Bason , or other vessells , then in the ordinary Font being placed in the Church , according to the 81. Canon or doth vse to put any bason into it .

34 Whether in the time of diuine Seruice , and of euer part thereof , all due reuerence is vsed : no man then couering his head , all manner of persons knéeling when Prayers are read , and standing vp at the saying of the Beliefe , according to the order prescribed .

Articles concerning Schoolemasters .

WHether the Schoolemaster or Schoolemasters within your Parish , openly or priuately , in any Noble or Gentlemans house , or in any other place , be of good and sincere Religion life and conuersation , & be diligent in the teaching and bringing vp of youth : and whether they haue béene examined , allowed and licensed for Schoole-masters , by the Ordinarie in that behalfe : and how many seuerall Schoole-masters haue you , and what be their names .

2 Whether your Schoole-master , or Schoole-masters doe themselues receiue the holy Communion as often as they ought to doe : and whether doe all their Schollers , which be of age sufficient , and or capacitie , by instruction , to receiue the Lords Supper , come to the Communion either in your Church , or where their Parents dwell , once euery yeere , and be diligent to feare Common Prayer .

3 Whether the Schoole-master , or Schoole masters , either priuate or publike , doe teach their Schollers the Catechisme authorized by publike authoritie , at the least once euery wéeke , and doe instruct & examine them in the same , or doe teach any other Catechisme , and what Catechisme it is that they doe teach .

4 Whether your Schoole-master , or Schoole-masters , or any of them be knowne or suspected to reade vnto their Schollers priuately , any vnlawfull Bookes , or priuately to instruct them in their young yéeres , either in Popery , superstition , disobedience , or contempt to his Maiestie , and his Lawes Ecclesiasticall by publike authoritie allowed .

5 What recusant Papists are there in your Parish , and whether doe they , or any of them kéepe any Schoole master in their house , which commeth not to Church to heare Diuine Seruice , and receiue the Communion : what is his name , and how long hath he taught .

6 Whether the Schoole-master , or Schoole-masters within your Parish , doe teach his or their Srhollers any other Grammer , then that which is called the Kings Grammer , set forth by the authoritie of King Henry the eight , teaching the prescript forme thereof , whereby the Schollers may perfectly vnderstand their Grammer rules and constructions .

Articles concerning Parishioners , Ecclesiasticall Officers and others of the Laytie .

1 WHether is there any within your Parish , that hath , or doth impugne the Kings Maiesties supremacie and authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall , or doe any way , or in any part impeach the same , being restored to the Crowne by the lawes of this Realme established on that behalfe .

2 Whether is there any in your parish that denieth the Church of England by law established vnder the Kings most excellent Maiestie to be a true & Apostolicall Church , teaching & maintaining the doctrine of the Apostles .

3 Whether is there any in your Parish , that doth impugne any of the Articles of Religion agréed vpon in An. 1562. & established in the Church of England .

4 Whether is there any in your Parish that doe impugne or speake against the rites and ceremonies established in the Church of England , or the lawfull vse of them : you shall present their names .

5 Whether are there any in your Parish that doe impugne the gouernment of the Church of England , vnder the Kings most excellent Maiestie , by Archbishops , Bishops , Deanes , Archdeacons , and the rest that beare office in the same , affirming that he same is Antichristian , or repugnant to the word of God .

6 Whether is there any in your parish that impugne the forme of consecration and ordayning of Archbishops , Bishops , Priests , or Deacons , affirming that the same is repugnant to the word of God , or that they , who are so ordered in the same forme , are not lawfully made .

7 Whether is there any in your parish that doth hold or frequent any conuenticles , or priuate méetings , and there doe conferre or agrée vpon any priuate orders , other then such as are by the Canons set forth by publike authority , to be by them or any other in Church gouernment obserued .

8 Whether any persons haue lurked or tipled in Tauerns or Ale houses on Sundaies , or other Holy dayes , or vsed his , or their manuall craft , trade , or mysterie , or any bodylie labour , or kéept their shops open vpon the saide dayes , or any of them , especially in the time of diuine seruice ?

9 Whether are there any in your parish that doe , or haue prophaned ( since his Maiesties last generall pardon ) the Lords day , called Sunday , or other Holy-day , contrary to the orders of the Church of England , prescribed in that behalfe ?

10 Whether hath any person in your parish quarrelled , stricken , or vsed any violence vnto , or with your Minister , or any other in the Church or Church yard , or vsed himselfe disorderly in the Church , by filthie and prophane talke , or any other rude and immodest behauiour ?

11 Whether is that due reuerence and humble submission , vsed within your Church or Chappel in the time of diuine Seruice , as by the eightéenth Constitution is prescribed ? and whether each one in the Church or Chappell , doe apply and order himselfe there in the time of diuine Seruice , as by the latter part of the same Constitution is most commendably enioyned ?

12 Whether the Church-wardens and Quest-men doe euery Sunday and Holy-day diligently search who absenteth himselfe , or her selfe from Church ? and whether doe they suffer any to abide in the Church-porch , or Church-yard , in the time of Common prayer or Sermon ?

13 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 & wholsome wine , for the number of the Communicants that shall receiue , & that to be brought in a cleane and swéete standing Pot of Pewter , or other pure Mettall ?

14 Whether haue any in your parish béene God fathers or God-mothers to their owne children ? Or whether your Minister , or any God-fathers or God-mothers haue vsed , or doe vse any other forme , answere , or spéech in Baptisme , then is in the Booke of Common prayer appoynted ? Or whether any which haue not Communicated , be admitted to be God-fathers , or God-mothers , contrarie to the 29. Canone .

15 Whether is there any in your parish that doe 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 , haue receiued any such persons ( being not of his owne Cure ) to the Communion , or baptized any of their children , you shall likewise present him .

16 Whether doe all Fathers , Mothers , Masters , and Mistresses , cause their Children , Seruants , and Apprentises , to come to the Catechisme vpon the Sundayes and Holy-dayes before euening prayer , to heare and to be instructed and taught therein ? and those that doe not their duties herein , you shall present their names .

17 Whether haue you , or your Predecessors Church-wardens there suffered , since the last pardon , any Playes , Feasts , Banquets , Church-ales , Drinkings , or any other prophane vsages to be kept in your Church , Chappels , or Church , yard , or Bels to be rung superstitiously vpon Holy-dayes , or Eues , abrogated by the Booke of Common Prayer , contrarie to the 68. Canon ?

18 How many Inhabitants within your Parish , Men , or Women , aboue the age of sixtéene yéeres , doe refuse to frequent diuine seruice , established by publike authoritie of this Realme , or to receiue the holy Communion , or are negligent therein ? what be their names , and of what degrée , state , or trade of life are they ? you are to present them all of each sort .

19 Whether doe any of the Inhabitants within your saide Parish entertaine within their house any soiourners , ledgers , or any common resorters and guests , who refuse to frequent diuine Seruice , or receiue the holy Communion , as aforesaid ? what be their names , and of what qualitie or condition are they ?

20 whether any of the said Popish Recusants be of insolent behauiour , not without publike offence , or doe boldly busie themselues in seducing , or withdrawing others , either abroad or in their owne families , by instructing their children in Popish religion , or by refusing to entertaine any , especially in place of greatest seruice or trust , but such as concur with them in opinion of Religion : and what be their names that so doe ?

21 How long the said Popish Recusants haue obstinately abstained eyther from diuine Seruice , or from the Communion , as is aforesayd , whether of any long time , or onely since his Maiesties raigne , and how long ?

22 What persons aforesaid within your Parish , either for the offence aforesaid , or for any other contumacie or crime , doe remaine excommunicated ? what be their names ? and for what cause ? and how long haue they so stood excommunicated ?

23 Whether were you the Church wardens and Quest-men chosen by the consent of the Minister and Parishioners , in Easter wéeke , according vnto the 89. and 90. Canon . 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 thing of right belonging to the Church , which was in their hands : according to the 89. Canon .

24 Whether doe all persons aboue the age of sixetéene yoores , vsually resort to heare diuine Seruice vpon Sundaies and Holy-daies approoued ? and whether hath each one of your Parishioners ( being aboue the age of sixtéene yéeres , as aforesaid ) receiued the holy Communion thrice this last yéere , chiefely once at Easter , in your Parish Church knéeling ? If no , then you shall present their name which haue not so done .

25 Whether haue you a fit Parish Clarke , aged twentie yéeres at the least , of honest conuersation , and sufficient for reading and writing ? and whether he be paide his wages without fraude , according to the most ancient custome of your Parish ? if not , then by whom is he so defrauded and denyed ? and whether he be chosen by the Parson or Vicar , or by whom , according to the 91. Canon ?

26 Whether haue any in your Parish béene marryed within the prohibited degrées forbidden by the law , and expressed in a certaine Table published by authority in Anno. 1563. If yea , then you shall present their names ? and whether haue you the saide Table publikely set vp in your Church , and fastned to some conuenient place ?

27 Whether doth any heretofore diuorced , or married and not diuorced , kéepe company at bed and boord as man and wife , with any other man or woman , then with the person that he or she was married vnto ? and what be their names ? If the parties now so liuing together , say that they be marryed , when and where were they marryed ? and how long haue they so continued together ?

28 Whether haue you in your Parish to your knowledge , or by common fame and report , any which haue committed Adultery , Fornication , or Incest , or any Bawdes , harborers , or receiuers of such persons , or publikely suspected thereof , which haue not béene publikely punished to your knowledge ? if yea , then with whome ? And whether are there any which are by common fame and report reputed and taken to be common Drunkards , Blasphemers of Gods holy Name , common and vsuall swearers , filthy speakers , raylers , sowers of discord among their Neighbours , or speakers against Ministers marriages : Vsurers , contrarie to the Statute made in the seauen and thirtieth yéere of King Henry the eight , Symonicall persons , fighters , brawlers , or quarrellers in Church or Church-yard ? you shall not faile to present their names .

29 Whether haue any in your Parish receiued or harboured any woman gotten with childe out of wedlock , and suffered them againe to depart without pennance first inflicted vpon them by their Ordinarie ? you shall truly present as well the partie harbouring as harboured , and who is sufpected to haue committed incontinencie with her .

30 Whether any person or persons suspected or detected heretofore of incontinencie , and therefore departing out of your Parish for a season , is now returned againe ? or in what place else is he or she now abiding to your knowledge , or as you haue heard ? you shall not faile to present the whole truth in that behalfe .

31 Whether there be any person or persons Ecclesiasticall or Temporall within your Parish , or elsewhere within the Dioces , that haue retayned and kept in their custodie , or that reade , sell , vtter , disperse , carrie , or deliuer to others any English or Latine Bookes , or Libels , set foorth or printed , either on this side or beyond the Seas , by Papists or Sectaries against the Kings Supremacie in causes Ecclesiasticall ; or tending to Popery , Puritanisme , or any other Sect , Errour , or Heresie , against true Religion , and Catholike doctrine , now publikely professed in this Church , or the gouernment or discipline of the Church of England , now within this Realme receiued and established by common authoritie , that you know or haue heard of , what their names and sir names are ?

32 Whether there be any in your Parish who are knowne or suspected to conceale , or kéepe hidden in their houses any Masse Bookes , Portesses , Breuiaries , or other Bookes of Popery or superstition : or any Challices , Copes , Vestments , Albes , or other ornaments of superstition , vncancelled , or vndefaced , which is to be coniectured that they doe kéepe for a day , as they call it .

33 Whether any of your Parishioners , hauing a Preacher to their Parson , Vicar , or Curate , doe absent themselues from his Sermons , and resort to any other place to heare other Preachers .

34 Whether there be any Inne-kéepers , Alewiues , Victuallers , or Tiplers , that suffer or doe admit any person , or persons in their houses , to eate , drinke , or play at Dice , Cards , Tables , Bowles , or such like games , in the time of Common prayer or Sermon , on Sundaies or Holy-daies : Or any Butchers , or other , that commonly vse to sell meate or other things in the time of Common prayer , Preaching , or reading of Homilies ? and whether in any Fayres , or common Markets , falling vpon Sundaies , there be shewing of any wares before morning prayer be done ? And whether any Markets or selling of wares be vsed , or suffered in any Church-yards on the Sabbath day by common pack-men and Pedlers going about , or any Butchers ?

35 Whether hath your Minister , or any of the parish , without the consent or priuitie of the Ordinarie , caused any to doe penance , or to be punished either openly or otherwise , by any Vestrie meetings , or taken money for any crime punishable by the Ecclesiasticall lawes onely , and what be the names of the parties that haue béene so punished , and in what manner ?

36 Whether there be any in your parish who will come to heare the Sermon , but will not come to the publike prayer , appointed by the Booke of common prayer , making a schisme or diuision ( as it were ) betwéene the vse of publike prayer and preaching ? and whether there be any who being present at publike prayer , doe not deuoutly and humbly knéele vpon their knées , at such times as by the Booke of common prayer they are appointed : to wit , when they make a generall confession of their sinnes : when all Prayers and Collects are read : in the time of the Letanie : when the ten Commandements are read : & at the receiuing of the holy Communion , &c. And what be their names that haue at any time shewed themselues vndutifull and vnreuerent in that behalfe ?

37 Whether there be any married women , or others within your parish , which after childe-birth refuse , contemne , or neglect , to come to the Church to giue God thanks for their safe deliuerie , & to haue the prayers publikely appointed in that behalfe by the Booke of common prayer ?

38 Whether any within your parish doe resort into Barnes , Fields , Woods , priuate houses , to any extraordinary exposition of Scriptures , or conferences together , or that be drawers or perswaders of others to any such schismaticall conuenticle .

39 Whether any doe kéepe their children vnbaptized longer then is conuenient , vnlesse that it be for the sicknesse of the childe , or other vrgent occasion ? And whether any doe carry their childe or children from the parish they are borne in , to other parishes to be baptized , and so refuse their owne parish , and to what other parish ? or doe bring strange Ministers into their own houses to baptize their children priuately , according to their owne fantasies ?

40 Item , ( Setting downe the full summe of the Communicants within your Parish ) you shall present euery one who hath béene defectiue at this feast of Easter last past , in receiuing the holy Communion vpon neglect , contempt , or any other pretence and excuse .

41 Whether doe you know of any other matter of Ecclesiasticall cognizance worthy the presentment , in your iudgement , heretofore in these Articles not expressed , and which is fit to be reformed in Ecclesiasticall censure ? If you doe , you shall likewise present the same by vertue of your oathes .

42 Whether hath your Minister kept any Excommunication in his custodie vnpublished against any of his Parishioners , aboue the space of xx . dayes next after the receit thereof , without some lawfull certificat of the absolution of any such excommunicate person , or of some lawfull warrant for the stay of the same Excommunication .

43 Whether hath your Minister admitted any excommunicate person to the holy Communion before he hath receiued a certificat of the absolution of the same partie : And whether haue you permitted any excommunicate person either of your owne parish or of any other parish , to heare diuine Seruice in your parish Church , since the time you looke vpon you the office of Church wardens within your saide parish ? If yea , set downe the names of the same parties .

44 Whether hath your Minister absolued any excommunicate person or persons of your parish , or of any other parish within the Archdeaconey of Essex , within the space of a yéere last past , without a speciall warrant in writing vnder the hands of the Iudge and Register of this Court , or of one of them ? If yea , what are the names of such person or persons which he hath so absolued .

45 Whether hath your Minister , your selues , or your predecessors Church-wardens of your parish for the yeere last past , presented any person or persons of your said parish to the Chancellor of the reuerend Father in God , the Lord Bishop of London ( sauing in the Visitation of the sayd Lord Bishop , ) And whether hath your Minister , yourselues , or your predecessors Church-wardens of your said parish , for the yéer last past , presented any person or persons to the Commissarie of the said reuerend Father in God ? If yea , what are the names of such person or persons which you or they haue so presented , and for what cause did you or they present any such person or persons .

Articles to be inquired of , by the Minister , Church-wardens , & Sworne-men of euery Parish within the Archdeaconrie of Midlesex , according to the speciall direction of certaine letters heretofore sent to the Lord Bishop of London , from the right Honourable the Lords of the Priuie Counsell .

IN primis , Whether there be any in your Parish , either Parishioners , Soiourners , or such as be late come out of other Countries into your Parish , which do refuse to come to diuine Seruice to the Parish Church , or elsewhere : and what be their names , and sir-names , and how long they haue refused so to doe .

2 Item , How many of their wiues and children aboue the age of sixetéene yéeres , seruants and other soiourners , abiding in their houses , doe likewise refuse so to doe : and what be their names and sir-names , and how long they haue refused so to doe ?

3 Item , Whether there be any in your Parish , which be suspected to haue béene reconciled to the Popish Religion , or to haue béene absolued , or any that procured or councelled any thereunto : and what be their names and sir-names .

4 Item , Whether there be any in your Parish which be suspected to be Massing Priests , Reconcilers , Iesuits , Seminaries , or other persons , which haue receiued any orders or authoritie from the Romish Church , to vse the like : and what be their names and sir-names .

5 Item , Whether there be any Schoole-masters within your Parish , which doe not bring vp their youth in the Religion now professed , or be not themselues diligent in repayring to diuine Seruice , or bringing their Scholers to it ?

Articles concerning Parishioners .

IN euery Parish where any manner of person dwelleth or soiourneth , which refuseth to goe to some Church to heare diuine Seruice : the Minister and Church-wardens of that Parish are commanded euery Moneth from henceforth , to goe to euery such person with two or thrée honest witnesses , and before those witnesses , to require euery such person to repayre to the Church to heare Diuine Seruice . And the saide Minister and Church-wardens are commanded to send a Certificat in writing signed with the hands , marks , and seales of the sayde Minister , Church-wardens , and witnesses , to their Archdeacon , alwaies on the tenth day before Midsummer day : on the tenth day before Michaelmas day : on the tenth day before Christmas day : and on the tenth day before our Lady day in Lent . So as returne of such certificat may be made in time to the Custos rotulorum at euery Sessions next ensuing those Feasts , testifying as well the manner and time of their admonishments of such Recusants whatsoeuer they be , as their answers . And when and whither they went to Church euery Moneth , after such admonition giuen to them , as aforesaid . Or whether any such person hath wilfully withdrawn himselfe from taking or vnderstanding such admonition : and also declaring the names , sirnames , and abiding places of euery one that shall offend in any part or clause of the aboue written Articles . This euery Minister and Church-warden is straitlie charged to shew his diligence in , and effectually to doe , as they and euery of them shall and will answere to the contrarie , at their perils .

You shall bring your Presentment into the Registrie of the Arcdeaconrie of Midlesex , ten dayes before euery quarter , specifying the proper & surname , title , and addition of euery person presented , and how many moneths they haue refused to come to diuine Seruice to their Parish Church , or elsewhere , before the day of making your Presentment . And at the deliuerie of your said Presentment you shal likewise set downe , in the latter end thereof , the names of such as haue beene buryed within your sayde Parish for the space of a quarter of a yeere last past before the date of your said Bill , being Men , Maides , or Widdowes .