Iniunctions exhibited by Iohn by gods sufferance Bishop of Norwich in his first visitacion beginning the seconde daie of Maye in the thirde yeare of our soueraign Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of God Quene of England, Fraunce and Ireland. Defendour of ye faith. [et]c. vnto all & singuler the diocesans of the diocesse of Norwich so farre as they concerne any of them.

Iniunctions exhibited by Iohn by Gods sufferaunce Bishop of Norwich in his first visitacion beginning the seconde daie of Maye in the thirde yeare of our soueraign Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of God Quene of England , Fraunce and Ireland . Defendour of the faith &c. vnto all and singuler the diocesans of the diocesse of Norwich so farre as they concerne any of them .

FIrst the euery parson , vicare and Curate , doo so order the common seruice within the city of Norwich & other lyke places where be diuers parish churches in one toune , that it maye be doon on the sondaie , by nine of the clok , before the beginning of the sermon , where any is appointed , the al the people after comon prayers be doon in their parish churches may resort thether to heare the sermon .

2. Item that as many of them as be entred into orders , do saie the morning and euening praiers dailie in Englishe or Latten , either openly or prinatelie , that they may be the more reddie in the Scriptures .

3 Item that they see vnto their Clerks & Sextens , if they doo ring at the buriall of the deade , noone or curpheue , they ring but one peall , & that verie short , omitting all other vnnecessarie ringings as it is prescribed by order taken herin .

4 Item that they neither suffer the Lordes table to be hanged and decked like an aulter , neyther vse any gestures of the popish masse in the time of ministracion of the communion , as shifting of the boke , washing , breathing , crossing or such like .

5 Item that they baptize not children on the wourking daies , or when the congregacion is not come together , except it be thought that euident Ieoperdie require the contrarie .

6 Item that they marie no yonge folkes , except they examin them before , whether they can saye , the articles of the Christian faithe , the Lordes prayer and the ten commaundements : and if they can not : then to stay them from going forwards , till they can saie them . Likewise that they examin the godfathers and godmothers , when they come to baptize children in the same points : secretly , & modestly , bearing with the age of som parsons . For howe can they be sureties for an other to be instructed in that faith , which they can not skill of themselfes . Thirdlie that they suffer none to come to the holie communion , except they also knowe the same necessarie points of Religion .

7 Item that they marie none before dewetime , that is before six of the clock in the somer , and seuen in the winter , at what tyme the broade daie light doth appeare .

8 Item that they preache theyr sermons limited by the Q. Mayesties Iniunctions that is euerie moneth one orels at the least wies get them to be preached , so that they them selfes preache foure tymes in the yeare in their own parsones beeing habled thereto by theyr ordinarye if they can not preache then to reade som homely set out by the Queens Maiestie .

9 Item that they with suche diligent trauail industrie and conference do euerie weke reade & peruse two chapiters of the newe testament and studie the same that they may be able to answere to all matters conteyned therin with the trewe vnderstanding therof to begynne with Sainct Mathewes gospell and after with saint Iohns , and so consequentlie till they begon ouer and so to the Epistles . This to begynne in August next , & to make accompt to suche as bithe saied reuerend father shal be appointed the first twesdaie of euery moneth following . And besides this they shal also cause euerie quarter one sermon at the least to be preached at ther beneficesbi some learned preacher till they be hable to preache them their selfes . To this taske as touching the chapters the curates also be enioyned though they haue no benefices .

10 Item that they teache the Catechisme euerie sondaie and euery holidaie one howre at the leaste before euening prayer and to beginne the same the first sondaie in August next & so to continue euerie sondaie and holydaie .

11 Item that they warne the parents & maisters to cause theyr children and youthe to learne the Catechisme , either in scholes or els at home so as they may be examined by the minister euery sondaie and holydaie that they may make answere to the ministers standing in the pulpet demanding questions of them and this shal be doon inmediatlye after the last peale to euening praier .

12 Item that they requyre the yonge folkes vnmaried to resorte to the hearing of the children examined and rendering of the Catechisme to th intent that they by hearing may learne the same , & therby ( besides discharge of their dewty towards God ) auoid worldlie rebuke and shame whyche shuld happen vnto them , if they shoulde be reiected from mariage for ignoraunce of the christian faith , the Lordes Prayers , and the tenne Commaundementes . Exhorting also th elder maried folkes to be present bothe for the good example of the youthe & also to learne them selfes , by hearing if they by reason of euill educacion in tyme of ignoraunce , haue not been sufficientlie instructed in tymes past .

13 Item that they see the places filled vp in walles orells where , where imagies stode , so as if ther hadde been none there . The stones foundacions or other places , frames or Tabernacles deuised to aduaunce Imagerie , holy waterstones also to be quite and clean taken away and the places where they were set , comelie and decentlie to be made vp with conuenient expedicion , orells to declare to the ordinarie the lettes & staies therof as sone as may be .

14 Item that euerie Parson , vicarre , Curate and reader , shall euery quarter ones , reade openly in the pulpet the Quenes maiesties Iniunctions , and also these present Iniunctions with the confession hereunto annexed , and besides that , get him a copie of these Iniunctions and set them vp by the last of Septembre in some conuenient place of theyr quier there to remaine still to be seene of them that lyst to reade them .

15 Item that the maister , pryest , and other gouernours of all hospitals be vigilant and look diligently , as wel to the wel ordering and godly instructing of the sik & sore people within the same hospitals : as also to the vertuous and godli educacion of the children and other youth there , so as they may be taught to folow & fauour the sincere veritie of almighty God , as it is now manifestly set forthe by the Quenes most excellent Maiestie & that they themselues also be folowers therof .

Interrogatories .

WHether the parsons , vicare , curate , or reader doth reade the common seruice with a lowde , distinct , and treatable voyce .

2 Whether the lessons epistels and gospels be redde or songe so as they may be plainli barde of the people .

3 Whether the parsone or vicare preach or cause to be preached in his churche euery moneth one Sermon .

4 Whether euery parson or vicare preache in his owne parsone one sermon euery quarter , if there be no sermon they reade the homilies plainly and distinctlie according to the Iniunction .

5 Whether to the vttermost of their wit power knowledge & learning they do with out colour or dissimulacion , declare four tymes yearelye in their seuerall sermons or exhortacions that the power of the Bishop of Rome and all other forreyn power , are iustlie taken away .

6 Whether they doo exhorte the people to remember the poore after the homelye when they reade the sentences exhorting the Almose .

7 Whether they teache the youthe of theyr parishe the Lordes prayer , the articles of the faith , the tenne commaundements and the Catechisme euerie sundaie and holidaie .

8 Whether they and theire churche wardeyns haue prouided in theyr parish a Byble in the largest volume , and Erasmus paraphrasis vpon the newe Testament .

9 Whether they declare to their parishes any thing to th extolling or setting fourthe of vayne and supersticious religion .

10 Whether the parson or vicare being absent hath left vppon his benefice an honest learned & expert Curate .

11 Whether any minister or priest in the tyme of trouble haue deuorced him self from his wife and whether his wyfe hath been maryed to any òther man sithen , or that he himself hath maried any other woman without iudgement of the Churche .

12 Whether the Priestes , and deacons saye daylie the morning and euening seruice , openlye or priuatelye .

13 Whether ani that toke orders in king Edwards daies not contented with that , were ordered agayne in Quene Maries daies .

14 Whether the parson or vicare , or any for him hath bought his benefice or hath come by it by simonie fraude or deceipte .

15 Whether the parson or vicare haue more benefices then one .

16 Whether any of your benefices be vacant , & howe longe they haue so been & who is the patron .

17 Whether ther be any laye or temporall men not being within orders or children that hath or enioyeth any benefice or spirituall promocion .

18 Whether there be any patron that suffereth any benefice to be vacant and taketh the tythes and other dueties to him selfe .

19 Whether any parson , vicare or Curate geue any euell example of lyfe , whether they be incontinent parsones , drōkards , haunters of tauernes , alehouses or suspect places : dycers , tablers , carders , swearers or vehemently suspected therof .

20 Whether they haue receiued any parsone to the holie communion openlie knowne to be out of charitie or diffamed with some notorious crime before he hath made sufficient recompence for his wronge or euell doing .

21 Whether they haue a fitte and decent table to minister the communion on .

22 Whether the parson or vicare being not resident vpon his benefice geueth the fourty parte therof , to the poore of the parishe .

23 Whether any parson or vicare findeth but a reader vnder hym where he shoulde fynde Minister .

24 Whether the chauncell , the bodie of that parishe churche or chapell , the parsonage and vikerage house , and other belonging to the same : be in good reparacions , and whether the better coueringes of any of them haue been pulled of and worse set in the place and by whome .

25 Whether they celebrate the communion with lesse nombre then foure or thre comunicantes at the least in suche parishes wheare there be xx . parsones of discretion & in greater parishes with out a greater nomber .

26 Whether if there be more Priestes in any churche then one : they doo all comunicate with the minister when the communion is celebrate .

27 Whether that any reader being admitted but to reade : taketh vpon him to baptize , to marie ; to celebrate the Lords supper or to distribute the Lords cup.

28 Whether they baptize children in any other daies then the sundaies and holidaies except it be thought need that they should be baptized at home .

29 Whether they haue maried any without banes asking , or if the parties maried be of diuers parishes , whether they haue maried them without certificat from the parsone or parsones where they where asked : or haue maried any that be out of their owne parishes not licenced therunto , or hath not openly denounced theyr certificat or licence accordingly at the tyme of mariage or hath maried any parson not in due place or conuenient tyme .

30 Whether they haue exhorted yong folke to absteine from priuie contractes and not to mary without the consente of suche their parentes and freends as haue authoritie ouer them .

31. Whether they haue admitted to the holie table , any of an other parishe except they be strangers without the licence of the ministre from whence they came .

32 Whether that there be any that preacheth out of their owne parishes not licenced therunto , orels taketh vpon them to preache being not ordeyned nor licenced therunto .

33 Whether the maister and gouernours of the hospitall within Norwich and other hospitals with in the diocese of Norwich doo looke diligentlie to the well orderyng and godlie instructing of the sicke & sore people within the same hospitals .

34 Whether the youth within the same hospitalls be taught to fauour and folowe the sincere verytye of almightie God as it is now set forth by the Queenes moste excellent Maiestie .

For the duetie of churche wardeines .

WHether they haue prouided a comelie and honest pulpet to be set in a comeli place of the churche .

2 Whether al aulters , images , holiwater stones , pictures , paintings , as of Thassumption of the blessed virgin , of the descending of Christ into the virgin in the fourme of a lytle boy at Thanunciacion of the Aungell , and al other supersticious and dangerous monuments especiallie paintings & Imagies in walle , boke , cope , Banner or els where , of the blessed trinitie or of the father ( of whom ther can be no Image made ) be defaced and remoued out of the churche and other places and are destroyed & the places where such impietie was : so made vp , as if there had been no suche thing there .

3 Whether that any Imagies , beades , bokes of saruice , or vestiments not alowed by lawe be reserued of any man or in any place , by whome and where they be reserued .

4 Whether they knowe any man that refuseth to contribute to the Almes of the poore as a thing not rightlie appointed and discorageth other from suche charitable Almes .

5 Whether the Churchwardeynes haue prouided a strong chest , for the poore mens boxe and haue fastened it in a fytte place .

6 Whether the churche money comyng of moueable stockes money geuen to fynde torches , tapers , lamp light not payde out of any lands , be imployed to the poore mens boxe or no ?

7 Whether the Churchewardeynes of euerie parishe doo dulie levye and gather of the goods and lands of euerie suche parsone that cometh not to his owne parishe churche vpon the sondaies and holly daies and there heare the deuin seruice and Gods worde redde and preached xii . d. for euery suche offence , and whether thei haue distributed the same money to the poore .

8 Whether there be a register had and kept faithfully of Christenings and Burials .

¶ For Scholemaisters and theyr office .

WHether any Scholemaister take vpon him to teache not alowed by the ordinarye .

2 Whether thei moue and teache theyr children duelie to reuerence & loue the trewe religion that is nowe set fourth .

3 Whether they teache their children suche sentences out of the scripture as may frame them to Godlynes .

4 Whether they teache any other grammer then suche as is appoincted by the Quenes Maiesties Iniunctions annexed to the same .

¶ For Clarkes and theyr dutie .

WHether that the songe in the Churche be modest and distincte so deuised and vsed that the ditte may plainly be vnderstand .

2 Whether they vse to sing any nomber of psalmes , dirige lyke , at the buryall of the deade or do any other thing otherwise then it is appointed by the comon order of the seruice boke .

3 Whether they vse to ring oft or longe peales at the buryall of the dead or vse muche iangling in festiuall daies in ringing none or curphew .

¶ For the people and theyr duetie .

WHether there be any man that mocketh or iesteth at the deuine seruice , or at the ministers therof or speaketh any thing bi iest or earnest to the dispising , derogacion or letting therof .

2 Whether any man hath burned or caused the holy Byble to be burned , torne or defaced or hath conueyed it out of the Churche that it should not be redde of the people .

3 Whether any parishoner denieth to receyue the sacraments and other rites ecclesiasticall according to the boke aucthorized by comon authority .

4 Whether any man is knowen to haue saide , or heard masse sithens it was abrogate by lawe , whether any man maketh any singing cakes to say masse with all , reserueth vestiments , superaltaries , masse bookes or other instruments of this supersticion .

5 Whether any doo deferre theyr children to be baptized be yond the next sundaie or holidaie after their birth and vpon what causes they do so .

6 Whether any be so hastie to baptize their children that hauing no nede they will not tary till the next holiday that the child may be partaker of the prayers of the whole churche , then present .

7 Whether any haue maried with in the degrees of consanguinitie prohibited by the lawes of God , ether whether any maried without those degrees , haue vnlawfully forsaken theyr wyfes or husbands or maryed others .

8 Whether any man kepeth in his house any abused Images namely suche as be remoued out of the churche , or S. Iohns head . S. Catheryn , S. Nicolas or suche lyke .

9 Whether any body vseth beades laten prymers or any other prayer bookes then that be alowed by publike authority to be vsed .

10 Whether there be any that mainteyneth any heresie or false opinion contrary to Goddes word .

11 Whether there be any that exerciseth sorcery , sooth saying , whytchcraft or suche lyke cuxyous artes .

12 Whether there be any incontinent parsones druncardes , swearers , blasphemers of the name of God , raylers at religion or fautie in any other enormouse crime or vehementlie suspected of the sam.

13 Whether there be any that neglecteth to resorte comonly to his parishe churche and there abydeth orderlie and soberlie during the tyme of seruices .

14 Whether there be any that vseth byeng , selling , dressinge , carying to and fro of cloth , followyth his occupacion , geueth himselfe or causeth his to labour bodelie or to attende their occupacion on the saboth daie , hindring bothe them selfes and theyrs , therby to learne gostly things .

15 Whether ther be any that walketh or talketh in the Churche at seruice tyme or goeth out with out vrgent nede .

16 Whether ther be any bodye otherwise occupied at seruice time then to here & marke the same orels suffer theyr children to disturbe the diuine seruice .

17 Whether any parson of discretion hath not comunicate thrise in the year and in especially at easter last past who they be and what be theyr names .

18 Whether any hath maried the banes not being laufully asked before except he had a dispensacion of the ordenarie .

19 Whether fathers , mothers , maisters , and dames sendeth out their children and seruauntes to be instructed in the Catechisme on sondaies and holidaies .

20 Whether vinteners or they th●● kepe vitayling houses doo sell meate or drynk in tyme of seruice 〈◊〉 sermons .