Articles concerning Religion and Doctrine .

WHETHER be there any one , or more residing , lodging or abiding in your Parish , that holde , defend , set forth , or propose any Heresie , errors , or false opinions , contrarie to holy Scripture , the Thrée Créedes , the booke of Thirtie nine Articles , the booke of Common Prayer , the booke of Consecrating and ordayning Bishopps , 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 Realmēs and Dominions ?

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

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

5 Whether any in your Parish do publish , sell , disperse , or communicate to others , any superstitious or Popish books , or writings , any Schismaticall , and Puritanicall , Libelles , treatises , or papers Derogatorie from , or contrary to the Religion , State , Church Gouernement 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 Booke of common Prayer .

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

3 Doth your Minister read diuine seruice according to the Iniunctions in the booke of common Prayer ; doth he diminish , alter , exchange the forme prescribed , in part , or in all , vsing Prayers in stéede thereof of his owne deuising , and conceiuing .

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

5 Whether is the Sacrament of Baptisme rightly and dilly administred according to the prescript forme expressed in the Booke of common Prayer , without adding , altering , or Detracting from any part , or poynt therein : Doth he rufuse to vse the Interrogatories prescribed , the signe of the Crosse commaunded : Doth he vse the words , and not doe the Act , hath he admitted the Fathers , or Mothers in publike , or in priuate Baptisme to be Godfathers , and Godmothers , whether doth he vse to baptise the childe at the Font , or in some Bason at his seate where he 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 ; have any so dyed vnbaptised , or will he not Baptise the children of Papists being offered to baptisme : such as be borne out of wedlocke , Bastards , or vnlesse the Father will affirme 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 hee consecrate the Bread and Wine , with those wordes 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 holsome and swéet ? is the wine as it should bee , representing blood , not Sacke , White-wine , Water , or some other Liquor . , And if more bread and wine be afterwards brought , the first not sufficing which was consecrated , doth hee 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 manner & forme , such words , rights , and ceremonies , as are prescribed : and if not , then in what manner doth hee performe them .

Articles concerning the Church , the Ornaments , sacred vtensills , 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 : 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 bee layd vpon it in time of diuine Seruice , and a cleane lynnen cloath for the time of Communion ?

4 Is it prophaned at any time , by sitting on it , casting hattes , or cloakes vpon it , writing , or casting vp accompts , 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 , Burialls , Mariages , 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 repayred , decently and comly kept , as well within as without , be the seats maintayned , the Stéeple and bels preserued , the windowes glased , the floore paued , and all things in such sort as may well beséeme the house of God ?

7 Whether is your Churchyard well mounded , and fenced , kept cleane without Nusance , or soyle cast into it : is it incroached vpon , and by whome ? doe any offensiuely kéepe doores , outletts , or passages into your Churchyard : doe any vse to quarrell , fight , play , or make méetings , banquets , Church-ales there , doe any kéepe Courts , Léetes , Lawdaies , Musters there , or otherwise vse it being a consecrated place , prophanely contrarie 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 hee 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 , makebate , 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 catechise the youth of the Parish vpon Sundayes in the aftermone , halfe an hower 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 bee presented ?

4 Whether doth your Minister admitt 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 he 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 ?

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 and euening two seuerall Sundayes , dayes , publikely in his surplice : doth hee 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 solemly bid holidayes , and fasting dayes in the weeke following , doth he marry any without asking the banes thrice , doth he of his owne head and voluntatarie motion , appoynt or kéepe any solemne fastes , publikely or in priuate howses , other then such as by law are , or by authoritie shall be appoynted , 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 Deuills in any obsessed , or possessed person :

10 Doth your Minister vpon euery Sunday when there is no sermon , read an Homily , or some part therof , doth he once in the yeare reade ouer the booke of Canons , vpon some Sundayes , or Holidayes , before euening prayer , according to the Iniunction from his Maiestie ?

11 Doth your Minister vpon euery Wenseday and Friday , reade the Letanie in your Parish Church , or Chappell , according to the 15. Canon ?

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

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

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

15 Doth any Person of what degrée or calling soeuer , kéepe or retayne in his house any Chaplyn , 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 , and Vicarage house , or elsewhere , doth he kéep it in good and sufficient reparations or not ?

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

18 Whether your Minister be knowne to be , or is vehemently suspected to bee , an Vsurer , regrator , or to vse any other scandalous and difamed trade , and course of life ?

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 discréete Minister , to reueale , and open his greefe , and disquietmentes , that so he may receiue such Ghostly counsell and comfort , that his conscience may bee 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 secrisie , contrarie to the 113. Canon ?

Articles concerning Matrimonie .

1 HAue any bin married within your Parish , that were within the degrées of affinitie , 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 gouernors consent signified , being vnder the age of One and Twenty yeares ?

3 Doe any person lawfully married , liue asunder , vnlawfully , and in whom is the defaulte ?

4 Haue any persons ( there 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 ?

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 yéere in his office without a new choyse ?

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

3 Haue your Churchwardens , and Sidemen béen , and are they diligent in their office , to sée decencie kept in the Church ; and order in the tyme of Common prayer , and administration of the Sacraments , and that there be noe disturbance , but sobernesse and quietnesse in the Church . And doe the Churchwardens kéepe a booke in your parish , wherein the Names of euery strange Preacher in your parish is set downe , and haue the Churchwardens 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 tyme 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 gouernement 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 knéeling , when the generall confessinn of Sins , the Letany , the Ten Commandements , and all Prayers and Collects are read , and vsing all duly , and lowly reuerence , when the blessed Name of the Lord Iesus is mentiened , and standing vp when the Articles of the Beleife , The Magnificat , Nunc dimittis , Te Deum , Benedictus , & Gloria Patri , &c. are read , who doe couer their heads heads in the Church during the whole time of Diuine seruice vnlesse it be in ease of necessity , in which case they may weare a night-cap , or who do giue themselues to babling , talking , or walking , and are not atentiue to heare the word read and Preached ?

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 slaunderous 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 sayd dayes ?

8 Is the Fift of Nouember kept holy , and thanks giuing 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 be blasphemers of Gods holy name , Drunkards , Adulterers , Fornicators , incestuous persons , concealors , or harbourers , of Fornicators , or Adulterers : Haue any béene defected or vehemently suspected of such notorious crimes , & what penance haue they done for the same ?

10 What person , or persons haue dyed , 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 obtayned commission from the Ordinary to dispose the sayd mooueable 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 repayre 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 wordes 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 Schoolemasters , Physitians , and Chirurgions and Parish Clarkes .

1 Is there any Schoolemaister 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 , contayned 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 eyther 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 fitt parish clarke aged Twenty yeares at least , of honest life , able to reade and write . Are his and the Sextons wages payd without fraude ; if not , then whose default is it . By whome is hee chosen : is he diligent in his Office , and seruiceable to the Minister ; Doth hee meddle with any thing aboue his Office , doth hee 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 his Diocesse , or any Register , Apparitor or other Officer belonging to the Ecclesiasticall Court , exacted any extraordiuary or greater Fées , then heretofore of late hath bin accustomed , or then are expressed in the table of fées set vp in the Consistory ? declaring what fees are due ?

2 Lastly do 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 Eccleasticall Lawes , or hereof vehemently suspected , not set downe or expressed in these Articles , by vertue of your Oathes present the sayd 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 , or answer made , to euery seuerall Article .