Concerning the Church, the Ornaments thereof, and the Churches poſſeſſions.

IMprimis, Whether haue you in your ſeuerall Churches, and Chappels, the whole Bible of the largeſt volume, and the Booke of Common Prayer, both fairely and ſubſtantially bound. A Font of ſtone, ſet vp in the ancient vſuall place: A conuenient and decent Communion Table, with a Carpet of ſilke, or ſome other decent ſtuffe, continually laid vpon the ſame at time of diuine ſeruice, and a faire linnen cloth thereon, at the time of the receiuing of the holy Communion. And whether is the ſame Table 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 greateſt number may communicate. And whether is it ſo vſed out of time of Diuine ſeruice, as is not agréeable to the holy vſe of it; as by ſitting on it, throwing hats on it, writing on it, or is it abuſed to other prophaner vſes: and are the Ten Commandements ſet vpon the Eaſt end of your Church or Chappell where the people may beſt ſée and reade them, and other ſences of holy Scripture, written on the walles likewiſe for that purpoſe.

2 Item, whether are the afternoones Sermons, in your ſeuerall Pariſhes, turned into Catechizing by queſtion and anſwer; according to the forme preſcribed in the Booke of Common Praier? and whether doth euery Lecturer reade diuine Seruice, according to the Liturgy printed by authoritie, in his Surplice and Hood before the Lecture? And whether are his Majeſties Inſtructions in all things duly obſerued?

3 Whether haue you in your ſaid Church or Chappel, a conuenient ſeat for your Miniſter to reade Seruice in, together with a comely pulpet ſet vp in a conuenient place, with a decent cloath or cuſhion for the ſame, a comely large Surplice, a faire Communion cup, with a couer of ſiluer, a Flagon of ſiluer, tinne, or pewter, to put the Wine in, whereby it may be ſet vpon the Communion Table, at the time of the bleſſing thereof, with all other things and ornaments neceſſary for the celebration of Diuine Seruice, and adminiſtration of the Sacraments? And whether haue you a ſtrong Cheſt for Almes for the poore, with thrée Lockes and Keies, and another Cheſt for kéeping the Bookes, and Ornaments of the Church, and the Regiſter Book. And whether haue you a Regiſter Booke in Parchment, for Chriſtnings, Weddings, and Burials, and whether the ſame be kept in all points, according to the Canons in that behalfe prouided? And is the Mothers Chriſtian name therein Regiſtred as well as the Fathers, and a tranſcript therof brought in yearely within one moneth after the 25 of March into the Lord Archbiſhop or Biſhop of the Dioceſſe his principall Regiſter? And whether haue you in your ſaid Church or Chancell, a Table ſet, of the degrées wherein by Law Men are prohibited to marry?

4 Whether are your Church and Chappels, with the Chancels thereof, and your parſonage or vicarage houſe, your pariſh Almes-houſe and Church-houſe, in good reparations: and are they imployed to godly, and their right holy vſes? Is your Church, Chancell, and Chappell decently and comly kept, as well within as without, and the ſeats well maintained, according to the 85 Canon, in that behalfe prouided? Or haue any Patrons or others decayed the Perſonage-houſes, and kéepe a ſtipendary Prieſt, or Curate, in place where an incumbent ſhould be poſſeſſed? Whether is your Churchyard well fenced with walles, railes, or pales, and by whom: and if not, in whoſe default the ſame is, and what the defect or fault is? And whether any perſon haue incroached vpon the ground of the Church-yard, or whether any perſon or perſons, haue vſed any thing or place conſecrated to holy vſe, prophanely or wickedly?

5 Is your Church or Chappell decently paued, and is your Church-yard well and orderly kept without abuſe. Are the bones of the dead decently interred, or laid vp in ſome fit place as beſeemeth Chriſtians. And is the whole conſecrated ground kept frée from Swine and all other naſtineſſe, as becommeth the place ſo dedicated?

6 Whether haue any ancient Monuments or Glaſſe windowes béene defaced, or any braſſe Inſcriptions, Lead, Stones, or any thing elſe belonging to your Church or Chappell béene at any time parloyned, and by whom?

7 Whether haue you the Terrier of all the Gleabe Lands, Medowes, Gardens, Orchards, Houſes, Stockes, Implements, Tenements, and portions of Tithes (whether within your Pariſh or without) belonging vnto your parſonage or vicarage, taken by the view of honeſt men in your ſaid Pariſh? And whether the ſame Terrier be laid vp in the Biſhops Regiſtery, and in whoſe hands any of them are now. And if you haue no Terrier already made in Parchment, you the Church-wardens and Sidemen, together with your Parſon or Vicar, or in his abſence with your Miniſter, are to make diligent inquiry and preſentment of the premiſes, and make, ſubſcribe, and ſigne the ſaid Terrier, as aforeſaid.

Concerning the Clergy.

1 VVHether doth your Parſon, Vicar, or Curate, diſtinctly and reuerently ſay Diuine ſeruice vpon Sundayes and Holidayes, and other dayes appointed to be obſerued by the booke of Common Prayer; as Wedneſdayes, and Fridayes, and the Eues of euery Sunday and Holiday, at fit and vſuall times? And doth he duly obſerue the Orders, Rites and Ceremonies, preſcribed in the ſaid Booke of common-Prayer, as well in reading publike prayers and the Letany, as alſo in adminiſtring the Sacraments, ſolemnization of Matrimony, viſiting the ſicke, burying the dead, Churching of Women, and all other like Rites and Offices of the Church, in ſuch manner and forme, as in the ſaid Booke of Common prayer he is inioyned, without any omiſſion or addition. And doth he reade the Book of the laſt Canons yearely, and weare a Surplice according to the ſaid Canons?

2 Whether haue you any Lecturer in your Pariſh, who hath preached in his Cloake and not in his Gowne, and whether haue you any Lecturer who will not profeſſe his willingneſſe and readines to take vpon him a Liuing or Benefice, with cure of ſoules, or who hath refuſed a Benefice when it hath beene offered vnto him.

3 Doth your Miniſter bid Holidayes and Faſting-dayes, as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed? and doth he giue warning beforehand to the Pariſhioners, for the receiuing of the holy Communion, as the two and twentieth Canon requireth: and whether hee doth adminiſter the holy Communion ſo often, and at ſuch times, as that euery Pariſhioner may receiue the ſame, at the leaſt thrice in euery yeere: whereof once at Eaſter, as by the Booke of Common prayer is appointed? And doth your Miniſter receiue the ſame himſelfe, on euery day that he adminiſtreth it to others, and vſe the words of inſtitution according to the Booke, at euery time that the Bread and Wine is renewed, accordingly as by the prouiſo of the 21. Canon, is directed: And doth he deliuer the Bread and Wine to euery Communicant ſeuerally, and knéeling: Whether he hath admitted to the holy Communion, any notorious Offender or Schiſmaticke, contrary to the 26. and 27. conſtitutions, or receiued any to the Communion, being not of his owne Cure, or put any from the Communion, who are not publickly infamous for any notorious crime? Doth he vſe the ſigne of the Croſſe in Baptiſme, or Baptize in any Bazon, or other veſſell, and not in the vſuall Font, Or admit any Father to be God-father to his owne child, or ſuch who haue not receiued the holy Communion▪ or baptize any Children that were not borne in the pariſh, or wilfully refuſe to Baptize any Infant in his pariſh, being in danger, hauing beene enformed of the weakeneſſe of the ſaid childe: and whether the childe dieth through his default without Baptiſme?

4 Whether hath your Miniſter married any without a King, or without Banes publiſhed three ſeuerall Sundayes or Holydayes in time of Diuine Seruice, in the ſeuerall Churches or Chappels of their ſeuerall abode, according to the Booke of Common prayer, or in times prohibited, albeit the Banes were thrice publiſhed, without a Licenſe or diſpenſation from the Archbiſhop, the Biſhop of the Dioceſſe, or his Chancellor, firſt obtained in that behalfe? Or not betwixt the houres of eight and twelue in the forenoone, or haue maried any in any priuate houſe, or if the parties be vnder the age of 21 yéeres before their parents or gouernours haue ſignified their conſent vnto him?

5 Doth he refuſe to bury any, which ought to be interred in Chriſtian buriall, or defer the ſame longer than he ſhould, or bury any in chriſtian buriall, which by the conſtitutions of the Church of England, or Lawes of the Land, ought not to be ſo interred?

6 Is your Miniſter a Preacher allowed? If yea, then by whom. If not, whether doth he procure ſome who are lawfully licenſed, to preach monethly amongſt you at the leaſt?

7 Doth your Miniſter (being licenſed,) preach vſually according to the Canons, either in his owne Cure, or in ſome other Church or Chappell neare adioyning, where no Preacher is, and how often he hath béene negligent in that behalfe, and doth hee preach ſtanding, and with his Hat off? Or whether doth he or his Curate vpon euery Sunday, when there is no Sermon, reade an homilie, or ſome part thereof, according as hee ought to doe: or in caſe he be not licenſed to preach, doth he take vpon him to preach or expound the Scriptures in his owne Cure, or elſewhere: If ſo, then you are to preſent the ſame, the time and place, when, and where he did it?

8 Doth your Miniſter vſe to pray for the Kings Maieſty, King Charles, and for the Quéenes Maieſty, Prince Charles, and all the royall Progeny, with addition of ſuch Stile and Titles as are due to his Highneſſe, and exhort the people to obedience to his Maieſty, and all Magiſtrates in authority vnder him: And doth hee alſo pray for all Arch-Biſhops, Biſhops, and other Eccleſiaſticall perſons?

9 Is your Miniſter continually reſident vpon his Benefice, and how long time hath he bin abſent, and in caſe he be licenſed to be abſent: whether doth he cauſe his Cure to be ſufficiently ſupplied, according to the Canons: Or in caſe he hath another Benefice, whether doth he ſupply his abſence by a Curate ſufficiently licenſed to preach in that Cure where he himſelfe is not reſident. Or otherwiſe, in caſe the ſmalneſſe of the liuing cannot finde a preaching Miniſter, doth he preach at both his Benefices vſually?

10 Doth your Miniſter or Curate, ſerue any more Cures than one: If yea, then what other Cure doth he ſerue, and how farre are they diſtant?

11 Doth your Miniſter or Curate euery Sunday and Holiday, before Euening prayer, for halfe an houre or more, examine and inſtruct the youth and ignorant perſons of his Pariſh in the Tenne Commandements, Articles of the Beliefe, and in the Lords Prayer, and the Sacraments, according as it is preſcribed in the Catechiſme, ſet forth in the booke of Common praier onely? And if he doe not, where is the fault, either in the Parents and Maſters of the children, or in the Curate neglecting his duty? And is hee carefull to tender all ſuch youth of his Pariſh as haue béene well inſtructed in their Catechiſme to be confirmed by the Biſhop in his Viſitation, or any other conuenient time, as is appointed by the booke aforeſaid?

12 Doth your Miniſter in the Rogation dayes, goe in perambulation of the circuit of the pariſh, ſaying and vſing the prayers, Suffrages, and Thankeſgiuing to God, appointed by Law, according to his duty, thanking God for his bleſſings, if there be plenty on the earth: Or otherwiſe, to pray for his grace and fauour, if there be a feare of ſcarcity?

13 Hath your Miniſter admitted any Woman, begotten with childe in adultery or fornication, to be Churched without licence of the Ordinary?

14 Hath your Miniſter, or any other Preacher, baptized children, churched any woman, or miniſtred the holy Communion in any priuate houſe, otherwiſe than by Law is allowed?

15 Doth your Miniſter endeuour and labour diligently to reclaime the popiſh Recuſants in his pariſh from their errors (if there be any ſuch abiding in your pariſh.) Or whether is your Parſon, Vicar, or Curate, ouer conuerſant with, or a fauourer of Recuſants, whereby he is ſuſpected not to be ſincere in Religion?

16 Hath your Miniſter taken vpon him, to appoint any publique or priuate Faſts, Propheſies, or exerciſes, not approued by Law, or publique authority, or hath vſed to meet in any priuate houſe or place, with any perſon or perſons, there to conſult how to impeach or depraue the Booke of Common Prayer, or the doctrine or diſcipline of the Church of England: If yea, then you ſhall preſent them all?

17 Hath your Miniſter ſtaied the publication of any excommunications or ſuſpentions, or doth he euery halfe yéere denounce in his Pariſh Church, all ſuch of his pariſh as are excommunicated, and perſeuere therein without ſéeking to be abſolued, or doth he wittingly and willingly keep company with ſuch as are excommunicate: And hath he admitted into your Church any perſon excommunicate, without a certificate of his abſolution from the Ordinary, or other competent Iudge?

18 Doth your Miniſter carefully looke to the releefe of the poore, and from time to time call vpon his Pariſhioners to giue ſomewhat, as they can ſpare to godly and charitable vſes, eſpecially when they make their Teſtaments.

19 Whether your Miniſter or any, hauing taken holy Orders, being now ſilenced or ſuſpended, or any other perſon of your knowledge, or as you haue heard, hold any conuenticles, or doth preach in any place, or vſe any other forme of Diuine Seruice than is appointed in the Booke of Common prayer: If yea, then you are to preſents their names, and with whom?

20 Whether is your Curate licenſed to ſerue, by the Biſhop of this Dioceſſe, or by any other, and by whom?

21 Doth your Miniſter vſe ſuch decencie and comelineſſe in his apparell, as by the 47. Cannon is enioyned: is he of ſober behauiour, and one that doth not vſe ſuch bodily labour, as is not ſeemely for his function and calling?

22 Is your Miniſter noted or defamed, to haue obtained his Benefice or his orders, by Symony or any other way defamed, to be a Symoniac all perſon, or any way noted to be a Schiſmaticke, or ſciſmatically affected, or reputed to be an incontinent perſon, or doth table or lodge any ſuch in his houſe: or is he a frequenter of Tauernes, Innes, or Ale-houſes, or any place ſuſpected for ill rule: Or is he a common Drunkard, a common Gameſter, or player at Dice, a Swearer, or one that applieth himſelfe not at his ſtudy, or is otherwiſe offenſiue and ſcandalous to his function or Miniſtry?

23 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer reade Diuine ſeruice, before his Sermon, or Lecture, and Miniſter the Sacraments twice a yeere at leaſt in his owne perſon, according to the Canons?

24 When any perſon hath bene dangerouſly ſicke in your Pariſh, hath hee neglected to viſit him, and when any haue béene parting out of this life hath he omitted to doe his laſt duty in that behalfe?

25 Doth your Miniſter, Curate, or Lecturer, in his or their Sermons deliuer ſuch doctrine as tends to obedience and the edifying of their Auditory in faith and religion, without intermedling with matters of State, not fit to be handled in the Pulpit, but to be diſcuſſed by the wiſdome of his Maieſty and his Councell. And if you finde any faulty herein, you ſhall preſent them?

Schoole-Maſters.

1 DOth any in your Pariſh openly or priuately take vpon him to teach Schoole? without licenſe of the Ordinary, and is he conformable to the Religion now eſtabliſhed? And doth hee bring his Schollers to the Church, to heare diuine Seruice and Sermons? And doth hee inſtruct his Schollers in the grounds of the Religion now eſtabliſhed in this Church of England, and is hee carefull and diligent to benefit his Schollers in learning?

2 Doth your Schoolemaſter teach and inſtruct his youth in any other Catechiſme than is allowed by publike authority? And what Catechiſme it is that he ſo teacheth?

3 Is any Liuing or Meanes giuen towards the erection or maintenance of any Schoole withholden backe or otherwiſe imployed, and by whom?

4 Doth any kéepe Schoole in the Chancell or Church, by which meanes, that holy place, and the Communion Table are many waies profaned, and the windowes broken?

Pariſh Clark and Sextons.

1 HAue you a fit Pariſh Clarke, aged twenty yeeres at leaſt, of honeſt conuerſation, able to reade and write? Whether are his and the Sextons wages paid without fraud, according to the ancient cuſtome of your Pariſh: if not, then by whom are they ſo defrauded or denied? by whom are they choſen? and whether the ſaid Clarke be approued by the Ordinary? and hath he taken an Oath, as in ſuch caſes is fit and required: and is he diligent in his Office, and ſeruiceable to the Miniſter, and doth he take vpon him to meddle with any thing aboue his Office: as Churching of Women, burying the dead, or ſuch like?

2 Doth your Clark or Sexton kéep the Church cleane, the doores locked at fit times? Is any thing loſt or ſpoiled in the Church, through his default? are the Communion Table, Font, Bookes, and other Ornaments of the Church kept faire and cleane? doth he ſuffer any vnſeaſonable ringing, or any prophane exerciſe in your Church? Or doth he (when any is paſſing out of this life) neglect to toll a bell, hauing notice thereof?

Concerning the Pariſhioners.

1 VVHether any of your Pariſhioners, being ſixtéene yéeres of age or vpwarde, or others lodging or commonly reſorting to any Houſe within your pariſh, doe wilfully abſent themſelues from your pariſh Church, vpon Sundayes or Holidayes at Morning and Euening prayers? Or who come late to Church, and depart from Church before ſeruice be done vpon the ſaid dayes? Or who do not reuerently behaue themſelues during the time of Diuine ſeruice, deuoutly knéeling, when the generall confeſſion of ſinnes, the Letany, the ten Commandements, and all Prayers and Collects are 〈◊〉 , and •• ing all due and ••• ly reuerence, when the bleſſed name of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt is mentioned, and ſtanding vp when the Articles of the Beliefe are read: or who 〈…〉 in the Church during the time of Diuine Seruice, vnleſſe 〈…〉 , in which caſe they may weare a Night-cap or Coyfe? Or who doe giue themſelues to babling, talking, or walking, and are not attentiue to heare the Word preached, or read? Whether any of your Pariſh, being of ſixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards, doe not receiue the holy Communion in your Church thrice euery yéere: whereof once at Eaſter, and whether they doe not deuoutly knéele at the receiuing thereof? And whether any hauing diuerſe houſes of remoue, doe ſhift from place to place of purpoſe to defeat the performance of their Chriſtian duties in that behalfe?

2 Whether any of your pariſhioners, being admoniſhed thereof, doe not ſend their Children, Seruants, and Apprentizes, to the Miniſter to bee catechized vpon ſuch Sundayes and Holydayes as are appointed? Or whether any of them doe refuſe to come; or if they come, refuſe to learne thoſe inſtructions ſet forth in the Booke of Common prayer?

3 Whether any of your Pariſh doe entertaine within their houſe, any ſoiourner, common gueſts, or other perſons, who refuſe to frequent Diuine Seruice, or receiue the holy Communion, as aforeſaid, preſent their names, their qualities, or conditions?

4 What Recuſant Papiſts are there in your Pariſh, or other Sectaries? preſent their names, qualities, or conditions? whether they kéepe any Schoolemaſter 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 there, or elſewhere?

5 Whether any of the ſaid Popiſh Recuſants, or other Schiſmaticks, doe labour to ſeduce and withdraw others from the Religion now eſtabliſhed? Or inſtruct their families or children in Popiſh religion: or refuſe to entertaine any, eſpecially in place of greateſt ſeruice, or truſt, but ſuch as concurre with them in their opinions?

6 How long haue the ſaid popiſh Recuſants abſtained from Diuine Seruice, or from the Communion, as aforeſaid?

7 Is there any in your Pariſh that retaine, ſell, vtter, or diſperſe, any Popiſh bookes, or Writings, or other Bookes, Libraries, or writings of any Sectaries, touching the Religion, State, or Gouernement Eccleſiaſticall of this Kingdome of England, or kéepe any Monuments of Superſtition vncancelled or vndefaced?

8 Whether haue you any in your Pariſh, which heretofore being popiſh Recuſants or Sectaries, haue ſince reformed themſelues, and come to Church to heare Diuine Seruice, and receiue the Sacraments: If yea, then who are they? And how long ſince haue they ſo reformed themſelues? And whether they ſtill remaine and abide in that conformitie?

9 Is there any in your Pariſh that refuſe to haue their Children Baptiſed, or themſelues to receiue the Communion at the hands of your Miniſter, taking exception againſt him, and what cauſes or exceptions doe they alleage; or haue any maried Wiues refuſed to come to Church, according to the Booke of Common Prayer, to giue God thankes after their Child-birth, for their ſafe deliuerance? And whether doe any of, or in your Pariſh, refuſe to haue their Children Baptized in your pariſh Church, according to the forme preſcribed in the booke of common Prayer?

10 Doe any of your Pariſh vſually goe to other Pariſh Churches to heare Diuine Seruice or Sermons? Or doe they communicate, or Baptize their Children in any other Pariſh?

11 Whether there be any in your Pariſh who will come to heare the Sermon, but will not come to publike prayers appointed by the Booke of Common Prayer, making a Schiſme or diuiſion (as it were) betweene the vſe of publike prayer and preaching?

12 What perſons within your Pariſh, for any offence, contumacy, or crime, of Eccleſiaſticall 〈…〉 excommunicate? preſent their names, and for what cauſe they are excommunicated, and how long they haue ſo ſtood, and what perſon or perſons doe wittingly and vſually keepe them company?

13 Whether any, not being in Orders, doe execute any Prieſtly or Miniſteriall office, in your Church, Chappell, or Church-yard, and what be their names?

14 Whether any in your Pariſh, that hauing heretofore taken vpon him the order of Prieſt-hood or Deacon, hath ſince relinquiſhed the ſame, and liues as a Lay-man neglecting his vocation?

15 Haue any perſon in your Pariſh quarrelled, or ſtricken, or vſed any violence to your Miniſter, or haue ſtricken or quarrelled with any other perſon within your Church or Church-yard, or demeaned himſelfe diſorderly in the Church, by filthy or prophane talke, or any other baſe or immodeſt behauiour? Or haue diſturbed the Miniſter in time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon, or haue libelled or ſpoken ſlanderous words againſt your Miniſter, to the ſcandall of his vocation, or defamed any of his Neighbours, touching any crime of Eccleſiaſticall Conuſance?

16 Whether any of, or in your Pariſh, without conſent of the Ordinarie, or other lawfull authority, haue cauſed any to doe pennance, or to be cenſured or puniſhed for any matter of Eccleſiaſticall Conuſance, by any Veſtry méetings or otherwiſe by their owne authority? Or haue taken any money or commutation for the ſame? Preſent their names that haue done it? And who haue beene ſo puniſhed? In what manner, and vpon what cauſe?

17 Whether any perſon in your Pariſh, doe exerciſe any Trade or labour, buy or ſell, or kéep open Shops or Ware-houſes vpon any Sunday or Holyday by themſelues, their Seruants, or Apprentices, or haue otherwiſe prophaned the ſaid dayes, contrary to the orders of the Church of England? And whether there be any Inne-kéepers, Alehouſe-keepers, Victualiers or other perſons, that permit any perſons in their houſes, to eate, drinke or play, during the time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon, or reading the Homilies in the forenoone or afternoone, vpon thoſe dayes?

18 Whether the fifth day of Nouember, be kept holy, and thankeſ-giuing made to God, for his Maieſties and this States happie deliuerance, according to the Ordinance in that behalfe?

19 Whether any of your pariſh hold or frequent any conuenticles or priuate Congregations, or make or maintaine any conſtitutions, agréed vpon in any ſuch aſſemblies? Or any that doe write, or publikely or priuately ſpeake againſt the Booke of Common prayer, or anything therein contained, or againſt any of the Articles of Religion agreed vpon, in Anno 1562. or againſt the Kings Supremacie, in cauſes Eccleſiaſticall, or againſt the Oath of Supremacie, or of Allegiance, as pretending the ſame to be vnlawfull and not warrantable by the Word of GOD? Or againſt any of the Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England, now eſtabliſhed? Or againſt the Gouernement of the Church of England vnder the Kings moſt excellent Maieſty, by Arch-Biſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, Arch-Deacons, and other Officers of the ſame: affirming, that the ſame is repugnant to the Word of GOD, and that the ſaid Eccleſiaſticall Officers, are not lawfully ordained? Or whether there be any Authors, Maintainers, or Fauourers of Hereſie or Schiſme, or that be ſuſpected to be Anabaptiſts, Libertines, Browniſts, of the Family of Loue, or of any other Hereſie or Schiſme 〈◊〉 preſent their names?

20 Whether any in your Pariſh haue maried within the degrées by Law prohibited, and where, and by whom? And whether any couple in your Pariſh being lawfully maried, liue apart one from the other, without due ſeparation by the Law, or any that haue beene diuorced, which kéepe company with any other at Bedde or at Boord?

21 Whether doe any perſons adminiſter the goods of the dead without lawfull authority, or ſuppreſſe the laſt will of the dead? Or are there in your Pariſh any wils not yet proued, or goods of the dead (dying inteſtate) left vnto adminiſtred? By authority in that behalfe, you ſhall not faile to preſent the Executors, and all others faulty therein: and alſo how many perſons being poſſeſſed of any goods and chattels, haue died within your Pariſh, ſince ther day of February? 1632.

22 Whether any with-hold the Stocke of the Church, or any goods or other things, giuen to good and charitable vſes?

23 Whether your Hoſpitals and Almes-houſes, and other ſuch houſes and corporations, founded to good and charitable vſes, and the lands, poſſeſſion and goods of the ſame, be ordered and diſpoſed of as they ſhould be? And doe the Maſters, Gouernours, Fellowes, and others of the ſaid Houſes and Corporations, behaue and demeane themſelues, according to the godly Ordinances and Statutes of their ſeuerall Foundations?

24 Whether haue you any in your Pariſh to your knowledge or by common ſame or report, which haue committed Adultery, Fornication, or Inceſt: or any which haue impudently bragged or boaſted, that he or ſhe haue liued incontinently with any perſon or perſons whatſoeuer: or any that haue attempted the chaſtity of any woman, or ſolicited any woman to haue the carnall knowledge of her body, or which are commonly reputed to bee common Drunkards, Blaſphemers of Gods holy Name; common Swearers, common Slanderers of their Neighbours, and ſowers of diſcord, filthy and laſcittious Talkers, Vſurers, Symoniacall Perſons, Bawdes, or Harborers of Women with childe, which be vnmaried, or Conueying or ſuffering them to goe away before they haue made ſatiſfaction to the Church, or any that hauing heretofore béene preſented, or ſuſpected of any the aforeſaid crimes, haue for that cauſe departed your pariſh, and are now returned againe? Or any which haue vſed any inchantments, ſorceries, incantations, or witchcrafts, which are not made felony by the Satutes of this Realme, or any which haue committed any periury in any Eccleſiaſticall Court, in an Eccleſiaſticall cauſe, or which haue committed any forgery, puniſhable by the Eccleſiaſticall Lawes, and the procurors and abettors of the ſaid offences: you ſhall truly preſent the names of all, and ſinguler the ſaid offendors, and with whom they haue committed the ſaid offences, in caſe they haue not béene publikely puniſhed to your knowledge for the ſame crimes?

Phiſitions, Chirurgions, and Mid-wiues.

25 HOw many Phiſitions, Chirurgions or Mid-wiues, haue you in your Pariſh? How long haue they vſed their ſeuerall Sciences or Offices, and by what authority? And how haue they demeaned themſelues therein, and of what skill are they accounted to be in their profeſſion?

Touching the Church-wardens and Side-men.

26 VVHether you and the Church wardens, Queſt-men, or Side-men from time to time, doe, and haue done their diligence, in not ſuffering any idle perſon to abide either in the Church-yard, or Church porch, in Seruice or Sermon time, but cauſing them either to come into the Church to heare Diuine Seruice, or to depart, and ••• t diſturbe ſuch as be hearers there? And whether they haue, and you doe diligently ſée the pariſhioners duely reſort to the Church euery Sunday and Holiday and there to remaine during Diuine Seruice and Sermon? And whether you or your predeceſſors, Church-wardens there, ſuffer any Playes, Feaſts, Drinkings, or any other profane vſages, to be kept in your Church, Chappell, or Church-yards, or haue ſuffered to your and their vttermoſt power and endeuour, any perſon or perſons to be tipling or drinking in any Inne or Victualling houſe in your Pariſh, during the time of Diuine Seruice or Sermon, on Sundayes and Holydayes?

2 Whether, and how often haue you admitted any to preach within your Church or Chappell, which was not ſufficiently licenſed? And whether you together with your Miniſter, haue not taken diligent héed and care, that euery pariſhioner being or ſixtéene yéeres of age or vpwards, haue receiued thrice euery yeere, as aforeſaid: and alſo that no ſtranger haue vſually come to your Church, from their owne Pariſh-Church?

3 Whether haue there béene prouided againſt euery Communion, a ſufficient quantity of fine white bread, and of good and wholſome wine for the communicants that ſhall receiue? And whether that wine be brought in a cleane and ſwéet ſtanding pot of pewter, or of other purer mittall?

4 Whether were you choſen by the conſent of the Miniſter and the Pariſhioners? And haue the late Church-wardens giuen vp a iuſt account for their time, and deliuered to their ſucceſſors by Bill indented the money, & other things belonging to the Church, which was in their hands? And are the Almes of the Church faithfully diſtributed to the vſe of the poore?

5 Whether doe you ſée the names of all Preachers which are ſtrangers and preach in your Pariſh Churches, to be noted in a Booke for that purpoſe, and whether euery Preacher doe ſubſcribe his name, and of whom he had his Licenſe?

6 Whether any man doe trouble or moleſt you for doing your duties?

7 Whether there be any Legacies witholden giuen to the Church or poore people, or to the mending of Highwayes, or otherwiſe by the Teſtators? In whoſe hands it is, by whom it was giuen, and by whom it is with-holden?

8 Doe you know of any thing that hath béene complained of that is not yet redreſſed?

Concerning Eccleſiaſticall Magiſtrates and Officers.

1 VVHether doe you know or haue heard of any payment, compoſition or agreement, to, or with any Eccleſiaſticall Magiſtrate, Iudge, or Officer, for winking at or ſparing to puniſh any perſon for any offence of Eccleſiaſticall Conuſance, or for ſuppreſſing or concealing of any excommunication, or any other Eccleſiaſticall Cenſure, of, or againſt any Recuſant, or any other offendor in the caſes aforeſaid? What ſumme of money, or other conſideration hath béene receiued or promiſed, by, or to any of them, in that reſpect, by whom, and with whom?

2 Hath any perſon within your Pariſh, paid or promiſed any ſumme of money or other reward, for commutation of pennance, for any crime of Eccleſiaſticall Connſance? If ſo, then with whom? When, and for what, and how hath the ſame beene imployed?

3 Are your Eccleſiaſticall Iudges and their ſubſtitutes Maſters of Arts, or Batchellors of the Lawes at the leaſt, Learned and practiſed in the Ciuill and Eccleſiaſticall Lawes: Men of good life and fame, zealouſly affected in Religion, and iuſt and vpright in executing their Offices? Haue they heard any matter of Office priuately in their Chambers, without their ſworne Regiſters, or their Deputies preſence?

4 Doe you know, or haue you heard, that any Eccleſiaſticall Iudge, Officer or Miniſter, hath receiued or taken any extraordinarie fées, or other rewards or promiſes, by any wayes or meanes, directly or indirectly, of any perſon or perſons whatſoeuer, either for the granting of the adminiſtration of the Goods and Chattels of thoſe that haue died inteſtate, to one before another, or for allotting of larger portions of the Goods and Chattels of thoſe that haue died inteſtate, to one more than to another: or for allowing larger and vnreaſonable accounts, made by Executors or Adminiſtrators: or for giuing them Quietus eſt, or diſcharges, without Inuentory or account, to defraude Creditors Legataries, or thoſe who are to haue portions. And what ſummes of money doe you know, or haue you heard, that any Eccleſiaſticall Iudge or Officer hath taken out of • he ſtate of any dying inteſtate, vpon pretence to beſtow the ſame, in Pios vſus: and how haue the ſame béene beſtowed?

5 Hath any Eccleſiaſticall Magiſtrate, Iudge, Officer, or any other exerciſing Eccleſiaſtical Iuriſdiction within this your Dioceſſe: Or any Aduocate, Regiſter, Procter, Clarkes, Apparators, or other Miniſter belonging to the ſame Eccleſiaſticall Courts, exacted or taken by any wayes or meanes, directly or indirectly, extraordinary or greater Fées than are due & accuſtomed? And whether is there a Table for the rates of all Fées, ſet vp in their ſeuer all Courts and Offices? And whether they haue ſent or ſuffered any Proceſſe to goe out of the Eccleſiaſticall Courts otherwiſe than by Law they ought? Or haue they taken vpon them the Offices of Informers or Promoters to the ſaid Courts, or any other way abuſed themſelues in their Offices, contrary to the Law and Canons in that behalfe prouided?

6 What number of Apparators haue euery ſeuerall Iudge Eccleſiaſticall? And wherein, and in what manner is the Countrey ouerburthened by them? And wherein haue they cauſed or ſummoned any to appeare in the ſaid Courts, without a preſentment or Citation firſt had? Or whether haue they threatned any to proſecute them in the ſaid Courts if they would not giue them ſome rewards, and what bribes in that behalfe haue they taken?

7 What reward or fées hath any of the Apparators taken, to ſaue the iournies to Canterbury of any perſons, and what (after compoſition ſo made) haue they or any of them taken and receiued, and what acquittance or diſcharge haue they giuen or promiſed them, and whether haue they not cited ſome to appeare before the Arch-Deacon, or his Officiall, after they haue béene ordered by the Commiſſary, and done their pennance accordingly, and whom haue they ſo cited and troubled, and what hath it coſt them, as you know or haue heard, or by inquiry can finde?

If you know of any other default or crime of Eccleſiaſticall Comiſance, you are to preſent the ſame by vertue of your Oathes?

The Miniſter of euery Pariſh, may and ought to ioyne in preſentment with the Church-wardens, and Side-men, and if they will not preſent, the Miniſter may and ought himſelfe preſent the defaults and crimes aforeſaid: and there muſt be ſeuerall preſentments made to euery ſeuerall article: and the Miniſter, Church-wardens, and Sworne-men, are to meete and conferre about the ſaid preſentments, and anſwering of euery of the aforeſaid Articles?