Articles concerning Consecrated places, Churches, Church-yards, Chappels of Ease.

1 WHat Church haue you for Divine Ser­vine Service? what Chappels of ease belonging to them? is any part of such Church or Chappell demolished or put to any prophane vse?

2 In what repaire is your Church and Chappels, and every part of them? are the walls and roofe firme, the windowes fairely glazed and vn­broken? the floores decently paved?

3 What kind of covering hath the Church or Chappell, is it of lead or tiles? or how else defended from the weather? Hath lead béene taken from any part of it, and slats, Tiles, or something else vsed in the place of it: if so, by whom?

4 Is your Steeple furnished with Bels, or haue any of them béene taken downe, or sold away?

5 Is your Church swept and cleansed, at least once a weeke? the walls whited▪ the windowes and roofe kept cleane from Cobwebs, the doores kept locked, the Portall not made a Lodging for Beg­gers?

6 What Galleries or Scaffolds haue you in your Church or to what vse? whether there be not conveniency of roome for the Pari­shioners [Page]to be present at Sermons, or diuine Seruice without them?

7 In what manner are your Pewes built? are they decent and vniforme? are not some so much higher then others, as may hinder their neighbours in hearing diuine Service without them?

8 Is your Chancell seuered with a Partition from the body of the Church, is it decently kept, not encombred with Pewes or any other lumber?

9 What quantity of ground haue you consecrated for a place of Buriall? how is it fenced or mounded? hath there béen encrochment made upon any part of it?

10 Is the Church yard kept cleane from féeding and dunging of cattell? especially from swine rooting vp the graues of dead bo­dies? or what other nusances are there from any houses that abutt vpon it?

11 Haue there béene kept in the Church or Chappell, or Church-yard, any Playes, Feastes, Suppers, Church ales, tem­porall Courte, or Léet Lay, Iuries, Musters méeting, for rates, taxations, levies, especially at the Communion Table by the Pari­shioners?

Of Church Ornaments, Vtensils, Possessions.

1 HAue you a strong Chest or boxe for almes for the poore, with thrée lockes and keyes, one for the Rector, or Vicar, the other for the Church-wardens?

2 What Font haue you for the Sacrament of Baptisme, of what materials is it made, where placed, whether towards the en­trance of the Church or no, is it fixt or moueable, is it decently co­uered, cleanely kept, or is there any Bason, or vessell vsed instead of it?

3 Haue you a conuenient pew for him that officiates to read di­uine seruice in a Bible of the largest Volume, a Common Prayer Booke in folio, the Bookes of Homilies allowed by Authority? a faire Surplice or two to be vsed by the Minister and him that shall assist him in the administration of the Sacrament?

[Page] 4 Haue you a Pulpit so conueniently placed, as the Auditory may best heare: is it decently made and accomodated with a faire cloth and Cushion?

5 Haue you a Register Booke in Parchment for Christnings, Weddings, Burials, is the same kept in all points according to the Canons, is a true transcript thereof brought in yearely to the Bi­shops Registry within a Moneth after our Lady day in March?

6 Is your Communion Table, or Altar, strong, faire, and decent: is it set according to the practise of the ancient Church, vpon an ascent at the East end of the Chancell, with the ends of it North and South: is it compassed in with an hansome Raile to kéepe it from profanation, according to the Order made in the Metropoliti­call Visitation?

7 What Coverings haue you for the holy Table? haue you one of silke or some good stuffe to cover it at all times, another of faire cleane linnen for the time of celebration of the Sacrament?

8 Haue you a faire Communion Cup and Flagon, with a dish for the Bread, of what met all are they, pewter, tin, or silver?

9 Are the ten Commandements set vpon the East end of your Church or Chappell, where the people may best sée to reade them, with other well chosen sentences of Scripture vpon the wals?

10 Haue any ancient monuments in your Church béene defaced, the Brasse pull's off, the stones taken away, or the Inscriptions raised, as also what Historicall representations in windowes haue béene defaced or broken?

12 Is there adwelling house and Glebe belonging to the Par­sonage or Vicarage? Is the House kept in good repaire, with all Barnes, stables, out-houses belonging to it? Is there an exact Ter­rier made of all the Glebe Lands, Meadowes, Gardens, Orchards, houses, stockes, Tenements, pensions or portion of Tithes belong­ing to it? Is this Terrier made in Parchment, and returned into the Bishops Registry?

13 What timber trées grow in the Church-yard, or vpon the Glebe? Hath any boone fell'd, or by whom?

Concerning the Clergie.

1 IS your Minister a Parson, Vicar, or Curate: or haue you be­sides him any Preacher or Lecturer? and how authoriz'd?

2 If Parson or Vicar, doth he reside vpon his Benefice? If not, what reliefe doth he giue to the poore: how long in the yeare is he absent: how dispensed withall: by whom is the place supplyed?

3 If he be a Curate, is he allowed by the Bishop vnder his hand and seale? hath he an honest and sufficient salary? or doth he serue more then one Church or Chappell in one day?

4 Is your Minister of honest, sober, exemplary life: a maintainer and procurer of peace among those that are committed to his charge: or doth he giue any just scandall or offence by haunting of Taverus, Innes, Ale houses, by vsing going any other irregular way which may be a staine to his profession, and is punishable by the censures of the Church?

5 Doth your Minister or Curate vse such decent and comely ap­parell, as becommeth the gravity of his calling, and may distinguish him from the Laity: or doth he weare long haire, déepe ruffes, fal­ling bands downe to his shoulders, or any other vnséemely gar­ments not proper to his Ministery?

6 Doth your Minister vse such servile bodily labour as is not fit for one set apart by Imposition of hands for Divine Imployments? Is he a defamed Vsurer or Broker, a Chopper of Church-Liuings, a frader in Faires or Markets, doth he idely vague vp and downs, a fault so often censured in ancient Councels: or doth he any way else so entangle himselfe in secular affaires, as to neglect the duties of his calling?

7 Is your Minister so zealous of the good of his Flock, as dili­gently to labour the reclaiming of Recusants of all sorts within their charge, whether they be such as with periil of their soules superstiti­ously adhere to the Church of Rome, or such in the other extreame, who having perversly relinquish'd our Communion, find nothing to adhere to but their owne private fancies?

8 Is Divine Service orderly perform'd in your Church by your [Page]Minister or Curate vpon appointed times as the Booke of Common Prayer prescribeth, without any kind of alteration, addition, or o­mission? particularly doth he read the Letany on Wednesdays and Fridayes?

9 Is he entirely conformable to all Orders, Rites, Ceremonies of the Church, or vsing them onely for a shew, doth he privately or publikely speake any thing in derogation of them?

10 Doth he in celebration of divine Service vse such vestments as are enjoyned by authority, doth he constantly in performing that Duty weare a Surplice, and an Hood (if he be a Graduate) sutable to his degrée?

11 Doth he before his Sermon vse such forme of Prayers as is prescribed by the Ecclesiasticall Canon, for the prevention of the in­discréet flying out of some in their extemporary Prayers?

12 Doth he preach in such a solemne habit as becomes him, in a long Gowne and Cassocke, not in a riding or ambulatory Cloake?

13 Doth he in his Sermons preach Christ, and him crucified, abstaining from those high points of speculation which haue in seve­rall ages raised combustion in Christian Churches; and therefore to preserue peace among vs, forbidden by his sacred Majesty in his late Declaration?

14 Doth he sometimes take occasion in his Sermons to teach obedience to the King as supreme, to all Magistrates substituted vn­der him, to all Lawes of the State, all Canons and Constitutions of the Church, which being lawfully enioyn'd, we are to obey, not one­ly for feare, but for conscience sake?

15 Hath your Minister at any time reveal'd the Confession of any made to him in secret, contrary to the 113. Canon, and so hath brought a scandall vpon that ancient Remedy of sinne and sinners?

16 Doth he at any time from the Pulpit point out particular men damning some and saving others; and in his inuectiues against vice doth he fall from the generall, and particularly designe such as hée thinkes delinquents?

17 Doth your Preacher or Lecturer read divine Service before his Sermon or Lecture? doth he besides twice a yeare at least ad­minister the Sacraments in his owne person?

[Page] 18 Doth he in Rogation wéeke yearely vse the accustomed perambulation, informing his Parishioners not onely of the cill vse of that custome, but also of the religious, to pray to God for his bles­sing on the fruits of the earth, and to deprecate his anger?

19 Hath your Minister taken vpon him to appoint any publike or private Fasts, Prophesies, or exercises not approved by Law or publike Authority: or hath he béene present at any Conventicle where either the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church hath béene traduced?

20 Doth he in the time of divine Service vse due and lowly re­verence at the mention of the blessed name of JESUS, instructing others to doe the like, not as an adoration of the bare sound of the word, but as an humble acknowledgement that there is not either in heauen or earth any name by which we shall be saved, but that alone?

21 Is your Minister a Preacher licenced by lawfull Authorityor not: if he be, having no lawfull impediment, doth he preach ordina­rily in his Cure? If he be not, doth he procure Sermons once a moneth at least to be preached by such as are lawfully licensed?

22 Doth your Minister vpon every Sunday when there is no Sermon, read on Homily out of the Booke appointed?

23 Doth he once in the yeare vpon some Sundayes or Holidayes read over the Booke of Canons before Evening Prayer, that euery one may the better know what the Church requires of them?

Of the Sacrament of Baptisme.

DOth your Minister or Curate in their Sermons, or otherwise, or any other, teach or maintaine that Baptisme, in Gods ordi­nary dispensation with man is not the doore that lets vs into the Church, nor any way necessary to salvation? doth he not admonish you that are his Parishioners not to deferre it beyond the accusto­med time, least some suddaine sicknesse should take away the infant without the seale of the new couenant?

2 Doth your Minister baptize the child at the Font the place assign'd for it, doth he doe it in cleane pure water? Doth he take it in his armes, signe it with the sign of the Crosse asking such Que­stions, [Page]and vsing such Prayers as are enjoyned?

3 Doth he baptize any without any Godfathers or Godmothers to answer for them: Or doth he not giue to them such directions as are prescribed in the Rituall for the education of the child in true Religion?

4 In case of necessity where the child is in danger of death, doth the Minister being sent for, refuse or delay to come to giue it private Baptisme; or doth he privately baptize where there is no necessity?

5 Haue any children in your Parish died vnbaptized, how long remained they so before they died, and by whose default was it that they were deprived of that holy Sacrament?

Of Confirmation and Chatechisme preparatory to it.

1 IS your Minister carefull in examining and instructing the youth and ignorant persons of the Parish, by teaching them Principles and grounds of Christian Religion delivered in that short Catechisme, approved by the Church, and insorted in the Common Prayer Booke?

2 Doth he, according to his Majesties Instructions, convert the popular afternoone Sermons on the Sunday into catechizing by Question and Answer?

3 When children by the benefit of thus catechizing are able to giue an account of their faith, doth he admonish their Parents to bring them to the Bishop to receiue by Prayer such confirmation as may strengthen them in Captismall Grace received?

Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.

1 IS this blessed Sacrament administred in the Church every moneth vpon the first Sunday, or at least thrice in the yeare, whereof Easter to be one?

2 Is it administred in that reverend and decent manner as be­comes so high a mystery: are the words of Consecration solemnly pronounced: the Elements reverently touched and handled?

3 Doth your Minister deliver this Sacrament to any standing, or sitting, or in any other posture than vpon the knée: doth he first re­ceiue it himselfe, and after deliver it to the Communicants, not in grosse, but one by one, vsing all the words enjoyned seuerally to each of them?

[Page] 4 Doth he admit to this blessed Sacrament any person excom­municated, or any publike, notorius, scandalous offender, without sa­tisfaction made vnto the Church, or doth he admit any vnder age who are not yet able to render an account of their faith?

5 Are the names of such as intend to receive given in to the Mini­ster ouer night, that he may before hand know who, and how many they are, & that the bread and wine may be proportionably prepared?

6 Is the Bread and Wine of the best sort, is a sufficient quan­tity of each provided: or if either faile, are the words of Consecra­tion renewed over them before they de distributed?

Of Marriage.

1 ARe the Banes of Marriage asked thrée seuerall times o­penly in the Church vpon thrée seuerall Sundayes at such time when the Church is fullest? or if not, hath there béen dispensati­on not only obtained, but presented to the Minister before Marriage?

2 Is Marriage solemnized openly in the Church, not in private roomes, or chambers, at due times not prohibited, and due hours be­twéene eight and twelue in the fore noone?

3 Doth your Minister vse in Marriage the ordinary Rites of the Church with the vsuall prayers, and blessing: and doth he performe this solemnity with a Ring, and joyning of hands?

4 Haue you a Table set vp in your Church or Chancell of the forbidden degrées, that incestuous Marriages may not haue the plea of ignorance?

5 Be there any in your Parish who are married within the de­grées of affinity, or consanguinity by Law prohibited?

6 Are there any in your Parish being lawfully married who liue apart one from another without due separation by law, or who being legally diuorced kéepe company with any other at bed or at boord?

Of Visitation of the Sicke.

1 IS your Minister diligent in visiting the sicke, especially such as being vpon their death beds, stand most in néed of the work of his Ministery? Doth he pray with them the prayers of the Church, adding such devotions of his owne as the necessity of the party doth require?

[Page] 2 Doth he over-rigorously and vnseasonably presse to them at that time the heauy judgements of the Law, without intermingling such words of comfort as may set forth the mercy of God to a depar­ting soule?

3 Doth he exhort them at that time not to let any bainous sinne lye heauy on their conscience, but to disburthen themselues of it? Doth he vpon confession made, and all the signes of true repentance shown, pronounce the words of absolution prescribed by the Church?

4 Doth he excite the sicke party to lay vp treasure for himselfe in heaven, by doing here charitable workes, and disposing some part of his goods to the honour of him who hath given him all?

5 Doth he last of all seasonably administer to him the holy Sacra­ment of the Body and Bloud of Christ, while he is yet sensible of the comforts of it, and before the extremity of his disease hath ren­dred him lesse capable?

6 In the meane time is there a passing bell tolled, that they who are within the hearing of it, may be moved in their private devotions to recommend the state of the departing soule into the hands of their Redéemer, a duty which all Christians are bound to, out of a fellow féeling of their common Mortality?

Of Burials.

1 HAth the Minister refused to bury any dying within the bosome of the Church, being required?

2 Hath he buried any in consecrated ground who haue béene mur­therers of themselues, or cast out of the Church by excommunication?

3 Doth he méet the corps at the Church-stile, conduct it to the Church, go before it to the graue, and vsing such prayers as are pre­scribed, commit it to the ground as becommeth the body of a Chri­stian?

4 Are so many buried in the Church or Chancell, as may occasi­on digging vp of dead bodies not yet fully consumed, or as may bréed annoyance to the living?

5 Are the graues digged déepe enough, and is the ground broken vp covered againe with stone or bricke?

Of Churching of women after Child bed.

1 DOth your Minister observe the order of the Church in Churching of women? doth he do it in private houses when [Page]there is no vrgent necessity, or publikely in the Church?

2 Doth he goe vp into the Chancell, the woman also repairing thi­ther, knéeling as neare the Communion Table as may be, and if there be a Communion, doth she communicate in acknowledgement of the great blessing received by her safe delivery?

3 Doth the woman who is to be churched vse the ancient accu­stomed habit in such cases, with a white vaile or kerchiefe vpon her head?

Of Schoole-masters.

VVHat Schoole haue you in your Parish: is it a frée Schoole endowed: what maintenance hath it: is any part of the maintenance kept backe, or otherwise imployed: if so, how, or by whom?

2 Doth any openly or privately in your Parish, teach without Li­cence of the Ordinary: is he conformable to the Religion establi­shed in the Church of England: and doth he endeavour to render his Schollers so?

3 Doth he to this end teach and instruct his youth in no other Catechisme then such as is allowed by authority?

4 Is there any who kéepe Schoole in the Chancell or Church, by which meanes that holy place is many wayes profaned?

Of Physitians and Chyrurgions.

VVHat Physitians or Chyrurgions haue you in your Parish: haue they béene train'd vp in the study of Physicke or Chy­rurgery: at home or abroad, and by what licensed doe they practise?

Of Parish Clarkes and Sextons.

HAue you a fit Parish Clarke aged twenty yeares at least, of honest conversation, able to read and write, diligent in his of­fice, seruiceable to his Minister: is he approued by the Ordinary: hath he taken his Oath as is required?

2 What wages hath your Clarke and Sexton according to the ancient Custome of the Parish: are the wages duly payed, or by whom kept backe?

3 Doth your Clarke and Sexton doe their duty in kéeping the Church cleane, the doores locked, or is any thing lost of spoil'd in his [Page]Church through his default: doth he suffer any vnseasonable ring­ing, or any prophane exercise in your Church?

4 Hath your Parish Clarke or Sexton taken vpon him to meddle with any thing aboue his office, as Churching of women, burying of the dead, or such like?

Of Church-wardens.

ARe you the Church-wardens lawfully chosen according to the Canon: haue you taken your Oath for performing the duties of your place?

2 Haue any who haue borne the same office before you fail'd in exhibiting their presentments to the Ordinary at the times appoin­ted: haue they retained any of the Church goods without making a just account: or haue they not faithfully distributed the Almes of the Church to the vse of the poore?

3 Is there decency and order kept in your Church in time of di­vine Service: doe you take notice of such as absent themselues on Sundayes, Holidayes, times of Letany? Doe you diligently en­quire of such as remaine in Tavernes, Innes, Ale houses in the time of Prayers or Sermons: as also such as forbeare comming to the holy Sacrament thrice in the yeare, being aboue sixtéene years of age?

4 Haue you suffered any strange Preacher to preach in your Church, without séeing his licence, by which you might know how he is authorized: doe you note the names of such strangers as doe preach in a Booke for that purpose, and by whom they are licensed?

5 Is any Legacy withholden being given to the Church or the poore, for the mending of high-wayes, or otherwise by the Testators?

6 Doth any man trouble, threaten, or revile you for doing your duty? Hath any gone about to tempt you to leaue vnpresented any offences committed contrary to the Articles given you in charge, or to perswade you that you may dispense with your oathes by vsing equivocation, mentall reservation, or double meaning in making your presentments?

7 Doe you know of any thing complained of that is not yet re­dressed?

Concerning the Parishioners.

DOe your Parishioners frequent the Church in all times of di­vine Service? doe they behaue themselues reverently in that holy place, doe they kéepe their Hats off: doe they devoutely knéele, when the Confession, the ten Commandements, and all Prayers and Collects are read? doe they stand vp at the reading of the Créeds and the holy Gospell? and doe they vse due, and lowly reve­rence, when they heare the blessed name of JESUS?

2 Doe all the Parishioners aboue sixtéene yeares of age receiue the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper in your Church thrice every yeare, whereof once at Easter, and doe they all (none expected) devoutly knéele at the receiving thereof?

3 Doe any of the Parishioners, being admonished thereof, ne­glect, or refuse to send their Children, Servants, Apprentises to the Minister to be catechized on Sundayes and Holidays at such times as are appointed? Doe any so sent refuss to come, or being come, refuse to be catechized?

4 Doe any of your Parish entertaine within their house any so­journer, common guest, or other persons who refuse to frequent di­vine Service, or receiue the holy Communion as aforesaid: present their names, their quality, or condition?

5 What Popish Recusants are there in your Parish, or other Sectaries? how long haue they abstain'd from the divine Service or Communion? present their names and their quality, and whe­ther they be excommunicate, or not?

6 Whether any of the said Recusants doe labour to seduce, or withdraw others from the Religion professed in the Church of England: doe they instruct their families or children in their owne errours: or haue any of them at any time being called to it, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance?

7 Are there any in your Parish who hold or frequent private conventicles? or who publikely or privately speake against the Book of Common Prayer, against the Rites and Ceremonies, against the Articles published and maintained by the Church of England: against the Church government vnder his Majesty by the Hierar­chy of Bishops? Are there any Authors, maintainers, or favourers [Page]of heresie or schisme, or that be suspected probably to be Anabaptists, Libertines, Brownists, of the Family of Loue, or of any other he­resie or schisme: present their names?

8 Are there any in your Parish who retaine, sell vtter or disperse any Popish bookes or writings, or other bookes, writings, defama­tory Libels of any Sectaries touching the Religion, State and Go­vernment either Ecclesiasticall or Ciuill of this Kingdome of Eng­land?

9 Doe any of your Parishioners vsually goe to any other Chur­ches to heare divine Service or Sermons, or to receiue the holy Communion: doe any of them procure their children to be baptized in another Parish: or doe any strangers resort to your Church in divine Service, to heare Sermons, or to receiue the holy Commu­nion?

10 Are there any in your Parish who will come to Church to heare the Sermon, but will not heare the publike Service appointed in the Booke of Common Prayer, making a schisme or division be­twéene the vse of publike Prayer and Preaching?

11 What persons within your Parish for any offence, contuma­cy, or crime of Ecclesiasticall cognisance to stand excommunicate? how long haue they so stood: doe they presume not withstanding that censure to be present with you in time of diuine Seruice: and what persons doe wittingly and vsually kéepe them company?

12 Hath any in your Parish exercised any trade, or labor, bought or sold, or kept open shops vpon any Sunday or Holiday, by them­selues or their servants, or haue otherwise profaned the said day by gaming, drinking or dancing in time of divine Service: you are to present the names of such delinquents, with the names of the par­ties in whose house the offence hath béene committed?

13 Is the fift of November kept holy according to the ordinance in that behalfe, that the memory may never dye of the great mercy shewed to this State and Church in that wonderfull deliverance?

14 Hath any of your Parish strucken or laid violent hands either vpon your Minister or vpon any other in your Church or Church-yard: Hath any quarrelled or given oppobrious spéeches within those precincts: hath any slandered your Minister to the scandall of [Page]his vocation▪ or defamed any of his neighbours touching any crime of Ecclesiasticall cognisance?

15 Are there any who not being in Orders doe exercise any Priestly or Ministeriall Office in the Church, Chappell, or Church-yard: or on the other side are there any who having taken vpon them the order of Priesthood, or Deacon, haue since relinquished the same, vsing any other kind of life?

16 Haue any of your Parish suppressed the lost will of the dead, or administred the goods of the dead without lawfull authority? Are there any goods not administred, or any Wils vnproved? Faile not to present the Executors, with all others faulty therein?

17 Haue any in your Parish harboured any woman vnlawfully begotten with child, and suffered her to depart away before she hath béene punished for her offence.

18 Are there any in your Parish to your knowledge, or by com­mon fame or report, which haue committed incest, adultery, or forni­cation, or that haue attempted or sollicited the chastity of any wo­man, or which are reputed to be common Drunkards, Swearers, Blasphemers, Bawdes: or are there any in your Parish vehement­ly suspected for any of these crimes?