TIT. I. Concerning Churches and Chappels, with the Ornaments and Furniture thereunto belonging.

• IS your Parish Church or Chappel kept in good and suf­ficient repair?
  Canon 85.
  Are the Roofs thereof well covered with Lead, Tile, or Slat; the Windows well glazed, the Floors well payed, the Seats well fastened, and conveniently placed, and all things so decently ordered as becometh the House of God?
• II. Hath the Steeple or Tower of your Church or Chap­pel, or any part thereof, been pulled down, or any of the Lead, or Bells, formerly belonging thereunto, been imbe­zelled, sold, or made away? In whose hands or custody doth the same, or part thereof, remain? Declare what you know or have heard herein.
• III. Is there a Font of Stone,
  Injunct. Eliz
  with a good Cover there­unto, standing in a convenient place toward the lower part of your Church, for the Administration of Baptism? And is there in your Chancel a decent Communion-Table for the Administration of the Lords Supper, with a Carpet of Silk,
  Can. 81. Can. 82.
  Stuff, or fine Woollen Cloth; and another covering of white and pure Linnen to spread thereupon?
  Rub. Com. Can. 20.
  And have you a fair Communion Cup or Chalice, with a cover of Silver; and one or more Flagons of Silver or Pewter thereunto belonging?
• [Page 2]IV.
  Can. 82.
  Have you in your Church or Chappel a convenient Seat or Pew for your Minister to read Divine Service in, a Pulpit with a comely Cloth or Cussion for the same, a Bible of the last Translation in a large Volume,
  Can. 83.
  and two Books of Common Prayer established by Act of Parliament Anno 1662.
  Can. 8 [...].
  well and substantially bound? Have you likewise the Book of Homilies set forth by Authority, a Book of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical, and a printed Table of such Degrees wherein Marriage is prohibited?
• V.
  Can. [...].
  Have you a comely large Surplice for the Minister to wear at all times of his publick Ministration in the Church, provided, and to be duly washed at the charge of the Parish?
• VI.
  Can. 72.
  Have you a Register Book of Parchment, wherein to Register the Names, and Sirnames of all such Persons as are Married, Christned or Buried within your Parish; together with the Names and Sirnames of both the Parents of the Children that are Christned, expressing the Day, Month, and Year of all such Christnings, Marriages, and Burials? And is the Transcript thereof yearly within one month next after the 23 of March brought into the Bishops Registry?
• VII.
  Can. 52. Can. 85.
  Have you likewise another Book of Paper, wherein to record the Names and Licences of all such Strangers as are at any time admitted to Preach in your Church or Chappel? As also a third Book, wherein to write down the Church-War­dens Accounts; together with a strong Chest with Locks and Keys,
  Can. 89.
  wherein to keep the aforesaid Books, and all other the aforementioned Furniture in safe custody? And lastly, have you a Bier with a black Herse cloth for the Burial of the dead?

TIT. II. Concerning the Church-yard, the Houses, Glebe and Tythes belonging to the Church.

• I.
  Can. 83.
  IS your Church-yard sufficiently fenced with Walls, Rails, or Pales, and decently kept from the annoyance of Swine, Horses, and other Cattle, or any other abuse what­soever? Hath any person encroached upon the same, or made any door into it out of his own ground or habitation with­out allowance from the Ordinary? Have any Trees there growing been cut down, how long since, by whom, to whose use and benefit?
• [Page 3]II. Is the House of your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, with all the Out-houses thereunto belonging, kept in good and suffi­cient repair, or have any of the said Houses or Out-houses been defaced or pulled down without Licence from the Ordi­nary, and by whom? Hath any Person incroached upon any Garden, Yard or Close, belonging to your Parsonage or Vi­carage-house, or cut up any Trees growing thereon, or chan­ged or removed the ancient Marks and Bounds of the same? Declare what you know, or have credibly heard thereof.
• III. Have you a true and perfect Terrier of all the Glebe­lands, Gardens, Orchards,
  Can. 87.
  Tenements or Cottages belong­ing to your Parsonage or Vicarage; as also a note of such Pensions, Rate-tithes, or portions of tithes, or other yearly profits either within or without your Parishes, as belong thereunto? Hath any of the same been with-held from your Minister, and by whom, as you know, or have heard?
• IV. Have any of the ancient Glebe-lands belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage been taken away, or exchanged for other, without the free consent of the Incumbent, and Pa­tron, and Licence from the Ordinary?

TIT. III. Concerning Ministers.

• I. IS your Minister a Priest,
  Act Unifor. Injunct.
  Episcopally ordained accor­ding to the Laws of England?
• II. Is he defamed or suspected to have obtained either his Benefice or Orders by any Simoniacal compact?
  Eliz. 26.
• III. Hath he been legally Instituted and Inducted into his Benefice?
  13 Eliz. cap. 12.
  and did he within two Months after his Induction publickly in the Church, upon some Sunday or Holiday, in the time of Divine Service, read the 39 Articles of the Church of England, established by Authority,
  Act Unifor.
  and there publickly de­clare his assent thereunto? And hath he likewise read the Declaration enjoin'd by the Act of Uniformity?
• IV. Hath he any other Ecclesiastical Benefice,
  14 Caroli 2.
  Prebend or Dignity? Is he constantly resident upon his Benefice amongst you? How many weeks in one year hath he been absent from you without urgent necessity?
• [Page 4]V. Hath your Minister a Curate to assist him? Is the said Curate in Holy Orders, an able and discreet Person, and conformable to the Laws and Orders of the Church of Eng­land? Is he allowed by the Bishop to serve in your Church or Chappel? and doth he serve in any other Church be­sides? And what yearly Stipend doth your Minister allow him?
• VI.
  Can. 14.21.68. Rub. Matr. Visitat. Burial. Comminat.
  Doth your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, in reading the Morning and Evening Service, Administration of the holy Sacraments, Celebration of Marriage, Churching of Women after Child-birth, Visitation of the Sick, Barial of the Dead, and pronouncing Gods Commination against Impenitent Sin­ners, use the form and words prescribed in the Book of Com­mon-prayer, without any addition, omission, or alteration of the same? And doth he use all such Rites and Ceremo­nies in all parts of Divine Service, as are appointed in the said Book, so far as you have observed?
• VII.
  Can. 58. Rub.
  Doth your Minister at the reading or celebrating any Divine Office wear the Surplice, together with such other Scholastical Habit as is suitable to his Degree?
• VIII.
  Can. 64. Rub. Com. Pr. Injuct. Eliz. 19.
  Doth he observe the Holy-days, and Fasting-days, as also the Ember Weeks, and the yearly Perambulation in Rogation Week, as in the Common-Prayer-Book, or by the Ecclesiastical Canons is appointed, giving notice to the Pa­rishioners of every of the same, in the Church in the time of Divine Service, upon the Sunday next before?
• IX.
  Can. 48, 49. Rub. Com. Can. 45, 46.
  Hath your Ministor been Licenced to Preach by the Bishop, or either of the two Universities? If so, doth he then constantly (unless in case of Sickness, necessary absence, or other reasonable impediment) himself Preach in your Church or Chappel one Sermon every Sunday? Or if he be not a licenced Preacher, or being so licenced, be hindred by Sickness, or otherwise as aforesaid, doth he procure a Ser­mon to be Preached by some other Minister, a licensed Preacher? Or is one of the Homilies set forth by Authority, there read by a Priest on Deacon lawfully ordained?
• X.
  Can, 59.61. Can. 66. Injuct. Eliz. 44.
  Doth your Minister diligently instruct the Youth of your Parish in the Church-Catechism, and doth he prepare and pre­sent them being so instructed, to be confirmed by the Bishop? And doth he endeavour to reclaim all Popish Recusants, and [Page 5]Sectaries (if any such be inhabiting within your Parish) to the true Religion established in the Church of England, and to their bounden Duty in obeying the Laws, and submitting to the Government thereof?
• XI. Doth he neglect to visit the Sick,
  Can. 67, 68, 69. Rub. Com. Pra. Can. 29.
  or delay the Baptism of any Infant that is in danger of death? Is there any Child in your parish past Infancy, or other Person of more years through your Ministers default yet remaining unbaptized? Doth he baptize any without Godfathers and Godmothers, or admit either of the Parents to be Godfather or Godmother to their own Children?
• XII. Doth he in his Sermons at any time (as you know or have heard) Preach any False, Heretical,
  13. Eliz. 12. Injunct. Eliz. 31.
  Seditious or Schis­matical Doctrine, thereby to seduce the People into parties and factions, to the disturbance of the publick Peace, and Unity of the Church or State?
• XIII. Hath he presumed to Marry any Persons in Private Houses, or such as being under age,
  Can. 16. Rub. Mat.
  have not the consent of their Parents, or without the Banes first published on three Sundays or Holy-days in the Church, unless he had Licence or Dispensation so to do, or at any other hours then between Eight and Twelve in the Morning, who are the Persons so Married, and when were they so Married?
• XIV. Doth any person Preach in your Parish as a Lecturer?
  Act. Uni­form.
  Hath he allowance from the Bishop for so doing? Doth he before his Lecture read Divine Service, according to the Book of Common Prayer, and is he in all respects conformable to the Laws and Orders of the Church of England?
• XV.
  Can. 72, 75
  Hath your Minister taken upon him to appoint any publick or private Fasts, Prophecyings or Exercises, not ap­pointed by Authority, or doth he or any other, either Mini­ster or Lay person, hold any Conventicles or meetings in pri­vate Houses within your Parish for people of several Fami­lies to resort unto, under the pretence of Preaching, Pray­ing, Thanksgiving or Humiliation, contrary to the Laws and Canons in that case provided?
• XVI. Is your Parson Vicar,
  Can. 75.
  Curate or Lecturer a man of sober, unblamable, and exemplary life? Doth he familiarly converse with ungodly, vicious, excommunicate persons, o­therwise then to instruct or reform them? Is he a frequenter [Page 6]of Taverns or Ale-houses, a common Gamester, a pro­phane or obscene Jester, Swearer, a Railer, Scoffer, or Quar­reller? Doth he set neighbors at variance one with another? or encourage them to suits and contention? Is he noted to be an intemperate Drinker, or vehemently suspected of Incon­tinence with any person, either within your Parish or with­out? Is his Apparel grave and decent both for fashion and colour, as the Canons of the Church require? Or is his carriage and conversation in any kind whatsoever disorderly or scandalous, and unbeseeming a Minister of Jesus Christ?
• XVII. Hath any person presumed to execute the Office of a Priest or a Deacon in your Parish-Church, and to say, read or celebrate Divine Service there,
  Act Unifor.
  or to serve the Cure of your Parish, not being a Deacon, or to do any other Mini­sterial Office in your Church belonging to a Priest or Dea­con? If so, you are to present what his name is, where he dwelleth, and how oft he hath offended therein.
• XVIII. Doth your Minister use before his Sermon to Pray for the King's Majesty, King Charles, His Royal Con­sort Queen Catharine,
  Can. 55.
  James Duke of York, and the Royal Progeny, giving unto His Majesty such Stile and Title of Supream Governor in all Causes, and over all Persons, as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal, as are due unto His Maje­sty?
  Act. Uni­form.
  Hath your Parson, Vicar, Curate, or Lecturer a Cer­tificate under the Hand and Seal of the Archbishop, Bishop; or Ordinary, of his Subscription to the Declaration appoint­ed by the Act of Uniformity, and hath he publickly and openly read the same, together with the Declaration upon some Lords day within three months after the date of the said Certificate, in your Parish Church, in the presence of the Congregation in time of Divine Service?

TIT. IV. Concerning the Parishioners.

• I.
  Can. 110.
  IS there in your Parish any person, reputed Heretick or Schismatick, any Papist, Familist, Anabaptist, Quaker, or other Sectary, that refuse to come into the pub­lick Assemblies, Prayers, Services of the Church, or that make profession of any other Religion than that is establish­ed [Page 7]in the Church of England: And if there be any such what are their Names?
• II. Is there any person in your Parish, on whom there is a common Fame, or vehement suspition of Adultery,
  Can. 109.
  Forni­cation or Incest committed by him or her? Are there any common Drunkards within your Parish, or common Swear­ers, or Blasphemers of Gods name, or any that are noted to be unclean, lewd or obscene Talkers, or such who are sow­ers of Sedition, Faction, and Discord amongst their neighbors?
• III.
  Injunct. Eliz. 34.
  Do any of your Parish upon Sundays or Holy days follow their bodily and ordinary labour, or permit their Servants so to do? Are any Shops kept open, or Wares sold? Or do any Vintners, Inn, keepers, or other Victuallers and sellers of Beer, Ale, or Sider, suffer any person to tipple or game in their houses on those daies?
• IV.
  Injunct. Eliz. 33. 1 Eliz. 12. Injunct. E­liz. 46. Injunct. E­liz, 52.
  Doth every person inhabiting or sojourning within your Parish, duly resort unto your Church or Chappel, upon every Sunday and Holiday to Divine Service? Do they then and there abide quietly, with reverence, order, and decency, during all the whole time of Common-Prayer or Preaching? And are there any among you that come only to the Sermon, and not to the Common Prayers of the Church?
• V.
  Rub. Ba.
  Are there any in your Parish that refuse to send their Infant-Children to be baptized publickly in the Church, un­less in case of urgent danger, in which case the Child may be baptized at home by a lawful Minister, after the form and rites appointed in the Liturgy? Or do they send them to be baptized in any other Parishes, or after other form than is appointed? Or do they keep them unbaptized any longer time than the Church alloweth? And are there any Infants, or more aged persons in your Parish, yet unbaptized, or any that have been privately baptized, that are not afterward brought to the Church as is appointed?
• VI. Do all Housholders in your Parish,
  Can. 50.
  cause their children and servants to learn their Catechisme, and to give an ac­count thereof unto your Minister, as he shall require it of them openly in Church upon Sundays and Holidays, as in the Book of Common-Prayer is appointed, that when they are well instructed in the same, they may be confirmed by the Bishop?
• [Page 8]VII. Is there any person in your Parish who being sixteen years of age,
  Can. 1.21. Rub. Can. Rub. Fra.
  and well instructed in Religion, doth not re­ceive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper at least three times in the year, of which Easter is always to be one? Doth any in your Parish refuse to receive the same kneeling, or from the hands of your own Minister, repairing for it to other Pa­rishes and Ministers abroad? Or are there any strangers not of your parish, that forsake their own Churches, and usually repair to yours for it?
• VIII. Have you any among you that be denounced and de­clared excommunicated for any crime committed?
  Can. 65.
  How long have they been so excommunicated? And do any of your pa­rish keep society with them before they be reconciled to the Church and absolved?
• IX. Are there any living in your parish as Man and Wife,
  Can. 99.
  who are within the degrees prohibited? Or any that being lawfully divorced have married again? Or any that being law­fully married, and not separated or divorced by course of Law, do not cohabit together.
• X. Are there any married Women in your Parish,
  Rub.
  who af­ter their Delivery from the peril of Child-birth, refuse to make their publick Thanksgiving to God in the Church, in such manner, as by the Law and Book of Common-Prayer is required?
• XI. Are there any belonging to your Parish,
  Rub. Com. Act Unifor.
  who refuse to pay their Duty for Easter Offerings to your Minister, or any that refuse to pay the Rate Assessed upon them for the re­pair of your Church or Chappel, and for the providing of Bread and Wine for the Communion, and such Books, Furni­ture and Ornaments as be requisite for the performance of all Divine Offices there?
  Can. 81.82.
  And what is each persons particular Rate who refuseth so to pay?
• XII. Do any refuse to bury their Dead according to the Rites of the Church of England?
  Rub. Com.
  And are there any Wills or Testaments of Persons dead in your Parish that yet be unpro­ved; or any Goods Administred without a due Grant from the Ordinary?
  Can. 92.
  Did any dying in your parish, or elsewhere, leave any legacie to your Church or Chappel, or to the use of the Poor, or to any other Pious and Charitable purposes; what were those Legacies, and how have they been bestowed?
• [Page 9]XIII. Is there any strife and contention among any of your Parish for their Pews or Seats in your Church? Have any new Pews been erected in your Chancel, or in the Body of your Church or Chappel, without leave from the Ordinary?
• XIV. Is the Fifth Day of November observed and kept in your Parish? and also the Thirtieth of January, and the Nine and Twentieth day of May, every of them yearly accor­ding to the several Acts of Parliament, and in such form, as by publick Authority is appointed for the same?
• XV. Are there any in your Parish who have depraved,
  Can. 4.6.
  vi­lisied, or spoken against the Book of Common-Prayer now established in the Church of England, or any part thereof, or against the Government of the Church under His Maje­sty, by Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ecclesiastical Offi­cers, or have spoken disgracefully of the Courts Ecclesiastical?
• XVI. Do you know of any that have abused the Church-Wardens of your Parish, or given them evil words for exe­cuting their Office, or to dishearten and deterr them from executing it as by Oath and Duty they are bound?

TIT. V. Concerning Parish Clarks and Sextons.

• I. HAve you belonging to your Church or Chappel a Pa­rish Clark,
  Can. 91.
  aged one and twenty years at the least? Is he of honest Life and Conversation, and sufficient and able to perform his duty in Reading, Writing, and Sing­ing? Is he chosen by your Minister, and doth he duly at­tend him in all Divine Offices? Are his due Wages justly paid unto him? Or who withholdeth the same from him?
• II. Doth he or your Sexton (if there be any such appointed in your Parish) diligently look to the Doors of your Church that they be locked and opened at due time?
  Can. 97.
  And doth he keep your Church or Chappel clean from Dust, Cobwebs, and other annoyance? Doth he Toll or Ring the Bells at the due accustomed hours before the beginning of Divine Service, Morning and Evening, that the People may be warned to come unto the Church? And when any person is passing out of this life, doth he (upon notice given him [Page 10]thereof) Toll a Bell as hath been accustomed, that the Neighbours may thereby be warned to recommend the dy­ing person to the grace and favour of Almighty God?

TIT. VI. Concerning Hospitals, Schools, School-Masters, Physitians, Chyrurgions and Midwifes.

• I. IS there in your Parish any Hospital, Alms-house, or Free-School, not of the Kings Foundation or Patro­nage? Who was the Founder, or is now the Patron there­of? And what is the yearly Revenue, or Stipend, belong­ing to the Governors or Masters of the same? Is the same ordered and governed in every respect as it ought to be? And are the Revenues thereof rightly employed, according to the intention of the Founder, and of such Grants and Ordinances as have been made concerning the same?
• II. Doth any man keep a publick or private School in your Parish, or is there any Tutor or School-master in any private Family, who is not allowed thereunto by the Ordi­nary? Doth he teach his Scholars the Catechism of Reli­gion, set forth by Authority? Doth he himself repair, and also cause his Scholars upon Sundays and Holy-days orderly to repair to your Church or Chappel, and see that they be­have themselves quietly and reverently during the time of Divine Service and Sermon?
• III. Doth any in your Parish practice Physick or Chyrur­gery? or any Woman take upon her the Office of a Mid­wife, without Licence from the Ordinary?

Queries to be put to the Ministers.
TIT. VII. Concerning the Church-Wardens and Side-Men.

• I. ARe the Church-Wardens of your Parish yearly and duly chosen?
  Can. 69.
• [Page 11]II. Have the former and last Church-Wardens given up their due Accounts to the Parish,
  Can. 89.
  and delivered up to the succeeding Church-Wardens the Moneys remaining in their hand, together with all other things belonging to your Church or Chappel?
• III. Doth the Church-Wardens and Side-Men take dili­gent care,
  1 Eliz. 2.
  and see who of your Parishioners are absent from the Divine Service and Sermon in your Church or Chappel, upon Sundays and Holy-days? And if they find any to have absented themselves without a sufficient cause, do they, by Warrant from some of the Justices of the Peace, Levy of them by way of Distress upon their Goods the Sum of Twelve Pence for every such day of their absence, according to the Act of Parliament in that case provided? And do they di­stribute the several Sums so levied among the Poor of your Parish according to the Law?
• IV. Do they note them that come late to Church after Divine Service is begun,
  Can. 90.19 [...].
  or depart before it be ended? Do they suffer none to stand idle, or talk together in the Church­porch, or to walk in the Church or Church-yard, during the time of Prayers, Preaching, and Sacred Offices?
• V. Do they suffer any misbehaviour,
  Can. 18.
  or disorder to be done by Men, Women, or Children, in your Church or Chappel? Are they careful that none of them sit, lean, or lay their Hats upon the Communion-Table? Do they permit any Dogs, or Hawks, to be brought or come into your Church to the disturbance of the Congregation?
• VI. Do they against every Communion appointed in your Church or Chappel,
  Rub. Can. 20.
  provide a sufficient quantity of sine White Bread, and good Wine, according to the Number of Communicants?
• VII. Do they cause all Strangers that Preach in your Church,
  Can. 5 [...].
  or Chappel, to subscribe their Names the same day in a Book provided for that purpose, together with the Name of the Bishop that Licenced them to Preach in this Diocess? And do they permit no other to Preach?
• VIII. Have they (the Church-Wardens and Side-Men) now Sworn to give in a true answer unto all these Articles of In­quiry in all their several Titles,
  Can. 219.
  taken sufficient time to draw up their Presentments, and therein consulted with you their Minister for your faithful assistance?

You the Church-wardens are duly to consider these Arti­cles, and well and faithfully to perform your duty in all the Premisses, and to consult with your Minister (as the case requires) for his assistance to you in making your Present­ments thereupon. For know you assuredly, that as the true discharging of your Office, is the chief means whereby pub­lick Disorders, Sins and Offences in your Parish may be re­formed and punished: so if you wilful refuse to present such crimes and faults, as either you know to have been com­mitted, or otherwise have heard of by publick fame; that in such cases, the Ordinary and his Officers are to proceed a­gainst you in their Ecclesiastical Courts, as in case of wilful omission and perjury.

The Ministers of every parish are desired to give in the Names of such of their younger sort in their several Parishes, as they judge fit to receive Confirmation from the Bishop, and to present them to be Confirmed; especially such as, ha­ving competently learned their Catechism, have not yet re­ceived the Holy Communion.