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A32972 Articles of visitation and enquiry concerning matters ecclesiasticall according to the laws and canons of the Church of England, exhibited to the ministers, church-wardens, and side-men of every parish within the diocese of Worcester / by the right Reverend Father in God, John, Lord Bishop of Worcester. Church of England. Diocese of Worcester. Bishop (1662 : Gauden); Gauden, John, 1605-1662. 1662 (1662) Wing C4090; ESTC R38740 6,493 15

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ARTICLES OF VISITATION and ENQUIRY Concerning Matters Ecclesiasticall according to the Laws and Canons of the Church of ENGLAND EXHIBITED To the Ministers Church-Wardens and Side-men of every Parish within the Diocese of Worcester By the Right Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Bishop of WORCESTER LONDON Printed by J. G. for Richard Royston Bookseller to His most Sacred Majesty 1662. The Tenor of the Oath to be tendered to the Church-Wardens and Side-men of every Parish in the Diocese of VVorcester YOu shall Swear after diligent enquiry to make a true answer according to your knowledge unto the Articles in this Book now given you in Charge and to present such of your Parish as are Offenders therein contrary to the duty they owe to God and the Laws Ecclesiasticall and this you shall do as in the sight of God uprightly and truly So help you God ARTICLES Of Visitation and Enquiry c. TITUL. I. Concerning Churches or Chappels with the Ornaments and Furniture belonging to them I. IS your Church-Fabrick or Chappel with all things appertaining to it kept in good repair within and without with such cleanlinesse decency and order as becometh the house dedicated to the Publick Worship and solemn service of God II. Hath any part of them or any thing belonging to them béen sold or embezelled when and by whom III. Is there in your Church or Chappel an handsome Font of Stone standing in a convenient place with a good cover to it for the Administration of Baptisme Is there also a decent Communion-Table with a fair Carpet of Silk or fine Cloth also a fine linnen covering to be used at the holy Administration of the Lords Supper What Cup Chalice Patin or Flagons have you belonging to that Service IV. Have you in your Church or Chappel a convenient Pew for your Minister to read Divine Service in Also a Pulpit with a decent Cloth and Cushion Have you a large Folio Bible of the last Translation with two Books of Common-Prayer well bound one for the Minister the other for the Clark Have you the Book of Homilies set forth by Authority also the Book of Canons and a Table of allowed deg●ée● in Marriage V. Have you a Register Book of Parchment for all that are Christned Married and Buried in your Parish in which are set down the names of the parties with the Day Moneth and Year of each Christning Marriage and Burial Is the transcript of these every year within one moneth after March 25. brought in to the Bishops Registry VI. Have you a Paper-Book in which the names of strangers that Preach or Officiate in your Church or Chappel are set down and another Book for your Church-wardens accounts VII Have you a fair Surplice and other Ornaments according to his degrée for your Minister to use in his Publick Administrations onely for outward decency order and distinction VIII Have you a strong Chest with Locks and Keys wherein the Plate and other Vessels with the Books and Vestments belonging to the Church may be safely and decently kept Have you a Bier with a black Herse-cloth for the decent interment of the dead TIT. II. Concerning the Church-yard Houses Glebes Tithes or Rents belonging to the Church I. IS your Church-yard sufficiently senced with Walls Rails or Pales and decently kept from all annoyance and encroachment Are the trées therein preserved II. Is the Mansion-house of your Minister with all other houses thereto belonging kept in good repair Have any of them béen pulled down or defaced Hath any encroached upon the Land thereto belonging or felled the Trées there on growing III. Have you a perfect Terrier of all Glebe-lands Gardens Orchards and Tenements belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage Also a particular List of such Pensions Tithes Rents Customs and other yearly Profits within or without your Parish as belong thereto Are any of them withheld from your Minister and by whom IV. Have any of the ancient Glebe-lands belonging to your Parsonage or Vicarage béen taken away or alienated by Lease Sale or Exchange without License from the Ordinary and the frée consent of the Incumbent Have any Inclosures béen made in your Parish to the detriment of the Church TIT. III. Concerning Ministers I. IS your Minister Episcopally Ordained Deacon or Priest according to the Laws of the Realm of England and the ancient practice of the Church universall no lesse then of this National Church II. Is he defamed or suspected to have obtained his Orders or Benefice by any Simoniacal compact III. Hath he béen legally Instituted and Inducted into his Benefice Did he within two moneths after his Induction publickly read in the Church upon some Lords-day or other Holy-day in the time of Divine Service the 39. Articles of Religion established in the Church of England Did he then and there publickly declare his assent thereunto IV. Hath your Minister béen Licenced to officiate by the Bishop of this Diocese or either of the two Universities Doth he being thus Licenced diligently read Divine Service and Preach every Lords-day in your Church or Chappel unlesse hindered by Sicknesse or reasonable absence and in such cases doth he procure some lawfull Minister to read Prayers to Preach and perform other Ministerial duties V. Doth your Minister Preach sound Doctrine onely both for Faith and Manners tending to the Edifying of people in the knowledge of God and their Saviour Iesus Christ according to the holy rule of the Scripture and the obedience of the Gospel Do you know that he hath at any time within one years space last past preached any False Heretical Seditious Scandalous or Schismatical Doctrine thereby to seduce people to Errour or Faction to the danger of their Souls and the disturbance of the Peace of this Church and Kingdom VI. Doth your Minister in his Prayer before Sermon devoutly and discréetly commend to the grace of God the Church Catholick here on earth particularly these British Reformed Churches also the Kings most Excellent Majesty according to his just and Royal Titles together with all Estates Ecclesiastical and Civil Doth he praise God for the faithful who have overcome this World and are at rest from their labours Doth he alwayes conclude with the Lords Prayer Doth he in his Prayer or Sermon affect any odde or Fanatick expressions or excessive length VII Doth your Minister in the Morning and Evening Service and in the Administration of the Holy Sacraments and in performing of other publick Religious Offices appointed by the Church of England use the respective Forms in the Book of Common Prayer together with those Rites and Ceremonies which are enjoyned in this Church and declared to be not any necessary parts of Divine Worship but onely things of Decency Order and Edification tending to the Peace and Uniformity of the Church VIII Doth your Minister diligently examine in the Church Catechisme the Youth of your Parish every Lords-day in the afternoon Doth he also instruct others that are ignorant in the Fundamental
points of Christian Religion Doth he prepare and as occasion is offered present the Youth so instruct to the Bishop to be Confirmed by the laying on of his hands with Prayer and Benediction in that faith they professe according to the Primitive practice of the Church of Christ Doth he endeavour to reclaim all Popish Recusants and other Sectaries in your Parish to the true Religion established in the Church of England IX Is your Minister whether Parson Vicar or Curate conformable in his Doctrine and Life to the holy Rule and great example of the Lord Jesus Christ Is he a man of a studious sober peaceable unblameable and exemplary life for Piety Sanctity Charity and Industry in his calling Is he Grave Modest and Regular in his outward demeanor for Haire and Clothes according to the Constitutions and Customes of the Church of England Is his Company Carriage and Conversation in Word and Déed such as becometh a Minister of the Gospel who remembers the great account he must give for his own and other mens Souls committed to his charge X. Is he ready to visit the Sick and to perform those Offices to them which are required in the Church of England al●o to Baptise any Infant in danger of Death when he is desired so to do Is any Infant or other by his default yet unbaptized in your Parish Doth he refuse to give the Sacrament to any in your Parish and for what Cause or doth he give it to such as are scandalous notorious sinners or such as are excommunicate or refuse to be reconciled to their Neighbou●s XI Doth your Minister Marry any persons in private Houses or such as are under Age not having the consent of their Parents or Guardians Doth he marry any without Bannes first published three Sundayes or Holy-dayes in the Church Doth he marry at other Houres than betweene eight and twelve in the Forenoone without having any Licence so to do XII Hath your Minister taken upon him to appoint any publick or private Fasts Prophecyings or Religious exercises without lawfull Authority Doth he in those that are duly appointed use the Forms prescribed by Authority Doth he or any other Minister or Lay-person hold any Conventicle or Religious meetings in private houses within your Parish for people of severall Families to resort unto contrary to the Laws and Canons in that case provided XIII Is your Minister constantly Resident among you And how many wéeks in a year hath he been absent from his Benefice Hath he any Curate to assist him in his absence or presence Is that Curate in Holy Orders according to the Church of England Hath he a Licence from his Bishop to serve the Cure And doth he carry himself also as an able and discréet Minister and conformable to the Church of England What yearly stipend hath he XIV Is there in your Parish beside the Parson or Vicar and Curate any that Preacheth onely as a Lecturer Is he in Holy Orders and conformable to the Church of England and Licenced by the Bishop of this Diocese Doth he read Divine Service before his Lecture and in all things demean himself as is most for the Peace of the Church of England and of your Parish XV. Doth your Minister give notice of and duly observe Holy-dayes Festivals or Fasts with other solemn times as Ember and Rogation Weeks according as is by the Laws and Canons of this Church appointed TIT. IV. Concerning Parishioners I. IS there any in your Parish that are reputed Hereticks or Schismaticks refusing Communion with the Church of England or professing any other Religion than what is Established in this Church seducing others from it and rayling against it Are there any convicted Papists known Anabaptists Familists Quakers and other Separatists in your Parish II. Is there any person in your Parish that lyeth under any common fame or vehement suspicion of Adultery Fornication or Incest Are there any common Drunkards Swearers or Blasphemers of Gods Name and his Holy Word Are any noted for railers unclean and filthy talkers or sowers of sedition or living in discord and contention Are there any excommunicated by the censures of the Church and not yet reconciled III. Do any of your Parish profane the Lords-day by neglecting of publick Holy Duties or by doing the works of their ordinary callings or by using unlawful Recreations or permitting their Children and Servants so to do Do they duly observe other Holy-dayes Festivals or Fasts appointed by Authority for the advancement of piety charity and devotion IV. Do those that inhabit or sojourn in your Parish duly resort to your Church or Chappel there to worship God according to the Religion of the Church of England Do they come thither and continue there during Divine Service Sermons and other Holy Duties with that reverence order and decency befitting humble and devout Christians as is required by the Laws Canons and laudable customs of the Church of England V. Are there in your Parish any that refuse to have their Infant Children Baptized by your Minister or do they keep them unbaptized longer than this Church alloweth Are there any Infants or more aged persons in your Parish not yet Baptized VI. Doth every House-holder in your Parish cause their Children Apprentices and Servants to learn the Church Catechisme and give account of it to your Minister as he shall require it in the Church on Sundayes or other Holy-dayes as is appointed And when they are therein well instructed do they take care to have them brought by the Minister to Confirmation when occasion is offered by the Bishop for the increase of all spiritual gifts and graces in them VII Is there any person in your Parish who being sixtéen years of age and well instructed in Religion neglecteth or refuseth to receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper at least thrée times in one year of which Easter to be one Do all receive this Sacred Mystery with that outward gesture of humility reverence and lowly adoration which becomes them to their God and Saviour méekly knéeling according to the Order and Custom of the Church of England VIII Are there any of your Parish who do keep familiar Society with them that are excommunicated so as to countenance them in their sins or encourage them in their contumacy IX Are there any of your Parish who are known or suspected to be unlawfully marryed contrary to the Laws of God and this Church Are there any who having béen lawfully divorced do live together again or who being lawfully marryed and not divorced do yet live asunder X. Are there any marryed Women in your Parish who after their safe delivery from Child-birth refuse to make their humble and publick thanksgiving to God for so great a mercy according to the Rites and Appointment of the Church of England XI Are there any of your Parish who refuse to pay their Easter-Offerings and other Duties to your Minister or to pay the Rates assessed on them for
the repaire and provisions of the Church XII Do any among you refuse to bury their dead according to the Forms and Rites of the Church of England which are so consonant to the faith hope and charity of true Christians towards those that dye in the peace of the Church Are there any Wills or Testaments of persons dead in your Parish yet unproved or any Goods Administred without a legal grant from the Ordinary Do you know of any Legacies given to your Church or the poor or other pious and charitable uses not yet received by you or detained from you XIII Do you know or have heard of any in your Parish who having the presentation of an Ecclesiastical Living hath made any Simoniacal compact or gain thereby either in mony or by reserve of any part of the Tithes or Glebe belonging to that Benefice XIV Have any Pews or Seats been erécted in your Church or Chappel without leave from the Ordinary Is there any strife or contention about Seats in the Church Have any occasioned Riot Clamor or Fighting in the Church at any time TIT. V. Concerning Parish-Clerks and Sextons belonging to the Church I. HAve you a Parish-Clerk who is of a sober life and good report Is he able for Reading Writing and Singing as a Clerk Is he chosen by your Minister and approved by the Parish Are his wages duly paid him II. Doth he or your Sexton take care of the Church to kéep it lockt and clean to open the doors and to ring the Bells in due time to call the living to the Worship of God also to admonish them by tolling of a Passing-Bell of any that are dying thereby to meditate of their own Deaths and to commend the others weak condition to the mercy of God TIT. VI. Concerning Hospitals and Almes-houses Schools and School-masters Physicians Chirurgeons and Midwives I. WHat Hospital Almes-house or Free-school hath béen Founded in your Parish Are they so ordered in the Revenue and Vse as the Founders appointed and the Law of the Land allows II. What School-master private or publick is there in your Parish Is he or they Licenced by the Bishop or his Chancellor Doth he instruct his Scholars in the Catechisme and Religion of the Church of England according to that Conformity and Order which is established as necessa●y for the Publick Peace III. Do any in your Parish practise Physick Chirurgery or Midwifery without Licence from the Ordinary TIT. VII Concerning Church-Wardens and Side-men I. ARe the Church-wardens of your Parish yearly chosen according to Law and do they appoint Side-men to assist them for the due ordering of the Church II. Have the last Church-wardens given up their accounts to those that succéed them together with all monies and other things belonging to your Church or Chappel III. Do your Church-wardens and Side-men diligently take notice of their names who without a sufficient cause are absent from Divine Service and Sermons on the Lords-dayes and other Holy-dayes Do they by Warrant from the next Iustices levy 12. pence by way of distresse according to Law upon their Goods in case they refuse to pay it for their wilful and causelesse absence and is the money so levyed distributed to the poor of your Parish and kept upon account in a Book IV. Do you suffer none to stand idle or to play or walk or talk together or to behave themselves rudely and unseemly within or without the Church during the time of Gods Holy Worship and Service to the scandal and disturbance of the Minister and Congregation V. Do you provide fine White-Bread and good Wine against every Communion according to the number of Communicants VI. Do you cause all strangers who preach in your Church to enter their names in a Book and by what Bishop they are Licenced to Preach VII Have you taken care to give a true Answer unto these Articles and to draw up your presentments according to your Oaths consulting with your Minister and other Neighbours THis you are seriously to consider That as the faithful discharge of your Offices according to your Oaths and Duties is a special means to repress punish and reform sins scandals and disorders in your Parish also to preserve the honour of Religion and the Peace of this Church to the glory of our God and Saviour which are the great Uses and Ends of all Church-Government and Discipline So if you neglect your Duties herein you sin against God your Consciences and the Churches Prosperity being liable in case of wilful Omission and Perjury to those Punishments which are by the Law to be inflicted on you for your defaults The Ministers of every Parish are desired to given in the Names of such as having not yet received the Lords Supper are by them upon examination judged fit for Confirmation and so for the Holy Communion THE END