I.

BOOK "al allowance for the mean profits after the death of the "incumbent, to the next successor so considered in the "first-fruits and tenths. Which mean profits were translated "by act of Parlament from the Bishop to his successor, "out of the benefice from the death of the predecessor.

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"V. Item, That fees to keepers of parks and woods, not yet valued, be not reprized out of the value of the manors: “and that the said parks and woods may be also valued; "and that corn-heaps, foul and fish, with carriages and "other commodities, may remain for hospitality to the "Bishops.

"VI. Item, That the parsonages appendent to the ma"nors exchanged may be reserved to the Bishops see: and "that the Bishops of the new erected churches may give "the prebends of those churches as in other is used, the "rather to maintain learned men and preachers.

"VII. Item, If any of the tenths and rectories be evicted "from us by order of law, that then recompence may be "made.

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"VIII. Item, That we may have remedy by law to recover the tenths denyed or delayed, as wel as when they 66 were parcels of the revenues of the Crown. Before which "assurance no exchange can reasonably pass.

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“IX. Item, That no rents be reasonably returned for spiritual possessions, which be payd into the Exchequer "for annual rents temporal reserved nomine decimæ.

"X. Item, That bishoprics may be discharged of al "arrearages of subsidies, and tenths and other incumbrances "past in the days of their predecessors, and in times of "vacation. And that for the first year of our fruits paying, to be discharged of subsidies, as before time hath "been used.

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“XI. Item, That it may please your Highness to con"tinue the new erect sees, founded upon great consider❝ations by your noble progenitor, the said King Henry, and "that the benefice of Clyff may be annexed to the see of "Rochester; and from the see of Chester the benefice late "annexed therunto be not dismembred, in consideration of "the exility of their bishoprics.

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XII. "Item, We most humbly beseech your Majesty, BOOK "that in consideration of our chargeable expectation, and "for the burden of necessary furniture of our houses, and "for discharge of the great fees payd before, and at the “ restitution of the temporalties; to suffer us to enjoy the "half years rent last past at Michaelmas; and that our "first-fruits may be abated and distributed into more years; for the better maintenance of hospitality: and "that we may be put to our own surety, at the compositions

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"for our fruits.

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"Which gracious favour in the latter premisses, if your Highnes do not shew towards us, we shal not dare enter "our functions, wherto your Grace hath nominated us, "being too importable else for us to bear.

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"All which petitions, most redoubted Soveraign Lady, "we make to your Highnes, not in respect of any private worldly advantage or temporal gain, as God knoweth our "hearts, but in respect of God's glory, Christ's faith and "religion, your Grace's honor, and discharge of your con"science to al the world, and for the honorable report of 18 your nobility, and to the comfort of the realm.

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"Your Highnes most humble orators,

[This Letter hath no date.

It could not be writ before August: in which month Parker's election was made by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury.]

"Matthue elect Canterbury,

"Edm. elect London,
"Richard elect Ely,
"William elect Cicestren.
"John elect Hereford."

a chief hand in this.

In the contriving of this the Archbishop was chief, and Parker had the address, I suppose, was drawn up by his hand and head. And this was one of the first specimina of his discharge of his pastoral office and care of the Church; and a good instance of his great concern for religion and learning, in his care for the revenues thereof, being one of its main encouragements. By virtue of this act probably at this

BOOK time the Broyle in Sussex, with the brave seat and parks thereunto belonging, were alienated from the archbishopric.

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Park. Re

gist.

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Number XI.

Articles for the dioceses, to be inquired of in the Archbishop's metropolitical visitation.

IMPRIMIS, Whether divine service be said or sung by your Minister or Ministers, in your several churches, duely and reverently, as is set forth by the laws of this realm, without any kind of variation. And whether the holy Sacraments be likewise ministred reverently in such maner as by the laws of this realm is appointed.

Item, Whether you have in your parish churches al things necessary and requisite for common prayer, and administration of the sacraments: especially the Book of Common Prayer, a Bible in the largest volume, the Homilies, with the Paraphrases of Erasmus; a convenient pulpit wel placed; a comely and decent table for the holy Communion, set in place prescribed by the Queen's Majesties Injunctions; the chest and box for poor men, and al other things necessary in and to the premisses. And whether your altars be taken down according to the commandment in that behalf given.

Item, Whether images, and al other monuments of idolatry and superstition, be destroyed and abolished in your several parishes. And whether your churches be wel adorned and conveniently kept without wast, destruction, or abuse of any thing. Whether your church-yards be wel fenced and cleanly kept. Whether any sale have been made of your church goods: by whom, and to whom. Whether your chancels and parsonages be wel and sufficiently repaired. Whether any man have pulled down, or dis-covered any church, chancel, chapel, almes-house, or such like.

Item, Whether there be any persons that intrude themselves, and presume to exercise any kind of ministry in the

II.

Church of God, without imposition of hands and ordinary BOOK authority; or any being once Priest or Minister, that doth not minister, or frequent and resort to the common prayers now used, and, at times appointed, communicate.

Item, Whether your Parson and Vicar be resident continually upon their benefices. Whether they give themselves to devout prayer, preaching, and reading of the Scripture, and godly contemplation; and relieve the poor charitably to their ability. Whether they pray for the prosperous state of the Queen's Majesty, as is prescribed in her Graces Injunctions therin accordingly.

Item, Whether any of your Ministers doth or hath ad-19 mitted any notorious sinner, or malicious person, and out of charity, without just penance don, and reconciliation had, to receive the holy Communion; or any that hath not received the same according as to a Christian appertaineth, and as by the laws it is appointed.

Item, Whether they do teach fathers, mothers, and masters of youth, to bring them up in the fear of Almighty God, in obedience, and in convenient occupations. Whether they be peace-makers, and exhort the people to obedience to their Prince, and to all others that be in authority; to charity and mutual love among themselves. Whether they give themselves to superstition, and be maintainers of the ignorant people.

Item, Whether your Parson, Vicar, and Curates, be common gamesters, hunters, and haunters of taverns or alehouses, suspect of any notable crime, fautors of any foreign powers, letters of good religion, preachers of corrupt doctrine, stubborn or disobedient to laws and orders. Whether they be given to filthy lucre. Whether they be light either in example of life, or in unwont and unseemly apparel.

Item, Whether any of your benefices be vacant; how long they have been vacant. Who is Patron. Whether there be any lay or temporal man, (not being within Orders,) or children, that hath or enjoyeth any benefice or spiritual promotion: any patron that suffereth any benefice to be vacant, and taketh the tiths and fruits therof to himself.

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Item, Whether your Ministers keep their registers wel; teach you the Articles of the Faith, and the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer.

Item, Whether your Parsons and Vicars have any other or mo benefices: where and in what country they be. Whether they came by them by simony, or other unlawful means. Whether in their absence they leave their cures to honest, learned, or expert Curats. Whether they make their ordinary sermons according to the Queens Majesties Injunctions. Whether they admit any to preach unlicenced, or put by any that hath licence. Whether they read the Queens Majesties Injunctions as they ought to do, and their service sensibly and distinctly.

Item, Whether the lay people be diligent in coming to the church on the holy days, and with al humbleness, reverently and devoutly do give themselves to the hearing of the in the time therof: and otherwise occupy prayer common themselves in private prayer, reading of Scripture, or other virtuous exercise. If any be negligent or wilful, whether the forfeiture be levyed on their goods to the use of the poor, according to the laws of this realm in that behalf provided.

Item, Whether there be in your quarters any that openly or privately use or frequent any kind of divine service or common prayer, other than is set forth by the laws of this realm: any disturbers of common prayer, or letters of the word of God to be read, preached, or heard: any that by covert or crafty means deprave or contemn the same, or that speak to the derogation of the Queens Majesties authority and power, or of the laws set out by public authority.

Item, Whether there be among you any blasphemers of the name of Almighty God, adulterers, fornicators, bawds, or receivers of such persons: any suspected of incest, or any other notorious fault, sin, or crime: any drunkards, ribalds, common slanderers of their neighbours, railers or scolders, sowers of discord between neighbours, by playes, rhimes, infamous libels, or otherwise.