[109] Canterbury Visit., xxvii, 221 (Four persons cited “for that they dwell so far from their own Church come now to the Parish Church of Westbere.” 1569). Ibid., xxv, 21 (Two men presented for not attending their parish church “being two miles off, but go to the next Parish Church.” 1569). Ibid., 23 (1600). Op. cit., xxvi, 46 (Presentment of one who had often to be absent from his parish on business. 1593). Dean of York’s Visit., 227 (Attending another church for fear of arrest for debt in his own. 1594).

[110] See in Daniel Neal, History of the Puritans (J.  Toulmin’s ed., Bath, 1793-7), i. 413-17, contemporary (1585-6) statistics for the licenced preachers of nine counties.  See also J.C.  Cox, Three Centuries of Derbyshire Annals, i, 245 (Only 82 clergymen licenced to preach out of a total in the diocese of Lichfield of 433, according to a document circa 1602).

[111] For such a permit to hear preaching elsewhere, see Hale, Crim.  Prec., 189 (Six parishioners of Shopland (Essex) authorized by the archdeacon to repair to a neighboring church for a sermon when there is no preaching in their own, but only two permitted to leave their own services at any one time. 1586-7).

[112] Hale, ibid., 187-8.

[113] 1 Eliz., c. 2, sec. iii, ad finem.

[114] See 23 Eliz. c. i, sec. iv (Forfeiture of L20 for every month’s forbearance from church attendance).  Cardwell, Doc.  Ann., i, 406 (Whitgift’s Articles of 1583; minister and wardens to diligently observe those absenting themselves for the space of a month, according to 23 Eliz. [supra] in order that they may be presented as recusants to the justices at quarter sessions).  See also in Roxburghe Ballads (1871), i, 118, a ballad written circa 1620 which tells us:  “There be diuers Papists, That to saue their Fine, Come to Church once a moneth, To heare Seruice Diuine.  The Pope giues them power, As they say, to doe so; They saue money by’t too, But I know what I know.”  Cf. Canterbury Visit., xxv, 27 (Presentment “that he is a negligent comer to our Parish Church, being not able to pay the forfeiture.” 1597). Ibid., xxvii, 223 ("John Wilkins be slothful in coming to the Church, and because he is a poor man we cannot take the fine of twelve pence.” 1578).  Also ibid., xxvi, 46 (Humphrey Watts coming sometimes but once a month to church).

[115] Canterbury Visit., xxvi, 18 (One Deal presented for keeping a schoolmaster, “and also being a victualler, suffereth him to remain in his house and not frequent Divine Service on the Sabbath Day.” 1580).

[116] Warrington Deanery Visit., 191 (One Motley “married not known where").  See other visitations, passim.

[117] Warrington Deanery Visit., 192 (Four persons presented from Wigan for marrying without banns); 189, et passim.