In 1591 a report was sent to the Council, from which it appears that the Lancashire commission had made "small reformation," and that, notwithstanding the rigour of the law, the churches were still empty, and there were still "multitudes of bastards and drunkards"; in fact, the county was in a worse state than ever; the people, it is added, "lack instruction, for the preachers are few: most of the parsons are unlearned, many of them non-resident, and divers unlearned daily [are] admitted into very good benefices." But even a greater evil is yet added, for the young "are for the most part trained up by such as profess Papistry. The proclamation for apprehension of seminaries, Jesuits and Mass priests, and for calling home children from parts beyond the sea" is not executed, neither are the instructions to the justices to summon before them "all parsons, vicars, churchwardens and sworn men," and to examine them on oath how the statutes of 1 and 25 Elizabeth, as to resorting to churches, are obeyed. It is further reported that some of "the coroners and justices and their families do not frequent church, and many have not communicated at the Lord's Supper since the beginning of her Majesty's reign." Some of the clergy have "refrained from preaching for lack of auditors, and people swarm in the streets and the ale-houses during divine service time," and many churches have only present "the curate and the clerk," and "open markets are kept during service time," and "there are about many lusty vagabonds." Marriages and christenings are celebrated in holes and corners by seminary and other priests. Cock-fights and other games are tolerated on Sundays and holidays during service, at which ofttimes are present justices of the peace, and even some of the ecclesiastical commissioners. The report concludes by stating that Yorkshire and the other adjoining counties cannot "be kept in order so long as Lancashire remains unreformed."