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cclestasttcal Reform.
THE
PRESENT STATE
OF THE
CLERGY
OF THE
ESTABLISHED CHURCH,
CONSIDERED.
IN THREE PARTS
I. Of the various abufes occafioncd by the conduct of our prelatos.
II. Of the opprefhon of the incumbents, the pluraliftc, towards their
fubftitutes.
III. Of the rniferable ftate of the curates, whofe falaries are fo very
difproportionate to the value of the benefices of their employers,
Bv A BENEFICED CLERGYMAN,
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
LONDON:
"RINTED FOR E. WILLIAMS, BOOKSELLER, N 3 I3, STRAND :
AN D T. WILLIAMS, ^156, L E A D E N K A L L -ST R E Y. T.
VT. DCC.XCII,
3X
E17
ECCLESIASTICAL REFORM.
PART THE FIRST.
'Treats of the various ABUSES in the Tfablijhed
Church, owing to the ConducJ of the BISHOPS.
TT is univerfally acknowledged, that perfons
miniftring in things facrcd, have always
been held in the highefl veneration and re-
fpecl ; not only in civilized countries, but
even among the moll barbarous part of man-
kind, fuch as officiate in their religious wor-
ships of whatever kind it be, are held in
efteem and reverence.
The ancient Romans, although pagans,
considered it a peculiar honour to be elected
into the high office of Pofttifex ; the moft il-
luftrious of the Roman fenate afpired to that
dignity, efteeming it the moft. honourable of-
fice of the ftate. With refpecl to facred hif-
tory, it appears from the Old Tcftament, that
B the
( o
the priefthood was founded on terms the moff:
honourable : when the firft born and head of
the family was appointed into that office;
when the prince and the priefl were united
into one and the fame perfon ; and to have a
right to minifler in holy things, wasefteemed,
among the Jews, the higheft- degree of
nobility.
We alfo find in the New Teftament, that
the gofpel confers the higheft titles and appel-
lations of honour, upon fuch as devoted them-
selves to the fervice of the Deity. The great
apoflle of the Gentiles commands them to be
obeyed and ejlcemed very highly in love, for their
works' fake.
The apoftolic age received them, even as
the angels of God, gladly miniftred to their ne-
ceflities, were ready to do them every poflible
fervice, and Ihewthem the higheftrefpecT:. We
find that converted kingdoms admitted them
to the moll: important trufts j enacted edicts,
fettled revenues, and granted them peculiar
privileges and immunities, protecting their
5 perfon s
t 3 )
perfons from violence, and fhielding their re-
putation from ilander and reproach.
In latter times, when this zeal and reverence
began in fome degree to abate, the laws of the
church endeavoured to revive it : as we find it
thus expreffed in one of their capitulars; utom-
nes fuis facer dotibus, tarn majoris ordinis, quam
inferior is, a minima ufque ad maximum, ut
fummo Deo, eujus vice in ecclejia legation? fun-
guntur, obedientes exiflant.
The grounds upon which the fcripture re-
quires that the clergy in all ages mould be held
in fuch eftimation and honour, is, the dignity
and great majefty of the Matter they ferve ;
let a man account of us, fays the apoftle, as of
the minijlers ofCbrijl,
In order to add the more weight, refpect,
and veneration to their office and miniftration,
particular care was obferved in the Levitical
law, that no perfon who had any blemilh, or
perfonal defect, lliould be admitted to the
priefthood to minifler in the fervice of the
Deity.
For the fame reafon, ftrict caution is given
to all Chriftian bifhops, that they lay not bands
fuddenly
( 4 )
Juddenly upon any one. This is alfo forbid by
the canons of our church. But, how little are
thefe prohibitions attended to by the Prelates
of our church, who admit into the facred of-
fice of the mmiftry, the moll: contemptible
beings in perfonal appearance ; the dregs and
refufe of every other profeilion or occupation,
of which I could point out a variety of inftan-
ces, was it not an invidious talk ? Some of
the military profcilion, who had been broke
for cowardice and other mifbehaviours ; others,
who, not fucceeding in the profeflion of the
law and phyfic ; broken tradefmen alfo ; who,
by fome of our bifhops have been admitted
into the church by ordination, without any
previous iludy or preparation, to the no fmall
difparagement of the miniflerial function :
have, by the folicitation of friends, or fome
other motives, been inftantly put upon a level
with gentlemen who have fpent many years,
as well as hundreds of pounds, in a regular
univerfity education, and had taken proper de-
grees to qualify themfelves for the mmiftry.
Gommiflioning perfans of the above defcrip-
tion
( 5 )
tion to officiate in religious myfleries, is, a
reflection upon the venerable order of our
Prelates ; a kind of profanation of things fa-
cred; an injuftice to the regular bred uni ver-
ity gentlemen ; a difparagement to the pro-
feilion in general : in fine, it is a grofs affront
to the Deity in particular, to fuppofe that the
refufe and dregs of every other occupation in
life, are fufficiently qualified for his service.
Was there a deficiency of regular clergy for the
fupply of the miniflry in the eflablifried
church, there might indeed be fome excufe
for the conduct of ourbifhops in this particu-
lar ; but it is notorious, that there are a fuper-
abundance of expectants, miferably diitreiTed,
for want of appointments in the church, even
of the moft inconfiderable falary. What I
have advanced, with regard to refpect due to
the clerical profeffion, is not with a view of
magnifying the office ; but to lliew the impro-
priety of our bifhops ordaining perfons of the
above defcription, to the difparagement of the
function, to officiate in the church, and to
partake of its revenue, to theexclufion of fuch
as
( 6 )
as have been regularly educated in our univer-
fities for that purpofe, with an expectation of
being maintained thereby, in recompenfe for
the time and expence they had been at in
qualifying themfelves for the profeffion : this,
by the difpaffionate and judicious part of man-
kind, is efleemed a great grievance, as well
as the height of injuftice.
There is an abufe of great magnitude in our
church, occasioned by the Archbifhop of Can-
terbury ; which is, his granting dispensa-
tions to hold two benefices at a time. It is
true the law, as it unfortunately Hands at pre-
sent, grants him this power, and peculiar pri-
vilege j but it is an evil, which remained un-
corrected at the reformation ; it was a prero-
gative which the pope ufurped, and, fince that
time, has been continued to the metropolitan
of our church. This, by multiplying plurali-
ties, occafions non-re fidence, and confequently
neglect of the cure of fouls, which the incum-
bents had folemnly undertaken to attend to,
as well as much inequality among the clergy :
large incomes to fome, and incompetent pro-
vilion
(7)
virion and maintenances for others; which CX-*
cites a contempt of their perfons and adminis-
trations, in the opinion of the laity.
Confidering the regard his Majefly has for
the profperity of the eftabliiried church, I am
pretty confident, was he made fehnble how
greatly the happinefs and refpeetability of the
clergy would be advanced, and the caufe of
religion promoted, by with-holding his con-
firmation of the archbifhop's faculties, there
would be a fpeedy end to this monftrous
abufe now prevailing in our church.
Option, another relic of popery uni-
formed. It is a peculiar privilege which the
archbifhop's claim as their prerogative in their
refpective provinces. When either of the
Archbifhops confecrate a fuffragan bifliop in
their respective provinces, they constantly
make choice of the moft valuable piece of pre-
ferment in that diocefe, and collate a favour-
ite chaplain, or fome friend they ihink proper
into it, upon the death of the incumbent.
Permitting bifhops to hold livings in com-
mend am, is another Scandalous abufe in the
cftabliflicd
( 8 )
eftablifhed church, totally d Terent at prefentj
from its original intention, which I mall
explain.
Commend ams then, were of very ancient
and laudable inftitution, upon their firft origin ;
for when an elective benefice, that was jus-
patronatus, for which the ordinary could not,
for fome reafon, provide immediately, the care
of it was recommended by the fuperior to fome
man of merit, who mould take upon him the
direction of it* only till the vacancy fhould be
filled up, but could enjoy none of tide profits:
therefore fome excellent perfon was generally
pitched upon, to w 7 hom the undertaking was
an expence, and had nothing to recommend
it j but the trouble he was to undergo, was
for the fervice of the church : inch a perfon,
then, would very improperly be faid to hold
this benefice in Commendam, as is practifed
amongfr. us at prefent ; confequently, in reality,
he could not be faid to hold two benefices.
Firlt, the Commendam was to continue only
till other provilion was made; then, it grew
to be for a determined time, fix months only ;
thus, this abufe gained ground gradually, till
it
( 9 )
it arrived to the fhameful height, and I may
add, facrilegious abufe now praftifed.
How can a fpiritual governor of the church
anfwer it to his confcience, when he holds
one, fometimes two valuable benefices in com-
mcndam, with a bifhoprick, the revenue of
which is, alone, amply fufficient to keep up the
dignity of his ftation ?
Non-residence another evil. The pre-
tence of the bifhops for abfenting themfelves
the greater part of the year from their diocefes,
is, their attendance in parliament. 1 ap-
peal to every considerate perfon, even to the
prelates themfelves, whether they do not in
confcience fuppofe, that their attendance and
refidence in their refpedb've diocefes, to regu-
late and fuperintend the affairs of their clergy ;
to have an eye upon their conduct with refpect
to the performance of their duty, and beha-
viour to each other, in allowing proper falaries
to their curates, &c. would not be of infinitely
more benefit and advantage to the community,
than their attendance in parliament, where
they, at prefent, only ferve as dead weights in
C the
f 10 )
the fcale, to fanction every meafure of admi-
nistration, however impolitic. As matters are
at prefent conducted, our bifhops, by vifiting
their diocefes, and making fo fhort a refidence,
are in a manner, not only total Grangers to the
laity, but even to the clergy, I mean the in-
ferior part of them, upon whom the care of all
the fouls of their diocefes is devolved. I have
always underftood, that their lordlhips fat in
the upper houfe of parliament, to watch over,
and take care that nothing paffed to the detri-
ment of the eftabliihed church, and to pro-
mote the affairs of the clergy ; as well as to
aflift in enacting other laws for the benefit of
the realm.
But has it ever yet been known, that their
lordfhips made one motion, fince they have
enjoyed the privilege of fitting in that houfe*
that tended to the advancement of religion and
the benefit of the eftablifhed church j by
placing the prefent diltreifed, moll: ufeful body
of people, the inferior clergy, upon fuch a
footing, as might be a means of maintaining
themfelves with any degree of comfort and de-
cency,
cency, and thereby attracting more refpecl and
attention to their miniftry, doctrine, and
example ?
It is the duty of bifhops to infpect into the
affairs of the clergy of their refpective diocefes,
the very word in the Greek implies it ; but a
continuance in the metropolis, in attending the
levees of the great in purfuit of tranilations, is
totally incompatible with this weighty concern,
to fee that the duty of every parifh is duly
performed, and properly attended to; and
w r here the principal does not attend in perfon,
that a proper falary be allowed, that they be
not oppreffed and devoured by each other, as is
too frequently the cafe, A curate, with the
moil incompetent falary, is as worthy of the
protection, refpect, and care of his diocefan,
as the loftieft dignified pluralift, St. Paul
obliges Timothy, who was bifhop of Ephefus,
to do every thing impartially, without preferring
one before another. St. Peter, in his exhortation to
the elders of the churches, feems to have com-
prifcd all that can be defired upon this head ;
Feed the flock of God, fays he, which is among
you, taking the overjight thereof x not by con-
5 Jlraint,
( ** )
flrainti but unwillingly ; not for filthy lucre, but-
of a ready mind ; neither as being Lords over
God y s heritage' that is, not ufing defpotic au-
thority, or partiality in your diocefes. It is
evident that thefe paffages imply, that every
bilTiop fhould confider himfelf as a common
father to his clergy in general, and bound to
conduct all matters with an equitable, impar-
tial hand among them ; not beftowing all pre-
ferment upon fuch as have already too much,
and much more than they think proper to at-
tend to, by the recommendation of great men
in power ; or at the nod of the minifter of the
flate : but, to pay fome regard to abilities,
proficiency in learning,' long fervice in the
vineyard, fuch as are burthened with large fa-
milies, moral character, and in ciftrefTed cir-
cumstances. But daily experience convinces
us, that the reverie of this is the prefent
practice.
Preferment now goes by letter and affcdlion,
And not by old gradation,
Where each fecond flood heir to the firft.
SHAKESPEARE.
In
( '3 )
In the military profeffion it is efteemed ex-*
tremely unjuft, and a great degradation, to
place a young irripling over the head of an old
experienced veteran; and why not in the
church militant ?
Another particular I efleem extremely re-
prehenfible in our biftiops, is, their engaging
too deeply in politicks, and their too
great fubferviency in feconding the views of
the court andadminiftration.
A notorious and fatal inftance of this we
have experienced, in their ferviie conduct in
parliament in the courfe of the American war:
I remember, during that impolitic, unjuft,
cruel, expenfive, bloody conteft, the whole
bench of bilhops voted uniformly for every
queftion that favoured the views of adminiftra-
tion ; excepting Dr. Shipley, the late bifhop
of St. Afaph, and Dr. Hinchcliffe, the prefent
bifhop of Peterborough, who refufed to boiv
the knee to Baa/; to lacrifice their conferences
to intereft, I mean tranflations to better
biihopricks.
During
( H )
During that iniquitous war, a prelate im-
plicitly attached to the court, in whofe diocefe
I have a fmall benefice, upon being informed
that I had wrote a variety of papers reprobat-
ing the conduct of the minifter of that period,
and his venal tools in that bufinefs, told me,
that it was wrong in a perfon of my profeffion
to write upon political fubjects ; that it became
me to write upon fubjects of morality and di-
vinity only: But the event has fhewn, that
my writing againfr. the continuance of that ini-
quitous war, and pointing out the injustice
and deftructive confequence of it, was right ;
and his lordlhip voting to promote it, proved
eventually wrong. In matters of life and
death, where the life of a tingle individual
only is concerned, it is ufual for the prelates to
retire; but in that bloody, ruinous war, where
the lives of many thoufands were depending,
I am forry to fay it, they were as forward as
the temporal lords to fecond that infamous
minifter to promote blood and (laughter.
I cannot avoid relating an anecdote of the
Earl of Granville, father of the laft Earl, when
in
( '5 )
in the laft reign a ftruggle lay between hirri
and the Pelhams, for the important office of
firft Lord of the Treafury. His Lordfhip
having, upon fome occafion, dropt an expref-
fion in thecourfe of debate, reflecting in fome
refpect upon the bench of bifhops in coming
from the houfe, one of them afked him, How
he could expect fupport from their order, by
treating them fo difrefpectfully, fhould he
come to have the chief adminiftration of af-
fairs ? His Lordfhip's anfwer was farcaftical,
that if he fhould have occafion for their
fupport, he knew by what means it was to be
acquired. " Hinting at their views of tranf-
lations.
The ingenious worthy bifhop of LandafF
ingenuoufly acknowledges, that the fear of
offending cramps the difpofition for advifing
fincerely and honeftly, to flop the career in
extravagance and folly in elevated fituations.
That the influence of the crown is dangerous,
when it extends to the deliberations of the
hereditary counfellors of the flare, or the par-
liamentary reprcfentatives of the people, which
for
( '6 )
for feme time pafl has been increajing, and which
ftjQidd be diminifeed. His Lordfhip adds far-
ther, that had the influence of the crown been
Jcfs predominant ; had the meufures of the ca-
binet been canvailed with wifdom, by men
exercifing their free .powers of deliberation,
honeftly for the common wea], America, the
brighter!: jewel of his Majefty's crown, would
not have been rudely fevered from its parent
frock. It is the curfe of kings to be attended
by ilaves, who take their humour for a war-
rant, and who, to be endeared to their mafter,
make no confeience of deftroying his honor !
The prelates who promoted the bufmefs of
that adminilfration, have no reafon to be of-
fended with me for animadverting upon their
political conduct, fince they are condemned
by one of their own order, and indeed by the
dij/nterrJ/edpcLVt of the whole kingdom.
Another more recent inftancc of court fer-
vility and adulation in the prelates, was, in
the publication of that memorable form of
prayer, in which they attributed the King's
malady to the fins and iniquities of hi$ people.
Had
( '7 )
Had this Happened fome centuries paft, in thofe
dark ages, when monkifh ignorance, bigotry,
and fuperftition reigned in this kingdom, and
all knowledge and learning was confined to
the clergy only ; it would not have been fb
much to be wondered at : but in times fo
enlightened as the prefent ; when philofophy,
the fciences, every branch of literature, and
liberality of fentiment fo remarkably flou-
rifh, and are diffufed through all ranks of
perfons, in an equal, and in many of the laity
in a fuperior degree to the prelates themfelves ;
it was an infult to every man of fenfe and un-
demanding through the whole kingdom, and
as fuch, was feverely reprobated and univerfally
condemned.
Another very culpable conduct in our pre-
lates, is, their interfering in contefted elec-
tions ; which is contrary to the laws of the
conftitution, that a peer mould interfere with
the commons ; and I remember one of them,
Dr. Maddox, when bifhop df St. Afaph,
being obliged to make humiliating conceffions
D before
( 18 )
before the Houfe, for fending circular letters
to the clergy of his diocefe, to influence them
to vote for the court candidate Mr. Middleton,
in oppofition to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn,
a gentleman of the firft independence in prin-
ciples and fortune : The bifhop's motive for
taking fo active a part in that bufinefs, was to
induce the corrupt minifter of that day, to
tranflate him to the fee of Worcefter.
The late bifhop of Hereford, a weak man,
at the laft general election, acted the fame
part in favour of the contractor Mr. Harley,
the court candidate and tool of Lord North ;
who had the moil ample fhare of the fpoils ot
the American war of any man in the Houfe of
Commons. To his honour and credit be it
fpoken, the prefent bifhop of the fee of Here-
ford, to (hew his difapprobation of the con-
duct of his predeceflbr, has declared publicly
to his clergy, that he will, upon no conside-
ration whatever, defire to influence them in
the choice of a reprefentative, being determi-
ned never to interfere in any conteft of that
kind.
( >9 )
kind. Let it be obferved, that I do not mean
Dr. Harley, who was bifhop of that fee only
for a very fhort period, but a former prelate.
I could point out another more recent injlance-,
but as it would appear invidious, I chufe to
decline it.
The encouragement our bifhops give to
pluralities, and the connivance at non-refi-
dence of the opulent clergy, is attended with
the worft confequence to the caufe of religion ;
for if the clergy were obliged to refide, and
lived more fuitable to their function, there
would be lefs infidelity in men of high rank,
and lefs immorality in thofe of low rank.
The clergy may be confidered as a little leaven
preferving from corruption the whole mafs ;
their light would Jhine before me?i as examples.
With refpect to the diflribution of ecclefiaf-
tical preferment, it muftbe allowed, that fome
inequality is neceflary, as rewards for extra-
ordinary merit and ability j in the apoflle's
fenfe of mankind, fome were worthy of double
honour; but it muit be obferved, that the
apoftle
apoftlc regards honour, and not filthy lucre ; and
this honour or diftinction, the dignities in our
church are, in the opinion of moft men,
amply fufficient to anfwer the end, and in
fact were fo intended in the eye of the law,
without the inequalities of pluralities.
To anfwer then the original intention of
promoting religion, and the happinefs of man-
kind; let each perfon have one benefice, a
competent maintenance for the cure of fouls,
and no more ; and with refpect to deanries,
arch-deaconries, prebends, and other honour-
able offices in the church, let them be as en-
couragements to men of fuperior learning:
this would be furely a fitter and more pro-
per diftribution, than now exifts among
the fons of the church ; where we fee fome
living in the greateft indigence, and eat-
ing the bread of qffliclion ; whilft others, often
of lefs merit, are glutted with too much pre-
ferment, and performing the duty of none. I
cannot avoid quoting Bifhop Burnet's fenti-
ments in his paftoral care, to this purpofe :
Since,
( *< )
Since, fays he, all the returns of obedience
and refpect, efteem and fupport, are declared
in Scripture to be due to the clergy, on ac-
count of their watching over, and feeding the
flock of God: thofe who pretend to thefe,
without confidering themfelves under the other
obligations, are guilty of the worft of facri-
lege, in devouring the things that are J acred,
without performing the duties for which they
are due ; and what right foever the laws of the
land give them to poffefs them, yet, agree-
able to the divine law, thofe who do not
wait at the altar, ought not to be partakers
with the altar ; thofe who do not minijler about
holy things, ought not to live of the things of
the temple ; nor ought thofe who do not preach
the gofpel, live of the gofpel.
Avarice is another fault imputed to the
bifhops of our church by the laity. Amaf-
fing great wealth from the revenues of their
fees, often to enrich fuch as have no occafion
for it; never employing any part for the aug-
menting fome of the poor vicarages, which
are
( )
are an infufEcicnt maintenance for the incum-
bents; and relieving fome of the diftrefTed
curates who labour under difficulties and em-
barraffments for want of competent falaries, is
a difgrace to a Bifhop. It is related of the
bifhop of Durham, Dr. Chandler, that he was
fo fenfible of this, that he declared in his laft
moments, that he died shamefully rich ;
this was his expreflion : intimating that he was
culpable in not having applied the fuperflux
of his immenfe income from the church in
works of charity, in relieving his diftreffed bre-
thren, &c.
Notwithftanding what is advanced refpect-
ing the fcantinefs of the church revenue for
the maintenance of the clergy of the efla-
blifhed church in this kingdom, were plura-
lities abolifhed, and a more impartial diitribu-
tion of preferments by our bifhops to take
place ; were difpenfations, options, fimoniecal
contracts, refi gnat ions ad favorem, commendams y
and many other abufes connived at by our
i'piritual governors, reformed ; and the clergy
put
( *3 )
put in fome degree upon the fame footing
with the Gallic church fince the revolution ;
that is, a competency to each individual to
maintain himfelf with decency ; but fuperflu-
ity to promote luxury, and profligacy to none ;
and a lefs inequality and difproportion through
the whole than prevailed before, when the
government was defpotic and arbitrary : I fay,
was fuch a reform adopted amongft us in this
kingdom, it would tend greatly to promote
religion, by placing the clergy in general in a
more refpectable fituation in the efteem and
and opinion of the laity, who wifli to fee a
better regulation take place, and are at this
time forming affociations to bring a bill into
parliament for this purpofe.
Whatever our fpiritual governors may fup-
pofe, refpecting the liberty and difcretion thev
may have of exercifing partiality in the dif-
tribution of preferment, in compliance with
the applications of great men in power ; yet
they are all fervants of the ftate, and entrujied
with that power, which mould be difpenfed
with equity and juftice, as may bell promote
the
( 2 4 )
the caufe of God and religion only, and not tc*
gratify their private views and fecular interefts;
and for which every rational perfon muft be
perfuaded, that they will be accountable at the
final day of retribution.
It is aftonifhing with what avidity, with
what fervile compliances, fome of our prelates
are obferved to folicit the minifter to promote
them to fome more valuable preferment. One
would be difpofed to imagine, that a perfon,,
from being originally a curate, or fellow of a
college of forty or fifty pounds a year, when
elevated by fome fortunate recommendation to
the epifcopal dignity, with a revenue of four
or five thoufand pounds a year, might efteem
himfelf happy, and fufHciently fortunate and
contented, without having his reliefs eye con-
tinually cafe towards the richer fees of Win-
chefter or Durham, or afpiring to one of the
arcb-bifhopricks.
I cannot avoid relating an anecdote, which
mews the pliancy and time-ferving difpofltion
of the prelates, as well as their ingratitude to
their benefactor ; which I well remember, and
3 can
( *i )
tan Vouch for as a fa6l. The late ddke of
Newcaftle, when at the head of affairs in ad-
ministration, oppofed the then heir apparent,
the prince of Wales, his prefent Majefty's
father, for the chancellorfhip of the university
of Cambridge : the duke's intereft in the fe-
nate, on account of his having the difpofal of
all ecclefiaftical preferments, appeared fuperior
to that of the prince's, that he declined the
conteft. ; upon which the duke was elected.
In recompence for the zeal of his party he
rewarded them with different preferments;
prebends, deaneries, and bifhopricks. In a
word, nearly all the bench of bifhops owed
their creation to his Grace : but no fooner
was he diverted of the high office of Firfl: Lord
of the Treafury, viz. Prime Minifter, by the
intrigues of the late Earl of Bute, the then
reigning favourite, than all the bilhops, who
conflantly before attended his levee, inftantly
deferted him; which induced a facetious wag
to remark, that all the bilhops had forgot their
CREATOR.
E A ccr-
( 26 )
A certain worthy, ingenious prelate, who
condefcended to perufe my manufcript when
preparing for the prefs, candidly acknowledg-
ed that the cafe was as I related it ; but in
excufe for his brethren, he faid, it was owing
to a miftake in the appointment of the levee -
day, after the duke's difmiffion from office,
l hat it happened that none of them at-
tended.
Notwithstanding our bifhops are fenfible
that the burthen of the miniftry lies entirely
upon the fubflitute curates, the principals
being abfent, hunting about in quefl of addi-
tional preferment, and making what they enjoy
livings and emoluments in the molt carnal fenfe
of the words. It is aftonifhing how it comes
to be fo fmall a part of the epifcopal duty
(lince the church has made it part of her in-
junctions) to examine, or at leaf! make fome
little enquiry, into the abilities of thefe fub-
ititutes, who fupply the place of the incum-
bents who have, in a manner, deferted their
flocks, as oeneath their care or notice; whe-
ther
( *7 )
ther they be properly qualified for the bufinefs
afligned them, and in which they are engaged;
whether they be of good moral characters;
whether they be allowed a fufficient fdary by
their employer ; and whether they be able, by
their learning, to expel errors, to withftand
gain-fayers, and to inftruct their congrega-
tions in their religious duties, fo that they be
be able to give to every man that ajketh, an
anfwer of the faith and hope that is in them.
But the truth is, that our bifhops in general
are total ftrangers to this body of men, upon
whom the whole burden of the duty lies ;
thefe fubal terns in the church, thefe hewers of
wood and drawers of water, are below the
notice or cognizance of their fpiritual gover-
nors. The management and treatment of the
fubftitutes is left entirely to the incumbents;
who introduce them from different diocefes,
without the leaf! knowledge of the ordinary,
or any tejlimonial whatever refpecling their
conduct and ability, from the Lift place where
they performed duty j for cheapnefs is the
principal recommendation with the incum-
E 2 bents ;
( aS )
bents j proficiency in learning, moral con^
duel:, proper addrefs, being free from un-
couth awkward dialect, fuitable voice, grace-
ful manner of performing the duty, &c. thefe
are only fecondary confederations not worth re-
garding; this is in general the cafe, which,
for various fubilantial and weighty reafons I
could 2$\ga> floauld not be Jo. What is above
ftated is fo notorious, that there have been in?
fiances of perfons officiating in the eftablifhed
church, and this for fome time before they
have been detected, even in the metropolis ',
who never received ordination. The worthy
bifhop of London is now made fo fenfible
of this, that he is determined, I am inform-
ed, to put a fpeedy end to it within his
diocefe, which is of more importance, and
more requiiite than in any other in the king-
dom, for obvious reaions.
The above abufe is the effect of the non-
refidence of our bifhops, who by their fliort
continuance in their refpective diocefes where
their duty lies, and for the fuperintendance
and regulation of their clergy of every degree,
are
( 2 9 )
are fo very amply rewarded by the ftate, vvhofc
fervants they are : fo that if they properly re-
flect, they are anfwerable for their neglect,
both to God and the ftate in reality, and are
guilty of a kind of facrikge in receiving the
revenues of the church, without performing
the duties required of them.
It muft be admitted, that nothing of this
can be applicable to the bifhop of London, as
he is constantly refident where his duty re-
quires, After the acccflion of worldly honor a
and the erection of bifhopricks into baronies
(which was, upon the firfh inftitution, intend-
ed for a political purpofe rather than any ex-
traordinary favor to the church) epifcopal re-
fidence became diminifhed, and a neceflary at-
tendance on the king's council or parliament;
by which diftant provincial diocefes, as is at
prefent the cafe, became deferted and neglect-
ed. Whether the church, and religion in ge-
neral, receives more benefit or detriment on
that account, is no difficult matter to deter-
mine.
The
(30 )
The ingenious liberal-minded bifhop of
Landaff, in a letter he addrefled to the late
archbifhop of Canterbury, and to the legifla-
ture in general, among other reafons he ailigns
for an ecclefiaftical reform, by rendering the
bifhopricks lefs difproportionate than they are
at prefent : one is, a longer refidence of the
bifhops in their refpe&ive diocefes ; from
which, he fays, the bell: confequences might be
expected.
For when the temptation to wifh for trans-
lations were in a great meafure removed, it
would be natural for the bifhops in general to
confider themfelves as fettled for life in th
fees to which they fhould be firft appointed ;
this confideration would induce them to render
their places of refidence more comfortable and
commodious ; and an opportunity of living
more comfortable, would beget an inclination
to refide mere conflantly in them. Being
wedded, as it were, to a particular diocefe,
they would think it expedient, of courfe, to
become better acquainted with their clergy; and
by
( 3' )
by being better acquainted with their clergy,
their fituations, profpe&s, tempers, and talents,
they would be better able to co-operate with
them in the great work of amending the morals
of his Majefty's fubjects, and of feeding the
flock of Chrijl. It is the duty of Chriftian
Paftors in general, and of the principal paftors,
the Bifhops, in particularly, to Jlrengthen that
member of the flock which is difeafed, to heal
that which is Jick, to bind up that which is
broken, to bring again that which is driven
away, and to feek that which is lofl. That
thefe and other parts of the paftoral office can
never be fo well performed as when the fhep-
herd is rejident in the midfr. of his flock, can
admit no queftion. It is aftoniihing to con-
ceive what beneficial influence the examples of
the bifhops, refiding in their diocefes, and let-
ting their light Jhine before men, who would be
difpofed to obferve it, would have upon the
lives of both clergy and laity.
I recoil edt a certain bifJjop, remarkable for his
fliort refidence in his dioccfe, juft fufficient to
7. enable
( 3* )
enable him to fettle for the revenue of his fee*
holding two benefices in commendam, the
moft valuable in that diocefe. This I efteeni a
fpecies of facrilege, engroffing a fuperfUiity of
what others ftand fo much in need of, and per-
forming the duties of neither ; it is to be ob-
ferved, that the revenue of that fee is now va-
lued at between four and five thoufand pounds
a year. A fly farmer who rented the tythes, in
converfation with the fame bilhop's curate,
who officiated in one of the two livings he
held in commendam, afked him, when he ex*
peeled the chief shepherd down amongft,
them ? Upon the curate's anfwering, That he
was ignorant of his Lordfhip's intention of
vifiting his diocefe : I fuppofe, replied the
farmer, with a farcaflic look and ineer, about
the time cfjhearing, about the time of /hearing !
intimating, as if the chief fhepherd had no
farther care or concern about the flock than to
receive the fleeces, that is, the emoluments.
The very fame bifliop who held thefe two
livings in commendam, at the fame time giving
Jintl orders in his charge to his clergy, at a vi-
fitation,
( 33 )
fitation, that no perfon fhould officiate in his
diocefe, in more than one chtirch upon any
pretence whatever; This was cruelty ip the
extreme, and the height of oppreflion, to pre-
vent a perfon from endeavouring to fupport
himfelf and family by his diligence and appli-
cation to the duties of his function, to increafe
his fmall pittance of income from his falary j
when his diocefan enjoyed feveral hundred
pounds a year from his commendams, without
cure &ffouls t exclufive of his ample revenue
from his fee. Non mijfura cutem, niji plena
cruoris hirudo.
Were commendams abolifhed the poorer
bifhops would be freed from the neceflity of
holding ecclefiaflical preferments with their
bifhopricks ; confequently there would be more
provifion for the reft of the clergy, and not fo
much obloquy and reflection upon the bifhops
for their avarice, ambition, &c. Rendering
the bifhopricks in general fomething more
upon an equality, or not quite fo difpropor-
tionate as at prefect obtains, would put an
end totally to this evil in the church. What
F can
( 34 ) .
can be more unreafonable and abfurd, than that
a bifhop of Ely mould have a revenue from
his fee of between feven and eight thoufand
pounds a year; a bifhop of Winchefter be-
tween nine and ten thoufand ; and the bifhop
of Durham about twelve thoufand a year upon
an average: what a difproportion between
the bifhoprick of Briftol, only about four hun-
dred pounds a year ; the bifhoprick of Lan-
daff about feven or eight hundred ; and St.
David's, I believe, of lefs value : I cannot be
very accurate in this ftatement, it being quite
impoflible ; but the value of the three latter,
contrafted againft the three former, is fufficient
to point out the neceflity of a reform in eccle-
fiaflical affairs, amongfr. us of this kingdom,
which the legiflative body have a right, and
are fully competent at any time to accom-*
plifh; and indeed it is what would be brought
about, was there an equal reprefentation of the
people in parliament ; but while things are in
the prefent ftate, it is not to be expected ;
being morally impoflible, while every kind of
reform
( is )
reform is refitted by the minifler and his de-
pendents.
Another confequence, and that not th*
lead, of the bifhopricks being lefs difpro-
portionate in point of value of revenue, would
be a greater independence of the bifhops in
the houfe of lords, they would be lefs under
the influence of the minifter, was there no
profpedl or expectation of tranflations to better
bifhopricks, the temptation would be removed ;
their obedience to the nod of the minifter du-
ring the American war, will fuffice to exem-
plify this moil glaringly, as well as fatally ;
their conduct: in that bufinefs (whatever they
may think of the matter) has greatly lowered
them in the efteem and veneration of both
laity and clergy through the whole communi-
ty, which is not very eafily regained and re-
covered ; , the people are more keen- lighted,
and fhrewd in their, remarks and obferva-
tions, than their fuperiors in rank and ftation
imagine.
Would our bilhops unanimoufly agree in a
refolution to admit none into the church who
F % were
( 36 )
were remarkable for their perfonal deformity %
nor any but graduates who had undergone a
regular education in either of the two uni ver-
ities, it would be attended with the belt eon-
fequence to the caufe of religion amongfr. us.
The profeffion would become more refpect-
able in the opinion of the laity, were there
not lb many fupernumerary expectants of mean
appearance, and uncouth provincial dialects,
&c. which often excite rather ridicule than
ferioufnefs and devotion in our congregations
where they officiate. It is in a great meafure
owing to the bilhops of Landaff and St.
David's, that the fouthern part of the king-
dom is fp over-run with perfons of the above
defcription. There are in South Wales cha-
rity or free fchools, where poor people fend
their fons to be inflructed in a little Latin
and Greek, juft fufficient to undergo an exa-
mination for orders ; and as they are not in
a capacity of defraying the expence of a liberal
univerlity education, application is made to one
of the above bilhops to ordain them. Thefe
bilhops, with the belt, intention, being fcnli-
ble
( 37 1
t)le that there are feveral churches and chapels
in their diocefes, that will not fupport gen-
tlemen who have had the advantages of a re-
gular univerfity education, that their congre-
gations may not be entirely neglected, ordain
the above defcription of perfons to officiate in
them. No fooner are thefe poor humble fup-
pliants admitted into the church, than their
ambition prompts them to quit the barren
mountains of Wales in exchange for the me-
tropolis and its environs, where they inftantly
put themfelves upon a level with the regular
graduates of our univeriities, who have fpent
hundreds of pounds upon their education.
Carmarthen is the place that furnifhes the
greater!: part of thefe perfons.
There are two additional reafons, at prefent,
why fo many perfons mould not be admitted
into orders in the eftablifhed church. The one
is, the lofs of America, which before was fur-
nifhed with a confiderable number of our
fupernumerary clergy, who had no profpecl:
of preferment in the mother country : the
other is, the profpect of a long continuance
of
( 38 )
of peace, being under no apprehenflon of
cither a continental or naval war, which at
other times engaged no inconfiderable number
of the inferior part of our clergy as afliftant
chaplains to regiments, and chaplains to men
of war.
As our commerce to India is now become
lb very confiderable, and veffels of much larger
fize and bulk now employed than ever before,
fhould the legiflature in their wifdom think
proper to put the trade, and the very extenfive
territories wepoflefsin Indoflan, into the hands
of government, at the expiration of the charter
of the Eafl India Company. Ihumbly prefume
to hint only, whether there would be any im-
propriety in enacting a ftatute, that every vefTel
employed in that trade mould receive a chap-
lain, as well as mips of war : I cannot
conceive what objection could be made to the
adopting fuch a regulation, which I am of
opinion, could not fail of being attended with
very good confequence.
Let it be ferioufly adverted to, that in
pointing out the above abufes occasioned by
the
6
( 39 )
the conduct of our prelates ; it is by no means
the intention of the author of thefe meets
to degrade or difparage that venerable order,
by fpeaking ill of dignities ; far otherwife :
but with a view of benefiting religion, and
placing the reft of the clergy in a more refpedt-
able light in the opinion of the laity, in order
to add more weight and attention to their
miniftration. The author humby prefumes,
there will be, in the courfe of this fmall trea-
tife, a variety of other abufes and hints, which,
would their Lordfhips condefcend to pay at-
tention to, might tend greatly to the advan-
tage of the eftablifhed church ; fuch as they,
from their elevated ftations can have no cogni-
sance of, and which may be eafily remedied.
Whatever has been hinted at, respecting the
rendering the bilhopricks lefs difproportionate
in value and patronage, &c. it is not intended
it fhould affect any perfon now living ; but
agreeable to the learned and ingenious bifhop
of LandafT's fcheme, of appropriating, as they
become vacant only, one third, or fome defi-
nitive part of the income of every deanery,
prebend,
( p )
prebend, or canonry of the churches of Weft*
minfter, Windfor, Chriil-church, Canterbury,
Worcefter, Durham, Norwich, Ely, Peter-
borough, Carliile, &c. to the fame purpofe,
mutatis mutandis^ as the flrfl fruits and tenths
were appropriated by the act paifed the fifth
of Queen Anne. Whoever willies to be
farther acquainted with his Lordfhip's pro*
pofal, I refer them to the Letter itfelf, which
had fo little attention paid to it, notwithstand-
ing its reafonablenefs and good tendency.
There is nothing in what is propofed by
the author in thefe fheets that may be efteem-
ed fpeculative or chimerical, but plain ftub-
born facts, which cannot be controverted,
which the laity of every denomination are
fenfible of, and regret ; fuch as may be re-
dreflfed without apprehenfion of danger ; and
would be of infinite advantage to the commu-
nity in general. Here is nothing to excite fear
or difcontent to our prelates who enjoy the
rich bifhopricks. Nothing to occafion panicle,
or the leafl dread or apprehenfion to the
Pitts, the Grenvilles, the DundaiTes, the
Burkes
( 4t )
Burkes alfo now, &c. &c. &c. the numerous
adherents to the minifler, who may enjoy
great emoluments in peace and fecurity, with-
out having xecourfe to ring the changes upon
the words chimerical, reform, innovation, im-
politic and improper at this time, vifionary
fpeculation, dangerous now, &c. &c. &c. in
terrorem; in a word, from any thing touched
in this little work they have nothing to fear, let
them eat their loaves and fifties in fecurity, they
will not be difturbed. The avowed objedt of
this publication is to promote religion, morali-
ty, and good order, and not fedition, &c.
G PARI!*
( 4* )
PART THE SECOND.
Treats of the Condutl of the INCUMBENTS 'r-tkt
. PLURALISMS.
St. CHRISOSTOM, in his treatife de Sa~
cerdotio, among a variety of other particu-
lars, obferves, that the honour and refpect
that, accrue to the clergy from their admi-
niftrations, are common to all who have re-
ceived ordination. Difference in point of
preferment makes none in their power and
authority in performing the duties of the
church ; the incumbent and his curate are
upon an equality in the exercife of their func-
tions; whether it be in the deik, font, pulpit,
or at the altar. The clergy then, in general,
beneficed or otherwife, are upon a level as-
minifters of Chnft, and Jtewards- of the myf-
teries of God.
There is a miftake among the vulgar part
f the laity, of a very mortifying nature, re-
fpecting
( 43 )
fpecting the perfons who ad: in the capacity
of curates ; and that is, their being confidered
and treated as/er^ants to the opulent pluralift,
whereas the inferiority coniifts only in point
of the provifion of the church revenue, and
not fn their adminiltrations, as before ob-
ferved.
Every clergyman, from his education and
profeffion, is, by the conftitution of this king-
dom, placed upon the footing and rank of a
gentleman, for the furtherance of his function.
Such a one acting in the fubordinate /ration of
affiftant to a beneficed clergyman of the fame
order, is totally different from all other depu-
ties or fubftitutes whatever, in fecular em-
ploys.
'The moil: honourable and exalted itation in
our church, the archbifhop cf Canterbury,
the metropolitan of England, is open to a
curate of the loweft degree in point of falary,
fhould he have recommendation fufficiently
powerful with the Sovereign, the fountain of
all honours and dignities.
G 2 There
( 44 i
There are many imperious, illiberal plu-
ralifts, who, to aggrandize themfelves, and
indulge their pride and vanity, are content to.
obferve their affiftants degraded in the eyes of
the laity; but I would recommend to this op-
prelTed body of men, not to betray the pri-
vileges of their function by any fervile com-
pliances; or unbecoming fubmiiTion. Too
much condefcenfion in a clergyman is gene-
rally mifinterpreted, and fuppofed to proceed
not from humility and good breeding, but
from a confcioufnefs of his inferiority ; and
others are willing to allow him fo much fenfe,
as to be a competent judge of his own in-
confiderablenefs ; therefore he is generally
treated accordingly ; according to the Italian
adage,
Chi peccorajifciy il lupo fe la mangm.
This contempt readily defcends from the per-
fons to the profefhons ; fo that the holy office
becomes degraded, and the word of God
blafphemed by fuch fervility. St, Paul fhews
the
( 45 )
the greatnefs of his fpirit, where he fays, God
has not given us the fpirit of fear, but of powers
that is, of chriftian courage and magnani-
mity.
There are no perfons whatever whom a
haughty fupercilious carriage fo ill becomes as
clergymen. Their behaviour gives the lye
direct to the doctrine they pretend to inftil into
others, as received from Chrift their matter.
There is a refpect from the higheft dignitary
to the mod: diftreffed fubftitute; for it is a
mercy and favor of Providence, that he, who
now lolls at his eafe and luxury, was not a
miferable curate himfelf, ftarving upon the
offals, in a manner, of his rich patron's table.
A haughty demeanour defeats itfelf ; and fo
far from acquiring refpecl:, that it excites
contempt and deteflation. To infult, domi-
neer, and treat an inferior imperioufly, con-
ciliates no efteem or affection ; it may oblige
a dependant to keep his diftance ; but it will
be a diftance without reverence ; it may attract
parafites and flatterers, but few faithful friends
and admirers,
It
( 46 )
It is obferved, no pcrfons make harder bar-
gains than the beneficed clergy, and particu-
larly with their fubftitutes their curates. - It
is no uncommon thing for a dignitary plu-
rality, who enjoys feveral hundreds a year from
different preferments, to beat down an indi-
gent curate, perhaps with a family, to offi-
ciate at the lowefl jftipend poflible, not ena-
bling him the means of fupporting himfelf
and family with any degree of decency ; and
at the fame time fb'pulating with him itrictly,
with refpect to prefents received from the mu-
nificence and liberality of any of the opulent
parifhioners above the fiated fees ; even a
hat-band and pair of gloves, upon attending
a funeral, muft not be referved, at the peril
of being difmiffed from the cure ; this in
general is the cafe : there may be particular
exceptions.
It is a practice in various parts of the
kingdom, for two beneficed pluralifts, whofe
parifhes are not at an inconvenient diftanee, to
join together to procure a perfon to ferve both
churches, at twenty or twenty -five pounds a
year
( 47 )
year each ; when each of the beneficesyfr/g/y,
might- well enable the incumbent to pay an
aiTiftant liberally j thi9 is what is ftiIed r ,con-
iblidating the curacies, if I may be allowed
a ludicrous expreiTion, and why not? The
facetious Horace fays, ridentem dicere
VERUM, QUID VETAT ?
Another manoeuvre frequently practifed in
clerical affairs by the pluralifts, is, curtailing
the parifhioners of the afternoon's fervice
(whofe fouls they had folemnly promifed to
watch over, &c.) in order to have the church
ferved at a cheaper rate. This is the caufe of
{o many perfons of the eftablimed church
deferting it, and reforting to methejjUft meet-
ings, &c. &c.
The ordinary is a total fir anger to thefe
fetty concerns, being Jo bujily engaged in other
matters, that he is in a manner a ftranger to
his diocefe. I appeal to the clergy in gene-
ral for the truth of what is advanced, and
that this ftatement of things is not exagge-
rated, but literally true, of which there are a
great variety of instances.
3
( 48 )
y tt is generally remarked t that the digni^
fied plnralifts fcarce ever deign to perform di-
vine fervice, when they annually vifit their
parifhioners to fettle for their tythes, &c.
this is efteemed a kind of degradation ; they
may condefcend to give them a fermon, as the
phrafe is, but reading divine fervice is efteem-
ed by them a kind of drudgery fit only for
the curate. In plain Englifh, they consider
themfelves too great to perform the office of
their fubftitute : that is, to addrefs the Deity
in prayer in behalf of thofe whofe fouls they
had in the m'oft folemn manner promifed at
their inftitution to watch over, and prepare
for a future ftate ; but they will difplay their
Vanity, by delivering, perhaps a compofition
of another perfon of fuperior abilities, as their
own ; in recompence for fome hundred pounds
a year received from their parifhioners, before
their return to the metropolis, Bath, or fome
fafhionable place of gay refort.
This brings to my recollection an anec-
dote of a dignitary pluralift., a Doctor Morgan,
who was prefented to a rectory in Leicefter-
fhire.
( 49 )
mire. He arrived in this Parifli the latter
part of the week, was inducted, and on
Sunday gave his pariihioners a fermon, and oh
Monday returned to town. His curate, ft
Mr. Watts, a gentleman of fome humour>
knowing that the Doctor never intended to re-
fide amongft them, or probably ever vifit them
more, told the parifhioners to their great fur*
prize, that the Doctor had preached his f are-
voell fermon % and in fact it proved fo, for he
never faw their faces more ; but took care to
have the rent of the glebe, tythes, &c. re-
mitted to him with great punctuality. Thus
this confcientious gentleman undertook the dure
of fouls.
It is aftonifhing that the opulent pluralifts
do not act more liberally to their brethren*
who all mult have once been in the abject
flate of curates themfelves, upon their flrft
entering into orders ; the nature of a title for
orders implies it, fellows of colleges only ex-
empted ; and befides a clergyman, it is ama-
zing they fhould be fo forgetful of the flrft
rule in morality, of doing to others as they
H would
( s )
would wijh to be done to, were they in the
fituation of curates. It is to be obferved that
the legiflature, not forefeeing the extraordi-
nary difference in the value of money, altera-
tion in the mode of living, the price of pro-
vifions j as well as the great improvement in
the value of the rectories where inclofures
have taken place, fome doubled, fo me trebled
in value, left the wealthy incumbents to their
own generofity ; little fuppofing they would
be wanting in acting liberally towards their
brethren of the fame education, the fame ex-
pectations, and the fame profemon.
It never was intended, that the church
revenue mould be fo difpofed as to aggran-
dize fome, and ftarve others; much lefs that
the incumbent who performed ?ione of the
duty, and took not the leaft care of the fouls
entrufted to him, mould enjoy nearly the whole
income , whilft the real labourer in the vine-
yard received not a pittance fufficient to fuftain
him : this is literally muzzling the ox that
treadeth out the corn, with a vengeance !
This
( * );
This difproportion among the clergy of the n
eftablifhed church, is the univerfal fubject of
converfation ; every ferious well difpofed per-
fon deplores the incompetent provifion affign-
ed to the greateft part of them ; but no perfon
attempts to feek redrefs in a parliamentary
way for fo great a grievance ; although one of
the mofl important national concern, when
properly reflected upon. \ With refpect to our
bifhops, and dignitaries in general, they dread
the very idea of a better regulation in the
church, left their great incomes mould be di r
minifhed, as much as adminiftration and the
dependents of the minifterdo a reform in par-
liament, by a more equal reprefentation of
the people.
There is a common practice that prevails
with the gay part of incumbents, to avoid
refidence among their parifhioners, whofe fouls
they promifed, in the moft folemn manner, to
take care of at their inftitution, to obtain leave
of abfence from the bifliop in whofe diocefe
their benefices are lituated ; and mould there
be any difficulty of obtaining (which very
H 2 rarely
( s* )
rarely happens) application is made to fome
Peer's valet-de-chambre for the purchafe of a
fcarf, that is, an appointment to be his
Lordfhip's chaplain ; and mould that Peer be
full, having the complement that the law
allows, one of them is defired to refign pro
tempore, to ferve the prefent purpofe. This
being accomplished, the incumbent is then at
Kberty to refide where his inclination leads
him, while the flock is deferted, and left to
the care of the hireling. This is a very great
abufe amongfr. the incumbents ; for this privi-
lege was originally intended to Peers, for their
domeftic chaplains only y who are to refide
bona fide in the family. \ There are many non*
xefident incumbents, who thus leave the care
of the fouls of their neglected parilhioners to
their curates, who ling requiem to their con-
fciences, upon the prefumption that they have
difburthened themfelves of the whole charge,
and that the fubftitute is anfwerable for all
defaults; and that if one foul perijh for lack
of knowledge, God will require the blood of
that foul at his hand. A very fcanty reward
indeed
( S3 )
indeed for fo much danger, was that the cafe;
but the eternal rule is this, he that receiveth
much, of him /hall much be required ; a maxim
founded in equity it is, that the benefice fhall
go with the office and duty.
The rules of religion require perfonal fer-
vice, and oblige thofe who Ike by the altar to
wait at the altar y ' where the original word
wporeJ$uv fi^nifies rejiding, and it is ufed by a
perfon of no lefs eminence than St. Chryfof-
tom, to the prefent purpofe.
The laws of the church are moft of them
comprized in the fenfe of the council of
Mentz, that one man's holding more benefices
than one, is extremely mifchievous in the church ;
as one perfon cannot perform the offices they
require. Even the law of the land, that fa-
mous ftatute of the 21 ft of Henry the VHIth,
in which the pluralifts place their chief con-
fidence, was originally intended to prevent
the great evil of pluralities, and to oblige
refrdence ; however, the many provifions for
perfon s qualified for difpenfations may have
deftroyed the force of it: but be that as it may,
^ at
( 54 )
^ at our ordinations we promife moft folemnly,
in all refpects, to take care of the people
that fhall at any time be committed to our
charge ; and at our inftitution to any benefice
there is a certain particular people appointed
us, and we undertake the cure of their Jouls,
without reftriction , or the leaft referve. If
then our faith, given in exprefs words to God
and his church, can bind ; if promifes mad e
at the altar do oblige; if a Stipulation, in
consideration of which orders are given, and
infiitutions granted us, is facred, our obliga-
tion, in point of confidence, continues the
fame, as if no difpenfation had been granted.
V. There is another abufe among avaricious
incumbents which is fometimes praclifedj and
that is, felling titles for orders to young can-
didates, either for a fum of money, or upon
condition of their ferving the church for which
the title is given, without falary, for a ftipula-
ted timer added to this, the fame incumbent
iigns the teflimonial requifite for the candi-
date, and perhaps procures two more of his
friends to do the fame, anfwering for his pro-
3 ficiency
( S5 )
ficiency in learning, moral character, and con-
dud, for three years paft, as required by the
bifhop of the diocefe; when probably the
candidate in queftion has not been known to
either of them above a few days; and fo far
from having had a regular univerfity educa-
tion, that he is no other than a writing ufher
in fome petty fchool, or fome gifted infpired
methodift, who declines working at a mechani-
cal buimefs, &c. Having mentioned the abufe,
of granting falfe titles to improper perfons
for orders, it may not be unfeafonable here to
explain this, as it was cuftomary in the full
ages of the church. For many ages then, none
was ordained to the prieflhood, who had not
at the fame time a particular cureaffigned him :
antiquity knew no diftinction between ordina-
tion and a benefice. From the firft eftablifh-
ment of the church till the year 500, no per-
fon was ordained without a defignation to
fome particular benefice for his fure mainte-
nance. In proeefs of time, a little latitude
began to take place in this refpect, and the
bifhops began to relax from this ftric~t rule, by
ordaining
ordaining without title, in expectation of a
benefice becoming vacant. In time thefe fu-
pernumerary co-adjutors to beneficed incum-
bents became fo numerous, that a law was
enacted, that the bimops were obliged to main-
tain all the clergy themfelves whom they had
ordained without title. Epifcopus ji aliquem
Jine certo titulo de quo necejfaria vita percipiat,
in diaconum & pre/by terum ordinaverit % tamdiu
ei necejfaria fubminiftret, donee in aliqua eccJe-
Jia de convenient ia ftipendia militia clericalis
ajjignet; niji talis ordinal us de fua pater na hce-
reditate^ vel aliqua alia honeftatis caufafubfidium
fojfit habere.
This canon was made by the council of
Lateran, under Alexander the Third, and is
to be found in the 4th chap, de prebendis.
I have never known an inliance of any
perfon claiming a maintenance, according to
the exprefs words of the title, and agreeable to
the tenor of the canon above quoted ; the
words and fum fpecified in the title were
efteemed by the generality of the incumbents
as words of courfe, mere forms only ; as
they
( 57 )
they were feldom or never enforced, that I
can recollect, till very lately ; upon that me-
morable difpute which took place between
Dr. Hynde, redor of St. Anne's, Soho, and
his curate Mr. Martin, to whom he had given
a title for ordination.
The Doctor was defirous of difmifling Mr#
Martin from the cure, which he refitted, al-
ledging, that he had a right to continue to
officiate in that church as curate, according to
the tenor of the words exprefled in the title,
till he was provided with fome ecclejiaftical pre-
ferment.
The Doctor was of a contrary opinion ; fo
that the caufe came to be argued in the Eccle-
fiaftical Court, in Doctors Commons, and was
determined in favour of Mr. Martin, the cu-
rate. This mortified Dr. Hynde to fuch a
degree, that he contrived means of being re-
moved to another benefice, that he might not
perform duty in the fame church with his
curate, with whom he was at variance, and
who had foiled him in this difpute. Mr. Mar-
tin maintained flill farther, that he had a
I right,
( 5 )
right, by the words of the title, to be continued
to officiate as curate in that church to any fuc-
ceeding rector or incumbent there, as his de~
fignation was for that particular church.
This matter came to be tried in the court of
Exchequer, but how it was determined -I am
at alofs to fay.
There is another very great abufe and evil,
whieh too frequently prevails in our church*
which is simony. Church Benefices are now
purchafed as openly as temporal property ;
which gives an opening to any perfcn who
has command of money, however ill quali-
fied or immoral, of enjoying a consider-
able fhare of the revenue of the church, even
without performance of duty. This is at-
tended with another evil, of a ferious and
heinous nature, which is perjury.
As many of the laity may not be well ac-
quainted with the nature of the limoniacal
oath, I think it neceflTary to inform them, that
it is the ftri&eft of all the c iths administered
in this realm. The cler. man upon his in-
ilitution fwears, that he gave not the leajl
confide 'rat 'ion
( 59 )
confederation whatever ', either bimfeif, dire 61 ly
nor indiretlly, nor. any perfon for him with his
privity, knowledge , or confent ; when perhaps
he had been perfvnaliy treating with the patron
for the purchafe, and even prejent at the pay-
ment of the money. I was witnefs to a
notorious instance of a tranfaction of this kind
in the diocefe of Lincoln ; where the patron
and the perfon who was to be the incumbent
of the benefice, were both together when the
purchafe money was paid ; the latter took the
fimoniacal oath, which was tendered to him a
few days after, without the leafl fcruple, and
refides now upon that benefice near Atherftone
in Warwickshire.
- There is another fpecies of fimony, which
is ftiled Pettico.it Simony ; when a clergy-
man, by marrying the niece or daughter of
a bifhop, becomes a pluralift of large in-
come, his lady being portioned out of the
revenue of the church. I could point out
feveral perfons now living, but it might ap-
pear invidious, therefore fliall decline it; but
one inltance^ within my recollection was {o
I 2 notorious
( 6o )
notorious, that I cannot avoid mentioning
it
It was a dean of Canterbury, who by mar-
rying Archbifhop Potter's daughter, became
poffeffed of Six or Seven different pieces of
preferment, to the amount of above four
thoufand pounds a year of the church revenue>
by way of marriage portion.
This was the gentleman who gave occaflon
to fo many jokes and witticifms, and whom
the celebrated Hogarth fatirized in the print
Of the afs laden with preferment. But dull
and heavy as the Dean was fuppofed to be,
he had the addrefs to blunt the keennefs of
raillery when attacked. Agreeable to the
Italian adage, Fajino pur pigro, JfimoJato, tira
qualche calcio.
Upon the publication of that print fome
officers of the guards, at St. James's Coffee-
'houfe, Where the Dean ufually frequented
when in town, were defirous of having, as
they expreffed it, a little fun by fmoaking the
Dean, placed the print alluded to in a con-
fpicuous part of the- coffee-room, where it
mud
( 6. )
mull unavoidably be obferved. The Dean,
upon viewing it with a crowd of thofe gentle-
men about him, in expectation of feeing him
much mortified and embarrafled, were mor-
tified themfelves upon the pleafant turn he
gave the joke, by exclaiming aloud ; " You
" fee, gentlemen, Matter Hogarth has repre-
14 fented me here, as bending under the weight
" of my different preferments ; but he is
M much miftaken, I can bear a great deal more
ftill." The officers fhrunk off abafhed,
having miffed their aim, and difappointed of
their joke.
But the purchafing of benefices for money,
and marrying the daughters or nieces of
bifhops, are not the "only fpecies of fimonia-
cal contracts j that of felling titles for orders
juft touched upon, is as great an abufe as the
two above-mentioned ; and I am of opinion
comes nearer the cafe of Simon Magus, which
we read of in the New Teflament, who gave
rife to this expreffion.
Collusive Resignations alfo are gene-
rally attended with fimony and perjury: when
we
( 62 )
.we hear of a perfon being prefented to a
benefice, upon the ceffion of another, we may
conclude, in general, that fame confideration
has been given, that fomething of fimony has
been t ran facte d.
This practice has thefe evils attending it :
firft it leads to the fin of perjury; and befides,
is often the means of introducing an im-
moral and improper perfon by means of his
money to the cure of fouls, perhaps to the
exclufion of a man of learning and merit, who
might be an ornament to his profeffion, and
who would probably have difcharged the duty
much more to the fatisfaction and benefit of
theparifhioners.
Here I may add aifo, that patrons who dif-
pofe of benefices to improper perfons do not
fufficicntly reflect, that this is a truft of a
folemn nature lodged in their hands, when
they prefent a perfon to the cure of Jouls ; that
it is a weighty concern for which they will be
accountable to God ; and that they will in a great
meafure be accountable for the fouls that may
3- be
f ( 6 3 )
be loft, and whatever abufe may arife, through
their corrupt contract, and improper choice.
Doctor Warner, in the Appendix to his
Ecclefialtical Hiftory, publifhed in 1757, has
the following obfervation ; " Of the nine
** thoufand and fome hundred churches and
44 chapels, which we have in England and
44 Wales, fix thoufand are not above the value
" of forty pounds a year." Doctor Burn
has alfo ftated the number of fmall livings
(in his Ecclefiaftical Law, article firft fruits and
tenths) in the following terms " The num-
* ber of livings capable of augmentation
44 have been certified as follows; 1071 li-
** vings not exceeding 10/. a year, 1467 li-
44 vings above 10/. and not exceeding 20/. *a
" year, 11 26 livings above 20/. and not ex-
** ceeding 30/. a year, 1 049 livings above 30/.
44 and not exceeding 40/. a year, 884 livings
44 above 40/. and not exceeding 50/. a year.
44 So that in the whole rhere are 5^97 livings
44 certified under 50/. a year.' This itate-
ment of the church revenue, I doubt not, will
greatly
( 4 )
greatly aftonifh. many of the laity, who never
have turned their thoughts to this fubject.
It is now very near 80 years when the
return of livings was firft made to the gover-
nors of Queen Anne's bounty. The bounty,
affifted by private benefactions, has made a
flow progrefs indeed fince its commencement ;
fo that the clergy in general who have received
a fhare of it have been very little bettered in
their condition, and particularly fince the go-
vernors have thought proper to lower the rate
of intereft of the money due to the feveral
claimants, from five per cent, to two per cent,
which, I am fenfible, was with a view of
enabling them to augment yearly a greater
number of benefices ; but did they know the
inconvenience many fuffer upon this account,
they would be probably furprized ; while they
themfelves who have the management, enjoy
large incomes from the church revenue, with-
out ever feeling for the difficulties and dif-
treffes of their brethren who have been iefs
fortunate in the church.
The
( 5 )
The reafon that fo many perfons are obliged
to fubmit to the above regulations of the go-
vernors, who are biihops of great incomes,
is owing to the extreme difficulty of finding
certain portions of land which mult exactly
fuit the fpecific fum they are entitled to, to-
gether with the fmall fums received in aid
of the bounty by private benefactions , &c.
fo that in fact the prefent generation of the
interior clergy niuft fubmit to be ft ill diftrefTed
the more, in order to benefit thofe who are to
fucceed them feveral generations to come; and
that this is the cafe I lhall quote the following
authorities :
Doctor Warner fays-, it will be 500 years
before every living in this kingdom can be
advanced, by the prefent management of ^ueen
Anne's bounty, to the value of 60/. a year.
And Doctor Burn has calculated, that fuppo-
fing the clear amount of the bounty to make
55 augmentations yearly, it will be 339 years,
from the year 17 14 (which was the firft year
in which any augmentations were made) be-
fore all the livings in the eitablillicd church
K amongft
( 66 )
amongfttis, can exceed 53/. ayear. Andifit
be computed that half of fuch augmentations
may be made in conjunction with other bene-
factions, which is improbable, it will require
226 years before all the livings already certified
will exceed 50/. a year.
As the private benefactions are found to be
fo very few among the laity, fuppofe the
bilhops who enjoy feveral thoufands a year of
the church revenue, for the performance of
fcarce any duty to the benefit of the commu-
nity, would there be any impropriety mould
they apply fome part yearly towards augment-
ing the. vicarages of the lead: value in their
refpective diocefes,in conjunction with Queen
Anne's bounty, in order to accelerate the end
propofed by that charity, by way of fetting
an example to the laity ; mould they adopt fo
laudable a refolution, it would only be return-
ing to the church from which it was ac-
quired, the fuperflux of what it fo much
wants, and what they themfelves can fo well
fpare, and have fo little occafion for; and
particularly fuch of them as have no families,
and
( 6 7 )
and have acquired all they pojfefs from the
church, of whom I can point out feveral in-
ftances, who never were pofTerTed of any pri-
vate patrimony whatever. What objection
can fo venerable a body make to fo charitable
and pious a purpofe, the benefit of which
would defcend to infinite numbers for many
generations to come, as well as comfort and
relieve at prefent a great number of their co-
temporary diftrefTed brethren, who pine and
languifh for want of the conveniences of life,
whilfr. their fuperiors live in luxury, eafe, and
the greatefl pomp. And if this was copied
alfo by our rich dignitary pluralifls, it would
operate more powerful Itill, and be a means
of accelerating the augmentation of the poorer
vicarages in a double or triplicate ratio, and
induce the rich part of the laity, who have a
regard for the church, to follow their ex-
ample.
As it has been dated above, that the number
of livings through the whole kingdom a-
mounts to near ten thoufand, and that near
fix thoufand of thefe are under 50/. a year;
K2 it
( 68 )
it may be concluded then, that the remaining
part, amounting to about four thoufand, are
rectories, livings of value, fuch as are pofTefled
by incumbents, generally pluralifts ; for let it
be remembered, that the moft. valuable benefices
are always fuch as are held by the plural ifts,
and often dignitaries, at the fame time.
There have been near a thoufand inclofures
of Lordiliips, which were common fields, in
the courfe of about 35 years part, which, in
general, have doubled, fome trebled the in-
comes of the incumbents. Notwithftanding
the fmall vicarages are not bettered for the
inferior part of the clergy ; yet the rectories
where there are great tythes, have been benefit-
ed in a very extraordinary degree.
It may be necefTary to obferve, that the
valuation of benefices in the king's books, or
the laft valuation and improved value, give
very little infjght into the prefent real im-
proved value of livings in general.
I remember the rectory of Doddington, in
the ifle of Ely, (the incumbent of which is
Poctor Proby, dean of Litchfield) about ele-
ven
( 69 )
ven hundred pounds a year, about 35 years
ago, when I was a ftudent in the univerfity
of Cambridge, having been upon the fpot ;
but was informed by an inhabitant of the
parifh very lately, that it amounts at this time
to above two thoufand two hundred pounds a
year, or more. The means by which Doctor
Proby became pofTeffed of that valuable bene-
fice, does infinite credit and honour to the
memory of the late Doctor Gooch, who was
then bifhop of that fee. The dean of Litch-
field, fhould he happen to perufe this, will
underftand readily what I allude to, it being
too tedious to relate here.
I alfo remember, about the fame time, the
rectory of Hawarden, in the diocefe of St.
Afaph, and county of Flint, when a relation
of mine was prefented to it, no more than
400/. a year in value, but at this time amounts
to above 1600/. the laft incumbent was Sir
Stephen Glynn, Baronet, the patron.
I am informed a proportionable advance
has been made in the valuable living of Win-
wick, in the patronage of the carl of Derby.
In
( 7 )
Ylftaword, every rectory through the kingdom
has been confiderably advanced within the laft
35 years, even where there have not been
inclofures ; as the produce of every article the
land produces have borne an extravagant price
for fome time paft, and our improvement in
agriculture, fuperior to that of any country in
Europe, has made the moft rapid progrefs: fo-
reigners from all parts have come here to copy
our improved mode of cultivating every fpecies
of foil, particularly from Ruflia by the em-
prefs's command, and at her expence.
What I would infer from the above ftate-
ment, is, that the incumbents of livings mould
allow their fubftitutes, while they enjoy fuch
plentiful incomes at their eafe, a falary \x\fome
degree proportionable to the improvement of
* their benefices ; and remember that the la-
bourer is worthy of his reward, that a liberal
income mould infpire liberal fentiments : one
might reafonably fuppofe, that one fourth of
the value of a benefice would not be too
much for thofe who oblige themfelves to con-
tinual refidence, who fujlain the whole burden
and
( V )
and heat of the day, who in labours are more
abundant, who, as matters are at prefent con-
dueled, added to: their fpiritual concerns and
fatigue, have the conflict of poverty to ftrug-
gle with befides, and are obliged in all things
to approve them/elves the minifters of God, in
patience, in afflictions, in necejjities, in dif-
trejfes ; whilfl the wealthy incumbents their
employers, have often no farther view than to
the emoluments, which they diffipate in lux-
ury, &c. become eftranged from their flocks,
nor are folicitous what becomes of them, pro-
vided they can but feed themfelves with the
fat, and cloath themfelves with the wool.
Befides a liberal falary allowed, a kind
benevolent, and friendly behaviour from an
incumbent towards his fubftitute, would be
extremely becoming, where fuch connection
in the performance of the duty of the church
iublifts between them, free from fuperciliouf-
nefs and hauteur, fpeaking favourable of his at-
tention to his duty, moral conduct, his ability,
&c. This might be expected from men in fuch
happy
( 7* )
happy circumftances, and under fuch ties of
mutual relations m the church. But when the
reverfe of this often appears ; when we obferve
proud priefts of large incomes, by pluralities,
treat their dependent curates with an air of fu-
periority, that would better become a Perfian
monarch than a chriftian clergyman. What
mall we fay for fuch men in excufe for
their conduct ? Shall we join in the calum-
nies of the enemies of our church, who im-
pute this to the worft of caufes, arrogance
and pride, and a fpirit of infidelity in our
clergy.
Or -mall we fuppofe that there is an ex-
ternal and internal doctrine in the Chriftian
fyflem ; the one to be delivered and made
public to the people, the other to be con-
cealed and referved by the clergy, for their
own private practice, as is the cafe in the
church of Rome.
>v" This reprehenfible conducl: in fome of our
beneficed pluralifts, is accounted for from the
mode of life they have been accuftomed to ;
fucL as fellows of colleges who have for
3 feveral
( 73 )
feveral years led a reclufe life, little con-
verfant with the world ; this, it is true, im-
proves and adorns the faculties of the mind,
by giving a man an opportunity of much
reading and deep contemplation ; but at the
fame time deprives him of the knowledge of
the world, and in light into men and man-
ners; and by that means renders him a pedant
and four mi fan th rope; the moil odious defpi-
cable character in fociety ; inflead of a man of
letters, civility, and polifhed manners. This
difagreeable temper and demeanour is often
the refill t of a hafty accumulation of pre-
ferments.
Preferments by collation, and eflates by in-
heritance and acquifition, have this difference
in their effects upon men in general ; the for-
mer coming all at once, and fometiines unex-
pectedly, fwell the heart, and intoxicate the
head by too fudden fuccefs ; the latter coming
leifurcly, and after fome expectance, are ufually
received with temper and moderation, occafion
no great alteration in the mind/iWhat pre-
ferment fuch^ perfon acquire*, he imputes to
L his
( 74 )
his own merit ; what he fees others lefs for-
tunate want, he attributes to their defects ;
thofe who are before him in the race and ca-
reer for wealth and honour, he emulates i but
fuch as arc unfuccefsful and behind him, he
defpifes. Never reflecting that the race is not
always to thefwift, nor the battle to th: Jlrong ;
neither yet bread to the wife, nor riches to men
of under/landing ; nor yet favor to men of fkilh
but time and Jkill happen to all.
-k. Enforcing the refidence of incumbents in
their refpective parifhes more 110(5117 where
their duty requires them, would have a better
effect infinitely, in improving and reforming
the morals of the prefent age, than a thoufand
proclamations iiTued from his Majefty by ad-
vice of his privy council, for fupprefilng vice
and immorality, and the fuperfluous number of
houfes of public refort, thofe nurferies of every
fpecies of wickednefs and villainy.
The proclamation I allude to, was that pub-
jilhed about four years ago, and not the late
one for preventing the difcuflion of political
jfybjec"t, relative to reforming any abufes or
defects
( 75 )
defeats that may be from length of time re-
quired in our excellent conftitution, &c. With
refpect to the former, what has been the con-
fequence ? Have the morals of the lower
order of people been in any degree amended
and improved fince that period ? Have the
number of public houfes been lefTened ? So
far otherwife, that it is univerfally remarked,
that they have increafed in an incredible degree ,
under the denomination of liquor mops, wine
Vaults, &c. but in reality are no other than
places licenfed by trading jufKces, where the
mod pernicious liquid poifon is vended to the
prejudice of the health and morals of both
fexes, inflaming and exciting them to every
kind of diforder.
With refpecl: to the late proclamation for
fupprefling the difcuflion of fubjects relative
to the management of public affairs, &c. I
am apt to fear it will have a very different
effect than what is expected j it will tend to
excite farther enquiry into the conduct of ad-
ministration, and the fuppofed abufes and de-
fects which a lapfe of time may have ceca-
ls 2 iioned
( 76 )
Honed in the conftitution, which may require
amending* repairing, or renovating.
The fpirit of liberty being once entertained
by the people, the more it is attempted to be
checked and fupprefled, the more it will fpread
and increafe ; it refembles the palm tree,
which is faid to fpread and flourim in pro*
portion as it is prefled down.
It is a maxim in philofophy, that the fame
caufes will always produce the fame effects :
and by hiffory we are inftructed to judge of
the future confequences of things from what
under fimilar c i re um fiances have happened in
pail ages ; for human nature is the fame under
different periods of the vvcrld, a little allow-
ances being made for variations in modes and
fafhions. I could produce a variety of in-
ftances from hiflory in confirmation of the
above reflections, was it proper at this time,
when fo much dread and apprehenfion are
entertained by the rulers of the ftate, either
for the community itfelf, or for their own
power, and extravagant emoluments.
But
( 77 )
But be that as it may, what I wifh to re-*
commend and inculcate, is, the neceflity there
is for the refidcnce of incumbents of bene-
fices where their duty requires : and as fer*
vants of the ftate with liberal incomes, that
they be obliged to pay attention and diligence
to feafon the rifing generation, the youth of
their refpective parifhes, who are under their
care and guidance, as early as poflible, with
piety towards God, and refpect to magiftracy;
which would produce the mofl: falutary be-
nefit and advantage to the community in ge-
neral ; for from thefe the hopes of a reform
in fucceeding generations are to be expected*
which, if well grounded, they may retain
during the remainder of their days, and may
be a means of reforming others alfo :
yo feme I eft imbuta recens fervabit odorem %
Tijta diu.
The youth, under their infpection, fhould
be taught and made fenfible of the abfolute
neceflity
Jk " ft: 4
( 78 )
neceiTity of paying an uniform and unqualified,
obedience to the laws of the gofpel, in op*
pofition to the diforderly propenfities of fenfe,
and the immoral maxims of the world ; this
is an employment for which the feveral in-
cumbents of parimes are amply paid ; this
they have folemnly engaged at their inftitu-
tion to perform pcrfonally y and not by proxy,
&c. but which is too frequently neglected, as
matters beneath their dignity in general, and
fit only for their fubftitutes to attend to. But
thefe lofty gentlemen do not reflect, that fuch
an employ would by no means difparage them,
however exalted they may be as minifters of
the gofpel ; as it is 'no other than co-opera-
ting with the benevolent author of the uni-
verfe, when they endeavour to train up free and
intelligent beings to fuch a degree of moral
perfection, as may fit and prepare them for
eternal happinefs in a future fiate, which their
duty requires.
As fervants of the flate, it is more imme-
diately the bufinefs of the clergy to do every
thing in their power to promote the peace and
good
( 79 )
good order of the community, by endeavour-
ing to throw the controul of piety over the im-
petuofity of appetite, when they oppofe the
reftraint of religion over the fedu&ion of the
world j for the tranquility, and indeed the very
exiflence of every civil community, is endan-
gered when religion has loft its influence over
the minds of its members.
. , . . . .
PART
( 8 )
PART THE THIRD..
Treats of that denomin ttion of people, Jiiled
CURATES,
^INCE then it muft be allowed by every
intelligent perfon, that religion contributes fo
greatly to the advancement of the great ends
of government, it would furely be a matter
of prudence and policy in the civil magiftrate,
as well as the great men of the ftate, of whom
our legiflators are compofed. to protect and
encourage fuch as are profeflbrs and teachers
of it ; and particularly the inferior part of the
clergy, upon whom, as before hinted, de-
volves now nearly the whole care of the fouls
of the people of the eftablifhed church of
England, the whole administration of religion,
as matters are now conducted ; mice the fu
perior part, whofe mofr. immediate bufmefs it
is, have in a manner abandoned them, by
their non-refidence, as unworthy and beneath
their
t Si' )
their concern, it may be averred with ltnctefl
truth, that the poor curates at prefent are the
only apoftolic clergy of this nation; for they
literally both hunger and thirft, are naked \
are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place \
according to ,St. Paul. And as the clergy of
this kingdom have the greateft intercourfe
with the people, by frequently converting with
them, they have the chief opportunity of
forming'their principles, and directing their
confcicnces, as well as difpofing and guiding
their inclinations and affections. This body
of men are free from that fupercilious hauteur
fo difgufting in their dignified brethren, from
the nature of their humble condition; alfo
free from that litigious contention for tythes,
&c. which lower the beneficed clergy fo much
in the efteem of their parifhioners. They* gain
the attention of the greatefi part of the inhabi-
tants ot the whole realm, once every week at
leafl ; they have an opportunity of ruling
their prdiions, and tempering their prejudices,
&c. Upon this ground then, I am of opi-
nion, that it would be no bad policy in govern-
M ment
( 8a )
mcnt to attach them to its interefts as firmly
as poffible, by the,fureft ties and motives of
affection and gratitude.
QUAM PLURIMTS AMICITIIS FORTUNA
Principis indigat, PR^CIPUUM EST
principis opus amicos parare.
Plin.
Should any civil commotion ever happen
amongft us, which might difturb the ftate
(which may divine Providence ever avert)
there is no better expedient than to encourage
thofe who have now the guidance of the
people in fpiritual concerns, to put them in
mind to be fubjecl: to principalities and powers ;
tofubmit them/elves to every ordinance of man
for the Lord's fake ; not to f peak evil of the
ruler of the people ; not to curfe the king in
their hearts ; but to obey mag ift rates, and pray
for thofe who are in authority, that we may live
peaceably and quietly under them. From thefe
fubjects they have it in their power to in-
fluence their refpective congregations to
a&
3
( 3 )
ad in fupport of our prefent happy eftablifh-
ment.
In the prefent ftate of things, thefe poor
fubalterns in the church, feem to be cut off in
a manner from the body of the clergy, to be
fallen off from the confideration of the legiila-
ture. The meannefs of their condition, and
the fevere oppreflion they experience from
their fuperiors, difpirit them, and cramp
their endeavours for the public good ; and
what is extraordinary, and extremely difcou-
raging, even in thofe very ftatutes which are
enacted for the maintenance of the poor clergy \
the diftreffed curates are never confidered,
though fo ufeful a body of people. Every vi-
car, every beneficed curate ', that hath fomething
certain to depend upon of his own, promifes
himfelf fome little farther advantage from a
royal augmentation, I mean Queen Anne's
bounty : but the poor curate hath nothing to
depend upon, but to live at the mercy of a
haughty, domineering, hard-hearted matter,
who pays him as he pleafes, treats him as he
thinks proper, and difmiffes him according
M a to
( 4 )
to his pleafure and caprice. The fcripturc
fays, to him that hath Jhall be given , and from
him that hath not Jhall be taken away, even that
which he hath.
The only ftatute law that hath been provi-
ded in favour of the curates, as a barrier
againil their opprefTors, has been limited in
its bounds, and evaded in its execution.
It is earneftly to be hoped that the legifla^
ture, when they come to underltand the real
hardfhips and oppreffions this moft ufeful
body of people (I may without exaggeration
affirm in the whole nation) labour under, and
the infinite benefit that would arife to the whole
body of people of the eflablifhed church, in the
improvement of their morals and religious
duties, were the inferior clergy put upon a
more refpeclable footing : I fay, when this
comes to be underftood and considered, it is
to be hoped, the prefent heavy yoke will be
removed from the necks of thefe hewers of wood
and drawers cf water y as they are coniidered
by their employers, that they may in fome mea-
sure be relieved, and their condition bettered,
by
( 5 )
by the wifdom, found policy, and humanity
of the legiflature; that the calumny and re-
proach of the clergy of the eftablifhed church
being the greateft tyrants to each other, may
be removed; and that it may not be faid, that
the leeiflature have been more attentive, com-
o
paffionate, and folicitous to relieve the natives
of Africa, than they are to relieve their fel-
low countrymen of the fame religion, who
are the mod aggrieved, diftreiTed, defpifed
part of ,his Majefty's fubjects, on account
of their poverty and indigence ; at' prefent,
they are really become a bye-word ; the
epithet poor is invariably and univerfally an-
nexed to the appellation of curate.
In the prefent ffcate of luxury and diffipa-
tion in this kingdom, a hair-drefler will ac-
quire more in one attendance upon a lady or
gentleman, than a clergyman by an attendance
at the altar: of God; and an Italian mufician,
or a celebrated female finger, will acquire more
by one performance, than a poor curate's
falary will amount to for a whole year's duty
in the church in the fervice of God : this is
abfolutely
. ( W )
abfolutely true, without the leaft exaggera-
tion.
Matters being in this deplorable fituation,
it is in vain to attempt to afTert and maintain
the dignity of profeffion and ftation ; this
would only tend to draw upon them a farther
degree of ridicule and contempt ; for when the
mind is bowed down by diftrefs and penury,
it is impoflible, by any effort whatever, to bear
up againft contempt and fcorn.
It may be urged by fome inconfiderate per-
fons, that thefe unfortunate oppreffed body of
men are to blame, in fubmitting to fuch fcanty
falaries allowed them by their illiberal employ-
ers : but the misfortune is, the bifhops have put
it in the power of the beneficed clergy to avail
themfelves of the afcendancy they have over
the poor curates, who, if they exprefs them-
felves in the leaft dirTatisfied with the Hilary
impofed upon them, are inftantly told, that
they have feveral who are ready to engage to
perform the duty, upon the fame or lower
terms; and that they are at liberty to quit
as
( 3 7 )
as foon as they pleafe, if they do not approve
of what is allowed them.
What can a perfon do in this fituation ?
Notwithftanding he is engaged in a pcofeilion
by which he cannot fupport himfelf, there is
no -receding ; there is no other means of his
fubfiftence : he will reflect, that it will be
prudent to fubmit to the incompetent allowance
he then has, than to be entirely without any
engagement.
This is owing to our fpiritual governors th
bifhops, as before hinted, ordaining fo many
mean wretches, of all defcriptions, without be-
ing regularly educated, the lame, the halt, and
the almofl: blind, illiterate mechanics, &c.
which has been the caufe of reducing the
moil honourable of all profeflions to {o much
contempt.
When a high prieft, endued with a little
more liberality than the generality of his be-
neficed brethren, grants his fubftitute fifty or
fixty pounds a year, when a vacancy happens
in fo rich a piece of curatical preferments ;
there will be as much emulation to fucceed,
and
( 88 )
and application to acquire it, as among our"
right reverend fathers for the difproportionately
endowed fee of Durham, which upon an
average, communibus annis, is valued'by fome
at fifteen thoufand pounds a year ; but fome
years, by the falling in and renewing of leafes,
&c. confiderably more. What an enormous
difproportion between perfons of the fame
profeflion ! Such a prelate's poftillion or
porter is much better provided for than a poor
curate, although fometimes as well educated,
and of fuperior abilities to his Lordfhip.
The late bimop of a certain fee, was ori-
ginally a crape weaver at Norwich. There
is now a perfon who is a prebendary and
archdeacon, brother to a certain bifhop,
who has been fo rapidly advanced by Mr.
Pitt, who was a little while ago behind a
counter. The curates in the metropolis and
large towns muft, to avoid contempt, make
the bell: appearance their fcanty allowances
will admit of, which often occasions very
difagreeable embarrafTments and difficulties ;
fo that it may be faid of them, Commune id
vitium
( 8 9 )
^vitium eft, hie vivirtius ambiliofa paupertate $
vmnes.
Such are the modes of acquiring promotion
at prefent in the church, that a perfon of mean
appearance can have no pretentions, let his
merit arid long ftanding in the miniftry be
what they may, when a perfon of affluence,
Connected with men in power, ftands in com-
petition agairift him.
Haud facile emergunt, quorum virtutibus ob-
fat.
Res argujla domi.
I have before hinted, and muft inculcate it,
that in genera/ whatever prefents the officia-
ting curate receives above the ftated fees, by
the genefofity or liberality of any of the pa-
rifhioners, though he is under the neccfiity of
making his obeifance for what is fuppofed to
be for him/elf-, yet he is generally , under the
ftricteil: flipulation, to refund to his employer
mmediately when the ceremony is performed.
There are inftances of fome unfortunate per- %
N fons
( 9 )
fons in the humiliating fituation of curates*
who by the duty they perform in the church,
do not acquire even the intereft of the money
expended upon their education, which is a moil
melancholy truth*
Is this a fufficient recompence for all the
anxious care and thought that the good old
father-has been at, in endeavouring to promote
the welfare and advancement of his fon in the
world ? Is this an equivalent for the fatigue
of along ftudious application ?
Mufl a man for this be accomplilhed in
every branch of literature, and particularly of
divinity and oratory ? How much wifer in
point of prudence, as things are at prefent
conducted in the church, would that parent
be, who difpofes of his fon in fome mechani-
cal bufinefs, than to a profefTion in which,
without friends or means of purchafing prefer-
ment, he mufl probably be a beggar for the
mere honor of being ftyled a gentleman, which
is the cafe with a great part of the clergy of
the eflablifhed church.
Th
( 9' )
The clergy of the church of Rome have, it
is true, in many places, no confiderable al-
lowance. But what may not a man acquire
who is fuppofed to be a retainer of an infalli-
ble head, the maker of a God in every con^
fecration of the hoft ? What may not he ex-
tract from the pockets of the people by auri-
cular confefiion, forgiving fins, freeing fouls
from purgatory, admitting fouls into heaven ;
befides a great variety of more profitable tales,
cheats, and lying wonders under his manage-
ment and adminiftration ?
DifTenting teachers of every denomination
have ample provifion made for them, by fub-
fcriptions, rents of pews, collections frequently
under various pretences, &c, and particu-
larly methodift. preachers, who now are be-
come fo numerous in every part of the king-
dom ; who commence fuch without the leaft.
knowledge or application to ftudy, illiterate
mechanicks who have nothing to recommend
them befides an hypocritical demeanour and
appearance, a pretence to infpiration ; yet thefe
are the perfons who flyle thcmfelves, by way of
N 2 eminence,
(. 9* )
eminence and diftinction, go/pel mini/lers,
Thefe have the addrefs to extract from the
pockets of their ignorant, infatuated, enthu-
iiaftic followers a moft comfortable revenue and
plentiful maintenance, devouring widows bou-r
-Jes, and for a pretence making long prayer.
The moft mortifying and humiliating cir-f
cumftances of all to the poor curates, particu-
larly in the metropolis, is their being lorded
over, and treated with familiarity and con-
tempt by the parifh clerks, on account of the
fuperiority of their incomes from the church,
to the falaries of the curates.
But to carry the matter into fome of its
ferrous confequences How can it otherwife
be, but that contempt and poverty muft be the
effect of fuch incompetent allowance ? It is in
vain to attempt correcting the opinion of man-
kind, even the wifer part will follow the vul-
gar, in efteeming men according to their
wealth, dignities, and honors; few have fuch
logical heads to be able to diftinguifti the man
from his profeffion, and reverence him as a
divine, while they defpife him on account of
his
( 93 )
his poverty. The vulgar efpecially cannot fup~
pofe that a. fpectre of a man, labouring under
diftrefs,can preach as powerfully, and petition
heaven as prevalently, as the dignitary plu-
raliff. who appears in pomp and fplendor. The
wife man of Sirach has more gravely remarked
this difference : When the rich man fpeaketh,
fays he, every one holdeth his peace, and his
words are extolled to the cjouds; but, if a
poor man fpeaketh, they are ready to fay,
what fellow is this ? Agreeable to this the
French poet Boileau fays,
L,a richejfe permet une jufle flertk t
Mais il faut it re fouple avec la pauvrete.
From the feveral calculations in political
arithmetic, that have been made by Doctor
Price and others, the inhabitants of this king-
dom, allowing fix to a houfe, may amount to
about feven millions. Out of this number Ict-
us fuppofe two millions to be Roman catho-
lics, Jews, and Diffenters of every denomina-
tion, there will then be five millions of fouls
who
( 94 )
who fall under the care of the clergy of the
cftabliftied church, I mean the inferior clergy,
the curates, whofe diftrefles render them fo
contemptible in the eyes of the laity in gene-
ral, that their adminiftration is not attended
with that weight it otherwife would have.
The poverty of the firft preachers of the
gofpel in the primitive times of Chriftianity
was fo far from being defpicable, that it was
rather honourable, as performing their duty
from confeientious motives ; but in thefe times
of luxury and difTipation, and refinement of
manners, nothing appears more difgraceful and
contemptible than a garb that favours of pe-
nury. Every perfon new is efteemed in pro-
portion to the figure he makes in the world, fas
aat nefas, no matter which way the means of
fupporting it is acquired.
It was exactly the fame in the degenerate
m
time of the Romans, when the proconfuls,
like our nabobs, as they are fry led, returned
home laden with the fpoils of the provinces of
the Eaft. It was cuftomary for their friends to
write to them not to return to Rome till they
had
( 95 )
had acquired fufficient wealth to be able to
bribe the fenate. We have feen fomething
refemhling this in our times. Luxury and
profligacy of manners among them, had arri-
ved to fuch a pitch, that worth and merit be-
came of no eftimation, were laughed totally
out of countenance. According to Juvenal's
bfervation, who lived at that time,
Et genus et virtus ', nife cum re, (ft vilior alga*
Juv.
Had a curate of thirty or forty pounds a
year falary, labouring under indigence and po-
verty, the united eloquence of the two cele-
brated orators of Greece and Rome, Demofthe-
nes and Cicero, as well as the learning of all our
able divines who have wrote fo very excellent-
ly upon theological fubjedts, yet their doctrine
will be received with coolnefs and indifference,
will have no effect, nor make the leafl impref-
fion upon the generality, who judge more by
appearance than reality. In a word, in the
prefent age of luxury and frivolity, poverty is
the
6
( 96 )
the moft mortifying difgrace that can befal A
man.
Poverty, in the opinion of fome, is ftyled
kind of hell upon earth ; and he who labours
under this misfortune, anticipates, in fome
degree, the torments of the unhappy in a fu-
ture ftate. It eclipfes the brighter! virtues, is
the fepulchre of great and noble defigns, de-
prives a man of genius of the means of ac-
complifhingwhat nature fitted him for, ftifliilg
the moll laudable purpofes in their embryo*
How many illuftrious fouls may be faid to have
been dead, in a manner, among the living, or
buried alive in the obfcurity of their condition,
whofe talents and capacities would have ren-
dered them the brighteft ornaments of their
country! yet the infuperable penury . of their
conditions has ranked them among the outcafts
of the earth in the fight of men.
The prefent ftate of this kingdom refembles
in a great degree that of ancient Rome, as be-
fore hinted, when an inundation of wealth had
corrupted the manners of its citizens, the
power
( ?>7 )
power of fafhion became fuperior to that of
law.
Mores Leges perduxerunt in potes*.
tatem suam.
If an angel from heaven, I believe, mould
defcend amongft us, and take upon him the
minifterial function, if he abftained from
working miracles, under the fame difcourage-
ments and difficulties that the prefent curates of
the eftablimed church, he would acquire not
much refpect to his perfon, or attention to his
doctrine.
There are no denominations of men in the
kingdom, clerks in public offices under go-
vernment, common excifemen, mechanics of
every kind, &c. who have not applied for an
advancement of their falaries and wages, in
confequence of the high price of provifions,
and every necelTary of life, difference in the
value of money, as well as alteration in the
manner of living amongft us ; even journey-
men taylors have had their wages fettled by
O ad
t 98 )
aft of Parliament, at a higher rate than the
curates in general are allowed by their rectors
for officiating in the fervicc of the church.
Even the negroes of Africa have had the omni-
potent minifter of the prefent day, and the firft
orators in the houfe of Commons, for their ad-
vocates, to relieve them from the tyranny of their
hard tafk-maiters. The diftreffed defpond-
ing curates are the only fet of men in the realm,
who are neglected, and whofe falaries have not
been advanced, and that bear no kind of pro-
portion with the revenues of their employers,
whofe benefices have been greatly advanced, as
before hinted ; but that the falaries of the
curates continue the fame at this time as fet-
tled near a hundred years ago. The laft act
of Parliament for the regulation of curates was
in the former part of the reign of Queen Anne,
when it was enacted, that they were to receive
no lefs than 20/. nor more than 50/. a year,
the proportioning which was left to the ordi-
nary ; but if the curate had not a licence, he
ould not avail himfelf of even this pittance.
It is univerfally allowed, that the contempt
that
( 99 )
that ufeful body of men, the curates, are held
in on account of their poverty, is one of the
chief caufes of the defertion from the efta-
blifhed church, the rapid and alarming increafe
of all kinds of fectaries, particularly of that of
methodifm, which is inconceivable, through
every part of the kingdom * and yet thefe
oppreflfed indigent people are the perfons upon
whom now the care of the greater part of the
fouls of the members of the eftablifhed church
are devolved;
Some perfons have maintained, that the ftate
of the clergy is the beft means of judging of a
people of any nation.
The prefent earl of Guildford, when a mem-
ber of the houfe of Commons, fpeaking of
Mr. Beaufoy's Bill in favour of the DifTenters,
declared it as his decided opinion, that the
fituation of the eftablifhed church was the cri*
terion by which the world meafure the flou-
rifhing ftate of the conftitution. If this por-
tion be true, then fuch as are acquainted with
the many abufes fubfifting in our church, and
the extraordinary defertion from it in confe-
O a quence
C ioo )
cjiience of them, muft form a very indifferent
opinion indeed of our constitution.
Exclufive of the benefits which may be ex*
pe&ed from the improved ftate of religion in
this kingdom, confidered in a fpiritual fenfe, I
mean fefpecting the happinefs and rewards to
be expected in a future ftate ; yet in a political
view our fecular governors well know, that tho
beft and furefl foundation of theirauthority over
mankind is laid in Religion ; that human
laws, and the terrors of them, can only bind the
outward man ; but confcience, which is the in-
ward man, can by no other means be bound
than by the ties of Religion, and the re-
wards and punifhments of a future ftate. For
this reafon, fome of the wifeft heathens have
ever efleemed it more expedient to humour the
vulgar in their miftakes relative to a future
ftate (becaufe how grofs foever they appeared
to be, they found them ferviceable to keep
them in fubjection), rather than endanger the
government by invalidating their belief. For"
the fame reafon, even atheiftical politicians
advife their princes, in all ages, to take efpe-.
cial
( ! )
cialcare of religion, and to fee it rooted a*
firmly as poffible in the hearts of their fub*
jects, and held in veneration, refpect, and
efteem, how little foever they might inwardly
regard it themfelves; becaufe it is the only
inltrument of government, and the mod ef-
fectual expedient of maintaining their fubjects
under controul.
So fhamefully inadequate is the Itipend al-
lowed the curates amongft us, that it is a noto-
rious truth, that an eminent barrifter at law
will gain more by one particular caufe of im-
portance, than a curate's falary would amount
to in /even years. When the late Lord Grant-
ley, or better known perhaps by the title of
Sir Fletcher Norton, attended at the bar, being
the firft. perfon who received thefe extravagant
fums, it was not uncommon for him to receive
two or three hundred guineas as a retain-
ing fee. Lord Afhburton, the late Mr. Dun-
ning, followed his example by exacting the
fame immoderate fums ; by which practices
they both amaifed greater fortunes than the
whole collective body of curates in the nation
arc
( *w )
are capable of doing during their lives nar>
withftanding many of them are better educated
and of fuperior abilities, though not of equal
effrontery with the two gentlemen above men-*
tioned.
With the higher! elevation of fifty pounds a
year, as fettled by the legiflature near a hun*
dred years ago, which was then equal to three
times that fum, at leafi at prefent* a gentle-
man (for fuch the curates muft be ftyled) not-
withftanding their diftreffed condition, and that
journeymen mechanicks, who have better in*
comes, burlefque them upon that account : I
fay, a perfon will find it difficult to live and
appear in any degree as a gentleman, when the
high price of proyifions, and every article of
life, as well as the prefect mode of living, are
confidered : and he will be an extraordinary
ceconomiiHndeed, if at the expiration of the
year, he finds not himfelf minus* in the lan-
guage of the algebraifts ; but, upon fuppofition
that he has a wife and fome olive branches
around his table, what a diftrefled ftate muft he
then r be in ! perpetually ftruggling to free him-
felf
6
( I0 3 )
felf from the embarraffrnents of debt, and as
perpetually relapfing. What a primitive fight
in thefe days of diffipation, luxury, and uni-
verfal foppery, to fe a man of God traverfing
the streets of this gay metropolis in his thread-
bare coat, for fpruce powdered fhopmen and
apprentices to point at, and wags to crack their
jokes upon.
To be ferious, how is it poflible to con-
ceive, that a man obliged to appear under the
character of a gentleman, can fubfift upon fuch
a pittance, I do not fay with decency, but in
any degree ', without being plunged into diffi-
culties, and reduced to the neceffity of crouch-
ing and (looping to fuch debafing actions, as
muft render both himfclf and his adminiftra-
tion contemptible, and fuch as his foul would
fpurn at under other circumftances. Were
he indeed in any expectation of arriving at
preferment, after fuch a courfe of ftarving and
extreme diftrefs and mortification, he proba-
bly might ftrive to bear up againft thefe diffi-
culties with patience and magnanimity.
The
( *<H )
The only recourfe a poor curate has of im-
proving his income, as his family increafes,
and his exigencies require, is commencing pe-
dagogue, engaging in the bufinefs of educating
youth, the moft difagrceable of all the em-
ploys of life. A melancholy reflection after
fo much expence, time, and ftudy, which, if
employed in any fecular bufinefs or occupa-
tion, might have enabled him to live comfort-
ably in plenty, and perhaps acquire a fortune
againft the decline of life, and provifion for his
children, who, as matters are at prefent, are
generally under the management of truftees of
charitable focieties, &c.
In the metropolis and large towns, a curate
endeavours to make a little addition to his in-
come, by entering the lifts for a lecturefhip ;
to acquire which, fuch mean debating arts are
ufed, fuch proftitution of character, fuch de-
famation, reviling, fuch envious emulation,
&c. are practifed, as are a difgrace to religion,
. and the clerical profelTion ; and if he who will
riot cringe and fawn upon the meaneft of the
people,
( ">5 )
people, can expect no fuccefs in his pulpit
prize-fighting. St. Paul makes mention of
iome in his days, who preached Chnft for
envy y ft rife, and contention ; what we fee in our
times is fomewhat fimilar to this.
Such as are engaged in fecular affairs, in \
cafe of accident, ficknefs, inability, through
age, &c. fuch as are free of any of the compa-
nies in trade in London, or moft of the large
towns in the kingdom, have all a comfortable
retreat and maintenance in the decline of life :
but the man of God, who hath dedicated his
life in the fervice of the altar, hath not, undef
the above diftrefs, where to lay his head.
There have been two recent inftances of
clergymen dying, as fuppofed, for want of
neceflary fuflenance ; one was in Bartholomew
hofpital, the other was in Wiltshire : but how
many are there who cannot dig, but to beg are
afoamed, who pine in obfeurity, whofe cafes
are not fo publickly known.
The bifhop of LandafPs advice to the fo-
ciety of curates, who applied to him lately for
his Lordfhip's advice refpe&ing an applica-
P tion
( m }
iioh to parliament for a redrefs of their gr'ie-'
varices, was to this effecl: ; that if the legisla-
ture does not take their miferable unhappy
Situation into consideration, with that of their
brethren through the reft of the kingdom, and
if no relief is to be expedted; " that they mull:
look forward with content to that aw ^ul
day, when all fuperiority mail be done away,
except fuperior goodnefs, and no degree of
merit fail of its reward :" it is extremely eafy
for a perfon in affluent circumftances to give
fuch advice ; but it is very difficult for fuch as
have been delicately and liberally educated,
and who once have enjoyed probably the con-
veniences and comforts of life plentifully, and
with profpects of living independently in the
world, to fit down contented under the
combined misfortune of fuffering hunger, po-
preffion, as well as contempt, fcorn, and deri-
fion, and all this for right eoafnefs fake \ having
for many years, in the prime of their lives, per-
formed their duty with faithfulnefs and dili-
gence in their profeilion, for perhaps an un-
grateful, illiberal, opulent pluralifh
His
( io 7 )
His Lordfhip gave it as his opinion at the
fame time, that the incumbents of benefices
were as much diftreffed as the curates. But
with due deference to his Lordfhip, I muftfay,
that this is a very great error indeed.
The benefices that have occafion for curates
are fuch as belong to non-rfefident pluralifts,
which have been, as above ftated, greatly im-
proved by inclofures of Common Fields, and
tythes advanced twice or three times over,
without any advance perhaps to the perfon who
performs the whole of the duty. . A rectory I
held for fome years before an inclofure took
place, amounted to no more than a hundred
and twenty pounds a year, which at this time is
above two hundred and fifty pounds. There
has been a very great advance through the
whole kingdom wherever there arc great
tythes, that is, in the rectories. Even the
condition of all the inferior incumbents, the vi-
cars, is greatly preferable to that of the cu-
rates. Suppofe a perfon is incumbent of a
fmall vicarage, he faves the expence of houfe-
rent, has a garden, orchard, and generally a
P 2 little
( IO & )
little glebe to fupply a horfe, and a cow or two,
befides fome fmall endowment ; fomething
arifing annually from Eafler offerings, furplice
fees and prefents, an opportunity of improving
his little glebe, which may now be of fome-
thing more Value, fince the decision relative to
aggiftment tythes. Whereas the miferable
curate muft rent a houfe or lodging for himfelf
and family, enjoys none of the above conve-
niences and advantages, has nothing befides his
bare 30/. or 40/. a year, the average of the
falary allowed, to furnifh every article for him-
felf and family, which at thefe times is a very
fcanty fupport indeed.
. I have been thus particular in cont rafting the
condition of the fmalleft benefice with that
of a curate, to convince his Lordfhip of the
many advantages the former has over the lat-
ter ; befides, another conflderation extremely
mortifying to a man of fpirit and of liberal
ideas, the incumbent is for life and indepen-
dent ; whereas he who ferves a curacy has a
fuperior to pleafe, by whofe caprice he is liable
to be difmiffed at a fhort notice; his condition
and
( I0 9 )
and tenure is precarious ; but the pofleflbr of
the mod inconfiderable benefice is indepen-
dent, and his ftate is permanent ; and what
is no lefs galling, the perfon who officiates in
the capacity of curate, is, by the generality of
the laity (particularly the vulgar part) confider-
ed as acting in a ftate of fervitude, and is
treated accordingly.
The Levites in the Old Tejlament had plen- >f.
tiful provifions : they had houfes, glebe-lands,
free-will-offerings, and their part of the firfi
fruits and facrifkes. Do the inferior Minifters
of the Gofpel, the Curates, deferve worfe
wages, for bringing better tidings? Befides
the Levitc's office was hereditary, and the fon
was fure of fucceeding his father in his houfe
and lands, with a faculty adfucccdendum Patri.
With refpect to improving himfelf in the
knowledge requifite for the better difcharge of
his function, the poor Curate is totally pre-
cluded, having it not in his power to furnifh
himfelf with fuch books as are necefTary for
that purpofe ; and if he had, the anxiety of his
mind under the preffureof his indigent circum*
(lances,
( II0 )
fiances, prevents him from paying due atten-
tion to his ftudies. A mind at eafe is abfo-
lutely requifite for fludy, and the acquisition
of any fcience, when a man is embarraffed
in his affairs under misfortunes, he drags
perpetually about him a heavy chain, which
in every effort he makes, weighs down his
fancy, and enervates his flyle. If the curates,
from the narrownefs of their incomes, are not
in a capacity of furnilhing themfelves with
fuch books as are neceffary, they cannot main-
tain the honour and well-being of the church,
they cannct defend the caufe of Chriflianity in
general, or the reformed religion in particular,
as they ought to do ; fliould they be found de-
ficient, it is not to be wondered at. It is
from the wealthy pluralifls and dignitaries,
who have the means of purchasing, and the
leifure of fludy ing books, that we mufl expect
the advancement of fciences, the underfland-
ing of myfleries, the explication of obfeure
paffages, the refolving of difficult cafes, the
flating of controversies, confutation of errors,
and, in fine, the confirmation of all truth.
5 What
( III )
What a daily triumph mult it be to the in- ~\-
fidels of the age, that the very men who have
the bufinefs of intruding nearly the whole of
the people of England (I mean of the efta-
blifhed church) in the principles of religion,
mould not be able, on account of the above
itated difcouragements, to fupport them by
found argument, and be able to demonftrate
the divine authority of that bIciTed book from
whence they daily preach.
. What I wiili to inculcate in general, is, that
contempt mufl be the unavoidable effect of fo
incompetent a provision as falls to the lot of the
ftibftitutes who perform nearly the whole of
the duty in the eftablifhed church amongft us z
and it is impoiiible to correct the opinions of
mankind; even the wifer part will follow the
vulgar, in efteeming men according to their
wealth, dignities, and honours, notwithstand-
ing the abfurdity of the thing, confidered in a
rational light. And though the refpect that is-
due, is fettled, as has been already fliewn,
upon a.clergyman on account of his facerdotal
character, and in that refpect is unalterable by
anv~
( 112 )
any circumftance of fortune ; yet few people
have fuch logical heads as to he able to diitin-
guifli, or fuch nice conceptions as to feparata
the man from his profeilion, and fo reverence
him as a divine, while they defpife him on ac-
count of his poverty : few perfons have fuih
unprejudiced minds, as not to efteem an
ecclefiaftic in proportion to the value of his
preferment, and fuppofe that he rifes and falls
in his pulpit abilities, according to the glare
and fplendid appearance that accompanies
him.
When the pompous pluralift vifits his
parifhioners to receive his revenue for glebe
tythe, &c. he will condefcend to give them a
fermon, as before hinted : upon return home
after fervice, upon being afked who preached,
the ladies particularly will anfwer in raptures,
that the doctor himfelf\xaA given them a charm-
ing difcourfe ; but the great man having fettled
for; his dues, taken his departure, and left the
care of his flock to the hireling, who fome-
times is a man of fuperior abilities and the
better orator, there are no further charming
difcourfes.
I could
( "3 )
I could enumerate a variety of other abufes
which fubfift in the eftablifhed church of this
kingdom j but fhall conclude at prefent by
earneftly wifhing, that the rulers of the ftate,
among other laws for the benefit of the com-
munity, would deign to look into thefanfluary
alfo, and fee whether fome better regulations
may not be wanting there ; left fome provoca-
tions of divine wrath may not proceed from
thence : for if the complaint of thofe who reap
down the field, or any other hirelings, defrauded
of their jufl wages, enters the ears of the
Almighty; what will not the opprelTion of
his more immediate fervants do ? Woe to him
that coveteth an evil covetoufnefs to his houfie,
and detaineth from his poor hireling curate an
equitable and proportionate recompence for his
labour and duty in the vineyard.
FINIS.
yd
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