The Restoring of Fallen Brethren, Title page – Preface
THE RESTORING OF Fallen Brethren: Containing, the Subſtance of Two SERMONS, On Gal. VI. 1, 2. Preached at the Performance of PUBLICK PENANCE, By certain CRIMINALS, On the Lord's-day, uſually called Mid-Lent Sunday; 1696.
In the Pariſh-Church of Old-Swinford in Worceſterſhire.
By Simon Ford, D. D. and Rector there.
With a Preface by the Right Reverend Father in God, Edward Lord Biſhop of Worceſter.
LONDON, Printed for Henry Mortlock, at the Phoenix in St. Paul's-Church-Yard. 1697.
PREFACE.
THE following Sermons is of an extraordinary Nature; being Preached by the Reverend Author, at the Performance of a publick Penance, enjoyned to ſeveral Criminals of his Pariſh. If others of the Clergy would follow ſo good an Example, and do what in them lies to uphold the ſmall Remainders of ancient Diſcipline among us; it would bring more Honour to our Church, and the Religion Eſtabliſhed among us, than the warmeſt Diſputes for our Conſtitution, without regard to the Practiſe of it.
I am not inſenſible, what ſcandalous Imputations our Eccleſiaſtical Courts lie under; but I deſire thoſe who are Concerned, to conſider, in how much better Reputation they might be, if the Management of them were more carefully look'd into, and brought to that Order which the Law of the Land Allows; and the ancient Canons, and common Rules of Juſtice and Equity require. And ſince thoſe Proſecutions are now taken off by Law, which made the loudeſt Noiſe and Clamour againſt them; I hope we may let the World ſee, that what Power is left in our Hands, is Employed for the beſt Ends, viz. the Puniſhment of evil Doers; and the Encouragement of thoſe that do well.
But I fear there are ſome who had rather have Faults continued, that they might ſtill have occaſion to complain, than uſe any Endeavours to Reform the Abuſes Committed in them.
I know no Courts, but are liable to Abuſes; but there is a difference to be made, between ſuch as ariſe from the Rules and Orders of the Court, and ſuch which come only from the perſonal Faults of thoſe who are employ'd in them. As to the former, the Methods of Proceeding in theſe Courts, are of as great Antiquity, at leaſt; as of any other Courts of greateſt Eſteem among us: The Eccleſiaſtical Laws have the ſame Advantage of Cuſtom and long Obſervation, which any other Laws of the Land have; but as to the particular Proceedings oſ ſeveral Courts, the Rules are generally known, and certain, and agreeable to the Laws, and not left to any arbitrary Methods. But where the Faults lie only in the Perſons; I hope that upon any juſt Complaints, effectual Care will be taken to Puniſh the Tranſgreſſors, and to prevent the like for the future.
But the General, and moſt ſenſible Complaint hath been, that Money, which Governs the World too much, hath ſo great an Influence on theſe Courts, that any Criminal Offenders may be excuſed from doing Penance, by a pecuniary Commutation.
Whether there hath been any juſt Occaſion formerly given for any Complaint of that Nature, is out of my reach to enquire; but I hope there hath not of late been any Cauſe for it. Eſpecially, ſince by His Majeſties Injunctions N. 17. No Commutation of Penance is to be made, but by expreſs Order and Directions of the Biſhop himſelf; which ſhall be declared in open Court. And I hope theſe Injunctions will not be like new Laws made for Repairs of High-ways; which often leave them as bad as they find them. If there have been ſcandalous Offenders, which through the Neglect of the Clergy, or the proper Officers have not been Preſented, let the blame lie, where it ought to do; the Eccleſiaſtical Courts have no Reaſon to be charged with other Mens Faults.
But I muſt ſay it for the Honour of the worthy Author of theſe Sermons, that he took care to have the Court duly Informed of the Miſcarriages and Crimes Committed in his Pariſh: whereupon, the Offenders, who performed the Penance, ſubmitted to the Sentence of the Court for it. Which was accordingly done in the moſt publick manner; and he Preached a very ſeaſonable and uſeful Diſcourſe now Printed, relating to the Occaſion. And that it may anſwer the good Ends for which it was deſigned, is my hearty Deſire and Prayer.
Ed. Wigorn. Worceſter, Apr. 8. 97.