Works of Hooker, Book 7 (4 of 4)

Works of Hooker · Book 7 (4 of 4)

p. 428Honor by endowncer with Lords and Livings.XXI. And yet, of all these things rehearsed, it may be there never would have grown any question, had Bishops been honored only thus farr forth. But the honoring of the Clergy with wealth, this is in the eyes of them which pretend to seek nothing but mere Reformation of Abuses, a sin that can never be remitted.

How soon, O how soon, might the Church be perfect, even without any spot or wrinckle, if Publick Authority would at the length say Amen, unto the holy and devout requests of those godly Brethren, who as yet with out-stretched necks, groan in the pangs of their zeal to see the Houses of Bishops risted, and their so long desired Livings gloriously divided amongst the Righteous. But there is an impediment, a lett, which somewhat hindreth those good mens Prayers from taking effect: They, in whose hands the Soveraignty of Power and Dominion over the Church doth rest, are perswaded there is a God; for undoubtedly either the name of Godhead is but a feigned thing; or, if in Heaven there be a God, the Saerilegious intention of Church-Robbers, which lurketh under this plausible name of Reformation, is in his sight a thousand times more hateful than the plain professed malice of those very Miscreants, who threw their Vomit in the open face of our blessed Saviour.

They are not words of perswasion by which true men can hold their own, when they are over-beset with Thieves: And therefore to speak in this Cause at all were but labor lost, saving only in respect of them, who being as yet un-joyned unto this Conspiracy, may be haply somewhat stayed, when they shall know betimes, what it is to see Thieves, and to run on with them,Psal. 50. 1….Ps 50:1 as the Prophet in the Psalm speaketh, When thou sawest a Thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been Partaker with Adulterers.

For the better information therefore of men which carry true, honest, and indifferent mindes, these things we will endeavour to make most clearly manifest:

First, That in Goods and Livings of the Church, none hath propriety but God himself.

p. 429Secondly, That the honor which the Clergy therein hath, is to be, as it were God's Receivers, the honor of Prelates, to be his chief and principal Receivers.

Thirdly, That from him they have right, not only to receive, but also to use such Goods, the lower sort in smaller, and the higher in larger measure.

Fourthly, That in case they be thought, yea, or found to abuse the same, yet may not such honor be therefore lawfully taken from them, and be given away unto Persons of other Calling.

XXII. Possessions, Lands, and Livings Spiritual, the wealth of the Clergy,That of Ecclesiastical Goods, and consiquently of the Lands and Livings which Bishops enioy, … propt … longeth a … God done. the Goods of the Church are in such sort the Lords own, that man can challenge no propriety in them. His they are, and not ours; all things are his, in that from him they have their being,aaHos 2. 5.Hos 2:5 My Corn, and my Wine, and mine Oyl, saith the Lord. All things his, in that he hath absolute power to dispose of them at his pleasure.bbPsal. 50.1 ….Ps 50:1 Mine, saith he, are the Sheep and Oxen of a thousand hills? All things his, in that when we have them, we may say with Iob, God hath given, and when we are deprived of them, The Lord, whose they are, hath likewise taken them away again. But these sacred Possessions are his by another tenure: His, because those men who first received them from him, have unto him returned them again, by way of Religious gift, or Oblation:ccJob …. 1. And in this respect it is, that the Lord doth term those Houses wherein such Gifts and Oblations were laid, His Treasuries.Mat. 3. 10.Matt 3:10

The ground whereupon men have resigned their own interest in things Temporal, and given over the same unto God, is that Precept which Solomon borroweth from the Law of Nature,Prov. 3. 9.Prov 3:9 Honor the Lord out of thy Substance, and of the chiefest of all thy Revenue: so shall thy Barns be filled with Plenty, and with new Wine, the fat of thy Press shall overflow: For although it be by one most fitly spoken against those superstitious Persons, who only are scrupulous in external Rites;Seneca. Wilt thou win the favour of God? He vertuous. They best worship him, that are his Followers. It is not the bowing of your Knees, but of your Hearts; it is not the number of your Oblations, but the integrity of your Lives; not your Incense, but your Obedience, which God is delighted to be honored by: Nevertheless, we must beware, lest simply understanding this, which comparatively is meant; that is to say, whereas the meaning is, that God doth chiefly respect the inward disposition of the Heart, we must take heed we do not hereupon so worship him in Spirit, that outwardly we take all Worship, Reverence, and Honor from him.

Our God will be glorified both of us himself, and for us by others: To others, because our Hearts are known, and yet our example is required for their good; therefore it is not sufficient to carry Religion in our Hearts, as Fire is carried in Flint-stones, but we are outwardly, visibly, apparently, to serve and honor the living God; yea, to employ that way, as not only for our Souls, but our Bodies; so not only our Bodies, but our Goods, yea, the choice, the flower, the chiefest of all thy Revenue, saith Solomon: If thou hast any thing in all thy Possessions of more value and price than other, to what use shouldest thou convert it, rather than to this? Samuel was dear unto Hannah his Mother: The Childe that Hannah did so much esteem, she could not but greatly wish to advance; and her Religious conceit was, that the honoring of God with it, was the advancing of it unto honor. The chiefest of the Off-spring of men are, the Males which be first-born, and, for this cause, in the antient World, they all were by right of their birth Priests of the Most High. By these and the like Precedents, it plainly enough appeareth, that in what Heart soever doth dwell unseigned Religion, in the same there resteth also a willingness to bestow upon God that soonest, which is most dear. Amongst us the Law is, that sith Gold is the chiefest of Mettals, if it be any where found in the bowels of the Earth, it belongeth in right of honor, as all men know, to the King: Whence hath this Custom grown, but onelyonly from a natural perswasion, whereby men judge it decent, for the highest Persons alwayes to be honored with the choisest things?Mat. 1. 8. …Matt 1:8 If ye offer unto God the blinde, saith the Prophet Malachi, it is not evil; if the lame and sick, it is good enough. Present it unto thy Prince, and see if he will content himself, or accept thy Person, saith the Lord of Hosts. When Abel presented God with an Offering, it was the fattest of all the Lambs in his whole Flock; he honored God not onelyonly out of his p. 430substance, but out of the very Chiefest therein, whereby we may somewhat judge, how religiously they stand affected towards God, who grudge that any thing worth the having should be his. Long it were to reckon up particularly, what God was Owner of under the Law: For of this sort was all which they spent in Legal Sacrifices; of this sort, their usual Oblations and Offerings; of this sort, Tythes and Fust-fruits; of this sort, that which by extraordinary occasions they vowed unto God; of this sort, all that they gave to the building of the Tabernacle; of this sort, all that which was gathered amongst them for the erecting of the Temple, and theaaBecause (saith David) I have a delight in the House of my God, therefore I have given the eunio of my own both Gold and Silver to adorn it with. adorning of it erected; of this sort, whatsoever their Corban contained, wherein that blessed Widow's Deodate was laid up. Now either this kinde of Honor was prefiguratively altogether Ceremonial, and then our Saviour accepteth it not; or, if we finde that to him also it hath been done, and that with divine approbation given for encouragement of the World, to shew, by such kinde of service, their dutiful hearts towards Christ, there will be no place left for men to make any question at all, whether herein they do well or no.

Wherefore to descend from the Synagogue unto the Church of Christ, albeit Sacrifices, wherewith sometimes God was highly honored, be not accepted as heretofore at the hands of men:aaChron. 2. 5. Yet, forasmuch asbbPs. 50. 13, 14.Ps 50:13Ps 50:14 Honor God with thy Riches is an Edict of the inseparable Law of Nature, so far forth as men are therein required by such kinde of homage to testifie their thankful mindes, this Sacrifice God doth accept still. Wherefore, as it was said of Christ,Phil. 4. 18. Psal. …2. …1Phil 4:18Ps 2:1 That all Kings should worship him, and all Nations do him service; so this very… kinde of worship or service was likewise mentioned, lest we should think that our Lord and Saviour would allow of no such thing. The Kings of Tarshish, and of the Isles shall bring Presents, the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring Gifts. And,Math. 2. 11.Matt 2:11 as it maketh not a little to the praise of those Sages mentioned in the Gospel, that the first amongst men which did solemnly honor our Saviour on Earth were they; so it soundeth no less to the dignity of this particular kinde, that the rest by it were prevented; They fell down and worshipped, and opened their Treasures, and presented onto him Gifts, Gold, Incense, and Mirr….

Of all those things which were done to the honor of Christ in his life-time, there is not one whereof he spake in such sort, as when Mary, to testifie the largeness of her affection,Matth. 26. 13.Matt 26:13 seemed to waste away a Gift upon him, the price of which Gift might, as they thought who saw it, much better have been spent in works of Mercy towards the Poor, Verily, I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout all the World, there shall also this that she hath dont be spoken of, for memorial of her. Of service to God,Joh. 15. 16.John 15:16 the best works are they which continue longest: And, for permanency, what like Donation, whereby things are unto him for ever dedicated? That the antient Lands and Livings of the Church were all in such sort given into the hands of God by the just Lords and Owners of them, that unto him they passed over their whole interest and right therein, the form of sundry the said Donations as yet extant, most plainly sheweth. And where time hath left no such evidence as now remaining to be seen, yet the same intention is presumed in all Donors; unless the contrary be apparent. But to the end it may yet more plainly appear unto all men under what Title the several kinds of Ecclesiastical Possessions are held,Ans. cap. 15. de …nca. Our Lord himself (saith Saint Augustine) had Coffers to keep those things which the Faithful OFFERED unto him. Then was the form of the Church-treasury first instituted, to the end, that withal we might understand that in forbidding to be careful for to morrow, his purpose was not to bar his Saints from keeping money, but to with-draw them from doing God service for Wealth's sake, and from for saking Righteousness through fear of losing their Wealth.

The first Gifts consecrated unto Christ after his departure out of the World were summes of money, in process of time other Moveables were added, and at length Goods unmoveable, Churches and Oratories hallowed to the honor of his glorious Name, Houses and Lands for perpetuity conveyed unto him, Inheritance given to remain his as long as the World should endure.C. 12. c. 8 cap. 15 & 16. The Apostles (saith Melchiades) they foresaw that God would have his Church amongst the Gentiles, and for that cause in Iudea they took no Lands, but price of Lands sold. This he conjectureth to have been the cause why the Apostles did that which the History reporteth of them.

p. 431The truth is, that so the state of those times did require, as well other where, as in Iudea: Wherefore when afterwards it did appear much more commodious for the Church, to dedicate such Inheritances; then, the value and price of them being sold, the former Custom was changed for this, as for the better. The Devotion of Constantine herein all the World, even till this very day, admireth: They that lived in the prime of the Christian World, thought no Testament Christianly made, nor any thing therein well bequeathed, unless something were thereby added unto Christ's Patrimony: Touching which men, what judgement the World doth now give, I know not; perhaps we deem them to have been herein but blinde and superstitious Persons. Nay, we in these cogitations are blinde; they contrariwise did with Solomon plainly know and perswade themselves, that thus to diminish their wealth,Prov. 10. 3.Prov 10:3 was not to diminish, but to augment it; according to that which God doth promise to his own People, by the Prophet Malachi, M…l 3. 10. 2 Chro. 31.2 Chr 31and which they by their own particular experience sound true: If Wickliff therefore were of that opinion which his Adversaries ascribe unto him (whether truly, or of purpose to make him odious, I cannot tell, for in his Writings I do not finde it) namely,T…. Wald. tum. 1. lib… 4. c. 39. That Constantine, and others following his steps did evil, as having no sufficient ground whereby they might gather, that such Donations are acceptable to Iesus Christ, it was in Wickless a palpable error. I will use but one onelyonly Argument to stand in the stead of many: Iacob taking his Journey unto Haran, made in this sort his solemn vow,Gen. 28.20.Gen 28:20 If God will be with me, and will keep me in this Iourney which I go, and will give me Bread to eat, and Cloathes to put on, so that I come again to my Fathers house in safety; then shall the Lord be my God, and this Stone which I have set up a Pillar shall be the House of God, and of all that thou shall give me, will I give the Tenth unto thee. May a Christian man desire as great things as Iacob did at the hands of God? may he desire them in as earliest manner? may he promise as great thankfulness in acknowledging the goodness of God? may he vow any certain kinde of publick acknowledgment before hand; or, though he vow it not, perform it after, in such sort that men may see he is perswaded how the Lord hath been his God? Are these particular kindes of testifying thankfulness to God, the erecting of Oratories, the dedicating of Lands and Goods to maintain them, forbidden any where? Let any mortal man living shew but one reason, wherefore in this point to follow Iacob's example, should not be a thing both acceptable unto God, and in the eyes of the World for ever most highly commendable? Concerning Goods of this nature, Goods whereof when we speak, we term them foreign, The Goods that are consecrated unto God; and, as Tertullian speaketh, Deposit a pietatis, things which Piety and Devotion hath laid up, as it were in the bosom of God: Touching such Goods, the Law Civil following mere light of Nature, defineth them to be no mans, because no mortal man, or community of men, hath right of propriety in them.

XXIII. Persons Ecclesiastical are God's Stewards,That Ecclesiastical Persons are Receivers of God's …enr… and that the honor of Prelates is, to be thereof his chief Receivers; not without liberty from him gra…ted, of converting the same unto their own use, even in large manner. not onelyonly for that he hath set them over his Family, as the Ministers of ghostly food; but even for this very cause also, that they are to receive and dispose his Temporal Revenues, the gifts, and oblations which men bring him. Of the Jews it is plain, that their Tyths they offered unto the Lord, and thoseaaNum. 18.23Num 18:23 offerings the Lord bestowed upon the Levites. When the Levites gave the Tenth of their Tythes, this their Gift the Law doth term the Lord's Heave-offering, andbbNum. 19.23Num 19:23 appoint that the High-Priest should receive the same. ccNum…. 21.Of spoils taken in War, that part which they were accustomed to separate unto God, they brought it before the Priest of the Lord, by whom it was laid up in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, for a memorial of their thankfulness towards God, and his goodness towards them, in fighting for them against their enemies. As therefore the Apostle magnifieth the honor of Melchisedec, in that he being an High-Priest, did receive at the hands of Abraham the Tyths which Abraham did honor God with: so it argueth in the Apostles themselves great honor, that at their feet the price of those Possessions was laid, which men thought good to bestow on Christ.ddHeb. 7. 3.Heb 7:3 St. Paul commending the Churches which were in Macedonia, for their exceeding liberality this way, saith of them,eeActs …. 34. That he himself would bear record, they had declared their forward mindes, according to their power, yea, beyond their power, p. 432and had so much exceeded his expectation of them;2 Cor. 8. 5.2 Cor 8:5 that they seemed as it were even to give away themselves first to the Lord, saith the Apostle, and then by the will of God unto us: To him, as the owner of such gifts; to us, as his appointed receivers and dispensers. The gift of the Church of Antioch, Acts 11.30. Acts 21. 18. & 12. 17.Acts 11:30Acts 21:18Acts 12:17bestowed unto the use of distressed Brethren which were in Iudea, Paul and Baruabar did deliver unto the Presbyters of Ierusalem; and the head of those Presbyters was Iames, he therefore the Chiefest disposer thereof.

Amongst those Canons which are entituled Apostolical, one is this,Cap. 41. Et Concil. Antioch c. 25. We appoint, that the Bishop have care of these things which belong to the Church; the meaning is, of Church-Goods, as the Reason following sheweth:foreign For if the precious Souls of men must be committed unto him of trust, much more it beloveth the charge of money to be given him, that by his Authority the Presbyters and Deacons may administer all things to them that stand in need. So that he which hath done them the honor to be, as it were, his Treasurers, hath left them also authority and power to use these his Treasures, both otherwise, and for the maintenance even of their own Estate; the lower sort of the Clergy, according unto a meaner; the higher, after a larger proportion. The use of Spiritual goods and possessions, hath been a matte… much disputed of, grievous complaints there are usually made against the evil and unlawful usage of them, but with no certain determination hitherto, on what things and Persons; with what proportion and measure they being bestowed, do retain their lawful use. Some men condemn it as idle, superfluous, and altogether vain, that any part of the Treasure of God should be spent upon costly Ornaments, appertaining unto his Service: who being best worshipped, when he is served in Spirit and truth,John 4. 14.John 4:14 hath not for want of pomp and magnificence, rejected at any time those who with faithful hearts have adored him. Whereupon the Hereticks, termed Henriciani and Petrobusiani, threw down Temples and Houses of Prayer, erected with marvellous great charge, as being in that respect not fit for Christ by us to be honored in. We deny not, but that they who sometime wandred as Pilgrims on earth,Heb. 11. 3….Heb 11:3 and had no Temples, but made Caves and Dens to pray in, did God such honor as was most acceptable in his sight; God did not reject them for their poverty and nakedness sake: Their Sacraments were not abhorred for want of Vessels of Gold.

Howbeit, let them who thus delight to plead, answer me, When Moses first, and afterwards David, exhorted the people of Israel unto matter of charge about the service of God; suppose we it had been allowable in them to have thus pleaded, Our Fathers in Egypt served God devoutly, God war with them in all their afflictions, he heard their Prayers, pitied their Case, and delivered them from the tyranny of their oppressors; what House, Tabernacle, or Temple had they? Such Argumentations are childish and fond; God doth not refuse to be honored at all, where there lacketh wealth; but where abundance and store is, he there requireth the Flower thereof, being bestowed on him, to be employed even unto the Ornament of his Service: In Egypt the state of his People was servitude, and therefore his Service was accordingly. In the Defart they had no sooner ought of their own, but a Tabernacle is required; and in the Land of Canaan, a Temple. In the eyes of David it seemed a thing not fit, a thing not decent, that himself should be more richly seated than God.

But concerning the use of Ecclesiastical Goods bestowed this way, there is not so much contention amongst us, as what measure of allowance is fit for Ecclesiastical Persons to be maintained with. A better rule in this case to judge things by, we cannot possibly have, than the… Wisdom of God himself; by considering what he thought meet for each degree of the Clergy to enjoy in time of the Law; what for Levites, what for Priests, and what for High-Priests, somewhat we shall be the more able to discern rightly, what may be fit, convenient, and right for the Christian Clergy likewise. Priests for their maintenance had those first-fruits of aaNum. 18.15.Num 18:15Cattel, bbNum. 12.Num 12Coin, Wine, Oyl, and ccNum. 13.Num 13other Commodities of the Earth, which the Jews were accustomed yearly to present God with. They hadddVerse 1…. the price which was appointed for men to pay in lieu of the first-born of their Children, and the price of the first born also amongst Cattel, which were unclean: They had the vowedeeVerse 8. Gifts of the People, orffLe…. 9.11. Verse 14 Num… 1…. 5.Num 1:5 the prices, if they were redeemable by the Donors p. 433after vow, as some things were: They had the free, and un-vowed Oblations of men:Vers. 8. 5, …1. 18. They had the remainder of things sacrificed: With Tythes, the Levites were maintained; and with the tythe of their Tythes, the High-Priest.

In a word, if the quality of that which God did assign to his Clergy be considered, and their manner of receiving it, without labour, expence, or charge, it will appear, that the Tribe of Levi being but the twelfth part of Israel, had in effect as good as four twelfth parts of all such Goods as the holy Land did yield: So that their Worldly Estate was four times as good as any other Tribes in Israel besides: But the High-Priest's condition, how ample? to whom belonged the Tenth of all the Tythe of this Land, especially the Law provicing also, that as the people did bring the best of all things unto the Priests and Levites, so the Levite should deliver the choice and flower of all their Commodities to the High-Priest, and so his Tenthpart by that mean be made the very best part amongst ten: by which proportion, if the Levites were ordinarily in all not above thirty thousand men (whereas when David numbred them,1 Chron. 2.3…1 Chr 2:3 he found almost thirty eight thousand above the age of thirty years) the High-Priest after this very reckoning,Gen. 47.…2.Gen 47:2 had as much as three or four thousand others of the Clergy to live upon. Over and besides all this, lest the Priests of Egypt holding Lands, should seem in that respect better provided for, than the Priests of the true God, it pleased him further to appoint unto them forty and eight whole Cities, with Territories of Land adjoyning,Numb 35.9. Josh. 14.4.Num 35:9Josh 14:4 to hold as their own free Inheritance for ever. For to the end they might have all kinde of encouragement, not onelyonly to do what they ought, but to take pleasure in that they did: albeit they were expresly forbidden to have any part of the Land of Canaan laid out whole to themselves, by themselves, in such sort as the rest of the Tribes had, forasmuch as the will of God was, rather that they should throughout all Tribes be dispersed, for the easier access of the People unto knowledge:Deut. 12. 8. Lev. 25.33.34.Deut 12:8Lev 25:33Lev 25:34 Yet were they not barred altogether to hold Land, nor yet otherwise the worse provided for, in respect of that former restraint; for God by way of special preheminence, undertook to feed them at his own Table, and out of his own proper Treasury to maintain them, that want and penury they might never feel, except God himself did first receive injury. A thing most worthy our consideration, is the wisdom of God herein; for the Common sort being prone unto envy and murmur, little considereth of what necessity, use and importance, the sacred duties of the Clergy are, and for that Cause hardly yieldeth them any such honor, without repining and grudging thereat; they cannot brook it, that when they have laboured, and come to reap, there should so great a portion go out of the fruit of their Labours, and he yielded up unto such as sweat nor for it. But when the Lord doth challenge this as his own due, and require it to be done by way of homage unto him, whose mere liberality and goodness had raised them from a poor and servile estate, to place them where they had all those ample and rich possessions, they must be worse than Brute beasts, if they would storm at any thing which He did receive at their hands. And for him to bestow his own on his own Servants (which liberty is not denied unto the meanest of men) what man liveth that can think it other than most reasonable? Wherefore no cause there was, why that which the Clergy had, should in any man's eye seem too much, unless God himself were thought to be of an over-having disposition.

This is the mark whereat all those speeches drive,…. 10. 9. I…th. 13. 14. Numb. 18.24.Num 18:24 Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his Brethren, the Lord is his inheritance, again, To the Tribe of Levi, he gave no inheritance, the Sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel an inheritance of Levi; again, The tyths of the which they shall offer as an offering unto the Lord, I have given the Levites for an inheritance; and again,Verse 19. All the heave-offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel shall offer unto the Lord, I have given thee, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee, to be a duty for ever; it is a perpetual Covenant of salt before the Lord. Now that, if such provision be possible to be made, the Christian Clergy ought not herein to be inferior unto the Jewish, What sounder proof than the Apostles own kinde of Argument?1 Cor. 9. 13.1 Cor 9:13 Do ye not know, that they which minister about the holy things, eat of the things of the Temple? and they which partake of the Altar are partakers with the Altar? So, (even So,) hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. p. 434Upon which words I thus conclude, that if the People of God do abound, and abounding can so farr forth finde in their hearts to shew themselves towards Christ their Saviour, thankful as to honor him with their riches (which no Law of God or Nature forbiddeth) no less than the antient Jewish people did honor God; the plain Ordinance of Christ appointeth as large, and as ample proportion out of his own treasure unto them that serve him in the Gospel, as ever the Priests of the Law did enjoy? What further proof can we desire? It is the blessed Apostles testimony, That even so the Lord hath ordained. Yea, I know not whether it be sound to interpret the Apostle otherwise than that,1 Tim. 5. 17. 2 Cor. 3. 8. Vide …2…. 79. art. 1.1 Tim 5:172 Cor 3:8 whereas he judgeth the Presbyters which rule well in the Church of Christ to be worthy of double honor, he means double unto that which the Priests of the Law received; For if that Ministry which was of the Letter were so glorious, how shall not the Ministry of the Spirit be more glorious? If the Teachers of the Law of Moses, which God delivered written with Letters in Tables of Stone, were thought worthy of so great honor, how shall not the Teachers of the Gospel of Christ be in his sight most worthy, the Holy Ghost being sent from Heaven to ingrave the Gospel on their Hearts who first taught it, and whose Successors they that teach it at this day are? So that according to the Ordinance of God himself, their Estate for worldly maintenance ought to be no worse than is granted unto other sorts of men, each according to that degree they were placed in. Neither are we so to judge of their worldly condition, as if they were Servants of men, and at mens hands did receive those earthly benefits by way of stipend in lieu of pains whereunto they are hired: nay that which is paid unto them is homage and tribute due unto the Lord Christ. His Servants they are, and from him they receive such goods by way of stipend. Not so from men: For at the hands of men, he himself being honored with such things, hath appointed his Servants therewith according to their several degrees and places to be maintained. And for their greater encouragement who are his Labourers he hath to their comfort assured them for ever,1 Tim 5. 18.1 Tim 5:18 that they are, in his estimation, worthy the hire which he alloweth them; and therefore if men should withdraw from him the store, which those his Servants that labour in his Work are maintained with, yet be in his Word shall be found everlastingly true, their labour in the Lord shall not be forgotten; the hire he accounteth them worthy of, they shall surely have either one way or other answered.

Acts 4. 31.Acts 4:31In the prime of the Christian world, that which was brought and laid down at the Apostles feet, they disposed of by distribution, according to the exigence of each man's need. Neither can we think, that they, who, out of Christ's treasury made provision for all others, were careless to furnish the Clergy with all things fit and convenient for their Estate: And as themselves were chiefest in place of Authority, and Calling, so no man doubteth, but that proportionably they had power to use the same for their own decent maintenance▪ The Apostles, with the rest of the Clergy in Ierusalem lived at that time according to the manner of a Fellowship, or Collegiate Society maintaining themselves and the poor of the Church with a common purse, the rest of the Faithful keeping that Purse continually stored. And in that sense it is, that the Sacred History saith, All which believed were in one place, and had all things common. Acts 2. 44.Acts 2:44In the Histories of the Church, and in the Writings of the Antient Fathers for some hundreds of years after, we finde no other way for the maintenance of the Clergy but onelyonly this, the Treasury of Jesus Christ furnished through mens Devotion, bestowing sometimes Goods, sometimes Lands that way, and out of his Treasury the charge of the service of God was de…rayed, the Bishop and the Clergy under him maintained, the poor in their necessity ministred unto. For which purpose, every Bishop had some one of the Presbyters under him to be aaDitp…ns. Prosp. de vita contemp. l. 2. c. 12. Oc…n. l. 14. C de Sa…r. …erl…s. & Novel. 7. In Princip.Treasurer of the Church, to receive, keep, and deliver all; which Office in Churches Cathedral remaineth even till this day, albeit the use thereof be not altogether so large now as heretofore. The disposition of these goods was by the appointment of the Bishop. WhereforebbProsp. de vi… Cortempl. lib. cap. 1…. Prosper speaking of the Bishops care herein, saith, It was necessary for one to be troubled therewith, to the end that the rest under him might be freer to attend quietly their Spiritual businesses. And left any man should imagine, that Bishops by this means were hindred themselves from attending the service of God, Even herein, saith he, they d… God service; for if these things which are p. 435bestowed on the Church be God's; he doth the work of God, who, not of a covetous minde, but with purpose of most faithful administration, taketh care of things consecrated unto God. And forasmuch as the Presbyters of every Church could not all live with the Bishop, partly for that their number was great, and partly because the People being once divided into Parishes, such Presbyters as had severally charge of them were by that mean more conveniently to live in the midst each of his own particular flock, therefore a competent number being fed at the sameaaCypr. lib. 4. Ep. 5. Presbyterii honorem defiguasse nos ill…s jam seiatis de … sportulis eisdem cum Presbyteris honorentur, &c divisioner menfurnai aequaris quantitatibus parti…ntur, sensuri nobiscum provectis & corr…horatis anuis suis. Which words of Cyprian do shew, that every Presbyter had his standing allowance out of the Church treasury; that besides the same allowance called Sportula, some also had their portion in that dividend which was the remainder of every months expence; thirdly that out of the Presbyters under… him, the Bishop as them had a certain number of the gravest, who lived and commoned always with him. Table with the Bishop, the rest had their whole allowance apart, which several allowances were called Sportulae, and they who received them, Sportulantes fratres. Touching the Bishop, as his Place and Estate was higher, so likewise the proportion of his Charges about himself, being for that cause in all equity and reason greater; yet, forasmuch as his stiat herein was no other than it pleased himself to set, the rest (as the manner of Inferiours is to think that they which are over them alwayes have too much) grudged many times at the measure of the Bishops private expence, perhaps not without cause: Howsoever, by this occasion, there grew amongst them great heart-burning, quarrel and strife: where the Bishops were found culpable, as eating too much beyond their tether, aud drawing more to their own private maintenance than the proportion of Christ's Patrimony being not greatly abundant could bear, sundry Constitutions hereupon were made to moderate the same, according to the Churches condition in those times. Some before they were made Bishops, having been Owners of ample Possessions, sold them, and gave them away to the Poor:bbProsp. de vita contempl. l. 2. c …. Pont. Diacon. in vita Cypr. Thus did Paulinus, Hilary, Cyprian, and sundry others. Hereupon, they, who entring into the same Spiritual and high Function, held their Secular Possessions still, were hardly thought of: And even when the Case was fully resolved, that so to do was not unlawful, yet it grew a question, Whether they lawfully might then take any thing out of the Publick Treasury of Christ? a question, Whether Bishops, holding by Civil Title sufficient to live of their own, were bound in Conscience to leave the Goods of the Church altogether to the use of others. Of contentions about these matters there was no end, neither appeared there any possible way for quietness, otherwise than by making partition of Church-Revenues, according to the several ends and users for which they did serve, that so the Bishops part might be certain. Such partition being made, the Bishop enjoyed his portion several to himself; the rest of the Clergy likewise theirs; a third part was severed to the furnishing and upholding of the Church; a fourth to the erection and maintenance of Houses wherein the Poor might have relief. After which separation made, Lands and Livings began every day to be dedicated unto each use severally, by means whereof every of them became in short time much greater than they had been for worldly maintenance, the fervent devotion of men being glad that this new opportunity was given, of shewing zeal to the House of God in more certain order.

By these things it plainly appeareth, what proportion of maintenance hath been ever thought reasonable for a Bishop; sith in that very partition agreed on, to bring him unto his certain stint, as much as allowed unto him alone, as unto all the Clergy under him, namely, a fourtli part of the whole yearly Rents and Revenues of the Church. Nor is it likely, that, before those Temporalities, which now are such eye-sores, were added unto the honour of Bishops, their state was so mean, as some imagine: For if we had no other evidence than the covetous and ambitious humour of Hereticks, whose impotent desires of aspiring thereunto, and extreme discontentment as oft as they were defeated, even this doth shew, that the state of Bishops was not a few degrees advanced above the rest. Wherefore of grand Apostates which were in the very prime of the Primitive Church, thus Lactantius above thirteen hundred years sithence, testified,Lact. de vera. sap. l. 5. c. 30. Men of a slippery saith they were, who feigning that they knew and worshipped God, but seeking onelyonly that they might grow in WEALTH and Honour, affected the Place of the HIGHEST PRIESTHOOD; whereunto, when their Betters were chosen before them, they thought it better to leave the Church, and to draw their Favourers with them, than to endure those men their Governours, whom themselves desired to govern. Now, whereas against the present estate of Bishops, and the greatness of their port, and the largeness of their expences at this day, there is not any thing more commonly objected than those antient Canons, whereby they are p. 436restrained unto a far more sparing life, their Houses, their Retinue, their Diet limited within a farr more narrow compass than is now kept; we must know, that those Laws and Orders were made, when Bishops lived of the same Purse, which served a well for a number of others, as them, and yet all at their disposing: So that convenient it was to provide, that there might be a moderate stint appointed to measure their expences by, lest others should be injured by their wastefulness. Contrariwise, there is now no cause wherefore any such Law should be urged, when Bishops live onelyonly of that which hath been peculiarly alloted unto them: They having therefore Temporalities and other Revenues to bestow for their own private use, according to that which their state requireth, and no other having with them any such common interest therein, their own discretion is to be their Law for this matter; neither are they to be pressed with the rigour of such antient Canons as were framed for other times, much less so odiously to be upbraided with uncomformity unto the Pattern of our Lord and Saviour's estate, in such circumstances as himself did never minde to require, that the rest of the World should of necessity be like him. Thus against the wealth of the Clergy, they alledge how meanly Christ himself was provided for; against Bishops Palaces, his want of a hole to hide his Head in; against the service done unto them, that he came to minister, not to be ministred unto in the World. Which things, as they are not unfit to controul covetous, proud, or ambitious desires of the Ministers of Christ, and even of all Christians, whatsoever they be; and to teach men contentment of minde, how mean soever their estate is, considering that they are but Servants to him, whose condition was farrmore abused than theirs is, or can be; so to prove such difference in State between us and him unlawful, they are of no force or strength at all. If one convented before their Consistories, when he standeth to make this Answer, should break out into Invectives against their Authority, and tell them, that Christ, when he was on Earth, did not sit to judge, but stand to be judged; would they hereupon think it requisite to dissolve their Eldership, and to permit no Tribunals, no Judges at all, for fear of swerving from our Saviour's example? If those men, who have nothing in their mouths more usual, than the poverty of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, alledge not this as Iulian sometime did, Beati panperes, unto Christians, when his meaning was to spoyl them of that they had; our hope is then, that as they seriously and sincerely wish, that our Saviour Christ in this point may be followed, and to that end onelyonly propose his blessed example; so, at our hands again, they will be content to hear with like willingness, the holy Apostle's Exhortation, made unto them of the Laity also,1 Cor. 11. 1. Phil. 3. 1….1 Cor 11:1Phil 3:1 Be ye Followers of us, even as we are of Christ; let us be your example, even as the Lord Iesus Christ is ours, that we may all proceed by one and the same rule.

XXIV. But beware we of following Christ, as Thieves follow True-men, to take their Goods by violence from them.That for their unworthiness, to deprive both them and their Encres…ors of such Go…ds, and to …nves the same unto men of Secular Calling, were extreme Sacral…gious injus…e. Be it, that Bishops were all unworthy, not onelyonly of Livings, but even of Life, yet what hath our Lord Jesus Christ deserved, for which men should judge him worthy to have the things that are his given away from him, unto others that have no right unto them? For at this mark it is, that the head Lay-Reformers do all aim. Must these unworthy Prelates give place; What then? Shall Better succeed in their rooms? Is this desired, to the end that others may enjoy their Honours, which shall doe Christ more faithful service than they have done? Bishops are the worst men living upon Earth; therefore let their sanctified Possessions be divided: Amongst whom? O blessed Reformation! O happy men, that put to their helpinghands for the furtherance of so good and glorious a Work! Wherefore, albeit the whole World at this day do already perceive, and Posterity be like hereafter a great deal more plainly to discern; not that the Clergy of God is thus heaved at, because they are wicked, but that means are vsed to put it into the heads of the simple multitude, that they are such indeed: to the end that those who thirst for the spoyl or Spiritual Possessions, may, till such time as they have their purpose, be thought to covet nothing but onelyonly the just extinguishment of un-reformable Persons; so that in regard of such mens intentions, practices, and machinations against p. 437them, the part that suffereth these things,Psal. 7. 8.Ps 7:8 may most fitly pray with David, Iudge thou me, O Lord, according to my Righteousness, and according unto mine innocency: O let the malice of the wicked come to an end, and be thou the guide of the just. Notwithstanding, forasmuch as it doth not stand with Christian humility otherwise to think, then that this violent outrage of men, is a rod in the ireful hands of the Lord our God, the smart whereof we deserve to feel: Let it not seem grievous in the eyes of my reverend L. L. the Bishops, if to their good consideration I offer a view of those sores which are in the kind of their heavenly function, most apt to breed, and which being not in time cured, may procure at the length that which God of his infinite mercy avert. Of Bishops in his time St. Ierome complaineth, that they took it in great disdain to have any fault, great or small found with them:Epiph. contra hares. l. 3.10 1. baer. 70. Epiphanius likewise before Ierome, noteth their impatiency this way, to have been the very chuse of a Schism in the Church of Christ; at what time one Audius, a Man of great Integrity of life, full of faith and zeal towards God, beholding those things which were corruptly done in the Church, told the B B. and Presbyters their faults in such sort as those men are wont, who love the truth from their hearts, and walk in the paths of a most exact life. Whether it were covetousness, or sensuality in their lives; absurdity or error in their teaching; any breach of the laws and Canons of the Church wherein he espied them faulty, certain and sure they were to be thereof most plainly told. Which thing, they whose dealings were justly culpable, could not bear; but, instead of amending their faults, bent their hatred against him who sought their amendment, till at length they drove him by extremity of infestation, through weariness of striving against their injuries, to leave both them, and with them the Church. Amongst the manifold accusations, either generally intended against the Bishops of this our Church, or laid particularly to the charge of any of them, I cannot find that hitherto their spitefullest adversaries have been able to say justly, that any man for telling them their personal faults in good and Christian sort, hath sustained in that respect much persecution. Wherefore, notwithstanding mine own inferior estate and calling in Gods Church, the consideration whereof assureth me, that in this kind the sweetest Sacrifice which I can offer unto Christ, is meek Obedience, reverence and aw unto the Prelates which he hath placed in seats of higher Authority over me, emboldned I am, so far as may conveniently stand with that duty of humble subjection, meekly to crave, my good L L. your favourable pardon, if it shall seem a fault thus far to presume; or▪ if otherwise, your wonted courteous acceptation.

AEneid. l. 12.

—Sinite hat haud mollia fatu

Sublatis aperite dolis

In government, be it of what kind soever, but especially if it be such kind of Government as Prelates have over the Church, there is not one thing publiquely more hurtful then that an hard opinion should be conceived of Governors at the first: and a good opinion how should the World ever conceive of them for their after-proceedings in Regiment, whose first access and entrance thereunto, giveth just occasion to think them corrupt men, which fear not that God, in whose name they are to rule? Wherefore a scandalous thing it is to the Church of God, and to the Actors themselves dangerous, to have aspired unto rooms of Prelacy by wicked means. We are not at this day troubled much with that tumultuous kind of ambition wherewith the elections ofaaAmmian. Marcel. lib. 37 Damasus in S. Ieromes age, and ofbbVide in vita Greg. Naz. Maximus in Gregories time, and of others, were long sithence stained. Our greatest fear is rather the evil which ccNemo gradum sacerdoti precii venalitate mercetur quantum quisque mercatur non quantum dare sufficiat, aestimetur. Profecto enim, quis locus tutus & quae causa esse poterit excusata, si veneranda Dei templa pecuniis expugnentur? Quem murum integritaris aut vallum providebimus, si auri sacra fames in penetralia veneranda proserpat …quid deni que cantum esse poterit aut securum, si sanctitas incorrupta corrumpatur? Cesser altaribus imminere profanus ardor avaritiae, & à sacris a…ytis repellatur pi…culare flagitium. Ira que castus & humilis nostris temporibus eligatur Episcopus, ut quocun que loc…rum pervenitit, omnia vita propriae integritate purificet. Nec pretio sed precibus ordinetur Antistes. l. 31. C. de Epis. & Cler.Leo and Anthemius did by Imperial constitution, endeavour as much as in them by to prevent. He which granteth, or he which receiveth the office and dignity of a Bishop, otherwise then beseemeth a thing Divine and most holy; he which bestoweth and he which obteineth it after any other sort then were honest and lawful to use, if our Lord Jesus Christ were present himself on earth to bestow it even with his own hands, sinneth a sin by so much more grievous then the sin of Balshazar, by how much Offices and Functions heavenly are more precious then the meanest ornaments p. 438or implements which thereunto appertain. If it be, as the Apostle saith, that the Holy Ghost doth make Bishops, and that the whole action of making them is Gods own deed, men being therein but his Agents; what spark of the fear of God can there possibly remain in their hearts, who representing the person of God in naming worthy men to Ecclesiastial charge, do sell that which in his name they are to bestow, or who standing as it were at the Throne of the Living God do bargain for that which at his hands they are to receive? Wo worth such impious and irreligious prophanations. The Church of Christ hath been hereby made, not a den of thieves, but in a manner the very dwelling place of soul spirits; for undoubtedly, such a number of them have been in all ages who thus have climbed into the seat of Episcopal Regiment.

2. Men may by orderly means be invested with spiritual Authority, and yet do harm by reason of ignorance how to use it to the good of the Church. It is saith Chrysostom, foreign; a thing highly to be accompted of, but a hard thing to be that which a Bishop should be. Yea a hard and a toilsom thing it is, for a Bishop to know the things that belong unto a Bishop. A right good man may be a very unfit Magistrate. And for discharge of a Bishops Office, to be well minded is not enough, no not to be well learned also. Skill to instruct is a thing necessary, skill to govern much more necessary in a Bishop. It is not safe for the Church of Christ, when Pishops learn what belongeth unto Government, as Empericks learn physick by killing of the sick. Bishops were wont to be men of great learning in the Laws both Civil and of the Church; and while they were so, the wisest men in the land for Counsel and Government were Bishops.

3. Know we never so well what belongeth unto a charge of so great moment, yet can we not therein proceed but with hazard of publique detriment, if we relye on our selves alone, and use not the benefit of conference with others. A singular mean to unity and concord amongst themselves, a marvellous help unto uniformity in their dealings, no small addition of weight and credit unto that which they do, a strong bridle unto such as watch for occasions to stir against them; finally, a very great stay unto all that are under their Government, it could not chuse but be soon found, if Bishops did often and seriously use the help of mutual consultation, These three rehearsed are things onelyonly preparatory unto the course of Episcopal proceedings. But the hurt is more manifestly seen which doth grow to the Church of God by faults inherent in their several actions, as when they carelesly Ordein, when they Institute negligently, when corruptly they bestow Church-Livings, Benefices, Prebends, and rooms especially of Jurisdiction, when they visit for gain-sake, rather then with serious intent to do good, when their Courts erected for the maintenance of good Order are disordered; when they regard not the Clergy under them; when neither Clergy nor Laity are kept in that aw for which this authority should serve; when any thing appeareth in them rather then a fatherly affection towards the flock of Christ when they have no respect to posterity; and finally, when they neglect the true and requisite means whereby their authority should be upheld. Surely the hurt which groweth out of these defects must needs be exceeding great. In a Minister, ignorance and disability to teach is a maim, nor is it held a thing allowable to ordain such, were it not for the avoiding of a greater evil which the Church must needs sustain, if in so great scarcity of able men, and unsufficiency of most Parishes throughout the Land to maintain them, both publick Prayer and the Administration of Sacraments should rather want, then any man thereunto be admitted lacking dexterity and skill to perform that which otherwise was most requisite. Wherefore the necessity of ordaining such, is no excuse for the rash and careless ordaining of every one that hath but a friend to bestow some two or three words of ordinary commendation in his behalf. By reason whereof the Church groweth burdened with silly creatures more then need, whose noted baseness and insufficiency bringeth their very Order it self into contempt.

It may be that the fear of a Quare impedit doth cause Institutions to pass more easily then otherwise they would. And to speak plainly the very truth, it may be that Writs of Quare non impedit, were for these times most necessary in the others place: Yet where Law will not suffer men to follow their own judgment, to shew their judgment p. 439they are not hindred. And I doubt not but that even conscienceless and wicked Patrons, of which sort the swarms are too great in the Church of England, are the more imboldened to present unto Bishops any reffuse, by finding so easie acceptation thereof. Somewhat they might redress this sore, notwithstanding so strong impediments. if it did plainly appear that they took it indeed to heart, & were not in a manner contented with it.

Shall we look for care in admitting whom others present, if that which some of your selves confer, be at any time corruptly bestowed? A foul and an ugly kind of deformity it hath, if a man do but think what it is for a Bishop to draw commodity and gain from those things whereof he is left a free bestower, and that in trust, without any other obligation then his sacred Order only, and that religious Integrity which hath been presumed on in him. Simoniacal corruption I may not for honors sake suspect to be amongst men of so great place. So often they do not, I trust, offend by sale; as by unadvised gift of such preferments, wherein that ancient Canon should specially be remembred, which forbiddeth a Bishop to be led by humane affection,Can. Apost. …5 in bestowing the things of God. A fault no where so hurtful, as in bestowing places of jurisdiction, and in furnishing Cathedral Churches, the Prebendaries and other Dignities whereof are the very true successors of those ancient Presbyters which were at the first as Counsellers unto Bishops. A foul abuse it is, that any one man should be loaded as some are with Livings in this kind, yea some even of them who condemn utterly the granting of any two Benefices unto the same man, whereas the other is in truth a matter of far greater sequel, as experience would soon shew, if Churches Cathedral being furnished with the residence of a competent number of vertuous, grave, wise and learned Divines, the rest of the Prebends of every such Church were given within the Diocess unto men of worthiest desert, for their better encouragement unto industry and travel; unless it seem also convenient to extend the benefit of them unto the learned in Universities, and men of special imployment otherwise in the affairs of the Church of God. But howsoever, surely with the publick good of the Church it will hardly stand, that in any one person such favours be more multiplied, then law permitteth, in those Livings which are with Cure.

Touching Bishops Visitations, the first institution of them was profitable, to the end that the state and condition of Churches being known, there might be for evils growing convenient remedies provided in due time. The observation of Church Laws, the correction of faults in the service of God and manners of men, these are things that visitors should seek. When these things are inquired of formally, and but for custom sake, fees and pensions being the only thing which is sought, and little else done by Visitations; we are not to marvel if the baseness of the end doth make the action it self loathsom. The good which Bishops may do not only by these Visitations belonging ordinarily to their Office, but also in respect of that power which the Founders of Colledges have given them of special trust, charging even fearfully their consciences therewith: the good I say which they might do by this their authority, both within their own Diocess, and in the well-springs themselves, the Universities, is plainly such as cannot chuse but add weight to their heavy accounts in that dreadful Day, if they do it not.

In their Courts where nothing but singular integrity and Justice should prevail, if palpable and gross corruptions be found, by reason of Offices so often granted unto men who seek nothing but their own gain; and make no account what disgrace doth grow by their unjust dealings unto them under whom they deal the evil hereof shall work more then they which procure it do perhaps imagine.

At the hands of a Bishop the first thing looked for, is a care of the Clergy under him, a care that in doing good they may have whatsoever comforts and encouragements his countenance, authority, and place may yield. Otherwise what heard shall they have to proceed in their painful course, all sorts of men besides being so ready to malign, despise, and every way oppress them? Let them find nothing but disdain in Bishops; in the enemies of present Government, if that way lift to betake themselves, all kind of favourable and friendly help; unto which part think we it likely that men having wit, courage, and stomack will incline?

As great a fault is the want of severity when need requireth, as of kindness and courtesie in Bishops. But touching this, what with ill usage of their powe amongst the meaner and what with disuage amongst the higher sort, they are in the eyes of both sorts as Bees have lost their sting. It is a long time sithence any great one hath felt, or almost any p. 440one much feared the edge of that Ecclesiastical severity, which sometime held Lords and Dukes in a more religious aw then now the meanest are able to be kept.

A Bishop, in whom there did plainly appear the marks and tokens of a fatherly affection towards them are under his charge, what good might he do ten thousand ways more then any man knows how to set down? But the souls of men are not loved; that which Christ shed his blood for, is not esteemed precious. This is the very root, the fountain of all negligence in Church-Government.

Most wretched are the terms of mens estate when once they are at a point of wrechlesness so extream, that thy bend not their wits any further than only to shift out the present time, never regarding what shall become of their Successors after them. Had our Predecessors so loosely cast off from them all care and respect to posterity, a Church Christian there had no… been, about the regiment whereof we should need at this day to strive. It was the barbarous affection of Nero, that the ruine of his own Imperial Seat he could have been well enough contented to see, in case he might also have seen it accompanied with the fall of the whole World: An affection not more intolerable then theirs, who care not to overthrow all posterity, so they may purchase a few days of Ignominious safety unto themselves, and their present estates, if it may be termed a safety which tendeth so fast unto their very overthrow, that are the Purchasers of it in so vile and base manner.

Men whom it standeth upon to uphold a reverend estimation of themselves in the minds of others, without which the very best things they do are hardly able to escape disgrace, must before it be over-late remember how much easier it is to retain credit once gotten, then to recover it being lost. The Executors of Bishops are sued if their Mansion-house be suffered to go to decay: But whom shall their Successors sue for the dilapidations which they make of that Credit, the unrepaired diminutions whereof will in time bring to pass, that they which would most do good in that calling, shall not be able; by reason of prejudice generally setled in the minds of all sorts against them. By what means their estimation hath hitherto decayed,Egisip. l. …. c. 1. it is no hard thing to discern. Herod and Archelaus are noted to have sought out purposely the dullest and most ignoble that could be found amongst the people, preferring such to the High-Priests Office, thereby to abate the great opinion which the multitude had of that Order, and to procure a more expedite course for their own wicked Counsels, whereunto they saw the High-Priests were no small impediment, as long as the common sort did much depend upon them. It may be, there hath been partly some show and just suspition of like practice in some, in procuring the undeserved preferments of some unworthy persons, the very cause of whose advancement hath been principally their unworthiness to be advanced. But neither could this be done altogether without the inexcusable fault of some preferred before, and so oft we cannot imagine it to have been done, that either onelyonly or chiefly from thence this decay of their estimation may be thought to grow. Somewhat it is that the malice of their cunning Adversaries, but much more which themselves have effected against themselves. A Bishops estimation doth grow from the excellency of vertues suitable unto his place. Unto the place of a Bishop those high Divine Vertues are judged suitable, which vertues being not easily found in other sorts of greatmen, do make him appear so much the greater in whom they are found.

Devotion, and the feeling sense of Religion are not usual in the noblest, wisest, and chiefest Personages of State, by reason their wits are so much imployed another way, and their mindes so seldom conversant in heavenly things. If therefore wherein themselves are defective, they see that Bishops do blessedly excel, it frameth secretly their-hearts to a stooping kinde of disposition, clean opposite to contempt: The very countenance of Moses was glorious after that God had conferred with him. And where Bishops are the powers and faculties of whose souls God hath possest, those very actions, the kind whereof is common unto them with other men, have notwithstanding in them a more high and heavenly form, which draweth correspondentestimation unto it, by vertue of that celestial impression, which deep meditation of holy things, and as it were conversation with God doth leave in their mindes. So that Bishops which will be esteemed of as they ought, must frame themselves to that very pattern from whence those Asian Bishops unto whom St. Iohn writeth were denominated, even so far forth as this our frailty will permit; shine they must as Angels of God in the midst of perverse men. They are not to look that the world should p. 441always carry the affection of Constantine, to bury that which might derogate from them, and to cover their imbecillities. More then high time it is, that they bethink themselves of the Apostles admonition; Attende tibi, Have a vigilant eye to thy self. They erre if they do not perswade themselves that wheresoever they walk or sit, be it in their Churches or in their Consistories, abmad or at home, at their Tables or in their Closets, they are in the midst of snares laid for them: Wherefore as they are with the Prophet every one of them to make it their hourly prayer unto God, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of enemies; so it is not safe for them, no not for a moment to slacken their industry in seeking every way that estimation which may further their labours unto the Churches good. Absurdity, though but in words, must needs he this way a maim, where nothing but wisdom, gravity, and, judgement is looked for. That which the son of Syrach hath concerning the Writings of the old Sages, Wise sentences are found in them; should be the proper mark and character of Bishops speeches; whose lips, as doors, are not to be opened, but for egress of instruction and sound knowledge. If base servility and dejection of minde be ever espied in them, how should men esteem them as worthy the rooms of the great Ambassadors of God? A wretched desire to gain by bad and unseemly means, standeth not with a mean mans credit, much less with that reputation which Fathers of the Church should be in. But if besides all this, there be also coldness in works of Piety and Charity, utter contempt even of Learning it self, no care to further it by any such helps as they easily might and ought to afford, no not as much as that due respect unto their very Families about them, which all men that are of account do order as neer as they can in such sort, that no grievous offensive deformity be therein noted; if there still continue in that most Reverend Order, such as by so many Engines, work day and night to pull down the whole frame of their own estimation amongst men; some of the rest secretly also permitting others their industrious opposites, every day more and more to seduce the multitude, how should the Church of God hope for great good at their hands?

What we have spoken concerning these things, let not malicious accusers think themselves therewith justified? no more then Shimei was by his Soveraigns most humble and meek acknowledgment even of that very crime which so impudent a Caitiffs tongue upbraided him withal, the one in the virulent rancour of a canckred affection, took that delight for the present, which in the end did turn to his own more tormenting wo; the other in the contrite patience even of deserved malediction, had yet this comfort, It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction, and do we good for his cursing this day. As for us over whom Christ hath placed them to be chiefest Guides and Pastors of our souls, our common fault is,2. Sam. 15 11.2 Sam 15:11 that we look for much more in our Governors then a tolerable sufficiency can yield, and bear much less, then Humanity and Reason do require we should. Too much perfection over rigo…ously exacted in them, cannot but breed in us perpetual discontentment, and on both parts cause all things to be unpleasant. It is exceedingly worth the noting, which Plato hath about the means whereby men fall into an utter dislike of all men with whom they converse:Plat in Phaed… This sowreness of minde which maketh every mans dealings unsavoury in our taste, entereth by an unskilful over-weening, which at the first we have of one, and so of another, in whom we afterwards find our selves to have been deceived, they declaring themselves in the end to be frail men, whom we judged demigods: When we have oftentimes been thus begailed, and that far besides expectation, we grow at the length to this plain conclusion, That there is nothing at all sound in any man. Which bitter conceit is unseemly, and plain to have risen from lack of mature judgment in humane affairs; which i… so be we did handle with art, we would not enter into dealings with men, otherwise then being beforehand grounded in this perswasion, that the number of persons notably good or bad, is but very small; that the most part of good have some evil, and of evil men, some good in them. So true our experience doth find those Aphorisms of Mercurius Trismegistas; foreign, To purge gooddness quite and clean from all mixture of evil here, is a thing impossible. Again, To foreign, When in this World we term a thing good,M. … in pimandro. …al. …. we cannot by exact construction have any other true meaning, then that the said thing so termed, is not noted to be a thing exceeding evil. And again, Moros foreign, Amongst men, OEsclapius, The name of that which is good we finde, but no where the very true thing it self. When we censure the deeds and dealings of our Superiors, to bring with us a fore-conceit thus qualified, shall be as well on our part as theirs, a thing p. 442availeable unto quietness: But howsoever the case doth stand with mens either good or bad quality, the verdict which our Lord and Saviour hath given, should continue for ever sure, Qua Dei sunt, Deo, let men bear the burthen of their own iniquity, as for those things which are Gods, let not God be deprived of them.Mal. 3. 8. Acts. 5. 2.Mal 3:8Acts 5:2 For if only to withold that which should be given, be no better then to rob God? if to withdraw any mite of that which is but in purpose only bequeathed, though as yet undelivered into the sacred treasure of God, be a Sin for which Ananias and Sapphyra felt so heavily the dreadful hand of Divine revenge; quite and clean to take that away which we never gave, and that after God hath for so many ages therewith been possessed, and that without any other shew of cause, saving only that it seemeth in their eyes who seek it, to be too much for them which have it in their hands, can we term it, or think it, less then most impious injustice, most hainous sacriledge? Such was the Religious affection of Ioseph, Gen 47. 12.Gen 47:12that it suffered him not to take that advantage, no not against the very Idolatrous Priests of Egypt, which he took for the purchasing of other mens lands to the King; but he considered, that albeit their Idolatry deserved hatred, yet for the honors sake due unto Priesthood, better it was the King himself should yield them relief in publique extremity, then permit that the same necessity should constrain also them to do as the rest of the people did. But, it may be, men have now found out, that God hath proposed, the Christian Clergy, as a prey for all men freely to seize upon; that God hath left them as the fishes of the Sea, which every man that lifteth to gather into his net may; or that there is no God in Heaven to pity them, and to regard the injuries which man doth lay upon them: Yet the publique good of this Church and Commonwealth doth, I hope, weigh somewhat in the hearts of all honestly disposed men. Unto the publique good, no one thing is more directly availeable, then that such as are in place, whether it be of Civil, or of Ecclesiastical Authority, be so much the more largely furnished even with external helps and ornaments of this life, how much the more highly they are in power and calling advanced above others. For nature is not contented with bare sufficiency unto the sustenance of man, but doth evermore cover a decency proportionable unto the place which man hath in the body or society of others: For according unto the greatness of mens calling, the measure of all their actions doth grow in every mans secret expectation, so that great men do always know, that great things are at their hands expected. In a Bishop great liberality, great hospitality, actions in every kinde great are looked for: And for actions which must be great, mean instruments will no…serve. Men are but men, what room soever amongst men they hold: If therefore the measure of their Worldly habilities be beneath that proportion which their calling doth make to be looked for at their hands, a stronger inducement it is then perhaps men are aware of, unto evil and corrupt dealings, for supply of that defect. For which cause, we must needs think it a thing necessary unto the common good of the Church, that great Jurisdiction being granted unto Bishops over others, a state of wealth proportionable should likewise be provided for them: where wealth is had in so great admiration, as generally in this golden age it is, that without it Angelical perfections are not able to deliver from extreme contempt, surely to make Bishops poorer then they are, were to make them of less account and estimation then they should be. Wherefore if detriment and dishonor do grow to Religion, to God, to his Church, when the publique account which is made of the chief of the Clergy decayeth, how should it be, but in this respect, for the good of Religion, of God, of his Church, that the wealth of Bishops be carefully preserved from further dimination? The travels and crosses wherewith Prelacy is never unaccompanied, they which feel them know how heavy, and how great they are. Unless such difficulties therefore, annexed unto that estate, be tempered by co-annexing thereunto things esteemed of in this World, how should we hope that the minds of men, shunning naturally the burthens of each function, will be drawn to undertake the burthen of Episcopal care and labour in the Church of Christ? Wherefore if long we desire to enjoy the peace, quietness, order and stability of Religion, which Predacy (as hath been declared) causeth, then must we necessarily, even in favour of the publique good, uphold those things, the hope whereof being taken away, it is not the meer goodness of the charge, and the Divine acceptation thereof, that will be able to invite p. 443many thereunto. What shall become of that Commonwealth or Church in the end, which hath not the eye of Learning to beautifie, guide, and direct it? At the length, what shall become of that Learning, which hath not wherewith any more to encourage her industrious followers? And finally, what shall become of that courage to follow learning, which hath already so much failed through the onelyonly diminution of her chiefest rewards, Bishopricks? Surely, wheresoever this wicked intendment of overthrowing Cathedral Churches, or of taking away those Livings, Lands, and Possessions, which Bishops hitherto have enjoyed, shall once prevail, the hand maids attending thereupon will be Paganism, and extreme Barbarity. In the Law of Moses, how careful provision is made that goods of this kind might remain to the Church for ever: Ye shall not make common the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye dye, saith the Lord. Numb. 1…. 32.Num 1:32Touching the fields annexed unto Levitical Cities, the Law was plain, they might not be sold; and the reason of the Law,Levit. 25.Lev 25 this, for it was their possession for ever. He which was Lord and owner of it, his will and pleasure was, that from the Levites it should never pass, to be enjoyned by any other. The Lords own portion, without his own Commission and Grant, how should any man justly hold? They which hold it by his appointment, had it plainly with this condition, They shall not sell of it, neither change it, nor alienate the first-fruits of the Land; for it is holy unto the Lord. Ezek. 4…. 8. Habak. 2. 17.Ezek 4:8Hab 2:17It falleth sometimes out, as the Prophet Habbakkuk noteth, that the very prey of Savage Beasts becometh dreadful unto themselves. It did so in Iudas, Achan, Nebuchadnezzar; their evil-purchased goods were their snare, and their prey their own terror: A thing no where so likely to follow, as in those goods and possessions, which being laid where they should not rest, have by the Lords own testimony, his most bitter curse;Mal. 3. 9.Mal 3:9 their undividable companion. These perswasions we use for other mens cause, not for theirs with whom God and Religion are parts of the abrogated Law of Ceremonies. Wherefore not to continue longer in the cure of a Sore desperate, there was a time when the Clergy had almost as little as these good people wish. But the Kings of this Realm and others, whom God had blest, considered devoutly with themselves, as David in like case sometimes had done, Is it meet that we at the hands of God should enjoy all kindes of abundance, and Gods Clergy suffer want? They considered that of Solomon, Honor God with thy substance, and the chiefest of all thy revenue, so shall thy barns be filled with corn, and thy vessels shall run over with new wine. Prov. 3. 9.Prov 3:9They considered how the care which Iehoshaphat had,2. Chron. 9. chap. 19.2 Chr 9 in providing that the Levites might have encouragement to do the work of the Lord chearfully, was left of God as a fit pattern to be followed in the Church for ever. They considered what promise our Lord and Saviour hath made unto them, at whose hands his Prophets should receive but the least part of the meanest kind of friendliness, though it were but a draught of water: Which promise seemeth not to be taken, as if Christ had made them of any higher courtesie uncapable, and had promised reward not unto such as give them but that, but unto such as leave them but that. They considered how earnest the Apostle is, that if the Ministers of the Law were so amply provided for, less care then ought not to be had of them, who under the Gospel of Jesus Christ, possess correspondent rooms in the Church. they considered how needful it is, that they who provoke all others unto works of Mercy and Charity, should especially have wherewith to be examples of such things, and by such meons to win them, with whom other means, without those, do commonly take very small effect.

In these and the like considerations, the Church-Revenues were in ancient times augmented, our Lord thereby performing manifestly the promise made to his servants, that they which did leave either Father, or Mother, or Lands, or goods for his sake, should receive even in this World an hundred fold. For some hundreds of years together, they which joyned themselves to the Church, were fain to relinquish all worldly emoluments, and to endure the hardness of an afflicted estate. Afterward the Lord gave rest to his Church, Kings and Princes became as Fathers thereunto, the hearts of all men inclined towards it, and by his providence there grew unto it every day earthly possessions in more and more abundance, till the greatness thereof bred envy, which no diminutions are able to satisfie: For, as those ancient Nursing p. 444Fathers thought they did never bestow enough; even so in the eye of this present age as long as any thing remaineth, it seemeth to bee too much. Our Fathers we imitate inperversum, as Tertullian speaketh; like them we are, by being in equal degree the contrary unto that which they were. Unto those earthly blessings which God as then did with so great abundance pour down upon the Ecclesiastical state, we may in regard of most neer resemblance, apply the self same words which the Prophet hath,Psa. 109… 4, 25Ps 109:4Ps 109:25 God blessed them exceedingly; and, by this very mean, turned the hearts of their own Brethren to hate them, and to deal politiquely with his servants. Computations are made, and there are huge sums set down for Princes, to see how much they may amplifie and enlarge their own treasure; how many publique burthens they may ease; what present means they have to reward their servants about them, if they please but to grant their assent, and to accept of the spoil of Bishops, by whom Church-goods are but abused unto pomp and vanity. Thus albeit they deal with one, whose princely vertue giveth them small hope to prevail in impious and sacrilegious motions; yet shame they not to move her Royal Majesty even with a suit not much unlike unto that wherewith the Jewish High-Priest tried Iudas, whom they sollicited unto Treason against his Master and proposed unto him a number of silver-pence in lien of so vertuous and honest a service. But her sacred Majesty disposed to be always like her self, her heart so far estranged from willingness to gain by pillage of that estate, the only awe whereof under God she hath been unto this present hour as of all other parts of this noble Common-wealth whereof she hath vowed her self a Protector till the end of her days on earth, which, if nature could permit, we wish, as good cause we have, endless: this her gracious inclination is more then a seven times sealed warrant; upon the same assurance whereof touching time and action, so dishonourable as this, we are on her part most secure, not doubting but that unto all posterity, it shall for ever appear, that from the first to the very last of her Soveraign proceedings, there hath not been one authorized deed, other then consonant with that Symmachus saith, Fiscus bonitum Principum, non sacer dotum damnis sed hastium spoliis angeatur; consonant with that imperial law,Lib. 10. Ep. 54. DDD. Valent Theodof. …e Archad. Ea qua ad be atissima ecclesia jur a p…rtinent, tanquam ipsam… sacro sanctam & religiosam Ecclesiam intactu convenit vener abiliter a…stodiri; ut …ic… ips…religionis & …idei mater perpetua est, it a ej… patrimonium jugiter servetur illas…. As for the case of publique burthens, let any politirian living, make it appear, that by confiscation of Bishops livings,L. 14 C. de sicros eccles. and their utter dissolution at once, the Common-wealth shall ever have half that relief and ease which it receiveth by their continuance as now they are, and it shall give us some cause to think, that albeit we sew they are implously and irreligiously minded, yet we may… esteem them at least to be tolerable Common-wealths-men. But the case is too clear and manifest, the World doth but too plainly see it, that no one Order of subjects whatsoever within this Land doth bear the seventh part of that proportion which the Clergy beareth in the burthens of the Commonwealth; No revenue of the Crownlike unto it, either for certainty or for greatness. Let the good which this way hath grown to the Common-wealth by the dissolution of religious houses, teach men what ease unto publique burthens there is like to grow, by the overthrow of the Clergy. My meaning is not hereby to make the state of Bishopricks, and of those dissolved Companies alike, the one no less unlawful to be removed then the other. For those religious persons were men which followed only a special kind of Contemplative life in the Commonwealth, they were properly no portion of Gods Clergy (only such amongst them excepted, as were also Priests) their goods (that excepted, which they unjustly held through the Popes usurped power of appropriating Ecclesiastical livings unto them) may in part seem to be of the nature of Civil possessions, held by other kinds of Corporations such as the City of London hath divers. Wherefore, as their institution was human, and their end for the most part superstitious, they had not therein meerly that holy and divine interest which belongeth unto Bishops, who being imployed by Christ in the principal service of his Church, are receivers and disposers of his patrimony, as hath been showed, which whosoever shall with-hold or with-draw at any time from them, he undoubtedly robbeth God himself. If they abuse the goods of the Church unto pomp and vanity, such faults we do not excuse in them. Only we wish it to be considered whether such faults be verily in them, or else but objected against them by p. 445such as gape after spoil, and therefore are no competent judges what is moderate and what excessive in them, whom under this pretence they would spoil. But the accusation may be just. In plenty and fulness it may be we are of God more forgetful then were requisite. Notwithstanding men should remember how not to the Clergy alone it was said by Moses in Deuteronomy, Necum manducaveris & biberis & domos optimas adisicaveris: If the remedy prescribed for this disease be good, let it unpartially be applied. Interest Reip, utre suâ QUIS QUE bene utatur. Let all states be put to their moderate pensions, let their livings and lands be taken away from them whosoever they be, in whom such ample possessions are found to have been matters of grievous abuse: Were this just … would Noble Families think this reasonable? The Title which Bishops have to their livings is as good as the title of any sort of men unto whatsoever we accompt to be most justly held by them; yea, in this one thing, the claim of …. B. hath preheminence above all secular Titles of right, in that Gods own interest in the tenure whereby they hold, even as also it was to the Priests of the Law an assurance of their spiritual goods and possessions, whereupon though they many times abused greatly the goods of the Church, yet was not Gods patrimony therefore taken away from them, and made saleable unto other Tribes. To rob God, to ransack the Church, to overthrow the whole Order of Christian Bishops, and to turn them out of Land and Living, out of House and Home, what man of common honesty can think it for any manner of abuse to be a remedy lawful or just? We must confess that God is righteous in taking away that which men abuse: But doth that excuse the violence of Thieves and Robbers? Complain we will not, with S. Ierom, that the hands of men are so straightly tyed, and their liberal minds so much bridled and held back from doing good by augmentation of the Church-Patrimony. For we confess that herein mediocrity may be and hath been sometime exceeded. There did want heretoforeaaPodet dicere, sacerdotes idolorum. a…. rigae; mimi Ecscorte haereditates capient, Toris clericis & … …achis … lege prohibetur & prohibetur non … persecu…ori…us sed Principibus Cheisti… …is. Nec de lege conquero… sed doleo quod meruerimus hane legem. Ad Nepot. 7. Moses to temper mens liberality, to say unto them who enriched the Church, Sufficit, Stay your hands lest favour of zeal do cause you to empty your selves too far. It may be the largeness of mens hearts being then more moderate, had been after more dureable; and one state by too much over-growing the rest, had not given occasion unto the rest to undermine it. That evil is now sufficiently cured: the Church treasury, if then it were over-ful, hath since been reasonable well emptyed. That which Moses spake unto givers, we must now inculcate unto takers away from the Church, Let there be some stay, some stint in spoiling.bbObad. vers. 3 If Grape-gatherers came unto them, saith the Prophet, would they not leave some remnant behind? But it hath fared with the wealth of the Church as with a Tower which being built at the first with the highest, overthroweth if self after by its own greatness; neither doth the ruine thereof cease, with the only fall of that, which hath exceeded mediocrity, but one part beareth down another, till the whole be laid prostrate. For although the state Ecclesiastical, both others and even Bishops themselves, be now fallen to so low an ebb, as all the World at this day doth see; yet because there remaineth still somewhat which unsatiable minds can thirst for, therefore we seem not to have been hitherto sufficiently wronged. Touching that which hath been taken from the Church in Appropriations known to amount to the value of one hundred twenty six thousand pounds yearly, we rest contentedly, and quietly without it, till it shall please God to touch the hearts of men, of their own voluntary accord to restore it to Him again; judging thereof no otherwise then some others did of those goods which were by Sylla taken away from the Citizens of Rome, that albeit they were in truth malè capta, unconscionably taken away from the right owners at the first, nevertheless seeing that such as were after possessed of them held them not without some title,…lor. lib. 3. c. 13. which Law did after a sort make good, repetitio corum proculdubio labefaltabat compositam civitatem; what hath been taken away as dedicated unto uses superstitious, and consequently not given unto God, or at the least-wise not so rightly given, we repine not thereat. That which hath gone by means secret and indirect, through corrupt compositions or compacts we cannot help. What the hardness of mens hearts doth make them loath to have exacted, though being due by Law eventhereof the want we do also bear. Out of that which after all these Deductions cometh clearly unto our hands, I hope it will not be said that towards the publique charge, we disburse nothing. And, doth the residue seem yet excessive? The ways whereby temporal men provide for themselves and their Families, are fore-closed unto p. 446us. All that we have to sustain our miserable life with, is but a remnant of God's own treasure, so farr already diminished and clipt, that if there were any sense of common humanity left in this hard-hearted World, the improverished estate of the Clergy of God, would at the length even of very commiseration be spared. The mean Gentleman that hath but an hundred pound Land to live on, would not be hasty to change his Worldly estate and condition with many of these so over-abounding Prelates; a common Artisan or Tradesman of the City, with ordinary Pastors of the Church. It is our hard and heavy lot that, no other sort of men being grudged at how little benefit soever the Publick Weal reap by them, no state complained of for holding that which hath grown unto, them by lawful means, only the Governors of our Souls, they that study day and night so to guide us, that both in this World we may have comfort and in the World to come endless felicity and joy, (for even such is the very scope of all their endeavours, this they wish, for this they labour, how hardly soever we use to construe of their incents,) hard, that only they should be thus continually lifted at for possessing but that whereunto they have by Law both of God and man most just Title. If there should be no other remedy but that the violence of men, in the end must needs bereave them of all succour, further than the inclinations of others shall vouchsafe to cast upon them, as it were by way of Alms for their relief but from to hour; better they are not than their Fathers, who have been contented with as hard a portion at the World's hands: let the light of the Sun and Moon, the common benefit of Heaven and Earth be taken away from …. if the Question were, Whether God should lose his glory, and the safety of his Church be hazarded, or they relinquish the right and interest which they have in the things of this World. But fith the Question in truth is, Whether Levi shall be deprived of the portion of God or no, to the end that Simeon or Reuben may devour it as their spoyl, the comfort of the one in sustaining the injuries which the other would offer, must be that Prayer powred out by Moses the Prince of Prophets, in most tender affection to Levi, Bless O Lord his substance, accept than the work of his hands;Deut. 33. 10,11.Deut 33:10Deut 33:11 s…ite through the loyns of them that rise up against him, and of them which hate him, that they rise no more.