The True Christians T est, Part 2 · Meditation 16
MEDITAT. XVI. Of Patrons.
HOW agreeable it is in a well-conſtituted Church, that meer Lay-men ſhould have the power of preſenting Miniſters to Benefices, and what is the way in other Churches, or whether their way or ours be better, does not belong to my preſent Meditation. It ſeems likely to be attended with many Conveniencies, if the People of each particular Parochial Church ſhould freely Elect their own Paſtor: But what Inconveniencies might attend that too in time, I cannot tell, and therefore I will not determine any thing about it. I do not apprehend it to be any where contrary to the Canon of the Scripture, That Preſentations be made to Paſtoral Charges as they are here in England, conſidering the Conſtitution and Circumſtances wherein we are: But that amongſt theſe Patrons there is a great deal of Corruption, and many things that denominate them Carnal, and Lovers of the World is, too obvious.
Simony indeed, as our Law underſtands it, ſeems to be a Sin of Man's making, and I doubt Men deal with it accordingly; few reckoning their Conſciences to be bound by it, otherwiſe than their Oath that they take againſt it, does ſomewhat ſtraiten them; which ſtraits they think they may ſafely uſe all poſſible ſhifts to be delivered out of, never mattering to be Caſti, if they can but be Cauti.
But ſuppoſing it to be only forbidden by a Humane Law, yet the Reaſons whereupon that Law is grounded, ſeem to be ſo juſt and ſtrong, that the Law does oblige upon an higher account than its own. And many preſentations will be found to be corrupt and carnal in the ſight of God, which do not appear Symoniacal in the eyes of Men, or the ſenſe of the Law. To be a Paſtor to a Congregation and a Steward to any part of the Houſhold of God, is certainly an Honourable Empolyment, and does require much Skill, Faithfulneſs, and Induſtry. To Feed, and Cloath, and Conduct Souls, is an Employment which the great God does not diſown, neither does he refuſe to be called their Shepherd, and the Stewards which he deputes muſt needs be ſo Able, Faithful and Painful, as to give each of his Family their Meat in due Seaſon. It muſt needs therefore be the Duty as it will be the great Honour of all Patrons as far as in them lies, to prefer Overſeers to the Flock of Chriſt, according to their worthineſs and ſitneſs. Of how great uſe to the Kingdom of Chriſt and the Salvation of Souls, the ſettling of ſuch Paſtors in Congregations has been, and conſequently how great an honour thoſe Conſcientious Patrons are worthy of, who hauehave been the Inſtruments of their ſettlement, I can eaſilier contemplate with admiration, than tell to ſatisfaction. Who can with an heart unbroken, conſider the manifold fatal Conſequences of ſetting Unworthy and Unqualified Paſtors over the Congregations of Chriſts Flock. The Conſequences are no leſs than the very ruin of multitudes of Souls.
And what ſhall I think then of thoſe Patrons, who never at all regard the quality of the perſon, but the quantity of the Gift? They remember ſure the ſin of Jeroboam, who made Prieſts of the loweſt of the people; and therefore are reſolved to run far enough from him, and make Paſtors of the richeſt of the people. But their Covetouſneſs is no leſs Carnal than his Prodigallity. They will not be ſo baſe as thoſe of whom the Prophet complained, That they polluted the Holy Office for handfuls of Barley, and pieces of Bread; but they will not ſtick to do it for handfuls of Silver, and pieces of Money. There is no ſuch Famine in Samaria ſure, that an Aſſes Head ſhould be ſo much eſteem'd, and the Souls of Men be fed with Dung. No, No, the Famine is in the Appetites of covetous Patrons, who care not what ſilly refuſe of men they Preſent, nor how they infect or ſtarve the Souls of men, ſo they can but fill their own Pockets with the Shekels of the Sanctuary, with Gold Chymically Extracted out of theſe Leaden Prieſts.
There are a more wary Sort, that can make a ſhift to eſcape the Cenſure of the Law, who are yet acted by as ſtrong a Worldly Love as theſe: That can match a Daughter or an H…ndmaid with a Preſentation, ſaying to their Clerk, as Boaz to his Kinſman, At what time thou buyest the Field, thou must buy it alſo at the hands of Ruth.
Or if ſufficient Security be given for the Reſignation of it, to ſee how grateful the Clerk will prove within that time, or to ſee whether by that time a Son or Daughter may not need it for a Portion, it makes the matter a little the more ſafe, but never a whit the more honeſt. For conſidering the great importance of this matter, whoſoever prefers Conſanguinity or Affinity, Acquaintance, Importunity of Friends, before Learning and Piety, and Aptneſs to Teach, muſt needs appear to be acted by a Worldly Spirit, and to bear the black Brand of our Apoſtle.
Alas! How rare is this pure, ſincere, ingenuous, judicious proceeding in this matter. How few Paſtors are married to their Flocks, without the predominant mediation of Friends, Monies, Importnity, good Turns received, or expected, Relation, or ſome ſuch thing, which is Alien to the true Qualifications of a Miniſter?