sufficient_a revenue_n for_o a_o clergyman_n impose_v a_o tax_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o mulct_n upon_o pluralist_n possess_v more_o will_v contribute_v very_o little_a and_o if_o the_o necessary_a help_n to_o learning_n be_v deny_v to_o the_o clergy_n they_o can_v maintain_v the_o honour_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o church_n nor_o defend_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n in_o general_n or_o of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o particular_a as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v what_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o a_o clergyman_n however_o learned_a and_o industrious_a when_o through_o want_n of_o a_o proportionable_a estate_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o obtain_v the_o instrument_n of_o do_v good_a of_o perform_v eminent_a service_n to_o the_o church_n or_o to_o the_o world_n when_o his_o library_n must_v be_v reduce_v to_o a_o concordance_n a_o postil_n and_o a_o polyanthea_n and_o his_o purse_n will_v reach_v no_o further_o tithe_n of_o these_o indeed_o mr._n selden_n have_v say_v the_o library_n of_o a_o clergyman_n do_v consist_v and_o from_o thence_o take_v occasion_n to_o upbraid_v they_o of_o ignorance_n the_o charge_n indeed_o then_o be_v false_a for_o the_o clergy_n be_v then_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n and_o have_v arrive_v to_o as_o great_a a_o height_n of_o learning_n as_o be_v ever_o know_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o if_o by_o the_o diminution_n of_o the_o encouragement_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o clergy_n their_o library_n shall_v be_v indeed_o reduce_v to_o such_o a_o condition_n they_o will_v soon_o give_v just_a occasion_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n to_o upbraid_v they_o of_o ignorance_n and_o to_o make_v their_o advantage_n of_o it_o if_o we_o call_v to_o mind_v all_o the_o famous_a write_n of_o our_o clergy_n publish_v since_o the_o reformation_n to_o the_o increase_n and_o support_v of_o religion_n the_o advancement_n of_o knowledge_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o nation_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o be_v almost_o all_o write_v by_o those_o who_o be_v well_o prefer_v in_o the_o church_n a_o soul_n oppress_v with_o poverty_n can_v never_o raise_v itself_o to_o attempt_v any_o great_a design_n in_o this_o nature_n or_o if_o it_o shall_v attempt_v it_o in_o a_o condition_n unable_a to_o purchase_v the_o necessary_a help_n of_o learning_n the_o attempt_n will_v be_v but_o vain_a i_o know_v that_o the_o case_n of_o mr._n hooker_n will_v be_v object_v against_o this_o assertion_n but_o it_o be_v a_o vulgar_a error_n which_o the_o author_n of_o his_o life_n have_v also_o take_v up_o that_o he_o be_v but_o mean_o prefer_v for_o to_o my_o certain_a knowledge_n at_o the_o time_n when_o he_o write_v his_o celebrate_a book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n he_o have_v very_o great_a preferment_n of_o which_o he_o die_v possess_v it_o be_v no_o less_o necessary_a to_o the_o support_n of_o religion_n that_o a_o clergyman_n be_v able_a to_o give_v alm_n liberal_o and_o to_o maintain_v some_o sort_n of_o hospitality_n in_o the_o place_n where_o he_o live_v as_o well_o to_o give_v example_n to_o the_o laity_n as_o to_o oblige_v the_o poor_a sort_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o duty_n by_o that_o influence_n which_o the_o application_n of_o charity_n to_o they_o shall_v obtain_v the_o necessity_n of_o this_o be_v not_o indeed_o so_o obvious_a in_o great_a city_n but_o whoever_o know_v the_o state_n of_o country_n parish_n and_o the_o condition_n and_o humour_n of_o the_o poor_a sort_n there_o will_v confess_v that_o a_o sense_n of_o religion_n can_v hardly_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o they_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o parish-priest_n to_o oblige_v they_o by_o charity_n and_o hospitality_n above_o all_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o religion_n that_o the_o clergy_n do_v not_o want_v those_o help_n which_o will_v give_v to_o they_o respect_n and_o authority_n among_o the_o people_n which_o a_o bare_a competence_n can_v never_o do_v unless_o they_o be_v able_a to_o maintain_v themselves_o in_o a_o condition_n above_o the_o common_a rank_n of_o men._n it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o duty_n which_o maintain_v religion_n among_o many_o of_o the_o mean_a and_o unlearned_a sort_n as_o the_o opinion_n which_o they_o have_v of_o their_o pastor_n and_o the_o deference_n which_o they_o be_v teach_v to_o pay_v to_o their_o judgement_n and_o direction_n if_o the_o clergy_n shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o a_o bare_a subsistence_n all_o this_o authority_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o their_o person_n thereby_o become_v contemptible_a to_o the_o people_n religion_n will_v be_v despise_v with_o they_o even_o among_o person_n of_o great_a knowledge_n and_o better_a education_n piety_n and_o virtue_n in_o that_o case_n can_v scarce_o be_v maintain_v when_o such_o will_v scorn_v to_o converse_v with_o those_o who_o poverty_n make_v they_o far_o inferior_a to_o their_o quality_n man_n may_v frame_v to_o themselves_o what_o system_n they_o please_v in_o their_o closet_n and_o in_o speculation_n and_o imagine_v that_o the_o clergy_n however_o poor_a will_v still_o be_v honour_v for_o their_o work_n sake_n that_o virtue_n and_o a_o conscientious_a discharge_n of_o their_o duty_n will_v procure_v to_o they_o everlasting_a respect_n and_o authority_n but_o when_o these_o system_n be_v reduce_v to_o practice_n experience_n demonstrate_v the_o folly_n of_o they_o if_o a_o angel_n shall_v descend_v from_o heaven_n and_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o ministerial_a office_n if_o he_o abstain_v from_o work_a miracle_n he_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o procure_v any_o great_a respect_n to_o himself_o or_o do_v eminent_a service_n to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o religion_n unless_o he_o may_v converse_v with_o the_o gentry_n upon_o equal_a ground_n and_o be_v raise_v a_o degree_n above_o the_o commonalty_n let_v any_o gentleman_n fancy_v himself_o strip_v of_o his_o large_a possession_n and_o reduce_v to_o a_o bare_a subsistence_n and_o then_o let_v he_o imagine_v if_o he_o can_v that_o his_o virtue_n will_v secure_v that_o authority_n among_o his_o neighbour_n which_o a_o large_a estate_n and_o power_n delegated_a to_o he_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o do_v before_o procure_v to_o he_o in_o the_o last_o place_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o additional_a provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o reward_n of_o those_o clergyman_n who_o by_o extraordinary_a learning_n and_o industry_n shall_v deserve_v more_o than_o other_o for_o without_o this_o the_o church_n will_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o almost_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a labour_n of_o her_o clergy_n since_o scarce_o any_o will_v be_v find_v willing_a to_o undertake_v any_o unnecessary_a pain_n if_o after_o all_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o who_o labour_v not_o so_o much_o as_o well_o by_o their_o preferment_n as_o by_o their_o merit_n it_o be_v common_o say_v indeed_o that_o prebend_n and_o other_o dignity_n in_o cathedral_n church_n be_v intend_v for_o reward_n of_o extraordinary_a merit_n and_o be_v sufficient_a to_o that_o purpose_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o those_o be_v give_v promiscuous_o as_o benefice_n be_v to_o man_n of_o ordinary_a as_o extraordinary_a worth_n and_o that_o it_o never_o do_v or_o can_v happen_v otherwise_o that_o the_o person_n of_o extraordinary_a worth_n to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v be_v general_o those_o who_o ply_v next_o at_o court_n that_o reward_n of_o extraordinary_a merit_n aught_o to_o be_v provide_v for_o the_o clergy_n of_o other_o diocese_n as_o well_o as_o for_o they_o that_o many_o bishop_n have_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o one_o prebend_n wherewith_o to_o reward_v their_o chaplain_n and_o deserve_a clergy_n and_o the_o archbishop_n himself_o of_o no_o more_o than_o three_o and_o consequent_o that_o no_o constant_a provision_n can_v be_v make_v for_o extraordinary_a merit_n otherwise_o than_o by_o plurality_n other_o great_a inconvenience_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o confine_v the_o revenue_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o a_o bare_a subsistence_n may_v be_v urge_v as_o that_o it_o will_v reflect_v dishonour_n upon_o religion_n that_o it_o will_v soon_o introduce_v a_o general_a ignorance_n that_o it_o will_v induce_v they_o to_o follow_v a_o secular_a life_n that_o it_o will_v tempt_v they_o to_o prevaricate_v to_o flatter_v vice_n in_o rich_a man_n and_o to_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o religion_n in_o time_n of_o trial_n such_o as_o we_o late_o see_v these_o and_o the_o abovementioned_a consideration_n make_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o clergy_n shall_v be_v endow_v with_o and_o permit_v to_o enjoy_v ample_a possession_n and_o revenue_n god_n therefore_o foretell_v it_o as_o the_o great_a blessing_n of_o his_o church_n which_o shall_v be_v found_v among_o the_o gentile_n that_o king_n shall_v be_v her_o
a_o defence_n of_o plurality_n or_o hold_v two_o benefice_n with_o cure_n of_o soul_n as_o now_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n london_n print_v for_o robert_n clavel_n at_o the_o peacock_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1692._o a_o defence_n of_o plurality_n or_o hold_v two_o benefice_n with_o cure_n of_o soul_n as_o now_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n introduction_n the_o use_n and_o continuance_n of_o plurality_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n have_v be_v much_o inveigh_v against_o ever_o since_o the_o rise_n of_o puritanism_n and_o represent_v as_o injurious_a to_o religion_n and_o subservient_fw-fr only_o to_o the_o avarice_n and_o ambition_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o the_o puritan_n shall_v with_o so_o much_o heat_n oppose_v it_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v because_o it_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o church_n and_o the_o opposition_n carry_v with_o it_o a_o apparent_a show_n of_o religious_a zeal_n to_o that_o waspish_a generation_n it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o oppose_v any_o thing_n if_o it_o be_v practise_v or_o permit_v by_o the_o church_n however_o lawful_a and_o indifferent_a or_o perhaps_o decent_a and_o necessary_a and_o no_o artisice_n be_v think_v unlawful_a which_o may_v create_v to_o they_o a_o opinion_n of_o sanctity_n among_o the_o people_n but_o that_o a_o accusation_n raise_v against_o the_o church_n by_o her_o profess_a enemy_n shall_v be_v continue_v and_o prosecute_v by_o she_o own_o member_n we_o shall_v have_v just_a cause_n to_o wonder_v if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v by_o frequent_a example_n to_o what_o intemperancy_n mankind_n may_v be_v betray_v by_o the_o use_n of_o false_a principle_n none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a what_o clamour_n have_v in_o late_a year_n be_v raise_v and_o carry_v on_o against_o plurality_n what_o accusatious_a have_v be_v form_v against_o they_o in_o the_o write_n and_o discourse_n of_o many_o otherwise_o deserve_o eminent_a how_o they_o be_v represent_v as_o the_o great_a scandal_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a relic_n of_o popery_n that_o they_o be_v traduce_v as_o the_o cause_n of_o many_o evil_n and_o inconvenience_n in_o the_o church_n affirm_v to_o be_v sinful_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o or_o little_o less_o than_o such_o obstruct_v the_o good_a of_o soul_n and_o destroy_v the_o honour_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o lay_v the_o great_a load_n upon_o they_o all_o the_o violent_a exclamation_n bring_v former_o by_o good_a and_o zealous_a man_n against_o those_o enormous_a plurality_n which_o obtain_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o present_a permission_n and_o practice_n of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o if_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v practise_v among_o we_o without_o any_o restraint_n or_o limitation_n the_o clergy_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n assure_v of_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o impertinence_n of_o these_o exclamation_n have_v remain_v silent_a expect_v that_o this_o unreasonable_a accusation_n shall_v cease_v with_o time_n or_o at_o least_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o those_o who_o the_o solly_n of_o puritanism_n have_v not_o yet_o infect_v but_o when_o many_o person_n of_o our_o own_o communion_n engage_v themselves_o in_o the_o same_o quarrel_n and_o public_o desame_a the_o church_n upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v not_o fit_v the_o injure_a clergy_n shall_v any_o long_o continue_v their_o silence_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o imply_v a_o confession_n of_o gild_n or_o give_v way_n to_o all_o those_o inconvenience_n which_o a_o hasty_a and_o imprudent_a change_n in_o this_o matter_n may_v probable_o produce_v to_o the_o church_n i_o be_o not_o insensible_a what_o a_o difficult_a province_n i_o have_v undertake_v what_o opposition_n and_o censure_n will_v attend_v it_o many_o will_v esteem_v it_o a_o paradox_n and_o most_o will_v conclude_v it_o a_o rash_a undertake_n to_o oppose_v reason_n to_o a_o popular_a cry_n and_o to_o endeavour_v to_o defend_v what_o almost_o all_o man_n by_o hear_v only_o one_o side_n have_v be_v long_o since_o induce_v to_o condemn_v many_o good_a man_n real_o zealous_a and_o concern_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n will_v perhaps_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o apologise_v for_o what_o they_o have_v hitherto_o believe_v to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o evil._n to_o these_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o give_v entire_a satisfaction_n if_o they_o will_v judge_v with_o candour_n and_o indifferency_n other_o who_o be_v far_o the_o most_o violent_a adversary_n only_o zealous_a in_o pretence_n affect_v to_o gain_v the_o reputation_n of_o extraordinary_a piety_n not_o real_o concern_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n but_o endeavour_v to_o recommend_v themselves_o by_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o will_v decry_v the_o author_n of_o this_o apology_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o religion_n and_o purity_n as_o a_o ungodly_a pluralist_n who_o prefer_v his_o interest_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o other_o nor_o will_v perhaps_o stop_v here_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o anger_n if_o he_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o to_o be_v discover_v indeed_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o withal_o so_o advantageous_a a_o subject_n to_o expose_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o and_o especial_o the_o suppose_a corruption_n of_o a_o national_a church_n that_o the_o inclination_n of_o ambitious_a man_n to_o oppose_v this_o innocent_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n may_v easy_o be_v account_v for_o it_o seem_v to_o unwary_a person_n to_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n of_o exalt_a sanctity_n to_o oppugn_v the_o receive_a discipline_n of_o any_o communion_n since_o this_o insinuate_v as_o if_o they_o be_v more_o religious_a and_o know_v than_o a_o whole_a nation_n to_o such_o man_n nothing_o be_v more_o grievous_a than_o to_o be_v tie_v down_o to_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o religion_n and_o government_n since_o to_o be_v religious_a in_o the_o common_a way_n will_v never_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o man_n somewhat_o must_v be_v continual_o attempt_v by_o they_o which_o may_v make_v the_o credulous_a part_n of_o mankind_n cry_v out_o see_v a_o man_n more_o religious_a than_o all_o the_o clergy_n who_o go_v before_o or_o be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o they_o all_o practise_v or_o at_o least_o allow_v a_o scandalous_a custom_n this_o man_n piety_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o qualifi_v he_o beyond_o other_o to_o be_v a_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v lamentable_a indeed_o to_o consider_v that_o the_o credulity_n of_o mankind_n shall_v be_v so_o easy_o wrought_v upon_o by_o design_v man_n and_o that_o impostor_n of_o this_o kind_n shall_v seldom_o want_v success_n such_o exclamation_n against_o the_o receive_a order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n have_v ever_o since_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v the_o common-place_n to_o all_o ambitious_a clergyman_n desire_v to_o appear_v zealous_a nothing_o be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o discover_v vice_n in_o another_o or_o corruption_n in_o a_o society_n this_o be_v a_o subject_a which_o will_v afford_v constant_a matter_n to_o public_a harangue_n and_o can_v never_o be_v exhaust_v at_o the_o same_o time_n nothing_o be_v more_o popular_a in_o that_o it_o quali_v the_o perverse_a nature_n of_o man_n who_o general_o love_v to_o hear_v thing_n and_o person_n of_o public_a esteem_n decry_v and_o secure_v to_o the_o pretend_a zealot_n the_o reputation_n of_o a_o more_o elevate_a piety_n than_o that_o which_o appear_v in_o any_o of_o those_o who_o he_o oppose_v with_o this_o artifice_n a_o man_n may_v not_o only_o create_v authority_n to_o himself_o but_o cover_v his_o own_o fault_n however_o gross_a and_o numerous_a by_o divert_v and_o fix_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n upon_o the_o fault_n of_o other_o or_o if_o his_o own_o crime_n be_v too_o notorious_a to_o be_v dissemble_v compensate_v for_o they_o by_o a_o wonderful_a appearance_n of_o zeal_n he_o that_o will_v vehement_o exclaim_v against_o plurality_n and_o the_o other_o suppose_a imperfection_n of_o the_o church_n may_v safe_o neglect_v all_o the_o part_n of_o his_o own_o duty_n may_v be_v nonresident_a may_v sordid_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o relation_n may_v injure_v his_o equal_n oppress_v his_o inferior_n and_o all_o this_o shall_v be_v easy_o forgive_v in_o consideration_n of_o his_o zeal_n if_o i_o will_v recommend_v myself_o to_o a_o lecture_n in_o the_o city_n i_o can_v take_v no_o more_o successful_a method_n than_o to_o inveigh_v against_o plurality_n to_o accuse_v the_o clergy_n of_o negligence_n and_o covetousness_n the_o name_n of_o a_o zealous_a reformer_n will_v set_v i_o beyond_o all_o competition_n of_o real_a worth_n and_o learning_n if_o i_o desire_v to_o excuse_v any_o scandalous_a immorality_n which_o can_v be_v dissemble_v i_o will_v arraign_v all_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o
prelate_n in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v produce_v with_o ostentation_n against_o plurality_n yet_o i_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o history_n of_o that_o council_n 252._o and_o therein_o i_o find_v these_o word_n the_o wise_a sort_n of_o prelate_n agree_v uniform_o to_o inhibit_v all_o of_o what_o condition_n soever_o to_o have_v more_o than_o three_o befice_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o pope_n former_o give_v dispensation_n for_o 〈◊〉_d without_o number_n or_o measure_n and_o present_o add_v that_o it_o be_v not_o much_o better_a now_o nay_o far_o worse_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o let_v every_o man_n judge_n our_o church_n have_v confine_v her_o dispensation_n to_o the_o number_n of_o two_o benefice_n and_o the_o measure_n to_o the_o distance_n of_o 30_o mile_n the_o number_n be_v never_o exceed_v the_o distance_n very_o rare_o and_o that_o only_o when_o the_o archbishop_n be_v overrule_v by_o a_o express_a command_n from_o court_n which_o have_v not_o be_v 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