A short defence of the church and clergy of England wherein some of the common objections against both are answered, and the means of union briefly considered.

SECT. XII.

The next is far more considerable; for we are told that great numbers of our Clergy are men of debauched and scandalous lives, which is a thing that the very meanest may freely judge of, and if true, is indeed a very great and real offence. But before I endeavour to give any answer to this, I must needs take notice of a piece of injustice which, if I mi∣stake

not, has been pretty common. Many there are that will be exceeding severe in censuring the least miscarriages of the Clergy, which can overlook gros∣ser faults in other men. Nay some I have heard of that can indulge themselves in riot and intemperance, who will pretend to be mightily scandalized, if they hear of a Minister that may possibly be taxed with the like excess. They seem to imagine that a loose and careless way of living is the unquestionable right of the Lay-man, and if any of us presume to tread in their steps, they grow very angry, as if we inva∣ded their Property, and intended to share with them in their patrimonial estate. They talk as if they be∣lieved it lawful for others to behave themselves as they pleased, and that the sobriety of the Clergy were to make an attonement for the sins and licentiousness of all the People. They tell us indeed very truly, that we are to be Examples to the flock; but then they do not remember that they are to be followers of us, as we are of Christ. Except the faithful discharge of their particular calling, which is required of o∣thers too in their several stations, I cannot tell of a∣ny thing that Ministers are bound to, which is not the duty of every other private Christian. It is true that their faults do admit of very great aggravations; but that does only inhance the degree, not alter the nature of the guilt. And these aggravations, it may be, are no greater in them, than they would be in others of eminent place and quality, either Civil or Military, whose vitious lives may have as bad an in∣fluence upon the world as theirs. But of this there can be no doubt, that they that do pass such a ri∣gorous sentence upon their failings, and can so ea∣sily excuse themselves and others for the same, or

more heynous crimes, do make it appear, that they are no great enemies to the sin, but that they are something displeased at the men.

Gregory Nazianzen reflecting sadly upon the un∣happy dissentions of those times, and the want of charity, contempt of the Ministry, and the bold preten∣ces to knowledge, and the Spirit that arose amongst them, complains that things were brought to that pass a that all their Piety consisted in nothing else but in condemning the Impiety of others. He acquaints us farther, b that they were very busie in hunting after one anothers faults, not to lament, but to upbraid them, not to heal, but to hurt, and that they might salve their own credit by wounding their neighbours; c and that it was not the Life, but the being friends or enemies that gave men the character of good or bad. These and more such observations were made by that ex∣cellent person upon the Christians that were then of different perswasions; and where the like prejudice is conceived, it may incline men to the like censori∣ousness and partiality in any age. We are often told of the debauchery of Conformists; and it is our great grief that there should be any just cause for such an accusation, and I hope that those that make the com∣plaint will join their hearty endeavours to take away the occasion of it. But let them make a diligent in∣quiry whether they may not have some such among themselves, and whether there were none of that stamp remaining, after the Church had been purged of so many Centuries of pretended scandalous Mini∣sters? I will not be curious in making such a search; we need not recriminate for the defence of a good Cause; we have been always backward to do this, after ma∣ny provocations given, and I wish that our Brethren

would forbear such insinuations in their controversial writings. For as the same great Author says, Wicked men do build upon our backs, and what we invent one of mother, they make use of against us all. Those he speaks of were exposed to the hatred and scorn of the Heathens, for vilifying and disparaging one ano∣ther; and we may be laid open, by the same means, not only to the contempt of the Papists, but of those too that make a mock of all Religion, who are ma∣ny degrees worse than any Heathens.

But after all the clamours about licentious Clergy-men, it may be likely enough that they that make them may be overhasty and credulous in receiving reports, and not judge with that candour and charity with which we should examine other mens actions. For allowing some exceptions (which I hope consi∣dering our numbers will not be many) I do not see but that the Conforming Clergy in the general are of as circumspect sober inoffensive a conversation, as a∣ny of their accusers. It will not be adviseable for either side to make comparisons of this nature. But he that knows of any one in Holy Orders, that is really guilty of such vices, as make him scandalous; let him not presently strive to defame him but be careful to pay him the love and respect that is due to the Character he bears, not for his own but for his Lord's sake. S^t Chrysostome discourses pretty large∣ly to this purpose and for our incouragement to do so he tells us, a Though the Priest should be a debauch∣ed one, God seeing that by reason of the honour thou hast for him, thou dost honour one that is unworthy of it, he himself will give thee a reward.

But this is only a good intimation to others how they should behave themselves towards them, and not

any thing that can palliate or excuse any mans loos∣ness and intemperance. Where any of the Clergy can be convicted of such sins as do openly disparage his calling, let him suffer the severity of the Law to the utmost rigour. And if those Laws that are already in force be too gentle to reclaim him, I could wish that others might be made for the infliction of some greater punishment; provided they were such as might tend effectually to the Reformation of no∣torious offenders, without exposing the innocent to be continually molested by the vexatious prosecuti∣ons of restless and malicious men. If this may be a∣voided, nothing can be too severe. For there is no greater publick mischief than a scandalous Clergy; it is the highest affront and dishonour to Almighty God, and will certainly prove the inevitable ruine of any Church, where they are suffered to in∣crease.

If these papers should happen to fall into the hands of any one that is conscious to himself of some guilt in that kind, I would beseech him for the sake of his dearest Saviour who died for him, and whose professed Servant he is, that if he have any regard to his own eternal happiness, or any compassion for the wounds of a bleeding Church, he would seriously repent of all his former follies, and endeavour for the future to behave himself answerably to those ma∣ny obligations that lye upon him to a holy and blame∣less life. a There was an antient Law at Athens that no man that could be proved guilty of any gross immoralities, should presume to make a speech to the people upon pain of death, though he were the most eloquent and taking Orator in the whole City. That restraint which was thought necessary

by the wisdom of a heathen Republick, would not be unworthy the imitation of a Christian Kingdom; though by this means we might be now and then in danger of losing a very fine harangue. But at least in the Church this prudent caution of theirs de∣serves to be proposed as an Example for us If it were a Crime amongst them, no less than capital, for men of debauched lives to speak sometimes in publick a∣bout secular affairs; what penalty can be severe enough for such profligate wretches, when they shall dare adventure to undertake the constant ministry of the Gospel? If they escape a sentence here, it shall fall the more heavily upon them at the last day; when the Holy Office they have prophaned, and every Sermon they have delivered shall rise up in Judge∣ment against them. What lamentable gashes must they give, what violence must they continually of∣fer to their Consciences, whose unsanctified lives are a direct contradiction to that heavenly Doctrine they profess to teach? How do they mock the Almighty to his very face, that put themselves into his immedi∣ate service, and talk much of Repentance, and Mor∣tification, and yet trample upon all God's holy com∣mandments, and go on obstinately in their disobe∣dience, and lye down and wallow in sensuality? How can they preach Christ crucified, that are not afraid to crucifie him to themselves afresh, and put him to an open shame; that pretend to be his Di∣sciples, and of his family, and do not only most per∣fidiously betray their Master, but revile him, and spit upon him, and nail him to the Cross, which is more than Judas did. These and the like consi∣derations, if they are not already sunk into perfect Atheism, should make them tremble at the appre∣hensions

of the divine vengeance, that, unless they amend betimes, will be poured out in the largest measures, upon such impudent and horrible impie∣ties.

I have heard that some of those that are the most obnoxious, have expressed an extraordinary zeal for the Church of England, and inveighed very pas∣sionately against the Dissenters. I would advise them hereafter to spare their pains; we do not desire, nor stand in need of their help; their examples drive more away, than their arguments will ever be able to bring back. Such false friends do our cause more hurt than our open enemies; for these only make a breach in our Walls, which has been hi∣therto sufficiently defended, but they carry the Plague into our bowels that may destroy thousands.

But I hope there are but few of them amongst us; I am sure the infection, God be praised, has not been universal. And for those that have been tainted, after they have repented heartily for the Scandal they have given, let them apply themselves diligently to their studies, and learn to take delight in their imployment; it will be the only way to pre∣vent a relapse. For Idleness and a certain kind of a∣versation for a man's own business may be gene∣rally observed to be one of the most fruitful Parents of debauchery. And for those that may be offend∣ed with the lives of any of our Clergy, I would intreat them rather to be sorrowfully affected with their failings, and labour for their amendment, than to behave themselves as if they would insult over us for that which is our greatest trouble, and were glad of any pretence to derive an odium upon us. This I would desire them severally to consider.

Notes

• 1 Pet. 5. 3.
• 1 Cor. 11. 1.
• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Greg. Na∣zian. Orat. ••.
• b

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. &c. Ibid.
• c

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Ib.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Ibid.
• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Chrysost. in 〈…〉〈…〉.
• a

  Vid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Orat. contra Timarch.
• Heb. 6. 6.