The Jesuit's memorial for the intended reformation of England under their first popish prince published from the copy that was presented to the late King James II : with an introduction, and some animadversions by Edward Gee ...

CHAP. II. Of Bishops and Bishopricks in England.

BIshops and Prelates be Heads of the Clergy, and if all ought to be Light and Salt, how much more they that must lighten and season not only the Tem∣poralty and Laity, but all the rest of their own Order also, who according to the ex∣ample given them by their Prelate, are wont to proceed. And on the other side, the best means for a Bishop to do much good in his Diocess, is to have good Priests about him: for that a Prelate without good Priests to help him, is a Bird with∣out Feathers to fly; and to have good Priests, he must make good Priests, both by his Life, Doctrine and other good means, and especially by Seminaries; for that Figs grow not on Thorns, as our Saviour says; and to have so great a Trea∣sure, it must cost both Labour, Industry and Mony.

The Authority and Jurisdiction of Bi∣shops in England is commonly more than in divers other Countries, and more re∣spected; and their ordinary inquiry upon dishonesty of Life or suspicion thereof is peculiar to England alone, and of very great importance for holding Men in fear of carnal sins, and for this cause to be continued and increased. And albeit, in some other Counties, simple Fornication be not so much punished, or pursued and inqui∣red upon, and that the Stews also be permit∣ted for avoiding of greater inconveniences, in respect of the different natures and complexions of the People; yet by expe∣rience we do find, that the same necessi∣ty of liberty is not in England, and con∣sequently in no wife to be brought in again; for that it is an occasion of fall, and of grievous temptations to many that other∣wise would not have them.

That English Custom also of often Visi∣tations by the Bishop, and by his Coun∣cellors, Officials, and other Ministers, and Probats of Testament to be made before them, and the use of often administring the Sacrament of Confirmation to Chil∣dren, is very laudable and to be honoured; and any other thing that may belong to the authority, credit, or good estimation

of the Bishop, or of his Function and Office; and if for a time after the next change, some hand were given to Bishops also in Temporal affairs, as to be princi∣pal in all publick Commissions within the Shire, it would greatly authorise Religion, and assure the Country much more to the Prince.

It will appertain to the Council of Refor∣mation to consider of the Revenues of each Bishoprick, and where there want∣eth sufficient to bear out decently that State, then to add so much as shall be necessary; yet are Bishops to be admonished, saith Mr. John Avila, that Christ willeth them to be Lights of the World, and Salt of the Earth by their fervour of Religion, Pru∣dence, and Vertues, and not by abundance of great Riches and Pomp; and he al∣ledgeth a Canon of the first Council of Carthage, which saith thus: Episcopus ha∣beat vilem supellectilem, mensam, & victum pauperem, & dignitatis suae authoritatem, fidei & vitae meritis quaerat. And upon this he addeth, That much more hurt hath come to the Church of God by overmuch Wealth of Bishops, than by their Poverty, albeit he wisheth notwithstanding that they have sufficient with Moderation.

And he beseecheth the Council of Trent, that as well of Bishops Livings, as of Dean∣ries, Archdeaconries, Rich Benefices, and all other Ecclesiastical Livings which can bear it, that there be a certain Portion allotted for the Poor, whereof he would not have the In∣cumbents to have Possession or Interest, but only that they with some other as∣signed for that purpose to be joyned with them, to have the Distribution, and be ac∣countable yearly for it, as if it were not theirs.

And his reason for this is, for that each Ecclesiastical Person being bound in Con∣science to give part to the Poor, it were good their Consciences were eased herein by help of some others also, and that the Poor were assured of their Portion: which Holy sug∣gestion might easily be put in Execution at the beginning in England; and it would be a goodly Treasure for the Poor in every Diocess, and a singular Example to all o∣ther Nations in Christendom; and those that are good Prelates and Priests, would be contented therewith, and give besides also of their own, and such as are other∣wise, at least would be forced to give this to their own benefit and others.

For the Bishop's own Person, as also his Houshold, it shall not be needful to say how far off it ought to be not only from vanity, pomp, and lightness, which is crept into many to the ruine and scandal of the World; to wit, of gorgeous Apparel, great troops of Servants, rich Furniture of Houshold-stuff, and other Ostentation of this quality; but also and much more from the prophanity and secularity of others, as Hawking, Hunting, Dicing, Carding, Banqueting, inriching of Kindred, and the like; which Corruptions do easily insinu∣ate themselves, partly by corrupt Nature, and partly by inticements of others, as by experience we have seen in former times, if our Bishops and Priests do not stand watch∣fully upon their own Actions, and reso∣lutely cut off the Serpents Head, and all Ser∣pentish allurements to these things at the beginning.

The Bishop's Person ought to be as an Angel of Peace, Joy, Comfort, Ayd, Com∣passion, and Encouragement amongst the People; and his House to be a School of all Vertues, and a Shop or Store-house of all vertuous Men, to take out as need shall be, for the furnishing of other Places. Silks, Velvets, Chains of Gold, Feathers, Hawks, Hounds, and the like in his House

or Houshold is great vanity. Idleness, Swearing, Gluttony, loose Life, Unlawful gains in his Servants, is Impiety. Well it were that Prelates Servants should be the better provided for, than any other, to the end that many might desire their Service, and bear the Discipline of their Houses more willingly, to wit, that they should be both better paid, and have more ways for their present Services, and more hope of certain recompence for the time to come; but with this also it were reason, that they should be known from all other Mens Servants by their Vertuous Behaviour, Modesty in Apparel, Temperance in Dyet▪ Sweetness and Humility of Speech, Cour∣teous Conversations. No less care ought to have the Bishop of the Souls of his Servants, but rather more than any other of his Flock; which the Holy Apostle St. Paul did so far exaggerate to his Scho∣lar Timothy that was also a Bishop, as he said; If any man have not care of his own, and especially of those that be his Domesticals, he is without Faith, and worse than an infidel.

The principal Point that good Prelates do use, and may use, about Reformation of their Families, are, first, to keep no more than they have need, and are well able to

maintain of themselves, without permit∣ting them Shifts, Bribes, or other unlaw∣ful or suspicious means to help themselves, under colour and countenance of their Master's Coats, which all redoundeth to their Masters hurt and discredit. And, Secondly, if more do offer themselves to service, than the Bishop can thus main∣tain, or hath need of, more merit and edi∣fication will it be to help to place them otherwhere, and to assist them also with Alms abroad, if his ability be for it, than to hold great Troops of Servants under pretence of Piety and Alms, which often∣times is Oftentation and Vanity, or at leastwise great occasion thereof.

Thirdly, such as be admitted to the Bishop's Family, and dwell in his House, ought to be governed with all kind of care and good Discipline fit for such a place, and not disagreeing to the State and Concition of the Men; and namely, That they confess themselves every Month at the least with known and approved Confes∣sors; and that the Bishop himself upon high Feasts, or some other, may, by his appoint∣ment, administer unto them the blessed Sacrament; that whilest they dine or sup in the Hall, they have some Spiritual good Lecture read unto them, that a cer∣tain

competent space be appointed them to rise and go to Bed, and some Exercise of Prayers in the Mornings, and that in the day time, such as have no particular charge or offices to occupy themselves in, but to attend and wait, have some thing devised for their Exercise, if it may be to keep them from idleness: and among these may enter some honest kind of Disports also at certain times, and store of good Books to be laid in publick places for them to read, and entertain them∣selves at other seasons.

All kind of access and ordinary residence, or traffick of Women within a Prelate's House for any occasion whatsoever, whe∣ther they be kindred or not, is indecent, suspicious, and full of disedification, ex∣cept it were only upon some known cause, suit, or particular business without stay, which yet ought to be avoided the most that may be.

The occupations of a good Bishop, which lie upon him, by obligation of his office, are so many and weighty, as it cannot be imagined how he can have spare time and leisure for idleness, or vain and secular entertainments, if he have a good Conscience: but rather it is needful that he devise the time very well, and

exactly, for to be able to fulfil his duty, in preparing, saying Mass, preaching, teach∣ing, visiting his Diocess, hearing and de∣termining of causes, attend to his parti∣cular Houshold, conferring with his Of∣ficers, and a thousand other Occupations, Cares, and Obligations that will fall upon him, and take from him both his time by Day, and sleep by Night; if he be such a Father as he ought to be, and have a tender heart towards God's Service, and his own Salvation, and towards the good of his People and Country; which being so, there needeth no other Ad∣vertisement in this behalf, but that he be a good Man, and look well to his Con∣science, and divide well the hours of the day that every thing may be done in its time, and Men find space and facility to negotiate with him. Let him visit his Diocess often by himself, if he can, to know his own Sheep nominatim, as Christ com∣mandeth; and if he cannot, let him do it by his Officers, and see that it be done with diligence, and gratis, without Bribes; and let the Visitations be examined well afterwards, and some Declaration ever made of them, by punishing or promoting of such as deserve, to the end it may ap∣pear that they are not made only for

fashion sake. The custom of England is to call the Curate, with the two Church-wardens to every Visitation, and two principal Men more of the Parish; and to exhibit In∣terrogations to the one Party concerning the other's demeanour, is a very effectual order, if it be well observed, as is also that every Archdeacon should make his Visita∣tion apart at his due times, and commu∣nicate them after with the Bishop.

In all good works that are to be done within the City where the Bishop resideth, or within his whole Diocess, whether they be for setting up of Religious Houses, Schools, Seminaries, Hospitals, Colledges, Prisons, bringing up of Orphans, Marry∣ing of poor Maids, helping of Widows, repairing, enlarging, and furnishing of Churches, redeeming of Captives, setting forward of Confraternities, and the like; the Bishop as the Common Father and Treasurer of the poor ought to have his part more or less according to his abi∣lity. And when he were able to give no Mony, yet should he animate others, shew the way, give the designment, re∣move difficulties, and make much of them that were doers therein, whereby only (I mean by his authority, consent and incou∣ragement) he should be able to bring

many good things to pass, even without Mony, if he had it not to give; but if he have wealth and will not spend, words will do little.

It is reported of certain godly Prelates, That besides the bestowing of their own Goods in pious works, God gave them force to draw out great store of other Men's also, and so to have the merit of both; For which cause, first they used to be very familiar with all such Men as had this Spirit, to go up and down, and attend to these works, willing them never to be dismayed, but to come to them in all their difficulties, for that Mony and Council should never want. And, Secondly, they used to have a lift of all the rich Men within their Diocess, whom they sought also to gain before hand, by courteous entreaty, and often inviting of them; and when any work of Piety was offered, then would the Bishop first set down all his own Contribution, and then perswade the rest by his Exhortation and Example to do the like. And by this means they brought to pass infinite great works, that otherwise seemed altogether above their powers.

Many good Men of our time are of Opinion, That the first quality and con∣dition, which the Prince ought to con∣sider, in choosing, or presenting a good Bishop, should be whether he be liberal, and a good Alms-man, or no; for if he have this grace, it is impossible almost but that together with this, he is a good Man of Life also. And albeit he should want a great degree in learning, or some other such part, yet this one of Alms-giving would supply for all, and by his liberality he would make learned Men, though he were none himself; and so supply the want by others. But if he want this part of Piety, all the rest will do little good with the People. And Mr. John Avila noteth to the Council of Trent, that not only Christ himself, but his Apostles also after him, laid hands rather of vertuous Men to make Bishops, though they were Married, than of great learned Clerks. And so do the two Descriptions made by St. Paul to Timothy, and to Titus, of good Bishops, declare, though learning also be necessary, but more the other.

The Bishop ought to have a Roll of all the Preachers, Pastors and Priests with∣in his Diocess, with the Names, Surnames, Parentage, Ages, Talents, Manners, Me∣rits, and Occupations, and to study and go them over often, and to add every Year, that which his Officers do bring in their Visitations, of their Merits or De∣merits; and besides this, to have some special Men of confidence and zeal in every place to advertise him of that which passeth for his better Instruction, to the end that when Benefices, or other Charges shall fall void, he may provide them with more facility, and commend also to the Prince, such Persons as deserve to be pre∣ferred to higher Rooms; and put back, deprive, or chasten them that behave them∣selves evil.

The like Lifts ought the Archbishops to have over all the Bishopricks, under their Charges: And the same ought to have the Prince and his chief Counsellors over all the Realm; so all good Men should not need to sue and labour to be imployed, nor the ambitious greatly pro∣fit themselves by their sollicitude and ne∣gotiation; but the one should be fetched out of their corners, when they thought not of it, to Promotion, and the other

sent home empty from the Court and o∣ther places, which they troubled by their importunity, until they were of better Merits. No one thing would so much profit the Commonwealth, as if these punishments and rewards were sure and certain.

It is thought also, that it would be a matter of great importance, for the pre∣servation of a good English Clergy, that the providing of Priests for Benefices within every Diocess should be reduced to the Bishops and to certain of the Chap∣ter or chief Men about him, to be assigned for that effect, and that the preferment should go by Opposition and Tryal, both for learning and manners; and certain Examiners to be appointed for the De∣termination, who should give their Deter∣mination upon their Oaths; and that the Patrons of Benefices, that now are in En∣gland, should be recompenced with some other Priviledge or Honour to be done to them in their Parishes, where they are Pa∣trons; but not to present the Persons, nor give Advowsons; or at leastwise, if all were not to be taken away, the most should be, that they presented some three or four able Men together, both for learning and manners, and that the Bishop with his

Examiners may take whom of those they judged most worthy.

After Examination made of Men's learning, by Opposition and Disputation, the like Examination, or rather much more stricter, ought to be made of Life and Manners, either by the self same Ex∣aminers, or rather by others to determine also upon their Oaths, as the former: And this second Examination ought to be made by Testimony of Letters, and Witnesses concerning the behaviour of the Pretenders; and ever the Merit and Ver∣tue ought to be preferred before Learning; and to the end Men be not disgraced by this second Examination, after they have passed the first of learning, perhaps it will be best, that this go first; and if any Man be found defective in this, he may, with less discredit, desist from the other; and let the Tryal and Opposition be published some Weeks or Months before, as shall be thought necessary. And greatly it will import that all Benefices be given and taken in England with this express Condition, That upon Merit or Demerit, they may be changed, or taken away, and the Parties removed either to higher or lower Bene∣fices, or to none at all, if he deserveth it. And that the Condition also be put by

the Prince and Pope, in providing of Bi∣shopricks, to wit, that when ever the Prince or Archbishops shall require Visitors of His Holiness to visit any Bishop, or Archbishop, and shall find just cause to deprive him, or put him down to a lower Bishoprick, that it shall be lawful, and that each Prelate may enter with this express Condition, as also Deans, Archdeacons, Canons and the rest. And that sometimes it be put in Execution, for that this will be a continual Bridle and Spur to them, when they know they have no certainty, or perpetuity; and as to the good, it will be an occasion of perpetual promotion, so to the other it will be a mo∣tive to look about them.

Order must be given by the Bishops for often meeting of the Clergy in Pro∣vincial Synods; or otherwise to confer their doubts, and to take light and in∣couragement the one of the other. And for the better keeping of Unity both in Mind, and Spirit, and Actions; and the old Canons, Customs, and old Ecclesi∣astical Ordinances of our English Church are to be brought in ure again, as much as may be, and as they serve profitably to our Times.

Whether it be convenient to have a Third Archbishop in England, and some Bishopricks increased, enlarged, diminish∣ed or divided, I have put it in Conside∣ration before the Council of Reformation, and so have no more to note in particular about this Chapter of Bishops, but only to refer my self to that which in general the Holy Council of Trent has ordained, about Reformation of Bishops, which I do sup∣pose ever as a Foundation to all, that here or elsewhere is added for England a∣lone at its next change to Catholick Re∣ligion.

Notes

• Bishops Livings.
• No access of Women to be per∣mitted.
• Occupati∣ons of a good Bi∣shop.
• What Men ought to be chosen Bishops.
• Benefices to be pro∣vided by opposition.