Format 
Page no. 
Search this text 
Title:  The political mischiefs of popery, or, Arguments demonstrating I. that the romish religion ruines all those countries where 'tis establish'd II. that it occasions the loss of above 200 millions of livres ... to France in particular, III. that if popery were abolished in France, that kingdom would become incomparably more rich and populous ..., IV. that it is impossible that France should ever be re-established whilst popery is their national religion / by a person of quality.
Author: Souligné, de.
Table of contents | Add to bookbag
Priests are so laden with Taxes that they can hardly subsist, yet they fare a great deal better than the greatest part of the Laity who formerly had Estates, which now they have lost by the Taxes▪ and are charged with Debts and Children besides. Whereas tho' the Priests be never so poor, yet still they have some Bread left them without any toil for it, for they neither Labour nor Preach, nor are bound to do any Work but what the dullest Peasant might do, if he could but read and had memory enough to learn by long practise, how to handle the Musquet; for the Mass-Trade can be learnt as easily. They enjoy a Church∣Living gratis, which they neither merit for their Capacity nor Services, neither had they it left them by Inheritance from their Ance∣stors, nor can they be seized upon for Debts. I grant 'tis but reason they should live by their Trade, since they do that which the people would have them to do, but as for the great numbers of rich Monastries, Convents, & . which contribute little or nothing to the Go∣vernment; is it not ridiculous they should enjoy the half of all the Estates in that Kingdom, and not pay the 20th part towards the support of the Government of what the rest of the Nation pays? for, as I have said before, those wealthy Clergy-men pay almost nothing of what the Clergy pays in general, all the burden falls upon the little Curates and Priests, who are left without Protection. What then is it that the diligent and laborious for of people in a Nation should perish, and be 0