The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

428 OF THE PACIFICATION OF THE CHURCH.
which the bishop did ordain ministers but at four ground two considerations: the one, that this
set times of the year; which were called " Qua- censure be restored to the true dignity and use
tuor tempora;" which are now called Ember- thereof; which is, that it proceed not but in causes
weeks: it being thought fit to accompany so high of great weight; and that it be decreed not by
an action with general fasting and prayer, and any deputy or substitute of the bishop, but by the
sermons, and all holy exercises; and the names bishop in person; and not by him alone, but by
likewise of those that were to be ordained, were the bishop assisted.
published some days before their ordination; to The other consideration is, that in lieu thereof,
the end exceptions might be taken, if just cause there be given to the ecclesiastical court some
were. The third consideration is, that if the case ordinary process, with such force and coercion as
of the Church of England be, that were a compu- appertaineth; that so the dignity of so high a
tation taken of all the parochian churches, allow- sentence being retained, and the necessity of
ing the union of such as were too small and mean process supplied, the church may be indeed
adjacent, and again a computation to be taken of restored to the ancient vigour and splendour. To
the persons who were worthy to be pastors; and, this purpose, joined with some other holy and
upon the said account if it fall out that there are good purposes, was there a bill drawn in parliamany more churches than pastors, then of neces- ment, in the three-and-twentieth year of the reign
sity recourse must be had to one of these reme- of the queen deceased; which was the gravest
dies; either that pluralities must be allowed, parliament that I have known; and the bill reespecially if you can by permutation make the commended by the gravest counsellor of estate in
benefices more compatible; or that there be parliament; though afterwards it was stayed by
allowed preachers to have a more general charge, the queen's special commandment, the nature of
to supply and serve by turn parishes unfurnished: those times considered.
for that some churches should be provided of pastors able to teach, and others wholly destitute,
seemeth to me to be against the communion of
saints and Christians, and against the practice of TOUCHING NON-RESIDENTS AND
the primitive church.
PLURALITIES.
FOR non-residence, except it be in case of necessary absence, it seemeth an abuse drawn out of
TOUCHING THE ABUSE OF EXCOM- covetousness and sloth: for that men should live
of the flock that they do not feed, or of the altal
at which they do not serve, is a thing that can
EXCOMIMUNICATION is the greatest judgment hardly receive just defence; and to exercise the
upon earth; being that which is ratified in heaven; office of a pastor, in matter of the word and docand being a precursory or prelusory judgment of trine, by deputies, is a thing not warranted, as
the great judgment of Christ in the end of the hath been touched before. The questions upon
world. And, therefore, for this to be used irreve- this point do arise upon the cases of exception
rently, and to be made an ordinary process, to and excusation, which shall he thought reasonable
lackey up and down for fees, how can it be with- and sufficient, and which not. For the case of
out derogation to God's honour, and making the chaplains, let me speak that with your majesty's
power of the keys contemptible? I know very pardon, and with reverence towards the other
well the defence thereof, which hath no great peers and grave persons, whose chaplains by
force; that it issueth forth not for the thing itself, statutes are privileged: I should think, that the
but for the contumacy. I do not deny, but this attendance which chaplains give to your majesty's
judgment is, as I said before, of the nature of court, and in the houses and families of their
God's judgments; of the which it is a model. lords, were a juster reason why they should have
For as the judgment of God taketh hold of the no benefice, than why they should be qualified to
least sin of the impenitent, and taketh no hold of have two: for, as it standeth with Christian policy,
the. greatest sin of the convert or penitent; so that such attendance be in no wise neglected;
excommunication may in case issue upon the because that good, which ensueth thereof to the
smallest offence, and in case not issue upon the church of God, may exceed, or countervail that
greatest: but is this contumacy such a contumacy which may follow of their labours in any, though
as excommunication is now used for? For the never so large a congregation; soit were reasona-;contumacy must be such as the party, as far as ble that their maintenance should honourably and
the eye and wisdom of the church can discern, liberally proceed thence, where their labours be
standeth in state of reprobation and damnation: employed. Neither are there wanting in the
as one that for that time seemneth given over to church dignities and preferments not joined with
final impenitency. Upon this observation I any exact cure of souls; by which, and by the