The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

OF THE PACIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. 429
hope of which, such attendants in ordinary, who
ought to be, as for the most part they are, of the TOUCHING THE PROVISION FOR SUFFICIENT
best gifts and sort, may be farther encouraged MAINTENANCE IN THE CHURCH.
and rewarded. And as for extraordinary attendants, they may very well retain the grace and Touching church maintenance, it is well to be
countenance of their places and duties at times weighed what is ",jure divino," and what "jure
incident thereunto, without discontinuance or non- positivo," It is a constitution of the divine law,
residence in their pastoral charges. Next, for the from which human laws cannot derogate, that
case of intending studies in the universities, it those which feed the flock should live of the
will more easily receive an answer; for studies flock: that those that serve at the altar should
do but serve and tend to the practice of those live at the altar; that those which dispense, spistudies: and, therefore, for that which is most ritual things should reap temporal things; of
principal and final to be left undone, for the which it is also an appendix, that the proportion
attending of that which is subservient and sub- of this maintenance be not small or necessitous,
ministrant, seemeth to be against proportion of but plentiful and liberal. So, then, that all the
reason. Neither do I see, but that they proceed places and offices of the church be provided of
right well in all knowledge, which do couple such a dotation, that they may be maintained, acstudy with their practice; and do not first study cording to their several degrees, is a constitution
altogether, and then practise altogether; and permanent and perpetual: but for particularityof
therefore they may very well study at their bene- the endowment, whether it should consist of
fies. Thirdly, for the case of extraordinary ser- tithes, or lands, or pensions, or mixed, might make
vice of the church; as if some pastor be sent to a question of convenience, but no question of prea general council, or here to a convocation; and cise necessity. Again, that the case of the church
likewise for the case of necessity, as in the par- ", de facto " is such, that there is want in the
ticular of infirmity of body, and the like, no man church of patrimony, is confessed. For the prinwill contradict, but that there may be some sub- cipal places, namely, the bishops' livings, are, in
stitution for such a time. But the general case of some particulars, not sufficient; and therefore en.
necessity is the case of pluralities; the want of forced to be supplied by toleration of Cormen
pastors and insufficiency of livings considered, dams, things of themselves unfit, and ever held
",posito," that a man doth faithfully and inces- of no good report. And as for the benefices and
santly divide his labours between two cures; pastors' places, it is manifest that very many of
which kind of necessity I come now to speak of them are very weak and penurious. On the other
in the handling of pluralities. side, that there was a time when the church was
For pluralities, in case the number of able mi- rather burdened with superfluity, than with lack,
nisters were sufficient, and the value of benefices that is likewise apparent; but it is long since; so
were sufficient, then pluralities were in no sort as the fault was in others, the want redoundeth
tolerable. But we must take heed, we desire not unto us. Again, that it were to be wished that
contraries. For to desire that every parish should impropriations were returned to the church as the
be furnished with a sufficient preacher, and to most proper and natural endowments thereof, is a
desire that pluralities be forthwith taken away, is thing likewise wherein men's judgments will not
to desire things contrary; considering,'I de facto," much vary. Nevertheless, that it is an impossithere are not sufficient preachers for every parish: bility to proceed now, either to their resumption
whereunto add, likewise, that there is not suffi- or redemption, is as plain on the other side. For
cient living and maintenance in many parishes to men are stated in them by the highest assurance
maintain a preacher; and it maketh the impossi- of the kingdom, which is, act of parliament; and
bility yet much the greater. The remedies ", in the value of them amounteth much above ten subrerum natura," are but three; union, permutation, sidies; and the restitution must of necessity pass
and supply. Union of such benefices as have the their hands, in whose hands they are now in posliving too small, and the parish not too great, and session or interest.
are adjacent. Permutation, to make benefices But of these things, which are manifestly true,
more compatible, though men be overruled to to infer and ground some conclusions. First, in
some loss in changing a better for a nearer. Sup- mine own opinion and sense, I must confess, let
ply, by stipendiary preachers, to be rewarded with me speak it with reverence, that all the parliasome liberal stipends, to supply, as they may, ments since 27 and 31 of Henry VIII., who gave
such places which are unfurnished of sufficient away impropriations from the church, seem to me
pastors: as Queen Elizabeth, amongst other her to stand in a sort obnoxious, and obliged to God
gracious acts, did erect certain of them in Lan- in conscience to do somewhat for the church, to
cashire; towards which pensions, I see no reason reduce the patrimony thereof to a competency.
but reading ministers, if they have rich benefices, For since they have debarred Christ's wife of a
os.1!-d be charged. great part of her dowry, it were reason they made