The Preachers Plea

THE Preachers Plea.

W E live in doubtful times; I fear a Cloud of blood hangs over us, as a stream of blood hath already ran round about us. Me thinks the frame of our spirits, presage it; for we have had various dispensations of God's dealings with us. First, shewers of judgments, then gleams of mercy scattered in the Land; yet the same temper lies still brooding

on our hearts. Punishments will not awaken us, blessings cannot melt us. Perdidimus utilitatem calamitatis nostrae, miseri facti sumus, & pessimi permanemus. What should God do with such a sinful people? We have been, and will continue a stubborn generation. Is it not strange that in such a gracious season as this, when such an inundatlon of loving kindness have broken in upon us from the Lord, and he hath holpen us so miraculously in our pinching necessities, far beyond what we could expect, or hope for. Yea, that now, whilst his mercies are hot, and reeking in our memories, the work of our God should so stick in our hands, and our begun Reformation move, like Pharaohs Chariots when the Wheelos were off, with such a dull and slow progression. The Lord grant our Preservations prove not reservations to greater judgments. I fear, lest what Salvianus sighed our against another people, should prove our fatal doom. Sopor infunditur ut perditio subsequatur. The Truth is, nothing, gives beauty and gloss to our cause, but our glorious victories. Take us abstracted from our happy successes, (and they are none of ours) and what miserable Christians shall we appear. Was there ever any Christian Nation under heaven, that after so many Covenants to reform, so many clear demonstrations from heaven, of God's acceptance of our Covenants, have yet abounded in so many and various Sects, Schisms, Heresies, Blasphemies, and that with so high a hand, and in so uncontrollable a way, as this out Nation. Add to this, what a world of time hath been crumbled away in debate on Church-government; yet how little Progress is made therein? How far are we at this day, from an establishment thereof throughout the Kingdom? Something indeed hath been concluded on by our Worthy Patriots, in order to the Presbyterian way: but what is a branch to the Tree; what is this to the settling of the whole body, and Bulk of a Church-government, and of Ecclesiastical Discipline in the Realm; for want whereof, sin abounds, and many fearful Transgressions go unpunished. And how doth our unhappy Church (notwithstanding this good hand of God upon us) lie still destitute, afflicted, disgraced, impoverished, clothed with her old Ragges, fed with her old maintenance, served with her old Chaplains, having neither means nor Ministers serviceable for any use almost, but to stand as Monuments of her shame. The consideration whereof hath (I must confess) very often, much sadded my heart; and at this time pressed me to this Discourse. Surely, what ever men's hearts may desire, their eyes shall never see able Ministers in our Church, until there be able maintenance to encourage them: For Workemen will not be got without wages, nor will the wages be any invitation to the work, if it be set forth as formerly, in a base and despicable proportion. It's true indeed, we have formerly had to the scorn of our Church and Kingdom, and to the undoing of thousands of souls, the lowest of the people for the serviee of God's house. Ignorant & contemptible persons through the corruption of this worser age, have been advanced to the most honorable calling the world could yield. And from whence proceeded this iniquity? why scandalous means ushered in scandalous men: ad tenuitatem beneficiorum, sequebatur ignorantia sacerdotum. Poverty brought in ignorance into the Church, & ignorance brought in scorn. For what eve men's integrity and parts may be, a torn coat seldom finds reverence or regard amongst the common sort of people; who for the most part measure out their respect to their Pastors, not according to their inward abilities, but according to their outward garb and greatness. The Parliaments frame the 27. of Henry the 8. (who gave away impropriations from the Church, or did that which amounted to the same) to this day, have (I fear) something to answer for, that in so large a tract of time, have found out no expedient, whereby to reduce the Patrimony of the Church into a competency.

It was but reason when they had taken away the jointure of the Church, to assign some livelihood to maintain her. Truly want amongst all conditions of men, is a very melancholy thing: but it must needs lie nearest the heart of a laborious Pastor, because over and besides his own personal sufferings, the honor of God is concerned therein. For let reason speak, is it not sin and shame, that the servants of the most high God, who in a peculiar manner draw nigh to him in the service of his Church, should be so coursly entertained, as to have little better then Daniel's dainties, to preserve them, or live like poor Lazarus with the crumbs that fall from rich men's Tables. Certainly the slighting of an Ambassador reflects upon the Sovereign, and the Mr. Takes himself to be dishonored, when his servant is abused, or held in a base esteem, and can we reasonably imagine the Lord of Heaven & Earth, who, when he might justly have made us the reproach of all Nations for our sins, hath now so gloriously exalted us in the sight of men, will not take it unkindly, yea in high indignation, if after all our endeavors in a blessed Reformation we should look on his Ambassadors with a regardless eye? but I hope better things. I trust the time is coming, and will hasten on, when burning and shining lamps shall be set up in every corner of the Land, and oil enough provided to keep them flaming. But till the second be brought to pass, I expect not the first, until there be a tolerable subsistence provided in every Parish, it's impossible there should be (what we have so long expected) a constant faithful preaching Ministry throughout the Kingdom. Men may fancy to thenselves what they please, talk of Elders, debate on government; but believe it, these things will never be brought into act & exercise, so as God shall be glorified, and the people edified thereby, till this be done. This is the hinge on which all must turn. I know not how the iniquity of the times have brought it about, but so it is, God is not in credit among Christians as in days of old. Nor hath his servants and service (Pudet haec dici potuisse) that reverend regard, which former age hath given them.

Time was when men of honor and high Parentage, cheerfully devoted themselves to the service of the Church, as Hilary, Easill, Fulgentius, & divers others, though Nobly borne, yet thought it there higher honor to make themselves instrumental to the work of the Gospel. But alas as the means and fortunes of the Church grew low, so devotion and affection to the service thereof declined with them, & the encouragements to learning being taken away, men's spirits were soon becalmed toward that way. I hope, I shall not here be offensive to any in speaking for those, who blush to speak for themselves, and in pleading for due honor to a despised calling.

I think it were a noble Christian policy; and now is the golden opportunity, to set forth good preferment for this high and honorable employment, that thereby men of the worthiest parts, and most exquisite endowments of nature and learning, might be invited thereunto. The want whereof hath been the cause that such as have been of the darkest and dullest constitutions, and to whom nature hath been, some way or other an unkind Stepmother, and have been thought fit for nothing else, have formerly been condemned to this work. When as men of the most refined wits and greatest hopes have been settled by their parents and guardians, to other vocations, as in especial the Law, that being looked on as a step to honor and dignity, but this reputed as a downright way to beggary. Some there are, but I believe they are such as partake more of the Serpent then of the Dove, who upon this change of Church-government, seem to be very anxious, lest the Praelaticall power should only put on a new coat, as it wear, and fashion, and retain his former pride and stateliness, under the form of the Presbytery. Therefore cry out, keep them poor to restrain their pride, raise not the winds that should fill their sails, for means will but make them swell.

Thus wanton wits fall heavily upon the Ministers of the GOSPELL in these censorious times, and praejudge them for their pride whereas God knows for the present they stand in that despicable condition in divers places, that they scarce have clothes to cover them. Yet I dare be bold to say, never were there any times since the foundation of the Gospel in this Kingdom, wherein the people of this Land have been more engaged to their Pastors (I relate more specially to this City) for their prayers, painfulness in preaching, & all offices of Christian love and piety then in these our days. What ever unkind blasts they lie under, sure I am, the right hand of the Lord hath done gloriously for us by their means, these are the Doves of the valley, which have brought in more Victories by their cries and tears to heaven, then all our armies by their strength, yet these are the men (as some calumniate) whom no bonds are like to hold, no bounds to restrain, unless they be held in with bit and bridle. But let men of this temper and condition speak as smoothly as they please, & bring the most plausible arguments their wits can devise, to cover their naughty hearts withal: yet shall I never believe he loves a godly Minister that pleads to keep him low, or that he is soundly good that swells at good men's greatness. If the Ministers of the Gospel be good, its necessary they should be great, I mean that their maintenance be raised to such an ample proportion, as should not only shelter them from scorn, but adorn their Callings. The Priests and Levites under the Law, as they drew nighest to God in regard of Office, and were next to his presence, in regard of place (for they were by God's express command to pitch their Tents round about the Tabernacle) so also was the Lord pleased to make honorable provision for them, by assigning the tenths and other liberal allowance for their support. Now whether the tenths of all men's profits, do in these times, as under the law, in duty appertain to the Ministers of the Gospel, I intend not here to discuss. But sure I am, maintenance is their right, and the dispensers of the Gospel are not inferior to the Ministers of the Law, therefore Religion and reason suggests, they should have that proportion or a better part, at least a sufficiency to buy books, keep Hospitality, and live like Ministers in a reasonable condition.

It was well with God's Ministers, when they were at God's finding, as under the Law; but we, alas, have strait Bowels, and close hands, and God knows, there is too much of self in all our bosoms; (& that which checks our forwardness, I fear in this particular is) we have too much of their Bread in our own possessions. I beseech those whom this great business doth most properly concern, to lay their hands upon their hearts, and seriously consider and consult, which way this Epidemical sickness in the Church may be removed. It would make a man's heart bleed, to see how many drunken, ignorant, superstitious, Profane Ministers, are crept into every corner of the land, more abundantly, (I think) in Oxford-shire, than in any County again in the Kingdom: where (to the aggravation of this misery) they are in divers places on a sudden turned constant Preachers, which seldom or never preached before; but yet continue Drunkards still. For the turn of the times hath frighted them into a form of Preaching, to save their livings; but are as scandalous as ever in their lives: and surely till the baseness and poverty of the provision set out for them be reformed, this mischief will not be capable of redress. For you cannot cast unworthy Teachers out of the Church, until you have introduced more worthy subsistence into the Church; if you do, you may lock up the Church doors; for what men of any gifts will supply the cures? It is cōputed that there are in the Kingdom nine thousand two hundred Parish Churches, and upward, whereof near four thousand are impropriate Churches. Besides many Parsonages are poor, and unable to give entertainment to a godly and diligent teacher, as being abridged and spoiled under pretence of long Leases, and rate Tithes, instead of Tithes in kind. In some places, ten pound, eight pound, six pound, five pound ten shillings, per annum, is the Pastors entertainment for himself and family. This is better known in the Country, then it is here laid to heart. Yea in this famous City, which God hath even miraculously preserved from the common calamity, as a little Zoar to hide his righteous Lots in; how have we repaid the loving kindness of the Lord? There are at this present (as I am very credibly informed) two and thirty Parish Churches in this City, utterly destitute of any Pastors, to break the bread of life to the people; and this defect is given in, chiefly to arise from the scant and tenaceous subsistence which the places yield to the respective Ministers thereof. To instance in Buttolph Aldersgate, where the allowance for the Minister is but 16. l. per annum (saving 7. l. more, or thereabouts, given by Edward the sixth, (very hardly paid,) and did not the vicinity of of other Churches in this Populous City, hold forth some ease and accommodation to supply the want of the deserted Churches aforesaid, the Inhabitants there must necessarily have been reduced into as sad a strait as those in the Country, who through the persecution of these times have lost their Teachers.

Now if things must stand at this stay, what will become of us, and where shall we see the fruit of our Reformation? We give God good words with our mouths, but if we acknowledge him our Lord, where is his honor? Oh that we would sit down a while, and reflect into ourselves, forget our swelling thoughts, and look a little back to the days of our Calamity. How did our Pulses beat three years since, what Prayers, and Cries, and Tears did we then send up to heaven, in that our low condition? and how did we then lift up our hands and hearts to the most high God, and swear, and engage, that we would endeavor a Reformation, as in Religion, so in Discipline and Government also: but what Reformation in Religion and Government, are we or our Posterities like to joy in, if no effectual care or course should be taken, (as yet I humbly conceive it is not) for the advancement of godliness, and godly Preachers throughout the Kingdom. But we thinks I hear some reply, there is no cause of this complaint, for the Honorable houses of Parliament have already made provision for augmentation of small livings out of Dean and Chapter Lands, and Delinquent Impropriations. To this I humbly answer, that how plausible soever this provision may seem at first sight, yet I suppose it will stand at a great distance from a full supply. For the first of these, namely Dean and Chapter Lands: These are in part already disposed of another way: as for instance, in the County of Oxford, the Dean and Chapter in Christ-Church is comprehended under the Articles for Oxford: And the Dean and Chapter at Westminster, and that at Windsor, provision is made out of them still, (as I am credibly informed) for divers persons, that were settled in those houses, and had not slewed any disaffection to the Cause. And this being agreeable to common equity and justice, I believe the same rule is observed in all other such places also. So that the Dean and Chapter Lands are not all disposed of, at least for the present, to the said intended use.

Besides all this, divers Counties there are in the Kingdom, which have no Dean and Chapter peculiarly belonging to them: and where there are some small Proportions of these Lands, lying scattered in several Counties, this is no way considerable to so great a want. Now for Impropriations, since the benefit that shall arise from them to this use, must issue only from those that are settled in the hands of Delinquents, it cannot be conceived, that these should hold forth any great benefit or succor to the Church: most of your Impropriations doubtless being in the hands of Colleges, and Hospitals or of such persons as are well-affected to the Cause.

But that which is also a main obstruction and Remora to this great Work, is, (let it be supposed, but not granted) that these Provisions before specified, could possibly raise the maintenance of the Church to some reasonable Competencie: yet how shall the Remedy be applied? how, or by what means shall it be transferred to those that want it? Will you suffer Malignant Parishes to lie destitute of the means of their salvation, till they feel their misery, and find hearts to complain above. Or can you imagine, that such Parishes, as have for this twenty, thirty, forty years together been nusled up under an unpreaching Ministry, will all on a sudden hunt about from one County to another for Dean and Chapter Lands; or make inquisition after Delinquent Impropriations, that out of them, or either of them, they may extract some considerable sustenance for a godly Minister? Surely, you may as well suppose the Pillars of a Church may hap to walk, or that dead bones will stir, or that a man in a swoon will call for a Cordial, as conceive, that men of unregenerate hearts, and that are alienated from the life of grace, through the ignorance that is in them, will ever seek out for an able and sufficient Pastor, and means for his support. Leave such poor souls to the unhappy guidance of their own corrupt hearts, and do nothing for them, till themselves complain, and then the Lord have mercy on them. Where Vision fails the people must needs perish; but what will follow? surely it will fall heavy somewhere in the end. Oh think of this, I beseech you, (I relate to those whom this great business doth most properly concern) for plainness is most becoming in the Cause of God) think of this, whilst the LORD vouchsafes an opportunity in your hands for th eredresse hereof, Ye cannot now suffer the Laborers in Christ's Vineyard to be meanly provided for upon so cheap terms as formerly: For these things now cry so much louder in the ears of God, by how much your engagements have been deeper to reform them. Alas, do not your hearts yearn, and the bowels of your compassions role within you, when you, living here by an especial providence, under the droppings of heaven, under the plentiful Preaching of the Word, do understand of the soul-afflictions of your brethren in your respective Counties? How would they rejoice in some places to glean after your Harvest? to hear one of those Sermons once in a month, which you have, or might partake of, (if your leisure would permit) every day. The Lord direct your spirits that ye may no less speedily than carefully provide that due honor and reward be given to them that labor in the Word and Doctrine: and that ye may not expose poor senseless souls to everlasting ruin, by susspending your help, and leaving of them to seek for that which they care not to find; nay, which they extremely decline, to wit the means of their salvation; but that you would be pleased rather to command the Committees of each County, to look into the state of the Ministry, and to certify the defects in that particular.

And for the remedy of this great sicknessein the Land, the poverty of the Clergy; I think there cannot be a more effectual expedient than the buying in of Impropriations. I doubt not, but every man who hath anything of Christ in him, his hand will be enlarged, and heart inflamed to so worthy a work.

And in truth, Free-willl Offerings are the most accepttable Sacrifices to God. Where we give what is our own, and costs us something, surely is more pleasing to the Almighty, then where we bestow that wherein we have no interest, farther forth than as the iniquity of the times doth cast it into our hands, though that may come in to help also.

Add to this, that some comfort and encouragement would arise to the dejected spirits of the poor Clergy in divers parts of the Kingdom; if such Vicarages and Parsonages as are exceeding small, as fifty pound per annum, or under, might be freed in these pinching times, from having any Contributions or Quarterings laid upon them. And here (although it may seem a digression from the business in hand) yet I cannot but vent my troubled thoughts for the spiritual bondage and affliction this whole Nation in all the parts thereof, groans under in these distempered times, for want of that care and conscience should be had, to instruct the ignorant in the main grounds and principles of Religion. Catechising is now grown almost quite out of use amongst us. Hence it is, so many strange, abhorred unheard of opinions have lately sprung up in divers quarters of the Land; for men's fancies are busy things, and will set themselves on work where they are not wrought on; and where the understanding is left like fallow ground until'd, and hath no seeds of God's word cast into it, no marvel if the Devil sow his tares O that the Honorable Houses of Parliament would be pleased to take this into their deep & serious consideration, that some Directory for Catechising may speedily be sent into all Churches of the Kingdom, lest in the room of formality and superstition, (for the purging out whereof such care is taken) Atheism and palpable profaneness creep not in amongst them. I say no more, he that is wise will ponder these things, and the man of understanding will lay them to heart.