Speech in Parliament Concerning Bill Against Plurality of Livings
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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
SIR Arthur Haselrigg HIS SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT, CONCERNING The Bill Passed against Plurality of Livings, That no Clergy man shall have above one Living, except he be servant to the KING.
February 21. An. Dom. 1641.
LONDON, Printed by John Hammond. 1641.
SIR Arthur Haselrig, HIS Speech in Parliament: CONCERNING The Bill passed against Plurallity of Livings; That no Clergy man shall have above one Living, except he be Servant to the King.
February the 21 An. Dom. 1641.
Mr. SPEAKER,
T HIS Bill, which hath been laid aside till now, by reason of the great affairs of State which hath required more speed in the settling thereof, delay and protraction of time therein, might have proved very dangerous and prejudicial to the whole State: for we have had too much experience of what hath followed the practices and plots of the adversaries and enemies of the same; by which means we have not been permitted any time to take into consideration the abuses in the worship of God in our Religion, and the manifold grievances of the Subject, by the oppressions and injuries of persons as well spiritual as temporal in places of authority in Church and Stare; but now many impediments, by the blessing of God, and the wisdom of the King and his high Court of Parliament, are removed and avoided, that did much hinder our proceedings therein, by which we have now again some time to recolect what business we had in hand before these distractions and distempers of the State were raised, and to proceed in the same.
Mr.
SPEAKER,
This Bill against plurality of Benefices, will be a means to purge the Clergy from much vice and impurity, ease, plenty and saciety bred in many idleness and luxury; men gave themselves over wholly to the world, to mind earthly things, and that which ought to be agreeable to their function, they altogether neglected, nay contemned and despised, as a thing not worthy of their study and pains, the sound and pure preaching of
the word of word of God, without mixture or composure of their own or other men's inventions, they held, I say, this as vile and base, but could permit to themselves time sufficient to study to obtain the mystery of the change of the times, to be time-servers; Every day changing if occasion served for their advantage. If they could attain to understand the fashions of the Court, to bow and complement, to be Parasites and Flatterers, observing the dispositions and inclinations of great personages and great men in places of authority, in the Church and State, but especially could learn to dance after the Bishops Music, then had they learning enough, and were accounted able Divines, fit to be Masters of two, three, or four Benefices. But as far unfit to execute his office as a Teacher over those committed to his charge, as almost Plow-men to be Bishops: This increased vice, impaired virtue; by these was it no hard matter for the superiors to introduce into Church superstitious Ceremonies; these easy to be drawn to preach liberty and vices, rather then teach piety and godliness; no hard matter at least to bring them to that pass they may be at any time ready to choose what religion to be of, according as the times alter.
Mr. SPEAKER,
This Bill will (I hope) prove a great means to restrain their licentious and ambitious spirits, if likewise there might be another Bill for the explanation of this, enacting thereby no person of what degree or dignity soever, may present any Incumbent to any Benifice, till his life and conversation, his learning and ability be well known to himself: That no Popish Lord's, or disaffected Prelates may have no longer the presentation to Benefices; but all presentations may be committed to the disposal of such as the Parliament in their wisdom shall think fit to be entrusted with the same: That all such as have Benefices of great value, may allow out of the same to his neighboring Ministers whose places will not yield them a competent Maintenance for themselves and Families, That such as are in great Benefices, and not able to discharge his duty in his place, may be enjoined to allow a sufficient competency to his hireling or under Curate, whereby the Cure may be faithfully and diligently served, That all men of the Ministry may be preferred to place according to their worth in their Learning and piety, that men of most virtue may be planted in the best Benefices, That by this means, they may strive (as before by vice) so now by virtue, to raise their fortunes by the Ministry.
And thus much (Mr. Speaker ) concerning this Bill, which I humbly leave to the further consideration of this Honorable House, And humbly desire the same may be presented to his Majesty for his royal assent, and passing thereof.