Then & Now · 8 of 11
A Word of Warning to Patrons
CHAP. VII. A Word of Warning to Patrons.
A Word of Warning to Patrons
IT is much to be regretted, that the Patrons of Churches ſhould be generally ſo obnoxious to that odious Reproach of the Sin of Simony, wherein it is the Lot of the Innocent to ſuffer with the Guilty. But that which hath given occaſion thereto, is, That the moſt of Patrons have never ſeriouſly conſidered the nature or end of their Power; and ſome have never look’d upon it as a Matter p. 183 wherein their Conſcience is much concerned, but rather as an occaſion, whereby they may either gratifie others, or ſerve their own Intereſts: Whereby it comes to paſs, that Preſentations are oft times diſpoſed of by them, without due conſideration of the Qualities of the Perſons, or Weight of the Charge; but that he ſpeeds better at their Hands, whoſe importunity by Favour, or Bribes, commends him unto them, than he who for his Worth, might juſtly be Preferr’d. Now, I am ſuch a Friend both to the Conſcience and Honour of all herein concerned, that I wiſh from my heart, I could give ſuch an effectual Warning, as might make them all ſtudy to preſerve their Souls free from the Guilt, and their Honour from the Stain of ſuch an odious Crime.
IT is much to be regretted, that the patrons of churches should be generally so obnoxious to that odious reproach of the sin of simony, wherein it is the lot of the innocent to suffer with the guilty. But that which has given occasion thereto, is, that the most of patrons have never seriously considered the nature or end of their power; and some have never looked upon it as a matter wherein their conscience is much concerned, but rather as an occasion, whereby they may either gratify others, or serve their own interests: Whereby it comes to pass, that presentations are oft times disposed of by them, without due consideration of the qualities of the persons, or weight of the charge; but that he speeds better at their hands, whose importunity by favor, or bribes, commends him unto them, than he who for his worth, might justly be preferred. Now, I am such a friend both to the conscience and honor of all herein concerned, that I wish from my heart, I could give such an effectual warning, as might make them all study to preserve their souls free from the guilt, and their honor from the stain of such an odious crime.
I am not to debate with you p. 184 who have this Power, how you have come by it, or by what Title or Right you hold it. But ſeeing you are in Poſſeſſion thereof, I would warn you to look upon it as a Matter of great Truſt, for which you muſt be accountable to the great God of Heaven and Earth: For, thereby the Vineyard of God comes under your Charge, to look out for faithful Labourers to put into it; thereby you are entruſted with the Souls of People, to look out for faithful Paſtors to commit them to. And if, for the leaſt Talent that Men receive, the Lord hath told,177 That he will reckon with them how they have employ’d it; and that, for whatſoever Truſt is committed unto any Man, the upſhot at laſt muſt be,178 Give account of thy Stewardſhip: How much more will he call for a Reckoning at your hands, who have ſo great p. 185 a Talent, and to whom is committed ſuch an high Truſt, as that wherein the welfare of his Vineyard, and the Salvation of the Souls of his People is ſo much concerned! If then, when the Vineyard is grown over with Thorns, and Nettles have covered the face thereof, through your placing of ſlothful or careleſs Labourers therein, the Ground thereof complain, and the Barren-trees cry out, when their Lord comes to call for Fruits, what will you Anſwer unto him? And, if the Souls of People periſh, through your placing ignorant and unfaithful Paſtors over them, when the cry of their Blood aſcends to Heaven againſt you, what Vengeance may ye expect ſhall it draw down upon your Heads?
I am not to debate with you who have this power, how you have come by it, or by what title or right you hold it. But seeing you are in possession thereof, I would warn you to look upon it as a matter of great trust, for which you must be accountable to the great God of heaven and earth. For, thereby the vineyard of God comes under your charge, to look out for faithful laborers to put into it; thereby you are entrusted with the souls of people, to look out for faithful pastors to commit them to. And if, for the least talent that men receive, the Lord has told, that he will reckon with them how they have employed it;180 and that, for whatsoever trust is committed unto any man, the upshot at last must be, Give account of your stewardship.181 How much more will he call for a reckoning at your hands, who have so great a talent, and to whom is committed such an high trust, as that wherein the welfare of his vineyard, and the salvation of the souls of his people is so much concerned! If then, when the vineyard is grown over with thorns, and nettles have covered the face thereof, through your placing of slothful or careless laborers therein, the ground thereof complain, and the barren-trees cry out, when their Lord comes to call for fruits, what will you answer unto him? And, if the souls of people perish, through your placing ignorant and unfaithful pastors over them, when the cry of their blood ascends to heaven against you, what vengeance may you expect shall it draw down upon your heads?
Therefore I would warn you, as ye would wiſh to avoid the Vengeance of the Almighty, and p. 186 be free from the Blood of Souls, to beware of making uſe of, or rather of abuſing your Power in a Simonical way. I have ſhewed before, how hainous a Crime Simony is; and I tell you truly, it will prove a curſed Merchandiſe unto you, to ſell away a Spiritual Charge for humane Favour, or Bribes, or Money, or any matter of worldly Intereſt. Conſider, alas! What do you ſell? Even the Gift of God which he hath put into your hands, not to purchaſe worldly Benefit to your ſelves, but Glory to him: And how will he take it at your hands, if you thus abuſe your Truſt, and ſerve your ſelves of him? Nay, again conſider, What do you ſell? Even the Souls of God’s People, which you betray, into whoſe hands you care not, ſo you get your Price. And what better are you than judas? He p. 187 ſold the innocent Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, and you ſell the Blood of theſe Souls for which it was ſhed; he ſold a Saviour, to gratifie the Rulers; and you ſell Souls, to gratifie, it may be, ſome Friend, or great Perſon; he ſold a Saviour for Thirty pieces of Silver, and you ſell hundreds of Souls for, it may be, a little greater Sum. But whatſoever the Price be, alas, how unhappy Merchants are you! And, what a poor Purchaſe make you! If you do it to gratifie Man, your Gain can in no wiſe countervail your Damage, whilſt you loſe the Favour of the Creator, to conciliate the Favour of the Creature, who, ‘tis like, at laſt will requite you as the Elders of the Jews did Judas; and when your Conſcience, diſtracted with the Horrour of your Guilt, makes you cry out,179 We have ſinned in betraying p. 188 innocent Blood, will tell you, What is that to us? ſee you to that. Or, if by your Bargain, you have perhaps gain’d ſome Money,180 yet, What is a Man profited, if he ſhall gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? And ſhall not the Lord ſmite his Hands at this diſhoneſt Gain? Shall not this price of Soul-Blood bring in a Curſe with it? Shall it not make the Houſe where it comes, an Aceldama? And ſhall not the Curſe of God hover over that Tent where this accurſed thing is hid, as it did over Achan’s, with his Sacrilegious Treaſure? Oh, let the Bleſſing of God be upon your Houſes; and let never ſuch a curſed Wedge come within them. Wherefore I beſeech you, if ever any Man ſhall henceforth come to tempt you to ſuch a Simoniacal Bargain, by the offer of Money, or any Bribe, let p. 189 your Indignation evidence your abhorrency of ſuch a Sin, and your deteſtation of ſuch a Perſon; and ſay to him as Simon Peter ſaid to Simon Magus, Thy Money periſh with thee. And I’m ſure, the Reward of ſuch honeſt Zeal ſhall meet you in Heaven.
Therefore I would warn you, as you would wish to avoid the vengeance of the Almighty, and be free from the blood of souls, to beware of making use of, or rather of abusing your power in a simoniacal way. I have showed before, how heinous a crime simony is; and I tell you truly, it will prove a cursed merchandise unto you, to sell away a spiritual charge for human favor, or bribes, or money, or any matter of worldly interest. Consider, alas! What do you sell? Even the gift of God which he has put into your hands, not to purchase worldly benefit to yourselves, but glory to him. And how will he take it at your hands, if you thus abuse your trust, and serve yourselves of him? Nay, again consider, what do you sell? Even the souls of God’s people, which you betray, into whose hands you care not, so you get your price. And what better are you than Judas? He sold the innocent blood of Jesus Christ, and you sell the blood of these souls for which it was shed; he sold a Savior, to gratify the rulers; and you sell souls, to gratify, it may be, some friend, or great person; he sold a Savior for thirty pieces of silver, and you sell hundreds of souls for, it may be, a little greater sum. But whatsoever the price be, alas, how unhappy merchants are you! And, what a poor purchase make you! If you do it to gratify man, your gain can in no wise countervail your damage, while you lose the favor of the Creator, to conciliate the favor of the creature, who, it is like, at last will requite you as the elders of the Jews did Judas; and when your conscience, distracted with the horror of your guilt, makes you cry out, We have sinned in betraying innocent blood, will tell you, What is that to us? see you to that.182 Or, if by your bargain, you have perhaps gained some money, yet, what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?183 And shall not the Lord smite his hands at this dishonest gain? Shall not this price of soul-blood bring in a curse with it? Shall it not make the house where it comes, an Aceldama? And shall not the curse of God hover over that tent where this accursed thing is hid, as it did over Achan’s, with his sacrilegious treasure? Oh, let the blessing of God be upon your houses; and let never such a cursed wedge come within them. Wherefore I beseech you, if ever any man shall henceforth come to tempt you to such a simoniacal bargain, by the offer of money, or any bribe, let your indignation evidence your abhorrency of such a sin, and your detestation of such a person; and say to him as Simon Peter said to Simon Magus, Your money perish with you. And I’m sure, the reward of such honest zeal shall meet you in heaven.
Moreover, I warn you, as you would wiſh to avoid the Guilt of the Blood of Souls, to conſider well whom you Preſent to have Charge over them. Do not imagine to waſh your hands from this Guilt, by that frivolous Excuſe wherewith ſome flatter their own Conſciences, whilſt they would ſhift off the whole Burthen from themſelves, upon the Biſhops and Governours of the Church, ſaying, They are the only competent Judges of the Qualifications of the Perſons, whilſt the Patrons are no more concerned but to p. 190 Preſent them. But pray, Is not the Inveſting of a Perſon with a Charge over Souls, the Work of the Lord? Do not you give him a Title to the Charge? And, if you do it without probable grounds of his Ability for the Work, you do all your part to entruſt Souls to an inſufficient Perſon; and is not this to do the Work of the Lord negligently, or deceitfully? (call it as you will.) And what the certification thereof is,181 you know. But again, Suppoſe the Perſon unfit whom you Preſent, and that you either know ſo much, or were indifferent whether he were ſo or not; and ſuppoſe the Biſhop to whom you tranſmit him, either careleſs, or corrupt, and apt to comply with your Motions, or eaſie to be ſwayed by Solicitations, to Ordain and Collate him to the Charge; tell me freely, whether p. 191 you think you were not in the wrong to thoſe Souls over whom you Preſent ſuch a Perſon, in committing them to ſuch a Steward as would ſtarve them? Or, whether you think the Biſhop’s Sin could excuſe yours? Sure I am, you cannot imagine ſo: For, if you will have none of the Guilt, why will you needs have an hand in the Work? Or tell me, What is the End for which you have this Power? Is it not, that you may improve the ſame for God’s Glory, and the good of Souls? For which, if you have any tenderneſs or zeal, you will judge your Conſcience more concerned, than to be ſo indifferent in your Choice. Nay, would God there were not ſome, who, having once Preſented a Perſon, how Inſufficient ſoever, do look upon it as a Reflexion upon themſelves to have him rejected; and p. 192 therefore, making all conſiderations of Conſcience ſtoop to the fancy of their Reputation, which they think engaged to eſpouſe and promote by all means imaginable, the deſign of their Preſentation, and account it their Honour, in ſpight of Oppoſition, to ſet up their own inſignificant Creature in a Charge over Souls. But how ſuch Men will anſwer for a Talent thus imploy’d, the Day of their Reckoning will tell.
- 181. Jer. 48.10.
Moreover, I warn you, as you would wish to avoid the guilt of the blood of souls, to consider well whom you present to have charge over them. Do not imagine to wash your hands from this guilt, by that frivolous excuse wherewith some flatter their own consciences, while they would shift off the whole burden from themselves, upon the bishops and governors of the church, saying, they are the only competent judges of the qualifications of the persons, while the patrons are no more concerned but to present them. But pray, is not the investing of a person with a charge over souls, the work of the Lord? Do not you give him a title to the charge? And, if you do it without probable grounds of his ability for the work, you do all your part to entrust souls to an insufficient person; and is not this to do the work of the Lord negligently, or deceitfully? (call it as you will.) And what the certification thereof is,184 you know. But again, suppose the person unfit whom you present, and that you either know so much, or were indifferent whether he were so or not; and suppose the bishop to whom you transmit him, either careless, or corrupt, and apt to comply with your motions, or easy to be swayed by solicitations, to ordain and collate him to the charge; tell me freely, whether you think you were not in the wrong to those souls over whom you present such a person, in committing them to such a steward as would starve them? Or, whether you think the bishop’s sin could excuse yours? Sure I am, you cannot imagine so. For, if you will have none of the guilt, why will you needs have an hand in the work? Or tell me, what is the end for which you have this power? Is it not, that you may improve the same for God’s glory, and the good of souls? For which, if you have any tenderness or zeal, you will judge your conscience more concerned, than to be so indifferent in your choice. Nay, would God there were not some, who, having once presented a person, how insufficient soever, do look upon it as a reflection upon themselves to have him rejected; and therefore, making all considerations of conscience stoop to the fancy of their reputation, which they think engaged to espouse and promote by all means imaginable, the design of their presentation, and account it their honor, in spite of opposition, to set up their own insignificant creature in a charge over souls. But how such men will answer for a talent thus employed, the day of their reckoning will tell.
- 184. Jer‸ 48:10.
Wherefore, I ſay, I would warn you to conſider well whom you Preſent to the Charge of Souls; and whenſoever any occaſion thereof falls into your hands, I would adviſe you, firſt to have your recourſe to God, and falling down before the Throne of Grace, pray him who is the Lord of the Vineyard, to direct you aright for chooſing a faithful Labourer to put in p. 193 the vacant place thereof; and as the effect of ſuch Devotion performed in Sincerity, you may confidently expect Divine Counſel and Concurrence.
Wherefore, I say, I would warn you to consider well whom you present to the charge of souls; and whensoever any occasion thereof falls into your hands, I would advise you, first to have your recourse to God, and falling down before the throne of grace, pray him who is the Lord of the vineyard, to direct you aright for choosing a faithful laborer to put in the vacant place thereof; and as the effect of such devotion performed in sincerity, you may confidently expect divine counsel and concurrence.
And next, it is requiſite you make uſe of ſuch means, as whereby you may have ſufficient Information, and beſt Advice for fixing upon a Perſon moſt ſuitable for the Charge. Fame may do ſomewhat herein; your own Acquaintance, and Knowledge of the Gifts and Qualifications of Men, may do much; but if you ſcruple, or dare not, or cannot rely upon your own Judgment, then have recourſe to the Counſel and Advice of others. No doubt, you will not want abundance who will be ready to obtrude their Advice and Recommendations, and perhaps vex you with their Importunities; but in a Matter of ſuch weight, I p. 194 wiſh you to be cautious whoſe Advice you make uſe of.
And next, it is requisite you make use of such means, as whereby you may have sufficient information, and best advice for fixing upon a person most suitable for the charge. Fame may do somewhat herein; your own acquaintance, and knowledge of the gifts and qualifications of men, may do much; but if you scruple, or dare not, or cannot rely upon your own judgment, then have recourse to the counsel and advice of others. No doubt, you will not want abundance who will be ready to obtrude their advice and recommendations, and perhaps vex you with their importunities; but in a matter of such weight, I wish you to be cautious whose advice you make use of.
Thoſe who ſerve you, may haply be ready to take the firſt Advantage to be Interpoſers in this Affair, and ſpecially ſuch who have a Preference in your Favour above their Fellows, will be very confident in their Recommendations, as preſuming they have the ſway of your Ears. But, be wary in taking the Advice of Servants herein, who, for the moſt part, are mercenary, and ready to make ſecret Simoniacal Bargains for a Preſentation, and then move you to give what they have ſold, whilſt without your privity they gather up the Price.
Those who serve you, may haply be ready to take the first advantage to be interposers in this affair, and specially such who have a preference in your favor above their fellows, will be very confident in their recommendations, as presuming they have the sway of your ears. But, be wary in taking the advice of servants herein, who, for the most part, are mercenary, and ready to make secret simoniacal bargains for a presentation, and then move you to give what they have sold, while without your privity they gather up the price.
Beware alſo, to conſult herein any covetous Perſons: For their Eyes are commonly more towards Earth, than towards Heaven; and are wiſer for this p. 195 World, than for the World to come; and you ſhall be ſure to find their Counſel tend more for your Gain, than for the good of your Soul. And ‘tis much, if there be not at the bottom ſome deſign for their own Advantage.
Beware also, to consult herein any covetous persons. For their eyes are commonly more towards earth, than towards heaven; and are wiser for this world, than for the world to come; and you shall be sure to find their counsel tend more for your gain, than for the good of your soul. And it is much, if there be not at the bottom some design for their own advantage.
Beware likwiſe, to adviſe with thoſe who are of profane and diſſolute Lives; theſe will prove no good Counſellors, for choice of one to the Holy Calling: Such a one will be preferable in their Eyes, whoſe Converſation differs leaſt from their own; and from whom, they expect leaſt Severity againſt their Vices.
Beware likewise, to advise with those who are of profane and dissolute lives; these will prove no good counselors, for choice of one to the holy calling: Such a one will be preferable in their eyes, whose conversation differs least from their own; and from whom, they expect least severity against their vices.
Likewiſe, beware herein to conſult proud Perſons: They will never recommend to you for a Paſtor, but ſuch a one whom they preſume, they may eaſily tread upon; or who they expect will yield his Miniſtery p. 196 to truckle to their ſupercilious Humours.
Likewise, beware herein to consult proud persons. They will never recommend to you for a pastor, but such a one whom they presume, they may easily tread upon; or who they expect will yield his ministry to truckle to their supercilious humors.
Nay, in a word, I would wiſh you to beware of taking herein, the Advice of any in whom the World, or carnal Affections, or Intereſts, or ungodly Luſts, have a viſible Dominion. But herein, call for the Counſel of ſuch, whoſe known Sincerity, Piety and Prudence, do commend them as Men fit to be conſulted in Affairs that concern the Conſcience, whether they be Churchmen, or others. (Specially, if there be any ſuch within that Congregation whereof he to be Preſented is to have the Charge.) For, from ſuch, you may expect the ſoundeſt and moſt religious Advice. And by following this Method both with God and Man, I am ſure you ſhall diſcharge your ſelves ſo, as may probably moſt conduce p. 197 for the Advantage of the People’s Souls, and certainly moſt for the Exoneration of your own Conſcience.
Nay, in a word, I would wish you to beware of taking herein, the advice of any in whom the world, or carnal affections, or interests, or ungodly lusts, have a visible dominion. But herein, call for the counsel of such, whose known sincerity, piety and prudence, do commend them as men fit to be consulted in affairs that concern the conscience, whether they be churchmen, or others. (Specially, if there be any such within that congregation whereof he to be presented is to have the charge.) For, from such, you may expect the soundest and most religious advice. And by following this method both with God and man, I am sure you shall discharge yourselves so, as may probably most conduce for the advantage of the people’s souls, and certainly most for the exoneration of your own conscience.