The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 04 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 392 pages of information about The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 04.

The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 04 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 392 pages of information about The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 04.
one of his sermons in print[8]:  So was Col.  Howard, Sir George Downing,[9] and several others whose names are on record.  I can, therefore, see no reason why a painful Presbyterian teacher, as soon as the Test shall be repealed, may not be privileged, to hold along with his spiritual office and stipend, a commission in the army, or the civil list in commendam:  For, as I take it, the Church of England is the only body of Christians, which, in effect, disqualifies those who are employed to preach its doctrine, from sharing in the civil power, further than as senators; which, however, was an institution[10] begun in times of Popery, many hundred years before the Reformation, and woven with the very institution of this limited monarchy.

[Footnote 8:  Scott inserts here the words:  “exactly in the same style and manner with those of our modern Presbyterian teachers.” [T.S.]]

[Footnote 9:  Sir George Downing (1623?-1684) born in England, completed his education at Harvard, Mass., U.S.A.  In 1650, we hear of him as scout-master general of Cromwell’s army in Scotland.  He wrote many of the letters in “Mercurius Politicus.”  Distinguished himself principally as Cromwell’s ambassador in France and Holland.  Through Thomas Howard, however, he obtained an opportunity while legate in Holland for the Rump Parliament, for ingratiating himself in Charles II.’s favour.  This Howard was brother to the Earl of Suffolk.  As a consequence of this favour, Downing was made a baronet at the Restoration; and although a man of undoubted ability, his character has come down to us by no means free from taint.  Many of his despatches are quoted by Clarendon in that writer’s great history.  Downing also wrote:  “A Reply to the Remarks of the Deputies of the States-General upon Sir G. Downing’s Memorial,” 1665,; and “Discourses vindicating his Royal Master from a Libel,” 1672. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 10:  Scott has, instead of “which, however, was an institution,” the words, “yet this was a privilege.” [T.S.]]

There is indeed another method, by which the stipends of dissenting teachers may be raised, and the farmer much relieved; If it should be thought proper to reward a people so deserving, and so loyal by their principles.  Every bishop, upon the vacancy of a church-living, can sequester the profits for the use of the next incumbent.  Upon a lapse of half a year, the donation falls to the archbishop, and after a full year to the Crown, during pleasure; therefore it would be no hardship for any clergyman alive, if, in those parts of Ireland, where the number of sectaries much exceed that of the conformists, the profits, when sequestered, might be applied to the support of the dissenting teacher, who hath so many souls to take care of, whereby the poor tenants would be much relieved in these hard times, and in a better condition to pay their rents.

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