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Chapter 3HerbertParson.1.3

CHAP. II. Their Diversities.

University Clergy

The parson describes the diversities of clergy, then focuses on those in universities, both in office (guided by Romans 12) and in preparatory training, emphasizing the necessity of inward mortification and the danger of preaching without a holy life, as warned in Psalm 50:16.

As for pastors—I mean only those of my own nation, and even then setting aside the reverend prelates of the Church, to whom this discussion doesn't apply—some live in universities, some in noble houses, and some in parishes, residing on their pastoral charges.1 Of those who live in the universities, some live there in office, and their rule is that of the Apostle: Romans✦ 12. 6.✦ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us—if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us devote ourselves to our ministering; or the one who teaches, to teaching; and so on.✦2 the one who rules, let him do it with diligence; and so on. Some live there in a preparatory way, whose aim and labor must be not only to gain knowledge, but to subdue and mortify all lusts and affections—and not to think that once they have read the Fathers or the Schoolmen, a minister is made and the work is done.3 The greatest and hardest preparation is within. For, as God says to the ungodly, 'Why do you preach my laws and take my covenant in your mouth?' Psalm. 50. 16.✦

Chaplains

The parson addresses chaplains in noble houses, asserting that they are parsons of the family with the same duties as parish clergy, and warns against servility, neglect of reproof, and selling their Master for promotion.

Those who live in noble houses are called chaplains, and their duty and obligation to the houses they live in is the same as a parson's to his parish; so in describing the one (which is indeed the aim of my discourse), the other will be clear. Chaplains shouldn't think themselves as free as many of them do, or, because they have different titles, think their office is different. Without a doubt they are the parsons of the families they live in, and they are taken on for that purpose, whether by an open or an implicit covenant. Before they are in orders, they may be received as companions or conversation partners; but once a man is a minister, he cannot agree to come into any house where he will not exercise what he is—unless he forsakes his plow and looks back. So they are not to be over-submissive and servile, but to hold their own with the lord and lady of the house, and to keep a frank boldness with them and with everyone—even so far as reproving them to their face when the occasion calls for it, but in a timely and discreet way. Those who don't act this way, while they remember their earthly lord, largely forget their heavenly one; they wrong the priesthood, neglect their duty, and will end up so far from what they seek with their over-submission and cringing that they'll always be despised. Those who, for the hope of promotion, neglect any needed warning or rebuke sell their Lord and Master with Judas.

Read the original English

OF Pastors (intending mine own Nation only, and also therein setting aside the Reverend Prelates of the Church, to whom this discourse ariseth not) some live in the Universities, some in Noble houses, some in Parishes residing on their Cures. Of those that live in the Universities, some live there in office, whose rule is that of the Apostle; Rom. 12. 6. Having gifts differing, according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministring, or he that teacheth, on teaching, &c. he that ruleth, let him do it with diligence, &c. Some in a preparatory way, whose aim and labour must be not only to get knowledge, but to subdue and mortifie all lusts and affections: and not to think, that when they have read the Fathers, or Schoolmen, a Minister is made, and the thing done. The greatest and hardest preparation is within: For, Unto the ungodly, saith God, Why dost thou preach my Laws, and takest my Covenant in thy mouth?

Psal. 50. 16. Those that live in Noble Houses are called Chaplains, whose duty and obligation being the same to the Houses they live in, as a Parsons to his Parish, in describing the one (which is indeed the bent of my Discourse) the other will be manifest. Let not Chaplains think themselves so free, as many of them do, and because they have different Names, think their Office different. Doubtlesse they are Parsons of the families they live in, and are entertained to that end, either by an open, or implicite Covenant. Before they are in Orders, they may be received for Companions, or discoursers; but after a man is once Minister, he cannot agree to come into any house, where he shall not exercise what he is, unlesse he forsake his plough, and look back. Wherfore they are not to be over-submissive, and base, but to keep up with the Lord and Lady of the house, and to preserve a boldness with them and all, even so farre as reproofe to their very face, when occasion cals, but seasonably and discreetly.

They who do not thus, while they remember their earthly Lord, do much forget their heavenly; they wrong the Priesthood, neglect their duty, and shall be so farre from that which they seek with their over-submissivenesse, and cringings, that they shall ever be despised. They who for the hope of promotion neglect any necessary admonition, or reproofe, Sell (with Judas) their Lord and Master.

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩Rom.12.6 — And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
  2. ↩Rom.12.6 — And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
  3. ↩Rom.12.6-Rom.12.7 — And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; Rom.12.7 — if service, then in serving; if teaching, then in teaching.
  4. ↩Ps.50.16 — But to the wicked God says, "What right have you to recite my statutes, or to take up my covenant on your lips?"

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Source “Cures” means parish livings / pastoral charges held by incumbents; rendered as “pastoral charges.”
  2. 2 ↩Source uses “prophecy” as a verb; rendered “prophesy.” “wait on our ministring” modernized as “devote ourselves to our ministering,” preserving the sense of diligent attention to the office.
  3. 3 ↩“mortifie” kept as “mortify” (ascetical mortification). “affections” retained for early modern passions/attachments, not mere sentiment.

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