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W. C. 27 Sept. 1812
Church
Ch . IX.
1
3
1
Power may be conceived
to be vested in the
hands of teachers of
religion, without being
employed in forcing
acceptance or rejection
of any doctrine. p1
2
But there exists no
instance of power being
in such hands, without
being applied to the
encouragement of one
set of doctrines, & the
discouragement of
another.
— not but for such purpose
does there seem
any reason for vesting
it in such hands.
p.1.
1
1 3
No reason can be given
why teachers of
this science, should
possess coercive power
over pupils of all
ages, more than teachers
of other sciences
& accomplishments
— as mathematics &c.
p.1
2
2 4 1
Give them any such
coercive power, you
give them a sinister
interest, which operating
in the shapes
brought to light
produces the misrule
exemplified in all
Church History.
p.2
5 2
For instance the persecutions
which ruined
the Romano-Greek
Empire & the Persecutions
carried on by the
Papists in almost
all Europe. p.2
6
The persecutions at
the instance of the
Church of England
Priests temp. Ch. 1 Chas II
& Jas II in Scotland.
p.2
7
In England as elsewhere
the tenth of
the income of the
country appropriated,
besides a plan
of universal dominion
in pursuance of
which here at the
time of the reformation
as in Scotland
they had appropriated
1/3 of the land,
in comparison of
which, the Crown
lands for carrying on
the government was
but a pittance. p2
§.2 Earliest practice
One argument agains
against their possessing
power, the bringing
to view of which
requires apology the
possession and even
desire of which is interdicted
them by
Jesus. p.3
9
Objections against
the application of this argument
present themselves.
1 Utility as to affairs of
this life being the sole object
without reference to truth
of opinions, or utility as to
the interests of a life to come
any argument founded
on the will of the founder
of the religion, or on any
part of Scripture, cannot
be in place here. p.3
10
Objector.
If it could be proved
that it really was his intention
that power should
by the Clergy be possessed
& exercised; would you on
the ground here taken
admit the continuance
of it in their hands?
p.3.
11
Answer — no
so in no other character
than an argumentum ad
hominem is it used.
p.4
§.2. Earliest practice.
12
2. It assumes on the
part of the clergy &c a
determination to take
the precepts of Jesus as
rules of right.
But this is plainly
repugnant to experience.
p.4
13
Answer. Notwithstanding
this disobedience & even
diversity of opinion, prostrate
obedience is professed
by them.
— So there has been always
a pretence of understanding
the words, as
conformable to their opinions
& practice. p.4
14
Therefore to answer
gainsayers, as some sort
of plea is necessary, the
following one has been
got up. p.5
15
The above precept of Jesus'
was intended for all
classes, and not for any
particular one of his
followers. p.5
16
Answer. Yes — but in
generals are not particulars included?
"Let no one on the ground
ground of his connection
with me accept or
covet temporal power,
such as the princes of the
Gentiles exercise"
This, if any thing is
the meaning of the discourse
of Jesus. p.5.
17.
What but dominion
was the power he forbade
his disciples to exercise,
such power as the princes
of the Gentiles exercised
& for which they
were praised — as the
princes of the church
were by the Attorney
General, when Eaton
was consigned to the
pillory.
p.5.
18
If words could obstruct
absolute power, the defenders
of priests power
would find feel themselves
under difficulty.
p.5.
§.2. Earliest practice.
19
The separate order they
constitute, and which
according to Jesus' will
they ought to constitute
was it appointed or intended
by Jesus? If not &
Jesus was God, or commissioned
by him, they are
not of God, & in the gospels,
not a word of such
order is to be found. p.6
20
Suppose this order of God
and an exception intended
in their favour, — would not
Jesus have declared it?
p.6
21
If there were any such intended
order — would not
Jesus have considered his
precepts as especially addressed
to them — What these
givers of instruction have
been chosen for, but to set
an example of conformity
to the instruction given
by them according to his
word. p.6.
22
Mans conduct is governed
not by the clearest words
much less by a part of a discourse
interpreted in an
infinity of ways: but by his
interest — his present interest.
p.7
23
Words uttered almost 2000
years ago in Palestine, — shall
they prevent Archbishops
and Bishops &c from doing
what it is their interest to
do. p.7
24
Had Jesus said "Ye shall none
of ye be Bishops &c" not one
of these principalities & powers
would there have been the
less; the names perhaps
might have been changed.
"Ye shall not wear lawn
sleeves" had he said, the
sleeves would have been point
lace.
"Wear not purple" they
would have worn blue, or
crimson. p.7
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