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another and a better world in a life to come。 The teachers of the

doctrine which contains this instruction; in the same manner as

other teachers; may either depend altogether for their

subsistence upon the voluntary contributions of their hearers; or

they may derive it from some other fund to which the law of their

country may entitle them; such as a landed estate; a tithe or

land tax; an established salary or stipend。 Their exertion; their

zeal and industry; are likely to be much greater in the former

situation than in the latter。 In this respect the teachers of new

religions have always had a considerable advantage in attacking

those ancient and established systems of which the clergy;

reposing themselves upon their benefices; had neglected to keep

up the fervour of faith and devotion in the great body of the

people; and having given themselves up to indolence; were become

altogether incapable of making any vigorous exertion in defence

even of their own establishment。 The clergy of an established and

well…endowed religion frequently become men of learning and

elegance; who possess all the virtues of gentlemen; or which can

recommend them to the esteem of gentlemen: but they are apt

gradually to lose the qualities; both good and bad; which gave

them authority and influence with the inferior ranks of people;

and which had perhaps been the original causes of the success and

establishment of their religion。 Such a clergy; when attacked by

a set of popular and bold; though perhaps stupid and ignorant

enthusiasts; feel themselves as perfectly defenceless as the

indolent; effeminate; and full…fed nations of the southern parts

of Asia when they were invaded by the active; hardy; and hungry

Tartars of the North。 Such a clergy; upon such an emergency; have

commonly no other resource than to call upon the civil magistrate

to persecute; destroy or drive out their adversaries; as

disturbers of the public peace。 It was thus that the Roman

Catholic clergy called upon the civil magistrates to persecute

the Protestants; and the Church of England to persecute the

Dissenters; and that in general every religious sect; when it has

once enjoyed for a century or two the security of a legal

establishment; has found itself incapable of making any vigorous

defence against any new sect which chose to attack its doctrine

or discipline。 Upon such occasions the advantage in point of

learning and good writing may sometimes be on the side of the

established church。 But the arts of popularity; all the arts of

gaining proselytes; are constantly on the side of its

adversaries。 In England those arts have been long neglected by

the well…endowed clergy of the established church; and are at

present chiefly cultivated by the Dissenters and by the

Methodists。 The independent provisions; however; which in many

places have been made for dissenting teachers by means of

voluntary subscriptions; of trust rights; and other evasions of

the law; seem very much to have abated the zeal and activity of

those teachers。 They have many of them become very learned;

ingenious; and respectable men; but they have in general ceased

to be very popular preachers。 The Methodists; without half the

learning of the Dissenters; are much more in vogue。

     In the Church of Rome; the industry and zeal of the inferior

clergy are kept more alive by the powerful motive of

self…interest than perhaps in any established Protestant church。

The parochial clergy derive; many of them; a very considerable

part of their subsistence from the voluntary oblations of the

people; a source of revenue which confession gives them many

opportunities of improving。 The mendicant orders derive their

whole subsistence from such oblations。 It is with them as with

the hussars and light infantry of some armies; no plunder; no

pay。 The parochial clergy are like those teachers whose reward

depends partly upon their salary; and partly upon the fees or

honoraries which they get from their pupils; and these must

always depend more or less upon their industry and reputation。

The mendicant orders are like those teachers whose subsistence

depends altogether upon the industry。 They are obliged;

therefore; to use every art which can animate the devotion of the

common people。 The establishment of the two great mendicant

orders of St。 Dominic and St。 Francis; it is observed by

Machiavel; revived; in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries;

the languishing faith and devotion of the Catholic Church。 In

Roman Catholic countries the spirit of devotion is supported

altogether by the monks and by the poorer parochial clergy。 The

great dignitaries of the church; with all the accomplishments of

gentlemen and men of the world; and sometimes with those of men

of learning; are careful enough to maintain the necessary

discipline over their inferiors; but seldom give themselves any

trouble about the instruction of the people。

     〃Most of the arts and professions in a state;〃 says by far

the most illustrious philosopher and historian of the present

age; 〃are of such a nature that; while they promote the interests

of the society; they are also useful or agreeable to some

individuals; and in that case; the constant rule of the

magistrate; except perhaps on the first introduction of any art;

is to leave the profession to itself; and trust its encouragement

to the individuals who reap the benefit of it。 The artisans;

finding their profits to rise by the favour of their customers;

increase as much as possible their skill and industry; and as

matters are not disturbed by any injudicious tampering; the

commodity is always sure to be at all times nearly proportioned

to the demand。

     〃But there are also some callings; which; though useful and

even necessary in a state; bring no advantage or pleasure to any

individual; and the supreme power is obliged to alter its conduct

with regard to the retainers of those professions。 It must give

them public encouragement in order to their subsistence; and it

must provide against that negligence to which they will naturally

be subject; either by annexing particular honours to the

profession; by establishing a long subordination of ranks and a

strict dependence; or by some other expedient。 The persons

employed in the finances; fleets; and magistracy; are instances

of this order of men。

     〃It may naturally be thought; at first sight; that the

ecclesiastics belong to the first class; and that their

encouragement; as well as that of lawyers and physicians; may

safely be entrusted to the liberality of individuals; who are

attached to their doctrines; and who find benefit or consolation

from their spiritual ministry and assistance。 Their industry and

vigilance will; no doubt; be whetted by such an additional

motive; and their skill in the profession; as well as their

address in governing the minds of the people; must receive daily

increase from their increasing practice; study; and attention。

     〃But if we consider the matter more closely; we shall find

that this interested diligence of the clergy is what every wise

legislator will study to prevent; because in every religion

except the true it is highly pernicious; and it has even a

natural tendency to pervert the true; by infusing into it a

strong mixture of superstition; folly; and delusion。 Each ghostly

practitioner; in order to render himself more precious and sacred

in the eyes of his retainers; will inspire them with the most

violent abhorrence of all other sects; and continually endeavour;

by some novelty; to excite the languid devotion of his audience。

No regard will be paid to truth; morals; or decency in the

doctrines inculcated。 Every tenet will be adopted that best suits

the disorderly affections of the human frame。 Customers will be

drawn to each conventicle by new industry and address in

practising on the passions and credulity of the populace。 And in

the end; the civil magistrate will find that he has dearly paid

for his pretended frugality; in saving a fixed establishment for

the priests; and that in reality the most decent and advantageous

composition which he can make with the spiritual guides; is to

bribe their indolence by assigning stated salaries to their

profession; and rendering it superfluous for them to be farther

active than merely to prevent their flock from straying in quest

of new pastures。 And in this manner ecclesiastical

establishments; though commonly they arose at first from

religious views; prove in the end advantageous to the political

interests of society。〃

     But whatever may have been the good or bad effects of the

independent provision of the clergy; it has; perhaps; been very

seldom bestowed upon them from any view to those effects。 Times

of violent religious controversy have generally been times of

equally violent political faction。 Upon such occasions; each

political party has either found it; or imagin

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