count proportionable Augmentations of Fees have been made, I believe, in all temporal Courts and Offices; and ancient Rules to the contrary have been juftly deemed obfolete, the Reasons of them having ceased. So that where this hath not been done, or not to any confiderable Degree, there is Caufe to render to all their Dues with great Satisfaction. And here I must take the Freedom of speaking to you about fome Dues owing to myself, Synodals and Procurations. The former are an ancient Acknowledgment of Honour and Subjection, referved by the Bishops of the Western Church, as long ago as when they settled their own Share of the Tithes, in each Parish, to be the future Property of the feveral Incumbents: And it took its Name from being ufually paid at the Synodal Meetings. Now fo fmall a Tribute, especially if confidered as a Quit Rent for fo great a Conceffion, can furely never be thought a Hardship. The other, Procurations, are also a Payment feveral hundred Years old, fucceeding in the Place of a much more expensive Obligation, that of entertaining the Bishop and his Attendants, when he visited H'3 each each Parish. Neither of them hath been increafed fince their firft Beginning: the Right to both is indifputably legal: and as I am sworn to maintain all the Rights of my See, I promife myself none of you will force me to do it in a Way, that cannot be more difagreeable to you, than it will to me. If any one pleads, that complying with the Demand of fo trifling a Sum will be inconvenient to him, it shall be more than returned him. If any one doubts, whether it is incumbent on him or not: his Reasons for the Doubt, whenever he lays them before me, fhall be impartially confidered, and allowed their full Weight. But I hope no Perfon will think it either decent or juft, merely to refuse, without affigning a fufficient Cause: and Disuse for fome Years is not fufficient, in a Matter, like this, of common Right. Most of my Clergy have very punctually fhewn me this little Mark of their Regard, amongst many greater. Whether any here present have omitted it, I do not know. But I truft you with all have the Candor to think I have mentioned it, not from any wrong or mean Motive, but because I apprehend it my Duty, and and have not the leaft Doubt of your Willingnefs to be informed or reminded of every Part of yours. And with this Kind of Digreffion I muft conclude for the prefent. If God prolong my Life and Health to another Opportunity, I fhall proceed to the Remainder of the Subject. In the mean Time, I heartily pray him to direct and bless you in all Things. |