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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