As to non-residence, I believe there is no Christian country upon earth, where the clergy have less to answer for upon that article.  I am confident there are not ten clergymen in the kingdom, who, properly speaking, can be termed non-residents:  For surely, we are not to reckon in that number, those who, for want of glebes, are forced to retire to the nearest neighbouring village for a cabin to put their heads in; the leading man of the parish, when he makes the greatest clamour, being least disposed to accommodate the minister with an acre of ground.  And, indeed, considering the difficulties the clergy lie under upon this head, it hath been frequent matter of wonder to me, how they are able to perform that part of their duty as well as they do.

There is a noble author,[10] who hath lately addressed to the House of Commons, an excellent discourse for the “Encouragement of Agriculture”; full of most useful hints, which, I hope, that honourable assembly will consider as they deserve.  I am not a stranger to his lordship; and, excepting in what relates to the Church, there are few persons with whose opinions I am better pleased to agree; and am, therefore, grieved when I find him charging the inconveniencies in the payment of tithes upon the clergy and their proctors.  His lordship is above considering a very known and vulgar truth, that the meanest farmer hath all manner of advantages against the most powerful clergyman, by whom it is impossible he can be wronged, although the minister were ever so evil disposed; the whole system of teasing, perplexing, and defrauding the proctor, or his master, being as well known to every ploughman, as the reaping or sowing of his corn, and much more artfully practised.  Besides, the leading man in the parish must have his tithes at his own rate, which is hardly ever above one quarter of the value.  And I have heard it computed by many skilful observers, whose interest was not concerned, that the clergy did not receive, throughout the kingdom, one half of what the laws have made their due.

[Footnote 10:  The late Lord Molesworth.]

As to his lordship’s discontent against the Bishops’ Courts, I shall not interpose further than in venturing my private opinion, that the clergy would be very glad to recover their just dues by a more short, decisive, and compulsive method, than such a cramped and limited jurisdiction will allow.

His lordship is not the only person disposed to give the clergy the honour of being the sole encouragers of all new improvements.  If hops, hemp, flax, and twenty things more are to be planted, the clergy, alone, must reward the industrious farmer, by abatement of the tithe.  What if the owner of nine parts in ten would please to abate proportionably in his rent, for every acre thus improved?  Would not a man just dropped from the clouds, upon a full hearing, judge the demand to be, at least, as reasonable?