many market towns in the diocese very poorly provided. So since there are about 50 dignities and prebends belonging to the cathedral, I considered how by the disposing of these I might mend the condition of the incumbents in the market towns, and secure such a help to their successors. And by the advice of some very eminent divines and canonists, this method was resolved on, that when I gave a prebend to any such incumbent, he should give a bond that if he left that benefice, he should at the same time resign his prebend, that it might go to his successor. This went on for some years with an universal approbation. But when a humour began to prevail of finding fault, this was cried out upon as a grievance, bordering upon simony. I upon that drew up a vindication of my practice, from great authority, out of civilians and canonists. But upon second thought I resolved to follow that saying of Solomon's, "leave off contention before it be meddled with or engaged in." (Prov. xvii. 14.) So to lay the clamour that some seemed resolved to raise, I resolved to drop my design, and so delivered back all the bonds that I had taken. I will offer nothing either in the way of vindication or resentment, being satisfied to give a true relation of the matter, leaving it to the reader's judgment to approve or censure as he sees cause. And thus I conclude this chapter, which I thought was wanting to compleat my design in writing this treatise. FINIS. Printed by Ranson Plant, Spilsby, Lincolnshire. -00000- CHAP. IV. |