by showing what qualifications were required in them before their ordination, and what sort of laws they were to be governed by afterwards; respecting both their lives and labours, in the continual exercise of the duties of their function. Many of them, I must own, have been very affecting to myself in the consideration of them ; and as I was willing to hope they might prove so to such others as would be at the pains to read them. For here are both directions and provocations of the best sort to excite our industry, and inflame our zeal, and to make us eager and restless in copying out the pattern set before us. If any shall think I have collected these things together to reflect upon any persons in the present age, I shall only say with one of the Ancients 24 in a like case,-'They mistake my design; which was not to reproach any man's person who bears the sacred character of a priest, but to write what might be for the public benefit of the Church. For, as when orators and philosophers describe the qualities which are required to make a complete orator or philosopher, they do no injury to Demosthenes or Plato, but only describe things nakedly in themselves without any personal applications; so in the description of a bishop or priest, and explication of ancient rules, nothing more is intended but to propose a mirror of the priesthood; in which it will be in every man's power and conscience to take a view of himself, so as neither to grieve at the sight of his own deformity, or rejoice when he beholds his own beauty in the glass.' Nothing is here proposed but rules and examples of the noblest virtues; probity and integrity of life; studies and labours becoming the clerical function; piety and devotion in our constant addresses to God; fidelity, diligence, and prudence in preaching his word to men; carefulness and exactness, joined with discretion and charity, in the administration of public and private discipline; candour and ingenuity in composing needless disputes among good men; and zeal in opposing and confronting the powerful and wily designs of heretics and wicked men; together with resolution and patience in 24 Hieron. Ep. 83. [al. Ep. 69.] ad Ocean. t. 2. p. 323. (t. 1. p. 419 e.) Ne quis me in sugillationem istius temporis sacerdotum scripsisse, quæ scripsi, existimet, sed in ecclesiæ utilitatem. Ut enim oratores et philosophi, describentes qualem velint esse perfectum oratorem et philosophum, non faciunt injuriam Demostheni et Platoni, sed res ipsas absque personis definiunt: sic in descriptione episcopi, et in eorum expositione, quæ scripta sunt, quasi speculum sacerdotii proponitur. Jam in potestate et conscientia singulorum est, quales se ibi aspiciant; ut vel dolere ad deformitatem, vel gaudere ad pulchritudinem possint. BINGHAM, VOL. I. d suffering persecutions, calumnies, and reproaches, both from professed enemies and pretended friends; with many other instances of the like commendable virtues, which shined in the lives and adorned the profession of the primitive clergy: whose rules and actions, I almost promise myself, your Lordship and all good men will read with pleasure, because they will but see their own beauty represented in the glass: and they that fall short of the character here given will find it a gentle admonition and spur to set in order the things that are wanting in their conduct, and to labour with more zeal to bring themselves a little nearer to the primitive standard. Your Lordship is enabled by your high station and calling to revive the exercise of ancient discipline among your clergy in a more powerful way; and you have given us already some convincing proofs that it is your settled resolution and intention so to do. As the thought of this is a real pleasure to the diligent and virtuous, so it is to be hoped it will prove a just terror to those of the contrary character; and by introducing a strict discipline among the clergy, make way for the easier introduction of it among the laity also; the revival of which has long been desired, though but slow steps are made toward the restoration of it. In the meantime, it becomes every man according to his ability, though in a lower station, to contribute his endeavours toward the promoting these good ends; to which purpose I have collected and digested these observations upon the laws and discipline of the ancient clergy, that such as are willing to be influenced by their practice may have great and good examples set before them: whilst they, whom examples cannot move, may be influenced another way, by the authority which your Lordship and others in the same station are invested with, for the benefit and edification of the Church; the promoting of which is and ever will be the hearty endeavour of him, who is, VII. DEDICATION [PREFIXED TO BOTH PARTS OF THE THIRD VOLUME IN 1711.] TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, JONATHAN, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, AND PRELATE OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, THIS THIRD VOLUME OF THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS HUMBLY SUBMITTED AND INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST DUTIFUL AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, JOSEPH BINGHAM. VIII. THE AUTHOR'S DEDICATION, [PREFIXED TO THE FOURTH VOLUME IN 1715.] ΤΟ HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY, GEORGE, BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, I HUMBLY beg leave to lay at your Majesty's feet a part of a larger work, which was at first designed to promote those great and worthy ends, which your Majesty in your princely wisdom by your royal declarations has lately thought fit to recommend to your Universities and Clergy: that is, the promotion of Christian piety and knowledge, and such useful learning as may instil good principles into the minds of younger students; upon which the prosperity of Church and State will in this and all succeeding ages so much depend. The practice of the primitive ages of the Church, when reduced into one view, seems to be one of the most proper means to effect these honourable designs; and with that consideration I have hitherto proceeded in this laborious work, not without the countenance and approbation of many worthy men, and now hope to finish it under your Majesty's favour and protection: humbly beseeching Almighty God to bless your Majesty's great designs for the good of this Church and Nation, and the Protestant interest abroad which is, and ever shall be, the hearty prayer of Your Majesty's Most loyal and obedient servant, JOSEPH BINGHAM. IX. THE AUTHOR'S DEDICATION, [PREFIXED TO THE NINTH VOLUME IN 1722.] TO THE RIGHT HON. AND RIGHT REV. FATHER IN GOD, CHARLES, [DR. TRIMNELL,] LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, AND PRELATE OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER. MY LORD, It was one of those ancient rules, many of which I have had occasion to speak of in this work, that presbyters should do nothing åvev yvæμns toû émiσkónov, or sine conscientia episcopi, without the consent or knowledge of the bishop: which though it extend not to all private, domestical, and secular affairs, yet doubtless it was intended to keep a good harmony and subordination between them, in all matters of a public nature relating to the affairs and welfare of the Church. And therefore with a view to this rule, as I first presented the beginning of this work to your predecessor, my then diocesan, so now I lay this last and finishing part 26 of it at your Lordship's feet: not doubting but that your Lordship, who is an encourager of good literature and ancient learning, will give it your favourable acceptance and approbation. I have the more reason to hope for this, because, out of your great good nature and condescension, 26 [Vols. 9 and 10, containing the last four Books and Indices of Authors and Matter. ED.] |