The Complete English Poems by George Herbert

Author:George Herbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141965864
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2010-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29: The Parson with his Churchwardens

The country parson doth often both publicly and privately instruct his churchwardens what a great charge lies upon them, and that indeed the whole order and discipline of the parish is put into their hands. If himself reform anything, it is out of the overflowing of his conscience, whereas they are to do it by command, and by oath. Neither hath the place its dignity from the ecclesiastical laws only, since even by the common statute-law they are taken for a kind of corporation, as being persons enabled by that name to take moveable goods or chattels, and to sue and to be sued at the law concerning such goods for the use and profit of their parish: and by the same law they are to levy penalties for negligence in resorting to church or for disorderly carriage in time of divine service. Wherefore the parson suffers not the place to be vilified or debased by being cast on the lower rank of people, but invites and urges the best unto it, showing that they do not lose or go less, but gain by it, it being the greatest honour of this world to do God and his chosen service, or as David says,1 to be even a door-keeper in the house of God. Now the Canons2 being the churchwardens’ rule, the parson adviseth them to read or hear them read often, as also the visitation articles which are grounded upon the Canons, that so they may know their duty and keep their oath the better; in which regard, considering the great consequence of their place, and more of their oath, he wisheth them by no means to spare any, though never so great; but if after gentle and neighbourly admonitions they still persist in ill, to present them; yea though they be tenants or otherwise engaged to the delinquent: for their obligation to God and their own soul is above any temporal tie. Do well and right, and let the world sink.

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