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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 imagined it； for its
interest to league itself with some one or other of the
contending religious sects。 But this could be done only by
adopting； or at least by favouring； the tenets of that particular
sect。 The sect which had the good fortune to be leagued with the
conquering party necessarily shared in the victory of its ally；
by whose favour and protection it was soon enabled in some degree
to silence and subdue all its adversaries。 Those adversaries had
generally leagued themselves with the enemies of the conquering
party； and were therefore the enemies of that party。 The clergy
of this particular sect having thus become complete masters of
the field； and their influence and authority with the great body
of the people being in its highest vigour； they were powerful
enough to overawe the chiefs and leaders of their own party； and
to oblige the civil magistrate to respect their opinions and
inclinations。 Their first demand was generally that he should
silence and subdue an their adversaries： and their second； that
he should bestow an independent provision on themselves。 As they
had generally contributed a good deal to the victory； it seemed
not unreasonable that they should have some share in the spoil。
They were weary； besides； of humouring the people； and of
depending upon their caprice for a subsistence。 In making this
demand； therefore； they consulted their own ease and comfort；
without troubling themselves about the effect which it might have
in future times upon the influence and authority of their order。
The civil magistrate； who could comply with this demand only by
giving them something which he would have chosen much rather to
take； or to keep to himself； was seldom very forward to grant it。
Necessity； however； always forced him to submit at last； though
frequently not till after many delays； evasions； and affected
excuses。
But if politics had never called in the aid of religion； had
the conquering party never adopted the tenets