The power might be used to repel a too faithful pastor, but if there was sometimes a temptation to this, the occasion was far more frequent for putting the people's reprobation upon the unfaithful and unfit.

The colony, growing in wealth and population, soon became infested with a rabble of worthless and scandalous priests.

In a report which has been often quoted, Governor Berkeley, after giving account of the material prosperity of the colony, sums up, under date of 1671, the results of his fostering care over its spiritual interests in these words: "There are forty-eight parishes, and the ministers well paid.

The clergy by my consent would be better if they would pray oftener and preach less.

But of all other commodities, so of this, the worst are sent us.