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The great benefices and other ecclesiastical dignities support

the honour of the church, notwithstanding the mean circumstances

of some of its inferior members. The respect paid to the

profession, too, makes some compensation even to them for the

meanness of their pecuniary recompence. In England, and in all

Roman catholic countries, the lottery of the church is in reality

much more advantageous than is necessary. The example of the

churches of Scotland, of Geneva, and of several other protestant

churches, may satisfy us, that in so creditable a profession, in

which education is so easily procured, the hopes of much more

moderate benefices will draw a sufficient number of learned,

decent, and respectable men into holy orders.