the Nature of the
Climate, and other Circumstances shall require it.

PART III.

_Of the State of the Church and Clergy of_ Virginia.

Though Provision is made, and proper Measures are taken to make
Allowances and Alterations in Matters of _Government_, _State_ and
_Trade_; yet in Matters of _Religion_, there has not been the Care and
Provision that might be wished and expected.

For the Country requires particular Alterations and Allowances in some
indifferent spiritual Concernments, as well as in temporal Affairs,
which might be done without deviating in the least from the Principles
and Practice of the _Establish'd Church of England_; and instead of
encouraging Dissentions, or Heresy, or Schism, or Irreligion, would be a
sure Means always to prevent them, were such small Alterations regularly
established in some Things indifferent, as might best agree with the
Conveniency and Nature of the Colony: for it is impossible for a
_Clergyman_ to perform this Duty according to the literal Direction of
the _Rubrick_; for were he too rigorous in these Respects by disobliging
and quarrelling with his Parish, he would do more Mischief in Religion,
than all his fine Preaching and exemplary Life could retrieve; A short
Narrative of which Case of the Church I transmitted Home to the _late
Bishop of London_, by Order and Appointment of a late _Convention_, in a
_Representation_ of some _Ecclesiastical Affairs_; but the Nature of
this may more fully appear by the following Account.

This, with all the other Plantations, is under the Care of the _Bishop
of London_, who supplies them with what Clergymen he can get from
_England_, _Scotland_, _Ireland_, and _France_. The late Bishop
appointed the Reverend Mr. _James Blair_ to be his Commissary, who is
likewise _President of the College_, and one of the _Council_. He by the
_Bishop_'s Order summoned the Clergy to _Conventions_, where he sate as
_Chairman_; but the Power of _Conventions_ is very little, as is that of
the _Commissary_ at present. _Visitations_ have been in vain attempted;
for the corrupt Abuses and Rigour of Ecclesiastical Courts have so
terrified the People, that they hate almost the very Name, and seem more
inclinable to be ruled by any other Method, rather than the present
spiritual Courts. Differences and great Disputes frequently arise
between the Governor and the People, concerning the Presentation,
Collation, Institution, and Induction to Livings; and