tely refuse
any such as comes regularly, and is presented to the Living by the
Governor.

This Presentation by the Governor, who likewise as Ordinary is to
institute and induct, may be termed a Collation; but there of late were
not above three or four Rectors thus collated, or instituted and
inducted in the whole Colony; because of the Difficulties, Surmises,
Disputes, and Jealousies that arise upon such Accounts. But the Clergy
standing upon this Footing are liable to great Inconveniency and Danger;
for upon any small Difference with the Vestry, they may pretend to
assume Authority to turn out such Ministers as thus come in by Agreement
with the Vestry, who have often had the Church Doors shut against them,
and their Salaries stopped, by the Order and Protection of such
Vestry-Men, who erroneously think themselves the _Masters_ of their
_Parson_, and aver, that since they compacted but from Year to Year with
him as some have done, they may turn off this their Servant when they
will; be without one as long as they please, and chose another, whom and
when they shall think most proper and convenient; which Liberty being
granted them (I believe) some few would be content rather never to
appoint a Minister, than ever to pay his Salary.

Among many Instances of these Kinds of Refusals, Ejectments, and
Elections, I shall only instance that of the ingenious Mr. _Bagge_, who
coming to _England_ for Priest's Orders, after he had been Minister of
St. _Ann_'s for a long Time, was refused by them upon his Return, when
the Governor sent him to his own Parish again; whereas they strenuously
stood by Mr. _Rainsford_, whom they had elected and presented to the
Governor. And Mr. _Latane_, a Gentleman of Learning and Vertue, and well
beloved, was almost ejected, nay was shut out of his Church, only upon
account of a small Difference and Dispute with some of his Vestry. The
main Allegation they had against him was that they could not understand
him, (he having a small Tang of the _French_) tho' they had been
hearing him I think upwards of seven Years, without any Complaint of
that kind till that very Time.

Governor _Spotswood_, to his great Honour be it spoken, always stood up
for the Right of Collation, and was hearty in Vindication of the Clergy,
who, as he professed in a Speech to them, certainly had not only his
Protection but also his Affection; so that it is difficult to be
determined in which Respect he chiefly excelled, either