ite for an _English_
Parish; they must be such as can converse and know more than bare
Philosophy and speculative Ethicks, and have studied Men and Business in
some measure as well as Books; they may act like Gentlemen, and be
facetious and good-humour'd, without too much Freedom and
Licentiousness; they may be good Scholars without becoming Cynicks, as
they may be good Christians without appearing Stoicks. They should be
such as will give up a small Matter rather than create Disturbance and
Mischief; for in all Parishes the Minister as well as the People should
pass by some little Things, or else by being at Variance the best
Preaching may have the worst Effect; yet they must not condescend too
far, nor part with a material Right, but must be truly zealous and firm
in every good Cause both publick and private. There are many such
worthy, prudent, and pious Clergymen as these in _Virginia_, who meet
with the Love, Reputation, Respect, and Encouragement that such good Men
may deserve and expect: However, there have been some whose Learning,
Actions, and Manners have not been so good as might be wished; and
others by their outward Behaviour have been suspected to have been, some
_Jacobites_, and others _Presbyterians_ inwardly in their Hearts.

In _Virginia_ there is no Ecclesiastical Court, so that Vice,
Prophaneness, and Immorality are not suppressed so much as might be: The
People hate the very Name of the Bishop's Court. There are no
Visitations, so that the Churches are often not in the best Repair, nor
as decently adorned as might be; neither in some Places can the Lord's
Supper be administer'd with such holy Reverence as it should be, for
want of proper Materials and Utensils. The Churches being not
consecrated are not enter'd with such reverent Demeanour, as ought to be
used in God's holy Tabernacle.

For want of Confirmation Persons are admitted to the holy Sacrament with
mean and blind Knowledge, and poor Notions of the divine Mysteries of
the Supper of the Lord; which is an Abuse of a thing so very sacred.

In _North Carolina_ and several Parts of _Virginia_ Children are often
neglected to be baptized till they are grown up, and then perhaps may
never know or never mind that they want to be christen'd; and many
esteem it unnecessary.

The Clerks upon several Occasions performing too great a Share of divine
Services, expose the Church to Shame and Danger, and often bring
Contempt and Disdain upon the Persons