tion of any art,
is to leave the profession to itself, and trust its encouragement to
those who reap the benefit of it. The artisans, finding their profits to
rise by the favor of their customers, increase as much as possible their
skill and industry; and as matters are not disturbed by any injudicious
tampering, the commodity is always sure to be at all times nearly
proportioned to the demand.

But there are also some callings which, though useful and even necessary
in a state, bring no particular advantage or pleasure to any individual;
and the supreme power is obliged to alter its conduct with regard to the
retainers of those professions. It must give them public encouragement
in order to their subsistence; and it must provide against that
negligence to which they will naturally be subject, either by annexing
peculiar honors to the profession, by establishing a long subordination
of ranks and a strict dependence, or by some other expedient. The
persons employed in the finances, armies, fleets, and magistracy, are
instances of this order of men.

It may naturally be thought, at first sight, that the ecclesiastics
belong to the first class, and that their encouragement, as well as that
of lawyers and physicians, may safely be intrusted to the liberality of
individuals, who are attached to their doctrines, and who find benefit
or consolation from their spiritual ministry and assistance. Their
industry and vigilance will no doubt, be whetted by such an additional
motive; and their skill in their profession, as well as their address
in governing the minds of the people, must receive daily increase from
their increasing practice, study, and attention.

But if we consider the matter more closely, we shall find, that this
interested diligence of the clergy is what every wise legislator will
study to prevent; because in every religion, except the true, it is
highly pernicious, and it has even a natural tendency to pervert the
true, by infusing into it a strong mixture of superstition, folly, and
delusion. Each ghostly practitioner, in order to render himself more
precious and sacred in the eyes of his retainers, will inspire them
with the most violent abhorrence of all other sects, and continually
endeavor, by some novelty, to excite the languid devotion of his
audience. No regard will be paid to truth, morals, or decency, in the
doctrines inculcated. Every tenet will be adopted that best suits the
disorderly affections of