Cxlii LIFE OF BACON. 



liturgy, the ceremonies, and subscription, a preaching 

 ministry, the abuse of excommunications, the provision 

 for sufficient maintenance in the church, and non-residents 

 and pluralities, of which he says : &quot; For non-residence, 

 except it be in case of necessary absence, it seemeth an 

 abuse, drawn out of covetousness and sloth ; for that men 

 should live of the flock that they do not feed, or of 

 the altar at which they do not serve, is a thing that can 

 hardly receive just defence; and to exercise the office of 

 a pastor, in matter of the word and doctrine, by deputies, 

 is a thing not warranted.&quot; (a) And he thus concludes: 

 &quot; Thus have I, in all humbleness and sincerity of heart, to 

 the best of my understanding, given your majesty tribute 

 of my cares and cogitations in this holy business, so highly 

 tending to God s glory, your majesty s honour, and the 

 peace and welfare of your states ; insomuch as I am per 

 suaded, that the papists themselves should not need so 

 much the severity of penal laws, if the sword of the spirit 

 were better edged, by strengthening the authority, and 

 suppressing the abuses in the church. 7 



Solicitor Early in this year an event occurred of considerable 

 l * importance to his worldly prospects and professional tran- 

 JEt. 47. quillity, by the promotion of Sir Edward Coke from the 

 office of Attorney General to the Chief Justiceship of the 

 Common Pleas, occasioning a vacancy in the office of 

 Solicitor General, which Bacon strenuously exerted him 

 self to obtain, under the delusion, that, by increasing his 

 practice, he should be enabled sooner to retire into contem 

 plative life. He applied to Lord Salisbury, to the Lord 

 Chancellor, (b) and to the King, by whom on the 25th 



(t/) The good shepherd knoweth his sheep, and is known of them ; but 

 the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling. 



(b) His letter to the Chancellor concludes with saying, &quot; I am much 



