←493
←493
Jerome, if he lived in our day, could have written thus—‘Venatorem nunquem legimus sanctum?’ [Is the hunter ever said to be holy?] The following sentiments delivered ex cathedra have the weight of authority as well as of intrinsic excellence. ‘To speak my sentiments plainly,’ (said the late Bishop Jebb at his Primary Visitation). ‘I do not see how a clergyman, consistently with the sacredness and separation of his character and office; consistently with the edification of the flock committed to his charge; or consistently with the vows which he made at his ordination, can pursue the sports of the mountain or the field; can resort to the race-ground or the theatre; can be found at the card-table or in the ball-room. In avowing these sentiments, I avow the sentiments which from the earliest ages of the church have been maintained alike by the old Catholic bishops and fathers, and by the most distinguished and illustrious churchmen of modern times.’ The body of our own Ecclesiastical Law, compiled by thirty-two commissioners in the time of Edward the Sixth, and published under his royal authority, bearing the date April 1571, gives an accurate and elevated standard—‘Non sint compotores, non aleatores, non aucupes, non venatores, non sycophantae, non otiosi aut supini; sed sacrarum literarum studiis, et praedicationi verbi et orationibus pro Ecclesia ad Dominum diligentur incumbant.’ - They are not drinkers, not gamblers, not trappers, not hunters, not sycophants, not politicians or their backers, but for the study of scripture, and prayers for the Church, to preach the word, and to diligently apply themselves to the Lord.