Jonathan Swift Ponders Hatred of Clergy - 1736
Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patricks. Detail of portrait by Charles Jervas.
Introduction
Jonathan Swift was one of the greatest satirists in the history of English literature, author of Gulliver’s Travels, “A Modest Proposal,” and books, pamphlets, and articles. He became Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and faithfully performed his duties and upheld the doctrines of the English church. One of his articles, written this day, 24 May, 1736, was titled “Concerning that Universal Hatred, which Prevails against the Clergy.” Where others might have looked for the cause of this hatred in the behavior of state-supported clergy—frequently lukewarm and without interest in the souls under their care—Swift chalked it up to the actions of King Henry VIII two centuries earlier and to the immoderate actions of sixteenth-century reformers.
Quote
“I have been long considering and conjecturing, what could be the causes of that great disgust, of late, against the clergy of both kingdoms, beyond what was ever known till that monster and tyrant, Henry VIII, who took away from them, against law, reason, and justice, at least two-thirds of their legal possessions; and whose successors (except Queen Mary) went on with their rapine, till the accession of King James I. That detestable tyrant Henry VIII although he abolished the Pope’s power in England, as universal bishop, yet what he did in that article, however just it were in itself, was the mere effect of his irregular appetite, to divorce himself from a wife he was weary of, for a younger and more beautiful woman, whom he afterwards beheaded. But, at the same time, he was an entire defender of all the Popish doctrines, even those which were the most absurd. And, while he put people to death for denying him to be head of the Church, he burned every offender against the doctrines of the Roman faith; and cut off the head of Sir Thomas More, a person of the greatest virtue this kingdom ever produced, for not directly owning him to be head of the Church. Among all the princes who ever reigned in the world there was never so infernal a beast as Henry VIII in every vice of the most odious kind, without any one appearance of virtue: But cruelty, lust, rapine, and atheism, were his peculiar talents.….
“In the reign of this prince, the church and court of Rome had arrived to such a height of corruption, in doctrine and discipline, as gave great offence to many wise, learned, and pious men, through most parts of Europe; and several countries agreed to make some reformation in religion. But, although a proper and just reformation were allowed to be necessary, even to preserve Christianity itself, yet the passions and vices of men had mingled themselves so far, as to pervert and confound all the good endeavours of those who intended well: And thus the reformation, in every country where it was attempted, was carried on in the most impious and scandalous manner that can possibly be conceived. To which unhappy proceedings we owe all the just reproachings that Roman Catholics have cast upon us ever since….
“In England, the Reformation was brought in after a somewhat different manner, but upon the same principle of robbing the Church. However, Henry VIII with great dexterity, discovered an invention to gratify his insatiable thirst for blood, on both religions.”
Swift, Jonathan. The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. III.: Swift’s Writings on Religion and the Church, Vol. I.