The Ecclesiastical Government is by Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Arch-Deacons, Deans[1] of Cathedral-Churches, in all which there are now actually but one Quire entire, and that in Dublin, serving both at Christ-Church, and St. Patrick's. And the Parsons, Vicars and Curates for the Protestant-Religion, are in all Ireland at this day near 500, and about half the Tythes are Impropriate, and belonging to Lay-men.
This is the State of the External and Apparent Government of Ireland, so far as it concerns the Number and Species of Persons managing the same. But the Internal and Mystical Government of Ireland is thus, viz.|39|
1. There are always about Twenty[2] Gentlemen of the Irish Nation and Popish-Religion, who by reason of their Families, good Parts, Courtly Education and Carriage, are supported by the Irish to negotiate their Concernments at the Court of England, and of the Vice-Roy in Ireland.
These men raise their Contributions by the Priests (who actually and immediately govern the People.) The Priests are govern'd by at least 24 Romish Bishops, all of whom have a long time been conversant in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, England, where as Chaplains and Almoners, &c. they have made an interest with the governing Men and Ministers of State in those several Kingdoms, and have obtained some Benefits and Preferments from them.
So as the Body of the Irish-Papists (being about 800 M. whereof near 700 M. do live in wretched Cabbins, without Chimney or Window) are governed by about 1000 Secular Priests, and 2500 Friars and Regulars[3] of several Orders; whereof most are Franciscans, next Dominicans and Augustins, but few Capuchins and Jesuits or Carthusians. These, I say, are govern'd by their respective Bishops and Superiors, whom the Mi-|40|nisters of Foreign States do also govern and direct.
So as upon the whole matter, the Irish, who are the Bulk of the Nation, are governed indirectly by Foreign Power; and so are the aforenamed Lay-Patriots[4], their support
