_Order_ of _Melchizedeck_ is greater than that of _Aaron_.[278] The Author, (I mean the immediate one,) the Authorities, the Business, and the End, of the _Christian Priest-hood_, are more Noble than those of the _Jewish_. For is not _Christ_ greater than _Moses_, _Heaven_ better than the Land of _Canaan_, and the _Eucharist_ to be prefer'd to all the _Sacrifices_, and _Expiations_ of the _Law_? Thus the Right, and the Reason of Things stands. And as for _Fact_, the Christian World have not been backward in their Acknowledgments. Ever since the first Conversion of Princes, the _Priest-hood_ has had no small share of Temporal Advantage. The _Codes_, _Novels_, and _Church History_, are Sufficient Evidence what Sense _Constantine_ and his Successors had of these Matters. But I shall not detain the _Reader_ in remote Instances. To proceed then to Times and Countries more generally known. The People of _France_ are branched into three Divisions, of these the _Clergy_, are the First. And in consequence of this Privilege, at the Assembly of the _States_, they are first admitted to Harangue before the King.[279] In _Hungary_ the _Bishops_ are very Considerable, and some of them great Officers of _State_.[280] In _Poland_ they are _Senators_ that is part of the Upper _Nobless_. In _Muscovy_ the _Bishops_ have an Honourable Station; and the Present Czar is descended from the _Patriarchal_ Line.[281] I suppose I need say nothing of _Italy_. In _Spain_ the _Sees_ generally are better endowed than elswhere, and Wealth alwaies draws Consideration.[282] The _Bishops_ hold their Lands by a Military Noble _Tenure_, and are excused from Personal Attendance. And to come toward an end; They are Earls and Dukes in _France_, and Soveraign Princes, in _Germany_.[283] In _England_ the _Bishops_ are Lords of Parliament: And the _Law_ in plain words distinguishes the _Upper House_ into the _Spiritual_ and _Temporal Nobility_. And several _Statutes_ call the Bishops _Nobles_ by direct Implication.[284] To mention nothing more, their _Heraldry_ is regulated by _Garter_, and _Blazon'd_ by _Stones_, which none under the _Nobility_ can pretend to. In this Country of ours, Persons of the First Quality have been in _Orders_; To give an Instance of some few. _Odo_ Brother to _William_ the _Conquerour_ was _Bishop_ of _Baieux_, and Earl of _Kent_. King _Stephens_ Brother was _Bishop_ of _Winchester_. _Nevill Arch-Bishop_ of _York_ was Brother to the Great Earl of _Warwick_, and _Cardinal Pool_ was of the Royal Family. To come a little lower, and to our own Times. And here we may reckon not a few Persons of Noble Descent in Holy _Orders_. Witness the _Berklyes_, _Comptons_, _Montagues_, _Crews_, and _Norths_; The _Annesleys_, _Finches_, _Grayhams_ &c. And as for the Gentry, there are not many good Families in _England_, but either have, or have had a _Clergy-man_ in them,