Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/215

 Rh by preaching, exhorting, or rebuking them. Weigh this most anxiously and with the most careful attention, most beloved Prelate. For we have heard it reported, that there are many country-houses and hamlets of our nation situated on inaccessible mountains and thick forests, where, for many years, no bishop comes to perform any of the duties of holy ministry or Divine grace, yet none of these is free from paying tribute to the bishop; and yet not only is there no bishop among them to confirm by the laying on of hands those who have been baptized, but they have not even any teacher to instruct them in the truth of the faith, and in the difference between good and evil. Thus some of our bishops not only do not freely preach the Gospel and confirm those who have been baptized, but do what is worse; for they receive money from their hearers contrary to God's commands, and neglect the ministry of the word, which God ordained them to preach: whereas God's beloved high priest, Samuel, is recorded to have acted very differently, in the judgment of all the people. "Therefore," says he, "I have dwelt before you from my youth even to this day; behold, here I am; say of me before God, and before his Christ, whether I have taken any one's ox or ass; whether I have falsely accused any one, or oppressed any one, or taken a gift from the hand of any one; and I will hold it for nought this day, and will restore it to you. And they said, Thou hast not accused us falsely; neither hast thou oppressed us, nor taken any thing from the hand of any man." In reward for his innocence and justice he was numbered among the leaders and priests of God's people, and in his prayers was heard by God and admitted to converse with him; as the Psalmist says, "Moses and Aaron among his priests and Samuel among