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Doc. 10.) 125
BISHOP JESPER SWEDBERG .
the clergy. A proposition had been made in the Diet of 1698,
that in addition to the extraordinary tax of one-tenth of
their income, which had been imposed upon the clergy,
another tenth of that which had already been reduced, should
be paid to the crown. The clergy of the archbishopric sent
in their complaints to the Chapter in Upsal. Old Svebilius
thought it was very unseasonable to inconvenience His Majesty
at present, while he was so much occupied with his warlike
preparations. The clergy ought to forbear, and wait until
"God granted better times. ” Swedberg objected, that if the
clergy were wrong in their desire for relief and release, their
error ought to be pointed out; but if they were right, it was
the duty of the Chapter, as the natural advocate of the clergy,
to lay their complaint before the King, while he was still at
home. “If you are so bold,” answered the other members of
the Chapter, " then go yourself." The Archbishop was a pious
“
but timid man. " Bold I am ," answered Swedberg, “ whenever
Ι
I can do anything belonging to my office, which it is desir
able should be done. Give me my commission, and I shall
go, trusting in God.” The offer was no sooner made than
accepted. This was in the beginning of 1699. The King
was then in Kungsör. Swedberg journeyed thither, and was
referred to the Exchequer-College in Stockholm . There every
thing went on well, and the matter was referred to His
Majesty for settlement. Swedberg then drew up a short pe
tition to the King, and wrote after his name, “ Genesis xlvii. 22."
When the King noticed it, he asked, “What can be the
meaning of this ? " Piper answered: “This is probably his symbol.”
The passage was then looked up, and read. " Only the land
of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion
assigned them by Pharaoh, that they should eat (i. e. live
upon) it. ” “Let the clergy alone,” said His Majesty, " and let
them have what they have been accustomed to have. ” This royal
decree was confirmed in 1701. When Swedberg, as already
observed, came to Kungsör (it was on Friday), “they were all
fully occupied in getting up the necessary dresses and mum
mery for a masquerade, which was to be held the next day.”
He asked Strömner, the clergyman of the place : “Cannot
“
your honour preach the masquerade out of the heads of the
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