a general name given to the body of ecclesiastics of the Christian church, in contradistinction to the laity.

The distinction of Christians into clergy and laity, was derived from the Jewish church, and adopted into the Christian by the apostles themselves: whenever any number of converts were made, as soon as they were capable of being formed into a congregation or church, a bishop or presbyter, with a deacon, were ordained to minister to them. Of the bishops, priests, and deacons, the clergy originally consisted; but in the third century, many inferior orders were appointed, as subservient to the office of deacon, such as sub-deacons, acolythists, readers, &c.

Benefit of Clergy, is an ancient privilege, whereby one in orders claimed to be delivered to his ordinary, to purge himself of felony: this purgation was to be by his own oath, affirming his innocency, and the oath of twelve compurgators, as to their belief of it, before a jury of twelve clerks: if the clerk failed in his purgation, he was deprived of his character, whereby he became a mere layman; or he was to be kept in prison till a pardon was obtained: but if he purged himself, he was set at liberty.