On 25 March 1645 Thomas became the Vicar of St Margaret's Church in
Rainham, Kent, a position he was to retain for ten years, after which he returned to Ireland as Commonwealth Minister of
Duleek. In 1658 he was appointed Minister of
Drogheda and then, two years later, he became Prebend of
Dunlavin,
St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. He was the Prebend of
St John the Evangelist Church in Dublin from 1660 to his death 35 years later and in 1662 he was appointed Rector of
Kilskeire (
County Meath), Killallon, Daimer (Barony of Fowre) and Grilly (Meath). Three months later he became Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the
Duke of Ormond, the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. When his father died the following year, Thomas assumed responsibility for the family's printing and book-selling business in Castle Street,
Dublin and in
London. In 1666 he was appointed Dean of
Ardfert (West Ireland). In 1681 he served as Dean of St. Andrew's in Dublin and, along with Peter Manby, he applied to be Dean to replace
Ezekiel Hopkins,
Bishop of Raphoe. He was not successful and neither was Manby who, in his disappointment, turned to the Catholic Church where he perceived there were more opportunities for advancement. The satirist
Jonathan Swift held Bladen in some contempt, stating "Quid obstat, Dii boni, quominus Dr Bladen fiat Episcopus" (What, dear gods, prevents Dr Bladen from becoming bishop?). == Print Business ==