Clergyman, King, always close (8)
I believe the answer is:
reverend
'clergyman' is the definition.
('reverend' can be a synonym of 'clergyman')
'king always close' is the wordplay.
'king' becomes 'r' (r is abbreviation for rex).
'always' becomes 'ever' ('ever' can be a synonym of 'always').
'close' becomes 'end' (I've seen this before).
'r'+'ever'+'end'='REVEREND'
(Other definitions for reverend that I've seen before include "Vicar's title" , "like Father Brown" , "Clergyman's title" , "(Form of address to) clergyman" , "Minister" .)