Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
Ver. 12. Then brought all Judah] Then, when there was no other remedy. There must be a compulsory means, or ministers shall be poorly maintained. Quod si sustentandi essent de contributione populi, misere profecto et duriter viverent, saith Luther. If once they be brought to live upon the people's benevolence, they shall have a poor life of it. Once, in times of Popery, there was need of a statute of Mortmain, providing that they should give no more to the Church. But now it is otherwise; these last and worst times have seen the springs of bounty, like Jordan, turned back; which heretofore did run so fresh and fast into the Church. Our statesmen have ministers' maintenance now under debate; and much lifting there is by a levelling party (not without a Jesuit to help them) at tithes and college lands. The Lord direct our rulers; and preserve us out of the hands of those hateful harpies. A fabulous monster, rapacious and filthy, having a woman's face and body and a bird's wings and claws, and supposed to act as a minister of divine vengeance. (This was written July 30, A. D. 1653.)