A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

I know that nothing is more enviously grudged, than the livings of our Clergy. The Gentry hath gotten near upon three parts of the spiritual maintenance, and left the Church but one quarter: and yet they could eat her with salt for having so much. The Levites under the Law, besides their Tithes, Offerings, First-fruits, Sacrifices, Vows; had 48. walled Cities, with large Sub-urbes for their Cattle, large glebes to plant and sow in; when as their whole Land was not so big a• England. Now men think it arbitrary; at their choice whether they will give the Minister any thing or not. You shall have a civill libertine give a Commissary more for a licence to eat flesh in lent; than to his Pastor for feeding his soul all the year. But thou sayest, I give him so much as the Law allows: but the Law must needs leave something to the liberty of thy conscience, to be answered in a higher Court. Wilt thou perform no more duties to God or man, than humane Law can ex••rt from thee? If we should preach to you no more Sabbath days in a year, than the Law doth exact at your hands; you would think we dealt injuriously with you. Who feedeth a flock, ¹and receives none of the milk? You partake Preachers goods, and shall not they partake your goods? You must not only give an ear, but an earring: not only put on their wedding Garment, but also give them garments to put on. You have read how villainously the Ammonites entreated Davids messengers cutting off their garments, &c. We are Messengers of the Son of David, but […] Son of David send us not to such Ammonites, ²as will do us no more good, tha• stripping us of all we have. Nehemiah complained, that in his time, the Levites fo• want of maintenance, were fain to leave the Temple, and follow the plough. Luther says, this was the cause why the Clergy invented such points of superstition, as were advantageous to them: Prayer for the dead, Indulgences, &c. This was not for the peoples souls, but for the Priests bodies: not for Piety, but for the belly. As Ahasuerus said of Haman; ³will he force the Queen before my face? So may Christ say of these Sacrilegers; Will they force my Church before my face? If the buyers and sellers in the Temple deserved whipping; certainly the buyers and sellers of the Temple deserve hanging.