The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Thirdly, Extortion: as ^qSoldiers not content with their wages, Counsellors with their Fees, &c.

Thirdly, Extortion: as ^qSouldiers not content with their wages, Counsellors with their Fees, &c.

1. qLuke 3. 14.

This was the sin of Eli's sons▪ of whom it is said, ^rNow the sons of ELI were wicked men, and knew not JEHOVAH: For the Priests custom towards the people was this; when any man offered Sacrifice, the Priests Boy came while the flesh was a seething, and a flesh-hook with three teeth in his hand, and thrust it into the Kettle, or into the Caldron, or into the Pan, or into the Pot: all that the flesh-hook brought up, the Priest took up for himself. Thus they did unto all the Israelites that came thither to Shiloh; yea, before they burnt the fat, the Priests Boy came and said to the man that offered, Give me flesh to roast for the Priest: for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. And if any man ⟨p. 210⟩said unto him, Let them burn the fat according to the custom, then take as much as thine heart desireth: then he would answer, No, but thou shalt give it now; and if thou wilt not, I will take it by force. Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before JEHOVAH: for men abhorred the offering of JEHOVAH.

This was the sinne of Elies sonnes▪ of whom it is said,