Further, the Church before Constantine and Carthage particularly, supposing these to be its circumstances, might have many Presbyters without any great charge: For 1st. the Church Stock was reserved only for those in want, [Greek or Hebrew], as is determined in one of the Canons which pass for Apostolical, (b)and the same decreed in the synod at Antioch. (c)Ambrose even in the 4th. Age, will have none to have a stipend who hath other revenues, Qui fidei exercet militiam, agelli sui fructibus, si habet, debet esse contentus; si non habet, stipendiorum suorum fructu. (d)And Chrysostom tells us that in Elections, those of the Competitors that had Estates did carry it, because the Church would need to be at no charge in maintaining of such, [Greek or Hebrew]. 2ly. When they had no Estates, and the Church 4could not maintain them, they were to provide for themselves by some honest employment. The Council of Elvira allows all sorts of Clergy men to drive a trade, for their living, provided they did it only in the Province where they lived, (f)and in the 4th. Council of Carthage it is ordered, that the Clergy, though they be learned in the word of God, shall get their living by a trade. (g)and in the next Canon that they shall get food and raiment by a Trade or Husbandry, with this proviso, that it be not a prejudice to their Office. Our Author says indeed, (h)that this is contrary to the usage of all other Churches; how true this is may be seen by the Canon before cited. He says also, that this is forbidden by the 3d. Council of Carthage; but neither is this so, that Canon adds but another restriction, viz. that they get not their livings ⟨p. 5⟩by an employment that is sordid or dishonest, where the 8Latin and Greek both agree in it. 3ly. The Church was to allow none of them, no not Bishops more than necessary, even after Constantine's time. That Canon called the Apostles, and the other Antioch forecited, express this in the same words, the Bishop may have of the Church Stock what is needful, if he be necessitous, [Greek or Hebrew], for necessary uses, and these are afterwards explained to be food and raiment. Zonaras expresses it fully and clearly, whom he that the Canon doth not satisfy, may consult.
Further, the Church before Constantine and Carthage particularly, supposing these to be its circumstances, might have many Presbyters without any great charge: For 1st. the Church Stock was reserved only for those in want, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as is determin'd in one of the Canons which pass for Apostolical, (b)and the same decreed in the synod at Antioch. (c)Ambrose even in the 4th. Age, will have none to have a stipend who hath other revenues, Qui fidei exercet militiam, agelli sui fructibus, si habet, debet esse contentus; si non habet, stipendiorum suorum fructu. (d)And Chrysostom tells us that in Elections, those of the Competitors that had Estates did carry it, because the Church would need to be at no charge in maintaining of such, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. 2ly. When they had no Estates, and the Church 4could not maintain them, they were to provide for themselves by some honest imployment. The Council of Elvira allows all sorts of Clergy men to drive a trade, for their living, provided they did it only in the Province where they lived, (f)and in the 4th. Council of Carthage it is ordered, that the Clergy, though they be learned in the word of God, shall get their living by a trade. (g)and in the next Canon that they shall get food and rayment by a Trade or Husbandry, with this proviso, that it be not a prejudice to their Office. Our Author sayes indeed, (h)that this is contrary to the usage of all other Churches; how true this is may be seen by the Canon before cited. He sayes also, that this is forbidden by the 3d. Council of Carthage; but neither is this so, that Canon adds but another restriction, viz. that they get not their livings ⟨p. 5⟩by an employment that is sordid or dishonest, where the 8Latine and Greek both agree in it. 3ly. The Church was to allow none of them, no not Bishops more than necessary, even after Constantine's time. That Canon call'd the Apostles, and the other Antioch forecited, express this in the same words, the Bishop may have of the Church Stock what is needfull, if he be necessitous, , for necessary uses, and these are afterwards explain'd to be food and rayment. Zonaras expresses it fully and clearly, whom he that the Canon doth not satisfie, may consult.
- (b)Can. 4.
- (c)Can. 25.
- (d)Offic. L. 1. •. 36.
- 4(e) De sacerd. •er. 3. Pag. 23. edit. Savil.(e) De sacerd. •er. 3. Pag. 23. •dit. Savil.
- (f)Can. 19.
- (g)Can. 51.
- (h)Pag. 154.
- 8(i) Can. 15. in Cod. 16.
