The Lord in the xviij. chapter of the book of Numbers said thus unto Aaron,1 thou shalt possess nothing in their land, neither shalt thou have any portion amongest them, I am thy portion and inheritage amongst the children of Israel for unto the sons of Levi, I have given all the tithes of Israel, that they should possess them for their ministry which they do execute in the tent of ordinaries. Albeit I do not doubt, but that the order of the Levites and of our clergy, is far different and variable. For the administration of their sacred and holy things, after their death, passed unto their posterity, as it were by right of inheritance: which happeneth not unto the posterity of our clergy in these days. Furthermore, if any heritage be provided or gotten for them, I do not gainsay but that they shall possess it. But still I do affirm that all temporal jurisdiction should be taken from them, for when as twice there rose a contention amongst the Disciples, which of them should be thought the greatest Christ, answered: The kings of nations have dominion over them, and such which have power over them, are called beneficial, you shall not do so. For he which is greatest amongst you, shall be made equal unto the youngest or lest, and he which is the prince or ruler amongst you, shall be ⟨p. 1263⟩made equal unto him which both minister, minding thereby, and willing utterly to debar the ministers of his word, from all terrene and civill dominion and Empire. For by these points he doth not only declare that the office of a pastor is distinct and divided from the office of a prince and ruler:2 but that they are in effect so much different and separate, that they cannot agree or join together in one man. Neither is it to be thought that Christ did set or ordain an harder law then he himself before did take upon him. Forsomuch as in the 12. of Luke, certain of the company said unto him: Master, command my brother that he divide his inheritance with me. He answered: Man, who made me a Judge or divider amongest you? We see therefore that Christ even simply did reject and refuse the office of a Judge,3 the which thing he would not have done, if it had been agreeable unto his office or duty. The like thing also he did in the 8. chapter of John. When as he refused to give judgement upon the woman taken in adultery, which was brought before him.
The Lord in the xviij. chapter of the booke of Numbers sayd thus vnto Aaron,1 thou shalt possesse nothyng in theyr land, neyther shalt thou haue any portion amongest them, I am thy portion and inheritage amongst the children of Israell for vnto the sonnes of Leuy, I haue geuen all the tithes of Israel, that they should possesse them for their ministery which they do execute in the tent of ordinaries. Albeit I do not doubt, but that the order of the Leuites and of our clergy, is farre different and variable. For the administration of theyr sacred and holy thyngs, after theyr death, passed vnto their posterity, as it were by right of inheritaunce: which happeneth not vnto the posteritie of our clergy in these dayes. Furthermore, if any heritage be prouided or gotten for them, I doe not gaynesay but that they shall possesse it. But still I doe affirme that all temporall iurisdiction should bee taken from them, for when as twise there rose a contention amongst the Disciples, which of them should be thought the greatest Christ, aunswered: The kyngs of nations haue dominion ouer them, and such which haue power ouer them, are called beneficiall, you shall not do so. For he which is greatest amongst you, shall be made equall vnto the yongest or lest, and he which is the prince or ruler amongst you, shall be ⟨p. 1263⟩made equall vnto hym which both minister, mynding thereby, and willyng vtterly to debarre the ministers of hys word, from all terrene and ciuill dominion and Empire. For by these poyntes he doth not onely declare that the office of a pastor is distinct and deuided from the office of a prince and ruler:2 but that they are in effect so muche different and seperate, that they cannot agree or ioyne together in one man. Neither is it to be thought that Christ did set or ordaine an harder law then he himself before did take vpon hym. Forsomuch as in the 12. of Luke, certayne of the company sayd vnto hym: Maister, commaund my brother that he deuide his inheritaunce with me. He aunswered: Man, who made me a Iudge or deuider amongest you? We see therefore that Christ euen simply did reiect and refuse the office of a Iudge,3 the which thing hee would not haue done, if it had bene agreeable vnto his office or duety. The like thyng also he did in the 8. chapter of Iohn. When as he refused to geue iudgement vppon the woman taken in adulterye, which was brought before hym.
- 1The Levitical law, is no necessary rule now binding. But he meaneth here of excessive lands possessions of Abbeys and religious he uses addict to them but the princes may diminish or convert thē otherwise upon considerations.The Leuiticall law, is no necessary rule now binding. But he meaneth here of excessiue landes possessions of Abbeyes and religious he uses addict to them but the princes may diminish or conuert thē otherwise vpon considerations.
- 2Civill dominion ••fering from EcclesiasticalCiuill dominion ••fering from Ecclesiasticall
- 3Christ refuseth the office of a civill judge.Christ refuseth the office of a ciuill iudge.
