§. XXX.
[96] Mic. 3. 5.
Moderate Protestants and Papists exclaim against the Excess of the Clergy’s Revenues.Next, that a superfluous Maintenance, that is, more than in Reason is needful, ought not to be received by Christian Ministers, will not need much Proof, seeing the more Moderate and Sober, both among Papists and Protestants, readily confess it, who with one Voice exclaim against the excessive Revenues of the Clergy; and that it may not want a Proof from Scripture, what can be more plain than that of the Apostle to Timothy? 1 Tim. vi. 7, 8, 9, 10. where he both shews wherewith we ought to be content, and also the Hazard of such as look after more; and indeed, since that very Obligation of giving Maintenance to a Minister is founded upon their Need, and such as have Opportunity to work are commended rather in not receiving than in receiving, it can no Ways be supposed lawful for them to receive more than is sufficient. And indeed, were they truly pious and right, though necessitous, they would rather incline to take too little, than be gaping after too much.