[657] Talmud tract. de novo anno ad initium, Buxt. Synag. Jud. c. 12.
[658] Moses Kotsen. in præcept. affirm. 136.
In this Synopsis following (which Sixtinus Amama hath taken out of Scaliger) the manner of Israels tithings is set down.
| The Husbandman had growing | 6000 | Bushels in one year. |
| 100 | Bushels was the least that could be paid by the Husbandman to the Priests for the first-fruits of the threshing floor. | |
| 5900 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman, out of which he payed two Tythes. | |
| 590 | Bushels were the first Tithe to the Levites. | |
| 59 | Bushels the Levites paid the Priests, which was called the Tithe of the Tithes. | |
| 5310 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman, out of which he paid his second tithe. | |
| 531 | Bushels were the second Tithe. | |
| 4779 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman as his own, all being paid. | |
| 1121 | Bushels are the sume of both Tithes joyned together, which is above a sixth part of the whole, namely nineteen out of an hundred. |
We are to know moreover, that through the corruption of the times, in time of Hezekiah’s reign, Tithes began generally to be neglected, insomuch that then Overseers were appointed to look to the true payment thereof, 2 Chr. 31. 13. Notwithstanding, partly through the negligence of the Overseers, partly through the covetousness of the people, about one hundred thirty years before our Saviours Incarnation, corruption so prevailed, that the people in a manner neglected all tithes, yea none or very few payed either their first, second, or poor manns tithe, only they paid the great heave-offering justly. For this reason (saith Moses Kotsensis[659]) in the daies of John the Priest, who succeeded Simeon the just, (I take it he meaneth Johannes Hyrcanus) their great Court, termed their Sanhedrim, made a Decree, that more faithful Overseers should be appointed for the Tithes. At this time many things became questionable, whether they were tithable or no; whence the high Court of their Sanhedrim decreed, that in the things doubtful (which they termed דמאי Demai)[660] though they paid neither first, nor poor mans tithe, yet they paid a second tithe, and a small heave-offering; namely, אחד ממאה one part of an hundred: Mint, Anise and Cummin, seemeth to have been of these doubtful things; in which, though the decree of their Sanhedrim required but one in the hundred, yet the Pharisees would pay a just tenth, Mat. 23. 23., and hence it is that they boasted, They gave tithes of all that they possessed, Luk. 18. 12. In which they outstripped the other Jews, who in these payments took the liberty granted them by the Sanhedrim.
[659] Moses Kotsen. fol. 199. col. 3.
[660] Moses Kotsen. ibid.