Notes to Chapter 138 For example, 1 Timothy 5:18; 1 Corinthians 9:11, 13–14; Galatians 6:6. The transfer of
tithes (as God’s portion) from Old Testament Levites to Christian ministers was argued
by analogy with the Sabbath, still required but transferred to Sunday. Many mined John
Selden’s The History of Tithes (London, 1618) for examples of pagans tithing according
to the law of nature, but Selden drew the opposite conclusion: “Some did, and only
sometimes, and of some things” (28).
39 See, for example, William Prynne, Ten Considerable Quaeries Concerning Tithes (London,
1659, c. June 27); Immanuel Bourne, A Defence and Justification of Ministers Maintenance
by Tythes (London, 1659, c. June 30); A Caution Against Sacriledge: Or Sundry Queries
Concerning Tithes (London, 1659, c. July 11), and from the Independent side, Giles
Firmin, Tythes Vindicated from Anti-Christianism and Oppression (London, 1659, c. April
6). Tithe supporters drew on Henry Spelman, The Larger Treatise Concerning Tithes (Lon-
don, 1647), as Milton recognized by a reference to “Thir zealous antiquary, Sir Hen.
Spelman” (CPW VII, 299).
40 William Sprigge in A Modest Plea for an Equal Common-wealth against Monarchy (London,
1659, c. September 28), argued the special responsibility of the magistrate as teacher of
the nation to fund ministers for neglected areas, whereas the established gathered churches
should support their own ministers. See also The Moderate Man’s Proposall to the Parlia-
ment about Tithes (London, 1659, c. June 29), and A few Proposals... holding forth a
Medium or Essay for the Removing of Tithes (London, 1659, c. August 20).
41 See, for example, John Osborne, An Indictment against Tythes (London, 1659, c. July 18);
Anthony Pearson, The Great Case of Tythes Truely Stated, 3rd edn (London, 1659); A
Declaration of the Present Sufferings of about 140 Persons of the People of God [Quakers]
(London, 1659, c. April 23); [Henry Stubbe], A Light Shining out of Darkness (London,
1659, c. June 17; 2nd edn November 8).
42 See, for example, Edward Reynolds, A Sermon Touching the Use of Humane Learning
(London, 1658, September); [Matthew Poole], A Model for the Maintaining of Students of
Choice Abilities at the University, and principally in order to the Ministry (London, 1658,
April). Poole proposed establishing a fund to maintain poor students at the university to
complete their divinity studies, after which the most able might take fellowships and
others serve the church in needy areas.
43 See, for example, W. G., The Arraignment of Ignorance. As also the excellency, profit, and
benefit of Heavenly Knowledge (London, 1659, January); John Owen, Of the Divine Originall,
Authority, Self-Evidencing Light and Power of the Scriptures (London, 1658, November);
Sundry Things from Severall Hands Concerning the University of Oxford (London, 1659, c.
June 29).
44 William Dell, “The Right Reformation of Learning, Schools, and Universities” with
The Tryal of Spirits Both in Teachers & Hearers... Whereunto is added... that Humane
learning, is not a Preparation appointed by Christ, either for the Right Understanding, or Right
Teaching the Gospel. With a brief Testimony against Divinity-Degrees in the Universities (Lon-
don, 1660), 153–8. Cf. [Stubbe], A Light Shining out of Darknes; and Sprigge, A Modest
Plea for an Equal Common-wealth (London, 1659).
45 See, for example, the Fifth Monarchist John Canne, The Time of Finding (London,
1659) and George Fox, A Primer for the Schollers and Doctors of Europe (London, 1659).
46 That vote might not yet have occurred when Milton wrote sentences referring to “the
just petition of many thousands” and “the debate before you” ( 275).
Notes to Chapter 11