lved "to give encouragement to a godly, preaching, learned
ministry throughout the nation, and for that end to continue the
payment of Tithes till they can find out some other more equal and
comfortable maintenance for the ministry, and satisfaction of the
people; which they intend with all convenient speed." That day,
accordingly, in a division of thirty-eight Yeas (Carew Raleigh and
Sir William Brereton tellers) to thirty-eight Noes (Hasilrig and
Colonel White tellers) it was carried, by the Speaker's casting vote,
to refer the question of some substitute for Tithes to a Grand
Committee. On the 27th of June, there having been other petitions
against Tithes in the meantime, signed by "many thousands," the House
came to a more definite resolution, which they ordered to be printed
and published by the Judges in their circuits. It was "That this
Parliament doth declare that, for the encouragement of a godly,
preaching, learned ministry throughout the nation, the payment of
Tithes shall continue as now they are, _unless_ this Parliament
shall find out some other," &c. As the word _unless_ had been,
substituted for the word _until_ without a division, it is
evident that the House had gone back in their intentions in the
course of the fortnight, and were less disposed to commit themselves
to any serious interference with the Church Establishment as left by
Cromwell. The disappointment to the petitioning thousands must have
been great. Still, the question had been raised, and might be
regarded as only adjourned. What was wanted was continued agitation
out of doors, more petitioning and more pamphleteering.[1]

[Footnote 1: Commons Journals of dates.]

It was in this last way that Milton could help. As advised by his
friend Moses Wall, he had been busy over that second Disestablishment
tract which he had promised; and in August 1659 it appeared in this
form: _"Considerations touching the likeliest means to remove
Hirelings out of the Church. Wherein is also discourc'd of Tithes,
Church-fees, Church Revenues; and, whether any maintenance of
ministers can be settl'd by law. The author J.M. London, Printed by
T.N. for L. Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head Alley,_ 1659." The
volume is a very small octavo, and contains eighteen unnumbered pages
of prefatory address to the Parliament in large open type, signed
"John Milton" in full, followed by 153 pages of text.[1]

[Footnote 1: Copy in Thomason Collection, with date "Aug." mark