e is an argument
to this effect, and consequently for the immediate abolition of the
tithe-system in England. Here Milton lends his whole force to the
popular current on this subject among the friends of "the good old
cause," advocating those petitions to the Rump of which he has spoken
in his preface. But he goes farther than the abolition of tithes. He
will not allow of any statutory substitute for tithes, any taxation
of the people in any form for the support of Religion. The only
substitute for tithes which he discusses specifically is compulsory
church-fees for ministerial offices, such as baptisms, marriages, and
burials. These, as well as tithes, he utterly condemns; and he winds
up this part of his inquiry thus: "Seeing, then, that God hath given
to ministers under the Gospel that only which is justly given them
(that is to say, a due and moderate livelihood, the hire of their
labour), and that the heave-offering of Tithes is abolished with the
Altar (yes, though not abolished, yet lawless as they enjoy them),
their Melchizedekian right also trivial and groundless, and both
tithes and fees, if exacted or established, unjust and scandalous, we
may hope, with _them_ removed, to remove Hirelings in some good
measure." II. It is maintained that the lawful maintenance of the
ministry can consist only in the voluntary offerings of those they
instruct, whether tendered individually, or collected into a common
treasury for distribution. The flocks ought to maintain their own
pastors, and no others are bound to contribute for the purpose. But
what of poor neighbourhoods that cannot maintain pastors and yet need
them most sorely? Milton has unbounded confidence that these will be
overtaken and provided for by the zeal of pious individuals, or by
"the charity of richer congregations," taking the form of itinerant
missions. "If it be objected that this itinerary preaching will not
serve to plant the Gospel in those places unless they who are sent
abide there some competent time, I answer that, if they stay there
for a year or two, which was the longest time usually staid by the
Apostles in one place, it may suffice to teach them who will attend
and learn all the points of Religion necessary to salvation: then,
sorting them into several congregations of a moderate number, out of
the ablest and zealousest of them to create elders, who, exercising
and requiring from themselves what they have learnt (for no learning
is retained