Verse 5. But ye say, whosoever, &c.]
The intollerable covet∣ousnesse* 1.1 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bred this abominable corruption of this Commandment, as it did many other like. See my Notes on John 2. 14, 15. By the same arts at this day the Lady of Loretto, as they call her, hath her Churches so stuffed with vowed presents and memories, as they are fain to hang their cloisters and Church∣yards with them. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of grace in this Kingdom, had a man within it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with an hundred wiers to make the image gog∣gle with the eyes, nod with the head, hang the lip, move and shake his jaws according as the value was of the gift that was of∣fered. If it were a small 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of silver, he would hang a frown∣ing lip: if a piece of gold, then should his jaws go merrily. The* 1.2 like was done by the bloud of Hales, brought afterwards by the Lord Cromwell to Pauls crosse, and there proved to be the bloud of a duck.
Some read it thus, by Chorban, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by this gift, if thou receive any profit by me: understand, then let* 1.3 God do thus, and much more to me, q. d. by Chorban thou shalt receive no profit by me. Others thus, Chorban, Anathe∣ma* 1.4 sit, Be it a devoted thing whatsoever I may profit thee by, q. d. Being consccrated to God, it shall be beneficiall to us both, and not here only in this life, but hereafter in that to come: wher∣as cost bestowed upon parents soon vanisheth, and reacheth no fur∣ther then the life presents.