A Gospel plea (interwoven with a rational and legal) for the lawfulnes & continuance of the ancient setled maintenance and tenthes of the ministers of the Gospel: proving, that there is a just, competent, comfortable maintenance due to all lawfull painfull preachers and ministers of the Gospel, by divine right, institution, and expresse texts and precepts of the Gospel: that glebes and tithes are such a maintenance, & due to ministers by divine right, law and Gospel: that if subtracted or detained, they may lawfully be inforced by coercive laws and penalties: that tithes are no reall burden nor grievance to the people; the abolishing them, no ease or benefit to farmers, husband-men, or poor people, but a prejudice and losse. That the present opposition against tithes, proceeds not from any reall grounds of conscience, but base covetousnesse, carnall policy, &c. and a Jesuiticall and Anabaptisticall designe, to subvert and ruin our ministers, Church, religion. With a satisfactory answer to all cavils and materiall objections to the contrary. By William Prynne of Swainswick, Esq;

A GOSPELL PLEA , FOR THE Lawsulnesse and Continuance of the Antient setled Maintenance and Tithes of the Ministers of the GOSPELL .

THE antient , necessary , competent maintenance of our Ministers of the Gospell setled on them by the Piety and Bounty of our religious Christian Kings and Ancestors , a a See Speimanni Concil. Tom. 1. p. 308. 348. 350. almost from the very first preaching and embracing of the G●spell in this Iland , and constantly enjoyed ever since , without any publick opposition , being in these times of a long expected glorious resormation , and reall propagation of the Gospell , more audeciously oppugned , more impiously decryed , declaimed , petitioned publickly against , and more sacrilegiously invaded , detained , substracted , then in the very worst or profanest of former ages ; and that , not only by professed enemies of the Ministers and Ministery of the Gospell , but by such who pretend themselves their friends , and the most precious Saints ; who not yet satisfyed with the late sales of all our Arch-bishops , Bishops , Cathedrals , Deanes and Chapters Lands and Revenues , ( the fattest morsels of the English Clergy , tending rather to support their Lordly Power , Pride , Pomp , and Luxury , then their true Gospell Ministry ) ingrossed into Sword-mens and Lay-mens hands ; do now industriously , and violently endevour speedily to deprive all our painfull , godly preaching Ministers , of all their remaining inconsiderable Maintenance by Tithes , Glebes , Oblations and other duties , ( formerly setled on them , by long prescription , by sundry successive Lawes and Acts of Parliaments , as well as ●●te Ordinances , with sufficient warrant even from Gods Word and Gospell ) and to leave them no other subsistence , encouragement , or reward for all their labour in Gods harvest , but the meer arbitrary unco●rcive Benevolence of the people , ( who being generally profane , covetous , vicious , and enemies to all godly Ministers , will not voluntarily contribute one farthing towards them , desiring rather their room and ruine , then their company or subsistence ) and what they shal otherwise earn by their own labour and industry in some other callings : It is high time for all sincere Patrons and Friends of the Ministers and Ministry of the Gospell ( now dangerously assaulted ) publickly to appear in their behalf , and openly to vindicate , to secure as well the Divine as Civill right of their yet remaining ancient , necessary , established Maintenance against the clamorous cavils and false absurd Allegations of Sacrilegious , Covetous , Impious , Violent , b b 2 Thes. 3. 2. Unreasonable , c c Ezek. 21. 31. Psal. 92. 6. Psal. 94. 8. B●utish men ; to convince them of their errour and impiety herein , or else to shame and silence them for the future , and preserve our Ministers and Ministry ( and by consequence our very Religion it selfe , now more endangered then in any age since its first establishment ) from impendent ruine . For which end , having not long since had some private discourses with Souldiers concerning the lawfulnesse of our Ministers Tithes and setled Maintenance , during my late strict restraints under their armed Guards , and perusing some short Prison notes and notions ( upon that occasion of that subject lying by me ) I thought fit to enlarge and reduce them to these ensuing Propositions , ( wherein the whole controversie , now publickly agitated touching our Ministers Tithes and Livelihood , is comprised ) and to make them publick , for the common good and satisfaction of those who shall peruse them , especially Sword-men , whom I finde most violent against T●●hes and Ministers forced Maintenance , trusting more ( as I apprehend ) to the length of their Swords , then strength of their Arguments against them ; which how weak they are , let all rationall perusers hereof resolve .

The Propositions , I shall here through Gods assistance make good , from the very Law , Word , and Gospel of God , with all possible brevity , ( I trust beyond contradiction ) are these ,

1. That there is a just , competent , and comfortable Maintenance , due to all lawfull , painfull Preachers and Ministers of the Gosp●ll from the people , even by Divine right and institution , and expresse Texts and Precepts of the Gospell .

2. That the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospell ( and of Places and Houses for Gods publick worship ) by Tithes , Glebes , Oblations ( yea and spoyles won in battle by Generals , Collonels , Captaines and Souldiers ) is not only lawfull and expedient , but the most fitting , rationall and convenient Maintenance of a●l others , warranted by direct Precedents and Precepts , b●th before and under the Law and likewise by the Gospell , which doth no wayes abolish or condemne , but approve and confirme this way of Maintenance .

3. That if Tithes and other Ma●ntenance , formerly setled on our Ministers , be either wilfully with-held , or substracted from them by the people , in part or in whole ; the Civill Magistrates may and ought by coer●ive Lawes and Penalties to enforce the payment of them in due forme and fine , both by the Law of God , and Rules of Justice , without any injury or oppression to the people .

4. That our Ministers Tithes are really no burthen , grievance or oppression to the people ; but a charge , debt , duty , as well as their Land-lords Rents , or Merchants poundage . That the abolishing of them ▪ will be no reall ease , gain , or advantage to Farmers , Lessees , and the poorer sort of people , as is falsely pretended , but only to rich Land-lords , and Landed men ; and a losse and detriment to all others .

5. That the present Opposition and end●voured Abolition of Tithes and all other coercive Maintenance for Ministers , proceed not prom any reall grounds of Piety or Conscience , or any considerable , reall inconveniences , or mischiefes arising from them , but meerly from base , covetous , carnall hearts , want of Christian love and charity to , and professed enmity and hatred against the Ministers of the Gospell , and from a Jesuiticall , and Anabaptisticall designe to subvert and ruine our Ministers , Church and Religion ; he probable , if not necessary consequence of this infernall Project , if it should take effect ; which would prove the eternall shame , infamy and ruine of our Nation , not its glory and benefit .

CHAP. I.

THe first of these Propositions being the foundation and corner-stone whereon all the rest depend , and into which it hath a prevailing influence ; I shall be most copious in its Probation , and in the Refutation of the Objections which are or may be raised against it .

That there is a just , competent and comfortable Maintenance Proposition . 1. due to all lawfull , painfull Preachers and Ministers of the Gospell , from the people , even by Divine right and institution , and expresse Texts and Precepts of the Gospell ; is as clear as the noonday Sunne , by these irrefragable Gospell Testimonies .

I. By Matth. 10. 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 11. where when our Lord and Saviour Christ himself first sent forth , authorized and commanded his 12. Apostles to preach the Gospell , he gave them these instructions among other : Provide neither gold , nor silver , nor brasse in your purses , nor scrip ( nor bread addes Marke 6. 8. ) for your journey , neither two coats , nor shoes , nor yet staves . ( adding this as the reason thereof ) FOR THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS MEAT ; or his Reward , Hire , Wages , Maintenance , as the Greek word will bear , and other following Scriptures render it .

II By Luke 10. 1 , 6 , 10. where we read when our Saviour Christ ( not long after h●s former Commission to the 12. Apostles ) sent forth the 70. Disciples by two and two , to preach in every City and place , whither himselfe would come ; he gave them almost the self same instructions : Carry neither purse , nor scrip , nor shoes ; and into whatsoever house ye enter , first say , Peace be to this house , &c. And in the same house remain eating and drinking such things as they give : ( subjoyning this reason for it ) FOR THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE : Go not from house to house ( as Beggers use to doe for almes ) And into what City ye enter , and they receive you , eat such things as are set before you , &c.

III. By John 6. 35 , 36 , 37 , 38. where our Lord Jesus Christ , ( soon after the former Commissions ) used these words to his Disciples ; Behold , I say unto you , Lift up your eyes , and look on the fields , for they are white already to harvest , And HE THAT REAPETH RECEIVETH WAGES , and gathereth fruit unto eternall life , &c. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour , &c. Which may be aptly paralleld with , and interpreted by Matth. 9. 37 , 38. Then said he ( our Savour ) unto his Disciples , The harvest truely is plenteous , but the LABORERS are few ; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest , that he would send forth LABORERS INTO his harvest : Which when he did , he agreed with them all for a certain stipend by the day , and when the evening was come , he sa●d unto his Steward , Call the LABORERS , and GIVE THEM THEIR HIRE , beginning from the last unto the first , Mat. 20. 1 , to 15. as is there parabolically expressed .

From which Texts and words of our Lord and Saviour Christ himself , it is most apparent ,

1. That the Apostles , Preachers and Ministers of the Gospell are and ought to be diligent , painfull Labourers in Christs spirituall harvest , not idle loiterers .

2. That they were not obliged , but expresly prohibited to provide gold , silver , brasse , scrips , shoes , clothes , bread , meat , drink , lodging , and other necessaries at their own free cost , when they were commissioned and sent forth to preach the Gospell , ( as some now would enforce them to ) for this very reason , That being Labourers in the Lords own harvest , for the eternall salvation of mens soules , they were worthy to receive them , as hire and wages from those to whom they preached .

3. That our Saviour Christ himselfe at the very originall institution and first mission of his 12. Apostles , and after of the 70. Disciples to preach the Gospell ; thrice one after another , expresly resolves in positive termes ; That they are worthy of their meat , hire , wages , for their Labour in the Gospell ; and so by consequence , all other lawfull Labouring Ministers , that diligently preach the Gospell , are worthy of the like at this day ; and neither of them obliged to preach the Gospell freely without any recompence , as some Seducers now pretend .

4. That meat , drink , clothes , lodging , and a competent maintenance , are as truely and justly due to the true Labouring Ministers of the Gospell from the people , and that of pure common naturall , yea Gospell right and justice , not as meer arbitrary Charity or Benevolence , but as merited HIRE and WAGES ; as much as any deserved hire or wages are due to any other hired servant or labourer whatsoever , by common justice , and the law of God , Gen. 29. 15. Exod. 2. 9. Levit. 19. 13. Deut. 24. 14 , 15. Mat. 20. 1 , to 16. Joh. 4. 36. Or as well as pay or wages are justly due to the best deserving Officers and Souldiers , Luke 3. 14. Ezek. 28. 18 , 19. and that by Christs own trebled resolution , recorded by the Evangelists for the greater evidence and conviction ; who emphatically by way of reason applies these words only to his Apostles and Ministers , For the Labourer is worthy of his meat , hire , wages ; they being the most divine , excellent , usefull , necessary Labourers of all others , and that in matters of highest concernment in relation both to God and Men : Therefore of all other labourers they are most worthy of a honourable , comfortable , certain hire , salary , reward for their support and encouragement .

5. Hence it followes by necessary consequence , ( and let those who are guilty consider it seriously in the fear of God with trembling and astonishment ) that the opposing , oppressing , defrauding the Ministers of the Gospell in their deserved setled hire , wages ; or the detaining all , or any part of their ancient , just , established Dues , Tithes , or Revenues from them ( especially out of covetousnesse , spite , obstinacy or malice against their very callings ) is as great , as crying , as damnable a sinne , oppression , unrighteousnesse ; and will bring down as gri●vous curses , plagues , judgements on all those who are culpable thereof ; as the defrauding , oppression of the hired servant or labourer , of or in his hire , or detaining their wages from them , when due ; as will undenyably appear by Deut. 24. 14 , 15. Levit. 19. 13. Gen. 31. 7. Mal. 3. 5. Jam. 4. 1 , to 5. compared with Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. Nehem. 13. 10. 11. and a sin against all these Scriptures ; which all detainers of Ministers Dues and Tithes , may do well to read and ponder .

IV. The truth of this Proposition is ratifyed by the Apostle Pauls resolution , who thus prosecutes our Saviours forecited words , and seconds his argument in 1 Tim. 5. 17 , 18. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour , especially THOSE THAT LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE : For the Scripture saith ( Deut. 25. 4. ) Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the Corn. And , THE LABOURER IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE : relating to Mat. 10. 10. and Luke 10 7. forecited . In which words the Holy Ghost by the Apostle positively asserts ,

1. That the Elders and Ministers that rule well , especially such of them who labour in the Word and Gospell , are really worthy of double honour from the people , which double honour Interpreters generally resolve to be , 1. Due reverence , love , and countenance ; 2. A competent liberall maintenance and reward : Or ( as some conceive ) a double salary and allowance to what others receive , as a just honourable reward for their labour , which is here intended by the words double honour ; extending as well to an honourable salary and reward , as to due reverence and respect , as is clear by the two Texts herein cited to prove it , by the 3 , & 16. verses of this very Chapter ; and Rom. 13. 1 , 6 , 7. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Prov. 3. 9. compared together .

2. That the people ought to count them worthy of this double honour , and to render it unto them .

3. He ratifyes and proves this , not only by his own Apostolicall authority , but likewise by two oth●r Texts of Scripture ; the one taken out of the old Testament Deut. 25. 4. ( which proves , that the Texts and Precepts for the just dues and maintenance of the Priests in the old Testament are still in force , and not abrogated , so far as they are morall and judiciall ; and therefore may be still aptly urged for proof of our Ministers due maintenance under the Gospell ; ) The other out of the new Testament , Mat. 10. 10. Luke 10. 7. From both which the force of the Apostles argument stands thus , The Elders who labour in the Word and Gospell have as just , as naturall , as morall , legall , equitable a right and meritorious due to a liberall maintenance , salary , reward , or double honour ( as he styles it ) as the Ox that treadeth out the Corne hath , to eat of the Corne and straw he treads out ; or , as any other hired labourer whatsoever hath to his hire ; they being the best and eminentest of all other labourers ; with the especiall application of Deut. 25. 4. and of this very sentence , here again to them , The labourer is worthy of his hire ) imports : Therefore for any people witting●y or wilfully to detain or defraud them thereof , is as great an injustice , cru●lty , sin and unrighteousnesse , as to muzzle the Ox mouth that treadeth out the Corne , or to detain the Labourers wages , or defraud him thereof ; yea , a sin against the expresse commandements of God , Deut. 25. 4. ch. 24. 14 , 15. Levit. 19. 13. 1 Cor. 9. 8 , 9. 10. And so much the rather because their hire and wages being THEIR RIGHT and THEIR OWNE ( not the meer almes and charity of those who pay it ) as Christ himselfe resolves , Mat. 20. 4 , 7 , 8 , 13 , 14.

V. By Gal. 6. 6. where the Apostle layes down this generall Gospell precept for the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospell , from which there can be no evasion . Let him that is taught in the Word COMMUNICATE UNTO HIM THAT TEACHETH IN ALL GOOD THINGS . The word Communicate , signifieth a free and liberall ( not base and niggardly ) al●owance , as is evident by 1 Tim. 6. 18. Heb. 13. 16. 2 Cor. 9. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. Deut. 15. 8. 11. and that to be rendred to them , not as to meer strangers , but as to those who have a kinde of cop●rtnership , and tenancy in common with them , not in one or two , but in all good things God hath blessed them with ; as the primitive Christians had all things in common , and said not that any thing was their own , but the Apostles and Brethr●ns as much as theirs , Act. 4. 32 , 34 , 35. whence the Contents of our Bibles and Commentators on this Text infer and conclude , That every Christian ought chearfully to communicate a liberall share and portion of all the fruits of the Earth , blessings and good things he enjoyes , to his spirituall Pastor and Teacher , ( and by consequence Tithes of all tithable things ) and that not as Almes , Charity or a free Benevolence , but as a d d See Dr. Ca●ltons Tithes proved to be by Divine right , and Dr. Burges . just Debt and Duty commanded by this sacred Canon .

VI. By Rom. 13. 6 , 7 , 8. For , for this cause pay you tribute also , FOR THEY ARE GODS MINISTERS ATTENDING CONTINUALLY UPON THIS VERY THING . RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUE , Tribute to whom Tribute is due , Custome to whom Custome , Fear to whom Fear , HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR . Owe nothing to any man , but to love one another . Which Scripture though particularly intended of the higher civill Powers , Rulers and Magistrates ordained by God ; yet it equally extends to all Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall Pastors and Rulers over us , as well as to them .

First , because they being Gods Ministers attending continually upon this very thing , ( to preach the Gospell , and discharge their Pastorall charge over their flockes ) as well as civill Magistrates ; and therefore by way of excellency are more frequently styled Ministers , and Ministers of God and Christ in the new Testament , then Magistrates are , Rom. 15. 8 , 16. 1 Chr. 4. 1. 2 ▪ Cor. 3. 6. ch. 6. 4. ch. 11. 23. Ephes. 3. 7. Col. 1. 23 , 25. ch. 4. 7. 1 Thess. 3. 2. 1 Tim. 4. 6. whence their very work and calling is styled , The Ministry , Rom. 12. 7. Ephes. 4. 12. Col. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 12.

Secondly , because the Precept subjoyned is universall ; Render therefore TO ALL THEIR DUE : and in the affirmative ; Therefore to Ministers as well as Magistrates , with the like care and conscience . And then the inhibition in the close as universall , Owe nothing TO ANY MAN ; Therefore not to Ministers no more then to Magistrates or other men .

Thirdly , because it expresly enjoynes all Christians to render honour to whom honour is due : now , not onely honour , but double honour is due to Ministers that rule well and preach the Gospell diligently , 1 Tim. 5. 17 , 18. to wit , Reverence , Obedience , Love and Maintenance ; all here prescribed to be rendred in this text to whom they are due . Therefore a liberall , honourable , comfortable Maintenance and reward is both in justice and conscience DVE , as well to the Ministers of the Gospell , as to the Magistrates and higher Powers , and as duely , truly , and justly to be rendred , ( and not owed , detained , denied ) unto the Ministers , as to Kings , Parliaments , o● any other civill Rulers , even by this Evangelicall precept , ( from which there is no evasion ) and that FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE ; as well as for fear of wrath and punishment : vers. 5. So as none can plead or pretend the least colour of conscience , for detaining , or not rendring their Tithes and Duties to our Ministers of the Gospell , without giving the Holy Ghost himself , and this Gospell Text the Lie , and incurring Ananias and Saphiraes sin , Act. 5. 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. for which they justly may expect and receive their fatall exemplary punishment .

VII . The Apostle further clears this truth not only by way of Precept , but Reason and Demonstration , Rom. 15. 26 , 27. It hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem ( Ministers and Apostles as well as other Saints that were poor . ) It hath pleased them verily , and THEIR DEBTORS THEY ARE : For if the Gentiles have been made pertakers OF THEIR SPIRITVAL THINGS , THEIR DVTY IS ALSO TO MINISTER VNTO THEM IN CARNALL THINGS . I confesse , the Text is not meant properly of Ministers , and Apostles of the Gospell , but of poor beleeving Saints that were Jewes ; but the reason and argument here urged , extendeth much more to Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , then to poor beleeving Saints : and thus I argue from it . If the Christian beleeving Gentiles in Macedonia and Achaia were strongly obliged not only in charity , but of debt and duty ( as the Apostle here argues and resolves ) to make a certain contribution , for the poor Saints of God at Jeru●alem who were Jewes , and to minister to them in their carnall things when they were in want , upon this account ; that God had made them partakers of their Spirituall things : ( by the Apostles and other Ministers sent or repairing to them from Jerusalem ) then much more are they and all other converted Gentiles then and now strongly obliged , not only in charity , but of just debt ▪ and duty to make a certain contribution , and maintenance for , and liberally to minister in their carnall things unto those faithfull Ministers of the Gospell , who actually preach the Gospell , to them , and of whose spirituall things and paines they are made partakers . But the antec●dent and supposition is an unquestionable Gospell truth , by the Apostles resolution in this alledged Text , and is and m●y be further ratifyed by Act. 11. 29 , 30. Act. 4. 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36. Act. 5. 1 , 2 , 3. 1 Cor. 16. 1 , 2. 2 Cor. 8. 1. to 16. and ch. 9. 1 , to 15. Gal. 2. 10. Ephes. 4. 28. 1 Joh. 3. 17. Mat. 5. 42. and Deut. 15 7 , to 12. Therefore the consequent must be granted , being the Apostles expresse argument in the very case of Ministers maintenance from the people , 1 Cor 9. 11. If we have sown unto you spirituall things , is it a great thing if we shall reape your carnall things ? Now in this reasoning of the Apostle , and Gods Spirit in , and by him ; there is a double emphaticall enforcement to prove Ministers maintenance , both a just debt and duty , which the people are bound to render to them , not as free givers , but as d●btors .

1. By the grounds of Communicative Justice . They are ( or at leastwise may be if they will themselves , the case only of obstinate Separatists ) partakers of the Ministers spirituall things and paines : and therefore ought in justice and duty , to pay and render them some proportionable recompence for what they receive from them ; even as all other Merchants and Tradesmen who barter or sell one commodity for another , or for ready money , use to doe .

2. From the nature and value of the things they receive from Ministers ; and of those things they render back to them by way of exchange , which will hold no ballance nor equall value with what they first receive : For the things the people enjoy by Ministers , are spirituall , which concern their souls , spirits , everlasting salvation , eternall happinesse , and are the most excellent and precious things of all other , farre excelling Gold , Silver , Tithes , and all earthly Treasures . Ephes. 3. 8 , 18 , 19. 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 8 , 9 , 10. ch. 4. 7. Phil. 3. 8. Rom. 2. 18. Psal. 19. 10. & 119. 72. 127. Prov. 8. 18 , 19. But the things and recompence they return to Ministers for them , are only their carnall things , for the necessary support of their bodies and families , which are no way comparable in value , worth , b●nefit , or use to what they receive from them , as the last recited Texts and others resolve . The people therefore receiving from their Ministers quidpro quo ; and things of infinite more value and benefit , then what they render to them ; the carnall things they receive for their spirituall , ( though in a liberall proportion ) must needs be a most just debt and duty ; not meer arbitrary almes or charity . and can neither in justice nor conscience ▪ be detained from them , they being such infinite gainers by the bargain .

VIII . This supposition is yet further professedly argued and debated at full by the Apostle and the Spirit of God against all sorts of callings and professions of men , that now oppose it , with the greatest evidence of reason , justice , equity that may be , backed with Divine Authority ; as if he had purposely foreseen the violent , impious , heady opposition , now made against Ministers Tithes and maintenance in these daies by souldiers and other rusty Tradesmen ; and penned this Scripture purposely to refute them . 1 Cor. 9. 4. to 16. Have we not power to eat and to drink , &c. Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges ? Who planteth a vin●yard , and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? Or , who feedeth a flock , and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? Say I these things as a man ? or saith not the Law the same also ? For it is written in the Law of Moses , e e Deut. 25. 4. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corn . Doth God take care for Oxen ? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes ? For our sakes , no doubt , this is written , that he that ploweth should plow in hope , and he that thresheth in hope , should be partaker of his hope . If we have sowen unto you spirituall things , is it a great thing , if we shall reap your carnall things ? If others be partakers of this power over you , are not we rather ? Neverthelesse , we have not used this p●wer ; but suffer all things , lest we should hinder the Gospell of Christ . Do ye not know , that they which minister about holy things live ( or feed ) of the things of the Temple ? and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar ? EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED , THAT THEY WHICH PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOVLD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL . But I have used none of these things ; neither have I written these things that it should be so done unto me , &c.

In which Scripture the Apostle asserts the lawfulnesse and justnesse of Ministers maintenance under the Gospell by sundry instances and arguments , against all opponents . And because , perchance some souldiers , who now are the chief opposers of Ministers maintenance , or rather , for that he foresaw ( by a f f 1 Tim. 4. 1 , 2. 2 Tim. 3. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. Propheticall Spirit ) that they should prove such in our dayes , he first re●utes and stops theirs and others mouthes , with an argument drawn from the wars , and their own Military practise : Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charge ? In which short interrogative argument , these particulars are both included and tacitly asserted .

1. That Ministers of the Gospell are true spirituall Souldiers under Christ their g g Heb. 2. 10. Captain ; and their Ministry , a true spirituall warfare , against the world , flesh , Devill , sins and vices of men , exposing them to many hardships , dangers , and oft-times to losse of liberty , bloud , limbs , and life it selfe ▪ as he expresly resolves in other Texts , 2 Cor. 10. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 3 , 4. & 4. 7.

2. That being souldiers , it must needs be most unjust , unreasonable , unconscionable , and against the common rules of war and practise of all souldiers , that they should goe a warfare ANY TIME at their own charge ; since no other souldiers ●lse will , or use to doe it , ( nor any officers or souldiers of the Army now ) who will follow the wars no longer , then they may do it at free cost , no not for a moment ; and will fight no longer then they receive or expect full pay . And therefore should not now , nor at any time else , presse Ministers to preach freely at their own cost , unlesse themselves first went a warfare on their own purses , to ease the impoverished oppressed countrey of their long continued heavie Taxes .

3. That pay and wages are at all times as really and justly due to these spirituall Souldiers for their spirituall warfare , as they are to any other souldiers , warriers or officers whatsoever imployed in actuall service in other warres . Luk ▪ 3. 14. Therefore those Military officers who oppugne our Ministers pay and se●led maintenance as unlawfull , antichristian , and unevangelicall ; must first renounce their own pay and contributions as such ; and warre without pay on their own charges for the future ; ( which many of them may well do , having gained so much by the warres already , and being most of them out of actuall Military service ) or else henceforth permit our Ministers to enjoy their Tithes and setled maintenance without opposition , or substraction as they doe their pay : it being as great a robbery , injustice , fraud to deprive them of all or any part thereof , as to defraud any souldiers , now in service by Land or Sea , of their lawfull day , Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 10.

4. It hence necessarily followes , that as Souldiers pay and other Military expences , are not left to the arbitrary pleasures and free benevolence of the people , ( who would contribute little or nothing at all towards them at this or any other season , if left to their own free wils ) whence the present dissolution and destruction of the temporall Army , and Militia would ensue ; but are reduced to a certainty by a setled establishment , and imposed and levied on the people ●y coercive Lawes , Ordinances , Forfeitures , Distresses , Imprisonments , strict Penalties and illegall armed power , when wilfully refused , detained or neglected to be paid in whole or part at the times appointed : So the wages and stipends of these spirituall Souldiers the Ministers , and of their necessary spirituall warfare are not to be wholly left in any setled Christian State , to the arbitrary wils and voluntary Benevolences of the people ( which would soon necessitate them to disband , and frustrate their soul-saving warfare ) but reduced to some certainty by positive Lawes ( as they have been time out of minde with us ) and in case of wilfull refusall , detention , substraction in whole or in part , when due , to be levied by such coercive legall waies and means , as our monthly Taxes , Contributions , and other just Debts and Duties are , there being the self-same justice , reason , equity , and necessity in both cases . Those Army Officers and Souldiers then , who oppose , condemn our Ministers setled maintenance , and the coercive lawes means to recover it when detained from them , as an intolerable oppressing yoke and grievance , must first renounce , suppresse all monthly Taxes , Contributions , Excises , Customes , Impositions , and the many new severe coercive waies and means to levie them , as such ; being farre more grievous , burthensome , illegall , oppressive to the people , both in their value , frequency , novelty , illegality , new way of imposing and levying , then Ministers Tithes and Dues ; and the saddest heaviest pressures they now languish under : and live wholly upon the peoples free unconstrained Benevolences , taking only what they will freely give them of their own accords , without coercive Lawes , Ordinances , Forfeitures , Penalties , and Distresses ; or else recant their former erronious opinion , practise , and approve of our Ministers setled coercive maintenance for the future , without opposition , being Souldiers as well , and having as just a right to a setled enforced salary as they , as the Apostle here argues and resolves .

2. The Apostle having thus routed , silenced our Captains and Souldiers , the Ring-leaders against Ministers setled coercive maintenance , encounters in the n●xt place , all Husbandmen , Sheep ▪ masters , Shepherds , Ploughmen , Reapers , Threshers , and other Oppugners of their Tithes and livelihood , Vers. 7 , 9 , 10. Wherein he asserts that Ministers of the Gospell have as just , as equitable a Right to a competent maintemance from the people for preaching the Gospell to them , and to partake of their temporall things ; as he that planteth a vineyard hath to eat of the fruit thereof ; as he that keepeth a flock hath to eat of the milk thereof ; as the husbandman and labo●●●r who ploweth , reapeth or thresheth corn , hath to eat of the corn he soweth , reapeth , ploweth : And that it is as great injustice and unreasonable wrong to deprive Ministers who sow unto us spirituall things , of a competent share in our carnall things ; as to debarre one that plants a vineyard , right and liberty to eat of the fruits thereon ; or one that feeds a flock , to eat of the milk thereof ; or those that sow , reap , and thresh corne , to enjoy any share or portion in it : Which all Husbandmen , Farmers , Sheep-masters , Shepherds , Plowmen , Reapers , Threshers , and other labourers , who deny or beg●udge our Ministers their setled long-enjoyed Tithes and Dues may do well advisedly to consider , to convince them of their errour , and reforme their practise .

3. Vers. 8 , 9. To convict all brutish men in these daies , who are more uncharitable to their Ministers , then men are or ought to be unto their very beasts , in denying them so much as to eat of their Tithe Corn or straw ; he argues the justice of their maintenance ( and that by the Tithes of their Corn , Wine , &c. as the instances imply ) from the very Law of God concerning beasts , Deut. 25. 4. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne : which though literally meant of Oxen , to whom all righteous men are and ought to be just and mercifull , Prov. 12. 10. Luke 13. 15. & 14. 5. Mat. 12. 11. yet it is principally written and intended altogether in its genuine sense of the Priests of God , and Ministers of the Gospell , of whom God takes farre more care then he doth of Oxen ( of whom yet be hath a generall providentiall care , as well as of all other beasts and sparrowes : Psal. 104. 25 , 27. & 145. 9 , 15 , 16. & 147. 9 Luke 12. 6 , 7 , 24. Mat. 6. 26. & 10. 28 , 29. ) and are of more value then many Oxen or Sparrowes , and yet not o●e of them falleth to the ground without Gods spirituall Providence , though two of them be sold for a farthing . The force of this argument stands thus , If God by a speciall Law takes so much care of the very Oxe that treadeth out the co●n , as to prohibit the muzzling of his mouth , that he may not eat thereof ; then questionlesse he takes much more care of the Ministers of the Gospell , and much more inhibits the muzzling their mouthes , that they shall not so much as eat , feed and live upon the Tithes , milk , wine , and fruits of your vineyards , straw , corn , and other carnall things ; they being farre better then Oxen ; and this Law purposely and altogether written for their sakes , not for Oxen. Therefore those who deny and deprive them of this their right , transgresse this very Law of God , ( still in force under the Gospell , being founded upon naturall justice and equity ) and are farre more unrighteous , cruell , unmercifull to their Ministers , then they are to their very beasts and Oxen , to whom they allow both corn , straw , and sufficient maintenance for their very work . Verily our Ministers now were better to be many mens Oxen , Horses , then their spirituall Pastours , for then they would feed and keep them well , and allow them straw , hay and corn to live on , as they do to their beasts ; whereas now they will pay them neither Tithe , corn , nor hay , nor straw . Such men , I fear , are worse and more Brutish then their h h Ps. 49 20. Prov. 30. 2. beasts that perish , regarding neither Law nor Gospell , here joyntly urged by the Apostle against their practise .

4. Vers. 11. He enumerates all Artificers , Merchants , Tradesmen , and others who live by selling , buying , exchanging ; who deny or detain their Ministers Dues and Maintenance , by an argument drawn from their own practise , the rules of commutative Justice , the nature and value of what they receive from Ministers , and what they render , or should return them for it . If we have sow●n unto you spirituall things ( the most precious , excellent , usefull , necessary of all others ) is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnall things ? of farre lesse value , worth , use , then what you receive from us for them . Surely none of these Traders , will give or sell away their wares without any money or recompence for them ; and if they sell or exchange them for lesse money , or things of lesse value or moment then what they sell or exchange them for , they may in all justice and equity expect and receive money and wares exchanged for them from those who have so gainfull a bargain , without the least shadow of covetousnesse , injury , or oppression . Let then such and all others consider their own daily practise , and the weight of this Apostolicall Gospell argument for our Ministers maintenance , Tithes , and Dues , against which there can be no exception , nor reply , and then it will convince , convert them , if they have not abjured all principles of common justice and commerce .

5. Vers. 12. He argues from others precedents and examples . If others are partakers of this power over you ( to reap your carnall things for spirituall ) are not we rather ? which may receive these various constructions agreeable to the generall scope of the place .

1. If others who are true Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , are partakers of this power , though they have not been such to you , and did not convert you , nor labour so much in sowing spirituall things to you ; much more I ( and Barnabas ) who have been the instruments of your conversion , and doubtlesse are Apostles unto you , you being the Seal of mine Apostleship in the Lord , Vers. 1 , 2. 2 Cor. 12. 11 , 12. may likewise be partakers of this power .

2. If others , who are not Apostles of Jesus Christ , but meer false Apostles , Seducers , slanderers of me and the truth of the Gospell , yea broachers of Heresies and Schismes , are partakers of such a power amongst you ; then much more I and Barnabas , who are true Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , and preach nothing but soul-saving Gospell truthes : which seems to be the genuine sense of the place , by comparing vers. 1 , 2 , 3. with 2 Cor. 11. 1. to 16.

3. If your i i See 1 Cor. 8. 1 , 10. & 10. 20. 21. Idolatrous Pagan Priests before or since your conversion , be partakers of such a power ( as to receive a competent salary and maintenance out of your carnall things ) even for their idolatrous superstitious rites and ministry ; or if your Pagan Civill Magistrates receive a competent allowance from you for their care and pains in civill government ; then much rather we who are true Ministers and Apostles may doe the like for the true sqirituall things we sow among you . The argument holds strongly in each of these constructions , but specially in the two first , which are most sutable to the Text.

6. Vers. 13. He argues the justice of Ministers maintenance under the Gospell , from the maintenance of the Priests by Gods appointment under the Law , both before and after the Temple built . Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple , and they which wait at the Altar , are partakers with the Altar ? Numb . 18. 18 , 19 , to 31 ▪ Deut. 12 ▪ 6 , 11 , 17 , 18 , 19. & 14. 22. to the end of the chapter , & 18. 1 , 2. 2 Chron. 31. 2. to 20. Nehem. 10. 32. to the end . & 12. 39 , 47 & 13. 5. to 15. ( The Priests and Levites by Gods own institution then receiving a liberall maintenance from the people , by First f●uits , Tith●s , Oblations , Sacrifices , and likewise Cities , Suburbs , Lands , Houses , Chambers for them and their Families , stocks of Cattell and Goods . Numb. 35. 2 , to 9. Josh. 21. 2 , to 43. 1 Chron. 6. 6 , throughout . 2 Chron. 11. 13 , 14. Neh. 10. 37 , 38 , 39. & 13. 10. Ezek. 45 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. & 48. 9 , to 15. Lev. 25. 32 , 33 , 34. compared with the former Texts : and Levit. 27. throughout . Numb. 21. 28 , 29 , 30 , 37 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54. Heb. 7. 5 , 8. None of which might be alienated , sold or substracted from them without sin and sacriledge . Mal. 3. 8. Ezek. 49. 14. Lev. 25. 33 , 34. Gen. 47. 22 , 26. ) And then to stop and silence all future objections and calumnies , he concludes his argument with a Divine Ordinance and institution of Christ himselfe under the Gospell for the like liberall maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospell , ( whose ministration is much more glorious then that of the Law , 2 Cor. 3. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. )

Vers. 14. EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED THAT THEY WHICH PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOVLD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL , to wit , as leberally , as plentifully , as comfortably in all respects , as the Priests and Levites under the Law , as the parallel , and the words EVEN SO import . Who ever therefore oppose , resist , and censure this their liberall setled Maintenance , oppose , resist , and censure the very positive Ordinance of Christ himself under the Gospell ; and therefore may and shall receive to themselves damnation , Rom. 13. 2. in case they do not repent thereof .

Finally , the Apostle to prevent all cavils that either false ▪ Apostles or enemies to him and his Ministry , might th●n object against him for this Doctrine , as if he were a selfe seeker , a covetous wretch , an oppressor , fleecer and spoyler of his flocke , or a partiall Judge in his own cause ( as they now calumniate our Ministers pleading for their just setled Maintenance and Tithes ) because he thus st●ongly pleads and proves the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospelll ; concludes , v. 1● , 15 , 18 , 19. Neverthelesse we have not used this power : But I have used none of these things ; neither have I written these things , that it should be so done unto me &c. which he repeats and amplifi●s in 2 Cor. 11. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. & 12. 13 , 14 , 15 , 17. But he did it only in the behalf of the rest of the Ministers of the Gospell , to justifie their Gospell right to a liberall , just and fitting livelihood for preaching of the Gospell . Wherefore his Testimony and resolution in this case is beyond all exception , sufficient to convince and silence all gainsayers th●n and now .

IX . The verity of this Proposition is thus demonstrated from 1 Tim. 3. 2. Titus 1. 8. 3 Joh. 9. 10. which prescribe this as one speciall qualification of every Evangelicall Bishop and Minister of the Gospell , that he must be given to , and a lover of Hospitality , a receiver of the Brethren , and receiv●r of distressed Saints upon all occasions : And yet withall commands and requires ; That he must give himself WHOLLY to reading , fasting , prayer , meditation , exhortation , doctrine , preaching the Word in season , out of season , giving attendance on these and other Pastorall duties , not intangling himself with the affaires of this life , being separated to the Gospell of Christ , Act. 6. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16. 2 Tim. 2. 4. 15. & 4. 2 , 5. Rom. 1. 1. T●t. 1. 9. & 2. 1. 1 Cor. 4. 17. Act. 20. 28. Now this they cannot possibly do without a liberall , comfortable , constant , setled maintenance , unlesse they have good estates of their own , which few of them have , who yet deserve a convenient reward for the work of their Ministry from the people : therefor● such a maintenance of right belongeth to them as Ministers of the Gospell , to enable them to be hospitable and charitable to their Christian brethren , and the poor that need relief .

X. Ministers of the Gospell , are to speak , exhort , and rebuke with ALL AUTHORITY , and let no man despise them , Tit. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 11 , 12. Mat. 7. 29. Now this they can hardly do , if they be poor , beggerly , living upon almes and benevolences of the giddy-headed people , and stript of a competent setled maintenance independent of the vulgars or Superiors meer wils and pleasures , which will render both their Persons , Words , Doctrine and Ministry contemptible , and lesse authoritative to the people : For the Scripture informes us , That poor men are lightly esteemed , 1 Sam. 18. 23. and therefore David couples these together , Psal. 119. 141. I am poor ( or small in estate ) and despised . And Solomon informes us , That the poor useth intreaties ( speaks not with authority like the richer sort ) Prov. 18. 23. That the poor is hated even of his own neighbour , separated from him , despised by him , and that all the brethren of the poor do hate him , how much more do his friends go far from him ? though he pursueth them with words , yet are they wanting to him . Prov. 14. 20. & 19. 4. 7. Yea he resolves Eccles. 9. 15 , 16. That a poor mans wisdome is despised , and his words are not heard ; and that no man remembred or regarded that poor wise man , who by his wisdome delivered the small city that was beseiged by a great King . Neither is this old Testament , but Gospell truth , likewise . Jam. 2. 2 , 3 , 5 , 6. If there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring , in goodly apparell , and there come in also a poor man in vile rayment ; ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing , and say to him , sit thou here in a good place ; and say to the poor , stand thou there , or sit here under my footstool . Hearken my beloved Brethren , hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith , and heires of the Kingdom , which he hath promised to them that love him ? But YE HAVE DESPISED THE POOR : a fault still common in the world . Poor indigent Ministers , as well as Saints , though rich in faith , are alwayes generally contemptible to the greatest part of men , and their very poverty makes not only their persons , but words and Doctrine to be slighted and despised , as these Scriptures and experience manifest . Wherefore a competent , setled maintenance and revenue , is not only just , but necessary , to add more r●verence , esteem and authority to their Exhortations , rebukes , words , and preserve their persons , callings , Doctrine from contempt and scorne in the eyes and ears of men : Who though they ought to know them which labour among them , and are over them in the Lord , and admonish them , and to esteem them very highly in love for their workes sake , 1 Th●ss . 5. 12 , 13. Yet by reason of their inbred pride and corruption , will be very averse to do it , if they be very poor , indigent , and living like beggers upon almes and charity , as our new Reformadoes would have them .

XI . Ministers of the Gospell must not seek to please men , but God ; for if they yet pleased men , they should not be the servants of Christ . Gal. 1. 10. Neither must they corrupt the Word ( as many do ; to humour the Iusts , wils or countenance , and carry on the unrighteous , cove●ous , ambitious , oppressive , bloudy , or treacherous designes of wicked men ) fasting , ( yea preaching , praying ) for strife and debate , and to smite with the fist of wickednesse , Esa. 58. 4. But as of sincerity , but as of God in the sight of God , must they speak in Christ , 2 Cor. 2. 17. Now a just , comp●tent , setled maintenance , independent on the Governours , Magistrates or peoples wils and pleasures , ( such as was the Priests and Levit●s under the Law enjoyed by divine institution ) is the best means and preservative , to keep Ministers from being Men-pleasers , flatterers , time-servers , and corrupters of the word of God , to humour men ; a great inducement to them to preach the word of God sincerely , and to rebuke and exhort with all authority . Whereas a poor , beggerly , mean , dependent Minister , whose whole maintenance and subsistence must only rest upon the arbitrary wils of persons in highest present power ( who may out , or strip them both of their Callings and Benefices , when and for what they please ) or only upon the peoples voluntary contributions , will certainly be a men-pleasing , time-serving , flattering , unsincere , and word corrupting Ministry , studying more to please and favour those by and from whom they have their Livelihood , then to please God ; and fitting their preaching and praying to their opinions , tempers , factions , parties , designes , holding alwayes with the prevailing strongest party , and wresting the Scriptures to support their very errors , vices , sins , and most unrighteous , treacherous , perfidious , oppressing practises and bloudy usurpations , not daring to displease them , as * * See Nicephorus , Zonaras , and Grimston in the life of Phocus : Platina and Bale in the life of Pope Gregory the 7. Ecclesiasticall Histories record , and our own experience can sufficiently testifie in these late whirling times and changes , as well as in King ‖ ‖ Fox Acts and Monuments , vol 3. Hist. De vita et obitu M. Buceri . Edward the 6. Queen Maries and Quen Elizabeths reigns , when our Religion suffred so many publick alterations , and most Ministers then changed their peoples Opinion and Religion with the times . Hence the Scripture records this , as one of Jeroboams policies to keep the People and Kingdome from returning to the right heire , 1 King . 12. 28 , 29 , 31 , &c. ch. 13. 33 , 34. That he made Priests of the lowest ( or poorest ) of the people , who were not of the Sonnes of Levi , and placed them in Bethel : who being poor , mean and depending on him for their Salaries , readily sacrificed to his golden Calves , offered upon the Altar which he had made in Bethel , and observed his new prescribed Feasts : which the Priests and Levites that were in all Israel , having La●ds , Suburbs and a setled maintenance , refused to do . Whereupon Jeroboam and his Sonnes cast them out from executing the Priests office unto the Lord , and substituted these base Idol-Priests for the Calves , 2 Chron. 11. 13 , 14 , 15. Which became sin unto the house of Jeroboam even to cut it off ▪ and to destroy it from the face of the earth . God deliver us of th●s Nation from the like Atheisticall Jeroboam-like policy and practise now , which will certainly prove the ruin of them and their house , who shall put it in execution , if not of our Religion and Nation , as it did of Jeroboam his house , and the k k 2 King . 17. 16 , 17 , 18. wh●le Kingdome of Israel .

XII . All Christians are commanded Gal. 6. 10. As they have opportunity to do good to all men ( to relieve their wants ) especially to the houshold of faith . Therefore they are in an especiall manner bound to do good to their Ministers in maintaining them , and communicating to them in all good things , as he resolves v. 6. The rather because we have this Precept thus seconded , Heb. 13. 16. But to do good and communicate forget not ; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased : ( coupled with this injunction ) Obey them that have the rule over yon , and submit your selves , for they watch for your souls , as they that must give account , That they may do it WITH JOY and NOT WITH GRIEF , FOR THAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR YOU . Wherein these 3. Conclusions are positively asserted .

1. That Christians must not only obey their Ministers , but likewise do good and communicate to them in all good things the want . 2. That this is so farre from being unlawfull ; that it is a sacrifice well pleasing unto God . 3. That Ministers deserve not only obedience but maintenance from the people .

1. Because they have the rule over them .

2. l l See Rom. 13. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. backing these Reasons . Because they watch for their souls .

3. Because they must give an account to God for them .

4. Because it will be a great encouragement to them to discharge their duty with joy , not with grief .

5. Because the not doing it , will both grieve the Ministers , and be unprofitable to the people in regard of their soules and spirituall estate , and also cause God to curse and blast them in their temporall estates , Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ▪ 12. whereas the doing thereof will be advantagious to them in both . Powerfull reasons and motives to convince all of the justice of our Ministers maintenance , and to induce them chearfully to render it unto them , though due by Law , as we know it is .

XIII . The very Gospell enjoynes all Christians , Rom. 12. 20 , 21. To distribute to the necessity of the Saints , and to be hospitable ( not only to those we know , but ) even to strangers . Heb. 13. 2. And if our enemy hunger , it comm●nds us to feed him , if he thirst , to give him drink ; and Not to be overcome with evill , but to overcome evill with good ; seconded Mat. 5 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48. Luke 6. 32. to 37. P●ov. 25. 22. whence thus I argue : I● Christians must distribute to the necessities , and be hospitable to Saints and others , who are m●er strangers to them , yea give meat and drink to their very enemies , and overcome their evi●l with goodnesse ; Then it necessarily followes , they must much more distribute to the necessities of , and be hospitable , liberall , and give meat , drink and maintenance to their own faithfull preaching Ministers , and recompense their good with good again , else they shall be worse then Publicans and sinners , who do good to those that do good to and for them .

XIV . This is evident by the practise of the primitive Saints and Christians recorded in the Gospell for our imitation ; who though they paid all civill Tributes Customes , Duties to the civill Magistrates , and likewise Tithes and other duties to the Jewish and Pagan Priests under whom they lived ; yet they likewise freely and liberally ministred and contributed of their substance and temporall estates towards the maintenance of Christ and his Apostles , and the Ministers of the Gospell . Hence we read , Luke 8. 2 , 3. That Mary Magdalen , Joann● the wife of Cuza , Herods Steward , Susanna and MANY others ( of our Saviours auditors ) ministred to him of their substance : put , it seems , into a common purse for the maintenance of Christ and his Apostles , which Judas kept ; wh● provided bread , meat and other necessaries out of it ; as is evident by Joh. 4. 8 , 31. & 12. 5 , 6. & 13. 29. & 6. 5 , 7. compared together . After our Saviours resurrection , when the multitude of beleevers at Jerusalem were much increased , it is expresly recorded , Act. 4. 32 , to the end , & 5. 1 , to 10. That they were of one heart and of one soul ( and oh that we were so again ) neither said any of them , that ought that he possessed was his own , but they had all things common ; neither was there any amongst them ( whether Apostle Minister or Beleever ) that lacked ; For as many as were possessors of Lands or Houses SOLD THEM ( not purchased them , as many do now , who say they imitate the primitive Christians ) and brought the prices of the things that were sold , and LAID THEM DOWNE A● THE APOSTLES FEET ; and distribution was made unto every Man ( therefore to every Apostle , and Minister of the Gospell , as well as others ) according as they had need . Amongst others , Joses a Levite of Cyprus , having Land so●d it , and brought the money and LAID IT AT THE APOSTLES FEET : The like did Ananias with Saphira his wife , but bec●use they brought a certain part thereof , and laid it at the Apost●es feet , and kept back part of the price of the Land , ( which is lesse then to keep back Tithes , when due by sundry Lawes and Ordinances ) and thereby lyed not unto Men ( only ) but to God , they both fell down dead sodainly at the Apostles feet ( in a miraculous manner ) and were carried forth and ●uried : And great fear came upon a● the Church , and as many as heard thereof . We finde in 2 Cor. 11. 7 , 8 , 9. That though Paul preached the Gospell at Corinth freely , yet HE ●OOK WAGES OF OTHER CHVRCHES ( at the same time ) TO DO THEM SERVICE . And when he was present with them , and wanted , that which was wanting unto him , the Brethren that came from Macedonia SVPPLIED ; that in all things he might keep himself from being burdensome to the Corinthians ; ( for reasons expressed by him ) In which respect , of not ministring to him of their substance , he writes , THEY WERE INFERIOR TO OTHER CHVRCHES , 2 ▪ Cor. 12. 13. How bountifull the Church and Saints of Philippi were to Paul not only whiles present with them and preaching among them , but also absent from them preaching the Gospell in other places , and how pleasing this their liberality was to God , he thus records ; Phil. 4. 10. to 21. But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly , that at last your care of me is revived ; wherein ye were also CAREFVLL , but ye lacked opportunity : Not that I speak in respect of want , for I have learned in whatsoever estate I am , therewith to be content &c. Notwithstanding YE HAVE WELL DONE that ye did communicate with my affliction . Now ye Philippians know also , that in the beginning of the Gospell , when I d●parted from Macedonia , no Churches communicated with me as concerning GIVING and RECEIVING BVT YE ONLY : For even in Thessalonica YE SENT ONCE and AGAIN TO MY NECESSITY . Not because I desire a gift , but I desire fruit that may abound to your accompt . But I have received all , and A●OVND and AM FVLL , having received of Epaphroditus THE THINGS SENT FROM YOV ; AN ODOVR OF A SWEET SMELL , A SACRIFICE AC●EPTABLE , WELLPLEASING TO GOD. But my God shall supply all your needs , according ●o his riches in glory by Jesus Christ ; Now unto God and our Father , be glory for ever and ever Amen . And in 2 Tim. 1. 16 , 17. 18. He makes this memorable Testimony and prayer for Onesiphorus : The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus , for he often refreshed me , and was not ashamed of my chain : But wh●n he was in Rome , he sought me out very diligently , and found me : The Lord grant unto him , that he may ●inde mercy of the Lord in that day : And in HOW MANYTHINGS HE MINISTRED VNTO ME AT EPHESUS thou knowest very well .

From all which precedents coupled together , these conclusions naturally , and necessarily arise :

1. That it is not only the practise , but duty of the Saints and Christians under the Gospell , chearfully and liberally to contribute to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell ; and that not only whiles they are actually preaching and resident amongst them , but whiles absent , preaching the Gospell in other places , or suffering for the Gospell in bonds and prisons , if their necessities so require .

2. That they ought not only barely to supply their necessities , when they are in want ; but in such a plentifull manner , that they may truly say , We abound and are full , blesse God for , rejoyce in their peoples liberality , pray God for a blessing upon them and theirs .

3. That in cases of necessity , when the wants of the Apostles , Ministers and Saints of God require it , Christians are only not bound to pay them the Tithes of their Lands and other setled Dues , but even to sell their very Lands , Houses , Estates , and lay them down at the Apostles and Ministers f●●t for their common supply ; as the primitive Christians did ; they being not reall proprietors , but meer Stewards of their worldly estates ; which as they all proceed from Gods hand , gift , blessing ; so they are still , Gods own , not mans ; and therefore in such cases , to be chearfully expended for the maintenance and supply of the necessities of his Ministers , servants , worship : 1 Chron. 29. 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. 1 Tim. 6. 17 , 18 , 19.

4. That the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospell , is not meer pious Almes , ( as some have held ) but wages ; which though Paul ( for some speciall reasons ) received not from the Corinthians , yet he did from other Churches , under the name of wages .

5. That niggardlinesse , and not contributing towards the maintenance of painfull Ministers , is a shame , infamy , and dishonour to a Church and people , making them inferiour to all other Churches .

6. That peoples liberall and bountifull contributing to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , is a great joy , comfort , encouragement to them , and a means to enlarge their hearts in prayers to God for spirituall and temporall blessings on them and their housholds .

7. That bountifull and chearfull contributions to the Apostles and Ministers of Christ , is not only a well doing , or good work , but an odour of a sweet smell , a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing unto God , though it stinks in the nosthrils of many covetous earth-wormes , and pretended godly Saints now adaies .

8. That Liberality to the Ministers of the Gospell , and paying them their just deserved Tithes and Dues , is so farre from impoverishing and hurting men , that it redounds to their spirituall accompt , and temporall too ; causeth God to supply all their wants , and to blesse them and their families with spirituall , temporall and eternall mercies and rewards ; as the severall cited Sc●iptures , Prov. 3. 9 , 10. Mal. 1. 10 , 11. Mat. 10. 41 , 42. Mtr. 9. 41. 2 Cor. 9. 6 , to 13. 2 King . 4. 8 , to 38. 1 King . 17. 10 , to 24. most abundantly prove .

9. That the wilfull d●taining , withdrawing of any thing solemnly devoted to the necessa●y maintenance of the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , brings exem●plary curses and judgem●nts on those who are guilty thereof , as the examples of An●nias and Sa●hira testifie , compared with Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 11. Ha● . 1. 9 , 10 , 11 , & 2 ▪ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. further illustrating it : which all sacrilegious inv●ders , plundere●s , detainers , oppugners of our Ministers ancient established Maintenance , Tith●s , D●es , may do w●ll now seriously to ruminate upon , and then reform their practise , or else renounce their p●●tended Christianity and Saint hip , so much swarving from the recited precedents of the first and purest Christians .

XV. This is further proved by Mat. 7. 12. Luk. 6. 31. All things whatsoever ye would that menshould do unto you , DO EVEN SO TO THEM , for this is the Law and Prophets ; yea and the Gospell too ; thus twice enjoyning it , from Christs own mouth . Whence thus I argue . All Estates , Callings and Professions of men whatsoever , whether Kings , Princes , Rulers , Judges , Magistrates of all sorts , Lawyers , Physicians , Chirurgeons , Merchants , Artificers , Traders , Husbandmen , Labourers of all kindes , Sea-men ; yea and all Generals , Commanders , Collonels , Captains , Governours of Forts , and common Souldiers whatsoever , with all Officers in their respective Offices and imployments , do and justly may by the Law of God , Nature , Nations , expect and receive a just , certain comfortable salary , reward , hire , maintenance and subsistence for their respective pains , workes , imployments and exercises of their callings , and hires from those that do imploy them , or for whose good they worke and serve . Therefore by the self-same Lawes and Rules of common , naturall , morall justice and equity , all Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell may justly expect and receive the like , from those to whom they preach ; Else all others whatsoever must ex reise their respective Offices , Callings , Trades , Imployments , Studies , Labours freely , without expecting or receiving any stipend , wages , reward or maintenance , as well as Ministers .

And great reason is there that the painfull and fai●hfull Ministers of the Gospell should receive a liberall , comfortable , competent , setled maintenance and reward for their Ministry , as well as any other Callings , or Professions of men , or as any Officers or Souldiers in the Army , between whom alone and Ministers I shall here only make the parallel , because they most violently oppugne our Ministers maintenance ( if not their Ministry too ) of all other● I have yet con●erred with .

First , all able , learned , judicious , pious Ministers , skilfull in the Originall Tongues , and learned Languages , wherein the Scriptures were penned ( very necessary for them to understand ) able soundly , judiciously , like workemen who need not to be ashamed , to defend the truth of the Gospell , to stop the mouthes of Blasphemers , Heretickes , Seducers , that oppugne it , and to divide and preach the Word of God aright as they ought . Else they hardly merit the name of able Ministers , 2 Cor. 3. 6. 1 Tim. 1. 7. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 15. & 4. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. Tit. 1. 9 , 10 , 11. but rather of pratlers and wranglers , under standing neither what they say , nor whereof they affirme , wresting the Scriptures to their own and others destruction through ignorance and want of learning , 2. Pet. 3. 16. ( the case of many unlearned usurpers of the office of Teachers now ) All such before they can be fit for the worke of the Ministry , spend sixteen or twenty years time , and hard study day and night at their Books in Schools , and Universities , and double the years , study , industry , that most other Artists ( except Lawyers and Physicians ) spend in fitting themselves for , and in learning their Trades and Professions , whereas all common Souldiers , yea many Officers and Commanders of late times , rush just like their horses , into their worke , calling , without one years , weeks , days preparation , study or practise in the Warres , learning their Trade of Souldiers and Commanders , after they are listed , as such , by practise and experience only without study .

2. Most Ministers or their Parents and Friends are at very great expences for many years time in fi●ting them for the Ministry , both in Schooles and in our Universities ; whereas all our Souldiers and Army Officers were at no expence at all , receiving full pay , as such , from the first day of their listing , and many of them advance money to boot , before any practise at all or judgement in their Art ; learning their Military skill , not at their owne , but the peoples great costs .

3. Learned Ministers both before and after their admission into the Ministry , are at great charges to furnish themselves with Bookes and Libraries , necessary for their Calling : whereas our Officers and Souldiers are and were furnished with all sorts of Armes and Ammunition fitting for their calling out of the publick Treasury only , which continually recruites them when lost in Service .

4. The calling of the Ministry requires men of far more able parts and eminency of gifts ( whereby they might gain far more worldly wealth , riches and honours in many other callings , then they do or can do by the Ministry , by which they are commonly losers in respect of worldly gains ●and preferments , a thing very considerable ) then the calling of an ordinary Souldier , or most warlike Officers doe ; as experience manifests , and I thinke most Soldiers and Officers will acknowledge ; and thereupon must admit them proportionable allowance to their parts and work in the Ministry it selfe .

5. Ministers when once entred into their callings , are alwayes day and night upon constant duty , without intermission ; their whole lives being so taken up with study , preaching , catechizing , praying , fasting , exhorting , admonishing , reproving , comforting , visiting the sick in body , troubled in minde , resolving doubts of conscience , and other Ministeriall duties as well private as publick ; that they have most of them scarce one spare day or hour all the year to imploy in other affaires , for their owne advantage in worldly things . Whereas many of our Army Officers and Souldiers lie idle in their Quarters many months ( if not years of late together ) without any actuall service , and yet receive their full constant pay ; and those in actuall service and Garisons , do that they call duty only by turnes ; once or twice a week ; and then but for two or three houres in a day , being then successively relieved by others ; having sufficient time every day and week not only to follow their private Trades , if they please , necessary , usefull , beneficiall to others , but also to exercise Merchandise and other gainfull worldly imployments and Offices , to which they were never trained up , whereby most of them are grown richer then most of our Ministers in halfe the space they were fitting for their Ministry before they received one penny profit by it . As for our Officers , they seldome do any duty , have all their men-servants listed under them , and paid by the people to do them service only , being exempt from duty ; and how seldome they have been of late times at their Quarters upon their duty as Souldiers , but otherwise sitting in Counsell to advance their own power , estates , and pull down all above them , to intrude themselves into their places , we all see by experience ; contrary to the Apostles precept , 2 Tim. 2. 4. No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life , that he may please ( not supplant ) him who hath chosen him to be a Souldier : and to John the Baptists injunction to Souldiers , Luke 3. 14. Do violence to no man , nei●her accuse any falsely , and be content with your wages . Which ungospell practises I wish they would first reforme , by conforming themselves unto this Precept , before they reforme our Ministers or their setled wages ; a thing beyond , if not against their calling .

6. The calling of Ministers , as it is every way farre more laborious , as perillous and full of hardship as that of Souldiers , 2 Cor. 11. 23 , to 33. & 4. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. 2 Tim. 2. 3 , 9 , 10 , 12. & 3. 10 ▪ 11 , 12. & 4. 5 , 6 , 7. So questionlesse it is far more honourable , necessary , usefull , beneficiall to others then that of Souldiers and Commanders ; for they are the very Embassadors of God himselfe , and Jesus Christ ( the m m 1 Tim. 6. 15 , 16. Rev. 1. 5. & 17. 14 & 19. 16. Ps. 9. 10. King and Lord of glory , the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords , the Prince of the Kings of the earth , and only Potentate , to whom all other Powers and kne●● must bow ) beseeching men in Christs stead to be reconciled to God , 2 Cor. 5. 20. The Ministers , servants , messengers of Jesus Christ , workers together with him , Stewards of the mysteries of God and the glory of Christ , 1 Cor. 4. 1 , 2. 2 Cor. 6. 1. & 8. 23. 2 Tim. 2. 24. imployed to preach to sinfull men , the unsearchable riches of Christ , to turne them from darknesse unto light , and from the power of Satan unto God , Eph. 3. 8. Act. 26. 18. to rescue their souls from the slavery and power of sin , Satan , hell , death , everlasting damnation ; and make them the sonnes of God , heirs and coheirs with Christ of everlasting glory and felicity in Gods heavenly Kingdome , through the power of Gods Grace and Spirit working in , with , by and through their Ministry on their hearts . Now the calling of a Souldier though it be honourable , and in n n Grorius de jure Belli . l. 1. c. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. l. 2. c. 1 , 2. Gratian. causa . 23. qu. 1. some cases lawfull and necessary , if rightly managed ; yet , it is for the most part sinfull , hurtfull , pernicious , dangerous and unbeseeming the Gospell , in respect of the cause , managing , abuses thereof ; o o Gro●ius , de jure Belli . l. 2. c. 23. sect. 10. ● . 388. and elsewhere . Nulla fides , Pietasque viris qui custra sequuntur . Lucan . Hen. Huntindon . Hist. l. 8. p. 390. it being accompanied with murther , violence , rapine , treachery , perjury , sacriledge , cruelty , inhumanity , profanenesse , blasphemy , contempt of God , of all sacred , civill Lawes and Ordinances ; ambition , treason , and the worst of sins ; tending usually ( like an overflowing Deluge ) to the subversion , desolation , ruine of whole Families , Cities , Countries , Kingdomes , Churches ; yea , Mankinde it selfe , Religion , Lawes , Liberties , Properties ; turning whole f●amous Cities into ashes , and Kingdomes into Golgatha . s , Acheldamaes , ( fields of bloud and dead mens sculs ) very wildernesses , as the p p Isa. 64. 10 , 11. Jer. 49. 13. to 39. ch. 50. & 51. throughout . Ezek. chap. 35. Joel 2. 3. ●●a . 1. 7 , 8. & 9. 12 , 20 , 21. & 19. 1 , to 15. Scripture , Histories and experience manifest . Hence God styles great Warriers and Armies ; The rod of his anger , a Battle Ax with which he breaketh in pieces the Nations , destroyeth Kingdomes , and treadeth them down like the mire in the streets ▪ and then at last destroyes them in his wrath , when they have executed his judgements , for their rapines , violence and bloudy cruelty , Isa. 10. 5 , &c. Jer. 51. 20 , &c. They being really carried on from one war to another , out of vainglory , ambition , covetousnesse , a mad humour of false greatnesse ; et nullus supra caeteros eminendi modus ; in sua fata pariter , ac publica ; to their own and the publick ruine ; yet still under a pretext of publick good and safety ; as Seneca excellently writes in his 94 Epistle ( a piece worth the reading ) of Alexander the great , Caesar , Pompey , Marius , qui cum omnia concuterent , concutieb antur ; et cum mult is fuerunt mali , pestiferam illam vim , qua plerosque nocuerunt , ipsi quoque sentiunt . And indeed the Profession of a Souldier even in the best of men and warres , is so full of danger and pollution , that it leaves some scars of sin , and tincture of pollution on them . Whence we read , that though David were q q 1 Sam. 13. 14. Acts. 13. 22. a man after Gods own heart , and r r 1 Sam. 18. 17. & 25 , 28. fought the battels of the Lord against his professed enemies by his speciall command , with constant successe ; yet God would by no means permit him to build an house and Temple to him , for this very reason , BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN A MAN OF WARRE , and MADE GREAT BATTELS , and SHED MUCH BLOUD UPON THE EARTH IN HIS SIGHT ; And the 12000. Israelites , who by Gods speciall command went up to war against the Midianites , and slew them , retu●ning with victory and great spoyle without the losse of one man though treble their numbe● , when as they came backe from the war , were all of them whosoever had killed any person , or touch●d any slain , enjoyned by God and Moses , to remain without the Camp seven dayes , and to purifie themselves on the third and seventh day , as unclean and polluted persons , Numb. 31. 1 , 17 , 19 , 20. and all the Officers , and Captaines of hundreds and thousands in the host brought an oblation , what every man had gotten of Jewels , of Gold , Chaines , Bracelets , Rings , Ear-rings and Tablets , TO MAKE AN OBLATION FOR THEIR SOULS BEFORE THE LORD , v. 48 , 49 , 50. Such a stain and guilt was there adhering to their War-like calling , in this best of Wars against Gods professed idolatrous enemies . And may not all Officers and Souldiers then justly fear and find a deeper guilt of sin and stain of bloud , then was in David or those Officers and Souldiers adhering to their persons and profession in our unnaturall , uncivill Wars , even with , and against their very Christian , nearest , dearest Brethren , Friends , Kindred , Neighbours of the self-same reformed Religion , and thereupon make the like or a far richer oblation then they did , not of their spoyles and gaines by War , as atonement for their Souls , in stead of provoking God and encreasing their guilt , by seeking to spoil his faithfull Ministers of their long enjoyed maintenance ? In all these 6. particulars wherein the calling of Ministers excels in merit that of common Souldiers , Captaines and Officers of War ; both in respect of time , study , costs , labour , diligence , parts , danger , honour , excellency , use , profit , and necessity ; ( to which I might add , that the Ministers frequent teares and prayers in times of War , and Judgements , are far s s 2 Chron. ●3 . 9 , 10. 11 , 15. & 32. 20 , 21. & 20. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24. Jam. 1. 16 , 17 , 8. Joel ● ▪ 17 , 18. more prevalent , beneficiall a●d victorious then the Souldiers Armes ; besides their constant use and benefit in dayes of peace , when Souldiers are needlesse , uselesse : ) I refer it to the unprejudiced judgements and consciences of all rationall Christian men and Souldiers themselves ; whether our faithfull preaching Ministers be not worthy of as large , as liberall , as constant , setled , honourable , and coercive a maintenance from the people , as any Souldiers , Officers , Captaines , Collonels , Majors or Major Generals whatsoever , if not a better and larger salary and reward then they enjoy , for the premised reasons ; when as yet some ordinary Souldiers and Troopers receive as much or more pay by the year , as many of our godly Ministers ; and every Ancient , Serjeant , Lieutenant , as much as the most and best beneficed Ministers ; and most Captaines , Collonels and Majors five or six times more then our ablest , best deserving Ministers ; and some generall Officers have received , gained more in few months or years at least , then hundreds of our meritorious Ministers put together can gain in all their lives by their Ministry ? How then can they tax them as covetous , oppressive , caterpillers of the people by their Ti●hes and Duties , for receiving only 30. 40. 50. 80. 100. 200. or 300. l. a year ( and very few of them more or so much ) from the people , by an ancient right paid once a year , when as they receive ten times more from the impoverished people , and at least the tenth part or more of all our poor Ministers livings by mon●hly enforced contributions , and y●t will neither give them the Tenthes of their pay and spoyles of War ( as Abr●ham and others did Gen. 14. 10. Heb. 7. 4 , 6. 1 Chron. 26. 26 , 27 , 28. ) nor ( many of them ) pay their own Tithes , and endevour to hinder others , though willing , from paying them any Tithes or Dues , to which they have a juster right then they have to their pay and enforced contributions , against all t t Magna Carta c. 29 , 30 , 25. e. 1. c 5 , 6 , 28. e. 1. c. 5 , 6. 34. e. 3. c. 1. 14. e. 3. c. 21. 11 R. 2. c. 2. 23 H. 6. ● . 18. 1 R. 3. c. 4. The Petition of Right 3 Caroli . aneient Lawes and Statutes as now imposed and levied , esp●cially on the Clergy , who were never Taxed or Charged either by u u See Rastals Abridgement Tenths and Taxes , and Statutes at large , Acts f●● the Clergies subsidies . Lords or Commons in former ages , but only by themselves , by their o●n free Grant● ▪ in Parliament and Convocation by speciall Acts , as our Records and Printed Seatutes manifest . Or with what face , reason or con●cience they can seek to deprive them of all their Tith●s , Glebes and other legal setled coercive Stipends , amounting to so small a value , as now they do ; when as themselves receive far more setled constant pay , levyed with the greatest rigour and extremity on the exhausted peoples every Month or Quarter ; and some of them have many Military , besides civill gainfull Offices and imployments , and that in severall Kingdomes , amounting to thousands , and tenne thousands by the year , when few Ministers now enjoy one or two hundred pounds a year de claro , and most not sixty , all Taxes deducted ; and must hardly be suffered to hold two adjoyning petty Benefices , to make up 80. or 100. l. a year , without much clamour , censure and danger of deprivation : when as they can hold so many gainful , incompetent Pluralities in these necessitous times ; and when as Popish , Pagan , Mahomitan and Aegyptian Priests enjoy far more then our best deserving Clergy at this day , without their Officers , Souldiers , Clamours or opposition .

Having thus made good the proposition by these Scriptures and Reasons , to which I could never yet hear the least colourable Answer given ; I now proceed to answer such Objections , as have been , or may be made against it . The Objections answered .

Object . 1 The first Objection is from Mat. 10. 8. Where when Christ sent out his 12 Apostles to preach , he saith unto them , Heal the sicke , cleanse the Lepers , raise the Dead , cast out Devils ; FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED , FREELY GIVE . Whence some inferre , That Ministers and Apostles of Christ , are here enjoyned by him , to preach the Gospell freely , without receiving any wages , reward or recompence for it , because they freely received their power and commission to preach the Gospell , without giving money or price for it .

To which I Answer ,

Answ. 1. That this clause of , Freely ye have received , freely give ; it relates not to their preaching of the Gospell , but is annexed only to the precedent words ; Heal the sicke , cleanse the Lepers , raise the Dead , cast out Devils ; which they are commanded to do freely without any wages , hire or reward ; having freely received this miraculous power of healing the sicke , &c. from Christ , who did it freely ; and that to gain credit to the truth of the Gospell , which was confirmed , credited , propagated by these free miraculous workes . Marke 16. 17 , 18 , 20. Act. 31. 1 , to 12. & 9. 38. to 43. & 5. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. & 13. 11 , 12. Which power of working miracles when Simon Magus would have bought for money of Peter ; he said unto him , Thy money perish with thee , because thou hast thought , that the gift of God may be purchased with money . Thou ●ast neither part nor lot in this matter , for thy heart is not right in the sight of God : Repent therefore of this thy wickednesse , &c. Act. 8. 18 , to 25.

2. He is so far from enjoyning them to preach the Gospell freely without recompence , that he allowes them to take a recompence for it , closing it up with a contrary clause , For the Labourer is worthy of his M●at and Hire , v. 10. and recited Luke 10. 8. where the objected words are omitted , as likewise Marke 3.

3. Our new Mechanick Predicants to separate Conventicles , who urge this Text against Ministers maintenance , should , receive no money , gift or recompence for their prating from their Disciples , no more then our Ministers ; who yet gain far more from deluded blind followers of the blind , then many of our Ministers get by their Ministry ; and more then ever they ●arned by their Trades before , which makes them wholly to desert them and turne Tub-preachers .

4. This sentence can no wayes be truely applyed now to Ministers ; For though they receive their Ministry and Orders freely without purchase ( which some bought for money heretofore ) yet their preparation for the Ministry costs them many years study and pains , them , their Friends and Parents many a pound , as I sormerly proved ; whereas the Apostles received the miraculous gift of healing &c. immediately by divine inspiration , without study or cost .

5. If those who receive any Office , Commission , or place freely ; must discharge it freely without any Reward , Pay , as some Army Officers and Souldiers hence conclude against our Ministers ; then all our Souldiers , and other Military Officers by Sea and Land , must henceforth at least ( and should have done heretofore ) serve their Country freely without receiving any pay , reward , or Contributions from the People ; since I conceive few or none of them ever bought their Offices , Places , Commissions , or paid any money for their listing ; yea then all other publike Officers ( reall or pretended ) must serve their Country gratis , unlesse they purchased their Offices from those in late or present power ; and then they are ipso facto void by the Statute of 5 E. 6. c. 16. against buying or selling of Offices . Now upon this condition , that all Soul di●s Military and Civill Officers will henceforth serve their Country freely without pay or recompence , for the oppress●d peoples future freedome from long unsupportable monthly Taxes , Impositions , Excises ; I dare presume all or most of our Ministers will be content to preach the Gospell freely to the people likewise , without Tithes or other Dues , for so long a time , as the Souldiers and Officers shall freely serve our Nation ; and I suppose all Ministers in Scotland and Ireland will do the like ; if the Officers and Souldiers there will first really begin the Precedent . Which if they here and there refuse , they must give Ministers leave to enjoy their ancient Tithes , Dues , Stipends for preaching the Gospell , so long as they demand their former pay and salaries ; and renounce the objected Text , as fatall to their own wages , as the Ministers , unlesse they dearly bought their Offices and Commands , and did not freely receive them ; which if true ( as I presume it false ) very few of them would publickly acknowleuge .

Object . 2 The second Objection ( most urged to me by some Pendennis Souldiers , whiles there a prisoner under their Gards ) is the Example of the Apostle Paul , who staying and preaching at Corinth a year and six monthes , because he would not be burdensome , but preach the Gospell freely to them without charge or reward ; wrought with his own hands , and got his living by making tents ; as is recorded , Act. 18. 1 , 2 , 3 , &c. & 20. 34. 1 Cor. 4. 12. & 9. 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. 2 Cor. 11. 8 , 9. & 12. 13 , 16 , 17 , 18. The like he did among the Thessalonians , labouring night and day , because he would not be chargeable to any of them , when he preached unto them the Gospell of God , 1 Thess. 2. 8 , 9. 2 Thess. 3. 8. From whence they conclude , that all other Ministers ought to preach the Gospell freely , and to labour with their hands day and night in some other calling to supply their necessities and maintain themselves and ●amilies , that they may not be chargeable to the people .

Answ. To which grand argument ( requiring the first reply ) I answer , that this generall inference from P●●●s particular practise in these two Churches , is very same and unsound ; For ,

1. Paul expresly resolves , that all Apostles and Minister● of the Gospell have a just right and power to receive a competent maintenance as wages from the people , and most strongly proves it to be an ordinance of Christ himself , in some of the objected Texts , as I have at large demonstrated ▪

2. He likewise declares ( with a salvo jure , ●s Lawyers speak ) that himselfe had such a just right and power to receive wages and maintenance from the very Corinthians and Thessalonians themselves , as well as others , though he made no use of his power : witnesse , 1 Cor. 9. 4 , 11 , 12. where thus he expostulates , Have we not power to eat and to drinke , and to reap your carnall things , for so●●ing u●t● you spirituall things ? If others be part●kers of this power over you , ARE NOT WE RATHER ? Neve●thelesse we have not used this power . And 2 Thess. 3. 8 , 9. Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought , but wrought with labour and travell night and day , that we might not be chargeable to any of you ; NOT BECAVSE WE HAVE NOT POWER , but make our selves an example for you to follow us , &c. We have much talke and crying up of late , HAVE WE NOT POWER , POWER , and PRESENT POWER , in most Grandees mouthes and publick Papers ( especially Souldiers who carry it by their sides ) in st●ad of old Language , LAW , LIBERTY , RIGHT , FREEDOME ▪ the things they say they fought for on the peoples behalf , who pay them ; which words and things , Have we not , the greater cry of Power , &c. hath made us not to have and quite swallowed up . I wish all such who presse these Texts against Ministers Tithes , and most use these words Have we not P●wer , ( if derived from God , or the Apostle who thrice mentions it in these Texts ) would only use and speake it in the Apostles sense and Language , ( if not assuming , usurping , but utterly disclaiming the reall practise and abuses of it in his self-denying words ( worthy to be written in Capitalls that all persons of , or in Power may now read and practise it ) NEVER THELESSE WE HAVE NOT USED THIS POWER , BUT WROUGHT WITH LABOUR AND TRAVELL NIGHT AND DAY , THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE CHARGEABLE TO ANY OF YOU , to make our selves an ensample for you ( Ministers ) to follow us : Then we should be no longer over-charged with endlesse Taxes , Excises , &c. by , for , or from any who have power , nor grieved with any fresh changes of Lawes , Church , Government or Ministers setled maintenance , but be a Free State and Nation indeed , as some have long promised to make us , but still the quite contrary way in direct opposition to the Apostles , Neverthelesse we have used and will still use this power , that we might be chargeable ( yea very chargeable ) to every of you : Therefore no wonder our Ministers ( in their affected sense ) do the like by their example , in exacting of their Tithes and Dues , till they disclaime the use of their Iron Power , in imposing , levying new Taxes and Excises , on Ministers as well as people , in strange untroden wayes , to pay their own and Souldiers salaries to support their self-●reated Power in the highest strain of Exercise , which they condemne in Ministers in a far more inferior degree ; who questionlesse may lawfully make use of it , as Paul himselfe might have justly done , as he resolves , though he suspended its naturall exercise .

3. Paul records 4 speciall reasons why he made no use of this his Evangelicall power , but laboured with his hands .

1. That he might not hinder the Gospell of Christ among the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 9. 12. they being then most of them Pagans , the rest but newly converted to the Gospell by his preaching , and all of them very worldly and ●ovetous , as he insinuates , 1 Cor. 4. 12 , 13 , 14. & 7. 30. 31 , 32. & 11. 7 , 8 , 9. & 12. 10 , to 21.

2. That he might not seem to abuse his power in the Gospell in the opinion of these covetous worldlings , 1 Cor. 9. 18.

3. That he might adde to his glory , in undergoing necessities for Christ , wherein he gloried ; and adde to his future reward , 1 Cor. 9. 15 , to 27. & 12. 10 , to 13.

4. And principally , To cut off occasion of slander and reproach from some false Apostles , and deceitfull workers and Ministers of Satan , transforming themselves into Angels of Light , ( who sought occasion to slander him ) counting his preaching very contemptible , him to be none of Christs , and a very reprobate , 2 Cor. 10. 7 , 10 , 12. & 13. 6 , 7. ( as some now esteem our Ministers ) seeking a proofe of Christ speaking to him , c. 13. 3. ( as they do in our Ministers ) glorying ( as some of the same Tribe do now ) that they preached the Gospell freely , and wrought with their own hands ; whereupon he addeth , that wherein they gloryed , they might be found even as he , 2 Cor. 11. 12 , 13 , 14. Which false Apostles and dissembling Hypocrites for all their brags , did yet enslave , take of them , fleece and abuse them , more then any faithfull Ministers , and yet they patiently endured it ; as he there thus insinuates , v. 20. FOR YE SVFFER IF A MAN BRING YOV INTO BONDAGE , IF A MAN DEVOVR YOV , IF A MAN TAKE OF YOV , IF A MAN EXALT HIMSELFE , IF A MAN SMITE YOV ON THE FACE ▪ taxing their wisdom : for ●his Asinine sottish stupidity ; when as neither Paul himselfe , nor Titus , nor any other of those Ministers he sent unto them , did either burden , or catch them with guile , or make a gain of them , as these false Apostles , domineering Hypocrites , and Ministers of Satan did ; 2 Cor. 12. 16 , 17 , 18. These were the reasons expressed by him , why he took no wages of the Corinthians , and supported himselfe with his own labor . But this is not our Ministers case , after our so long enjoyment of the Gospell , and their enjoying of a setled maintenance by Tithes and Glebes x x Spelmann . about 800. years space , so long since setled on them by our devout Saxon Kings , and continued ever since . When our Ministers have the self-same reasons as Paul had , to move them to pursue his objected practise ; I doubt not but they will chearfully imitate it , for the advancement of the Gospell , and winning souls to Christ . The reason why he exercised not this power among the Thessalonians , labouring amongst them night and day to support himselfe , was much different from the former ; thus recorded by him ▪ 2 T●●ss . 3. 7 , to 15. When he was among them he heard , that there were some who walked disorderly , WORKING NOT A● ALL , BVT WERE BVSY BODIES ( just such as o●●●●ew preaching Weavers , Ginger-bread-makers , Smi●h● , Souldiers , and other Mechanickes are , who give over thei● Trades and working , to busie themselves only in gathering new Conventicles , new moulding our Church , State , and Preaching openly and in corners every wh●re to carry on their own worldly designes : ) Whereupon he then commanded them THAT IF ANY ( such busie-bodies ) WOULD NOT WORKE ( but forsake his calling ) NEITHER SHOULD HE EAT : ( A very good Gospell-law , if duly executed , to quell all such busie-bodies ) and upon this occasion , not because he had not power , BUT TO MAKE HIMSELFE AN EXAMPLE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW , ( and encourage these busie-bodies , with all other loyterers to labour ) he refused to eat any mans bread freely , but wrought with labour and travell night and day , that he might not be chargeable to any of them . And b●cause this his example did not reforme whiles he was present , but some such idle bodies still continued their practise notwithstanding ; he gives them this new Precept in and by this Epistle , vers. 14. Now them that are such WE COMMAND , and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ ( and O that our prating busie-bodies who step out of their own callings into other mens and Ministers too , would hearken and obey him ! ) that they with quietnesse worke , ( or , do their own worke , as some Translators render it , not other mens ) and eat their own bread : ( not live upon other mens trenchers , sweat or labours , as thousands do now ) And , if any obey not our word , signifie ( or note ) that by an Epistle , and have no company with him ( then he will be a Separatist in good earnest ) that he may be ashamed ; yet count him not as an enemy , but admonish him as a Brother . If our Ministers working with their own hands at our preaching M●chanicks Trades , would reduce them to follow their Trades , and give over busying themselves in Ministers and other mens publick callings and State-affaires , I presume many of them would fall a working for a time for such a good end : But ●ince P●uls own example in this kind did not reclaime such busie-bodies then ; whereupon he prescribed another more effectuall remedie , if duely put in execution by Ecclesiasticall and Civill Magistrates : Our Ministers ( who have lesser hopes to reclaim them now by such a practise , which would give scandall unto many , and make them neglect their proper function ) have neither reason , nor precept to follow this his singular voluntary Precedent upon this ground of his , which is no way●s binding to them .

4. Though Paul himselfe then laboured among the Corinthians and took no wages from them ; yet he received wages from other Churches at the same time , to supply their lacke of Service unto him ; 2 Cor. 11. 8 , 9. Which by way of Sarcasme ( to upbraide their covetousnesse , tenacity and ingratitude towards him ) he calls , Robbing of other Churches ; because it was to doe them service , not those Churches : Not that it was robbery indeed ( as some ignorant asses judge it who understand not Rhetorick and Eloquence ) for in the next verse he styles it , A supply ; and Phil. 4. 10 , 15 , 18. a Communicating to his Nec●sities ; a well-doing , a fruite abounding to their account , as well as to his rejoycing , an odour of a sweet smell , a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing unto God ; and wages in the self-same Text ; therefore no unlawfull robbery .

5. Though the niggardly Co●inthians saved their purses by Pauls labour and free preaching , yet they gained no honour , but disgrace and sharp censures from him for it : witnesse 1 Cor. 4. 11 , 12 , 14. Even unto this present houre we both hunger and thirst , and are naked , and are buffeted , and have no certain dwelling place ; and labour working with our own hands , &c. I write not these things TO SHAME you , but as my beloved sonnes I admonish you : ( of their harsh , ingrate , despitefull carriage towards me , which makes my condition so uncomfortable : ) which he thus seconds , 2 Cor. 11. 7 , 8. Have I committed an offence in a●asing myselfe , that you might be exalted , because I have preached the Gospell of God freely ? I robbed other Churches , taking wage● of them to do you service . And ch. 12. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. T●uly the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience , in signes and wonders , and mighty deeds ; For what was it WHEREIN YE WERE INFERIOR TO OTHER CHVRCHES , except it be , that I my self was not burdensome to you ? FORGIVE ME THIS WRONG : Behold , the third time I am ready to come to you , and I will not be burdensome to you , for I seek not yours but you , &c. And I will very g●adly spend and be spent for you , though the more aboundantly I love you , THE LESSE I BE LOVED . Whence all may learn , that it is a great disparagement , stain and certain signe of want of love both to the Ministers and Ministry of the Gospell , for any Church or people to suffer or enforce their Minister to hunger , thirst , be naked , and to have no certain dwelling place , and to labour working with his own hands , that he may preach the Gospell freely to them : and such kinde of ungratefull , ungodly people , who cause Ministers thus to spend and be spent for them , will be so far from loving or respecting them for it , that the more they love them in this kinde , the lesse they will probably love them again , as the Corinthians did Paul : who traduced and slandered him , as no true Apostle , a weake contemptible Preacher , and a very Reprobate , in stead of commending him for his extraordinary paines and cost , in preaching freely to them , 2 Cor. 10. 10. & 12. 11 , 12. & 13. 6 , 7 , 9. Who then would hearken to , or gratifie such perverse Beasts , and unthankfull Hypo●rites , though appearing in the shapes of Saints , and notion of the godly party , ( or rather un●odly faction ) against our Ministers and their maintenance ?

6 Though Paul thus laboured night and day with his own hands to maintain himself and preach the Gospell freely , yet it followes not hence , that all other Ministers now should do it .

1. Because he being an inspired Apostle and able to preach by immediate inspiration and revelation from God without study or premeditation ( as is probable ) his labour in this kinde , was no hindrance to his diligent , constant , powerfull preaching . But no Ministers now ( being thus immediately inspired ) must study and meditate day and night for what they preach , and examine their Doctrines seriously by Gods word before they vent them : whence Paul enjoynes even Timothy himself , 2 Tim. 3. 13 , 15 , 16. To give attendance to reading , to exhortation to doctrine , to meditate upon these things , and give himselve WHOLY TO THEM , that his profi●ing might appeare to all men : and to take heed unto his doctrine : which he could not do , if he should labour night and day with his hands as Paul did , to support himselfe and preach gratis : wheresore he tels him , 2 Tim. 2. 4. That no man that warreth ( a spiritual warfare as he and other Ministers do ) intangleth himself with the affaires of this life ; that he may please or serve him who hath chosen him to be a Souldier . A direct inhibition to Ministers to follow Pauls Precedent ; who cannot serve and please God in their Ministry , if they labour day and night in Mechanick trades for their living . And upon this ground ( which is very observable ) the very Apostles themselves , Act. 6. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Calling the multitude to them , said , IT IS NO [ REASON ( pray marke it ) that we should leave the Word of God and serve Tables ( much lesse worke day and night at a Mechanick trade : ) wherefore br●thren looke ye out seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisdome , whom ye may appoint over this businesse : BVT WE WILL GIVE OVR SELVES CONTINVALLY TO PRAYER , and TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD : And THE SA●ING PLEASED THE WHOLE MVLTITVDE . From which Texts it is clear ,

1. That the Apostles themselves resolve , that they could not exercise the very antient office of a Deacon in serving Tables , and attending on Widowes and other poor , aged , impotent Saints , without neglecting , or giving over preaching of the Word : much lesse then can Ministers labour day and night with their hands at some Trade , to maintaine themselves and Families , without neglecting and desisting the Ministry .

2. That the Apostles and Ministers ought to give themselves wholly and continually to prayer , preaching , meditation , reading , and their Ministeriall duties , and must not therefore attempt or intermeddle with secular Imployments and Callings .

3. That the Apostles themselves have punctually resolved , and all the primitive Christians unanimously assented to it ; that IT IS NOT REASON , that they should leave preaching the word of God , so much as to wait upon Widowes and poor people at their tables : whereupon they elected seaven Deacons to discharge that office . Therefore it is far lesse reason , and they are most wicked and unreasonable men without faith or charity , from which God deliver us , and all his Ministers , 2 Thess. 3. 2. who urge it ) to enforce all our Ministers to neglect and forsake their Ministry , Preachings , Studies now , to follow handicraft Trades to get their livelihood , that so they might preach freely to the people without any recompence .

2. All godly Ministers and people in all ages , and the very Objectors themselves of late years have extremely condemned , censured our Bishops and Prelaticall Clergy , together with Popes , Popish Prelates and Clergy men for intermedling with , and executing civill Offices , Imployments and worldly affaires , which necessitated them to neglect the preaching of the Gospell , and their Ministeriall duties ; whereupon not only many ancient and late Councels , Synods , but Acts of Parliament , have specially prohibited them , to be Privy Counsellers of State , Judges , Justices of the Peace , Lord Chancellers , Treasurers , Keepers of the Privy Seal , Stewards of Courts , Commissioners ; and our very last Parliament by severall late Acts disabled all Bishops from sitting as Peers in Parliament , and them with all other Clergy men , to execute any temporall Office , as y y See Anttqu ; Ecclesiae Brit. p. 138 , to 142. Hoveden Annal. pars posterior . p. 767. 768. 769. incompatible with their spirituall Function and an impediment to their Ministry : according to the old proverbiall verse , Pluribus intentus minor est adsingula sensus . Which I have proved at large by testimonies in all ages , in my Breviate of the Prelates intolerable Vsurpation ; printed Anno. 1637. My Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titus ; and Antipathy of the English Prelacy to Monarchy and Vnity , Anno 1641. Therefore to force our Ministers to become Mechanickes , and give themselves wholly to wordly callings or imployments incompatible with their professions , must needs be an irrationall , unchristian Project , unworthy the profession or professors of the Gospell , not justifiable from Pauls example in them that would enforce it .

3. If this Precedent of Paul be a sufficient argument to prove , that our Ministers ought to worke for their living , and to preach the Gospell freely without any reward or coercive Maintenance ; I shall then by the selfe same reason prove , that all Officers and Souldiers of the Army who make this Objection , and all our publick civill Officers approving it , ought likewise to fight and discharge their Offices without pay or salary , and to worke with their own hands to get their livings , without oppressing the people with any Contributions of Excises to maintaine them .

1. Because Ministers are both of one profession in severall senses , to wit , Souldiers , 2. Tim. 2. 3 , 4. as I have formerly proved : Therefore to fare both alike in respect of pay or hire .

2. Because God records in Scripture , Ezech. 29. 18. That Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon ( even by Gods appointment ) caused his Army to serve a great service against Tyrus ; every head was made bald , and every shoulder was peeled . YET HAD HE NO WAGES , NOR HIS ARMY FOR TYRVS , for the service that he served against it . If Nebuchadnezzar and his Army served God freely against Tyre . WITHOUT WAGES many years ; Should not our present Army and Officers much more serve God and their Country freely without wages ? True it is , God gave them ( after their service fully ended ) not any Taxes or Contributions from their own Country-men or Nation , but the Land and spoyle of Egy●● for their wages , because they ●rought for him , verses 19 , 20. And if our Officers and Souldiers will have such wages , it must only be the Lands and spoyles of forain Egyptian enemies , not our Churches , or Crowne Land or Revenue ( formerly easing the peoples Taxes , and defraying all Garrisons , and ordinary publick expences ) which they now claime and enjoy for Arrears of pay .

3. Nehemiah , both a godly Souldier , Generall and Governour of his people records this for his own honour , and others imitation . Neh. 5. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 17 , 18 , 19. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their Governour in the Land of Judah from the 20. even to the 32. year of Ataxerxes the King ; Even TWELVE YEARS , I AND MY BRETHREN HAVE NOT EATEN THE BREAD OF THE GOVERNOR . But the former Governours that had been before me WERE CHARGEABLE and had taken of them BREAD AND WINE , BESIDES FORTY SHEKELS OF SILVER ; yea even their Servants bare rule over the people ; BVT SO DID NOT I ( marke the reason ) BECAVSE OF THE FEAR OF GOD. Yea , also I continued in the worke of this wall , NEITHER BOVGHT WE ANY LAND ( as many Officers and Souldiers do now ) and all my servants were gathered thither unto the worke . Moreover there were at my Table an 150 of the Jewes and Rulers , besides those that came unto us from among the beathen that were about us . Now that which was prepared for me dayly was one Oxe , and six choyce sheep ; also Fowles were prepared for me , and once in ten dayes store of all sorts of Wine ; YET FOR ALL THIS REQUIRED NOT I THE BREAD ( that is , the allowance , salary and revenue ) OF THE GOVERNOR ( observe the ground ) BECAVSE THE BONDAGE WAS HEAVY ON THIS PEOPLE ( and hath it not for 12. years space , or MORE , and STILL IS AS HEAVY or HEAVIER UPON US ? ) Thinke upon me my God for good according to all I have done for this people . Here was a worthy Governour , Generall , Magistrate and Souldier , really fearing God , and tendering the ease , liberty and welfare of the people , in good earnest , who with all his Officers and Souldiers for 12. years space together , though he and they laboured constantly in building the wall of Jerusalem , and he was at so great expence each day for his own Table , as Governour , yet took no Free-quarter , Bread , Wine , Money , Wages or Salary from the people , as other Governours and Officers before them had done ; and that because of the fear of God , because the bondage was great upon the people ; expecting only a reward from God . I may safer argue from this Scripture Precedent ; Ergo , all our Governours , Generals , Officers , Souldiers fearing God , during all our 12. years Wars , and as long as they and our bondage shall yet continue ; are bound to serve their Country freely without taking Free-quarter , Corne , Wine , Money , wages , contributions or Excises from the people ; and ought not to purchase any Lands ; and by consequence are thereupon obliged in conscience to make restitution of all the Free-quarter , Pay , Lands , Woods , Rents , Rewards and publick Revenues they have received for their pay , arreares , or rewards of service , expecting their reward only from God hereafter . And so much the rather , because z z See a vindication of Sir Will . Lewes A justification of the XI . impeached Members , and their answer to their Charge , printed 1647. Sir William Lewes , Mr. Denzill Holles and Col. Walter Long , 3. of the XI . Members falsely impeached by the Officers and Army : An. 1647. for engrossing much of the publike Treasure , and giving no accompt of what they had received ; were so generous and truely Noble , as in their accompts ( long before passed and allowed by the Commons house ) to demand no pay at all ; the first , as Governour of Portsmouth ; the other as Collonels in the Army under the Earl of Essex ; Mr. Holles refusing to accept of the thousands voted him out of the Kings revenue for recompence of his former wrongfull imprisonment by the King for his Countries good service in Parliament . Whose Precedents their accusers ( at least ) are as far bound to imitate in this kinde , as our Ministers are St. Pauls . Upon which confiderations , I now refer the verity and solidity of this argument from Pauls example to the judgements , consciences of all Officers , Souldiers and others formerly triumphing in it , who upon second thoughts must needs disclaime their own Pay , and Salaries for the future , or else renounce this grand objection as ridiculous and irrationall .

Object . 3 The third Objection is from the 3 Epistle of John vers. 5 , 6 , 7. Where John writes to Gajus ; Beloved thou dost faithfully whatsoever thou dost , both to the Brethren and to strangers : which have born witnesse of THY CHARITY ( or Liberality ) before the Church , whom if thou bring on forward on their journey THOV SHALT DO WELL , because that for his name sake THEY WENT FORTH , TAKING NOTHING OF THE GENTILES . Whence some may inferre ( though I heare not this Text urged by any ) That Ministers ought now to preach the Gospell freely to the people , and to take nothing of them ; because John nentions some such that in his time preached to the Gentiles taking nothing of them .

To which I answer ,

Answ. 1. That this Text questionlesse was meant of Paul ( the Apostle of the Gentiles , and his companions Timothy and Titus , who took nothing of the Corinthians , 2 Cor. 12. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. ) seeing Gajus was not St. Pauls companion sometimes , being converted and baptized by him , Act. 19. 29. & 20. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 14. but expresly styled by him , Rom. 16. 23. Gajus MINE HOST and OF ALL THE CHVRCHES ; living then at Corinth , where Paul preached freely ; to whose Precedent I have given a sull satisfactory answer already .

2. It is evident , that this Gajus ( for some time at least ) lodged Paul and other Brethren ; and was not only faithfull , but charitable and liberall towards them , though the other Corinthians were not .

3. St. John addes , vers. 8. WE THEREFORE OVGHT TO RECEIVE SVCH , that WE MIGHT BE FELLOW HELPERS TO THE TRVTH ; wherein he concludes it to be a duty incumbent upon all Christians , to receive , encourage , accompany and be charitable and liberall to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell , thereby to be fellow-helpers to the truth , which otherwise they shall much hinder . So as this Scripture fully warrants my Proposition , not oppugnes it .

Object . 4 The fourth objection , is the opinion of our famous English Apostle , John Wickliffe , who held Tithes , and Ministers maintenance to be meer almes , whose opinion is largely defended by eminent John Hus , in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments ; Edit. 100. vol. 1. fol. 602 , to 605. Therefore not due to Ministers , but detainable , or payable only at the meer wils of the people , as meer almes to Beggers are , which are arbitrary .

Whereto I answer ,

Answ. 1. That Tithes and Ministers maintenance , are not pure almes , nor so styled , by Wickliffe , Hus , or Augustine , or Chrysastome ( whom Hus citeth ) as if Ministers had no right unto them for their paines , as a just debt , hire or Wages ; or , as if men might detain them at their pleasure ; since we are expresly not only exhorted , but commanded both in the Law and Gospell , to give almes to those that want them , and that as Debters to them so far as our Abilities and their Necessities require , Rom. 12. 10 , 13 , 20. & 15. 27. 1 Cor. 16. 1 , 2. 2 Cor. 8. & 9. throughout . Heb. 13. 16. 1 Tim. 6. 17 , 18 , 19. Ephes. 4. 28. Luke 18. 22 , 23. & 19. 8. Gal. 2. 10. compared with Deut. 15. 4 , to 12. Exod. 23. 11. Levit. 19. Deut. 24. 19. Prov. 19. 19. & 22. 9. & 28. 27. & 31. 20. Eccles. 11. 1. Dan. 4. 27. Yea the Lawes and Statutes of our Land , expresly enforce and compell men to contribute to the Poor as they shall be assessed ; as well as to pay Tithes or Taxes ; as you may read in Rastals Abridgement , and Daltons Justice of Peace ; Title Poor . But they are styled Poore Almes in three other respects .

1. Because , they were originally given by people to the Ministers that mere needy , out of charity and compassion FOR GODS SAKE , as well as for their work sake .

2. Because Ministers after their own wants supplyed , did use to distribute part of them to the poor and needy , as almes , and are obliged still to do it .

3. Because they are poor almes in respect of God , as all other goods of fortune are ; which we both begge and receive from God ; And in this respect they write , evrry man as well Kings as Emperours , as Ministers and Priests , are beggers of God .

2. As they styled Tithes Almes in these respects , so they likewise granted Almes to poore people , and Tithes likewise to be A DEBT ; for every man duly giving almes , DOTH AS HE OUGHT TO DO ; and so he that giveth Tithes .

3. Whereas they alledge , That neither doth Debt utterly exclude the purity of Almes before God : and that it is no. Argument , that if the Curate do performe his corporall Ministry , that he ought therefore to challenge Tithes by any civill title : Because that as well on the behalfe of him that giveth the Tithes , as also in the behalfe of the Curate , every such Ministry ought freely to be given , and not by any civill exchange . I conceive it both a fallacy and errour in them , being a just debt which may be demanded by a Divine and Civill right too , when and where setled by a civill law , though freely to be given to the Minister , without coertion or suit of Law both in point of conscience , and by way of civill exchange too , out of a civill compact or contract .

And thus much in confirmation of the first Proposition , and refutation of all Arguments , I yet know made against it .

CHAP. II.

I Now proceed to the proof of the 2. Proposition , wherein the Hinge and Marrow of the Controversie concerning Tithes is included .

That the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospell ( and of Proposition 2. Places and Houses for Gods publick worship ) by Tithes , Glebes , Oblations ( yea and spoyles won in battle by Generals , Collonels , Captaines and Souldiers ) is not only lawfull and expedient , but the most fitting , rati●nall and convenient Maintenance of all other , warranted by direct Precepts and Precedents , both before and under the Law , which doth no wayes abolish or condemne , but approve and confirme this way of Maintenance .

Before ever the Leviticall or Ceremoniall Law was instituted ; as the godly Patriarchs built Al●ars and Houses for publick worship unto God , Gen. 4. 3 , 4. & 8. 20. & 12. 7 , 8. & 13. 4 , 18. & 22. 9. & 26. 25. & 28. 20 , 21 , 22. & 33. 20. & 35. 1 , 3 , 7. So they likewise gave Tithes to the Priests of God . The very law of Nature , z z Rom. 2. 14 , 15. engraven in their hearts , before any written Morall or Ceremoniall law , dictating thus much to them , That , as there was a God who created them , in whom they lived , moved , and had their being ; so likewise this God was to be solemnly worshipped by them , as well in publick as private ; by way of homage , gratitude , and bounden duty , Psal. 95. 1 , to 8. & 100. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Isa. 17. 7 , 8. Act. 17. 26 , 27 , 28. Which worship of his ( expecially when men multiplyed into great and many families , Villages , Cities , Kingdomes , Republicks ) could not be decently , orderly and constantly performed in publick , without appointing some certain Times and Places of worship ; a a Heb. 5. 1. some certain holy persons and Priests to discharge the publick duties and Solemnities of their worship ; and some convenient certain portion out of their Estates for the maintenance and encouragement of those Priests in the execution of their Office , on which they were to give attendance . Upon which grounds , as the Patriarchs before the Law from the very Creation , ( as b b Dr. Bound , Dr. Twisse , Mr. Sprint , Mr. Bernard , Mr. Palmer , Mr. Caudry and others of the Sabbath : Mr. Dod and others on the 4. Commandement . ●any Divines infer from Gen. 2. 2 , 3. Exod. 6. 22 , to 27 & 20. 11. & 31. 17. Deut. 5. 14. Heb. 4. 4. ) dedicated every seventh day to Gods peculiar worship , by his example and prescription ; so they likewise offered a certain portion of the fruits of their Ground , Fields and Flockes to God in Sacrifice , as a Tribute due to him , by and from whom they received , enjoyed all the rest they had . Whence the Scripture expresly records of Cain and Abel ( the two first borne of the world ) Gen. 2. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. That Cain being a tiller of the ground , brought of the fruites of the ground an offering to God ; and that Abel being a feeder of sheep , he also brought of the firstlings of his flocke , and the fat thereof for an Offering unto the Lord . And as most conceive their father Adam did before them , by whose precept and example they did it : And after them we read , that Noah built an Altar unto the Lord , and tooke of every clean beast , and of every clean fowl , and offered burnt-offerings on the Altar , when he went out of the Arke , Gen. 8. 20. ( which he and his ancesters from the Creation in all probality usually practised , though not specially recorded by Moses , no more then many other memorable accidents and actions , for brevity sake ) . Now these clean Beasts and Fowles which he sacrificed entring into the Arke by sevens : that is , seven of every sort : Gen. 7. 2 , 3. he offered one of each kinde at least ( and so one of seven ) unto God , who consecrated and reserved one day of seven from the Creation to himselfe . What proportion of their goods , Abraham , Isaac and Jacob offered on their erected altars in sacrifice to God , is not expressed , though probably it was such as God afterwards prescribed the Israelites , their posterity , not long after by his written law in Moses time , augmented upon any extraordinary emergent occasion , though never diminished from its usuall rate . And for the Priests encouragement ( directed by the very dictate of Nature and Reason in forming them , That every Labourer was worthy of some competent hire , as Christ resolves Mat. 10. 10. Luke 10. 17. ) they pitched upon c c Gen. 14. 20. & 28. 21 , 22. Heb. 7. 2. 4. the tenth of their encrease and gaines of every kinde , as a competent and fitting allowance , guided therein by divine inspiration ( as is most probable , if not infallible ) it being the self-same proportion , God himself afterwards prescribed and ratifyed by his own written law in the old Testament , and approved in the new , as I shall manifest by these ensuing Scriptures .

1. That Tithes were paid and vowed to God by the religious Patriarchs before the Aaronicall Priest-hood instituted , or Leviticall law given , is undeniable by two Scripture instances : the first of them is thus recorded , Gen. 14. 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. That Abraham returning victoriously from the slaughter of Chederlaomer and the : Kings that were with him ; Melchisedec King of Salem met him , and brought forth bread and wine , and he was THE PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD : and he blessed him and said , Blessed be Abraham of the most high God , possessor of heaven and earth ; and blessed be the most high God , which hath delivered thy Enemies into thy hand . AND HE GAVE HIM TENTHES OF ALL. This History is thus recited and amplifyed in the new Testament , Heb. 6. 20. & 7. 1 , &c. Jesus , made an higb Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec King of Salem , PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD , who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings , and blessed him : TO WHOM ABRAHAM GAVE A TENTH PART OF ALL ; first being by interpretation . King of righteousnesse , and after that also King of Salem , which is King of peace : without Father , without Mother , without descent , having neither beginning of dayes nor end of life , but made like unto the Son of God , abideth a Priest continually . Now consider how great this man was unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham GAVE THE TENTH OF THE SPOYLES . And VERILY they that are of the Sonnes of Levi , who receive the office of the Priest-hood , HAVE A COMMANDEMENT TO TAKE TITHES OF THE PEOPLE , ACCORDING TO THE LAW , that is , of their brethren , though they come out of the loynes of Abraham : But he whose descent is not counted from them RECEIVED TITHES OF ABRAHAM , and blessed him that had the Promises . And without all contradition the lesse is blessed of the letter . And here MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES , but there he [ RECEIVED THEM ] of whom it is witnessed that he liveth . And as I may so say , Levi also WHO RECEIVETH TITHES , PAID TITHES IN ABRAHAM . For he was yet in the loynes of his Father , when Melchisedec met him . If therefore perfection were by the Leviticall Priest-hood , ( for under it the people received the Law ) what further need was there , that another Priest-hood should rise after the order of Melchisedec , and not be called after the order of Aaron ? For the Priest-hood being changed , there is of necessity a change also of Law &c.

I shall draw my Observations and Arguments concerning Tithes from both these Scriptures recited , and then answer the maine ( if not sole ) Scripture objected against Tithes , drawne from the close of the Apostles words .

1. It is undeniable from these Texts , that Abraham the Father of the faithfull , is the first person we read of who gave and paid Tithes , recorded both in the old Testament and new , for his greater honour and the imitation of all the faithfull .

2. That he gave and paid Tithes to Melchisedec , the first Priest of the most high God , mentioned in sacred writ . Who this Melchisedec should be , there is great controversie among the Learned ; some affirming him , to be Sem ; others a Canaanitish King and Priest of that Name , and d d Dr. Griffith Williams of the Incarnation of Christ , in his workes in fol. p. 807 , to 813. Dr. Griffith Williams very probably and strongly arguing him , to be Christ himselfe , then appearing to Abraham in his humane shape . I shall not decide the Controversie : certaine it is , he was either Christ himselfe , or rather a reall Type of Christs and his eternall Priest-hood ; as the Apostle oft resolves .

3. That he was a Priest of a far , ancienter , better and more excellent order , then the Leviticall Priest-hood ; and that this payment of Tithes was long before the Law given by Moses for payment of Tithes to the Leviticall Priests ; and before their order instituted . Therefoore Tithes ar● not meerly nor originally in their nature Jewish or Leviticall , ( as some rashly now averre ) nor eternally abolished as such by Christs incarnation , and Priest-hood , they being originally paid and given , not the Leviticall Priests but to M●lchisedec , who was either Christ himsel●e , or a Type of him and his Priest-hood , not of Aarons .

4. That this Melchisedec , as he had neither beginning of dayes , so he had no end of life , but was made like the Son of God , and abideth a Priest CONTINUALLY ( in e e See Hemingius on the place . respect of the truth he typifyed ) as Christ himselfe doth , of whom he was a Type , who hath an endlesse life ; and because he continueth ever , hath an unchangeable Priest-hood ; and is by the very oath of God , MADE A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC , Heb. 6. 20. & 7. 3 , 8 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 21 , 24 , 25. Psal. 110. 4. Therefore Tithes being first paid to such an everliving , everlasting , unchangeable Priest and Priest-hood , for the execution thereof ; may and ought to continue and abide for ever , as long as the Priest and Priest-hood do : and if so , then Tithes are still due and payabIe to the Ministers of Christ under the Gospell by all the f f Rom. 4. 4 , 16 , 17. & 9 8. Ga. 4. 7 , 8 , 9 , 29. Spirituall seed of faithfull Abraham , as well as he and his Sonnes after the flesh to the Leviticall or Aaronicall Priest-hood whiles in being ) and that in the right of Christ , they being Ambassadors representing his person , beseeching men in Christs stead to be reconciled to God , 2 Cor. 5. 20. 21. Forgiving men in the person of Christ , 2 Cor. 2. 10. and in whose persons Christ himselfe still speaks unto men , 2 Cor. 13. 3. Whence Christ himselfe averres , Verily , verily I say unto you , he that receiveth whosoever I send , receiveth me ; and he that receiveth me , receiveth him that sent me : He that heareth you , heareth me ; ●and he that despiseth you , despiseth me ; and he that despiseth me , despiseth him that sent me , Matth. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. Joh. 13. 20. That what ever is given or paid to them for their Ministry is given and paid to himselfe , Matth. 10. 42. & 25. 35 , to 41. and is a Sacrifice aeceptable and well-pleasing unto God , Philip. 4. 18.

5. That Abraham gave Tithes to Melchisedec for the execution of his Priestly office ; and that not in offring any carnall or Leviticall Sacrifices to God for him upon an Altar , but only for blessing him , and rendring thankes and blessing to the most high God for his victory ; which being one chief part of the Ministers of the Gospels duty still continuing even to blesse the people , and to praise and blesse God for them , and their successes in spirituall and temporall things , Rom. 1. 7 , 8 , 9. & 10. 24. 1 Cor. 1. 3 , 4 , 5. & 16. 23. 2. Cor. 1. 1 , 2. 3. & 9. 10 , 11. & 13. 14. Gal. 1. 2. & 6. 18. Ephes. 1 : 1 , 2 , 3 , 16 , 17 , 18. & 3. 14 , to the end . & 6. 23 , 24. Phil. 1. 2 , 3 , 4. & 4. 20 , 23. Col. 1. 2 , 3 , 9. to 14. & 4. 18. 1 Thess. 1. 1 , 2 , 3. & 2. 13. & 5. 23. 28. 2 Thess. 1. 2 , 3 , 11 , 12. & 2. 13 , 16 , 17. & 3. 18. 1 Tim. 2. 1 , 2. Heb. 13. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 2 , 3 , 4. & 5. 14. 2 Pet. 1. 2. Revel. 5. 12 , 13. as likewise to blesse the Sacramentall bread and wine for their use , 1 Cor. 10. 16. Mat. 26. 26. typifyed , as most hold , by the bread and wine Melchisedec brought forth to Abraham : is a convincing Argument to me , that Tithes are no way Leviticall or Jewish in their primitive institution , or intrinsecall nature , but rather Evangelicall ; and are as justly due and payable by all beleeving sons and children of faithfull Abraham , to the Ministers of the Gospell for blessing them , and praying , blessing , and praysing God for them , and other Ministeriall duties , as they were by Abraham to Melchisedec , for performing the self-same Priestly duties towards him .

6. That the scope of the Apostle in the Hebrews , being to prove the Honour , Dignity and Excellency of the order of Melchisedecs ( and by consequence of our Saviours ) Priesthood above Aarons ; useth this as one demonstration thereof :

1. That he received Tithes of the Patriarch Abraham himselfe , Heb. 7. 2 , 4 , to 11. whereas the Leviticall Priests received Tithes only of their Brethren , that came out of the loynes of Abraham .

2. That even Levi himselfe who received Tithes of his Brethren , paid Tithes in Abraham , ( being then in his Fathers loynes ) to Melchisedec , as his superiour , even as the Levites under the Law paid the tenth of their Tithes to the Priests , as their superiours , Numb. 18. 26 , 27 , 28. And this payment of Tithes to Melchisedec , he recites in the Gospell no lesse then five severall times one after another , insisting longer on it then on any other Argument , to prove the preeminency of Melchisedecs Priest-hood above Aarons . Whence it undeniably followes ,

1. That Tithes are not originally Jewish and Leviticall .

2. That the receiving of Tithes by faithfull Ministers now , is no disparagement , but an honour to their Ministry and function , as well as to Melchisedecs heretofore .

3. That Ministers receiving Tithes now , doth no more prove their Ministry to be Judaicall or Leviticall , then it did Melchisedecs Priest-hood , put in contradistinction to it , and exalted above it by the Apostle , even by the very receiving of Tithes from Abraham . Therefore those Jesuited and Anabaptisticall furies against Tithes , who raile against our Ministers and their Ministry as Jewish and Aaronicall because they receive Tithes , and urge this as a disparagement to their Persons and Ministry , rejecting Tith-receiving Ministers , as Antichristian and unlawfull ; doe herein argue point-blank against the Apostle , and thereby conclude Melchisedecs ( and by consequence our Saviours Priest-hood after the order of Melchisedec ) to be Jewish , Antichristian , dishonourable and unlawfull , because Melchisedec received Tithes , which to do is the highest blasphemy .

7. That the Apostle informes us , that God had never but two orders of Priests in the world .

The first , after the order of Melchisedec in Abrahams dayes ; discontinued under the Law for a time , but revived again in our Saviour Christ , and continuing now for ever in him , compared here to Melchisedec , especially in his Nature , the seat of his Kingdome , the perpetuity of his life , his Sacerdotall blessing and IN THE RIGHT OF TITHES ( as Hemingus on the place observes . )

The second , after the order of Levi and Aaron , abolished and changed by Christ ; and that Tithes were paid and belonged of right to both these orders of Priests , for the exercise of their function by Gods own approbation and appointment ; as a just , fitting , righteous maintenance and reward ; which since they cannot now be paid to Christ himselfe in person , being ascended into heaven , and there sitting at Gods right hand , a great high Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec ; there is great Justice and Reason , they should be still paid to , and be received by his Ministers , whom we have alwayes with us ( as well as the poore ) who are Vicegerents and g g 1 Cor. 4. 1 , 2. Tit. 1. 7. Stewards , with whom he hath promised to be alwayes present to the end of the World , Mat. 28. 20. and that as the properest , justest , best and fitting maintenance of all other , appointed , prescribed by God , and paid by Abraham and all the faithfull , before , under the Law , and is recited , justifyed , allowed , and no wayes condemned or ab●ogated by the Apostle and Gods Spirit under the Gospell . And therefore those who inconsiderately revile and declaime against Tithes as h h See the late Petitions against Tithes . heavy Yoakes , Jewish Burdens , an unequall , unrighteous , wrangling , troublesome maintenance , &c. do herein blasphemously traduce and censure the very wisdome , justice , discretion not only of Abraham , and all the faithfull servants of God , approving and paying Tithes in former ages , but of God himself who prescribed them , and of the Apostle pleading for them , as appertaining to both these orders of Gods Priests for their maintenance .

8. Here is one notable observation for all the Officers and Souldiers of the Army seriously to consider ( and O that God would fix it effectually on their Spirits ! ) That Abraham the Father of the faithfull ( as the Gospell styles him , Rom. 4. 16. ) returning victoriously from the first Warres we read of in the world , gave THE TENTH OF THE SPOYLES taken from the Enemy in the warres , to Melchisedec the first Priest of the most high God we finde in the Word or World , and an expresse type of Christ , our only high Priest , if not Christ himselfe , as some affirme : To teach all Generals , Officers , Souldiers , who professe themselves the Sons or Children of Abraham after the faith , to do the like : And ( which is very considerable ) though this victorious Generall and Souldier was urged by the King of Sodome , to take all the Spoyle and Goods he had taken and rescued from the Enemy to himselfe , and to give him only the persons rescued ; which he magnanimously refused , saying , I have lift up my hand unto the Lord , the most high God , possessor of heaven and earth , that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet , and that I will not take any thing that was thine , lest thou shouldest say , I have made Abraham rich , Gen. 14. 21 , 22 , 23. ( And O that all Commanders and Souldiers now , were as conscionable and just in performing their Oathes , Covenants and Vowes , made with hands lifted up unto the Lord , as faithfull Abraham was ! ) yet he would not renounce , nor give away Gods and the Priests portion upon any condition ; but GAVE THE TENTH OF ALL THE SPOYLE TO THEM , restoring only the Surplusage . And should not our Generals , Officers and Souldiers in these dayes ( who professe and style themselves , the Eminentest and most precious Saints , and spirituall seed of faithfull Abraham ) more really prove themselves such indeed , to God , the World , and their own Consciences , by giving the tenth of all their spoyles and gaines of Warres to God and his faithfull Ministers ( which I never heard one of them yet did ) and making good of their solemne Oathes and Covenants to God , ( whereof this was one clause i i The words of the Solemne League and Covenant . That they shall sincerely , really and constantly endeavour in their severall places and callings , the preservation of the reformed Religion , from utter ruine and destruction agai●st all the treacheries and bl●udy Plots , Cons●iracies , Attempts and practises of the Enemies thereof ; whereof this in present agitation to deprive our Ministers of all Tithes and setled maintenance , is one of the principall , which will ruine our Ministers , Ministry and Religion with them ) as faithfull Abraham really did ; rather then by endevouring what they can ( as t●o many of them do ) TO SPOYLE THEM OF ALL THEIR TITHES , both prediall , mixt and personall , which they have so long enjoyed , not only by a just , civill right and title , confirmed by Prescription , the great Charter and all sorts of Lawes , Statutes and Ordinances in ancient and late times , but likewise by a divine Warrant , from this Precedent of Abraham , in stead of giving them THE TENTH OF THEIR SPOYLES . Which practise , if pursued , as it will infallibly demonstrate them to be no reall Saints or Children of faithfull Abraham ( our Saviour resolving Joh. 8. 39. If ye were Abrahams children , ye would do the workes of Abraham , in paying Tithes as he did ) so it will probably exclude both them , and others guilty of it , out of Abrahams bosome , Luke 16. 22. who will never own nor receive those as his friends or children into his bosome , who are such virulent Enemies to his most commendable Practise , of paying Tithes , even of the very spoyles he took in Warre . With this Argument I have so routed some Officers and Souldiers , that they blushed for shame , had not one word to reply , and gave over further rayling discourses against Tithes , as men quite confounded , and I hope it will have the self-same effect in all others , when they have well advised on it .

That they may have no Evasion from the dint thereof , I shall answer all Cavils I know of to elude it .

Object . 1 The 1. Evasion is this , That this Precedent of Abraham in giving the tenth of the spoyles of Warre is singular and voluntary , not obliging other Souldiers to doe the like , or to devote any of their spoyles to God and his service .

To this I answer ,

Answ. 1. That this practise and Precedent of Abraham , so transcendently eminent for his faith in the old and new Testament , in both which it is recorded ; was undoubtedly written for our imitation and instruction , to do the like , as may be evidenced from Joh. 8. 39. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Rom. 15. 4. 2 Thess. 3. 7 , 9. Heb. 13. 7. 1 Thess. 2. 14. the rather because the Apostle Heb. 6. 12. commands us , To be followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises ; and then presently after instanceth in Abraham , and fals upon his practise of paying Tithes of the spoyle to Melchisedec . Therefore all Christian Generalls , Officers , Souldiers must follow him in paying Tithes of all their spoyles , as well as in faith and patience : his Precedent , having been the originall impulsive ground of all Tithes vowed or paid to Gods Priests or Ministers ever since , of Gods subsequent commands to Abrahams posterity , to pay Tithes to the Priests and Levites under the Law , as the Apostle insinuates Heb. 7. 4 , 5 , 6 , 8. compared together ; and of all Lawes , or Canons since enacted by Christian Kings and Councels for due payment of Tithes to Ministers of the Gospell in Christian Realmes and Republicks .

2. I answer , That this practise of his was frequently pursued by Generals , Officers and Souldiers , in succeeding ages , of which we have very memorable Precedents in Scripture , wherewith I have shamed and confounded Souldiers in discourses with them about Tithes . It is specially recorded Numb. 31. that when the 12000. Officers and Souldiers of the Israelites under the conduct of Phinehas , returned from the slaughter of the Midianites with an extraordinary great booty of all sorts ▪ God gave a speciall charge , to levy a Tribute unto the Lord OF THE MEN OF WARRE THAT WENT OUT TO BATTLE , and to give it to Eleazar the Priest for an heave-offering of the Lord ( which kinde of offerings was Aarons and his Sonnes for ever , from the children of Israel , as a due almes for their service , Exod. 29. 27 , 28. Levit. 7. 32 , 33 , 34. Numb. 18. 24 , 27 , 29. Deut. 12. 11. and is coupled with Tithes as being of the same Nature in the two last of these Scriptures ) which tribute was accordingly levyed : And because the prey was first equally divided between them who tooke the Warre upon them , who went out to Battle , and between all the Congregation , which had the other moity of it ; God out of the Souldiers moity ( the prey being very great ) reserved onely one of five hundred out of the Captives , Beeves , Asses and Sheep , for the Priests , which were but few ; and one of every fifty for the Levites , of the peoples moity ; the Priests share amounting to 675. Sheep , 78. Oxen , 64. Asses , 32. Captives ; and the Levites share tenne times so many . After which tribute levyed , the OFFICERS which were over thousands of the Host , THE CAPTAINES OF THOUSANDS AND CAPTAINES OF HUNDREDS brought an oblation to the Lord , what every man had gotten OF JEWELS OF GOLD ; CHAINES and BRACELETS , RINGS , EAR-RINGS and TABLETS to make an aton●ment for their soules before the Lord , amounting to sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekel● , ( every k k Purchas Pilgrimage p. 132. Genundensis and Godwins Jewish Antiquities shekel weighing halfe an ounce ) Which Eleazet the Priest took of the Captaines of thousands , and of hundreds , and brought it into the Tabe●●acle of the Congregation ▪ FOR A MEMORIALL of the children of Israel before the Lord , Numb . 31. 48 , to the end . Here were self-denying saint-like Officers , Colonels and Captaines indeed , after all the former deductions and tributes out of their spoyle , to bring to the Priest , and offer up to God all their Jewels of Gold , Chaines , Bracelets , Rings , Ear-rings , Tablets and richest plunder they had gotten in the Warres , for the maintenance of his worship ; when our Officers , Colonels , Captaines , Souldiers shall do the like , and pay a tribute of the best of their spoyles to our Ministers , as these by Gods command did to the Priests and Levites , not purchasing Church-Lands and Revenues with them , l l See the Ordinances for ● Augmentations . devoted to the augmentation of our Ministers small Stipends ; we will cry them up for self-denying Saints and Souldiers indeed ; and say , they are no self-seekers . If this Scripture Precedent be not enough , behold a whole cloud of Precedents , imitating them and faithfull Abraham , recorded and united in one memorable text seldome read or taken notice of , 1 Chron. 26. 26 , 27 , 28. Which Shelomith and his Brethren , were OVER ALL THE TREASURES OF THE DEDICATED THINGS , which DAVID THE KING , and the chief Fathers , THE CAPTAINES OVER THOUSANDS and HUNDREDS , and THE CAPTAINES OF THE HOST , HAD DEDICATED : OUT OF THE SPOYLES WON IN BATTLES DID THEY DEDICATE TO MAINTAINE THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ( marke and imitate it O ye Army Officers , Captaines , Souldiers ! ) And all that SAMVEL the seer , and SAVL the Sonne of Kish , and ABNER the Sonne of Ner , and Joab , the Sonne of Zeruiah had dedicated , was under the hand of Shelomith and his Brethren . Here we have examples of all sorts and sizes for our Army Officers and Souldiers imitation .

We have David , a victorious Warrier , Generall , King , and m m Act. 13. 21. Neh. 12. 24. man of God , after Gods owne heart , dedicating the Treasures and Spoyles he took from his enemies in Battles , to the House and service of God , thus more specially recorded for his honour and others practise ; 2 Sam. 8. 11 , 12. And Tol sent Joram his Sonne to King David to salute him , and to blese him , because he had fought against Hadadezer and smitten him , and brought with him vessels of Gold , and vessels of Silver , and vessels of Brasse , which also King David DID DEDICATE TO THE LORD , WITH THE SILVER AND GOLD THAT HE HAD DEDICATE OF ALL NATIONS WHICH HE SUBDUED : Of Syria , and of Moab , and of the children of Ammon , and of the Philistines , and of Amalek , and OF THE SPOYLES OF HADADEZER Sonne of Rehob King of Zobah . Recorded againe in 1 Chron. 18. 2 , to 12. with this addition . And David took the shields of gold which were on the Servants of Hadadezer , and brought them to Jerusal m. Likewise from Tibhath and from Chun Cities of Hadadezer brought David very much brasse , wherewith Solomon made the Brasen-sea , and the pillars of the vessels of Brasse . What the value of the spoyles which he dedicated to God and his service amounted to , himselfe records , 1 Chron. 22. 14. Now behold , in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord AN HUNDRED THOUSAND TALENTS OF GOLD , and A THOUSAND THOUSAND TALENTS OF SILVER , and OF BRASSE and IRON IN ABOUNDANCE WITHOUT WEIGHT : Besides what he dedicated out of his owne proper estate , registred in 1 Chron. 29. 3 , 4.

2. We have Joab n n 2 Sam. 8. 16. 1 Chron. 11. 6. Davids Captaine Generall , the Captaines over Thousands and Hundreds , and the Captaines of the Army , dedicating out of the spoyles won in Ba●tles to the service of the House of the Lord : ( ●nd that in a liber●ll proportion ) even five thousand Talents of gold , and tenne thousand drams ; and of silver tenne thousand Talents , and of brasse 18000. Talents , and one hundred thousand Talents of Iron , besides precious stones , all which they offered willingly with a perfect heart unto the Lord , rejoycing with great joy they had done it , 1 Chron. 29. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. When our Generals , Officers , Colonels , Captaines and Souldiers of the Army , shall imitate King David and his Generals , Colonels , Captains , Officers , and Souldiers in such a liberall contribution of the Jewels , Gold , Silver , Brasse , Iron and Spoyle they have won in Battles , at home and from other Nations , to repaire or build houses for Gods publick worship , and maintaine the Ministers of the Gospell , in stead of seeking to demolish and spoyle those stately Edifices which our pious Ancestors have erected for that purpose , and breaking downe the Carved worke thereof with axes and hammers ; of which David much complaineth , Psal. 74. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. and in lieu of endevouring to devest our Ministers of their remaining Lands , Tithes , Glebes not yet demolished ; all the World will proclaime them , Men after Gods owne heart , and Men of God in truth , like David , and give over censuring them for Sacrilegious Harpyes , more like to Zeba and Zalmunna , then him who said , Let us take to our selves the Houses of God in possession , as David himselfe objects against them , Psal. 83. 11 , 12.

3. Here is Samuel the seer , doing the like , out of his spoyles won in Battle : A precedent for all those Souldiers who will be Sunnes and New-lights to imitate .

4. If the good mens examples be neglected , yet let the Precedents of bad men shame and excite others to this duty : Here are Saul the Sonne of Kish , much talked of and reviled now by many for a Tyrant , the Warrelike King given to Gods people in anger , and taken from them in wrath , as these object now , Hos. 13. 11. ( which I conceive rather meant of Jeroboam the Idolatrous usurper , who made Israel to sinne ; as judicious Interpreters prove , by 2 Chron. 13. 20. compared with 2 Kings 17. 10 , to 24. and the context likewise , which made mention of their Idolatry in kissing the Calves erected by Jeroboam : and speaks only of the Kingdome of Israel , as divided from that of Judah ) yet he as bad as they make him , together with Abner o o 1 Sam. 14 , 50. his chief Captaine ( none of the best of men , as 2 Sam. 3. 7 , 8. discovers ) had so much Piety , Zeal , and Religion in them , as likewise to dedicate part of their richest spoyles of Warre to the maintenance of Gods house and worship . And will it not be a great dishonour to those Generals , Officers , Colonels and Captaines , who pretend themselves the holiest , justest , zealousest Saints , not to be as bountifull towards the maintenance of Gods house and worship , and of their spoyles , as these they brand for Tyrants and ungodly wicked men ? If these Precedents be ineffectuall to work upon any Covetous or Sacrilegious bondmen , let them reflect upon others , who were Idolaters , how neare they came , in their way , to imitate Abraham , David and these forecited . When Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon had taken Jerusalem , ransacked and burnt the glorious Temple there , towards which David and his Captaines contributed so largely out of their spoyles ; he had so much Piety and naturall Religion in him ; as to dedicate all the Vessels of Silver and Gold , which he tooke out of the house of God , to the honour and service of his Idol-gods , and put them in the Temple at Babylon , not converting them to his private or publick Treasury , 2 Chron. 36. 7 , 18. 2 King . 24. 13. Ezra . 1. 7. Which Vessels afterwards being brought forth thence and profanely caroused in by Belshazzar and his Princes , at his great feast , wherein he praysed the gods of Gold , and Silver , of Brasse , of Iron , of Wood , and of Stone ; you may read what fatall judgement presently befell him , to the losse of his life and Kingdome , Dan. 5. These Vessels though a just and lawfull spoyle wonne by Warres , Cyrus King of Persia brought forth out of the house of his Gods , where Nebuchadnezzar had put them , by the hand of Mithredah his Treasurer , and numbred them unto Sheshbazzar the Prince of Judah , when he proclaimed liberty , and gave order to the Israelites to rebuild the house of the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem ; and this is the number of them , thirty Chargers of Gold , a thousand Chargers of Silver , nine and twenty kniv●s , thirty Basons of Gold , Silver basons of a second sort foure hundred and tenne , and other Vessels a thousand : all the Vessels of Gold and silver were FIVE THOVSAND AND FOVRE HVNDRED : all these did Sheshbazzar bring with him from Babylon to Jerusalem for the use and service of God in the Temple there : all these did Cyrus a Heathen King restore by a Decree . Cyrus a Heathen King , restoring them to God and the Temple by a Decree , when will our Army Saints depart with so many Gold and Silver vessels to Gods house ? This Decree was afterwards confirmed by Darius and Artaxerxes his successors , Ezra 1. 4. & 7 15 , 16 , 17. & 8. 24 , to 31. these and their Princes and chief Officers also freely offered and dedicated Silver and Gold besides , amounting to a great value , towards the reedifying of the Temple , and maintenance of the worship and Priests of God there . Moreover , King Artaxerxes makes this Decree concerning these Vessels , The Vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God , those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem ; and whatsoever more shall be needfull for the house of thy God BESTOW IT OVT OF THE KINGS TREASVRE HOVSE : Adding this further Decree , To all the Treasurers beyond the river ; Whatsoever Ezra the Priest shall require of you , let it be done speedily ; unto an hundred Talents of Silver , and to an hundred measures of Wheat , and to an hundred bottles of Wine , and to an hundred bottles of Oyle , Salt without prescribing measure : Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven , let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven ; for why should there be wrath against the Realme of the King and his Sonnes ? Also we certifie you , that touching any of the Priests and Levites , Singers , Porters , Nethinims or Ministers of this House of God IT SHALL NOT BE LAWFVLL TO IMPOSE TOLL , TRIBV●E OR CVSTOME VPON THEM : and whosoever will not do the Law of God and the Law of the King , let judgement be executed speedily upon him , whether it be unto death , or to banishment , or to confiscation of goods , or to imprisonment ; Ezra 7. 11 , to 27. The storie of Cyrus and Darius , concerning the building of the Temple and restitution of these Vessels , is very remarkeable , and thus recorded , Ezra 6. 3 , to 13. Let the house be builded , the place where they offered Sacrifices , and let the foundation thereof be s●rongly l●id , the height thereof threescore Cubits , and the breadth thereof threescore Cubits ; with three rows of great stones , and a row of new Timber ; and LET THE EXPENCES BE GIVEN OVT OF THE KINGS HOVSE . And also , let the Golden and Silver Vessels of the house of God , which N●buchadnezzar tooke forth out of the Temple which is at Jerusalem , and brought unto Babylon , be RESTORED and BROVGHT AGAINE INTO THE TEMPLE which is at Jerusalem , every one to his place , and place them in the house of God . Now therefore Tatnai governour beyond the river , Shethar-boznai and your companions the A●harsachites which are beyond the river , be ye farre from thence : Let the worke of the house of God alone , let the Governours and the Elders of the Jewes , build the house of God in his place . Moreover , I make a Decree , what ye shall do to the Elders of these Jewes , for the building of this house of God ; that of the Kings goods even OF THE TRIBVTE beyond the river , forthwith expences be given unto these men , that they be not hindred . And that which they shall have need of both young Bullocks , and Rams , and Lambs , for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven , Wheat , Salt , Wine , Oil , according to the appointment of the Priests which are at Jerusalem , LET IT BE GIVEN FROM DAY TO DAY WITHOVT FAIL ; that they may offer Sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven , and pray for the life of the King and his Sonnes . Also I have made a Decree , that whosoever shall alter this word , let timber be pulled down from his house , and being set up , let him be hanged thereon , and let his house be made a dunghill for this . And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there , DESTROY ALL KINGS and PEOPLE THAT SHALL PVT TO THEIR HAND TO ALTER and DESTROY THIS HOVSE OF GOD , which is at Jerusalem : I Darius have made a Decr●e , let it be done with speed . If these three Heathen Kings and Conquerors were so zealous to restore the Vessels of Gold and Silver , amounting to so great a number and value , to the House of God at Jerusalem ; to contribute so literally towards the reedifying of it out of their owne Tributes , Treasures and Revenues wonne by Warre and Conquest ; to allow them Bullocks , Rams , Lambs , Wheat , Wine , Oile , Salt , and all other necessaries for dayly Sacrifices ; to furnish the Priests and Levites with all Necessaries ; to exempt them all the Officers of the Temple from paying any Toll , Tribute , Tax or Custome , which it was not lawfull for any Officer to lay upon them , under the severest penalties , and to enact such severe Lawes , and passe such bitter imprecations against all such as should oppresse or hinder the worke , or seek to destroy or deface the Temple of God : Oh how should this inflame all Generals , Officers , Souldiers , who professe themselves the choysest Christians , and eminentest Saints , to imitate and equall them in all these particulars now ? Else how will they shame , confound and rise up in judgement against all such of these and all others , who in stead of restoring the Gold and Silver Vessels , Lead , Iron , Timber , Stones , they have taken from the Temples of God , and repairing those Churches they have demolished and defaced , providing necessaries for Gods wouship , and exempting his Ministers from Toll , Tribute , Taxes , Custome , endevour to make a prey and spoyle of all our Churches , Chappels , Church Vessels , Ornaments , Glebes , yet remaining , and oppresse our Ministers with endlesse Taxes , Tributes imposed on them without their consents against all former Lawes and Precedents to their utter ruine , and in stead of paying them the tenths of their own Lands and spoyles of Warre , endevour to spoyle them of those Tithes which all others pay them . Of whom Hemingius thus complaines in his Commentary on Gal. 6. 6. p. 375. Quid dic●mus de illis , qui Ministros Evangelii necessario victu spoliant ? Quid de illis qui IMMODERATI● EXACTIONIBVS tantum non eos interf●ciunt , ut multi honesti meriti cum suis uxoribus et liberis cogantur quod●mmodo mendicare ? Ho●um sane factum nihil differre arbitror A SACRILEGIO & LATROCINIO , cujus poenas olim cens●nt Architecti et fabri hujus mali .

To these Scripture Precedents of H●ath●n ▪ Warriours , I might adde the practise of many Idolatrous Pagan Nations , who out of the very dictate of Nature gave the tenth of their warlike spoyles to their Idol-Gods and Priests ; which because Mr. Selden writes at large in his History of Tithes , where all may peruse them , I shall only give you the summe of them in learned Grotius his words in his Booke De jure Belli et Pacis , l. 3. c. 4. sect. 1. p. 454. By this Law Abraham , out of the Spoyles which he had taken from the five Kings , gave A TEN●H TO GOD , as the Divine Authour to the Hebrews , c. 7. 4. explaines the History extant in Gen. 14. By WHICH CUSTOME THE GRECIANS ALSO WITH THE CARTHAGINIANS and ROMANS DECI●AM DE PRAEDA SACRAVERVNT , CONSECRATED A TENTH OF THE PREY TO THEIR GODS , as to APOLLO , HERCULES , IOVE . And should not Christian Generalls , Officers , Captaines and Souldiers then much more do it now to God and his Ministers from this Precedent of father Abraham , in stead of robbing them of their Tithes ? If any should object that these were old Testament , and Heathen Practises ; Let them remember , that Abrahams , is more particularly related and frequently mentioned in the new Testament then old ; the old relating in generall , that he gave Tithes of all ; ( which relates to all his substance , as well as spoyles ) and the new Testament applying this generall to the TENTH OF THE SPOYLES , Heb. 7. 4. as Mr. Selden , Grotius and others observe . But to hedge up this starting hole so as none may creep out of it ; we have one memorable Precedent in the new Testament , coming very neare to this of Abraham , Luke 7. 2 , to 11. Where we read of a certain Centurion ( or Collonel ) a man of no small authority , who had SOVDDIERS VNDER HIM ; and said unto one one Goe , and he geeth ; and to another , Come , and he cometh ; and to his servant , Do this , and he doth it : This Centurions servant , who was dear unto him , being sick and ready to die , when he heard of the fame of Jesus , he sent unto him the Elders of the Jewes , beseeching him that he would come and heal ▪ his Servant : and when they came to Jesus they besought him instantly , saying , That HE WAS WORTHY FOR WHOM HE SHOVLD DO THIS : ( And why so ? ▪ ) FOR he loveth our Nation , and HATH BVILT VS A SYNAGOGVE : Whereupon Jesus went with them , and healed his servant ; marvelling at the Centurions words , and turning about a●d saying unto the people that followed him , I have not found so great faith , no not in Israel . This great Centurion and Commander was no Jew , but a Gentile , and one who but newly heard of Christs name and fame ; yet he had so much Piety and Bounty , as out of his very Spoyles and Gains of Warre ( for we read of no other Lands or Gains he had ) to build a Synagogue for Gods worship ; which the Elders of the Jews , and Christ too , approved as a worthy act , and sufficient inducement for our Saviour to goe with him and cure his servant . O that all our Centurions who have Souldiers under them , and exceed or equall him in Command , would imitate and equall this Gospell Centurion , in his Pious munificence , in stead of contriving how to deface Temples , Churches , Synagogues , to abolish Tithes , and ingrosse Church Lands and Livings into their own hands , and then should they receive as large Encomiums of the reality and transcendency ▪ of their Faith , Piety , and Charity from men , as he did from our Saviour , and the Elders of the Jewes , for building this new Synagogue .

I shall only adde , for our Souldiers and Officers better Information ; that from the example of Abraham , approved in the new Testament , both Divines , Councels , Canonists , and Casuists , have unanimously resolved , That Souldiers ought to pay personall Tithes to Ministers out of their very Militia , pay and spoyles of Warre . This was St. * * Sermo. 219. Tom. 10. Augustines Doctrine , DE MILITIA , de negotio , de artificio redde Decimas : recited , practised , and long since prescribed here in England , in the excerptions of Egbert Archbishop of Yorke a a Spelman . Concil. p. 268. about the year of our Lord , 750. recited and confirmed by Gratian in his Decrees , Causa . 16. qu. 1. f. 381 , 382. By all the Canonists and Glossers on his Text : by A●gelus de Cl●vasio , in his Summa Angelica , Tit. Decima : by Hostiensis , Summa Rosella and other Summists and Casuists , in their titles of Tithes , and ratifyed by the Synod of Lingore , An ▪ 1404. apud Bochillum Ecclesiae Gallicanae lib. 6. Tit. 8. c. 31. p. 967. This many excellent Christian Commanders , Officers , Souldiers have in severall ages performed , as Histories record . I shall ( for brevity ) instance but in one domestick example , and that a memorable one , King William the first ( whom we usually style the Conqueror , though he never claimed the Crown by Conquest , but b b Ingulph H●st . p. 899 , 900 , 901. Will . Malmesbur . De Gestis Regum Angl. l. 2. p. 93. Hen. Huntindon Hist. l. 8. p. 307. Hoveden Annal ▪ pars prior . p. 448. 449. & pars posterior p. 608 , 609 , 610. Verstegan Restitution of decayed Antiquities ; accord herein , and Math. Westm . An. 1059. p. 426. only by the last Will , Testament and Donation of King Edward the Confessor in his life time with the assent of his Nobles ( who was educated with and preserved by him , during his exile and seclusion from the Crown by the Danish usurpers ) and as COUSIN and HEIRE to Edward the Confessor , as he styled himselfe in the very c c Spelman . Concil. p. 619. Title of his Lawes : He having vanquished and slain the perjured Vsurper Herold ( who set the Crown upon his owne head , and made himselfe King without any Title or due Election , against his solemne Oath to Duke William , made to him in Normandy , which he pretended to be forced ; ) in d d Mr. Camd●ns Britannia p. 317. Mr. Seldens notes to Eadmerus p. 165. where the Charter is recorded : and most of our Historians in the life of King William . Speeds History p. 451. thankfulnesse to God for this his victory whereby he gained possession of the Crown ; out of the Spoyles and Gaines of his Warre , erected a Magnificent Church and Abbey , to the glory of God and St. Martin ( which he called De Bello , or Battle Abbey ) in that very place where Herold was slaine and this battle fought ; which likewise he endowed with large possessions , Tithes and most ample Priviledges by his Charter , and therein offered up to God HIS SWORD , and the royall robe which he ware the day of his Coronation , there reserved as a Monument as well of his Piety as Victory .

After which this pretended Conquerer e e Hoveden Annalium pars p●sh ●io , p. 6●1 6●● 〈◊〉 Selden ad ●a●●em●n Not● p. 171 , 172 , 17● . Spel●●●●●●cil Tom. 1. p. 619 ▪ I●●ulpin ●ist ▪ p. 914. in the f●urth year of his reigne by the Councell of his Barons , through all the Counties of England caused 12. men of the most Noble , wise and skilfullest in the Law , to be sunm●ned out of every Shire , that he might learn th●ir Lawes and Customes from them ; and gave them this Oath , That proceeding in a right path , without deel●ning to the right hand or the left , to the best of their power , they should make known to him the Customes and Sanctions of their Lawes , pretermitting nothing , adding nothing , and altering n●thing in them by prevarication : which they accordingly performing ; a●d King William intending to alter the Law only in one particul●● according to the Lawes of Norway , from wh●nce he and his N●●●●ans desee●ded ; all the Barons and Grand English Enquest w●o presented him their Lawes on Oath being much grieved at it , unanimosly besought him , that he would permit them to enjoy their pr●pe● Lawes and ancient Customes under which their Fathers lived , and themselves had been borne and educated , because they deened it very hard for them to receive unknown Lawes , and to judge of those things they knew not , importunately beseeching him for the sou● of King Edward ( WHO HAD GRANTED TO HIM THE CROWNE and KINGDOME AFTER HIS DEATH , and whose Lawes they were ) that he would not compell them to persevere under the Lawes of any Forainers , but their owne Country Lawes alone . Wherefore the King taking advise , consented to the request of his Barons , confirming all their Lawes and Customes in Parliament without any alteration or diminution , as they presented them . Whereof this is the very first Law concerning the preservation of the Churches rights , and Scholars from rapine .

f f Hoveden ib●d. p. 601. Scld●●i ad Eadm●rum Notae p. 173. Every Cleargy-man , and likewise all Scholars , and all their Goods and Possessions , wheresoever they are , shall enjoy the Peace of God and of holy Church , free from all forfeiture and Seisure ; and if any shall lay hands on that which Mother Church shall require , LET HIM RESTORE THAT WHICH HE SHALL TAKE AWAY , and likewise one hundred shillings in the name of a sorfeiture , if it be from an Abby , or Church of Religion ; and 20. s. if it be from a Mother Parish Church ; and 10. s. if it be from a Chappell . After g g Hoveden ibid. p. 601. 602. Spelman . Concil. p. 619 , 620. Lambardi Archaion . which follow 6. other Lawes concerning the Churches peace and priviledges ; and then these two Lawes concerning TITHES .

Of the TITHES of the Church . Of all Corne the tenth Sheaf is given to God , and therefore to be paid . If any shall have a ●erd of Mares , let him pay the tenth colt ; he who shall have onely one or two , let him pay a penny for every colt . Likewise he who shall have many Kine , let him pay the tenth calfe ; he who shall have but one or two , let him pay a penny for every calfe : and he who shall make cheese , let him give the tenth to God , and if he shall make none , the milke every tenth day : Likewise the tenth Lambe , the tenth Fleece , the tenth Butter , the tenth Pig .

Of BEES and all lesser TITHES . In like manner also of Bees , the tenth of the profit , and also of Wood , of Meadowes , Waters and Mils , and Ponds , and Fishings , and Copses , and Orchards , and Gardens , and Negociations ( wherein Souldiery and all other Professions are included ) and all things which the Lord shall give THE TENTH PART IS TO BE TENDRED TO HIM WHO GIVETH THE NINE PARTS TOGETHER WITH THE TENTH : And he who shall detain it SHALL BE COMPELLED TO RENDER IT BY THE JUSTICE OF THE BISHOP , and OF THE KING IF NEED BE : For these things St. Augustine hath prea●hed and taught , and THESE THINGS ARE GRANTED BY THE KINGS and BARONS and PEOPLE . But afterward ( let our Tith oppugners , and detainers marke who is their originall Tutor ) BY THE INSTINCT OF THE DEVILL , many have detained Tithes ; and rich negligent Priests do not care to prosecute them because they had sufficient necessaries for their life ; for in many places now there are three or four Churches , where at that time was only one , and so they began to be diminished .

This is that William the Conquerour , whom our Officers , Souldiers ( with the Levellers and Anabaptists ) most virulently reproach and raile against in their Discourses , and silly ignorant scurrilous h h Royall Tyranny discovered : A defiance against Arbitrary usurpation . Englands Birthright ; and many late Pamphlets else . Pamphlets , for an Invader , Vsurper , ROBBER , TYRANT and subverter of our native Lawes and Liberties , &c. when as he claimed the Crowne onely by Gift and Title , confirmed all our ancient Lawes and Liberties Civill and Ecclesiasticall , without any alteration or diminution ; put never a Noble man or other person to death who rebelled or tooke up Armes against him all his reign , but such who were actually slain in Battle ; was the gallantest Souldier , and best Justiciary of any in his age ( as some i i Will . Malmesbury De Ge●tis Regum Angl. l. 2. p. 93. &c. and Naucl. Speeds History p. 451. Daniel in his Life . Historians then living attest ) and not only much devoted to Religion , frequenting the Church both morning and evening , but likewise very industrious and bountifull to promote it , honouring and richly endowing the Cleargy that lived according to their rule and profession , but being very rough and hard hearted to the licentious and scandalous , degrading his own Vnkle Malgerius Archbishop of Rhoan , and many English Bishops for their dissolute lives ; founding no lesse then three Churches and Abbies of chief note ( whereof that of Battle was one ) endowing them with large Possessions and Priviledges ( according to the piety of those times ) out of his Conquests , and confirming all the Clergies Tithes , Rights , Priviledges by the recited Lawes . If those Officers and Souldiers who now pretend themselves Conquerers , and us a Conquered ( or cousened ) Nation , will really imitate his Justice , Piety , Bounty , in these recited particulars ; no man will thenceforth bestow such reproachfull termes , of Invaders , Vsurpers , Robbers , Tyrants , Subverters of our Lawes , Liberties , &c. as they do usually on this first Norman King ; but repute them reall Saints , and Patrons of Religion , Ministers and the Church , yea Sonnes of faithfull Abraham , who gave the tenth of the Spoyles of war to God ; whose example , with all the rest here recited , in justice and conscience rather obligeth them to imitate his and their footsteps ( as the premises evidence ) then to spoyle our Ministers and Churches of their Tithes and Materials . And so much in Answer of the first Evasion , respecting our Army Officers and Souldiers only .

Object . 1 The second Evasion of Abrahams Precedent , is made by Country Farmers , Tradesmen , and their Advocates : who alleage , That Abraham gave the tenth only of his spoyles gained in Warre to Melchisedec , but not of his Corn , Wine , Cattle and other Goods ; therefore this example bindes only Souldiers to pay personall , but not them or any others to pay any such prediall , mixt or personall Tithes , as now they do by coercive Lawes and Ordinances , against Law and Gospell .

To which I answer ,

Answ. 1. That the expresse words of Moses Gen. 14. 20. are : And he gave him Tithes OF ALL. Which being universall , not confined by him to the spoyles taken in War , must be taken and intended in the largest sense , that is , of all his Substance , or Encrease , as well as of the spoyles then wonne .

2. The Apostle reciting the History Heb. 7. 2. useth the self-same generall expression : To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part OF ALL , without restraining it to the Spoyles of Warre : which must be intended in the best and liberallest sense , for Tithes of all his Substance and gaine , being mentioned both to expresse his Piety and Bounty . True it is , the Apostle in the 4. verse useth this expression , V●to whom the Patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the Spoyles ; which some oppugners of Tithes , would have to be the Interpretation of the two former universall phrases ; Tithes of all : But the Spoyles being not Abrahams all , nor in truth any part thereof , he refusing so much as to take a thred or shoe-latchet thereof to his own use , Gen. 14. 23 , 24. and the word all , being not so much as once used in the latter clause , which recites , he gave the tenth of the ( not all the ) Spoyles ; and the two first generall expressions , necessarily including in them the tenth of the Spoyles ; I conceive the latter expression is rather a particular specification of one memorable thing he paid Tithes of in a new case not formerly happening , even of the Spoyles taken in this first Battle he ever waged , or any other that we read of ( included in the generall ) rather then a full comprehensive exposition of all that is or was intended , by the Tenth , or Tithes of all , in the two precedent Texts .

3. It is most probable , that Abraham paid Tithes of all his owne substance to Melchisedec , as well as of the Spoyles ; there being the self-same if not a stronger ground , for him to pay Tithes of all his other goods , as of these casuall Spoyles , out of which no constant maintenance could be raised for any Pastor or Minister , as there might be out of the Tithes of his Cattle and Substance encreasing every year . Now Tithes being intended for the Priests and Ministers constant Maintenance by God and Man , and this Precedent of Abraham , recorded for that end ; we cannot without an absurdity restraine his paying Tithes of all , only to the Spoyles then , and then only unexpectedly gained from the enemy by Abraham , and offered to the right owners ; but , of the Tithes of all his Substance principally , whence a constant livelihood for the Priest could only arise , and of the Spoyles of Warre only by reason of his occasionall meeting of Abraham here returning from the Warres , and blessing him at that time .

4. This president of his , was in all probability the ground of Gods appointing Tithes , by a speciall Law , for all the Priests and Levites MAINTENANCE amongst the Israelites , Abrahams Posterity , and the Apostle intimates as much , Heb. 7. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. &c. that they receive Tithes of their Brethren in the same manner by the Law , as Melchisedeck did of their Father Abraham . Now they received Tithes of Corn , Wine , Oyle , Cattle and all sorts of herbs and fruits , for their standing Maintenance and Inheritance too ; Num. 18. 20. to the end , Levit. 27. 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34. Deut. 14. 22. 28. Therefore it is most probable , if not infallible , that Abraham paid Tithes of all those things which the Levites and Priests afterward received from their brethren to Melchisedeck ; and not of the spoiles alone , out of which no certain Maintenance could be raised , not specified there in these generall precepts concerning Tithes .

5. The Apostle arguing the natural justice of Ministers maintenance , Rom. 15. 27. and 1 Cor. 9. 11. useth this expression . If we have sowen unto you spirituall things ( in the plurall number ) is it a great matter if we shall reap your CARNAL THINGS , in the plurall number too ; and such things as seem commonly to grow and multiply ; as the word reap imports . And Gal. 6. 6. he useth this general precept . Let him that is taught in the word , communicate to him that teacheth IN ALL GOOD THINGS : Therefore to restrain Abrahams giving Tithes of all , onely to the Spoiles ; and not to all his carnal and Good things , is a very improper exposition , dissonant from the scope and sense of these parallel Texts , which seem aptly to interpret it .

6. The very Pharisee in the Gospel , boasting of his Justice and Piety , used this expression , parallel with that of Abraham , Luke 18. 12. I GIVE TITHES OF ALL THAT I POSSESSE ; and to confine Abrahams giving Tithes of all ; to the Tithes onely of the Spoiles , and not to extend it , with the Pharisee ; to all that he possessed besides ; is to make this Father of the Faithfull , lesse righteous , and liberall than this hypocriticall Pharisie .

7. That which seems to put all out of question , is the parallel Text of Gen. 28. 20 , 21 , 22. Where Jacob after his travelling vision , makes this vow to God , even before the Levitical Law for Tithes , If God will be with me , so that I come again to my Fathers house in peace ; Then shall the Lord be my God , and this stone which I have set up for a pillar , shall be Gods house : and OF ALL THAT THOU SHALT GIVE ME , I WILL SURELY ( without diminution or substraction ) GIVE THE TENTH UNTO THEE : When should godly Jacob take his pattern of surely giving the Tenth of all ( not of Spoiles alone ) that God should give him unto God ; but from the practice of his Grand-father Abraham , who gave Melchisedeck the Tenth of all God gave him , as well as of the Spoiles ; Honoring God with ALL HIS SVBSTANCE and increase : according to that precept of Solomon ( having relation to his practise and this Vow of Jacobs ) Prov. 3. 9. Honour the Lord with thy Substance , and with the first fruits of ALL THY INCREASE . And so much in refutation of this second Evasion which some armed men much urge .

The Third Objection , which some would make fatall to all Tithes under the Gospel , is from the close of the Apostles Ob. 3. forecited words : Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed , there is also a necessity of a change of the Law , &c. From whence William Thorpe ( one of our Martyes ) thus reasoned against Tithes , and others now , k k Fox Acts & Monuments vol. p. 700. Saint Paul saith , That Tithes were given in the old Law to Levites and to Priests , that came of the linage of Levi ; but our Priests come not of the linage of Levi , but of Juda , to which Juda no Tithes were promised to be given : And therefore Paul saith , since the Priesthood is changed from the generation of Levi to Juda , its necessary that changing also be made of the Law : So that Priests live now without Tithes and other Dues that they claim , following Christ and his Apostles in wilfull poverty , as they have given them example .

Answer . I Answer 1. That the Apostle in this , and the three following Chapters , concludes and proves by sundry Arguments , That the Leviticall Priesthood and the Ceremonial Law , given the people under Moses ( the 1 1 See Hemingins and others on this place . Covenant of this Preisthood ) were both changed and abolished by Christ , and his everlasting Priesthood , shadowed to us by them ; and by consequence the maintenance of the Levitical Priests by Sacrifices offered by them at the Altar , and first fruits and Tithes themselves , so far as they were Ceremonial , prescribed by the Ceremonial law , for the maintenance only of these abolished Levitical Priests and Levites ; which is all this Scripture proves , when pressed to the uttermost . But can any rational man hence conclude ; The Levitical Priesthood , the Ceremonial law , and all the tithes and maintenance due to the Jewish Priests and Levites by this Law are abolished by Christ , a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck , to whom Tithes were due and paid by Abraham , before this law and Priesthood instituted : Therefore all Tithes and maintenance due and paid to Melchisedeck , and in him to Christ , and the Ministers of the Gospel under him , are eternally abolished as Jewish and Levitical ? Surely this is a mad inference , both besides and against this Text ; from which all Orthodox Protestant Commentators , as well as Papists and Jesuites , conclude the quite contrary , and learned Nicholas Hemingius in his Commentary on it , p. 805. thus determines . It is subjoyned , that Melchisedeck received Tithes from Abraham , which tithes Abraham verily gave of his own accord , following without doubt THE CVSTOME OF CONQVERORS ( Let our Conquering Officers and Souldiers observe and do the like ) WHO WERE WONT TO CONSECRATE THE TENTHES OF THEIR SPOILES TO THEIR GODS , OR TO GIVE THEM TO THEIR PRIESTS . But THIS COLLATION OF TITHES , nullo meliori Jure Christo Sacerdoti debetur ; IS DUE BY MUCH BETTER RIGHT TO CHRIST OUR PRIEST ; WHO AS HE GIVES ALL THINGS TO US OUT OF MEER BOUNTY ; ita vicissim illi non solum Decimas , verum omnia nostra debemus ; SO WE OWE TO HIM AGAIN , NOT ONLY TITHES , BUT LIKEWISE ALL WE HAVE . Whether the Objectors or Hemingius speak most Gospel Divinity and Reason from this Text , let every Christians conscience judge .

2. The Apostles words concerning the change and abrogation of the Ceremoniall Law , hath no reall coherence with or relation to the precedent discourse , concerning payment of Tithes to Melchisedeck and the Levites ; recited onely to prove the dignity and excellency of Melchisedechs Priesthood above Aarons ; and of the Leviticall Priests and Levites above their Brethren , from whom they received Tithes . The ●orce of the Argument , reduced into a Logicall form , being thus . He who receives Tithes for the execution of his Priestly Office , is better and greater than he who payes Tithes ; But the Patriarch Abraham himself , the very Father of the Faithfull , and Prince of the Fathers , paid Tithes to Melchisedech ; and likewise the Leviticall Priests ( then in his loins ) in and by him ; who yet receive tithe of their Brethren , but not of their Father Abraham 〈◊〉 Melchisedech : Therefore Melchisedech is better and greater than their Brethren who paid them Tithes . And by consequence , Christ being a Priest for ever after the order of Mclchisedech , who was but a type of him , must be better and greater than Abraham : ( John 8. 55 , 56. ) or the Leviticall Priests , or than Melchisedech himself , who did but typifie him . This excellency and precedency of Christs Priesthood before Aarons , he proves by other Arguments drawn from Melchisedech , not pertinent to our present businesse , after which he largely argues the change and abolition of the Leviticall Law and Priesthood by Christ , ( a theam of a different nature from the former ) to which the objected words refer ; therefore the totall and finall abolishing of all Tithes , to which these words have no relation , can never be inforced from them ; being ratified by the former clause , as appurtenances to Christs everlasting Priesthood , as well as to Melchisedechs ; and therefore as due to his Ministers under the Gospel , as to any Priests and Levites under the Law , which were likewise Types of Christ , the true high Priest expiring at and by his death .

3. The Priests and Levites under the Law had Cities , Glebes and Houses settled on them for their habitation , and Cattle , as well as Tithes , by the Ceremoniall Law , for their better maintenance and accommodation ; and that in a large proportion , Levit. 25. 32 , 33 , 34. Numb. 35. 1. to 12. Josh. 21. 1. to 43. 1 Chr. 6. 54. to the end , chap. 9. 10. to 35. 2 Chron. 11. 13 , 14. Ezra 2. 70. Neh. 11. 26. chap. 13 , 10. Ezec. 45. 1. to 6. ch. 4 , 8 , 9. to 15. If then this Text proves the Totall Abolition of all our Ministers Tithes , root and branch , as Jewish ▪ and Antichristian ; as some impudent Scriblers and Petitioners against them , now affirm : It likewise proves , the abolition of all their Rectories , Glebes , Houses likewise , as well as of their Tithes , as Jewish and Antichristian : And so Ministers of the Gospel now shall neither have Tithes nor Globes to support and feed them or their fami●ies and Cattle ; nor yet so much as an House wherein to lodge and put their heads ; and be inforced to complain as our Saviour once did of his forlorn condition , Matth. 8. 20. and Luke 9. 58. The Foxes have holes , and the Birds of the air have Nests , but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head . A condition to which some Jesuiticall , Anabaptisticall and Athiesticall , uncharitable beasts of Prey , worse than any Foxes or Harpies , would now gladly reduce all our faithfull Ministers and their Families , whiles some of them Lord it , and lodge themselves in our Kings , Princes , Bishops , Deans and Chapters new acquired royall Palaces ; and not content therewith , would spoil all our Ministers of their more contemptible Glebes and Rectories , to enrich themselves and their Posterities , and make our Ministers like our Saviour in his voluntary Poverty . They may with as much Justice ( like the hard-hearted bloudy Jews and Souldiers ) even m m Mat. 27. 35 ▪ Luke 23. 32. to 46. Joh. 19. 18. crucifie them on crosses , between such thieves as themselves , to make them like our Saviour , even in his voluntary sufferings ; as part their Gl●bes , Lands and Rectories among them , and cast Lots upon their vestures , even before their death , when as the Soldiers who crucified our Saviour , did not part his raiment amongst them , nor cast Lots on his vesture till after his crucifixion by them , * * John 19. 23 ▪ 24. Mat. 27. 35 , 36. there being as much Authority Conscience , Law , Justice , Reasen for the one as other : seeing none by any Laws can lose or forfeit their Lands and Livelyhood , but such who first forfeit their Lives to publick Justice .

4. The Israelites were enjoyned by the Leviticall Law , Deut. 12. 17 , 18 , 19. chap. 14. 26 , 27 , 28 , 29. to harbour and entertain the Priests , & Levites within their gates , and not to forsake them as long as they should live upon the earth , and freely to permit and invite them to come , and eat , drink , feast , rejoyce , and be satisfied with them and their Families before the Lord ; as well as to pay them Tithes . But this Law ( as they argue ) is now abolished by Christ with the Priesthood ; Therefore when our Ministers are stript of all their Tithes , Glebes , Rectories , Houses , by our new Reformadoes ; it must be Jewish and Antichristian for them or any others so much as to lodge , entertain , or give them any thing to eat or drink within their gate● , or so much as to admit or invite them to a Feast , or meat within their Houses ; and then they , with all theirs and other poor widows and orphanes , must all presently starve and perish by these mens new Gospel Light and Charity , because Hospitality and Alms to such are Leviticall and Jewish , abolished with the Leviticall Law and Priesthood ; which abolished all Charity and Humanity out of the world , as well as out of these Tith-Oppugners hearts , if this their Objection be Orthodox Gospel truth .

5. Meer Freewill Offering and voluntary unconstrained Contribution were prescribed by the Leviticall and Judiciall Law , both for and towards the Maintenance of Gods Priests , and worship of the buildding , and repairing of the Tabernacle and of the Temple afterwards , towards which the godly Kings , Princes , Generalls , Captains , Officer , Souldiers , and all the pious people of God contributed most joyfully , liberally , and in such abundance upon all occasions , that they gave far more then was sufficient ; and thereupon prohibited by speciall Proclamation to give or bring any more ( as in the case of Materialls of all sorts , for the building and furniture of the Tabernacle of the congregation ) and of the Temple , towards which many Heathen Kings , and their Officers contributed freely , and the very cap●ive Jews , Exod. 35. 20. to 30. chap. 36. 2. to 9. Levit. 22. 18. 21 , 23. chap. 23. 38. Num. 15. 3. chap. 29. 39. chap. 31. 48. to the end , 1 Chron. 26. 26 , 27 , 28. chap. 22. 1. to 17. chap. 29. 1. to 17. 2 Chron. 24. 4. to 15. chap. 27. 3. chap. 29. 3. to 20. 31. chap. 34. 8. to 15. Ezra 1. throughout , and chap. 3. 5. chap. 7. 16. chap. 8. 28 , 29. Therefore Ministers under the Gospel must not be maintained , nor Churches and Houses for publick Assemblies built or repaired by Free-will offerings , and voluntary contributions , being Leviticall , Jewish and so abandoned ; and if not by Tithes nor forced Rates as they alledge , then the Ministers must utterly starve , and all our Churches fall to sudden ruine , as many now do . And is this Gospel Saintship and Christianity ?

6. The Priests and Levites by the Leviticall Lew , were prescribed what wives they should marry and what not . Levit. 21. 7. to the 14. will it therefore follow ( as the Papists Votaries conclude ) Therefore Ministers of the Gospel must not marry , and must all now be divorced from their wives , as well as from their Tithes and Benefices , because the Leviticall Law is abolished , and Priests wives Jewish aswell as their Tithes ? Our beastly Ranters then may seize upon Ministers , aswell as the bruitish Anabaptists and Swordmen on their Tithes and Glebes .

7. The seventh day Sabbath it self , though prescribed by a n n Exod. 20. 8 , 9 , 10. Deut. 5. 19. Morall Law was in some sense ceremoniall , and enjoyned by o o Exod. 31. 14 , 15 , 16. c. 35 , 2. 3. Levit. 24. 8 ▪ Num. 28. 9 , 10 ▪ Deut. 5. 14 , 15 ▪ Levit. 23. 3. ceremoniall Laws too ; and therefore ( as p p Dr. Bound , Dr. Twisse . Dr White , and others , of the Sabbath . Bishop Andrews , Mr. Downham , Mr. Cleaver , Mr. Dod on the fourth Commandement , and all other Commentators on it . most affirme ) abrogated by Christs death as Jewish , as to the precise seventh day from the Creation , and the Jewish rigidities and Sacrifices on it ; will it therefore follow that it is Jewish and unlawfull for Christians under the Gospel , to observe the Lords day every week , and render unto God the same weekly proportion of time for publike worship , as the Jewes did , or to keep any publike Fasts , or Feasts to God at all , as the Jews by the Leviticall Law were bound to doe ? If so , then farewell all Lords-dayes , Fasts , Feasts , publike Assemblies for Gods worship , Ministers , Churches , ( God himself together with them ) aswell as Tithes , and let Gain of Money be the onely Deities hence forth adored among us , as the Motto stamped upon our our new State-coyn , GOD WITH US : and most mens practises sadly proclaim to Gods dishonour , and Religions intolerable defamation . These Answers , I presume , will for ever satisfie or silence these Objectors , with q q His second voice from the Temple . John Canne , their new Champion , who may now discern their grosse mistake , and learne this for a general certain truth : That whatever is not in its own nature and Originall , meerly Jewish and ceremonial , & hath a kind of naturall justice ▪ equity , conveniency , morality or necessity in it , and had a divine originall or institution before the ceremoniall Law given , or the Leviticall Priesthood instituted ; That thing , though afterwards given , limited or prescribed to the Levitical Priests or Israelites by a generall or speciall Levitical Law-abrogated by Christ , doth neither cease its being , nor become unlawful in its primitive , or proper use unto Christian Ministers or Believers under the Gospel , by the abolishing of the Leviticall Law and Priesthood , but may , and must necessarily be continued , practised , and perpetuated among them without the least sin , scandall , or Judaisme , according to its owne primitive institution or naturall , necessary , divine , moral or civil use ; else Bread , meat , drink , wines , clothes , religious Sabbaths , Fasts , Forts , Edifices and Assemblies for Gods publike worship ▪ Houses , Hospitality and Charity to Ministers , or poor distressed Saints and People , ( yea , reading , prayer , preaching of the word of God , and Magistracy and Government it self ) should be utterly unlawfull unto Christian Ministers and People , aswell as Tithes ; because given or prescribed to be used by the Leviticall Priests & Jews , by the Leviticall Law . And seeing meat , drink , food , raiment , Lands , Houses and a competent proportion of all worldly necessaries are as simply needfull for the preservation and subsistence of the Ministers of the Gospel and their Families now , as for the Priest● and Levites before and under the Law , or all other sortes of men in the world , who cannot live without them : And Tithes , Lands , Houses , both before and under the Law , were originally given to and setled by God and Men upon Priests and Levites first , and Ministers since , not as meer Types , Shadows or Ceremonies , but as a just , fitting , convenient recompence of their Labour , necessary Livelyhood , habitation , refidence for them and their Families , and to provide them meat , drink , Books , clothes , and other necessaries to live by : Why our Ministers under the Gospel should not still enjoy them in this kind and Nature , without the least shadow of Judaisme , aswell as Melchise dec before the Law , or the Jewish Priests and Levites under it , or their Predecessors before them , even from the first settlment of the Gospel amongst us , or aswell as any other Men , or the Objectors do their Lands , Goods , Houses , and the other nine parts of their Tithes encrease , for their livelihood and subsistence , transcends my capacity to apprehend , and the ability of all armed or unarmed Enemies of Tithes or Glebes to demonstrate from Scripture , Law , Reason , or the objected abused Text , over-longinsisted on , to clear it from all ignorant or wilfull wrestings . And so much for the payment of Tithes by Abraham , and vowing them by Jacob , before the Law , to justifie the lawfulnesse and continuance of them under the Gospel , against all cavilling Exceptions .

Secondly , I shall make good the Proposition from the Maintenance of the Priests and Levites by Glebes , Tithes , and Oblations under the Law , urged as the strongest , if not only Reason against them : and thusform my Argument .

That which God himself , who is infinitely and onely wise , just and holy , did by his special Laws and Edicts institute and prescribe , as the most expedient , equal , fit , just , rational and convenient maintenance of all other for his own Priests and Levites to receive and take from his own People ( when once setled in the promised Land ) for the execution of their function , must questionlesse be , not onely a lawfull , but the most expedient , equal , fit , just , rational and convenient maintenance of all other for his Ministers of the Gospel to receive , and take from all believing Christians in any setled Christian Kingdome , State , Church under the Gospel ; especially , if he hath neither positively prohibited this kinde and way of maintenance , nor specially prescribed any other way or kind of setled maintenance for them in and by the Gospel .

But God himself , who is infinitely and r r Rom. 16. 2● ▪ Psal. 147 ▪ 5. Isa. 45. 2● . Zeph. 3. 5. Acts 3. 14. Josh. 24. 19 ▪ Isa. 6. 3. Rom 4. 3. cap. 15. 4. onely wise , just , and holy ; did by his speciall Laws and Edicts institute and prescribe Houses , Lands , Glebes , Tithes , and Oblations , as the most expedient , equal , fitting , just , rational and convenient maintenance of all other for his own Priests & Levites to receive and take from his own people , when once s●tled in the promised Land , for the execution of their Functions ; and hath neither positively prohibited this kinde or way of maintenance , nor specially prescribed any other way and kinde of settled maintenance for them in and by the Gospel .

Ergo , It must questionlesse be , not onely a lawfull , but the most expedient , equal , fit , just , rational and covenient maintenance of all other for his Ministers of the Gospel from all believing Christians in any setled Kingdom , State , Church under the Gospel .

The Major , I suppose no rational Christian can or will deny , except he thinks himself ( as King Alphonso , the proud Atheistical self conceited Astronomer did ) more wise , just , holy than God himself ; and abler to carve out a more expedient , equal , just , fitting , rational and convenient maintenance for Gods Priests , Levites , Ministers , than God himself hath done ; and dare bid defiance to the Gospel precept . Eph. 5. 1. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children : The Minor I shall thus confirm in order .

1. That God did by special Laws and Edicts institute and prescribe Cities , Suburbs , Lands , Houses , Glebes for the Priests and Levites habitation , and the better maintenance of them and their Cattle , and that in a liberal proportion , is apparent by Num. 35. from 1. to 12. where we finde recorded , That the Lord spake unto Moses in the plain of Moab , by Jordan neer Jericho , saying , COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL THAT THEY GIVE VNTO THE LEVITES OF THE INHERITANCES OF THEIR POSSESSION , CITIES TO DWELL IN ; and ye shall give also unto the Levites SVBVRBES FOR TEN CITIES ROVND ABOVT THEM . And the Cities they shall have TO DWELL IN , and the suburbs of them , SHAL BE FOR THEIR CATTLE , and FOR THEIR GOODS , and FOR ALL THEIR BEASTS . And the suburbs of the Cities which yee shall give unto the Levites , shall reach from the wall of the City and outward , A THOVSAND CVBITIS ROVND ABOVT . And ye shall measure from without the City on the east side two thousand cubites , and on the south side two thousand cubits , and on the west side two thousand cubits , and on the north side two thousand cubits , and the City shall be in the midst ; this shall be to them the suburbs of the Cities . And among the Cities which ye shall give unto the Levites , there shall be six Cities for refuge , which ye shall appoint for the Manslayer , that he may fly thither ; and to them ye shall adde FORTY and TWO CITIES . So all the Cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight Cities , them shall ye give with their Suburbs . And the Cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the Children of Israel : from them that have many , ye shall give many ; and from them that have few , ye shall give few : Every one shall give of his Cities , according to his inheritance which he inheriteth . This positive just command of God was given before the Israelites entrance into , and conquest of the land of Canaan : And this further positive law then likewise made against the sale and alienation of these Glebes and Possessions . Levit. 25. 32 , 33 , 34. Notwithstanding the CITIES OF THE LEVITES , and THE HOUSES OF THE CITIES OF THEIR POSSESSION , may the Levites redeem AT ANY TIME , which others could not doe , v. 30 , 31. And if a man purchase of the Levites , then the House that was sold and the City of his possession shall go out in the year of Jubile ; for the houses of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel : but the field of the Suburbs of their City may not be sold , for it is their perpetuall Possession . After this , when the land of Canaan was fully conquered by the Israelites and divided amongst the Tribes by bounds and limits : we read , Josh. 21. 1. to 43. Then came near the heads of the Fathers of the Levites unto Eleazer the Priest , and unto Joshua the son of Nun , and unto the heads of the tribes of the Children of Israel ; and they spake unto them at Shilo in the land of Canaan , saying , THE LORD COMMANDED by the hand of Moses ( in text forecited ) To give us Cities to dwel in with the Suburbs thereof for our cattle . And the children of Israel Gave unto the Levites , at the commandment of the Lord ( mark it all enemies of our Ministers , Rectories , Lands , Glebes and Maintenance ) these Cities and their Suburbs . Then follow the Names and Places of the Cities allotted to the Levites proportionably out of every tribe , and how they were divided by Lot amongst them : which you may read in the text it self , over large to transcribe : After which ensues this close of the story , v. 8. 41 , 42. And the children of Israel gave by Lot unto the Levites these Cities and their Suburbs , as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses , all the Cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel , Were fourty and eight Cities , with their Suburbs : These Cities were every one with their Suburbs round about them : These were all the Cities . In 1 Chron. 6. We have a recitall of the sons and Families of Levi , and the Office of the Priests and Levites , with the names of all the Cities and Suburbs allotted to them out of every Tribe , agreeing with this of Joshua , where those who please may read them at their leisure . These fourty eight Cities and their Suburbs ( as some conceive ) amounted to the tenth , or at least twelfth Part of the Cities and Land of Canaan ; the Priests and Levites according to their number , enjoying in proportion as large a share of the promised Land , as any of the other Tribes for their Habitation and Glebes : besides their Tithes , first-Fruits , Offerings and other Dues .

All which ( as s s In his Sermon . April 17. 1608. in defence of the Honourable Function of Bishops . ) Dr. George Downham , and t t In his Pilgrimage , l. 2. c. 7. p. 133. the first Edition . Mr. Samuel Purchas observe ) amounted to a far greater proportion for the maintenance of that small Tribe , than all the Bishopricks , De●neries , Benefices , Cathedrall and Colledge Lands , Revenues , Glebes , Tithes , and whatsoever Ecclesiasticall Profits and endowments of the Clergy , and Schollers in our whole Kingdome and Nation . After this , when the Temple of Jerusalem was built , where the Priests and Levites were to wait in their severall Courses successively , by Davids appointment ( 1 Chron. chap. 23. to chap. 27. 2 Chron. 8. 14 , 15. chap. 23. 8. and ch. 13. 10 , 11. chap. 29. 4. chap. 31. 2. chap. 35. 2. Levit. 1 5 , 8 , 9. ) they had Houses , Churches , Lodgings provided for them at Jerusalem , near the Temple , ( where some of them constantly dwelt and attended ; ) and likewise for the Tithes , first-Fruits and oblations brought thither to them , 1 Chron. 9. 10. to 35. chap. 23. 28. chap. 28. 11 , 12 , 13. 2 Chron. 2. to 13. Ezra 8. 29. Neh. 10. 37. 38 , 39. chap. 12. 44 , 45 , 47. chap , 13. 4. to 15. Ezech. 40. 4. to 45. ch. 42. 1 ▪ to 19. ch. 44 19. ch. 46. 19. These Cities , Suburbs , Habitations , Churches , the Priests and Levites constantly enjoyed without interruption , till the revolt of the ten Tribes from Rehoboam : and Jeroboam the usurper erected two Golden Calves in Dan and Bethel , to keep the people from going up to Jerusalem to worship God there , out of carnall fear and suspition , saying in his heart , now shall the Kingdome return to the house of David , if the people go up to Jerusalem to do Sacrifice in the House of the Lord there ▪ THEN SHALL THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE TVRN BACK AGAIN TO THE LORD , even unto Rehoboam King of Judah , ●nd THEY SHALL KILL ME , and GO AGAIN TO REHOBOAM KING OF JVDAH , 1 Kings 12. 26. to 33. and then we read 2 Chron. 11. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16. The Priests of the Levites that were in all Israell resorted to Rehoboam out of all their Coasts ; For the Levites LEFT THEIR SVBVRBS and THEIR POSSESSIONS , and came to Judah and Jerusalem ; for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from executing the Priests Office unto the Lord , and he ordained him Pr●ests for the High Places , v 1 Kings 13. 33. c. 13. 33. 2 Kings 17. 32. of the lowest of the people , and for the Devils , and the Calves which he had made : which King Abijah warring with him after his Fathers death , when he claimed the right of his usurp●d Crown , they objected against him , and the revolted Tribes , 2 Chr. 13. 4. to 14. Hear me thou Jeroboam and all I●rael : ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the Kingdome over Israel to David for ever , even to him and to his Sons by a Covenant of Salt ? Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat , the servant of Solomon , the Son of David , is risen up , and hath rebelled against his Lord . And there are gathered unto him vain men , the children of Beliall , and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the Son of Solomon , when Rehoboam was young and tender hearted , and could not withstand him . And now ye think to withstand the Kingdome of the Lord , in the hand of the sons of David , and ye be a great multitude , and there be with you Golden Calves , which Jeroboam made you for Gods . Have ye not cast out the Priests of the Lord , the Sons of Aaron and THE LEVITES , and have made you Priests after the manner of the Nations of other Lands ; so that whosoever cometh TO CONSECRATE ●IMSELF , with a young Bullock and seven Rams , the same may be a Priest of them that are no Gods ? But as for us , the Lord is our God , and we have not forsaken him ; and the Priests which minister unto the Lord are the Sons of Aaron , and the● Levites wait upon their businesse : &c. For we keep the Charge of the Lord our God ; but ye have forsaken h●m : And behold God himself is ●ith us for our Captain , and his Priests with sounding ●rumpets , to cry allarum against you . The issue of this A●●eisticall policy , and Sacrilegious deprivation , or Spoliation of Gods Priests and Levites of their Suburbs , Possessions and Ministry by Jeroboam and his Sons ; is very remarkable .

1. It brought ruine upon his whole Army , though double the number of Abijah his host , of whom they had a great advantage by an ambushment ; God himself smiting him and his host , so that they fled before Judah , and Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter , so that there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men , 2 Chron. 13. 13. to 20. The greatest slaughter in battle , that ever we read of in Sacred or prophane Stories before or since .

2. It brought Captivity on his Adherents who were brought under at that time , pursued , and had their wives taken and plundered , v. 18 , 19.

3. It brought this misery and fatall Judgement on himself v. 20. Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the dayes of Abijah ; And the Lord strook him and he dyed .

4. It became sin to the house of Jeroboam , even to cut it off , and to destroy it from the face of the earth , 1 Kings 13. 33 , 34.

5. It made all the succeeding Kings of Israel professed Idolaters , and most of them bloudy Murtherers , Usurpers , Persecutors , and produced perpetuall successive civill warres between Judah and Israel , 1 Kings 14. 30. chap. 15. 6 , 7 , 16 , 32. 2 Chron. 28. 4. to 12.

6. It brought finall captivity , ruine & desolation in conclusion to the whole Kingdome of Israel , and the ten revolting Tribes , 2 Kings 17. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. where this sad story is recorded . And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel , and afflicted them , and delivered them into the hand of spoilers , untill he had cast them out of his sight . For he rent Israel from the house of David , And they made Jeroboam the Son of Nebat King , ( of which God thus complains , Hos. 8. 4. They have set up Kings , but not by me , they have made Princes and I knew it not ) and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord , and made them sin a great sin : for the children of Israel walked in all the sinnes of Jeroboam which he did , they departed not from them , untill the Lord removed Israel out of his sight , as he had said by all his servants the Prophets : So was Israel carried away out of their own Land to Assyria , TILL THIS Day ; when as the Kingdome of Judah x x Dr. usher . ●●nales Eccles. veteris Testamenti . continued above 156 years after in Davids royall posterity , enjoying Gods , Priests , Levites , Prophets and Ordinances , till their captivity for their sins , in mocking , abusing his Messengers , Prophets , and despising his words , 2 Chron. 36. 16 , 17. And then y y See the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah . after 70 years captivity , were restored again to their Countrey , reedified Jerusalem and the Temple ; and with them , the Priests , and Levites returning from bondage , were restored likewise to their Cities and Glebes ( of which the Kings of Judah never deprived them , as Jeroboam and his Sons , and the Kings of Israel , who were all Idolaters did ) whence thus we read Ezra 2. 70. So the Priests and the Leaites , and the Singers , and the Porters , the Nethinims DWELT IN THEIR CITIES , and all Israel in their cities ; Thus seconded , Neh. 11. 18 , 20. All the Levites in the holy city were 284. and the residue of Israell , OF THE PRIESTS and LEVITES ▪ were in all the cities of Judah , Every Man in his Inheritance , and Neh. 13. 10. The Levites and Singers that did the work , were fled every one TO HIS FIELD . In the Prophesie of Ezechiel ( written during the Jews Captivity , in the Land of the Chaldeans , Ezech. 1. 1 , 2 , 5. ) prophesying of the reedifying of the Temple , and of the dimensions and whole fabrick thereof , chap. 40. 1. to 45. we find frequent mention of holy Chambers therein , provided for the Priests and their vestments . And chap. 45. 1. to 5. God enjoyns the Israelites by him upon their restitution to their own Land , when they should divide it by Lot for an Inheritance ; That they should offer an holy portion of the Land , an oblation unto the Lord : the length thereof twenty five thousand reeds ; and the breadth ten thousand ; This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about . Of this there shall be for the Sanctuary 500 reeds in length , with 500 in breadth square round about ; and fifty cubits round about for the Suburbs thereof . Then he addes : The holy Portion of the land SHAL BE FOR THE PRIESTS the Ministers of the sanctuary ; which shall come neer to minister unto the Lord , and it shall be a place for their Houses , and an holy place for the Sanctuary . And the 25000. of length , and 10000. of breadth , Shall also the Levites , the Ministers of the House have for themselves , for a possession for twenty Chambers . In the 47. Chapter verse 13. to the end of the Prophecy , he writes of the bounds and division of the land of Canaan ( after their restitution ) according to their several tribes , in relation to imitation of the bounds and division of it formerly made and recited by Joshua : out of which there was a special portion reserved for the Priests and Levites , as there was in Joshua's division fore-cited : Thus expressed , Ezech. 48. 8. to 15. And by the order of Judah , from the east side unto the west side , shall be the offering , which they shall offer of 25000. reeds in breadth , and in length as one of the other parts , from the east side unto the west side ; and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it : The oblation ye shall offer unto the Lord , shall be of 25000 in length , and 10000 in breadth : And for them , even for the Priests shall be this holy Oblation ; toward the north 25000 in length , and toward the west 10000 in breadth ; and towards the east 10000 in breadth , and towards the south 25000 in length , and the sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the midst thereof . It shall be for the Priests , that are sanctified , of the sons of Zadock , which have kept my charge , which went not astray , when the children of Israel went astray ( after Jeroboam and his calves ) as the Le●ites went astray . And this oblation of the land that is offered , shall be unto them a thing most holy by the order of the Levites . And over against the border of the Priests the Levites shall have 25000 in length , and 10000 in breadth : all the length shall be 25000 , and the breadth 10000. And they shall not sell of it ; neither exchange , nor alienate the first fruits of the land , for it is holy unto the Lord .

From all these Scriptures ( here recited at large for the Readers fuller satisfaction , conviction , and ease in turning to them ) these conclusions undeniably arise ,

1. That the Priests and Levites had by Gods speciall command and precept ( oft repeated ) both Cities , Houses , Suburbs , Lands , Gl●bes de●igned to and settled on them by their brethren out of all the other tribes of Israel for their habitation , and the feeding of their Cattle , Goods , Beasts , and that in a very large and bountifull proportion . And likewise necessary and convenient houses , chambers , and lodgings neer the Temple , when first built , and when reedified afterwards , which refutes the common errour of those ignorant Simpletons and illiterate New-Lights : who from Numb. 18. 20. Deut. 10. 9. chap. 18. 1 , 2. The Priests , the Levites , and all the tribe of Levi shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel : they shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire , and his inher●tance : Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren , the Lord is their inheritance , as he hath said un to them ; Conclude : That the Priests and Levites amongst the Israelites , had no cities , houses , lands , suburbs or possessions of their own belonging to their Office , and were expresly forbidden by God to receive or enjoy any among their brethren : And hence inferre ; That Ministers of the Gospel ought not to enjoy any Rectories , Houses , Lands or Glebes : Whereas all the forecited Scriptures directly record the contrary , and the meaning of these seeming repugnant texts , is onely this , z z Heylins Cosmography , p. 564. That they should have no inheritance amongst their Brethren in such sort and manner as they had ; set out altogether in one parcell by Joshua and the rest who divided the land amongst the tribes by Lot ( which would have hindred them from their duties ) but only a subsequent assignment of certain cities , houses and suburbs scattered and divided one from another , in and out of every tribes inheritance ; that so they might perform their offices with more ease , and be alwaves ready at hand to teach and instruct the people upon all occasions .

2. That the inheritance of the cities , houses and suburbs , which they enjoyed , should not be reputed their own proper inheritance , though they enjoyed the possession and profits thereof , BUT GODS INHERITANCE , as a thing devoted and dedicated unto God ; and therefore stiled by Ezechiel , an Oblation unto God , and an holy portion ; as a a See Spelmanni Concil. Ingulphi Historia : Mathew Westminster , Antiquitates Eccles. Brit. M. Seldens History of Tithes , and our Kings & others ancient Charters of Donations to Abbies and Churches . Histories , Divines , Common , Civil and Canon Lawyers stile all our Rectories , Church lands , and Glebes , with the Charters that first setled them , being given and consecrated DEO ET ECCLESIAE , an oblation unto God , and the Church .

3. That these endowments & Glebes of theirs , were called and reputed , Gods own Portion and Inheritance . 1. Because given by his specia● command and appointment by all the tribes .

2. Because originally consecrated and devoted to God and to his Priests and Ministers onely in Gods right , and for his sake .

3. Because given to promote Gods worship , and for an habitation and support to Gods own Priests and Levites , imployed wholy in his immediate service .

4. That they were expresly prohibited to be sold , exchanged , or alienated by the Priests , Levites , or any others ; because they were given unto God , as an holy Portion and Oblation , and to the Priests and Levites for a perpetuall possession , whose inheritance was onely in God himself : And therefore not possible to be justly and lawfully sold , exchanged or alienated by the Priests , Levites , or any other mortal Powers whatsoever , who could claim no power , right , property or disposing interest in or over them against Gods own Soveraigne and sacred title .

5. That these Cities , Suburbs , and Glebes , were ratably set out in and by every tribe in an equal proportion , according to the multitude or paucity of their Cities , as a Tenth of their Cities and lands , to which their 48 Cities and Suburbs amounted , as some probably conceive . And yet besides these 48 Cities , there were Houses and Schools of Prophets and Prophets children ( in nature of our Universities ) in Bethel and in Jericho 2 Kings 2. 3 , 4 , 5 , 7. to 24. chap. 6. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. which were none of these 48 Cities .

6. That none of the Kings and Princes of Judah , though many of them were Idolatrous , wicked , and put to great extremities to raise moneys to pay their Armies , and Tribute to forreigne Invaders and Conquerors , did yet ever attempt to sell or alienate the Cities , Suburbs , or revenues of the Priests and Levites to maintain their wars , or pay publike Debts or tributes , though King Asa , Jehoash , Hezekiah by way of Lone ) made bold with the Silver and Gold in the treasure of the Lords house , in cases of publike extremity ( which might be afterwards paid ) 1 Kings 15. 18. cap. 18. 15. 2 Chron. 16. 2. Yea , the scripture expresly records , that in the great famine in Aegypt , when all others sold their lands , to buy bread , to King Pharo●h , ONLY THE LANDS OF THE PRIESTS BOLIGHT HE NOT : For the Priests had a Portion assigned them of Pharoah , and did eat their portion which Pharoah gave them , wherefore THEY SOLD NOT THEIR LANDS , Gen. 47. 20. to 27.

7. That the Idolatrous usurper Jeroboam , out of a carnal feare and policy to keep the people from returning to their rightfull soveraign , and establish the crown on himself and his Posterity , was the first man we read of , and his Idolatrous sons and successors after him , who cast out Gods Priests and Levites out of their offices , and then , out of their Cities , Suburbs and Possessions , which he enforced them to desert , ( though we read not , that they sold them to maintain their Warres or pay Soldiers arrears ) who thereupon repaired to Jerusalem , to Rehoboam the right heir , and after them out of all the tribes of Israel , such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel , came to Jerusalem to enjoy Gods Ordinances , and strengthen Rehoboam and his kingdom , against this persecuting usuper , 2 Chro. 11. 13. to 18.

8. That this casting out of the Priests and Levites from their Offices and Possessions , and making Priests of the lowest of the People , and suffering every one that would to consecrate himself a Priest without a lawfull call , is objected against Jeroboam by Ahijah as a very high crime , and provocation against God ; and the maintaining and encouraging of Gods lawful Priests and Levites in their Offices and setled possessions alledged by him as a certain argument of Gods presence with a King and people , and of victory and successe in conclusion , against sacrilegious Usurpers .

9. That when Gods lawfull Priests and Levites are deprived of their Glebes and Possessions , we must presently expect , a base , contemptible , time-serving , Idolatrous , ignorant Priest-hood , Jeroboams Golden Calves , with their new Feasts and Sacrifices , and a universal inundation of Idolatry , wickednesse , prophanesse to ensue , with all the forementioned calamities , which befell Jeroboam● Army , adherents , subjects , Person , Family , Kingdome : which the Lord now set home on all our hearts , that we may never be guilty of such a sacrilegious , ruinating , God-provoking , Realm-destroying , Church-subverting practise in the least degree , as some would now perswade us to , in stripping our Ministers of all their Gl●bes , Rectories and setled maintenance at one blow , ( which even Pharoah himself , and godly Joseph refused to do towards the very Idolatrous Priests of Aegypt , allowing them an extraordinary daily portion to preserve their Lands from sale in time of famine , Gen. 47. 22 , 26. whereto they have as lawfull , as just , as Divine a right , as these Priests and Levites had to their Cities , Suburbs , Houses and Possessions , as I shall prove anon .

2 , That God onely wise did by speciall Laws and Edicts institute and prescribe Tithes , as the most expedient , equitable , fitting , just , rationall and convenient Maintenance and Reward of all other for his own Priests and Levites , is undeniably proved by Levit. 27. 30. 31 , 32. Deut. 12. 17. 18 , 19 , 31. chap. 14. 22. to the end . chap. 26. 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. Num. 18. 21. to 32. Neh. 10. 37 , 38 , 39. chap. 12. 44. chap. 13. 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. Prov. 3. 9. 2 Chron. 31. 3. to 15. Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 10 Luke 18. 12. Heb. 7. 5 , 8 , 9. which Texts all may read at leisure , and are needlesse to transcribe at large , this truth b●ing confessed by all Opposites to Tithes , who hence condemned them as Jewish and Ceremoniall Rites now abolished . That which I shall observe from them , is briefly this .

1. That the payment of Tithes to the Priests and Levites , was positively prescribed by Gods speciall Precepts and Commands , frequently recited .

2. That Gods own People were specially commanded by him to pay Tithes of the seed and increase af all their Land ; of all Corn , Wine , Oyl , Fruits , yea , of Garden Herbs , Seeds , Matth. 23. 3. Luke 11. 42. and likewise of the increase of all their Cattle , Herds , Flocks .

3. That God gave these Tithes , and all the tenth in Israell , to the Priests and Levites for an Inheritance , as a due Reward for their Service which they serve , even the Service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation ; which all Israelites else were p●ohibited to come into , or do Service in , Lest they bear their Sin and dye ; And this was to be a Statute for ever throughout their Generations . Numb. 18. 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 31. Heb. 7. 5.

4. That All the Tithes of the Land , Seed , Fruit , Herbs , Flocks , and of whatsoever Annuall increased , or passed under the Rod , are expressely said to be the Lords , to be holy unto the Lord , consecrated unto the Lord , and an Heave-offering unto the Lord , which he gave unto the Priests & Levites , for an inheritance , Levit. 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33. Num. 18. 24. 2 Chron. 31. 6.

5. That God enjoyned all the Israelites , Truly to tithe all the Tithes of their Increase and not to eat or embesle , detain or exchange any of it , especially for the worse , Deut. 14. 21. chap. 12. 17. Leuit. 27. 33. Mal. 3. 8. And if any man would redeem his Tithes , he was to give the full price , and adde a fifth part over to it . Levit. 27. 31.

6. That all these Tithes were to be brought by the people to the places and Treasuries appointed for them , ( the Corn ready threshed , winnowed , and the Wine , Oyl , Fruits in Vessels ) at the peoples own costs , without any trouble to the Priests or Levites , and if the place , whither they were to be brought , was too far off , then , that they called the second Tithe , ought to be turned into money by the Owner , and the money paid to the Priest and Levites in lieu thereof . Deut. 12. 17 , 18 , 19. chap. 14. 22. to 28. chap. 26. 12 , 13 , 14. 2 Chron. 31. 6. 12 , 13 , 14. Neh. 10. 38 , 39. chap. 12. 44. chap. 13. 5. to 12. Amos 4. 4. Mal. 3. 10.

7. That the detaining of these Tithes from the Priests and Levites was a great sin and Sacrilegious robbing of God himself , accompanied with his Curse , and punished with scarcity , barrennesse , devouring locusts , blasting of the fruits of the earth , &c. Mal. 3. 8. 9. 10. ( a place worthy the saddest consideration of all Tith-Oppugners and Substracters ) Will a man rob God , yet ye have robbed me : But ye say , Wherein have we robbed thee ? In Tithes and Offerings : ( Here is the Sacrilegious Sin ; pray mark the just deserved punishment ▪ ) Ye are cursed with a Curse : For ye have robbed me , even this whole Nation ( what this Curse was , follows ) THE DEVOURER , ( that is , devouring Creatures , as Locusts , Caterpilla●s , Palmer-worms and Canker worms , and the like ) did destroy the fruits of their Ground , their Vines did cast their Fruit before their Times in the Field ; And God blasted and destroyed all their Corn and fruits with blasting and Meldew , and Hail ; A●os 4. 9. Joel 1. 4. yea ; They sowed much and brought in little ; they did eat , but had not enough ; they did drink , but yet were not satisfied with drink : they did cloth themselves , but there was no warmth : and he that earneth wages is to put it into a bag with holes . They looked for much , and lo it came to little , and when they brought it home , God did blow upon it ; yea , the heaven over them was stayed from Dew , and the earth was stayed from her fruits , and God called for a drought upon the Land , and upon the Mountain●a , nd upon the Corn , and upon the new wine and upon the Oyl , and upon that the ground brought forth , and upo● Men and Cattle , & upon all the labour of their hands : when one cam● to an heap of 20 measures , there were but ten ; when one came to th● Presse-fat for to draw out fifty Vessells , there were but twenty ; and the Wine , and the figs , and Pomegranate tree , and the Olive tree , did not bring forth , Hag. 1. 6. 9 , 10 , 11. chap. 2. 16 , 17 , 19. O tha● all hard hearted , covetous , hypocriticall , atheisticall detain●ers of , and Declaimers against Tithes , and Ministers Just settled Maintenance , would lay these Judgements , and curses of God close unto their hearts , that so they might thereby be reclaimed from their robbery and Sacri●ledge against God , and prevent , and divert these Judgements Curses from themselves , and our whole Nation , which hav● cause to fear , and will doubtlesse feel them to their smart an● loffe if they rob God and our Ministers in such sort as many now strenuously endeavour !

8. That God himself annexed many gracious Promise● of giving abundance of all earthly and spirituall blessings , t● the chearfull , conscientious due payment of Tithes to hi● Priests and Levites for their Maintenance ; which I shall recite , to excite men chearfully to this paractise now , Deut. 14 22 , 23 , 28 , 29. Thou shalt Truly Tithe all the increase of th● seed , corn , wine , oyl , herds , flocks ; that thou mayest learn to fea● the Lord thy God alwayes ; And that the Lord thy God may blesse thee in all the work of thy Hand , which thou doest , Deut. 26. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the Tithes of thine Increase , the third year , which is the year of Tithing ; and hast given it unto the Levite , &c. Then thou shalt sa● before the Lord thy God , I have brought away the Hallowed thing ▪ out of mine House , and also have given them unto the Levite , &c. According to all thy Commandements which thou hast commanded me , I have not transgressed thy Commandements , neither have I forgotten them . I have not eaten thereof in my mourning , neither have I taken away ought thereof for my Vnclean Vse , nor given ought thereof for the dead , but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God , And have done according to all that thou hast commanded me : Look down from thy Holy Habitation from Heaven , And blesse thy People Israel , and the Land which thou hast given us , a Land that floweth with milk and Honey . Such a conscientious true payment of Tithes as this , according to all Gods Comandements , without the least Substraction or embeslements , emboldens , enables every particular man to make such a Prayer to God , as this , not onely for himself , but for the whole Land ; and brings a blessing upon himself and all the Realm , and makes it a Land flowing with milk and Honey , and abundance of all rich blessings . Besides , we read in 2 Chron. 31. 1. to 15. That when godly King Hezekiah had destroyed Idolatry , and appointed the Courses of the Priests , and Levites after their Courses , every man according to his service , he brought offerings , and Peace offerings , to minister and to give thanks , and to praise in all the Gates of the Tents of the Lord : He appointed also THE KINGS PORTION OF HIS SVBSTANCE for the burnt-offerings , for the morning and evening ; for the Sabbaths , the new Moons , and set Feasts ; moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem , To give the Portion of the Priests and the Levites , that they might be encouraged in the Law of the Lord. And assoon as the Commandement came abroad , the children of Israel brought in abundance , the first-Fruits of Corn , Wine , Oyl and Honey , and of all the increase of the Field , and the Tithes of all things brought they in abundance . And concerning the children of Israel and Judah , that dwelt in the Cities of Judah , They also brought in the Tithes of Oxen , and Sheep , and the Tithe of holy things , which were dedicated unto the Lord their God , and laid ●hem by heaps . In the third moneth they began to lay the foundation of the heaps , and finished them in the seventh moneth , and when Hezekiah and the Princes came and saw the heaps , THEY BLESSED THE LORD and HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL . Then Hezekiah questioned with the Priests and Levites concerning the heaps ; And Azariah the chief Priest of the House of Zadok , answered him , & said ; Since the People began to bring the Offerings into the house of the Lord ; We have had enough to eat , and have left Plenty ▪ ( But did the people grow poore thereby ? no , but much richer than before ) FOR THE LORD HATH BLESSED HIS PEOPLE , and that which is left , is THIS GREAT STORE . Then Hezechiah commanded to prepare Chambers ( or store-houses ) in the house of the Lord , and they prepared them , and brought in the Offerings and THE TITHES , and the dedicate things FAITHFULLY ; over which Cononiah the Levite was Ruler . How different was this practise of all the people and godly Saints in those daies , in a chearfull bringing in their Tithes and Oblations to the Priests and Levites in abundance for their encouragement ; which caused King Hezechiah , his Princes , the Priests , Levites , and God himself to blesse them ; from the sacrilegious practice of Tith-detaining Hypocritical Saints and Christians in our d●ies : who shall never receive such a blessing as this from God or good men , but their curses : If these Texts and 〈◊〉 will not move such hard hearted men , let them consider 〈◊〉 this precept and promise of God . Prov. 3. 9 , 10. Honour the Lord with thy Substance , and with the first fruits of thine increase , SO SHALL THY BARNS BE FILLED WITH PLENTY , and THY PRESS SHALL BURST OUT WITH NEW 〈◊〉 : and Mal. 3. 7 , 10 , 11 , 12. Return unto me , and I will retu●n unto you , saith the Lord of hosts , wherein shall we return ? Bring 〈…〉 the ●●●hes into the Store-house , that there may be meat in mine 〈…〉 me now herewith , saith the Lord of Hosts , If I will n●● 〈◊〉 the windows of heaven , and powre you out a blessing , 〈◊〉 there shall not be room enough to receive it ; And I wi●●●●●ke the devourer for your sakes , and he shall not destroy the 〈◊〉 of your ground , neither shall your Vine east her fruit , before her ti●● in the field , saith the Lord of Hosts : And all nations shall 〈◊〉 you blessed , for ye shall be a delightsome land , saith the Lord of hosts . What Christians heart ( though never so covetous and worldly ) should not these sacred promises of God , ( the last of them recorded in the last of all the Books and P●ophets in the Old Testament , they being not meerly Levitical and Judaical , but of eternal verity , use , and evangelical to● ) excite and engage , most cheerfully to pay and bring in all their Tithes and Dues to Gods Ministers now , as w●ll as to the Priests and Levites heretofore ; Christ himself having made like parallel promises of blessings and rewards for relieving and maintaining his Ministers in the Gospel , Mat. 10. 40 , 41 , 42. Mar. 9. 41. Phil. 4. 18 , 19.

9. That the due payment of Tithes to Gods Priests and Levites , was a great encouragement to them in the law of the Lord , and in the diligent execution of their duties , 2 Chron. 31. 3 , 4 , 5 , 10. And on the contrary , The with-holding of them from them , a great discouragement , necessitating them to desert their duties and functions : witnesse that memorable Text , Neh. 13. 10 , 11. 12. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them ( mark the consequence ) For the Levites and the Singers , that did the worke were fled every one to his field . Then contended I with the Rulers , and said ; Wby is the house of God forsaken ? and I gathered them together , and set them in their place . Then brought all Judah the Tithes of the Corn , and the new Wine , and the Oyle unto their treasuries ; And I made treasurers over the treasuries , Shelemiah the Priest , and Zadock the Scribe , and of the Levites Redajah , &c. for they were counted faithfull ; and their office was to distribute unto their Brethren . Which reason still continuing under the Gospel in relation to the ministers and Preachers thereof . Heb. 13. 16 , 17. Phil. 4. 10. to 21. Is a strong argument to engage all true Christians desiring the propagation of the Gospel , and a painfull able Ministry duly to pay their tithes and portion to them .

10. That it was the bounden duty and care of Religious Kings and Governours amongst Gods own people , when the people were backwards to pay and bring their tithes and duties to the Priests and Levites , to command , and enforce them to do it by speciall Covenants and Oaths , sealed and subscribed by the Princes and people ( Neh. 9. 38. cap. 10. 1. to the end ) and likewise by positive Ordinances and Injunctions , and to be earnest and zealous in it , as the two last recited examples of King Hezechiah , and Nehemiah evidence ; And this was so far from being an unjust and oppressive action and grievance to the people ; as some now term it ; that it is recorded of God himself for their Honour , and others imitation , and so well pleasing unto God ; that Nehemiah closeth up the history of his acting , in this kinde , with this memorable addresse and prayer to God himself , Neh. 13. 14. Remember me , O my God , concerning this , and WIPE NOT OVT THE GOOD DEEDS THAT I HAVE DONE FOR THE HOVSE OF MY GOD , and FOR THE OFFICES THEREOF . And will not God remember their ill Deeds in wrath and vengeance , who shall do the contrary to what he and King Hezekiah acted , in robbing God and his Ministers of their Tithes and setled dues ?

b b Hi●ron . Super Eze●h . Josephu● Scaliger D●atriba de Decimis . Drusius Pro. ad Ma● . 23. Pur●has Pilgrimage , l. 2. c. 7. M. Seldens History of Tithes . St. Hierom with others affirm : That the Israelites had four sorts of ●ithes .

1. That which the people paid to the Levites , being the Tenth of every thing that was food for man , not so much as Herbs excepted , and whatever received increase from the earth .

2. That which the Levites paid to the Priests , being the full tenth , or their tithes .

3. That which they received for expence in their solemn feasts , when they went to the Tabernacle or Temple , whereof the Owner and his family were to eat in those Feasts as well as the Levite , Deut. 4. 26 , 27. chap. 12. 17 , 18.

4. The third years tithes , which were then laid up for the Levites , and likewise for the stranger , the fatherlesse , the poor widdow within their gates , in the Husbandmans own Barns and Store-houses , and not then carried to Jerusalem , as the other tithes were . Deut. 14. 28 , 29. cap. 26. 12. 13. Their first and second Tithes every year ( as they affirm ) amounted to 13. in the hundred ; So as the Husbandmans clear Lay-Chattel , the tithes first deducted came but to eighty one bushels of Corn , or eighty one Pipes or Tuns of Wine or Oyl , in every hundred ; which considering the costs the Husbandman was at in threshing and fanning the Corn , barrelling up the Wine and Oyle , and carrying them to Jerusalem , and the Priests treasuries at their own costs , amounted to double the Tithes we pay now and more ; besides the first fruits paid out of them in kind before the Tithes ; their Free-will Offerings , Sacrifices , Oblations and other charges Gods worship prescribed by the Levitical law , together with half a shekle every poll for the service of the Tabernable , Exod. 30. 12 , 13 , 14. yet the Israelites were obliged by God to pay all these tithes , which all the godly amongst them chearfully did without murmuring , notwithstanding every seventh year amongst them was Sabbatical , and free from tillage , and the voluntary fruits of the earth then growing were to be for the poor , & the beasts of the field were to eat the rest , Ex. 23. 10 , 11. Lev. 25 3 , &c. What would our Anabaptists and tith-oppugners have said and done , had they been born Israelites , under the law & clogged with so many Tithes and expences , who now grumble and refuse to pay half so much tithes as they constantly did , though they pay no first-fruits , Sacrifices , and other costly Oblations of several sorts to God , as the Israelites did , besides all these Tithes ? I fear their covetuous , Sacrilegious hard-hearts would have induced them to cast off , not onely Gods Priests and Levites ( as now many of them do our Ministers ) as superfluous creatures , but even all Gods chargeable Ordinances and Levitic●l forms of worship as intollerable grievances , oppressions , and renounced God himself to save their purses , and turned Athiest out-right : Let them therefore reform this their Sacrilegious tith-detaining practises and opinions , lest whiles they pretend to avoid Judaisme , they prove worse than the very Jews themselves ; yea worse than the very Jewish Pharisees , who paid tithes even of Rue , Annis , Mint , Comin , and all other Herbs , and OF ALL THEY HAD . Matt. 23. 23. Luke 11. 42. cap. 18. 12. Whose righteousnesse all Christians righteous must exceed by Christs own verdict , else they shall never enter into the kingdome of heaven , Mat. 5. 20. Nay worse than the very Idolatrous Jews under Jeroboam and his successors , who paid their tithes duly even to the base Idolatrous Priest at Bethel and Gilgal , who waited on the Service of the golden Calves , and brought all the Oblations to their very Calves , which God reserved to his Priests , Levites , and himself ; as is evident by Amos 4. 4 , 5. Come ye to Bethel and transgresse , at Gilgal multiply transgression ; and bring your Sacrifices every morning & YOVR TITHES AFTER THREE YEARS , and offer a sacrifice of thanks giving with leaven , & proclaim & publish the free offerings , for this liketh you . O yee children of Israel , saith the Lord of Hosts . Let those Idolatrous Jews and Israelites now shame them to their duties , lest they rise up in judgement and condemn them , at the last day .

These Cities , Suburbs , Houses , Glebes , Tithes , thus settled on the Priests and Levites for their Habitation , maintenance and reward of their Ministeriall Function , had nothing properly typicall or Ceremoniall in them ; and being assigned to them by God himself onely , for their necessary Habitation and competent Livelyhood , may and ought to be continued , and imitated in a fitting proportion under the Gospel , for the Habitation , maintenance and Livelyhood of the Preachers of the Gospel , who are to live by the Gospel , as well as they did by the Temple and Altar , 1 Cor. 9. 13 , 14.

3. There was another supplementall maintenance , besides these Glebes and Tithes , prescribed by God in the Levitical Law for the Priests , and was properly Ceremoniall , Leviticall , and quite abolished with that Priesthood by Christs death ; and that was the Priests Share out of every meat-Offering , made of fine flower , , oyl and frankincense unto the Lord by the people , a small part whereof the Priests were to offer up to God upon the Altar , and the remnant which was left was to be Aarons and his Sonnes , with the breast and right shoulder of every Peace-Offering , offered by the people , called the Wave-breast , and the heave-shoulder , given by God to the Priest , who offered the bloud and fat of the Peace-offering at the Altar , together with the skin of every burnt-offering , Levit. 2. 3 , 10. chap. 7. 6. to 11. and 28. to 38. Exod. 29. 26 , 27. chap. 9. 21. Numb. 6 ▪ 19 , 20. And from them that offered a Sacrifice , whether it were Ox or Sheep , this was the Priests DVE likewise from the people ; they were to give unto the Priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the maw , by Gods speciall appointment , Deut. 18. 3. Ezech. 44. 29. 30. which Fee Eli the high Priests Sonnes exceeding and exacting more than was due by violence , it exceedingly provokes God and Men to abhor the Sacrifices of the Lord , and proved the ruine of Eli and his Family , 1 Sam. 12. 2. to the end . These Dues and Fees of the Priests serving onely at the Altar , had no affinity with the forementioned Glebes and Tenths , belonging as well to the Levites ●s Priests , and therefore are distinctly prescribed by themselves . Now for any to argue that Tithes and Glebes , which were no wayes properly Ceremoniall , Leviticall or Typical , are quite abolished by Christ , and incompetible with the Gospel , because those meat-offerings , Peace-offerings and Sacrifices , ( which were meerly Ceremoniall and Typicall , and by consequence the Fees due unto Priests out of them ) are quite abolished by Christ , the onely true meat-offering , peace-offering and Sacrifice for us unto God ; is a meere Non sequitur , they being things of a different nature , and the one eternally abolished by Christ , as the whole Epistle to the Hebrews testifies , but the other not , as the said very Epistle attests , Hebrews 7. 1. to 9. compared with 1 Cor. 9. 4. to 16. 1 Tim. 5. 17 , 18. Gal. 6. 6. And here I shall beat our Sword-men and other Tithe-Oppugners with their own weapon . They tell us for an unqu●stionable Gospel-Truth ; That Ministers of the Gospel ought to have no certain or coercive Maintenance , but onely voluntary Free will-Offerings , such as the people shall willingly give them without any Law or constraint ( though their own unordained Chaplains in the Army and Garrisons have constant pay each moneth out of the peoples Purses , to whom they do not speak , and are not maintained by the Souldiers free , but the peoples enforced Monethly Contributions ; which practise they should first reform , if repugnant to the Gosp●l : Now such Maintenance as this , is more properly and purely Levi●icall and Ceremonial than Tithes ; since all Meat-Offerings , Peace-Offerings and Sacrifices , out of which the Leviticail Priests were to have their Share and Maintenance , were onely FREE-WILL-OFFERINGS voluntarily offered to God , without any coercion , when they pleased , Levit. 2. 1. chap. 3. 1. chap. 22. , 18 , 19 , 22 , 23 Num. 18. ● . chap. 29. 39. Deut. 12. 6. chap. 16. 10. Psal. 54. 6. If then Tithes , Glebes , and all coercive or settled Maintenance for Ministers be abolished and unlawfull under the Gospell , though not primarily , and purely Leviticall , but of divine , Morall , and naturall Right , by the Dictate of na●urall reason ; as Tyndarus , Rebussus , and many others affirm in their Treatises of Tithes ; then much more must their maintenance by the Leviticall Free-will-Offerings , Oblations , and Sacrifices be such ; being more purely Leviticall and Ceremoniall than Tithes , as these Instances manifest , and 1 Cor ▪ 9. 13. Heb. 7. 12 , 13. And if Ministers of the Gospel must have neither a settled nor inforced Maintenance , by Glebes , Tiths or otherwise ; as some now plead , nor yet an uncertain one by voluntary Free-will Offerings and Contributions , they shall have no maintenance at all allowed them under the Gospel ; whereas the Priests of God under the Law had both a certain setled Maintenance and reward by Glebes and Tithes ; & likewise an arbitrary and uncertain , by their Fees and Dues out of the peoples Freee-will-Offerings , and Sacrifices ; and why Ministers of the Gospell may not have a like setled and coercive Maintenance , both by Glebes and Tithes , and likewise an honorary super-additionall reward according to their pains and merits , by the voluntary benevolences , and Free-will-Offerings of the People , as well as Priests under the Law , or as well as Servants and all publick Officers , Military or Civill ; Let their Opposites render me a reason , when they are able ; the Apostle resolving thus of Ministers of the Gospel in opposition to the Priests under the Law , Heb. 13. 10. We have an Altar , whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle ; which compared with 1 Cor. 9. 13 , 14. Do ye not know , that they which minister about holy things , live of the things of the Temple ; and they which wait at the Altar , are partakers with the Altar : EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED , that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel , and with Phil. 4. 18. But I have all , and abound , and am full , having received from Epaphroditus the things ( or voluntary Contribution ) sent from you , an odour of A MOST SWEET SMELL , A SACRIFICE ACCEPTABLE WELL PLEASING TO GOD : will warrant this Conclusion ; that as the Gospel in these Texts retains the old legal Terms of Altar & Sacrisice , in a reall , Evangelical Sence , in relation both to the Office & Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel ; So Christians under the Gospel in the self same Sence , may and ought to allow them the like settled Maintenance by Glebes and Tith● , and likewise Additionall Rewards by voluntary Evangelicall Sacrifices and Oblations for attending on the new Gospel-Altar , Jesus Christ preaching of his Gospel to them , as the Priest under the Law received from the people .

4. There was another Additionall way of Maintenance for the Priests under the Law , but certain and considerable by Gods speciall appointment ; even the first-born of Man and unclean beasts , which were to be redeemed , at a set value given by God to the Pri●fts , the firstlings of all their herds , beasts , flocks that were clean , payable in kind ; and the first fruits also of their Ground , Corn , Wine , Oyl , and of all manner of Trees and fruits , and likewise of their dough : which God peculiarly reserving and consecrating to himself as his own , and HOLY TO HIMSELF ; did yet transferre them to his Priest , and enjoyns the People to give and bring unto the Priests , That they may cause the Blessing to rest in the Peoples Houses ; as you may read at leisure . Exod. 13. 12 , 13. chap. 22. 29 , 30. chap. 23. 16 , 19. chap. 34. 19 , 20 , 22 , 26. Levit. 2. 12 , 14. chap. 23. 10 , 20. chap. 27. 26 , 27 , 28. Numb. 28. 26. Deut. 12. 6. chap. 14. 23. chap. 15. 19. chap. 26. 2 , 16. compared with Num. 18. 11. to 20. 2 Kings 4. 22. 2 Chron. 31. 5. and Neh. 10. 35 , 36. chap. 12. 44. chap. 13. 12. Prov. 3. 9. Ezech. 20. 40. chap. 44. 30. chap. 48. 14. These first-Fruits most hold to be meerely Ceremoniall and Types of Christ , the first-born of God , Heb. 1. 6. Psal. 89. 27. The first-Fruits from the dead , 1 Cor. 15. 20 , 23. and of Christians under the Gospel , who are called a kind of first-Fruits of his creatures , Jam. 1. 18. and the first-Fruits unto God and to the Lamb , Rev. 14. 4. Therefore abolished by Christ as Ceremoniall and Leviticall . But yet notwithstanding , seeing all true Christians are and ought still to be even Spirituall first-Fruits unto God under the Gospel ; To present themselves , their souls and bodies a living Sacrifice , and Oblation , holy , acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ : in the first place , Rom. 12. 1. 2 Cor. 8. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. And to seek first the Kingdome of God , Mat. 6. 33. and then afterwards to be ready to consecrate all their Goods and Estates to God and his Service , so far ●orth as there is occasion or necessity , Acts 4. 32 , 33 , 34 , 35. I cannot yet discern , but that all Christians by a proportionable kind of Gospel and naturall Equity , are still obliged to render a kind of first-Fruits out of their Estates , besides their Tithes , for the maintenance and propagation of the Gospel when and where there is occasion ; there being sarre more equity and Gospel justice for it , than that our Ministers , out of their small , scarce competent , and many very incompetent livings , should pay the First-fruits and first years profits of their livings to the King or State ( as formerly they did unto the Pope through Papal Vsurpation onely ) by the Sta●utes of 26 H. 8. cap. 3. 27 H. 8. c. 8. 1. 1 Eliz. c. 4. and almost above the tenth of all their Livings to the Soldiers ( amounting to treble their tenths to the King or Pope ) without any Grant at all by them or their Proxies in the usuall legal , just , Parliamental way , against all their Rights , Priviledges and our Laws : The Jewish Priests and Levites under the Law being never burthened with such first fruits or taxes , by their Soveraigns , and exempted from them even by a heathen Conqueror , Ezra 7. 24. Which those , who now endeavour to deprive them of their Tithes , Glebes , and yet exact both First-fruits , Tenths and Contributions from them , may do well to consider .

Having thus related at large , what a liberal , various , full , and competent maintenance God setled on his Priests and Levites under the law , by Glebes , Tithes , Oblations , Sacrifices , Poll-money , First-fruits , besides the Tenth and Tribute out of the very spoiles of war formerly insisted on . I shall now apply it home to the Ministers of , and Christians under the Gospel , in these short Aphorismes .

1. Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel inwardly qualified with sufficient Gifts , Graces , and lawfully called and ordained , are Gods and Christs own institution , and Ministers as well as Priests and Levites under the Law , Matt. 10. 5 , 6 , 7. chap. 28. 19 , 20. Luke 10. 1 , 2 , &c. chap. 24. 47 , 49 , 53. Mark 6 ▪ 7 , 8 , &c. cap. 16. 15 , 20. Acts 13. 2 , 3 , 4 , &c. cap , 14. 23. cap. 19. 1 , 6 , 7. cap. 26. 17 , 18. 28. Rom. 12. 6 , 7 , 8. 1 Cor. 12. 4 , 8 , 9 , 28 , 29 , 30. cap. 14. 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 40. Ephes. 4. 8. to 17. Col. 4. 17. 1 Tim. 3. 1 , 2. cap. 4. 14 , 15 , 16. cap. 5. 21 , 22. Tit. 1. 5 , 6 , 7. Heb. 13. 17. Jam. 5. 14 , 15. 1 Thes. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2 ▪ Cor. 3. 6. cap. 11. 23.

2. That their Ministry and Calling is far more Honourable , Glorious , necessary and beneficiall to mens souls , than that of the Priests and Levites under the Law . 2 Cor. 3. 6. to 12. Heb. 7. 1 to 14.

3. That it is far more painfull and labourious , than the Ministry of the Priests and Levites under the Law ; Acts 8. 4. 2 Cor. 11. 23. to 30. 1 Tim 4. 13 , 14 , 15. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 1 Thess. 5. 2. 2 ▪ Pet. 1. 12. Rom. 15. 19 , 20. cap. 12. 7 , 8.

4. That therefore there is as just , as competent , as full , as honourable and setled a maintenance , and as much honour , reverence , obedience , love and recompence due unto them , for their very work and calling sake from all Christians under the Gospel , as there was from Gods people to the Priests and Levites under the Law ; as I have already proved in the first Proposition ; and that by divine institution , 1 Cor. 9. 13 , 14. 1 Tim. 5. 17 , 18 , 21. For whence c c Comment. in 1 Thess. 5. 13. p. 547. Hemingius ( with all O●thodox Protestant Divines , I have seen besides as well as Papists and Jesuites ) concludes thus . Admoneantur igitur Pii , QVOD JVRE DIVINO ECCLESIAE MINISTRIS DEBEANT STIPENDIA ; That all the godly are to be admonished , that BY DIVINE RIGHT they ow wages to the Ministers of the Gospel . And if so , then

5. It follows inevitably , that there being no other setled way of maintenance particularly prescribed for them in the Gospel ; and convenient Houses , Glebes for them , their families , and necessary Cattle ; and Tithes of the increase of the fruits of the earth , and Cattle of all sorts , being as necessary and requisite for the habitation , food , clothing , support of them , their Ministry , families , and supply all their necessaries with as little charge or trouble , as may be , as for the Priests and Levites under the Law : that Godly Christians cannot pitch upon any equaller , fitter , juster , better , wiser , rational or convenient way of maintenance for them , than that of necessary Houses , Rectories , Glebes in every Parish , and Tithes of all things needfull for food and raiment , it being the constant standing setled maintenance which the most wise , just , and holy God invented , prescribed for his own Priests and Levites maintenance amongst his own people , when setled by him in the land of Promise , and that which all setled Christians Empires , Kingdoms , States , Churches generally through the Christian world have pitched upon , as most agreeable to Gods will and word , under the Gospel , which no wayes repeals nor contradicts his own former prescriptions of this kinde .

6. That the Glebes and Tithes of the Priests and Levites under the Law , were reserved by God himself ( the Supream Land-lord of all kingdomes , Countries , Nations , Churches , People in the world , and the special God , Lord , King , Father , Saviour and Preserver of his own people ) as a Sacred , Holy Tribute , Rent , Portion , and Homage due unto Himself from poor Creatures , Servants , Vassals ( who are no true Proprietors , but onely Stewards and Tenants at will of all the Lands , Goods , earthly blessings and possessions they enjoy ; The earth being the Lords , and the fulnesse thereof , and the Corn , Wine , Cattle , fruits and earthly creatures we possesse , not really ours , but Gods own , 1 Chr. 29. 11. to 17. Psal. 24. 1. Psal. 97. 5. Psal. 50. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. E●ech . 16. 18 , 19 , 20. Hos. 2. 8 , 9. Dan. 4. 32 , 35. Mat. 6. 10. 11. ) The use and possession of which tribute , He allotted to the Priests and Levites under the Law for their maintenance , salary and reward of their labour in his service , for the advancement of his worship , glory , honour , and his peoples spiritual good : reserving the inheritance and right thereof alwayes to himself ; as the premises sufficiently evidence : Now God himself to whom alone Tithes and Glebes ( were originally impropriated ; not to the Levitical Priest-hood ) being unchangeable , without any variableness or shadow of turning , Jam. 1. 17. Psal. 102. 26 , 27. Mal. 3. 6. and Jesus Christ ( to whom Tithes were first paid by Abraham in the person of Melchisedeck ) having an unchangeable Priest-hood , and being a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck , Heb. 7. And all Christians whatsoever under the Gospel , being as much his absolute Creatures , Vassals , Servants , Stewards , and Tenants , as well , as the Israelites under the Law , and all their Lands , Goods , Earthly blessings , Corn , Wine , Cattle , and imployments , his in right , and not their own , as well as theirs too ; why they should not all render to him the self same sacred Tribute , holy Portion , Rent , Homage of Glebes and Tithes of all they have , as well as they ( though the Levitical Priest-hood be abolished ) they being so specially reserved and consecrated to himself , for the support , maintenance , reward , encouragement of his faithfull Ministers under the Gospel , imployed in his Service for his honour , glory and their everlasting salvation ; Let John Canne , and all presumptuous peremptory tith-oppugners , answer me ; yea , this their Soveraign Land-lord and Creator , if they can ; who will one day call them to a strictaccompt for detaining this due Rent , Tribute , Homage from him , and may justly dispossesse and strip them naked of all they have for this their ingrate , contemptuous carriage towards him , as he hath done many of late , by fearfull fires and other judgments , as well as heretofore , Mal. 3. 8 , 9 , 11.

7. That as the Gospel it self succeeded the Levitical Law , and Baptisme and the Lords Supper , Circumcision and the Passeover : So the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel , succeed the Priests and Levites under the Law in their Ministerial function in the Church of Christ , by Gods appointment : their Ministry and Office being both the same in substance ( even to worship , praise and honour God according to his revealed word and will , and instruct , exhort , direct and guide his people in the way of salvation ) though differing in some circumstances of lesser moment , abolished by Christs death . It is therefore most reasonable , just , equitable , convenient , they should receive and enjoy the like setled maintenance by Glebes and Tithes , as their predecessors did , God hav●ng prescribed none other kinde of reward or subsistence for them in the Gospel that any can shew me . It is usuall in all Kingdomes , States , Nations , where there are any publike setled offices and Officers , for any persons who succeed others in those Offices , to enjoy the self same Salaries , Houses , Lands , Fees , and Revenues as their Predecessors lawfully received , unlesse there be some special Laws to alter their Stipends : This we see verified in all Civil , Military and Ecclesiastical Officers ; yea , in the times of greatest publike charges that ever befell the Nation , those whom most yet call Judges , Sheriffs , Majors , Generals , Colonels , Captains and Governours of Forts , &c. though their Commissions be altered in some things , and themselves in more , do yet receive the self same Salary , pay and maintenance annexed to their Offices , as their lawfull predecessors did ; yea , to come closer home ; All our Protestant Ministers , since the reformation of Religion , have generally enjoyed the Gl●bes and Tithes ( as the Parishioners enjoy and frequent the Churches ) as their popish predecessors did before them ; though the one of them ( just like the Levitical abolished Priests ) made it their chiefest businesse and part of their calling to say Masse , and offer an unbloudy Sacrifice ( as they falsely termed it ) on their Altars both for the quick and dead ; and the other , who succeed th●m , make it their principall work to preach the Gospel , and administer the Sacraments according to Christs institution . Since then the Ministers of the Gospel succeed the Levitical , as well as the popish Priests , as the Gospel doth the Law , and the Christian Sacraments the Jewish ; and we , with all converted Gentiles engraffed into Jesus Christ and the Church of God , succeed the Jews , who were broken off from their own Olive Tree , that we might be engraffed in their places , who now partake of the root and fatnesse of their Olive Tree ; as the Apostle resolves , Rom. 11. 16. to 25. Why the Ministers of the Gospel should not likewise succeed the Leviticall Priests ( as well as the popish ) in the enjoyment of their setled maintenance by Glebes , Tithes , ( being not meerly ceremonial , as I have proved ) and all believing Gentiles , who succeed the believing Israelites in Gods Church , succeed them likewise in the due and just maintenance of their Ministers by Tithes and Glebes , reserved to and prescribed by that true , holy , just and righteous God , who is not only the God of the Jews , but of the Gentiles also , Rom. 3. 19. Let any rational Christian now resolve his own Conscience and mine , from friends or Scripture , Reason or equity if he can ; God having given us a Land flowing with milk and honey , and as fit , as able to render Glebes and Tithes of all things in kinde , as he did unto the Jews . It is a received maxime in our Law , Quod venit in loco alterius est de natura Prioris . If this be Gospel , as it hath been h●ld both Law and reason under the Gospel ; I need add no more to this Aphorisme , to prove the lawfulnesse and equity of our Ministers Glebes and Tithes ( and to continue as well for the future as heretofore ) by a divin● Right .

8. That all Christian Churches , and pious Christians generally throughout the world , from the Apostles dayes till now , have unanimously resolved , both in point of Piety , Justice , Conscience , and right Reason , that they are bound to consecrate and render unto God the sel●same weekly portion of time for his publick worship , as the Israelites and Jews under the Law were obliged to do ; to wit , one day in seven : though they differ in the circumstance onely of the day , they observing the seventh day from the Creation every week ( in memory of the Creation , and Gods rest thereon ) for their Sabbath , prescribed by speci●ll Lawes ; and we the first day of every week in memoriall of our Saviours Resurrection thereon , by the Generall , Morall Equity of these Laws warranted by Apostolicall practise only , without any special Gospel-precept . Let then the whole Army of Tithe-Oppugners render me one dram of Reason , or shadow of answer if they Canne , why all Christian Realms , Churches , Nations in the world , may not , should not by the self same rule of Piety , Justice , Equity and proportion continue and render the like proportion of Glebes , Tithes to God and his Ministers under the Gospel , as the Jews did to him , his Priests , and Levites under the Law ; as well as they render to him the self same Proportion of time for his Weekly , publick Service , and why payment of Tithes under the Gospel to God , who gives us both them and the residue of our Estates , and encrease out of his own meere free grace , for the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel , and support of his publick Worship on the Lords Day should be more Judaicall , Vnchristian , Antichristian , Superstition ( as Canne and others stile it ) than the dedicating and appropriating of the Lords Day to Gods publick Worship , and Honour , who hath given and allowed us the other fix for our imployments ; when as he might have justly reserved the nine parts of our Lands and goods to himself , had he pleased , instead onely of the Tenth , as well as the six dayes in lieu of the seventh , wherrewith he is content , which d d Dr. Bound , M. Dod , Cleaver , Dr. Twisse , Downham , Practise of Piety and others ; Divines usually urge men to induce men to the more chearfull Sanctification of the Lords Day , and some Scribler● against Tithes as well as others .

9. That Christians under the Gospel are bound in Justice , Equity and Conscience to give their hired Servants & Labourers their due and deserved Wages , and not to detain it from them , even under the Gospel , and that by vertue of Gods command recorded in the Leviticall and Judiciall Law . Levit. 19 , 13. Deut. 14. 14 , 15. approved in the Gospel , Col. 4. 1. and to allow their Beasts and Oxen that plow and tread out their Corn , Straw and Provender , without muzling up their mouths , by vertue of a like precept recorded , Deut. 25. 4. ( twice repeated and urged by the Apostle in the new Testament , to prove the lawfulnesse of Ministers maintenance under the Gospel : 1 Cor. 9. 8 , 9 , 10. 1 Tim. 5. 18. ) and that without the least suspition of Judaisme or Antichristianisme ; therefore they may , and are also bound in Justice , equity , Conscience , not onely to settle Glebes upon , but likewise to pay Tithes to the Ministers of the Gospel , as a due Wages , Hire and Reward for their Labour in the Ministry , as well as the Jews did to their Priests and Levites without the least tincture of Judaisme or Antichristianisme : since Christ in the Gospel resolves , Math. 10. 10. Luke 10. 7. and 1 Tim. 5. 18. That Ministers being Labourers are worthy of their Meat , Hire , and a competent Maintenance suitable to their pains and Function ; as well as any other hired Servants or Labourers in the Fields , or as our labouring Oxen or Horses are of Straw and Provender .

10. We read it recorded , 1 Sam. 8. 11 , 15 , 17. That this would be the manner of the King that should reign over the Jews , that amongst other things , He will take the Tenth of your Seed , and of your Vineyards ; and the Tenth of your Sheep , & give them to his Officers and Servants ; In imitation wherof , the Kings of England in ancient Parliaments , and of late times have usually demanded and received by Grant in Parliament , a Decime or Tenth of the Goods and Estates of their Subjects for their Supplies , and likewise a Tenth of their Merchandise exported and imported for Tonnage and Poundage , as our Parliament Records , Histories , and Rastall in his Abridgement of Statutes , Tithes , Taxes and Tenths attest . If then our lawfull Kings , Princes and Governours under the Gospel , may justly demand and receive by Grantia Parliament , the Tenth of all our Goods , Corn , Wooll , Sheep , Estates , Merchandise , for their necessary supplies , and the Defence of the Kingdome ; and some who are no Kings , and have engaged against Kingship as Tyrannicall , do the like without a Parliament , being not only a Tenth of all our Estates , but a double and treble Tenth of all mens yearly Revenues and Estates , and of Ministers Tithes besides , for the Maintenance of themselves and the Army , without the guilt of JVDAISME or ANTICHRISTIAN TYRANNY , OPPRESSION OR SVPERSTITION : Why our faithfull Ministers , may not likewise demand and enjoy their Glebes , and Tithes , not onely granted , but confirmed to them by our Ancestors in successive Parliaments , from the first planting of the Gospel in this Nation till the Reformation ; all our Protestant Parliaments since the Reformation , and by sundry Ordinances in the very last Parliament , ( to which some now in highest Power gave their cordiall Votes ) for the Preaching and propagating of the Gospel , and saving of mens Souls , without the like Brand of Judaisme and Antichristianisme , let e e In his Second Voice from the Temple to the Higher Powers p. 1. 2 , 7 , 11. and elsewhere . John Canne resolve me when he can ; who most falsely , scandalously , and unchristianly brands both the last and all Protestant Parliaments confirming Tithes , for Popish , Idolatrous Parliaments , acting against the Lord Jesus , and our Ministry , for ANTICHRISTIAN MINISTRY ; Who certainly was in his Cannes or Cups , when he writ and published such palpable , Scandalous untruths , to the dishonour of our Church , Parliaments , Nation , Religion : But such Cretians are alwayes LYARS , EVIL BEASTS , SLOW BELLIES : wherefore they need a sharp rebuke , that they may be sound in the faith , Tit. 1. 12 , 13. He might have done better to excite those to whom he dedicates his Pamphlet against those Popish Priests , Monks , Friars , Jesuits , sent from the Pope and Rome into England of late to root out our Ministry , and their Maintenance , as most opposite to Antichristianisme , and his Papal S●veraignty and Errors , under the Notion of Anabaptised dipped Jews , Gifted Brethren , New Lights , Seekers , of which more in its due place .

11. That God in the Leviticall and Judiciall Law prescribed Laws for Warre , and Souldiers in the Warres , Deut. 20. throughout , and amongst others , v. 2 , 3 , 4. It shall be , when ye come nigh unto the Battel , that the Priest shall approach and speak unto the people , and shall say unto them ( for their encouragement ) Hear O Israel , you approach this day unto battel against y●ur enemies ; let not your hearts faint , fear not , and do not tremble , neither , be ye terrified because of them , for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you , against your enemies to save you . After which , v. 8. &c. The Officers are commanded to make Proclamation , that every man , who was fearfull and faint-hearted should go and return to his house , left they should discourage their brethen , that they should proclaim Peace to every City they came nigh , before they besieged or stormed it ; and if they won it by force , the Souldiers should take the spoil thereof unto themselves , and eat the spoil of their enemies , which the Lord their God had given them . And by another Leviticall Law the Priests were thus enjoyned by God , to pray for and blesse his people , Num. 6. 23. 24. &c. On this wise ye shall blesse the children of Israel , saying to them , the Lord blesse thee , and keep thee ; the Lord make his face shine upon thee , and be gracious unto thee ; the Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee , and give thee Peace : and they shall put my name upon the Children of Israel , and I will blesse them . If then it be neither Jewish nor Antichristian , nor Superstitious nor unlawfull , for Ministers of the Gospel to encourage Christian Souldiers going to battel in the self same manner and form , or to blesse them and the people in these very Leviticall words as f f Chaplain to Sir Arthur Haslerigs Regiment and Garrison heretofore . John Canne and all Anabaptisticall and Independant Chaplains of the Army ( and Mr. Peters especially ) wlil grant , who have frequently used the sel● same or like encouragements and Exhortations to the Army , receiving good , constant pay for their pains . And if it be neither Jewish nor Antichristian , nor unchristian for our Saintlike Officers & Soldiers under the Gospel , to make like Proclamation to cowardly persons , or to proclaim peace to Cities and garrisons , ere they besiege or storm them , and if obstinate and won by force to take the Spoil and Plunder of such Cities and Enemies to themselves , and eat thereof , which I am certain all our Officers , Souldiers , and their Anabaptisticall Tithe-oppugning Chaplains will grant and subscribe to , though thus prescribed by the Leviticall Law , abolished ( as they say ) by Jesus Christ . Then questionlesse our Ministers of the Gospel may still receive and enjoy their Gl●bes and Tithes by like reason , without the least guilt or reproach of Judaisme or Antichristianisme , though prescribed to the Levitical Priests and Levites , by the Levitical law , else John Canne and others of his fraternity ( professing themselves the only Ministers of the Gospel , and rejecting all others as Antichristian ) must give over their Chaplains places in the Army , Navy , Garrisons , and no more encourage nor accompany any Soldiers in the wars , or blesse the people , as aforesaid ; because it was a part of the Levitical Priests Office ( who were also to blow the Trumpets in the wars , Num. 6. 1. to 10. Josh. 6. 4 , &c. prescribed by an abolished Levitical law .

12. That all Israelites and Jews both Priests and people , were by the Levitical law frequently commanded inviolably to perform , keep , pay and execute the solemn Oathes , Vows and Covenants they made to God or men , and no wayes to infringe them , or prevaricate in them , Levit. 19. 12. Num. 21. 3 , 3. cap. 30. 2. to 16. Deut. 12. 11. cap. 23. 21 , 22 , 23. Josh. 2. 11 , 12 , 13. cap. 6. 22. to 26. cap. 9. 15. to the end . And among other things , we finde their Tithes ( vowed to God by Jacob , Gen. 28. 20 , 21 , 22. ) coupled with their Vows , as things devoted by them to God by Vow , as well as reserved by Law : Deut. 12. 11. Yea , all the Jews were obliged by a Solemn Covenant to bring and pay their first fruits and Tithes to God , his Priests and Levites . Neh. 10. 31. to 39. will or dare John Canne then , or any other Tith-denyers aver , that it is both Jewish , Antichristian and unlawfull for Ministers and Christians under the Gospel , inviolably to observe and perform all those just and lawful● Oathes , Vows , Covenants , Solemnly made to God and men , with hands lifted up to heaven ( as some of their perfidious horrid violations of them without blush or check of late seems to proclaim before God and all the world , and to pay those Tithes and Dues to our Ministers , which our Ancestors and we by Solemn Vows and Covenants too , have dedicated unto God and his Ministers , and never intended by our Covenant to abolish or diminish in the least degree , ( as he perjuriously and absurdly asserts ) but to establish and perpetuate , as the late Ordinances for Tithes and Augmentations made by the very Prescribers and Subscribers of the late Solemn League and Covenant ( which it seems John Canne never took , though he presseth it on others , as his words MANY HAVE SWORN , who I hope will now observe it , import ) both at the time and since the making and taking of the Solemn League and Covenant , with the Assemblies Exhortation for the better taking thereof , authorised by the late Parliament infallibly evidence . If so ; John Canne with his perfidious Oath-Vow-Covenant-breaking Tith-abjuring disciples must renounce that true and onely God , they say they worship in greatest truth and sincerity ; as a Jewish , unchristian , antichristian God likewise ( I speak it with reverence and honour too , for their fuller conviction ) because he alwayes hath been , now is , and will be , a most true , faithfull , Oath-observing , Covenant-keeping , Vow-performing God , who reputes his Oaths , Vows , Covenants , IMMUTABLE THINGS , and will never violate , falsifie , forget , or neglect them in the least degree , though made to sinfull , treacherous and perfidious men , Psal. 89. 3 , 4 , 28. to 38. Psal. 120. 4. Neh. 1. 5. cap. 9. 32. Psal. 111. 5 , 9. Isa. 54. 10. cap. 55. 3. Jer. 33. 20 , 21. Luke 1. 72 , 73. and● Chron. 21. 6 , 7. ( a memorable Text ) 2 Cor. 1. 18. which all those , who own or challenge him to be their God , are peremptorily obliged to imitate herein , or else they shall never enter into his holy hill , or dwell with him in his Tabernacle , Ps. 15. 1 , 2 , 14 Psal. 24. 3 , 4. Rom. 1. 31 , 32. 1 Tim. 1. 10. Rev. 22. 15. and that in this very case of Tithes . If not , then why should not Tithes and Glebes , which many Ministers and we have vowed and devoted to God , continue and still be paid under the Gospel without superstition , sin , or Judaisme , as well as other Vows , Oaths , and the religious observation of them .

Upon these Considerations all or most Christian Kingdomes , States , Churches , upon the very first preaching and embracing of the Gospel amongst them , not onely edified Churches and Chappels for Gods worship and publike Assemblies , but likewise endowed the Ministers thereof with convenient Glebes and Tithes , as Eusebius , Socrates Scholasticus , Theodoret , Nicephorus , Calistus , the Century Writers , Baronius , Spondanus , with other Ecclesiastical Historians , and Hospinian De Origine Templorum , prove at large for forraign Parts ; and our own ancientest Annualists , with Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brittanicae , Sr. Henry Spelman , Concilium Angl. Tom. 1. and learned Dr. Vsher , in his Britanicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates , manifest for our own Nations and Realms .

Now because John Canne , out of his ignorance , hath newly published in his * * Page 13 , 14 ▪ Second Voyce from the Temple ( or Ale-house rather , for which Cannes are more proper ) That Pope Gregory the tenth was the first that ordained Tithes to be paid to Priests , in the year 1214. and that the Customs for paying Tithes at this day , were setled upon the Kingdome by the Popes Legates in Provinciall and Synodall Constitutions about the time of Henry the third , and Henry the fifth ; Vouching Thorpe and Ridley the Civilian , to prove it ; I shall give you a brief touch concerning the Original of Churches , Glebes , Tithes in this our Island .

a a Joan. Capgrave in vita Josephi : Chr. Glastoniens . Vincentius Spec. Hist. lib. 23. c. 147. with sundry others , cited by Dr. Usher . Britan. Ecclesiarum Antiquitates . c. 2. p. 973 , 974 Spelman Conc. p. 12 , &c. with the Authors quoted by them . About the year of our Lord 48. ( as our Historians record ) Joseph of Aramathaea , who interred our Saviour with XI . more Disciples , were sent into Britain to preach the Gospel by Philip the Apostle , in the raign of Arviragus , who arriving here were courteously entertained by this Pagan King , and preaching the Gospel to him , and his people ; he perceiving the purity of their Doctrine , and the holinesse of their Conversation , gave them twelve Hides of land in the Isle of Avalon ( since called Glastenbury ) for to build a Church and support them , ( till this day called and known by the Name , of the twelve Hydes of Glastenbury ) where they built the first Church , erected for Gods worship in this Isle , made of Wattle and Reed , and there continued together preaching the Gospel , and living upon this their Glebe ( now of great value ) which was afterward confirmed to them , and the Ministers of the Gospel there succeeding them , both by Marius and Coilus , next successors to Arviragus , whom they instructed in Christian Religion , to which they were well affected , albeit neither of them , nor Arviragus himself proceeded so far as to be baptized , for fear of displeasing their Pagan subjects ; though Harding in his Chronicle , chapter 48. ( against the stream of our other Historians ) writes , that King Arviragus himself was Baptized by Joseph of Arimathaea . After this b b Dr. Vsher Brit. Eccles. Antiq. Spelmanni Conc. p. 12 &c. with the Authors quoted by them . Lucius King of Britain being converted to the Christian Faith and Baptized , his subjects and many other petty British Kings about the year of our Lord 176. by Faganus and Domianus , sent to him at his earnest request by Elutherius then Bishop of Rome ( long before Pope or Popery were there erected or known in the world ) he upon the reception of the faith builds and ●ndows Ch●rches throughout his Dominions with Glebes and Tithes , to support the Ministry , whence our ancient Poets thus write of him ,

Lueius in Christum credit , Christoque dic●tas

ECCLESIAS DOTAT , DISTINCT AS ORDINAT VRBES . Many of our ancient Historians adde , that in his time there were 28 Flamins , and three Ar●h Flamines in Britain endowed with great Revenues for the Service of their Idoll gods , to whom they had erected so many faire Temples ; and that Lucius after his conversion , Turned these into 28 Bishopricks , and three Arch-Bishopricks , and purging these polluted Temples from their Idols and heathenish pollutions , dedicated them to the Service of the true God ; which Sr. Henry Spelman , Dr. Vsher , Godwin , and the most judicious of our later Antiquaries , justly reject as fabulou● . After Lucius , Churches were here and in other places endowed with Glebes , and Bishops with rich Lordly possessions by Constantine the great : And about the year of Christ ●12 . the Christians being here and elsewhere restored to peace , and freed from persecution by Constantine , c c Gildas , Dr. usher , Brit. Eccles. Antiq. p. 193. Spelmanni Con●il . p. 36. 45. began to build and repair those Churche● which Dioclesian and other persecutors had rased to the ground , and to endow them with maintenance for the Ministry . In succeeding times , the English Saxons , who at their first arrival ( being bloudy Pagans ) cruelly wasted the British Churches , and butchered their Ministers , Schollers , Saints , being converted to the CHRISTIAN FAITH by Augustine , sent hither for that purpose by Pope Gregory the first , ( who disclaimed that Papall Supremacy his Successors since challenged ) Aethelbert , King of Kent , and his Saxons being baptised by Augustine about the year of Christ 603 thereup ▪ they began to repair the old ruinated Churches , and to build new throughout his Dominions ; this King turning his Royall Palace at * * Spelman lb. p. 112 , 113. de antiquit atibus Eccles. Brit. Dr. Vsher . Canterbury , into the Church of Christ , and that City , the Seat of his Kingdome into a Bishops See , and bestowing them on Augustine who converted him and his Subjects to Christianity , whom he made Archbishop of Canterbury , and endowed with large Possessions : Not long after divers other Saxon Kings and their Subjects being converted and baptised , built & endowed sundry other Churches , both with Glebes & Possessions of good value , and likewise with Tithes . And in anno , 854. * * Malmesbury , de gestis Regu● Angl. l. 2. c. 2. Mat. Westm. Anno 854. Florentius Wigorniensis , Anno 855. Spelmanni Concil. p. 348 353. Aethelwolf King of the West Saxons , considering the perillous times then fallen upon him and his Realm , by reason of the burnings of the Wars , the Plunders of the Goods , the devastations of the Territories of his Kingdome by the most cruel depredations of barbarous Enemies , and Pagan Nations , and the manifold Tribulations afflicting him and his people , even to their destruction ; he thereupon summoning a general Councell or Parliament at Westchester , in which himself , Bernredus , King of Mercia , and Edmund King of East Angles , with all the Prelates and Nobles of England , were present , did by their wholesome Counsel , for redresse of these evils by his Charter ( ratified in and by this Councell ) Give the Tenth part of all his own Lands in perpetuity to God and his Servants , free and exempt from all Secular Services , and also from all Royall Tributes , and Taxes , Great and Small , and from all Military Expedition , Building of Bridges , and GVARDING OF CASTLES ; that so they might the more diligently powre forth their prayers unto God for him without ceasing , who had in some part thus eased them of their servitude : from which Grant of his , Sir Henry Spelman conceives , the Parsonage House , Rectory and Glebes in every Parish of his Realm , had its Originall , though afterwards increased by the munificence of the Patrons . And this shall suffice touching the true Original and progresse of our Churches , Rectories and Glebes , in the beginning of Christianity , both amongst the Britains , and Saxons of this Realm .

The first Law I find yet extant amongst us , for the due payment of all kind of Tithes ( in use and being as the Law imports , before its promulgation ) was made in the * * Spelman Concil. p. 292 , 293 , 298. to 302. Cent. Magd. & cap. 9. Nationall Councel , ( or P●rliament ) at Calchuth in the year of our Lord , 785. in the Reigns of King Oswald and King Offa , who by the unanimous consent of all their Princes , Nobles , and Senators , ( as well as Prelates , ) present therein , made this memorable Decree , touching the Payment of Tithes , as a Right and Duty , which they were bound to render by God himself , by his own Sacred Law , originally given to the Israelites , which they deemed Obligatory likewise unto them : Cap. 17. ut Decimae justè solvantur , usura , iniqua Pondera , & Mensurae prohibeantur : Thou shalt bring the Tenth part of all thy Corn ( or increase ) into the House of the Lord thy God , AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW , ( viz. Levit. 27. 30. Numb. 12. 17 , 18. &c. Deut. 12. 17 , 18. chap. 14. 22 , 23. Neh. 10. 38. not in the Popish Canons ) Again by THE PROPHET ( not Pope ) ( Mal. 3. 10. &c. ) Bring saith he , all the Tithes into the Storehouse , that there may be meat in my House , and prove me now therewith , if I will not open the Doores of Heaven , and powr you out a Blessing , that there shall not be room enough to receive it . And I will rebuke the Devourer for you , which eats and corrupts the fruit of your grounds , and the Vine shall be no more barren in the field , saith the Lord . As the Wiseman saith ( in the Book of Wisdome , not the Pope ) No man can give any just Alms of those things which he possesseth , unlesse he shall first separate to the Lord that which from the beginning himself hath appointed to be rendered to him . And by this for the most part it happens , that he who payes not Tithes is reduced ( by Gods Justice ) to the Tenth part of his former Estate , whereupon ) not by any Command from the Pope , or by his Authority ) We Command , even with an Obtestation , that all be studious to give Tithes of all things they possesse , quia speciale Dei donum est , BECAVSE IT IS THE PECVLIAR PORTION OF THE LORD GOD : and let him love himself , and give Alms of the nine parts ; and we perswade them rather to do it in secret , because it is written , When thou givest Alms do not blow a Trumpet before thee , Mat. 6. 2. After which follows laws against Usury , False Weights & Measures ; FOR THE FAITHFVL PERFORMANCE OF VOWS ; and abolishing the very Reliques of all Pagan Rites ; warranted by the very words and Presidents of the Sacred Scripture . Which Decrees being in a publick Councel before the Kings , and all their Prelates , Duke● Senator● , AND THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND : Illi , cum omni devotione mentis , juxta possibilitatem virium suarum , adjuvante superna clementia , SE IN OMNIBUS CUSTODIRE DEVOVERUNT : who with all Devotion of mind , according to the utermost of their power , by the assistance of Gods Grace vowed that they would observe them in all things : which they all did with an unanimous Voice , a chearfull mind , and most ready Will , ratifying this Council with the Subscriptions of their Names , and the Signe of the Crosse ( the usuall form of those times before States were in use . This is the first Law I find extant in our Realm ) for the due payment of Tithes , grounded onely on Divine precepts , cited in it , not on the Popes Decrees . True it is , that Gregory , Bishop of Ostia , Legat to Pope Adrian , an Englishman born , was President in this Council , and had a chief hand in making these Lawes , by this Popes direction , to whom he returned them : but are they therefore popish and Antichristian Laws , which ought to be now abolished ( to gratifie the present Pope and his Emissaries the Jesuits ) as made against Jesus Christ , as * * In his Second Voice from the Temple . John Canne most Magisterially determines ? if so , then these and our other Laws then made against Vsury , false Weights , Measures ( which too many cheating Anabaptists use ) Heathenish , Pagan Customes , must be Popish and Antichristian too , with the Law for performing our Vows and Covenants to God and men ; the very Scripture cited in them , whereon they are grounded ; which impudency and Atheisme it self dares not affirm : If he say they are Jewish Laws , then the Scriptures cited in them must be Jewish too ; Yea the , very Title , and every page of his new Pamphlet , must be rejected as Jewish , as well as Jesuitish ; being Intituled , and Superscribed in every page , A Second Voice from the Temple : The Temple being Jewish , and abolished as well as Tithes , 1 Cor. 9. 13. John 4. 20. 21. Which I wonder this blind Zelot against Judaisme and Tithes , had not Eyes to see , or Brains to consider . Now these our Predecessors , and many others since , obliging themselves both by Vows , Laws , and Covenants , to pay Tithes of all to God and his Ministers , as Gods peculiar Right , and God him self not onely enjoyning men in the Old Testament not to remove the ancient Land-marks their Fathers have ( duly ) set , Prov. 22. 8. and to make good their Ancestors Oathes and Vows , ( which oblige their Posterity , as Gen. 50. 24 , 25 , Exod. 13. 19. Josh. 24. 32. chap. 2. 12. to 22. chap. 6. 21. to 26. chap. 9. 15. to 27. chap. 10. 1. to 12. 2 Sam. 21. 1. to 15. 1 Sam. 20. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 23 , 42. chap. 23. 8. chap. 24. 21. 2 Chron. 16. 3. compared together resolve ) but likewise informing them in the new , as a Gospel-Truth , Gal. 3. 15. That if it be but a mans Covenant , if it be confirmed ( by many Succ●ssive Laws , Statutes , Curses and Excommunications denounced against the infringers thereof in all succeeding ages , as this of Tithes , and the Churches Rights and Liberties have been ) NO MAN DISANULLETH IT : By what Authority , Right , Law , Reason , Justice , Conscience or power from God or Men , any presuming Mortals , at the sollicitations of Anabaptists , Jesuits , or Atheisticall wretches , can Sacrilegiously attempt to rob God himself , and plunder his faithfull Ministers of this their ancient , just , hereditary , Sacred , settled Maintenance ( to which our Ministers have a far ancienter , better Right and Title , by all Lawes of God and Man , than they have to their new acquired Purchases and Powers , established , settled on them by particular Donors and benefactors out of their own private Inheritances and Estates , not the Republicks , which neither the Patrons themselves , nor any others , nor yet the Ministers themselves can alienate from the Church , as their own Consciences and Judgements must acknowledge , unlesse strangely cauterized ) Let them and Canne answer to that Soveraign Judge of all the Earth ; who will probably judge them here , and shall certainly judge them eternally hereafter for all such detestable Robberies , and violent Rapines , if wilfully perpetrated and persevered in without repentance after timely admonition , who can quickly strip both them and theirs naked of all their temporall Powers , Honours , Possessions , Enjoyments , as he did Jeroboam and his Sonnes for their turning the Priests and Levites out of their Possessions , and King Ahab with his Family for seising upon Naboths Vineyard , in a violent and unrighteous manner , though coloured over to delude the people with an hypocriticall Fast , and feigned , legall proceedings , 1 Kings 21. we read it recorded of our Saviour , Luke 12. 13 , 14. that when one of the company said unto him ; Master , speak to my brother that he divide the Inheritance with me : He returned them this answer , MAN WHO MADE ME A JVDGE OR DIVIDER OVER YOV ? Let every person now sollicited by croaking Anabaptists , Jesuits and Souldiers , or others , not onely to judge and divide , but utterly to abolish and take away our Ministers necessary Maintenance , ( not unnecessary Abbots and Prelates , Lordly superfluities long since dissipated ) by Glebes and Tythes , return them the self same ; lest Christ himself at the last day condemne them for over bold-intruders into such a Supream Jurisdiction over his , and his Ministers , Rights and Callings too , as neither God nor Man ever yet conferred on them . God himself prohibiting the Sale , alienation , and Substraction of his Priests and Levites necessary Glebes , or Tithes , and by consequence of our Ministers ( as I have formerly observed ) and further informing all his , that it is a snare to a man to devour holy things , and after Vows to make enquiry , Prov. 20. 25. But of this second argument enough , the Negative part whereof I shall prove more fully hereafter by way of answer to an Objection .

3. I shall make good the Proposition by arguments drawn from the New Testament it self , which no wayes contradicts , but confirms the lawfulnesse of Tithes . This I have already proved from Heb. 7. 1. to 12. to which I shall refer the Reader , and proceed to other Texts , I shall begin with Mat. 23. 23 , 24. and Luke 11. 42. Woe unto you Scribes , and Pharisees Hypocrites , for ye PAY TITHES OF MINT , and ANNISE and CVMMIN , and all manner of HERBS , and have omitted the weightier things of the Law , Judgement , Mercy , and Faith , and the love of God : These OVGHT ye to have done , and NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER VNDONE : Ye blind Guides , which strain at a Gnat , and swallow a Camel . In which words our Saviour him●elf , though he denounceth a Woe against the Hypocriticall Pharisees , in being just and carefull in paying Tithes , even of Herbs and Seeds of all sorts , of meanest value , and yet in the mean time neglecting works of Righte●usnesse in matters of greater worth , and of Charity towards man , and of Faith and Love toward God himself , straining at a Gnat , and swallowing a Camel ; so he positively resolves , that they ought not to omit the due and conscientious payment even of these lesser Tithes of smallest value , much lesse then of their Corn , Wine , Oyl , Flocks , Herds , which were of greater worth . And if the Scribes and Pharisees were no Saints , but Hypocrites for omitting these weightier duties , though they paid these smallest Tithes ; what are these Anabaptisticall Scribes and Pharisees , who , not onely against all Rules of Justice and Charity towards men , but of Faith and Love to God ( which they even renounce ) rob God and his Ministers , not onely of all their own Tithes , small as well as great , but of those Tithes which others would willingly pay them , and endevour totally to deprive them of those small Rectories , Glebes they yet enjoy , and of their Ministry too ; and when they have * * John Canne , His Second Voice from the Temple ▪ p. 2. stript them stark naked of all they have , would eat their very flesh , and burn them with Fire . Certainly such are worse and greater Hypocrites , than the Scribes and Pharisees , pretending Conscience it self , for their most unreasonable Dealing in this kind . Such mens throats are so wide , that they can swallow not onely Camels , but whole Rectories , Churches , Steeples , with their Lead , Timber , Bels , Stone , ( to say no more ) for a Breakfast ; all Tithes in two or three Parishes and throughout the Land for a Dinner , and the publick Lands , Revenues of the Crown ( which should defray all ordinary publick Charges for the peoples ease ) for a Supper , that they may be Supream , and every one of them like our Saviour Christ himself , both a Priest , Prophet , and a King , executing a Plurality of these and three other Offices , and their Callings too all at once , to enrich themselves faster than all other men . This Text was much insisted on by * * John Canne , His Second Voice from the Temple ▪ p. 2. John Hus to prove Tithes under the Gospel to be pure Alms , coupling it Fox , Acts and Monuments , vol. c. s. 602 , 603 , 604. with the former verse , Luke 11. 41. But rather give Alms of such things as you have , and behold all things are clean unto you ; but certainly the Text it self proves , that this referrs onely to the washing mentioned in the precedent verses ; and not to this subsequent clause concerning their payment of Tithes , never stiled Almes in any Text ; and recorded by Matthew , as a distinct Woe , and sentence of it self ; without any mention of Almes in the Antecedent or Subsequent verses : and John Hus himself , together with Augustine , Chrysostome , Hierome , and Aquinas , ( there cited by him ) from hence conclude ; That Tithes are lawfull under the Gospel , as well as alms , forsomuch as the Gift thereof unto the Priest , did not cease in the time of Christ : and Saint Augustine in his 219. Sermon , of Paying Tithes , presseth the payment of them under the Gospel , as a Duty , by many enforcing arguments , before any Popes Decretall● for payment of them , or that we now call Popery , was known in the world , Saint Ambrose before him doing the like , In Sermone Quadragesimae , cited by Gratian. Causa . 16. qu. 7. which had John Canne , either known or considered , he would not with ▪ so much mistaken Ignorance and Impudence , have damned Tithes as POPISH , &c. And the pleading for them , a pleading for Babylon , and for BAAL : in his New Second Voice from the Temple of Babylon , or Baal , which he please , not of Old or New Jerusalem .

The nex Gospel Text , I shall cite , is that of Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the word , communicate to him that teacheth him IN ALL GOOD THINGS : To which I shall subjoyn , 1 Cor. 9. 11. If we have sowed unto you spiritual things , is it a great matter , IF WE SHALL REAP YOUR CARNALL THINGS ? and Rom. 15. 25. And THEIR DEBTORS THEY ARE : for if the Gentile have been made partakers of their spiritual things , THEIR DUTY IS ALSO to minister unt● them IN CARNALL THINGS . All these three Gospel Texts resolve , That Ministers of the Gospel , have a just due and right to a competent , comfortable share in all the good things , Temporall blessings and necessaries for the support of this life , which the people instructed by them , and receiving spirituall things from them enjoy . And that the people are bound both by expresse precepts in the Gospel , and the rules of common , moral equity and justice , chearfully to communicate and minister such a share of all their good things and temporal blessings , as a debt and due unto them for their ministring to them in spirituall things : which I fully proved in the first proposition , and Impudency it self cannot deny . The sole question then is , what this share or portion ought to be , and who shall determine it in point of difference ? I confesse the Apostle doth not decide either of these in Terminis , those Texts being General , and all in the plural number ; All good things ; your carnall things ; comprising all such things out of which Tithes , predial , mixt or personal ( as Canonists and Lawyers distinguish them ) are or may be paid ▪ Wherefore every faithfull Christian , and spiritual Son of God , and of faithfull Abraham , ( whose footsteps and prefidents ) they are to follow , in all doubtfull cases ( admit this one ) to satisfie his conscience and judgement in this case , must and will resort to the prefidents of the Eminentest Saints in former ages , and Gods own prescripts in other expresse Texts ; and there finding the very Father of the faithfull , Abraham , giving , and his Grandson Jacob vowing , A TENTH OF ALL GOOD THINGS from his own people for the maintenance of his Priests and Levites , under the Law ; and they cheerfully rendring it untill and in Christs own time ; and that the very Pharisees and Scribes ( though Hypocrites ) were so just , as to pay tithes of all , and Christ resolving , that they ought to do it , and not leave it undone ; and that none before the Apostles dayes ever gave lesse than a Tenth part : ( as the premises largely evidence ) must and will necessarily conclude from all these sacred Directories , that the ordinary and constant standing Portion and proportion of all his goods and carnal things here prescribed , and intended by Gods Spirit , in the tenth part : and in extraordinary cas●s , more , when Gods glory , the Ministers Necessities , the Defence or Propagation of the Gospel require it : and when he shall further read in the Gospel it self , that speech of Zacheus , the converted Publican , Luke 19. 8. Behold , Lord , THE HALF OF MY GOODS I give to the poor : And how the first converted Christians and Jews in the Apostles dayes sold their Lands and Houses , and brought and laid the money at the Apostles feet , Act. 4. 5. His conscience ( which must not guide the Word and Spirit of God , as most mens consciences do now , but the word and spirit it and him too ) will and must from thence , conclude , that he must not give his faithfull Minister lesse than a Tenth part of all ; and in cases of extraordinary necessity , share even half his goods , yea , the price of all his Lands and Houses , between the Ministers and poor Saints of God , specially in times of persecution , when as he ought to hide , and feed them too , as godly Obadiah did an hundred of the Lords Prophets , in the dayes of Jezabel , at his own charge , with the hazard of his Office and Life , 1 Kings 18. 4. 13. And if any mans conscience in a settled Christian Realm or State , be so obstinate or froward , as not to submit to the lowest proportion of a tenth , which all Ages , and most or all setled Christian Realms have unanimously agreed upon , and confirmed by publike Edicts , as well Civil as Ecclesiastical , whereof there are neer thousands in print ; the Christian Kings and Magistrates ( who are to determine all controverfies of this nature , and state the due just proportion of this Debt and Duty between the Minister and the people , where it is not publikely decided , and may justly enforce the due payment of it ( when and where it is determined by positive publike Laws ) as a just Debt , as they do in all other civil Debts and Accompts in controversie before them , ( as I shall prove in due place ) even by these very Texts , though John Canne denies it , in his VOX praeterea NIHIL p , 14.

To these I shall subjoyn that noted Text in 1 Cor. 9. 13 , 14. ( which John Canne cites by piece-meal , as the Devill did scripture , leaving out the principall branch ; Mat. 4. 6. ) Do ye not know that they , which Minister about holy things , live of the things of the Temple , and they that wait at the altar , are ●artakers with the altar ? EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED ( this Canne omits ) that they which preach the Gospel , should live of the Gospel . I have urged this Text before for proof of the first ; I shall here apply it only to the second Propositions confimation , as to Tithes .

1. Then we have here A DIVINE GOSPEL ORDINANCE made by the LORD OF HOSTS himself , not repealable by any Army or Powers on Earth , as well as PARLIAMENTARY ORDINANCES , for the Maintenance of the Preachers of the Gospel : and let Canne ( the poorest Preacher of the Gospell ever yet knew in England , ( except one of his fraternity , who heard him once preach an assize and Fast Sermon too at Chard ) deny our Ministers to be able Preachers of the Gospel , at the peril of his Soul , though he denies them to be lawfull Ministers of Christ , and censures them as ANTICHRISTIAN and POPISH : But why so ? Because ( forsooth ) they had their Ordination from Rome ; and by consequence are TRAYTORS and FELONS too , by the Statute of 27 Eliz. c. 2. for which they might be legally executed for Treason and Felony , if the State were pleased to interpret the Statute contrary , as he conceives , to the Letter and form of it ; ( the words whereof he both curtals and misrecites , just as he did this Text p. 5. To do him and his b●st friends a kindnes , & vindicate the lawfulnesse of our Mi●isters calling again●● this ordinary slander ; and convince him of his grosse mistake ; I shall truly recite the Statut● , Thus intituled : JESUITES and PRIESTS , in England shall depart , and NONE SHALL COME INTO THIS REALM . If so , then many Dippers and Speakers , Administrators , Members in Anabaptisticall Congregations , many New-lights and Gifted-brethren in separate Congregations ; many Shakers , Quakers , Ranters , Broachers of new Notions , Errours , Blasphemies , throughout the Realm , many new-Polititians , Levellers , Agitators and Soldiers in the Army , if not some Officers ; all the late converted pretended * * See the false Jew discovered at Newcastle for a cheat and Jesuit , p. 4 , 5 , 10 11 , 12 , 13. dipped by M. Tillam at Hexam ; a like Priest now Administrator of the Anabaptists there . And Eliazer Bar Israel , his Vindication of the Messiah , a pretended converted Jew , but sprinkled and baptized by the Jesuits , dipped by our Anabaptists , and a Jesu●t in truth ; ( though the fi●st in the Bead-roll . ) Jews , dipped in Anabaptisticall Congregations ( discovered and known to be disguised Jesuites , purposely sent from Rome , by the greatest sticklers against our Ministers Tithes and Calling ) must presently depart , and none of them return into the Kingdome ( as many have lately done ; or else be executed for Traytors : But why so ? what is their crime , work and imployment here ; and by what marks or fruits shall we know and discover both them and their confederates ? Let the words of the Statute ( compared with all our late troubles and changes ) resolve the ignorant and incredulous , that there are many such amongst us , and of John Cannes fraternity . W●ereas divers persons called or professed JESUITES ( these Canne wittingly conceals , and therefore is a Felon by the law ) SEMINARY PRIESTS and other Priests , which have been , and from time to time are made IN PARTS BEYOND THE SEA ; BY , OR ACCORDING TO THE ORDER and RITES OF THE CHURCH OF ROME . ( and when Canne can prove that all or any of our Ministers were thus made ( as he hath confidently averred in print to those , he cals , the Higher Powers and Supream Authority of the Nation ) Let them be hanged for Traytors and Antichristian Ministers in good earnest , else l●t him be hanged in their steed , for this his impudent slander of them all , as well Independents as Prebyterians : ) Have of late years come and been sent into this Realme of England ( and were any of our Ministers such , and not rather Canne himself , coming hither from Amsterdam for the purposes following ) and other the Queens Dominions OF PURPOSE ( AS IT HATH APPEARED , as well by some of their own examinations ( now out of date ) as by divers other Manifest means and proofs ( more visible of late years than ever ) not onely to withdraw her Highnesse subjects from their due obedience to her Majestie , but also to st●r up and move Sedition , Rebellion , and open Hostility within the same her Highnesse Realms and Dominions , to the great indangering of the safety of her most Royall Person , and to the utter ruine , desolation and overthrow of the whole Realm ( now effected as a Realm ) if the same be not the sooner ( and now pray God it be not over late ) by some good means foreseen and prevented . For reformation whereof , be it ordained , &c. That All Priests and Jesuits ( Canne cannot spy such good friends within the Act , but deletes them out of it ) Seminary Priests , and other Priests whatsoever , made and ordained out of the Realm of England , &c. under the penalties therein mentioned . Had Canne pressed this Statute to those he dedicates his Pamphlet , for the speedy execution of it against those many Jesuites and Seminary Priests now in England , for their traiterous Practises and Designes therein mentioned of late , and now driven on and almost compleated by them , it had been a commendable zeale ; but to write one word or syllable against these Romish Vermine , arch-Engineers & Janizaries of the Romish See , now swarming among us , to rui●● our Kingdomes , Parliaments , Laws , Liberties , Church ▪ Ministers , Ministry , Religion , & forreign Protestant States & Churches now engaged by them in bloudy wars , both by Land and Sea ; and to omit th● very name of the Jesuits ( the first Popish Agents mentioned and chiefly intended in this Act ) and presse it onely against our Ministers Calling , Ministry , Tithes , and Maintenance , of purpose to ruine them and theirs , and by consequence our Church and Religion ( the Designe and scope of his whole Pamphlet ) is such a malicious , unchristian , Antichristian Practise , as proclaims him to all the world , either a new converted Jesuite , or Romish Factor , under the Garb of an old Anabaptist , or an over-grown cankered Anabaptist , void of Piety , Honesty , and inspired by the very * * John 8. 44. Father of Lyes . For not one of our English Ministers I know or hear of ( except two or three Jesuits and Priests crept into Livings in Staffordshire and elsewhere very lately , I know not by whose favour or negligence ) was ever ordained by any such Jurisdiction or authority , as is here mentioned , which all our Ministers ( and their Ordainers too ; whether Prelates or Presbyters ) particularly and publickly abjured , both at the time of their respective Ordinations and admissions to their Benefices , and likewise when they took any Degree of Learning in our Vniversities , by the two known famous Oaths of SUPREMACY and ALLEGIANCE , purposely made and ratified by * sundry , zealous , Protestant Parliaments against the usurped Papal Jurisdiction and authority of the See of Rome , 1 Eliz. c. 2. 5. Eliz. 2. c. 1. 3 Jac. c. 4 , 5. 7 Jac. c. 6. 17 Car. The Act for Trienniall Parliaments . and the Popes , Jesuits and Papists practises , to blow up and destroy our Protestant Kings , Parliaments , Laws , Liberties , Religion , and subvert our Kingly Government , whole State and Common-wealth , for the better discovering of them ; yet lately suspended , abrogated , as dangerous unlawfull Oaths , by some of Cannes good friends , who would be reputed Zealots against the Popes Jurisdiction and his Creatures too : Now how those Ministers of our Church , who thus abjured the Jurisdiction of Rome , at the time of their very Ordination , ( and their Ordainers too , before them ) and since have don● the like in their Solemne League and Covenant , can without the highest slander be said to derive their Ministry from it ; and that by Canne & his Jesuiticall & Anabaptistical Fraternity who , never took one of these Oaths or the Covenant ; and revile , repeal them as unlawful out of love to the Popes Jurisdiction , Jesuits , Priests , &c. or for want of zeal against them , ) Let the world and this slanderers own Conscience ( if he have any left ) determine . Besides , who knows not ( but this Ignoramus ) that the Rites and Ceremonies of Ordination in the Church of Rome , recorded at large in Ceremoniale , & Pontificiale Pontificum Romanorum , and the ends of Ordination likewise ( viz. to say Masse , create their Creator , offer up Christ in Sacrifice at the altar to his Father , Invocate Saints , adore Images , yield Canonicall obedience to the Pope and his Supremacy , &c. ) are far different from the form and ends of our Ministers Ordination in the Church of England , prescribed by the Parl. 5. & 6. Ed. 6. c. 1. & ratified by the Statutes of 1 Eliz. 2. c. 1 , 2. 5 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. and 39 Eliz ▪ c. 8. ( made onely by Protestant Parliaments ) as they particularly condemne , renounce the Popes power and Jurisdiction ; so they declare and resolve our Ministers Ordination to be lawfull ; and them * * ● Eliz. c. 1. and Book of Ordination . in very deed to be Ministers , and rightly made , ordained and ●onsecrated , according to Gods word , without any derivative power or Ordination from the Church of Rome . And therefore for this New pander for the Whore of Rome to averre , they receive their ministry and ordination thence , is a NOTORIOVS LYE ; yea , but saith he , Francis Mason of Consecration , and Mr. Yates in his Modell of Divinity prove and confesse , That the Ministry of the Church of England ( established by the Law of the Land ) IS DERIVED FROM THE POPE and ROME . True , but in what sense ? onely by way of Succession , as his own Ministry and Faith ( if he hath any ) were derived from John of Leyden : or just as our Bibles , Religion , Baptisme , Churches were derived thence , and all now living with Canne himself , derived from Popish Ancestors , many even from Popes , Popish Priests , Prelates , Friars , by naturall generation . God used the Popes of Rome and their Instruments to convert the Britains and Saxons from thei Paganisme to the Christian ( not Papal or Roman ) Faith , which through Gods mercy hath continued amongst us ever since ▪ yet mixed of later times with manifold Popish Errors and Superstitions : These Errors and Superstitions , our godly Martyrs , and by them our Kings and Parliaments discovering , did thereupon by speciall Acts of Parliament abolish , as derived from the Church of Rome , together with the Popes usurped power , and Gain , which they served onely to support , retaining onely the Scriptures , Sacraments , Soul-saving Doctrines thence derived by succession onely ( but authoritatively , and originally from God and Christ himself ) with such Godly , Orthodox Bishops and Ministers , who though first ordained in the Church of England when Popish , did yet renounce all the Popish Errors , Corruptions , with the Popes Supremacy , and all Popish additionall Rites to the form of their Ordination and Baptisme : ( which made neither of them void in Substance , no more than their annexing of the Apocrypha to the Canonicall Scriptures , made them uncanonicall ) These afterwards ordained other Bishops and Ministers without any Popish Rites , in such manner as the Gospel prescribes ▪ which Mr. Mason and Yates prove against the Papists , to be a lawfull Ordination , though not made by the Popes Authority , or according to former Popish Ceremonies . In this Sense onely , they write the bare Succession , not the Office and Calling of our Ministers ( as this woodden Canne mistakes ) was derived from the Church of Rome ; but their Ministry it sel● from Christs own Institution . And if this makes them Popish and Antichristian , then all our Protestant Kings , Parliaments , Magistrates , Judges , Officers of all sorts must be Popish too , If not Paganish , because their Predecessors were such : and all Officers , Souldiers of the Army , and Anabaptisticall Saints too , who have purchased any Lands or Revenues of Abbies , Priories , Archbishops , Bishops , Deans , Chapters , must likewise be both Antichristian and Popish ; because their Predecessors , who first enjoyed , and from whom they do derive them , were such . I hope therefore , they will all now renounce these their Purchases to avoid the Guilt and high Scandall of Popery and Antichristianisme ; or disclaim this Second , Loud-lying Voice against our Ministers and their Ministry , as a Voice onely from a prophane , empty Canne ; and not from a Sacred Temple .

But to return from the Lawfullnesse of our Ministers Calling , and to their Tithes ; We have Secondly in this Text a Gospel Ordin●nce for their very Tithes , confirmed by the old Lev●ticall Law , and grounded on its Equity . But how doth this appear ? By these emphaticall words ; EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED ( in the Preterperfect Tense ) That they which Preach the Gospel , should live of the Gospel ; but where hath the Lord ordained this ? The Apostle thrice resolves expressely , that he hath done it in the Leviticall Law , ● . 9. For it is written in the Laws of Moses , ( Deut. 25. 4. ) Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn , doth God take care for Oxen ? Or saith ●e it TOGETHER FOR OVR SAKES ? FOR OVR SAKES NO DOVBT THIS IS WRITTEN : that he that ploweth should plow in hope , and he that thresheth in hope , SHOVLD BE PARTAKER OF HIS HOPE ; which he again recites , 1 Tim. 5 , 18. It this Precept concerning the meat and maintenance of Oxen onely in the Letter , though part of the Levitical Law , was doubtlesse written for , and really intended of the Ministers of the Gospels food and Maintenance , and in full force under the Gospel , as the Apostle resolves then à fortiori ; the Precepts of the Law concerning the food and Livelyhood of Gods Priests and Levites under the Law by Gl●bes and Tithes , not purely Ceremoniall ( as I have already proved ) must doubtlesse be intended of them , and be in full force likewise in their naturall , equitable Sence and Proportion , in relation to their Livelyhood for preaching of the Gospel ; there being a greater Analogy and Proportion between them and Preachers of the Gospel , than betwixt them and Oxen : And to put it out of doubt , he subjoyns ; Do not ye know , that they which minister about holy things , live of the things of the Temple ; and they which wait at the Altar , are partakers with the Altar ? To wit by Go●s expresse Ordinance in the Leviticall Law , which ye know , and therefore I need not particularly cite the words , as I did the other , of not neglecting the Ox , &c. which was more obscure , and needed my former Paraphrase on them ; but thus mind you of in the Generall : and then he inferres and subjoyns : Even so hath the Lord ordained ( to wit by the very naturall , moral Equity of the Lawes and Ordinances he made for the Priests and Levites Maintenance by Tithes and Glebes , and Free-will-offerings , for officiating in the Temple , and at the Altar under the Law ) that the Preachers of the Gospel ( who now succeed , and supply their places , though in different Services in the Churches of Christ under the Gospel ) should live of the Gospel ; even so fully , comfortably , and in such sort , as they did under the Law . And to make this out more fully , and clear it from the Censure of Judaisme , take notice of these four particulars .

1. That in the Holy Ghosts and Gospel phrase and Language , there is a Temple , among and for Christians under the Gospel , as well as among & for the Jews under the Law , ( else Cannes Voice from the Temple , if there be no such place , must be thus amended in his next Edition : A Voice from the Canne or Alehouse ) and that this Temple is nothing else , but the Church , and Saints of Christ , 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Cor. 3 , 16 , 17. chap. 6. 19. Ephes. 2. 21. 2 Thess. 2. 4. Rev. 3. 12. chap , 7. 15. chap. 11. 1 , 2 , 19. chap. 14 , 15. chap , 15. 5 , 6 , 8. chap. 16. 1 , 17.

2 That Christians under the Gospel , have likewise an Altar as well as the Jews , though different from theirs , Heb. 13. 10. We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle , mentioned oft , Rev. 6. 9. chap. 8. 3 , 5. chap. 9. 13. ch. 14. 18. often coupled with the Templ● , Rev. 11. 1. Rise , measure THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND THE ALTAR .

3. We have Sacrifices to be offered on the Altar , as well as the Jews in theirs . 1. The Sacrifice of Prayer , Rev. 8. 3 , 4 , 5. 2. The Sacrifice of Praise , Heb. 13 , 15. 3. The Sacrifice of Charity , alms and good works , Heb. 13. 16. 4. Our own bodies , which we must present as a living Sacrifice , holy , acceptable unto God , by serving him according to his word , as rationall men , not beasts , that were both slain and sacrificed under the Law , Rom. 12. 1.

4. We have Priests likewise to offer up these Spirituall Sacrifices , 1 Pet. 2 , 9. Rev. 1. 6. chap. 5. 10. chap. 20. 6. And these are three . 1. Every sanctified Christian , who must offer up the Sacrifices of Prayer , Praise , alms , and his own body to God , in his private Closet and Family . 2. The Ministers of the Gospel , who must continually offer up these Sacrifices in the peoples behalf , in publick here on earth : now the T●mple , for which we are to render them , not onely Tithes and Glebes , but a Freewil offering of bounty and charity besides , a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God , Phil. 4. 16. 3. Christ Jesus himself , our altar and High Priest too , now in heaven , Heb. 13. 15. cap. 2. 17. c. 4. 14 , 15. c. 5. 10. c. 6. 20. c. 7. 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 27 , 28. c. 8. 1. c. 10. 21. And if Christians have even under the Gospel a Temple , an Altar , and spiritual Sacrifices to offer them to God in publike , as well as the Jews . Why the Priests , who minister about holy things in this Evangelical Temple , wait continually at this spirituall Altar , and offer these spirituall sacrifices publikely unto God thereon , and preach the Gospel likewise ( as the Jewish Priests and Levites did teach and instruct the people in the Law , 2 Chron. 27. 7 , 8 , 9. cap. 35. 2 , 3. cap. 15. 3. Ez●a 7. 25. Neh. 8. 5 , to 12. ) should not receive both Glebes , Tithes and voluntary Oblations from the people , as well as the Priests and Levites did under the Law , by vertue of the self same Levitical law of God , by which they claimed ●hem ( they being both the Priests of the self same God , and both executing the self same priestly office in a different manner , and that by the Apostles own Argument , intention , and positive resolution in this Gospel Text , let Canne and all other oppugners of their Tithes resolve me and others , from as clear Gospel texts these I have here alledged , and others formely insisted on in the first Proposition , or else yeeld their cause for ever lost .

I shall close up all with two other Gospel Texts , most urged and abused by those now in their own cases , who most of all forgot , transgressed and oppugned them heretofore in other mens . The first is , 1 Pet. 2. 13 , 14. Submit your selves TO EVERY ORDINANCE OF MAN for the Lords sake , whether it be TO THE KING AS SUPREAM ; or UNTO GOVERNOURS , &c.

The Second , Rom. 13. 1 , 2. Let every soul be subject unto the Higher powers , for there is NO POWER BVT OF GOD : The powers that are , are ordained of God ; whosoever therefore resisieth the power ▪ THE ORDINANCE OF GOD ; and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation . That these two Scriptures extend only to lawfull ●ereditary , or elective Kings . Governours , Higher powers , and that in their lawful commands , alone ; not to Usurpers , Tyrants , Invaders of the peoples Rights , Laws , Liberties , Properties , Lives ( who may and ought to be resisted , as well as any other Theeves , Robbers , Invaders , Murtherers whatsoever ) I have largly proved in my Second Part of my Soveraign Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes , ( Authorized by the Commons House of Parliament ) p. 102 to 131. to which I shall refe●r the Reader for satisfaction , not being the point in issue , to which alone I shall apply them . In the former Text last insisted on , we had an Ordinance of God himself for the Maintenance and Tithes of the Preachers of the Gospel : and here we have , two Gospel commandements to submit TO EVERY ORDINANCE of our lawfull Governours , and Higher Powers ( agreeable to Gods Ordinances , not repugnant to them ) for the Lords sake , and not to resist them : for though the Ordinances themselves be made but by men ; and in that sence sti●ed , every ordinance of man ; yet the Powers that make them , are ordained of God ; and therefore those who resist them in their humane ordinances , though but in humane things , do therein resist the very ORDINANCE OF GOD ; especially in things divine commanded by and approved in Gods own sacred Word . Now the Maintenance of Gods Ministers by Tithes , is an expresse Ordinance of God himself , both before and during the Law , and under the Gospel too , prescribed , warranted by all the forecited Texts : And there are infinite Laws , Statutes , Decrees , Canons , ORDINANCES of just and lawfull Christian Emperours , Kings , Governours , Parliaments , States , Councels , Synods and all higher Powers as well Civill as Ecclesiastical in all Christian Kingdomes , States , Churches , especially in our own , for the establishment and due payment of them to the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel too : Therefore they are duly , constantly , chearfully to be paid unto them by all Christians and Professors of the very Gospel , and cannot , may not be oppugned , detained , substracted , resisted by John Canne or any of his Confederates , nor abrogated by any pretending to Power Ordained by God , without resisting the ordinance of God himself , fighting against him ; as these Texts and Acts 5. 39. resolve . For which they shall receive to themselves damnation , though they dream ( as many now do ) they shou●d merit heaven and salvation , by subverting both Tithes and Ministers , even by open armed violence , if they cannot accomplish it by Jesuitical policy , and pious frauds . And thus much for the confirmation of the Second Proposition by Scripture Texts and Presidents .

For humane Authorities , that Tithes are lawfull and due to Ministers by a Divine Right even under the Gospel ; I could cite very many , were I neer my Library and Books as heretofore , but being far distant from them , I shall trouble you onely with a Catalogue of such as I have by me , or remember : For Fathers of this Judgement and opinion you may peruse St. Ambrose in Sermone Quadragesimae , cited by Gratian , Causa 16. qu. 7. St. Hierome on Mal. 3. and St. Augustine Serm. 219. De Reddendis Decimis Tom. 10. both cited by Gratian Causa 16. qu. 1. For Councils , you may peruse Concilium Rothomagense & Maforiense in Gratian. Causa 16. qu. 7. Concilium Matisconense 2. Anno 588. Concilium apud Solomanum . Anno 1266. Synodus Rothingae An. 1581. Concilium Trevense Ann. 1427. ( which resolves , Decimae fuerunt à DEO primitus Institutae ; & ●raecipiuntur solvi tam de veteri , quam de Novo Testamento ) Syndus Lingon Ann. 1404. Synodus Turonensis An. 1588. Concilium Tridentinum ; & Tholosanum . Ann. 1591. which decree , That the payment of Tithes , Divino jure cautum est , sacrisque utriusque Testamenti libris confirmatum . All these Collected together by Bochillus Decreto Ecclesiae Gallicanae l. 6. Tit. 8. De Decimis , with many more recorded in Binius , Sarius , Crab , Caranza , Merlin , Syrmond , and other Collectors of the Decrees of Councils , resolve , Tithes to be due to the Ministers of the Gospel by Divine Right . For forreign popish Authors , * * B●ch●llus Decret. Eccles. Gal. 6. Tit. 8. c. 8. p. 904. Aimericus Bishop of Poitiers in France in a Synod there held , An. 1367. Enjoyned all Chaplains on Lords-dayes and Holy-dayes diligently to declare to the people in time of Masse , and likewise in their Sermons under pain of Excommunication . Qualiter Ex praecepto Divinae Legis , quilibet Catholicus tenetur solvere Ecclesiae decimas de omnibus licite acquisitis : Gratian the Canonist Caus. 16. qu. 1. & 7. with John Therry , and others Glossers on his Text ; Hostiensis in his Summa Aurea , Angelus de Clavasio in his Summa Angelica : Baptista Tirvomala , in his Summa Rossella : Tit. Decimae ; Innocentius , Res. de Decimis , Rezulfus de Decimis . Tyndanus in his special Tract de Decimis , printed at Colen , An. 1590. and generally all other Canonists . Alexander Alensis , Summa Theol. parte 3. Richardus de Media vissa in lib. 4. Sentent . Distinct. 17. and most other Schoolmen on that place . Aquinas 2. 2. quaest. 87. with most Commentators on him there assert . That Tithes are even at this day JURE DIVINO , in quantum sunt à jure Naturali & Morali , but not as they were Ceremonial . That Popish old and new Expositors and Commentators on Gen ▪ 14 and 28. Levit. 2. Chron. 31. Neh. 10. and 13. Mal. 3. Mat. 10. Luke 10. Rom. 16. 1 Cor. 9. Gal. 6. 6. 1 Thess. 5. Heb. 7. 1 Tim. 5. are all of the same opinion , and most Protestant Expositors likewise . And therefore the Jesui●● , popish Priests , Papists activity , businesse now in declaming against English Tithes as popish and antichristian , against th● Decrees and Resolutions of their own Councels , Canonists , Ca●uists , Schoolmen , Expositors , can proceed from no other ground but a malicious designe to subvert , starve and ruine our Ministers for want of maintenance , and thereby extirpate our Religion to advance their own ; and then they will cry and set up Tithes again as much as ever . The judgement of Forreign Protestant Divines concerning the Divine right of Ministers maintenance , and that by Tithes were setled , and the Sacrilegious impiety of those , who would rob them of it , you may read in their Commentaries and Expositions on the Texts forecited . Let learned Nicholas Hemingius speak for them all in his words already cited ; and in his Exposi●ion on Gal. 6. 6. p. 175. Dicit Scriptura , Bovi trituranti non obligabis os . Et dignus est Operarius mereede sua : Indignissimus igitur Christiano nomine censendus est , qui Ministros Evangelii totius Ecclesiae curam Gerentes negligit . BESTIA QUAMVIS IMMANIOR EST ( Let Canne and his Confederates remember it ) qui eos odio prosequitur & prascindit , quorum Ministerio ad salutem , & immortalitatem invitatur . Sed proh dolor ! bona pars mundi ( and never so much as now ) huc incumbit , UT POTIUS ALLQUID ADIMAT MINISTERIO , QUAM ADDAT , tanta est ingratitude & perversitas , etiam illorum , qui sacrilege gloriari de Christiano nomine . Horum sanè factum , nihil defferre arbitror à sacrilegio & latrocinio , cu●us poenas olim luent architecti & fabri hujus mali . Non est quod quisquam quaerat subterfugia , quibus se excuset , cur minus sit Liberalis erga Ministr●s Evangelii : Oculos quidem hominum fallere potest ; sed Deus non fallitur , in cujus contemptum alia at qu● alia praetexunt ingrati . Hic tres Loei observantur : Primus , Quod victus & alia Officia debeantur oeconomis mysteriorum Dei , seu Catechesis . Secundus , Quod perniciosus error fit , non prudentia , defraudare ministros su● debita mercede . Tertius , Quod Spiritus Sanctus in Paulo interpretetur , Derisionem Majestatis divinae est , negare victum & alia officia verbi doctoribus .

For our own Domestick Councils , Parliaments and Writers judgment herein ; * * Spelman Conc. tom. 1. p. 259 , 268 , 396 , 347 , 402 , 418 , 554 , 620. Gulielmi Lambardi Archaion . Egbert Archbishop of York , in his Excerptions about the year of Christ , An. 750. c. 4. 99 , 100. The National Council of Calchuch under King Oswald and Offa , ann 787 c. 17. forecited . The famous Councel of Patelean , under King Athelstan , ann. 928. cap. 1. De Decimis sollicitè reddendis ; Odo Archbishop of Canterbury in his Constitutions , ann. 943. c. 10. De Decimis reddendis . The Canons under King Edgar , about the year 967. Can. 54. The Ecclesiastical laws of King Aethelred , ann. 1012 ▪ cap. 4. The Ecclesiastical laws of Edward the Confessor , c. 8. confirmed by Wlilliam the Conquerour . The popish Schoolmen , Canonists , and Commentators on the Texts forecited , ( whose names , I pretermit ) resolve in positive terms , That Tithes are due to God and his Ministers under the Gospel , by Divine Right . The same is asserted by divers of our Protestant Divines , particularly by Dr. George Carleton , in his Treatise intituled . Tithe● proved TO BE DUE BY A DIVINE RIGHT , printed at London 1606. By Richard Mountague , in his Diairibe on the first part of the History of Tithes , London 1628. by Robert Tileslee , his Animadversions on Mr. Seldens History of Tithes , London 1619. Mr. Samue● Purchase in his Pilgrimage l. 2. c. 7. with sundry others . And though some English Writers are of a different opinion , yet all accord , that being setled by our laws , they are duly to be paid , even in point of justice and conscience , and that they are not simply unlawfull ; but a fitting maintenance under the Gospel , which Mr. Selden in his History of Tithes doth affirm , and no wayes oppose : Seeing then all these , with the laws of sundry other Authorities , conclude them to be of Divine Right , and a grievous Sin and Sacrilege against God to substract or abolish them ; & those , who oppugne their Divine Right under the Gospel , do affirm , it is no sin , but a bounden Debt and Duty to pay them , as setled by humane Grants , Donations , Vows , Laws , Canons , Constitutions , Prescriptions time out of minde ; how any bearing the name of Christians , can or dare with open face oppugn , detain , or attempt their total abrogation now , as Jewish or Antichristian , I referre it to their own consciences , and others resolutions to determine .

I shall answer one grand Objection against Ministers Tithes , under the Gospel ; and so close up this Chapter . Neither Jesus Christ himself , nor his Apostles , nor the Ministers of the Primitive Church for two or three hundred years after them , received Tithes for preaching the Gospel , but lived onely upon the peoples alms and voluntary contributions . Therefore the Ministers of the Gospel likewise after them ought to receive no Tithes of the people for preaching the Gospel , but to live upon Alms and voluntary contributions , as they did . This was William Thorpes chief argument against Tithes , Fox Acts and Monuments , vol. 1. p. 699 , 700. who addes , That those Priests , who will challenge or take Tithes , deny that Christ is come in the flesh , and do the Priests Office of the Old Law , for whom Tithes were granted , for else Priests take now Tithes wrongfully ; citing this , not as his own , but a Doctors opinion , whose name he remembred not , but thought it was St. Jerome ( or rather St. Canne ) in his New Voyce p. 13 , 14 , 15. who delivers this for Orthodox Doctrine ; which St. * * See Gr●t●a● Caus. 16. qu. 1. 7. Jerome contradicts , with all other ancient Doctors I have read .

Ans. To this I reply , 1. That Christ and his Apostles lived amongst the Jews , who at that time were obliged by Gods own Law to pay their Tithes onely to such Priests and Levites as were of the Tribe of Levi , of which Tribe Christ and his Apostles were not , and therefore they challenged not Tithes from them , Heb. 7. 5. to 15.

2. They then paid their Tithes duly to their Priests and Levites ( mention●● John 1. 19. ) for which Christ commended them , resolving they ought not to omit it , Matth. 23. 23. Luke 11. 42. Chap. 18. 12. Therefore it was no reason they should pay them over again to Christ or his Apostles ( no more than Papists , who pay Tithes in kind against their wills unto our Minister , though not to their own Priests , but onely voluntary Contribution ) whiles their Priesthood stood in force , which they generally submitted to .

3. The totall abrogation of the Leviticall Priesthood , and Ceremonies by the death of Christ , was not certainly known to , nor resolved by the Apostles and believing Jews or Gentiles , till some years space after our Saviours Ascension , as is evident by Acts 15. in the great case of Circumcision , about which there was a Synod assembled by Pauls circumcising Timothy after this , because of the Jews . Acts 16. 3. and purifying himself , and shaving his head after the Jewish manner , many years afterward Acts 21. 20. to 28. which he being a Jew was obliged even then to observe to avoid scandall , but not to the Gentiles . Therefore Tithes amongst the Jews , were then still paid to their Leviticall Priests , and not to the Apostles .

4. Though Christ whiles on earth , received no Tithes from the Jews , yet he had a just Right and Title to Tithes from Abraham and all his Posterity , and the Leviticall Priests themselves ( especially after their abolition ) as he was a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech , to whom Abraham himself and the Levites then in his loins paid Tithes of all , Heb. 7. 1. to 15. ( of which at large before : ) Therefore he had a just Right to receive Tithes from them , both before and after the Leviticall priesthood was abolished , which he might have both lawfully claimed and exercised , and his Apostles likewise in his Right , though they did it not . We read that Christ had a just Right and Title by Inheritance , and lineall descent from his Father King David to the Temporall Crown and Kingdome of Judah ; and is therefore said by the Wisemen Matth. 2. 2. TO BE BORN KING OF THE JEWS ( an unanswerable Argument for the lawfulnesse and Excellency of Hereditary Titles to Crowns and Kingdomes , before that of Election onely , wherewith I frequently silenced vapouring Souldiers against Hereditary Kingship , being the very Title of Christ himself , both to his a a Luke 1. 32 , 33. Rev. 22 , 16 Isn . 9. 6 , 7. Jer. 25. 5. c. 30. 9. c. 33. 17 , 21 , 26 Ezcch. 37. 24 , 26. Spirituall and Temporall Kingdome , and that which b b Gen. 49. 10. Deut , 17. 20. 2 Sam. 7. 12. to 24. 1 Kings 2. 4 c 8. 20. c. 9. 5 , c. 15. 3 , 4. Psal. 89. 3 , 4 , ●8 . to 39 Ps●l 32. 11 , 12 , 13. 2 Ch● . 6 10 , 16 , 17. ● . 2. 11. c. 13. 5. c. ● . 18. c. 21. 7. c. ●3 3. Jer. 17 24 , 25 26. c. 22. 3 , 4. c. 33 17 , 22. God instituted amongst his Church and people , as the best , the surest of all other , c c 2 Sam. 10. 1. 1 Chr. 19. 1. 2 Kings 3. 26 , 27. c. 13 , 24. c. 14. 37. Isa. 19 ●1 . c. 37. 38. taken up by most Heathen Nations ; ) Now though Christ neither claimed nor exercised this his Temporall Right ; but avoided it , when the people would have made him King by force , John 6. 15. who yet after cryed him for the King of Israel , John 12. 13 , 15. which even Pilate himself acknowledged ; when he said unto the Jews BEHOLD YOUR KING : demanded of them SHALL I CRUCIFIE YOUR KING ? and wrote and fixed this Title on his Crosse , JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS John . 19 14 , 15 , 19. will or can John Canne , or any other of his confederates , h●nce justly inf●rre ; that it was unlawfull for Christ himself , Right Heir by Descent to his Hereditary Temporall Kingdome , kept and thrust out thereof by usurping Herod ( who murdered all the Infants in Bethlehem , and the Coasts thereof that were two years old and under , and should haue murdered our Saviour himself to secure his own usurped Power , Mat. 2. 13 , 16. ( Such is the bloudy cruelty and Jealousie of Usurpers , to have claimed or exercised this his just , Hereditary Right to the Crown , or unlawfull for the people to have thrust out this bloudy Intruder , Herod by force from his usurped Authority and made Christ King as they intended , or because Christ did then voluntarily forbear and relinquish his Right to Herod , that it is therefore unlawfull , for any other Hereditary Christian King or Right Heir to a Crown , kept from , or thrust out of his Throne and Kingdome by armed violence against the generality of his peoples desires , by any aspiring , usurping Herod , to lay claim to his Crown or Kingdome , or for the faithfull , naturall born Subjects , according to their duty , Oathes , and Allegiance , to endevour by all lawfull means , and open force to exp●ll , dethrone such Herods , and crown and set their lawfull Soveraign on the Throne of the Kingdome . Doubtlesse they cannot be so absurdly stupid , as affirm it , seeing Jeboiadah the high Priest , the Captains of Hundreds , Levites , Souldiers and people too , thrust out Ath●liah ( the bloudy Usurper of the Kingdome and Throne of Judah ) in the seventh year of her Usurpation , and crowned Joash THE KINGS SON , as the Lord had said OF THE SONS OF DAVID , and set him KING VPON THE THRONE OF THE KINGDOME : whereupon ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND REJOYCED AND THE CITY WAS QUIET : as is recorded at large to their eternall Honour by God himself , and for others imitation in the like case , 2 Chron. 23. and 2 Kings 11. and seeing all may justly lay claim to , and repossesse themselves of such Lands , Houses , Goods , as others forcibly detain or take from them against all Law , Right , notwithstanding Christs Non-claim to his Rightfull Crown : then by the self same Reason our Ministers of the Gospel now may lawfully take and challenge Tithes from the people , though Christ and his Apostles did not , albeit they had a just Right and Title to them , which they might have exercised had they pleased without Sin , or Judaisme , as our Ministers do now . To clear which Right from Judaisme and all other Cevills beyond all contradiction , I shall cite onely two Proph●●ies , relating joyntly to Christs Kingdome , and Ministers u●der the Gospel . The first is Jer. 33. 15. to the end . In those dayes and at that time will I cause the Branch of Righteousnesse to grow up unto David , and he shall execute Righteousnesse , and Judgement in the Land . In those dayes shall Judah be saved , and Jerusalem shall dwell safely , and this is the name wherewith he shall be called , the Lord our Righteousnesse . For thus saith the Lord , David shall never want a man to sit upon the Throne of the House of Israel : Neither the Priests , the Levites , want a man before me to offer Burnt-Offerings , and to kindle Meat-Offerings , and to do Sacrifices continually . Thus saith the Lord , if you can break my Coven●nt of the day , and my Covenant of the night , so that there should not be day and night in their season : then may also my Covenant be broken with David my Servant , that he should not have a Son to reign upon his Throne , AND WITH THE LEVITES THE PRIESTS MY MINISTERS . As the Host of heaven cannot be numbred , neither the sand of the Sea measured , so will I multiply the Seed of David my Servant , AND THE LEVITES THAT MINISTER UNTO ME , &c. The 2d is Isa. 66. 18. to 22 I will gather all nations , and tongues and they shall come and see my Glory , and I will set a Signe among them , and I will send those that escape of them unto the Nations , and to Tarshish , &c. and TO THE ISLES AFAR OFF ( whereof England is chief and principally intended ) And they shall bring all your Brethren for an * * See Rom. 12. 1. Offering unto the Lord out of all Nations , upon Horses and in Chariots , and in Litters , and upon Mules , and upon swift Be●sts , TO MY HOLY MOVNTAIN IN JERVSALEM , saith the Lord , as the Children of Israel bring on Offering in a clean Vessell VNTO THE HOVSE OF THE LORD , And I WILL ALSO TAKE OF THEM FOR PRIESTS and FOR LEVITES , saith the Lord . From which Texts I shall observe ;

1. That as Christs Title to his everlasting Spirituall Kingdome under the Gospel , over all the converted Gentiles , as well as Jews , is expressely set forth to be neither elective , nor by conquest , but by DESCENT * * Whence he is stiled Heir of all things . Heb. 1. 12. And the Lord shall giv● unto him . THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID and HE shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever , &c. Luke 1. 32 , 33. HEIRSHIP and lineall Succession from King David ; and all the regenerated Sons of God by their Right of Son-ship , and new-birth , even in like sort intituled to the Kingdome of heaven ( whence they are stiled HEIRS and INHERITORS OF THE KING-DOME , Jam. 2. 5. Gal. 3. 27. Rom. 8. 17. Titus 3 , 17. Heb. 1. 14. chap. 6. 17. 1 Pet. 3. 7. Mat. 25. 34. and this Kingdome THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS , Col. 1. 12. Ephes. 1. 11. 14 , 18. 1. Pet. 1. 4. Acts 20. 32. an unanswerable argument , that Heirship and Birthright is the best , Surest , Jestest , Honourablest , Lawfullest Title of all other to Crowns , Kingdomes , and Possessions on earth , being the very Title of Christ himself to his everlasting Kingship , and Kingdome , and of the Saints in and by Christ , to the Kingdome of heaven it self , and Crown of Glory ; ) so the Seat and Throne of this His Kingdome , is said to be Zion and Jerusalem : ( most emphatically expressed , Isa. 24. 23. The Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion , and in Jerusalem , before his Ancients gloriously ) A typ● of the Church of God under the Gospel , first planted in , and propagated from thence throughout the World , according to the Prophesies Isaiah 2. 3. Michah 4. 2. ) Whence the Church under the Gospel is called the New Jerusalem , &c. Rev. 3. 12. chap. 21. 2 , 10. Gal. 4. 26. Heb. 12. 22.

2. That the Ministers of , and under the Gospel , are expresly stiled in these prophesies Priests and Levites , severall times .

3. That their Office under the Gospel in a mysticall sence , is to offer bu●nt-offerings , to bake or kindle Meat-Offerings , to do Sacrifices continually , and to Minister unto God .

4. That these Priests and Levites , should be taken out of the converted Gentiles , and Isles afar off , whereof our Isle was chief .

5. Priests and Levites should never fail , cease , nor want a man under the Gospel , and that would multiply them as the Host of Heaven , as well as the Seed of David .

6. That they should convert and bring their brethren for an offering out of all Nations , and the Isles afar off , to Gods Mountain and House in Jerusalem , as the children of Israel used to bring their Offerings thither . Since therefore the Ministers of the Gopel in these prophesies are thus expressely stiled Priests and Levites , and are to offer burnt-Offerings , Meat-Offerings , Sacrifices and Oblations to God in his Mountain and House at Jerusalem , &c. under David their King , in an Evangelicall sence ; without any Judaisme or denying of Christs coming in the flesh ; they may undoubtedly in the self same sence and Right , receive all Glebes , Tithes , Oblations , and other dues from Christians , and converted Jews under the Gospel , as the Priests and Levites did at Jerusalem under King David and his Successors ; seeing they succeed them in their Office in an Evangelicall sence , according to these prophesies which as strongly confirm the Maintenance of their Priestly Function , their Tithe● , as their Evangelicall Priesthood .

7. Although Christ , his Apostles , and the Ministers of the Gospel in the Primitive times , whiles the Church was in the * * Rev. 12. 16. 4 Wildernesse under grievous , blo●dy , Antichristian Kings , Magistrates , Persecutours , by reason of the present persecution , neither did nor could receive Tithes and Gleb●s for their Maintenances from the persecuted Christians , and therefore were necessitated to live by private Contribution and extraordinary wages in that case of extremity , yet it no wayes follows , that therefore all Ministers of the Gospel afterwards shall do so in setled Kingdomes , States , Nations converted to the saith ; where Kings , Magistrates , People doe all generally embrace and professe the Gospel , and where Churches are established , and Ministers Glebes and Tithes are or may be confirmed by setled Laws : which I shall irrefragably prove by these instances .

1. The Priests and Levites under the Law , had no Glebes or Tithes at all , whiles the Israelites wandred 40 years together in the wildernesse , though they had then * * Levit. 27. 30 , 31 , 32. Numb. 35. 2 , 2 , 4. a La● , and right to receive them . Will the Objectors thence inferr● , Therefore they ought to have no Tithes nor Glebes when the Israelites were possessors of and setledin the Land of Canaan in peace ; when they enjoyed both without dispute ?

2. The Priests and Levites had no Tithes nor Glebes in the Realm of Israel under the Vsurper Jeroboam , and his Idolatrous successors , who deprived them of their possessions , Cities , Suburbes , Tithes and Priest Office too , 2 Chron. 11. 13 , 14. c. 13. 9. Therefore , the Priests and Levites in the Kingdome of Judah , might not lawfully claim nor enjoy any Glebes or Tithes , nor Ministers under the Gospel , nor yet those in Israel , under David and Solomon , who were no Persecutors but Patrons of them .

3. When both these Kingdoms with their Priest and Levites were carried away captives into Assyria and Babylon ; the Priests and Levites during the 70 years captivity enjoyed neither Glebes nor Tithes : Will it them follow : Therefore they might lawfully enjoy neither , after their restitution to their Country and execution of their Priestly Function , and the reedifying of the Temple ; as we read they did : Neh. 10. 38. c. 12. 44. c. 13. 1. to 13. and the people charged with robbing of God , when they neglected to pay Tithes and Oblations to them , Mal. 3. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10.

4. Christ himself , so soon as born was forced to fly out of his Country into Aegypt , by bloudy Herod , and to remain there till after his death . Mat. 2. 13 , 14 , 15. After which he complained , That Foxes had holes , and Birds of the ayre nests ; yet he had not where to lay his head , Mat. 8. 20. Luke 9. 58 , And at last , he was apprehended , mocked , reviled , crowned with thorns , crucified by the malicious Jews and SOLDIERS , who parted his Garments among them , and cast Lots upon his Vesture : The Evang●lists closing up the Tragedy of his Passion with this perpetuall brand upon the Domineering cruell Soldiers : THESE THINGS THEREFORE THE SOLDIERS DID : John 19. 24. For which , and for reporting a Lye to smother the truth of Christs Resurrection , the High Priest GAVE LARGE MONEY TO THE SOLDIERS besides , Matt. 28. 12 , 15. Will Canne therefore hence conclude ; theresore our Souldiers now must force our Ministers to fly into Aegypt-till Herods death ; leave them neither Rectory , Personage house , or Vicarge , nor yet so much as a Bed , Bolster , Tith-Hay or Straw , whereon to lay their heads ; and naile them to the Crosse , pierce their sides with spears-points , revile , deride them , and at last part not only all their Glebes , Tithes and Goods , but their very Garments and Gowns between them ? Surely if they must and shall do so ; let them beware of another perpetual memento like the former . These things therefore , The Soldiers did : So the Soldiers took the mony , and did as they were taught by Canne and Popish Priests and Jesuits .

5. The Apostles who succeeded our Saviour in those dayes of persecution , were thus handled by Pauls own relation , 1 Cor. 4. 9 , &c. We are made a spectacle unto the world , unto Angels and to men : we are fools for Christs sake , we are weake , we are despised : even to this present houre , we are hungry and thirst , and are naked , and are buffeted , and have no certain dwelling place , we are reviled , persecuted , defamed ; we are as the filth of the world , and the off-scouring of all things unto this day . If all Ministers in times of peace and setlement must be like the Apostles , in not receiving ti●hes ; then they must be like them too even in setled Christian Kingdoms , States , Churches , in all these their particular sufferings ; and have no certain dwelling place , &c. And if so ; Let Canne & his new Ministers of the Gospel ( as they stile themselves ) begin the president ; of whom our Ministers may now say , as Paul did of the Corinthians in the precedent verse of this chapter v. 8. Now ye are full , nowye are rich , ye have reigned as Kings , without us : when as most of them were very poore , and farre enough from reigning as Kings , or so much as Petty Constables before these unhappy Wars , and in dayes of former persecution , when Canne himself durst not shew his face in England for fear of a Bishops power , or High-commission Pursuivant ; nor durst reproach our Orthodox protestant pious Ministers , and Parliaments as Antichristian , Popish ; and compare their Laws for Ministers Tithes , with the very Idolatrous Statutes of Omri and A●ab ( as he doth now p. 3. ) for which he might have taken a turn at Tiburn , in steed of walking fre●ly in Westminster Hall , without being questioned for this his impudent high Slanders both of our Laws and Parliaments , as well as Ministry .

6. If the M●nisters of the Gospel be bound to imitate the Apostles in all things ; then they must not have Gold nor Silver , nor Brasse in their purses , neither Scrip nor two Coats , nor yet Shoes , but Sandals onely on their feet , Mat. 10. 9 , 10. Mar. 6. 8 , 9. as the Capuchin-Friars Mendicants hence conclude : this being a positive Precept , the objected examples of the Apostles , &c. onely a a President . And if so , not onely all our Ministers , but Canne and all his Administrators , must turn Friars Mendican●s too in good earnest , ( who ground their Vow of Voluntary poverty on this Text ; and the objected Presidents of Christ and his Apostles ) and so become no Ministers of Christ , but Antichrist , and as truly Antichristian as these Friars are .

7. If our Ministers must all now be like those of the Primitive times , whiles under persecuting Heathen Emperours , Kings , Magistrates , then all Saints and Christians too in our dayes , and times must imitate and be like the Saints and Christians in those dayes : They must sell all their old and new purchased Lands , Houses , Lordships , Palaces , and lay the money at the Ministers feet , have all things in common like the reall Saints and Christians in the Apostles times , Acts 4. 34. to the end , and instead of Lording and feasting it in their new acquired Royall , Episcopall Palaces , and Mannor Houses , they must wander about in Sheep-skins , and Goat-skins , in Desarts and in Mountains , and in Dens and Caves of the earth , being destitute and afflicted , like the Saints of old ; yea , and like them they must be tortured , not accepting deliverance , have trialls of cruell mockings and scourgings , bonds and imprisonments , be stoned , sawn asunder , slain with the Sword , instead of slaying , plundering , imprisoning and sawing others asunder with the Sword , Heb. 11. 35. to 39. And when our Army-Saints , Officers , Souldiers , with other Tithe Oppugners , who presse this Objection against Ministers Tithes , shall lay down their Arms , Commands , Power , Lands , sell all they have and become like to all these Primitive Saints and Martyrs of Christ in sufferings , in times of Persecution , I doubt not , but our Ministers will joyfully part both with their Glebes , Rectories , Tithes , and setled Maintenance to sympathize with them in their Persecutions and Sufferings . But til● such hard times of Persecutions , and they begin to follow this President of the self-denying Primitive S●ints . I hope they will not make all our Ministers present Martyrs in their Tithes and setled Maintenance , nor enjoyn them alone to follow the Primitive Ministers of the Gospel in those times of persecution ; and prove greater persecutors to them in these pretended times of Christian Liberty and Justice , than the late Oppressing Prelates and High Commissioners , who suffered many of them ( though Non-conformists ) to enjoy their Tithes and Glebes ; and not eject or disinherit them and their Successors for ever , of their ancient Glebes , Tithes , and setled Maintenance , without any Legall Tri●ll by their Peers , or Conviction of any Treasonable crimes against our known Lawes , for which they deserve to forfeit them ; and all under the false petence , that Tithes are Jewish and Antichristian under the Gospel , which I hope I have sufficiently refuted ( being established on them by Ch●istian Kings , States , Parliaments , immediately after the Primitive persecutions , generally throughout Christendome , as the fittest Maintenance of all other , and particularly in our Realm , when as the abolishing of them will be really such in the Judgement of all Godly Protestants and Patrons of Religion , both at home and throughout the World .

FINS .