THe Lord Almighty , the God of Abraham and of his seed , and grand Proprietor of the Land of Canan , pursuant to his promise made to his faithfull Servant in the plain of M●reah , Saying Vnto thy seed will I give this Land Genesis 12.7 . After the Expiration of about six hundred and fifty y●ares brought Abrahams seed into possession of the Land of promise , and made Eleaven Tribes of twelve freeholders , reserving only Tythes holy to himself as Moses witnesseth Lev : 27.30 . in these words And all the Tith of the Land , whether of the seed of the land or of the fruite of the trees , it is the Lords , it is holy unto the Lord . And vers the 32 concerning the Tith of the Heard , and of the Flock , even whatsoever passeth vnder the Rodd , the tenth shall be holy vnto the Lord . And Deut : 14.22 . Thou shalt truly tith all the encrease of thy seed that the feild bringeth forth yeare by yeare &c.

This was tithing by divine Institution & by Gods Ordinance , But ( allwayes to be remembred ) vnder the Ministration of the old Covenant , the Mosaick law ( which made nothing perfect ) and the Leviticall Pristhood ( which could not continue by reason of Death ) and this being a changeable Preisthood there is a necessitie also of a change of the law , as saith the Apostle Heb : 7.12 . But it being the Grand objection of the Clergie of this Age ( and many others upon their account ) That forasmuch as God once Ordained and Commanded the payment of tith , it still remains in force as a perpetuall binding law to all Generations ; It was once law●ull ( say they ) and never vnlawfull ; And therefore tithes as properly and vndenyablie belonges to the Clergie of this Age , and these Nations now , as ever it did to the Levitecall Preisthood vnder the first Covenant .

And vpon this ground I my selfe have severall times ( in times past ) been impleaded in the Consistory Court ( so called ) for desireing the payment of tith , and know not how soone I may be so againe for the same cause , which CAUSE , I doe preferr before all earthly Relations or considerations whatsoever . I have therefore ( to the end I may give some account of my Testimonie herein , and in order to the satisfaction of some that have desired the same .

First . Dilligently examined the paying and receiving Tith vnder the Mosaicke law , and duly enquired into the grounds and reasons thereof , together with other needfull circumstances as well relateing to the time and place , the persons concerned in the paying and receiveing of it . And whether the Command of God which was given to the Israellites vnder the old Covenant be of force and binding vpon beleivers vnder the new Covenant Yea or nay .

Secondly . I have compared the tithing of the Clergie of this age and Generation , with the Leviticall tithing ( vpon which they ground their practice ) and shewed wherein it differeth .

And Thirdly , have shewed how burdensome and oppressive the tything of the Clergie of this age is , beyond what was the practice of the Levites in their dayes ; and inconsistant with the rules of Common equity and principles of pure Reason .

First . As to the first , I referrence to the Leviticall tything , I have considered the extent of Gods Command wherevpon the payment of tythes was grounded .

Secondly . The extent of Gods donation or graunt whereon the takeing or receiveing tyth was also grounded .

Thirdly . The equall Just and reasonable consideration wherevpon both the Command and graunt were grounded .

Of these in their purposed order , & first of the first Namely of the extent of Gods Command , wherevpon the payment of tithes was grounded , and of that , first as it related to the tyme when and how long , Secondly , the place where , Thirdly the Persons whom concerned in the payment thereof .

First , I say as it hath relation to the time when , and that I finde to be only during the Continuance of the first and old Covenant , the first and changable Preisthood and the first Tabernacle , which Tabernacle was a figure for the time then present , and the service whereof as the Apostle witnesseth Heh : 9.9 . 10th , Stood only in meats and drinks and divers washings and Carnall Ordinances w●ich were imposed till the time of Reformation &c. And dureing that time , vntill the Change of that Preisthood ( which could not continue by reason of death ) And vntill the perfection was obtained by the bringing in of a better hope which by the law could not be obtained ( for the law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did ) Heb 7. v. 19. And vntill the appearance of that everlasting and vnchangable High-Preist Christ Iesus the Righteous , who to put away Sinne by the Sacrifice of himselfe offered himselfe once for all , and by that one offering perfected forever those that are Sanctified . I say before and vntill the appearance of this High-Preist and the offering of this Sacrifice , the Command for tithing as well as for offering Sacrifices vpon the Altar ) was in force and noe longer .

And this as to point of time was the vtmost extent of that Command ! For the same that put an end to the Service of the first Tabernacle , and the work of the first Preist-hood & tooke it cleane away , did also abolish and take away the wages that was appointed for that worke .

Secondly , As the Command for tithing relates to place ▪ I doe not find either by writing or tradition amongst the Jews that it extended to any other place then to the Land of Canaan only , and it is very manifest by Lev : 27. vers the 30. and 32. and Deut: 14. v , 22. and other Scriptures That the vtmost extent of the Command was circumscribed within the Inheritance of the twelve Tribes .

Thirdly , The extent of the Command as it relates to persons concerned in paying tith , I find to be limitted to the Children of Israell , the Jewish nationall Church only , and not to concerne any other Nation , Church or people in the world . For this is still the Phrase of Scripture concerning Gods Laws , Commands & Institutions , Namely , The Lord spake vnto Moses saying , speake vnto the Children of Israell thus or thus &c. He doth not bid Moses give this Command to all the Children of men , to be observed in all ages , in all places and by all Nations Jews and Gentles ; Nay , if this could be made appeare by those those that Challenge tithes from Gentiles Churches , the Controversie would soone be ended .

Secondly , And in the next place ( haveing before considered of the extent of Gods Command as it relates to time , place and person ) I offer to consideration the extent of Gods Donation or graunt wherevpon the lawfull takeing & receiveing tithes was also grounded ; And that is to be considered with like circumstances ; which as to time and Place is limitted as the former . And if any man whatsoever can produce the warrant of Divine Authoritie , for asking , taking or receiving ( much less enforceing ) tithes in any other Place then in the land of Canaan , of any other People then of the Israelites then let me beare the blame and Shame for disobeying .

And this I further observe , That God reserving tithes from the Eleaven tribes , Graunted it over to the tribe of Levie not absolutely but conditionally ; allowing them a Competancy for themselves and enjoyneing them by the same Authority to admitte of severall Sharers with them of each two yeares tith , the owner was to eate a Share his Sonn and Daughter , his man Servant and Maid Servant as appears in Devt : 12.17 . and eighteenth verses . And in every third yeares tith , the Stranger Fatherless and Widdow were to be admitted Sharers as appeares Deut: 14.28.29 . verses . And Deut : 26 12.13 . verses . So that by the afore mentioned Scriptures it 's plainely manifest , That the owner and his Family the Stranger Fatherless and Widowes are by divine appointment as truly vested in the right of tythes , as any Levite whatsoever .

The nex thing remarkable is , The just and equall consideration wherevpon both the Command for paying and the graunt or warrant for receiveing tythes was grounded . Where by the way it is to be noted , That the seed of Abraham ( on whom the land of Canaan was entailed by promise above five hundred yeares before ) was by this time Multiplyed into twelve numerouse tribes , all which were travelling to possesse the land . And every Tribe in point of Common interrest was equally intituled to an Inheritance , vntill God in his Divine wisdom seperated the tribe of Levie for the Service of himselfe to give attendance at the tabernacle , and to Minister before him in the Sanctuary ; And to the end they might the better Attend his service , he promised himselfe to be their portion and Inheritance ; and therevpon by a perpetuall Statute law deprived them of an Inheritance in the land Numbers 18. vers the 20. And the Lord spake unto Aron , Thou shalt have noe Inheritance in their Land , neither shalt thou have any parte among them , I am thy part and thine Inheritance among the Children of Israell &c. And in further compensation of their loss & recompence of their Service , he graunted them tythes for an Inheritance as vers 21. And behould I have given the Children of Levie all the tenth in Israell for an Inheritance , for their service which they serve , even the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation &c.

By all which , and severall other Scriptures it appeares That both the Command for paying & the warrant for receiving tythes was founded upon a most rationall , Just , and equal consideration ; both as it related to the advantage of the payer and the losse of the receiver ; For though the Levites did receive a yearely tenth of the encrease , they lost the Inheritance of A twelfth for ever . And therefore well might the eleaven tribes aford to pay their tenthes and be noe loosers ; it being but a reasonable exchange or purchase to give their Brethren a yearely tenth , for the free Inheritance of a twelfth for ever .

Secondly , If tythes be due by the the Law of God , and payable and receiveable vnder the second Covenant , as vnder the first ( as the Clergie do affirme they are ) Then certainely they must allow that they are to be applied to the same vses for which they first were Instituted ; and that was not only to the Levites but to the Stranger Fatherlesse and Widdow .

Thirdly , among the Jewes Tythes were payable to the Levites who did the Common service of the Tabernacle and Temple , and not to the Sonnes of Aron the Preists , for they had only a tenth part of the tyth , And therefore they that claime tyth by the Law of Moses , must prove ( if they can ) how the payment of tythes to Preists now doth duly answer the payment of tythes To Levites then who were no Preists , nor were to touch or medle with the holy office least they dyed Numb : 4 15. to vers 19.

Fourthly , Tythes vnder the first Covenant were the Levites wages for the Ceremoniall work they were appointed to do about the first Tab●rnacle Numb : 18. vers 21.31 , which work is now abollished ; So then the wages therefore of that Ceremoniall work must with all be abolished as being also Ceremoniall .

Fifthly , That tythes was Ceremoniall is vndeniablie manifest , they not being given but on this expresse condition , viz ( first ) to offer an heave Offering of them to the Lord , Numb : 18. from v. 21.8 . to 31. Then necessarily it follows , That who over by that Law brings Tythes into the Gospell ( which is the Ministration of the new Covenant ) vnavoydably bringes in there withall A Sacrifice , and an Altar without which tythes were by that Law vnsanctified and poluted vers 32 , and so makes void the one offering which was the Substance , Christ Iesus who was typified and shadowed forth , both by Tabernacle Sacrifice and Altar .

Sixthly , If tythes be due by the Law of God to Ministers vnder the Gospell , as they were to the Levites vnder the Leviticall Preisthood Then are such Ministers by the same Law deprived Ipso , facto , of all pretences of tymes to any temporall inheritance numb : 18 : vers 20. And by the same Law , those that pay them tythe may as Justly claime a title of Inheritance in their free lands as they may claime an Annuall tenth of the others increase .

Seventhly , Among the Jews noe Rigorouse outward Law or penalty of tr●ble damage or Imprisonment was appointed to recover tythes by , nor was the Magistrate authorized or warranted by the Law of God to force the payment of them , much less to Imprison for refusall or neglect , but he that did not pay robed God and by him alone was to be punished .

Eightly , When the levites Preist-hood was changed by the Comeing of Christ Iesus , the law for tything was also changed , as the Apostle witn●sseth Heb . 7. vers 12. for ( saith hee ) the Preist-hood being changed , there is made a necessitie of a Change also of the law . And this was the Iudgment also of the Primitive Church , And if the most learned Rabbies in the Nation can prove the contrary , let them come forth & shew if they be able , when , where and by whom tithes were received or payd for above three hundred yeares after Christs Assention .

The next thing that falls vnder consideration is , how inconsistant and disagreeable the Practice of tything of the Clergie of this Generation is with the Law of God vpon which they say it is grounded .

And first ( as I have formerly hinted ) Gods Ordinance for tything related only to the land of Canaan , which was confirmed by the Practice of the Jews and the Contrary whereof hath never yet appeared ; nor have I ever found that dureing their captivity they payd or received Tythes in Babylon or Cal●●ca , before Christs time , neither have they since , in Holland , Jermany , Poland , or elswhere that I can learne . And if this be so , then certainly for Christians to hold vp tythes , when Jews have layd them down , seemes very obsurd preposterouse and vaine .

Secondly , The levites graunt or warrant for the takeing ty●hes by Gods appointment , Extended only to their Brethren the Israelites , Gods only peculier people and Christ ; not to ●dolaters , Forrainers or fals-Worshipers . Of any other Nation or Religion , nor to poor laborers , fatherlesse or Widows of their own Generations . But only such as had possessions of Free Inheritance .

But the Clergie of this Generation not contented ( as the Levites were ) to have their tything limitted by Gods allowance ( vnto those only of the same Religion and Profession with themselves without distinction , or definition of Nation or Religion , They Extend their claime to all the Decimall gaine within their Quarters , and all the Inhabitants they their finde ( whether English , or Jrish , Protestants or Papists true or falce worshippers it matters not to them , or whether they are Rich or poor , Fatherless or Widowes bound or Free ) If they are Possest of oug●t that yeildes Increase , whether Corne or Garden , Cowes or Sheepe , Piggs , Geese or Henns or Egges ) whether little or much , all is by th●m accounted lyable to Decimation ; And moreover many Poor laboring men that have not any liveing tythable thinge where of to pay , But get their Bread by hard and toylesome labour have Impositions taxed on them by the Clergie under the name of hand Money Apron Money and the like , which in my Iudgment hath more Affinitie with Pharoah Task-Masters then leviticall Tythes ; For to exact a Tything rate upon Poor laborers & such as have noe tithable substance in the world whereof to pay● ? what is this lesse then to make Bricke when Straw is taken away .

Thirdly , the levites had noe power to seize their Brethrens Corne before it was devided ( nor was it their Practice by what appeares in Scripture . But Patiently attended vntill it was sett out and delivered both unto them & their copartners Deut : 14. vers 28. But the Clergie of this age ( contrary to their example ) either by themselves or Prockters many times have entred Mens Corne feilds and other Places with Clubes and Staves , vi et armis , takeing away what they pleased in their Masters names by force and violence , as bad or worse then those Sinfull Sonnes of Elie 1. Sam , 2.12 . who by their abusive Servants Seized their pretended Preistly due by force , whereby the offering of the Lord became abhored & truly this very practice makes many as much to abhor their message , for the avarice of its Ministers , and that about that thing which they pretend to be the offerring of the Lord .

Fourthly , The Levites had the tythes made over to them partly in compensation of their inheritance in land , And Partly in consideration of their service and Attendance at the Tabernacle ( as before is shewed ) Numb : 18. verses 23.24 . wherewith they were contented and Murmered not , although their shares of land was given from them , and they to vndergoe a perpetuall law of deprivation . Neither was there any Tribe or family bound to pay them tyth , but such as were obliged by a valuable consideration so to do , ( as being vested according to proportion more or less ) in part of their inheritance of land ; So that he that payd his tyth by Gods appointment bad this fourefold benefit or advantage by it . First By the Paying of the Annuall tenth of his Increase , he had the Free-Simple of a Twelfth to him and his for ever . Secondly , By the payment of tyth the Stranger Fatherless and Widow were provided for , which otherwise must have been relieved at his Cost . Thirdly He had the Priviledge for himselfe and family to ●ate a parte thereof Deut: 12.18 . And fourthly he had the benefit of the Levites service about the Tabernacle and Temple in assisting about the Sacrifice as 2. Cron ; 35.11 . and other services pertaining therevnto .

But what advantage , priviledge or benefit , have the people of this age by paying Tythes ? will the Clergie of this Generation allow the Priviledge to their Maintainers and admit of so many Sharers with them as the Levites did , and were bound to do by Gods Commandments ? What Clergin an will be content to release his claime to Lands and Tennements , and suffer his temporall Inheritance to be devided amongst those of whom he Claimeth Tythes ? And do the Clergie now admit the Poor the Fatherlesse and Widowes ( who had as good Right by Gods Command as any Levite had ) to Share with them in Tythes ?

Or do they not rather multiplie the Poor by their oppressions ? and make the Fatherless & Widows cry to the Lord against them ? And if the owner should but give a part of his Tythes to relieve the Poor and needy ( as by Gods law the Israllites was bound to do ) would not the Parish Preist be ready to devoure him for so doing , and never leave pursueing him vntill he had him to prison for it ? Surely if this be so ( as multiplied instances have confirmed it is ) This is far differrent from the Practice of the Levites , and rather suites with the Practice of those erronious Prophets which the Lord complaines of Micah : 3. vers 5. who made his people err , who did bite with the teeth and cry peace , and be that put not into their Mouthes they prepared warr against him .

Fifthly , I find that the Lord by the Mouth of Moses in Deut : 12.17 . and 18 verses ( to every person concerned in paying tyth ) Speaketh on this wise saying , Thou mayest not eate within thy gates , the tyth of thy Corne or of thy Wine , or of thy Oyle &c. But vers 18. Thou must eat them before the Lord thy God , in the place which the Lord thy God shall Chuse ; Thou and thy Sonn and thy Daughter , thy man Servant and thy maid Servant , and the Levite that is within thy gates &c. And againe in Deut: 14.22 23 verses it is thus written , Thou shalt truly tith all the Increase of thy seed which thy feild bringeth forth yeare by yeare , And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall chuse to place his name there , the Tyth of thy Corne , and o● thy Wyne , and of thy Oyle &c. And verses 24.25.26 . And if the way be too long for thee & . Or if the place be too farr from thee &c. Then thou shalt turne it into money &c. And thou shalt bestowe that money &c. For Oxen or for Sheep , for wine or for strong drink , or whatsoever thy soule desireth , and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God , THOU AND THY HOUSEHOULD . And vers 27. and the Levite that is within thy Gates thou shalt not forsake him &c. From which foresited Scriptures , these naturall Inferrenecs do vndenyably flow . viz.