A GOSPEL! PLEM ' FOR THE Lawfulueffe and Continuance of the Ancient Tctled tentenancc and Tithes ! of the Minifters of the K. ,' .;:gospill ,. H E antient, neceffary, competint.mainte¬ nance of.our Miniiters ofthe.Gofpell fetled on them by the Piety and Bauaty of odr ftligoM Chriftim Kings and AncejitiH ,,(«) ; of the GefpeU in this Hand, and conftantly enjoyedever fince,without any publick oppofition,being in thefe times 34 M f 3 . . otalong expcfkedgloriourre/ormat/oti 3 and reallpropagation , ; if tte Gofcellj more. audacioufly oppugned, more irripi- oufly decryed, declaimed, petitioned publick Jy againft, and more-facrilegioufly invaded, detained, fiihftmfted, then in the very' worft or jprofaneft.of forjner, ages j and that, not onl.y by profeffedenemies oi-the Miniftersand Miniftetjytof; the Gofpell, ; but. byr.fueh .who pretend therofeives. their friends, cand thenwftf moms-'Siiini^} jyjio hotyet ikisfyedwiththe-fcte {alesof all ourv MfbQpiiGittbffaaUiBewfMiChaptersLands^anii Roveiii/est ■ l / B . (the CtHefittffFmorfels of the EnRlifli Clergy, tending rather to fepport their Lordly Power, Pride, Pomp, and Luxury, then their true Gofpell Miniftry jingrofled into Stead-mens and Lay-mens hands -, do now mduffticufly, and violently endevour fpeedily to deprive all our painfull, |(odly preaching Ministers, of all their hmainini inconjldirabk Maintenance by Tithe r, GUbis, Oblations ari other duties , (formerly fetled on them, by longprefcriptwi, by iw'diy fiicceffive Lowes and A&t of Parliaments, as wed as late Or disunites, with fufficient^warrant even from Godi VVbrdancL Gofpcll)' and to leave them no other fubfittenn, encouragement, or reward forall their labour in Gods tar* veft, but the meer arbitrary uncoercive Benevolence of the people, (who being generally profane, covetous, vicious, and cnecuieMoalf godly Minifkrs, will not voluntarily con* tribute onefarthing towards them, defiring rather their ream and mine, then their company or ftibftjience) and what they fhalptherwife earn by their own labour and induftry In fome other cal.lingsrlt is high timefor zllfmcete Patrons and Friends ^)f the Miirifters and-Miriiftry ofche Gofpell (nowdangeroufly affaulted) publickly to appear in their behalf, and openly to vindicate, to fecure as well the Divine zs Civ ill right of their yet remaining ancient, nt- ceffaiy, efiablifbed Maintenance againft the clamorous cavils and fcdCe*bf«rd Allegations of Sacrilegious, Covetous, G;sTter.j,2. Impious, Violent, (h) Unreafonable, (c) Bcutifh men ; (c) Ezek.ii. t0 convince them of their ermr and impiety herein,or elfe pfal.9i.ft to /borne and Jilence them for the future, and preferve our Pial.24^. Mlnifters and Miniftry (and by confequence our vitf Religion it felfe, now more endangered then in* any age fince fits firft eftiblifhment)' from impendent ruine. For which end, having not long fince had 'fomeprivate dif- courfeswith Souldiers concerning the lawfulntfle of our Mfnifters Tithes and fetled Maintenance , during my late ftrift reflraints under their armed Guards^ and pending fome fhort Prifon notes and »»tM«rfUppn that oiecafioh ofthat fubjeft lying by me} 1 thought fit to enlarge and reduce them to thefe enfuisg Pnpofttms f (' wherein the wnoie contrwerne, now poblieitiy agitated our Minifters Tithes andLivelihood, is comprifed.) and to make them pubIick,for the common good and fatisfa* ftion of thofe wlio (hall peruft theaij efpecially jS'B’dri- mn, whom I fmde mod violent againft Tithes and Mint? ftert, forced Maintenance, trading more ( as I apprehend) to the length ef tkeir Swords, then ftrength oftheir Arguments againft thern^ which how weak they are, let all rationall perafers hereof refolve. ^ ThePropofitions, I (hall here though Gods afltftance make goodjtrOm the,very Law,Woifd,and Gofpel of Odd; with all pofliblc brevity, (1 truft beyond concradi&ioo) arethefe, , ' i. 7 hat there is a juft j competent, and comfortable Main* tenince, due to all laxfull, painfull Preacher* and Mitifc fieri of the Gofp.ll from the people , even by Divine right and iniiitution, and expreffe Texts and Precepts of the Coffell■ • - ■ ■ -■ a. That the maintenance, of the Minifters ofthe Gofpellfand of Places and Houfesfor Gods pubfickjperfhip) by Tithes,Glebes, (illations (yea andfpoyles ■ icon in battle by Generals , Collonels, Caplaimsand Soufdiers) is not . only last full and expedient, but the tmft fiiting, rationall and convenient Maintenance if ail Others, warranted by direSt . Precedents and Precepts, both before Ond Un¬ der the Lax. artdlikgxife by tbeiGofpelli rehich doth M iridyeii aklifh or mdemne, but approve aniriofiftme tk’tf titytfTfabtP named- - :-■■■ ' 3. That.ifTithes and other Maintenance fomerly fetled dh our Minifters, be eithmfsilfu\lyy(>ith-heid t or jubiltdciedfrm tbeiji by the people, in part or in *Me- r jhe Civill Ma^ftiaief^f andought hy. coercive Laxesmd' Penalties U' enforce the .pay* went of them in due forme dnd fin*} both by theLairi' Hfwify ■arid ftiiles of Jkftiee f xitUMtrmyHdjttyot’dppre^ people. . . •' :r ' r0:r; 4- Thai our Minifters Tithes driereallymburtheit, grievance er vpfrejftm to the people * but achargei debt, duty, at Vedas their Land-lords i Bhff, ot- "M«fchthti poundage* Tbit the ab^ft/ixtgof fife* fflfcbe. HO B 3 Farmers, farmers, Leflees, .ymd: the ■■ poorer fort ofpcopleiJas-hfalfl pretended, but only, torich Landrliirift and Landed men y'and * bjfe and detriment to all others- ■■ ■ . ■ . , . 5. 7 hut the prefent Oppofuim and endwared. Afulitm.cf Tithes and dl other coercive Maintenance-for Miniflers,proceed net prom any reall grounds of Piety or Gonjcienee, ' or, any confide- ruble, reall inconveniences, or mifdiefes arifmgfrom them, lui zneerly frombifs, covetous , camall hearts, want, ofC hr if tan love and charity to.cmd frofeffed enmity and hatred agair.fi the Miniflers of the GfpdL and from a Jeluiticall; and Anabaptiflicall deflgni to fubvert and mine our Miniflers , Church, anflKelighn ; he fu- lalle, ifnotnecetfary emfequence of this - infernali Projeft, if it fhonld take effiii ; which 'would prove-the etermll pome, infamy and rume of our Nation., not its glory and benefit. . Qh a.p, I. T He firft of thefe Proportions being the foundation and comer-ftone whereon all.the reft’depend) and into which it hath a prevailing influence ; I (hall be tnpft copious; in its Probations and;in the. Refute tion of the' Objeftions which are or may be raifed a< gainftit.-:•. ' '• ' Proportion. 1.. That there is a juft, competent and comfortable'Maintenance due to all law full, painfull Preachers and Miniflers of the Goff ell, from the peopleeven by . pjvjrie right and. inflitvtidn, and ex- preflf Texts and Precepts of/the-Gefpell-, is as \deaf as .the noonday/ S unne 3 by thefe jrrefragable Gofpell Ttfti- monies. I. By Matth.10. 5, 6 , p, 10,11. where when our.Lord and Saviour Chrifi him felt firft Pent forth, authorized and fommanded his 12. Appflles to preachAhe Gofpell, he'gay? them .dh^c.inftru^ons.a^ng-b^i&J^/^s^^^ " . ' . ;; ' '' ‘ M : B fiverhm brdffemyrn piirfesfttfc Mirke 6. 8.) for ywf journeyfneithertwo'mtsfW-jli^i, m , yet : {laves : ( addin® this as. the - reafon thereof) FOR. THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS MEAT > or his "Reward, Hire, IFages,,Maintenance, as..the' Gm^- word will bear, and other, following Scriptures render it. .• . - . : , : II By Luke io. i, < 5 , io. where,.we read when our Saviour Chrift ("not long after h s former Commiflion to the. 12. Apoflles) lent forth the jo.MfciplesbyJm and two, to-preach in every City,and place, whither himfelfewould me ;• he gave them almoft the felf .fame inftruftionst Carry neither furfe, nor ferip , nor fhoesand, into nhatfgever, houfe ye. enter, firfi fay, Teace be to this houfe, Sec. And in the fame houfe remain eating and drinking fitch things as .they five: (fubjoyning this reafon for it) FQR THE. LABO¬ RER IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE : Go not from houfe to, houfe (as Beggersufeto doe for almes) And into- what City yeenter , and they receive you, eat fuch things as are fet before pu, &c. • . ,. - - Ill; By 35,36,37^38. whereour Lord'Jefus; Chrift, (loon after the former Cotimrifllons) ufed thefe, words to his Lifciples-, Behold, I fay ^unto you, b Lift up your-, eyes, and look^ on the fields, for they are rebite already toharvefl , Amreach the Gofpell, are worthy jof^xhe like at this djiy; and neither of them obliged to preach the 0o(peil freely without any recompence, as fome Seduct^now pre* tend. . " 4. That meat, drinkjClothes, lodging, and a ,compe¬ tent maintenance, are as truely and juftlydup to the and that of pure common natural]/ yea GofpeS right mid juftice, not as meeF arbitrary Charity or Benevo¬ lence, buta* merited HIRE and WAGES } as much as atty deferved hire or wagfis are due to any other hired fenrant or labourer wfratfoever, by common juftice, and the law of God, Gen. 29.15., Exod. 2. 9. Lev'it. 19. iy. Vest.2$.Tfyi'). Mat.20. tytd 16. Job. 4.36. Or as well a tpay or wages are juftly durto the beft deferring.Officers and Souldiers, L« 4 e 3* 14- Ezek; 28. 18^19. and'that by Chrifts own trebled refolution, recorded by the Evan* ftlifti for the greater evidence ahd conviftioil i who (emphatically by way ot reafon applies thefc words only to his ApolUes and Minifters, For the labourer k pribj of'his meat, hire , wager; they being the moft divine, excellent, ufct'ull, neceffary Labourers of all o- tiurs, and that in matters ofhigheft concernment in. re» latiou both to God and Men? Therefore of all other labourers they are nioft worthy of a honourable,' comfor¬ table, certain hire, falary, reward for their fupport aiid - encouragement. . '5. Hence it tollowes by neceffary confequence, (and 5 let thofe who are guilty, confider it ferioufly in the feaF of God with trembling and aftoniftiment) that the oppofing, opprefling, defrauding the Minifters of the * Gofpell in their delerved ft tied'hire, wages 5 or the de* taining all, or any part of their-ancienf, juft, eftabliftied* Duesy Tithes, or Revenues-from them f efpecially out ofcovetoufnefle, fpite, obftinacy or malice againft ilieir very callings j is as great, as crying, as- damnable a finne, oppreflion, unrighteoulhefle; and will bring*, down ar giiivous curfes, plagues, judgements-on all ; thofe who are- culpable thereof; as the jlefrauding, oppreflioit of the hired fervant or labourer] of or in his hire, br detaining their wages from them, when due; as will undenyably appear by Dcut. 24.14,15; Itvit. 19.13. Gen. 31. 7. Mai 3. 5; Jam. 4. r, to 5; compared within/.' 3.8,9,10,11, Nehm. 13. 10. and a fin againft all thefe Scriptures; which all detainers of Minifters Dues and Tithes, may do well to read antT ponder. ‘ ' IV. The truth of this Propofition is ratifyedby the Apoftle Fault refolution, who thus profecutea out Saviour!? forecited words; and feconds his argument m- I'Tm. 5. 17,18. Let the Elders that tide veil be counted / why of double honour , efpecially THOSE THAT LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE: Far the Scripture faith (Deut. 25. 4.) Tbeu (bait rut ■ tmzle tbt Oxe that treadeth out- the Corn, And, THE ' - LAF LABOURER IS WORTHY OF: HIS HIRE'.* ref ting to Mat. to. ia. and Luke xo 7.. forccired. In which words the Holy Ghottby the Apoftie poluively aflerts, - - 1 .That the Eiders and Minifters thatrule well, efpec}. ally fuch of them who labour in the Word and Gofpell, are really worthy of double honour from the people, which double honour Interpreters generally refoive to be, 1. Duereverence,love,andcountenance; 2.Acompetem liberall maintenance and reward: Or (as fome coin ceire ) a double falary and allowance to what others receive, as a juft honourable reward for their labour, which is here intended by the words double honour > extending ai well to an honourable falary and reward, as to due reverence and refpeft, as is clear by the two Texts herein cited to prove ic, by the ?• Sc 1 6. verfes of this very Chapters and Sow. 13.1,6,7. x Pet. 2.17. Prw.3.9. compared together. 2. That the people ought to count them worthy of tbit doable honour, and to render it unto them. 3. Heratifyes and proves this, not only by his own Apoftolicall authoricy, but likewife by two oth r Texts of Scripture; the one taken out of the old Telia- tnenc Veut. 25.4. (which proves, that the Texts and Precepts for the juft dues and m iintehance of the, Priefts in the oldTeftament aEe BUI in.force,and notabrogated, fo far as they are morall and judiciall; and therefore may be ftill aptly urged for proof of our Minifters due maintenance under the Gofpell; ) The other out of die new Teftament, Mat. 10.10. Laky xo. 7. From both which the force of the A potties' argument ftanids thus, TheElders who labour in the Word and Gofpell have as juft, as natural!, as morall, legall, equi cable a right and meritorious due to a liberal! maintenance, falary, reward, or double honour (as be ftyjesitjasthe Oxthat treadeth.out theCproe hath, to eat ;of the GrirneTaiid ft raw he treads out.; or,, as any'other hired labourer whatfoevy hath to ftis hire; they being,, ihe. beft and eminentdl application oipeut.i%. 4.andof this veryfentehce,here a o aintbthem; The labourer is worthyofhis hire)- iniports^ Therefore foj: any people wittingly or wilfully to detain or defraud them thereof* is as great an .in» juftice, cruelty,fin and unrighteoufnefle, as to muzxlt the Ox mouth that treadetb out the Come, or to detain the Labourers,wagessOt defraud him thereof; yea, a fin againft the exprefle commandcments of God,Z)i:«f. 25.4; ch. 24.' 14,15. LtviU 19.13. 1 Cor. 9.8,9* ia. And Co much the rather bccaule their hire and wages being THEIR RIGHT/ and THEIR. OWNE ('not the meeralmes and charity of thofe who pay it) aj Chrift himfelfe relolves, Mat. ao. 4* 7:8,13. H- : , ' . V. By Gal.6.6. where the Apoftle layes down this general! Gofpelf'precept for the maintenance of the Minifters of the Gofpell,from which there can be no evalion. Let him that is taught in the Word-, COMMU¬ NICATE UNTO HIM THAT TEACHETH IN ALL GOOD THINGS. The word ^Omputnicatiy fignifieth a free and liberal (not bafe and niggardly) as i $ evident by jitim.6. 18. Hek ij. 16. 2 Cor. f. 5,6, 7, 8; Dent. 15 . 8.11. and that tobe rendredtothem, not as - to meer (gangers, but as to thofe who have a kind? of' cop-rcnerfiiip, and tenancy in common with them, hot in one or'two* but in ell good things God hath bleflcd them with;.as the primitive Ghriftians had all thing fin (mmon, and f/tidnot that an) thing ms their own, but the Apoftkt t'd Brethrens as much at theirs , A 3 . 4. 3 2,3 4,3 5. whence theContents of our Bibles and Commentators on this - Text infer and conclude, ‘That every Cbriftian ought chearfulfy t>"communicate a. Ifbetall jlrare andportion of all the fruits of ' Earth, blejjings and good things he enjoy et, tobis fpkituaU faflor and Teacher, {and by confluence Tithes of ail • titha (d) Sce Pf- able things) and that not as Aimes, Charity or a free ^'/rcw-rTirhe 1 Benevolence, but as a (d) juft Debt and Duty commanded this facred Canonf , ; right, and VI. By Rom.i$-6 } j$,For } for this caufemyou tribute alfc Dr. Burge/. G FOR JVK. mi ARfcUUBSj MfNKfcLSKS ATTENDS CONTINUALLY UPON THIS VERY THING. REN. DERTHEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUE, Iribueh afhun Tribute if due y Cnfime ta wheat Cuftome 3 Fear to tfbom F«r,HONOtIR TO WHOM HONOUR. Owe nothin g)» try man, but to love one .another. Which Script ure though par. ticulariy Intended of the' higher twill Powers, Rulers and Magiftrates ordained by God ; yet it equally ex¬ tends to all Spiritual! and Ecclefiailicall Paftors and Rulers over us, as well aSrtothem. Firft, becaafe they being Gedt Minijierr attending (anti- mtJlj Kfon.thii very thing, fto preach the Gofpell, and difeharge their Paftorall charge over their flockesj as well as civill Magiftrates; and therefore by way of ex¬ cellency aremore frequently ftyled Minifters, and Minijim if. Ge& 3%dQbriji in the new Teftamcnt, then Magiftrates are,Rem. 15.8,16. 1 Chr. 4.1. 2 Cer.'3.6.ffo.^4.cfe. 11.23. Ifyhef. 5.7. Csl 1. 25,25. cl- 4.7. 1 Thef 5. 2,1 Tim.4,6, whence their very work and calling is ftyled, The Mini- ftiy,Kcm-^.y.Epkf. 4.12.C5I.4.17.2 T>m- 4.5.1 Tim. i.u, Secondly, becaufe the Precept fubjoyned is uniyerfall; ■[Lender therefore TO ALL THEIR DUE: and in the affirmative; Therefore to Minifters as well as Magiftrates, With, the like care and. cenfdence. And then the inhi¬ bition in theclofe as uniYerfall, Owenothing TO ANY MAN ; Therefore not to Minifters no, more then to Magiftrates or other men. Thirdly, becaufe it exprelly enjoynes. all Chriftiaiti to ; render honour to whom honour is due : now, not onely honour, but double honour is due to Minifters that rule well and preach the Gofpell diligently, 1 ,Tim. 5. 17,18. to uyit. Reverence,Obedience, Love and Maintenance; all here preferibed: to be rendred in this, text to whom* tbtf are due. Therefore a liberall, honourable, comfortably Maintenance and reward; isboth in juftice and confid¬ ence EVE, as well to the : Minifters of the Gofpelljal to the Magiftrates and higher Powers,and as duely,trulyj and juftly. to be rendred, (and not'owed, detail, denied) unto the Ivilhifters^aS to Kindis, ! jiny other civil! tlulert, eveii by this Evahgfclicill pftJ- cept, (from which there is no eyafioH) and that FOR. CONSCIENCE SAKE; a$well ai tot ftirOf Wrath jnd punilhment : verf. 5. So as none can plddoi' prfc*- $ndthe lead colour of ciwfo'eKce, for detaining, ; er n6t rendring their Tithes and Duties to our Miniftets of tht Gofpellj without giving the Hoi) Gboji bimfelf, and this Gofpell Text the Lie, and incurring Ananias and fin, A3. 5-3j4,7> 8 5 9 j 10. for which they juftly rtajp Otpe&and receive their fatall exemplary pnnifhment. * VII. The Apoftlc further clears this truth not only By way of Precept, but Reafon and Demonftration,RoiW.i5. 26, 27. It bath f leafed them if Macedonia and Athahf# ma\e a certain contribution for thepoif Saints which art at J#ti- jii/em(Minifters and Apofilesas well as other Saints that were poor.) It hath pleafed them betel), and THE IS. DEB* I0SS ; 7 Ml ASS : for if the Gmilts have bear ntadeftf- Ukers OF THEIR SPlRllVAL THINGS, THttS HV- 2 'US A ISO 70 MINUTES VN707B&M IN CAR - NALL THINGS. I confefle, the Text Is riot tiMietsi properly of Minifters, and Apoftles of the Gofpell, blit of poor beleeving Saints that were jcWes ; but thdrtifort and argument Here urged, extehdeth much thore tor Afp&i files and Minifters pf the G.ofpell, then to poor believing Saintsand thus I argnefrOrii it.; if the&r'ififiit bHeMng Gentiles in Macedonia 9$ partakers. But the antecedent and fuppofition is an un* quefi ion able Gofpell truth, by the Apoftles refolution in tbisalledged Text, and is and may be further ratifyed by AS. 11.29, 3.0. A 3 . 4. 32^ 33 > 34 > 3 ^- S h 2,3. 1Cer.16.ij*. tCor.8, i.to aiidf!?. g.ijtoi^, Gal. 2. lo. ‘Epktj. 4. 28. I Job. 3.17. Mat. 5.42. and D eu f, 15 7,to 12. Therefore the confequent nmft be granted, being theApoftles exprefle argument in the very cafe of Minifters maintenance from the people, i Cor 9. 11. If we have [own unto you (pirituall things, is it a great thing if We [ball rape your camall things ? Now in this reafoning of the Apoftie, and Gods Spirit in, and by him 5 there is a double emphaticall enforcement to prove Minifters maintenance, both a juft debt and duty, which the people are bound to render to them, not as free giverSj but as d.bttrs. . I. By the grounds of Communicative lattice. They are (or at leaftwife may be if they will themfelvrs, tke cafe only of obftinate Separates) partakers of the Minijlen [pirituall thingsandpaines : and there foie ought in juftice and duty, to pay and render them fome proportionable recompence for what they receive from them; even as all other Merchants and Tradefmen who barter or fell one commodity for another, or for ready money, ufe to doe. 2. From the nature and value of the things they. re. Ceiyefrom Minifters; and ofthofe things they render back, to them by. way of exchange, which will hold no Bal- lancenor equall value with what they firft receive: For. the things the people enjoy by Minifters, are [pirituall, which concern their fouls, fpirits, everlafting falvationj eternall happineffe, and are the mo[l excellent andpnem things of.all other, far re excelling Gold, Silver, Tithes , and all earthly Treafures. Epbe[, 3. 8,18, 19. 2 Pet. 1, 4. 2 Cor- 3. 8,9, 10.' ch.4.7. Phil. 3.8. farm 2.18. F[al. 19. 10 119.72. I27.PW. 8.18,19. But the things and reconi* pence they return to Minifters for them, ire only their tamlltbingsj for the ncceffary fuppprt of their bodies and fe!t>ilifs>wmch are no way coroparablc ihTald^ 1 ^^ - r b;nefit, or u(e to what they receive trom tbem,as thelaft recited Texts and oth'ers rcfolve. The people therefore receiving from their Miniliers quid pro quo ; and things of infinite more value and benefit, then what they ^render to thenr, the earn all things they receive for their (pirituali, (though in a liberall proportion^ mnft needs be a. nioft juft debt and duty not meer arbitrary almes or charity, and can neither in juftice norcor.fcitnce be detained from them, they being fuch infinite gainers by the bar¬ gain. # - . ' - VIII. This fuppofition is-yet further prof.ffdly ar- : gued and debated at full by the Apoftleand the Spirit of God againft ail forts of callings and profdlions of mtnj that now oppofe it, with the greateft evidence of reafon^ juftice, equity that may be, backed with Divine Author rity; as if he hadpurpofely forefeen. the violentj impi¬ ous, heady oppofition, now made againft Miniflcrs Tithes and maintenance in thefe dates by, fouldiers and other nifty Tradcfmen; and penned this Scripture purpofely , to refute them. I Cor. 9. to 1 6. Hava we net power to eat and to drinks &c. Whogoeth a warfare any: time at his owrt charges f Who planteth a vin yard,and eateth not of the fruit there • op 0r,whofeedetha flosLand eateth not ofthemiH^of the flock* Scylthefe things asa mW? or faith not the Law the fame alfo}:- hr it is written. /a ; the Law of Mo fes, (e) T houfkalt mt muzzle f e ) Deut.ift the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corn. "Doth God takg~ carefor Oxen ? Orfaithhe it altogether for our fakes'! For otir fakts, no doubts this is written, that he that ploweth fhouldplow in hope, and he that threfheth in hope, fhould le partaker of his hope. Ifwehavefowen mtoyoti [pirituall things , is it a great thing, if: wefhall reap your carnall things ? If others.he partakers ofthit power over you, are not we rather? Neverthelejfe, we have not ufedthis power ; but fnfer all things , left we fhould hinder the ; CofpellofChrifl. Do ye not kpow, that they which minilier about holy things live (or feed) of the things of the Temple i and they : which wait at ihe Altar are. parta\ers with the Altar f EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED, THAT THET: WHICH --! "WHICH TREAC^ IHE GOSPEL SHOULD lTri 'OF THK. GOSPEL^ But I have nfedmne of thefe thingr, neither have I mitten tbefe thing! that it fhould befo done mtt me, Sic. ■ - In which Scriptnrc the Apoft'e aiferts the lawful- nefle and juftnefle of Minifters maintenance under the Gofpellby fundry inftanccs and arguments,again/! ail opponents. And becaufe, perchance fame fouldiers, who now are the chief oppofers of Minifters mainte- C/) i Tim. 4. nance, or rather, for that he forefaw jfby a (f) Prtfhiti • i.z.i Tim. 3. call Spirit') that they fhouid prove fuch in our dayes, he 1 = 2 -3>j,f> 6 ;7> firft refutes and flops theirs and others mouthes, with an 8j ?- argumentdrawn fiom the wars, and their own Military pra&ife: Who goith a warfare art) time at bis cm charge ? In which fliort interrogative argument, thefe particulars are both included and tacitly aflerted. 1. That Minifters of the Gofpell are true fpiritui (g) Heb.s, 10. Seuldiers under Cbrlfi their (g) Captain 3 and their Miniftry,a true fpirituall warfare, againft the world, flefh, Devill, fins and vices of men, expofing them to many bardfbiph dangers, and oft-times tolofe oflUertj, blmd , limbs t and life it felfe, as he exprefly refolves in other Texts, 2 Ccr.io. 4. 2 Tim. 1. 18. a Tint. 2.3,4. & 4. 7. 2 . That being fouldiers, it muft needs be moil unjufl, unreafonable, unconTcionable, amagainfl: the common rules of war and praftiie of al l fouldiers, that they fhould pea warfare ANY YlAtE at their own charge ; fince no other fouldiers elfe will, orufe to doe it, (nor any offi¬ cers or fouldiers of the Army now) who will follow the warsno longer, then they may do it at free cofl, no not for a moment; and will fight no longer then they re* ceive or expeft full pay. And therefore ; fhould not now, nor at any time elfe, prefTe Minifters to preach free¬ ly at their own coft, unleflethemfelves firft went a war¬ fare on their own purfes, to cafe the impoverifhed op-: prefled countrey of their long continued heavie Taxes. That pay and wages are at all times gs really and jaftly due to thefe fpirituall Sculdiers for t&cir fpirititali'wW fm. fire, as they are to any other iouldiers/wame«oroHiai> whjtfoevcr iniploytd in aftuall fcrvice in other warres. Lul{ 3.14. Therefore thoi'e Military officers who oppugne our M inifters pay and felled maintenance as unlawful!,an* tichriftian, and unevartgelicall; muftfirft renounce their own pay and contributions as fuch; and warre without pay on their own charges for the future; (which piany of them may well do, having gained fo nuich by the warres already, and being moftof them out of aQuall Military fervice) or elfe henceforth permit our Minifiers to enjoy their Tithes and fetled maintenance without oppofition, or fubftra&ion as they doe their pay: it being as great & Mery, injujlice, fraud to deprive them of all or any part thereof, as to defraud any fouldiers, now in fervice by Lindor Sea, of their lawfull day, Mai 3.8,9,10. 4. It hence necefiarily foliowes, that as Souldiers pay and other Military expences, are not left to the arbitrary pleafurts and free benevolence of the people, (who would 1 contribute little or nothing at all towards them at thi» or any other fcafon, if left to their own free wils)wkence the prefentdiAblution and deftruftion of the temporal! Army, and Militia would enfue; but are reduced to a certainty by a fetled eftablilhment,and impofed and le¬ vied on the people ly coercive Lawes, Ordinance*, For¬ feitures, Diftiefles, lmprifonments, Arid; Penalties and illegal! armed power,when wilfully refufed, detained or neglefted to be paid in whole or part at. the times ap¬ pointed: So the wages and ftipends of thefe fpirituall Souldiers the Miniftcrs, and of their neccflaiy fpirituall. warfare are not to be wholly left in any fetled Chriftian State, to;the arbitrary wils and*voluntary Benevolence* ofthe people (which would foon necelfitate them todjf- band, andfruftrate their foui-faving war fere) but redu¬ ced to fome certainty bypofitive Lawes (as they have been time out of minde with us) and in cafe ofwil- . full refufall, detention, fubftraftion in whole or in part, when due, to be levied by fuch coercive lcgallwaiet and means, as our roontblyTaxes,.Contributions, and; other juft Debts arid'Daties are* there being the felf-fattf juftice, reafon, equity, and neceffity in both cafes. Thole Army Officers and Souldiers then, who oppofe, condemn our Minifters fetled maintenance, and the coercive lawes means to recoverit when deained from them, as an in* tolerable oppreffing yoke and grievance, muft firft re- nounce, fupprefle all monthly Taxes, Contributions,Ex* cifes,Cuhomes, Impoiidons, and the many new fevere coercive waies and means to levie them, as fach;. being far re more grievous, burthenfome,‘illegall, opprifliv* to thepeople, both in their value, frequency, novelty, file* gality,newway of impofing and levying, then Minifters Tithes and Dues 5 and the faddeft heavieft preflures . they now languilh under; and live wholly upon-the peoplu free unconftrained Benevolences, taking only.what .they will freely, givethem of their own accords, without coer¬ cive Lawes, Ordinances, Forfeiture!, Penalties,, and , Diftrefles ; or elfe recant their former erronious opinion, pra&ife, and approve of our Minifters fetled coercive maintenance for the future, without oppofition, being Souldiers as well, and having as juftaright to afcileJ en¬ forced falary as they, as -the Apoftlc here argues and re- folvts. 2. Tb" Apoftie having thus routed, filcnced pur Ca¬ ptains and Souldiers, the Ring-leaders againft Minifters fetledcoercive tnaintenaBce,tncounters in the n xt place, ail Husbandmen, Sheep-mafters, Shepherds, Plough¬ men, Reapers, Threfhers, and other Oppugners of their Tithes and livelihood, Verf.7,9, to.. Wherein heaflerts that Minifters of the Gofpell have as juft, as equitable a Right to a cofrpetentmjintemance from the people for preaching the Gofpell to them, and to . partakg of their temporal! things-, ashef hatplantetba vineyard hath to eat of the fruit thereof ; as he that keepeth afloch^ hath to eat of the mik. thereof ; as the husbandman and labourer who plomth, 'reapitb or threfbetb. corn, hath to eat of the tor>r he foweth ,. reapeth, ptowetb: And that it is as. great injuftice and unreafuna- ■ biewrbHg to deprive Minifters who few unto its fpiritud. thirds, of a competent' (hare in our carh'alt things j'aitdUC^" ^ barrc one thatpUmsa vineyard } 'rigjh0ndiliberty to eat of the fruits ’thereon ; or ont that feeds afltckytoeat of the millet here¬ of; or thofe that fow/reap, andthyefb mne 3 to enjoy any (barcor firthn init; , Which all Husbandmen, Farmers, iSheep- inafters, Shepherds, Plowmen, Reapers,. Threfhers, and other labourers, who deny or begrudge our Minifters . their fetled long-enjoyed Tithes and Dues may do well advifedly to conlider,to convince them of their err our, and reforme their praftife. ' 3. Verf. 8,9.. To convitt all brutifh men in thefe dates, who are more uncharitable to’their Minifters, then men a;eorought to be unto their very beafts, in denying thenifo much as to eat oftheir Tithe Corn, orftrawj he argues the juftice of their maintenance (and that by the Tithes of their Corn, Wine, See. as the inftanccs imply) from the very Law of God concerning beafts, Detit. 25.4., Thou (bait not muzzle the mittth of the Oxe that treadeth out the come : which though literally meant of Oxeft, to whom oilrighteous men are and ought to be juf and merciful} 3 Frtv. 12 . io.Luk,ei^.i^.&.i^.rowcs 3 and )tt Hot veof tkemfallctb to the ground without Gods fpirituaff Provi- .' , though two of them be fold for a farthing. The force of this argument ftands thus, If God by zfpeciall Law takes f« much care of the very Oxe that treadeth out the corn, as to pro- ; - hibit the muzzling of his mouth , t hat he may not eat there¬ of; then queftionleffe he takes much more care of the Minifters of the Gofpell, and much more inhibits the muzzling their mouthes, that they (hall not lb much as eat, feed and live upon the Tithes, milk,, wine, and fruits ofyour vineyards, ftraw, corn, and other carnall things 5 D they ; they being farre bethithcn Oxtny and thi* L'awfiirpifelftji akogetker mitten foT tk\ff[gSf not for. Oxm. .Therefori tbofewhodeny and deprive them, of this their righr, tranlgrefle tltisvery Law ofdbd, Cftili in force ur,dertli( LJofpdl, being founded upon iiaturall juflice and e^uiij) and are farre more unrighteous, eiuell, Unniercifullto their Minifters* then they arc to their very beads and Oxen, to whom they allow both corn, ft raw, and fufij, dent maintenance for their very work. Verily our Minifterj now were better to be many mens Oxen, Hordes, then their fpirituall Pafiours, for then they would l«d and keep them well, arid allow t he m draw,- hay and corii to live on, as they do to their beads; whereas now they will pay them neither Tithe, corn, nor hay, nor ftraw, Such men, I fear, are mrfe and more Bruiiflj then their (b) Pf.45.ao. 00 hearts that perilh, regarding neither Law nor Go- Pror. 30.1. Jpell, here joyhtly urged by the Apoftle againft their pra- 4. Verf. 11. Heenumer2tes all Artificers, Merchants, Tradefmen, and others u ho live by felling, blu ing, ex¬ changing ; who deny or detain their Minifters Dues and Maintenance, by an argument drawn from their own praftife, the rules of commutative Juflice, the nature 2nd value of what they receive from Minifters, and what they render, or fhould return them for it. If we have [m« unto ycufpirimlltbir.gs ("the moftprecious, excellent, ufi- 1 fulI,necdTary of all others) is it a great Matter if we (Ml reap 1 out tarnall tbirgs? of farre leffe value, worth, ufi, then what you receive from us for them. Surely none of tbefe Traders, will give or fell away their ward without any money or recotnpence for them ; and I they fell or exchange them for leffe money, or thingsof leffe value or moment then what they fell or txeban# them for, they may in all juflice and equity exptft and receive money and wares exchanged for them from thoft who have fo gainfull a bargain, without the leaft ftadoS efcovetoufneffe, injury, or oppreffion. Let then fucli and all others eonfider their own daily praftife, audits Minlfters maintenance,-Tithts, and Dues, againft which ' A there can be no exception, nor reply, and then itwifl convince, convert them, if they h ave not abjured all prin¬ ciples ofcommon juft ice. and commerce. ; ;,' 5. Verf 12. He argues from others precedents and examples. If other sure partakers of this power over you (to reap jour carnall things for fpirituall ) are not we rather ? which may receive thefe various conftru&ions agreeable to the gene- rail fcopeof the place. . 1. If others who are true Apoftleg and Minifters of the Gofpell, are partakers of this power, though they have not been fuch to you,and did not convert you, nor labour fo much in fowing fpirituall things to you; much more I (and Bar nabs) who have been the infleuments ofr your con- verfson, and doubt Life are Apoflks unto you, you being the Seal of mine Apoftlefhip in the Lord, Verf, 1,2. 3 Cor. 12. it, 12. may like wife be partakers of this power. 2. If ofl.w, whcfare norA poftles of Jefus Chrift,bat meerfalfe Apnflies, Seducers, flanderers of me apd the ' truth of the Gofpell, yea brcachcrs of Herefies and Schifines, are partakers of fucha power amongftyou; then much more I and Barnabas, who are true Apeftles and Minifters of the Gofpell, and preach nothing but foul-favin^ G>ww that they which mi. nifier ab ut holy things live of the things of the Temple, and they which wait at the Altar,are partakers with the Altar/ Numb. 18, 18,19^031 DiBt.12.6,11,17,18,19.8c 14 22 to theend of the chapter, 8t 18. i t ->.zCbm.3i.2,to20.Nebem. 10.32, to the end. . & 12. 39,47. Sc 13.5. to 15-(The Priefts and Levites by Gods own infticution then receiving a liberall maintenance from the people, by Firjl- fruits, Tithes, Obliu Mans\ Sacrifices, and like wife CifaVr, Suburbs, Lands, Hoa Ces, Chambers for them and their Families, Ibcks of Cattell and Goods. Numb-tf. 2, to 9. Jofh. i 1.2, to 43. iChm, 6.6, throughout. 2 Chi on. it.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,^ 53,54. Hcb. 7. 5,8. None of which might be alienated jll or jubflracled from them without fin and fact Hedge. Mai 3. 8, Ezek;49. 14- Lev- 25* 33, 34. Gen. 47. 22,2 6.) And then to flop and faience all future obje&ionsand ca!umnics.he concludes his argument with a Divine Ordinance and in- ftitution ofCirift himfeli’e under the Gofpell for the like liberall maintenance of the Minifters of the Gofpell, ( whole mini fir ation u much more glorious th.n that of the Law, 2 Car. 3.7, 2 ,9 ,io.J Verf. ii. WEN SO HATH THE LOTT) ORVAl- NETT that wet tfhich preach the go¬ spel SHOVLD LIFE of The gospel f to Wic, as Jeberally, as plentifully, as comfortably , in all refpefts, as the Priefts and Levites under the Law, as the parallel; and the words EVEN SO import. Who ever therefore oppole, refill, and cenfure this their liberall fetled Main¬ tenance, oppofe, refill, and cenfure the very pofitive Ordi¬ nance of Chrifthimfdf under the Gofpell ; and thereforemay and (hall receive to themfelves damnation, Rom. 13. 2. in cafe they do act repeal thereof. * Finally) finally/theApoftle to prereBt ill^S^pJES^pRcF , falie Ap'ofllcs or enemies' to him and hi& Miniftry, might then object aga.inft him, for this Doftrine, as it he were a felfe feeker, a coyetous wretch , an oppreffor, feecer andfpoylc.r of his flocke, or a partial! Judge, in his own caule (as they now calumniate our Mini Iters pleading for their juft fetled Maintenance and Tithes') becaufe he thus (Longly pleads and proves, the Mainte¬ nance of the Minifters of the Gofpelll; concludes, v.n, 155.185 19 -Neverthclejfc we have notujed.this power:- But I have ujed none of theje thingsneither have 1 written thefe things, that itfbeuld be \odone unto)ue &c.which he repeats and amplifies in 2 Cor. 11.7,8,9,10. & 12.13,14,15,17. But he did it only in the behalf of the reft of the Minifters of the Gofpelljto juflihe their Gofpell right to a liberal!, juft and fitting livelihood for preaching of the Gofpell. Wherefore his Teftimony and refolution in this cafe is beyond all exception, fufficient to convince and filcnce all gain fayers then and now. 1 X- The verity of this Propofition is thus :demon- Crated from x Tim. 3.2. Titus 1. 8. 3 Job. 9. 10. which preferibe this as one fpeciall qualification of every Evangflicall Bifliop and Minifter of the Gofpell, that he nntfl.be given to, and a lover of Hofpitality , a receiver of the Brethren, and receiver of diftrefed Saints upon all occafims : And yet withall commands and requires ;That he tnufl give bimfelf WHOLLY to reading, fa fling, prayer, meditation , exhortation, dodrine,poaching the Word in flafon,out offeafon, giving 'attendance on thefe and other Pafloral/ duties, not wang¬ ling himf If with the affaires of this life, being fcparatedtotbe GojpeUof Chrifl , AH. 6.4. 1 Tim. 4.13, 1^15,1 6. 2 Tim. 2. 4 - I?- & 4 . 3 5 5 - Bom. 1.1. Tit . x. 9.-& 2.1. 1 Cw.4. 17. AH. 20.28. Now this they cannot poffibly do with¬ out a liberall, comfortable, conftant, fetled maintenance, unlefle they have good eftates ot‘ their own, which few of them have, who yet deferve a convenient reward for the work of their Miniftry from the people: there¬ fore fucha maintenance of right belongeth to them as D 3 Mini* ^ffinlK^oPtEeGoipen^Krebable theta to be bbfpitabli ^ud charitable to cheir Chriftian brethrenj and the poor that need relief! X. Minifters of the Gofpell, are tijpeakj exhort, ani rebuke with ALL AUTHORITY, and let no man defpift them. Tit. 2.15. 1 Tim. 4. n, 12. Mat. 7. 29. Now this they can hardly do, if they be poor, beggei ly, living upon almes and benevolences of the giddy-beaded people^ and ftript of a competent fctled maintenance indepen¬ dent ofthe vulgarsor Superiors meer wils and pleafores, which will render both their Perfons, Words, Doftrine and Miniftry contemptible, and Icfle authoritative to the people: For the Scripture informes us, That pour men are light!) efleaned, 1 Ann. 18. 23. and therefore Tavii couples thel'e together, Pfal. 119. 141. I am poor (or jmall in eftat e) and deipifed. And Solomon in formes us, That the poor ufeth entreaties (Tpeaks not with authority like the richer fortj Prov. 18.23. That the poor is hated even of his own neighbour, feparated from him, defpiftd 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 purfueth them with words,yet are they wanting to him. Prov. 14. 20. & 19.4.7. Yeahe refolves Ecclef 9. i%t6. That a poor mans wifdorr.e isdefpifed, and his words are not heard ; and that nomanre- membred - or regarded that poor wife man , who by his wifdomt delivered the fmall city that was befeiged by a great King. Neither is this old Teftament, but Gofpell truth, like- wife. Jam. 2.2,3,5 ,6. If there come into your affembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly appar ell, and there come in alfo a poor man in vile rayment ; ye haverefpeft to him that weareth the gay clothing , argl fay to him, fit thou here in 3 Ij ^ c ’ c ^' I ?‘ 33 ’ 34 - That he made Priefts of Me loweft (or pooreft) of the people, who ■were not. of the Sonnes of Lni, and placed them in Bethel: who being poor, mean anddepefiding on him for their Salaries, readily fa- crificedto his golden Calves, offered upon the Altar wlicb he had made in Bethel, and ohferved his new preferred Feffis : which the Priefts and Levhes that were in all■ Ifraeft having: La: ds\ Suburbs and afetled maintenance, refufict to do. 'Where- upon Jeroboam and 'his Sonnes caft them outjrom executingth: Priefts office unto the Lord, and fubftitu ted thefe bafe Idol- Priefts for the Calvts, 2 Chron. 11 • $. Which be* came Jin unto the boufe of Jeroboam even to cut it offi.dndto dev ftroj itffim%effi.ee of the earth. God deliver lis of this Nation! from the like Atheifticall Jcrokam-like pol icy and prafti If now, which will certainly proleche ruin of thetit and? theirhoufejwho (hall putitin execution, if not of- our.i (Lz Kindly, Religion arid Nation, as it 18. the (JQwhdeKing-fameoflfrael. ' < 1 1, .:)■ Wmm Chriftians are'commanded GaWtb. Atfl® 11 p btcve opportunity to do goodto all nun (to relieve their Wants) facially to the boufhold of faith. Therefore they are in an efpeciall manner bound to do .good totheir Minifters in maintaining'them, and communicating tothm-in atlgoid things as he retolves v. 6. The rather becaufe we have this Precept thus feconded, Heb.iy .1 tS But to do good and communicate forget not ; for with fuch facrifice God is mil pica- fed: (coupled with this injunftion) Obey them that have the rule mryon 3 ar.d fubmit your felves, for they watch for your foals, at they that nrnjl give account, that key-may do it WITH JOY and NOT WITH GRIEF, FOR THAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR YOU. Wherein theft 3. Conclufions are pofitively aflerted. 1. That Chriftians muftnot only obey their Mini¬ fters, but likewife do good and communicate to them m alt good things the want. 2. That this is fo farre from being unlawfull; that it is a facrifice well f leafing unto God. / - 3. That Minifters deferve no t only obedience but main¬ tenance from the people. ’ 1. Becaufe they have the rule ovefthem. 2. (I) Becaufe they watch fir their fouls, (/) See Rom. 5. Becaufe they mil give at account to God for backing theft 4. Becaqfe it- will be a gnatetieoMragemeitto them to difi R,CJ ^ ons * (Urge their dutywith joy ,M with grief. !ij J , ‘ ' ; v' 5. Becaufe thfe’ not doidg it, wiUbothgwtre the Mi- mtters,andbe unfnfltableiotbepppfe in regard of their foules and fpiritua.ll eftate, and alfo caufi God to cuffe and Ikjl thm intbeirteqipsrall cfldesj. Mai 8,5,to, 1 iyp. whereas thV doing'thereof willb^ hdv^ntagious'to 1 thein in both. PdweifiiU rtafonS irtd rootHres to Convince afll of the juftice ofour Minifters mamtetiance, and tp induce them cheerfully to tender it dhto them j though due by Law,asweknowUis-, : ,ri * V .T'.'mVtfe, V(ay'Od%U enjpydts all ’ timiizlibiit. ft diitribute 1 E and smmeno^iratstt ^noioniy to mow weKnow,wtjcs« Ujirngers'. Htb. 13. 2. And if out enemy hunger, h coith m nds us to feed h,m, if be tbirft, to give bimdrinkj and A's! to be overcome with cvill s but, to overcome cvill with gci&\ feconded Mar. 5 .44,45,46, 47, 48. Luke 6- 32. toty ?iov. 25. 22. whence thus I argue: It Ghriftians muji diftribute to thenecefluies, and be hofpitable to Saints and others, who are nuer ftrangei s to them, yra givi meat and drink to tkeir very enemies, and overcomt their evi I with goodnefie; Thenitneceirarily tollowcs, they mult much more diftribuieto the nccefli tics of, and be hofpitable, liberall, and ghe meat, drink and niaintfr -nance to their own faithiull preaching Mini tier*, and re. compenfe their good with good again, elfe they (hall It worfe then. Publicans and [timers y who do goed 10 tboje that do g»] to and for them. XIV. This is evident by the pra&ife of the primhivj S ints andChriftians recorded ia the Gofpell for out imitation; who though they paid all civill Tributd Cuftomes, Duties to the civill Magiftrates, and likewifi Tithes and other duties to the Jewifh.and Pagan Priefll under whom they lived 5. yet they llikewife freely afid liberally miniftred and contributed of their fubfigM and temporall effaces towards the maintenance of Cbrif and his Apoftles, and the Minifters of the Gofpell. Hence we read, Luke 8, 2*3. That MaryMagdalcn, Jomt the wife of Cuza , Herods£re»W, ,?«Jtfn/ 7 « and MANY otbiri (ofour Saviours auditors) mini find, to him of their fib fiance: pat, it Teems, into a commonpur.fe for the maintc nance of Chrift and his Apoftles, which Judas keft-, jpb provided bread } medt and ether mceffaries out of it} as is evi- dentby Job. 4.8,3iv,& x2. 5, 6.. & 13. 29. 8c 6. 5,7. compared together^ After onr Saviours refurrtft ion, wild the multitude of beleevers at Jerufalem were much in- creafed, it is exprefly recorded, A&. 4. 3 2, to the end] fcy. 1,to 10. 7hat thy were of one heart andefone foul f and eh that we were fo. again) neither [aid a^bfthe^,tU _ ought that, h peffeffed vat bit. opn, but ■ - . - v-. .1- c 1 tiffffMii ctistmr 'Miter, was there any dmongft them fwhetherAporlttje Minifter or BeleevcrJ that lacked-, for as many as Me pofiejfofs of Lands or H eit/es SOLD THEM (not purchafed then), as many do now, who fay they imitate the primi-~ \ tive Chriftians ) and brought the,prices of the dings that enfold,and LAID TBEMDOiVNE A l THE APOSTLES FEET-, and diflributhn was made umo every Man ( there¬ fore to every A'poftle, and Minifter of the GoipeH, as well as others) acardingas they had need. Amongl! others, fifes a Levite of Cyprus, having Land fid it, and brought the m „ey and . LAID It AT iUE APOSiLES FEET: The like did Ananias with Saphira his wife, but bee ufe they brought a certain part thereof, and laid it at the Ajofi es feet, anil kept back,-part of the price of the Land, (which is Idle then to keep bade Tithes, when due by lundry Lawes and Ordinances) and thereby lyednot unto Mm (on¬ ly) but to God ; they"‘both fell down dead fiodainly at the Afoftles feet (l n a miraculous manner) and were carried forth and buried: And great fear came upon an the Church, and as many as heard thereof. We finde in 2 Cor. 11.7,8,9.7^/ though Paul fredched the Gbfpell at Cormth freely, yetHE i OOfL STAGES OF OTHER CHURCHES (at the fame time) TO DO THEM SERVICE. And when he was prefiht with them ', and wanted, that which Wat wanting unto him, the Brethren that came from Macedonia SUPPLIED ; that in till things he might kgep himfilf from being burdaijome to the Corinthians ; (for reafons expreffid by him) In which re* fpeft,ofnotminiftringtoHimoftheir fubftance,he writes, THE f IVERE INFERIOR TO OTHER ChVSCHES, 2 Cor. 12.13. How bountiful! tHe Church and Saints of Philippi were to Paul not only whiles .prefent with them and preaching among them, but alfo :abfent from them preaching the Golpell in other places, and howpleafing this their .1 iberality was to God, he thus records io.to2i. But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly, that at lafi your care.of me is) revived\ wherein ye WerealfoGARE « FVLL^ butye lacked opportunity : : Not that lfpeal{,inrefpeS . But my God (hall [apply all your needs, according &> his riches in glory by Jefus Chrifis Now unto God an! mr Rather , be glory for ever and ever Amen. And in 2 Tim. i. 16,17.18. He makes this memorable Teftimony. and ■ prayer for Onefiphorus : The Lord give mercy unto, the houje- of Onefiphorus, for he often nfrejhedme^ and was not afhamd efmy chain’. But wh.nhe teas in Rome , he [outfit me out very diligently } andfound me : The Lordgrant unto him , that he may find? mercy of the Lord at that day-c And in HOW-MAM THINGS HE MINISTRED $NTQ ME AT EPHESUS thou kpsweji very well. From all which precedents coupled together, theft conclufionsnaturally, and-neceflarily arife: - t- That it is not only the pra&ifr, but duty of the Saints and Chriiiians under the Gofpell* chearfullyand' liberally to contribute to the Apoftles aad Minifters of rile Gofpell; and. that not only whiles they are a&u* ally preaching and* relidenc atnongft them, but .whiles abfcnt,preachingthe Gofpell in, other places* or fullering for the Gofpell in bonds and- prifons, if their neceffiutt fb require. 2. That they ought not only barely to fupply their neceffitiej, when theyare inwant ; but in fuch aplenti- full manner, that they may truly fay. Wt abumd and on ftiR, blejfe God fir , rqoyce inthtit peoples liberality, pty Cd fr* ahkjfing upon them.and ifc/m . - . 5. That o^cciut^^ and other fetled Dues, but even tp/etf .their vety/lwk,* Houses , Eftatcs, and lay them down attke Jfojlles and Min’fters fet for their cmmonjuffly ■ as the primitive Chiiigians did;, they being not real! proprietors,, but meer Skjeardsof their worldly- eflates ;• which as they proceedfrwn Gods hand,, fiiftyblcljing-, fothey are ftiji, Godsoxvn,- not mans; and; therefore in fuch cafes 3 to-be cheai ful ly expended for the maintenance and fupply of the neceflities orhis Minifters,. fervantSj worffiip: i Chon. 29.11, 125.14,15,16, 17. 1. Tim. 6. 17,1.8,19. 4. That the maintenance of the Minirters of the Go- fpell, is uot nuerfzonr Aimes } (as feme have heldj but wages y whichthouglv ¥ aul (for fotne fp;ciail reaions)} received not from the Corinthians , yet he did from other Chnrchesj under the name ofnager, ... y. Thatniggardlinefle, and not contributing .towards* the mainten.anceof painfull Minjftersjs a fharoc, infamy 3: and dishonour to a Ghurch and people, making .them in* feriour to all other Churchess 6. That peoples, liberall and* bountiful! contributing: to the Apofllcs and Minifters of the Gofpell, is a great' jty y comfert, encouragement to tb«n 3 and a means to enlarge their hearts, in prayers to God for fpirituall and temptrali blejjings on them and their Iwpo/ds. • 7. That bountiful! and chearfuli contributions to- the Apoftkg and Minifters of Ghrift; is not only* a well doing, or goodwork, baton odwrtfa Jweetfmell,a fa(rifice acceptable and wllplea/ing .mo God, though it ftinks in the nofthriisof tnarty covetous earth-wormes, and pretendedi godly Saints now adaies. 8. That Liberality to the Minifterk of the Gofpelli and paying them their juft deferved Tithes and Does, is' f° farre from impoverifhing and hurting i men,' that it: rtdoutiils tetbeir fyirituallitccimpt, and temporall too;; tan* [trt Gid tt fufply all: their wants * and to blejfe them and, their E? \ families i "families With Jpirifuall, W f'-iP Vf -rdfi as the feverall cited Sc iptures, Piov. 3. 9,101 Mai. l.'io, 11. Mat. 10. 41,42. fdtr. 9. 4I; i.Cor. 9. d, to 13. 2 King. 4. 8, to 38. 1 K : ng. 17. 10, to 24. .moft abundantly prove. 9. That the ' wilfull dttairiing, withdrawing of any ] thingfolemnly devoted to? the neceflaiy nninrenance o{ the Apoftles and MinifLcsnf the Gofpell, brings exem¬ plary carles and judged! ntson thofe who are guilty thereof, as the examples of Anm-js and Saphira teftifie, compared with A&/.3..8. 0,11. n, Sc2.ld,i7,18,19. further illuftrating it; which all facrilegious invaders, plunderer, detainers,oppugmrsofourMiniftcrs ancient eftabliffisd Maintenance,Tichts, Dues, may do well now ferioufly to ruminate upon, and then reform their pra- Sftife, or elfe renounce their pit tended Ghriftianity and Saint hip,io much fwarving from the recited precedents of the fii ft and pureft Chriftitns. XV. This is further proved by Mat. 7. 12.1^.6.31. All things whatjoewrye «odd that menjbedddo ur.to you, DO fl-’EN FO TO THEM , for thk is the Law and Prophets-, yea and 1 he Gofpell too; thus twice enjoyning it, from Chrifts own mouth. Whence thus I argue. All Eftatts, Callings and Pro'effions of men whatsoever,' whether Kings, Princes, Rulers, Judges, Magiftrates of all forts, Lawyers, Phyficians, Chirurgeons, Merchants, Artifi¬ cers, Traders, Husbandmen, Labourers of all kindci. Sea-men; yea and all Generals, Commanders, Collo- nels. Captains, GovernotirS of Forts, and common Souldiers whatfoever, with all Officers in their refpe- ftive Offices and imployments, do and juftly may by the Law of God, Nature, Nations,expeft and receive a juft, certain comfortable falary, reward, hire, maintenance and fubfiftence for their refpeftive pains, workes, imploy* omits and exercifts of their callings, and hires from thofe that do imploy them, or for whofe good they workc and fervel Therefore by the felf-fame Lawes and Rules of common, naturall, morall jaftice and equity, all Mi- jjifters. aiwj macnm oi me uoipcu may juniyra pm » ■ and receive the like, front thofe to whom they preach*- ^ Jilfe all,others whatfoeyer muft ex.reife their.rc(pe- : . ' dive Offices, Callings, Trades, Imployments, Studies, Labours freely, without atpt&ing or receiring any ftipend, wages, reward or maintenance, as well as Mi* nifteis. And great reafon is there that the painfull and faiffifull Miniflers of the Gofptll fh-uld receive a liberal!, comfortable, competent, 'fetled maintenance and reward for their Mini [fry, as. well as. any other Callings, or Profcflions of men, or as any Officers or Sonidiers in the Army, between whom alone and Minl- fters 1 fhall here only make the parallel, becaufe they moft violently oppugne ©ur Minifters maintenance (if not their Miniftry tooj of all others I.have yet conferred . with. . Firft, all able, leai ned, judicious. pious Minifters, skit- lull in the Qriginall Tongues,and learmd Languages, wherein the Scriptures were penned. (Very needfary for them to underffandj able found!), judiciouly, like mtke.- men who need net lo.be afbamed, to defend the truth'of the Go'pell, to flop the mttlhcs of Blafpbemert, Heretickps, Sedu¬ cers, that op/ugne it,, and to divide and freach the Word of Ged aright as they ought. Elfe they-hardly merit the name pf abk Mmiftw , 2 Cor. 3. 6. iT/m. 1.7.12. 2 Tim. 2. 151 $4. 2,3,4,5. 7 it. 1. 9, 1©, it. but rather of fratlefs and wranglers, under fending neither wldt they fay, m whereof they ajjime, wreftixg the Scriptures to. their; own . and others deftruliion through ignorance and want of learning, 2. Pet. $. 16. (the cafe of many unlearned ufurpers of the office of Teachers now): All fuch before they can be fit for the. worke of the Miniftry, fpend fixtecn or twenty years time, and. hard ftudy day. and night at their fiooks in Schools, and Univerfities, and double the years, ftudy, induftry,, that; moft other Ardfts (ex¬ cept Lawyers and Phyficians) fpend in fitting theffilelves for, and ia learning their Trades and ProFeffiohs,, where!- , Bertas all common Souldiers, yea many Officers arid' .Comaundtrs of 1 ace times, ro(h juft like their horfes, into their worke, calling,, without one years, weeks, days preparation, ftudy or. ; pra£ife in the War res, learning their Trade of Souldlers and Commanders, after they are lifted, as fuch, by praftife and experience only without iludy. 2. Moft Minifters or their Parents and Friends are at very great exptnees for many years time in fitting them for the Miniftry, both in Schooks and in our Univcr« fines j whereas all our Sou’diers and Army Officer} were at no expence at all, receiving full pay, as fuch, from the firft day of their lifting, and many of them advance money to boot, before any praftife at all or judgement in their Art; learning their Military skill, not at their owne, but the peoples great ■colls. 3. Learned Minifters both before and after their ad* million into the Miniftry, are at great charges to iurniffi themftlves with Buokes and Libraries, Be* ■cefljry for their Calling : whereas our ; Officers and Souidiers are and were furnilhed with all forts of Armes and Ammunition fitting for their calling out of tbepublick Trealury only, which continually recruiter them when loft in Service. 4. The calling of the Miniftry requires men of far more able parts and eminency of gifts ('whereby they might gain tar more worldly wealth, riches and honours in many other callings, then they do or can do by the Miniftry, by which they are commonly lofers in re- fpeft of worldly gains land preferments, a thing very confiderablej then the calling of an ordinary Souldier, or moft warlike Officers doe; as experience man!* fefts, and I thinke moft Soldiers and Officers will ac¬ knowledge ; and thereupon rouft admit them propor¬ tionable allowance to .their parts and work in the Mi- niftryitfelfe. M' Wn«t«s^nw v Qnceenireaiiico.tnc»rcai,iing^n^ always 3 fj and night upon conftanc duty, without in > f » ^tf/e 4 *>/:& which he breads' in pieces the Nations, dettrojrth Kingdom.es, an d.treadeth them d m «<* Ezik cha a p .. ?5> tfo mire in the ftreets; and then <»t Uft deflrojes them in bis Joeli.j. Un/ wrrftbj whenthey have executed his judgements, for their rapines, 1.7A& j.a, wotoe nnd M emit), Ija. IQ. 5,&c. Jer, 51. 20/ &C. J 8 ’”-* 1 * They being really carried on from one war to another,’ 5 ' out of, vainglory, ambition, covetoufiieffe, a mad humour of falfe greatnefle; et nullus fupra upern minendi msd:u ; mftta fata par iter, *£»* HAD 'BEEN 1 ’’MAN OF. WARRE, and MADE - 1^- GREAT B\TtELS, and SHED: MUCH BLQUp ./« ' UPON THE .EARTH IN HIS SIQfJT;, And the 1 woo. 1 haelites^ y^!fecM cwnavd.mW .to. m,agmft 1 ■ ‘ ’ imdiamp^, mf.ftew ihew, retumng ; withj yifioryqntl gn$ W» toetm,jf!e.0Jbm wh* f«»e? b(td : $4: op tQUf^d-, any flains fttjpyned .by -Mpllxtrd perfons,Nmb.^i. 1,17,19,20. aniaBtheOffitert^ andCaptaines ofhundreds andtboufands in the hofi brought m oblation, what every man had gotten of Jewels, of Gotdfihaines, Bracelets, Rings , Ear-rings and Tablets, TO MAKE AN OBLATION FOR THEIR SOULS BEFORE THE LORD, v. 48,49, 50. Such a ftain and guilt was there adhering to their War-like calling, in this beft of Wars againft Gods profefled idolatrous enemies. And may not all Officers and Souldiers then juftly fear and find a deeper guilt of fin and ftain of bloud, then was in Fervid or thole Officers and Suuldiers adhering to their perfonsand proieffion in our unnatural!, uncivil] ' : Wars, even with, and againft their very Chriftian,neared, deafeft Brethren, Friends, Kindred, Neighbours of the felt-fame reformed R.eligion,and thereupon make the like or a far richer oblation then they did, not of their fpoyles and gaines by War,as atonement for their Souls, m ftead of provoking God and encreafing their guilc,.by feeking tofpoil his faithful! Minifters of their long enjoyed maintenance? In all thefe 6. particulars wherein the calling of Minifters excels in merit that of common Souldiers,Captainesand Officers of War; both in re- fpeft of time, ftady,cofts,labour,diligence,parts,.danger, honour, excellency, ufe,profit, and necelfity; ( to which I might add, that the Minifters frequent teares and (s) 1 Chron. prayers ia times of War, and Judgements, are far (1) $1.9,10.11,15. more prevalent, beneficiall and vidorious then the Souldiers *31.10,11. Ames-, befides their conftant ufe and benefit in dayes *10.10,11, of peace, when Souldiers are needlefle, ufeiefle :) I refer aiftSS ** t0 “nprafadtei judgements and’ confcicnces of 1 all radonall Chriftian men and Souldiers themfelves; whether our faithfbU preaching Minifters be not worthy ofas large, as liberall, as conftant, fetledj honouraftej and coercive a maintenance from the people, as any Souldiers, Officers, Captaines,ColloneIs, Majors orMajof Generals whatfoever,if not a better and larger falary and reward then they enjoy, for the preoiifed reafonsjWhen as yet Lome ordinary Sowdiers and Trooper* receive as much or Bidfe pay by; the year 3 asmany of oUr godly Mini*. ^ fters; and every Ancient, Serjeant, Lieutenant^ as much as the mbft anefbeft beneficed Minifters; and tnoft Cap- . taffies, Col lonels and Majors five or fix times more then < our ableft, beftdefervmg Minifters; and force. general! Officers; have received, gained more in few months or years at lea ft* then hundreds of our meritorious Mini* iters put together can gain in all their lives by their ,/■ Miniftry ? How then can they tax them as covetous, opprdfive, caterpillers of the people by their Tithes and Duties,for receiving only 30.40.50.80.100.200 or 300. i a year (and very few of them more or fo much j from the people, by an ancient right paid once a year, when as they receiveten times more irom the impoverifhed people, and. at ieaft the tenth part or more of all our poor Mini¬ fters livings by monthly enl'orcedcontributions, and yet will neither give them the tenther of their pay andjpoyles of J%r(as Abraham and others did Gen. 14. 10. Heb. j. 4, 6 . 1 Gam. 2 6. 26,27,28. j 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 jufter right then they have to their pay and enforced contributions, againji all(t) ancient Lawes and (t)Magna Car- Statutes as now knpofed and levied, efpecially on the ta *9,30,if. Clergy, who were never Taxed or Charged either by e - r - c (u) Lords or Commons in former ages, but ,only by tbemfclveSy by theit bwii free Grant/in Far U went and Convor c ‘ *u catmbyfpeciallAftSyaS our Records and Printed Statutes c \ 1.25 H. 6 . manifeft. Or with what face, reafon or confcience they t. > 8 . 1 R. i. can feek .to deprive them of all their Tithes, Glebes and other legal fetled coerci ve Stipends,amounting to fofmall' 1 ®"^ .' s c a value, as now they do; when as themfelves receive far * Sfee R4 fl 4 / t more fetled conftant pay, levyed with the greateft rigour Abridgement and extremity on the exhaufted peoples every Month or Tenths and Quarter", and fome of them have many Military, befides Taxes, and civillgainfull Offices and Employments, and that in feve- ? tatuK f ?5 , rail Kingd6nTcs, : amounting to thpufatids, and tenne Ithdufahcfehy theyear, 1 When few Minifters how enjoy fubfidSe^. ~ F 3 one ' fcuy, all Taxes deduftSi * arid mart' hardly bcT«IS to hold two adjoyning petty Benefices, to make upi8d. Qt ioo. i. a year, without much clamour, cenfure and danger! of deprivation : when as they, can hold to many gainful, incompetent Pluralities in ttiefe necefljtpiis times- and when as Popilh,Pagan,Mahotnitan and /Egyptian Prieftj enjoy hr more then our beft deftrving Clergy at this day, without their Officers, Souldiers, Clamours or oppolition. : Having thus made good the proportion by theft Scriptures and Reafons,to which I could never yet hear theleaft colourable Anfwer given; 1 now proceed to TheObjefti- anfwer fuch Objections, as have been, or may be made a- ons anfwercd. gainftit. Objeft. I. The firft Objection is from Mat. iq.%. Where when Chrift fcnt out his 12 Apoftles to preach, he faith unto them, Heal tbs fields, clsanfe the Lepers , raife thsDead, cull out Devils-, FREELY IE HAVE RECElyED, t FREEn GIVE. Whence fome inferre. That Minivers and Apoftles ofChrift,arehereenjoynedby him, to preach thc Go- fpell freely, without remying, any wages, rewardiOf'fV compencefor it, becaufe they freely received their power and commiffion to preach the Gqfpell, . without giving money or price for it. ! . ' , To which I Anfwer, jinfo- * i.ThatthiscIaufeofj Freelyjehave received} freely giw; ft relates not to their preaching of the Gofpell,: but is annexed only to the precedent words ? Htfltbe ftthgjlem je the Lepers, raife the Head, (aft out Devils } which, they, are commanded to do freely without any wages, hire qr re¬ ward.? having freely received this ; .miraculous, dower, i){ healing the ficke^&c. from thrift ,freely 3. aii^ that to gain creditto'th<: of tHp teas confirmed, credited, propagated by theft free, wiwukys reorkeu Mar}$i6. 17,18, 20. . 4 &£uu ‘toila, & 38. •to 43 - ^,14,15, 1^173 J)0wcr of if Peter,hefiiiutfoMm^ pith thee, becaufe thou haft thought, that the gift tf Godntay le pwchajed with money. Thou bah neither part nor lot in this fitter, for thy heart U not right ih the fight of Cod; Repent therefore of this thj wiclpdnejfe, See. Aft. 8. 18, to 25. 2. He is fo far from enjoyning them to preach the Go- fprll freely without recompence, that he allowesthemto take a rccompen.ce for it, plofing it up with a contrary claufe, For the Labourer k mrtby of his Meat and Hire, v. 10. and recited Luke 10.8. where the obje&ed words are omit¬ ted) as likewifeMd^e 3. \ j.Our new Mechanick Predicants to feparate Conven¬ ticles, who urge this Text againftMinifters maintenance,, (jiould«receive no money, gift or recompence for their prating from their Difciples,no more them our Minifters; who, yet gain far more from deluded blind followers of the Mind, then many pf onr Minifters get by their Miniftry; and more then ever .they earned by their Trades before,, which makes them wholly to defert them and tumeT« 5 - pmhers. * 4. Thisfentence cannowayes be truely applyed now to Minifters; For though they receive their Miniftry and Orders freely tyithout puichafe (which fome bought for money heretofore) yet their preparation for the Mini¬ ftry cofts them many years fludy and pains, them, their Friends and Paren tsnranya pound, as I formerly proved; i whereas the Apofll'es received the miraculous gift of healing &c. immediately by divine infpiration, without*, fiudyorcofo , . 5.If thofe who receive any Office,Commiffion, or placec freely; mufti difeharge it freely without any Reward, fey, as fome Army Officers and Souldiershence conclude agalnft ourMinifters: then all our Souldie'r^ arid other Military Olficersby Sea and Land, maft henceforth atleafF (and lhould have done heretofore ) ferve their Country, fteely without receiving any pay, reward, or Gontribui; ttom from the People j 6uee I conceive fow or iione df them* ^fwn^ver bought theirOffices,Plfcesj CommiHiohs, Ofp paid any money for their lifting ;'yei then L iJI otherpubi like Officers (reall or pretended )asuft ferve their Country' gratis, unleffe they purchafed their Offices from thofe in late or prefent potter ; and th,en they- ire ipjofafto' void by the Statute of 5E. 6. c. 1 6. againft buying or felling ot Office?. Now upon this condition, that all 1 Soul di s Military and CiviH Officers will henceforth ferve their Country lireeiy without pay or recompence, for the oppreffid peoples future fretdomefrom long un- fiipportable monthly Taxes, Irnp ; ofitions,Excifes ; ] dare 1 prefume all or moft of our Minifters will be content to preach the Gofpell freely to the people likewife, without Tithes or other Dues, for fo long a time, as the SouldL- ers and Officers {hall freely ferve our Nation; and t fappofe all Minifters in Scotland and Ireland will do;. the like; if the Officers and Souldiers there wili'firft really begin the Precedent. Which if they here and there refufe, they muff give Minifters leave to enjoy their an¬ cient Tithes, Dues, Stipends for preaching the Gofpell,' fo long as they demand their forn\er pay and falaries; and renounce the objected Text, as' fatal! to their otvn wages, as the Minifters, unleffe they dearly bought their Offices and Commands, and did not freely receive them; which if true (asI prefume itfalfe)very few of them would publickly ackpowleuge. The fecond Objection (moft urged to me by fome Fendennh Souldiers , whiles there a prifoner under their Gards) is the Example of the Apoflle Paul, who flaying and peaching at Corinth a year and fix menthes, becaufe he would not be burdenfome, but preach the Gofpell freely to them without charge or reward-, wrought with his own hands, and got his living by making tents ; as is recorded, Afi, 18. I, 2,3,&c. &20.34. iCor.4.12. &9.12,15,16,17,18,ip. 2Cor. ix. 8,9. & 12. 13,16,17,18. The like he did among the ‘lhejfalonians , labouring night and day , becaufe he would not be chargeable to any of them, when he preached untt them the Gofpell if G*d> iTkef 2. 8, 9. 2 Jbejf. 3. 8. From ; . : whence preach the Gofpell freely, and to labour with their hand* day and night in fonie other calling to fupply their neceillcies and maintain themfelves and tami- lies, that they may not be chargeable to the peg? pie. To which grand argument (requiring the firft reply); I anfwer, that this general! inference from Pauls parti? cU larpraMe inthefe two Churches, is very lame and unfound; For, 1. Paul exprefly refolves, that all ApolHes and Mr- niftersof the Gofpell have a juft right and power to receive a competent maintenance as wages from the peo¬ ple, and moftlhongly proves it to be an ordinance of Chrift himfelf, in fome of the obje&ed Texts, as I have at large demonftrated. 2. He likewife declares fwith zfalvojure , asLawyer* fpeakj that himfelfe had fuch » juft right and power to re¬ ceive wages and maintenance, from the very Corinthians- and Theffaknians themfelves, as well as others, though hemade no ufeof his power: witnefle, I Cor .9 : 4,1 i,i 2. where thus he expoftulates, Have we not power to eat and to drink?, and to reap your carnall things , for [owing unto you jfiritudll things > If others he partakers of this power over you 3 ARE NOT WE RATHER? Nevertbeleffe we have not tifd this power. And 2 7 heff. 3. 8,9. Neither did we eat any 1 nans bread fir nought , but wrought with labour and traveH night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you ; . NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT POWER, but make: o»r fe’ves an example for you to follow us. See. We have much talkeand crying up of late, HAVE WE NOT POWER, POWER, and PRESENT POWER, in moft Grandees mouthes and publick Papers fefpecially Souldiers who carry it by their fides) infteadof old Language,LAW, LIBERTY, RIGHT, FREEDOME; the things they, fay theyfought for on the peoples behalf, ;who pay Them j which words and things. Have we not, the greater cry of Power, See. hath made us not to have and quite fwal- G lowed lowrf op. I wifh all fucR who prefle tbefe Text* aga nip Minifters Tithes, and tnoft ufe thefe wo rds Have we m derived from God,'or the Apoftle who thrice mentions it in thefe Texts) would only ufe and ipeake it in- the Apoftles fenfe and Language, (ifnot afiiimihgj ufarping^bui utteily difclaiming the reall prafii/e and abufes of it in his felf-denying words (.worthy to be written in Capitalls that all perfons of, or in Power may now read andpraftifeit) NEVERTHELESSE WE HAVE NOT USED THIS POWER , BUT WROUGHT WITH LABOUR AND TRAVELt NIGHT AND DAY, THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE CHARGEABLE TO ANY OF YOU, to make, m lelves an enjam\le for you (Minifters) to follow us : Thin we fhou’Id be no longer over-charged wi th endleije Taxes, Excilts,8cc. by, for, or from any who have power, nor grieved with any frefh changes ofLawcs, Church, Go¬ vernment or Minifters fttled maintenance,but be a Fra State and Nation indeed, as fome have long promifed to make us, but ftill the quite contrary way indireft op- pofition to the Apoftles, Neverthelefe we have ufei ari will fliBufe this fewer, that m might be chargeable (jetvti) chargeable) to. every of you: Therefore no wonder #Hf Minifters (in their affefted fenfe) do the like by their example, in exafting of their Tithes and Dues, till they difclaime the ufe of their Icon-Power, in in: pofing,levying new Taxes and Ixcijes, on Minifteis as well as people, in ftrange untroden wayes,to pay their own and Souldiers lalaries to fopport their fe!f-:reated Fewer in the hirhefr jkain of Exercife, which they condemne in Minifters ina far more inferior degree; who queftionlefle may lawfully j make ufe of it, as Pajdhimfclfe might have juftly done), is he refolves, though he fufpended its natuialltfr erriie. 3. Fml records 4fpeciall reafons why he made noufi of this his Evangelical! power, bat laboured with bis hands. the Corinthians', i Cor, 9 - is. th-y ••'beinVih^^ifb'-of them Pagans,the reft buc newly converted to the Gofpejl by his preaching, and all of them very worldly and covetous, as he infinuate?, 1 Cor. 4.12,13,14- & 7.30. ,1,32. 8cii-7jS ; p. & 12.ro,toai. - ° 2. That he might not feem to abufe bis power in thi G fpei in the opinion of thefe covetous worldlings, i Ger. 9, 18. . 3. That he might die to his glory, in undergoing necejjities for Chrifi] wherein, he gloried ; and adde to his future reward, 1 Cor. 9. 15, to 27. 8c i». to, to 13. 4. And principally, To cut'off occafion of (lander and re- preach from fomefalje Af files, and deccitfull workers and Mi- tiijlers ifS atari, transforming tkemfelves into Angels of Light., (who lbught occasion to {lander him) counting his preaching very contemptible, him to be none of Chrift 0 , and a very reprobate, 2 Cor. io. 7,10,12. 8c 1$. 6 , 7. (as fomc now efteem our Minifters) jeekjtig a prooft of Chn$ jpeakjng to bin, c. 13.3. (as they do in our Mini* ftersjg/o^ini'fss fome of the fame Tribe do now ) that they preached the Gojpell freely, and wrought with their own hands; whereupon he addeth, that wherein they globed, they might be found even as he, 2 Cor. ix. 12, 13, 14. Which falfe Apoftles anddiflembling Hypocrites for all their brags, did yec enflivc, take of them, @eece and abufe them, more then any faithfullMinifters, and yet they patiently endured it; as he there thus infinuates, *.20. FOR IE SVFFER IF A MAN BRING TOV INTO BONDAGE, IF A MAN DEVOVR TOV, IF A MAN TAKE OF TOV, IF A MM EXALT EMSELFE, IF A MAN SMITE TOV ON THE FACE ; taxing their wifdome for this Alinine fottilh ftupiditywhen as neither Paul hlmfelfe, nor Tit nr, nor , any other of thofe' Minijlers befent mto them, did either bur¬ den, or catch them with guile, or make a gain of them, at thck falfc Awjttetj domineering Hypocrites, apd Miniftert ~ «f Sefendzi; s Cer.'i 2. i’< 5 , iy, Y8. Theft were-lfewaP font cxprefled by him, why he took no wages of the Cmntbians, and Supported himfelfe with his oven labor; But this is not our Minifters cafe, after our fo long enjoyment of the Golpci!, and their enjoying of, a. fetid (x) maintenance by fithesand Glebes (xj about Suo. years- [pace, fb long fince fetled on them by our devout Saxon Kings,. and continued ever fince. When our Minifters have the felf-fame reafons as Paul had, to. move them to- pUrfue' ’his obje&ed praftife; 1 doubt no* but they will chear- 'fblly imitate it, for the advancement of the Gofpell, and-winning fouls to Chrift. The reafon why he ex- ercifed not this power among the Tbejfalonians,hbosr- Ing amongft them night and day to. fiipport himfelfe, was much, different from the former j. thus recorded by him, 2 lthejf.%. 7, to 15.. Wbetihe was:anting them be heard,. •that there me feme who walked diforderly , WORKING NOt At ALL , BVt WERE BVSt BODIES (juft fuch as our new- preaching- Weavers, Ginger-bread-makers, Smiths, Souldiers, and other Meehan ickes are, who give over their Trades and- working, to bufie thentfelves only in gathering new Conventicles, new moulding our Church, State, and Preaching openly and in corners every where to carry on their own worldly defignes :) -Whereupon he then commanded them THAT -IF ANY ( fucbbufie-bodies). WOULD- NOT WORKE '(bur forfake his calling) NEITHER SHOULD. HE: EATr. (A, very good Goipeil-law,if duly executed* to quell alL fuch bufie-bodies)and upon, thisoccafion, not beiaofe be bad m-power. BUT TO MAKE HIMSELFE AN EXAMPLE. FOR THEM TO FOLLOW; (andencourag^ theft -bufie-bodies, with all other loyterers to labour) be refund to eat any nans bread freely , but wroughtwith labour arJtravellmgbt and day,that be night wt be chargeable to any of them.. -And becaufe -this his example did. mot reform® whiles he was prefent, -but fome fuch idle todies ftill continued their;pra&ifenotwith (landing; be givesfhem thU niw Precept in ‘and by this-EpiftIe} »erf jmm-wmmm,' mi ■Lord Jefus Chrift (andOthat ourpH-atihg bufife-bodiek who flep out ot their owncallmgs [into other mens and Minifters too, would hearkenand obey Kim'!) tbit the) With qfiietnejjc werkg, (or 3 ,do thtir (Wnworke, as fotnt TranflatorS render it, not other mens_) and eat their mn bread : (not live, upon. other mens trenchers, fweat or labours,,as thoufands do now^ And-,if any obey-, not m yordjfignifie (or note) that by an Ipifle 3 and have no few* fan) with him (then he will be a Separatism good ear* neft) that be may be afhamed ; yet count him not as an enemy t but admenifb him as a Brother. If our Minifters working with their own hands at our preaching Mechanicks Trades, would reduce them to follow their Trades, and give ofar bufying themfelves in Minifters and other mens publick callings and State-affaires, I prefumfe , ‘'many of them would fall a working for a time for fuch a good end: But fince Pauls ownexample in this kind did not reclaime fuch bufie-bodiesthen; whereupon he preferibed another more effeftuall remedie, if duely put in execution by Ecclefiafticall and Civilt. Magiftrates r Our Minifters ("who have lefler hopes to reclaim diem, now by fuch a praftife, which would givefcandallunto many, and make them negle£fc their. proper function} have neither reafon, nor precept to follow this his lingular voluntary Precedent upon, this ground of his,, which is no wayes binding ito thenn. > 4. Though ’Paul hinifelfe then laboured’among the Corinthians and took no wages from them ; yet’be'recehfed wages from ether Churches at the fame time, tofufplytheirlaclte ■of Service unto him ; 2 Cor. it. 8,9. Which % way of Sarcafm (to upbraide their covetoufnefle, tenacity‘and ingratitude towards him,} he calls,, Robbing if other Churches ; hecaufe it wds ‘to doe them feri>ice 3 trdPihofe'Chunhe/: Not that it’Was robbery indeed* ( as fome igtiarantafles judge it who underftand not Rhetoiick and 'Eloquence^ fot in >the next verfehedlyles ic, A/upfly-iind^hH.^ G 3 ion. IS, t 1 ,,18. a Communicating to tosyNeceftoerfa a finite abounding to tbur, account, as .wenas to hisrejbycingd ancdour of a facet fmell,a facdfice acceptable andwell-pkafnig unto God ; and wages iifthe ielt-faiueText j therefore no unlawfull robbery.. 5. Though the niggardly Corinthians favcdtheir purfes;' by Pauls labour and free preaching, yet they gained no honour, but difgrace and (harp cenfures from him for it : witnefle 1 Cor. 4. n, 1 1 , 14. Even unto this frefint home we both hunger and itoirfaandare naked , and are buffe¬ ted, and have no certain dwe'Jing place ; und labour working with our own hands ,8cc. I rente not theft things iO SHAME you, but as my beloved fnmes I admonifh you: fof their hard), ■ ingrate, defpitefull carriage towards me, which makes my condition fo uncomfortable:) which he thus feconds, 2 Cot. 11.7,8. Have I committed an 0fence in abafvtg my > jelfe, that you might be exalted, becaufe I have preached the GofpeH of God freely ? I robbed other Churches , taking wages tf them to do you ferv ce. And ch.it. 12,13,14,15.T ml) the ftgnes of an Apofile were wrought am -ng you _ in ell path ence^in .ftgnes and venders, and mm' ty deeds \ For what was it WHEREIN TE WERE INFERIOR 10 OTHER CHVRCH E 9 , exce T : t it be, that 1 ms (■ If was not hu* defame to you? FORGIVE ME THIS WRONG: Rehold , the third time lam ready to come to you, and I will not be burden fame to you , for I feek not yours but you, 8 cc. And I will very g'ady fpend and be [pent for you, though the more abomdaniy l love you , THE LESSE I BE LOVED. Whence all may learn, chat it is a great difparagement, ftain and certain figneofwant of love both to theMinidersand Miniftry of the Gofpell, for any Church or people to fuffer or enforce their Minifter to hunger, third, be naked, and to have no certain dwelling place, and to labour working with his own hands, that he may preach the Gofpelt freely to themand fuch kinde of ungratefull, ungodly' people,who caufeMinifters thus to fpend and be fpent fot themj will be fo far from loving or refpe&ing them for it, %&tlhimethey love them in this fctnde, the /eJFSpliF probably love them again, as the Corittthi/mr did Paul:' Who traduced and flandered him, as tto true Jpofilt, a make contemptible Preatker, and a very Reprobate, in (lead of commen- st&g him for his extraordinary paines and cofi , in preaching freely to them, 2 Cor. to. to. &12.11, 12. 8r 13.-d,-7, 9. Who then would hearken to, or gratifie fuch perverfc Bsafts, and unthankful 1 Hypocrites,though appearing in the fliapes of Saints, and notion of the godly party , ( or rather ungodly fiftion) againft onr Minifters and . their maintenance? 6- Though Paul thus laboured night and day with his own hands to maintain himftlf and preach the Gofpell freely, yet itfollbwesnot hence,thatall other Minifters how fhoulddoit. : 1. Becaufe he being an infpfred ApofHe and able to preach by immediate in fpiration and revelation from God ; Without fludy or premeditation (asis probable) his- labour in this kinde, was no hindrance to his diligent,, eonftant, powerfull preaching. But no Minifters now (being thus immediately infpirtd) rnuft ftudy and medi¬ tate day and night for what they preachy and examine their Doftrines ferioufly by Gods word-before they vent them: whence Paul enjoynes evenTimctfcjhimfelf, itm. 3.15,15, 16.Iogive attendance to reading, to exhor* iation.to di brine, to meditate upon tbefe things, and give him* felveWHOLT TO TbfM, that his profiting might appeare to- all mem and to take heed unto his doUrine : which he could' not do, if he lhould labour night and day with his bands as Paul did, to fupport himfelfe and preach gratis : wherefore betels him, 2 Tim. 2.4. T’hatnbmanthat watretb fa fpiritual warfare as he and other Miniftersdo )intangletb himfelf with the affaires of this life ; that he may fleafe or fine him who hath chujeri him to be a StuMier . A direft inhibition to Minifters to follow Pauls Precedent} who cannot fern and pleafe God in their Miniftry, if they labour day-, ind night in Meehanick trades for their living^ And upon this ground ( which is very obfervable) the very Afoftef 'dfyfllaihenfehes, 4 & & % 4 > 5 * & Calling tkf.mmlmr jP tfxnt, [aid, IX IS NOt REASON, ( pray tparke. it jt dial we (botdd. leave, the Word of Gcd -and feme TtfWex(nmclt lefle workediy and night ata Mechanick trade:} where* teebretkren lookeye out feven men °f honeft report, full of the.\ holy Gboft and wifdome , » horn ye may appoint, aver this.bufinefte,i WUI WE WILL GIFE, OV& SELVES CO.NXINVa JLLX W FRAIER, md TO 'THE mINTSTrt QF THE WOW: And THE. SAIING TLEASEp, T HE, WHOLE MVLTIlVDE. from which Texts it ; is clear, . , 1. That the Apoftles themfelves-refolve, drat they could not exercife the very antient office of a Deacon in ferving Tables, and attending on Widowes and other poor, aged, impotent Saints, -without negle&ing, o? giving over preaching of the Word: much lefle. then can Minifters labour day and night with- their hands at fome Trade, to tnaintaine themfelves and Families, without negle&ing and defifting the Miniftry. 2. That the Apoftles and Minifters ought to give them* [elves wholly and continually to prayer, preaching, meditation, reading, and their MinifteriaU duties, and mull not .therefore attempt or intermeddle with fecular Imployments and Callings. -3. That the Apoftles themfelves have punSaally re* folved, and all the primitive Chriftians unanimoufly alien ted to it; that IT IS NOT REASON , that they [hould leave preaching the word of God, Co much as to. wait upon Widowes and poor people at their tables: where* upon they elefted feaven Deacons to difcharge that office. Therefore it is far lefle reafon, and they are moft wictyd rnidunreafonablemen without faith or charity, from which God deliver us, and all his Minifters, 2 Theft". 3.2. who urge itj to enforceall our Minifters to negleft. and forfake their Miniftry, Preachings, Studies now, to follow handicraft Trades to get their livelihood, that fo they might preach freely to the people without any re' compcnce. ^ * . ' .2, All * 2. All godljMinifters and people in all ag<$waw«rT ”" r "^ Objeftor* tWw^yes qf l»t? y^rKh^ve'extciradjicbn- deninedj cenfured out Biffiops and Prelaticall Clergy, to¬ gether with Popes, Popifli Prelates and Clergy, men far - termedling With, and executing ciyill. Offices, Itpploymfhts and worldly affaires, which necefficated them to neglea , the preaching of the Gofpellj ana their Minifteriall duties; whereupon not only many ancient and late Councels, ' Synods^ but Afts of Parliament, have Specially prohibited them, to be Privy Counfrllers of State, judges, Juftices of “C the Peace, Lord Chancellers, Treasurers, Keepers of the Privy SeaJ, Stewards of Courts, Commiffioners; and our very laft Parliament by fcverall late Afts difabled ail Bifhops from fitting as Peers in Parliament, and them With all other Clergy men, to execute any temporal! Office, as (y) incompatible with their fpirituaS FunHiott, and C 0 S a An an impediment to their Minifirp. according to the old prover- biall verfe, Men a, pars poften tlmbus intenm minor eft dfmgula fenfus. A767.7& Which I have proved at Urge by teftimonies in all ages, in my Bteviate of the PtelAes intolerable V/urpatiotf, printed Am. 1437. My Vnbifhofing of timothy and Titusy and Av tipathy of the Englifh Prelacy to Monarchy ml %l.nity y An»k ifoi* Therefore to force our Minifters to. become Me^hanickes, and give themfelves wholly to worldly tilings or, Imv ployments incompatible with their profelfions, muftneetfr be an irrationall.mtchriftiaii Projea^uuworchythe profelfion or profeflors of the GofpelI,notjuftifiable from Pafilf example m them that would enforce it. .. ':o i 3. ft this precedent offa/fiM a j^u^en^ tq ,prove, that our Mimfters qiu 1 sc-xo. and to preach the Gofpell freely without i*watd or faercive Maintenance; I fhall then ; by the frMe&me reafon prove, that all Officers and §ouldiers, of the Army ■ Who make this. (pf%n 3 ^ m civillOfficer* approving tpxgh* lifawife fight anddifrltaige their " Offices without pay er (alary, and to worke.with tfreirowiil hands to gee their livings, without oppreffingthe peoi pie whh any Contributions of Bxciftsto maintains them. 1. Becaufe Minifters are both of one profelfion m feverall fenfes,to vrh, Souldiers, 2-. Tim. 2-3, 4 - aS 1 have formerly proved: Therefore to-fare both alike in refpeft of pay or hire. 2. Becaufe God records in Scripture, Fzech. 29.18. That 'Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon (even by Gods appointment) caufed his Army to ferve a great fervice againfl fytus e»ery bead was'made bald, and every [boulder teas peeled. TET HAD HE NO WAGES, NOE- HIS ARMY FOR TTRVS, for the fervice that he [erved again/} it. If Nebuchadnezzar land his Army ferved God freely aga ; nft Tyre WITHOUT WAGES many years • Should not our prefent Army and Officers much more ferve God-and their Country freely without wages ? True it is, God gave them (.after their fervice fully ended ) not any Taxes or Contributions from their own Country-men or Nation, but the Land, and fpeyle of Egy\tfor their wages, becaufe they wrought for him , verfes 19, 20. And if our Officers and Souldiers will have fuch wages, it mulb only • be the Lands and fpoyles of forain Egyptian enemies, not our' Churches, or Cfowne Land: or Revenue (formerly eafing the peoples. Taxes,- and defraying all Garrifons, and' ordinary publick ex- pences) which they now qlaime and enjoy for Arrears- of pay. $. Nehtmiah, both a godly SonFdier, Generali and Go- vernour of his people records this for his own honou r ,' and others imitation. Neh. 5. 1.4,15, 16, 17, 17,18,1^ Moreover from the tithe that I was appointed toi'be their Govemur in the Land-of'Judah'firm the 26. even to the ^2/ fear of At/ taxerxer the King-, Even TWELVE TEARS, I AND MI BRETHREN HAvENOT EATEN THE BREAD OF THl GOVERNOR. But the former Gobefno'urj‘that had" been before me WERE CHARGEABLE and'M tatyn ofthim BREAQ and- wim 3 resides fortt shekels of farm : ' ' y* mevettAheir Servants bare me 'over-the, plD NOT I Qniarke the reafonj BECAUSE _ OF THE • .. * fEAR 0 GOD. Tea, alfo I continued in the woriyof-Ms walk ' • ■ ■ 01 THER BOUGHT WE AN it AMD fas many Officers and S0al.diers.d9 now), and.all ty.-jewagts ■w.ere-gafii^efl i fi)ij^fr :' - unto the wj>rl$e. Moreover there, were at. ,mf%abk-Jm'%.f<> ) J$we£,' end Ruler ) } bejtdes tbofe that came untow from among the heathen that . 'V Wire about us. Now that which waf prepared f ormedayly was one Oxe, end fix cboyce jheep ; alfi F owles were prepared for me, and once in . . 1 teadapes joie of all. forts of Wine-, JET FOR ALL THIS • ; ••••-••' REQUIRED NOT I THE BREAD ('chat ,is,,theallq tr¬ ance, falary and revenuej OF THE GOVERNOR'(pblerve the ground) BECAUSE THE BONDAGE WAS HEAVT ON THIS PEOPLE (and hath it not for 12. years fpace, or MORE, and. STILL IS AS HEAVY or HEAVIER UPON US?J Thinly.upon me my Qodfor good, according-tp all I hate done fotthU people, Here .was a worthy ..Gof, vernour, Generali, Magiftrate and Souldier, really fearing God, and tendering the' eafe, liberty and welfare of the people, in good earned, who; with all hi3 Officers and Souldiers for 12. years fpace together, though he and they laboured conftantly in building the wall of Jerufalem , and lie was at fo great expcnce each' day foT his own Table, as Governour, yet took no Free-quarter, Bread, Wine, • ' Money, Wages or Salary from the people, as other Cover- nours and Officers before them haddone; and that becaufp . of the.fear of God, became the bondage-was great, uponthc people} expe&ing only a reward from God. I miy fafer argue from this Scripture Precedent; Ergo, all our Governours, Generals, Officers, Souldiers fearing God, during all our . 12. years Wars, and as long as theyand our bondage (hall yet continue; are boupd to. ferve their Country freely without taking Free ; -quarter , Corhe , Wine, .Money, wages, contributions or Excifes from the people; and ought not to purchafe any Lands; and by conference are fhjsre* upop obliged in confidence to; make rcftitution of alfthc , Free-quarter, Pay, Lands, Wpods, Rents, Rewards apdt?uj?T lick Revenues they, have received; for their.pay^W 6 #*!* , Ha u os - • or rewards offervlce, expefting their reward onlyfrom God' (^)Ste a vlndi- hereafter; And fo much the rather, becaufe (z) Sir William cation of Lewes, Mr. Venzill Holies and Co*. Walter Long, 3.of the XI. M«nbe rs falfely impeached by the Officers and Amy. SiheXHm- An * i6 47- fa engroffingmuebof the publikf Treafure,Migivty peached Mem- W accompt of what they had received ; were fo generous and bers, and their truely Noble, asin their accompts(long before palled and anfwer to their allowed by the Commons houfe ) to demand m pay at all; Charge, the firft, as Govemoufof Fortfmeuth 5 the other as Collwels in printed 1^7- the Army under the Earl of Efex; Mr. Holies refilling to accept of the rhoufands voted him out of the Kings revrnt for recompense of his former wrengfdl imprifonment by the King fn his Countries good fetvice in Terliament. Whofe Precedents their accufersfat leaft) are as far bound to imitate in this kinde, as our Minifters are St. Fauls . Upon which confide* rations, I now refer the verity and folidity of this argtt. ment from Fads example to thejudgements,eonfciences o( all Officers, Souldiers and others formerly triumphing in it, who upon fecond thoughts nraft needs difclaime their own Pay, and Salaries for the future, or elfe renounce this grand obje&ion as ridiculous and irra* tionall. Oljeft. 3. The third Objs&ion is from the 3 Epiflle efjohn mfa 6 } 7. Where John writes to Gajur, Beloved thou dofi faithfully whatever thou doft, betb'to the Brethren and to grangers : wfcirfi have bom witnejfe of THl CHAB.Hl ( or Liberality) befm the Church, whom if thou bring on forward on their journey THOU SHALT "DO WELL, becaufe that fa his name' fake THE 1 WENt FORTH, TAKING NOTHING OF THE GENTILES . Whence fome may inferre (though I heare not this Tffit urged by any) That Minifters ought now to preach the Gofpell freely to the people,and to take nothing of them; he* catifej fobn nentions fomefuch that in his time preached to the Gentiles taking nothing of them. To which I anfwer, 1. That this Text ^ueftionkffi was meant of Taul ^the Apoflk of the Gentiles, and his companions Timothy andTitoj Who took nothing of the Qjinthim, a Cor, 12.14,153 ^1 ' i7i i8.5"f«in| Gdjk -^wb being converted and btyizedbyhim, Jfl.if.29. &ao;4. 1 Qr. 1. 14. but cxprefly ftyled bv him, Horn. U. 23, Gaim MINE HOST and OF ALL THE CHURCHES 5 livingtfaen at Corinth, where Paul pt eachi d freely; to whofe Precedent I have given a full {atisfaftory anfwer already. 2. it is evident, that this Gsjm ffor fome time at leaft) lodged Paul and other Brethren; and was not only faith- full, but charitable and libmll towards them, though the other Cor intbians were not. 3. St. John addes, verf. 8. THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH , that WE MIGHT BE FELLOW HELPERS TO THE TRUTH 5 wherein he concludes it to be a duty incumbent upon ail QhrUlians, to receive, en¬ courage, accompany and be charitable and liberall to the Apqftles and Minifters of the Gofpell, thereby to be fellow- helpers to the truth, which otherwise they fhall much hin¬ der. So as this Scripture fully warrants my Propofitioi^not oppugnesit. The fourth objeftion,is the opinion cf our famous Englifh QU e ^ Apoftle, John Wickliffe, who held Tithes and Mmifiers main¬ tenance to be nteA almes, whofe opinion is largely defended by eminent John Hus, in Mr. Fox his Afls and Monuments ■, Edit, loo.vol. j.fil. 6 02,to 605. Therefore notdueto Mini- fters, but detaiiiable,or payable only at the nicer wils of the people, as raw almes to Beggcrs are, which are arbi¬ trary. Whereto I anfwer, i- That Tithes and Minifters maintenance, are not pare Anise, times y aor Co fly led, by Wickliff^Hw, or Jugujine,or Chrjfofionte (whom Hus citethJ as if Minifters had no right unto them lor their paines', as a juft debt, hire or Wager, or, as if men might detain them at their pleafure 5 fince we are expreQy not only exhorted, but commanded both inthe Lam and Goff ell, to give almes to tfafe that want them, and that as Debtors to them fofar as our Abilities and their Neceffitks require, Kow.1.2. lo, 13,20; & 15.27. 1 Cor. 16. 1,2. 2Cor. 8v& 9. through^ out. Heb. 13.16.1 Tim. 6. 17,18, if. ^>be{. 4.28. LukfiS. H 3 22,23 22 J 23.Krf.8. -Gdi.2. xo. comp^rea; wun ^«^i ^ ^ 12. Exod.ip if. Lew's. 19. Dint.. 24. 19. Pw. 19. xp, & 22. 9. .& 28.27. & 31. 20. EcdeJ. 11. x. Dan. 4. ’27, Yea the^Lawes and Statutes of our Land, exprefly,enforce and compell men to contribute to tbs Poor .as, they- jbali be affejfed-, as well, as to pay tithes or taxes i as you niay read In Ratals Abridgement,. and- Daltons Jujtice of Pence, Title Poor. But they are-ftyled Poore Aimes, in three other refpecfs. 1. Eecaiife, they were originally given by people to the' Ministers that were needy , out of charity anicoinpajon FOPuGODS SAKE, as ivell as for their work fake. 2. Beenufe Ministers after their own wants [uppl)ed, did ufe tis diftriiitte part oftbemto the poor rind needy, asalmes, and are obliged flilltodoit. f* 3. Becaufe they are poor alnies in refpeft of God, as all other goods of fortune are; which we both begge and re¬ vive from God; And in this refpeft they write, evrry man as well Kingsas Eoiperours, as Minifters and Priefls 3 are^. gers of God-, 2. As they ftyled tithes Aimes in theft refpeft*, fo they Iikewift granted Aimes to poore people , i@nd Tithes life* wife to be A DEBT; for every man duly giving almes, DOTH AS HE OUGHT TO DO; and Jo he that .giveth tithes. 3. Whereas they alledge, that neither doth Debt utterly exclude the purity of Aimes before God: and that it is no Argu¬ ment j that if the Curate do performs his corporall Miriftry , that be ought therefore to challenge tithes by any civill title: Becaufe that as well on the behalfe of him that giveth the tithes , as alfo in the behalfe of the Curate, every fuch Minijtry ought freely tobe given, andnot by any civillexcbange. I conceive it both a fallacy and errour in them, being a juft debt which may be demanded by a Divine and Civill right too, when and where fetled by a civill law, though freely to, be given to the Minifter, without coertion or fuit of Law both in point of confidence, and by way of civill exchange tpo, out of a civill compa&or contraft. . . : don, and refutation of all Arguments/1 yet' know maide . againft it. Ch ap. I L I NoW proceed to the proof of the 2. Propofition, wherein the Hinge and Marrow of the Controverfie concerning' Tithes' is included. That the maintenance of the Uimflers of the Goff ell ( and of Propofition Places cmdHmfesfor Gods publichyworfhip^by Tithes,Glebes,Oblations „ • {yea andfpoyles won in battle by Generals, Collonels,Captahtes and Souldkrs) is not only law full and expedient, but the mft fitting, ra- fiisnall and convenient Maintenance of dll other, warranted by dirett - Precepts and Precedents, both before and under the Law, which doth - ' no wayes abolifh orcondemneybut approve and confirme this way of : s , Maintenance. ' . Before ever the Levitrcallot Ceremoniall Law wasinfti- tuted 5 as the godly Patriarchs built Altars and Houfes for fublickjworjbip unto God , Gen. 4. 3,4. &8. 20. & 12. 73 8.- fei3.4,78. & 22. 9. & i 6 . 25, 8t 28. 20, 21,22. & 33. 20. & 35. i, 3,7. Sothey hfewife gave Tithes tothePricfts of God. .'' > The verylaw of Nature, («) engraven in their hearts, before (^) Rom.z.i^' any. written Moral! or Ceremoniall law, di&ating thus if. much .to them, Thar, as there was a God who created them, in' whom they lived, moved, and had their being ; [0 likpwife this God was to be folemnlyw orflapped by them, as well in publicl{ asprivd tei byway of homage, gratitude,aud bounden duty, Pfal. 95.1, to 8. &100.. ij'2j 3, 4. Tfa. 17. 7,'8. AS. 17. 26, 27,28. Which" worfhip' of his (expecially when men multiplyed into great V and many families, Villages, Cities,Kingdomts,Kepublicks)' could not be decently, orderly and conftantly performed hv publick, -without appointing fome certain' Times, and’ Places :of:-Wofflijp5-Ca!)j«»«e certain My perfons.anib . TfUfi:to. ( 0 Heft. ?;R \ fome c^nvenieht'-eertaimporfion-out of ? -their Eftates foi 1 ’' • the:',..''.; •—tne uumiuunce ana encauragnniEnt pt topte Prielts intfiP execution of their Office, on which the; were tb give at- tendance. Upon which grounds, as the Patriarchs before the Q) Dr.Bound, Law from the very Creation, (as(i) many Divines infer from Dr. Tyeiffe, Gen. 2. 2, 3. Exod. 6. 22, to 27 & 20.11.843!. IJ.Deut,').!^ Mr S £m-rd ^’’+- 4 -) dedicated my jeventb da) to Gods peculiar mrfhp ,by his Mr.^teer, exan ;P !e an d preferiptioh ffo they likewife offered a certain Mr.c^o^ p' jrc ‘ on of the fruics of their Ground, Fields and Fiockes others of me to God in Sacrifice* as a Tribute due to him, by and from Sabbath : whom they received, enjoyed all the reft they had. Whence o-hers on -h- t ^ le Scripture exprefly records of Cain and Abel ( the two J! CothmaLie- firft borne ofthe world) Gen. 2. *,3,4,5. That Gab j, bpn^ Bent. A tiller ojtbe ground, brought of. the fruites of the ground an qffwfy , to God-, and that Abelbeing a feeder of fheep,be alfo brought of the pftlings of his fleece, and the fat thereof for an Offeringum the Lord, And as moft conceive their father Adam did before them,by whofe precept and example they did it: And' after them we read, that Noah built an Altar unto the Lori * and took,e of everj clean beafl , 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 ancefters from the Creation in all probality ufually pra&ifed, though not fpecially recorded fay Mafts, no more then many other memorable accidents andaftions, tor brevity fake). Now thefe (lean Bealls and Towles which he facrificed entring into the Ark? by Jevenni that is, feven of every fort: Gen. 7. 2,3. he offered one of each kindeat leaft fand fo one of jfcven ) unto God, , who mfecrated and referved one day o[ feven from the Creationto him - felfe. What proportion of their goods, Abraham , Ifaac and Jacob offered on their ere&ed altars in facrifice to God, is noE exprefled, though probably it was fuch as God after¬ wards prescribed the Ijraelites, their pofterity, not longj after fcy his written law in Mofes time, augmented upon any ex¬ traordinary emergent occafion, though never diminUhed from its ufualfrate. And for the Pricfts encouragement (dire&ed by the very di&ate of Nature and Reafon in for¬ ming them. That every Labourer was worthy, ,of [ome competent hire, as Chrift refolves Mat. io, io. Lute iq.> 17.) they pitchecPiibon (rf tbfe tenth of-'theft fei, as ^compcteat-and feting allowance, guided'there* & *8.u,«. in by divine Infpiradon (as is nioft probablejif riot infalli^ ,1 bkj it being thefelf-fairie proportion, God himfelf after- V?ards ; {ireiSribed and ratiryed by his-oivn written law in the - ;j oidT*efia^ei« ) ;and 4 p^raved inth& naw, is I Hull tnanifeft ' ,] by thefe enfuing Scriptures. : i r. THu Tithe: were paid and vowed to God by the . religious Patriarchs- before the Aaromcall Prieft-hood infti- tuted, dr>LeVicicalI-law. given, is undeniable by two Scrip¬ ture inftances: the fir ft of then is thus recorded, Gen .' 14. 17, I§, i?j 20. That Abraham returning viUormfly from the toto o/Ghderlaomer and the;King: that were with him ; ■ ' ? Melchifedec Kmz of Salem met him , and brought forth bread and - A wine, and he was THE PRIEST OF THE -MOST HIGH > GOD: and he bleffed him and faid, Bleffed be Abraham ofvth'e. mofi hi<’h God , p offefr of heaven and earth■ yand bleffed be the mfi hip God which hath delivered tty Enemies into thy hand. AND HE GAVE HIM TENTHES OF ALL, This Hiftory is thus recited arid amplifyed in the new Teftamcnt, Heb. 6.20. & 7. i«8cc. Jefus, made an high Friefi for ever after ’ the- ‘ trder of Melchiz'edec King of ' Salem , PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, who met Abraham returning from, the (laughter of the Kings,andbleffed him: TO WHOM ABRAHAM GAVE A TENTH PART OF ALL; firfl being by interpreta¬ tion. King of righteoufneffe, and after that alfo Kingof Salem, which _ ■ it King ef.peace: without F ather, without Mother, without:defcfnt ," ■; havin’neither beginning of dayes nor end of life , but made like unto . ! J the Son of God, abideth a Fried continually- Now confiderhow , J great this man was unto whom even tht Patriarch Abraham - GAVE- THE TENTH OF THE SPOTLES. And VERILT ■: thn that are of the Stnnes of Levi, who receive the officejfthe. U HAVE - A COMMANDEMENT : TO TAKE TITHES OF TBE PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO THE LAW-, thdiSjOf fair brethren, though' tbefcame out of theloynst .i as his fuperiour, even as the Ltvites unitrw ' : LM ItfM fiid'ihe-tenth .oftheirZithes: Hours', Numb. 18; 26,27,28. Andthis paymci)t pffitbet ‘ to--'Mlcbtjeiec, he recites in thi feverail tidies one after; another, injiftiftg longer on ,it then on any other Argument, to prove thepreeminency of ■Mtlchifedea Friejl-ksod above Aliens. Whence it undeni¬ ably followes, . ' • r : 1. That 1 'iihcs are not originally Jewilh and Levi- 2. That the receiving of Titbej'-by faithful] Minifters now, is no difparagenient, but an honour to their Miniftry audfun£Uon,as wellas to Melchifedcts heretofore. • ; ■ 3. ' That Minifters receiving “Ziite now,dothnomore prove -their Miniftry to be Juditicall; orlevjticall, then it did Melchiftilecj Pricft-hood, put/in coptwdiftinaion ,tq it, and exalted above 1 it by the Apoftle,I even by the very re r reiving of Tithes from Air dim .-: Therefore thofe fcfuitel and Anatytiftical! furies againft' Til^whoraileagainftour Minifters- and their Miniftry as ^c».ip.and :^«rc»?^«// ,becaufe • they receiveT itbes } and urge-this as b difRa.ragement to th# Perfons and Miniftry,rejefting T itb-wiving MR»iJlersj as Mi r ; chrifiim end unUv.ful!--, doe herein argue point-blank againfi the Apoftle, and thereby conclude Mekbijtdecs (.and’by con- ftqHence our Swims Trieft-bodnfkr th order oj Mekhifedtc) to be Tewifli, Antichriftian, dilhonourable and unlawful], becaufe Mdchifede'c received tithes, which to dois/the higheftblafphemy- ^ , V- 7 ; . That the Apoftle inform^ us,that God had never blit ,twd orders of Pric-ft&in the world. : ...•>% ■ ■ Th'e firft, after the order of Md&jfdec in Abrahams, dajesyM- continued under the Law for a time, but revived again, in our Saviour ChriL and continuing now far ever in him, compared ' here to Melchifedec, efpeciallydnhis Nature, the feat, of his Kin^dome, the perpetuity of his life, his Sacerdotal! bldhng ’ and'm THE’- RIGHT OF. TITHP£asfle»»$gw. <$#e ‘^iThvfecohdiifter the order of Let>i«»d^ •••■• . {■ ■ ' ■? We have David, tf ■ victorious Warrieiy General!, King;. . and (m) man of God,{after 1 Goils owe heart, dedicating («)a&.ij.sx the Treafures and Spoyles he took from his jeneinies Neb, iz. z$. in Battles, to the Houfe and fervice of God, thus more specially recorded for his honour and others pra&ife ; 2 Sam. 8. xi, 12. And To! jbf Jorarn hit S'onne to King Divid to {Ante him, and to blefe him, becaufe he had fkght a J gainji Hadadezer and {mitten him, and brought with himvejfeli of Gold, and veffels of Silver, and veffels of Brajje, which alfis 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 if Ammon,- and of the Thiliftities,- and of Amalek., and OF THE SPOYLES- OF HADAD¬ EZER. Sonne■ of Rehob King of Zobah. Recorded a- gaine in sGhron. 18. 2, to r'2.' with 7 this; addition. And David tool^the ' fhidds of gold - Which Were on' ike Servotas y df, Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerufalm. Lik^wije from' Tibhath and from Chun Cities of Hadadezer brought David very much brajfe, wherewith Solomon made the Brafen-feay and .the pillars of the veffels of Brajfe. What the-value of the fpoyles* which he dedicated to God and his fervice a- ; mounted-to, himfelfe records, i Chron. 22.I4. "Now be¬ hold, in my trouble lhave prepared for the boufe of the Lord A-N ; HUNDRED THOUSAND TALENTS OF -GOi D, and A THOUSAND THOUSAND TALENTS OF SILVER* and OF BRASSE and IRON- IN: ABOUNDANGE WITHOUT WEIGHT: Befidesfiwhat He dedicated- 1 tmt of his owne proper- eftate,' reglffred irt' v Ghm. : iy., 3 ) 4 * . 2. We have Joah( n ) Davids Gaptaine Generali, the Ca» (») 1 Satn.s, ptmnesovcfTfhoufands arid Hundreds, and the tCaptaines- cf' the *6. * Chron. Army, dedicat ingout ^ of'the fpoyles won in • Battles to the fervice of the Houfe of the Lord': (ind that in a liberal! propor¬ tion) even five'' theufand Talents of gold, and terne thoufand Ka ~ dramii if juvcr teme thufand talents, and tftrajff 18000. Tahnts, aiid ire hundred tkoufand Talents of Iron, befrdn precious fhnes, all which they offered willingly with a perfsh heart unto, the Lord,njoycing with great joy thy had done it, 1 Chron. 29. 6,7,8, 9. When our Generals, Officers, Colonels, Captaines and Souldiers of the Army, ftall imitate King David and his Generals, Colonds, Caprains, Officers, and Souldiers in fuch a liberall contribution of the Jewels, Gold, Silver, Brafle, Iron 2nd Spoyle they have won in< Battles, at home and from other Nations, to repaire or build houfes for Gods publick worffiip, and maintaine the Miniflers of the Gofpell, in ftead of feeking to de- n-.olift and fpoyle thofe (lately Edifices which our pi¬ ous Anccftors have erefted for that purpofe, and breaking dome tie Carved nark? thereof wilh axes and hammers ; of which Vavid much complainah, Fjal. 74. 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9. and in lieu of endevouring to deveft our Mini* fters of their remaining Lands, Tithes, Glebes net yet tie- molifbed ; all the World, will proclaime them. Men after Gods owne heart, and Men of God in truth, like David, and give over cenfuring them for Sacrilegious Harpyes, more like to Zeba and Zabnunna , then him who find, Lit us take to our [elves the Houfes of God in poffeff- en, as David hinifelfe objtfts againft them, Pjal. 83. 11, 12. 3. Here is Samuel the feet, doing the like, out of his (poyles won in Battle : A precedent for all thofe Souldiers who will be Sunncs and New-Ughts to imi¬ tate. 4. If the good mens examples be neglefted, yet let the Precedents of bad men ffi-ime and excite others to this duty: Here are Saul the Sonne df Ki[b, much talked oi and reviled now by many for a Tyrant , the Warrelike KinggiventoGods people in anger, and tak^n from them in wrath, as thefe objeft now, Hof. 13. n. (which I conceive ra¬ ther meant oi Jeroboam the Idolatrous ufurper, mho made hrael te ft me ; as judicious Interpreters prove, by 2 Cbm. 13. 20. compared with 2 Kings if. io, to 24. and the con- laEafflsfWswn.'ma Context hkewife, which made lifting the Calves ereftcd By Jeroboam: and fpeaks only of the Kingdme of Ijrael,as divided from that of Judah) yet he as bad as they make him, together with* Abner (a) his chief Ceptaine fnone of the bcft of men, as. 2 Sam. ( 0 ) iSam. y 7, 8. dilcovirs J had fo much Piety, Zeal, and Re-jo. ligion in them, as likewife to dedicate part of their rlch- elHpoyle* of Warre to the maintenance of .Godshonfe and wot (hip. And will it not be a great eft (honour to thofe Generals, Officers, Colonels and Captaines, who pretend themfelves the holieft, jufteft, zealoul’df Saints,not to be as bountifull towards the maintenance of Gods houfe and worffiip, and of their fpoyles, as thefe they brand for Tyrants and ungodly wicked men ? If thefe .Precedents be ineffefhiall to work upon ariy Covetous or Sacrilegious bondmen, let them refleft upon 'others; who were Idolaters, how neare they came, in their way; to imitate Abraham , David and thefe forecited. When ’Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon had taken JentfelemfrAh- lacked and burnt the glorious Temple there, towards which David and his Captaines contributed fo largely out of their fpoyles; he had fo much Piety and naturaH Religion in him; as to dedicate all the Veffds of Silver and Gold, which he took.e out of the houfe of God,-to the■ honour and feivice of hit Idol-gods, and put them in the temple at Babylon, ,not converting them to his private or publick Treafn* iy, 2 Chm. 36.7,18. 2 King. 24. 13 . Ezra. 1. 7. Which- Veflels afterwards being brought forth thence and profane¬ ly caroufcd in by Belfhazzar and hit Princes, at his great feafr wherein he pra)fed the gods of Gold, and Silver, of Brdffe, of- Iron, of Wood, and of Stone ; you may read whatfatall judge- imt prefenth befell him , to the Ioffe of his life and Kingdome*. Dan. 5. Thefe Veflels though a juft and Jawfull fpoyle wonne by Warres, Gyrut King of Perfia brought forth out of the houfe of his Gods, where Nebuchadnezzar had put thenty by the hand of Mithredah hit frea furer, and mmbred them unttr Sheffibazzar the Prime of Tudah , when he proclaimed liberty , K 3 4. -agd gtve order to-the Israelites to-rebuild the houfe of the Lord ‘ Cod of Jfrael in Jerufalem ; and this is the number of them ', thirty Chargers of Gold, a thoufand Chargers of Silvernine and twenty kniv.s, thirty Bafins of Gold, Silver bafons of a fecondfortfmre hundred andtenne, and other Veffels a thoufand: all the Veffels of Gold and fiver were VIVE THOUSAND AND FOURE HUNDRED: all thefe did Shefhbazzar bring with hi;n from Babylon to Jerufalem for the ufe and fervid of God in the TenqU there: all thefe did Cyrus a Heathen King reftore by a Decree. Cyrus a Heathen King, reftoring them to God and the Temple by aDeGree, when will our Army Saints depart with fo many Gold and Silver veflels to Gods houfe? This Decree was afterwards confirmed by Darius and Artaxerxes his fucceflors, Ezra 1.4. & 7 15, 14,17. & 8- 24, to 31. thefe and their Princes and chief Offi¬ cers alfo freely offered and dedicated Silver and Gold befides, amounting to a great value , towards the reedifying of the Temple, and maintenance of the worfliip and Priefts of •, God there. Moreover, King Artaxerxes makes this Decree concerning thefe Veflels, The Veffels alfo that are given thee for the fervice of the houfe of thy God , thofe deliver thou before the God of Jerufalem ; and whatfoever more- fhafl be ntedfull for the houfe of thy God BESTOW IT OUT OF THE KINGS TREASURE HOUSE: Adding this further Decree, To all the Treafurers beyond the river ; Whatfoever Ezra the- Frieft i frail require of you , let it be done fpeedily •, unto an - hundred Talents of Silver , and to an hundred m:afures of Wheat, and to an hundred bottles of Wine , and to an hundred bottles of Oyle , Salt without prefribing meafure: Whatfoever is commanded ly the God of heaven, Lt it be diligently done for the houfe of tie God of heaven-, for why frould there be wrath againfl theRealme of the King and his Sonnes l Alfo we certifie you, that touching any of the Trlfis and Levites, Singers , Porters , Nethinims or Afmifers of this Houfe of God II SHALL NO l BE LAW- FULL TO IMPOSE WLL, TRIBUiE OR CUSiOME UPON THEM : and who fever will not do the Law ofGod-and tie Law of the King , Lt judgement be executed feedily upon him, whether ■tihe&efh’ie 'Mar death, or to of gods, or to imprifinment ; Ezra J. ii, to 27. The ftorW of Cyrils and Darius, concerning the building of the Tan* p!e and refiitution of thefe Vefiels, is very tenu'rkeabley and thus 1 recorded; Ezra 6: ^, to 1%. let the houfe be builded, the place-where thy offered Sacrifices, and let the foundation - thereof be firongly bid j the height thereof threefesre Cubits, and the breadth thereof three fore Cubits ; frith three rows of great Slates, and a row if nets’ limberar.d LEE ERE EXFEN- CES BE GIVEN CVl OF ERE KINGS HGVSE. And elk bt the Golden and Silver Veffels of the houfe of God,whicb Nebuchadnezzar took? forth out of the Temple which is at fe¬ rn film , and brought unto Babylon, be RESlORED and BhCVGHE AGA 1 NE WEO THE TEMPLE which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the houfe of God. Now •therefireTamai governour beyond the river, Shcthar- boznai and your companions' the : Apharftchites which are beyond the river , be ye farre from thence : Let the work? of the houfe of God alone, let the Govemours and the Elders of the femes, build the houfe’of God in his place. Moreover, I make A "Decree, what ye fhall do-to the Elders of thefe femes, for: the. building of this houfe of Godthat of the Kings goods even ' OF ERE ERT- IVEE beyond the river, forthwith expences be’given unto thefe men, that they be not hindred. And that which they flail have need of both young Bullocks,, and Rams, and Lambs, for the burnt offerings if the God of heaven. Wheat, Salt, Wide, Oil, accor¬ ding to the appointment of the Briefs which are at fferufalem , LEE IE BE GIVEN.FROM VAT TO OAT WIlHGVE Fail-, that they may offer Sacrifices.'of fweet favour unto the God of heaven, end pray fir the life of the King and his Sonnes. Alfo I have made a Decree, that whofoever fall alter this word, let timber he pulled down from his houfe, and being ft. tip, let ■ him be hanged thereon, and let his houfe be made a dunghill for this. And the God that hath caufid his name to dwell there, DESEROE ALL KINGS and PEOPLE THAT SHALL WE EO EHEIR RAND EO ALTER and DESEROE IMIS HOVSE OF GOD, which is at Jerufalem : I Darius . have. have made a Vecr.e, l-t it be dene with [feed. If thefe three Heathen Kings and Conquerors were fo zealous to reftorc' the Veffels of Gold and Silver, amounting to fo great a number and value, to the Houle of God at Jerufalem ; to contribute fo literally towards the reedifying of it out of their otvne Tributes, Treafures and Revenues tvonne by Warre and Gonqueft; to allow them Bullocks, Rams, Lambs,. Wheat, Wine, Oile, Silt, and all other ne¬ ceffaries for dayly Sacrifices; to furnilh the Priefts and Levites with all Neceffaries; to exempt them all the Oilicers of the Temple from faying anj ‘fell. Tribute, Tax or Gujlome , which it was not lawfull for any Officer te lay ufon them , under the fevsreji penalties, and to enaft fuch fevere- Lawes, and pafle fuch bitter imprecations againft all fuch as fhould opprefle or hinder the worke, or feek to deftroy or deface the Temple of God: Oh how Ihould this inflame all Generals, Officers, Souldiers, who pro- fefle themfelves the choyfeft Ghriftians, and eminenteft Saints, to imitate and equall them in all thefe particu¬ lars now ? Elfe how will they ffiame, confound and rife up in judgement againft all fuch of thefe and all o- thers, who in ftead of reftoring the Gold and Silver Veffels, Lead, Iron, Timber, Stones, they have taken from the Temples of God, and repairing thofe Churches they have demolifhed and defaced, providing neceffaries for Gods wouffiip, and exempting his Minifters from Toll, Tribute, Taxes, Cuftome, endevour to make a prey and fpoyle of all our Churches, Chappds, Church Veffels, Ornaments, Glebes, yet remaining, and opprefle our Minifters with endlefle Taxes, Tributes impofed on them without their confents againft all former Lawes and Precedents to their utter ruine, and in ftead of pay¬ ing them the tenths of their own Lands and fpoyles of WarrCj endevour to (poyle them of thofc Ttithcs which all others pay them. Of whom Httningius thus complaines in his Commentary on Gal. 6. 6. p 375. Quid diemw de ill if, tti' Minifies Evangelii neceffario vi&u Jpeliant .? guid if riytx*mv*t 7.w*nm non en Mterficiuitf ut multi Bnefii mriti \ cum fas uxorlb&j it liber# cogantur quodammodo mendicare ? .Horum(m. finiim-riM dijferre arbitror A SACR 1 LEGI 0 & LAT.RO. CMIO , iujus poems olim cenfent Auhitt&i■ et, fabii, hujttt nidi- : ;;r To thefe Scripture Precedents of Heathen Warriours, I might adde the praftife of many Idolatrous. Pagan Na¬ tions, who out of the very diftate of Nature gave the tenth , 6f 'their warlike fpoyles to .their Idol-Gpds^and Priefts; . which becaufe Mr. Scldcn 'writes at: large in his Hifiory of Tithes, wheSre all may,,pertife them, Tfhallonly give you the fumme of them in learned Gntiut his words in his Booke De jure Belli et tacit, 1 . 3. c. 4. feff. 1. p.454. By this Law Abraham, out of the Spoyles whichJiehad taken from the five Kings, gave A TENfH TO GOD, as the Divine Auihour to the Hebrews, c. 7. 4. explains the Hijtory extant in Gen. 14. By WHICH CUSTOME THE GRECIANS ALSO, WITH THE CARTHAGINIANS and ROMANS VECimM DE TR.JEDA sacravervnt, conse¬ crated A tenth of the prey to their gods, as to APOLLO, HERCULES, IOVE. And fhould not Chriftiari Generally, Officers, Captaines and Souldiersthet* much more do it now to God and his Minifters from this Precedent of father Abraham, in head of robbing them of their Tithes? If any (hould objeft : that thefe ivere old Teftament, andHed’then Praftii'es; Let them remember, that Abrahams, is'more particularly:.related andfrequently men¬ tioned in the new Teftament then old ; the. old'relating in generally that he gave Tithes of all-, (which relates toall Hisfubffance, as well as fpoyles) and the new TeftamcBf applying this general! to:.; the TENTH , 0 ^ ' T HE SPQY'LES, Heb. ji\. as;Mjv Selde.uGrMiulh andpthers obferve. But to hedge up this ftardng hole fo as:none may creep out of it; we have one memorable; Pre¬ cedent in' the new Teftament , coming'very neare to this Abrahm,. Luk? 7. 2, tq 11. .Where .we read of Yffrfi&Ji Centurion (or CoUonel) « man ef no 'Small .amorty;^ who had SOVVDIEKS VNdER HIM-, and Jaid antoone one Gee , and begeetb; and to another, Come, and he . cmetb ; and to his fervanu, Do this, and be doth it: This Centurions fervant,- who was dear unto him, being ftcty and ready to die, when, he beard of the fame of Jefus , be fent unto him the Elders of the Jems, befeething him that he would teme and heal his Servant: and when the) came to Jefus they befought him inffantly, faying, 2 hat BE WAS W Oft- 1 HI FOR WHOM HE SHOULD TO THIS: (And why fo? ) FOR he Irntb our Nation, and HATH BUILT VS ASTNAGOGVE: Whereupon Jefus went with them , and■ healed his fervant; marvelling at tk Centurions words, and turning about, ard faying unto the people that ftlliwed him, I have not 'found fo great faithno not in Ifrael. This great Centurion and v Commander was no Jew, bat a Gentile, and one- who but newly heard of Chrifts name and fame; yet he had fo much Piety and Bounty , as out of his very Spoyles and Gains of Warre (for we read of no other Lands or Gains he hadj to build a Synagogue for Gods worfbip ; which -the Elders of the Jews, and Chrift too, approved'' as a worthy aft, and fuffi- eient inducement for our Saviour to goe with him and cure his fervant.- O that all our Centurions who have Souldiers under them , and exceed or equall him in Command, would imitate and equall this Gtfpell Cen¬ turion, in his Pious munificence, in ftead of contriving how to deface Temples, Churches, Synagogues, to abb- lifli Tithes, and ingroffi Church Lands and Livings into their own hands, and then fliculd they receive as large Encomiums of the reality and tranfcendency of their Faith, Piety, and Charity from.men 5 as he did from oue Saviour, and the Elders of the Jewes, for building tfei* new Synagogue. I fliall only adde, for our Souldiers and Officer* better Information; that from the example of Abraham , appro¬ ved In- the new T-eftameat, both Divines, Counsels, Ga* ~ ' nonifcj ijbnifts, and Cafuifts, have unamdiouily retolved, ?THar .Souldiers ought to, pay perfonall tithes to Minifters out of their, . ■ ;>,.« very Militia, fay and fpoyles of Wane. This was St * oujlines Dottrine, BE MILItlA,de negotio, de artificioredfe '* , Veoimas : recited, pra&ifed, and long fince prefcribed here i^colalp. ttS, ■England, in the excerptions of Egbert Arehbifhop offeree fa) about ^ ingulf# , the year of our Lord, 75*5. recited arid confirmed byGratm in Mft.p.fyp, • [ his Decrees, Caufa, 16 • qu. 1. f. 381,382. By all theCana-*>®, 9 , gave them this Oath ,, That proceeding, in a right path , without Spzlxwi.ccneil deebning to the right hand or the left, to the befi of their power ,. Tom. r.p. 619. they frrould ma\e kpovrn to him the Cuftomes and -SanUions of ir.gutphr Jiip. r f_ t ; r pPermitting nothing, adding nothing , and altering 9 4 * nothing in them by prevarication c-which they accordingly performing!, ar.d King William intending to alter the Law only in.one par¬ ticular according to the Laves of Norway, from whence he and' his Ngymans depended ; all the Barons and Grand "Englifh 'Enquefi who prejhited him their Laweson Oatk being much grieved at it,, manimofly befiught him, that he would permit them to enjoy their proper Laves and ancient Cuftomes under which their .Fathers lived, and themfelves had been borne and educated , becaufe they deemed it very hard for them to receive unknown Laves',-.and To judge of thofe things they knew not, importunately befeeching him fonheJM of Km? Edward (WHO HAD GRANTED TO HIM THE CROWNE and KINGDQME AFTER HIS DEATH, and whofe Laves they, were) that he would not ccmpell them to perfevere under the Laves of any Fminers, but their owne Country Lawes alone. Wherefore the King taking advife, confented to the requeft of his Barons, confirming all their Lawes and Cuftomes in Par - liament without any alteration or diminution, as they prefented them. Whereof this is the very firft Law concerning ' the prefervation of the Churches rights , and Scholars from (p Hevcdta - \f) ^very Cleargy-man, and likgwife all Scholars 9 and all tidrsiaT' their Gads and Toffefions, wberefeeuer they arey {hall enjoy the iftidKemrn Peace of God and of holy Church , pee. froth, 'all forfeiture and jfwp.i73v " Seijkrr, * Stifure % and ip any pau lay mhos, on wary _ Ml require, LET HIM - RESTORE THAT ; WHICH HE.: SHALL TAKE AWAY, and.likgwife one hundred (hilling in the name of a forfeiture, if it be from an Ably, or Churchof. Re¬ ligion •, and 20 .s. if it be from a Mother Yarifh Church s'. and ' . - 10. s. if it be from a Chaff ell., After (g) which follow 6 . other (g) Hovedea- lams- concerning the Churches peace and priviledgesj and H>id.p. 6 oi. 6 pt, then thefe two Lawes concerning TITHES. - Lambtrditlt*. Of tk TITHES ef the - Church. . Of all Come the tenth Sheaf is given to God, and therefore ■ to le paid.'"If any fhall have a herd of-Mares, lei him pap the ' "tenth colt be who fhallhrve onely one or wo, let him pay a penny for every colt. Likewife he who fhall have many Erne, let him pay the tenth calfe-, he who fhall have but one or two, let him pay a penny for every calfe : and he who fhall make cheefe, let him,give • the tenth to God, and if he fhall make none, the milksevery tenth day: Lihgwife the tenth Lambe 3 the tenth Fleece, the tenth Bus¬ ier, the tenth Pi& ' ■SEES and all leffer TIT HE Sf In like manner alfo of Bees, the tenth of the profit, and alfoof Woodyof Meadowes, Waters and Mils, and Ponds, andFifhings, and Copfes, arid Orchards, and Gardens, and Negotiations? (wherein Souldiery and all other Profeflione are included) and. all things which the Lord fhall give THE TENTH PART IS TO BE TENDRED TO HIM WHO GhVETfi THE NINE PARTS TOGETHER WITH THE TENTH : And he who (hall detain it SHALL BE COMPELLED TO RENDER IT BY THE JUSTICE OF THE BISHOP, and OF THE KING IF NEED BE : For thefe things St. Augtifline hath preached andtaughtfzni THESE, THINGS .. L 3 ARE-' J ARE GRANTED BY THE KINGS, and BARONS and?, PEOPLE. But afterward ( let oHr Tith-oppugners, and -detainers marke who is their originall Tutor) BY THE 'INSTINCT OF THE DEVILL, many have detained,tithes and rich negligent Triejis do not care to profecute them becaufethey bad fuff dent neceffariesfcr their life ; for in many placer now there are three or four Churches, where at that time wasenly one, and fo they began to be diminifhed. This is that William the Conquerour, whom pur Offi¬ cers, Souldiers (with the Levellers, and Anabaptifis ) moft virulently reproach ana rafle againft in their Difcourfes, (65 Royadl and filly ignorant fcurrilons (h) Pamphlets, for an Invader, Tyranny dif- Vfarper, ROBBER, TYRANT and fubverter of our native ' covered: A ' ifgves and Liberties, Sec. when.as he claimed .the Crawne onelyby Gift aid Tale, confirmed all our ancient Laws Liberties Civill and EcckftafticaU, without any alteration or England diminution-, put never a Noble man or other perfon to death who Birthright; and rebelled or tooke . up Armesagainji h ; m all his reign, butfuch who ,i 1 »*, . were aBually flain in Battle ; was the_ gdUnteft Soutdier, arid bejl Pamphletselfe. j^ iei" dence) then to fpoyie our Minifters and Churches oftheir Tithes and Materials. And fo much in Anfwer of the , firft Evafion, refpe&ing our Army Officers and Soul- diersonly. i . The fecond-Evafion of Abraham Precedent, is made Objetj. i. by Country Farmers, Tradefnien, and their Advocates?. gained inSvarreto Melchifedec, but not of his Corn, Wine, Cattle and other Goods- therefore this example bindesonly Souldiers to pay perfonall, but not them or any others ■ . to pay any fuch prediall, mixt or perfonall Tithes, as 1 now they do by coercive Lawes and Ordinances, againft Law and Gofpell. To which 1 anfwer, ■ 1, That the exprefle words of Mifes Gen. 14. 20. are: And he gave him Tithes OF ALL. Which being univer- fall, not confined by him to the fpoyles taken in War, muff bt taken and intended in the largeft fenfe, that is, of all bis Subflance, or Encreafe , as well as of the fpoyles then wonne. 2. The Apoftle'reciting the Hiftory Heb. 7. 2. ufeth the felf-fame general! expreffion: To whom alfo Abr*> hsm gave a tenth part OF ALL, without reftraining. it■. to the Spoylcs of Warre : which rauft be intended™ the belt and liberalleft fenfe, for Tithes of all his Sub* Dance and gaine, being mentioned both to exprefle his Piety and Bounty. True it is, the Apoftle in the 4. vede ufeth this expreffion, Vnto whom the Patriarch Abraham gave: the tenth of the SpojZes 5 which fome oppugn ' tiers of Tithes, would have to be the Interpretation - of the two former univerfall phrafesj Tithes of alh . —--- - Rat But the'5'poyles being not Abrahams all, nor m truth any- part thereof, he reefing jo much as'toukf.a tkni or (bx-latch* thereof ti his om n\e, Gen. 14. 23 , 24. and the word all, being not to much as onoe uled in the latter claufe, which recites, be gave the tenth of ike C not all thej Spoyles-, and the two heft generall espreffions, neceffarily including in them the tenth of the Spoyhr I conceive the latter expreffion is rather a particular fpeci&cation of one memorable thing he paid Tithes of in a new cafe not formerly happen, iD2 even of the Spoyles taken la this firlt Battle he ever waged, or any other that we read of ( in¬ cluded in the generall) rather then a full compre- henlive exoofition of all that is or was intended, by the ‘tenth, or tithes of all, in the two precedent T ft is mo ft probable, that Abraham paid Tithes of all his owne fubftanee to Mehhifedec, as well as of the Spoyles; there being the felf-fame if not a flronger ground, for him to pay Tithes of all his other goods, as of thefe cafuall Spoyles, out of which no conftant maintenance could be raiftd for any Paftor or' Minifter, as there might be out of the Tithes of his Cattle and Subftance encreafmg every year. Now Tithes being intended for the Priefts and Mmifters conftant Maintenance by God and Man, and this r Pre¬ cedent of Abraham, recorded for that end ; we cannot -without an abfurdity reftraine his paying T ,theJ °f a j‘> 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 Subfim principally, whence a conftant livelihood' for .the Prieft could only a rife, and of the Spoyles of'Warre only by reafon of his occafionall meeting, of Abraham here returning from the Warres, and blcffing him at that . 4 . Tbis Surely this is a mad inference, both befides and again# this Text; from which all Orthodox Pre- tejlant Commentators, as well as Papifts and Jefuites, con? elude the quite contrary,and learned Nicholas Hemingius in his Commentary onit,f>. 805. thus determines. Itisfubpyti- ei, that Melchifedeck. received Tithes from Abraham , which tithes' Abraham verily gave of his own accordfollowing without doubt THE CVSTOME OF GONQVERORS (Let our Conquering Of- . fleers and Souldiersobfervcanddothelike) WHO WERE ^ WONT TO CONSECRATE THE TENTHES OF THEIR SPOILES TO THEIR GODS, OR TO GIVE THEM TO THEIR PRIESTS. But THIS COLLATI- . \ ON OF TITHES, nullo meliori JureChrifioSacerdoti debetur% IS DUE BY MUCH BETTER RIGHT TO CHRIST OUR PRIEST ; WHO AS HE GIVES ALL THINGS ' ■ . TO US OUT OF MEER BOUNTY; ita vicijjim illi non ■ foltm Vecimas , verum etiam omnia noflra debems ; S O WE OWE TO HIM AGAIN, NOT ONLY TITHES, BUT LIKEWISE ALL WE HAVE. Whether the Objeftors or Bemingius fpcak tnoft Gofpel Divinity and Rcafon from this . - Text, let every Chriftians confidence judge. e. The Apoftles words concerning the change and abro¬ gation of the Ceremoniall Law, hath np rcall coherence with oj relation to the precedent difeourfe , ccmcerningpiH- W meat of Tithes to Melchfedec\and the Levites ; recited onely to ^ Mi' ' prove pfOfe the