A Christian Plea, Treatise 3 · Chapter 20
CHAPTER XX. Of the maintenance of the Miniſters and other officers of the church.
VVHether it be not the duty of all Churches, and of the members thereof, every one, according to their abilitie, to giuegive maintenance unto their Miniſters, and (as there is occaſion) to the Elders alſo that rule the church, & to the Deacons & Deaconeſſes that ſerue & miniſter therein. 1 Cor. 9, 7 — 14. Gal. 6, 6. Rom. 15, 27. 1 Theſ. 5, 12, 13. 1 Tim. 5, 3, 17, 18. compared with Exod. 20, 12. Prov. 3, 9, 10. Lev. 24, 8, 9, Num. 18, 8 — 32. Deu. 12, 19. and 16, 16, 17. and 18, 1 — 8. Joſh. 21 ch. 1 Sam. 9, 6, 7, 8. 2 King 4, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 42, Luke 8, 1, 2, 3. and 21, 1 — 4. 2 Chron. 31, 2 — 21. Neh. 10, 32 — 39, Eſa. 30, 20, 24. Ezec. 44, 28, 29, 30. Mal. 3, 8, 9, 10.
1. Becauſe the Lord hath ordeyned, that ſo it should be. 1 Cor. 9, 13, 14. Gal. 6, 6. 1 Theſ. 5, 13. 1 Tim. 5, 3, 17, 18. compared with Numb. 18, 8 — 32. Deu. 18. 1 — 5. and 25, 4. 2 Chron. 31, 2 — 21.
2. And thus we shall honour the Lord vvith our ſubſtance: which hath the promiſe of bleſſing from the Lord. Prov. 3, 9, 10. Ezec. 44, 30. Mal. 3, 8 — 12. with Exod. 20.12. and 1 Tim. 5, 17.
3. Beſides that it is no great thing, but our duty to miniſter unto them in carnall things, of whoſe ſpirituall things vve are made partakers. 1 Cor. 9, 11. Rom. 15, 27. Gal. 6, 6. 1 Theſ. 5, 13.
4. Yea vvho planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who fedeth a flock, & eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Cor. 9, 7. &c.
5. Finally, the Apoſtle teacheth expreſſely, Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture ſaith, Thou ſhalt not mouſell the oxe that treadeth out the corne: and, The labourer is vvorthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5, 17, 18. vvith Deu. 25, 4. 1 Cor. 9, 8, 9, 10. Mat. 10, 10.
But vvhere any churches are poore, and not able to maintaine themſelues, their Officers, or poore among them: that there they should be holpen by other churches of better meanes and greater abilitie; according to their ſeveral eſtate and occaſions. 2 Cor. 8, and 9 cha. Act. 11, 27 — 30. Rom. 15, 25, 26, 27. Gal. 2, 9, 10. and 6, 10. Phil. 4, 10— 19. together vvith the Scriptures aforeſaid.
It doth in deed lye alſo upon Kings and all other Magiſtrates (within their dominions, cities, & juriſdictions) to hauehave ſpecial care of the eſtate of the miniſters and churches under them, as of all other duties concerning religion apperteyning unto them: after the example of Hezekiah king of Iudah, and Nehemiah the Prince, and other the like. 2 Chron. 31, 2 — 21. vvith 29, and 30 chap. Nehem. 10, 32 — 39. and 12, 44 — 47. and 13, 10— 14. vvith Deu. 17, 18, 19, 20. Yet notvvithſtanding, this should not hinder the foreſaid duty of the churches and people themſelues: but should rather further it: and that not onelyonly in affording help where there is want; but alſo in requiring of ſuch as are able, that this duety be carefully performed by themſelues, where by the flock and church it ſelf it can be done: according to the examples aforeſaid.
This poynt concerning the Miniſters maintenance is the more to be obſerved, that not onelyonly care may be had for ſuch as are faithfull and laborious, to be encouraged in the Lavv of the Lord, but that (vvhat in us is) the way may be ſtopped, and the meanes taken away of mainteyning Popish Prieſts, and other erroneous Miniſters: vvho are vvoont often (vvhere Antichriſtian or other corruptions prevaile) to ſucceed and come after ſuch as are ſound in the faith, and to be taken into their places: and ſo to hauehave the ſame maintenance, as the other had before. Beſides that where the Miniſters hauehave their maintenance onelyonly of the Magiſtrates, it may be a meanes to drawe ſuch as are weak or not ſyncere, to carry themſelues in their Miniſterie and religion, ſo as may pleaſe the Magiſtrates, by vvhom they are mainteyned: eyther being unſound in the faith, or not doing the vvork of the Miniſterie vvith that courage and faithfulnes as becommeth the Miniſters of Chriſt, and the houſehold-ſtewards of the myſteries of God.