General Reasons Against the Defalcation of a Fifth of Ministers Maintenance, Part 1
General Reaſons againſt the Paiment of a Fifth Part, out of Sequeſtred Livings, for Maintenance of the outed Miniſters Wife and Children.
SECT. I. Some Cautions and Diſtinctions premiſed before them.
WHile I ſpeak againſt the paiment of a fifth part, in the general, my meaning is not to lay the blame of that heavy burden, upon all or the better part of the Members of that Parliament (by whoſe Authority it was ordained:) for though the KingaMr Prinne in his Speech in Parliament concerning the Kings conceſſions, p. 51, 52. of Edit. 3. propoſed, That ſuch Miniſters as were ſequeſtred (for malignancy, and were not ſcandalous) might have a third part of the Livings out of which they were ejected, and the Houſe of Peers (for relief of their diſaffected Chaplains) meant them as liberal an allowance, as they could hope might paſſe in the Houſe of Commons (which was a fift part at the moſt) yet divers, and thoſe very eminent men, for wiſdom and godlineſs in that Houſe, were (as I have been credibly informed) againſt all defalcation of any part of the Miniſters means, who were to bear the whole burden of the Paſtoral charge, and conſented to that proportion rather as a Prohibition (as in caſe of uſury)*This ſenſe ſince this Treatiſe was finiſhed I found in the late Ordinance of his Highneſs the Lord Protector for the ejecting of ſcandalous, and ignorant, and inſufficient Miniſters and School maſters, p. 625. priucip That none ſhould have any more then a fifth part, then as a Conceſſion, that every one ſhould have ſo much; and therefore the Committee for Plundered Miniſters at Weſtminſter, (which the Houſe of Lords never liked, conſiſting wholly of the Members of the Houſe of Commons) often ordered againſt that allowance: and where they permitted it, they did it with much more moderation, and eaſe to the Incumbent Miniſter, then Countrey Committees uſed to do, where ſome leading men, were ſometimes ſo favourable to ſequeſtred Miniſters (probably out of ſome carnal or worldly Intereſt of their own) as to make their condition more comfortable, then their who ſucceeded them, which was much againſt the minds of the ſoundeſt Members of that Aſſembly.
2. Concerning the ejected Miniſters (I conceive) there may be ſome ſuch diſtinction made of them, as Dr Du Moulin maketh of the Popiſh Clergy in France, I know (ſaith hebD. Du Moulin in his Defence of the Catholick faith in King James his Book, c. 6. p. 94, 95.) that in this great body of the Clergy, there are a great number (though many alſo are of a quite contrary minde) on Whoſe Spirits Nature hath more force then their habits, and the love of their Country more then the maxims of Italy. So I may ſay, there is great difference of thoſe Miniſters (whoſe lot hath been a like for outward loſſes) not only in their ſpirits and affections, but otherwiſe, for ſome of them are ignorant and erroneous in their judgements, irreligious and ſcandalous in their converſation, raſh, proud, uncharitable and turbulent, in their ſpirits ſpeech and behaviour: who both wiſh and watch for an opportunity to be fiſhing in troubled waters, and are every way ſuch, that as it was a very ill deed to put them into the Miniſtry, ſo it was a very good one, to put them out again.
But there are others, who are Learned, Orthodox, Diſcreet, Humble, Charitable, who cordially deſire the peace of their Countrey, and would not (if it were in their power) redeem themſelves from private damage, with any publick calamity: their greateſt fault being, their errour in opinion, and affection too adverſe to any form of Government, that is not hereditarily and abſolutely Monarchical, and to any form of worſhip, but that of the Service-book.
For ſuch as theſe (or if they be not altogether ſuch without the abatement of ſome grains of juſt weight) I wiſh them rather a plentiful, then a competent Subſiſtance, rather five parts for their Portion, then a fifth only: which they might have (if the State have no Juſt Cauſe, to be Jealous of their peaceablenes or loyalty) by being admitted to other places: for as to the ſame, it is like our pious and prudent Superiours are moſt of them, of the late Earl of Kent his mind, who (as I have heard him ſay) was reſolved (ſo far as he had to do, when he was one of the Lord Keepers of the Great Seal) that he would ſend them as far as the diſtance betwixt Eaſt and Weſt, North and South, rather then place them in the Pariſhes from whence they were removed.
But for my ſelf, I am ſo farre from hardning my heart againſt the grievances of any of my godly Brethren (who ſuffered any hard meaſure under pretence of Reformation, or Propagation of the Goſpel) that I heartily wiſh the Declaration lately publiſhed under the Title of Gemitus Eccleſiae Cambro-Britannicae, may be ſeriouſly conſidered, and enquired into, and if the complaints therein be true, that due and ſeaſonable redreſs may be applied unto them. And if the State had been pleaſed to allow any of them whom they have diſplaced, a competent maintenance, out of the Biſhops, or Dean and Chapters Lands, to which (the Offices put down) no perſonal ſervice is annexed,cCambd. Annal. Eliz. lib. 2. pag. 56. as Queen Elizabeth did, to Abbots and other Eccleſiaſtical perſons, out of their confiſcate Lands, and other Revenues, their charity towards them had been (as I conceive) not only lawful, but commendable, or had they made a rate for their charitable relief, (as for the Taxes or Impoſitions which are general all over the Land) I ſhould willingly have born my proportionable ſhare, w…th thoſe who are bound to charity, as well as my ſelf, or had they put but one or a few Delinquents upon our whole Tribe to be maintained, as Solomon is ſuppoſed by ſome to have done, bydHe was not to live upon the Levites portion, but was conſined to his own fields in Anathoth, his own (not in common with others, but) proper and perſonal, as his own Inheritance▪ So Mr Gilleſpy in his Book called Aarons Ro… Bloſſoming in Append. added to the firſt Book, pag. 138. For though the Tribe of Levi had not a part of the Land of Canaan, ſeparate or ſet apart by themſelves (as the other Tribes had) yet upon ex…raordinary occaſions) it might and ſometimes did fall out, that ſome might have peculiar Intereſt in particular Lands, not only ſince they loſt the Land of Canaan, as Joſes ſurnamed Barnabas a Levite had, and ſold them, Act. 4.36, 37. but before that time, as Jeremy (who was of the ſame Tribe, as Dorotheus writeth in his Book of the Proph. &c. added to Euſeb. Socr. and Evagr. p. 527.) who bought a field of Hananiel his Uncles ſon, Jer. 32.9. Abiathar, 1 Kings 2.26. (though I conceive it is their miſtake) I ſhould not have thought it a juſt occaſion of complaint.
But that it ſhould not be impoſed upon every one ſeverally, to pay a fifth part of the Revenue belonging to his Paſtoral Charge, I hope I may have leave to aſſert upon the Reaſons enſuing.
SECT. II. The firſt Reaſon, taken from the Neceſsity of Miniſterial Service, in the Sequeſtred Benefice, and from the Parity of the Miniſters Caſe with others, on whom no Paiment of a fifth Part is impoſed.
1. THough they and their Abettors, account ſuch as are placed in Sequeſtred Livings, Intruders into their Rights, they may hold themſelves fairly and juſtly poſſeſſed of them; for when a place of Office, is made void, (whether it be Civil or Eccleſiaſtical) which neceſſarily requires an Incumbent upon it, to officiate, and the Party put out, is diſabled to do any Miniſterial Duty in it, it is lawfull for another to ſupply his place (eſpecially in a Paſtoral Charge) that Gods Sabbaths may ſolemnly be obſerved, and the people ſpiritually provided for (that their ſouls may be ſaved) which muſt be done, whether the Miniſter were injuriouſly ejected or not, and Beneficium belonging to Officium, the reward (the whole reward) is due for the whole work, to him that doth it.
But if the party be put out for criminal miſcarriage as the Sequeſtration is more Juſt, ſo is the Entrance of another into his place, more juſtifiable: Eſpecially, if he had no hand, either dirrctly, or indirectly for his putting out: Upon this ground, ſuch as have poſſeſſed Civil Offices, as the Keepers of the Great Seal, Judges, Recorders of Cities and Towns corporate, Heads of Colledges, Halls, Hoſpitals, in the Univerſities, and elſewhere, as alſo Military Officers (who poſſeſs the places of caſhiered Commanders) have never been charged with paiment of a fifth part, to their predeceſſours wives and children, though thoſe that were put out, had as much need, and they that ſucceeded them, had as much means, to relieve them in their wants as Miniſters have, and for the moſt part much more, and they may crave, and hope alſo to enjoy the ſame immunity with them, unleſs ſome colour of reaſon may be rendered to the contrary, which they cannot anſwer.
SECT. III. The ſecond Reaſon taken from the Preheminence of that Authority (which appointed us to be Incumbents) above that of private Patrons.
2. THe next conſideration for Exemption from this Charge, is of the preheminence of that Authority, (which appointed the ſubſtituted Incumbent) above that of private Patrons: (which is the ſame by which ſetled and itinerant Juſtice is adminiſtred, mens lives and livelihoods diſpoſed of, all matters of peace and warre ordered and managed (throughout three populous Nations) by whoſe power, the people are protected, for the ſafety of their perſons and propriety of their Eſtates: and but for which (whatſoever is pretended for another Title) we might come under more calamity (by Anarchical and Democratical confuſion) then by Monarchical or Oligarchical Tyranny.
Taking thoſe who have ſuch predominant power for our Patrons, we may (we hope) deſire, deſerve and expect as much priviledge and protection, as the Clerks of private Patrons have enjoyed, who were never compelled to pay a fifth part, to thoſe that have been put out upon the death of the outed Miniſter: though liable to no manner of Exception, either of Inſufficiency, Negligence, Scandall, or Diſaffection to the preſent Powers: and it ſhould not be forgotten, and (being remembred) it may ſtop the mouths of ſuch as are apt to clamour (if the fifth part be denied them) that Biſhops (when the Church door keys hanged on their girdles) ſuſpended ab Officio & Beneficio, divers of the moſt learned, godly and conſcientious non-Conformiſts of this Nation, meerly for ſcrupling a ſuperſtitious Ceremony, which themſelves confeſſed (at the beſt) to be but a thing indifferent, and oft times abſolutely deprived them of their Benefices, and inſtituted and inducted others into them: thereby cutting from them all hope of recovery, but allotting no portion at all, for ſupply either of them, or their wives and children. So that the Benefit came in entire to them, though they were admitted to their Benefices, but by the Right of particular Patrons: and ſhould not the Parliaments Patronage, bring with it as great a priviledge to their Chaplains, as that of private Patrons to the Clerks they preſent?
SECT. IV. The third Reaſon taken from the manner of our Admiſsion into the Paſtoral Charges of the outed Ministers compared with theirs.
3. THat our Condition ſhould not be worſe then theirs, we may (I ſpeak ſometimes in the Plural number, becauſe my caſe is not ſingular, many being in the ſame condition, and I preſume in theſe conſiderations conſenting with me) I ſay, alleadge the different manner of our Admiſſions to our reſpective places, and that in two particulars, 1. In the Trial and Examination of Miniſters, before their Admiſſion into their Incumbency, which was nothing ſo ſtrict and exact in former time, as in the way preſcribed by the Parliament. 2. In the freeneſs of their Patrons benevolence without any Exaction or Expectation of any profit, yea without any ſuſpition of Simony, either expreſs or implicit, which was ſo familiar in former times betwixt Patrons and their Clerks; that there were few preſented, whom ſecular gifts did not make more gracious in the eyes of their Patrons, then Spiritual: which if it were known, the Clerk was to be turned out of his Benefice, and the Patron to loſe his next turn of preſenting. In theſe reſpects our entrance being more fair and free from juſt Exception and Suſpition then theirs, I humbly conceive, we ſhould enjoy our places (at leaſt) with as much freedome as they have done.
SECT. V. The fourth Reaſon taken from the Aphoriſm of our Saviour, The Labourer is worthy of his hire, Luke 10.7.
4. WHere our Saviour ſaith, The Labourer (not he that laboureth not) is worthy of his hire, Luk. 10.7. he meaneth, That he that doth the whole work, ſhould have the whole wages; and this is as juſt as that he that hath the whole wages, ſhould do the whole work: Though the time hath been (before the Parliament called in the laſt Kings time) that many (in London eſpecially) took the whole pay of Parſonage, and would do but half the duty of a Parſon or Paſtor, preaching (at moſt) in the forenoon of the Sabbath day, and putting the Pariſhioners to pay for the afternoons Sermon, upon another account: for they were fain to take it as a courteſie, that their Parſon gave them leave to chooſe a Lecturer, and to pay him themſelves, for the performance of that Service, which belonged to his Office in his own perſon (if he were able to undergo it) (for he was to uſe double diligence according to that of Solomon, In the morning ſowe thy ſeed, and in the evening let not thy hand reſt: for thou knoweſt not whether ſhall proſper, this or that, or whether they both ſhall be alike good, Eccleſ. 11.6.) if not, and the means were competent, he was to bear the charge of his aſſiſtants Service: but no body ſhould be compelled to pay to him, or his, that aſſiſteth not, that doth no Service in the Office, for which a Salary or Maintenance is aſſigned.
SECT. VI. The fifth Reaſon taken from a compariſon of the condition of the Wife and Children, of the outed Miniſter, when he is alive, and when he is dead.
5. IF the outed Miniſter be juſtly put out, and another as juſtly put in by the Supream Authority (though moſt offenders will be rather querulous then quiet under the juſteſt ſentence, that is or can be paſſed upon them) it cannot but appear juſt, to allow the entire maintenance to the Incumbent Miniſter, as well while the Delinquent liveth, as when he is dead (in which caſe the fifth part is neither allotted by Authority, nor looked for by their widows or fatherleſs children) yea rather, while he is alive, then when the caſe is ſo far altered with him, as to be ſequeſtred not only from his ſuper-intendency over a particular Pariſh, but from all Society with the whole world, and that for two Reaſons:
1. Becauſe mortui non mordent, being dead they can do no more hurt, but while they live, their repining at the power, which took their Benefices from them, their envy at-thoſe who are put into poſſeſſion of that they have forfeited, and their inordinate zeal for reſtitution of a contrary Authority, (whatſoever it coſt either in bloud or treaſure) and the like degree of ſuperſtitious devotion to the Service-book, and corrupt cuſtoms, make them ſometimes boldly and buſily to beſtir themſelves, to cheriſh the like diſaffection to the preſent State, and fond affection to the former in the people, and ſo to harden them againſt the Reformation both Eccleſiaſtical and Civil, as alſo to make thoſe odious unto them, who in compliance thereto (out of conſcience) officiate contrary to their affected forms, and prejudicating fancies: wherein ſome have done more diſſervice to the preſent Government (rambling about to make now proſelytes, and to confirm old Malignants (which they do ſo much more buſily, as they have the leſſe to do, and the more boldly, as they have the leſſe to loſe) then they could have done, when their conſtant Miniſtry was confined to one place: for ſo their corrupt Doctrine was but as the poiſoning of a Pond or Ciſtern, whereas now ſome of them take leiſure and liberty to poiſon the chief fountains in the Land with ſuperſtitions, unſound, and (as far as they dare) ſeditious doctrine.
2. Becauſe while they are living (though the wiſdom of the Parliament hath thought it fit, to cut off all hope of reſtitution to the ſame Churches ſequeſtred from them) they are not out of hope of maintenance (eſpecially ſince the Engagement is laid aſide) if they do not wilfully perſiſt in their oppoſition to the State and Reformation propoſed: for ſome of themeIſocrates gained more ſilver by teaching of a School, then ever any profeſſour did, ſo that he was able to defray the charge of a Galley at Sea. Plut. Morals in the lives of the 10 Orators, p. 924. Iſocrates-like, by teaching of Schools, have thriven more (by what they have gotten and ſaved that way (living in a more private and leſſe expenſive manner) then when they poſſeſſed their Benefices, and bare the burdens incident unto them. Some again have gained more by preaching without them, then when they poſſeſſed them: And ſome I am ſure have been put out of a ſmall Benefice, and (upon taking the Engagement) have been put into a great one, ſo that they may ſay asfPlutarch in the life of Themiſtocles, p. 131 Themiſtocles to his ſons, My ſons, we had been undone if we had not been undone. So they, We had been impoveriſhed in our ſmall livings, if (for our oppoſition to the Parliament) we had not been put out of them, and by compliance with the Parliament, (whether ſincerely or deceitfully they cannot tell) we had not been placed in ſuch as are better.
SECT. VII. The ſixth Reaſon taken from the ill Uſe our Adverſaries make of the Allowance of the fifth Part.
6. THe allotting of the fifth part of Eccleſiaſtical profits (as aforeſaid) hardens many both againſt the Parliament, and againſt thoſe whom they ſend to ſucceed the ſequeſtred Miniſters. for they take this fift part as a rent, whereby their right of re-entry is reſerved to them, and ſo they and their complices have made account hitherto, that their Succeſſours tenure holding what they have (as yet they have done) not for their own, but anothers life, a turn of providence (which they hope for, and will help forward all they can) will return them into their former eſtate, and ſo (after a Parentheſis of Sequeſtration is paſt) the whole ſentence of reſtitution, and repoſſeſſion, will ſettle them where they were, in a right of perpetuity, and this (believing the lying reports and predictions of their Newsmakers, their falſe prophets, as Ahab did his) they expect will ſpeedily be brought to paſs.
SECT. VIII. The ſeventh Reaſon taken from the Oppreſsion of the Labouring Miniſters, by paiment of a fifth Tart, with Objections againſt them, and Anſwers for them.
7. BEcauſe by the taking away of the fifth part from them, they are (in effect) put every fifth year to ſerve the Cure, without any wages, and if the fourth years fruitfulneſs were but doubled, as by the bleſſing of God every ſixth year was trebled to the Jews, Levit. 25.21. when the ſeventh was to reſt, and ſo to bring forth none encreaſe: or that they might out of all the former years, not by ſcandalous nigardice, but by ingenuous Providence, lay up a portion, which might make a competent ſupply, for that annual diminution, they might be very well content with the one, or with patience and ſilence endure the other. But as the caſe is with them, by paiment of publick impoſitions, rated by thoſe who to ſpare themſelves (and ſometimes to ſpight us) aggravate our charge without either Mercy or Juſtice: by the tax of thisgI call it an Egyptian Tribute, in regard of the proportion, the fifth part, which was paid to Pharaoh by his people, Gen. 41.34. though otherwiſe contrary to that which many of us have cauſe to complain of, for the Egyptian fifth part was laid up, as proviſion for prevention of famine, to thoſe that paid it: our paiment of a fifth part is our preſent oppreſſion, without the expectation of any good for hereafter. Egyptian Tribute, by the open and wilfull defraudings of ſome of them, as if it were rather their right then any wrong to us to rob us of the tenth by many accidental expences which come upon divers of us, after the proportion of the common report of the value of our livings (exceedingly one rated ſometimes of purpoſe, to advance the fifth part to the greater advantage of thoſe that require it) wherein they expect no leſs liberality from us, then when all came in without ſuch paiments, and went out at the market upon farre more profitable prizes, then now they do, receipts and disburſments rightly reckoned together, the allowance will be little for the ſubſiſtence of the Miniſters in ſervice, and their Families; nothing at all to be ſaved to pay debts (contracted partly by precedent plunderings, partly by the charge of enforced removals, from place to place) which draw in damage at both ends a termino a quo & ad quem, (from the place whence they come, and whither they go) nor to raiſe any reaſonable portions for their children, nor to make any competent proviſion for their wives, in caſe of widowhood, when they ſurvive them. For mine own part (and I doubt not but there are others of my Brethren of my minde) though the R. of Br. (if duly payed and not unduly charged) would be as Beneficial as I would deſire, yet as it is to me (with all the defalcations and burdens incident unto it) if my conſcience could be diſcharged, from obligation to the Paſtorall Charge of it, and would allow me to reap where I ſowe not, I ſhould be contented to give it up, and to be confined to a fifth part only: eſpecially if I had D.H. his either preſent means, or future hopes.
Obj. If any object,That the Ordinance of Parliament alloweth a fifth part of the Sequeſtred Benefice to the outed Miniſters, and if we like not to take upon us the Incumbency (upon theſe tearms, we may give up the work and wages both, or rather (at the firſt) we ſhould have refuſed to undertake the one, and to take the other.
Anſw. I anſwer
Firſt, That the Ordinance for ejecting of ſcandalous Miniſters, would not have paſſed, in the Houſe of Peers, without the allowance of a fift part to their wives and children: and therefore there was at the firſt a kinde of neceſſity, to allot them ſuch a portion, though otherwiſe many godly and worthy Members of the Houſe of Commons were againſt it, as before hath been obſerved.
Secondly, Though ſome Countrey Committee men have (againſt all equity and ingenuity) urged the letter of the Ordinance, as if (like the Rule of Ignatius Loiola)hAd literam, ad literam, fine gloſſa, ſine gloſſa. Reg. Societ. Jeſu To the Letter, to the Letter, without a Gloſſe, without a Gloſſe, it were punctually to be obſerved in all caſes, without Exception or Limitation. The Committee for Plundred Miniſters at Weſtminſter, have (by their uſuall practice) expounded it otherwiſe, allowing ſometimes no fifth part at all, and that they might very juſtly do, in divers caſes: As
1. Where the Benefice will not bear it, and leave a competent Subſiſtence for the Incumbent.
2. Where the outed Miniſter hath means of Subſiſtence of his own, or by his wife.
3. Where the Father or Grandfather is rich enough to maintain the wife and children, in which caſe, theiFor this ſee Mich. Doltons Juſtice of Peace, p. 84. fine, and p. 85. princip. printed for the Company of Stationers, au. 1619. Law the charge upon them.
4. Where the Party put out continueth ſcandalous, and diſaffected to the Government, and contumaciouſly oppoſeth the Reformation, either of Church or State: For it ſeems juſt and reaſonable that he ſhould thereby forfeit the fifth parts, as well as the four parts before, for his former miſcarriage. And for ſuch as were ſcandalous, the*See the quotation of Mr. Prinne at the beginning of the firſt Section. late King (though tender to his party) required none allowance, and ſometimes they allowed leſſe then a fifth part, as if the Delinquent had any means at all that was to be reckoned to make up a fifth part, as if the fifth part were 40 l, and he had 20 l of his own, he was to receive but another 20 l of the Incumbent Miniſter.
Thirdly, The Miniſters acceptance of a Paſtoral Charge, with the burden of priment of a fifth part, ſhould be no prejudice, either to their ſuing or ſpeeding for deliverance from it: becauſe it was then impoſed, when they were driven from their own places, and plundered by the Malignant party, of all they had: in which extremity they were glad to take pains, upon any tearms: he that hath nothing will not refuſe to do ſervice, though he have not ſo good pay for his pains, as Micah his Prieſt had, Ten Shekels of ſilver a year, a ſuit of apparel and Victuals, Judg. 17.10. and thence it was that the Houſe of Lords (at the firſt) made no ſcruple, to order that not a fifth part, or third only, but akWitneſs the caſe of D. R. from whom the Rectory of F. in Eſſex was ſequeſtred, and he was by Order of the Houſe of Lords, to have half the profit of the Benefice, and M. l. now (or late) Miniſter at Br. but the other half, to ſerve the Cure, and this Sequeſtration to laſt but half a year, as a perſon of eminent place, parts, and integrity, told me not long agoe. full half of the maintenance of a Preaching Miniſter, ſhould be paid to him, who was not to preach, and as if this were too great a favour to be long enjoyed, it was to hold out but half a year.
But now theirlI mean not by any thing I have ſaid of the Houſe of Lords, any diminution of dignity to thoſe truly noble and worthy Patriots of that Houſe, who have been faithfull and conſtant to the cauſe of the Commonwealth, againſt the boundleſſe Prerogative of an abſolute Monarchy: for upholding whereof thirty eight Earls and Lords revolted from the Parliament to the King, who are particularly named in M. Mays Hiſtory of the Parliament of England, lib. 2. cap. 5. pag. 87. nor from theſe would I detract any honour due unto them, though I have no reaſon to like their reſolution, in this particular. Lordſhips have no ſuch power (in favour of their Chaplains) to oppreſs the Miniſters put into their places by the Houſe of Commons (who now without them are reputed a compleat Parliament) they may both with good Conſcience complain, and upon juſt reaſons (ſuch as have been given in this cauſe) expect, that that burden which at firſt was laid upon them, and taken up by them, by a double neceſſity (as hath been ſhewed) ſhould not ſtill be continued when it is in the power of their Patrons to relieve them.
Object. But it is againſt Charity to deprive the offender of all his means, and to leave his wife and children who offended not without any maintenance.
Anſw. Firſt, I grant it is ſo, and not in the caſe of Miniſters only, but of others, who put out of Office, have no fifth part aſſigned them or theirs, out of the Offices they have loſt, and not alone while they are living, but when they are dead, and then much rather, as hath been proved.
Secondly, I hold that we are bound by the rule of Scripture, to give bread and drink to an hungry and thirſty enemy, Proverbs 25.21. Romans 12.20. but I take not this to be a meer miniſteriall Duty, but a Chriſtian Duty common with us, to all others of our Chriſtian Profeſſion, and therefore
Thirdly, I wiſh the caſe of all indigent perſons may be taken into compaſſionate conſideration, and ſuch means ordered and ordained (for their relief) as is moſt juſt and reaſonable: and it is moſt juſt and reaſonable, that a common duty (as that charity is) ſhould be exerciſed in ſuch a proportion, as that it may not be oppreſſive to any particular perſon, as the paiment of the fifth part is, even to thoſe who are poſſeſſed of Benefices of good value, for as in part I have ſaid before,
1. The Pariſhioners in moſt places make no conſcience to pay them their dues, or to rob them of their portion, becauſe they take them for intruders into other mens Rights.
2. They care not how heavily they load them in taxes to eaſe themſelves.
3. The Miniſters have not ſuch ready means to require or recover their dues, as the Clerks of particular Patrons have formerly had.
4. Some of them are burdened, with providing for thoſe who (according to the Law fore-mentioned) are put upon them for relief, to which adding the paiment of a fifth part (with the relief of the poor, beſides many extraordinary charges, no leſſe then if they enjoyed the whole Benefice to themſelves) adde to all theſe the many harſh uſages they meet withall, from their ill affected people, their condition becometh ſo diſpleaſing to themſelves, that they are as capable of pity with thoſe that know it, as of envy with thoſe that know it not.
Fourthly, For the particular way or means of extending Charity to ſuch perſons as for offence to the State have forfeited their places of imploiment, and benefit annexed thereto: I will not take upon me to give any directions, but if there were a Committee appointed to that purpoſe, and liberty given for others (as in ſome caſes it hath been) to make propoſals unto them, I doubt not but ſuch an Expedient might be offered to their approbation, as might be more comfortable for Sequeſtred Miniſters, and no ways grievous to any, as the paiment of a fifth part is, to moſt on whom it is oppoſed.