The Temple of Solomon Portrayed, History · Chapter 9 · Section 6
SECT. VI. The Endowments of the Temple Officers Spiritualized.
WHat Priviledges, Poſſeſſions and Revenues the Servants of God in the Temple Worſhip under the Law enjoyed, I have formerly explained in a ſet Chapter:Hieronym. ad Fabio. loc. Tim, 3. p. 58. The end is ſet down by Jerome in his Epiſtle to Fabiola, [Primitiae cibor um, &c. ut habens victum a…q v…ſtitum ſecurus & liber ſerviat Domino. The Firſtfruits of meats, &c. were given to the Prieſts, that having food and raiment, he might with ſecurity and freedom give up himſelf to the ſervice of the Lord: Wherefore ſuch as come up to worſhip God at the Temple, were charged never to appear empty before the Lord: Nay, God himſelf,Exod 23.15. & 34.…0. Deut. 6.16. Lev. 27.30. Num. 18.21. who challenged the tythes from …he people of Iſrael as his own, did make an act of aſſignment of them to the Levites in conſideration of their ſervice in his worſhip. From whence it follows by the ſame rule of Equity, that ſuch as ſerve God in the great work of the Goſpel, ſhould have a competent and convenient maintenance to encourage them in the work and ſervice of God: Nay, A minori ad majus: By how much more excellent their Diſpenſation is, and the glad tidings of the Goſpel to be preferred before the ſhadows and ceremonies of the Law; by ſo much the more ought the Chriſtian people to manifeſt greater love, countenance, encouragement and obedience to thoſe that watch for their ſouls.Heb. 13.17.
But we ſhall ſee that the Apoſtle Paul doth draw an inference from the ancient legal maintenance in behalf of the Goſpel-Miniſtrey, in theſe words, Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, 1 Cor. 9.7, &c.and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I theſe things as a man, or ſaith not the Law the ſame alſo: For it is written in the Law of Moſes, Thou ſhalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for Oxen, or ſaith he it altogether for our ſakes? For our ſakes no doubt this is written, That he that ploweth, ſhould plow in hope, and that he that threſheth in hope, ſhould be partaker of his hope. If we have ſown unto you ſpiritual things, is it a great thing if we ſhall reap your carnal things? Do you not know, they which miniſter about holy things, liv… of the things of the Temple? and they which wait at the altar, Verſ. 13.are partakers with the altar; even ſo hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Goſpel, ſhould live of the Goſpel. Dr. Edw. Reynolds on Pſal. 110.4… at the end of v 4. p. 479. Phil. 4.17.This place is gloſs'd upon and expounded by a very learned and able hand, who hath diſcuſſed this matter clearly and fully. In another Epiſtle, the great Teacher of the Gentiles commending the communication of the Church at Philippi to him in neceſſities, tells them, it was not therefore becauſe he deſired a gift; but fruit, that might abound to their account. It was not to be accounted a matter of meer benevolence and favour, which they n…eded not to do; but it was a piece of juſtice and equity, thereby demonſtrating their obedience to the faith, and laying up in ſtore a treaſure in heaven againſt the great day of account. For it is an injunction from God, Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things: Be not deceived, God is not mocked, Gal. 16.6.for whatſoever a man ſoweth, that ſhall he reap. Again, in his firſt Epiſtle to Timothy …e exhorts, Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, 1 Tim. 5.17, 18.eſpecially they who labour in word and doctrine: For the Scripture ſaith, Thou ſhalt not muzzle the Ox. that treadeth out the corn; and, The labourer is worthy of his reward; which brings me to that place of the Evangeliſt, where, when our Lord was ſending out his Diſciples to preach the word of the Kingdom; he charges them thus, Provide neither gold, nor ſilver, nor braſs in your purſes, Mat. 10.9, 10. Luke 10.5, &c,nor ſcrip for your journey; neither two coats, neither ſhoes, nor yet ſtaves: For the workman is worthy of his meat: And into whatſoever houſe ye enter; fi…ſt ſay, Peace be to this houſe▪ and if the Son of peace be there, your peace ſhall reſt upon it; if not, it ſhall turn to you again: and in the ſame houſe remain eating and drinking ſuch things as they give: For the labourer is worthy of his hire. Verſ. 16.He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me: and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me.
By theſe places of Divine Authority, we learn, how careful the Lord is of his inſtituted Miniſtrey under the Goſpel, and what weighty and ſtrong commands do lie upon the conſciences of thoſe who participate of their ſpiritual labours. Beſides, as the Prieſts had their Cities and habitations aſſigned them;Mat. 21.33. ſo the vine-dreſſers are ſaid to have a Tower built in the vineyard for them to dwell in.
Now many will ſay, A maintenance for a Goſpel-Miniſtrey we allow, and that competent and fitting for their eſtate and condition, that ſo they may ſerve the Lord without diſtraction. But the way of maintenance as it is in our Nation, by Tythe, we allow not of: 1. Becauſe Jewiſh, and annexed to the Ceremonial Law. 2. Becauſe brought in under Popery, and is therefore Antichriſtian: And in the next place they like not a forced and compulſory maintenance of that or any other manner, but that every one ſhould give freely, and this to be counted the Goſpel way.
Here I ſhall premiſe, that it is not my purpoſe to handle this queſtion, nor to declare my own opinion upon it, onelyonly ſo far as to cut the nerves of thoſe objections in ſunder, it is ſufficiently done already by many learned and judicious perſons, Sir Henry Spelman, Sir James Sempill, Doctor Garleten, Doctor Sclater, M. Nettle, and others: I ſhall only ſpeak a little to the branches of this objection.
To the firſt, That it was a part of the Jewiſh and Ceremonial law given by Moſes, and therefore to be abrogated by the death of Chriſt.
Gen. 14.20. Heb. 7.4 &c. v. 6.I anſwer, That long before the Law was given, the Patriarch Abraham did pay tythes to Melchiſedec, who was a ſignal Type of Chriſt, and had not his deſcent from the loyns of Levi, being yet unborn; and yet received Tythes of Abraham, and bleſſed him that had the Promiſes: which Argument the Apoſtle clearly urgeth againſt Levitical Ceremonies in the ſeventh chapter to the Hebrews. v. 9, 10.For Levi who received Tythes, paid Tythes in Abraham; for he was yet in the loyns of his Father when Melchiſedec met him. Now whereas 'tis urged that the Levitical Prieſthood being changed, there is made of neceſſity a change alſo of the Law.v. 12. I grant it to be true, that this Law ought to ceaſe, and did ſo, in reſpect of the Levitical Prieſthood, which was finiſhed at the death of Chriſt. But the Lord Jeſus, who was ſo eminently typified by Melchiſedec, the receiver of Tythes before the exhibition of the Law, hath an unchangeable Prieſthood, and therefore the Tythes which he received as due annexed to it,Heb. 7.24. Mar. 9.41. Mat. 10.40, 41, 42, do ſtill continue to be his due by Divine ſanction. But now Chriſt our High Prieſt being in heaven, counts that done and given to him, which is given to a Prophet in his Name: he having no where repealed or diſanulled his right.
Gen. 28.22.Beſides this, holy Jacob alſo when he was at Bethel in his journey toward Padan Aram, made this vow, Of all that thou ſhalt give me, I will ſurely give the Tenth unto thee; after this being about to depart from his cruel and hard Uncle, and being enriched through the good hand of God, he was by the God of Bethel put in minde of his vow which he made at the anointing of the pillar,Gen. 31.13. Gen. 33.18. Gen. 14.5, 17, 18 which no doubt he fully performed (but whether at Shalem, a City of Shechem, whereof Melchiſedeck was King (a place not far from Shaveh Kiriathaim, where he met Abraham) for Shalem was in the Tribe of Ephraim, not far from Jordan, and Kiriathaim in the Tribe of Reuben, not far off on the other ſide the River) or whether at Bethel it ſelf, for at both places he offered on an Altar: but at the laſt,Gen. 33.20.35.7. eſpecially where he was bleſſed of God, probably upon the performance of his Vows: At which of the two places he conſecrated his tenths to God, is not much material, ſeeing that it was done doubtleſs, and that a great while before the Ceremonial Law was delivered by Moſes at Mount Sinai.
Exod. 22.29. Exod. 38, 21. Lev. 27.30. Numb. 18.21.Again, God commanded the rendring to him the firſt fruits, and other offerings, an appendix of Tythes, before ever the Levites were aſſigned to their ſervice about the Tabernacle: The Tythe, whether of the ſeed of the Land, or of the fruit of the Tree, is the Lords; it is holy unto the Lord, and was given by God unto the children of Levi for an inheritance. Wherefore we make it not to have been Typical, but as a Moral Duty, grounded upon equity, and the Law of Nature in the main: that is, as maintenance: and the quota pars, or the tenth of mens ſubſtance upon a poſitive Law obſerved by the Patriarchs before the Law. Now ſuch things as were before the Ceremonial Law, and continued under the Law, though ſomtimes fortified by the Moral and Judicial Laws, were alſo to remain after the abrogation of the ceremonies, and not to determine at that time: As for example, the ſeventh part of our time ſtands dedicated to God by a moral Inſtitution, being appointed before the Law was given in the Wilderneſs, even in the ſtate of Innocence, and therefore continues after the Law, even in the times of the Goſpel, although the ſeventh part part of the week be changed to another day, yet a ſeventh part ſtill continues; ſo likewiſe ſome acknowledgement of our ſubſtance and goods, the encreaſe of our grounds, and the fruit of our labours, is to be rendred up to God as a moral duty, as thereby owning him to be our God, and the giver of all our bleſſings. But now the quota pars, or how much of this is to be dedicated, ſtands in force by the poſitive Law of his Declarative Will; which I have ſhewn to be the tenth: God declaring that the tenth is his, 'tis his portion in the world, which he gives to his ſervants whom he appoints for the celebration of his worſhip. Wherefore even Heathens by the light of nature knowing that there is a God, and conſequently that this God is to be worſhipped, and then, that there muſt be adminiſtrators, or managers of this Worſhip, who becauſe of their conſtant attendance thereon, could not, nay might not employ themſelves in any worldly affairs, therefore ought to have ſome ſet maintenance, whereby their lives might be preſerved, according to the dignity of their place: wherefore they generally aſſigned them the tenths; either deducing it by tradition from the ancient Patriarchs after the flood, to whom they were allyed in collateral lines, or elſe by imitation of the Worſhip of God in Canaan. This I could abundantly teſtifie out of Plutarch, Plut. in Luc. & alibi.and other grave Authors in this caſe. But I cannot ſay that the tantum, or ſuch a quantity dedicated to God, could be diſcerned by the light of Nature.
A ſecond branch of the objection is, That this way of maintenance is Popiſh and Antichriſtian, being brought into the Church after the defection from the Truth, and the riſe of the man of ſin.
As to this, the want of skill and knowledge in the hiſtory of the Church, may be indulged and pardoned: for no man is bound to ſpeak more then he knows; yet to aſſert it ſo vehemently, as ſome have done, that's unhandſom, and not befitting any ſober ſpirit.
Let them then know, that after the ten perſecutions of the Primitive times were ended, and peace and reſt given to the churches of Chriſt by the great bleſſing of God under the glorious Reigne of Conſtantine the great, that godly Emperour, that he made a Decree and Law,Sozom Hiſt. Eccl. l. 1. c. 8. That the Chriſtian people ſhould give a certain fixed rate of their eſtates to the maintenance of the Goſpel-Miniſtery about the year 325. after the overthrow of Licinius: which certain rate that it was a Tenth, is atteſted by ſome,vid. Zipp. 363. ex Hermanno. and was fully enjoyned by after Empe…ours. Whence we infer, Firſt, That this work was not done by the Pope; for then there was but a Biſhop at Rome, without a ſuper-eminent title or power over others, which is the character the Apoſtle gives, whereby we ſhould know the riſe of Antichriſt.2 Theſ. 2.4.
That it was many years before the clear manifeſtation of the Man of ſin, which was in the year 602, when the cruel Phocas conſtituted the Biſhop of Rome head over all Biſhops, and then was he revealed with power: It is true,Whitak. Ope. Theol Tom. 2. cont. de Rom. Pont. praef p 517. 2 Theſ 2.7. An 325. Petav. Doct. Tempor. part. 2. p. 720. an Antichriſtian ſpirit catching after ſuperiority, and uſurping of the place of Chriſt, to be Head of the Church, did work even in the Apoſtles days; and yet no ſober perſon will ſay (I hope) that thoſe times were Popiſh. But to clear up all, The Nicene Council manifeſts the days of Conſtantine to have ſhined with great luſter of truth, as appears by the Nicene Creed or Confeſſion of Faith▪ compoſed by three hundred and thirteen Fathers then met together in Council, which is commonly to be ſeen: for five of the three hundred and eighteen did diſagree from it, (Hotting. Eccleſ. Hiſt part. 1. p. 174.) They determined alſo clearly againſt Arius the Heretick, who oppoſed the Divinity of Chriſt.
In theſe times of the Sun-ſhine of the Goſpel was it that the godly Emperour Conſtantine ſtated a ſet rate for the Miniſtery. Afterwards here in Britain, the Saxon Kings having expelled the Britiſh out of their ancient Seats, being themſelves then Pagans, at laſt were converted to the Faith, and holding poſſeſſion of the Land by the Title of Conqueſt, of what Lands they kept to the Crown, and of what they enfeoffed their great Lords in, to hold under them, they retained nine parts, and made a donation, or deed of gift of the tenth part to the Clergie: ſo that there is no one perſon in the land that hath at preſent any injury, or is oppreſſed thereby. For if Landlords, they never purchaſed the tenth: If they be tenants, they never paid for any Hold or Tenure of the Tenths, either by Fine or Rent: The tenth part being always reſerved upon the account of the ancient Donation, as the Miniſters particular ſtated portion; unleſs what is alienate by Impropriation in the days of Henry the eighth: ſo that all the great men of the Nation holding their lands either by Grant from the Crown, or Patrimonial deſcent, or purchaſe, do thereupon ſtill retain the right of Patronage, or preſentment to ſuch places, whereof their Anceſtors were poſſeſſed at the time of the Donation. So that this Tenure and poſſeſſion proceeds from the free gift of Chriſtian Magiſtrates, who ſeeing a neceſſity of maintaining a godly, learned, and painful Miniſtry, thought it the higheſt prudence to fix upon ſome ſetled rate and portion annually to be aſſigned over to that uſe and behoof; who becauſe of the example of the ancient Patriarchs before the Law, and the command and inſtitution of God under the Law, thought no courſe could be better taken, then to follow thoſe leading examples, and not to give either an eighth, or ninth, or a twelfth, or twentieth part of their eſtates, but a tenth, which hath ſince been confirmed by manifold Acts and Decrees of ſucceſſive Parliaments of this Nation, both before and ſince the Reformation. But as to the manner and way, I think no ſober and ſerious perſon will much heſitate, in caſe there be a fixed rate ſet and appointed; that ſo their condition may not fluctuate, and be ſubject to inconſtancy; their hopes of ſupply being elſe fruſtrate under ſome neceſſities of Providences.
Hence then, as to the third branch of the objection which lies againſt forced maintenance. There is no perſon in this point unjuſtly and unrighteouſly forced and compelled, nor in the leaſt meaſure oppreſſed; When the godly Magiſtrates of the Nation do cauſe the Laws touching that ancient Free gift and Donation, granted by their Anceſtors, to be put in execution: for the Supreme Magiſtrate is Cuſtos utriuſque Tabulae, and doubtleſs may, as godly Hezekiah did,2 Chro. 31.4. command the people that dwelt in Jeruſalem, to give the portion [of the Lord's Miniſters] that they might be encouraged in the Law of the Lord. So that there was not of late, even in the times of the Biſhops one peny but that which was called the Eaſter-offering that was paid of 2d a piece out of the peoples purſes, which is now generally fallen with the late Hierarchy: Inſomuch that what people will give freely to ſuch with whom they are in Communion and Church-Fellowſhip, is wholly left to their Chriſtian love, and zeal to the Miniſtry and Ordinances. So that if men throughout the Nation generally were left to their own Free-wills, unleſs it be for ſuch whoſe hearts the Lord hath touched with ardent affections, and tender love to his Sanctuary; if the godly Civil Magiſtrate did not interpoſe for the conſervation of the Rights of Miniſters, the generality of the carnal, formal, and ungodly people, (who hate a ſound ſoul-ſearching, and convincing Miniſtry, and are by the conſcientious and faithful diſpenſers of the Word, by reaſon of their ſcandalous ſins, juſtly kept off from ruining their own ſouls in eating and drinking their own damnation, by receiving unworthily at the Lord's Table) they would be ſo far from contributing freely and liberally to the maintenance of ſuch a Sound, Holy, and Godly Miniſtry, as that they would generally deny to render thoſe very Dues, to which the people can never in any Juſtice lay the leaſt Claim to, as being by a Deed of Gift paſt over to the Miniſtry by our Zealous Fore-fathers, in the firſt Plantation of the Goſpel, and ſince eſtabliſhed by ſo many ſtrong and binding Laws.
But there are ſtill ſome perſons (who I charitably hope) would not foſter and cheriſh in their breaſts any obſtinacy and oppoſition againſt a faithful, holy, able and ſincere Miniſtrey) that yet do fly to the examples of the Apoſtle Paul, who that he might not be chargeable to the Churches,1 Theſ. 2.9. would rather work with his hands, and think it a fit preſident for Miniſters to uſe ſome calling whereby to get their livelihoods. To whom I would reply in the ſpirit of meekneſs and ſoberneſs: Firſt, That the Apoſtles needed not to ſtudy, they had the gift of Tongues and utterance, they had an extraordinary meaſure of the Spirit of God poured out upon them in the day of Pentecoſt;Acts 2.4. they had the gifts of miracles to conciliate and gain Authority to their Doctrine where ever they came, and the revelation of the myſterie of grace clearly manifeſted to them; whereas now ſuch extraordinary gifts being ceaſed, Miniſters muſt give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine; they muſt meditate on theſe things,1 Tim. 4.13, 15. and give themſelves wholly to them, that their profiting may appear to all, which work if they conſcionably perform, looking at the injunction of God, and the profit of ſouls, they will finde little time to ſpend in outward vocations and buſineſſes of the world, which take off the edge of the affections from ſpiritual things, and put them out of a prepared frame for Goſpel ſervices, unleſs they were ſure to enjoy infallibly the preſence and anointing of the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary manner, unto the ſeveral emergencies of their duties. I doubt not, but godly Miniſters, if they had ſuch eminent and miraculous aſſiſtance (which the primitive times enjoyed) for the performance of their incumbent ſervices in the Goſpel, they would be content to betake themſelves to ſuch moderate imployments in Trade and Merchandize, as whereby poſſibly they might attain to ſome good eſtates, by the bleſſing of God, as well as others, they being generally no more deſtitute of parts then other men, if this were the minde of God, and the rule of the Goſpel.
But ſecondly, The ſtate of the Churches in the Apoſtles times was generally poor and mean, and not able to contribute to their neceſſities. The Apoſtle doth frequently complain of the poverty of the Saints, and acquaints us, that not many mighty, not many noble were called: Rom. 15, 26. 1 Cor. 19, 1, 3 2 Cor. 9.12. Philem. v. 7. Hebr. 6.10. 1 Cor. 1.26.If any Goſpel-Miniſter ſhould in this caſe deny to ſet himſelf to ſome labour or work, and ſtill preſs upon the peoples pure neceſſities, he would then not walk as he had Paul for an enſample: But bleſſed be God, there are thouſands that have given their names to Chriſt in England, who enjoy ſuch ſplendid and ample patrimonies, that they might eaſily take off from the poorer ſort any burden, and yet ſufficiently maintain their Teachers, if there were no ſtated and legal maintenance, and not neceſſitate them to work in callings, to the great diſhonour both of themſelves and the Goſpel in theſe times: Such are to be charged from God, that they be not high-minded, nor truſt in uncertain riches, but in the living God,1 Tim. 6.17, 18, 19. who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate, laying up in ſtore for themſelves a good foundation againſt the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. But alas, it is to be feared, that there are many great ones, (whoſe caſe is ſadly to be bemoaned and lamented over) that ſpend far more annually in the maintaining of Faulconers and Huntſmen (to ſay no worſe) then they expend upon pious uſes: The Lord lay not their ſin unto their charge. How far are ſuch perſons from the temper of the primitive Saints in the Apoſtles days, who mutter and grumble at the preſent condition of the Miniſtrey, which at this day is generally ſo low and mean, that their very Miniſtrey is almoſt brought into contempt and reproach among the wicked and prophane ſpirits of the vulgar. The ſtate of the Church of Chriſt before Conſtantines days, was generally under perſecution, and afflicted in moſt places with deep poverty, then indeed there was a neceſſitous duty lying upon the Miniſters to take ſome care for their Families, or elſe they would prove worſe then Infidels.
Such perſons who inſiſt ſo warmly upon this point of Miniſters working according to the example of ſome of the Apoſtles (for it ſeems all did not; excepting Barnabas and Paul, 1 Cor. 9.6.others did forbear working) I would wiſh them to look to their duty likewiſe, to follow the example of the Primitive Saints: (for the ſame rule in all equity bindes them on the other ſide) For,Acts 4.34. there was none among them that lacked: For as many as were poſſeſſours of lands or houſes, ſold them, and brought the prices of the things that were ſold, and laid them down at the Apoſtles feet. I fear me, thoſe that are rich perſons, who preſs this labouring of Miniſters in worldly vocations ſo much, will come off very dolly and ſlowly to this work of ſelling all and laying it down at the Miniſters feet. I am ſure the poor would not complain ſo generally as they do, nor the Miniſtrey be driven from their duties to worldly labours (if this their abſurd inference ſhould take place) if ſuch would do their duty in this caſe, which is inferred upon their own ſuppoſition.
But thirdly, As to the times of the Apoſtles, we are to conſider likewiſe, that Chriſtian Religion had not then ſo f…r prevailed, as to get any ſtrong footing in Princes Courts: So that there were no Chriſtian Magiſtrates to be a hedge about the Church, and to take care in this particular for the comfortable ſupport of the Miniſtrey. The Apoſtles declared the will of God ſufficiently, but they had no coercive power in this point, and though doubtleſs, many might make conſcience, who were able to do it, yet there wanted not a Demas to forſake even them, and to embrace this preſent world: No doubt, there were ſeveral perſons, that being not ſoundly wrought upon, did pull back, and withdraw;Acts 4. ult. & 5.1, &c. as we read in the caſe of Ananias and Saphira, elſe what needed the frequent and fervent exhortations to this duty of communicating. But when once Chriſtian Magiſtrates aroſe, they took care for a certain rate or tribute to be impoſed on the people for this purpoſe, as it was in the days of Conſtantine and Licinius: And why that which is incumbent as a duty upon Chriſtians, may not be made one of the Topicall or Municipal Laws in any Chriſtian Kingdom, State, or Commonwealth, I ſee no reaſon, ſince it tends to the preſervation of Gods publique Worſhip under the Goſpel.
But however, in this caſe it is very dangerous for any perſons who have this worlds goods, to plead poverty, and going behinde hand, to palliate their want of love to the Miniſtrey, to excuſe them from this important work. Poſſibly the Lord may providentially blaſt ſuch mens eſtates ere they are aware: Certainly whatever is detracted ſecretly from that uſe, will make bad portions for their poſterity.Pro. 3.9, 10. Hag 2.18, 19. Mal 3 9, 12 D…. Edw. Reyn. ib. ſup. I am ſure God did of old promiſe particular bleſſings to ſuch as brought in of their ſubſtance, what was enjoyned for the honourable and ſplendid maintenance of the Temple; and do we think that God hath leſs care of, and love to his Goſpel Ambaſſadours, who are the Miniſters of the New-Teſtament? No certainly! But let ſuch conſider, that the very Heathens dealt more nobly and candidly with their Idolatrous Prieſts, who helpt on the poor creatures towards hell, Yet becauſe under the ſenſe of ſome Religions, though falſe worſhip, they were moſt of them very liberal. It is not my deſign to quote any Humane teſtimonies at preſent, I ſhall content my ſelf with the citation of one example out of Scripture, which the Spirit of God takes notice of, and that is, of the people of Egypt in the days of Joſeph, although they were then exerciſed under a ſore judgement of Famine, when all the other people of the Land had ſold their goods and poſſeſſions to Joſeph for the Kings uſe,Gen, 49.26. yet the lands of the Prieſts were even then excepted.
I heartily wiſh, that ſuch poor ſouls as are tainted with diſaffection to the maintenance of the Goſpel Miniſtrey (that otherwiſe poſſibly ſome of them may be honeſt good meaning people) were a little ſenſible that the hand of Joab is in all this: I mean, the Jeſuits and perſons of other Orders, among the Papiſts, many whereof have been in theſe late years diſcovered to have been among thoſe people in their meetings that withdraw from the publique Aſſemblies, and have been known by ſome of our Nation, that have ſeen them beyond Sea in the proper habits of their Orders, whoſe great deſign is to ſubvert the Univerſities and the Miniſtrey, and then they know well enough we muſt bid farewel to the Proteſtant Religion, and the game will be theirs: How many Popiſh opinions have been vented by them, and here cryed up for New Lights, is too ſadly known [as, the Doctrine of Perfection, Voluntary Humility, and neglect of the body, attainable in this life, and that the Miniſters of the Reformed Church are no true Miniſters, and a number of the like, ariſing out of the Bottomleſs Pit] our ſad diſcords, make ſweet harmony in Popiſh ears: So that what on the one ſide, betwixt poor ſeduced ſpirits, and carnal and prophane, who love none but daubers with untempered morter, the faithful Miniſters of Chriſt are objected to great reproach and rebuke this day; ſo that the ſpirits of the godly, and ſuch as are ſtedfaſt in Goſpel-truths are grieved and wounded, the wicked Popiſh ſeducers warmed by ſucceſs, the Devils expectations raiſed, and the Papiſts hopes of a great harveſt greatly enlivened, to whom in the Northern parts many have declined already, and more will daily: Nay, in concluſion, they will ſtrike at the Proteſtant Magiſtracy as well as Miniſtrey, it is their great aim to bring it about: And I doubt not but godly Magiſtrates do conſider, that there is no one ſort of people under their Government, that can ſo effectually promote their intereſt, as a godly faithful Miniſtrey can, when encouraged by them; ſince they have ſo much influence upon the conſciences of men: I hope God of his infinite mercy will ſtir up the wiſdom and courage of our godly Magiſtrates that ſit at the Helm, to reform what is amiſs, to be a terrour to evil works, and an encouragement to the upright in the Land; that ſo a godly Miniſtrey may be protected, maintained and cheriſhed, to the glory of the Goſpel, that the Ark of Gods preſence may ever continue among us, in deſpite of all the gates of Hell, ſo long as the Ordinances of Heaven ſhall endure. To which end, it is well worth the conſideration of the faithful, to take ſpecial care for their preſervation, and all due encouragement, ſince there is a neceſſity for their coſtly and chargeable education in the famous Seminaries of Learning; ſeeing now abilities for Miniſterial ſervice, are not given in miraculouſly: The Scriptures being written in the Learned Languages, there is great neceſſity for them to be well skilled in them.
Their preparatory ſtudies, and their actual ſervices, do greatly waſte the vital ſpirits more then thoſe of the Law did.
They are commanded to be wholly in theſe things foreign, ſays Paul to Timothy, Be in them, converſe in them, make them thy buſineſs;1 Tim. 4.15. whence may be inferred, that the Miniſtrey ſhould not immerſe themſelves in ſecular affairs, left thereby their progreſs and proficiency in the ſtudy of the Scriptures, and their own hearts, ſhould be obſtructed and hindred, So that unleſs ſtrongly neceſſitated by want and poverty, and the wickedneſs of thoſe that are able, and deny ſubminiſtration and ſupply to their wants, they ought not to diſturb their ſpirits with the overwhelming and ſoul-dividinging cares of this life.
Beſides, it is neceſſary for them, as the caſe now ſtands, that they ſhould have a well-furniſh'd Library, and be well acquainted with the Hiſtory of the Church all along ſince the world began, eſpecially ſince the time of Chriſt to our days. Nay, there is not one Art or Science in the whole Circle or Compaſs of Learning, but ſome way or other may contribute to the capacitating of a Miniſter for his work in the explication and applying of Scripture: They ought alſo to be well verſed in controverſie; that they may be able to oppoſe gain-ſayers, and maintain the Truth. To this purpoſe ſpeaks a learned and faithful Diſpenſer of the Goſpel in his days, That they ought to have [The skill of Arts, D. Stoughton Preachers Dignity and Duty, p. 87. &c.of Tongues, the ancient Hebrew, the copious Greek, the elegant Latine: (Tongues are neceſſary for Embaſſadors, and theſe Tongues are very neceſſary for God's Embaſſadors.) All which muſt be aſſiſted (as the Orb in his motion, with his Intelligence) or rather informed, as the Body with the Soul in all his operations) with pithy Logick, perſwaſive Rhetorick, profound Philoſophy, that I may not name others; every one of which apart, would make a noble Profeſſion in another; and yet all together make but a ſmall part of the Noble Profeſſion of Theologie; and rather, not a part, but a Porch of this Royal Building: For I have not yet told you of the Scripture, in which not a word not a jot, not a tittle, but hath its weight, and muſt not be ſuffered to periſh, the depth of the Scripture, left it be ſaid by ſome ſcoffing Samaritan, The VVell is deep, and thou haſt never a Bucket. Laſtly, The infiniteneſs of Divinity (there is no infinity in Philoſophy, but here there is) poſitive, controverſal, Eccleſiaſtical, experimental, for the chair, for the Schools, for the pulpit, for the conſcience, &c. All which are neceſſary for him that would be a worthy Divine.]
5. He muſt provide for his own Family, or elſe he will lie under that heavie doom of the Apoſtle, To be worſe then an Infidel, and deny the Faith: which to do as a Man, as a Chriſtian, as a Scholar, as a Miniſter; that is, not in a ſordid, mean, baſe, and precarious way, leſt the Dignity of his Office be objected to contempt in the eyes of carnal vulgar people, who generally receive the Truth with the more reſpect and obedience, from ſuch as having ſome moderate and comfortable eſtates, and are not obliged to unworthy and pedantick ſhifts and cringings to every inſulting Balak; nor the enſnaring of their Conſciences to ſatisfie corrupt luſts and humours, by intrenching upon their glorious Commiſſions received from Chriſt: This being certain, that converting work is the main and principal work of the Miniſtry, which will be greatly advanced, when their perſons are not obnoxious to ſcorn by their meanneſs: which was found fully true in the perſon of our bleſſed Lord, and his holy Apoſtles and Diſciples.
1 Tim. 3.2.Laſtly, Every Goſpel Miniſter is commanded to maintain Hoſpitality themſelves, as well as to preach it; Alas! they may indeed teach it to others while their Lungs and Heart ſtrings crack for want of ſupply, but are not able (generally) themſelves to go to the coſt to practiſe it in our Nation, through inability. They are ſo far from being capable to perform this Duty, that many have not for their preſent neceſſities, much leſs for their conveniency and refreſhment.
Theſe things being premiſed and duly conſidered, viz. The noble Proviſion which God made for his ſervants under the Law, the Diſpenſation whereof was far inferiour to this under the Goſpel: Though ſome will ſay, that the pomp of thoſe Ordinances conſiſted much in external ſplendour; and they ſay true: but yet, thence can by no means be inferred, that God requires not the ſervice of our Bodies and Eſtates under the Goſpel: for its evident, the whole New Teſtament teaches the quite contrary.
Beſides, the neceſſary and coſtly proviſion of all acquired knowledge, the enjoyned ſecluſion of themſelves from worldly occupations, their required ſuſtentation of their Families, and proviſion of a ſubſiſtence for them after their departure. The honour and reputation of the Goſpel. The occurring and obviating the ſecret deſigns and machinations of our Popiſh adverſaries (who like the Spartans of old to the Athenians, did but deſire their Orator, and then) ſtudy by all means to ruine Proteſtant Religion among us, and not finding any directer courſe to ſteer then this, the pulling down of Univerſities, in the which proviſion is made for able Workmen in the Lord's Vineyard, and for ſuch as manage the controverſie againſt them (as bleſſed be God hitherto ſucceſsfully by Raynolds, Whitaker, Willet, Abbot, Davenant, and many others) and further, to ſubvert the ſtated and fixed maintenance of the Miniſters, when come abroad▪ whereby the Divel's ayms will be gratified, the enemy overjoyed, the Goſpel ruined, and Ark depart from our Iſrael. But bleſſed be the Lord who hath fixed his memorial ſtone in Eben Ezer; 1 Sam. 7.12.hitherto hath the Lord helped them, and we hope the ſame mercy will yet continue to make them againſt thoſe ſubtle inſinuating enemies a fenced brazen VVall: Jer. 15.20, 21They ſhall fight againſt them, but they ſhall not prevail againſt them; for I am with you to ſave you, and to deliver you, ſaith the Lord. And I will del…ver you out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the Terrible. Pſ. 85.9. &c.Surely his ſalvation ſhall be nig… them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our La…d; That mercy and truth may mee together, righteouſneſs and peace may kiſs each other. Truth ſhall ſpring out o… the earth, and righteouſneſs ſhall look down from heaven yea the Lord ſhall give that which is good, and our Land ſhall yeild her encreaſe: Righteouſneſs ſhall go before him, and ſhall ſet us in the way of his ſteps. Though the K…ngs of the earth ſet themſelves, and the Rulers take counſel toge…her againſt the Lord, and againſt his anointed, yet hath he ſet his King upon his holy hill of Z…on, and will g…ve him the heathen for his Inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion. As for thoſe that break his bands in ſunder, and caſt away his cords from them: He that ſitteth in the heavens ſhall laugh, the Lord ſhall have them in deriſion; He ſhall ſpeak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his ſore diſpleaſure: He ſhall break them with a rod of iron, he ſhall daſh them in pieces like a Potters veſſel. O then, kiſs the Sun leſt he be angry, and ye periſh from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him.