A Gospel Plea Part 2, Appendix to chapter 2

A Gospel Plea Part 2 · Appendix to chapter 2

p. 4An Appendix to the Second Chapter, further clearing the Divine Right of Miniſters Tithes.

THe Divine Right of Miniſters Maintenance by TITHES, aſſerted in the former Printed Part of my Goſpel-Plea, &c. for the Lawfulneſſe and continuance of the antient ſetled Maintenance and TITHES of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, may be thus further evinced, demonſtrated, confirmed.

1. It is the Opinion of Learned ffDe Republica Hebraeorum l. 3. c. 3.Petrus Cunaeus, and ggOf the Incarnation of the Word. Part. 1. Branch. 2. ch. 1. in his Workes in folio. London. 1636. p. 80…. …0▪ 81….Dr. Griffith Williams (his tranſcriber) That Melchiſedec, Prieſt of the moſt high God, to whom Abraham (the father of the Faithful) GAVE TITHES OF ALL, Gen. 14. 20. Hebr. 7. 1. to 15. was in truth none other, but Jeſus Chriſt, the Sonne of God, then perſonally meeting him in the form of a man, which he then aſſumed; though not that very body or fleſh begotten and born of the Ʋirgin Mary, which he long after took upon him when he was incarnate and converſed upon Earth. That Abraham then gave him TITHES OF ALL, as perceiving under that viſible form an inviſible Deity and everlaſting Prieſthood to ſubſist, to whom Tithes (originally) are only due & eternally due; becauſe he is and continues for ever an everlaſting Prieſt. That our Saviours own words, John. 8. 58. Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day, and he ſaw it, (as well with the eyes of his body, by this ſpecial apparition of Chriſt then meeting and bleſſing him, as a Prieſt of the moſt high God, at that time, as with the eye of his faith) and was glad: do warrant this their opinion, That Melchiſedec was no other than Jeſus Chriſt himſelf: which they ſortify with 7. ſtrong, unanſwerable Arguments in the opinions of many; from whence (if granted) it will inevitably follow; That TITHES are more truly and properly Evangelical, than Ceremonial or Judaical, becauſe thus originally given and paid to Chriſt himſelf, p. 5(the hhEpheſ. … 22, …3. c. 4. 5. 15, 16. c. 5. 23. Col. 1. 18 c. …. 10. 19. Hebr. …. 1. to 15. Pſal. 110. 1. 4. Iſa. 9. 6, 7. Rev. 1. 5, 6.Col 1:18Ps 110:1Ps 110:4Isa 9:6Isa 9:7Rev 1:5Rev 1:6everlaſting Head, King, High Prieſt of the Church) by Abraham iiRom. 4. 1. to 24. Mat. 3. 9. Luke. 16. 22▪ 24, 30. Acts. …. 2. Rom. 9. 7, 8. Gal. 3. 6. to the end.Rom 4:1–24Matt 3:9Luke 16:22Luke 16:24Luke 16:30Rom 9:7Rom 9:8Gal 3:6the Common Head and Father of all the Faithfull (as well Gentiles as Jewes) out of the previſion of his Incarnation, in reference to his Everlaſting Prieſthood, as an honorary Portion, Tribute, Salary, kkSee Dr. Sclaters Miniſters Portion… p. 18. to 40.of right belonging and annexed to his Prieſthood: Hebr. 7. 1. to 15. Gen. 14. 18, 19, 20. which Prieſtly office was llSee Hebr. c. 5. to c. 11. … John 2. 1, 2. Pſ▪ 110. 4. Dr. Jones, and others on the Hebrewes; Dr. Reynolds on Pſal. 110. 4.Heb 5John 2:1John 2:2Ps 110:4principally to be executed, compleated upon Earth, and in Heaven, by Chriſts ſubſequent Incarnation, Paſſion, Sacrifice of himſelf upon the Croſſe, Reſurrection, Aſcenſion into Heaven, and perpetual Interceſſion at Gods right hand for all his elect, both as God and Man; eſpecially in relation to the Gentiles, mmActs 9. 15. c. 11. 1 to 19. c. 13. 46, 47, 48▪ c. 15. 7. to …0▪ c. 21. 19. c. 28▪ 28. Rom. 1. 1…. c. 11. 11, 12, 13. 25. c. 15. 9. to 19, c. 16. 4. Eph. 3. 5, 6, 7, 8. Col. 1. 2…. 2 Tim. 4. 17▪ compared with Mar. 10 4. Luke. 2. 3… ▪ Iſay. 54. 3. c. 60. 3. to 17. c. 61. 6. 9. c. 62. 2. c. 66. 12. 19, &c. Epheſ. 4. 11, 12▪ 13.Acts 9:15Rom 1:1Eph 3:5Eph 3:6Eph 3:7Eph 3:8Col 1:22 Tim 4:17Mark 10:4Luke 2:3Isa 54:3Eph 4:11Eph 4:12Eph 4:13not generally called, converted to the faith, till after his Incarnation and Aſcenſion. Therefore by neceſſary conſequence, all Chriſtians and believing Gentiles under the Goſpel, have altogether, if not farre greater, yet at leaſtwiſe as great, as ſtrong a reaſon, ground, obligation, enforcement, chearfully, thankfully, conſcientiouſly, to render TITHES of all they have to Chriſt (for the uſe of his Miniſters inſtruction, edification of his Church, and compleating of his body) ſince his Incarnation and inveſtiture in his everlaſting Prieſthood for their eternall welfare; as Abraham or the Iſraelites had, to render him (or the Levitical Prieſts who typified him and attended on his ſervice) ſo long before his Incarnation, and Prieſthood fully compleated in all its parts and Offices: Jeſus Chriſt being THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TO DAY, AND FOR EVER; Hebr. 13. 8. and as much (if not farre more in ſome reſpects) a Prieſt of the moſt high God, to all believing Gentiles, Chriſtians ſince his Incarnation, Paſſion, Aſcenſion, as he was to Abraham and the Jews before them; God ſince his Reſurrection, ſending him to bleſſe us in turning every of us from our Iniquities, as well as them. Acts. 3. 25, 26. compared with Acts 10. 42, 45, 47. ch. 11. 1. to 20. Wherefore thoſe ingrate, avaritious, unconſcionable Chriſtians of this degenerous age, who obſtinately, or maliclouſly refuſe to render unto Chriſt their only High-Prieſt nn1 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 5▪ 2. Hebr. 5▪ to ch. 11. 1 John 2. 1, 2.1 Cor 5:17Eph 5:2Heb 51 John 2:11 John 2:2who ſacrificed himſelf to God, and ſhed his most precious blood for them on the Croſſe p. 6to redeem their Soules from everlaſting Damnation, and purchaſe an eternal Crown of glory for them in Heaven, where he continually makes interceſsion for them, executing his Prieſtly Office for their Salvation) the tithes of all their increaſe, as a juſt Appurtenance to his everlaſting Prieſthood; condemning them as ooThe Kentiſh Petition, John Cannes Voice, M…. Speed and many late Quakers rayling Pamphlets.Jewiſh, Antichriſtian, unfit, or too much for him as the High Prieſt and Prophet of his Church to enjoy, or for the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpel in his Name or Right to receive, who pp2 Cor. 12. 15. Acts 6. 3, to 7. 1 Tim. 4. 13, 15, 16. Heb. 13, 17. 1 Cor. 1. 23. c. 2. 2. Gal. 3. 1.2 Cor 12:15Acts 6:3–71 Tim 4:131 Tim 4:151 Tim 4:16Heb 13:171 Cor 1:23Gal 3:1ſpend all their ſtudies, labours, lives in Christs ſervice, in the Declaration, Publication, Application, of the benefits of Chriſts Prieſthood, Paſsion, Goſpell to them, and others, for the eternal ſalvation of their ſouls, are certainly none of the ſpiritual Sons or ſeed of faithfull Abraham, who gave him Tithes of all; and do either repute Chriſts everlaſting Prieſthood, a mere Fable; or ſet a far lower rate upon it, the Miniſtry of the Goſpel and their own moſt precious Souls, than they do upon their detained Tithes: and ſo can expect little benefit from Chriſts Perſon or Prieſthood, which they ſo much undervalue, and ſacrilegiouſly defraud of ſo antient a duty.

2ly. There is one Notable conſiderable circumſtance of time in Abrahams payment of Tithes of all to Chriſt, the true Melchiſedec, not formerly obſerved or preſſed by any I have ſeen; which (in my opinion) unanſwerably proves, that this Preſident of his moſt principally reſpected, related to the believing Gentiles and Christians, under the Goſpel, and as ſtrongly obligeth them (his true ſpiritual ſeed) to the due payment of Tithes to Chriſt and his Miniſters, now, as ever it did the Jews, his natural Poſterity, to pay Tithes to their Prieſts and Levites under the Law, if not more firmly: Namely, that he thus paid Tithes to Chriſt, ſome good ſpace before Circumciſion inſtituted, whiles he was yet uncircumciſed; as is moſt evident by comparing, Gen. 14. 18, 19, 20. with Gen. 17. 1, 10, to 15. Now as the Apostle thus firmly and Evangelically argues from this very circumſtance of time, in the point of Abrahams justification by Faith, whiles he was yet uncircumciſed, as preſidential, exemplary, obligatory to all believing Gentiles, and ſpiritual Sons of Abraham under p. 7the Goſpel, who are not circumciſed, as well as to the natural believing children of Abraham under the Law, who were circumciſed. Rom. 4. 9, to 13. Commeth this bleſſedneſſe then, upon the Circumciſion only, or upon the Uncircumciſion alſo? for we ſay, that Faith was reckoned to Abraham for Righteouſnes. How was it then reckoned, when he was in Circumciſion, or in Vncircumciſion? Not in Circumciſion, but in Vncircumciſion? And he received Circumciſion, a Seal of the Righteouſnes of Faith, which he had yet being Vncircumciſed, that he might be the Father of them that beliebe (under the Goſpel) though they be not Circumciſed, that Righteouſnes might be imputed unto them alſo. And the Father of Circumciſion, to them who are not of the Circumciſion only, but alſo walk in the ſteps of the Faith of our Father Abraham, which he had yet being uncircumciſed. So I, by parity of Reaſon, from this very Text, compared with the ſame Apoſtles relation, of Abrahams paying Tithes of all to Melchiſedec, Hebr. 7. 1, to 15. and the inferences thence formerly inſiſted on, may as firmly, as convincingly conclude, That his payment of Tithes to Chriſt the true Melchiſedec, not after his Circumciſion, but whiles yet uncircumciſed, and before Circumciſion inſtituted; and that, as the Common-Father, Head of all the juſtified, faithfull, believing uncircumciſed Gentiles before the Law, and under the Goſpel, (as well as of the circumciſed believing Jews) walking in the ſteps of his Faith, which he had yet being uncircumciſed; doth as ſtrongly oblige all believing Gentiles & Chriſtians, though uncircumciſed, to pay Tithes of all to Chriſt and his Miniſters under the Goſpel, as it did his believing circumciſed Poſterity to render thē to Chriſt himſelf originally, and his Prieſts and Levites ſecondarily under the Law; if not much more; ſince Abraham paid them to Chriſt before he was circumciſed, qqGen. 14. 17, 18, 19. John 8. 58. Heb. 7. 1, to 15. compared with John 8. 39, 40.Gen 14:17Gen 14:18Gen 14:19John 8:58Heb 7:1–15John 8:39John 8:40as a fruit and evidence of his Faith, which then he had during his uncircumciſion, and a ſtanding Preſident for all Believers to imitate.

3ly. From this famous Preſident of Abrahams paying Tithes of all to Melchiſedec, Saint Ambroſe, Sermo 34. In feria p. 8poſt primam Dominicam Quadrageſimae. Gregorie Nazianzen, Oratio 5. Contra Judaeos. Chryſoſtom, Hom. 35. in Geneſ. Iſiodor Hiſpalenſis, in Gloſſa ordinaria Super Gen. 16. Rabanus Maurus, l. 2. c. 16. in Geneſin. Anaſtatius Abbas, contra Judaeos. Elias Cretenſis, in Orat. 5 Walafridus Strabo, De Rebus Eccleſiaſticis, c. 27. Stephanus Tornacenſis, Epiſt. 171. with other Antients, conclude, Tithes to be due to Ministers of the Goſpel by Divine Right: whom the rrSee Gratian Cauſ. 16. qu. 7. & Surius, Binius, Crab, Merlin, in their Councils.Councils of Mentz, Anno 813, 846, 887. Concilium Aquenſe, Anno 837. cap. 18. with the Council of London, under Arch-Biſhop Hubert, Anno Dom. 1200. (recorded by Roger de Hoveden) Annalium pars poſterior, p. 806, 808. thus ſecond. Decimas DEO & Sacerdotibus Dei Dandas, Abraham factis, Jacobus promiſſis inſinuat; deinde Lex Statuit, et omnes Doctores ſancti commemorant: et auctoritas veteris et novi Teſtamenti, necnon & ſanctorum Patrum Statuta declarant. Decreeing thereupon, Decimas de omnibus quae per annum renovantur, &c. Praeſtare Deo omnino non negligatur, Quas Deus ſibi dari conſtituit: quia timendum eſt, ut quiſquis Deo debitum ſuum abſtrahit, ne forte Deus per peccatum ſuum auferat ei neceſſaria ſua, &c. From his example, ſeconded with Divine Precepts, ſſHermoldus Hiſt, Sla…o. rum, l. 1. c 92. Edit. Franc. 1581. p. 76.Gerold Biſhop of Oldenburg, about An. Dom. 1100. writ thus to the Holzati and Inhabitants of the Deſerts of Wagira, (then newly converted to the Chriſtian Faith, and beginning to build Churches, for Gods publick worſhip) that they ſhould likewiſe pay Tithes to their Miniſters, without which all the reſt of their Devotion would be nothing worth. Dei enim Praeceptum eſt, Decimas ex omnibus dabis mihi, ut bene ſit tibi, & longo vivas tempore: cui obedierunt Patriarchae, Abraham ſcilicet Iſaac & Iacob, & omnes qui ſecundum fidem facti ſunt filii Abrahae, per quod laudem etiam, & praemia aeterna conſecuti ſunt. Apoſtoli quoque et Apoſtolici viri exore Dei hoc ipſum mandaverunt. & ſub Anathematis vinculo poſteris ſervandum tradiderunt. Cum ergo Dei omnipotentis proculdubio hoc conſtat eſſe Pra ceptum, & ſanctorum Patrum ſit Aucioritate firmatum, nobis id incumbit negotii, ut quod veſtrae ſaluti deest, noſtro in vobis opere per Deigratiam ſuppleatur. Monemus ergo & obſecramus omnes vos in domino, &c. ut p. 9decimas, prout Deus inſtituit, & Apoſtolica banno firmavit autoritas, ad ampliandum dei cultum Eccleſiae detis: Ne ſi Deo quae ipſi debentur ſubstraxeritis, & ſubſtantiam ſimul & animam in interitum mittatis aeternam; Valete. Upon reading which Letter the rude people cryed out and raged, juſt as the Anabaptiſts do now. His auditis tumultuoſa gens infremuit, dixeruntque ſe huic conditioni ſervili nunquam collum ſubmiſſuros, per quam omne pene Chriſticolarum genus Pontificum preſſurae ſubjaceat, &c. whereupon Henry the firſt Duke of Holzatia commanding them, as they would obtain his favour, Ut ſolverent Epiſcopo Decimas cum omni integritate, ſicut faciunt in terra Polaborum & Obotritorum: Ad hoc Praeceptum Holzati obſtinatis animis dixerunt, Nunquam ſe datucos Decimas, quas patres ſui non dediſſent; malle ſe potius ſuccenfis aedibus propriis egredi terram, quam tantae ſervitutis jugum ſubire; Praeterea Pontificem cum Comite & omni advenarum genere quod Decimarum ſolvit legitima, interficere cogitabant, & terra inflammata, transfugere in terram Danorum. Neither obeying the Preſidents of Abraham and the Patriarchs, nor the Laws of God, the Apoſtles, or their Prince, in paying their Tithes to their Biſhop and Paſtor, as they ought; whoſe practice our Anabaptiſts and Quakers now obſtinately purſue. What ſtrong convincing Arguments, to prove the divine, moral, perpetual right of Tithes to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, learned Protestant Divines (to omit Papiſts) have deduced from this Original direct Preſident of Abrahams Tith-paying, thoſe who deſire further ſatisfaction herein, may read at leaſure, in Mr. Calvin, Junius, Hemingius, and others on Hebr. 7. Zepperus, Legum Moſaicarum Explanatio, l. 4. c. 40. Dr. George Carlton his Tithes due by a Divine Right, Richard Montague his Diatribae on the firſt part of Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, cap. 1. Stephen Nettles his Anſwer to the firſt part of the Hiſtory of Tithes, Dr. Robert Tilleſley his Animadverſions on Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, Dr. Edward Reynolds his explication on Pſalm 110. 2, 4. Mr Francis Roberts his Revenue of the Goſpel is Tithes, &c. Cambridge 1619. Richard Ebur… his Maintenance of the Miniſtery, p. 10London, 1603. The truth of Tithes diſcovered by R. G. London 1618. Dr. John Prideaux Oratio 5. de Decimis, Anno 1620. p. 90. Sir James Semple his Sacrilege ſacredly handled, London 1619. John Swan his Redde Debitum, London 1640. p. 181, to 240. Tithes are due Jure Divino, and Dr. William Sclater his Queſtion of Tithes revived, or Miniſters Portion, London 1623. (an acute piece) wherein all evaſions and cavils to elude the force of this example, are ſufficiently anſwered.

4ly. From this example of Abrahams, ſeconded with the Iſraelites practice, ttHiſtory of Tithes, p. 34.Mr. Selden conjectures, or rather from the Law of Nature written by God himſelf in mens hearts (as Hugo de Sancto victore, de Sacramentis, l. 2. parte 9. c. 10. & l. 1. parte 12. c. 4. Mr. Mountague in his Diatribae, ch. 3. Dr. Tilleſly in his Animadverſions, p. 34, 35. and others determine;) the old Heathen Grecians, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabians, with other Pagan Nations, [as the uuSee Purchas Pilgrimage, Edit. a. p. 304, 616, 621, 630. Joan. Leo Africae deſcript. l. 3.Mahometan, Turks, Moors, and other Infidels ſince] by an antient conſtant cuſtome and uſual practice, generally received amongſt them, dedicated and paid Tithes to their Idol-Gods and Prieſts, of the encreaſe of all their ſubstance, merchandize, gains; and more particularly of all their ſpoyles and plunders gained in the Wars; wherein they were very carefull and devout. Which Mr. Selden in his History of Tithes, ch. 3. and Review thereof, and Richard Mountague, in his Diatribae, ch. 3. evince at large, by many Preſidents, Teſtimonies, Paſſages out of Herodotus, Demoſthenes, Xenophon, Thucidides, Dionyſius Hallicarnaſſeus, Plutarch, Pauſanias, Ariſtotle, Ariſtophanes, Suidas, Callimachus, Caſſius, Trogus, Macrobius, Plautus, Feſtus, Juſtin, Pliny, Servius, Cicero, Tertullian, Arnobius, Jac. Gruterus, with others; and that they paid no other determinate part elſe we read of, but a Tenth only, to their Gods and Prieſts. Now from whence (write Hugo, Tilleſly, and Mountague) ſhould this cuſtome and practice proceed, but only from the Law of Nature? Ad quam non docti, ſed facti, non inſtituti fuerunt, ſed imbuti, and that by God himſelf.

Amongſt theſe Preſidents of Pagans, there are 7. of ſpecial note, which I ſhall here remember, to ſhame the Tith-Oppugners of our Age, who would be reputed the moſt precious p. 11Chriſtians, though their Actions prove them worſe than Infidels.

The firſt is, that of the old Pagan Romans, xxArnobius adverſus Gentes, l. 7. Cato de Re Ruſtica, c. 152. Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, p. 457, 458. Mountagues Diatribae, ch. 3.who eſteemed all their Corn and Wine (ſent them annually by the bounty of God) ſo ſacred, that (by a conſtant cuſtome and law uſed amongſt them) they might not lawfully eat, drink, ſell, meddle with, or diſpoſe of any part thereof after their harvest and vintage, till they had firſt ſacrificed and tythed the firſt fruits and tenths thereof to their Gods; who (as they ſuppoſed) gave them the whole crop; ſuch was their Piety and Gratitude.

The ſecond is, that of the antient yyPliny Nat, Hiſt. l. 12. c. 15. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, p. 33, 34. Mountagues Diatribae, p. 551, 552.Heathen Arabians, who by the Law and Cuſtome of their Country, were bound to carry all their Frankincenſe (the chief commodity of their Country) every year to Sabota, (the chief City of Arabia Felix) and there to offer the Tenth therof to their God SABIS, which his Prieſts received. Neither might they make ſale of any part thereof, till the Owner there paid the Tenthes by Meaſure, not by weight. Theſe very Pagans holding all to be Gods, (the ſupream Land-lord who gave it them) till by paying him the Tenth for a quotient, they redeemed the reſt for their own common uſe.

The third is that of the zzDionyſius Hallicarn: Antiqu. Rom. l. 1. Seldens Review, p. 459.Pelaſgi in Vmbria, who being oppreſſed with a great dearth and ſcarcity of all things, conceived it proceeded from their neglect of paying Tithes to their Gods. Whereupon they vowed the Tithe of all their increaſe to Iupiter, Apollo, and the Cabiri. After which Vow they receiving a plentifull crop of all things, paid the tenth of all their increaſe to their Idol-Gods. And being admoniſhed by Apolloes Oracle, that their Vow was not performed, till they had ſacrificed the Tenth of their Children, as well as of all their other increaſe, they thereupon ſacrificed the Tenth of them to the Idols likewiſe. Such conſcience made they of all their Vows and Tithes.

The fourth is that of the Carthaginians (thus recorded by aaBibliotheca Hiſt. l. 5. Juſtin. l. 18. Mountagues Diatribae, p. 448, 449.Diodorus Siculus, a Pagan Hiſtorian) very remarkable. The Carthaginians being deſcended from Tyrus, were accuſtomed in former times to ſend unto Tyrus the Tenth of all their Revenues & increaſe any ways renuing, iſſuing, or p. 12growing, for Hercules (the Idol-God there worſhipped:) But in proceſſe of time becomming very wealthy, and having exceeding great incomes, they ſent very ſeldome their Tithe unto Tyrus, and that but ſmall and refuſe, in neglect and diſ-regard of the Deity. Hereupon many diſaſters in war, croſſes in Affairs of State, with great loſſes and ſtreights befell them; eſpecially by Agathocles the Sicilian. Upon which, comming home to themſelves, and repenting of their irreligion, they betook themſelves to all manner of Supplication and Devotion, conceiving theſe loſſes and diſaſters were ſent unto them of God. And for ſo much as they ſuppoſed Hercules eſpecially to be angry with them, who was chiefly worſhipped at Tyrus, from whence they were originally extracted, they ſent exceeding great gifts and rich preſents thither to him, and all the Gods that were worſhipped at Tyrus, and brought unto them the tenth of all their increaſe, as formerly they accuſtomed.

The fifth is that of bbSee his Orations againſt them: and Mountagues Diatribae, p. 576, 577.Demoſthenes (that eminent Pagan Greek Orator) who is very bitter againſt Androſion and Timocrates, for bearing with ſome ſacrilegious Defrauders of the Gods in their Dues; and much more for defrauding of themſelves, and ſacrilegiouſly robbing Minerva of her Tenths, and the other Gods of their Fifteenths. And he ſpecially obſerves, (let our Souldiers remember it) That thoſe who purloyned and robbed the Gods of their Tenths and chiefeſt of their ſpoyles of War, came to nought, being deſtroyed by themſelves at laſt and undone.

The ſixth is that of Xenophon (that Noble Heathen Philoſopher and General) and his Soldiers, thus recorded at large to Poſterity by his own pen, worthy our obſervation. [c]Xenophon de expedit. Cyri, lib. 5. p. 349. 350, 351. Richard Mountague his Diatribae, c. 3. p. 500, 501. Xenophon, after his memorable retreat with ten thouſand men out of upper Aſia, where they had gained great ſpoyles from the Enemy, arriving ſafely at Ceraſunt, muſtred 8600 men, the reſt being loſt, partly by the incurſions of the enemies, partly by the ſnows, and partly by ſickneſs, here they divided the mony they had gained from the enemies: foreign, &c. Atque etiam Decumam, quam Apolloni & Epheſiae Dianae exemerant, ita Duces diſtribuunt, ut quilibet ipſorum hiſce diis aliquam partem ejus adſervaret; p. 13One part of this Tenth ſeparated to theſe two Deities was delivered to Neon. That part which Xenophon collected for Apollo, he laid up as conſecrated in the Treaſury of the Athenians at Delphos. But that which was dedicated to Diana he left with Megabyzus the Churchwarden of Diana, upon this condition (being about to fight with Ageſilaus at Coronea,) That if he eſcaped ſafe out of the Battel he ſhould reſtore the ſacred mony to him: but if he received any diſaſter therein, that then Megabyzus himſelf ſhould dedicate it to Diana, confecto donario, quod Deae gratiſsimū fore arbitraretur. Afterwards Xenophon being in exile at Scilunte, built for Olympia, Megab. comming thither to behold Olympia, reſtor'd the mony to Xenophon: who receiving it, bought therewith a field (having woods & Mountains in it, ſtored with trees, ſwine, goats, ſheep, wildbeaſts, and Horſes,) for the Goddeſs in that place, which was ſhewed unto him by the Oracle of Apollo; he likewiſe built a Temple, & an Altar, out of that ſacred money: A… poſt id temporis, ſemper conſecratis fructuu… agri decumis, Sacrum Deae faciebat. And after that time he ſacrificed to the Goddeſs, for eder conſecrating the Tenths of the field to her ſervice. Near the Temple there was a garden ſet with all ſorts of Fruit-trees good to eat. Before the Temple were pillars erected with this Inſcription on them, Fundus Dianae Sacer. Hoc qui poſſ…ſſor fruitur, quotannis Conſecrato Decumam; de reliquo Fanum ſartum tectum conſervato. Si quis non fecerit, Dea vindex est…. In which memorable Hiſtorie we have ſix things conſiderable: 1. Tithes of ſpoyls conſecrated by the Heathen Graecian Generals, Captains and Souldiers, to Apollo and Diana, as **Xenophon, Hiſt. Grae… ▪ l. …. p. 493.Agis after the end of the wars between the Elei and the Lacedemonians, going to Delphos offered a TENTH (of the ſpoils) to Apollo. And Ageſilaus took the fruits of his Enemies fields, ut intra biennium Decumam Delphico Deo conſecraret C. Talentis ampliorem: as the ſame **Oratio de Ag…ſilao Rege▪ p. 657.Xenophon records. 2ly. Lands purchaſed with the ſpoils, and appropriated, conſecrated for ever to the worſhip and ſervice of Diana. 3ly. A Temple, and Altar built with part of the ſpoils, for her worſhip and honour. 4ly. Tithes annually conſecrated and to be paid for ever to this Temple, p. 14by Xenophon and the poſſeſſors of theſe lands, out of the profits, veniſon and game thereof, for the maintenance of her worſhip and Feaſtivals; as the former words, and this paſſage farther evidenceth: Earum feriarum, & municipes, & finitimi, tam viri, quàm faeminae participes erant: & ſumminiſtrat eis Dea, qui agitant convivia, farinas cum panibus, vino, pecunia, bellariis. 5ly. Repairs of this Temple from time to time, out of the reſidue of the profits of theſe Lands. 6ly. An imprecation of divine revenge, upon the Neglecters, or refuſers of the due payment of theſe annual Tithes to Diana, and of the reſidue of the profits, towards the reparation of her Temple.

The ſeventh is the memorable domeſtick Preſident of Cedwalla, one of our West-Saxon Kings; who though a Pagan and great Plunderer, even before he became a Chriſtian, or was baptiſed, was ſo pious, that he gave the Tenth of all his Spoyles of War and Plunders unto God, about the year of our Lord, 686. Which ccDeGeſtis Regum Anglorum, l. 1. c. 2. p. 14.William of Malmesbury thus records. Arduum memoratu eſt, quantum etiam ante Baptiſmum inſerviret; ut omnes manubias, quas jure praedatorio in uſus ſuos tranſcripſerat, Deo decimaret. In quo etſi approbamus affectum (in paying Tithes) improbamus exemplum, in regard of his plundering. Yea, our ddEccleſiaſt. Hiſt. Gentis Anglorum, l. 4. c. 16.venerable Beda records; that ſuch was his tranſcendent liberality and bounty to Gods Church and Ministers, that after his Conquest of the Iſle of Weight, he gave to Walfred and his Clerks for the Lords uſe, the fourth part of the Iſland (to wit, 300 Plowlands of 1200.) and the fourth part of the Spoyl thereof, in performance of his Vow made before his regeneration in Chriſt, that if he conquered the Iſle, Quartam ejus partem ſimul et praedae Deo daret.

Let Iohn Canne, with all the ſeveral irreligious Sects, and Sacrilegious Regiments of our preſent Tith-Oppugners, Detainers, Subſtracters, ſeriouſly conſider theſe Pagan Preſidents, to inform their Judgments, & reform their practices, leſt they riſe up in judgement againſt them here to their temporal, and hereafter to their eternal condemnation. And if after due meditation on them, their Conſciences ſhall not ſecretly check, cenſure, condemn them, p. 15for ſubſtracting their Tithes from God himſelf, and his faithfull Miniſters, as well as ſome of theſe Pagans Conſciences did them, for detaining their Tithes from their Idol-Gods and Prieſts, againſt the Law of Natures dictate engraven in their hearts; but ſtill pretend Conſcience againſt the due payment of them, and that out of their Gains or Spoyles of War, as well as their other increaſe; they have juſt cauſe to fear, and others to ſuſpect, that their Conſciences are moſt deſperately cauterized, and the Law of Nature more dangerouſly obliterated out of their hearts, than out of theſe Idolatrous Pagans.

5ly. Agobardus, who flouriſhed Anno 830. lib. de Diſpenſation…, &c. Rei Eccleſiaſticae contra Sacrilegos, p. 266. Hugo de Sancto victore Erud. Theol. de Sacramentis, l. 1. parte 12. c. 4. lib. 2. part. 9. c. 10. part. 10. c. 5. and Annot. Eluc. in Geneſ c. 4. Petrus Commeſtor, Hiſt. Scholaſt. in Geneſ. c. 26 Petrus Bleſenſis, Epiſt. 82. Gerold, Biſhop of Oldenburge, in his Epiſtle to the Inhabitants of Wagria; Helmoldus, Hiſt. Sclavorum, p. 92. poſitively affirm; and ſince them Sir James Semple, in his Sacriledge ſacredly handled, Stephen Nettles, in his Anſwer to the Jewiſh part of Mr. Selden, and Mr. Richard Mountague in his Diatribae, p. 211. to 250. largely argue and a…ert; "That from the beginning of Mankind, Tithes were inſtituted and appoint▪ to be paid, by God, who inſtructed Adam himſelf; and he his two Sons Kain and Abel; and they their Poſterity, to pay Tithes and Firſt-fruits to God, of all their Increaſe. That the Firſt-fruits Abel offered unto God, were no other but his Tithes, or the Tenth of his Flocks increaſe. That the ſin of Cain, cauſing God to reject his Offering, was this, That he offered to God the worſt, and leſſe than the Tenth of the Fruits of the Ground; giving him not the full proportion of the TENTH and beſt of his Increaſe, as Abel did": which they ground on, Gen. 4. 7. (thus tranſlated by the Septuagint, whom Philo the Jew, and the Greek Fathers generally follow:) If thou offer Rightly, and DIVIDE NOT UPRIGHTLY (in giving me my TENTH) thou haſt ſinned; hold thy peace; and on Hebr. 11. 4. by Faith Abel offered unto God foreign (which the Vulgar Latin renders, Plurimam Hoſtiam; p. 16other Tranſlators, Ʋberius Sacrificium; and the Engliſh, A better or more excellent Sacrifice; (and that for quantity, as well as quality,) than Kain: This I thought …it to mention, as a probable conjecture, not an infallible verity: To back this opinion, Robert Groſted our learned Biſhop of Lincoln, in his Book, De Ceſſatione Legalium, (written about the year 12 ….) p. 95, 96. determines, Lex naturalis exigit, ut Benefactori, de Bonis …uae gratis dederit, gratis rependatur honor & veneratio, unde & Decimarum oblatio de Lege eſt naturali: quia de bonis acceptis cum debeatur lege naturali repenſio honoris, minus quàm pars minima, id e… Decima, (quia ultra Denarium numerus non eſt) rependi non poteſt. Maſter Mountague, in his Diatribae, Chapter 3. page 245, 246, 247, &c. Doctor Sclater, Dr. Tille…ly, and others obſerve, That God only wiſe, being ee1 Cor. 14. …, 40.1 Cor 14a God of Order, not of Confuſion, doing all things in order, number, and due proportion, hath amongſt all other Numbers, ſpecially fixed upon a TENTH. And thereupon the Antients heretofore, both Natural, Legal, Pagan, and Chriſtian, (led by a natural and divine inſtinct thereunto) have ever principally inſiſted on a TENTH in all their divine ſacred Rites, Mysteries, Dues, reſerved by, or rendered of them to their Gods; and in all their publick civil Taxes, Tributes, Customes, Duties, impoſed by, or paid to their Emperors, Kings, Princes, and Supreme Magiſtrates. Hence God ſaith expreſly, All Tithes are the Lords, Levit. 27. 30, &c. And how his? Not by Coueteſie or Tolleration, not by Purchaſe or Stipulation, not by Compenſation or Annexation, not by Benevolence or mens free Donation; but by original Right of Creation, in pro…ucing every thing in its kind; and of abſolute Soveraign Dominion (expreſſed in the word ffPſal. 24. 1. Pſal. 89. 11. Pſal. 97. 5. 1 Chron. 29. 11, 12, 15, 16.Ps 24:1Ps 89:11Ps 97:51 Chr 29:111 Chr 29:121 Chr 29:151 Chr 29:16LORDS) as a univerſal Rent ſervice or acknowledgement, reſerved by God himſelf, the Supreme Land-lord of all the Earth, from Adam and all his Posterity to the end of the world, ggPſalm 115. 16 Gen. 2. 15, 16, 17. c. 3. 17.Ps 115:16Gen 2:15Gen 2:16Gen 2:17when he gave them the Earth to inhabit and manure, as mere Tenants at will under him. He that is hhExod. 3. 14.Exod 3:14I AM himſelf: Qui cepit nunquam, deſinet numquam: being vitae & eſſentiae interminabilis, tota ſimul & perfecta poſſeſſio, in aeterno ſu… conſummato, EVER POSSESSED TITHES (as well as the ſeventh day, which he ſaith, is, iiExod. 20. 10. Levit. 23 … ▪Exod 20:10Lev 23HIS SABBATH) SINCE THEY HAD BEING, which are indeed his ab aeterno ſuo inch…ato. p. 17In this Tithes were Gods, not only at the time when he firſt challenged them by an expreſſe written Law and Reſervation, Levit. 27. 30, 31, 32, &c. but long before; even when Abraham paid them: and before that, ever ſince the time of the Creation, that God made any thing tithable to increaſe out of the earth for the uſe of m…n. The time never was that Tithes were not Gods, nor ſhall ever be that they ſhall ceaſe to be his, and his Prieſts and Miniſters in and by him, by his ſpecial Donation and Inſtitution (not mans) for the conſtant ſupport of his continual publick worſhip▪ and that by a Divine Right; God in thoſe things which are direct points of Piety and neceſſary appurtenances for his ſolemn worſhip, (ſuch as are Tithes for his Prie… and Miniſters competent ſtanding maintenance in all A…, places, and weekly times for his worſhip) never leaving men free to their own wi…ls, inventions, or arbitrary pleaſures (no more than Land-lords their Tenants, or Kings their Subjects) but confining them to a certainty himſelf by his word, as well as he doth it in all parts and duties of his worſhip. That Abraham knew this Divine Right of God to Tithes, when he paid Tithes of all to Melchiſede…, not arbitrarily, but of due right, by vertue of ſome Divine Precept, (elſe kkSee Doctor Sclaters Miniſters Portion, p. 23, &c.Melchiſede… had been inferiour to Levi who received Tithes from his Brethren, by a Divine Law and Command, Hebr. 7. 4, 5, 6, &c.) he receiving this Precept of paying Tithes by Tradition from Heber, who learned it of S…m, who was ſo taught of his Father N…ah: he by ſucceſsion RECEIVING IT FROM ADAM; who as he was wrought and faſhioned by God, ſo was he herein taught and inſtruct…d by God. And therefore not only amongſt the Sons of God, ſuch as called rightly upon the name of th… Lord, but even amongſt th… Giants of the Daughters of M…n, worſhipping invented God… by themſelves, and dedicatin… their TITHES unto them (as the Premiſes evide…c…) THERE NEVER WAS NUMBER THAT DID INTRUDE UPON THE TENTH, MUCH LESSE SHOULDER IT OUT OF DOORS. This Number of T… (writes Philo the learned Jew) that moſt ſacred W… M…ſes hath not a little commended, becauſe the beſt Duties of Man are by him cou…hed under that number, as God TEN COMMANDEMENTS, Vows, Prayers, Firſt-Fruits, perpetual Offerings, pardoning p. 18Debts, and reducing all things unto their Firſt eſtate, every Fiftieth year of Jubilee, (made up of Tenths) the Furniture of the Tabernacle, with a thouſand ſuch like in the old Teſtament (beſides other things of like nature expreſſed under this Number of TEN in the llLuk. 17. 1…, 17. c. 19. 13, 16, 17. Mat. 25. 1. …. Rev. 2. 10 c 5. 11. c 13. 1. c. 17. 3, 1…, 16. Mat. 18. 24. 1 Cor. 4. 15. Heb. 7. …, ….Luke 17:1Luke 17:17Matt 25:1Rev 2:10Matt 18:241 Cor 4:15Heb 7New) by which we may know, that TEN IS THE NƲMBER OF PERFECTION (as …ivers ſtyle it) and hath near affinity with God in ſacred things. That from Gods own Original Reſervation of TENTHS to himſelf and his Miniſters, this number became ſacred and univerſal afterwards in all publick civil Taxes, Dues, reſerved to Kings and Supream Magistrates. For the Firſt-born and chief of the Family, from Adam, till the Levitical Prieſthood inſtituted, being for the moſt part King as well as Prieſt thereof, (as Melchiſedec who received Tithes of Abraham was, Gen. 14. 18. Heb. 7. 1, 2.) when theſe two Offices came afterwards to be centred and ſettled in two diſtinct perſons, thereupon the antient TENTHS (reſerved by God, and aſſigned to his Prieſts and Miniſters in perpetuity, for their ſubſiſtence and maintenance of his publick worſhip, from the Creation to the end of the world, by a Divine Law, which no humane powers could repeal) both amongſt Gods own people, and moſt Heathens Nations; were appropriated to, and received only by the Prieſts and Miniſters, though diveſted of the Royal dignity; and a NEW TENTH, by way of Tribute, Tax, Cuſtome, or Subſidy (amounting commonly to the Tenth part of the peoples tithed increaſe and eſtates, in all Kingdomes and Republiks) was by Common conſent impoſed on and reſerved, received by Emperors, Kings Princes, and Supreme Magiſtrates from the people, for their ſupport, defraying the charges of the Government, and their peoples neceſſary defence upon all occaſions. Hence Tributes, Taxes, Cuſtomes and publick impoſitions, were uſually called TENTHS (as well as Miniſters Tithes) both amongſt Gods own people, 1 Sam. 8. 15, 17. (amounting To the tenth of their eſtates and increaſe; as alſo amongſt the antient Romans, Grecians, and moſt other Pagan Nations of old, (as Mr. Mountague proves at large in his Diatribae, c. 3. by ſundry Authors) as they were anciently and at this day p. 19ſo ſtiled, both mmPurcha… Pilgrimage, p. 304. 616. 621. 630. The writers of theſe ſeveral Nations, Realms and Republikes, printed in 16.amongſt the Turks, Moors, Spaniards, Germans, Italians, French, Danes, Swedes, Poles, Scots, Iriſh, and moſt other Pagan and Chriſtian Nations at this day; eſpecially in England, as you may read at large in Raſtals Abridgments of Statutes, Title Taxes and Tenthes; Brooks Abridgement, and Aſhes Tables, Title Quinzime, Diſme, Tax and Talla…e, and our Parliament Records. And from this number of Ten their Officers as well of State as Religion, were uſually ſtiled, Decemviri, Decuriones, Decumani, Decani, Decadarchae, Decatutae, Decatologi, Decatorii, and the like; our Names of Offices of Deans, Tithingmen, Collectors of Tenths, &c. proceeding from the ſelf-ſame Number; Sacred every way even amongſt Pagan Nations, both in their Duties of Piety and Policy, by conſtant tradition, they knew not why nor wherefore, and likewiſe amongſt Gods people, upon the premiſed grounds. Hence Doctor Tilleſley thus concludes in his Epiſtle to King James, before his Animadverſions on Mr. Seldens Hiſtory. Surely the Number Tenth or Tithe is Sacred and very Myſtical, and communicated only to conſecrated or Sacred perſons That are Gods Vicars upon earth; that is, Kings and Prieſts: Decima Regis et Decima Sacerdotis; who both ſtand in Gods place, and receive this Portion as Gods upon earth. From all which premiſes, Mr. Mountague, Dr. Carlton, Dr. Tilleſley, Dr. Sclater and others conclude (and let our Army Officers, New Legiſers, and all Tithe-oppugners conſider it) That the Miniſters of the Goſpel now, as well as Gods Prieſts heretofore, have an eternal Right to Eccleſiaſtical Tithes, by Gods own unalterable Institution; and none elſe any Right at all unto them but they; From which Right no man, nor all men can deprive or debar them; by any pretended Right, Preſcription, M…dus Decimandi, Cuſtome, Ʋſage, Law, Statute or appointment of any other maintenance in lieu thereof, as more juſt, equal and convenient.

6. Tithes being originally due and paid to Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, nnRom. … ▪God over all bleſſed for ever; yea ſpecially, reſerved by, appropriated, conſecrated to our Lord God, as his peculiar Holy Portion, Tribute, Rent, Right, Inheritance, Homage, from the ſonnes of men, for the conſtant maintenance of his publick Worſhip, and ſupport of his Prieſts and Ministers attending thereon, p. 20to the end of the world. Lev. …7. 30, 32. Numb. 18. 24, 26, 28, 29. Mal 3. 8, 9. Heb 7 2, to 10. 1 Cor. 9. 4, to 15. and thereupon being uſually ſtiled, both by ooOrigen, Hom in Num. c 18. Ambroſe, Serm. 5. Fer. 2 & Auguſtin, Serm. 219. Jerom, in Mal. 3.Num 18Mal 3Fathers, ppMa…iſcon: 2. Can. 5. Moguntienſe. An. 813. & 846. & 847. Concil. Lateran. c. 54. Ticmenſe ſub Leone 4. Londinenſe: 2. …oan: in Gratian. Su…ius, Hoveden.Councils, qqExtravag. de Decimis. c. 13, 14, 15, 16.Popes Decretals, rrSee Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, c. 5, 6, 7, 8. Bochellus, Decret. Eccleſ. Gall. l. 6. Tit. 8. Dr. Tilleſleys Animadverſions, p. 4. to 30.Princes Edicts and Chriſtian Writers in all Ages, Dominica ſubſtantia, Res Dominicae, Dei cenſus, Dei debitum, &c. Non ab hominibus, ſed ab ipſo Deo inſtitut…: qua… Deus in Signum univerſalis Dominii Sibi reddi praecepit, ſuas eſſe Decimas aſſeverans, &c. The conſtant payment of them to Miniſters under the Goſpel, is not only warranted, commanded by the equity and words of the 1, 2, 4, 5, & 8. Commandements of the Decalogue, (therefore far from being a Sin againſt the 2d. Commandement, as ſſIn his voyce.John Canne moſt abſurdly and impudently aſſerts; as if Gods Precepts were repugnant to each other:) but likewiſe expreſſely, poſitively, eternally, preſcribed by our Saviour Chriſt himſelf, in this peremptory Goſpel-Precept, recorded by three Evangeliſts, Matth. 22. 21. Mar. 12. 17. Luke 20. 25. RENDER therefore to CAESAR the things that are CAESARS; and UNTO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GODS. Thus ſeconded by the Apoſtle Paul, Rom. 13. 7, 8. RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES, &c. Tithes (as the premiſes evidence beyond contradiction) have Gods own Image, Impreſſe, Superſcription, as viſibly, as legibly engraven on them by himſelf, as any Tribute-money then ſhewed our Saviour, had Caeſars, by the Mint-Maſters▪ yea, they were Gods own antient, ſtanding, conſtant, known Tribute, at that very ſeaſon when Chriſt uttered this precept, and ſome thouſands of years before, ſpecially reſerved by, and duly rendered unto God and his Prieſts, by all Gods faithfull people, many hundred years before we read of any Tributemony paid to Caeſar, or any other King or Prince. Upon which ground, as they were then, (by this direct Goſpel-Commandement of Chriſt himſelf) enjoyned to be as conſtantly, duly, truly paid to God and his Miniſters, as any Tribute, Tax or Cuſtomes are unto Caeſar, or other Higher-Powers whatſoever: So they have ſince our Saviours daies (except only in times of greateſt perſecution under Pagan▪ Emperors, during which ſome Tithes were rendered p. 21to God▪ Miniſters in ſome places, or things of greater value, as I ſhall prove anon) been ſtill continued and univerſally paid to God in his Miniſters, in all or moſt Chriſtian Churches, Realms, Republicks, from the firſt publick imbracement of the Goſpel amongſt them, to this preſent, and more eſpecially in this our Realm, as Mr. John Selden in his Hiſtory of Tithes, Doctor Tillesley, Tyndarus, Rebuffus, with others prove at large; and the Author of Reſpublica, ſive Status Regni Poloniae (Lugduni Bat. 1627. p. 177.) thus atteſt, for the Church and Clergy of Poland, Habent etiam Decimam omnium ſegitum, Publico Principum ac totius Poloniae conſenſu Iam inde ab initio ſuſceptae Religionis Chriſtianae attributas, & aliis quibuſdam Penſionibus cumulatas. Habent & luculentos fundos, Praedia, Pagos, Oppida, arces, & territoria; partim priſcorum ibidem Principum & Regum; partim privatorum munificentia adjectas (as they likewiſe had in ttSee Spelmanni Concil: Antiqu. Eccleſ. Brit. Dr. Uſher De Rerum Britanicarum Primordiis.ours, and other Chriſtian Realms) yet he afterwards ſubjoynes and complains, as we may juſtly do, Nunc paſsim in alienas Donationes ac Decimas invaditur, longe majore avariciae rapacitatiſque infamia, quam egeſtatis relevatione. Therefore Gods and our Miniſters Tithes, being by our Lord Jeſus Chriſts own Goſpel precept thus poſitively commanded to be conſtantly and duly rendered unto them, as well as tribute unto Caeſar; no conſciencious Loyal Chriſtians, but profeſſed Atheiſts, Antiſcripturiſts, Rebels unto God and Chriſt, can juſtly, or by any pretext of Conſcience, refuſe the due, conſtant payment of them, no more than of lawfull Tributes and Taxes legally impoſed on them by common conſent (u) in (v) See 25 E. 1. c. 5. 34 E. 1. c. 1. Cooks 2. Inſtit. p. 529, 532, 533, &c. & the Petition of Right 3. Ca….free and lawfull Parliaments; nor any Caeſars, Kings, Princes, Magiſtrates, or Supreme Powers, denie, defraud or deprive them of their Tithes and Dues, upon any pretext, without impairing, impeaching, ſubverting their own Rights and Titles to thoſe civil Tenths, Tributes, which they challenge and receive from the people as their due, by this very Precept of our Saviour, which couples Gods Dues and his Miniſters together with their own; the inviolable preſervation whereof, is the beſt and readieſt means to ſecure their own Tenths and civil Dues. Whereas theſe Princes, Potentates▪ p. 22Powers, Grandees, Legifers, who are ſo ſacrilegiouſlie injurious as to invade, impair, diminiſh, ſubſtract or aboliſh, Gods and his Miniſters Tithes, Duties, or divert them to pay their Souldiers, or any other publike or private uſe, will thereby but undermine their own intereſts, and teach the people how to defraud, ſubſtract, deny their own antient Civil Tenths, Cuſtomes, Duties, Taxes, Rents. and New Impoſitions, Exciſes of all ſorts, by way of retaliation; moſt of the Anabaptistical and levelling preſent Petitioners againſt Tithes and Glebes, petitioning, declaiming likewiſe againſt all Cuſtomes, Impoſts, Taxes old or new, as xxSee Lucas Oſ…ander, … chi…id. Contr. cum Anabaptiſtis. Harmony of Confeſſions, Sect. 19. of the Civil Magiſtrate. My Swo…d of Chriſtian Magiſtracy ſupperted.intollerable Grievances and hinderances to ſree Trade; and many of them aſſerting, all civil Supreme Powers and Magiſtrates whatſoever, as antichriſtian and unlaw fall, as Tithes and Miniſters are in their falſe account.

Laſtly, all Oppoſites to our Miniſters Tithes do, and muſt of neceſsity acknowledge (from the Scriptures inſiſted on in the firſt Propoſition, and Reaſons there alleged) That ſome competent Maintenance, Salary, Recompence, Reward, or other (arbitrary as they hold, certain and ſetled as we aſſert) belongs to the Miniſters of the Goſpel by a divine, moral, natural Right, Juſtice, and Equity; as all grant a Sabbath (and Government) in general to be of divine Authority, Institution, and morally due to God. Now the whole Church of God from the creatiō to this preſent, (though under various diſpenſations in the times of the Patriarchs, Law and Goſpel) being but yyJohn 10. 16. c. 11. 51, 52. Eph. 1. 22, 23. c. 2. 13. to the end, c. 4. 4 to 17. c. …. 23, to 3…. Iohn. 17. 20. to 25. Cant. 6. 9. Ezech. 37. 16, to 24. Rom. 12. 4, 5. Eph. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 17. c. 12. 12, 13. Col. 3. 15. Hebr. 12. 22, 23. I ſay 66. 18, to 24.John 10:16Eph 1:22Eph 1:23John 17:20–25Song 6:9Ezek 37:16–24Rom 12:4Rom 12:5Eph 1:101 Cor 10:17Col 3:15Heb 12:22Heb 12:23…ne intire Corporation or ſpiritual Body-Politique, wherof Jeſus Chriſt himſelf is the only head, King, Lord, Law-giver, High-Prieſt, Chief Pastor, Miniſter, Advocate, Saviour, Foundation, Corner-Stone; and the ſucceſsive Prieſts, Miniſters and Members thereof from the beginning to the end of the World, ſerving, worſhipping, adoring, only one and the ſelf-ſame true, zzMal. 3. 6. Iam. 1. 17. Hebr. 7. 24. c. 13. 8. 1 Tim. 5. 15, 16. Pſal. 2…. 26, 27.Mal 3:6Jas 1:17Heb 7:241 Tim 5:151 Tim 5:16Ps 2:26Ps 2:27immutable, inviſible, eternal Lord God, according to his preſcribed will and word: and Jeſus Chriſt himſelf (the only High prieſt of this Church for ever) receiving, and God his Father preſcribing Tithes for the Maintenance of his Prieſts and Levites, both before and under the Law; and no wayes aboliſhing, but ratifying them in and by the Goſpel, as I have already proved: There neither is, nor can p. 23be any other particular kind of competent, ſitting, ſtanding, ſetled Maintenance, Reward or Recompence for all the Miniſters of the Goſpel evinced, demonſtrated out of Gods word, which may be truly reputed moral, natural, divine, univerſal, perpetual and unarbitrary; nor any other duly rendered from all Chriſtians in all Ages, places, aaRom. 14. 23.Rom 14:23in Faith Conſcience, and ſincere obedience towards God, as ſuch a maintenance, but this of Tithes alon…, independent on the luſts & wills of men: It being that which the Patriarchs, no doubt by Gods preſcription being paid in Faith) both vowed and paid to God before the Law; which God himſelf afterwards ſpecially reſerved, preſcribed, and all his people duly rendered under the Law; annexing many promiſed bleſſings to the true payment, denouncing many threats, curſes to the ſacrilegious Subſtraction or detaining of them; that which Chriſt himſelf and his Apoſtles moſt ſpecially pointed at, commended, ratified in the Goſpel; that which all Chriſtian Kings, States, Magiſtrates, Churches, Chriſtians under the Goſpel in all Ages, places have generally fixed upon, approved, aſſerted, preſcribed, …tified, a… not only ſacred and divine but as ſuch a moſt …t, w…e, equal, excellent, incomparable way of maintanance (invented by the moſt wiſe God) which cannot be matched, much l…ſſe amended, exceeded by all the policy, wit, o… wiſedom of men: being a moſt certain, ſtanding, unva…i…ble, convenient Allowance in all Ages, places, ſeaſons, alterations, how ever things riſe or fall, continuing unalterable like the weekly Sabbath) as to the porportion or qu…apa…, in all viciſſitudes of warre, peace, plenty, ſcarcity, famine; and cauſing all Miniſters to ſympathize, fare, ſhare alike with their people everie where, be the times and ſeaſons good or bad, wet or dry, plentifull or barren; and giving them a competent ſhare in bbGal. … 12. …all their Temporal Bleſſings, without ſuch toyl or labour as might interrupt them in their Miniſtry, Studyes, and furniſhing them with a tenth part of every tythable Thing their reſpective Pariſhes yield for the food, cloathing, ſupport of themſelves, Families, Cattel, or vendibles of ſomekind or other, ſufficient to buy what elſe they want. This way of Maintenance therefore p. 24ſo ſacred, divine, antient, moral, univerſal, convenient, equal, unalterable, and ſo long continuance in Gods Church in all Revolutions, may not, muſt not, cannot be either totally abrogated, ſubſtracted, detained, diminiſhed, nor changed into any other new fangled pretended more equal, juſt, certain, convenient, leſſe troubleſome Stipendiary, Salary, by any pragmatical, Jeſuitical, Anabaptiſtical, Atheistical Politicians, Statiſts Powers or Legiſlators whatſoever, without the higheſt Antichriſtian Pride, Preſumption, Inſolency, and cc2 Theſſ. 2. 3, 4.2 Thess 2:32 Thess 2:4Exaltation of themſelves above and against God himſelf, whoſe ſpecial ſacred Inſtitution, portion, rent, inheritance, right, and due they are; particularly (both by name and kind) reſerved, preſcribed by, appropriated, devoted to himſelf, by his own command; which all Emperors, Kings, Princes, Potentates, Powers, Generals, Armies, Nations in the world have no Power or Juriſdiction to repeal, diſobey, change, alter; no more than Tenants their Landlords antient Quitrents, Services, Tenures, or Subjects, Servants, their Kings or Maſters Laws, Orders, Mandates, yea no more than they can change Gods weekly Sabbath into another different proportion of time, or any other ſacred Inſtitution, into a new ſuperſtitious humane Invention, as learned Ke…kerman, in his Syſtem. Polit. l. 1. c. 21. Polanus in Ezech. 48. v. 14. Dr. Carlton, and Dr. Scalter, in their Treatiſes of Tithes, aſſert and prove at large.

This divine Right of Tithes even under the Goſpel, which I have pleaded for, hath been conſtantly aſſerted in all Ages, ſince the Apoſtles times till now, by Fathers, Councils, the Laws, Edicts of Christian Emperors, Kings, Parliaments, Canoniſts, Caſuists, Schoolmen, Hiſtorians, Lawyers, Popiſh, Proteſtant Divines of all ſorts and Nations. Dr. Richard Tilleſly in his Animadverſions upon Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, printed London 1619. p. 3, to 30, hath colected a Catalogue of no leſſe than 72. ſuch Authorities (in a Chronological method) before the year of our Lord 1215. as have aſſerted their Ius Divinum, in all Ages before that; whereof Irenaeus (flouriſhing in the year of Chriſt 180.) is the firſt, and the Conſtitutions of Fredericus the ſecond, the laſt, where thoſe who pleaſe may peruſe them. Mr. Seldens p. 25laborious Hiſtory of Tithes, and Review, eſpecially ch. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9. ſupplies us with many more Authorities of this kind, in ſucceeding times, eſpecially with our own Domeſtique Laws and Councils, to whom I refer the impartial Reader, and to Dr. Tilleſly, Dr. Sclater, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Nettles, and Sir James Semple their Animadverſions on and Anſwers to his Hiſtory: If any deſire further ſatisfaction in this point, let them peruſe Andr. Hiſpanus, De Decimis Tractatus. Petrus Rebuffus, and Tyndarus De Decimis, printed Colo. 1590 Gaſpar Boetius, De Deciman Tutori Hiſpanico JURE praeſtanda: Grav. 1565. Ignatius Laſerte & Molina, De Decimis Venditionis, & Permutationis. Ioan. Giffordus, Moderata Diſſertatio de Ratione alendi Miniſtros Evangelicos: Hanov. 1619. Gulielmus Redoanus, De Rebus Eccleſiae non aliendis: Ven. 1589. & De Spoliis Eccleſiae Romae. 1585. Alexander Stiaticus, Repet. in Extrav. Ambitioſae: De Rebus Eccleſiae non aliendis. Alph. Villagus, De Rebus Eccleſiae non ritè alienatis, recupe…andis: Bon. 1606. (a Treatiſe of hard digeſtion in theſe ſacrilegious times:) Sir Henry Spelman, De non temerandis Eccleſiis: Dr. John Prideaux, Orat. 5. De Decimis: Dr. Edward Reynolds, Explanation on Pſal. 110. v. 4. Gul. Zepperus, Legum Moſaicarum Explanatio, l. 4. c. 40. And learned Hugo Grotius, who thus concludes in his Book De jure Belli & Pacis, l. 1. c. 1. …ect. 17. p. 9. (deſervedly magniſied by all Scholars, Lawyers, Politicians, Souldiers, and therefore I cloſe with it, to ſtop all their mouths at once.) I exvetus de Sabbato, & altera De Decimis, monſtrant Chriſtianos obligari, nec minus Septima temporis parte ad cultum divinum; Nec minus fructuum Decima in alimentum eorum qui in ſacris Rebus occupantur, au… ſimil…s pios uſus ſeponant. Reſolving the tenth part of mens increaſe at leaſt, and no ſmaller proportion, to be ddSee Sclaters Miniſters Porportion, p. 224, 225, 226, where he proves this by their parallel.as juſtly, morally, perpetually due to God and his Miniſters under the Goſpel from all Chriſtians, as the weekly Sabbath, and ſeventh part of their time, and no leſſe, is due ſtill by them to God and his publike worſhip.

Thus much for the divine Right of our Miniſters to their Tithes, omitted in the former part, but here ſupplyed, for p. 26the Readers fuller ſatisfaction in theſe Sacrilegious times, which ſo violently and impiouſly decry it without Scripture, Reaſon, Antiquity, Authority, out of malice and deſign. The ſucceeding Chapters more concern their Legal, Rational Right and Equity depending on their Divine.