Tithes Vindicated from Anti-Christianism and Oppression, Title page
TYTHES VINDICATED FROM ANTI-CHRISTIANISME AND OPPRESSION. OR A brief Discourse concerning Ministers Maintenance and Tythes.
Wherein is proved, That, Paying and Receiving of Tythes doe not deny Christ to be come in the flesh, as the Kentish Petitioners to the Parliament, Anno 1651. and with them now the Quakers doe clamorously affirm: choosing rather to lye in Prison then pay Tythes, as being a Testimony that Christ is come in the flesh.
WITH A short Caveat to the weaker sort of People to beware of these deluded and deluding QUAKERS.
By G. FIRMIN Pastor of the Church in Shalford in Essex.
LONDON, Printed for Nath. Webb and William Grantham at the black Bear in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1659.
Reader before I come to speak of Tythes give me leave to speak a few word concerning the Quakers, To the plainer sort of people
W What true English Christian can read those lines of a forraigne Protestant Divine, Honor. Reg.writing of the state of our Church since our troubles began without some grief? England in four years space is become an heap and sink of all errors and Sects: Vind. foed. p. 122.No Province from the beginning of the world ever brought forth in so litle a space so many monstrous Heresies as this. This report is too true, saith Mr Blake [now with God]
If it had truth then, surely it is too true now, for these Quakers were not known when he Printed his book; what a blemish will this be to our Church, so long as books shall last, and what a warning may it be for Christian States hereafter, how they make Acts for Toleration; and especially for Ministers, how they print and plead for Toleration, as some of ours have done, and now reap the fruit of their doctrine in these Quakers, by whom I hope God hath by this time convinced them of their error; though in the mean time the Church of God hath groaned and is like to groan under the Toleration so much pleaded for.
Many books have been printed against this generation, but the Divil is too hard for us in this people, who can Contribute to their Seducers, and so pay for the printing of their books themselves [the presse, it seems, being open for them] which they can freely give away to the ignorant poor people, who think much to give six pence for a book to lead them in the truth, choosing rather Delusion and error at a cheaper rate. I intend but a few words, now [having written more largely against them] to those who are not yet gone, desiring the Christian Reader to observe what the Lord hath foretold of the latter times, 1 Tim. 4.1.2. and 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. where you see the Lord saith, many shall follow them, Many, take heed then thou best not one. Though this last text point at the Socinians in a special manner, yet also at the Quakers; for thus J. Tolderuy P. 7. [who was, and it may be is (if living) a Quaker] relates of a Quaker that told him. That Son of God which died at Jerusalem was not the Redemer of man from sin &c. you may read more in my former book, P. 50. What Howgill, P. 4. means, I cannot well tell, but to be sure his words are vile, speaking against us. Your hope, your faith, your Iustification is all at a distance grounded upon the report of Christ dying at Jerusalem and of their report that knew him, &c. so are one with the faith the world hath. Observe, the Apostles were to be Christs witnesses. Read Luk. 24, 48. Acts 1.8. Asts 5.32. 2. Pet. 1.16, 17. 1. Joh. 1. ch. 1.2.3. v. Now Christ saith Joh. 17.20. that be prayes for those who shall believe on him through their word: see how cross this blasphemous Quaker, is to these Scriptures and word of Christ, and whether he be not of the same opinion with the former Quaker concerning that Christ which died at Jerusalem; he seems to be so, as are divers others.
1. First.For their Catechism, as G.F. calls it. I never saw such a bundle of falshood and non-sense bound together; besides the absurdity of it, I think there is about one hundred and ninety questions in it, I do not remember ten questions in the whole book that are properly catechetical; but the book for the body of it is grounded upon a false interpretation of the 1. Joh. 9. For this sense he giveth of it. The light which every man is enlightned with al brings to Christ and to confesse him. P. 13. P. 16.18.25. every man with the lighe might see the Mediator between God and him. What mediator this man means I know not, but if he means him whom the Scriptures call the Mediator, who dyed at Jerusalem; how abominably false is this Interpretation.
1 I doubt not but it may easily be made good that if the people in the world be divided into 30 parts, that 25. parts, have no such light which leads them to Christ: Mr. Brerewood who hath taken pains to find out the tongues and religions of the world, saith, if the world be divided into 30 parts, that the Christians have scarce five parts, but the Mahumetans six parts, and the Pagans nineteen, and yet reckons not them moriads of Iews. Then be sure my assertion will be true, if his be true, however I doubt not of mine.
2. Let these Quakers go to the Iews, and make them believe they have such a light: had the Iews this light in them which led them to Christ, to confesse him, and see him their Mediator, we should have good daies, and not be burdned with the Quakers as now we are. But how do the Iews abominate our Christ at this day.
3. The next verse to that, 1. Joh. 9. quite overthrows the Interpretation; v. 10. the world knew him not. But this could not be if the quakers speak true, for they had all a light which led them to Christ, say they. the 5. v. also overthrows their Interpretation.
4. Why then did Christ send forth Paul: Acts 26.18 to turn men from darknesse unto light. Observe. Christ doth not send Paul to presse men to obey that light of him which they had before, but first to turn them from darknesse to light; then they had not this light, in Christs esteem. Let Christ be true and all the Quakers lyars.
5. The text saith: 1. Cor. 2.14. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, J. P.for they are foolishnesse to him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. How crosse is this text to these quakers: One quaker begins his book with this text, and Eph. 2.3. and saith, that the state man is fallen into hath so darkned the understanding, J. P. p. 1.whereby it comes to passe that the hearts of the people are blinded, and the Sons of men clouded in a night of ignorance. Whereby they cannot see discern, or understand the things of God, nor the Scriptures &c. This quite overthrows the Catechism, and the quakers Interpretation.
6. If every man that commeth into the world be thus enlightned, then those who came into the world before Christ: for the text saith, Every man: limits to none, but Eph. 2.12. they were without Christ in the world, had no knowledge of him to come.
7. The Scripture saith the Lord hid these things, Mat. 11.25. and Joh. 12.40 their eyes were blinded that they should not see. This terrible judgment of God, was false if the quakers interpretation be true: but Gods words were found true.
If we knew no more what it were to believe in Christ, and to observe his light within us, then the quakers do, woe were to us.
2. Second.The quakers will tell you, they own the Scriptures, every letter, but they own them not, as Christ and his Apostles owned them, therefore Christians, regard not their words, they abuse you.
1. Jesus Christ never told us that the Spirit is the Saints rule, and that this rule is above the Scriptures, but this say the quaker R. H. against Mr. Stalham, P. 62. where you have two falsities. First, that the spirit is a rule. A ruler, or rule maker, and a rule, are not the same. To rule [as the spirit doth] and a rule differ; as to plow, and a plow. A rule, is the expression of the will of the ruler, determining what ought to be done or not done. Some sentence, Axiom, &c. the Parliament is not the law.
2. That the Spirit is a rule above the Scriptures. Woe to us, upon this ground, had the quakers power: how shall we know the spirit of God, if their spirit move to cut throats, to whoredome? this is their rule, and that is above the Scripture.
2. Jesus Christ sent all to the Scriptures, as the only touchstone and way to try spirits, read Isa. 8.20. Joh. 5.39. & he himself who was the lawgiver referred himself to be tryed by them: that then, which tryeth all spirits must needs be the supream rule to us. But the quakers deny this trying all by their infallible spirit, as J.N. against F. Harris, p. 10. Hence R.H. p. 63. We do not contradist our selves in the spirit of God. Which in my head before, he made the rule above the Scriptures.
3. Christ sent men to the Scriptures alwaies for their guid, Luk. 16.29. Luk. 10.25.26. Christ did not send these men to lights within them as do the quakers, in all their books; but Christ saith, what is written in the law, how readest thou. Where doth Christ or the Apostles, bid men go to the light within them for their guide? give us one text. The quakers never bid men, Search the Scriptures: try all things by that law: compare your light, with the word written, they therefore are crosse to Christ.
4. Jesus Christ and his Apostles in their doctrines brought forth the Scriptures for their proof, this phraise It is written, is used by them about threescore times, at least, or a phraise like it. The men of Berea, Acts 17.11. commended for trying Paul by the Scriptures. But the quakers jeere us, because we adhere so to Scriptures, above their spirits, calling us literal Priests; and that we are only Ministers of the letters; as all of them, who oppose us, G.F. R.H. Mason, Parnel, &c.
5. Whereas Mr. Stalham had said, the Scripture was given by the spirit for a rule, R. H. the quaker answers P. 66. this we desire a proose of by plain Scripture, and tell then we deny it: but why? because the spirit is your rule as before.
1. But R.H. what difference between a Law and a moral rule, can your wisdome give us any? If a Law, then a Rule be sure. And are not the Scriptures called a Law? who reads them, that findes it not in a hundred places.
2. What is the use of a Carpenters or Masons rule, &c. whence the Metaphor is drawn? is it not to lay out their work direct or correct? see Paul giving all these uses of a Rule to the Scriptures. 2 Tim 3.16.17. So many as to make the man of God perfect. then the Scriptures are a perfect rule, and we need no more.
3. The Apostle who in his Epistle to the Galatians, gives the Epitome of the Gospel, in Chap. 6.16. calls it a rule expresly. The rule cannot be tyed up to the New Creature in v. 15. for then Paul should leave out the doctrine of justification, in which this Church was so corrupt, and which took up the chief part of his Epistle. Thus also, 3 Philip. 16. Let us walk by the same rule. This quaker denyes what Paul affirms.
6. We never read in all the Scriptures of a people so vile, that when God had written to them his law, 8 Hos. 12. dare object against it; that the Saints before the law written, had as perfect a law, and upon this to slight the written law; but thus do the quakers in many of their books, and one in a letter to me; who speaks blasphemously.
3. Third.The Lord Jesus instituted his Supper, till his comming 1 Cor. 11.26. and Baptism with water, till the end of the world. Mat. 28.19.20. Mar. 16.16. so long as believing, baptizing, in this world: but the quakers have destroyed these commands, with all the instituted worship of Christ; and therein have 1. blotted out the second commandement. 2. Denied God that which he ever had since the world began. 3. Took away that by which God is most visibly held out in the world. 4. Deny him the Homage and duty we owe him. 5. Slight the means by which Christ hath promised to convey his blessings. What a sin is this, and to pay them home, God hath given them up to a worship of their own; to meet together, and set all dumb, and his is worshipping God in Silence, grounded on Ezra. 9.3. & Job. 2.13. O horrible blinduesse, but thou art righteous O Lord in thy Judgments, to give them up to such a worship [having destroyed thine] which not only Christians but Heathens will laugh at, to hear it called worship. The naturall worship of God, they have destroyed unlesse their spirit move them.
For both the Sacraments, their books speak much against them, calling them Carnal things, abusing Coloss. 2.20. where the word, Ordinances, is applying it to Christs Institution, when as the Apostle tell us what Ordinances they were. v. 21.22. saith, they were doctrines of men, Parker, p. 16.which some Christians had taken in. And in the same chapter v. 12. had spoken of Baptism with honor: but hear this quaker speak a few lines before. All the commands and Ordinances of Christ which are durable, pure, spiritual, and substantial, which tend to a godly and upright life, according as we are moved and guided by the pure spirit and power of God we owne and practise. The latter clause which hath much evil couched under it, I must now let passe, but for the former part, what doth it imply, but as if Christ bad some commands & ordinances, that were not pure, and did not tend to a godly life? what wretchednesse is this. p. 18, 19.But I must passe by what I could have said, and speak only to Baptism, concerning which he saith One baptism with the holy Ghost he owns, but for baptizing with water, he demands who gave commission? then quotes 1. Cor. 1.17.
1. Not to speak of Johns Baptism, which was with water, Mat. 3.11. After Christs Ascention it was performed with water. Acts 8.36. 38 39.
2. Note, where the word Baptism is put alone it doth ever note baptism with water, as I could give you several Instances. But where baptism with the spirit is meant some word is added to shew it. Read Mat. 3.11. Luk. 3.16. Mar. 1.8. Joh. 1.33. Acts. 1.5.
3. We are commanded to baptize in the name of the holy Ghost, Mat. 28.19. But to baptize with the holy Ghost in the name of the holy Ghost, is a phrase that seems absurd.
4. This baptizing with the holy Ghost, is meant either of the saving grace or extraordinary gifts. If of saving grace, let the quakers prove that all those in the Acts 2. and Acts. 8. &c. were baptized with the holy Ghost in that sense. Simon Magus was not Acts 8.13.23. If it be meant of extraordinary gifts, I am sure Parker nor any of the quakers are so baptized. Observe: Acts. 8.16. they were baptized, yet the holy Ghost was fallen upon none of them; then their baptism was not with the holy Ghost. But it must be with water.
5. Observe. the holy Ghost was given before men were baptized: Acts. 10.44.47. Then their baptism was another thing, besides the holy Ghost. So read, Acts. 9.17.18. where these are distinguished. The gift of holy Ghost, and baptism.
6. We are commanded to baptize, and Christ is with us teaching and baptizing to the end of the world, Mat. 28.19.20. And so long as believing is, Mar. 16.16. But no man living now gives the holy Ghost. Then it must be with water.
8. As the other Sacrament hath outward Elements bread and wine, till Christs comming, so this of water Ezek. 36.25. 1 Pet. 3.21.
9. If baptism were not with water, then the Apostles argument to take off the Corinthians, Epist. 1. Chap. 10. v. 2. from trusting to Church priviledges, and in particular to baptism, were in vain. I could give more arguments but let these suffice.
As to 1. Cor. 1.17. Read ver. 14.15.16. The answer is clear. Baptize he did, though preaching is the most difficult and laborious work; but since the Corinthians were so apt to make divisions and cry up such as had baptized them, Paul was now glad, that he had baptized no more of them, [but left them to others to baptize them] so that they could not say Paul baptized in his name v. 13, 15.
But else Pauls commission was to baptize and preach Mat. 28.19. Observe, that is spoken in Scripture sometimes negatively which is meant only Comparatively. As, Hos. 6.6. God commanded both Sacrifice and mercy. So here Paul sent to both; but rather to preach, then baptize, speaking Comparatively.
4. Fourth.The Quakers boast of their Immediate call to prate, [preaching, I will not call it] quoting Gal. 1.1. and Acts 13.2. and say we are sent by men.
1. Observe. Christ never sent out any immediatly, but he did so furnish them with extraordinary gifts as convinced all men of their calling, read Mat. 10.8. Luk. 10.9.17. 2 Cor. 12.12. John indeed did no miracles, but there was a prophesie of him in the O. T. Mal. 3.1. Jsa. 40.3. which Christ doth quote, Mat. 11.10. Is it thus with you quakers?
2. Christ being the Messiah, the great King prophesied of to come, we might well expect when he did come he should send out servants Immediately: but he being come, and having sent them forth qualified as before, that now we should expect others, give us a ground for it. The Churches were built upon the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets, Eph. 2.20. So the Holy Jerusalem, the purest estate that ever shall be Rev. 21.14 what use then of other Apostles, much lesse of silly heretical quakers.
3. Yet If any could come and work miracles, and crosse the doctrine of Christ, we must not believe them. Deut. 13.1, 2. Mat. 24.24.
Now then if the quakers, 1. can shew from the Scripture that such Apostles are yet to come [of false prophets and Apostles to come, we read Mat. 24.24. 2. Cor. 11.13.14. and they are come:] 2. and if they can do the wonders and miracles which Paul did 2. Cor. 12.12. as they quote his call Gal. 1.1. for their call; 3. and speak as Christ did: then we embrace them. But none of these appear but quite contrary, they pull down what Christ set up; so that their Commission you may find in 1 Kings 22.21.22.
Christ never sent fools of his message immediately, for Prophets or Apostles, Pro. 26.6. but these are a part of irrational, ignorant and absurd men.
As for us we are as truly sent by the will of God, as those Ministers, whom Paul and Barnabas ordained Acts. 14.23. Titus. 1.5. 1 Tim. 4.14. and Chap. 22. and 2 Tim. 2.2. none of which were sent immediatly no more were they of Ephesus; yet Acts 20.28. the holy ghost made them overseers. Nor Archippus Col. 4.17. yet received his ministry from the Lord: our calling then is truly divine. As was theirs, so. Not the quakers.
5. Fifth.For their uncivil brutish carriage to men abusing. Jam. 2.9. read the language and carriage of godly men Acts. 26.25. 1. Kin. 2:19. Gen 18:2: and 24.12. 1. Sam: 1.15.26. 1. Pet. 3.6. Gen. 31.35. Epist. 2. Joh. 1. and v. 5. twice calls her Lady: if John, were guided by the holy spirit, then the quakers by the devil.
For their quaking, besides what we know lately, read my other book P. 50.55. where Instances are given, which quaking be sure must come from the Devil. I find under the Emperor Valentinianus about 374. the Massiliani, cast away both the Sacraments as uselesse abstained from Church communion; when they were shaken by the Devil, then they boasted of the presence of the spirit, wore long haire like women, wore sackcloth abroad. Compare the quakers with these Hereticks.
For the rest of their errors, I leave you to other books, where you may find their blasphemious doctrine; that foul mouthd quaker who wrote to me subscribed his name as I knew him [he said;] a neighbour of mine asked his friend what was his other name, that I did not know him by? he was loth to tell the partie, but at last said he was known amongst his Sect, [giving them a name, the party could not remember] to be A Christ or Christ. A brave Christ, but more truly a Child of the devil.