speaking of those words silver gold have I none said Behold the Riches of those who were Priests of Christ but let us quickly apply these things to our selves who are prohibited by the Law of Christ if we have any regard thereunto to have Possessions in the Country and Houses in the City What do I say Possessions or Houses No not to multiply Coats or Money if we have Food and Rayment let us therewith be content Orig. Hom. 15. on Levit. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage about the year 250. testified That the Church maintained many Poor and that her own Diet was sparing and plain and all her Expences full of Frugality Cypr. Epist 27 34 36. Prosper testified further That a Minister able to live of himself ought not to participate of the Goods of the Church for saith he they that have of their own and yet desire to have somewhat given them do not receive it without great Sin Prosp de vit contemplat lib. 21. In these dayes all Necessities of Indigent Ministers of the Poor of the Banished of such as were condemned by the Heathen Emperors to work in Mettal-Mines c. were supplied and relieved by Free and Voluntary Contributions distributed by the Deacons for that end appointed The said Cyprian about the Year 250. speaking familiarly of this thing called the Brethren that cast in their Monethly-Offerings Fratres Sportulantes from the Word Sportulae which the Heathen Romans used for Salaries Wages Fees for Judges and Ministers of Courts of Judicature This they borrowed from the Heathen Romans and applied to their Monethly-Collections Selden In the Apostles dayes Satan tryed the Ship of the Church Teachers and Hearers and as many as he found unsound Leeking as I may say he spouted into their Hearts the stinking Stream of Covetousness but in succeeding Ages the Devil that infernal Sea-Monster Physeter swallowed up the Ship of the Church in the whirle-Pool of Apostacy Ignorance Pride Covetousness as the Apostle foretold About the Year 310. one Lucina a devout Maid of Rome dying made Marcellus Bishop of Rome her Heir and gave him all her great Substance From that time forth saith Polydor lib. 6. the Bishops of Rome were greatly enriched and then came to be puft up with Pride Which Riches the Apostles denyed Sylvester was Bishop of Rome about the Year 314. When Constantine the first Emperor that embraced the Christian Faith the Son of Constantius and Helene offered him a Golden Scepter he refused it as a thing not fit for a Priests Function Sabel Euseb Chron. While the Church was under Persecution by the Roman Emperors it remained in much Purity of Doctrine and Conversation a time of Sufferings is a time of Seriousness But Constantine the Great embracing Christianity his Empire turned Christians by the Lump whether Nominal or Real let the Wise in Heart judge the Fan being over Carnal security Ease Pride Covetousness and Ambition grew up in the Garden of the Church After the Church came under Christian Princes saith Jerom in Power indeed and Riches she became greater but less in Virtue Tom. 2. in vita Malchi Constantine saith Hospinian gave great Gifts and Donations to Churches Of which thing Mantuan said Caesar hic in nostram gestaus pia pectora gentem Immensas donavit opes vasa aurea fundos Vnde Sacerdotes magnis proventibus ancti Through Constantine the Clergy grew most Wealthy Possessing Lands and Gold also in Plenty This Constantine gave to Sylvester Bishop of Rome the City Rome and great Lands and Dominions thereabouts also a Triple Crown in token that he made him Supream Head over all Churches in Asia Africa and Europe as some of their own Writers mention though others question it At the time of this Donation a Voice was heard from Heaven Hodie venenum funditur in ecolesiam This Day Poyson is poured into the Church Hermannus Gigas Napier Bishop Jewel on Hag. And the same Words were written in the presence of many upon a Wall in the Lateran Palace as saith Maleolus Nauclerus Napier 'T was a true Saying of Aug. Marl. on Acts. 20.35 Religio peperit divitias et filia devoravit Matrem that is Religion brought forth Wealth and the Daughter devoured the Mother Sylvester was the first if Histories may be credited who let in a Deludge of Mass-Priests Orders Ornaments Temples Singing-men Sacrifices Sanctuaries Vestiments Oyntments Surplices Miters embroidered Garments under this pretence 1. That Christian-Religion might not seem inferiour to Heathenism in outward Lustre and Pomp. 2. That the Pagans by the likeness of these Rites with theirs might be the more easily drawn to Christianity Pareus on Rev. 8. Must Evil be done that Good may come of it Was letting in Streams of Babylon the Way to lead others out of Babylon Had it not been more Christian-like if he had said I must not go to them they must come to us Yet all was not hereby quite spoiled the Star called Wormwood fell but upon the third part of Rivers and Fountains Rev. 8. All were not Imbittered thereby nor Corrupted This Constantine the Great demolished Pagan Temples caused Churches so called to be built enriched them with great Gifts and Possessions and gave to Sylvester and to his Successors as several testifie the City Rome and the Lordship of Italy and translated his Imperial Seat to Bizantium from his Name called Constantinople Sylvester advised that the Revenues of the Church should be divided into four Parts whereof one was to go to the Maintenance of the Bishop the Second part to the Priests Deacons and to the rest of the Clergy the Third part to the repairing of places of publick Worship the Fourth part to the Poor Impotent and Strangers But in all this there was no mention of Tythe which the Clergy now hath seized on and People are forced to maintain the Poor and to Contribute to Repair their Churches so called and upon denyal greatly Suffer for the same Honest Wickliff having his Eyes in measure opened to see the Evil that spread as a Leprosie in the Church through Constantines bounty bare Testimony saying Constantine the Emperor and Bishop Sylvester committed great Error through their enriching the Church For this and other Articles the Council of Constance a City of Helvetia under Pope John the Twenty fourth pronounced this Wickliff a Heretick and commanded his Bones to be digged out of the Earth and Burned Sum. Conc. et Pontif. Though in this Sylvester's Day much was amiss in the Church yet little in comparison of after Ages for the bottomless Pit was but as I may say beginning to smoke his Day was but as the drop of a Bucket to the main Ocean to ensuing Dayes the Mid-night of Apostacy wherein Doctrinal Errors and Covetous Practices darkned Sun and Air spoiled the Glory of the Primitive Church If I should Particularize what vast Sums of Money went out of England in the Dayes of Popery to the See of Rome it would seem incredible As
tempora Mutantur Times are changed and in reference to the Identity that is oneness and sameness of Elders and Bishops in Primitive times Scripture record is not altogether silent Though in Scripture 't is not in terminis that is express words that an Elder and a Bishop were one and the same Order and Office yet the circumstantial Expressions are so strong and pregnant that they are Equivalent to a clear Expression in terminis that is Express Words saith the Author of the Book called The naked Truth Paul being at Miletus sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church and said unto them Take heed to your selves and to all the Flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers that is Bishops Acts 20.17 28. Paul with the same Breath as I may say first calls them Elders then Bishops this evidently proves them one both in respect of Name and in respect of Office saith Durham Paul writing to Titus said For this cause I left thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City c. For a Bishop must be blameless c. Titus 1.5 6 7. So the very same that he calls Elders he presently calls Bishops Further Peter said The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder feed the Flock of God taking the oversight thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may thus be rendred Overseeing the same as Bishops saith Darham 1 Pet. 5.1 2. So the very same Individuals whom he first calls Elders he presently calls Bishops proving the Identity Oneness Sameness of Elders and Bishops in the Primitive Church these Titles were Synonyma Synonymous both attributed to one and the self-same Person if they were not distinguished then who can justly distinguish them since The Jesuit Lorinus on this Scripture acknowledges this Identity You see that Peter and Paul who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taught of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inspired of God were clear and pregnant for the confirmation of this Truth Further Jerom in his Epistle to Evagrius as in other places and upon other accounts Theoderet Occumenus Clarius Valla Hammond Bilson the Author of the Book called The naked Truth men eminent in the Church since the Apostles dayes with many others such like have born Testimony that an Elder and a Bishop in the Apostles Language were one and the same and that they were Names indifferent and used to the same Persons Michael de Medina cited by Bellarmine Lib. 1. Cap. 15. de Clericis doth affirm that not only Jerom and Aerius but also Ambrosius Augustinus Sedulius Primasius Chrysostomus Theoderetus Oecumenus and Theophilactus held out this Identity the Waldenses and Wickliffians were of this Judgment Hence it follows that there was no difference betwixt the Names and Offices of Bishops and Elders in the Apostles dayes the difference was not begun by any Apostolick Constitution but upon Church-Custom Decrees of Councils and such other Grounds These things we have spoken saith Jerom to shew that Elders and Bishops were the same in the Primitive times and that Bishops may know that they are greater then Presbyters that is Elders rather through Custom than by the Lords appointment This I own As the Smoke of the Pit arose the Apostatical Leprosie overspred Discord and Contention arose about Religion Men drew into Parties one crying up this man another that man as in the Apostles dayes one cryed he was for Paul another for Apollo another for Cephas and every one accounted those his own not Christ's whom he Baptized Then for the Eradicating the Seeds of Divisions and for the Restraining of Disorderly Pastors it was decreed That one should be chosen out of the Presbyters that is Elders and have Authority over them and by way of Emineney be called Bishop Thus the Bishop shoulder'd out the Elders got Superiority over them Polydor de Invent. rer Nations being converted Bishops increased Differences arose For the restraining or preventing of which one was set over the Bishops so called Arch-Bishop Arch-Bishops increasing to restrain or prevent Heresies and Differences among them one was set over them called a Patriarch Patriarchs increasing to restrain or prevent Differences and Disorders among them one was set up above them called Catexochen by way of Eminency Papa that is Pope though Papa that is Pope before was a Name attributed to other Bishops Jerom on Titus Naked Truth Thus Elders and Bishops which were one Office in the pure Primitive Times through the Ground of Apostacy became divided Thus Bishop got Superiority over Elders Arch-Bishops over Bishops Patriarchs over Arch-Bishops Pope over the Patriarchs For the maintaining of Uniformity in the Church of Rome every Province was to be governed by one Priest or more who for Reverence sake should be called Bishops Then by permission of Christian Princes Kingdoms were divided into Diocesses Diocesses into Shires or Counties Shires into Parishes It was decreed That every Parish should yield Obedience to their Parish Priest the Parish Priest to the Dean the Dean to the Bishop the Bishop to the Arch-Bishop the Arch-Bishop to the Primate or Patriarch the Patriarch to the Legate the Legate to the Pope the Pope to General Councils and General Councils only unto God as they said The Title of Bishop is of divine Institution the other of Arch-Bishop Primate Patriarch Metropolitan Sub-Deacon Arch-Deacon Pope are not mention'd by the Apostles so of latter Institution by Man These things being consider'd 't is my Judgment with the abovesaid and others that might be mentioned that the same Individuals who were in the Primitive Dayes called Elders they were also called Bishops that they were one and the same Leigh also in his Critica Sacra saith the same That the same Persons who were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Elders ab at ate from their Age were also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops Over seers ab Officio from their Office CAP. IV. Of the Work of the Ministry of Christ and of Antichrist CHrist Jesus the Branch of Righteousness having called Disciples he influenced them with Salutiferous heavenly Wisdom and armed them with heavenly Armour that they might War under his Banner against Abaddon Apolyon the old Serpent and his Kingdom and be concerned as Instruments in the hand of she Lord for the rescuing of many out of his Captivity and Tyranny As the Disciples the Worthies and Warriers of the Lord were called of Christ so he appointed them their Work they were to do his Work grow up in like-mindedness with him heavenly-mindedness So he said to his Disciples Go therefore and teach all Nations c. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Mat. 28. Consider this here was a divine Limit they were to minister that and nothing but that which they received from Christ the Well-spring of Life and Living Mercies Here the Smoke of the Bottomless Pit Anti-christians Doctrines
the Year 1274. Constituted that thenceforth it should not be lawful for men to give their Tythes where they would as it had been before but that they should pay all their Tythes to the Mother-Church Hence 't is evident that People might dispose of their Tythes as they pleased till they were restrained by Popes and Popish Councils The Council of Trent under Pope Pius the Fourth about the Year 1560. commanded that all Men of what degree and condition soever who were lyable to pay Tythes should justly pay the same after that time to the Cathedral Church or to any other Church or Person to whom the same was of right due This is the Magna Charta as I may say the great Decree directly constituting Tythes all or most of what was before supposed them as due by some former right The Ecclesiastical state abroad in order to Tythes being in some measure touched some what concerning our own Nation may be spoken Philip the Apostle as Histories report sent Joseph of Arimathea and others with him into this Nation antiently called Brittain in the Reign of Arviragus they also tell us of King Lucius Converted to the Christian Faith What Footing the Christian Religion had in the Brittish dayes among the Brittains I forbear to touch having never read any thing of their payment of Tythes or any other forced Maintenance This Lucius was the first of the Kings of Europe as 't is said whose Diadem was brightned with the Heavenly Gleames of Christianity Verst About the Year 290. in the Dayes of Dioclesian the Emperor began the first Persecution of Christians in Brittain There was one Alban a Brittish Pagan who received into his House one Amphibalus a Christian who fled from his Persecutors this Alban was convinced by the sweet Conversation of Amphibalus so was to be Beheaded in going to the place of Execution his intended Executioner was smitten in his Conscience and threw down his Sword at Albans Feet desiring to dye for him or with him he was put to death with Alban the manner of Alban's Death was Engraven upon a Marble Stone and was set up in the City Verulamium or Verulam for a terror to Christians This City after was ruined and of the Ruines of it a Town was built to this very Day called St. Albans in memory of the Martyrdom of Alban in that place not long after the same Romans caught Amphibalus put him to Death near the same place where Alban had suffered Of this Alban one wrote Albanum egregium faecunda Brittannia profert Brittain fertill of all Good Wash't with glorious Alban's Blood The barbarous Saxons over-ran this Brittish Nation exercising Cruel Persecutions upon them till the very Name of Christian was blotted out and those Saxons erected a Heptarchy that is a seven fold Kingdom in this Land As they say saith Bede About the Year 600. or soon after one Gregory Arch-Deacon of Rome saw two Northumbrian Youths exposed to be sold he demanded Whence they were It was answered by some by standers That they were Angli of the Province Deira called now Houlderness and that they were Subjects of Alla King of Northumberland and by Religion Pagans Gregory framed this Allusion that the Angli like unto Angels should be snatcht Dei ira from the Wrath of God and should be taught to sing Hallelujah This Gregory obtaining Licence of Benedict the Pope resolved to come and Preach among the English but the Romans through their desire to his presence recalled him from his Purpose and Journey This Gregory after succeeding in the Papal Seat sent Abbot Augustin and some zealous Monks with him to preach the Faith of Rome to the English Nation who safely arrived at the Isle Tanet this Augustin sent a Message to Ethelbert a Saxon King of Kent That he was come from Rome to proffer Heaven upon their reception of his Evangelical Message Ethelbert gave him and them a Meeting who advanced for their Standard a Silver Cross and the painted Image of Christ singing the solemn Litanies c. Ethelbert said unto them Fair and ample are the Promises which you bring yet such as being new and uncertain I cannot hastily assent unto Nevertheless because you are Strangers and are come afar to impart unto us the Knowledge of things which doubtless you judge the truest and best we will not recompence you with any Molestation but will Friendly entertain you nor do we forbid whom you can by Preaching to gain to your Belief He allotted them a Residance in Canterbury his chief City Milton The Example of their Holy Life saith my Author spent in Prayer Fasting and continual Labour in the Preaching of the Gospel gained many on whose Bounty and the King 's receiving only what was necessary from those that received them they subsisted Pope Gregory clearly held out to Augustin that he and his Assistants should live according to the Primitive Order among whom none said any thing was his own of the things he possessed but all things were common among them Where I observe that although they were almost smothered at Rome with the Smoke of the Pit yet they had a sight into the Primitive Order as to live of the Free and Voluntary bounty of such as received them which Augustin at first observed Venerable Bede saith Thâ—â— Augustin and his Companions first coming to King Ethelbert in Kent began there to imitate the way course of the primitive Church receiving only Necessaries from such as received them and their Doctrine Bed Hist Here was no preaching up of Tythes no mention of a Compulsive Maintenance Now how long this course of living of the Free and Voluntary Bounty of the People according to the primitive Institution and Practice continued History gives me not much Satisfaction yet Conjectures there are from the Testimony of Bede till the time of Henry the third no Tythes as Tythes were generally paid but only a Decree was made That for every twenty Shillings Rent a Farthing a Sunday so call'd was to be paid which came to fifty two Farthings yearly This was given by way of Offering but was supposed as Due and the Tenth part of the yearly Rent of their Houses Bede Lingwood Ethelbert the King of Kent being drawn by Augustin to embrace the Faith Doctrine and Worship of Papal Rome multitudes of his Subjects framed a Conformity thereunto Upon this Augustin informed Pope Gregory of his Success whereupon Pope Gregory ordained him Arch-Bishop of the English Milton Pope Gregory sent others as Melistus Justus Panlinus Rufinian and others who brought strange stuff with them into this our Nation as Vessels Vestiments for the Altar Coaps Reliques and a Fall for Austin the Arch-Bishop to say Mass in Milton A great part of the Nation being in a little time brought to the Romish Faith they began to with-draw from their Dependance and Reliance upon the Free and Voluntary Contributions of their Converts and began to preach up the old Roman