this_o the_o answer_n must_v be_v affirmative_a there_o be_v many_o clear_a place_n declare_v the_o right_a and_o power_n of_o minister_n to_o claim_v 6.6_o 1_o cor_fw-la 9.6_o gal._n 6.6_o and_o command_a people_n to_o retribute_v such_o maintenance_n to_o they_o out_o of_o their_o estate_n as_o be_v due_a in_o common_a equity_n and_o gratitude_n such_o as_o constant_a experience_n light_n of_o nature_n and_o every_o man_n own_o conscience_n dictate_v require_v justify_v so_o that_o the_o oxes-feeding_a of_o the_o corn_n he_o tread_v 10.7_o luk._n 10.7_o the_o labourer_n hire_v for_o his_o work_n the_o husbandman_n benefit_n of_o the_o ground_n he_o till_v the_o shepherd_n sustenance_n by_o the_o stock_n he_o feed_v these_o be_v not_o more_o pregnant_a and_o necessary_a claim_n of_o justice_n than_o be_v that_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o apostle_n prove_v in_o particular_a instance_n 1._o cor._n 9_o from_o v._o 7._o to_o v._o 14._o and_o our_o saviour_n lay_v 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grudge_n at_o or_o detain_v the_o salary_n or_o pay_v which_o these_o have_v for_o â—warring_v in_o a_o better_a warfare_n 2.3_o 2_o tim._n 2.3_o not_o at_o their_o own_o but_o other_o man_n charge_n give_v that_o particular_a instance_n among_o other_o who_o go_v to_o war_n at_o his_o own_o cost_n so_o that_o no_o soldier_n may_v without_o shame_n and_o self-conviction_n speak_v against_o minister_n maintenance_n who_o himself_n not_o only_o receive_v pay_v but_o exact_v it_o nor_o as_o a_o benevolence_n and_o arbitrary_a but_o and_o justice_n and_o necessary_a when_o the_o soldier_n fight_v gratis_o upon_o their_o own_o charge_n and_o take_v no_o pay_n then_o let_v they_o declaim_v against_o the_o settle_a maintenance_n of_o minister_n till_o then_o they_o ought_v in_o all_o equity_n and_o honour_n to_o plead_v for_o they_o and_o preserve_v their_o right_n to_o they_o which_o right_n be_v derive_v to_o they_o from_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v the_o 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of_o the_o gospel_n and_o spirit_n 〈◊〉_d good_a thing_n their_o taste_n of_o the_o heavenly_a gift_n and_o treasure_n their_o zeal_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o honour_n and_o service_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o evangelical_n and_o eternal_a priesthood_n §_o 6_o so_o that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o any_o true_a minister_n not_o to_o dispense_v faithful_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o his_o flock_n or_o people_n over_o who_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v he_o for_o which_o neglect_v a_o woe_n and_o curse_n lie_v upon_o his_o soul_n 9.16_o 1_o cor._n 9.16_o in_o like_a manner_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n and_o shame_n in_o christian_n full_a of_o impiety_n injustice_n and_o high_a ingratitude_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n not_o to_o discharge_v this_o duty_n and_o debt_n by_o provide_v a_o competent_a and_o comfortable_a maintenance_n for_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o christ_n 5.17_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o either_o such_o as_o only_o 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the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o his_o mercy_n and_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o suffering_n that_o man_n may_v believe_v and_o repent_v to_o the_o save_n of_o their_o soul_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v by_o the_o proportion_n of_o god_n love_n and_o care_n for_o the_o minister_n that_o the_o competent_a and_o comely_a maintenance_n of_o these_o evangelical_n minister_n as_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o church_n good_a at_o other_o man_n cost_n and_o charge_n in_o case_n they_o require_v it_o be_v not_o only_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n to_o be_v gather_v out_o of_o but_o iâ—_n in_o express_a term_n command_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o set_v forth_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o this_o case_n not_o only_o as_o a_o positive_a and_o temporary_a precept_n but_o as_o ground_v on_o eternal_a and_o indispensible_a principle_n of_o piety_n equity_n and_o gratitude_n which_o hold_v as_o firm_a in_o the_o new_a testament_n
due_a time_n and_o proportion_n not_o absolute_o positive_o and_o explicit_o as_o to_o every_o particular_a regulation_n and_o circumstance_n but_o relative_o consequential_o and_o inclusive_o where_o the_o duty_n of_o preach_v pray_v baptise_v receive_v distribute_v pay_v tribute_n relief_n of_o parent_n honour_v god_n with_o our_o substance_n etc._n etc._n be_v command_v without_o any_o limitation_n as_o who_o when_o where_o how_o long_o how_o much_o by_o who_o to_o who_o etc._n etc._n in_o these_o case_n not_o only_o the_o duty_n in_o the_o abstract_n and_o general_a by_o explicit_a precept_n be_v enjoin_v but_o also_o in_o the_o conorete_a as_o it_o be_v bound_v with_o convenient_a circumstance_n and_o proportion_n fit_v to_o the_o main_a end_n the_o like_a justifiableness_n be_v most_o clear_a in_o this_o portion_n of_o tithe_n to_o be_v assign_v to_o minister_n for_o their_o maintenance_n for_o which_o we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o general_a ordinance_n and_o command_v of_o 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transfer_v of_o they_o to_o another_o priesthood_n and_o ministry_n which_o be_v not_o after_o the_o aaronical_a and_o levitical_a but_o after_o the_o melchisedecian_a and_o christian_a order_n and_o succession_n with_o neither_o of_o which_o the_o pay_v or_o receive_v of_o tithe_n as_o a_o honour_n to_o christ_n and_o a_o maintenance_n of_o his_o worship_n be_v any_o way_n inconsistent_a as_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n prove_v hebr._n 7.8_o but_o rather_o most_o congruous_a as_o a_o token_n of_o honour_n to_o christ_n royal_a and_o eternal_a priesthood_n and_o a_o testimony_n of_o gratitude_n and_o devotion_n from_o those_o that_o worship_v he_o in_o which_o point_n even_o of_o tithe_n the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n strong_o urge_v the_o prerogative_n or_o eminency_n of_o right_n and_o claim_v which_o christ_n have_v for_o ever_o both_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o consequent_o to_o tithe_n as_o proper_o belong_v to_o he_o which_o be_v long_o before_o the_o levitical_a institution_n foreshow_v in_o that_o great_a type_n of_o christ_n melchisedeck_v who_o bring_v forth_o bread_n and_o wine_n the_o symbol_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o blood_n in_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o eucharist_n receive_v in_o the_o person_n and_o right_n of_o christ_n tithe_n of_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a yea_o and_o in_o some_o sort_n of_o levi_n as_o by_o a_o high_a and_o ancient_a right_n which_o sufficient_o justify_v if_o it_o do_v not_o implicit_o command_v any_o of_o abraham_n child_n after_o the_o faith_n by_o their_o pay_v of_o tithe_n to_o own_o with_o this_o honour_n and_o homage_n the_o royal_a priesthood_n of_o christ_n as_o by_o a_o tribute_n and_o a_o offering_n which_o he_o receive_v by_o his_o minister_n who_o be_v in_o his_o name_n and_o stead_n minister_a holy_a thing_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n by_o who_o and_o no_o otherway_n he_o which_o live_v for_o ever_o now_o receive_v tithe_n as_o be_v prophetical_o prefigure_v of_o he_o who_o yet_o while_o he_o live_v on_o earth_n receive_v none_o in_o person_n because_o the_o levitical_a ministry_n and_o dispensation_n be_v not_o yet_o finish_v of_o which_o tribe_n the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v not_o nor_o do_v the_o apostolical_a wisdom_n and_o tenderness_n require_v of_o the_o believe_a jew_n any_o ten_o while_o yet_o the_o levitical_a service_n altar_n and_o temple_n be_v live_v neither_o dead_a nor_o deadly_a lest_o the_o gospel_n may_v seem_v a_o burden_n to_o those_o that_o be_v otherwise_o charge_v and_o yet_o they_o be_v very_o grateful_a to_o the_o apostle_n even_o sell_v their_o estate_n and_o lay_v the_o price_n at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n §_o 7_o 7._o as_o then_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o abolish_v all_o priesthood_n or_o priestly_a office_n and_o ministry_n but_o only_o he_o change_v the_o aaronical_a line_n order_n and_o ceremony_n of_o succession_n himself_o continue_v a_o king_n and_o priest_n for_o ever_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedeck_v so_o neither_o may_v he_o be_v think_v utter_o to_o have_v abolish_v those_o ancient_a priestly_a right_n to_o tithe_n use_v before_o and_o under_o the_o law_n as_o a_o maintenance_n still_o of_o his_o minister_n and_o a_o agnition_n of_o his_o sovereign_a priesthood_n however_o he_o have_v change_v the_o temporary_a and_o intervenient_a law_n of_o moses_n which_o assign_v they_o to_o the_o levitical_a ministry_n the_o channel_n or_o course_n be_v change_v but_o not_o the_o stream_n which_o be_v turn_v another_o way_n end_v derive_v to_o another_o cistern_n nothing_o then_o forbid_v christian_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n to_o own_o this_o duty_n to_o christ_n and_o discharge_v it_o even_o in_o a_o way_n of_o tithe_n dedicate_a they_o to_o his_o honour_n and_o service_n in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o his_o minister_n by_o who_o christ_n as_o our_o high_a priest_n still_o instruct_v pray_v for_o and_o bless_v his_o people_n last_o i_o affirm_v there_o be_v so_o little_a so_o nothing_o in_o the_o analogy_n and_o tenor_n or_o in_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n against_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v maintain_v by_o this_o portion_n of_o tithe_n that_o there_o be_v much_o more_o preponderancy_n to_o prove_v they_o not_o only_o lawful_a which_o be_v evident_a but_o for_o the_o most_o part_n necessary_a as_o a_o right_n and_o duty_n yea_o to_o ingenuous_a christian_n who_o be_v neither_o covetous_a nor_o contentious_a they_o will_v appear_v the_o most_o laudable_a wise_a equal_a and_o fit_a measure_n or_o dimensum_fw-la 1._o as_o a_o due_a which_o god_n challenge_v to_o himself_o 2._o as_o a_o honorary_a right_n special_o belong_v to_o christ_n in_o his_o priestly_a dignity_n 3._o as_o a_o grateful_a retribution_n of_o believer_n to_o the_o divine_a bounty_n of_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v all_o and_o to_o which_o they_o owe_v themselves_o 4._o as_o a_o equitable_a valuation_n and_o requital_n of_o christ_n minister_n labour_v among_o they_o 5._o as_o a_o imitation_n come_v near_o to_o god_n ancient_a command_n and_o pattern_n under_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o devotion_n of_o his_o holy_a servant_n before_o the_o law_n 6._o as_o the_o fruit_n of_o tender_a hearr_n careful_a and_o conscientious_o jealous_a lest_o they_o shall_v come_v short_a any_o way_n of_o that_o which_o the_o lord_n may_v just_o expect_v from_o they_o and_o which_o by_o one_o most_o pregnant_a place_n seem_v so_o express_o to_o require_v of_o they_o which_o i_o shall_v urge_v in_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o three_o question_n which_o here_o follow_v to_o be_v discuss_v quaere_fw-la 3_o the_o three_o quaere_fw-la be_v whether_o the_o lord_n have_v by_o any_o evangelicall_n precept_n precise_o appoint_v any_o such_o quantum_fw-la or_o measure_n as_o a_o ten_o portion_n of_o increase_n and_o profit_n to_o be_v exact_o and_o constant_o pay_v by_o believer_n to_o their_o minister_n and_o these_o to_o be_v yearly_o require_v by_o minister_n as_o their_o due_n for_o their_o livelihood_n or_o maintenance_n or_o what_o positive_a right_n as_o from_o god_n have_v minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o plead_v for_o their_o tithe_n here_o in_o england_n answ_n 1_o to_o this_o i_o must_v first_o answer_v by_o distinguish_v upon_o these_o term_n right_o or_o due_a which_o may_v be_v take_v in_o a_o twofold_a sense_n either_o as_o to_o a_o particular_a precept_n explicit_o exact_v a_o ten_o in_o term_n as_o in_o the_o levitical_a law_n or_o as_o to_o a_o general_a ordinance_n include_v imply_v and_o refer_v to_o a_o ten_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n limit_v to_o a_o ten_o as_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o scope_n sense_n or_o equitable_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n intimate_v or_o point_v to_o and_o exemplary_o recommend_v that_o proportion_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o the_o best_a
beyond_o his_o desire_n and_o it_o be_v also_o formidable_a in_o the_o dreadful_a sentence_n he_o thunder_v against_o the_o sacrilegious_a parsimony_n lie_v and_o distrust_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n tithe_n need_v not_o to_o be_v urge_v or_o exact_v then_o when_o christian_n be_v forward_o beyond_o what_o they_o be_v able_a and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o poverty_n abound_v to_o a_o liberality_n but_o alas_o we_o be_v now_o sink_v to_o the_o dregs_o of_o time_n rake_v up_o and_o bury_v in_o the_o very_a ash_n or_o ember_n of_o devotion_n all_o be_v become_v worse_o and_o more_o perilous_a by_o how_o much_o it_o draw_v more_o of_o the_o late_a day_n when_o the_o charity_n of_o man_n shall_v grow_v cold_a iniquity_n abound_v when_o man_n shall_v be_v lover_n of_o themselves_o of_o the_o world_n and_o mammon_n more_o than_o of_o god_n general_o seek_v their_o own_o profit_n and_o preferment_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o church_n when_o miserable_a 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or_o reason_n a_o fivefold_a right_n which_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o england_n just_o plead_v to_o their_o maintenance_n by_o tithe_n as_o here_o settle_v in_o england_n 1._o that_o right_a of_o natural_a equity_n and_o grateful_a retribution_n which_o every_o man_n be_v own_o conscience_n dictate_v which_o god_n who_o have_v implant_v it_o in_o they_o require_v of_o they_o and_o which_o the_o apostle_n by_o many_o instance_n in_o soldier_n shepherd_n and_o husbandman_n press_v 1_o cor._n 9.7_o arise_v from_o the_o merit_n of_o minister_n labour_n in_o the_o church_n of_o which_o god_n be_v the_o just_a valuer_n by_o which_o they_o deserve_v to_o live_v of_o the_o gospel_n so_o as_o become_v the_o gospel_n i._n e._n the_o god_n and_o saviour_n there_o set_v forth_o and_o so_o as_o must_v be_v answerable_a to_o what_o their_o study_n pain_n and_o place_n do_v require_v the_o labourer_n have_v god_n right_a to_o his_o wage_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v not_o what_o a_o nabal_n will_v give_v but_o what_o his_o time_n care_n and_o pain_n in_o justice_n deserve_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v all_o man_n to_o value_v the_o service_n of_o their_o priest_n at_o a_o high_a and_o honourable_a rate_n none_o ever_o grow_v so_o mean_a and_o niggardly_o as_o some_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v reformer_n but_o can_v tell_v where_o to_o six_o till_o all_o be_v waste_v and_o deform_v 2._o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o scriptural_a right_n draw_v from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n express_o ordain_v as_o i_o have_v show_v a_o livelihood_n in_o general_a and_o a_o power_n of_o partake_v of_o other_o man_n temporal_a good_a thing_n and_o although_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o by_o renew_a precept_n so_o express_o confine_v it_o to_o this_o particular_a proportion_n of_o ten_o by_o â—â—â—mes_n and_o in_o term_n yet_o he_o have_v express_o commend_v to_o christian_n imitation_n the_o equity_n of_o the_o old_a law_n &_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o 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or_o abrogate_v nor_o yet_o to_o alienate_v and_o pervert_v from_o the_o will_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o donor_n what_o have_v be_v so_o sacred_o and_o solemn_o settle_v nor_o have_v they_o cause_n either_o to_o grudge_n at_o what_o minister_n require_v as_o their_o due_n or_o to_o pay_v their_o tithe_n with_o insolency_n or_o glory_v in_o their_o bounty_n or_o gift_n which_o indeed_o be_v none_o of_o they_o any_o more_o than_o a_o legacy_n be_v the_o liberality_n of_o the_o executor_n 9_o i_o add_v in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o where_o such_o maintenance_n for_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v thus_o settle_v as_o in_o england_n in_o order_n to_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o people_n good_a for_o any_o man_n illegal_o to_o deprive_v people_n of_o their_o lawful_a minister_n or_o these_o of_o their_o lawful_a maintenance_n for_o any_o man_n to_o challenge_v to_o himself_o this_o maintenance_n who_o be_v no_o minister_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n for_o any_o minister_n 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and_o people_n maintenance_n and_o ministry_n 5._o whether_o since_o it_o be_v so_o hard_a as_o to_o be_v next_o door_n to_o a_o impossibility_n to_o find_v or_o settle_v any_o other_o basis_n or_o fix_a foundation_n whereon_o to_o settle_v a_o constant_a and_o competent_a maintenance_n upon_o minister_n save_v only_o that_o of_o land_n and_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o for_o tax_n excise_n custom_n or_o the_o like_a as_o sandy_a foundation_n will_v never_o hold_v so_o many_o year_n as_o this_o of_o tithe_n have_v do_v hundred_o whether_o i_o say_v the_o taking_z these_o away_o without_o substitute_v something_o better_a or_o equivalent_a at_o least_o in_o the_o room_n do_v not_o inevitable_o portend_v the_o overthrow_n of_o learning_n and_o religion_n civility_n and_o christianity_n which_o be_v the_o work_n not_o of_o reform_v friend_n but_o of_o destroy_v enemy_n 6._o whether_o man_n true_o conscientious_a have_v not_o much_o more_o cause_n to_o suspect_v the_o take_n away_o or_o deny_v of_o tithe_n to_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n than_o the_o pay_v and_o continue_v of_o they_o this_o have_v so_o much_o of_o gratitude_n of_o equity_n of_o conformity_n to_o god_n holy_a will_n of_o self-denial_n that_o it_o can_v have_v any_o thing_n of_o evil_a in_o it_o yea_o the_o best_a christian_n be_v ever_o most_o conscientious_o strict_a in_o pay_v their_o tithe_n the_o other_o have_v so_o much_o of_o unthankfulness_n unholiness_n injustice_n and_o self-seeking_a that_o it_o can_v hardly_o be_v a_o virtue_n or_o among_o the_o thing_n either_o praiseworthy_a or_o comely_a the_o first_o have_v much_o of_o god_n and_o christ_n the_o other_o of_o mammon_n and_o belial_n nor_o can_v that_o christian_n be_v true_o godly_a who_o be_v in_o this_o point_n of_o so_o combine_v a_o duty_n either_o careless_a to_o know_v or_o unconsciencious_a to_o act_v according_a to_o god_n rule_n last_o i_o leave_v to_o your_o consideration_n whether_o you_o have_v not_o more_o cause_n serious_o to_o examine_v and_o if_o you_o find_v the_o guilt_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o sacrilege_n upon_o this_o nation_n speedy_o to_o expiate_v it_o by_o all_o possible_a care_n wherever_o god_n portion_n the_o donors_n piety_n and_o the_o law_n intention_n in_o order_n to_o god_n glory_n be_v make_v void_a or_o pervert_v either_o by_o injurious_a encroachment_n hard_a custom_n fraudulent_a composition_n or_o violent_a alienation_n of_o maintenance_n due_a to_o minister_n which_o make_v so_o many_o incompetent_a live_n that_o no_o able_a man_n can_v live_v comfortable_o on_o they_o but_o minister_n be_v either_o by_o tenuity_n starve_v or_o abuse_v and_o people_n soul_n be_v destitute_a of_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n but_o i_o leave_v the_o minister_n case_n in_o this_o point_n of_o their_o maintenance_n which_o regard_v justice_n and_o conscience_n to_o your_o more_o serious_a consideration_n against_o who_o i_o shall_v i_o fear_v have_v sin_v as_o against_o god_n my_o own_o soul_n and_o my_o 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