to the Lessors and Farmers of Tithes to the incumbents and people and that the moving of such Novelties might occasion great Troubles and Commotions within the Realm And will not then the abolishing of all Tithes in every Parish to the prejudice of the Patrons Ministers yea and people too as I shall prove anon the scandal of most godly men undoing of thousands of families and confounding all Parishes and order in them now much more do it in these dangerous generally discontented times instead of setling Unity Amity Peace and propagating the Gospel as some pretend Let those whom it most concerns consider it at their leisure lest they repent too late The next printed Statute for the payment of Tithes is 27 H. 8. c. 20. which in the preface gives this true Character of and fixeth this brand of infamy upon Tithe detainers Forasmuch as many evil disposed Persons such are they justly branded for by this Act of Parliament have attempted to withhold their Tenths as well predial as personal and have also contemned and disobeyed the Decrees of Ecclesiastical Courts of this Realm c. Therefore it enacts the Civil Magistrate and Justices shall imprison such till they pay their Tithes After which followes a special Statute for payment of Tithes in London 27 H. 8. c. 21. confirmed enlarged by a Statute and Decree too 37 H. 8 c. 7. thus prefaced as if purposely penned for these times Whereas divers and many persons inhabiting in sundry Counties and Places of this Realm and other the Kings Dominions not regarding their duties to Almighty God or to the King our Soveraign Lord but in some years past more contemptuously and commonly Presuming to infringe the good and wholsome Lawes of this Realm and Gracious Commandments of our said Soveraign Lord than in times past have been seen or known have not letted to substract and with-draw the lawfull and accustomed Tithes of Corn Hay Pasturage and other sort of Tithes and Oblations commonly due c. After which it provides a remedy by coercive means against the detainers refusers of Ministers Tithes The last and fullest Statute for payment of Tithes of all sorts and setting one Predial Tithes truly justly and without fraud or guile as hath of right been yielded and paid made not by Papists but our most religious first Protestant Parliament and King upon the beginning of Reformation and when Popery was ejected is 2 E. 6. c. 13. intituled AN ACT FOR THE TRUE PAYMENT OF TITHES under pain of forfeiting the treble value c. recoverable by an ACTION OF DEBT c. at the Common law What judgements have been given upon these Statutes in our Kings Courts from time to time you may read in Brook Fitzherbert and the Year-books in Ashes Tables Title DISMES and in Sir Edward Cooks 2 Institutes p. 639 to 662. To these I might subjoyn the late Ordinances of the last Parliament of 17 Caroli concerning Tithes and Augmentations of Ministers Livings like to end not only in the Diminution but total Annihilation and Substraction both of their Augmentations antient Glebes Tithes Dues The Constitutions of our Clergy in their Convocations under our Kings recorded in Lindwood John de Aton Willielmus de Burgo and others prescribing the due payment of Tithes under pain of Excommunication and other Ecclesiastical censures as likewise the Resolution of our Judges concerning the Right of Tithes and that no Lay-man by our Laws can prescribe to be exempled from payment of Tithes or lay any original claim unto them with the Laws of forein Kingdoms as well Civil as Ecclesiastical for the due payment of Tithes whereof you may find store in Fredericus Lindebrogus Codex Legum Antiquarum p. 674 675 703 c. Capitularia Caroli Magni Ludovici in Brochellus Decret Ecclesiae Gallicanae l. 6. tit 8. De Decimis in Binius Surius and others in their Collections of Councils But for brevity sake I shall cite only the Constitution of the Emperour Frederick for the payment of Tithes in the Kingdom of Sicilia which is short and very pertinent Constitutionum Sicularum l. 1. tit 7. Lex 1. which runs thus Quamò caeteris terrae Principibus munifica dextra Salvatoris in Temporalibus Nos praefecit tantò saltem Iuris naturalis instinctu ad antedicta strictius obligamur cum etiam veritate dicente cui amplius creditur amplius exigatur Quod in nostrae mentis intrinseca meditatione solicita revolventes illud etiam attendentes ☜ Quod divino Decimarum quarum Debitum ex utriusque Testamenti Tabulis confirmatur Let all Tith-Oppugners observe it tanâ—i in Ecclesia Dei petidatior redditur quanâ—ò Decimalis obligatio de bonis hominum A DAMNO REPUTATUR Officialibus nostris universis singulis praesentis Legis auctoritato Mandamus ut DECIMAS INTEGRAS prout Regis Gulielmi tempore praedecessoris nostri vel ab Antecessoribus Officialibus Bavilis exolutae fuerint locorum Praelatis exolvere absque omni difficultate procurent Nos enim qui favente Domino inter homines sumus in praeeminenti culmine constituti quantum sine injuria Regalium possumus tollerare ECCLESIARUM JURA praesertim earum quae in Regno consistunt Quas sub Protectione nostra accepimus et habemus in nullo diminuere volumus sed augere Subjectis etiam nostris indicimus ut Decimas quas de bladis et donis suis Antecessores eorum praedicti Regis Gulielni tempore praestituerunt vener abilibus locis Quibus Decimae istae debentur cum integritate persolvant To which I shall only adde That Stephen King of Hungaria under whom that Kingdom was first totally converted to the Christian Faith as he built and endowed many magnificent Churches for Gods worship at his own cost so he enacted this good Law for the payment of Tithes That he who refused to pay his Tithes should forfeit the 9. parts to the Minister and he who should steal the Tithes should be reputed a Thief Si cui Deus Decem dederit in Anno DECIMAM DEO DET Et si quis Decimam suam abscondit NOVEM SOLVAT Et si quis DECIMATIONEM Episcopo separatam furatus suerit DIJUDICETUR UT FUR ac hujusmodi compositio tota pertineat ad Episcopum And. c. 1. De Statu Ecclesiastico veneratione Domus Dei He enacted this good Law against the Invasion and Alienation of the Churches possessions about the year of Christ 1000. Quisquis fastu superbiae elatus Domum Dei ducit contemptibilem possessiones Deo consecratas atque ad honorem Dei sub Regia immunitatis defensione constitutas inhoneste tractarit vel infringere praesumpserit Quasi invasor et violator Domus Dei excommunicetur Decet enim ut indignationem ipsius Dom. Regis sentiat cujus benevolentiae contemptor constitutionis praevaricator existit Nihilominus tamen Rex suae concessionis immunitatem ab hominibus ditioni suae subjectis illaesam conservari praecipiat
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 proâ—ucing every thing in its kind and of absolute Soveraign Dominion expressed in the word LORDS 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 when he gave them the Earth to inhabit and manure as mere Tenants at will under him He that is I AM himself Qui cepit nunquam desinet numquam being vitae essentiae interminabilis tota simul perfecta possessio in aeterno suâ— consummato EVER POSSESSED TITHES as well as the seventh day which he saith is HIS SABBATH SINCE THEY HAD BEING which are indeed his ab aeterno suo inchâ—ato In 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 mâ—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 Prieâ—â—â— and Ministers competent standing maintenance in all Aâ—â—â— places and weekly times for his worship never leaving men free to their own wiâ—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 Melchisedeâ— not arbitrarily but of due right by vertue of some Divine Precept else Melchisedeâ— 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 Sâ—m who was so taught of his Father Nâ—ah he by succession RECEIVING IT FROM ADAM who as he was wrought and fashioned by God so was he herein taught and instructâ—d by God And therefore not only amongst the Sons of God such as called rightly upon the name of thâ— Lord but even amongst thâ— Giants of the Daughters of Mâ—n worshipping invented Godâ— by themselves and dedicatinâ— their TITHES unto them as the Premises evideâ—câ— THERE NEVER WAS NUMBER THAT DID INTRUDE UPON THE TENTH MUCH LESSE SHOULDER IT OUT OF DOORS This Number of Tâ—â— writes Philo the learned Jew that most sacred Wâ—â—â—â—â— Mâ—ses hath not a little commended because the best Duties of Man are by him couâ—hed under that number as God TEN COMMANDEMENTS Vows Prayers First-Fruits perpetual Offerings pardoning Debts and reducing all things unto their First estate every Fiftieth year of Jubilee made up of Tenths the Fur niture 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 New by which we may know that TEN IS THE NVMBER OF PERFECTION as â—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 people 's 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 so stiled both 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 Tallaâ—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
effect ensued Then brought all Iudah the Tithes of the Corn and the new Wine and the Oyle unto the Treasurers c. And Nehemiah was so far from deeming this Injustice or Oppression as some now malitiously term it that he prayes Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out my good Deeds that I have done for the House of my God and for the offices thereof Neh. 13. 10 to 15. From which President Nicholas Hemingius a far better Divine and Scholar than John Canne and all his Associates against Tithes thus resolves in his Commentary on 1 Thess 5. 1â— 1â— Therefore the Godly are to be admonished That by Divine Right they owe Stipends unto the Ministers of the Church But that nothing may be here neglected to the dammage of the Ministry This care belongs to the Superious For if Kings be nursing Fathers to the Church as Isaiah admonisheâ—b Possunt et debent jure divino ministris Ecclesiae stipendia ordinare they may and ought by Divine Right or Gods Law to ordain Stipends to the Ministers of the Church by the example of the most godly King Hezâ—chiah 2 Chron. 31. That they may wholly addict themselves to the Law of God And if the people detain these Salaries and setled Dues from them they may enforce them by Fines penalties and Actions to pay them 3ly If these Examples prevail not we have the President of a zealous Heathen Prince who shall rise up in judgement against many pretended Magistrates resusing to assist complaining Ministers to recover their just Tithâ—s and Dues from their refractory ingrate people to wit King â—â—taxerxes who making a Decree for furnishing Ezra the Priest with whatsoever he should require for the maintenance of Gods worship and House Ezra 7. â—1 c. concludes it thus v. 26. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God and the Law of the King which confirm our Ministers Tithes and Dues Let Iudgement be executed speedily upon him whether it be unto Death or unto Banishment or to Confiscation of Goods or to Imprisonment And lest any should deem this a Tyrannical Oppressing Edict Ezra himself subjoyns in the very next words v. 27. Blessed be the Lord of our Fathers who hath put such a thing as this is in the Kings heart Which Law if now put into due execution would send Canne and most of his Confederates here packing back again to Amsterdam or some Gibbet or Prison and strip them of the Goods they have got by the warres and troubles of the time 4ly We have King Darius his Decree for repairing Gods House and furnishing the Priests there with all necessaries they required which thus concluces with a most severe penaltie against the wilfull Disobeyers of it Ezra 6. 11. Also I have made a Decree That whosoever shall alter this word Let Timber be pulled down from his House and being set up Let him be hanged thereon and his House be made a Dunghill for this How many nâ—w 〈◊〉 should we now have throughout England and how many new purchased Houses by those who had noâ—e of late would be made Dungheaps if this rigid Law were now put in â—â—e Which may stop the clamorous months of such who cry out against Laws and Ordinances for Tithes prescribing more moderate penalties Object But all this is but Old Testament will many now object what can you allege for your Propositions â—â—â—â—f out of the Gospel Answ To stop their mouths I answer 1. That the Gospel expresly commands all living under it To render to all their Dues Therefore to Ministers to whom I have proved Tithes and other setled maintenance to be a just Due and Debt to owe nothing to any Man Rom. 13. 7 8. Therefore not to Ministers But what if bold atheistical obstinate or covetous Wretches will not pay these Dues to their Ministers doth the Gospel allow Magistrates and higher Powers to compel them to it Yes in the very antecedent words v. 4 5. If tâ—ou do that which is evil as the defrauding denying detaining of the Ministers as well as the Magistrates or any others Due Debts and Salaries is a doing of evil prohibited by the forecited words and many other Texts elsewhere insisted on be afraid for â—e beareth not the Sword in vain as he should do might he compell none by it to their duties For he is the Minister of God even a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Wherefore ye must needs be subject in yielding to their commanding Laws and Ordinances for Tithes and Ministers Dues as well as others edged with coercive Penalties not only for wrath that is for fear of the Penalties which else fall upon you for your disobedience exasperate the Higher Powers and Civil Magistrate to execute wrath upon you but even for conscience sake which should more prevail with men than wrath and Penalties though our Tithe-detainers now are grown so atheistically impudent as to alledge conscience for not rendring them and robbing God himself of them Mal. 3. â—â— as well as his Ministers 2ly The Holy Ghost by the Apostle Peter thus seconds his former precept by Paul 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether to the King as Supream or unto Governours who have made many Lawes and Ordinances for payment of our Ministers Tithes and Duties Yea but say our sturdy armed and unarmed Tithe-detainers now What if we will not do it as we are resolved notwithstanding all such Laws and Ordinances What Are you resolved to disobey and contemn Gods Gospel Laws and Ordinances as well as Mans Where is your Religion your Saintship you so much boast of Will you provoke the Lord himself to wrath are you stronger than he I presume not Therefore the Apostle subjoins That these Kings and Governours are sent by him for the Punishment of Evil doers And such are all those who detain the Ministers established Dues who are not only Theeves and Robbers of God in the Old Testaments language Mal. 3 8. but committers of Sacrilege Rom. 2. 20. Thou that abbâ—rrest Idols as many Tithe-oppugners pretend they do Dost thou commit Sacrilege and Church Robberie Acts 19. 37. in the New Testaments and meer Heathens Dialect who fall under the just punishment of Kings and Governours whom God will bear out in the just punishment of such evil doers or elle punish them himself in a more severe manner if the Armed sonnes of Zerviah be too hard for David and It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God who even under the Gospel is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 29. and hath proved so to many Tithe-oppugners very lately both in consuming their Houses and personal Estate as well by real fire as by inflicting Spiritual judgements on their souls 3ly Our Saviours own words recorded in the Gospel are direct in point Luke 12. 57 58 59. Mat. 5. 25. And why even of your selves judge
assensum vero non praebeat improvide affirmantibus non debere esse res Dominicâ—s id est Domino Dominantium traditas Itaque sub defensione Regis sit et sicuti suae propriae haereditati magisque advertat Quia quantò Deus excellentior est hominibus tanto praestantior est Divina causa mortalium possessione Quocirca decipitur quisquis plus in propriis quam in Dominicis rebus gloriatur Quarum Defensor et Custos divinitatis Constitutiones diligenti cura non solum eas servare sed etiam multiplicare debet Si quis igitur insanus importunitate illa quae diximus praestantior a quà m sua defendere oportet augmentare Si quis igitur insanus importunitate improbitateque sua Regem a recto proposito pervertere tentaverit nullisque remediis mitigari posse visus fuerit licet obsequiis aliquibus transitoriis sit necessarius abscindendus ab eo projiciendusque est juxta illud Evangelium Si pes manus aut occulus tuus scandilizatâ—te erue eum projice absâ—te Since then Christian Emperors Kings Princes in Forein parts and our own Kings and Parliaments in and by all the forecited Laws and Statutes yet in force have established Tithes and other Duties on our Clergy and Ministers of the Gospel and thus publickly branded the negligent or wilfull detainers sustractors of this just Debt and Duty prescribed by our Laws with Warrant from the Old and New Testament for evil disposed persons not regarding their duty to Almighty God which therefore none who claim their Power from or for God should now regard or countenance in the least degree enforcing them by actions at Law Imprisonment payment of treble Dammages excommunications and the like coercive wayes to render to them Tithes at last to their loss Why Christian Magistrates should not still enforce the obstinate detainers of Ministers Tithes and defrauders of them in their just Dues and merited rewards for their Ministery as hath been formerly practised in all ages and places too Let all Anti-tithers who would be Lawless as well as Titheless and Godless resolve me when they can and if they deem themselves above all humane Laws and Penalties so long as they wear their swords by their sides for defrauding our Ministers of their lawfull Tithes and Dues let them then chew the cudd upon this Evangelical Precept backed with the strongest coercive power both in Heaven and Earth 1 Thes 4. 6. Let no man go beyond or defraud his brother much less then his Minister in any thing therefore not in Tithes due by Divine and humane Right mark the reason Because that the Lord is the avenger of all such things as we have forewarned and testified And what vengeance God will take of such who defraud their Brethen and Ministers of their debts and necessitate them to sue them at the Law to recover their Rights he resolves in the 1 Cor. 6 7 to 11. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you because you go to Law to wit before Heathen Judges or without just cause one with another the greatest if not only fault being in the Defrauder and Detainer why do ye not rather take wrong why do ye not rather suffer your selves to be defrauded Nay why do you wrong and defraud and that your Brethren and which is more rob your Ministers yea but what harm or punishment will follow on it Mark it O all ye Saint-seeming Hypocrites who are guilty of it Know ye not That the unrighteous who thus wrong and defraud their Brethren and Ministers which is worse shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Be not deceived neither Theeves nor covetous and such are all those who rob and defraud their Ministers of their Tithes and Duties shall not inherit the Kingdom of God no more than Fornicators Idolaters c. with whom they are here coupled Let all those then who are guilty of this damning sin which disinherits them of Gods Kingdom now seriously repent and reform it with all such who have abetted or confederated with them herein that so I may adde with the Apostle in the next words And such were some nay all of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God And now to cloze up this Chapter I shall desire all Anti-Tithers who have already in their heady Resolutions resolved to abolish not only all our Ministers Tithes and antient Dues established by the Lord himself in the Old and New Testament with all the forecited Laws Statutes Ordinances for the true and due payment of them but all other coercive maintenance for their future subsistence if not their very Rectories Glebes and Fabricks of our Churches devoted for a prey by divers sadly and seriously to consider these ensuing particulars 1. That herein they shall shew themselves not only worse by thousands of Degrees than our forementioned Kings and Queens who built and endowed our Churches with Glebes Tithes and a liberal Maintenance and worse than the most of all their Ancestors Protestants or Papists who have hitherto continued confirmed established them by successive Laws but even worse than the worst of Turks and Insidels who alwaies heretofore and at this very day have and do allow their Mahometan and Pagan Idolatrous Priests in all places a liberal competent setled Salarie and erect magnificent Temples to Mahomet and their Idols exceeding most of our fairest Christian Churches both for beauty and number as you may read at large in Pulchas Pilgrimage Alexander ab Alexandro Hospinian De Origine Templorum and others And to give you one instance for all There are no lesse than 700 Moschees or Saracinical Temples in Fesse a Mahometan City in Barbary the chief whereof is Carven being a full mile and an half in compasse It hath 31 Gates great and high the Roof is 150 yards long and 80 broad the Steeple very high the Ornaments rich and stately Round about it are divers Porches containing 40 yards in length and 30. in breadth About the Walls are Pulpits of divers sorts wherein the Masters and Priests of their Law read to the People such things as they think pertain to their Salvation The Revenue of this Temple alone Anno 1526. was no lesse than 200. Duckets a day of old rents The chief Church in Morocco is bigger though not altogether so fair as that of Fesse and hath a Tower so high that the Hills of Azafi being 120. miles distance may be seen from thence as Leo Purchas and Heylin write These Temples and others are adorned with marble Pillars and curious Mosaicks carved works of all sorts Their Priests and Readers of the Law have a liberal Stipenâ— with Books and lands likewise allowed them and are had in very high estimation and Reverence both with their Kings Magistrates People the Califfs there receiving likewise the tenth Measure of Corn yearly from the People
and other like to work our ruine have a hand in this Design to deprive our Ministers of their Tithes and Rectories to work their ruine is most apparent First by their former procedings even against their own Secular Priests in England where they seeking to work their utter ruine subversion supplantation to intâ—ude themselves into their imployments by their Machiavel Atheal plots about the year 1600 to 1605 did first by their scandalous Books Libels Slanders against there Priests bring their Persons and Priesthood into scorn and contempt amongst the generality of the English Papists preferring every Lay Brother of their Society before them executing their Priestly Function without a lawfull Call or Ordination and then endeavoured to substract all Maintenance and Contributions from them threatning to make them leap at a Crust and to pine and starve them debarring interrupting all their Maintenance from English Recusants in such sort that many of them pined away through grief of Mind want of Food and were so near perishing that they were necessitated to petition Queen Elizabeth and her Council for some Allowance in their prisons to keep them from starving Yea they and their Jesuited Followers and Proselites derided their Seminarie Priests and Ghostly Fathers in this manner Ah hah hah A Seminary and old Queen Mâ—â—y Priest a Secular c. You shall see them all leap at a Crustere it be long c. And having got Iudas his Office to carry the Mony bagg into their own and Substitutes hands they disposed of the Wealth and Charitie of Catholicks consisting of many thousand pounds where how and to whom they pleased for their own enriching and advancement which made the Secular Priests write that England was become wild Priesthood and Sacraments had in contempt Religion made but a matter of Atheal policy and Priests through the Jesuites Falsehood Calumniations and untrue Suggestions to the Superiours and all Estates brought into such high contempt that their verie Ghostly Children whom they had begotten had forsasaken houted shunned despised them as if they were none other but their Stepfathers and shewed their Charity so coldly to them as many of them were in extream want and few or none of them scarce able to live as we may read in Watsons Quodlibets against Parsons and his Fellow Jesuites p. 16 17 18 20 21 31 37 38 42 43 45 50 51 52 62 63 70 71 80 81 92 93. and elsewhere throughout that Book in Joan. Bogermanus Catechesâ—s Jesuit l. 3. c. 28. Thuanus Hist l. 126 Mercurius Jesuiticus Tom. 1. p. 287. William Clark his Reply to Father Parsons Libel printed 1603. fol. 17 to 32 which being the very condition and complaint of our Godly Protestant Ministers in most places throughout the Nation at this day is no doubt a storm of these Jesuites raysing a very Plot and Design of their hatching â—omenting to ruine our Ministers and their Ministry now as they would have done their own Secular Priests then in England to advance their own power profit 2ly It is evident by Rob. Parsons and other Jesuites old Project for Reformation of England when they should get power in it To take away all Lands Manors Benefices and setled Maintenance of the Church from the English Clergy and Universities and make all Ministers and Scholars mere Pensioners and Stipendiaries at their pleasure set up itinerary Preachers fixed to no particular Church like our wandring Quakers Anabaptists Sectaries of late instead of Parochial Pastors of which more anon 3ly Alfonsus de Vargas Toleâ—anus in his Relatio ad Reges Principes Christianos De Stratagematis Politicis Societatis Jesu ad Monarchiam Orbis terrarum sibi conficiendam printed 1641. cap. 40 to 51. proves at large out of the Jesuites own printed Defence and other Writings That these new Doctors of no Conscience no Faith no honesty or shame have perswaded the Emperour and other Kings against their Oaths Trusts Duties Charters the Law of Nations and all Divine and Human Laws that it was lawfull for them upon a pretext of Necessity for the ease of the people and Maintenance of their Wars Souldiers to alienate the Lands Revenues Maintenance of Abbies Religious men and of the Church upon Souldiers for the defence of their Bodies and of the Church that so themselves might gain a share of them for the advantage of their own Societies contrary to the wills intentions of the first Donors and Founders Whereupon he thus justly jeers them cap. 46. p. 222. That the institution of the Jesuites Society peculiarly tends to this that their Colleges should beinstituted and Society maintained out of the ruines of the Church and rapines of other mens Goods à quibus Societatis Institutor et Conditor Ignatius cum etiamnum ad legionem bellator esseâ— minime alienus fuisse nec a solita Militum rapacitate quicquam demutasse sine ulla ejus contumelia creditur eâ—si autem Militiam mutavit ac simul cum Sociorum ne dicam furum manipulo Christo Imperatori Sacramentum dixit non propterea rapinam omnem ejerare necesse habuit c. he remaining a PLUNDERER still after he became a SAINT Seeing the Propheâ— Isay seemeth thus to prophecy both of his Rapine and Wound in his halting Legg cap. 33. Tunc dividentur Spolia multarum praedarum Claudi diripient rapinam Therefore no wonder this Spirit of Rapine continues in his Disciples who doubtlesse have infused the self-same Spirit of Rapine into our Anabaptists and Souldiers into whose Societies they have secretly insinuated themselves somenting and intending to lengthen out our wars so long of purpose to make a prey of our remaining Church-Revenues Rectories Tithes and College lands too at last as they have done of other Church-Revenues already dissipated out of a pretext of Necessity as is most transparant to all Intelligent peoples eyes thereby to destroy our Religion by devouring our Ministers Churches Patrimonies the probable if not inevitable consequence of this Jesuitical project if effected as is most apparent by this notable passage of Roderyck Mors formerly a Grey Fryer in his Complaint and Supplication to the Parliament of England about 37 H. 8. after the Dissolution of Monasteries pertinent to my purpose and as worthy consideration now as then Ye that be Lords and Burgesses of the Parliament House writes he I require of you in the name of my poor Brethren that are Englishmen and Members of Christs Body that ye consider well as ye will answer before the face of Almighty God in the day of judgement this abuse and see it amended When Antichrist of Rome durst openly without any visor walk up and down thorowout England he had so great favour there and his Children had such crafty wits for the Children of this World are wiser in their Generation than the Children of Light they had not only almost gotten all the best Lands of England into their hands but also most part of the best Benefices both of Parsonages and Vicarages
Christus Thou shalt be sure to give that to an impious Souldier which thou wilt not give to God and a pious Minister The Exchequer takes that away which Christs hath not received as some Parishes have found by experience to their costs and grief VII Whether it be not a most arrogant high inexcusable presumption for a few giddy pated Innovators in this Age to condemn censure not only the practise wisedom piety of Abraham the Father of the Faithfull and all the people of God in the Old Testament before and under the Law and of most Christian States Churches under the Gospel in paying prescribing Tithes as the most equal rational just convenient maintenance for the Priests and Ministers of God of all others but likewise of the wisdom prudence providence of God who is Wisdom it self and God only wise whose very Folly is wiser than men in instituting commanding such a constant setled maintenance for them in his Word as the best fittest of all others wherein both Minister and people equally lose gain and sympathise with each other which they cannot do with so much indifferency equallity in any other way which human wisedome could hitherto invent VIII Whether it be not an infallable evidence that those have neither the Faith nor Piety and by consequence are not the Sons of Abraham the Father of the Faithfull in a Spiritual or Gospel sence who refuse to do his works and follow his steps in paying Tithes of all their spoils of Warr to Christ himself a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 7. 4. as other Soldiers by his example did both amongst Israelites Christians and Pagans too Num 31. 26 to 54. 1 Chron. 26. 26 27 28. Mr. Seldens History of Tithes c. 1. 3. and endeavour to spoyl them of all other Tithes due from themselves and others too reputing it an eminent degree of their Saintship And whether this their practise be not likelier to bring them into Hell torments than into Abrabams bosome in conclusion if they repent not of it Luke 16. 23. to 31. IX Whether all the Inconveniences objected against Ministers maintenance by Tithes be not rather fictitious imaginary than real arising from the malice covetousness impiety fraud bypocrisie injustice rapine perversenesse litigeousnesse of the wilfull Deteiners Opposers of them rather than from Tithes themselves since many Ministers heretofore and of late years have lived all their lives without any sutes for Tithes with any of their Parishioners and might doe so still would they make a Conscience to pay them without any sute Whether those who refuse to pay Tithes in kind to Ministers now out of a pretext of Conscience will not upon the same Pretence resuse to pay them any other maintenance that can be invented and make it more litigious contentious uncertain than their Tithes since every Innovation in this kind ingenders new suites disputes when all legal Controversies suites for Tithes have been long since setled resolved over and over both in Parliaments and other Courts of Justice X. Whether the admission permission of those few Commoners now acting without their Fellows being scarce the TENTH PART OF THE HOUSE to vote down or take away the Ministers Tentâ—s or reduce them into one publick Treasury to divide and distribute them at their pleasures though amongst the Ministers themselves at first will not be a dangerous leading President and encouragement to them upon any pretended necessity to dispose of these Tenths and the other nine parts of every Mans estate and reduce the profits of them into their publick Treasury for the necessary defence and preservation of their New-Commonwealth and the Armies pay as they did others sequestred estates heretofore because Tithes though originally dedicated as a peculiar portion inheritance and rent-service to God himself and his Church as the Soveraign Lord of all mens Inheritances specially reserved by him for his own immediate honour service homage tribute for all the other nine parts they enjoy by his free grace and liberality may be thus alienated and distributed at their pleasures therefore much more the nine remaining parts alotted unto men alone for their own private and the Publick good over which they have a greater probabler legaller Jurisdiction than over Gods own peculiar portion which might neither be alienated exchanged redeemed by any human powers but only by the Priests consents in some special cases for their advantage Numb 18. 20. Levit 27. 28 29 30 32 33. Deut. 12. 17. c. 14. 22 23. Mal. 3. 8 9. Ezech 48. 9 to 15. Which if once reduced into a new publick Treasury the Ministers are like to have no other share nor better account of them then of the Tithes of Southwales for som years last past or of the Deans Chapters impropriations for the augmentation of incompetent livings swallowed up for the most part by the Treasurers and their Instruments with little or no advantage to the publike and less to the Ministers by reason of their unfaithfullness far different from those Treasurers for the Tithes and First fruits brought to Ierusalem appointed by King Hezekiah over whom Coniah the Levite was ruler who faithfully brought in and distributed to their brethren the Oblations TITHES and dedicated things as well to the gâ—cat as the small without substraction or defalcation The Statutes of 27 H. 8. c. 20. 32H 8. c. 7. 2 3E 6. c. 13. style those evil disposed Persons not regarding their Duties to Almighty God and to the King their Soveraign Lord who out of an ungodly and perverse will and mind detain all or any part or parcel of their Tythes and Offerings enacting strict penalties against all Substracters and Detaineâ—s of them How then they can now be reputed consciencious Godly Saints unlesse inrolled for such in the Roman Kalendar is worthy resolution some of them as the Quakers beginning of late to work on the Lords day denying God one day in seven as well as the Tenth of their annual increase deeming both Jewisâ— and Antichristian as they deem our Ministers Ex cauda draconem FINIS a Acts 13. 22 b Matth. 1. 6. c. 9. 27. c. 15. 22. c. 22. 42 43 45. Rom. 1. 3. Rev 22. 16. c See Iohn Cannes Epistle before his second voyce nor from but against the Temple and many late Petitions against Tithes from Kent Somersetshire Wiltshite and other places d 3 E. 1. c. 5. See Cook ibidem 7 H. 4. c. 14. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 1 H. 6 c. 7. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 11. 32 H. 6. c. 15. 9 H. 8. c. 16. 27 H 8. c. 26. 35 H. 8. c. 11. Cook 4 Instit c. 1. e 2 Sam. 16. 18 c. 19. cl 33 E. 1. m. 4. dors 43. Brook Parliament 101 Customs 6. 32. Grotius De Jute Belli Pacis l. 2. c. 15. sect 3. c. 6 sect 1 to 7. c. 13. sect 14. 33 H. 8. c. 17. * In my Quakers