debito Justiciae to the Secular Preists and so got several grants of them to themselves for their Spiritual labours the other supernumerary orders of Monks and Nuns further perswaded the Layety to make Arbitrary Consecrations of Tythes to their Abbies and Monastries and to appropriate several Churches and Lands to their foundations of reputed Clergie Who by allowing severall salaries to their stipendaries for serving the Cure gave advantage to Covetous men upon the dissolution to dispoyle the Church who took grants of those impropriate Tythes and turned them into Lay-â—ees which was done more through the defect of Councils then any force of Adversaries in subjecting that Revenue of the Church to their humane titles supposing the property that God hath in them might be changed to their own uses by such contracts Whereupon several poor scandalous Livings have since made scandalous Ministers That in many parts of the North and West of England the Vicars are necessitated to sell Ale or go to their day-labour for the subsistance of themselves and their Families A grave Spaniard landing in King Edward the Sixths time neer the Ruins of an old Abbie by the sea coast perceived a poor Clergie-man hedging in of his Glebe land the Spaniard to satisfie his curiosity desired the Vicar to shew him his Church demanding what was his maintenance he told him he had twenty Nobles a Year being some part of God's revenue and inheritance which was reserved to himselfe the Spaniard wept bitterly and gave the poor Clergie-man all the mony he had saying That God had not been so provident for his Church in England as in other parts of the World The Offices Dignities and Possessions of BISHOPS DEANS and PREBENDS VINDICATED EPiscopacy was practised in the Apostles time and it was the constant Doctrine of all the Fathers that Bishops succeded the Apostles in the first and best ages of the Church and ordeyned Preachers in every City Presbyterian Government was not thought on before the Reformation at Geneva which is Aristocrary And the Independant sprung up with the new-New-England Faction whose Government is Democracy At the first General Council after Christ Bishops were planted in all parts of Christendom both for the purity in Doctrine and the safety and external state of the Church and have continued ever since in England untill these late violent times of Interruption that brought their Bishopricks into Abeyance and Consideration of the Law Before the Foundations of Parliaments were layd the Kings of England called onely their Prelates and Nobles to Council with them and the Affaires of the Kingdom was ordered by Edicts to the Officers and Governours of the several Counties King Henry the First in the Year of our Lord 1102. invested the Bishops by giving them a Pastoral Staff and a Ring testifying that their Donation was from their Sovereign The Pope at that time questioning the Kings Authority and Right to investitures the King sent expressly then to Rome Herbert Bishop of Norwich and Robert Bishop of Lichfeild to acquaint him that he would rather loose his Kingdom then his Right to Donations of Churches Asius the Oldest Bishop of his time being about 300. Years after Christ framed the Nicen Creed for the whol Christian World Which much improves the Benefit that the Church receives by Episcopacy Bishops have been Antiently Barons by Tenure and had their Votes in Parliament by a double right the one to advise in framing of Laws that they were not made repugnant to God's word and the other for their Temporalities having Estates and Families of their owne subject to the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom It is a question whether such Prerogatives can be taken away which were originally annexed to their Dignities and Orders of their Persons and Offices By the same Rule the Lords temporal may lose their Privileges prerogatives and Preheminences held of the Crown which they have above other men Honours are rather Burthens then advantages rendring men obnoxious to great expences and offices do bring more trouble then Profit not acquiring any thing without Danger or envie no man should in reason envie his happiness that is rather a steward and servant to the people then Master of himself or his own Fortune Non nobis nati sumus every man serves God his King and Country in some Capacity or other moving in his station accordingly And since the Bishops have been interrupted and kept from their Votes in Parliament there hath been disorders and Confusions both in Church and State the Pulpets filled with Blasphemy the people taughâ— rebellion and Witchcraft the Press open to all manner of seditions and Heresies and nothing but violence and oppression raging throughout the whole Land no man Considering that the cause of all these Calamities proceeded from the Sacrilege Pride Envie and Covetousness of those Persons that made such strange returns for all the labours and Studies of so many learned Divinâ—s of this Kingdom by whose lives and Doctrines the Crown and Scepter of England hath been exalted above the Pontifical Chaire and the people freed from the Jurisdiction and slavery of the Pope The Lands and possessions of Bishops Deans and Prebends were given by Pious Kings and other 〈◊〉 Benefactours Originally in Franck-Almoyne for the service of God and the Church and were insepâ—rably annexed to the offiâ—e and Dignity of those orders that they might have honourable support answerable to the great care and â—harge they werâ— intrusted withall Their Maintainance ought to be sufficient to keep them from Corruptions and Sinister affections and to do acts of Hospitality giving good examples to all men Poverty breeds Contempt although the persons have extraordinary parts and deserts above other men The meanest Corporations and Civil societies of â—en are allowed their Presidents Mayors Councils and Officers to bear rule and Government over the rest and they hold their Authority by the Kings Charter It were very unreasonable in Cities Provinces and 〈◊〉 to deny God a reverend Worship and esteem and the King his Prerogatives in governing the Church according to order and deacency The Heathen when they would secure their Treasure from Violence layed it in the Templâ—s Consecrated to their Gods knowing that the most inhumane men amongst them would not take any thing out of those places that were dedicated to their Deities THE CONCLUSION THE Church is that in which men hope for Salvation united under a visible Government here and triumphant in Glory hereafter going under divers elogies both in Heaven and Earth That several Ministerial Officers subservient in the Church militant were ever allowed a sufficient and Honourable Maintenance according to their order In England before the Establishment of parochial right to Tythes Barons layed foundations of Churches at their pleasures claiming onely a right to the Advouson and upon lapse to the King as Patron Paramount he presents to the Cure an Incumbent being lawfully ordeined the Bishop institutes the Arch-Deacon c.
seasonable Releif after so many Years sufferings and forbearance of their Debts And by this way of improvement I fear not but their Cause will finde Patrons and Advocates if they consider rightly the Benefit and convenience that all Estates may reap where the whole Design looks towards the Glory of God the Honour of the King the Advantage of the Clergy and the prosperity of the whole Nation to which all Men should subscribe Connecta pacis Deo concordia vinctus Gratia soli Deoque Gloria GEORGE CAREW Some Objections have been raised against the particulars following which shall be fully answered and further invincible reasons given and expedients offered to the Parliament in convenient time which will appear conducing to the benefit and advantage of the King and Subject Some Obstructions have been met withall from several persons that would rather continue mistakes and keep those things in obscurity which ought to be brought to Light and discoursed properly to a Parliament Some Grievances there may be deserâ—ed upon due examination of the Contents which cannot properly be relieved any where but in Parliament unto whom the persons concerned do make it their Humble desires that A Committee may be appointed to debate those things which may give a General satisfaction to the Nation and a speedy remedy of several abuses and inconveniences daily suffered by the King and Kingdom THE CONTENTS AN Epistle to the Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer and the rest of his Majesties most Honourable Privy-Councel 3. A Preamble to the whole Treatise and Proceedings 4. A Petition of Walter Devereux and George Carew for the General Collection of Chauntry rents pentions portions and forein rents in England and Wales 5. The Lord Treasurers referrence upon that Petition to the Barons of the Exchequer and others ibid. An order of the Barons on the Lord Treasurers Referrence 8. The second Order of the Barons in relation to the Lord Treasurers referrence ibid. A Methode of the antient way concerning accompts in the Exchequer 9. A Certificate of the sworn Clerks of the Pipe concerning the accompts and miscarriages of Auditours Receivers and Collectors 9. 10. Several Proposals and Considerations of Walter Devereux and George Carew offered to the Lord Treasurer and others touching the Kings certain Revenue how it may be brought into his Majesties Receipt of Exchequer without Charge 11. 12. The Barons Report upon the Petition and Referrence concerning the Collection of the Chauntry rents Pentions Portions c. 13. A Petition of George Carew John Culpeper and Thomas Gould for a Patent of the first Fruits and Tenths at 60000 pounds per annum rent for the term of one and thirty Years 5. The Arguments and Propositions annexed to the Petition concerning the improved values of first Fruits and Tenths of the Clergy which ought to be paid to the King 6. 7. An Epistle to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury 14. Further Considerations offered by the Creditors to the Clergy concerning their due payment of first fruits and tenths to the King 15. The Kings right to the government of the Church and the original of the Popes Usurpation over Christian Princes 16 The office of Bishops and Dignitaries of the Church of England vindicated 17. The Inference or conclusion from the Considerations offered to the Clergy 18. Several Considerations of the Creditors offered to the Lords Spiritual the Lords temporal and Commons assembled in Parliament concerning the Kings Revenue and the debts of the Crown 19. 20. An appeale of the Creditors to the Kings most excellent Majesty and the Lords of his most honourable Privy-Councel concerning the island of 〈◊〉 and the Ship Bona Esperanza taken by the Dutch 21. The Epilogue 22. FINIS The King hath been paid most of his small Rents with Pen and Ink and Dog-Latine since the Course of the Excheq hath been Altered and the Subject often vexed grieved without cause as in Baron Trevers time a Tenant in York-shire was put to 3l charge by Tho. Westly a Messenger for 4d Rent Charged upon his Estate without his knowledge Many of the like cases have hapned by false returns and Allowances of Supers c. Damages is 346000l concerned in it are sixty four Persons of â—ons many of them â—verished for want of By the last general Pardon the Clergy were forgiven 50000. pounds which was due to the King upon Bonds for First-Fruits and Tenths The Layity by the King 's happy Restauration were put into possession of such Estates that were their own inheritance But the Bishops c. into improved vacancies that were under Consideration of the Law for many years together Note the Current money of England much infeebled since those times See the several Presidents and Commissions with Returns of full values in Queen Elizabeths Time 〈◊〉 nullo queat esse modo 〈◊〉 cujus Gubernandi 〈◊〉 non Regem sit 〈◊〉 Felicia illa olim tempora in quibus majus subditorum animis in sedit utilitatis Regiae studium quam rerum suarum cura familiarium Object 1. As the King was to the Church of Scotland Object 2. Vide Lord Burley 's Speech â—o Queen Elizabeth Object 3. Felo de se est quisquis de jure Regali demit The present yearly Revenue of the First-Fruits and Tenths not twenty thousand pounds all charges deducted See Selden upon Tythes of the Eastern Countryes Vide Doctour John Gersâ—n hâ—s Treatise called Regulae morales Ir. in t Com. Hill 1. Ma. Ro. 55. exparte Rem Thes. Article 8. Article 25. Article 32. Vide The Draught of a Warrant ready prepared and offered by the Auditours to the Barons to sign for Messengers to levy the Kings Rents although formerly adjudged illegal at the Councel Table A poor Messenger in Yorkshire purchased Land worth 300. pound per annum by exactions and oppressing the People By return of Clothiers â—rasiers and others that deal in Staple Commodities being advantagious to the Subject to pay their money in London where they sell their Commodities that are made in those Countries and where the Cattell are fed that serves both Countrey and City Sir Châ—â—stopher Hatton Mr. Lyons and Mr Wharton thâ—ee of the Receivers of the Revenue are 36000 l. in Arrear which was occasioned chiefly by the Auditours not duly declaring their Accompts so that they paid what they pleased and when they pleased being under no controll that would discover the fraud The Auditours and Receivers in many cases take upon them the Office of Treasurer Chancellour Barons Chamberlains and Remembrancers The Chantry Rents are troublesome to be brought into the Sheriffs Accompts it is therefore humbly conceived that that charge is most proper for the Collectour Generall Vide the Report of Sir Robert Cotton concerning the Collection of the Queen's Rents under halfe a Crown 4000. l. per Annum is now and hath been for many years paid into the Wardrobe by severall Fee-Farmers and other Tenants A Receiver for Yorkshire lately gave 1800. l. for his place aâ— Assignee from
A RETROSPECT INTO THE KINGS CERTAIN REVENUE ANNEXED TO THE CROWN Under the SURVEY of his Majesties Court of Exchequer WITH THE Proceedings upon two several Petitions Presented to his MAJESTY Concerning the Chauntry Rents c. And the First Fruits and Tenths of the CLERGY AND Several Considerations Offered to the High Court of Parliament shewing how all the Kings Rents above twenty Shillings a year may be more speedily brought into His MAJESTIES Coffers without Charge according to the Antient Course of Exchequer and the Laws of ENGLAND WITH Some Reasons and Arguments given for the due payment of Tythes Annexed Inseparably to the Office of the Ministry With further Perswasions to the Bishops and the Rest of the Clergy to render the just Proportion of their Livings and Spiritual Promotions according to the improved Value due to the King as Supream Pastor and Governour of the Church AND Divers Observations concerning the Rights and other Revenues of the CROWN Demonstrating the several Conditions and Qualities of those men that Diminish the KINGS Tributes Quisquis Deum reveretur Regem honorat diligitque proximum is Deo quae Dei sunt Caesari quae Caesaris denique revera suum cuique tribuit By George Carew of Grayes Inn Esq. LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1661. TO THE Right Honourable EDWARD Lord HYDE Baron of Henden Lord Chancellour of England THOMAS Earl of Southampton Lord High Treasurer of England And the Rest of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council Right Honourable I Observe in the Act of Free and General Pardon passed at the Parliament begun at Westminster the 25 day of April in the 12th year of the Raign of our most Gratious Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second That in the very next Clause of Exception after Offences for Conjurarations Witchcrafts and Charmes are Rancked Accomptants Receivers and Collectors that detained the publike mony of the Nation in their hands The Antient Genious of our Fore-Fathers in Framing the Court of Exchequer with that Policy and Art was such That all parts of the World admired that Court for the Excellency and Invention of it wherein was observed a Method that although Land and Mony there was ever in plenty Ebbing and Flowing Yet the Prodigal Coveteous and Ambitious Minister Receiver or Accomptant with all his Sleights and Stratagems could not deceive the King without Discovery The Course of that Court being altered upon the Dissolution of Abbies there followed great Losses to the Crown and many Inconveniencies and Grievances to the People In the Imperiall Chambers abroad The publike Books of Revenues lies open to the view of all people that any kind of Fraud may be discovered or better advantages found out for the Imperial Estate My Lords I am confident your own Honours binds you beyond all other Obligations in the world to Promote those things that may be for the Preservation and Improvement of the Kings Prerogatives Honours and Revenues Annexed to his Crown wherein truly consists the Happiness and Glory of the whole Kingdom There be two Contradictions used amongst men easily Reconciled by your Lordships Summa ratio est summum jus and Summum jus summa injuria In Extraordinary matters not properly relieveable in any other Court The Lords in Parliament have the Prerogative for their Excellency in Knowledge and Wisdom to Determine such Cases by their own Power May it please your Lordships I am Intrusted as an Executer to pay several Portions and Legacies to Hospitals Free-Scholes and poor Children out of mony left in the hands of Sir William Courten and Sir Paul Pinder who parted with it to the late King upon his Letters Patents and other Assignments out of the Revenue in the Exchequer before the late War Not doubting the Credit of the great Seal of England and payment of the Exchequer I took upon me the Execution of the Trust and paid some part of the Legacies out of my own Estate And notwithstanding I have used my indeavours with others to get in the said Debt yet I am daily sued by the Legatees for not recovering the Money charged upon the Revenue wherefore I humbly conceive that such Accomptants and Receivers which Convert the Kings Revenue to their own Use do not only Wound the King in Cheif but the whole Nation in General and those poor Hospitals and Orphans in particular that I am troubled for All which I submit to your Honours Considerations and Subscribe my self April 20. 1661. Your Faithful Servant THOMAS GOULD THE PREAMBLE IT was the Practice of former Ages when they met in Parliaments to examine the Causes of the Kings Necessities and to make those that were not Faithfull in their Offices to Relieve the King as they did by Hugo de Burgo and the Accomptants of the Revenue in HENRY the thirds time King JAMES and King CHARLES the first of ever Blessed Memory were both Large-Hearted and as Princes naturally are inclined very Bountiful Q. ELIZABETH left a Plentiful Revenue to the Crown of England King JAMES in Favour of the People sold most of the Lands in Fee-Farm An Invention found out to prevent an Act of Resumption The Flowers of the Crown ever since have been gathered by those that gave the King onely the Stalks which brought the King into many great Debts that stand Charged upon the Revenue left unsold And it so happened I became Intituled to a Considerable part of the Mony and in Prosecution of the said Debt by Administring upon some Estate I was Involved with a Corporation of Creditors that were likewise Concerned for divers Summs of Mony which Sir William Courten and Sir Paul Pinder had lent to the King This gave me Occasion to look into the Revenue of the Crown and to make several Applications to Committees in the Violent and Distempred times for satisfaction of the said Debts but I could have no other Tearms offered then Allowances as Debentures towards purchasing Crown Lands Bishops Lands or Delinquents Lands so called which I utterly refused Since his Majesties Restauration the Creditors have been more earnest upon me some crying out I should appeal to the King The Mirrour of Justice Others to the Hierarchy of the Church and perswade them to render that Part of the Revenue due to the King improved to their hands with the Creditors money by those Men that obstructed the Payment of the Kings Debts Others to the Lords that have a great Sence of the Kings Honour and the Regalia he lately parted withall Others to the Commons that hold the Purse-strings of the Nation have been pardoned great Arrears and Accompts which should have satisfied the Creditors Demands Being so divided in their Judgements and Opinions they brought me several Papers of perplext Notions concerning the Revenue of First Fruits and Tenths of the Clergy belonging to the King for his Supream pastoral Charge and Government of the Church with several Observations on that and the rest of the Revenues shewing how the King was made insolvent
in those times All which I have according to my promise avoiding Prolixity put into some kind of Method under several Titles describing the several Tempers of such Persons as are guilty of defrauding the Crown I have been true to my own Resolutions and dealt impartially with all Men as the Creditors desired I did also according to their Request before Apply my self to his Majesty at White-Hall where I found many Petitioners some craving Reward others begging Relief for Sufferings and Services done both to his Majesty and His Royal Father of ever Glorious Memory neither of them minding how the King should now support himself in his Imperial Estate answerably to the Majesty of so great a Prince and the Honour of so great a Nation I then cast about me to find out some expedient whereby I might be rather Serviceable to the King than Burthensome or Grievous to the People and yet satisfie my self In order thereunto I presented these Petitions following according to their several Dates Whereupon there have been some Proceedings but nothing finally determined All which rest under the Consideration of his Majesty and his most Honourable Councel in Parliament I have contracted all things into as narrow a compass as I could of so much matter not doubting but that it may find Room amongst other Weighty Affairs I leave it therefore at the Parliament-Dore for them to do what in Honour and Equity the Merits of the Cause require April 23. 1661. Veritas non quaerit Angulos George Carew To the King 's Most Excellent MAJESTY The Humble Petition of Walter Devereux and George Carew Esquires SHEWETH THAT there are divers Collections in your Majesties Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales that were formerly Granted to several Men of mean Quallity and Condition by Patents out of the Exchequer during pleasure to receive the Chantry Rents Pensions Portions and Forreign Rents amounting formerly to Six Thousand Pounds yearly or thereabouts belonging to the Crown of England And that the said Collectours were allowed the certain Fees or Sallaries which were annexed to those Collections in the Times of the Abbots and Friers That through the Neglect Poverty or other Dafault of the said Collectours and Accomptants the Crown of England hath lost Two hundred thousand Pounds in that Part of the Revenue since the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign which stands charged in Super upon those Bayliffs or Collectours in the several Auditours and Receivers Accompts to the great prejudice and Dishonour of your Majesties Revenue which may hereafter be more faithfully discharged with advantage and conveniencie to your Majestie and your Subjects Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray That your Majesty would be graciously pleased to Grant your Petitioners a Patent under the Great Seal for their Lives to Collect the said Chantry Rents Pensions Portions and Forreign Rents allowing them the said Fees of the several Collections and your Petitioners shall give good Assurance of their Fidelity and Trust in your Majestie 's said Service And your Petitioners shall pray c. Walter Devereux Geo. Carew His Majesty was graciously pleased afterwards to refer the Contents of the Petition to the Lord High Treasurer of England who made another Reference as followeth viz. September 17. 1660. I Desire the Lord Chief Baron and the rest of the Barons of his Majesties Exchequer and Master Surveyour General of his Lands calling to them the Clerk of the Pipe his Majesties Auditours and Receivers of his Revenue in the several Counties or whom else they please to examine the Reason why this Part of his Majesty Revenue mentioned in this Petition is so ill Answered and so great Arrears upon it And to Consider the best way to prevent it in the future And in Case the Proposition of the Petitioners for reducing all into one Hand or Collection may contribute thereunto to Certifie me there Opinion And to that end I pray them to hear what the Petitioners shall in that kinde Propose and what Security the Petitioners will give to acertain those Rents And upon the whole Matter to certifie their Opinions what is best to be done in Order to this Part of his Majesties Revenue and his Majesties Service therein THO. SOVTHAMPTON To the King 's Most Excellent MAJESTY The Humble Petition of George Carew Thomas Gould and John Culpeper Esquires on behalf of themselves and the rest of the Creditours of Sir William Courten and Sir Paul Pinder Knights Deceased SHEWETH THAT King CARLES the First of ever Blessed Memory for the ordinary support of himself in his Royal Estate at home and for the necessary supply of his Embassadours abroad borrowed several great Sums of Money of Sir William Courten and Sir Paul Pinder and others amounting to 150000. Pounds and upwards which was taken up by the said Sir William and Sir Paul and others of several Men upon Bonds That many of those Persons are since deceased and have left their Widows and Orphants in a sad and perishing Condition for want of Bread That for security and re-payment of the said Money with Interest his late Majesty did for himself His Heirs and Successours before the year 1640. by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England and other Assignments upon the Lands and Revenues within the Snrvey of the Exchequer give Warrant and Commandment to the Lord High Treasurer Chancellour Vnder-Treasurer Chamberlains and Barons of the Exchequer for the time being to pay the said Debt That there is yet notwithstanding resting due unpayed of the said Debt the Sum of 140000. Pounds or thereabouts as by the Books of Issues remaining with Sir Robert Pye Auditour of the Receipts and the Accompts stated remaining with the Auditours of the Imprest may plainly appear That the Money now belongs to your Petitioners by Virtue of Letters of Administration to them granted in right of themselves and other Creditours and the poor Orphans and Widows aforesaid That the Revenue of First-Fruits and Tenths is not duly answered by the Clergie into your Majesties Exchequer according to Law and the Rights of Proportion which belongs to the Crown of England there being great Improvements made of New-buildings draining of Fens taking in of Sea-grounds breaking up of Parks and Chases Increase of Rents and many other wayes of advantage and profits to the Clergy which ought to be accordingly considered to your Majesty and paid in proportion into your Exchequer as a means to give satisfaction to your Petitioners most just Demands The Premises considered and for as much as your Petitioners may be partly satisfied out of the improvement of First-Fruits and Tenths and your Majesties Revenue made treble as much as hath been formerly paid into your Treasury The Nation generally satisfied therewith Religion and Learning both advanced by considerable Augmentations that may be further given to poor livings besides Your Petitioners therefore do humbly pray that your Majesty would Grant them a Patent of the First-Fruits and Tenths for the Term of one and thirty
years at the yearly Rent of threescore thousand pounds upon the Conditions and Proposals as in the Paper hereunto annexed are expressed and set forth And your Petitioners shall pray c. October 22. 1660. Several Reasons Arguments and Propositions offered to the King 's most Excellent MAJESTY for the Improvement of his Revenue in the First-Fruits and Tenths of the Clergie Annexed to the Petition of George Carew Thomas Gould and John Culpeper Esquires for a Patent of the First-Fruits and Tenths for the Term of one and thirty years at the yearly Rent of threescore thousand Pounds THAT whereas in the 26 th year of King Henry the Eighth The Lords Spiritual Temporal and Commons assembled in Parliament with his Royal assent did Ordain and Enact that the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors Kings of this Realm should have and enjoy for ever the First-Fruits and Profits for one year of every person and persons which should be nominated elected presented or by any other ways or means appointed to have any Arch-Bishoprick Bishopprick Deanary Prebendary Parsonage Uicarage or any other Dignity or Spiritual Promotion whatsoever within this Realm of what name nature or quality soever they be or to whose Patronages or guifts soever they belong the First-Fruits Revenues or Profits for one year of every such Dignity Benefice or Spiritual Promotion whereunto such person or persons shall be Nominated Presentâ—d Elected or Appointed And that every such person or persons before any actual or real possession or medling with the profits of any such Dignity Benefice Office or Promotion Spiritual should satisfie content and pay or agree to pay to the Kings use at reasonable days and times upon good Sureties the First-Fruits and Profits for one whole year into the Kings Treasury And it was Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Lord Chancellour of England and Master of the Rolls for the time being and from time to time at their will and pleasure should name and depute by Commission or Commissions under the great Seal fit persons to examine and search for the just and true values of the First-Fruits and profits by all ways and means that they can and to Compound and agree for the Rate of the said First-Fruits and profits and to limit days of payment upon good security which should be in the nature of a Statute Staple AND whereas it was Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Kings Majestie his Hâ—irs and Successors Kings of this Realm shall yearly have take and enjoy and receive united and knit to the Imperial Crown for ever one yearly Rent or Pension amounting to the tenth part of all the Revenues Rents Farms Tythes Offerings Emoluments and all other profits as well called Spiritual as Temporal now appertaining or belonging or hereafter that shall belong to any Arch-bishop or Bishop Dean Prevâ—nd Parson Uicar or other Benefice Spiritual Dignity or Promotion whatsoever within any Diocess in England or Wales And that the said yearly Pension Tenth or Annual Rent shall be yearly paid to the Kings Majesty His Heirs or Successors Kings of this Realm for ever which was confirmed by several Acts of Parliament in 32. Hen. 8. and 34. Hen. 8. and 37. Hen. 8. and 2. Edward and 7 th of Edward the 6. and 1. Eliz. And it was also further Enacted and Ordained by the said Authorities that the said yearly Rent Pension or Tenth part shall be Taxed Rated Levyed Received and paid to the Kings use in manner and form following that is to say The Lord Chancellor of England for the time being shall have Power and Authority to direct into every Diocess of England and Wales several Commissions in the Kings name under his great Seal to such person or persons as the Kings Highness shall name and appoint Commanding or Authorizing the Commissioners or three of them at least to examine search and enquire by all the wayes and means that they can by their discretions of and for the true just and whole entire yearly values of all the Mannors Lands Tenements Rents Tythes Offerings Emoluments and Hereditaments and all other Profits whatsoever as well Spiritual as Temporal appertaining to any such Dignity or Spiritual Promotions as aforesaid Ordinary deductions to be defalked out of the same And that the several Bishops should be charged with the Collections of the First-Fruits and Tenths in their several and Respective Diocesses And that upon the Bishops Certificate any Incumbent refusing to pay his Tenths shall be discharged of his Living BY the grave advice and consent of all Estates in so many Parliaments the First-Fruits and Tenths were granted and confirmed to the Crown of England for the better maintenance and support of the Royal Estate and if the People are since multiplyed whereby there is a further encrease of Rents and Tythes and a greater value upon all Commodities the Crown Revenue should be improved towards the Kings Innumerable Charges for the Government and well-being of those people and holding correspondence answerably with all Foreign Princes for their Trade and Commerce KINGS and Queens of England gave most of the Lands Tenements and Hereditaments belonging to these Ecclesiastical Dignities and Promotions and have also Erected divers Foundations Colledges and houses of Learning and given large Inheritances and Endowments thereunto whereby most of the Clergy have their Educations and are made fit for those Dignities and other Ministerial Offices in the Church without any great charge to their Families or Relations therefore good Reason the First-Fruits and Tenths of all their Dignities and Benefices should be paid to the King whom they hold of as Patron Paramount and as Supreme Governor of the Church and Defendor of the Faith of England THE Statutes and established Laws of the Land are made for the full payment and whole intire First-Fruits and Tenths wherein the Clergy themselves had their Uotes in Parliaments And it is as great Injustice for the Clergy to withhold any part of the Kings dues as others to deny them any part of their Prediall personall or miâ—t Tythes the Subject in generall suffers wherein the Kings Revenue is abated which of Right belongs to the Crown Every private person may as often as he pleases Improve his own Revenue as occasion offers THE meanest Subject is allowed the benefit of the Law and the King does him Justice and maintains his property according to the Common and Positive Laws of the Land The King may expect the same Benefit of the Laws and require his own Rights and Revenues by those Rules of Justice which all men are bound to observe and obey Three Objections raised against payment of First-Fruits and Tenths answered by the Petitioners 1. THAT the Revenue of First-Fruits and Tenths is an Innovation obtruded upon the Clergy of late times TO this they Answer That the First-Fruits and Tenths were paid in the Saxons times as appears by Beda's Ecclesiastical History and have so continued ever
since in England to this very day and that those payments or Tributes Beda calls Vectigal which signifies a Badg of Subordination of the Clergy to the Supreame Civill Magistrate and where they have cast off this Tribute the Civill Magistrate hath been subordinate to the Authority of the Church it was paid by the Priests in the time of the Old Law to the Sovereign Power 2. THAT the First-Fruits and Tenths are of a Popish Institution ANSWER It may be satisfactory enough That this Tribute of First-Fruits and Tenths hath been paid to all Kings and Queens of England since the Reformation in Henry the 8 ths time without any repeal of any of the said Statutes but in the time of Popery viz. in the second and third year of Philip and Mary the Act for paying of First-Fruits and Tenths was Repealed but confirmed again in the very first year of Queen Elizabeths Reformation of Religion from Popery by the Statute of 1. Eliz. chap. 4. with a Recital and Ratification of all former Statutes that confirmed the same to the Crown and have continued in force ever since so that if the Tythes vs Jure Divino payable to the Clergâ— for their Administration of the Word and Sacraments to the People The First-Fruits and Tenths Jure Politico are payable to the King their Sovereign Lord for his Administration of Justice and maintaining the Rights Priviledges and Liberties both of Church and State 3. THAT the Clergy of all Orders and Degrees have lately suffered and therefore ought not to be raised in their First-Fruits and Tenths ANSWER That the King hath suffered more and his Revenue much diminished by the late War which hath been fomented and encouraged by many thousands of the Clergy now confirmed in their Livings and the Commons of England would more willingly pay their Tythes if they were sensible the First-Fruits and full Tenths were to be paid to the King as they lately expressed in their desires upon the like occasion of improving that part of the Kings Revenue THE Incumbents have and do dayly take advantages for their Tythes of new Tillage and other â—mprovements of Land which ought to be proportionably answered to the King the Bishops and 〈◊〉 other persons in Spiritual Dignities and Promotions do raise their Tenants and let the states to the improved values Three Proposals to the King 1. THAT the said Petitioners will discharge 50000. pounds part of the debt due from the Crown mentioned in their Petition and give good security for the payment of sixty thousand pounds yearly Rent unto his Majesty his Heirs or Successors Kings of England during the said Term or one and thirty years without any defalcation or other charges or reprisal whatsoever 2. THAT the Petitioners will not take any First-Fruits of such Benefice or Living which is Appropriated to the Cure of Souls that upon the Examination and enquiry shall not be indifferently found and returned at the full yearly value of fifty pounds upon the Survey 3. THAT the Bishop shall not be troubled with the charge or care of Collection of the First-Fruits or Tenths within his Diocess But be wholly busied in the other Spiritual affairs of the Church and cure of souls Three Proposals offered to the Clergy 1. THAT upon the Nomination Appointment Election or Presentation of any Spiritual person into the said Dignities Benefices or Promotions and before they enter into the actual possession thereof they shall be bound in a Recognizance in the nature of a Statute Staple with two sufficient Sureties to pay the First-Fruits according to the full value as shall be returned upon a survey payable within four years after such Nomination Election Presentation or Entrance at eight severall payments by equal portions every six moneths and that one years Tenths of every such Dignity Benefice or Promotion shall be deducted out of the said First-Fruits In case the Incumbent by before all payments the Security to be discharged according to the time 2. THAT whereas by the Liberty and Disorder of the late depraved times the Clergy were not held in such Reverence and esteem by the Common people as the Dignity of their Calling requires And they have been forced to commence severall Actions for their Tythes and by reason of confeâ—â—tious and distempered spirits the Preaching of the Word of God hath been unprofitable to the people that have taken a prejudice against the Ministery Therefore a short Bill shall be prepared by Councell and offered to the Parliament That an Act may be passed for the speedy recovering of Tythes which have been paid formerly and the Title not in question And that the two next Justices of the Peace adjacent to the place may have power upon Complaint of any Minister or other person to whom the Tythes do or shall belong to issue forth their Warrants to distrain goods and chattells of any person or persons refusing to pay their Tythes to whom they shall become due and payable as aforesaid That Love and Unity may be preserved between the Ministers and their Congregations 3. THAT forthwith Commissions shall be issued out in his Majesties name throughout England and Wales to examine and finde out the true values of all Dignities Benefices Parsonages and other Spirituall promotions aforesaid and to return the Surveys thereof with the names of the Patrons and present incumbents and in the mean time to suspend all proceedings in the First-Fruits Office And that his Majesty would be pleased to appoint a Secretary for Presentations of all such Livings as shall be in his Majesties dispose wholly to attend his Majesties service therein to the end that his Majesty may be fully informed of the true value of those Livings And whereas for the ease of his Majesty Severall Livings and promotions were heretofore in the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keepers dispose to be so continued notwithstanding any new Return of a greater value Further Arguments and Considerations will be offered in convenient time conducing much to the advantage of the King the Benefit of the Clergy and the General good of the whole Nation as occasion requires All which they humbly submit George Carew Thomas Gould John Culpeper Octob. 22. 1660. An Order upon the hearing of the Petition referred to the Barons of the Exchequer Veneris vii die Decembris 1660. Anglia Wallia UPon Reading the Petition of Walter Deverenx and George Carew Esquires presented to the Kings Majesty for a Grant to be made to them for their Lives upon the reasons in the said Petition mentioned of the sole Collection of that part of his Majesties Revenue consisting in Chantry Rents Pensions Portions and other small rents issuing out of his Majesties Mannours and Bayliwicks in England and Wales and of a Reference thereupon made unto us from the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Southhampton Lord High Treasurer of England Dated the seventeenth day of September 1660. Whereby we are desired by his Lordship to examine
rejoyned as the Law requireth through the neglect of which duty great Inconveniencies have sundry times risen in like Cases Witness Philips and Noâ—ts and many more Sixthly The Receivers and Ministers finding there was no Controll had over their Accompts and Payments were greatly imboldned by such unwarrantable proceedings to set those good Rents in Super which they might have commanded at their pleasure respiting the Recepts of them till their Years Accompts were elapsed that so they might pay the present with the precedent Years Rent Seventhly It also imboldened them to return that in Super upon the King's Tenants which they had long time before received and to continue it so until the Parties were dead and the Acquittances lost ut â—ntea Eightly The Crown hath sustained great damage by Auditors and their Deputies certifying sundry unwarrantable Re-prises upon the Particulars which they made forth for the sale of the Crown-Lands to pass in Fee-Farm and in Fee-simple reducing the Yearly value from 40. li. to 6 li. c. Witness the Records of M. 4. Jac. Ro. 248. ex parte Rem R. touching Fisher Deputy-Auditor who being fined 2000 Marks for such Frauds acknowledged he had done no otherwise then the rest of the Auditors were wont to do Ninthly By the Auditors not delivering over the Accompts into the Pipe the Clerk of the Pipe hath been ever since 1 Eliz. obstructed in the execution of his Office there being some thousands of Rents now due to the Crown reserved out of Crown-Lands upon Letters-Patents granted in Fee since 1 Eliz. reserved payable to the Bayliffs and Receivers of the Premises accomptable onely before the Auditors which though not answered for many years last past could not with safety be put in process without great hazard of grievance to the People until a full view was had of the Receivers and Ministers Accompts now detained by the Auditors whether the same Rents be therein charged or discharged Tenthly The Auditors of the Revenue have omitted to charge the Receiver-General in his declared Accompts with all the whole Fee-Farm and Farm-Rents within their respective Collections but still continues them in the way of Ministerial Accompts although there can be no just or reasonable cause for it charging the Receivers with part thereof onely and making therein sundry great Yearly Allowances and Defalcations with other Discharges and suffering many great Debts and Supers to remain therein so long as themselves please So as in truth the true state of the whole Charge and Discharge of the Revenue of no one County is at any time presented by the Receivers Accompts to the view of the Lord Treasurer ☜ or any other that shall take the same and herein will appear a great Mystery Divers Accompts depending before some of the Auditors wherein great sums of Money was due to the Crown were kept privately sleeping by them for many years together until both the Acâ—ompts and Debts were pardoned Eleventhly Some of the Auditors have been imboldned to neglect the declaring the Receivers Ministers and Collectors Accompts after that they have been ingrossed And thus it fared with the Accompts of the Dutchy of Cornwall for divers years in the time of King CHARLES the First Twelfthly Some of the Auditors have neglected for divers years together to ingross the Receivers Ministers and Collectors Accompts and yet nevertheless have given those Receivers Ministers and Collectors pretended Yearly Discharges for the same as if the said Accompts had been duly declared And thus it hath hapned in the Revenue of the Dutchy of Cornwall for divers years together in the time of King Ch. the 1. And the Accompts of the Tenths of the Clergy for 20 or 30 years together and in divers other Accompts of the New Impositions taken by the late Auditors of the Impost And hereof they have appropriated to themselves the several Offices Trusts Employment and Fees of the Lord Treasurer Chancellour Under-Treasurer Chamberlains Barons both Remembrancers Clerk of the Pipe and Comptroller and their respective Clerks making themselves all in all when in truth no one Officer of the Exchequer whatsoever ought by the course of the said Court to be solely intrusted with the Revenue of the Crown Now the Conveniencies which will arise to the King and the People in case these Obstructions be removed are briefly the taking away and preventing of all the several Inconveniencies before particularly expressed For if the Accompts of the Receivers and Ministers be Yearly Ingrossed declared Entred wth the Remembrancers and their Payments by Tallies re-joyned approved by the Chamberlains then their Accompts and Tallies will be delivered into the Pipe where the Receipts and Payments in the Accompts will be controlled the Debts and Supers therein be Yearly charged demanded and levyed and paid to the King's use for which both Accomptants and Debtors shall receive their lawful Discharge And furthermore the sleeping Rents due to the Crown not yet in charge will be thereby received and the Clerk of the Pipe will be hereafter enabled the better to perform the Duty of his Office All which is humbly offered to Consideration January 25 th 1660. By Rich. Caril Senior Ben. Wallinger William Burnet Senior Nich Highmore William Saterthwait Will Burnet Junior Walter Wallinger Several Proposals and Considerations further offered by Walter Devereux and George Carew unto the Lord High Treasurer of England Chancellour of the Exchequer under Treasurer Barons and to all the Officers of His Majesties Court of Exchequer declaring how the Kings certain Revenue may be brought into the publique receipt by the Tenants and the Sheriffs of the respective Counties of England and Wales excepting the Chantry Rents Pensions c. according to the antient Course of that Court Customs and common Laws of England THE said Walter Devereux and George Carew having lately given severall Proposals under their hands remaining with the Lord chiefe Baron and the rest of the Barons of his Majesties Court of Exchequer and Mr. Payn in the Kings Rememberancers Office concerning the collection of that part of his Majesties Revenue consisting of Chantry Rents Pentions Portions c. Wherein they alledged that there were divers inconveniences formerly suffered and Abuses done to the Crown and People of England by several miscarriages of Receivers Collectors and Messengers as also by Auditours not duly declaring their Accompts The scops of all being an Introduction to a further service intended to the King and Subject The Auditors and receivers unwilling to be brought to a fair Accompt used their utmost endeavours to obstruct the said Service and to continue their old practices who tendred a new Warrant to the Barons for their Approbation That the Lord Treasurer might sign for Messengers A strange kind of confidence to frame their own designs and conclude the Barons Opinions before they made any report to the Reference upon the former Petition and Proposals upon the reference concerning the Collection of the said Chantery Rents c. UPON the Dissolution
Creditors that are concerned in the Petition for the improvement of First Fruits and Tenths of the Clergie are many and troublesome and of several Opinions They have urged me to write these further Arguments and Perswasions to the Clergie wherein is endeavoured to convince all men as well of the undoubted Rights and Proportions due to the King from the Clergie as the Rights and Dignities due to the Clergie from the People Yet I understand the whole scope of their Grievances is to be relieved out of the late improvements of Bishops Deans Non-Residents Pluralists sine Curas and Ministers whose Livings are worth above a hundred pounds per annum The Method they intend to propose I doubt not but may please your Grace since they drive so much at the Benefit of the poore Clergie and to annex certaine Augmentations for ever to such Livings and Vicaridges that yeild not sufficient Maintenance and Encouragement to them that serve the Cure My Lord I have a double Obligation upon me to honour the Clergie above all other Orders and Dignities therefore desired Moderation and added some thing of my own short Observations to the advantage of the whole Hierarchy of the Church onely consistent with the old and sure Foundations of good Government in the English Monarchie And I question not but the Cause of the Church and the Cause of the Widow and Fatherless will find Audience and Relief in Parliament I shall not trouble Your Grace any further then to acquaint You I have Printed but a small number of these Papers to be delivered onely to some of the most Eminent and Honourable Persons of both Houses and other perticular Friends that have a great sense of the whole Business and a great Value for the Clergie there is much more to be sayd and considered then what I have written All which I humbly submit to Your most Pious and Prudent apprehensions and shall ever study to approve my self Your Lordships Most humble and Faithful Servant GEORGE CAREVV FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS OFFERED TO THE CLERGIE Concerning their first Fruits and Tenths due to the KING for his supream pastoral Charge oppugnant to the Doctrine of Rome Asserting the KINGS Right to the Government of the Church Vindicating the Bishops Office Order and Dignity in England Justifying Tythes or bona Sacra to be the Ministers proper maintenance by Divine right VVith several Arguments deduced from Scripture and reason promiscuously delivered for the satisfaction of all men proving it both sacrilegious and distructive to deâ—raud the KING in his Tributes Rights or Revenues of the Crown WHEN a man reads with Patience and without prejudice he gives himself the liberty of making a true definition of those things which comes within the reach of his own capacity to judg The Church is truly apprehended to be a State and Society of men professing one Faith serving one God and confessing one Saviour and Redeemer being a collective Body of several Parts and Consistences indowed with large and Honourable Priviledges more antient then any Society whatsoever having Communion with God and Angels that was visible in the families of the Patriarchs before and after the Food called in holy Scripture and by the Fathers a people chosen of God unto whom his Son and our Saviour hath manifested those things which before were kept secret that this Church hath been strengthned and confirmed by the blood of Apostles Bishops Preachers and holy Martyrs against the gates and Battelments of Hell That Christian King's have the supream Government of the Church from whence Bracton and our ancient Common Lawyers of England calls the Kings revenues sacra patrimonia and saies Omnis quidem sub rege ipse sub nullo nisi tantam sub Deo so that naturally from thence by the rules of Government and protection arises that the Clergie are to pay their tribute to the King as well as the Laity And they that deceive the KING deceive themselves and others MOses left this for a Law to remain for ever that the Fathers should teach their children what the Lord had done in their days and to inquire in times past what was done even from the creation of the World whereby we may truly understand that God ordained to himselfe the seventh part of our time and the tenth part of our increase Jus permaneat semper nec unquam mutetur Lex vero scripta sepius Man that is the measure of all things and hath reason given him to discern between good and evil must needs offend against the Law of his understanding when he dealâ— unjustly with God or man It was a great offence and a cursed thing in the time of the Law to remove the Land-mark and Antient bonds between Neighbour and Neighbour by reason of the great unquietness which was caused thereby how much more do they offend which remove and alter the proportion allotted to the service of God and the Church and the Antient bounds which our fore-Fathers have set between the King and his people And they that deceived the KING brought the Callamities upen themselves and the whole Nation WHen Saul was made King the High Priest became a subject and the first Fruits and Tenths which were given by the other Preists and Levites to the High Priest before â—as then vested in the King having the supream pastorall Charge of the People it was a proverb amongst the Jews that paying of tythes was a hedge to a mans possession and a setled maintenance for perpetuating of religion Nature teaches men to honour God with their substance The Heathen themselves which had not the means to apprehend much offered the tythe of their Corn and Wine to their Gods making payment in kind for the plentifull increase they had before any use were made of the other nine parts The Scripture the rule of our Faith hath left examples of that particular proportion most fit to be set apart for the service of God and forasmuch as the Church of Christ hath entred into obligation The Statutes and Decrees of the Land injoyning the payment of tyths it is a vanity and a superfluous question to despute whether they be of Divine right And they that denyed the Kings proportion ought not to receive their own the publiâ—ke revenue ought to be preferred before the private IT 's objected we are now free from the Law of Mosâ—s and not bound to pay Tythes any longer that Christ suffering and offering up himself a Sacrifice for sin Aron's order removâ—â— from the Temple and the â—ffice of the preisthood became Evangelical it 's granted that the law was fulfilled but not destroyed the hoc agere was turned into Hoc Credere yet the Text says that Heaven and Earth shall pass away but not onâ— tittle of the Law should perish Faith is proved by works and if there wants Charity all is nothing The Equiâ—able Consideration for Tyths continues upon the like conditions under the Gospel as they did before
under the Law the Priests and Levites took them for expounding the Law serving at the Altar and Tabernacle and offering up the Sacrifices for the sins of the people the Preachers and Ministers of the Gospel receive the Tythe and offerings for administring the Word and Sacraments teaching the mysteries of Salvation and offering up Prayers as daily sacrifices for the People in the first 150 Years after Christ the Apostles and Preachers of the Gospel were dispersed and had no settled maintenance but the voluntary contributions of those that imbraced their Doctrine and some that received their glad tydings of Salvation sold all that they had and layd it at their feet Tertullian Cyprian Clemens-Alexandrinus Eusebius Irenaeus and others writ of their Dyet Habitation and apparel and of severall things indifferent in themselves which altered with time and place according to the Rules of Princes and established Laws of their Government The people of God in the Primitive times desired a King to protect them from their Enemies and by Divine institution Kings were appointed to govern and rule over them who received the power both Spiritual and temporal into one and the same hand he made choyce of the Priests and deposed them as Solomon did Abiather and placed Zadock in his rome And the Law both Judaicall and Levitical was made Canonicall Scripture by Josiah The Rites and Seremonies of the Church after Christ were debated and determined at national Synods and general Councils and were made Cannon laws by the Emperours The Apostles perswaded the people to believe Christ's Doctrines not upon payn of death but damnation and taught them to be obedient to their Civil Magistrates for conscience sake for that an Oath was the end of all strife The old and new Testaments were preserved by the holy Spirit and Preached publickly in England in the Year 250. The Reverend and Learned Bishops in England in those days much Honoured for their Constancy and Zeal in Religion were summoned to the Generall Councils of Sardice and Nice and much approved of for their Doctrine all the time of Constantine the Great The Originall of the POPE's Usurpation over CHRISTIAN PRINCES AS to the English Monarchical Government under which our Lives Liberties and Estates are best secured by Magna charta and the Petition of Right it is agreed there is but one man Supream all others act under his name by commision The Clergie being subordinate to the Prince having the superiority over them do submit themselves to his Government in all things according to Gods commands knowing there is no power but of God and they are ordained of God That Kings are the Lords Anointed his Image upon Earth Nursing Fathers of the Church and Princes of the people of God The Pope or Bishop of Rome usurped his Authority of late times Emperours and King's formerly elected degraded and censured them Theodoret imployed John the first Bishop of Rome in the nature of an Embassador to Justinian the Emperour and for exceeding his Commission he kept him in Prison until he dyed In the year 679. Pope Agatho besought the Emperour to forgive him the Tribute which the Pope of Rome usually payd for his Consecration One Almaine Emperour chose Pope Leo the eight John the Fourteenth and Benedict the Fifth and so successicely but as the Emperours did fall so the Popes did rise The Pope himselfe will rather renounce the succession of Peter then the Donation of Charlemane The Church of Rome once a Member of the true Catholick Church is fallen from the Principles of the Apostolick and primitive puritie both in Doctrine and Manners and came to that swelling greatness by six steps Gradatim The first by Constantines departing from Rome to Constantinople The Second by the fall of the Empire in the West The Third by the donation of Phocas The Fourth by the voluntary Charter that the Emperour of Constantinople made to Benedict the Second In the Year 684. The Fifth by the amity between Zachary Bishop of Rome and King Pipin of France In the Year 751. The Sixth and last step by the Constitution of Seven Electours by Gregory the Fifth a Germane born and Kinsman to Otâ—o the Emperour So the Beast that Obscurely sprung up increased and became insolently Triumphant over Kings and Emperours and sent their Popish innovasions of Doctrine and discipline into England iâ— the Saxons time A Foundation layd in Blood Treason and Rapine cannot support a Fabrick from falling to the ground IT is in vain to read the Desputations and Volumnes of Bellarmine and others that writ in the defence of the Church of Rome that swept away the mony of England under Colour of indulgencies that caused the Common people to rob their Children to Inrich the Fryars and make their posterity poor by such Charity and Devotion not by the Scripture required The Church of God is built upon his name and word that unmoveable Rock The keys of heaven are Faith and good works The people are admitted in or kept out of the Church by the Ministers of the Gospel according to the ordinances of God The Prophets foretold the Jews of a Messiah to re-establish amongst them the Kingdome of God which was rejected by them in the time of Samuel This expectation made them obnoxious to impostures that have had the Ambition and art by plausible and false Doctrines to attempt and deceive the people Christ himselfe and the Apostles forewarned them of such false Prophets and told them further that his Kingdom was not of this world that the Kings of Nations had Dominion over their subjects but his Kingdom purchased by his Blood was not to be possessed untill his second comming The Devil seeks by suggesting a present Dominion to weaken the Faith of Christians Saint Peter and the rest of the Apostles had Power given them to teach the people the Gospel and the mysteries of their salvation in the Faith of Christ and him crucified when Christian Sovereigns were Baptised into the Faith by vertue of their office they obliged themselves to preserve the Doctrine of Christ God requiring the account from them and at their hands being not only Pater Patirae but Pater Ecclesiae therefore Tythes the patrimony of the Church should be maintained and kept inviolate by Kings the nursing fathers of the Church AMongst the Emperial laws was omitted the punishment for killing their Fathers supposing no man to be so horridâ—y impious and wicked to commit such an act of Paricide against the law of nature It may be sayd as much of those men that Robbed and destroyed their mother the Church of England The Pope perswaded the Kings of England that he was the universal Governour of the Church and he received the revenue of first Fruits and Tenths from the Clergie which was due to the Crown and the four orders of Fryars perswaded the people that tythes were given ex debito Charitatis and not ex