Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	prove_v	religion_n	true_a	5,057	5	6.8388	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81121	Lawles tythe-robbers discovered: who make tythe-revenue a mock-mayntenance, being encouraged thereunto by the defect of law and justice about ministers maintenance; and by the cavills and pretended objections against it. Which defect of law and justice is herein fully discovered, together with the frauds and wrongs occasioned by that defect, that they may be prevented by better laws, and more impartiall justice, now in Parliament-time, wherein remedies have always been most speedy and certain. Herein the many cavills and pretended objections made against tythes, and all setled maintenance of ministers are recited and confuted. Herein also, some motives to the higher powers for speedy relief of ministers, by better laws. Together with some humble proposals of means for the rooting out and preventing of those frauds and wrongs. Imprimature, Edm. Calamy.	Culmer, Richard, d. 1662.	1651 (1651)	Wing C7480; Thomason E829_18	47,813	43

Apostles practised against the true Apostle Paul whereby he was put to it to justifie his ministery Answer 2 And this doctrine of Charles doth not only tend to the ruine of the Ministery but to the losse of the soules of the people for upon this account many will heare no Minister at all to save charges if they hear not the Minister they say they are free from charges to the Minister I know divers parishes that have no Minister at all to save charges they may have the Gospel preached to them but they prize tythes above their soules Gaine is their chief godlinesse Answer 3. The people have no power to pay their tythes to whom they please no more then to pay their Land-lords rent or debts to whom they please For the tythes are not the people 's own to give or pay where they please They are not their own good things their own temporall things Answer 4. Upon this account those that occupie lands in parishes where they live not Out-dwellers will pay nothing to such Ministers for the upholding the preaching of the Gospol in those parishes the setled maintenance rising out of those lands yet the greatest part of the lands in many parishes is farmed by Out-dwellers Cavill 18 If the Ministers would live as they should doe and preach as they should doe no man would refuse to pay them they would pay them out of meer reverence to their worth as the thieves that stole Mr. Gilpins horse when they heard it was the horse of so holy a man the thieves brought him his horse again and asked him forgiveness c. this objection I have heard Answer 1 The most pious able painfull Ministers are most defrauded by unconscionable prophane people only because they are such Ministers when illafected are truly paid Christ himselfe who was holy harmless c. was betrayed by Judas for lucre sake And Saint Paul who led an examplary life and preached better then any Minister now living and could worke miracles yet he suffered hunger and thirst and nakedness had no abiding place and was in perils of robbers in perills of false brethren and put to worke for his living 1 Cor. 4.7 2 Cor. 11.26 c. Cavil 19 If tythes were put into a common treasury and more equally divided by stipends I would willingly pay tythes A. 1. It would be a vast charg to gather tythes into a common treasury neither minister nor people would be gainers by it but that charge about collectors treasurers journeys attendance must needs be losse to some Answ 2 We see how it fares with the Ministers of the reformed Churches beyond the seas in Holland Palatine c. The Protestant Princes have the tythes the Minister a stipend which is generally so mean that the people after they have paid their tythes to the State are necessitated to add to the Ministers maintenance out of their owne estates as it was here in the Bishops time before the Parliament in many parishes the people paid tythes to Non-residents whose Curates were a burden to them besides yet these people now the Bishops Courts are down not fearing the present lawes doe refuse to pay tythes only without any further charge to resident godly painfull preachers who keep house amongst them and beare the burthen of the parish with them In the Palatinate before the sword entred there the Ministers condition was such that a Pesant or Yeoman scorned to marry his daughter to a Minister their servants were thought good enough for them And how it fared in this kinde with famous Scultetus is famous And this was the immediate fore-runner of the Palatine desolation according to that of old 2 Chron. 36.15 Answer 3 It cannot be proved that ministers maintenance was equal of old but the contrary and there is just ground of inequality in many respects as of place Citie or Countrey of the Ministers deserts families c. Cavill 20 Many do petition against tythes all the Nation over therefore I le pay none Answer 1 This rather argues for tythes it was said of the true Religion This Sect is every where spoken against and we read in the Gospel that they all petitioned and clamoured against Christ himself they all ctyed crucify him They cryed out against Paul this man is not worthy to live but there was nothing found in Christ or in Paul worthy of death or of bonds Answer 2 Many petition against tythes meerly out of ignorance opinion passion interest for company out of hatred to the Ministery it selfe which they desire to overthrow but will not cry downe the Ministery in plain termes but endeavour to bring their end to passe by unsetling ministers maintenance which would in a litle time destroy both maintenance and ministery One that came up to London to petition against tythes being asked why he was so earnest to have them down he said He should get 30 li. by the year if tythes went down but being convinced that if tythes went down his Land-lord would add his Tythe-rent to the Land-lords-rent he presently said I will home again as fast as I can trudg let them petition that will A. 3. The Clamour and Petitions of millions is not to be regarded if it be can slesse and against right Answ 4. Neither magistrates nor people must follow a multitude to doe evill They must not so much as speake in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgement Exod 23.3 it was the sinne of unjust Pilate the Governour who delivered innocent Christ to be crucified only upon petition clamour and there was a law made by the Heathen Emperours that no Christian should suffer for clamours of the people against them Answ 5 Many Petitions have been made for tythes upon better grounds of Scripture and reason then the contrary petitioners have or can produce If both be compared some of these contrary petitions having nothing but noise not a word of Scripture-grounds or inference of right reason and these petitions from a very few in comparison though pretended from many and they not of the best Cavil 21. Setled maintenance by tythes or otherwise breeds contention if there were no maintenance setled there would be no contention between Minister and People no Law-suits c. which hinders the Gospel Answer 1. This might have been objected against Gods Law for tythes that God had setled a contentious maintenance which to say is Blasphemy 2 Contentions arise not out of the nature of tythes but out of mens passions and infirmities Those that refuse to pay tythes are the cause of the contention they necessitate them to whom tythes are due to contend for their right which is deteined from them The Non-tythepayer is the contentious person The Tythe-receiver only defends himself when he endevours to keep off the wrong in a legal way without which he must of necessity lose his righr and be guilty of his own wrong and of the hardening of others in wickedness There are two things

out and to take it away But although the Law saith he must suffer the Tythe-receiver to see his tythes set out yet the Law saith not no Tythe shall be set out but in the presence of the Tythe-receiver or his assignes or that before the Tythe be set out or things tythable or any part of them be carried away notice shall be given by the Tythe-payer to the Tythe-receiver when the things tytheable shall be tythed that the Tythe-receiver or his Assignee may be present to see the tythe justly and truly set out The Tythe-payer who is in possession of all the ten parts is lost by the Law solely to himself or his assignes to set out the tythe before what partial witness he pleaseth to take and to do this in the absence of him to whom the tythes are due The Tythe-payer and none else hath by law to do with the setting out the tythe The Tythe-payers usually deny the Tythe-receiver to see his tythe set out No mean one say You shall see no tythe set out on my ground The Parson hath nothing to do by Law to meddle about the setting it out pray keep off I know how to set out my tythe by Law you shall not see it set out if you watch never so long It is true that if the Tythe-receiver or his assignes wait day and night or happen to come casually at the instant when the Tythe-payer is about to take and carry the things tythable I instance in Corn especially Then indeed the Law saith the Tythe-payer must suffer the Tythe-receiver to see the tythe set out but here is the freedom that the Tythe-payer hath by Law to keep the Tythe-receiver from seeing his tythe set out The fraudulent Tythe-payers not being bound by Law to give notice when the things tythable are ready for tything or to set out the tythes in the Tythe-receivers presence do watch and take their opportunity day or night to carry away their things tytheable and to leave what Tythes they list for the absent Tythe-receiver Now they are grown so cunning that thereby they usually leave some tythe to prevent the discovery of the true value substracted which would easily be known if no tythe at all were left Now the shift used of purpose by the Tythe-payer to hinder the Tythe-receiver from seeing his tythes set out are commonly these First If the Tythe-receiver send to every farm a waiter aboard the Ship I meane a man to looke after his tythes which is growne now to an intolerable charge yet if the farmer have more plow-lands then one he will of purpose send out two or theee Carts at once into severall fields or places knowing that the servant cannot be present at divers places at once 2. If the Tythe-payers cart be come into the field and ready to lead the corne yet if the Tythe-taker happen then to come there they wil let the waggon or cart stand empty all the while the Tythe-receiver is present and wil go home empty if he stay long 3 If the Tythe-receiver wait all day upon the Reapers and Binders the Tyth-payer will goe home at night leaving all the sheaves lying abroad here and there but after supper or at midnight when the Tyth-receiver is at home then the Tyth-payers waggon comes out and then leave what Tythe they list 4 If the Tythe-payers be loading corn in the day time in the Tithe-receivers absence If they see the Tythe-receiver comming at that instant they load as fast as possible they can and as much as they can before he comes to them They tell him they have loaded but so many sheaves or shocks ten sheaves heaped is a shock when in truth they have loaded twice so many shocks or sheaves as they acknowledge and the Tythe-receiver must believe them they will not unload their waggon nor suffer the Tythe-receiver to see it unloded when it comes home they cannot unload till to morrow or till after dinner c. 5 If the Tythe-receiver desire the Tythe-payer to set out the tythe presently or to tell him when he shall come and see the tythe set out or when he will tythe and carry his things titheable The Tythe-payer will either answer with silence or will say he will not carry until to morrow or until the afternoon or until all the field be reaped or bound c. But the Tythe-payer takes his advantage hereupon to defraud the credulous Tythe-receiver and before the time appointed carries his corn hay c. and leaves what tythe he list when a Tythe-payer was reproved for this fraud and breach of promise ●ush said he to his neightbour do you thinke wee l tel them when wee l carry our come and let them see the tithe set out 6 They have a trick to threaten and affright the Tyth-receivers servant off their ground And while he goes home to complaine they carry their come and leave what tythe they list 7. If the corn be cocked or heaped in the Tythe-receivers absence the Tyth-payer will not load in order but loads a heape here and there disorderly and crosse and crosse the field out of order of purpose to keep the Tythe-receiver from the knowledge of what they carried away 8. The law not appointing the tythe heaps to be marked by a bough or the like after they are set out for tythes The Tythe-payers thereupon take advantage in the Tythe-receivers absence to eye and note out such a heap for tythe and leave it a while in the field but they after take it away and by this trick they can sweat it was set out or noted out for tythe and left for tythe though they had carried it away 9 If the tythe be set out in the Tythe-receivers presence in one part of a field the Tythe-payer will not carry any corn where the tythe is set out but carry where no tythe is set out in the same field or in another field in the Tythe-receivers absence of purpose to cheat the Minister 10 They pick out all the worst and least sheaves and heap them and set them out for tythe in the Tythe-receivers absence and then they load the biggest sheaves and best corn for themselves 11 They fee their men that carry their corn and hay c. and they in the absence of the Tythe-receiver truly and justly tell the heaps and bough out the tenth then comes another servant and puls off the Tythe-mark and then instantly comes the waggon and takes up the rest of the corn that was tythed out only leaving here and there a litle tythe not halfe to blinde the businesse By this trick they can swear the tythe was truly set out and left 12 They reape and binde nine shocks of great sheaves and load them before the tenth be reaped or bound and the Tythe-payer bids them reap or binde the tenth the next shocke for tythe They know their masters meaning and that tenth shock shall not be halfe so good as the nine that

were carried away yet they are ready to sweare the tythe was truly set out and left 13 They use in the tythe-receivers absence to set marks or boughs on every heap in the field if there be five hundred and then presently bring waggons load carry away the corn leave here there a little tythe by this trick though they steal half the tythe they can swear that the tenth was set out marked out for if all were marked out the tenth heap or tythe must needs be marked The second Order of frauds in Tything is in the time of tything though in the Tythe-receivers pesence 1 They will bribe the Parsons servants to winke at their unjust tything and have defrauded much by this means 2 They will not set out the tythe or tenth before they begin to carry their sheaves or heaps though the Tythe-receiver be present but load the sheaves as they lie here and there or the shocks till they come to the tenth so the Tythe-receiver must be present to tell every sheafe or heap as it is loaded and the Pitcher and Loader of the corne being two to one Tythe-receiver do usually out-face him and swear and stare they have not taken up halfe so many as they have loaded and upon this account the Parson though he keep a hundred men in the field in several places to see the tythe set out yet all is in vain by this trick 3 They will leave a tenth shock in the tythe-receivers presence or absence but it is a usual trick to load eight heaps of corn or hay c. in the best of the field and afterward they drive the waggon to a poore weedy barren part of the field and there load a ninth shock and then and there set up a bough on the heap next to the ninth That tenth shocke not being so good as one sheafe of the eight shocks which the tythe-payer had loaded for himself They face it if it be questioned that it was the tenth and stood next to the ninth shocke they loaded 4 If the tythe-receiver be suffered to see the corn tythed before the tythe-payer begins to carry any of the things tytheable the tythe must be set out as the heaps stand in order right or wrong I mean though the tenth be not half so good as any of the nine heaps And the tythe-payers being in possession it is usual to pack all the heaps in a field before hand in the absence of the Tythe-receiver so cunningly that begin to tell in order which way you will the tenth heape shall be the worst 5 They put in some shocks more then ten sheaves and onely ten in the Tythe shock as when tythe wooll is paid they pack two fleeces instead of one for tythe-payer but the Tythe-fleece is scarce one fleece Now of late these Tythe-craft-men begin a new trick in some place against custome which hath been to shock or heap their corn and after to set out the tenth shock justly now they load up the sheaves as they lie single about the field and the Pitcher when he hath loaded nine sheaves eyes a little sheaf and throweth it by for tythe all the field over to be a prey for Swine and Gleaners The third order of the frauds of Tything-craft is after the tythe is set out to hinder the Tythe-receiver from enjoying it 1 The wicked Tythe-payer will carry his 9 parts first while the tythe heaps are there and if the tythe shock were justly set out yet they will remove the bough from the good tythe-shock and so set it on a naughty shock contrary to the Law of God Deut. 14.27 Chap. 12.17 Deut. 27.33 and load the tythe shock And they use after the tythe is set out to pick out good sheaves out of the tythe-shock and pack in refuse and worse in the room of the good sheaves 2 After the tythe is set out in a field and the Tythe-receiver absent if the reapers or binders be at work and there be single sheaves abroad not tythed nor shocked The Tythe-payer comming to fetch his tythed corn useth to load many of those untythed sheaves if the Tythe-receiver come and take them in that act they say presently they took up but half a dozen odd sheaves to make up their load when they have loaded half their load with untythed sheaves 3. If the tythe be set out and left all night in the field then the unjust Tythe-payer acts his deeds of darkness of his black Art to the purpose sometimes they carry away the good tythe in the night and fetch poor lodged weedy mouse-ar'd corn out of another field and lay it in their room of the good tythe-heaps sometimes they keep trash in a corner of their barn and fetch it out in the night and put it in the room of the good tythe-heaps 4 After the tythe is truly set out they have a trick especially in the night to take out of every tythe-sheaf at least half of it and then binde the half-sheaves and heap them in number as before they were so gelded or diminished It is ordinary to steal five sheaves out of ten sheaves in this manner said one after tythes were set out in the Tythe-receivers presence This shock is too good for the Priest presently in the day-time took away divers sheaves of the shock did unbinde the rest made new bands and bound the residue of the sheaves into ten sheaves I had the other year sixteen shocks in one field left for tythe and in the night every sheaf was so gelded and but half left in substance every sheaf was unbound and half-taken out and rebound heaped and reboughed and a waggon had been there in the night as was evident and this neer the Farmers house that had set out the tythes in the day time 5 Though the tythe be justly set out yet the Tythe-payer taking advantage in the absence of the Tythe-receiver and coming first for his nine parts loads up with his nine parts whole tythe-shocks that were boughed out And though the tythe-payers Waggon come immediately out of the field loaded wih his nine parts and having a tythe-shock or two loaded amongst his own the tythe-payer will d●ny and swear that he loaded nor carried away any tythe Did you see me or my man load the tythe you must watch your corn if thieves have been there while you have been at dinner or in the night look you after them we are not bound to watch your tythe so that the Tythe-receiver cannot prove that the Tythe-payer had the tythe-heaps all is lost which act its hard to prove for its lawful for the Tythe-payer to come and be on his own ground at any time of the day or night and to load his corn there none can say what have ye to do there 6 When the Tythe-payer hath carried away his nine parts he sends to the Tythe-receiver to fetch away his tythe which possibly he cannot do at that

about holy things and made Acts Laws to inforce it 2 Chron. 31.4 Nehem. 13.6 So after the Apostles times when Kingdomes and States became Christian ministers were presently provided for in a publique setled way of maintenance as Histories shew which maintenance continues to this day in all Christian Kingdomes and Nations and in this Nation especially by Glebes and tythes and other setled duties And indeed then and only then is the Gospell the glory of any Nation when the Christian Magistrate doth entertaine it and set it up and uphold it by upholding and Maintaining the Ministers and Ministery of it And that glory is gone if the magistrate own it not or protect it not in the ministery of it Such as Charles will not have the Church receive any advantage by the Civil magistrates becomming Christians which is confuted Isa 49.23 Psal 72.10 11. Isa 60 10. Revel 20.24 Such magistrats are said to be Nursing fathers and mothers to the Church Such fathers mothers do not leave the childe to it self but do take care of it and nourish it We read Act. 9.31 when the Churches had rest from persecution they were edified multiplyed and would it not be much more edified and multiplyed if ministers and people had the power and assistance of the Christian magistrate with them and for them in the things of Religion The Magistrate doing actively and positively for the good of the Church out of their pious care to promote Religion and the salvation of mens souls and not only to preserve outward peace and safety Answer 2. The Magistrate is for the the punishment of them that do evil Rom. 13.1 Is it not an evil sin a sin of omission against Gods Law not to allow maintenance to ministers which God commands both in the Law and Gospel Therefore the Magistrate sins if he punish not that neglect of duty thereby to inforce it As he doth in other cases as in relief of the poor in taxes in other duties Answ 3. Whereas Charles saith that people should maintain ministers freely they should be free in that duty to obey God only therein God commands it to be freely done therefore the Mngistrate hath nothing to do to meddle with it to inforce it by coercive Lawes It is plain that a duty commanded by the magistrate may notwithstanding be done freely and willingly Tit. 3.1 Obey Magistrates be ready to every good work The double command of God and man too of them of whom God sayes They are Gods should move to more free willing cheerfull obedience for conscience sake Rom. 13.5.1 Pet. 2. 2 Cavil Charles to animate people against Magistracie and Ministery Prints expresly That tythes are an oppression and a bondage and that selling of Parson ages is selling of poor mens labours and that tythes are the people 's own estate Ans It s evident that tythes are no bondage or wrong because the paying of them is not one farthing charg to any man rich or poor in the whole Nation The tythes neither belong to the State nor to the Land-lord nor Tenant of the Lands and Houses where those tythes arise but they belong only to the Minister and Impropriator as their right and propriety as hath been proved before the Honourable Committee for Tythes by the godly-learned in the Laws and is manifested by several learned Treatises When Kings of this Nation had the Patronage of Rectories If the Minister Incumbent died the Profits the tythes thereof went not to the State but were sequestred and kept for the next Minister to enjoy them And Ministers have actuall possession given them as free-holders as freeholders paid Subsidies and sued at law as freeholders It s manifest that the Purchasers of lands and houses do not purchase the tythes and duties that have and do issue out of those Lands and Houses as a Rent-charge due and payable to the Minister or Impropriator neither do they purchase the lands tythe-free or duty-free And the Tenant or Farmer doth not hire the tythes and duties of the Landlord who having no right to them hath no power to let them or to enjoy them himself And there is hath bin a consideration had of this Rent-charge of tythes in all Purchases Leases c. which would be a tenth part more in value and price if the Lands or Houses purchased or hired were tythe-free As is manifest in tythe-free Lands which are purchased and let at higher rates by a tenth part then Land or Houses charged with tythe-rent Thus it hath pleased God who when he gave the Land of Canaan to Israel did reserve the tythes to himself for his Ministers and made other provisions for them in Lands and houses by his special providence to provide and establish in this Land and in other Lands and Nations a maintenance for his Ministers by the free Donation and legal settlement of Houses Glebes and Tythes given and establisht by those who have been Proprietors and Possessors of Lands and Houses and this establishment hath been made and continued by Law and Custome for many generations as heretofore and of late especially hath been proved by ancient Histories and Records and this settlement of Ministers maintenance from good grounds both from the Law and Gospel also which commands the liberal maintenance of Ministers such a maintenance at least as tythes amount unto Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.2 c. Notwithstanding all this cleere demonstration that tythes are none of the peoples owne that the people have no right to them in the least yet it is strange to see how unperswaseable people are to believe this truth and how forward they are to embrace Charles Nicholls his false doctrine touching the peoples right to tythes So that many people count it their duty to detein their tythes they think they do God and themselves good service to cozen the Tythe-receiver what they can I have heard divers say It is no sin to cozen the Parson what they can upon this accompt they say with scorne and glorying when they pay any tythes We give the Priest as they in scorne call the setled minister So much every year we are at such charges to the Priest either glorying in their bounty and gifts or rather grudging at their payments of tythes which are no more theirs then a Legacie is the gift of an Executor or a debt the gift of the debtor or the rent the gift of the tenant to the Land-lord Answ 2 Such as Mr. Charles Nicholls are Oppressors of godly Ministers by abetting the witholding of setled maintenance and oppressors of people too by causing them to be charged with costs in Law for the iniquity to which they intice them and by drawing them from the orderly dependance upon their owne setled Pastor to be at charge in needlesse journeyes expences losses by neglect of Families at home and by occasioning them to be at need lesse charges touching ministers maintenance when they may injoy a competent

7.30 31. 1. Cor. 11.7 8 9. Chap. 12 10 to 21. he would not seeme to abuse his power in the Gospel in the opinion of those covetous ones 1. Cor. 9.12 Answer 6. Paul laboured to make himselfe an example 2 Thes 3.7 to quel those lazy busi-bodies that left their callings under colour of godlinesse Some to be hearers all the weeke long and do go from house to house talking to their brothers and sisters of the Christian Relion as if that were a sufficient warrant to be idle busi-bodies and leave their callings families He laboured also to make himself an example to quel those lazie busi-bodies making Schisms and Divisions in the Churches under colour of gifts and godliness leaving their particular callings and turning Teachers without a special call and sending He laboured that they might not live idely and charge the poor Saints when there was no need of them Paul saith plainly there If any man will not work let him not eat he intends not thereby that all Ministers called to that function should labour with their hands nor that men of estates should use handy crafts c. but his meaning is that every one should take a course to live in his calling and place according to their duty and not be idle Rich men Magistrates c. have their worke to manage their places and estates Ministers have their work they must labour in the word be Workmen that need not be ashamed dividing the word aright Answer 7 Though Paul laboured yet the other Apostles did not and Paul did it not alwayes but only at Corinth Acts 18.23 and Paul upbraids the Corinths for suffering it 2. Cor. 11.7 he reckons it amongst his sufferings and abasing of himself that he was put to it 1. Cor. 40.12 2. Cor. 11.3 Paul saith he had power to forbeare working but would not abuse his power in the Gospel 1. Cor. 9.6 and when he spake to the Thessalonions of his labours in this kinde he takes them off from making his praise a rule to urge this as a necessary duty to other Ministers by his example 2. Thes 3.8 and he toke maintenance when he thought fit Phil. 4.16 and for finall answer to this Cavill we finde that Saint Paul commandeth the liberall maintenance of Gospel Ministers Gal. 6.6 and which is more he useth many arguments to perswade that maintenance from Scripture and reason 1. Cor. 9.3 c. so many arguments and reasonings for Gospel Ministers liberall and certain maintenance that may convince all gain-sayers and will rise up in judgement against this crooked and perverse generation of sacrilegious robbers of Gods Ministers who are so farre from maintaining them that they defraud them of the maintenance which is not at their charge but it is by Gods providence bestowed setled and confirmed on them by others without any charge to the present generation of men And it is my belief that Paul had a Prophetick spirit and did forsee these times of with-holding Ministers maintenance and did therefore provide so many Scriptures and so many convincing reasons for these times that such covetous With-holders and defrauders of Ministers maintenance might either be convinced and converted or else have the greater condemnation Cavil 11. Saint Paul by his owne confession would not be chargeable to the poore Saints But our setled Ministers are very chargeable to the poore farmers and others Answer 1. The poore if they had tytheable things were bound by Gods law to pay the tythes thereof and they brought their turtle doves c. according to their ability Answer 2 The poore are bound to deal justly as well as the rich and in other things do pay dues according to their proportion as in Land-lords rent Tribute c. Answer 3. The poore Farmer is not charged by the Tythe-receiver for the tythe which the Minister receives of the Farmer is not the Farmers but the Minister right and propriety as is before manifested Cavil 12. The setled Ministery of England are all Antichristian Priests Therefore no true Christian ought to maintaine them Answer 1. This Cavill about the Ministers of England being antichristian hath bin fully answered long since and that ministery vindicated from that aspersion and of late more especially in a book intituled The vindication of the Presbyterian Government and more lately and more fully in a book intituled Jus Divinum Ministerii Evangelii c wherein that Ministery is proved to be truly Christian and no way antechristian The calling of those Ministers from Christ Their Ordination according to the word of Christ their Doctrines and Administrations all Christian They abjure antichrist pray against Antichrist preach against Antichrist and against all his Antichristian doctrines and practises withstood Antichrist to the losse of their lives by Martyrdom under the tyranny of Antichrist Answer 2. They have the seal of their true Ministery by the conversion of many thousand soules to Jesus Christ by opening their eyes and turning them from darkenesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God From this very ground the Apostle Paul argues the truth of his Apostleship and Ministry 2 Thes 2.14 1 Cor. 9.2 It was the seale of the truth of his ministery Answ 3. Who ever did read of true conversion ordinarily under a fals ministery or in a fals Church Answer 4. Where did those that cry out against the publike setled Ministery of England as antichristians receive their conversion from sinne to God Where had they their eyes opened to turn from that which they call antichristian darkenesse to Christian light new light which conversion they presume to be wrought in them Did they not receive it by and from that ministery which is now more reformed then before and therefore more assurance of the presence of Christ and his graces in and with this ministery and those Churches which they call Antichristian Cavil 13 The Pope challengeth all things given to the Church if we should pay tythes or rates we should pay them to the Pope and thereby uphold antichrist Answer 1 The Pope claims tythes and other lawfull things but his claime doth not take away their lawfulness in their own nature no more then the Devils claim of Divine worship from Christ doth disanull the divine worship of God Answer 2 Tythes are not paid in England to the Pope or Popish priests but as we have shewed to the true Ministers of Jesus Christ and to others that have right to tythes as their propriety Cavill 14 Setled maintenance is a note of a false prophet This Cavill Charles Nicholls useth in his title page The Priests teach for hire Micah 3.11 They run greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward Answer 1 The Prophet Micah speaks of false teachers that made the people to erre they are coupled with unrighteous Judges who take bribes to wrest judgement that judged for reward and these prophets that are said to teach for hire are said to divine for money they were hired