The brief of the Ministers bill for London tithe.  
THe Citizens and inhabitants of the City of London and the Liberties thereof, are to pay their tithe by the Decree, 
The Statute ma●e the 37. Hen. 8.  of every xs rend xuj ob. per annum, and of eu●ry xxˢ rend ijˢ ix d. of all houses, shops, warehouses, cellars, stable, etc. without fraud or c●nin for ●uer.  
Contrary to the true meaning of the said Decree, some defeat the Minister's of their tithe, by reserving their yearly rent or payments, 
The grievances.  by secret bonds, double leases (one with small rent for the Parson to demand his tithe; another for the Landlord, whereby he demandeth more rend:) others call their quarterly payments by the name of Fines, Pensions, Incomes, New-yeares-gift, and many other secret contracts, reservations, and agreements, for avoiding of further charges to the Parson.  
For reformation of these devices and other grievances, they most humbly entreat that commissions may be granted by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper for the time being, 
What the Minister's de●●re.  to the Lo: Bishop of London & his Chancellor, to the Lo: Mayor of London & the Recorder and some others, to assess by valuation or otherwise, that some reasonable tithe be paid of such houses aforenamed, as in their consciences they shall think fit. Or that the honourable Court of Parliament will be pleased to appoint any other order which in their wisdom they shall think meet.  
1. For many hundred years before the Decree, 
Motives.  houses paid iij 〈◊〉 v d. out of every xxˢ rend, as they were or could be let, or after a common value; and houses inhabited by the owners were to be valued by the Churchwardens, by a composition between the Citizens and Ministers. 17. Decemb. 1457.  
2. The prices of all things are tripled since the Decree, and the Benefices within the walls not half so good, in respect of the loss of personal or privy tithes, offerings to Saints, Church-lands, Obits, Mortuaries, and many other things, beside the abatement of viii d. of every xxˢ rend of houses, shops, etc.  
3. There be not so many poor Benefices of the like tax in the King's books in any shire of England, as are within the walls of London, some of them being taxed at 20. l. 30. l. 40. l. 60. l. 100 marks and more; by which their payments are very great, for Subsidies, first fruits, continual tenths, and other payments.  
4. Many Citizens, and some whole Parishes for the most part of the inhabitants therein, have lately raised themselves to a competent tithe.  
5. They desire no house to be raised to more tithe than some Knights, country Gentlemen, and Citizens do already pay for houses of the like worth in the City.  
6. By this improvement, no one Benefice within the walls, shall come near to that which hath been lately raised in some one impropriation within the city.  
7. If there may be a reformation of some great houses inhabited by the richer sort, that pay by the forenamed devices fare less tithe than the meaner sort of handicrafts men, the Ministers may forbear the poorer sort of citizens, as hitherto they have done, and still desire to do.  
8. To avoid the suspicion of excessive raising of the liuings in London, a proviso may pass, that if any Benefice shall be raised in tithe by valuing to 50 lib per annum, more than now it is at the making of this Act, than no Parson or Vicar shall have any more benefit by virtue of this Act.  
Whereas the Parsons and Vicars of London in time of superstition before the Decree, had relief from time to time by Constitutions, Compositions, Acts of Common council, and Acts of Parliament.  
They most humbly entreat, that this most honourable Court would take to heart the distressed estate of many poor and painful Ministers, that these variances being taken away, they may enjoy peace with their people; in which happy success they shall ever acknowledge your honourable & religious care, and not cease to pray that this Act, with many other such like, may tend to your eternal comfort in Christ jesus.