THE Storming and total Routing of tithes, wherein is showed the unlawfulness of claiming them by the now pretended Tribe of Levy, and both takers and payers therein, denying Christ to be come in the flesh.  
Or the humble representation, declaration and protestation of Edward Barber, in behalf of himself and many thousands of the Freemen of the commonwealth of England, humbly presented to the Right Honourable the Lord general Crumwell, Lieutenant General Fleetwood. Colonel Pride, with the rest of those worthies of the Nations Liberties,  
Proving paying tithes under the Gospel to be against the Law of God, the Law of the Land, the Protestation, Covenant and engagement of the Army; And that if we should still continue the practice thereof after so many engagements, so much light breaking forth, we might Judge ourselves guilty of perjury in the high Court of Heaven, and so stand guilty at the bar of God's Justice.  1 Sam. 2. 36. And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house, shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, put me (I pray thee) into one of the Priests offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. Ezekiel 34. 2, 3, 4. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophecy, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, woe be unto the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves. Should not the shepherds feed the flocks, ye eat the fat and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock, the diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye culled them. Micha 3, 5. Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry; peace: and he that putteth not into their mouths they even prepare war against them. Matth. 10. 16. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves &c. 
By Edward Barber freeman of England, Citizen and merchant-tailor of London.  
LONDON, Printed Anno Dom 1651.   

TO The Right Honourable Lord General Crumwel, lieutenant General Fleetwood, Colonel Pride, with the rest of those worthies of the nations Liberties.  
RIght Honourable and worthy Patriots, we having enjoyed much good and quietness by God's goodness, through the care valour and prudence, God having by you brought us in some measure out of that thraldom and bondage we were in under the late Prelates that we may not be carried back again to more than Egyptian thraldom or reheboams' Reformation, and that you may not be a Moses only, to go unto mount Nebo and there see the good land; But as our Josuah to carry us into the good Land of a thorough Reformation, the which to do that God would give you self-denying spirits, and to be a means to the Parliament to choose out according to Jethrows advice, and provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them &c. Exod. 18. 21. Such as would make it their work as Moses did from morning till night, vers. 13. That so poor people might not be totally ruined in Courts of Injustice or Committees, especially for that Popish claim of tithes &c. And to this end that none without a special occasion might have plurality of places of profit, in Church or commonwealth as too many have, whereby the work is left undone They like Locusts going over the breadth of the Earth Exod. 10. 14. Revel. 9 3. Or false Teachers that seek the fleece not the fleck, the love of money being the root of all evil; But that he that hath an Office might weight on his Office (not Offices) one place being sufficient to take up the whole man of the ablest self-denying honest man in the nation, and that a sufficient known salary may be allowed to each party for their service, and not to live upon bribes called fees, or one to have several places and 500, 600, 1000, 1500. per annum, for that which others that have been as faithful and are as able as themselves for that service, would perform for 100 per annum, against whom there can be no just exception, whereby it hath been proffered to some in Authority by 100 men's service to save the nation 100000 per annum, which might be employed towards the relief of the poor or the payment of the soldiers & not some that had mean estates at the beginning of these troubles, yet now glut themselves with ungodly gains and the ruins of the nation, when others are ready to starve, as too many have done, for want of means by honest employment; all which is practised by reason of some time-servers that sow pillow under their armholes, as Isa. 38. 12. and Ezekiel 13. 18. That by enjoying their great Benefices dare not with the Prophets say thou art the man, or with the watchman of the Lord tell the house of Israel their sins and transgresgressions, yet they seek me daily &c. saith the Lord, Isa. 58. 1. Have not they discovered themselves to be as Baal's Prophets, 1 Kings 18. and 20. that seduced Ahab, or those unclean spirits like frogs that came out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet, being the spirits of devils, working Miracles which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty, &c. Revel. 16. 13, 14. That therefore in performance of your Protestations Vows and Covenants, ye, would be instruments of easing this bleeding nation of this Popish burdensome practice of tithes, who as the rakers thereof, have been the cause of 12. years' war, bloodshed and ruin already, so had rather have an utter desolation then lose their ungodly gains: that by your doing this, the loins of the poor may bless God for you, and your Representer with other free people of the nation may enjoy this one thing, as a part of the first ripe Grapes of our Canaan, which will be as acceptable as the Olive-branch was in the mouth of Noah's Dove, and is the desire of your humble supplicant  
EDWARD BARBER.   

THE Storming or Totall Routing OF tithes, Or the humble Representation, Declartion and Protestation of EDWARD BARBER, in behalf of himself and many thousands of the Freemen of the commonwealth of England.  
Showeth that whereas at the beginning of the Parliament, upon the consideration of the abuse done by the Prelates and their adherents to this Nation, both concerning the souls and bodies of the people, the Parliament was pleased to put forth a Protestation, wherein themselves and the Kingdom amongst other things did protest to defend and maintain with life, power and estate the true reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations contrary to the said Doctrine, the lawful rights and liberties of the Subjects (or rather the freemen of England) and (note this) every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do, in the lawful pursuance of the same, and to their power, and as far as lawfully they may, oppose, and by all good ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment all such as shall either, by force, practice, Counsels, Plots, Conspiracies, or otherwise, do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained, &c.  
Also in the Explanation thereof, it is said that whereas some doubts have been raised by several persons out of this House, concerning the meaning of these words contained in the Protestation, lately made by the Members of this House, viz. The true reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same Doctrine, this House doth declare that by these words, was and is meant only the public Doctrine professed in the said Church, so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations [and that the said words are not to be extened to the maintaining of any form or Worship, Discipline or Governdment, nor of any Rites or Ceremonies of the said Church of England] Resolved that what person soever shall not take the Protestation, is unfit to bear Office in the Church or commonwealth again.  
2. Again by the Vow and Covenant, we are enjoined for the defence of the true Protestant Religion and Liberties of the Subjects, and this is made in the presence of Almighty God, &c.  
3. We are engaged in the Reformation of the Churches of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, to have it according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches.  
4. That we shall without respect of persons, to wit, from the Prelate to the Sexton, in like manner endeavour the exterpation of Popery, & prelacy, that is, Church-government by archbishops, Bishops, their chancellors Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-Deacons, and all other ecclesiastical Officers depending upon that hierarchy (which these priest's extent do) Superstition, Heresee, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be sound to be contrary to sound Doctrine [and the power of godliness] least we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their Plagues. Revel. 18. 4.  
The performance of which Protestation and Covenant concerning the said Minestery and Popish tithes, so cruel and burdensome to all enlightened conscientious men hath been often desired, as by the Declaration of the Army, and Petitions of diverse Countries to the House may appear, &c.  
Now forasmuch as the Lord saith Eccles. 5. 4. 5. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay therefore that which thou hast vowed; better is it that thou shouldst not vow, then that thou shouldst vow and not pay. And Deut. 23. 21. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee, and it would be sin in thee. Compared with vers. 22. 23. And Psal. 76. 11. Vow and pay unto the Lord your God This David performs Psalm. 66. 13. 14. I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings, I will pay thee my vows which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble.  
For the not performing whereof, I believe with Jeremiah the Land now mourneth, Jer. 23. 10. And Jer. 6. 14. They have also healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, peace, peace, when there is no peace. Compared with Isa. 9 15, 16. The Prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail; for the leaders of this people cause them to err: And they that are led by them are destroyed.  
1. They Preaching for hire, and divining for money; and yet will lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord amongst us? none evil can come upon us, Micha. 3. 11. Pulling down poor Wooden and stone Crosses, and yet leaving that cruel Popish burdensome cross of their Priests and tithes remaining.  
2. Observe that whosoever shall submit to and receive any ministry, ordained by virtue of a foreign power from Rome, is a traitor by the known declared Laws of this Land: Now whether men receiving their Ordination beyond the Seas or here; it being done by one and the same power, springing from one and the same root, for as the root is, so is the branches, Rom. 11. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits, do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistle? And have not the ministry of England their ordination from Rome? As by their Book of ordination appears, as also confessed by many of them; yea, all that are true to their own principles, and therefore to be protested against, by all that have taken the Protestation or Covenant &c.  
3. Christ saith, John 10. 1. to the 19 He that enters not in by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber, &c.  
And are not these Tyth-takers guilty of the same Judgement, as Psalm 50. 16. to the 19 To wit, these that enters not in by the door Christ Jesus, that is, by his way, Laws and Ordinances? and are not the Ministers of England such, Ergo, are they not such as are there spoken of, Judge ye Noble Bere●ns.  
Hath all our Fasts and professing Liberty, taking of Oaths and engagements, with the free-will-offrings of the Nation, blood and taxations produced this, to wit, Ordinances for tithes, with treble damages for those who much like Eliah's sons 1 Sam. 2. 13. to the 17. who came with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand, while the flesh was in seething, and he struck it into the Pan or Kettel or Cauldron or Pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the Priest took for himself; also before they burned the fat the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, give flesh to roast, for the Priest, for he will not have sodden flesh but raw, and thou shalt give it me now, and if not, I will take it by force, (note this.) The like is these men's practice whereby they rob Christ of his Honour & Priesthood, poor people of their goods, and without repentance, of their souls, as Isa. 9 16. Revel. 14. 9 10. But would these consider Deut. 18. 1, 2, 3. The Priests, the Levites, were to have no part nor inheritance with Israel; but were to eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire: and his inheritance, therefore shall they have no inheritance amongst their brethren; the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. But if these Priests will be circumcised and do the work, slay the Beasts &c. As Levit. 14. 13. Then shall they have the wages Deut. 18. 1. 2, 3. the shoulder, the two Cheeks and Maw also, the tithe of the increase Deut. 14. 22. But out of that must be relieved the Levite; because he hath no inheritance; and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, vers. 29. which these men perform not in the least, neither were they to take tithes of any but of their brethren the Jews, not of us Gentiles, Heb. 7. 5.  
4. Christ's Ministers, Ambassadors, or the servants of the Churches must be content with their Master's wages, and not to trouble the Civil magistrate, to have Statute-Laws or Ordinances of Parliament to strain on men's goods, or have them committed to Prison without bail or mainprise, until they pay treble damages besides costs and charges, the which hath been inflicted on divers to the utmost; whereas for the duest debts men are so tortured in Law, that many choose rather to lose their debts, then to endure the torture of the Laws as they are now administered, wherein this Clergy makes good that Scripture Revel. 9 10. In making the Civil Magistrate the tail of the Beast; for their strength is in their tails, and with them do they hurt, to wit, force and strain men's consciences and goods; and therefore if these men and the Synod would have given themselves to have truly Translated the Bible, knowing there be many gross errors, they would have much discovered the mystery of iniquity and their own deceits, done the best service they could to this State, brought much glory to God as Balaam did in acknowledging the Truth, dealing plainly with King Balack, who told his servants that if he would give him his house full of silver and gold, he could not go beyond the word of the Lord to do less or more, desiring to die the death of the righteous, and that his last end might be like theirs, Numb. 22. 18. 38. and 27. 8. 10. which if these had done, thus they would have brought much glory to God and peace to this bleeding nation.  
As by experience with us is manifested, as formerly causing the Civil Magistrate to oppress the Conscience and take away the life of many, as in Queen Mary's, Queen Elisabeth's and King Charles his days, whose blood I fear lies fall on this nation, as Barrows, Greenwood's and Penries' &c. Also who stirred up the King against the Scots and against the Parliament; but those unclean spirits like frogs, Revel. 16. 13. 14. being the spirits of Devils working Miracles, that go out unto the Kings of the Earth, & c.? Consider again their practice at Zion college, and their morning Lectures, Courts of Justice, yea, at the Parliament and Committees where they like Locusts swarm; And therefore note that as Judgement is to be poured forth upon the nations in general that have given their power to the setting up or upholding that State of Antichrist, without submitting and turning to Christ by Repentance; so upon them in especial, they having been the Instruments whereby they with the Nations their Kings and Rulers have been made drunk and committed fornication, with the Whore, and therefore shall the Jndgements of God be poured fourth upon them, as Revel. 17. 12. to the 14. and 18. 9, 23, 24. Compared with Isa. 60. 12. For that Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish, yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted, &c.  
Again Christ saith, Mat. 10. 38 to his Ministers as ye go preach, saying, The Kingdom of heavenis at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the Lepers, raise the dead, and cast out Devils, freely ye have received, freely give, compared with 1 Cor. 4. 9 to the 12. Acts 20. 33. 34. where the Apostle saith, I have coveted no man's silver nor gold, nor Apparel; yea, you yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with me, I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it is more blessed to give then to receive, &c. compared with 1 Thes. 2. 9 and 2 Thes. 3. 8. 2 Cor. 12. 14. 15. or as Fox in his Acts and Monuments saith, The maintenance of the Ministers is the pure Alms of the Church; but have not they, as Christ saith to the Jews, Mat. 15. 6. 9 made the word of God of no effect by their traditions?  
Now consider the vast difference between the Commission and Commands of Christ to his Ministers and Servants, Mat. 28. 18. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. 16.  
And the several Cannons, Statute-Laws, and Ordinances of Parliament to their Ministers: as also the administration thereof; and know that their Servants you are, to whom ye yield yourselves Servants to obey, whether the Church and State of Rome, or the Prelates and Parliament of England, &c.  
5. It being against or beyond the Law of the Land, every free man of England's birthright, to be so by them tyranized over for tithes, it being first given for the maintenance of Prelates, Priests, Abbots, monks, and friars, as in the council of Lateren. But now God having discovered them to be Antichristian and Popish; so also must be their maintenance, there being not one word of God for it, but was taken by force and violence, or given for superstitious Tithes of the same nature, Popish and Antichristian, and more burdensome and oppressive then Nebuchadnezar's golden Image was to the Jews, which he set up in the plain of Dura; for although he required worship from them to his Idol, yet not maintenance for the Idol-Priests.  
6. That these men, as their Fathers have usually been, still are the cause and fomenters of the troubles, and ruin of all or most Nations where they come or have any power, as by experience with us is manifested.  
7. Divers faithful Subjects, and good Common-wealthsmen, have been forced through (their) tyranny to leave the●r houses and Kingdom, choosing rather to expose themselves to a desert Wilderness, then to endure that misery at home, by them forced upon their bodies and minds, others shut up in prison ti●l they have paid treble damages; besides Prison Fees and Charges, yea some lost their lives, others having their cattle strained on, and for legal replying them committed to prison; yea, the bailiffs and Atourney fined for their prosecuting the same according to Law, who paid 61. per piece by force to escape imprisonment: this was done by the means of the good Lord Say, and the house of Lords in Browns of Hanworths' business.  
So that from what hath been said it doth clearly appear, that although we are freed from Prelacy, Book of commonprayer, with divers other Ordinances, yet do their sons succeed in cruelty, they being as like their Fathers as ever they can look, or Rheoboam-like, exceeding in cruelty: their little finger (as his) being thicker than their father's loins, 1 Kings 12. 10.  
And although Henry 8, Edward 6. & Queen Elizabeth took away part of the said Orders; yet as then the maintenance thereunto belonging was continued and enforced from the people: even so now this burden of tithes, still continues and cleaves close unto us; and that not only on our temporals and estates, but upon our Consciences; for if this Popish Ordinance be continued, for we can judge it no other, being instituted, as before showed, for the maintenance of Prelates, Priests, Monks and friars, &c.  
If this we say be continued to Presbyters, who received Orders from them, as to the said Orders before, then are we forced still to Popery, and Popish Innovations, no less sinful than the others.  
And whether this be not a breach of our Protestation, Oaths, and Covenant, which we have made with hands lift up to the most high God, we refer to all judicious men to judge: And whether these are not such as the Prophet speaks of, Ezek. 33. 31. 32. 33. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness, &c.  
Again, we desire to declare as believers, Christians & free men of England, that the Lord Jesus Christ as he hath ordained another Ministry, then that under the Law: so also hath he appointed another maintenance for the Gospel-Ministry than tithes; there being not one word in the Gospel for it, they being to live upon their own hand-labour, as before shown, or the people's free gift, Mat 10. 8. And to eat such things as they have by their labour, or is set before them, Luke 10. 7. 8. For the Workman is worthy of his meat, Mat. 10. 9  
Also the first days collection, 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. As God hath prospered every man; who loveth a cheerful giver, and for the orderly dispensation of the same, he hath ordained an Office in the Church, to wit, the Deacons, who is to dispose of the said free gift, as every one needeth, Minister or other poor Saint, without respect of persons: now compare Christ's Commission, and the Apostles practice with the Ordinance of Parliament, and these men's practice in these times, and you shall find a wide difference between them. And upon examination, you shall find that to set up or allow another human invention for Ministers maintenance, than the Lord's own, who is the only lawgiver to his Church, is to frustrate the Deacons Office, and so make the word of God of no effect by men's traditions, as the Jews did, Mat. 15. 6. 9 and so deny Christ to be come in the flesh, &c.  
Again, it becomes not a true reformation, to borrow of a false Church, especially such as Rome, so main a Pillar, as Ministers or maintenance: Inas much as Jeremiah saith, Jer. 51. 25. 26 The Lord is against Babylon, that destroying Mountain, that destroyest the earth, &c. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for a foundation; but thou shalt be utterly destroyed for ever, according to the Covenant, root and branch, compared with 2 Cor. 6. 14 to 18.  
The said practice of taking tithes, also introduceth Prelatical pride, and time-serving with great men in Authority, as Ezek. 13. 1. all the Ministers by that means being lifted up so far above their poor Brethren, which causeth unaptness to teach, their care being set upon the things of this life (as how to get, so also to keep the things of this World; whereby he becomes a brawler, a man of contention, as too sad experience showeth, Courts of justice, Committee for Plundered Ministers, Sessions, justices of Peace, by their trouble and daily vexations, & suits, through their covetousness can witness, which causeth great covetousness and contention; for the contending of which, as the Apostle saith, is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 10. for instead of being given to hospitality, these rob the poor that are forced to beg, taking that by force which others get by great labour and toil. All which is clear against what the Ministers of Christ ought to be, yea, and must be, if they perform their duty, as 1 Tim. 3. 2. 3. where the Apostle saith. A Bishop than must be blameless, the Husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not a brawler, much less a plunderer for tithes, not covetous, &c. And therefore if you will pretend yourselves Ministers of Christ, prove your ordination by the word, and be content with your wages.  
This is clear, Acts 6. 2. where the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel of Christ, would not leave the word to serve Tables, to wit, to supply the want of the poor Saints, but gave direction for Deacons to be chosen for that service; much less would they look after tithes, as these do by compulsion and cruelty.  
A husbandman one day declared at the Parliament door, that he rented 300. Acres of Land, and that he proffered the Priest 100 thereof gratis, so as that he would manure it; but he would not accept thereof, now judge ye what a case we are fallen into.  
Again, consider how dishonourable it is, that such as pretend that they are put in trust with the unsearchable treasure of the Gospel, should so dishonour their pretended Master, and hinder the receiving thereof by their forcing maintenance from people, which themselves confess, have not received the Gospel from them, nor have they begotten them to the faith; so that they are neither Fathers, Planters, Teachers, Bishops, &c. unto them.  
And yet will they force maintenance from them, contrary to 2 Cor. ●2. 14. 15. Behold the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours but you; for the Children ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents for the Children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  
But instead of this I have seen that cruelty exercised by the Magistrate, through these men's means already, that I never saw in four years waiting at the high Commission Court; But why have we not as well a Doctor of physic, and a Lawyer forced on every Parish as these, would it be any more but the like Monopoly? but that we should be forced to pay these men tithes, not owning them nor their work, they having been the Priests of the Nation, and chief cause of all the bloodshed, yet now oppressing cruelly such as have adventured life and estate for the preservation of the same, yet this to be called Primo Libertatis Angliae, when instead of take him jailor at the high Commission Court, it is said now take him into Custody; where is demanded 10. times greater charge, Oh Rehoboam's Reformation, was such proceedings cruel then, and against Magna Charta, and the Petition of Right? and is it not much more in the first year of England's Jubilee, England's Liberty?  
Again, consider the great burden to the commonwealth, for the free Commons of England do hereby in some places lose the profit of one half of their Land by the year, as may be made appear, if it be duly considered; to wit, to the Landlord and the Priest or Parson, they only being Gentlemen, the rest being slaves, and it were well if they were board through the ears, that they might know themselves to be so, they being under service and oppression, worse than the Israelites, in Egypt who labour with much sweat and pains, hunger and cold, wet and dry: for that which the other like drones or caterpillars, consume on their backs and bellies, &c.  
Therefore our denying the paying of tithes, is not in the least in any contempt against Civil Authority who are God's Ministers not only to take vengeance on them that do evil, and should cause them to work and eat their own bread; but for the praise of them that do well, and should see such not to eat that will not work; but in obedience to God and the rule of the Gospel given forth by his spirit to all Nations that believe and obey him as before is showed.  
2. It is not in contempt to the persons of these men, who pretend they are Ministers of Christ; But rather desire they might be employed in some lawful way or calling to get their own bread, that so he that hath stolen (to wit, Minister (or in English Servant) as well as Member) might steal no more; but labour with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth, &c. according to the Apostles words Ephes. 4. 28. But our denying the payment of tithes, is first in obedience to God: all that do pay them, therein denying Christ to be come in the flesh, by their upholding those Jewish Rites and Ceremonies which ended in Christ; which these self-seeking and time-serving men, still seek to uphold so far as they will make for their own ends, robbing Christ of his Priesthood; poor men and women of their goods, and without the great mercy of God of their souls, for might they not as well have their linen Ephod, or Surplus Altars, Sacrifices of all sorts, right shoulder and the Maw, Tempel at Jerusalem, none Inheritance for the Priests, yea Circumcision & killing of Beasts &c. is tithes, that so they that take the wages might do the work enjoined for the wages, as to feed the Levit, the stranger, fatherless and widow Deut. 14. 29? But if through pride or Lazines they will not do the work, which they refuse to do, then let them not wrong the people and Nation so grievous as to take the wages: for to him that worketh is the wages reckoned of debt, not of grace; But not to him that worketh not, it must be of grace, to wit, of free gift.  
2. Their ordination being false and not according to the rule of the Gospel; But against the Rule, Government and Authority of Christ the Son of God, his Crown & dignity, who is therein the only King and lawgiver, whom they say is their Master, yet do they as the Heathen Tyrants of old, who clothed men in Beasts skins, that so they might be the more eagerly devoured: so these make the true worshippers of God in Christ as odious as they can by slanders and revilings under the name of heretics and schismatics &c. Never showing wherein, much less proving the thing true, that so they may make the Magistrates and common people, as those deluded by the friars and Priests in Germany against the Hugnotes as they called them, cry out against them before they see them, Judging them to be strange Monsters; unhuman Creatures, and so do these, before they know them, &c.  
3. It being against the known declared Laws of the Land, as Statute decimo rertio Elisabeth, they not upon every induction into any place publicly Reading the Book of Articles and subscribing it, which by the Protestation and Covenant these cannot do except perjured, are to enjoy no more benefit than if they were naturally dead.  
4. It being against the Protestation, Covenatn, Declarations of Parliament and Army, that the Kingdom have Generally taken and entered into, to wit, to uphold and maintain the true Protestant Religion in opposition to Popery and Popish Innovations, and as aforesaid they also receiving their Power and Ordination from Rome, yet not performing that they were enjoined, and for what tithes was given neither in the time of the Law nor by the Counsel of Lateran as before showed.  
5. It being against the engagement and Covenant, not only of the Parliament; but also the Kingdom in general, with their hands lift up to the most high God, the searcher of all hearts, to Root out Popery Root and Branch, and the Government by Lord Archbishop, Bishops, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy as these do, &c. And each one to go before another in a real (not a feigned) reformation, it being better not to vow, then to vow and not perform, &c.  
6. The Gospel-weapons being not carnal, but spiritual, mighty through God, &c. 2 Cor. 10. 4. and 2 Tim. 2. 24. 25. 26. The Apostle saith, The Servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient in meekness, instructing the contrary minds, proving if God at any time will give them repentance. Compared with Mat. 8. 10. 11. 12. and Titus 3. 2. Rom. 14. 11. where the Apostle shows, we shall all stand before the judgement-Seat of Christ, where every one shall give an account for himself to God, &c.  
And surely the way that Christ hath appointed for his Ministers of the Gospel to walk by in all Gospel-Administrations, is the sword of the spirit, the word of God, and not the Authority of the civil Magistrate, or sword of steel, by which Antichrist hath so enlarged his Dominions, as Revel. 13. 3. 7. 16. 17. And therefore to escape his punishment, verse 10. Let all the people of God shun this practice, compared with Revel. 18. 4. where it is said, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  
It being very considerable, whether the civil Magistrate giving their power as to raise so to the upholding of that state of Antichrist, ruling over the bodies and consciences of the people in Ecclesiastical things, by entrenching upon the prerogative Royal of King Jesus, whereas (he) would not intermeddle with that which was their due, Luke 12. 14. whether that I say be not the cause why the Lord lets the sword remain so long amongst us and other parts, even to the depopulating of the Nations of the earth, being now even drunk with the blood of the slain amongst us, for many years past, according to Revel. 16. 6. They have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets, and thou last given them blood to drink; for they are worthy: And as was once said by Jehu to Joram, 2 Kings 9 22. being asked, Is it peace? what peace answered he, so long as the whoredoms of thy Mother Jesabel and her witchcrafts are so many? so what hope of peace have we so long as the whoredom, Witch crafts and Sorceries of that Jesabel of Rome, England & Scotland, that great City Babylon, though divided into 3 parts, Rev. 16. 19 remain with that spirit of persecution, hatred, malice, evil contention, and division, against the Statute Laws of King Jesus, it being contrary to Vows and Covenants, &c. in those that profess themselves Ministers of the Gospel of King Jesus, who is that Prince of peace; seeing the Lord hath said, Isaiah 6. 1●. The Nation and Kingdom that will not serve him shall perish, yea, those Nations shall be utterly wasted, which I cannot but judge to be one cause of the distractions, wars, shedding of blood in the Nations (of Christians as they pretend) to wit, the civil Magistrate entrenching upon the prerogative Royal of King Jesus, and not permitting him to rule and reign by his own Laws in his Kingdom, to wit, over the Saints in the Churches, as before is showed.  
These things considered, we could not but in obedience to God, love to the truth, and ease of our own Conscience, discharge our duty herein to remind you of the Protestation, Covenant, Declarations, &c. desiring to be eased of these burdens of popish tithes, &c. That so the Land mourn not because of Oaths, and no longer to enforce the same for Ministers maintenance, they therein denying Christ to be come in the flesh: As also wherein the civil Magistrate gives his power unto the Beast, in upholding that popish practice and innovation by their Clergy, &c. And let the Ministers or Servants of the Gospel, live upon the Gospel, even upon their own hand-labour, or the free and voluntary gift of the people, which the Gospel allows them, wherewith they will and aught to be content, being better to be without a livelihood, then rob and steal, and sin against God, in getting it by unlawful ways and means. But I doubt not but all true Ministers will be content with their true wages allotted for them by Christ's appointment, which we are confident will sufficiently satisfy all such godly ones as desire and seek not the fleece, but the flock; and with Paul seek them, not theirs; such as take the word of God for their Guide and Rule, they having a word for their warrant, not traditions of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing gain is godliness, or their own covetous hearts, and men's precepts: it being a means to hinder the free progress, and embracing of the Gospel-Administrations: so shall we the Freemen of England be free from that burden that doth so much enslave us, making our very lives uncomfortable to us, they eating up Caterpiller-like, the best fruits of the Land, and a great part of the people's Labours.  
But if these Scriptures and Reasons cannot take place, and cease upon your spirits to grant us relief, in freeing us from this more than Egyptian bondage; yet we having declared the truth, we have discharged our duties and shall have peace of Conscience in warning you of it, according to Ezek 3. 17. to the 21. & 33. 2. to the 7. and shall with heart go on in the strength of the Lord, in opposing that state of Antichrist, head and tail, root and branch, ministry and maintenance, by tithes or otherwise, if we perish, we perish: and so in all other their practices, that are contrary, or without the word of God, not daring to presume above what is written, submitting our persons with Daniel and those worthies, the three Children, Apostles and Primitive Christians, as in that Catalogue Heb. 11. Passively to the will and command of the Civil Magistrate, as to the Fathers of our flesh; but, unto God who in Christ is the father of our spirits Actively that so we may live, although in sufferings here, yet in Glory hereafter. For such as suffer with him or for him now, shall one day reign Glorified with him, and whosoever shall be ashamed of him and of his sayings, to wit, his Ordinances in this adulterous and sinful generation of tithe-taking Priests, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels, to execute judgement without respect of persons; and whether these Tyth-takers be not as truly by the Gospel Thieves, as such as Rob by the highway side, or break Houses, and the upholders by pay or otherwise guilty of as great evils as they that uphold or countenance the other; I leave to every enlightened man to Judge; and although it be not so well known, by reason they have deluded and bewitched the Nations, yet now God having enlightened the Earth, he requires an answerable obedience thereunto: for where much is given, much will be required. Luke 12. 48.  
Thus have we declared our resolutions to go on in the Lord and the Power of his might, in whom is our strength, and no more to bow the knee to Baal or those Amalakites or Haman's of the times, to whom as Mordecai, so we resolve not to bow, Hester 5. 9 to the 12. Although it cost us our goods by Plundering; as they have done, or our Liberties; for if we perish, we will perish with them and those worthies, Dan. 3.  
The Lord being now at work, intending to Level the Mountains, Psal. 113. 7. 8. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that he may set him with Princes, &c.  
Yea, that great destroying mountain of babble that destroyeth all the Earth, Jer. 51. 24. 25, 26. saying, Behold I am against thee oh destroying mountain, saith the Lord, which destroys all the Earth; and I will stretch out my hand upon thee and roll thee down from the Rocks▪ to wit, the shelter of Magistrates and I will make thee a burnt mountain, and they shall not take of thee a stone for a Corner nor a stone for Foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever saith the Lord.  
This shall be done by the Lord Christ, he being mounted on the white Horse, Riding on Conquering and to Conquer▪ revelations 6. 2. by the Sword that proceedeth out of his mouth, Isa. 30. 15. not by Carnal weapons, 2 Cor. 9 10. 4. Zach. 4. 6. Not by might, [or Army or Arm of flesh,] but by my spirit, saith the Lord, this being published for the conviction of the Priests, and direction of all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, resting your servant in the Faith and Order of the Gospel of King Jesus,  
EDWARD BARBER.   

Postscript.  
ANd although the subject Matter of this discourse be principally against Tyth-takers and Tyth-payers, yet not excluding others of the like nature, but that the same condemnation lies against pretended high Lights, above Ordinances, spiritualised, above Christ, above Scripture, and what is Written, contrary to Paul's advice 1 Cor. 4. 6. (to wit) not to presume above what is Written, thereby winking at iniquity that will not do it themselves, but appoint & suffer others to do it, as sprinkling of Infants, take tithes or contract for Preaching, &c. Neither will they discover the evil thereof, and show 〈◊〉 Judgement that lies upon the Nation for permitting thereof by those in author●ty, contenting ●●●…selves with a half-Reformation (to wit) so far as will stand with their Honour and profit, not showing such repentance as Simon Magus Acts 8. 13. nor those conjurer's Acts 19 18 19 Who believing confessed and showed their deeds▪ and those of them which used curious arts brought their Books together and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of Silver, so mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed, 〈◊〉 Demetrius like, verse 24. to the 29. Who made Silver shrines for Diana, wh● called the Craftsmen together with the Workmen of like occupation, saying sirs ye know that by this Craft we have our Wealth; Moreover ye see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying, that they be no Gods that be made with hands, so that not only this our Craft is in danger to be set at nought; But also, that the Temple of the great goddess Diana should be despi●ed, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the World worshippeth, and when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, great is Diana of the Ephesians, and the whole City was filled with confusion &c. compare with John 11. 48. Where the Jews said concerning Christ, if we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him &c. And if any desire farther Information concerning the unlawfulness of paying or taking tithes, let them Read, John Turner on tithes, Tyth-gatherers no Gospel-Teachers, Gentil-Congregations no Tyth-payers, or the Ordinances of tithes dismounted, and if all this will not serve those greedy Cormorants the Priests of these times, to take them off from their ungodly gains, let them then expect no quarter according to Zach. 13. 2. 3. Where it is said it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I will cut off the n●mes of the Idols out of the Land, and they shall no more be remembered; And I will cause the Prophets and the unclean spirits to pass out of the Land, and it shall come to pass that when any shall yet prophesy, than his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he Prophesieth, and it shall come to pass in that day that the Prophets shall be ashamed every one of his Vision when he Prophesieth, neither shall they wear a Rough or inky garment to deceive, or lie, compare with 1 Kings 18. 21 to the 24. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opiniors? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him: and the people answered him not a word &c. compared with the 2 Kings 23. 4. 5. 6. Hosea 10. 5. Acts 6. 8. to the 13. And Stephen full of faith, and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.  
Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which is called the Synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.  
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.  
Then they suborned men which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.  
Rom. 2. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds, &c.  
Revel. 14. 9 and 10. And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand.  
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he shallbe tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. Compared with Revel. 18. 23. 24. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee: and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth: for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.  
And in her was found the blood of Prophets, and of Saints, an of all that were slain upon the earth.  
FINIS.