A WORD OF Information & Advice TOUCHING TITHES, And other the Goods Appropriate (as yet left) to Churchmen.  
Wherein is given a Hint of the Light and Knowledge of God and his Mind touching these things, as they have been from the Beginning almost till now.  Humbly presented by R. B. of N. W. to the Governors of this Commonwealth▪ 
1. OBserving what ado there is in the Land as touching these things, I have also judged it meet to give my advice, for the Peace sake and good of men: That I might make out my mind in brief, I would first give notice according to the testimony of the Scripture of Truth, that there are in the world now, as there were heretofore, these three ranks or degrees of men; the first were and are such that live wholly alienated from the light and true knowledge of God, being in continual, open, and manifest rebellion, in heart, thought, and life against him; such were the most of the Gentiles heretofore, and there be not a few of the like spirit found among the people that yet profess the Name of Christ now, yea the multitude of all Lands are such: these people have, as open and professed Rebels, or like highway thiefs, taken all they ever can lay hands on, and together with themselves bestow all upon their lusts, which are indeed the alone gods they serve, which were noted among the Heathen under the names either of Mars, as the god of some, or Bacchus the god of others, or Venus the god or goddess of others etc. All which, and their mind, the Apostle comprehends in that saying, Their god is their belly, their glory is their shame, they mind (and nothing else but) earthly things.  
2. Wherefore in the second place, it being now in a manner fully in the heart of man, that as for the most holy, high, and blessed God (who is also himself the God of Gods, the fountain and first rise of all good) he had indeed forsaken the Earth, and left man to take his pastime here, and to do his own will, and what liked him best, every one following the imagination of his own heart, it pleased God for a remembrance of himself, in all ages to reserve a people, which he hath always made ready, and prepared for himself in the furnace of affliction, as he did the remnant of the house of Israel in Egypt, these are the second sort of people, that in their affliction, through the power and indwelling, and clear opening of the Grace of God unto them therein, are made willing to become tributary to God; these, that he might bind them fast to himself, according as they were capable, he made with them some Agreement or Covenant, thereby preserving them in some way and degree of subjection to, and acknowledgement of him, as their liege Lord and King, whose they, and all that they had, by right, the highest right of all, was; only because of their weakness, and unwillingness, wholly and in all points to give up themselves to be altogether at the dispose of this their supreme Sovereign, King, and Lord; he humbled himself, and condescended for a while and season to take of them only some remembrances, as some part of their time, as one day in seven, instead of the whole, and so some part of their Corn, Wine, and Oil, and all that they had, and did put their hands unto: of these he took by Commandment only the Tithes and Offerings, yet of these things he took so great a share, that he seemed indeed to oppress them more than any other people were, that they might be thought to have more cause to complain for this matter, than any have upon any the like, or the pretended like to the same now.  
3. Of this second sort of people there is in this, and in other Countries, some, or rather a very great remembrance, whose attainment and condition, were it in truth, and so far as so it is, is far more excellent than the former, and aught to be had in esteem above them, even as subjects that acknowledge their Sovereign Prince, are above those that are in open and professed rebellion against him; hence it is they are zealous some more according to the Scripture, and some upon the account as well of Tradition as the Scripture, for neither in their place ought to be had in contempt, or which to say is better, both having respect to the Scripture; but some take less, some more example from the Old Testament, as those we call the Papists, yea and some of the Protestants too, as the Lutherans beyond the Seas, and the Bishops heretofore in this Land, the Ancestors of these, sigh they were not able to go forward to the purity, holiness, divinity, and self-denial of the New Testament, went back again to the observations of the Law, I mean to many of them (doubtless of a good mind in some) who not being able to keep their ground in Grace, or in the Gospel or new Law, took up their station in the Old, or the things in use, through the Command of it, though many have since in a great degree been beaten off it, and are fallen back into the dark Hell and Abyss of Evil, the state of Gentilism, wherein even Abraham was before he believed: Yet even this Gentilism hath for it a double vail, the one more thick and manifest, as that of the Old Law, the other being scarce any other than the very Name of Christ and the Gospel.  
4. But there are a second sort, which would seem, and indeed in some sort are, more Reform, as the followers of Calvin, whom yet many have clouded, he being far more in the light then those that seem to be so great admirers of him, who pretend to l t go what the others keep close to, the many usages and observations of the old Law, and to aspire to, and abide in, the light and freedom of the New, only here in England, is made a double reserve, the one of a seventh day Sabbath, the other of Tithes or Tenths, but with this difference, that they would have the Sabbath, the seventh part of time, consecrate and holy to God in distinction from the rest of time, which they say is allowed to men now as common, though the New Testament Sabbath not without a Mystery had its beginning on the eighth day (which was also the time of circumcision, or the cutting off the foreskin of the flesh) to signify, as Luther observes, that that day is of that nature and light, that after it no night shall follow: But as for that of Tithes, they speak ambiguously, and seem to hold to it rather upon the account of Custom, and the Law of the Land, then as a right Divine of necessity to be bowed down to.  
5. Now I shall speak my belief, and give my judgement as to both these, which is this, I like them both in opposition to the first, the state which the Gentiles were, and yet are in; for it is far better that there be left some remembrances, of the right, title and interest God hath in both the persons of men, and the times and things men are allowed to the use of, for his glory, then that all these, through Atheism, Pride, Unbelief, and Covetousness, which reign and prevail so much all the world over, become wholly obliterate; yea upon one account I like better of the first of these second sort, viz. those that take more liberally of the usages and Customs of the Law, both as touching the observations of days, as having in use not only one day in seven, but days upon several accounts of Consecration and Remembrance, yea whole weeks and years, which if they were true in but according to the mind of God in those things, as they were at first given of him to Moses, and of Moses to the people, were of admirable use, as a Manuduction or pedagogy of the People, till the times of Deliverance should come, through the Revelation of Christ, as it did betid the former people, the Jews.  
6. But they having in these things (of great use in the first Institution) corrupted themselves, and are become Apostates, as well to the Law as to the Gospel, there hath arose out of them the people we call Protestants, but the other call them Heretics, or Schismatics, making some further adventure, more hopefully first in Luther, if we respect the Noise made at this sudden rapture, though there were at the same time some, or at least one, affording, though with less observation as to most, a more clear light, and uniform, and of more use to all Nations, whose testimony hath yet been alone (as it were) heard in silence, this being overlooked, as the Truth in the full extent of it useth in all ages more or less to be; Comes Calvin, and others of great note with him, who seemed to build and attain higher than he that first lighted their Candle, Luther; yet their Superstructure as it proved since, being very specious, had not, hath not enough of the foundation to perpetuate and uphold it, in so much that it shakes well nigh as much as what was in their account, Babel before, which they no sooner perceived, but they were fain, as their Successors since (therein evidently leaving their first Pattern and Example, Luther) to support themselves the same way did the Hierarchy of Rome before, I mean by the weapons of this world's warfare, as Imprisonments, Whip, yea Burn of men for a different belief, in the which all those most excellent men, Calvin, Peter Martyr, Bucer, yea Beza heretofore appeared, and their Successors since, as we have seen in England and Scotland allowed, and is manifest in those of the highest attainment, I mean the Churches of New England, with whom doth concur those in Old, or if not, why are they so silent in so great a matter of Consequence as this?  
7. So that the Sun setting in a sort in a Cloud upon Calvin, but especially upon those that would be thought his followers▪ others have of late, especially in this Land, made yet some adventure further (as we see at this day,) at the remove of which, all things, both fundamental, superstructural, and circumstantial, in Religion, are shattered, even quite almost to pieces, that there is, as the Prophet speaks, scarce so much as a sheard left of this earthy pitcher, for any to take up a little water to refresh himself therewithal; upon which opportunity is taken of the profane spirit of worldliness, wickedness, ignorance and pride, to ruffle and come forth as Nimrod of old, and those that with him would undertake to build a City and a Tower for themselves, the top of which should reach Heaven, and affront even God himself, for a securing of themselves in their lusts and evil: For as whiles there was an outcry of the Protestants against the Papists, many covetous worldlings, have well provided for them and theirs after them, with the spoils they took in that encounter: so the like occasion since have here the Non-Conformists, or rather those that came in to their aid, taken against their Lords and Task masters, the Bishops heretofore; so that what was left of the feathers of this so fair bird, these other birds of prey, have taken every one a part to themselves; in so much the thing men call the Church, is become as in the day she was first born, even in a manner a poor, despised and naked nothing, as to outward and worldly appearance, especially if we consider what is now last of all, in imitation of them that went before, pursued by all means to be brought to pass, (i. e.) the taking away the Tithes and Glebe, through pride and covetousness in a great degree detained of the Clergy, and upon the same account (for the most part) sought to be revoked of the people.  
8. As to these things therefore its manifest, as the Papists have fallen from the Gospel Ministry and Conversation to that of the Old Law, where they secure themselves as well as they can, so are we the Protestants here fallen in appearance (which I desire the Reader to observe) a degree lower, and somewhat nearer the Earth, having let go our hold even of the Law itself, and the things and usages in it, and are now become, to the wonder of all the world, instead of the Church of Christ, a Commonwealth, being fallen from Rome, as Antichristian, to an imitation (as some would have it) of Rome as Heathen; to reach which Politicus makes no small ado: This, as the Lord is witness, I speak not to upbraid or vilify him, much less either the persons or the attainment the persons upholding the present Power have reached unto, but (as having them in great honour and esteem, and judging with them, and with all my heart confessing, that I had rather a thousand fold live in a Heathen Commonwealth, then in or under an Antichristian Church, in which by search will be found the blood of all that have been slain upon the Earth, I (seeking the glory of God, and the ancient, and that I say not the only glory and honour of this our Native Land) would the Government of it should be given up of a ready mind to him whose right it is, the Lords; neither would I, and for that end I make continual prayer and supplication to God, our Rulers should manage or meddle with the Affairs of the Land, but in the Name, and the alone Authority of him, whose all the Kingdoms of the world are, and who is even now the second time entering upon his own Inheritance, as the right Heir of all.  
9 Here then would be found (in the third place) a view of the third and best sort of People the whole Earth affords, which in the Scripture phrase are Christ's, or the Lords true anointed ones, which I for my part, as Luther and others d●d, judge alone meet to be likened to the third, and most inward part of the Temple, (was formed of Solomon, according to the Pattern was seen before of Moses and David on the Mount with God,) which was said to be the place, as these are the people, most holy: These are those that have ceased from their own works, even as God did from his, and have nought else now to do, but to sing Hymns to God in a good and righteous life towards him and men for evermore; here is found, and had indeed, the restitution of all things, spoken of by all the holy Prophets that have been ever since the world began; here they neither marry, or are bound in heart or life to this or that, nor are given in marriage in that sense to any creature, Angel, man, or thing, but are as the Angels of God, i. e. 
* For here alone is the Apostles Rule 1 Cor. 7.29. fulfilled.  whether in wedlock or single life, living wholly holily, purely and chastely to him that sits upon the Throne, as King & Law giver in their hearts; in one word, all that herein is, is become most holy, pure, just and good, every thing is become consecrate, even the very bells and bridles of the Horses, have writ upon them what was wont only to be on the forehead of the High Priest, Holiness to the Lord; no man here (as in the Apostles times) calls or accounts any thing at all his own, it being as much and as truly his neighbours, as his, yea rather it is alone the Lords, all that's there, and no man enjoys aught but in the alone right of him; yet all according to the most holy Law of God was given by Moses, for the true body of Moses is here found in spirit (understanding it of the people that believe) the true body of Jesus, in whom the whole Law of Moses hath its end, mind, and fulfilling.  
10. Now though I for my part believe, that all these late and present shake, as well of things heavenly in their nature and kind, as earthly, tend to this as their proper rest and centre; yet I would in this, as declare my desire, so put to my helping hand, to prevent and stave off, the first sort of men and people of Gentile heart and conversation, that they lay not, as they are apt to do their hands on the sacred Signs, Types and Figures in use to them of the second sort, who answering to the middle part of the Temple, are as yet under the Law, or letter only of divine things.  
11. Wherefore in particular as concerning Tithes, let it be made or put into a Decree throughout these three Nations, now under and in the dispose of this Commonwealth, that all the goods heretofore counted separate or sacred, that are yet left undisposed or sold, be left and reckoned as the right of God, that is to say, according to their primitive institution under Moses, or donation since, under several Kings and Princes; by both which it will appear, as John Wickliff (worthy of honourable esteem and memory, as in all Lands, so especially in this our English Nation) proves at large, that they are no other than the free alms of the people, which they were originally willing to allow, as their acknowledgements of Gods right to all they had, I say, to allow him in those that he hath (as is confessed throughout the Scripture) a more immediate care of, that is to say, the poor, among which the Levite, as the steward of God in this behalf, is reckoned, having no other than the Lord for his portion.  
12. And let it be added with this clause, that he, what ever he be called in every Town or Parish, whether Parson, Rector, Vicar, Minister, Priest, Presbyter, or Lecturer, do not in time to come lay claim to any of these goods in his own name, but alone in the Name of God, his poor, whose right from men, by the Authority of the Nation, he is, but without force, to plead and contend for, according to the ancient and most holy Law of God.  
13. And lastly▪ That here, and from hence, all that are in distress, all that are in want, the poor, lame, and blind, and all that are necessitous (but none that are wilfully or wickedly idle, and of evil life) may have some proportionable support, as out of the Treasury and Storehouses of God in the Land, confessed to be such by a decree from the chief Powers in it: Upon this I will be bold to conclude, in the same spirit and mend to this Nation, as Malachy or the Messenger of God did of old to that of the Jews, Bring ye all the Tithes into the Storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts. And all Nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsom Land, saith the Lord of Hosts.  
FINIS.   

LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at his Shop at the black spread Eagle at the West end of Paul's. 1652.