AN OUTRAGIOUS OUT-CRY FOR TITHES, AND A DEEP CHARGE OF Stealing, Cheating, Robbing, &c. for not paying of them( Contained in nine Reasons, sent some few daies since in Print to divers) ANSWERED.  PSLAM 119.19. 
I am a stranger in Earth: hid not thy Commandments from me.  
LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills, and are to be sold at his house in Fleet-yard next door to the Rose and Crown, and by William Larnar at the Blackmoor at Fleet-Bridge MDCLII.   

To the Christian or but Civil Reader.  
Courtious Reader,  
MEeting with a dreadful Out-cry after Thieves, Cheaters, Robbers, &c. 
The occasion of this discourse.  I listened and asked if the cry were just, or the parties charged innocent: for, I remembered that in this famous City, Thieves and Cheaters have been known to cry out thieves and Cheaters first.  
Nine Reasons( some few daies since) are sent in Print by a noted Person, 
The Business of Tithes but a matter of money:  unto divers( not free for tithes) I perceive the Author of them is serious and pretends the Statutes both of Earth and Heaven, and therefore with a soft, yet serious hand have I turned over the leaves of both.  
Truly if it were but a matter of Money( which yet is all the Matter of this worlds Cumbustions) why should we the mad Sons of men, spend this inestimable Minute of our short passage( as o'er the Thames, &c.) from the shore of Time, to the other side of Eternity, in drowning and damning each other for a dry Crust, which is all that this worlds boat can give us?  
No, saith this Author, this business of Tithes, 
Yet pretended the cause of Christ Iesus &c.  is the cause of Christ Jesus, of his Gospel, of his Ministry, and of the Souls of men and of their Salvations or Damnations on the other side.  
I yield it, and say with Isaiah, let us show ourselves men, and in a human, civil, and Christian way debate it. we that name the name of Christ, are agreed upon the Test and Touch-stone of this, pretended, coin and metal. Surely, we are both like to say as that renowned cromwell in H. 8. his dayes, and from his person Vicegerent to an Assembly of Bishops met about Religion: The King of Kings( I am sure of it) resolves to have all tried by Scripture. But  
Who shall judge of the Scriptures sense, Intepretation, Application, & c?  
I answer, 
The Judge in Controversies of Gods Worship.  in Civil Matters, Custom, Tribute, &c.( yet although he partend with his Civil Right, to avoid offence) Christ Jesus borrows money of a Fish to discharge it. We ought to pay, to love, to honour to obey and pray for, even a Roman Caesar. In matters of God, of his Christ, his Gospel, his Ministry, his Scriptures, our souls and Eternity, Caesar himself cannot be Judge, &c. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own heart, saith Paul to the Romans. And we manifest ourselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God, saith Paul to the Corinthians. In all therefore, in the least of these matters, each soul must be his own Judge, each individual Soul must be a Parliament, and the poorest Lazarus an Emperor.  
If the Author of these Reasons say so too, I have hope, he will see cause to cease his Out-cry, or return the sober Reasons of his continuance of it, which if he please( with his name, subscribed) to do.  
He promiseth to return no other payment( with his Name also) who yet desires no name but what is written in Heaven.   

A soft Answer to an outrageous Out-cry, against sacrilege, Theft, Robbery, Cheating, and an Unpardonable sin, the not paying of Tithes.  
THe first Reason, It is stealing( saith the Author of the nine reasons) against the eight Commandement, and Rom. 13. Render to all their deuce, Custom to whom Custom, &c. And he adds, that Tithes are due to the Minister by the Law of the Land, and the Minister hath as legal a Right to the Rates set upon houses, as the Landlord hath to his Rent, and therfore he that breaketh this hedge, a Serpent shall bite him, Eccles. 10.8.  
I answer, First, the Title chargeth with sacrilege, or stealing of holy Things: 
The right to Tithes touched.  I expected some proof of that charge, and that at least we should have heard of the second Commandement, which concerns Gods worship, &c. But it seems he fears that second Commandement will fail him, and flies to the eight, and calls the not paying of Tithes the stealing of his Goods. I answer therefore,  
Secondly, There is a two-fold Right unto this worlds goods, The first Divine and holy; 
Right twofold. Divine which is not here pleaded.  this is pleaded for by the many thousands and ten thousands of Clergy Men of all Nations and Religions in the world, as to Maintenance, Wages, Tithes, &c. This was the Right of the Priests and Levites to Tithes in Canaan, and Paul( in mystical Canaan, the Kingdom of Christ) pleads the Right and Equity of receiving Temporals, for Spirituals, although as a Pattern and Example to all Christs Servants, himself who laboured most in Christ's work never enforced, nor demanded, nor desired a payment or gift, but either was supplied by the voluntary and free gift of the Saints, or in their failing( through poverty or neglect) his own honest labours and endeavours made up the Breach, &c.  
The second Right is human. 
human.  Which is,  
First, Natural, which all Gods Creatures have, as their Birth-right to the Elements in Common, &c. Such is the Right of Inheritance, &c.  
The second, 
The tenths not due, by ony Natural or civil right.  Civil, by consent of Bargain, Gift, &c.  
But neither as the Clergy are born mankind have they any Right to the tenth of their Neighbours increase, no more than their neighbours have to theirs: Nor by each particular mans Consent( in their parish circuit) for where such a Consent passeth, I confess a kind of human Right and due from the People, so covenanting to the Ministers or Servants attending on whatever Religion in the world.  
But where no such Consent passeth, where conscience to God dares not consent, dares not worship God so and so, dares not choose such and such Ministers of Worship, and consequently dares not maintain them in & for their Services; for any man now to cry out thieves, Thieves, Cheaters, Robbers, &c. what is it but to sin against the ninth as well as to abuse the eighth Commandement, to give a false witness, and to act his part, whose name imports a False Accuser, & c?  
Thirdly, The two great sins of the world, Will-worship & Oppression, have cost in the Nations of the world with this, 
The two Grand Iniquiquities, Will-worship and Oppression, established in all Nations by Law.  millions of Treasures and Lives by Gods three sore plagues ▪ Sword, Famine, and Pestilence, in all which God is Righteous: For have not these two Grand Iniquities, both in this, and in all Nations of the world, been established by Law?( Psal. 82.) for( in all humble reverence to former and this present Parliament) I ask if it be not Iniquity by Law, to force upon this Nation, about ten thousand Ministers or Servants, who must be received into every respective Town or Parish, 
A Law for Tithes.  whether the people will or no, who will minister or serve them as they please; who will leave them, and depart to fatter livings when they can get them, and who yet will by the Sword force them to pay to them( as some have computed) the fifth of what the Land produceth. And I add, for the complaining of this thorny hedge, how many thousands are bitten by that Old Serpent and enemy of mankind, as thieves, Cheaters, Robbers, of God and Man, & c?  
If the people of this Nation should say to their Representatives in Parliament, as the people of Israel, 
The people cannot give, nor the Parliament receive a Power of enforcing a Religion, &c.  once said to Aaron, make us Gods that may go before us, make us a Religion, make us a Worship, make us Ministers, appoint their maintenance, &c. Yet could not the Parliament answer to God the receiving of such a Power, nor the Framing and enforcing on the Nation a Religion Worship, Ministry, Maintenance, which they judge best, such an act being essentially against the very Nature of God, and Religion, their own civill office, and the very Consciences and Souls of men.  
With much more Justice( ten thousand fold) may the civill State in act( for it is merely a civill thing) that each Town or Parish in this Nation shall, 
The case of enforcing of Tithes illustrated.  whether they will or no, receive such or such a shoemaker( or any other Trades-man) that this Town shall buy their shoes of him only their Parish shoemaker, that one last shall serve all the Feet in the Parish, that if they break the Law, cry out of Oppression and help themselves by other counsellors, and Lasts, yet shall they be forced to pay the Parish shoemaker notwithstanding: if this be not the Case( and were ten thousand times less evil if it were the Case) let heaven and Earth be Judges.  
Fourthly, 
Tithes ceremonial and figurative.  were not Tithes mere Ceremonies shadowing out the acknowledgement of Royalty in the true Melchizedeck( the true King of Righteousness and Peace) Christ Iesus? were they not Figures of Acknowledgements of God; who commanded them not to all the Nations of the World, but only in that typical Land of Canaan? which typical and holy Land God owned as his own peculiar out of all the World, and gave it freely to that figurative people of Israel, choosing out one Tribe of 12 which one Tribe had no Inheritance in the Division of the Land of Canaan as the other 11 had.  
If joseph justly enacts a fifth for Pharaoh since the Land of Egypt was his, 
No land like Canaans land.  how justly might the God of Heaven appoint this figurative Acknowledgement of a tenth to himself to be paid him out of this Land which so freely and miraculously he gave unto this people, whose case( in no civil respect hath parallel with any people upon the face of the Earth? Yea and I affirm that whatever land shall pretend to imitate the Pattern of Tithes, stands bound to imitate( Heb. 7.) the Jewish Priests, the Sacrifices, Circumcision, &c. and to expect Christ Jesus yet to come for the abolishing of them &c.  
Fiftly, 
The Pope & his Councells the chief promoters of tithes among Christians.  What hath the servant of Christ Jesus to do with Belial, Anti Christ? For while we pretend the Name of Christ Jesus in the Matter, What original or warrant for the retaining of this Jewish Ceremony? Do we not find it to be a whorish Device of the Antichristian Bishops, and a policy of that great Thief, and Robber of the World, the Pope, and of his Popish Lateran councils?  
sixthly, hath not our most glorious Founder, the Lord Jesus( the only Lord and Master of all that truly follow him) expressly declared himself in those two famous Chapters touching his ministry Mat. 10. and Luke 10. 
The provision of the true Christ for his true Embasdors.  directing them without the least Mention of Tithes, and after their experience of his Provision, drawing this Confession out of their Mouths, that they lacked nothing? Great is the Noise, and great is the controversy about the Ministers of Christ, their Maintenance, but doubtless were that Spirit of Christ in us which was in the twelve, and the seventy, we should not onely pretend to succeed them in ther Commissions, but we should also find their Success and meet Christ Jesus in the same experiences.  
Seventhly, 
tithes forgotten by the Apostles.  When the Apostles the first Messengers and ambassadors of Christ Jesus, expressly handled the matter of the Jewish Rites, and Ordinances,( the holy Spirit of God immediately and infallibly assisting of them) did they among some other particulars, which for a time they permitted, once make a title of Mention of this of Tithes? Acts 16.  
Lastly, Is not the practise of the Lord Jesus, 
The practices of Christ Jesus and his Apostles as to maintenance.  and the practise of his Apostles, and of Paul especially( amongst the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Thessalonians) Acts and Statutes and Presidents sufficient for servants of Christ Jesus? Tis true they received the voluntary and free Gift of such, whose Hearts God had made willing, but neither do we find that they depended upon others, nor that they bargained and capitulated ( above or under board) nor that they expressly and particularly demanded or desired a Gift( Phil. 4.)  
May not therefore that Man justly question whether ever Christ Jesus sent him in such or such a way to preach that brings a spirit and a practise so different from Christ Jesus with him?  
Object. Yea, but saith this Author, Christ Jesus saith( Luke v. 42.) ye tithe Mint and anise: These ought ye to have done, that is, Ye ought to pay Tithes.  
Answ. I answer, it is worth the Enquiry whether the tithe of Mint and Rue, and every Garden Herb, was due by Moses Law, or was not a superstition of the Pharisees, and consequently whether the Popish tithe( now extant) of Fish and Foul, and of all personal gains, be not New yokes, unto which the Jews themselves were never subject: 
Greater tithes then the Jews paid.  And consequently that Christ Jesus intended not that they ought to pay tithes of Mint and Rue, &c. but that they ought to observe that Jewish Law of tithes in general.  
Secondly, What if Christ Iesus  told the jews, that they ought to pay Tithes, they ought to be circumcised, to offer Sacrifices, what is this to the Christian jews, the Christian kingdom, and Worship, to whom Paul saith( Gal. 5.) If you be circumcised, and consequently, if you pay Tithes, Christ Iesus shall profit you nothing?  
Object. Where it was objected, we hear him not, why should we pay him? The Author of the Reasons answereth: If thou live in a Parish where a Godly Minister is seated, it is thy sin to withdraw thy presence, but a greater to withdraw his Maintenance.  
I reply and ask first if the Constitution of Parishes be from the Institution, the Command, the Testament of Christ Iesus?  
Secondly, 
Ministers signify Servants, and what they ordinarily be in England.  Doth not the word Minister in plain English signify a Servant or Waiter on the Parish? and then what Servants or Waiters shall we find those to be that scorn or shane to be called by their own Names in English, that will force their ministry or Service upon a Man in spite of him, that will serve him as they list themselves, that will be gone when they please and possibly can to more gainful services, and whether they perform any ministry or Service or no, yet will force such wages from their Masters, as they never agreed to pay, yea although their Masters Children want Bread, and clothing, which is the case of thousands of poor Tithpayers in England?  
Thirdly, Be the Minister or Servant of the Parish never so godly, yet it is sin for that man to hear or maintain him, that cannot be fully persuaded in his heart, that his Ministry and Ministration is of God, and that he ought to maintain him, &c. Rom. 14.  
Lastly, Why should it be a greater sin for a man not to afford his Maintenance, than his presence? Not to pay Tithes, than not to join in the Word of God and Prayer?  
Oh, 
The great God of most Tith-mongers.  that I could not justly fear that the Belly is a greater God with most Tith-mongers Affections,( I dare maintain it with all Tith-mongers practices) then is the true and living God, and his most holy and blessed Son Christ Jesus! Hence it is that in Holland, where( and in other Protestant Countries) Tithes are damned) I say, that the Dutch Clergy are so tame and gentle, for having their set wages from the State, not only may all Religions be in quiet amongst them, but also the greatest part of the Dutch Nation, be of any or none, and of what Religion they please.  
Further, whereas to a third Objection( to wit, he will not give us our due the Sacrament) it was answered, the Sacrament is not due but in Order, 1 Cor. 14 40. As also that the Examination of Communicants, belongs not to the Minister, nor to the Minister with the Congregation, but to the Minister with the Ruling Elders, for which he quotes the singular book of the Vindication of Presbyterian Government. Secondly, he saith the Sacrament is not due to scandalous persons, Thieves and Robbers of God.  
Answ. Grant the holy Decency, of all the institutions of Jesus Christ, yea the necessity of Decency and Order in all things, 
Masters wonderfully deceived of their Suppers by their Servants.  that are not Babylonish and confused: yet what is this to the Popish and prelatical Ceremonies and Trumpery, for which they pretended this Scripture? what warrant is this when a Minister our Servant of a Parish shall confess he is hired to perform the Ministry or Service of the Parish( amongst which Services that of administering the Supper, hath ever been acknowledged one of the chief) when he shall take by force of arms his wages, and yet when his Masters come and expect their Supper, what warrant is there for this Servant, plainly to tell them, it is not Decency nor Order, that they eat any Supper at all? they may have Break-fast and Dinner,( Prayers and Sermons, and Psalms, and their children made Christian Souls) but they get no Supper.  
Are not all these holy things joined together in the Ministry or Service of the Apostles? 
politic superstition as to the Lords Supper.  Act. 2.42. And may not he that pretends to be a Minister or Servant to a people, say he ought not to serve or Minister any of them, as well as not all of them? And indeed is it not a relic still of the old Kneeling, yea, and this and that both relics of the old Transubstantiation, to pretend so high a wall of Separation, between the holy things of Word and Prayer, and Baptism and Psalms, and tithes, on this side the wall, and that one Service of the Lords Supper, on the other?  
It is worth the Examining( at another time) what is the Reason of that exceeding Noise and Do, 
politic Mysteries as to two points of Gods Worship especially The Lords Supper and Excommunication.  which the Popes and Prelates, and Presbyters of the world have made about those two Ordinances, the Lords Supper, and Excommunication: There is some mystery in it. But at this time to the second Reason.  
The second Reason. Not paying of Tithes is a sin of a high Nature, it affronts and robs God Mal. 3. To rob a man in the high way, deserves death: To rob a King of his Plate and jewels, deserves a Tormenting Death, but to rob the King of Glory, deserves the Fire of Hell.  
I answer, where did ever God appoint Death, 
wonderful strange justice  least of all a Tormenting Death, the penalty of taking away from common men or Kings this Worlds goods? And where hath Christ Iesus made such a Gradation as down from Death, and a Tormenting Death, to Hell Fire, for not paying of tithes? Is not the English of this strange language this, the Parliament hath robbed the King of greater matters than his Plate and jewels, 
The Parliament deeply charged by insinuation, and vindicated.  therefore what tormenting Death should they suffer were the Rack and Fire in his keeping? yea and if the Parliament shall further dare to meddle with Tithes, Hell Fire and Damnation must be their portion; But he forgets what a man of blood, the late King was, and how the Blood of some thousands and 100 thousands cried after him, of French, of English, Scotch, and Irish Protestants, yea and the Blood of his own Blasphemous Father james: as also he forgets that Christ Iesus is come, and as a most glorious Sun hath dispelled those shadows, and that therefore to pay or receive Tithes in Gospel times is to rob God, to rob Christ, to rob Consciences, and Families, and whole Nations, &c.  
The Third Reason, Not paying of Tithes is a Complicated sin, cheating added to stealing, for the Landlord bates the Tenant so much in his Rent.  
I answer, 
The charge of cheating received.  I never heard that ever Landlord in City or Country, bated a Farthing to his Tenant upon this account. This I have heard, that most Landlords in the City, have so screwed up, and stretched( as wee say) upon the Rack and Tenters, their Rents to the very utmost, that the Backs of many Industrious and hopeful young men, are often quickly broken, and not able to discharge the very Landlords payment.  
And who is ignorant that in the Country( where tithes fall heavy ordinarily upon the poor Husbandmen) that between these two Mill-stones, 
The Husbandmands two Mill-stones.  the Landlord and the person, many thou sand Families cry out of Oppression, and some, that they are ground to Powder.  
The Fourth Reason, It is a sin, discouraging Ministers in their work, contrary to Hezekiahs practise. 2 Chr. 31. He commanded the people that dwelled at Jerusalem, to give the Portion of the Priest and Levites, that they might be encouraged in the Law of the Lord.  
I answer, This is still the point in question: For although due encouragements are to be given to Good, and due Discouragements to evil: Yet every man is not bound by Purse and Person to encourage all the many thousands that say they are Gods Prophets and ambassadors, 
A two-fold square of our encouragement to Ministers.  & Ministers of Jesus Christ, yea grant them to be true Ministers of Jesus Christ, even Paul and Peter themselves, yet no man is bound to encourage them beyond these two, their Consciences, & their Abilities, both which Tithes do most violently force and usurp upon.  
Secondly, To the instance of Hezekiah, we find not( as before) by the New Testament of Christ Jesus, that every land is Canaan, an holy land: that every City is Jerusalem, an holy City, that every Nation is Israel, 
Canaan and other Lands Compared.  an holy Nation, nor that there are the Priests and Levites extant, who have no Portion nor Inheritance in their respective Countries, as those Priests and Levites had not in their land of Canaan, and were therfore otherwise provided for out of the Lords own Allowance and Portion, and therefore he himself is called their Portion, in which Ceremonial Type and Figure there seems to lye many spiritual and heveanly mysteries. Therefore,  
Thirdly, 
Christ Jesus the true King of the Jews.  Christ Jesus the true Hezekiah and King of the Jews, hath a Spiritual kingdom in the Hearts, and Worships, and Lives of all that truly desire to follow him, he it is that opens the door of their Hearts, and commands them by the Law of the Spirit of Life and Love not to spare their Bread nor blood from the encouragement of his Servants in his Christian work, &c. And other Antitype of Hezekiah, shall not the subtlest Eagles eye find out amongst all the Kings and Princes of the world beside.  
Fourthly, who can but lament to see so many excellent Spirits led slaves in the chains of Delusion? for were there not a wound in the eye, could it possibly be once heard amongst Christians, 
The Ministers of Christ Jesus turned Moses Priests & Levites for Tithes.  that Christ Jesus his Ministers should pled for the same way and Maintenance with the very Priests and Levites.  
The Clergy of our times, will not be entitled Priests and Levites, no nor Priests & Deacons, their late titles by Law, but Ministers of Jesus Christ,( and yet not that in honest English neither) well if they be the Ministers of Christ and his Church, what have they to do with Moses and his carnal Sword and Ceremonies? Why must the Alarum be given, the Magistrate be wakened, and Hezekiah must cut and kill all that are not willing to pay the Priests and Levites their Tithes?  
Fiftly, what if King James, or King Charles, or any of the most sacred Hezekiahs, 
The turnings of Tithmongers in Religion.  and Annointeds of the Lord( as they have most Jewishly and Blasphemously been called) what if, I say, they should with their sacred Swords, have commanded Circumcision to all the Males in their Dominions, the Passeover to be duly observed, the Temple( Pauls or Westminster) re-edifyed, and daily prayers to be made for the coming of the Messiah in the flesh, and withall have but commanded encouragement to be given by Tithes to the Priests and Levites, how many thousands of such Tith-Merchants would have cried out, long live these blessed Hezekiahs Josiahs, &c. Hezekiah( as an Angel from Heaven) hath commanded Tithes to be paid for the encouragement of Priests and Levites in the Law of the Lord, &c.  
And that I may not falsely so insinuate, let the Nations of Europe( but none more then this of England) testify that the Weather-Cock hath not more quickly turned with the Wind, then the Priests, and Levites have turned and tacked about( with the Sword) to save the encouragement of Tithes, and Maintenance.  
The fift Reason, By this sin the Defrauder robs his Soul of a Blessing, it being just with God to say to him, Thou withdrawest Maintenance from my Servant, and I will withdraw my Blessing from my own Oordinance, Thy Soul shall never prosper by any Sermon thou hearest.  
I answer First, if we poor Worms creep out of our Holes and talk of Justice with our Maker( as to the purest of our Services,) O, who can abide those devouring flames, &c. So far am I from owning that blasphemous speech of one of the most blasphemous Kings in the World; King james, This Speech, he uttered in a most solemn Assembly in the Star-Chamber, 
King James his blasphemies.  and it was afterwards extolled in a Sermon at Pauls across, it was this, Whatever mine other sins are for which I ask God pardon, &c. yet for doing of Justice I will not ask the Mercy of God. Gods Justice hath been dreadful on him and his for their, Blasphemies even in this life, that all living may know God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Therefore.  
Secondly, May it not possibly be that we may thunder out Gods Judgements( as Solomons Madman) casting abroad Fire-brands, arrows, 
The wonderful abuse of the Name of God as to his Justice & Judgements.  and Death) yea are not all the Sons of Men that ever heard of Moses or Christ, apt to abuse both their Names and Testaments for an end for an Interest; Do not all the many thousands and ten thousands Priests in the world, that pretend to worship one God by Moses, as the jews, by Mahomet as the Turks, by Iesus as Papists and Protestants? do they not all pretend the thunderbolt of Gods Justice &c. But  
Thirdly, Let us examine what this Ordinance pretended is, It is called a Sermon: 
What a Sermon is.  I ask what is that in English; the people wtll tell you that the Minister goes up on high unto the Pulpit to bring Gods word down by an Hower-Glass; but some that know latin will tell us that a Sermon is a Speech: And I ask then why English men may not speak English and use the word Servant altogether for Minister, and the word Speech for Sermon: Doubtless it hath been half an heresy to speak plain English, yea but to English that word heresy itself, and words many which the Sun of Righteousness will more and more discover and unfold, &c.  
The very Truth is( although I fear to despise prophesying, and to quench the Spirit of God by discouraging any Prophet of God to red any parcel of Scripture( as Christ Jesus did Luke 4.) 
The mercies and blessings of English Sermons.  and to open and enlarge upon it more or less: Yea although I aclowledge the comparative Mercies of English Sermons, be yond the Old Paternosters, and Mumpsimus( as King Henry himself could call popish Devotions, &c. yea and beyond our own, Our Fathers and our own Common-Prayers and Directories, which the egyptian Task-Masters under Pharaoh( crying out of Idleness in going after Sermons) enslaved us with: Yea although I aclowledge the infinite Mercies of God, passing by what is not of himself, &c. bringing much good out of Sermons to his people, ye and to many thousands souls as to personal conversion &c. Yet  
I am humbly bold to affirm, 
Yet as commonly used Images.  that not only your Popish and Superstitious, ignorant and drunken, railing and Treasonable Sermons or Speeches: but even your most refined, penned, painted and starched Speeches, as they are formally and Mercenarily practised, I say they are as very Images and Pictures in Worship against the second Commandement, and against the Institution of Christ Jesus, as ever were, or are the Popish Images and Pictures, the across and Crucifix itself.  
Possibly, I may forget yea and will not enumerate all the Charasters of such mystical refined Images, yet one I must remember, which renders these speeches, like some Images, most terrible and dreadful, and that is the high Insolency and Tyranny of such Speeches, viz. the enforcing all Men( sometimes many more able to speak than the Speakers) to a deep silence before this Image, as if they learnt in the School of one Tyrannus( not so human as that where Paul discoursed, but) where all must be received for Gospel, and no man dare to be so free, as but to make a Query or beg an Explanation.  
God knows I abhor that the least appearance of Incivility should be offered to the very Jews, or Turks, 
The wonderful slavey of the English Nation to their Ministers or Servants.  or Indians, in the exercise of their Consciences and Worships; and I do profess it to be the duty of the Civill Magistrate wisely to prevent and remedy the Breach of the Civill peace. Yet can I not but ask what should be the Reason that our translators( either out of Ignorance or subtlety) should so abuse us, as to turn that place Acts 20.7. Paul preached unto them, when they sure can tell, the true word is Paul Discoursed, discoursed as in a Dialogue or Conference, and that verse 9. while Paul was long Preaching, the same word is discoursing or conferring: which implies, that the school of Christ is for Instruction, which ever presupposeth Ignorance, Doubts, Objections, Inquisitions, for which there is no room, when so great a Master shall speak Oracles, and One alone( as the Priest serves the People, and the Wine in the Mass.) shall drink up all the Time.  
This Paper which now I answer, clamours out( like Solomons strange Woman) thieves, Cheators, Robbers: Sacrilegious Curses upon their Bodies, Curses upon their Estates, Curses upon their Souls in Hellfire, for not paying of Tithes! 
Four Presumptions of suspecting a Thief and Rebber.  I would not use Recriminations, nor retort: Yet I shall pray this Author and all men to consider, whether amongst other presumptions and grounds of suspicion, these four do not look like shrewd ones of at least some( worthily to be) suspected persons.  
First, 
First, not owing his own name.  When persons endure not to hear of their own name in English, The Bishop endured not to be called Over-seer, nor the Minister by the name Servant: and instead of the, Minister of the Parish, the Servant of the Parish, our Minister, our Servant; How would this plain English be despised?( and doubtless if the name, the thing much more)? would it be born withal to say instead of a Sermon preached, a speech made? would not its own name seem too base for itself, in true and honest English? and yet the most honourable Judges and Councellors, and Parliament worthies are not ashamed to own that word[ a Speech] in English.  
Secondly, Is is suspicious, when a man shall not be content in the Town or place where he lives, with a moderate proportion of Condition, 
Secondly, when discontent with a low condition he preys upon his Neighbors.  but( although he have of his own) he will force out of his Neighbors labours, and sometimes poverties, an higher and an unequal portion.  
For( according to the computation of that industrious Author of the Tith-gatherers, no gospel gatherers:) if this Nation were divided, into 500. shares, the Clergy, which are but one to 500, will challenge to themselves( all things computed) 20. shares of 500 for their portion.  
Yet more plainly, in a Country Town( for indeed the burden seems to lye heaviest upon poor Husbandmen:) suppose 500 Men and Women in a Country Parish, and all the Land in that parish amount to 2000l. per annum, the person( all things computed) claims about 400l.( one fifth) for his share, and leaves all the rest 499. persons to be content with about 3 l. 4s. apiece.  
Thirdly, 
impatiency of Pauls Labours in Pretenders to Pauls ministry, suspicious.  when a man shall not endure to hear of any other course of life and maintenance, yea although he be not the Son of a Noble, but the off-spring of a shrub, yet if he be once cowl'd with the Title of a Scholar, a Priest, a Preacher, a Minister, Oh, how disgraceful it is to put hand to a Spade, & c? Now, no Seat but the Highest Seat in the Synagogue, no room, but the Uppermost room at Feasts, and the Salutations of Rabbi, Doctor, &c. in the market place, if Christ Jesus and all experience say true.  
Fourthly, It is very suspicious, when a man cannot patiently endure to be questioned, examined, or opposed in his affirmations: when if( some) men had their wills, it should be as deadly a sin, and as dangerous to question the least of their Doctrines, 
impatiency of Examination sheweth Presumption of falsehood.  as it is in other Countries, to question the Popes Canons, or the Turkes Alcoran.  
It is not unusual with all that would be the onely Teachers and Masters of Religion in the World to urge Gal. 6. Let him that is taught in the Word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things. But, what shall we think of those teachers that endure not a question to be proposed in their Schools, Teaching-places, neither by Strangers, nor their scholars, and that of all scholars, dislike those most who are most searching and inquisitive?  
If such Teachers can be honest in the schools of human and Civill learning, yet I am sure he is not like Christ Jesus nor his Servant Paul, who practised and commanded his Servants in meekness to instruct even those that oppose themselves( what though Jew, or Turk, or Papist, or Pagan) by the word of Truth and Meekness convincing Gainsayers) instructing the Opposites and waiting whether God will give them Repentance.  
I know the Outcries are made of despising the Word of God, of despising Preaching, despising Learning, destroying of souls &c. and though possibly I might answer many other ways, yet what should a Christian say, but desire to be a Fool for Christ Jesus sake, and to desire to know nothing but Christ Jesus, and him nailed to the gallows, and I will end this passage with a two fold observation.  
First, It is lamentably found true, that within these twelve years last past, many, many almost all of those called Preachers, 
The Ministers of England withered.  excellent for parts, for education, for Piety, for Knowledge, for utterance and much good wrought by them; have upon the discoveries from Christ of the Liberties of Christ Jesus, laboured to suppress them, and loved their Honors, their Tithes, more than God, tis lamentable I say to observe how almost all have not only lost their Honors, their most conscionable Auditors, but their Parts and and Abilities, are even withered and dry, and are no more like unto themselves, than samson was like samson when he was unsampsoned by Delilah.  
Secondly, 
Knowledge more than ever increased in England.  Since the People of this Nation, and the People of God in it have for these twelve years past been more enlightened, in the mystery of their slaveries and Liberties, both in Army, and City, and Country, and that people have dared to speak and confer, and to examine what Paul himself delivers( as the Bereans did) the People of this Nation have more increased in the experimental knowledge of the holy Scriptures, than in many twenties and hundreds of years before, while under the Popish or Protestant Bondage and Captivity.  
The sixth Reason. This not paying of Tithes, brings Gods Curse upon the estate Mal. 3. You are cursed with a Curse &c. they grudge the Minister his Maintenance, and God grudgeth them even bread for their Families; so that usually they turn bankrupts, or fall into Debt, &c.  
I answer. There be two parts of this Reason: The first the Matter of Doctrine concerning Tithes supposed to be Gods Ordinance, in Christ Jesus his kingdom( but of the inconsistency of Tithes with true Christianity, enough before)  
The second is matter of Fact, and the experience how God hath cursed such as have not paid Tithes, &c.  
Unto which I answer, First, some to the praise of Gods mercy profess, 
Gods blessing on some who pay nor receive Tithes.  that since they have( out of conscience to God, and not out of covetousness or wilfulness) hazarded their Names and estates in not paying Tithes, God hath not only graciously embraced them with his Right hand of Soul refreshings in his dear Son, but also hath sustained their Heads, with a merciful Left hand of outward Blessings upon their Callings and Labours, and that in some gracious measure more than formerly.  
Secondly, Be it otherwise( it may be) with many who have refused to pay or to receive Tithes: yet what soul hath in uprightness partend with a farthing for God, and hath not received his hundredfold, and whose Dry morsel and Dinner of Green herbs, is not fatter and sweeter then an house full of Sacrifices of strife, with God, and with his own Spirit and Conscience?  
Thirdly, is there a poor Citizen or countryman wounded in his estate and Trading, livelihood and Maintenance? I more then fear I may ask thief 2 Questions.  
First, Is not the Author of these Questions two near a kin, to that Priest and that Levite, who both went on the other side? He is broken, he is in debt, there let him lye, let some vile Samaritan, or who will look after him: Nay tis a just vengeance of God upon him, tis just he should fall amongst Thieves and Robbers who robs God and his holy Priests and Levites of their Tithes.  
Secondly, I ask whether it be not( sometimes) a shrewd suspicion, 
The Husbandmen of Hartfordshire and of the Nation to the Parliament.  that such men as pass by wounded men on the other side, calling them bankrupts, &c. have had some hand or finger in the very wounding of them? And indeed if the Husbandmen of Hartford-shire, and of other shires that have petitioned the High Court of Parliament,( and if all such wounded Husbandmen in all England) say true; This very tithe, this robbing them of the tenth and more of their estate and labours, hath made many thousands and ten thousands, some run in debts, some turn bankrupts, some want Bread to their Families, and sigh and groan, and cry to God and the State for succour.  
The seventh Reason. It is a sin against the gospel, this puts out the light by taking away the oil that feeds it, like Julian ( as is observed in the excellent Vindication of Presbyterian Government) who while other Emperours by Persecution took away the Ministers, he by taking away Tithes took away the ministry itself.  
I answer, It is a grand Mistake, and like the Beast in the Revel. full of the names of blasphemy, that makes a Jewish and Popish Ceremony the very Oil that feeds the light of the Gospel.  
First, it highly blasphemes or speaks evil of the holy Spirit of God, by whom alone all the Ministrations, and Operations of Christ Jesus are effected, 
The Golden Oil in Zach. not tithes.  and without whom no man can say( truly) that Iesus is the Christ, 1 Cor 12. And Zach. 6. wherein we red of the Golden Candlestick, and the seven Golden Lamps thereof, and the two Olive Trees, and two Olive Branches; the Question is, What be these? And the Answer is vers. 6. Not by Might, nor by Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord: I ask here( notwithstanding that I deny not the due use of Gods means yet) whether in the building both of the material, and spiritual Temple, whether in the feeding of the material Lamp, and Light, or the spiritual, the most holy Spirit of the Lord, be not that Oil, and not tithes and moneys, by which the holy light and work of God is propagated?  
There were two famous Oils commanded of the Lord to Moses. 
2 Famous oils in the Law, yet neither typing out tithes.   
The first, that of oil Olive beaten for the daily supply of the Lamp, Exod. 27.  
The second, that compounded of many Spices, for the anointing and Sanctifying of the Tabernacle, the Priest, the Vessells, &c, and whosoever made the like to this oil, he was to be cut off from his People.  
First, If the first of these did signify the Word of God, as some conceive, yet doubtless the second must clearly signify the Spirit of the Lord, who sanctifies and operates all in all.  
Secondly, If one should signify the Word which the first Christians were daily in, without tithes or set Maintenance, yet the gracious concomitance and presence of the Spirit of God is promised with the Word of God to Christ Iesus the anointed and to Christians, his anointed ones, Isa. 59. My Word and my Spirit in thy Mouth, 
The Spirit & Word of God expressly typified.  and the Mouth of thy Seed and the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed from henceforth and for ever.  
May we not say to that soul thy Money perish with thee, who counterfeits this Holy Oil, this most holy and most free Spirit of God, and( after the Bishops cry No Bishop, no King &c.) fill the world with clamours, No tithes, no gospel? &c.  
But Secondly, This Doctrine blasphemes Christ Jesus, the Lord and Founder of Christians, who( if Tither be such a Fundamental, and no Tithes, no Ministry) so infinitely forgot himself, as to leave out Tithes out of his last Will and Testament: 
Fowle aspersions on Christ Jesus  Moses. was not so unfaithful, for in his Testament they were not forgotten, &c.  
But Oh, the patience and the meekness of the lamb of God, who hath the seven Horns, and the seven Eyes,( signifying the holy Spirit of God, Revel. 1.) wherein are fullness of Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, most gloriously sufficient to manage his Spiritual Works and Wars without consulting with Popes and Priests about Money( none of the sinews of his holy War) about Taxes, and tithes, which people must pay to be converted, &c.  
Oh, the patience of the Son of God thus to endure the Contradictions and lies of sinners, for let but an impartial Committee of Humility, Love, self-denial, and Content( Gods Spirit the President) examine the matter and it shall be found as clear as the Sun. That  
First, 
Christ's carefor his Ministers.  Christ Jesus appointed no other Maintenance to any of his Ministe●s( either Apostolical or Pastoral, but such as were( I would not call them Eleemosynary with Wickeliffe) but truly and simply Free and Voluntary.  
Secondly, That the Lord Jesus hath discovered inconceivable wisdom in his care, For such Maintenance and none else can possibly svit the Ends and Honour of Christ Jesus; No nor the Spirits and Supplies of such as truly Minister or wait on him or his.  
Thirdly, How can it be said No[ tithe, 
The first Messengers of Christ Jesus most gloriously Victorious without the thought of Tithes.  No Ministry,] when that holy Scripture, and all the Experiences of true Christianity in the world can tell us how Christ Jesus road forth( Revel. 6.) upon his White Horse or Horses, the Word of Truth and Meekness, spiritually subduing and saving the souls of millions, when we hear not a Title of the sound of Tithes, Rom. 10. and through the Acts of the Apostles, and Epistles to the Churches.  
Fourthly, See how the doctrine [ No Tithes, No Ministry] blasphemes and destroys the whole Profession and Religion of Christianity out of the world. For if those holy Conclusions be true, Rom. 10. How can men call upon God in whom they believe not? How can they believe without hearing? how can they hear without a Preacher? How can they preach except they be sent? Why then, if no Tithes, no Ministry, no Preaching, no Hearing, no believing, and consequently, no calling upon or Worshipping of God in Christ Jesus in the world.  
Fifthly, Grant( without dispute) those practices of Julian, both as Lion and a Fox, be true, and that he was resolved to expel his enemy the Galilean( Christ Jesus) out of the world: Grant that by taking away Tithes, 
Julians policy by taking away Tithes, to take away the Ministry examined.  he intended to take away the Ministry: Yet doth not the Foolishness of God, befool the wisdom of this Julian, and of all such politic heads ( like Julians) who dream that outward Maintenance or the want of it, can uphold or overthrow the Ministry or Service of Christs messengers?  
Did it ever so in Christs own time, person or practise? Did it so in any of the Evangelists writings or Records? Did it so in the tenth of Mat. or tenth of Luke? Did it so in all the first Saints, Apostles, or Churches, that we red of, in either the Acts, or Epistles?  
Yea, is not that Light, which is contrary unto this dark position? Did not the Christian Profession, more suffer and lose from the Revenues and Honours with which Constantine is said to exalt( and throw down) the Ministers and Bishops of his time? 
Christianity lost more under Constantine, than Julian or Neroes, &c.   
And is it not contrary to other Gardens, that the Garden of Christ Jesus, hath ever been known to grow and flourish more in the autumn and Winter of Lowness, wants, and persecutions, Than in the Spring and Summer of Riches, Peace. Authority, & c? But  
Lastly, I adore the depths of the wisdom of God, who( fearful in praises) forceth his praise by confession, out of the mouths of us poor sinners: For doth not this Author plainly tell the world, what is in the very Heart of this Presbyterian Book( which this Author so extolleth) and in the very heart of the Presbyterian Government, 
The heart and soul of the Presbyterian Ministry.  which that book maintaineth? No Tithes, no Ministry, is the Heart and soul of it, the rest is but Flesh and Blood, skin and Bones, the Suburbs, Outworks, &c. No, the Business is( as the Priest used to say, the Soul leaps not forth of Purgatory until the Money just chink in the basin) No penny, no Paternoster, no Tithes, no Teaching, no pay, no pray, no Feasting, no Fasting, no gain, no Godliness, nor God, nor Christ, nor Heaven, &c.  
I end this seventh Reason with this Appeal to all Men and ask, whether it be not the Constant Character of suspicion in all Affairs and Agents in the World, when it proves a Money Matter. 
A Money Matter.  especially in such Agents or Officers, who( pretend at least and) say their Master the Lord Jesus hath freely given them his Spirit and spiritual Gifts, hath promised freely and abundantly to provide for them, and to reward and crown then?  
And is not this apparent to all the people of England, 
An appeal to the people of this Nation, as to the present professed Teachers in it.  that( notwithstanding these Boasts of the Presbyterian Books, and Government yet) the practices of such as open Gods word throughout the Nation without Tithes, and of such as go higher, and open it without Stipend or Reward, other than proceeds from the love of their hearers, I say that the practices of such come nearer to true ingenuous Honesty and true sincere Christianity?  
The eighth Reason. It is a sin that will not be pardonned upon Repentance, unless there be a restitution as well as repentance, according to that Speech of Austin, Non remittitur peccatum, &c.  
I answer, This Reason is founded upon a triple Quicksand falsely supposing  
First, that not paying of Tithes is stealing, cheating, Robbing, the contrary whereof I have proved, and it will in times approaching be so clear by the shinings of the Sun of Righteousness that proof will not be needed.  
Secondly, That a sin may be repented of( he means truly repented of, or he saith nothing) and yet not pardonned: contrary to the nature of Gods Mrcy, to the Nature of his promises, to the Blood of Christ Jesus, and to the true peace and comfort of all poor wounded Sinners.  
Thirdly, 
True Repentance and Restitution are Companions.  That a sin of Cheating, Theft, Robbery, &c. may be repented of without Restitution: The contrary whereof is true either by Restitution in Kind, or Value, or Desire, in the want of Ability: And therefore, I boldly affirm that all such Church Thieves who( with Iosephs Mistris cry Whore first, and yet) have robbed the gospel, robbed poor Families, and robbed the whole Nation, by this Popish and jewish three toothed Hook of Tithing: I say, such thieves cannot express true Repentance without the abovesaid Restitution.  
The ninth Reason is. This sin will cry for vengeance when the Sinner is on his Death bed crying for mercy Jam. 5.3. and the Author concludes: If the Hire of Labourers in Mens Vineyards kept back by fraud crieth, how dreadful will the cry be of the Hire of Gods Labourers in Gods Vineyard kept back by Robbers and Defrauders? I tremble to think of it.  
I answer, this is no New Vizard whereby Popish Tithmongers and tithe Merchants( Revel. 18.) have frighted thousands and ten thousands, and Millions of Treasure from the purses of our Forefathers! what, rob the Priest? rob God? Hell Fire, purgatory, &c.  
Secondly, As I do profess it to be unchristian to receive a Cup of could water from any hand without a grateful mind and Retribution to our power: so, much less spiritual waters of life &c. Yea further where compacts are made and an Hire promised, either in corporal or spiritual whoredom, there is a kind of justice in due payment. But what shall we say to such Reapers of our Fields( for the Author mistakes Vineyards for Fields, 
Strange spiritual Reapers.  Wine for Bread) as will force themselves into all the Fields of a Town as will work how they please and not cut down as other Reapers, do for their Hire? as keep out all other Reapers by force, and not suffer the Owner to hire such Reapers as he is better persuaded of: as will leave their work and forsake the Field on a sudden, & be an hundred mile off in other Fields for greater hire and wages! Who, although the Husbandmen see it for their benefit to make use of other help, yet these Reapers( these Robbers) will be paid, or else by fire and sword they will have it out of the very Throats and Bowels of the poor Husbandmen and their Children? 
Conclusion.   
I fear the high Clamour of these nine Reasons have rendered this Answer louder than. I desire to give to men professing the name and fear of God: I aclowledge the( not inconsiderable) pleas of Impropriatours: and the many, not to be neglected, Arguments of many 1000 and many 10000( for maintenance) who in this and other Countries pretend to be the Ministers of Christ Iesus: And we know the late and Christian care of the Lord general and the Officers of the Army, praying the Parliaments care as to tithes and the pleas belonging: It behoves us to beg of God, the Spirit of Understanding and wisdom and the fear of jehovah upon that High Assembly.  
And yet however the Parliament shall please to deal with Impropriations, however with the Popish Priests who endeavoured to blow up King james his Parliament, however with Presbyterian Priests who have so oft endeavoured to blow up this. Yet I am humbly confident to maintain.  
First, that tithes have been a yoke which neither we nor our Fathers have been able to bear, &c.  
Secondly, freedom is the peoples right and cry.  
Thirdly, Who ever enters into Christs work any other way than by Christ the doors appointment, he is a Thief and a Robber.  
Fourthly, If this most honourable Parliament, General and Army hold their peace, the God of Heaven will raise up other stones to cry and to deliver this Nation, and his People in it from these yokes.  
Fiftly, Christ Jesus the Sun of Glory and Righteousness hath lighted up such a Candle in the midst of this Nation, and from hence in the midst of Europe, and the world( as to Soul-freedom) that all the Devils of Hell shall never be able to extinquish.  
Sixthly, Christs witnesses, until the time appointed, must resolve to give an humble and yet courageous witness, even to bonds and death, against this Tithing Idol. And  
Lastly, Whoever he be that payeth or receiveth tithes[ whatever his person be otherwise to God yet] in this practise, he with the Iewes denies Christ Jesus yet to be come, and is no Christian but a Jew.  
FINIS.   

The Husbandmans Plea against Tithes, and Tith-Gatherers no gospel Gatherers, are sold at William Larnars at the Black-moor near Fleet-bridge.