gentle CONGREGATIONS NO TITHE-PAYERS.  
OR, CERTAIN REASONS WHEREIN Is clearly shewed, what just ground there is for Gentiles conscientiously to make Question of the lawfulness of their paying Tithes AS They were presented unto the Right Worshipful John Brandilin, and Thomas Edgar Esquires, Justices of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, and Members of the worshipful Committee, then sitting at the Grey-hound in IPSWICH,  
By WILLIAM WESTUP and THOMAS PUCKLE.  Jo. 7.24. 
Judge not according unto the appearance, but Judge right cous judgement.  PRO. 16.8. 
Better is a little with righteousness, then great Revenues without right.  
Printed by John Clowes against the lower Pump in Grub-street, and are also to be sold in IPSWICH, 1650.   

The Epistle to the Reader  
COurteons Reader whoever thou art, we desire thee for to take notice that these ensuing Reasons were not intended by us for to be made thus public, but seeing that Providence hath so ordered it, we are desirous for to give thee this account which was thus; One of our Congregation being sent for by order of the Committee then sitting at the Gray-Hound in Ipswich, upon complaint of his not paying of Tithes, who being come, it pleased some of the committee for to demand of him the reason of his not paying of his Tithes, who returned this answer. That he could not in Conscience so do; unto the which some of them replied, that it was not their desire justly for to grieve any tender Conscience, and therefore did desire him that when their Company did meet together, that they would sand in writing the Reasons that do make them to scruple the paying of tithes, saying further, that if there should appear just ground for any Conscience to be troubled, it should be far from their practise for to compel them thereunto: the which when we heard, we judged it no less then our duty so to do, and accordingly we so did, and delivered it unto Mr. Brandlin the Committee then sitting. If any should inquire how we sped? we answer to their honour, that some of them did labour more then ordinary with the Priest for a Reconciliation, and through their much labour they did procure such a Peace, as that both partys were very well satisfied in. And truly we must profess that the respective carriage of the Committee unto us in this our Case of Conscience, was no small encouragement unto us for the making of it thus public, for truly if it could not have been published without dishonour unto the Committee, it should never have been made public by us, for we must needs say with grief of heart, that there is too much of Chams Spirit abroad in the world already, and yet we deny not but that some men may have just cause for to complain; and so speak that which they have no pleasure in; Oppression( as Solomon saith) making wise men mad. Now unto the second thing namely, to show the Reasons of our making of them thus public, which are these. It being known that we had sent in our Reasons unto the Committee, we were much desired by the Priest of the Parish and divers others, for to see the Copy of them, which we having but one( and that something an imperfect one too we were very unwilling for to part with it, but at length we obtained of the Committee theoriginal again, which we shewed unto divers, who when they had red it did much importune us to make it public, professing that the greatest Arguments for Tithes were therein answered, and that it would be much for the public good. Against the which we had many objections in ourselves, which we must needs confess hath hindered the publishing of them a while, and still haa, had not an unexpected occasion required of some of us a longer abode in London them we expected, but now we have yielded our consent unto the publishing of them upon this account. First, That it may appear what just ground there is for men that do make Conscience of any thing, for them to make conscience of paying of Tithes. Secondly, That it may appear that men may be owners of Civil Authority, and yet disowners of the paying of Tithes. Thirdly, That it might be a means for to stir up some men( who shall see what just ground there is for to scruple the paying of Tithes) for to be earnest pettioners unto the Parliament of England, for the taking them away  
And thus( Courteous Reader) we have shown thee our Reasons both of the writing and publishing of them, hoping that thou wile measure our intentions by thy good affections guiaed by sound Reason, which( if so) then thou wilt conclude that they come from men that seek not their own honour, but singely & alone thy profit and edifying in every truth of the Ghospcl, In the hope whereof we rest.  
Your Loving friends 

W. W.  
T. P.     

TO The Right worshipful John Brandlin and Thomas Edgar Esquires, Justices of the Peace for the County of suffolk, with the rest of the worshipful Committees sitting at the Gray-Hound in Ipswich.  
Right worshipful.  
IN answer to your desires, we have with all respect and humility sent unto you in writing the Reasons why we( being not Jews but gentiles) cannot in Conscience pay Tithes, which are as followeth.  
The first Reason why we gentiles cannot pay Tithes, is because we find that Tithes were appointed of God for the maintenance of the Levitical Priest-hood onely under the first Testament: which Priest-hood and Law are both changed. Heb. 7.12. Heb. 10.5. Deut. 14.22. to the end.  
The Second Reason why we gentiles cannot pay Tithes is, because by paying Tithes now under the Gospel or new Testament, we maintain the Types or shadows when Christ( the Truth & substance hath fully and clearly abolished them. Heb. 7.12. Heb. 8.4 & 5. Heb. Chap. 9. & 10. And if it be objected that we pay them not in reference to a Levitical Priesthood or Judicial Law, we desire to know what the Priests of England mean, when they call themselves of the Tribe of Levi in their Pulpits, in their Prayers, and have it written on the walls of the House which they call the Church, citing Mal. 3.8.9.10. saying, Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me; but ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In Tithes and Offerings, ye are Cursed with a Curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole Nation. Bring ye all the Tithes into the Store-house, that there may be meat in my House, and prove me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of Heaven, and power you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And also press this Scripture in their Sermons, applying the promises to the Fith-payers among the gentiles, and threatening the Curses to them that disobey though gentiles, to whom this law of Tithes was never made, neither obedience thereunto expected, These practices do cause us to stand up for the true and clear abolishing of all Types and shadows, and we must not be so wilfully ignorant as to think we pay them not in reference to that Covenant, when that law with the promises and curses is applied, and the ministry owned by themselves to be the Tribe of Levi.  
3. The third Reason why we gentiles cannot pay Tithes is, because the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession and ministry, who was faithful to him that appointed him, Heb. 3.1.2. hath now in the days of the Gospel established a new Testament, and sent forth a new ministry, and appointed a new maintenance, Luk. 10.8. which is that which the people shall freely contribute of those outward or Temporal things which God hath given them to the maintenance of the ministry. If it be objected. How if the People will contribute nothing? We Answer. It signifies to us that the ministry and Doctrine is much to be questioned whether it be the ministry and doctrine of Christ, if it works no better effects and fruits, then to contribute nothing. Christ made no question surely but his doctrine where it was received, would work out a sufficient maintenance for a Gospel Minister, especially knowing how he had fitted them to be contented with mean apparel and Diet, and if the people were poor, and so contributions but small, for the honor of the truth and case of the Church, he left them at liberty to work with their hands that they might eat their own bread, and so not to be chargeable to the Churches, but Examples as Paul was. Acts. 20. to the Elders of Ephesus. ver. 33.34.35. And although the Apostle did know his liberty, that he might as well as the other Apostles receive maintenance from the Churches; yet he tells the Elders from the mouth of Christ, that it is by them to be remembered, that it is more blessed to give then to receive, and therefore if any man esteemeth himself a Minister of Christ, and yet is not contented with such maintemance as the people which receive his doctrine doth freely contribute, neither can endeavour himself to supply his want with the labour of his hands for the honour of his Master, and the truth, as all the Ministers in the Scripture did; it were to be commended of all such for the honour of the Lord Jesus Christ his truth and people, if that they would be pleased to leave that work with the wages thereunto appointed, to such as the Lord himself hath fitted to be contented with them both, and employ themselves about that that they are better fitted for.  
4. The fourth Reason why we gentiles cannot pay Tithes is, because we find the Apostles, Elders and Brethren met together at Jerusalem, Act. 15. to consider whether the gentiles should have Circumcision, and the keeping of the Jewish law urged upon them, and when much disputation had been in the Church about it, ver. 6.7. divers of them giving their sentence, it was at last concluded and agreed, and an Epistle was penned by the inspiration of the holy Ghost in the name of the Apostles, Elders and Brethren, ver. 22.28. which is called Chap. 16. ver. 4. the Decrees of the Apostles and Elders delivered to the Gentil-Churches, here no other burden of the Jewish law is thought good by the Church at Jerusalem to be laid upon the Gentil-Churches, but these necessary things, That they abstain from meats offered to Idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, for which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well; which when the Gentil-Churches had heard red, they rejoiced for the consolation of that freedom. And now, who sees not clearly, the law of Tithes hath no place among Gentel-Believers. If it be objected, that Circumcision and the keeping of the Law was preached to them of Antioch for life and salvation. We answer, it is true it was so, but when the Church at Jerusalem had considered it, they did not only take it off the gentiles in that respect, but they laid it not upon the gentiles in any respect at all, neither for Life and Salvation, nor yet as Gospel obedience, but did fully judge it unnecessary for gentiles, and if Gentil-Churches do now pay Tithes by virtue of the Levitical law of Tithes, how do they keep the Apostles Decrees at Ierusulem, which once were so full of consolation to them? and how do they put themselves under such things as the holy Spirit and the Apostles & Elders & Brethren judged unfit for the gentiles to be yoked with? and how do they likewise transgress against Christ by raising up types and shadows when he the Truth and substance, hath put them down?  
5. The fifth Reason why we gentiles cannot pay Tithes as the maiutenance of Gospel Ministersis is, because we find that the Apostles when they stirred up the Saints about the mainance of their Ministers, did never make use of the Law of Tithes, as if that should be a Rule for their maintenance, but he useth many arguments to show the equality that the Ministers of the Gospel should live of the Gospel, as: who goeth a war-fare at his own charge, 1. Cor. 9.7. And although he goeth not at his owu charge, yet he looketh not for pay of those he wars against. Again, who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? and yet by what just right can any eat of the fruit that he planted not without he buy it, or it be freely given him. Again, who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the milk thereof. And yet by what right can a man eat the milk of the Flock he feedeth not. Again, tis truth, God commaneth that the Ox that treadeth out the Corn should not be muzzled, but what is that benefitial to any of those Oxen that did not labour in that work that they should not be muzzled? The Lord teach us never to deny any that sow spiritual things to us the reaping of our temporal things, and yet this Scripture doth not maintain that where temporal things, are not freely contributed by the hearers, that there the Ministers should make use of the Civil Magistrate to take it by his power out of his goods by force, and yet it hath been thus with us formerly with Damages, and yet through the goodness of God in keeping us by his power, we desire with our Master Christ to be as Sheep ●umb before the sheirer, and not open our mouths in any railing or reviling manner whensoever it may befall us. Again, i● it be objected that it is our own fault that we are not of the Flock and so fed with the rest. We answer it with an appeal to God to judge whether we have not rather been driven away by being pushed with the shoulder, and ruled with rigor, and made to eat the trampled pasture and drink the puddle waters. By that which hath been written we judge it unlawful to believers( being gentiles to pay Tithes though the ministry of England can be proved the ministry of Christ, which we judge to be a hard task. Neither durst we seperat from them if, this were clear to us, but now let it be supposed, the ministry of England to be the ministry of Christ, and paying of Tithes to be in itself lawful and clear to many godly persons, yet for these following Reasons we could not pay it.  
1 First because the Scripture exhorteth that every man should be fully persuaded in his own mind of the lawfulness of that he doth. Rom. 14.5. which in paying Tithes we are not at all persuaded of the lawfulness of. If it be objected that Scripture was not spoken of about paying of Tithes, we Answer Tithes are not mentioned there, neither was any paid then, but itis spoken of that, or those things that the Saints then made cases of conscience to do or not to do, and for such Causes we use it now.  
2. Secondly were paying of Tithes Lawful in itself as every thing was clean to the Saints of itself. Rom. 14.14. yet to him that judgeth it to be unclean or unlawful, to him it is unclean and unlawful. And as it is evil for that man that eateth with offence, Rom. 14.20. although it be clear enough to Paul and other Saints, that all things indeed are pure, so is it as evil for that man that pays Tithes with a Conscience accusing him of sin against God in doing it, although many godly men do see it lawful by the word of God so to do.  
3. Thirdly. We cannot pay Tithes, because we have no word of God, nor example out of Scripture for it, that it was ever required of gentiles, or payed by them: and therefore being not required by a word of God, we cannot do it of faith, but doubtingly, and he that payeth and doubteth is as surely damned, as he that eateth and doubteth, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14.23. which in the word, whatsoever is not of faith, Tithes or any other thing is comprehended. And if it be objected we ought to be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake, Tit. 3.1. Rom. 13.1. We answer, the word Every, must be limited by other Scriptures, for Christ saith we are not sometimes to fear them that can kill the body, Mat. 10.28. therefore some ordinances of men are not to he obeied, and the Gentil-Churches having now Decrees ordained by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, being guided by the holy Spirit, that they ought to keep being delivered to them for that purpose, if now the civil Magstrate do command them to do any of those things that the holy Spirit, Apostles Elders and Brethren, judged not necessary, but called it a Yoke to Gentil-Disciples, and a trouble, and a subverting of their souls, and a burden, as Acts the 15. clears it; we judge of these two things, itis far better to stand to the Decrees of the Apostles, then to the Command of the Magistrate being contrary, for these Reasons  
1 First, Because the command of the Magistrate makes not any thing lawful that was not lawful before by the word of God.  
2. Secondly, Because the Magistrate cannot deliver us from the danger that will ensue in breaking the Decrees of the Apostles to keep his.  
3. Thirdly, Because in so doing, we shall maintain for doctrine, the Commands of men, and so be men-pleasers, and not the servants of Christ, who hath enlightened us in the truth, and commanded us to suffer rather then to dishonour him.  
Thus much( being called thereunto by your Worships the Magistrates) we have willingly and humbly represented unto your view, which are the grounds of our not paying Tithes, taking the all-seeing God to witness that knows the secrets of all hearts, who knows that it is not out of Covetousness to save it to ourselves, nor out of stubborness, nor wilfulness to have our minds; nor envy to the person of him that should have it paid him, but onely and simplly for Conscience to God, which while we have received full satisfaction in; we conceive we cannot with any peace of Conscience yield to the paying of any. Neither( as we humbly conceive) may you till then in Justice require it of us. And thus far we can with Christian boldness war in this Cause, with our spiritual weapon the word of God. But if this satisfy not your worships, but that you shal( as formerly) proceed to take it by your Magisterial power out of our Estates with damage, the Lord Christ hath not left us any temporal weapon to resist your power with, nor any railing accusation to proceed out of our mouths, forasmuch as we know you to be the Ministers of God, to whom we ought willingly to submit, either to do as you command or suffer as you shall inflict, committing the cause to the judge of all, who will if he please, make out a way to ease this burden of his people as he hath done many other, in whom we desire always to rest. And ever remain willing and obedient Subjects to the Authority of this Common-wealth in all things, keeping faith and agood Conscience.  
Wil. Westup. Tho. Puckle.  
If by the Civil Laws, they onely pleaded be,  
Bishops, and Lithurgy, had as good we see.  
Yet being found the Conscience for to grieve,  
They were removed, and so we hope shall Tithe.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
NOW foreseing that it might probably be objected by some of the Priests, that it doth not become men reasoning in a Case of Conscience for to use the word Priest; for the answer whereof we add this first, that we were in no one thing more stisted then in this, namely, under what title we should put you; for Ministers of the Lord Iesus Christ, we could not with peace of Conscience call you.  
Now secondly, had we looked upon it as a railing Expression, then should we not have dared for to have brought it.  
Nay thirdly, had we not had warrant out of your own writings, particularly in the Service-book, where it is so often taught, the Priest shall say, and the Priest shall say, and not only in that book, but in the Statute-books of this Nation, where you are mentioned, you are so called.  
Yea being not long since at a Sessions of Peace, I heard an Indictment red against one for that he did suffer himself for to be baptized, although he had formerly been baptized by a lawful Priest.  
Yet Priest for to offer sacrifices, as where the Sons of Levi, we know that you are not, and yet we have often heard this expression in your Pulpits, in your prayers; namely, bless Lord thine own Tribe, the Tribe of Levi, which how you came for to be, we wonder at, unless that your taking Tithe as they did prove you so to be.  
But to be short, we do believe that there is a sense, in the which if that it were applied unto you in, that then you would not be offended at it: we pray you take it in the best sense that the Scripture will allow you for to take it in: we have only shewed you the grounds why we so call you, and rest,  
yours in any service of Love, 

W. W.  
T. P.    
FINIS.