Three Objections raised against payment of First-Fruits, and Tenths, answered by the Petitioners.
1. THAT the Revenue of First-Fruits, and Tenths, is an Innovation obtruded upon the Clergy of late times.
TO this they Answer; That the First-Fruits, and Tenths, were paid in the Saxons times, as appears by Beda's Ecclesiastical History: and have so continued ever since in England to this very day; and that those payments, or Tributes, Beda calls Vectigal, which signifies a Badg of Subordination of the Clergy to the Supreame Civill Magistrate; and where they have cast off this Tribute, the Ci∣vill Magistrate hath been subordinate to the Authority of the Church; it was paid by the Priests, in the time of the Old Law, to the Sovereign Power.
2. THAT the First-Fruits and Tenths are of a Popish Institution.
ANSWER. It may be satisfactory enough, That this Tribute of First-Fruits, and Tenths, hath been paid to all Kings, and Queens of England, since the Reformation in Henry the 8ths time; without any repeal of any of the said Statutes: but in the time of Popery, viz. in the second, and third year of Philip and Mary, the Act for paying of First-Fruits and Tenths was Repealed, but confirmed again in the very first year of Queen Elizabeths Reformation of Religion from Popery, by the Statute of 1. Eliz. chap. 4. with a Recital, and Ratification of all former Statutes, that confirmed the same to the Crown, and have continued in force ever since; so that, if the Tythes vs Jure Divino pay∣able to the Clerg••, for their Administration of the Word, and Sacraments to the People, The First-Fruits and Tenths, Jure Politico, are payable to the King, their Sovereign Lord, for his Administration of Justice, and maintaining the Rights, Priviledges, and Liberties, both of Church and State.
3. THAT the Clergy, of all Orders, and Degrees, have lately suffered, and therefore ought not to be raised in their First-Fruits and Tenths.
ANSWER, That the King hath suffered more, and his Revenue much diminished, by the late War, which hath been fomented, and encouraged, by many thousands of the Clergy, now confirm∣ed in their Livings; and the Commons of England would more willingly pay their Tythes, if they were sensible, the First-Fruits, and full Tenths were to be paid to the King; as they lately expres∣sed, in their desires upon the like occasion, of improving that part of the Kings Revenue.
THE Incumbents have, and do dayly take advantages for their Tythes of new Tillage, and other ••mprovements of Land, which ought to be proportionably answered to the King: the Bishops, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other persons in Spiritual Dignities and Promotions, do raise their Tenants, and let the states to the improved values.