tribe of Levi. Unto the tribe of Levi no inheritance was given, Iosh. 13. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thus saith the Lord, I have given the children of Levi, all the tenth in Israel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣heritance, Num. 18. 21.
Object. Abraham payed tythes to Melchisedec, before there was any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of tribes, Gen. 14. 20. And Iacob also, before that distinction of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vowed to give the tenth unto God: Gen. 28. 22.
Answ. Neither of these carry the force of a perpetuall law.
The one was not constantly done: the other was not necessarily don•…•…▪ •…•…∣ham did not every year pay tithes: but only this once. Iacobs vow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voluntary act of his own: and it was a vow made upon conditions, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no morall and inviolable precept will admit.
3. Quest. Is the law of tenth utterly abolished?
Answ. In this case distinction must be made betwixt the ceremony, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Law.
- 1. That there should be Altars, Sacrifices, Incense, &c. was a ceremony: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that there should be ordinances, wherein and whereby God should be •…•…∣shipped, is a perpetuall equity, Mal. 1. 11.
- 2. That there should be sacrificing Priests, and high Priest, and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Levites was a ceremony. But that there should be Ministers of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a perpetuall rule, Isa. 66. 21.
- 3. That in their fastings, they put on sackcloth, and put ashes on their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was a ceremony: but that there should be times of fasting, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mens souls afflicted, is a perpetuall equity.
- 4. That women after child bearing should be legally purified, was a 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ but that there should be publick thanksgiving for their deliverance, i•…•… a perpetuall equity.
Thus for the point in hand, though it be granted that the Leviticall tenths 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proper to the Jewes, yet this is a generall common equity, that they who labou•…•… i•…•… the word should live of the word: and that they should have sufficient 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from them, for whom they do labour: that they should not be put otherwise •…•…o seek a maintenance, but rather live upon their labours, for whose spirituall good they watch.
Object. Paul wrought for himself in another calling, Act. 18. 3. and 20. 34.
Answ. The Apostle himself implyeth, that he had power to forbear working, 1 Co•…•…. 9. 6. That which he did, in the foresaid case, was extraordinary.
4. Quest. Why are tenths under the Gospell paid to Ministers?
Answ. It is for the most part the fittest proportion, and that the very heathen did observe about their Ministers. When God himself set down a particular and di∣stinct portion for his Ministers, he judged a tenth to be the most convenient. Here∣upon good Governours have in their Common-wealths, thought meet to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such a portion. This generall rule, Let him that is taught in the word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto him that teac•…•…eth in all good things, (Gal. 6. 6.) may be most fitly brought to the foresaid proportion of tenths. Where such a portion is established by Law, people are bound in conscience to observe the same.
Object. Establishment of a set maintenance maketh Ministers negligent.
Answ.
- 1. It may make unconscionable Ministers to be so: but not such as for the Lords sake, and conscience sake, perform their duty.
- 2. Greater inconveniencies may arise from not setling of any 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ but leaving it wholy to peoples devotion: as,
- 1. If people be left at such liberty, they will be ready upon all displeasures taken against their Ministers to withdraw his maintenance: so as thi•…•… may be a meanes to make Ministers meal-mouth'd, and to seek to please their people.
- 2. This kind of maintenance is accounted a meer benevolence: whereas in this case Christ and his Apostles make it a matter of due debt, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 workman is worthy of his meat, Matth. 10. 10. 1 Tim. 5. 18. A Ministers paines is a valuable consideration, for the greatest allowance that p•…•…o∣ple use to give. If we have sown unto you spirituall things, is it •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉