The larger treatise concerning tithes long since written and promised by Sir Hen. Spelman, Knight ; together with some other tracts of the same authour and a fragment of Sir Francis Bigot, Knight, all touching the same subject ; whereto is annexed an answer to a question ... concerning the settlement or abolition of tithes by the Parliament ... ; wherein also are comprised some animadversions upon a late little pamphlet called The countries plea against tithes ... ; published by Jer. Stephens, B.D. according to the appointment and trust of the author.

CAP. XVIII. Tithes must not be contemned because they were used by the Church of Rome.

IF we should reject Tithes because they were used by the Church of Rome, by the same reason we must also reject our Churches; but the Apostles used both the Synagogues and the Temple it self after Christs Ascen∣sion, though they were polluted with the doctrine and ceremonies of the Jews; and therefore we are not to reject Tithes and other things profitable to Gods ser∣vice, because the Papists used or misused them. The Censors ordained for Gods honour were impiously abused by Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, yet God rejected them not, but commanded them to be still employed in some better course of his service, namely, in ma∣king plates for the Altar, Numb. 16. 38.

And by this Scripture doth Huge and Origen reprove them that judge the works of an heretique to be bur∣ned without preserving the good things in them: and the Altar to be pulled down whereat a Schismatique hath ministred. Hugo in Genes. 16. fol. 136. a. and Origen in Homil. 9. sup. Num. fol. 104.

God refused not the burnt-offering of Gedeon, though he made it with the idolatrous wood of Baals grove, yea, himself commanded it so, Judg. 6. 26. and in the Go∣spel the offerings of the proud Pharisees were as well received into the Treasury of the Temple as the mite of the poor widow. When Jericho was destroyed and accursed, yet God required the gold and silver for his holy utensils, Jos. 6. 19. For though filthy gains are forbidden to be offered unto God, yet good things because they have been abused, are not forbidden to be offered unto him. When the pottage provided for sustenance of the children of the Prophets was infect∣ed by him that threw in the wilde gourdes, or collo∣quintida, Elisha the Prophet commanded them not to be cast away, but cleansing them from their infecti∣ous venome used them still for food of the children, 2 Kings 4. 38. So if the pottage of the Ministers have been abused with Roman Colloquintida, purge the infe∣ction, but take not their pottage (I mean their Tithes) from them.

Aristophanes bringeth in Hercules laughing to see effe∣minate Bacchus clad in the Lions skin: but we may well lament to see a spruce Castilio, and his masking mistresse trickt and trimmed up with those Church-livings that godly and grave men in times past gave for main∣tenance of Gods service, and the Ministers thereof.

I can but wonder, what should move Flacius Illyri∣cus

(a man so conversant in the history of the Church) to affirm, that Tithes were lately extorted by the Popes; and that they were first imposed by Pope Pelagius in the Councell, Anno 588. unlesse his meaning be, that in elder times they were paid at pleasure, and now first commanded to be paid of duty: which construction (though contrary to the understanding of a common Reader) if we doe allow him, yet is it untrue also; for that Councell reciteth that they had been paid before of long time, and that by the whole multitude of Christians, and as due by the Word of God, and con∣sequently not at pleasure. (Concil. Matisconense. 2. c. 5. Anno 588. Tom. 2.) So that this Councell did but re∣vive and quicken the cold devotion of that time, and not inferre new matters unheard of before.

Notes

• In Ranis.
• Decimas nupe∣ius extortas per papas. Ca∣al. test. ter primo impositas in Concil. per Pelagium Pa∣pam Anno 588.