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.

To what end they were granted to the King.

This point dependeth upon the precedent, for the end why they were given unto the King, is declared by the manner of giving them unto him. Therefore though the Statute saith, To have and to hold—to his Majesty, his heirs, and their own wils, to doe and use therewith, his and their own wils; yet lest their wils should decline from the due employment of them (as the religious persons did) therefore the Sta∣tute addeth these words, to the pleasure of God, and to the honour and profit of this Realm. So that the King had not the things themselves simply, but in such manner onely as the religious persons had them, and that being but to the service of God, and benefit of the Church, the King could have them in no other manner then for the service of God, and benefit of the Church; and then to the words subsequent in the Ha∣bendum, viz. to doe and use therewith their wils, is no more, then if we should say, That the King, &c. should have them to dispose of in the service of God and of his Church, according to his own will and wisdome; which the words annexed plainly intimate, appoin∣ting unto the King by what bounds and marks hee must walk in disposing of them, namely so, as may

be to the pleasure of God, and the honour and pro∣fit of the Realm. But it cannot be to the pleasure of God, that his Ministers should be defrauded; nor to the honour and profit of the Realm, that the service of God should be hindered, or neglected, and therefore the King must have and hold them to those purposes, and to none other.

And that the King was not deceived in this kinde of construction of the Act of Parliament, it appeareth by a Declaration made by himself freely in an Ora∣tion of his unto the Parliament, Anno 37. of his reign, where he saith,—

I cannot a little rejoyce, when I consider the perfect trust and confidence, which you have put in me, as men having undoubted hope, and un∣feigned beleef, in my good doings and just proceedings; for you without my desire or request, have commit∣ted to my order and disposition all Chauntries, Col∣ledges, Hospitals, and other places specified in a cer∣tain Act, firmly trusting, that I will order them to the glory of God, and the profit of the Common-wealth. Surely, if I contrary to your expectation should suf∣fer the Ministers of the Church to decay, or Learn∣ing (which is so great a jewell) to bee minished, or poor and miserable to be unrelieved, you might well say, that I being put in so speciall a Trust, as I am in this case, were no trusty friend to you, nor charitable to my even Christian, neither a lover of the publique wealth, nor yet one that feared God, to whom ac∣count must bee rendred of all our doings. Doubt not I pray you, but your expectation shall bee ser∣ved more Godly and Goodly, then you will wish or desire, as hereafter you shall plainly perceive, &c.

So that the King hereby doth not onely ingenuous∣ly

confesse the Trust committed to him by the Par∣liament, in the same manner that the Act assigneth it, viz. to be for the glory of God, and the profit of the Common-wealth: but he descendeth also into the par∣ticularities of that Trust, as namely; for the mainte∣nance of the Ministers, the advancement of Learning, and provision for the poor.

Notes

• § 6.