The reuenue of the Gospel is tythes, due to the ministerie of the word, by that word. Written by Foulke Robartes Batchelour of Diuinitie.

Answer.

Here is great care for a golden meane betweene too much, and too little, how to put the Ministers meate and apparell in a paire of ballance. The Ministers too much is indeede the eye-soare vnto most men, while they sur∣viewe euery desolate and mangled vicaridge through the dimmest spectacles of enuy and grudging. And therefore the abating still of this supposed too much, is the verie marke that is so earnestly eyed, and continually aimed at and not missed, while the worlds too little truth of con∣science, religion and deuotion, is the heart-soare of the poore ministerie, who feele the cold wind through their ruined and crasie walies, fare with thinne diet, and crouch vnder the decayed threds of their ouerworne apparell; which so manifest, and so common extremities, the world more scornfully smileth to behold, then compassionately careth to red••esse. If the poore ministerie were as able to avoide this reall and afflicting too little, as men are warie to preuent it from furfetting vpon too much, wee should soone finde out the mediocritie: But I come to a directer answer, vz.

In no countrie peaceably possessed, and ciuilly inhabited, can the true tythes of the increase of the land, and of the peo∣ples ende••uour, bee either too much or too little, for the honourable maintenance of so many Ministers, as are or∣dinarily competent to attend the spirituall charge of that countrie.

For the clearing and further strengthening of this an∣swer, it is not altogether impertinent to consider, that di∣uerse learned men (whereof some haue published their iudgement in print, others haue discouered their opini∣ons vnto me in conference) though they did not so reso∣lutely hold the tythes to be due vnto vs by the word of God, doe notwithstanding thinke no course so indiffe∣rent for the maintenance of the Ministerie, as by tythes; and their reason is, because euerie politique lawe is to be held the more indifferent and equall, the more neere it is to the law which God enacted of the same kinde among the Israelites. But among the Israelites this was the Law of God, that the tythes should be the inheritance of the Ministers, who ministred in holy things as well in one place of the countrie as in an other, therefore the tythes are not so vnproportionable a maintenance for the Mini∣sterie, as that for the barrennesse or fertilitie of any place this number of tenthes should be altered.

Furthermore, the fruitfulnesse of one countrie, and the barrennes of an other, doth not inferre any such dispro∣portion as men doe imagine; for proportion must be, not so much between the estate of one Minister and another, all the world ouer, as betweene the estate of euerie Mini∣ster, and the estate of that people vnto whome he doth administer; that so where the people are rich, the mini∣sters estate may be the more abundant, and where the people are poore, the Ministers reuenewes are to bee the smaller; and yet is here admitted neither too much super∣fluitie for one place, nor too much penurie in an other,

if there be any reasonable hand held in the limiting of pa∣rishes, which is a thing appertaining to the care of the go∣uernours or magistrates.

He that is a Minister in the richest cittie in the world, in the choisest place, among the wealthiest people there∣of if his parish bee but small, and his people sewe, then though all manner of tythes bee neuer so saithfully paid vnto him, yet snal he haue no such vnreasonable liuing, but that may well without enuie or grudging be allowed vn∣to him.

But what if the parish bee great, among a verie rich people? if it be vnreasonably great, it is easie for the Ma∣gistrate to lessen it: if it bee but tolerably great (for to make all parishes of the same bignesse, and all benefices of the same greatnesse of reuenewe, were in seeking propor∣tion, to ouerthrowe all true proportion and reason) then are the tythes thereof no larger then are fit to be affoar∣ded to such a man, as is fit to vndertake so great a charge: for what was written vpon the golden apple sent to the mariage of Peleus, that is the inscription and ought to be obeyed as the true suiteable mo••t of euery fairer bene∣fice, vz. Detur digniori: let it be bestowed vpon the wor∣thier. It is too true and lamentable, that the common sort of prowling and gracelesse patrones (for had they grace, they durst not make merchandise of the Church of God) are of the mind of the Grecians in Homer: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, that the priest ought to be reuerenced, and that his faire gifts ought to be re∣ceived: so they doe bestowe indeede their preferments vpon those, whom they finde to be of the greatest worth and best desert in their carnall construction; but the ••••••e worthinesse, which those sewe patrones that feare God, doe regard accordingly, is the excellencie and abundance of a mans learning, the soundnesse of his faith, the vp∣rightnesse of his conscience, the integritie of his conuer∣sation,

the meckenesse of his spirit, the discreetnes of his behauiour, the efficacie of his preaching, and such hea∣uenly worthinesses, wherewith Almightie God doth vouchsafe to qualifie his seruants and Ministers, for the glorie of his name, and edification of his Church and children. These worthinesses as they doe abound in any one man, so crescat honos vt meritum, that man is to be re∣warded in this life with the greater honour and more li∣berall meanes of maintaining this life, for diuerse cau∣ses:

1. That the worthiest men should not receiue discou∣ragement, while the selfe conceited worldling doth be∣hold and ••lowt that learning wants reward: but that as the things of this world are gods good blessings vnto his children; so both the world may see, and the godly mini∣ster may feele, that euen in these things, and in this world also, there is areward for the righteous, whilest, that full reward and eternall waight of glorie is faithfully expe∣cted.

2. That others may be allured and encouraged both to the studie of diuinitie, and also to seeke to excel in that course: for, honos alit artes: reward breedes industrie. But the flow••er will verie quaintly obiect, that these things, wealth and preferment are carnal matters, which the man of God which is spirituall, should not looke after: To a scornfull obiection wee giue yet a sober answer, that it is lawfull for the man of God to expect and demand his due allowance of worldly things: for our Sauiour Christ him∣selfe hath said, that the blessed me••k•• shall inherit the earth: and that these things shall bee cast vpon those, who seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse: and that the labourer •••• worthie of his hyre. And further, seeing there are diuers ••••des of life, which are honest and lawefull, besides the hol•• ministerie, which is so labourious, and proposed to the contempt of the world beyond all other callings, it is

very requisite that there be in the ministerie some emi∣nent rewards, whereby men may from their very youth be allured to deuote themselues to this calling. It is true (by the grace of God) that those who are alreadie in the Ministerie, whose hearts God hath made zealous of his glorie, and of the saluation of his people, will not be found so vnfaithfull, as to neglect their worke, for the scantning of their temporarie hire, but what is this to that iustice, wherein they are to be rewarded, or to the alluring of others in their very youth to a function so vn∣pleasing to flesh and blood, when those younger yeares haue not vsually so high sanctified resolutions?

3. The more any man excelleth in learning holinesse, and other gracious qualifications of the Ministerie, the more is the concurse both of acquaintance and strangers flocking vnto him, who are to be entertained by him, not sordidly and penuriously, as if they were with some desolate wretched man in his miserie, but comeli∣ly and liberally as with an happie man whome God hath blessed.

4. As the greatest cures are to be committed to the a∣blest men of ministeriall abilities; so, in so great congre∣gations it is not vnvsuall, that they need assistants and coadiutors, vnder so great a burthen, and therefore their reuenues neede be the ampler, that they may be able to entertaine such helpers. Againe the healthfullest bodies, specially of crazie stadents, are subiect vnto daily aile∣ments and diseases, the time of sickenesse is chargeable, in physique, diet, attendance, and many expences within doores, besides the extraordinarie helpe which must then be vsed in the worke of the Ministerie. If a man hath not such a full handed estate, as that in time of health hee may lay vp against these times of sickenesses, hee must either begge or want. To want is to perish, to beggo is not honourable, shall men of worldly imployment be

enabled by their trades to buy what they neede, and to command what is requisite, by the power of the purse, and shall Gods Minister in a case of extremitie stand to curtesie, beeing otherwise vnable to releeue himselfe? if it be allowed that in reason the function of the Mini∣sterie should furnish the Minister sufficiently for these oc∣casions, then why should he not be allowed a bountifull reuenue? Is it nothing againe that Ministers not imploy∣ing themselues in secular affaires, haue no other patrimo∣nie for their children, nor dower for their wiues, but what they reserue out of their annuall meanes, whether the same be tythes or other exhibitions? what can be spa∣red for the morow where there is not inough for the pre∣sent day?

5. The greater is a mans parish; the greater is the number of the poore, which doe daily depend vpon him for releefe; the greater also is the number of his parishio∣ners, among whom he is to exercise hospitalitie, to main∣taine loue and familiaritie with them, thereby to obserue their seuerall dispositions, and to gaine their affections. Who knoweth not, how contemptible that Minister is, in the account of the world, who is onely fit to receiue kindnesse without abilitie to requite the same, but rather depends like a begger, vpon the curtesie of his people, then is able with his purse to relieue a begger? It is a great ioy to many men, to see their Ministers estate such, as that he must acknowledg and account himselfe behol∣den vnto them for a meales meate, ab miserie! Hath a∣ny man euer seene a poore aged man liue at curtesie, in the house of his sonne, with his daughter in law? doth not the good father in a short time, either by his cough∣ing or spitting or teastinesse or some sooneseene vnto∣wardnesse or other, become troublesome, either to his owne sonne, or to his nice daughter in law, with conti∣nuing so long chargeable, & so much waited on, or to the

children, with taking vp their roome at the fire, or at the table, or to the seruants, while his slow eating doth scant their reuersions? But, if the olde man hath estate of his owne, to maintaine himselfe, and to pleasure his chil∣dren (oh then) hee is had in estimation; his age is ho∣noured, his person is reuerenced, his counsell is sought, his voice is obeyed. Euen so (without offence be that speach which intendeth not to offend with reproachfull words but onely to affect with a cleare truth) a poore Minister though a spirituall father, yet if he must liue vpon bene∣uolence, hee had neede looke well to himselfe, when he commeth among his people, that not one sharpe word, not one sower looke, no one discontenting gesture be obserued towards either the Master or mistris of the house, towards any of the children, or towards the ser∣uants which be in any fauour and request; yea or towards any prouoking parasite that with vnseemely mirth be∣gettes vngodly laughter. A poore minister, who de∣pends vpon curtesie in a needie estate, shall haue holes inough either found, or made in his coate, that he shall be quickely reputed but a troublesome and vnsuitable guest. If he be affable and familiar, parit contemptum, hee is trodden vnder foote, if he exercise more grauitie, Catone rigidior, he is too austere, they can vse no mirth in his companie: the faults which hee obserueth, hee must either ouersee without taking notice, or smooth them vp with euphemismes and good constructions, hee must suffer euery fantasticall idiot, to beare himselfe like a young Duke, to say what he will, and to doe what hee will, or else be assured to be either frowned on to his face, or flowted to his backe for being too busie: on the other side, where a Minister competently qualified with lear∣ning, zeale, and a blamelesse conuersation, hath also that competencie of outward estate, as that he is able to plea∣sure his neighbours, with worldly kindnesses, liuing vp∣on

his owne lawfull reuenues of the altar, without de∣pending vpon mans good pleasure, this man shall speake with authoritie; for this is the common errour of the carnall man, that hee naturally thinketh that the more 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the more wise and honest is any man.

M••n are men of flesh and blood, and though they be indowed with many excellent graces, yet they may be tempted through present neede to indure much disho∣nour to God, and to permit men to behaue themselues many waies vngodlily, which otherwise they would pre∣uent, if the feeling of their pouertie did not restraine their zeale; And therefore, howsoeuer the holding of Ministers in pouerty be a thing pleasing to the couetous∣nesse, pride, and voluptuousnesse of the carnall man, yet (••ead ••s not into temptation) it is very disaduantageable to the glorie of God and saluation of men.

Therefore grudge not at the sufficiencie of the main∣tenance, which in any place is affoarded to the Minister by the tythes of his peoples increase, but rather be thank∣full to God, that some yet haue so good encouragement, and wish well to the rest by your heartie and charitable prayers, pi••••ying those who sweat at the kill to square and harden bricke, but are not allowed sufficient strawe: performe euery man what is his dutie at least, in the true payment of the Lords demand, say not of this or of that benefice that it is too much to maintaine a Minister, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••s i•• ••hou hast or couldest haue the like and larger 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for thine owne expence, thou wilt not account them any more then sufficient. And so to the first part of the obiection, vz. that in some places the true tythes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too much for the Ministerie: I haue answered e∣nough.

As for the other part of the obiection, vz. In some bar∣••en countries the tythes are too little; I shall easily answer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more succinctly: for howsouer this be brought in to

make a stirre withall, yet this is not the maine rubbe, and I make no doubt but that I shall full quickly perswade, that the tythes of the earth, cattell, and trading, are not (in any cruill and peaceable countrie) too little to main∣taine so many Ministers, as are competently requisite for that people.

The reason of mine answer is this, vz. if one man bee sufficient to be the pastor ouer a parish of twentie, thirty, fortie, or fiftie familyes, then are the tythes of that parish (i•• being in differētly limited) a sufficient maintenance for the Minister thereof: for if one man haue the tenth part of the increase of the corne, fruit, and cattell of fourtie fami∣lyes, then that one man hath foure tymes as much of such commodities for the maintenance of his family, as any one family of the other fortie hath, if you suppose the pa∣rish equally diuided into fortie parts. It is true that no pa∣rish is so euenly diuided, but that some one man may haue twentie parts of the fourtie in some ample Lordship, w•••• the next neighbour hath scantly halfe a part, but the ty••h•• do equally though arise vnto the incumbent in the whole summe, whether euerie mans part be of the s••me quanti∣tie, or that some haue more, and others lesse, that maketh no variance, but that the tythes of any parish of reasona∣ble limits, may be a sufficient honourable maintenance for the pastor thereof: for if thirtie, or fourtie f••m••lies can be maintained competently each of them with their owne nine parts, then may the incumbent or minis••••r liue honourably and bountifully with the tenthes of all these; especially considering, that what may be adiudged but a scant maintenance in one place, is a liberall allow∣ance in an other: As for example, an hundred powndes per annum in some parts of Wales, or Scotland, is a grea∣ter reuenue then eight or nine score pounds in the heart, or Southerne part of England. And as I said before, that the estate of the Minister is to hold proportion with the

people among whome he administreth; so as where they are richer, he ought the more to abound; so now I say a∣gaine, that where the estate of the people is the meaner, there the reuenewes also of the Minister are of necessitie suiteable vnto the people, except his portion be acciden∣tally increased by gleab, or some such aduantage, where∣with deuoute men haue enlarged the originall allow∣ance.

If the place be extreamely poore, then in that case both Minister and people must be relieued by the charitie of neighbour Churches as they shall be able, but this an ex∣traordinarie case, which seldome or neuer happeneth in a ciuill and peaceable inhabited countrie: And therefore (notwithstanding this objection.)

Ministers of the gospel are to be maintained by tythes, which as they are due vnto them by the word of God. so where pa∣rishes are any thing indifferently diuided, there the tythes are competent, neither too great nor too small to maintaine the ministerie.

Notes

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• 〈…〉〈…〉. v. ••6. 27.