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.

So may men as well aske or cauill, what needed Abra∣ham to pay to Melchisedech the verie tenth? what nee∣ded Iacob to vowe the verie tenth? what needed God to require the verie tenth? Had it not beene enough for God to say to the Israelites, See that yee maintaine my Leuites and Priests sufficiently, though hee had not sha∣red out their allowance so particularly? But almightie God knowing man, and what is in man, and how vnfit∣ting a iudge he is to determine what condigne stipend is to bee affoarded to Gods ministers, hath not referred them vnto mans curtesie, either publike or priuate: but hath himselfe allotted vnto them their determinate por∣tion, vnder which rate none should dare to make them

any proffer.

Secondly, if Ministers should forgoe their tythes, and goe seeke vp that sufficient prouision which men talke of, whether should they wander? or how farre should they trauell, before they find the countrie where it grow∣eth?

I haue something carefully, both by conference with others, and also in mine owne priuate meditations, des∣cried and suruaied diuers parts of the Christian world, and this is all which to this purpose I haue obserued, vz that wheresoeuer, generally, Ministers haue not their due tythes, but are left to be prouided for by some other meanes, as their Churches doe thinke fit, there the con∣dition of such Ministers, is very lamentable, I will be iudged herein by the present experience, of the manifest practise of all reformed Churches, which are in this con∣dition, either further off, and beyond the seas, or nearer hand within our owne Britaine, in the realme of Scot∣land, or yet nearer in our owne streetes of England, in many of our great Townes and Corporations, which when they are very populous and rich, do yet allow vnto their Ministers but a very miserable and dishonourable maintenance.

I will spare to name either men or places, I will pro∣pound such a case as is generall, and can not but be la∣mented by any heart that hath in it any religious compas∣sion.

In diuers very great Corporations, there are entertai∣ned in some two, in some (it may be) three or foure mini∣sters all Preachers, whereof the meanest are competently qualified with giftes of knowledge, vtterance and god∣linesse, very behoofefull to the edification of the Church of God; others of them commonly very choise men, e∣minent and famous, rarely furnished. And as these men haue their seuerall measures of spirituall endowments, so

they haue diuersly their seuerall exhibitions. Yet so as that which is vsually the stipend of the best, is with the least, if not too little for the meanest: and the allowance which commonly is afforded to those who are entertai∣ned to the inferiour or secondarie ministration (as men vnaduisedly esteeme it) is meerely dishonourable for a∣ny Preacher of indifferent partes, or for any man at all who is worthily admitted into sacred orders, specially while men liue (blessed be God) in a plentifull and good land, and are rich and in peace, vnder a Christian gouern∣ment. And that I may further cleare what I haue auou∣ched: Let vs consider particularly what these stipends are which I so extenuate.

Fourtie markes or thirtie pounds a yeare, are the ordi∣narie stipends of such Ministers, as in such places as I mentioned, are accounted the inferiour. Fortie, fiftie, or threescore pounds at the most is vsually the most bounti∣full entertainment of such Preachers, as are the choise & fought out, one of an hundred. And doe men accounte this to be so honourable and sufficient a reuenue?

If men duely consider the dearenesse of liuing in Cor∣porations, and great Townes (by reason that there, all things must be bought with the pennie (as they say) and that vnto such eminent men in such places, there is great resorte and continuall concourse of acquaintance) they shall readily find, that by such time as ••ll necessarie par∣ticulars for meat, drinke, apparell, siring, education of children, seruants wages, and w••st of needfull vtensills or houshold stuffe, be reckoned and paid for, there remai∣neth litle ouer plus, to purchase so much as a good book: yea, must there not be much pennurious sparing, and fordid hardnesse vsed, to make the stipend to defraie the expence? Is this then to be accounted so bounti∣full an allowance? and is this the competent mainte∣nance?

Indeed fiftie or threescore pounds doth make a loud sound in a mans care: and yet it is but the maintenance of a meane man in Townes and Citties as this world requi∣reth: for doth not the handicraftman who paneth the street, planchereth the house, or shapeth the garment, im∣ploying but a man and a boy vnder him, if they may be continually set on worke (as good workemen neede not loyter much) earne in the yeare as faire a stipend, as the greatest vsually allowed vnto the best Preachers who are maintained by their Churches curtesie? It is casie to cast, what foure shillings a day is in the end of the weeke, and what foure and twentie shillings a weeke is, in the end of the yeare: and yet this is but the earning of a handicraft man, as I haue mentioned, and we find by experience, when we haue occasion to vse them: which I no way speake, as grudging at the wages, for which the true la∣bourer doth take paines, and earne it decrely with the sweat of his browes, but therefore doe I instance in these mens earnings, because they be so paralell to those ordi∣narie stipends which are assigned as competent for the worthiest Preachers: that men may see how they value the Gospel.

Surely, hee hath but a meane conceit of the calling of the Ministerie, who thinketh that a Preacher (though of the best desert) is competently and sufficiently prouided for, when his maintenance is but comparable to such handie earnings as I haue named. Is this the competent maintenance? is this that double honour, 1. Tim. 5. 17? And yet this is all, that is any where to be heard of, as an ordinarie allowance, but this is not either honourable or competent, as I haue made manifest. And therefore, if we be denied our tythes, we may heare men talke of a com∣petent maintenance, but we know not where to seeke it, with any hope to find it: so meanely doe men esteem our labours.

And as we know not where in this present age, so nei∣ther can we, either read or heare of, at what time or in which of the former centuries of times past, this voiced competencie was euer established, either by law or by practise: in all the ages afore vs, all Ministers generally, either they enioyed their tythes, gleab, and offerings in the times of peace, as hath beene prooued, or else they liued poorely and lamentably as in the miserable daies of persecution. We find in a 1.1 Eusebius, b 1.2 Theodoret, & ^c Sozom, that Constantine and Theodosius haue at times bestowed bountifull rewards vpon Ministers in their neede, and al∣so enlarged their possessions, but that was their priuate bountie for the time, but it doth not inferre the stablish∣ing of maintenance for Gods Ministers by that imagina∣rie competencie, so talked of, when the contrarie is plaine by the testimonies of the Fathers afore cited, and other Histories, that the tythes were paid in those for∣mer ages. So thē this competencie is that which no where is & neuer was, and therfore we are perswaded neuer will be, any otherwise then while we haue our tythes in some conscionable fashion.

Againe, if Ministers should be referred to their sti∣pends, the question is, who shall determine what is com∣petent? what parties are they ••t whose hands the Mini∣sters might hope for equall and respectiue dealing in this matter? certainely, (as it is not fit) so it will neuer be graunted, that Ministers themselues shall define a compe∣tencie, and so be their owne caruers. Who then shall doe it? shall the Ciuill Magistrate? if we duely consider the whole continuance of time, and succession of ages, from the happie incarnation of our blessed Sauiour, to the pre∣sent comfortable feele of this our Halcion season, we shal not finde it very vsuall, to find Emperours, Princes, and Potentates, so sincerely religious in performing the parts of noursing Fathers, as that the Ministers of the Gospel

might expect such honourable reuenewes, by beeing al∣waies referred vnto their pleasure. It is most apparant∣ly true, that in respect of all these outward things, and of life it selfe, both ministers and all subiects are at the plea∣sure of their Soueraignes; for if they should take from vs neuer so much, yet we dare not resist any further then per preces & lachrimas, that is, by tears and intreaty as A••br speakes. But yet, it is one thing to be at the pleasure of the Magistrate, so as the magistrate himselfe hath a particular lawe from God for the iustice that he is to doe to his sub∣iect: and it is an other thing to be so at the appointment of the Magistrate, as that howsoeuer a man be dealt with he hath no rule whereby to shewe wherein he is iniured, but that when the partie grieued shall intimate by his humble petition that he is wronged, the magistrate shall presently answer that he thinketh otherwise, and that his meere discretion is to determine that matter. It is true that vpright and wise magistrates can and will iudge ac∣cordingly, but when it is a case so neerely concerning re∣ligion, as the assigning of due allowance vnto the mini∣sters of the Gospel, then besides common equitie and dis∣cretion, there is speciall neede of great feruen••ie and sou••dnesse in religion. There was of olde a Dania and a Salomon, and some more such among the Israelites; ther•• was a Constantine, a Theodosius, and verie fewe more such in the former times of the Christian Church: but what a•••• they among so many defectiue either in vprightnesse o•• in wisedome, or specially in religion? and this God fore∣seeing he left not the estate of the Leuite to bee compe∣tented at the pleasure of the Kings of Israel; and there∣fore let no bodie blame vs, who craue the benefit of gods ordinance, hauing small hope of any due respect to the ministerie, if our maintenance should at all times wholly dep••nd vpon the determinatiō or stint of the magistrate. Blessed be the God of England, the true Ie••ouah; wee

lately had a religious Queene, who was zealously fauou∣rable to the state of the church, and ministers thereof, and (which is yet greater happines) we haue now (long O lord may we enioy him) such a King as is studious & care∣full ••o represse and reform the iniuries, which former im∣piety in some, and vnaduisednes in others, hath miserably exercised, to make hauocke of the Churches inheritance: but it is not an age since we had some, who after the ex∣ample of Martellus, tooke more away from the Church in a short time, then is like to be restored in many gene∣rations. And therefore, all things considered, we can ex∣pect but little good by referring our maintenance to bee alwaies determined by the discretion of the Magistrate. Sometimes and from some Princes we might be sure to finde condigne fauour, but then with euerie change the ministerie is a new to seeke, and therefore there is neede of an other rule, which may bee more generall and cer∣taine, then the ciuill magistrate should haue the determi∣ning of the ministers allowance.

But then shall this matter be referred to the people, that the greater part of the parishioners in each parish, shal conclude by their suffrages what shal be their pastors maintenance.

So the children indeed shall stint their Father, and the sheep appoint vnto their shepheard what shall be his di∣et. Alas, the greater part is vsually the worse part, and then woe be to the poore Minister whose case must bee so determined, as that those who hate, or scorne, or neg∣lect him, may measure out his liuing at their vngodly pleasure. And howsoeuer I haue for mine owne part lesse cause to complaine then haue diuers hundreds of my bre∣thren, yet whilest I heare from others how the people of this age are generally affected, I see plainely that they are no competent iudges to determine their Ministers maintenance.

Many men are verie couetous, and allowe not vnto themselues that which is conuenient, hardly therefore * 1.3 will these agree to affoard liberally vnto their Ministers, God blesse me from beeing to be fed by him who starues himselfe. Others are verie prodigall and vnthriftie, and these wil be glad to scant the Minister, that they may haue the more for their owne luxurie, they cannot spare for the Minister for their spending vpon their own wild humors. Others are of the minde of those in the Gospel, who say, nolumus hunc regnare: that is, we will not haue this man * 1.4 to raigne ouer vs: they thinke that Ministers take too much vpon them, as the rebellious vpbraided Moses and * 1.5 Aaron; and therefore, these not enduring that their con∣sciences should be ruled by the ministerie of the word, wil be glad to make small the Ministers maintenance, that by that meanes they may keepe him vnder. Others haue one sinne or other so fowle and so guiltie, as that either the minister cannot but intend purposely some reproofe against it, or else they feele themselues smart, when hee meant not to touch them, these as they conceiue anger, so they will also watch a time to bee reuenged. So that howsoeuer (God be thanked, and God encrease the num∣ber and faith of them) our land at this day, and specially cities and corporations doe abound with many worthie Christians, yet if we duely consider the many waies wher∣by the most conscionable Ministers become vsually of∣fensiue to the greater number, there will quickly appeare iust cause of exception against the people, why they are not competent either for Iudge or Iurie in this tri∣all.

If any body wil surmise, that howsoeuer it is not fit to re∣fer the maintenance of the ministerie to the democraticall assignment of the boisterous multitude of the cōmon peo∣ple, yet might Ministers be respectiuely prouided for, by some selected or choise mē of the best sort of euery parish,

to whose determination in this point, both the ministers and also the rest of the people should stand to be ordered. I answer that wee are neuer the neerer; for first, there wil be somewhat adoe to seuer out those best ones; who will not fluster to be one? If the better sort be the richer, then I answer, that religion and conscience is most requisite in men that should handle this busines. If the better sort be the godlier, then who will be left out? will you make a temper and appoint to this errand those which are the better sort in both respects of wealth and godlinesse also? here becomes the greater difficultie of constituting the Iudges, the more seuerall complements are required in them: but to leaue this roauing, let vs come to a certaine marke, and see what might be gained if wee should hitt•• it.

What one man in fourtie of those which are tearmed patrones are not readie to pull from the Minister all they can, whereas no coppie-hold is in that thraldome where∣in most patrones doe hold the benefices whereto they do present? None vsually are patrons but the better sort (as you call them) better in wealth, and therefore neede the lesse withdrawe from the Minister: better also in regard of education, and therefore knowe the better what be∣longeth vnto learning and religion: And yet if a iurie of patrones (though I know some gentlemen so worship∣full and religious, as that for their integritie in their pre∣sentations I durst pawne my life) should in euerie parrish assigne the maintenance of the Minister, we may easily iudge by what they do now, what they would doe then: what they doe now is to grate and oppresse the poore minister to the vttermost where they doe present, and therefore that which they would doe, if they should as∣signe stipends, would be no better. And if this bee the curtesie that we may expect from the better sorr, ab, me∣tuo à vulgo, what should we finde from the common peo∣ple?

Nostri seculi hominum genus est ingratissimum, in ò sa∣crilegum: that is, a most vnthankefull, yea a sacrilegious * 1.6 generation is the people of our age, saith Artopius, and Artopius his age is not yet expired.

So then, what hope can we euer conceiue of enioying any such competencie as is noised, without our tythe, when as we can not find either where it is, or where or when euer it was, or by what partie or parties it should be appointed and determined?

And lastly, where set stipends are appointed vnto Mi∣nisters, * 1.7 there is not due regard had to the prices of things which continually from time to time are much enhaun∣ced, and in a very little time doubled. The husbandman, the tradesman, and artificer, may and doe raise their pri∣ces, as occasion requireth, when the stipended Minister is at his stint, and can get no further: as both the customs of the countrie, and fashions of the townes doe plainely testifie. It is not a hard thing to obserue diuers men, who contribute now to their ministers maintenance no more then they did twentie yeares agoe, whereas within these twentie yeares, both those parties are greatly increased, in their owne estates, and also the prices of things need∣full for this life are almost, if not altogether, doubled. But where Ministers haue due tythes, there, their estates doe alwaies hold correspondencie and proportion, both with the estates of their people, and also with the occasi∣ons▪ and necessities of all times. And therefore, why should so reasonable a course, of Gods owne most wise ordaining, be laid aside, to seeke vp such new deuises as haue no Scripture, no president past or present, nor any equitie of reason, to auouch them?

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉. C••nst ••. 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3•• ••9 〈…〉〈…〉
• b 1.2

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.3

  ••burn pag. 58.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 19 14.
• * 1.5

  N••mb. 1••. ••
• * 1.6

  Artop. in Gen. ••8 22.
• * 1.7

  Carle••. tyth. cap. ••.