Sacrilege sacredly handled. That is, according to Scripture onely. Diuided into two parts: 1. For the law. 2. For the Gospell. An appendix also added; answering some obiections mooued, namely, against this treatise: and some others, I finde in Ios. Scaligers Diatribe, and Ioh. Seldens Historie of tithes. For the vse of all churches in generall: but more especially for those of North-Britaine.

CHAP. II. Paul in the generall of Maintenance. Why hee spa∣red his power in the speciall.

THus did Christ then, and thus he spake. Wee [§. I] come next to his Apostles. Their doings must needs also to haue been meane; for their begin∣nings were yet but meane: and It is enough for the Disci∣ple to be as his Master is, at one time chiefly. Melchisedec was not as yet setled in Salem: that is, Righteousnesse, or Iustice, had not yet wrought Peace, and so Peace, not graced by Religion: and vnsetled Religion, could yeeld no setled Maintenance. This piece of comfort Christ left them, Preach in euery Citie: For the work-man is wor∣thy of his meat.

Their Sayings, are either in the Generall of Mainte∣nance; or in the speciall of Tithes: (yet once againe Tithes, and euen in the Gospel).

In the General, Paul is very much, and in many pla∣ces: Many flourishes both from Logick and Rhetorick: and on each flowre almost, a swarme of Sacrilegious Waspes turning matter of hony in Venime, peruerting them to their owne destruction. Thus,

I haue (saith Paul) coueted no mans siluer, nor golde, nor apparell.

Yea, yee know that these hands haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that are with me.

I haue shewed you all things, how that so labouring, ye ought to Support the weake; and to remember the words of the Lord Iesus, how that he said. It is a blessed thing to giue, rather then to receiue.

[Obiect.] Now, if neither Gold, nor Siluer, nor apparell, nor food,

but worke for all: and all Preachers must striue to bee Pauls, rather giue then take; how then shal they take so huge a thing, as Tithes? No, but worse then all this; for if some men may, all Preachers shal be Pauls, to haue for almes, Both hunger and thirst: for clothes, Nakednesse: for Charitie, Buffets; and for harboury, No certaine dwel∣ling place; all this good cheere had Paul.

[§. II] [Sol.] But heere would that old Fathers saying doe well, Di∣stingue tempora, & concordabis Scripturas. The truth is, that when, or where, wee haue the Church as Paul had it, that is, vnder Peregrination and Persecution; then must the Preachers be Pilgrims, and Patients: and yet, Woe bee vnto them vnlesse they Preach. So Paul tooke bread of no man for nought: Why? Not (saith he) but that we had authority. Why then? But, because we would not be chargeable to any of you. But why would hee not charge, where he had authoritie to charge? Neuerthelesse, wee haue not vsed this power, but suffer all things, That we should not hinder the Gospell of Christ.

Now take heed, for if taking of that which was Pauls due, would haue hindered the Gospell; doubtlesse, our men will rather renounce the Gospel, then render the Tithes. Ergo, Pauls example were yet best, To forbeare Tithes. For answere, When we are in Pauls dayes (as is said) we must vse Pauls deeds. A man may seeke his due on a wrong day. Paul was now but to plant the Gospel, and that, both to Iew and Gentile, whose goods were alreadie taken vp for holy vses, the one for obedience of Moses Law, the other to their Idols. Now if Paul should haue begun his reformation with Da mihi Decimas, hee had made a planting indeed, but with the top downe∣ward. But the Messias being once well rooted in their hearts, who doubteth, but then, both Iew and Gentile,

as true Israelites, the seed of Iacob, would performe their Fathers Vow, to these new Priests and Leuites of glad∣tidings; specially, seeing they were to giue nothing De nouo, neither yet so much as of before, but onely a part of that to a right vse, which of before they gaue to a wrong? And if not so, do yee thinke that Paul in a sta∣blished Church-policy, and peaceable State, would haue neglected this authoritie, which heere in so dangerous a time hee dare insinuate vnto them? No, in such case Paul found Canticum novum, and could tell them, He was an Apostle. Hee was free. He was a souldier, and there∣fore must haue wages: a Shepheard, and must eat of the milke: A planter of Vines, and must eate of the fruit: ful of allegories. And when all was done, alledged for him the Law, comparing his Ministerie with Leui, and for conclusion, Let him that is taught in the Word, make him that teacheth him, partaker; Whereof? Of all his goods. How sib is this to Tithes? How like to that precept, And the Leuite that is within thy gates shalt thou not forsake? Paul then did but forbeare, not forbid the power. His time was not yet come. But to answere Paul by Paul, where should Paul lodge, if Timothy were not hospitall? 1. Tim. 3.2. They must be content of food and rayment, 6.8. yet they must make others also wel to faire. Tithes then, are the fruits for Christ setled. The Magistrates in Pauls time were not Christians; on whose power (euen vnder the Law) depended much the inbringing of Tithes Neither were Tithes giuen Leui, straight with his seruice, neither yet with the Law of Tithes. The Law came, Numb. 18. before they were come to Canaan long: but Tithes came not till the whole Land was diuided, and enioyed in peace, they not so much as entred the Land more then 50. yeeres after all this. See Tremel. Arg. on Num. & Iosua.

Notes

• Matth. 10.25.
• Lib. cap. 6.
• Ib. quo supra▪
• Inf. cap. 4.
• 2. Pet. 3.16.
• Act, 20.33, 34, 35.

  Paul in the generall of Mainte∣nance.
• 1. Cor. 4.11.
• Augustine.
• Why Paul spared his power. 2. Thes. 3.8.9.
• 1. Cor. 9 12.
• When Pauls example is to be followed.
• 1. Cor. 9.1. &c.
• Gal. 6.6.
• Deut. 14.
• 2. Chron. 31.