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IF any of you are so infortunate, as to detaine the Rights and Profits, which was ordained by God for the maintainance of the Church and members therof; Let mee beg vpon my knees, as with teares I write it, that you make re∣stitution, contrition to God and man. For if your consciences pre∣iudicate they are wrongfully kept backe, and yet willfully con∣tinues,
can it bee denied but that you rob God of his Iustice, if you expect saluation by the death and passion of our Sauiour; though ad∣mit you will plead prescription by Act of Parliament, and that it was and is lawfull for you to receiue, continuing so long in descent from your ancestors. Yet, my deare Bre∣thren, I pittie your weake, Right, Title, and Interest; for that it was not warranted from Heauen, but by Gods permission confirm'd in Hell. So likewise you may plead damnation from your forefathers for foure thousand yeres together, which is the more ancienter title, and surer to descend, if from your hearts proceed not repentance. Howsoeuer, fearing you should
suspect spleene or imbecillitie: Let mee intreat you to fearch the re∣cords of holy Writ, and if there your selues find God pardon any one man that robbeth the church, without it were in ignorance, or satisfaction by vnfained amend∣ment, remaine as you are. But on the contrarie, looke vpon the dreadfull death of Ananias and Sa∣phira, for detaining some part of their owne goods by deceit from the Apostles: much more you, that not onely take your own, but other mens; when Christ him∣selfe saith, Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars. And if God would not spare his owne Tribe for one offence, certainly (deare Brethren) hee will not omit you which ob∣stinately
persist in the same: for that hee is a iust Iudge; as hee is a mercifull Sauiour; but peraduen∣ture you will obiect, the inducted partie is more vicious then vertu∣ous, more wicked then religious; howsoeuer it is the sustentation of his birthright, and ought not to be diminished. But assuredly himselfe and those are accursed that insti∣tuted him, by how many soules perish with his carelesse neglect. O, beloued Brethren, if you would but ponder with your selues of the strickt account which will be required from you and them at the day of Iudgement; I durst en∣gage my life, there is not one true Christian, but would rather choose to bee fed himselfe, wife,
and family, with the almes of cha∣ritie, then liue wrongfully on the tythes of Laitie; for question∣lesse, as they nourish the bodie, they starue the soule. All which I leaue to your owne consci∣ences, praying daily for reforma∣tion.
Actes 5.5.
Mat. 22.21.
Rom. 11.21.