A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

of the Acts it is only occasionally forbid for a Season to avoid Scandal and Offence. So that if it should be supposed that the matter of the Prohibition before the Law, under the Law, and in that Synod at Jerusalem were the same, yet the Reasons of it being various, it doth not prove a Morality in the Law, or such as should be everlastingly Obligatory. But where not only the Subject-matter, but the Formal Reason of the Command is the same, there it is of Natural Equity, and unalterable; and so it is said to be in the case of Tithes.

of the Acts it is only occasionally forbid for a Season to avoid Scandal and Offence. So that if it should be supposed that the matter of the Prohibition before the Law, under the Law, and in that Synod at Hierusalem were the same, yet the Reasons of it being various, it doth not prove a Morality in the Law, or such as should be everlastingly Obligatory. But where not only the Subject-matter, but the Formal Reason of the Command is the same, there it is of Natural Equity, and unalterable; and so it is said to be in the case of Tithes.

I shall not enter into any long Digression about this controverted Subject. It is such as wherein the various Interests of Men have engaged their utmost diligence on the one hand and on the other. But this I am sure enough of, that unless they were paid by them that give them with more Conscience and regard unto Duty than generally they seem to be, not one in a thousand having respect in the payment of them, to any thing but the Civil Law of the Land; and unless they turned unto a better Account with them by whom they are received, than generally they do, it is to no great purpose to dispute upon what Grounds, or by what Right they are due unto any. And without solicitousness concerning Offence, I shall take leave to say, that it is no safe Plea for many to insist on, that Tithes are due and Divine, as they speak, that is, by a binding Law of God now under the Gospel. For be the Law and Institution what it will, nothing is more certain than that there is nothing due under the Gospel by virtue of Gods Command or Institution with respect unto his Worship unto any who do not wholly give up themselves unto the Ministry and Labour in the Word and Doctrine, unless they be such as are disenabled by Age and Infirmities, who are not to be forsaken all the days of their lives. For Men to live in Pleasure and Idleness, according to the Pomp, Vanities and Grandeur of the World, neither rising early, nor going to bed late, nor spending their time or strength in the Service of the Church, according to the Duties required of all the Ministers thereof in the Gospel, to sing unto themselves that Tithes are due to them by the Appointment and Law of God, is a fond Imagination, a Dream that will fill them with Perplexity when they shall awake. But as unto the Question in hand, I shall briefly give my thoughts about it in the ensuing Observations and Propositions.