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

2. As it is the Duty of those who are employed in Sacred Ministrations to receive what the Lord Christ hath appointed for their Supportment, and in the way of his Appointment, so it is likewise without Trouble, Solicitousness or Complaint to acquiesce therein. So was it with the Priests of old, they were to receive their portion, and to acquiesce in their portion; the Neglect of which Duty was the sin of the Sons of Eli. We take it for granted that the way of Maintenance is changed as to the Ministers of Holy things under the Old and New Testament. That the Law of Maintenance is taken away is the highest folly to imagine, it being so expressly asserted by our Saviour himself and his Apostles, Luke 10. 7. 1 Cor. 9. But here it is thought lies the disadvantage; that whereas the Priests under the Old Testament had a certain portion which was Legally due unto them, and they might demand it as their own, it is now referred unto the voluntary Contribution of them that have the Benefit and Advantage of their Labour. Now whereas they oftentimes, yea, for the most part are negligent in their Duty, and through love of the present World, very scanty and backward in their Contributions, Ministers cannot be Supported in their Work in any measure proportionable unto what the Priests were of old. Besides it should seem unworthy a Minister of the Gospel who ought to be had in Esteem, and is declared by the Apostle to be worthy of double Honour, to depend on the Wills and as it were Charity of the people, many of them it may be poor and low themselves. And these things have taken such Impressions on the Minds of the most of them that are called Ministers, as that with the help of the Secular powers they have wisely provided a new way and Law of Legal Tithing for their Subsistence, with a notable over-plus of other good Ecclesiastical Lands and Revenues, which practice I shall neither Justify nor Condemn, let the Effects of it and the Day declare it. Only I say that the Institution of Christ before ⟨p. 128⟩mentioned, stands in no need of this Invention or Supply to Safe-guard it from these Objections. For,

2. As it is the Duty of those who are employed in Sacred Ministrations to receive what the Lord Christ hath appointed for their Supportment, and in the way of his Appointment, so it is likewise without Trouble, Solicitousness or Complaint to acquiesce therein. So was it with the Priests of old, they were to receive their portion, and to acquiesce in their portion; the Neglect of which Duty was the sin of the Sons of Eli. VVe take it for granted that the way of Maintenance is changed as to the Ministers of Holy things under the Old and New Testament. That the Law of Maintenance is taken away is the highest folly to imagine, it being so expressely asserted by our Saviour himself and his Apostles,