A Short Conference, between a Puritan and Presbyterian Strupling ab…: A Short Conference, between a Puritan and Presbyterian Strupling about the the maintena…, A short conference between a scrupling Presbyterian, and a Puritan… by Westminster Assembly (1646) | AskReformation

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:19p. 3

Purr. There are many reasons for it, both in respect of the people, and in respect of the Ministers; First in respect of the People; though God set out the portion, the Tithes which the Levites, were to have, and expressly insinuates, that temporal things ought to be given unto such as administer spiritual, yet he would have it be given as a free gift, a matter of bounty, not grudgingly, 2. Cor. 9. 5. which is inconsistent with a coercive way of levying it; Secondly in respect of the Ministers, it is expressly required concerning them, that they be not soon angry, no strikers, 1. Tit. 1. 7. they must not strive, but be gentle unto all men 2. Tim. 2, 24. They were, as near as possible, to resemble Christ their Master, who was not to strive, nor to be heard cry in the streets, a bruised reed he would not break, and smoking flax he would not quench, until he sent forth Judgment unto victory, Matt. 12. 19. He had no civill Jurisdiction, He said his Kingdom was n•t of this world, John. 18 36. He would not divide the Inheritance between the two Brethren, Luke. 12. 13. 14. much less would he play the divider▪ the carver for himself, and all this is likewise inconsistent with the Ministers using by themselves, or so much as countenancing in the civill Magistrate any compulsive means in or about their maintenance, or any thing else which immediately concerns he Gospel of Peace.

Pur. There are many reasons for it, both in respect of the people, and in respect of the Ministers; First in respect of the People; though God set out the portion, the Tythes which the Levits, were to haue, and expresly insinuates, that temporall things ought to be given unto such as administer spiritual, yet he would have it be given as a free gift, a matter of bounty, not grudgingly, 2. Cor. 9. 5. which is inconsistent with a coerciue way of levying it; Secondly in respect of the Ministers, it is expresly required concerning them, that they be not soone angry, no strikers, 1. Tit. 1. 7. they must not strive, but be gentle unto all men 2. Tim. 2, 24. They were, as neere as possible, to resemble Christ their Master, who was not to strive, nor to bee heard cry in the streets, a bruised reed he would not breake, and smoking flax hee would not quench, untill he sent forth Jugment unto victory, Matt. 12. 19. He had no civill Iurisdiction, Hee said his Kingdome was n•t of this world, Iohn. 18 36. Hee would not devide the Inheritance betweene the two Brethren, Luke. 12. 13. 14. muchlesse would hee play the divider▪ the carver for himselfe, and all this is likwise inconsistent with the Ministers using by themselves, or so much as countenancing in the civill Magistrate any compulsive means in or about their maintenace, or any thing else which immediatly concerns he Gospel of Peace.

:25p. 5–6

Purr. Dear Brothe•: If you be truly conscientious, and thoroughly convinced, you would quickly see as our Saviour saith, how disadvantageous twere to you, to gain the whole world and loose your own soul, Matt. 16. 26. I will therefore deal clearly with you, as in the presence of God, the most exquisite Accountant, and severest Judge, to all such as with Ananias and Sapphira presume to lye unto the Holy Ghost, Ast. 5. The Law, ordained such as stole to restore five for one, Exod. 22. 1. Zacheus according thereunto, when he was converted, restored fourfold, for whatsoever he had taken from any body upon false accusation, Luke, 19 8. and with out restitution (to such as have wherewithal) all Casuists presume there can be no true repentance, and consequently deny absolution: If you be able therefore you must make restitution of all that you have extorted from your Parishioners, under pretence of maintenance, at lest unto such as will not freely remit the debt unto you, and for the •n•ur, endeavour to get faith in Gods Ordinances, without which it is impossible to please him, Heb. 11. 6. and as the Apostle Jam•s says, you must not, nay I may say you can not so much as think too receive any thing of him without it, James 1. 7. But on the contrary, (if you will believe the Scripture) If you have faith but as a grain of mustard seed. you might remove Mountains, Matt 17. 20. and receive of God whatsoever you shall ask, & 21. 22. Trust in him who has promised to be your portion, do what God commands, and leave the success unto his Providence, say with Job, that you will trust in God, though he should suffer you to starve, Job 13. 15. Rely upon the maintenance that he has provided for you, through the free gift of the Brethren, 2. ⟨p. 6⟩Cor. 9. 5. which to many of the Independent way, as you may observe, proves more beneficial then Tithes, and if it should fail you (which yet it cannot except through your own want of faith) you have notwithstanding your hands as well as your neighbours, to get a living by, and take this for a parting Word, that it may leave deeper impression; God who clothes the Lilies of the field, which neither take care nor work, more gloriously then Solomon in all his greatness, Math, 6. 28. 29. and feeds the young ravens which cannot help themselves, any other wise then by crying unto him, Job 38. 41. Psal. 147. 9.

Pur. Deare Brothe•: If you be truly conscientious, and througly convinced, you would quickly see as our Saviour saith, how disadvantagious twere to you, to gaine the whole world and loose your owne soule, Matt. 16. 26. I will therefore deal cleerly with you, as in the presence ef God, the most exquisite Accountant, and severest Iudge, to all such as with Ananias and Sapphira presume to lye unto the Holy Ghost, Ast. 5. The Law, ordayned such asstole to restore fiue for one, Exod. 22. 1. Zacheus according thereunto, when hee was converted, restored fourfold, for whatsoever hee had taken from any body upon false accusation, Luke, 19 8. and with out restitution (to such as have wherewithall) all Casuists presume there can be no true repentance, and consequently deny absolution: If you be able therefore you must make restitution of all that you have extorted from your Parishioners, under pretence of maintenance, at lest unto such as will not freely remit the debt unto you, and for the •n•ur, endevour to get faith in Gods Ordinances, without which it is impossible to please him, Heb. 11. 6. and as the Apostle Iam•s sayes, you must not, nay I may say you can not somuch as thinke too receive any thing of him without it, Iames 1. 7. But on the contrary, (if you wil beleive the Scripture) If you have faith but as a grain of musterd seed. you might remove Mountaines, Matt 17. 20. and receive of God whatsoever you shall aske, & 21. 22. Trust in him who has promised to bee your portion, doe what God commands, and leave the successe unto his Providence, say with Iob, that you will trust in God, though hee should suffer you to starue, Iob 13. 15. Rely upon the maintenance that hee has provided for you, through the free gift of the Brethren, 2. ⟨p. 6⟩Cor. 9. 5. which to many of the Independant way, as you may observe, proves more beneficiall then Tythes, and if it should fayle you (which yet it cannot except through your owne want of faith) you have notwithstanding your hands as well as your neighbours, to get a living by, and take this for a parting Word, that it may leave deeper impression; God who cloathes the Lilys of the feild, which neither take care nor worke, more gloryously then Solomon in all his greatnes, Math, 6. 28. 29. and feeds the young ravens which cannot helpe themselves, any other wise then by crying unto him,