N01065:17
A discourse concerning the maintenance due to those that preach the Gospel
A discourse concerning the maintenance due to those that preach the Gospel: in which, that question whether tithes are by the divine law the ministers due, is considered, and the negative proved. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green, 1706
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. The Lord appointed an Honourable Maintenance for His Ministers under the Old Testament. For besides the Tenths, the first fruits, and other offerings, Thirteen Cities of Refuge with the Lands belonging to them was theirs. Now although' under the Gospel the matter out of which the Stipend of Ministers is to be raised, and the manner of Payment is not as under the Law; Nevertheless, we may from thence argue by way of Analogy; for so does the Apostle, 1 Cor. 9.13. Do you not ⟨p. 11⟩know that they which Minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple, & they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar.
2. The Lord appointed an Honourable Maintenance for His Ministers under the Old Testament. For besides the Tenths, the first fruits, and other offerings, Thirteen Cities of Refuge with the Lands belonging to them was theirs. Now altho' under the Gospel the matter out of which the Stipend of Ministers is to be raised, and the manner of Payment is not as under the Law; Nevertheless, we may from thence argue by way of Analogy; for so does the Apostle, 1 Cor. 9.13. Do you not ⟨p. 11⟩know that they which Minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple, & they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar.
3. In the New Testament the Truth before us is expressly asserted. Especially in that Ninth Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, where the Apostle says, The Lord has ordained that they who Preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel, v. 14. This he had proved from the Divine Law which appointed, That they who Minister about Holy things, should live of the things of the Temple, as was showed. And, from the Law of Nations, v. 7. Who goeth a Warfare at his own charges! Soldiers do not use to go to War without Pay from the State that employs them. Ministers are engaged in a Warfare, He that has listed them in His Service will have them Supported therein. The Apostle moreover proveth his Doctrine from the Law of Nature, v. 9. Thou shalt not muzzle the Mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn. To do that is Cruelty and Unmercifulness,