On which account those Ministers who plead for it all expose themselves to censure. The Renowned Dr. Owen says (a)That to imagine the Law of Maintenance is taken away, is the greatest folly, and against express Scripture; but he asserts, That there is a change as to the way of Maintenance under the Gospel, and pleads for Voluntary Contribution; judging that to be the most honourable, alleging, That Princes have been Maintained in that way. No man doubts, but that in the Primitive Times, †when there was no Christian Magistrates, the Preachers of the Gospel were Supported in that way. Tertullian (b)says, Nemo compellitur sed sponte ⟨p. 56⟩confert. And if Christians were now so Liberally disposed as they ought to be, that way would be most Eligible. But men are not so forward to build the Church as the Lords People of Old were to build the Tabernacle, whose Liberality in Freewill Offerings was restrained by a Proclamation, Exod. 36.5, 6. And there was a Time when Christians were so Profuse in their Donations to the Church, as that the Emperors were forced to give a stop thereunto. But in these days there is no need of a Statute of Mortmain, to prevent such things. Some indeed who excel in the Grace of Liberality, do not only according to, but beyond their ability; when others of great Estates, (as Mountains which have Gold in them are commonly barren) do very little, it may be nothing at all. In too many Places in New-England, a great part of those who are taught, would communicate nothing to him that Teacheth them, were they not by the Civil Law compelled unto it. And in some Plantations, they have no ⟨p. 57⟩Gospel among them, nor are ever like to have, if from their Hearers, the Preachers be Supported in no other way than that of Voluntary Contribution. They would find Luther's saying true, Duriter profecto et misere viverent Evangelij Ministri, si ex libera populi Contributione essent sustentandi. It is a doleful thing, that there should be Towns in New-England, able to Support the Preaching of the Gospel, and yet not one man found therein willing to give Entertainment to a Minister of Christ. Mr. Norton (that great Light, first of Ipswich, and afterwards of Boston) says, (c)Praestat Ministros vivere ex certis et Statis stipendijs quam ex mera Voluntaria Contribution: It is better that Ministers should be Maintained by Stated Stipends, than by mere Voluntary Contribution.
On which account those Ministers who plead for it all expose themselves to censure. The Renowned Dr. Owen sayes (a)That to imagine the Law of Maintenance is taken away, is the greatest folly, and against express Scripture; but he asserts, That there is a change as to the way of Maintenance under the Gospel, and pleads for Voluntary Contribution; judging that to be the most honourable, alledging, That Princes have been Maintained in that way. No man doubts, but that in the Primitive Times, †when there was no Christian Magistrates, the Preachers of the Gospel were Supported in that way. Tertullian (b)sayes, Nemo compellitur sed sponte ⟨p. 56⟩confert. And if Christians were now so Liberally disposed as they ought to be, that way would be most Eligible. But men are not so forward to build the Church as the Lords People of Old were to build the Tabernacle, whose Liberality in Freewill Offerings was restrained by a Proclamation, Exod. 36.5, 6. And there was a Time when Christians were so Profuse in their Donations to the Church, as that the Emperors were forced to give a stop thereunto. But in these days there is no need of a Statute of Mortmain, to prevent such things. Some indeed who excel in the Grace of Liberality, do not only according to, but beyond their ability; when others of great Estates, (as Mountains which have Gold in them are commonly barren) do very little, it may be nothing at all. In too many Places in New-England, a great part of those who are taught, would communicate nothing to him that Teacheth them, were they not by the Civil Law compelled unto it. And in some Plantations, they have no ⟨p. 57⟩Gospel among them, nor are ever like to have, if from their Hearers, the Preachers be Supported in no other way than that of Voluntary Contribution. They would find Luther's saying true, Duriter profecto et misere viverent Evangelij Ministri, si ex libera populi Contributione essent sustentandi. It is a doleful thing, that there should be Towns in New-England, able to Support the Preaching of the Gospel, and yet not one man found therein willing to give Entertainment to a Minister of Christ. Mr. Norton (that great Light, first of Ipswich, and afterwards of Boston) sayes, (c)
- (a)Exposition. Heb. 7. p. 127.
- †v. Stuckium ubi Supra.
- (b)Apol. c. 39.
- (c)Respons. ad Apollon p. 145.
