tion. In a Matter of fo great Concern, it were highly abfurd to fuppofe, a pofitive Precept would have been omitted by Christ, the Founder of our Religion, and his infpired Followers, if fuch an Exaction had been defign'd. That there is no fuch pofitive Precept in the New-Teftament, is a Truth in Fact, and therefore a Negation of this Exaction.

In a Word, neither the Donation of Tithes, nor a Plea for them, for the Service of the Priesthood only, took place, until a Defection, in more Instances than one, from the Purity of the apoftolick Age, overfpread the Chriftian Church, about the Time of Conftantine the firft Chriftian Emperor ;-that fatal Period, when a Door was opened to transform Religion into a political Syftem ;-to incorporate Chriftianity with Judaism and Paganism; but we, in demurring to the Payment of Tithes, recur directly to the Ages of Chriftian Purity, before these Corruptions were introduced.

We fay then, whatever fome Men may think, or however others may act, if the People call'd Quakers fhould at any Time fo far temporize with the Laws and Customs of the Times, as to pay Tithes, or any Thing of the Nature of Tithes, they will prefer these Laws and Cuftoms to that which is divine, run retrograde to their own Reformation, and degenerate into that Darkness, out of which

their

their Predeceffors were rescued by the breaking forth of Gospel Light.

A practical Conformity to the Doctrines they had embraced, though attended with very great Hardships, is one cogent Argument of this People being actuated, in the Beginning, by a truly reforming Principle; of which the History of their Sufferings will be a lafting Monument. On the contrary, a fervile Compliance with the Laws and Cuf toms of the Times, a Fear of Suffering; of the Reproach of Obftinacy or Singularity, has ever greatly obftructed the Work of Reformation amongst Diffenters of moft Denomi nations.

We shall conclude with obferving, that, as on one hand, a patient Suffering in a good Caufe, is highly confiftent with Chriftian Fortitude, and cannot pafs unrewarded; fo on the other, all Severity, all unneceffary Pains and Penalties, inflicted on fuch a confcientious Conduct, evinces the Remains of that perfecuting Spirit, which has made more Havock in the Chriftian Church, than amongst any other People in the known World.

THE

7

THE

Author's Preface

TO THE

Great Cafe of TITHES.

To the COUNTRYMEN, FARMERS, and HUSBANDMEN of ENGLAND.

I

T is for your Sakes that this fmall Treatife is fent abroad, that in a matter wherein

you are fo much concerned, you might be truly informed: And because there are many differing Opinions, and of late Years have been great Difputes, concerning the Right of Tithes, which makes the Cafe feem difficult to be refolved, I have given you the Substance of all that ever I could find written, or hear difcourfed, touching that Point; and for more than two Years last past, I have made much Enquiry into it; and if there be any who have something to fay for them, which is not herein touched, or in fome general B Head

Head comprehended, it fhall be acceptable to me to receive it.

The Method of the Difcourfe.

First, I have begun with Tithing among the Jews, which, either in Precept or Example, is the Foundation of all others.

Secondly, I have given you a fhort View of the Doctrines, Opinions, Decrees, and Practices of the Primitive Church concerning them, and from thence downward until this Day, which is enough to clear the whole Point.

Thirdly, Out of which, having made fome Short Obfervations, I ftate the Cafe as it concerns us in England.

Fourthly, And then hearing what every one bath to fay for them, and giving them particular Anfwers,

Fifthly, I proceed to fatisfy fome great Objections, and fo conclude the whole, in as much Brevity as the Variety of the Subject would permit.

A. PEARSON.

THE

THE

GREAT CASE

OF

TITHES, &c.

Of TITHING amongst the JEWS.

G

OD having chofen Aaron and his Sons for the Office of the Priesthood, and the rest of the Tribe of Levi for the Service of the Tabernacle, he gave unto the Levites all the Tenth in Ifrael for an Inheritance for their Service, and they were to have no Inheritance among the Children of Ifrael.

And the Levites, out of their Tithe, were to offer up an Heave-Offering of it for the Lord, even the tenth Part of the Tithe, and give it unto Aaron the Prieft for himself and his Sons; and no other Portion had the Priefts out of the Tithes, but they were for the Levites that did the common Services of the Tabernacle, for the Strangers, for the Fatherlefs and the Widows.

Befides the Tenth of the Tithe, the Priests had Deut.18.4 the first ripe Fruits of the Ground, of Wheat, of Barley, of Figs, of Grapes, of Olives, of Pomgranates and Dates, at what Quantity the Owner Ez. 45.13 pleased; an Heave-Offering alfo of Corn, Wine,

B 2

Oyl,