wards them already beftowed, and for the Continuance of his Favour, if they would be fenfible of it.

Some or more of thofe wicked Ends, which promote Atheism and Impiety, are at the Bottom, if they would but ingenuously disclose their Minds, and without Hypocrifie, difcover the Secret abodings of their Heart.

But a Difcourfe of this Nature is most seasonable in a loose Age, when Atheism and Deifm, fo much prevail (not the lefs fo for a tedious, but, at prefent, a neceffary War, and the Rapacious Covetousness of thofe that feek to enrich and advance themselves, by other Men's Grievances and Mif fortunes. >

When fome Men's Sacrilegious Hands are more inclined to pull down, and Purloyn from the Church than to build it up, or, to add to it even its own juft Right and Portion; and their Mouths are open ready to speak against it, and to fwallow up the poor Remains of its Revenues, but their Purfes fhut towards it. B 4

At

At fuch a Time as this, that our Gracious Queen should out of her Royal Bounty bestow all her Right to Firftfruits and Tenths, as being Supreme Governour of the Church in this Realm, for the better Maintenance and Support of the Indigent Clergy; who, with the rest of their Brethren, have greatly fuffered through the Sacrilegious Alienations of one of Her Royal Predeceffors, well confidering, that a scandalous Maintenance generally Caufes their Perfons and their Office to be defpifed, however otherwife Honourable and Important; and withal brings a Contempt upon Religion it felf, is, a flaming Inftance of her great Devotion. and Zeal for the Church.

It fhews Her to be a true Nurfing Mother of it. And fets a pious Example for the Imitation of those who not being Priests, have no Authority from God to receive Tithes, which are God's Portion, Heb. 7. 5. But are the ufurping Poffeffors of Hallowed Things, of impropriate Tithes and Offerings, and Church-Lands, to restore them to the right Owner,

And

And it will make Her fhine bright in the Annals of Future Ages, when as many Generations as are to come hall call Her Bleffed. But much Brighter when Time fhall be no more, and Her Head be incircled with a Crown of Glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.

And shall we not justifie the Churches Patrimony, because we have a Right to it our felves? Is it a fault to let Charity begin at Home? Or only commendable to take Care of the Things of others, and not to Regard our own?

But it is evident to all Unbiafs'd, Unprejudiced and Sincere Chriftians: That it is the Gaufe of God and Religion, which this Subject does chiefly maintain.

A

It is the Honour of our great Mafter, that it Pleads and Contends for. It is the maintaining the Credit and Welfare of our Chriftian Profeffion, when we give to God the Things that are God's. And when the Rights of Priest and People, are mutually preferved

ferved and duely regarded in Practice. It is the great Concern of every on's immortal Soul, is hereby advanced, when God is rightly honoured by our Subftance And a ready Compliance is made with the Manifeftations of his Divine Will.

And it is that, which, will evidently procure the Bleffing of God, upon our honeft Labours and Endeavours, by making us Thrive and Profper in the World. Since it is the Prov. 10. Blessing of God that maketh Rich: And by promoting this Part of God's Worfhip and Service, we may reafonably hope to obtain the Promife of the Life that now is, and of that which is to

26.

1 Tim. 4.

8.

come.

Godliness has the Promife of both. Which Promife is loft, where Impiety governs. Nay, it can never be expected, but the Reverse of it may, where Sacrilege and Robbery towards God, and Injustice towards Man, are fuffered with Impunity, and carried on with Artifice and Cunning, with Perjury and Falfe-witness, under the fpe

cious

cious Pretence of a Decifion by Law.

If then, it be made appear, that the giving to God bis due, or the regular paying of Tithes, do contribute towards thofe great and glorious Ends before mentioned, as I doubt not but it will: Then alfo it will be apparent, that 'tis no private Intereft, but a publick One will be carried on by that means, fo juft and honourable.

And therefore I fhall make it my Endeavour at this Time to vindicate the Honour of God, and the Reputation of our Church and Religion, when I prefs the Obligation in the Text. Of honouring the Lord with our SubStance, and with the First-fruits of all our Increafe.

1. I begin then with the first Thing propofed, viz.

To fhew the indifpenfable Obligation, which is incumbent upon all People to pay Tithes of all their Increase unto God, as being a part of his Divine Worship and Service.

Man