The Parliament bad, fome Years before, re liev'd the Subject, from the Power and Furifdiction of the Ecclefiaftical Courts, to which Profecutions for Tithes were limited by an A& made in the Thirty Second Year of Henry the Eighth; but the People did not long enjoy the Benefit of that Relief: For fome, who styl'd themselves Minifters of the Gofpel, got an Ordinance of Parliament for the Ordination

Ministers, pro Tempore, Dated October the fecond 1644. And another for Tithes, Dated November the eighth following. Upon this they fell to profecuting fuch as refus'd to pay them Tithes, in the Courts at Westminster, and petty Courts in the Country, and the Severity of their Profecutions was fo great, that the Author has taken particular Notice of it, *See p.44. and fet forth fome of their cruel Exactions.*

After be bas given an Extract, or short Hiftory of Tithes, from the first Appointment of them under the Law, taken mofily from the Hiftory of Tithes by the Learned Antiquary J. Selden, be then, confiders the feveral Claims made to them. As firft, By Divine Right. Secondly, By the Gifts of Kings and Princes. Thirdly, By the Laws of Kings and Parliaments. Fourthly, By Particular Gifts, Appropriation, Confecration and Donation of the Owners of the Land. Fifthly, By Prefcription and Legal Poffeffion. Sixthly, By Purchase. The Arguments advanced for each

of

of thefe Claims, are particularly anfwer'd; and, the Author fays, he labour'd diligently for Two Years and more, to inform himself fully what could be alledg'd for them.*

But obferving, that he is not fo full in bis Anfwers to the Arguments for the Divine Right as he might have been, giving, we think, this as a Reafon for it, "Tho' Divine *

Right, fays be, hath been long pretended, "few are now left who will only stand

to it, and the generality, both of Lawyers, "Priefts and People, are of a contrary Mind;" we have collected and put together in an Appendix, fuch Arguments as we found advanced against the Divine Right of Tithes, in Pieces publish'd either fome Years before, or prefently after, this Author's; by which the Reader may judge, whether any of them could have that Force upon the Generality of Lawyers, Priefts and People, as to make them of a contrary Mind. And we thought Such a Collection might have this farther Service, that in Time to come, it might prevent Authors from advancing Reafons and Arguments for the Divine Right of Tithes, as fome have. done very lately, which were fully answer'd and confuted fo long ago.

In this Appendix, we have alfo given a fbort Account how the Author came to embrace the Principles of the People call'd Quakers,

and

* page 31

page 32

126.

and in what Manner fome of the Firft of them appear'd, and publife'd their Doctrine and Prin ciples in this Nation, and the Oppofition they met with from the Teachers of thofe Times, for preaching against Tithes and Hireling Minifters.

*

Thefe Teachers reprefented the Principles of the Quakers as deftructive to the Gospel, and * See pa. inconfiftent with Peace and Civil Society; we bave therefore given the Answers they then made to that Charge, and have fubjoin'd a Defence of fome Principles held by them, in which they differ from other Religious Denominations: The Arguments for these are fupported by Scripture, and the concurring Sentiments of Ancient and Modern Authors.

THE

THE

Author's Preface

TO THE

Great Cafe of TYTHES.

To the Country-men, Farmers, and
Husbandmen of England.

I'

Tis for your Sakes that this (mall Treatife is fent abroad, that in a matter wherein you are so much concern'd,you might be truly informed: And because there are many differing Opinions,and of late Years have been great Difputes, concerning the Right of Tythes, which makes the Cafe seem difficult to be refolved, I have given you the Subftance of all that ever I could find written, or hear difcourfed, touching thatPoint; and for more than Two Years laft paft, I have made much Enquiry into it; and if there be any who have fomething to say for them, which is not herein touched, or in fome general

Head

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

The Method of the Difcourfe.

Firft, 1 have begun with Tything amongst the Jews, which, either in Precept or Example, is the Foundation for all others.

Secondly, I bave given you a bort 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 Some foort Obfervations, I flate the Cafe as it concerns us in England. Fourthly, And then hearing what every one bath to say for them, and giving them particular Anfwers: Fifthly, I proceed to satisfie fome great Objections, and fo conclude the whole, in as muchBrevity as the Variety of the Subject would permit.

A. P.

THE