Selected quad for the lemma: love_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
love_n	believe_v	jesus_n	love_v	2,543	5	6.2190	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87514	The whole faith of man: being the Gospel declared in plainness, as it is in Jesus, and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the holy ghost. In thirty six heads, setting out mans way & work, from the day of his conversion to the day of his dissolution, and what therein is both to be believed and practised. / By Will. Jeffery, who hath for years been a poor labourer in Christs vineyard.	Jeffery, William, 1616-1693.	1659 (1659)	Wing J524; Thomason E1804_1; ESTC R209929	87,834	192

for a time return to the dust and afterwards be raised up again from the dust and so cast into Hell torments which is the second death which imagination is very strange and besides it presupposeth a Resurrection without Christ or else you must imagine that God intended in his saying to Adam Thou shalt die that his soul should go into hell torment the second death and his body to the dust the first death which Dagon-like Image shamefully falls before the Ark of truth First because it renders the coming of Christ the greatest of Gods gifts to man-kind who come not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saved Iohn 3.17 I say it renders the coming of Christ to be the only cause of a horrible Judgement without the least mixture of mercy upon the bodies of those men whose souls were cast into hell for Adams sin that is to say Christ by his coming raises their bodies from the grave where they were without the fence of any misery and casts them without any cause into everlasting torments Secondly the imagination falls upon the account of Pauls words Rom. 5.12 shewing that that death which came by that one man Adams sin passed upon all wherefore it cannot be meant an eternal death upon the souls of men for that passed not upon the souls of the holy Fathers as aforesaid And thus you may see that neither of these imaginations can stand either according to Scripture or Reason and therefore the truth only remains before you as clearly proved by these considerations namely That Adams sin brought but the first death as hath been shewed and that mens loving darkness rather then the light is the cause of a second death and this may not be rejected because Christ himself saith This is the condemnation Iohn 3.19 Fourthly that Adams sin brought but the first death as aforesaid also appeareth from the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.21 22. wherein is plainly held forth that Christ will bring all men to a resurrection from that death which comes upon all men by the first Adams sin wherefore it cannot possibly be the second death which he speaks of as brought by Adam for then it supposes all men brought to a resurrection from the second death or Hell torment and so preaches general salvation which is folly to conceive so then with the Prophet I conclude that the Son shall not die eternally for the iniquity of the Father But the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him that is to say upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternal life And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him that is upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternall death Ezek. 18.20 Well then by this time 't is necessary to mind again our Question namely That if Christ died for all men How is it that all are not saved First by what hath been said you may see in what state man was in by his first Transgression even out of Gods favour and in a state of misery condemned to the first death But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to taste death for every man Heb. 2.9 Rom. 5.18 and so destroyes him that hath the power of death that is the devil And thus there is purchased by Christ a resurrection for all men from the first death with the gift of God which is eternal life and hence it is that children dying in Infancy cannot be condemned at the last day for of such is the kingdome of God Mat. 19.14 But now men having a being here through Christ come to rebell against God and going out of the way so as there is none righteous no not one Rom. 3.12 they become the children of wrath but such is the love of God that he followes the creature with mercy commanding the Gospel to be preached to every creature which Gospel men not believing the wrath of God abideth on them John 3.36 the light of eternal life and remission of sins in Jesus is held forth but men loves darkness rather then light the prize of glory is put into their hands but they like fooles have no heart to it and so whereas the Objector asketh how it is that all are not saved if Christ dyed for all the answer is in Christs words This is thecondemnation John 3.19 that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deeds are evill Thus I judge that the seeming show of the objection vanisheth and that the truth remaineth in its power and plainness namely That Christ died for all men and so setteth all men in a way in which they may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved The truth of which will appear if you shall take a view of the Scriptures speaking of the Generations from the beginning as first in the very day that Adam fell Christ was promised by God saying The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head and it is said of Abell That by faith he offered a more excellent sacrifice then Cain Heb. 11.4 Shewing plainly that Abell was enlightened touching the promised seed to wit Christ the true Sacrifice in whom he believing his sacrifice became more acceptable then that of Cain also it is said of Enoch that by faith he was translated that he should not see death and before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God and not only so but himself being enlightned touching Christ we find that he Prophesieth also of the coming of Christ with his faints to Judgement Jude 14. And so he was a preacher of the Gospel to others in his and following Generations In like manner we find Noah declared to be a preacher of Righteousness and by Faith preparedan Ark whereby he Condemned the World and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith 1 Pet. 3.18 19 20. 2 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 11.7 All which shewes that Noah was such an eminent light in his Generation that the whole world then in being was so taught and instructed by him he being a Preacher of Righteousness as that they being disobedient thereunto are said thereby to be condemned Also we find very cleerly that the Gospel was Preached to Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed Gal. 3.8 And afterwards unto his seed the children of Israel in the wilderness as appeareth Heb. 4.2 Among which people God shewed such mighty and wonderful power in saving and delivering them and destroying their enemies as that thereby he declared to all the World that he was Israels God and approved of their Faith and Worship as to instance some of many The Angel smote of the Campe of the Assyrians an hundred four score and five thousand 2 King 19.35 Also God delivering Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo from the fiery Furnace as also Daniel being delivered from the Lions den decrees were made that Every

36.15 16. Zech. 7.11 12 13. Mat. 13.13 Rom. 1.19 20 21 26. 2 Thes 2.11 12. These things I lay before you because the question is wherefore God hardens mens hearts and not whether he doth harden mens hearts yea or nay For I do and alwayes did grant that and the cause thereof is as aforesaid namely the creatures nelgecting and putting from them so great salvation as is freely tendered in Jesus when as they ought to receive it with love thereunto For This Cause saith the Apostle God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleive a lye that so they might be damned Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.10 11. according to which all Nations are in the hand of God as clay in the hand of the Potter and so at what instant soever God speaketh unto a people shewing them through the Gospel that his pleasure is to build and plant them and so make them vessels for honour if that people do evill in his sight that they obey not his voice of good-will towards them and so Marr themselves 1 Sam. 6.6 in the hand of God he then repenteth of the good wherewith he said he would benefit them Ier. 18.4 9 10. so he gives them up to hardness of heart so they become vessels for dishonour when as others of the same lump turning from the evil of their wayes God maketh them vessels for honour and so of the same lump one vessell for honour and another for dishonour But if not withstanding you shall yet turn the body of these Scriptures otherways then behold its face namely That God did before time hate the greatest part of the world without respect unto foreseen wickedness as the caus therof and that in time he gives them up to hardness of heart without grace at any time wherby to be saved and at the day of Judgement will cast them into everlasting Torments because of their wickedness and hardness of heart and yet declare in his Word which you say is a word of truth that he is good to all and that his tender mercies are over all his works that he is slow to anger and of great mercy Psa 145.8 9. Patient long-suffering c. Exod. 34.6 7. Not willing that Any should perish 2 Pet. 3.9 swearing by himself that he desireth not the death of the wicked Ezek. 33.11 but would have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 24. Forty years long grieving for the iniquity of his people Heb. 3.17 Bemoaning their undone estate Psal 81.13 yea even weeping for them Luke 19.41 saying What could I have done more for your good that I have not done Isa 5.4 when as he knew according to your Tenent that himself had shut them up from all possibilities of believing unto Salvation and that by his own unresistible Decree and purpose of Reprobation Judge ye friends in this cause and judge righteous judgement and with fear and trembling weigh these things To return a little to the objection again sider further that though Thave proved that Esau's wickedness and so the wickedness of all wicked men was and is the cause for which the Decree of Reprobation took hold of them yet mistake not for I do not say that 't was foreseen wickedness in them that was the moving cause in God to Make the Decree of Reprobation but rather the unutterable purity and unwordable holiness dwelling in himself which possibly could not admit of any wicked creature in his presence This I say moved him to Make the Decree that all wickedness might be excluded from happiness in his presence So having spoken of Esau and how he and all other wicked men are reprobated to Condemnation it remains that I now speak of Jacob and how he and all other righteous men are elected to Salvation First therefore I beleeve that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the world whenas there was nothing in the world that did or could move him thereunto Secondly the world being gone all out of the way and coming short of Gods glory God did purpose a gracious purpose of Election in Christ namely to chuse or set apart beleeving men for glory Psal 4.3 Eph. 1.4 2 Thes 2.13 And so Jacob with all other beleeving men being found in Christ Gods gracious purpose and decree of Election takes hold of them being such as are Elected from the foundation of the world to eternal Salvation but by this take notice I do not say that God foreseeing faith in Jacob or in any other was thereby moved to Make that decree of Election as if the works of righteousness which we have done first moved him so graciously to purpose and decree for the good of beleeving men I say not so but rather the meer love and compassion dwelling in God himself moved him to purpose and Elect beleevers in Christ to Salvation agreeable to the Apostles words Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us c. according to the good pleasure of his will ver 9. purposed in himself and of himself Rom. 9.11 nothing of worth in man first or last moving him thereunto and so our Salvation is of God that sheweth mercy upon them that beleeve And whereas this purpose reacheth in the beleever in Christ only 't is not because God saw such a worth or moving excellency in the creatures beleeving but that he might in shewing mercy unto men not destroy his attributes as of honour and justice which would have been blemished had he chosen the unbeleeving sinful man for himself having before cast man out of his presence for sin so though the beleever only hath interest in Gods purpose of Election yet the cause of his happiness is the tender love and compassions of God dwelling originally in himself Where then is bosting It is excluded by what law by the law of Faith for as much as Christ who is the object of faith is the meer gift of God who also hath from of old decreed from the meer grace dwelling in himself and not from foreseen faith in the creature to Elect and chuse men unto Salvation through not for the belief of the truth 2 Thes 2.13 whose belief also cometh by hearing the Gospel of Christ which is to be preached to every creature for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 So then all being of him and through him not unto us not unto us in the least but to the Lord alone be glory for ever The next thing which I purpose is somewhat touching the two Covenants because I find that some stumble for want of a right understanding the old and other some for want of a right understanding of the new Covenant wherefore for the good of each this I declare head it well I pray you You I mean that stumble about the Covenants for have you not read that Abraham had two Sons the one by a Bond-maid the

Nor if all the humane arts in the world did not teach the knowledge of God it followeth that all humane Arts cannot inable a man to preach or declare the Gospel the unsearchable riches that is in Christ and so Paul though learned ignorantly persecutes the Church of Christ but by grace given him he was made able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.7 8. Again Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and gives thanks to his Father that he had hid the things of the Gospel or new Covenant from the wise and prudent or learned and revealed them to Babes Luke 10.21 And Paul saith The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 And the Prophet Isaiah saith That the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed So that the learned and unlearned cannot read it Isa 29.11 12. From all which it plaineth appeareth that all Ministers of the new Covenant are made able for the work of the Ministery through the spirit grace and gift of God for the spiritual man judgeth all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 15. And so God hath not chosen the mighty men or things of the world which are highly esteemed among men but chuseth the poor foolish weak base despised things things that are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Luk. 16.15 So then mark well and see the vast disproportion between the Old Covenant and the New the Old was of works do and live long so they doing it Justification would have been of dept Rom. 4.4 but the New is Believe and live eternally So Justification is by faith that it might be by grace Rom. 4.16 The Old Covenant is litteral and killeth because all have broken it but the new Covenant is spiritual and giveth life in Christ through beleeving 2 Cor. 3.6 the Old was written in Tables of Stone the New writeth the law of God in the heart the sons and daughters of the Old Covenant were Abrahams seed after the flesh the sons and daughters of the new Covenant are the seed of Abraham after the spirit new borne new creatures God according to the Old Covenant did know and chuse the family of Abraham after the flesh above all the families of the earth Amos 3.1 2. Psal 147.19 20. but now according to the new Covenant he knoweth no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5 16. but every man of any Nation that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Act. 10.35 whether he be Jew or Gentile The children of the old Covenant being after the flesh by generation there was need to teach them to know the Lord but the Children of the new Covenant need not to be taught to know the Lord for they all know the Lord from the least to the greatest of them as it hath been shewed The old Covenant or law though just holy and good yet weak through the flesh having no strength to Justifie the Children thereof God finding fault with them because they had broken the Covenant there was a place found for the new Covenant established upon better promises so through Jesus the High Priest and Mediatour of it the Children thereof are Justified see Rom. 8.2 3 4. Heb. 8.6 7 8. The Sacrifices of the old covenant were carnal fleshly the bloud of Buls and Goats and so could not make the comers thereunto perfect so there was a Remembrance of sin every year but the sacrifice of the new Covenant is the Lord from Heaven the man Christ his Blood being the blood of the new Covenant being shed for remission of sins Math. 26.28 and so perfects for ever them that are sanctified which are the children of the new Covenant so that their sin is remembred no more as it hath been shewed before Heb. 10.12 14. the High Priest of the old Covenant was after the order of Aaron by generation after a fleshly line and so many were made Priests because they were not suffered to continue by the reason of death but Jesus the High Priest of the new Covenant is after the order of Melchizedec comes not to it by a fleshly line after the order of Aaron as the Preists of the Law did as touching his Office of the Preist-hood he is without father or mother without kindred and hath neither beginning of dayes nor end of life but remaineth a Prieft for ever after the order of Melchizedec So he is able also perfectly to save them that come to God by him as the children of the new Covenant do seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.3 6 11 13 14 16 21 24 25. The Children of the old Covenant had blessings and promises after this manner That the Lord would set them on high above all the Nations of the earth blessed in the city and in the field blessed in the fruit of the body flocks of sheep and heards of cattel and deliverance from their enemies and long life in the land of Canaan withall the riches thereof Deut. 28. The blessings of the new Covenant are after this manner deliverence from the evil of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 Led into all truth so as they experience that comfort peace and joy that their names are written in the book of life witnessed by the holy spirit all things working together for good no condemnation for they walk not after the flesh but after the spirit the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come even eternal life so as to reign in glory So then all may see that they that go about to be justified by the Law Written upon tables of stone or the Law of sacrifices are fallen from grace for if righteousness be by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2.21 and 5.4 But Christ died not in vain but God is just and the Justifier of him only that beleeveth in Jesus having that faith that worketh by love Rom. 3.26 for such only are the sons and daughters of the New Covenant Also hence it clearly appeareth how the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth she became so by bringing in a generational fleshly seed where Abrahams seed after the flesh is cast out so she goes a whoring in bringing in a false carnal seed instead of a true spiritual seed she bringeth in children into her Church by baptizing them as she calleth it and so the matter of her Church is meerly carnal and her ministry by humane learning and not by gifts given from Christ and yet talks of spiritual matter confounding the Old Covenant with the New and making the commandments of God of none effect by her many inventions and so national Churches that sprinkle their infants bring in a false fleshly seed and are her daughters and so she is truly said to be Mystery Babylon or Confusion the mother

made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should

or Apostles but Pastors and Teachers are to abide Therefore Messengers also for the Lord ascended up on high and gave gifts to men some to be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers one gift or office is to continue as long as the other that is plain if you note the Scripture and that is till Christ cometh as hath been shewed before Again if you note the Scriptures you may see that there were more Apostles then the twelve for there was Paul and Barnabas which were set apart by the Church of Antioch and Titus and others that were Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8.23 If they were made Messengers only to carry the contribution of the Church how can they be said to be the glory of Christ Let the wise judge they were great Preachers of the Gospel with Paul and Titus was left at Crete to redress the things that remain and to ordain Elders Titus 1.5 Therefore they were not set apart to carry contribution only though they did it upon occasion as Paul did but for the work of the Ministry and Epaphroditus was a Companion in labour and fellow Souldier with Paul and the Messenger of the Church of the Philippians Phil. 2.25 and the Church of Ephesus tryed some which said they were Apostles and found them liars Revel 2.2 Therefore there were many Apostles besides the twelve Again there is very much need if not as much as ever of Messengers to preach the Gospel and to make out truth to the Nations in these last times yea the Gospel is to be preached to every kindred tongue and people in these last times for a witness unto all Nations and then shall the end be Matth. 24.14 Rev. 14.6 Therefore Messengers ought to be continued till Christ come mistake not for I do not mean extraordinary Apostles as the twelve and Paul and Barnabas but such as to perswade men to what is written so to believe and obey the Gospel The way to chuse and set apart Messengers Elders and Deacons it is by electing them out of their own company I mean the Church is to chuse them by a free consent as in part hath been shewed before and by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands on them they are so to be set apart to their several offices Acts 1.23 26. Chap. 6.5 6. Chap. 14.23 where the word Election is left out in the new translation but it is in the old and cannot be denied to be in the Greek the Elders or Pastors work is to feed the Flock of Christ and to take care of the Church and of every Member thereof looking up the Sheep if they go astray labouring in the work of the Ministry giving in meat in due season Matth. 24.45 being unto them that believe an ensample in word in conversation in love in spirit in zeal in faith and in pureness 1 Tim. 4.12 Acts 20.28 Matth. 18.12 Not as though they were Lords over Gods heritage feeding the Flock not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind 1 Pet. 5.2 3. let them be very diligent and faithful men in their places for cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently The Deacons office is to look to the poor and to serve them with all necessaries the Church giving them sufficient to do it Acts 6. for qualifications of all the Officers see the 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. The maintenance that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to have is to be freely given them Matth. 10.8 Gal. 6.6 that is all things necessary that they may be enabled to do the work of the Lord and they also ought to endeavour to the uttermost to make the Gospel without charge 1 Cor. 9.18 Acts 20.34 35. Their Maintenance ought not to be by Tythes nor no forced Maintenance First Because the way of Christ is a way of love no duty is available but that which is done in love 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 5.6 Secondly The Priesthood being changed therefore of necessity the Law Hebr. 7.4.10.13 Thirdly The Levites had no lot nor inheritance in the Land of Canaan Deut. 14.27 and their work and labour of body was great about the Sacrifices and taught the people also 2 Chron. 35 11 12 13 14. And therefore the Lord gave them Tythes yet they were to give to the fatherless and stranger and widdow a part of their Tithes Therefore the Ministers of the Gospel being not Levites neither have the Christians a Canaan to divide by lot for they are not twelve Tribes springing from one man neither are the Ministers of the Gospel the hundred part of the Nations neither hath the Lord Jesus given them Tithes Therefore they that take Tithes wrong their own souls in doing that which is unlawful Fourthly They that take Tithes or force it to be paid destroy or make void the Law of Christ which is a Law of love for forced service cannot be in love therefore the Ministers of the Gospel have received a gift to preach and freely received freely give Matth. 10.8 Rom. 12.6 Ephes 4.8 11. And Christians truly knowing their duties will freely give unto them of their goods Gal. 6.6 or set before them that they need Luke 10.7 Fifthly They that take Tithes bring in the service of the Law which is done away 2 Cor. 3.11 and the Levitical Priesthood which is changed Heb. 5.6 12. and so deny Christ come in the flesh and forced maintenance bringeth in compelled service which is abhorred by God and good men therefore Tithes nor any forc'd Maintenance is not the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel neither let any man say that the Magistrate hath power to force men to pay Tithes from that of Christ Matth. 17.27 and from that of Paul that we are to pay custome to whom custome belongs I say that in all civill things we ought so to do and rather then to offend to pay upon a civil account though it be not due as Christ did but when it is required upon a spiritual account as Tythes or any forced maintenance for Ministers we may and ought to refuse to pay and the Magistrate sins against God if he force men to pay it for the Magistrate as a Magistrate hath not nor never had power to judge in spiritual cases Luke 22.25 26. for that is by the Lord given to the Church Mat. 18.17 18. and he as a Member of the Church hath power to judge as every Member hath and no more but more of this in another place Also take notice of that Ordinance of Christ of washing the Saints feet it is commanded by Christ and a blessing promised to them that do it Exod. 13.14 15 16 17. and therefore it ought to be done and it setteth out Christs humility and puts us in mind of the same so declaring that the wayes of Christ are self-denying wayes and this is a self-denying thing and therefore serveth to humble the creature and