1. OBſerving what ado there is in the Land as touching theſe things, I have alſo judg'd it meet to give my advice, for the Peace ſake and good of men: That I might make out my mind in brief, I would firſt give notice according to the teſtimony of the Scripture of Truth, that there are in the world now, as there were heretofore, theſe three ranks or degrees of men; the firſt were and are ſuch that live wholy alienated from the light and true knowledg of God, being in continual, open, and manifeſt rebellion, in heart, thought, and life againſt him; ſuch were the moſt of the Gentiles heretofore, and there be not a few of the like ſpirit found among the people that yet profeſs the Name of Chriſt now, yea the multitude of all Lands are ſuch: theſe people have, as open and profeſt Rebels, or like high-way theeves, taken all they ever can lay hands on, and together with themſelves beſtow all upon their lusts, which are indeed the alone gods they ſerve, which were noted among the Heathen under the names either of Mars, as the god of ſome, or Bacchus the god of others, or Venus the god or goddeſs of others &c. All which, and their mind, the Apoſtle comprehends in that ſaying, Their god is their belly, their glory is their ſhame, they mind (and nothing elſe but) earthly things.

2. Wherefore in the ſecond place, it being now in a manner fully in the heart of man, that as for the moſt holy, high, and bleſſed God (who is alſo himſelf the God of Gods, the fountain and first riſe of all good) he had indeed forſaken the Earth, and left man to take his paſtime here, and to do his own will, and what liked him beſt, every one following the imagination of his own heart, it pleaſed God for a remembrance of himſelf, in all ages to reſerve a people, which he hath always made ready, and prepared for himſelf in the furnace of affliction, as he did the remnant of the houſe of Iſrael in Aegypt, theſe are the ſecond ſort of people, that in their affliction, through the power and indwelling, and clear opening of the Grace of God unto them therein, are made willing to become tributary to God; theſe, that he might bind them faſt to himſelf, according as they were capable, he made with them ſome Agreement or Covenant, thereby preſerving them in ſome way and degree of ſubjection to, and acknowledgment of him, as their liege Lord and King, whoſe they, and all that they had, by right, the highest right of all, was; only becauſe of their weakneſs, and unwillingneſs, wholy and in all points to give up themſelves to be altogether at the dispoſe of this their ſupream Soveraign, King, and Lord; he humbled himſelf, and condeſcended for a while and ſeaſon to take of them only ſome remembrances, as ſome part of their time, as one day in ſeven, inſtead of the whole, and ſo ſome part of their Corn, Wine, and Oyl, and all that they had, and did put their hands unto: of theſe he took by Commandment only the Tythes and Offerings, yet of theſe things he took ſo great a ſhare, that he ſeemed indeed to oppreſs them more then any other people were, that they might be thought to have more cauſe to complain for this matter, then any have upon any the like, or the pretended like to the ſame now.

3. Of this ſecond ſort of people there is in this, and in other Countries, ſome, or rather a very great remembrance, whoſe attainment and condition, were it in truth, and ſo far as ſo it is, is far more excellent then the former, and ought to be had in eſteem above them, even as ſubjects that acknowledg their Soveraign Prince, are above thoſe that are in open and profeſt rebellion againſt him; hence it is they are zealous ſome more according to the Scripture, and ſome upon the account as well of Tradition as the Scripture, for neither in their place ought to be had in contempt, or which to ſay is better, both having respect to the Scripture; but ſome take leſs, ſome more example from the Old Teſtament, as thoſe we call the Papiſts, yea and ſome of the Proteſtants too, as the Lutherans beyond the Seas, and the Biſhops heretofore in this Land, the Anceſtors of theſe, ſith they were not able to go forward to the purity, holineſs, divinity, and ſelf-denyal of the New Teſtament, went back again to the obſervations of the Law, I mean to many of them (doubtleſs of a good mind in ſome) who not being able to keep their ground in Grace, or in the Gospel or new Law, took up their ſtation in the Old, or the things in uſe, through the Command of it, though many have ſince in a great degree been beaten off it, and are faln back into the dark Hell and Abyſs of Evil, the ſtate of Gentiliſm, wherein even Abraham was before he beleeved: Yet even this Gentiliſm hath for it a double vail, the one more thick and manifeſt, as that of the Old Law, the other being ſcarce any other then the very Name of Chriſt and the Gospel.

4. But there are a ſecond ſort, which would ſeem, and indeed in ſome ſort are, more Reformed, as the followers of Calvin, whom yet many have clouded, he being far more in the light then thoſe that ſeem to be ſo great admirers of him, who pretend to l t go what the others keep cloſe to, the many uſages and obſervations of the old Law, and to aſpire to, and abide in, the light and freedom of the New, only here in England, is made a double reſerve, the one of a ſeventh day Sabbath, the other of Tythes or Tenths, but with this difference, that they would have the Sabbath, the ſeventh part of time, conſecrate and holy to God in diſtinction from the reſt of time, which they ſay is allowed to men now as common, though the New Testament Sabbath not without a Myſtery had its beginning on the eighth day (which was alſo the time of circumciſion, or the cutting off the fore-skin of the fleſh) to ſignifie, as Luther obſerves, that that day is of that nature and light, that after it no night ſhall follow: But as for that of Tythes, they ſpeak ambiguouſly, and ſeem to hold to it rather upon the account of Cuſtom, and the Law of the Land, then as a right Divine of neceſſity to be bowed down to.

5. Now I ſhall ſpeak my belief, and give my judgment as to both theſe, which is this, I like them both in oppoſition to the firſt, the ſtate which the Gentiles were, and yet are in; for it is far better that there be left ſome remembrances, of the right, title and intereſt God hath in both the perſons of men, and the times and things men are allowed to the uſe of, for his glory, then that all theſe, through Atheiſm, Pride, Ʋnbelief, and Covetouſneſs, which raign and prevail ſo much all the world over, become wholy obliterate; yea upon one account I like better of the firſt of theſe ſecond ſort, viz. thoſe that take more liberally of the uſages and Cuſtoms of the Law, both as touching the obſervations of days, as having in uſe not only one day in ſeven, but days upon ſeveral accounts of Conſecration and Remembrance, yea whole weeks and years, which if they were true in but according to the mind of God in thoſe things, as they were at firſt given of him to Moſes, and of Moſes to the people, were of admirable uſe, as a Manuduction or Pedagogie of the People, till the times of Deliverance ſhould come, through the Revelation of Chriſt, as it did betide the former people, the Jews.

6. But they having in theſe things (of great uſe in the firſt Inſtitution) corrupted themſelves, and are become Apoſtates, as well to the Law as to the Gospel, there hath aroſe out of them the people we call Proteſtants, but the other call them Hereticks, or Schiſmaticks, making ſome further adventure, more hopefully firſt in Luther, if we reſpect the Noiſe made at this ſudden rupture, though there were at the ſame time ſome, or at leaſt one, affording, though with leſs obſervation as to moſt, a more clear light, and uniform, and of more uſe to all Nations, whoſe teſtimony hath yet been alone (as it were) heard in ſilence, this being overlooked, as the Truth in the full extent of it uſeth in all ages more or leſs to be; Comes Calvin, and others of great note with him, who ſeemed to build and attain higher then he that firſt lighted their Candle, Luther; yet their Superſtructure as it proved ſince, being very ſpecious, had not, hath not enough of the foundation to perpetuate and uphold it, in ſo much that it ſhakes well nigh as much as what was in their account, Babel before, which they no ſooner perceived, but they were fain, as their Succeſſors ſince (therein evidently leaving their firſt Pattern and Example, Luther) to ſupport themſelves the ſame way did the Hierarchy of Rome before, I mean by the weapons of this worlds warfare, as Impriſonments, Whippings, yea Burnings of men for a different belief, in the which all thoſe moſt excellent men, Calvin, Peter Martyr, Bucer, yea Beza heretofore appeared, and their Succeſſors ſince, as we have ſeen in England and Scotland allowed, and is manifeſt in thoſe of the higheſt attainment, I mean the Churches of New England, with whom doth concur thoſe in Old, or if not, why are they ſo ſilent in ſo great a matter of Conſequence as this?

7. So that the Sun ſetting in a ſort in a Cloud upon Calvin, but especially upon thoſe that would be thought his followers▪ others have of late, eſpecially in this Land, made yet ſome adventure further (as we ſee at this day,) at the remove of which, all things, both fundamental, ſuperſtructural, and circumſtantial, in Religion, are ſhattered, even quite almoſt to pieces, that there is, as the Prophet ſpeaks, ſcarce ſo much as a ſheard left of this earthy pitcher, for any to take up a little water to refreſh himſelf therewithall; upon which opportunity is taken of the prophane ſpirit of worldlineſs, wickedneſs, ignorance and pride, to ruffle and come forth as Nimrod of old, and thoſe that with him would undertake to build a City and a Tower for themſelves, the top of which ſhould reach Heaven, and affront even God himſelf, for a ſecuring of themſelves in their luſts and evil: For as whiles there was an outcry of the Proteſtants againſt the Papiſts, many covetous worldlings, have well provided for them and theirs after them, with the ſpoils they took in that encounter: ſo the like occaſion ſince have here the Non-Conformiſts, or rather thoſe that came in to their ayd, taken againſt their Lords and Task maſters, the Biſhops heretofore; ſo that what was left of the feathers of this ſo fair bird, theſe other birds of prey, have taken every one a part to themſelves; in ſo much the thing men call the Church, is become as in the day ſhe was firſt born, even in a manner a poor, despiſed and naked nothing, as to outward and worldly appearance, eſpecially if we conſider what is now laſt of all, in imitation of them that went before, purſued by all means to be brought to paſs, (i. e.) the taking away the Tythes and Glebe, through pride and covetouſneſs in a great degree detained of the Clergy, and upon the ſame account (for the moſt part) ſought to be revokt of the people.

8. As to theſe things therefore its manifeſt, as the Papiſts have faln from the Goſpel Miniſtry and Converſation to that of the Old Law, where they ſecure themſelves as well as they can, ſo are we the Proteſtants here faln in appearance (which I deſire the Reader to obſerve) a degree lower, and ſomewhat nearer the Earth, having let go our hold even of the Law it ſelf, and the things and uſages in it, and are now become, to the wonder of all the world, inſtead of the Church of Chriſt, a Commonwealth, being faln from Rome, as Antichriſtian, to an imitation (as ſome would have it) of Rome as Heathen; to reach which Politicus makes no ſmall ado: This, as the Lord is witneſs, I ſpeak not to upbraid or vilifie him, much leſs either the perſons or the attainmēt the perſons upholding the preſent Power have reacht unto, but (as having them in great honor and eſteem, and judging with them, and with all my heart confeſſing, that I had rather a thouſand fold live in a Heathen Commonwealth, then in or under an Antichriſtian Church, in which by ſearch will be found the blood of all that have been ſlain upon the Earth, I (ſeeking the glory of God, and the ancient, and that I ſay not the only glory and honour of this our Native Land) would the Government of it ſhould be given up of a ready mind to him whoſe right it is, the Lords; neither would I, and for that end I make continual prayer and ſupplication to God, our Rulers ſhould manage or meddle with the Affairs of the Land, but in the Name, and the alone Authority of him, whoſe all the Kingdoms of the world are, and who is even now the ſecond time entring upon his own Inheritance, as the right Heir of all.

9. Here then would be found (in the third place) a view of the third and beſt ſort of People the whole Earth affords, which in the Scripture phraſe are Chriſts, or the Lords true anointed ones, which I for my part, as Luther and others d • d, judg alone meet to be likened to the third, and moſt inward part of the Temple, (was form'd of Solomon, according to the Pattern was ſeen before of Moſes and David on the Mount with God,) which was ſaid to be the place, as theſe are the people, moſt holy: Theſe are thoſe that have ceaſed from their own works, even as God did from his, and have nought elſe now to do, but to ſing Hymns to God in a good and righteous life towards him and men for evermore; here is found, and had indeed, the reſtitution of all things, ſpoken of by all the holy Prophets that have been ever ſince the world began; here they neither marry, or are bound in heart or life to this or that, nor are given in marriage in that ſence to any creature, Angel, man, or thing, but are as the Angels of God, i. e. For here alone is the Apoſtles Rule 1 Cor. 7.29. fulfilled. whether in wedlock or ſingle life, living wholy holily, purely and chaſtly to him that ſits upon the Throne, as King & Law giver in their hearts; in one word, all that herein is, is become moſt holy, pure, juſt and good, every thing is becom conſecrate, even the very bells and bridles of the Horſes, have writ upon them what was wont only to be on the forehead of the High Prieſt, Holineſs to the Lord; no man here (as in the Apoſtles times) calls or accounts any thing at all his own, it being as much and as truly his neighbors, as his, yea rather it is alone the Lords, all that's there, and no man enjoys ought but in the alone right of him; yet all according to the moſt holy Law of God was given by Moſes, for the true body of Moſes is here found in ſpirit (underſtanding it of the people that beleeve) the true body of Jeſus, in whom the whole Law of Moſes hath its end, mind, and fulfilling.

10. Now though I for my part believe, that all theſe late and preſent ſhakings, as well of things heavenly in their nature and kind, as earthly, tend to this as their proper reſt and center; yet I would in this, as declare my deſire, ſo put to my helping hand, to prevent and ſtave off, the firſt ſort of men and people of Gentile heart and converſation, that they lay not, as they are apt to do their hands on the ſacred Signs, Types and Figures in uſe to them of the ſecond ſort, who anſwering to the middle part of the Temple, are as yet under the Law, or letter only of divine things.

11. Wherefore in particular as concerning Tythes, let it be made or put into a Decree throughout theſe three Nations, now under and in the diſpoſe of this Commonwealth, that all the goods heretofore counted ſeparate or ſacred, that are yet left undiſpoſed or ſold, be left and reckoned as the right of God, that is to ſay, according to their primitive inſtitution under Moſes, or donation ſince, under ſeveral Kings and Princes; by both which it will appear, as John Wickliff (worthy of honorable eſteem and memory, as in all Lands, ſo eſpecially in this our Engliſh Nation) proves at large, that they are no other then the free alms of the people, which they were originally willing to allow, as their acknowledgments of Gods right to all they had, I ſay, to allow him in thoſe that he hath (as is confest throughout the Scripture) a more immediate care of, that is to ſay, the poor, among which the Levite, as the ſteward of God in this behalf, is reckoned, having no other then the Lord for his portion.

12. And let it be added with this clauſe, that he, what ever he be called in every Town or Pariſh, whether Parſon, Rector, Vicar, Miniſter, Priest, Preſbyter, or Lecturer, do not in time to come lay claim to any of theſe goods in his own name, but alone in the Name of God, his poor, whoſe right from men, by the Authority of the Nation, he is, but without force, to plead and contend for, according to the ancient and most holy Law of God.

13. And laſtly▪ That here, and from hence, all that are in diſtreſs, all that are in want, the poor, lame, and blind, and all that are neceſſitous (but none that are wilfully or wickedly idle, and of evil life) may have ſome proportionable ſupport, as out of the Treaſury and Store-houſes of God in the Land, confeſſed to be ſuch by a decree from the chief Powers in it: Ʋpon this I will be bold to conclude, in the ſame ſpirit and mend to this Nation, as Malachy or the Meſſenger of God did of old to that of the Jews, Bring ye all the Tythes into the Store-houſe, that there may be meat in my houſe, and prove me now herewi • h, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a bleſſing, that there ſhall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your ſakes, and he ſhall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither ſhall your vine caſt her fruit before the time in the field, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. And all Nations ſhall call you bleſſed, for ye ſhall be a delightſom Land, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.