occasion of trouble in the discharge of his office.

V. Another part of the character of this people was, and is, they refuse
to pay tithes or maintenance to a national ministry; and that for two
reasons: the one is, they believe all compelled maintenance, even to
gospel-ministers, to be unlawful, because expressly contrary to Christ's
command, who said, "Freely you have received, freely give:" at least,
that the maintenance of gospel-ministers should be free, and not forced.
The other reason of their refusal is, because these ministers are not
gospel ones, in that the Holy Ghost is not their foundation, but human
arts and parts. So that it is not matter of humour or sullenness, but
pure conscience towards God, that they cannot help to support national
ministries where they dwell, which are but too much and too visibly
become ways of worldly advantage and preferment.

VI. Not to respect persons, was, and is, another of their doctrines and
practices, for which they were often buffeted and abused. They affirmed
it to be sinful to give flattering titles, or to use vain gestures and
compliments of respect. Though to virtue and authority they ever made a
deference; but after their plain and homely manner, yet sincere and
substantial way: well remembering the examples of Mordecai and Elihu; but
more especially the command of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who
forbade his followers to call men Rabbi, which implies Lord or Master;
also the fashionable greetings and salutations of those times; that so
self-love and honour, to which the proud mind of man is incident, in his
fallen state, might not be indulged, but rebuked. And though this
rendered their conversation disagreeable, yet they that will remember
what Christ said to the Jews, "How can you believe which receive honour
one of another?" will abate of their resentment, if his doctrine has any
credit with them.

VII. They also used the plain language of Thee and Thou, to a single
person, whatever was his degree among men. And, indeed, the wisdom of
God was much seen in bringing forth this people in so plain an
appearance. For it was a close and distinguishing test upon the spirits
of those they came among; showing their insides, and what predominated,
notwithstanding their high and great profession of religion. This among
the rest sounded harsh to many of them, and they took it ill, forgetting
the language they use to God in their own prayers, and the common