Voss—A True Bit of Instruction . 
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sustain His ministers and the needy. And accordingly it 
belongs to the one who succeeds him in the ministry and to 
the poor. 
In case the tithe-exactor is the king, he who has been given 
the tithe by the king, may sell the use of it for his life-time 
but no longer, and then only with the permission of the king, 
who has given it to him as a fief. Therefore let everyone be 
careful of what he buys. 
ANOTHER QUESTION. 
In case the tithe on the possessions of the poor, in reality 
should not be exacted, might not the church officers be al¬ 
lowed to distribute it to the ministers and the poor, accord¬ 
ing to their needs. Answer: If the magistracy and the 
congregation should command it, it would be proper and 
in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, Acts VI, if they dis¬ 
tributed it with reference to the need and if they took no 
benefit to themselves unless they themselves were needy. 
Now let us find out in all brevity on what Scriptural 
grounds taxes or tributes, which belong to the magistracy 
are justified. Saint Paul, Romans XIII, teaches subjection 
to worldly authority and power. For there is no power but 
of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever 
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God* And there¬ 
after he says: Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only 
for wrath but for conscience sake. Herein can be seen that 
it is incumbent upon us to be subject not only for wrath’s 
sake, in our fear or love of men, but also for conscience sake, 
as God-fearing men, doing His pleasure for this is well pleas¬ 
ing unto the Lord. Col. III. Eph. VI. For worldly au¬ 
thority (an instrument in God’s hand) exists to promote 
peace among men, in order that the church may live and 
flourish in peace. Therefore the conscience is in love and 
duty bound to do God’s pleasure and be subject to it. For 
he who does not love peace is not a Christian, wherefore, as 
Paul says, ye must pay taxes and tribute for they are instru¬ 
ments for the maintenance of peace. Render therefore to all 
their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom 
custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no 
man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth 
another hath fulfilled the law. We see that obedience to 
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