The Schools Guarded, Chapter 1
CHAPTER I.
I Come now to the Arguments, for the clea…e… convincing of our judgements, in the truth of this point. The first is drawne from the necessity of humane Learning: Thus,
That which is necessary for a Divine, may not be contemned, [whether the necessity be absolute, or onelyonly of expediency.]
But humane Learning is necessary for a Divine, Ergo, It may not be contemned.
The Major no sober man will deny: The Minor I will prove by its parts. 1. The Languages, Latine, Greek and Hebrew, are some part of humane learning,Et si sine illâ quidam non inutiles Ecclesiis fuerunt, cum tamen lingua illa totius Christianismi quasi quoddam commune sit vinculum, & omnes penè ingenio…um faetus in hac lingua sint editi, mutilam oportet esse cognitionen quae sine hujus linguae notitiâ habetur. Walaeus and these are necessarie for a Divine 1. For Latine, many learned Commentaries are written in that language, which a man cannot enjoy without some knowledge of this Tongue; besides, many English words of much use in Divinity, are borrowed of the Latine, which no man can well understand without some insight in this Language.
2. The Greek tongue is necessary, because the New Testament was written in it; besides, many Latine words are derived from it, which we cannot fully understand without some knowledge here: also many termes of Art (in Grammer, Rhetorick, Logick, Physicks, Metaphysicks, &c.) are borrowed from hence. What grosse errors did many of the Antients run into, and what lame interpretations, doe they oft make, for want of insight in the Originall Languages; yea we had never enjoyed the translation of the Bible, if some men had not attained this part of humane Learning, the Bible would have been as a sealed book; for how could men, women, and children be able to read the Scripture, had there not been learned men, who by great paines and study obtained the knowledge of the Originals?
3. Some insight in the Hebrew is necessary, because it is that sacred Language in which the Old Testament was written,Habet omnis linguae sua propria locuti…num genera, quae cum in aliam linguam transferuntur, videntur absurda. Hyperiu… l. 2. obs. 6. p. 117. besides it hath a certaine Idiome, and peculiar form of speaking, which cannot well be expressed in a translation, without some losse; all Authors being best and purest in that Language, in which themselves writ. 2. The emphasis and force of the word is more clearly seen in the Originall Text,Propter interpretum diversitat…s cognitio Hebrae… & Graecae linguae est necessaria. Augustin. then in a translation. 3. There aré great differences amongst Interpreters, which cannot well be reconcil…d without some insight in the originals. Thus, in points of controversie, when one saies it is thus, and another thus,Cognitio fontī um necessaria est. 1. quando foreign explicare volumus. 2. ut plures sensus inveniamus. 3. ut idi… mata, phrases, & prover…ialinguae sanctae cognoscamus. 4. ut menda corrigamus. 5. ut quaedam loca meliùs intelligamus. 6. ut Latini sermonis ambiguitatem vitemus. Mel. Can. l. 2. c. 15. we must then of necessity have recourse to the fountains. 1. Because they are immediately sent from God to us by the Prophets and Apostles. 2. The Apostles themselves did sometimes correct the translation of the 70 e. g. the 70 say I have called my sonnes; but Ma…. 2.15. saith, I have called my son out of Egypt. 3. He that understands the Originall, seeth with his owne eyes, when he that peruseth translations, sees with the eyes of others. Scit… & sanè claris. ille Whitaker. de Scripturâ controvers. 1. Qu. 2. cap. 9. mihi p. 210. Ad foreign & proprietatem vocabulorum intelligendam, quae sanè admodum latè patet, fontes sunt utiles; nam in fontibus omnia sunt foreign quàm in quarumvis translationum rivulis, &c. cui suffagratur Epigrammatista.
Multum crede mihi, refert, à fonte bibatur.
Quae fluit, an pigro quae stupet unda lacu. Mart. v. plura apud Hyperium de ratione stud. Theolog. l. 1. c. 9. & Bowles Pastor Evangel. l. 1. c. 11. p. 71.Physica Davidis est contracta in unum velut… systema, Psal. 104. Alsted. Philosophia est lorica Dominicae vineae. Clem. Alex. lib. Iobi omni doctrinae genere refertus (i) Poetices, Dialectices, Rhetorecies, Phy…ces, Astronomiae. Rive….
2. The necessity of Arts and Sciences, will appear if we look into the body of the Scripture. 1 There are physicks in Genesis, Iob, Ecclesiastes; how oft doe we read in Scripture, of the Sunne, Moon, Stars, Fire, Haile, Snow, Winds, Thunder, Lightnings; and also of Fowles, Fishes, Beasts, Plants, Trees, Seas, Fountaines, Minerals; besides, many diseases, as the Leprosie, Palsi…, Feaver, Pestilence, &c. Without some insight in naturall Philosophy, we canno… so exactly know the nature of all these▪ yea we shall find Ethicks in the Proverbs, and Oeconomicks in Pauls Epistles; Politicks in Sam. Kin. Geometry in the building of Solomons Temple, and Astronomie in Iob, &c. with Metaphysicks of God,Metaphysicā ad Theologos jam adultiores remitto, quia citra firmos at que in Theologia exercitatos sensus errorum faecunda est nutrix. Walaeus Orat. 1. p. 304. Angels, Truth, Good, &c. Ad rem & opposit… claris. Ravanel. Ea est scripturarum amplitudo, ut res Metaphysicae, Physicae, …stronomicae, Geographicae, Musicae, Ethicae, Oeconomicae, Politicae, imo ipsae Mechanicae, & quae ad foreign specta…t passim contineantur. Cut astipulatur doctiss à Lap S. Scripturahabet objectum omne scibile, disciplinas omnes, & qu…cquid sciri potest suo sinn complect…tur, ideo que universitas quaedam est scientiarum, scientias omnes vel formaliter, vel eminenter continens▪ v plura Alsted Praecog. lib. 2. cap. 104. & 206. Hyperium l. 1. c. 45. &c. ☜ L. Verulam Advancement of Learning, p. 44. to 48. nec non claris. Schiblerus in proaem…o ad Metaphys. c. 2. clarissimè …vincit, Philosophiam utilem esse ad Theologiam; ac itidem Doctis. Paraeus tripli…em fatetur esse Physicae usum. 1. ad explicandos terminos Theologicos communes de rebus naturalibus. 2. ad illustrauda… rerum naturalium cognitionem. 3. ad adjuvandam cognitionem Dei; [qu…a eju… … sibilia ex visibilibu pervidentur, Rom. 1.19, 20. Paraeus in Colos. 2.8. ubi plura.
2. Grammer is requisite to explain the words, termes, and phrases of Scripture. 3. The Scripture also is ful of Rhetorick,Troporum cognitio scripturarum ambiguitatibus dissolvendis est necessaria. Aug de Doct. Christ. lib. 3. caep. 28. many Tropes and Figures are there, what abundance of Metonymies, Ironies, Hyperboles, Hypallages? See Illyrious Claris. Script. and Westhemerut. The Scripture is full of learning and *Vide Rivet. Isagog. ad scrip. cap. 28.eloquence all the eloquence of Cicero, and flowers of Demosthenes, with the rest of those learned Heathen, is but as chaffe to wheat, and dros…e to refined gold: for the Pen-men of Scripture,See more fully Perkins on Heb. 11.12. page 9….94. were not simply men, but men inspired with the Holy Ghost.
4. Logick is necessary for anal…sing defining▪ dividing, and more orderly resolution of a Text; also for Argumentation and defence of the truth against an adversary. The Apostle would have a Minister foreign ▪ 2 Tim. 2.15. to divide the word aright. Now, without some skill in Arts, he'll rather teare it with his teeth, and pull it a sunder with his nailes, then rightly divide it; and although it be the spirit of God that helpeth us to the sence of Scripture, in a spirituall saving way, for we are not able by our will to beleeve it, to apply it, to conform to it; yet as it is a Text consisting of words, and a coherence to make up the sence;See more fully Perkins on Heb. 11.12. p. 93.94. so the instrumentall way to discover that, is by the help of Arts, and therefore▪ those that are unlearned, are said to *foreign, set them on the rack to make them speak what they never meant. Mr Ant. Burges, Ser. 106. page 602.…rest the Scriptures, 2 Pet. 3.16. to mangle and torture them to their own destruction; as a *foreign, set them on the rack to make them speak what they never meant. Mr Ant. Burges, Ser. 106. page 602.reverend Divine hath wel observed▪ neither is Logick a profane thing, (as some profane ones imagine) for the Scripture it selfe useth many Logicall Arguments, from the cau…e, the effect, the consequent, from mercies, judgements, and from the Old Testament, its written, &c. e. g. God is a spirit, Ergò he will be worshipped in spirit. So, he that commits sin is the servant of sin, but yee commit sinne, Ergò. A good Shepherd laies down his life for his sheep: but I (saith Christ) am that good shepherd, Ergo, See a clear syllogisme in the second figure, Iohn 8.47. Whosoever is of God, heareth Gods word, but yee heare not his word, Ergo, yee are not of God. This may stop the mouths o… some that say Christ never used Logick, nor had any humane learning.
5. Ecclesiasticall History is necessary; many things in Scripture receive light from Iosephus, Historia plurimùm nos adjuvat ad sanctos libros intelligen dos. Aug. dè Doct. Christ l. 2. cap. 28. Hyperius l 4. c. 2. Bowles Pastor Evangel. l. 1. c. 19. p. 119.Eusebius, Q. Curtius, Xenophon, besides, they will furnish a man with examples of Gods judgements on his enemies, and his blessings on his people; being rightly used, they will much enrich a man. They may be read at succisive houres for recreation, after strong labour. With what cautions and conditions they are to be read, I shall for brevity sake, referre you to two learned Authors. Now as humane learning is necessary for the better understanding of the Scripture, …o without it we cannot understand many classicall Authors, as Lactantius, Ierom, Austin, Ambrose, Basil, &c. who borrowed much of Cicero, Quintilian, Virgil: And thus we see the usefulnesse and ornament of learning every way; to which I shall add the testimonie of a sweet Divine,…rough…, ….6.3. whose judgement may peradventure take with some men, more then another mans. He that is learned in something, (saith he) covets after more still, and certainly none but ignorant people are enemies to learning; those that never knew the worth of it, these are they that cry it down: therefore those that are contented with little, nay and think their little too much sometimes, are of poor, mean, and base spirits, far from following on to know the Lord.
Yea,Sam: How's sufficiency of the spirits teaching. Ob. 5. and Ob. 6. How himselfe confes…eth. That humane learning being sanctified is an excellent helpe to the right understanding of Scripture, and that in it selfe it is a good thing, and good in its proper place, which is for the repairing of that decay which came upon man for sinne, and so it is fit for Statesmen, Physitians, Lawyers and Gentlemen, yea and all men so farre as they can attaine to it, are as men beyond and above others that are without it, yea and beyond all other excellencies that this world can afford. Well said and well sowed Sam: these stitches will hold; yet see how like a …ight sectary he plaies fast and loose, like the curst Cow, that having given a good messe of milk, knocks down all with her heels again: for mark his following words: But bring it once to be a help to understand the mind of God in holy Scriptures, and there its detestable …lth▪ dross and dung, good for nothing but to destroy, and cause men to erre. &c.
Quo teneam vultus mu…antem Protea nodo.
The second ARGUMENT.
That which is commanded by God, and commended to us by the example of his servants, ought still to be practised by us, [unles…e any one can shew a counter-mand and prohibition, which in this case none ever yet could do.]
But reading, study, meditation and humane industry is commanded by God, and commended to us by the example of his servants, Ergo. The Major is undeniable, the Minor I prove by its parts. 1. Humane industry and learning is commanded, 1 Tim 4.13, 15. give attendance to reading meditation, &c. yea, he must give up himselfe wholly to them, that so like a good scribe, he may be able to bring out of his treasury, things both new and old, Mat. 13▪ …52. Now look what Paul enjoynes Timothy, concerns all the Ministers of the Gospell successively to the end of the world; but to what end is all this diligence required, if the spirit's teaching were solely sufficient.
2. It is commended to us by the example of Gods servants, they are oft commended in Scripture for their skill and dexterity in humane learning. Thus Moses is said to be learned [foreign,Moses eruditus fuit in omni, in omni sapientia, in omni sapientia Aegyptiorum ▪ Prid. he was instructed therein from a child] in all the wisdome of the Egyptians, [amongst whom in those dayes learning flourished much] and was mighty in words and deeds, Acts 7.22. Now the learning of the Egyptians is said to be foure-fold, viz. Mathematicks, Physicks, Ethicks and Divinity; their wisdome (what ever it was) appeares to be very great, for when the Lord would set forth the wisdome and great abilities of Solomon, he tels us that it excell'd al the wisdome of Egypt, 1 Kin. 4.3.
2. Solomon was a very great Philosopher, so that he could discourse from the Cedar to the Shrub,Tractat Theologica, Ethica, O…onomica, id que verbis tam …ppositis & significantibus, sententiis tam gravibus, figuri… adeò lepidis & scitè picturatis tropis, ut …um non solùm Philosophum summum, & summum Theologum, sed & summum orato…rem ac poëtam necessario sint agnituri qui in ejus lectione cum judicio versab…tur. Rivet. he had great insight in the nature and qualities of Fowle, Fish, Beasts, Herbs, Trees, insosomuch, as they came from all the parts of the earth to hear his wisdome, 1 Kin. 4. 32, 33, 34. As he was most wise, so he was most eloquent, an absolute Orator, one that found out acceptable words, [Eccle. 12.10.] adorned with many Tropes and Figures, farre surpassing all the eloquence of Cicero, Demosthenes, &c. Cum divina fuerit in eo eloquentia, in eum confluxisse par est credere, quicquid in variis olim oratoribus seorsim emicuit suavitatem Socratis, subtilitatem Lysiae, acumen Hyperidis, sonitum Aeschinis, vim Demosthenis, gravitatem Africani, lenitatom Lael…i, & siquid …ale in laude positum sit, & eloquentissimis quibusdam viris tributum à Cicerone lib. 3. de Oratore. Rivet.
3. I say (as 'tis conceived) *Amos Isaiae pater, frater fuit regis Amasiae, qui unus fuit ex majoribus Christi. Arcular. In magno hoc scriptore nihil est rusticum, nihil inconditum, nihil improprium, nihil eximio orature, i… eximio pr… phetâ nono currit dign… mum. Rive… sagog. ad s… c. 28. p. 488 pluraof the blood Royall, was an excellent Rhetorician, and had the tongue of the learned given him, Isaiah. 50.4 as appears throughout his whole Prophesie.
3. Christ himselfe honoured learning so farre, (though he be not tied to Schools or means) as to sit amongst the Doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions▪ and in his disputations he used Logicall consequences and reasonings from the Old Testament to the New. The Apostles also had excellent abilities, insomuch, as the Pharisees wondred that unlearned and ignorant men should have such gifts, but by this they knew they had been with Jesus. [Acts 4.13.] and were trained up in his school, which is farre beyond all the schools of the Scribes and Pharisees; they were not therefore simply unlearned, but onelyonly in the Pharisees esteem, and in respect of the ordinary means of attaining learning.
4. Apollos is commended for his eloquence, Acts 18.24. Ingenio valebat Dialectico, Mathematico, & Oratorio. Dr Prideaux concio. 3.
5. Daniel and his three associates, had knowledge and skill in all the learning and wisdome of the Caldaeans, Dan. 1.4, 17. and though Daniel had a great measure of the spirit, yet it is worth observing, that he gave himselfe to study, and reading books for all this, Dan. 9.2. I Daniel understood by books the number of yeers, &c. Yea so exquisite was he in all naturall, acquired, and spirituall perfections, that it was then a Proverb: Art thou wiser then Daniel? Ezek. 28.3.
6. Paul was bred up at the feet of learned Gamaliel, and could speak languages more then they all, 1 Cor. 14.18. He was so eloquent, that at Lystra he was taken for Mercury, the God of Eloquence, Acts 14.11. he was an exlellent Orator, as appears, Acts 26. and an excellent disputant; he disputes Philosophically at Athens, with the Philosophers: he was well versed in the writings of the Heathens; hence he cites Epimenides the Poet, to convince the Cretians, Veritas …st veritas à quocunque dicatur.Tit. 1.12. and Aratus to convince the Athenians, Acts 17.28. and Menander to silence the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 15.33. yea it is said of all the Prophets, that they used meanes by inquiring and searching into the Gospell, 1 Pet. 1.10. By all this it appears, that Gods dearest servants formerly, made use of humane learning in carying on the work of the Lord, and therefore we conclude it is lawfull and usefull still.
The third ARGUMENT.
Humane learning is necessary for the convincing and confuting of a learned adversary, how shall we be able to preserve the truth in its purity, to stop the mouth of a subtle Jesuite, or learned Heretick, without learning? This sanctified and rightly improved, is an excellent meanes to bring downe Antichrists Kingdome; and therefore 'tis well observed, that errors were never higher, and truth lower, then when ignorance prevailed, and learning was suppressed and contemned, when 'twas suspitious for a man to have Greek, and heresie it selfe to have Hebrew. Popery never fell, till learning rose; it's a darke Religion, it grows and spreads it selfe by ignorance and Barbarisme, no way so speedy to bring down these wals of Iericho, as the promoting of all kind of good literature and learning.
2. If we would convince an Heathen, it's necessary that we have some knowledge of their Authors, that we may wound them with their own quils: this made *Theodoret Triparttit. Hist. l. 6. c. 17. V plura apud Davenant in Col. 2.8. p. 183.Iulian complain, [Propriis configimur pennis è nostris enī libris arma capiunt, quibus in bello adversus no… utun…ur.] And thereupon he made a Law, tha… children should not read Philosophers or Poets.Ab …thnicis si quid benè dictum, ab iis tanquam ab injustis possessoribu… in usum nostrum est vindicandum. Nonne aspicimus quanto auro & argentosuffarc… natus exierit de Aegypto Cyprianus Dr. sua…ssimus, & Martyr beatissimus? quanto Lactantius? Victorinus, Optatus, Hilarius… Aug. de doct. Christ. l. 2. c. 40. The Israelites furnisht themselves with the spoils of the Egyptians; David helpes himselfe with Goliath's sword; Paul strikes the Heathen with their owne writings, and makes their books like hand-maids to wait upon Divinity: therefore when he came to Athens amongst Philosophers, he disputes with them▪ from their own principles, Acts 17.28.
3. If we would convince a Christian of his ingratitude, unrighteous dealing, stupidity, private-spiritednesse, &c. it may be usefull sometimes to quicken our Auditors, by setting before them what excellent things very Heathens by the light of nature have done. Thus the Lord sends the revolting Jewes to learn better things of Heathens, Ier. 2.10. and sometimes sends us to the teaching of nature,Benè dicta Philosophorum sunt peculia Christianorum. Iust. Martyr. 1 Cor. 11.14. All that hath been said, may be summed up in this Argument, thus That which is necessary for the convincing of a learned adversary, an Heathen and a deboist Christian may in no wise be contemned.
But humane learning is necessary for the convincing of a learned adversary, an Heathen and deboist Christian, Ergo.
A fourth ARGUMENT.
A min…ri ad majas. Quomodo quis institueretur ad prudentiam humanam▪ vel ad quemcun que actum sine literis, cum instrumentum sit ad omnem vitam literatura? Tert. de idol.If humane learning be requisite for Lawyers, Polititians, Physitians, &c. then (a fortiori) it is much more requisite for a Divine, [whose calling is more weighty, being about the soule, and therefore cals for the best accomplishments.]
But humane learning is necessary for Lawyers, Politicians▪ Physitians, &c. (according to Sam: Hows own confession) Ergo, I conclude it is much more necessary for a Minister.
A fifth ARGUMENT.
Holy men thus accomplisht are fittest for Gods use;Apud G…acos n…mosatis inst…uctus habitus est ad docendam religionem nostram nisi ver…atus in Philosophicis discipn…s. Arctius. this appeares in all ages. God sends a lea…ned Moses and Aaro… to oppose the learned Egyptians; he sends a learned Isaiah, Ieremy, Ezekiel, to oppose the false Prophets: he raised up a learned Athanasius, to oppose Arrius: a learned Austin, to oppose Pelagius: a learned Iewell, Whitaker, Fulke, Perkins, &c. to oppose the subtle Jesuites: a lear-Camero, Moulin, Ames, Twisse, &c. to oppose Arminius, &c. True▪ God can extraordinarily worke by weake unlearned instruments, and out of the mouths of babes, and sucklings, can confound his foes; but ordinarily he fits and qualifies such as he appoints for high and noble implovment, with accomplishments answerable to their worke. God never sends any, but hee first fits and prepares them; all idle ignorant sots▪ he rejects, as none of his sending. Hosea 4.6. Dyers when they would colour Scarlet or Purple, doe first prepare the Cloath for it, by laying some ground colour: So those whom God intends for choise service, hee first pr…pares them and sharpens their wit by humane learning, that they may be ves…els of honour fit for the Masters use. To make this plain by an instance;Nec dubitamus, …aeteris paribus, maj…rem & ple…rem mensuram communi…ari publicis …ccl…siae administris, …ive in una aliqua particulari, Ecclesi…a munn… suum …heant; sive in caet is aliquo leg…time, & in Christi nomine congregato, de ve… Scripturae sensu inter se c…serant, quam singulis & privat…s, qui neque tot don…s instructi sunt, neque …ot ocul …v…dent, … que privatâ & si…plic… medita…one, aequare p…ssunt muliaum collectionem & d…squis…onem. Rivet. take two godly men of equall naturall abilities, they both have the spirit of God, we will suppose the one to be a private Christian, bred up to a Trade, wanting humane learning; but the other is bred up to learning, accomplisht with Arts, Sciences, Languages, &c. give them both one Text, and equall time for preparation; though the good man that want… learning-may deliver honest things▪ yet for want of the languages, and other endowments, he's like a Pigmy to a Gian…, &c. The like may be said of their …putations with a …arned adversary▪ A Carpenter may as well build a house without Axes, Hammers, and other instruments, as a man make Sermons the… hath no learning. And that all the world may see the folly of those S…cta…ies, which want humane learning; I shall here present you with a wes…e of Sam: How's nonsquiturs the bare rehearsall of them is confutation sufficient, and thus he begins his cobling Logick. Moses forsook the treasures of Egypt. Ergò, he forsook his learning too, which was a part of that treasure; Paul counted all but losse for Christ, Ergò, he cast off his learning for him. The Ephesian converts burnt their Magick books, [Act… 19.18, 19.] Ergo, we must burn our Logick books. Beleevers shall all be taught of God, Ergò, they need no humane learning: humane learning puffs men up, Ergo, we must throw it away: the spirituall man discernes all things, Ergò, he hath no need of humane learning: God forbids us to add any thing to his word, Ergò, away with humane learning: humane learning is attained by our own industry and paines, Ergo, away with humane learning, as being fitter for Egypt and Babylon, the…for the Church of Christ: Simon Magus must repent of his wickednesse, Ergo he must repent of his humane learning: God respects no mans person, Ergo, unlearned men are fitter for the Ministery, then learned: God chooseth the foolish to salvation, Ergo, he chooseth the foolish for administration: since the Gospell is foolishnesse, Ergo, it must have foolish Teachers.If there be any thing here that needs an answer, you shall have it in the answers …he Objc… Contraries must not be put together, but the Gospell and hu…ane learning are contraries. That which is cursed, and we must beware of being spoiled by it, that must be abhorred, but such is Philosophy, Col ….8. There's a great woe fals on the world. Rev. 9▪ 1. to 11. Now, part of this woe is humane learning, the very smoak of the bottomlesse pit, E…go. Thus wee see what it is to want humane learning, and how this mans illogicall consequences do agree, like Harpe and Harrow, and come as neer together, as St Germans lips, which were nine miles asunder.
A sixth ARGUMENT.
That which is the badge and practise of wicked men▪ may not be practised of the people of God; [they …ust not conforme the…selves to the wicked of the world.]▪ But to seek the destruction of humane learni…g, is the badge and practi…e of w…cke… men▪ I never read in any History, …acred or Divine, of any but w…cked men that ever did oppose it; Iulian the Apostate was one, he sought to destroy …chools of learning, that with their down…all, he might the better destro… the Christian Faith.V. Nazianz. Orat. 3. Socrat. l. 3. c. ….10. Fidel… bus prohebu…t …tam Philosophiam liberales ar…es, lectionem E…hnico…um scriptorum, fieri non potest quin vehementer prosit▪ quod Hostis prohibuit. Aretius.
Humanitatis studia ita oderat & contemnebat, ut ejus studiosos uno nomine Haereticos appellaret, &c. Platina in vit. Pauli 2. pag. 793.2. The next that I read of, was that wicked Pope Paul the second, who so hated humane learning, that he called al scholars Hereticks, or such as should but …ame an University in jest or earnest, perswading the Romans not to bring up their children in learning, saying, that 'twas sufficient if they could but write and read: Sure Sam: How, Tom: Coll…er, and this Pope, were kinsmen, they speak all one Dialect.
3. The last are the tumultuous Anabaptists, Familists, Antinomians. and Li…ertines in Germany, they cried down humane learning, and burnt all books save the Bible▪ &c. but we know their end.
The seventh ARGUMENT.
If humane learning be needlesse, then the erection of Universities and Schools of Learning would be vain; [for to what end were it to set up Schools of Philosophy, Arts, Sciences, &c. if none might learn the….]
But the erection of Universities and Schools of learning, is not vain: for wee read in Scripture of Schools and Colledges, where the sonnes of the Prophets were trained up in learning, and studied the Law of God, that they might be fit to teach others.Hic erat caetu… & collegium Prophetarum. Thus Samuel kept a School a N…ioth in Ramah, 1 Sam. 19.19, 20. Elisha erects a School at Gilgal, and there like a *Regens, docens dirigen…, quasi dux & Magister, … Lap. Hinc colligimus quasdam fuisse Prophetarum scholas, in quibus sormarentur, qui deinde ver am religionem docerent, purilaté … que doctrinae retinerent, Calvin.Tutour or Master instructs those young men, called the sonnes of the Prophets, 2 Kings 4.38. Wee read of another School at Bethel, 2 Kings 2.3. and another at Iericho, ver. 5. and another at Mount Ephra…m, 2 Kings 5.22. Paul was brought up at the feet of a learned Gamaliel, Acts 22 3. with … 1.39. By him 'tis like he was informed in humane learning, wherein he did excell …s appears by his writings: And therefore all zealous Constantines have in their severall generations, been carefull to erect and incourage Schools and Nurseries of good literature and learning, with all their might. True, the place can doe little if the spirit be wanting; [as *Si desit SS. non adjuvat. locus; idem enim L…t q…i in Sodomi… sanctus ex…tit, in monte peccavit, primus nuster pareus, in Paradisa concidit, & si locus servare po…uisset, Satan de c…lo non cecidisset, Greg.Gregory super Ez…k 9 in another ca…e …aies] but yet the spirit works by mean…, and 'tis good to …it in the winds way, we shall …ail the sooner and the better for it.
Ob. There is no such expresse command in scripture, for any such Schools of learning.
An. Yet there is that which is equivalent to it, for we read of the Schools of the Prophets, and of a Colledge, 2 Kings 22.14▪ Huldah the Prophetesse dwel… in the *Quo loco d… batur opera eruditio… & doctrinae; in eo enim habitabant prophitae & doctores, … Lap. Among the … ralites 48 Cities wer… appointed …or the Levites, which were as the common Schools and Universities for the …hole Kingdom. Pu… h… Pilg. lib. 1. cap. 11.Colledge (i) in the place where the Prophets, and such as were children of the Prophets, had their usuall abode. [as the late learned Annota…. well observe] We read also that the sonnes and pupils of the Prophets, had a peculiar place to dwell together in, which upon their increase, was too little for them, and therefore they desire it may be enlarged, 2 Kin. 6.1.2, &c. A School to teach children to write and read, is no where in expre…s tear…s commanded; yet Sam: How and Collier (as …lack as he is) acknowledge tha… children ought to be taught to wri…e and read. He that would see al the objections made against Universities more fully answered, let him peru…e that lea…ned, modest, elaborate Treatise o… Mt …lake, Vindiciae foederit. chap. 18. … Ca…v…nus Scho…as aperir… & doctores constitu… nec…sse est: nam si haec ordinaria media neglexerimus, & librorum aliarúm que …erum ad studia necessariarum curam abjecerimus, qu…bus erudiantur & praeparentur futari ol…m divinae voluntatis testes, & qui ecclesiam aliq…o ordine regant, horrenda… sanè confusionem in e…clesiam, & in nostra capita derivabimus.
The eighth ARGUMENT.
If the quilders of Babylon have been, and still are at great cost and charges to promote learning, that they may the better destroy the t…uth, surely then the builders of Zion (who have farre better worke, and shall have better wages) ought to be more active this way; but the builders of Babylon have been, and still are at great cost and charges to promote learning, that they may the better destroy the truth; [hence they have set up eighteen Universities in Spain, eleven in Italy ▪ many in France, and shall England have none to oppose them?] Some have pictured the world with its feet upwards, to note unto us, that all things in it are turned upsidedown; surely if Universities and Schools of good learning, which our pious ancestours have been at such cost to erect, should now be destroyed, this picture of the world would soon be ours▪ and a flood-gate would be opened to all errors, heresies, blasphemies, profanenesse and barbarisme it selfe, as we see amongst the savage Indians. Hence this present Parliament acknowledge, that for the propagation of the Gospell in New England, Universities▪ Schools and Nurseries of literature must be setled there, for instructing and civilizing them. See the Act for promoting the Gospell in New England.
The ninth ARGUMENT.
That which in it selfe considered, is an excellent gift of God, and is ordained by him for excellent ends and uses, may in no wise be contemned by us:
But humane learning in it selfe considered, is an excellent gift of God, and is ordained by him for excellent ends and uses.
Ergo, it may in no wise be contemned by us.
The Major is cleare.S. How con…es…eth that humane learning in it sel… ▪ is a good thing, and good in its proper place, for the repair…ng of that dec…y which came u…on man for sinne. N…w i… humane learning be to good, then the more of it the better, there can be no …xc…e of what is good in it selfe. P…rit philosophia ingenuitatem, quâ redduntur ingenia liberalia, atque it… p…aeparātu… ad mu…us vitae rectè ob ū …ae Alst. Non … sed persi… not…as naturales; persicit intellectū q▪ parit cognitionē De… & Creaturatum, Alsted. The Minor I prove by its parts.
1. Humane learning is an exc…llent gift of God, farre surpassing all the rich…s and treasures of the world; those adorne but the outward …an, this helps to enrich and enoble the soule, which is the better part; and therefore the holy Ghost commends the godly for their excellency in this particular, as we have seen in the second Argument.
2. God hath ordained it for excellent ends and uses: It's an excellent meanes to prepare us for the true Religion, it helps to civilize us, and to mollifie the harshnesse, and mitigate the fiercenesse of our natures, it roots up barbarisme, bea…tlinesse, cruelty, &c. on… of their own could say,
—Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes. Emollit mores, nec sinit esse feros ▪ Ovid. it helpes to preserve humane societies in peace; its also a meanes to improve and perfect our naturall gifts and abilities. It fits us for noble atchievements, and excellent imployments, both in Church and State.
The tenth ARGUMENT.
That which ha…n …e…n commended to us by the unanimous consent of the A…c…ent Fathers, and by the Church of God ever since in its …uceeding generations, ought not to be lightly rejected of us; but the so…er and modest use of humane learning, hath been commended to us by the Antient Fathers, and by the Church of God ever since in its succeeding generations, Ergo, it ought nor to be lightly rejected of us.
The Major no …ober …an will deny. The …nor I prove. 1. See Austin de Doct Christiana l. 2. total. (and Epist. 13….) where he pleads for …ra…mar, Rhetorick, Logick, &c. 2. See Ierom Epist 84. ad Magnum, & 102. ad Marcellam & Praef. in Iob. So Clemens Al…xandr…nus, l 1 and …. Stromat. I…a B…si… us Ma…n… ▪ ad Nepotes de legendi… E… nic…s Scriptor b…s. Ter…ul in Apolog & in Apocal. c. 5. …ust…n Martyr Orat ad Gentil & S n▪ R…m Cyp…ian Epist ad …ornelium. N…z…anzon▪ …udite… em Basil… … Eth…tcis scriptorious vehem…e…ter c…mme…dat Lactant… ille Firm…nus …mn…a … is, orat…ribus, & P…ilosophis confirma…, &c.