The Schools Guarded, To the reader 4

The Schools Guarded · To the reader 4

The Preface to the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

AFter I had finisht my Vindiciae Literarū, or Schools Guarded, my Stationer sent me downe one Webster, an enemy to Arts and Artists, desiring me to send some briefe Answer to it; upon this I fell to examine Websters Examen and found him so soul false & bitter against Humane Learning, and Vniversities (both which I defended in my Vindiciae) that I thought it convenient to vindicate what I had asserted, and to leave the Logicall and Philosophicall part to be examined by those whom it more especially concerned: which since I penned my discourse, I find to be done so elaborately and accuratly, by Dr Wilkins, and Dr Ward.two very learned pens (in their Vindiciae Academiarum) that I was resolved to lay my own Answer by, and had done so, but that I received a very learned defence, of Aristotelian Logick, which I judged worthy of the publick view. If thou reap any benefit by this Tract, let God have the praise, and the Reverend …cute Logician thy thanks, whose elaborate Animadversions, have drawn this, from thy

Friend and Servant in the Lord, THOMAS HALL. Kingsnorton S…p…e…b. 4. 1654.

p. 197Examen Examinis: OR, A word to Mr Webster, concerning his examination of ACADEMIES.

SIR Hercules, (for in that Title I perceiue you glory) in your Epistle to the Universities, you tell us that you never feared any Adversary, for his supposed strength and if any one inquire Who, or What you are, you tell him, that you are neither Prelaticall, Presbyterian, nor Independent. But what shall we then call you? if any one p. 198aske, tell him (say you) that Hercules is easily known by his foot, and the Lyon by his paw, &c. We see then who you are, viz. an Herculean-Leveller, a Famalisticall Lion,Iesuita est omnis homo. Our Webster is some kin to them, for he can change with every time, &c. a dissembling Fryar, a Profane Stage-Player, and professed friend to Judicial Astrology and A…rologers, such as lying Ly-ly, Booker, Culpepper, &c. A great stickler for the fire and Furnace of Chymestry, for Magick and Physiognomy, &c. I must confesse I never …et saw your person; but let me tell you, I have seen your Lions paw, and Levelling club, wherewith you think to beat down Universities, Humane Learning, &c. and in their stead, to set up your owne Idle and Addle conceits. What spirit leads you, appeares [page 8 of your book] where you tell us, Arrius is called a Heretick, but you question how justly [a tender conscienced n…an indeed] but as for the Orthodox, Wo to …hem! for you tell us they all wrest the Scriptures to make good their Tenents [a heavy charge, could you make it good]

The Proverb saies, Ne Hercules contra duos sed t… contra ducentos, imo foreign. If Hercules may not …ight against p. 199two, what an Hercules are you, that dare oppose more then two thousand, and Goliath-like, bid defiance to all the Academies and Armies of the living God: you tel us plainly, that in your …igh flowne conceit, Homo is a common name to all men. All those viri Dei, those holy-learned men of God, which are in the Land, if they be not of your Familisticall-Levelling-Magicall temper; they are all in your eye, but h…mines, plebeian, low and common men, &c. How much better had it become you, like Hercules, to have endeavoured the cleansing of that Augaean stable of errours, Heresies and blasphemies, which like a Morphew, have over-spread the face of the Church; to have cut off those Hydra's heads, and helpt our Atlasses to hold up the Heaven of the Church. It had been more for your credit and comfort to have imployed your time and Talent in defence of Languages, Arts and Sciences, (especially in such a season as this, when so many decry them) then thus to weave the Spiders Web, which may peradventure catch some feeble flies, when stronger ones break thorough.

p. 200Bibitur auro venenum.'Tis true, sometimes you gild over your errors with golden words, and set a glosse upon your false wares: but poyson is never the better for being drunke out of a golden cup, the whore of Babylon deales so with her guests, Rev. 17.4. and the Apostle tels us, that false Teachers, with faire words and fine speeches, do deceive the simple, with plaistred words, they parget over the matter. Rom. 16.18. 2 Pet. 2.3. **Alludit ad Mercatores qui verb…s fictis & arte compositis, supra veritatem laudant & extollunt suas merces, ut faci… ùs cas extrudant, & cariùs vendant. Sic Haeretici ut suam haeresim divendant, & spargant, …am blandis & elegantibus v…bis adornant, & quasimeretricem sermonis lenocinio fucant, ut videatur pulchra & elegans inslar Helenae. … Lapide in locum.foreign, fictitiis verbis quia more plastis ac figuli multa confingunt, ut haeresis suae idolum velent, vestiant & ornent.

But that you may see your folly the better. 1. I shall begin with your contradictions. Sometimes you plead for Academicall learning, and anon you cry it downe; like a Thiefe, we sometimes find you in the way, and presently you are crossing it againe. Thus [page 3.] you cry up Humane Learning as good, excellent, and of manifold transcendent use; whilest moving in its owne Orbe, it enables men for all kind of undertakings, Military and Civill, without which, men doe not differ much from beasts, &c. [So page 8, 9.] yet as if you had forgot what you had p. 201said, in the same page you tell us (how truly let the world judge) that this humane learning, disables men for the Ministry, is a vaine Tradition, and makes men uncapable of Gospell mysteries, &c.

Quo teneam vultus mutantem protea nodo?

So, one while you plead for teaching children without the Grammar Rules [page 22] yet page 24. you cry up Mr Brinslyes way of teaching, which every one knowes (who knowes the Method of that Godly man) hath reference to Rules.

2. Your sophistry, and fallacious arguing is very frequent, to give you a taste onelyonly,I find it done already, very acurately, by Dr Ward in his Vindiciae Academiarum. (for as you desire to stirre up some to plead your cause, so I doubt not but some of the Lords Worthies, who have more time and Talents for such worke, will arise and plead his cause more fully.)

1.11He's against Learning. You tell us, that humane learning puffs men up, makes men selfe-confident and proud; that it is but a carnall thing, a fleshly power, (just so say your brethren, the Familists, and Anabaptists) that the **I have proved the contrary in my Vindiciae Literarum ▪Apostles never taught p. 202or practised any such matter, but bad us beware of Philosophy, Col. 2.8. for it is a fleshly weapon, earthly, sensuall, divelish, an Idoll of mans inventing, spirituall sorcery or inchantment, yea Reason is a Monster, and the very root and ground of all Infidelity, &c.

Answ. Behold here that Damask-Web, (as his verifying friend cals it) which Mr Webster weaves. 1. He Argues from the abuse of a thing, to the taking away its use; because some men abuse humane learning to pride, and selfe-conceitednesse, therefore away with humane learning, Non sequitur; for then, because some men abuse, meat, drinke, cloaths and riches; wee must throw away meat, drinke, cloaths and riches.

2. It is not Philosophy simply, that the Apostle condemnes, Col. 2.8. but vaine,V. Vindiciae Literarum. c. 2. page 30. spoyling, abusive Philosophy; as you may see more fully in my vindication of that place.

3. Neither is humane learning a carnall, fleshly, sensuall Idoll of mans inventing; but the good gift of God, comming from the Father of lights, who is purity it selfe: As I have proved at large, p. 203in my Vindiciae Literarum.

4. Neither is Reason a Monster▪ (as you Monster-like affirme) but being rightly improved, is a great helpe in Religion; as is excellently proved, by the learned Culverwell in his profound discourse, of the light of Nature: fit it is fit we should give unto Reason, the things which are Reasons, and to Faith, the things which are Faiths.

Ob. But 'tis the spirit (saies Master Webster) that must teach us, and the spirit that must unlock the Scriptures, and the spirit that must inlighten us, &c.

Answ. True, but yet the spirit of God works by meanes (as I have proved before in my Vindiciae.) Who ever expects helpe from God,V. Vindiciae Literarum, Prefu. must not sit still and dreame the spirit will help him; but he must arise, and serve Providence in the use of meanes; for the spirits Teaching doth not exclude, but include the use of all good meanes, &c.

Yet that you see Mr Webster's Herculean strength, he comes now to grapple even with Aristotle himselfe [c. 6.] this Chapter he spends wholly,22He's against Aristotle. in combating with him; no lesse Adversary then the Prince of Philosophers p. 204can try his strength. 1. He tels us, that Aristotle was but a man, and so might erre; and is not Mr Webster a ma…? and doth he not erre with a witnesse? 2 He tels us, that what Aristotle hath written, was rather by a Diabolicall, then a Divine instinct [I rather suspect that he is led by a Diabolicall instinct, that speaks it.] 3 His Principles are false, his Manners corrupt, many of his books spurious; besides, hee is ambiguous, briefe, …ame intricate, erroneous &c. In a word, a blind Pagan, the proud Stag… rite. I wish he were not more blind, corrupt and proud that speaks it]

Qu. But since Aristotelicall Philosophy wil not downe with Mr Webster, what new-light shorter cut, and easier way hath this Hercules found out: for like another Caesar, Viam aut invenie… ▪ aut faciet. He'll …ither find a way, or fra…e you one out of his empty sconce?

Ans. Why, 'tis Magick [page 68, &c.] that noble,No…e, 'tis Diabolicall Magick, which Webster pleads for, as appea…s by his commending Lilly the Wizard. and almost divine science (as he cals it) of naturall Magick. This key (if you will believe him) will better unlock natures Cabinet, then syllogismes; yet he co…plaines, that this is neglected by the Schools, yea hated p. 205and abhorred, and the very name seems nauseous and execrable to them. [and that very justly considering whether your Magick leads men] But O Magick, Magick, where hast thou …ame hid so long, that Mr Webster is faine to conjure thee up againe, and none but he and his associates, could find out this short cut before? 'Tis true, there is Astronomy, which is an Art that considers the divers aspects, and naturall properties of the Starres, and this is lawfull. But then there is **See Perkins 1 Vol. p. 39▪ and 43, 44.Magia Diabolica, a Divelish Magick, when men take upon them, to foretell things contingent, by the Stars, those are called judicial Astrologers, and in Scripture they are oft joyned with Witches, wizards, and Sorcerers, Deu. 18 10, 11. Dan. 2.2, &c. yet this Devilish Art, doth Mr Webster plead for [page 51] and spends welnigh a page, in the commendation of Astrology and Astrologers, such as Lilly, Booker, Culpepper, &c. 1. He cals it a Science or Art. The learned **Weemse 4. Tom. on the Magitian. page 62.Weemse hath proved the contrary; yea, the Lord Verulam (whom he cites so oft) is here against him.Lord Verulam's Advancement of Learning. p. 147. Astrology (saith he) is corrupted with so much superstition, p. 206that there is hardly to bee found, any sound part in it.Aug. de doct. Christian l. 2. chap. 21. S. Austin that had studied this way, yet concludes, Astrologia est magnus error, & magna dementia, &c. 'tis a great errour, a great madnesse, and superstition easily refelled.

2. Yet he cals this a high, a noble, an excellent **Astrologia judiciaria non est Scientia. Thes. Cantab. 1654.Science, and usefull to all mankinde; a study, not unbeseeming the best wits, and greatest Schollars, no way offensive to God or true Religion, &c.

A dangerous and false assertion, the contrary whereof, is most true in the judgement and experience,See Wendelius Physic. c. 27, 28. page 620.630. and Weems Magitian. sect. 7. of all godly learned men such as Calvin Beza, Perkins, Weemes, Gataker, Geree Vicars &c. they all condemne it, as a most ignoble, dangerous study, unbesee…ing choice wits, offensive both to God, and all good men. Hence these judiciall Astrologers were formerly excommunicated, and cast out of the Church; and by the Decrees of Emperours, banisht out of the Common-wealth. Never more need of punishing such offenders, when they are grown so bold, and brazen-faced, as to publish their lies and abominations in Print to the world, and so provoke God p. 207to forsake us, Isaiah 2.6. Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people, because they be replenished from the East, and are Southsayers, like the Philistines. 'Tis an Art that leads men to the Devil, I have conferred with some, and read as much of others, who have gone about to study this Art (as Webster cals it) they have been faine to throw away their books, for feare of Satans appearing; so readie is he to step in, when once he finds us out of Gods way Usuallie, such are Wisards, and therefore I cannot but wonder how Mr Webster durst be so impudent, as to commend the worth, vertue, and learning, not onelyonly of these lying, deluding Prognosticators, Booker and Culpepper, but he also extols that lying, rayling, ignorant Wizard, Ly-ly, who hath not onelyonly reviled the most learned and Reverend Mr Gataker, with the Orthodox Ministry of the Land; but with his lies, hath abused both Church and State, to the great dishonour of the Nation: as appeares by the pious and judicious Mr Gataker's Vindication of his Annotations, on Ier. 10.2.

And since Mr Webster talks so much of this noble Science, and what sufficient p. 208Reasons he could give in defence of Mr Lillie's Astrology, he may doe well in his next Pamphlet, to prove it a science, and to bring forth his strong Reasons. In the meane time I shall love humane learning the better, whilest I live, because 'tis opposed by Star-gazers, and judiciall Astrologers: as David loved Gods Law the more, because wicked men sought to destroy it, Psal. 119.126, 127. the Father tels us, Nil nisi grande aliquod bonum quod à Nerone damnat…m, It must needs bee good, which wicked Nero hates. So humane learning must needs bee good, which Astrologers and Wizards hate and oppose. And that you may see the same spirit which breaths in Lilly, dwels in Webster, he useth the lying, railing language of Lilly. Shall the thundring Pulpit-men (saies Lillian Webster) who would have all mens faith pinned upon their sleeves [this is as true as all the rest] and usually condemne all things they understand not [it seems Mr Webster knowes more in this Art, then honester men doe,] make mee silent in so just a cause? [Oh no, tis a …ime of liberty, and you think you may be bold, p. 209but such as you must know, that though you may for a time, escape the punishment of men, yet you cannot escape the revenging hand of the Almighty, but as you have sinned against the Lord, so be sure first or last, your sinne will finde you out. And yet that all the world may see what spirit leads this man, tis worth observing, whom he commends, not only Lilly and Booker, but also Fryar Bacon [sic mulus mulum, it becomes one Fryar to claw another] and Paracelsus, a Libertine, a Drunkard, a man of little learning, and lesse Latine; he was not only skilled in naturall Magick, (the utmost bounds whereof, border'd on the suburbs of Hell) but is charged to converse constantly with Familiars,See more, Fullers Ho…y state, lib. 2. cap. 3. and to have the Devill for his Pursebearer, yet this is one of Mr Websters society. Noscitur ex comite, &c. Like Lettice, like Lips; such as his company is, such is he.

Add to this, his praising the study of Physiognomy, as an excellent, laudable, and profitable Science; [which yet the Learned judge vaine and foolish] also his extolling of Chymistry, and preferring it before Aristotelian Philosophy, p. 210and advising schollars to leave their Libraries, and fall to Laboratories, putting their hands to the coales and Furnace. [So they may quickly find pro thesauro carbones, beggary instead of Learning, and walking thus in the sparks of their owne fire, lie down in sorrow, Isaiah 50.….] this is Mr Webster's short cut, a quick way to bring men to the Devill or the Devill to them.

2. Mr Webster having sufficiently railed on Aristotle, the Prince of Philosophers, next he fals foule on Galen, 3. He's against Galen, and Physitians.the Father of Physitians, onelyonly for building on Aristotles Principles; out of his ignorance, hee cals him an ignorant Pagan, an Idoll, a blinde guide, &c. and at last fals foully on the Physitians themselves [page 107.]

4. He'… against Ministers.3. He comes now to Ministers, and railes on them, for suffering themselves to be stiled by that blasphemous title of Divines; this the Priests (that Title to shew his contempt of the Ministry, hee puts on the Ministers of the Gospell, though that Title be never given them, quà Ministers in al the New Testament) blasphemously assume to themselves.

Ans. 1. 'Tis false, the Title is not p. 211blasphemous, for 'tis given to S. Iohn, who is called by way of eminency, and distinction, foreign, The Divine. As Theology and Divinity are termes convertible in our language, so is a Theologue and a Divine, the same in sense, though it differ in sound: and therefore if the Scots do well (as you say they do) in calling their Ministers Theologues; then ours do not ill, in speaking plaine English, and calling them onelyonly for distinction sake, Divines (i) men set apart for the study of Theology or Divinity. Now see the wit, or if you will the malice of this Magus, this Magitian (for hee pleads for the lawfulnesse of such Titles.) The Scots (saith he) may call their Ministers Theologues; but our people, may not call their Ministers Divines. This distinction is like the mans, that said, Pepper was hot in operation, but cold in working.

2. 'Tis false that we assume it, much more that we blasphemouslie assume it to our selves▪ if people will give us that Title, onelyonly for distinction sake, who can hinder him?

3. The ground hee builds on, is rotten. viz. 1. Because holinesse is essentiallie p. 212proper to God. 2. Be cause wee are Holy and Divine by participation onelyonly, therefore wee may not be called Holy and Divine.

Ans. The answer is easie. Though to be holy and Divine, be essentially proper unto God, yet by way of Analogie and resemblance, it is also given to Angels and men. Hence the godly in this life, are called Saints, holy, and in the very letter, partakers of the Divine Nature, [2 Pet. 1.4.] not essentiallie, but Analogicallie, partaking of those graces whereby we resemble God.

He's against Magistrates4. He fals foule on Magistrates, and te…s them plain…ie [page 98.] that they must not at all intermeddle with the things of God, lest miser…e and destruction follow them to the grave, &c.

Ans. What is this but to destroy the Magistracie? to rob them of their coercive power, and make them like Saint George, that sits with a drawn sword, but never strikes (a sit emblem of Mr Websters Magistrates.)

Ob. But Mr Webster would have them punish Theeves, Murtherers, Adulterers and Drunkards, onelyonly they must not punish the Saints, lest God require p. 213the blood of his Saints at their hands. [page 98.]

Ans. 1. If the Magistrate must punish Theeves, Murtherers, &c. then à fortiori he must much more punish spirituall Murtherers, Theeves, &c. for as 'tis a greater sinne to kill the soule, then to kil the body, so they deserve severer punishment. 'Tis no Policy, but cruelty, to suffer Woolves and Foxes to destroy the flock: neither is the coercive power of the Magistracy, under the Law, abolished by the Gospell, as is excellently cleared by Mr Prin, in a Treatise called the Sword of the Magistrate; and since by Mr Cobbet on the same subject.

2. The Saints must bee considered under a double notion. 1. As Saints walking up to their principles and living in the feare of God, and hee that abuseth and kils such Saints simply on this account, must look to answer for their blood.

But 2. Consider the Saints, as erring and wandring from their Principles, by Adultery, Murther, Drunkennesse, Heresie, &c. and so they may and must be punished, though not as Saints, yet as sinning and transgressing Saints: yea p. 214though they should plead conscience for what they doe, and say, as Mr Burroughs in his Irenicum▪ c. 6. p. 34 proves.

Thus you see, how Mr Webster is against learning, against Aristotle, against Magistracie, against Ministrie, against Physitians, and against all that is truly good: like Ismael, his hand is against every man, and therefore it's just that every mans hand should be against him.

Q. But what is the summe of Mr Websters desires, and what would hee have us to studie?

A. Hee tels you. 1. That you must lay aside al your paper Idols, and sleight Aristotle, who hath in him, many things frivolous, vaine, false and needlesse.

2. He tels you, that you give up your selfe to Mathematicks, Opticks, Geometry, Geography, Astrology, Arithmetick, Physiognomie, Magick, Protechny, Chymistry, Pneumatithmy, Stratarithmetry, Dactylogy, Stenography, Architecture; and to the soule ravishing study of Salt, Sulphure & Mercury [a medicine for a Hor…e] These, these, if you will believe Mr Webster, are the onelyonly excellent studies for Academians.

p. 215But Sir, if these inferiour Arts (the alwfulnesse of some of them being justlie questionable) be so usefull and excellent as you affirme, then à fortior… Logique (which you sleight as prejudiciall to Theology) and Physicks, Ethicks, &c. with the superiour Arts and Sciences, must needs be much more excellent, and therefore Mr Webster is much to be blamed, for crying up those low, inferiour, emptie things; and crying downe those choice, ingenious, usefull Arts and Sciences, which doe so much fit and further men in their preparation to Divine studies.

To conclude, the world may here see, what stuffe still comes from Lame Giles Calvers shop, that forge of the Devil, from whence so many blasphemous, lying, scandalous Pamphlets, for many yeers past, have spread over the Land, to the great dishonour of the Nation, in the sight of the Nations round about us, and to the provocation of Gods wrath against us, which will certainly breake forth, both upon the actors & tolerators of such intollerable errours, without speedy reformation and amendment.

p. 216Since I framed this discourse, there came to my hands, a very accurate and learned Examen, of Mr Websters illogicall Logick, which now followes in it's order.