The Schools Guarded, Chapter 3 – Title page 2
CHAP. III. Ten Cautions.
FIrst, Beware of the two extreams, set not Philosophy, and Arts too high, nor yet too low; Medio tutissimus ibis. The Anabaptists offend in the Defect, and totally cry down all humane learning. Others offend in the Excesse, preferring it before Divinity; they set Hagar the servant in the chaire, and make Dame Sarah wait. This is to abuse it, and not to use it: then a thing is abused, when it is not used in that manner, and for that end to which God hath ordained it; when we set it higher then God would have us, Idolizing it, resting in it. Philosophy is ordained by God to be an help and furtherance in the study of Divinity; now when men make it an hinderance to the prejudice of the Scripture, hurt of the hearers, vain-glory in the Teachers, &c. This is to abuse,Philosophia tanquam famula sit Theologiae subdita; ancilletur, non Dominetur. not use Philosophy; which ought alwaies to be subservient, but never superiour to Divinity; and therefore when Hagar begins thus to u…urp over her Mistris, it's time to cast her out till shee submit her selfe. Philosophy is a good servant, but an ill Mistris to Divinity, and therefore Luther wittily compares it to the Asse on which Christ rode, which must be subject, not superiour to Christ and his Gospell. It is the folly of many young wits, that they prefer Aristotle before Paul, and are so wedded to the opinion of the one▪ that they scarce ever affect the truth taught by the other, in sincerity: these like Penelopes suitors, leave the Mistris, and fall in love with the maids. Heare what the learned à Lapide saith in this case;à Lap. com. in Gen. p. 5. Ancillantur Theologiae quasi Dominae & Reginae omnes liberales disciplinae, omnes scientiae atque artes, quae certis singulae terminis continentur. Sacra autem haec scientia ambit omnia, complectitur universa, omniumque usum suo jure sibi assumit; ut proi…de quasi omnium perfect…ssima, omnium finis & scopus, ultimo loco veniat addiscenda. Cui suffragatur claris. Walaeus. Artes & scientiae ancillentur veritati Theologicae, Orat. 1. p. 303.non praesint; leges ab ea accipiant, nullas praescribant. …mp…um est humana inventa caelest… veritati praeferre aut divina mysteria angustis humant ingenii mensuris circumscribere; ex hoc vitio pleraeque haereses ortae sunt, &c. Sane & sci…è …ic Aquinas. Theologia accipere potest aliquid à Philosophicis disciplinis, non quod ex necessitate …is indigeat, sed ad majorem manifestationem eorum, quae in hac scientia traduntur Non enim accipit sua principia ab aliis scientiis, sed immediatè à De… per revelationem, & ideo non accipi… a… aliis scientiis tanquam à …uperioribus, sed ut …ur eis tanquam inferioribus & ancillis, Aquinas 1 par. Q. 1. Art. …,5. ubi plura Ex Philosophorum ingeniis omnis haeresis onimatur. Tertullian.&c.
The second Caution; Beware of mixing and confounding Philosophy with Divinity; this hath brought many Heresies into the Church. This was the fault of the false Apostles, whom Paul blames, for mixing the works of the Law with Faith, and bringing Philosophicall Tenents into Divinity, and in this kind the School-men were grossly guilty,Hipotiùs superstitionibus & subtilitatibus litant, quàm textùs simplicitati. Al…ing. Nihil odiosius nimio acumine. who made Divinity stoop to Philosopy, and went about to prove its deepest supernaturall mysteries, by naturall reason out of Aristotle, and so are become a Dunghill of errors; and are compared by some, to one having bread and good wine hanging …on both sides them, yet himselfe hungrily gnawing a flint stone.V Bowles Pastor Evangel. l. 1. c. 19. p. 125. [Theologiam in mataeologiam converterunt, eorum doctrina Philosophica magis fuit quà… Theologica, quique magis ratiunculis humanis▪ quàm testimoniis divinis nituntur & disputant] Wee must not bring down the mysteries of Religion to be scanned by Philosophy, but we must make Philosophy wait and submit to Divinity.Deceptoria est Philosophia cum sertur extra proprios limites (i) cumstatuere conatur de illis rebus quae non possunt dijudicari, &c. Divenant in Col. 2.8. ubi plura. Every Science must keep its proper bounds, for many things which are true in Philosophy, yet are not so when applied to Divinity; & è contra. e. g. Ex nihilo nihil fit, of nothing, nothing is made, this is true in Philosophy, yet in Divinity wee know that God created all things of nothing. So, A privatione ad haebitum non datur regressus. This is true in Philosophy, and according to the course of nature; but not in Divinity, since God by his omnipotency works above nature, and can raise the dead. So the righteousnesse by which a man is just and righteous, is inherent in himselfe, and not in another. So, Virgo non est mater, nec homo Deus. Philosophicè haec sunt vera, non Theologicè; Physicè, non hyperphysicè. Abusus itaque est cum rerum physicarum propria transferuntur ad res hyperphysicas. Intra terminos oportet foreign, nec licèt temerè cantare canticum Domini in terra aliena, ne fiat foreign. (i) transitus in aliud genus.
3. Beware of abusing these particular Arts and Sciences. 1. Grammar God hath ordained it as a means to explain phrases and termes in Scripture: now when men play upon the words, and look more at them, then at the matter, this is an abuse of the Art: so when men fall to Logomachies, and contending about words, which Paul condemned, 1 Tim. 6.4. and 2.2, 14.
2. Rhetorick is, a…used when men coin figures, and change the literall into an Allegoricall sense, as Origen did, this is a corrupting of this go…d Art, and is condemned, Col. 2 4.
3. It's an abuse of Logick, when by Sophistry and false reasoning, we labour to draw men into errors. Dialectica ad omnia pexetranda & dissolvenda plurimùm valet; tantùm cavenda est libido rixandi, & puerilis quaedam ostentatio decipiendi adversarium. August. de Doct. Christiana. lib. 2. cap. 31, 32, 33, 34.
4. It's an abuse of Mathematicks,See more fully Mr G…ree against judiciall Astrology. And Mr Waterhouse in that excellent Treatise of his in Defence of humane learning, p. 30, 31. (which includes Arithmeticke, Astronomy, and Geometry) when men take upon them to cast a Figure, or from the Stars, to calculate mens nativities, or to foretell the states of Kingdomes and Commonwealths; a sinne which Gods word oft condemnes, and therefore rancks Astrologers with Sorcerers, to whom they are neer allied, Isaiah 47.11, 12, 13, 14▪
5. It's an abuse of Physicks, when we pore so much on the Creatures, that we forget their Creator, and look so much after second causes, that wee forget the first.
6. It's an abuse of Metaphysicks, when men labour by dark termes,Metaphysica in utrámque partem disputat omnia, vix quicquam certi habet, distinctiuncul…s f…volis & ineptis omnia elidit & eladit, m…er omnis sophistica & dec…ptionis. Al…ingius. improper phrases, idle questions, and vaine subtleties, to corrupt the truth, draw men to Atheisme, and make them meer Scepticks in Religion. Sic Scholastici Doctores in Papa…u Metaphysicis terminis res Theologicas contaminârunt, Pareus in Col. 2▪8. ubi plura. Wee must therefore bring humane learning home to Divinity, to be pruned and pared with spiri…uall wised…me, and then it may lawfully and profitably be used; as the Israelites might not marry with a Micianite whom they had taken in Warre,Termini Philoso…hici i… rebus Theologicis applicandi, antequā …, ab omni imperfectione liberentur. Dithmar. till shee was purified. (i) they must shave her head, pare her nailes, and put off the Garment shee was taken in, and then they might marry with her, Numb. 31.18, …9. and Deut. 21.1…, 12, 13.
4. Beware of Pride in humane learning, let it not so puffe you up, that you cannot submit to the simplicity of the Gospell, 1 Cor. 8.1. for as learning is the ornament of the minde, so humility is the ornament of learning: many insult over their brethren, and contemne the people of God that want these qualifications, like the Pharisees, Ioh. 7.48, 49 Whereas the having of t…o…e should make us more humble, considering the great account such have to make, for according to mens gifts, helps and talents, must their account be; they that have received great abilities, and have either idlely buried them, or basely abused them by drawing ignorant persons into error of life or doctrine, such shall receive the greater condemnation.
5. We may not stuffe our Sermons with Philosophy, though we may use it in our preparations, yet we must sparingly mention it in publick.Peccatur à mu… tis quod conciones populares mag…s exornen… poëtarum versibus quàm Scripturae testimoniis. Areti. The lesse colour is in the glasse, the lighter and better it is. Pulchrè perversa doctrina paleae comparatur quae medullam non habet, nec potest credentes nutrire. Hieron. Artis est celare artem. 'Tis not Aristotle, Tully, Horace, &c. but the holy Scripture that can convince t…e iudgement, and make it yield: we must therefore do by our humane learning, as Abraham did by his Asse and his servant. Gen. 22.5. it may go with us, to the foot of the hill, but not ascend into the Sanctuary. God will have no plowing with an Ox and an Ass, Deut. 22.9. but if any man speak, it must be with that feare and reverence, with that preparation and discretion, as becomes the Oracles of …od, 1 Pe…. 4.11. for what is the chaffe to the wheat saith the Lord? Ier. …3.28. Quid facit cum Psalterio Horatius? cum Evangelio Maro? cum Apostolis Cicero? nonne scandalizatur frater si te viderit in idolioracumbentem? Hieron. Eustachio. Vaine Rhetoricall,Tropos ignaris tra…ere non decet, ne artem Grammaticae docere …id…amur. Aug. Philosophicall florishes doe savour of ostentation, wast the time which might be better spent, and hinders the Edification of the hearers; for as in all things, so especially in Preaching, all things should be done to edifying, and therefore 'tis observed that Gods servants, Moses, Christ Paul &c. though they were singularly learned, and well accomplisht with all kind of learning, yet they concealed it, and seldome or never shewed it in their publick preaching, but came with holy simplicity, and in the demonstration of the spirit; and thus in our age did holy Perkins, Greenham, Baine, B…field, Sibs, Preston, &c. Minimè probi illorum affectatam vanitatem, qui undique corr… gatis sententiolis infarciunt suas conciones, scrip…urarum interim prorsus immemores, &c. ut appositè acutissimus Davenant in Col. 2.8. v. plura Ames. CC. lib. 4. cap. 26. Q. 6. & Zep. de arte concion. l. 2. c. 6.
6. Spend not too much time in them, rest not here; many study Heathens so long, till they become almost heathenish, like the man that studied School-Divinity so long, that at last he had forgot the Lords Prayer. Many of Origens errors, came from an over-w…ening love of Philosophy.— In Philosophiae indagatione … m…um tempo…is ne insumatur, nec speculationibus …u…malibus aetas▪ quae se…i…s impendi deb…t, te…atur. Walae.foreign, Hippocrat. Omne nimium vertisur in vitium. I have known some in my time in the University, that doted so long on Philosophy, that they proved errant drones, and could never relish Divinity: what we say of a meer Logician, is also true of a meer Philosopher, Merus Philosophus, merus Asinus. These studies are but the elements and preparations onelyonly to Divinity,Rudimenta sunt non opera. Sen. they are but the way, not our mark and chiefe end, and therefore our learning of these Sciences (as Austin well observes) must be modesta & succincta, else it may prove vinum inebrians, implens non nutriens, infla…s non aed…ficans, saith Bernard. These prepare the wit for higher studies,Praparent ingenium, non detineant. Sen. but we must not rest here. Nam si exotica illa cum Scripturae thesauris comparentur; nihil nisi foreign, nugae erunt & quisquiliae, Tilenus. Has itaqu… disciplinas, paucis▪ & velut ad majora utilioráque properan… percurre. Hyperius de rat. stud. Theolog. l. 1. c. 7. p. 6. ubi plura.
7. I speak not this to discourage any young beginners, (as if I would have none to be Ministers▪ but such as can read a Lecture in Philosophy) who strive and studie for competent abilities, in Arts and Languages, nor any who have reall abilities, and shall be judged sit by a Presbytery, and so called to the Ministery,Philosophia Theologo est necess…ria non foreign sed foreign, non quoad foreign, sed foreign, (i) non quoad notitiam simpli cem & absolutam, s…d quoad no…itiam pleniorem & solidiorem. Dithma…. though for the present they be defective this way: for humane learning doth not impower, but fits us to preach; it doth not make us Ministers, but it maketh us able Ministers of the Gospell: it's necessary, not simply ad esse, to the being, but ad b…ne esse to the well being of a Preacher: 'tis requisite necessitate expedientiae & foreign ▪ non necessitate absolutâ, as if a man could know nothing in Divinity without it. …he wan… of it is a blemish and defect, which by all good meanes we should labour to remove; for though a man may be a Preacher and a Disputant without it, yet he shall never be so compleat a Preacher, not dexterous a Disputant, as he that hath it: and therefore I would advise all such, (I have known some that having strong naturall part…, in a short time have gained good insight in the Arts and Languages) though they cannot attaine that perfection which others have, yet to get such a competent measure of knowledge herein, as to be able to help themselves, and to see with their own eyes, and when doubts arise, not to be quite to seek, else the profane of the world will soon di…cover their weaknesse, and they shall be sure to hear of it to their sorrow, unlesse they be very humble, gratious, and wise to prevent it▪ &c. v. plura apud Claris. Hyperium. l. 1 c. 7. p 60.
8 Get your learning sanctifyed; a learned head and an unsanctified heart is a fit instrument for the Devill to doe much mischiefe withall: such oft prove the …o…est enemies to Religion; who more learned then the Egyptians, yet who more gross Idolateis, and greater enemies to Gods people? Who more learned then the Scribes and Pharisees, yet who more gracelesse in their lives … Paul meets with most opposition at Athens, amongst the learned Philosophers, Acts 17. So true is the Proverb, the learnedst Clerks, are not alwaies the wisest men, they are like an Asse deck… with costly ornaments.Literatus stultus, phaleratus Asinus. All the humane learning in the world cannot bring a man to salvation, it may help to curb corruption civilize a man, and prepare him for better things, but 'tis the saving knowledge of the word, which giveth more grace, Iames 4 6. there onelyonly true comfort is to be found; hence it's called by way of exclusion, The word of life, and the word of comfort, excluding all true comfort from any other word or writings,E…si illa naturalis cognitio usum suum insignem habet, sine Theologiae tamen supervent… salutaris esse non potest. Qumtum ergò corpus ani…ae, terrena coelestih…s, externa & fragili… ae…ni… & spi…itualibus …edunt; tantùm caeterae omnes scientiae hu… c…dere libe…er debent. Wal. which hath made the Godly to preferre it before all the treasures in the world. Wee should therefore moderate our delight in other studies, and make them all subservient to this; for this is not the end of our lives to get humane learning▪ nor must it be preferred, much leste be equallized to the knowledge of God in his word, but alwaies kept in subordination to it; else what will it profit us to be good Grammarians, and have skill in tongues, to have our he…s full of knowledge, and our hearts empty of all goodnesse; or to be good Logicians, and …ki…ull in answering fallacies, yet suffer the Devill to delude us with his sophistry, or to be good Historians, and know what's done abroad, yet be ignorant of the state of our soules at home, &c. Consider that humane learning is but a common gift of the spirit, which is oft bestowed on Reprobates and Heathens, as well as on Gods people; and therefore the Lord in his wisedome oft passeth by the learned, proud, selfe-conceited Rabbies of the time, and chuseth the poor, the simple, and meek of the earth, to set forth his praise, 1 Cor. 1.26, 27.
9. Yet beware of offending in the defect:Maneat usus, tollatur abusus. Let not the abuse of any thing, take away the lawfull and sober use of it. God would have us to use all helps, (for now we have nothing by Inspiration, Revelation, or any such extraordinary way, but all by study, paines and industry) he would have us make use of our Reading and Rea…on, and not be like Horse and Mule, which have no understanding, Psal. 32.9. nor like children tossed to and fro with the delusions of men. Eph. 4.1…. The worship which he cals for, must be foreign, rationalis (i) agreeable to right reason.
Away then with those Fanaticks, Enthusiasts, Anabaptists &c. who boast of the spirit, and of their revelations (the common foreign, and refuge, when they are at a stand for Scripture to prove their errors, then they fly to Revelations, as the Papists when nonplust, fly to traditions) and under this pretence, they cry down Languages, Arts, Sciences, Universities, &c. But let their pretences be never so specious, they are but back friends to Religion, that decry humane learning. Iulians Edict forbidding Christians the use of Schools, and exercises of Learning, was esteemed a more dangerous engine to overthrow the Christian Faith, then all the bloody persecutions of his predecessors, &c.
CORONIS.
LAbantibus literarum studiis, & maximae Rei-publicae utilitates simul concidunt; pro cognitione & Scientia, turpissima rerum omnium ignoratio; pro sincero Dei cul…u, anilis superstitio; pro dicendi facultate, stupida infantia; pro consilii copia & ubertate, mentis & judici… inopia; pro exculi â morum elegantia▪ agrestis & inamaena rusticitas▪ pro mansuetudine & humanitate, barbara quaedam feritas in vitam hominum invadit. Cooper.
Certainly much respect is to be given to the learning & godliness of men. There is a great delusion in many mens hearts, that makes them think it to be halfe Popery, to give any respect to learning; although the abuse of learning hath done much evil, against that much hath bin▪ & may be said: but I dare avow this, that never since the beginning of the world could a man be found to speak against learning, but an ignorant …an; neither is it like; nay I may aver it it is impossible, that any but such will be found to the end of the world; learning hath so much of God in it, that it never had, nor will have any enemy but ignorance, &c.
When we see grace added to learning, it should add much to our esteem of such a man, it is the orient pearl in the gold ring, &c. Burroughs Irenicum, chap. 13. p. 88, 89.
Sam: How the Preaching Cobler, or the Cobling Preachers Epitaph, by R. O.
WHat How? how now: hath How such learning found,
To shrow Arts curious Image to the groūd?
Cambridge and Oxford may their glory now,
Vaile to a Cobler, if they knew but How:
Though big with Arts, they cannot overtop,
The Spirits Teaching in a Coblers shop.
Reader, if thou an humane Artist be,
Let humane learning be no judge for thee:
Lay down thy Arts, then try this Coblers End,
And see, if it be by the Spirit penn'd.
Meane time adue, yee Arts and A…ists all,
The Spirits teaching may attend the Aull;
And thou brave Cobler blow another blast
Upon their learning, though thou blow thy Last.
R. O.
An Answer to R. O. his Verses made in commendation of a Book of Samuell How, a Cobler.
WHo's this, R. O. a Psychopannychist,
Rather the la…e Pamphleting Mortalist?
If it be He, no wonder that he so
Admire the Cobler▪ and even kisse his Toe;
And nothing make o' …' Vniversity,
Compared with his Awll-suffic…ency.
'Tis just with God, …ha… he that vilifies
The glorious Sunne should …lowwormes Idolize;
And he that smels no sweetnesse in a Rose,
Should judge a Dunghill fittest for the nose,
And he that Mortall ma…s the Soule▪ should call
This Samuell H…w, Doctor Angelicall,
Yea think this Sa…u…ll Prophesies as well,
As ever did the Prophet Samuel.
Indeed for Mortall Soules he is as fit
As lasts can be for sho…es or sho…es for feet:
And fitter then the noble … Muses Sonn…s,
All whose brave blood, a course Immortall runnes;
Except this one degenerate, R. O.
Who may unto his learned Cobler goe,
A…d to his cure with his old sh…oes commend
His deca…d Soule, since Sam: can both amend.
Doubtlesse he will doe thus; and perhaps too,
He will at last be taught to patch a shooe;
And to his end prof…ss à Cobler be,
Imagining some rare D…vinity
Lies in that Art, whe…e men have every houre,
Fresh charge of soles, and over them such power.
I wish he may wax wiser. But if he,
For Sam: How's sake, will needs a Cobler be,
Let him be one in grain Sam: hath set forth
A k…ocking p…ce of wo…ke, of lasting worth;
Which ought to be dispe…sed by Transl…tions,
For Englands honour and the good of Nations.
T…is let R. O. Latinis…e: then all
May him Translatour …f Translatours call.
D. Hallophilus.
On Samuell How the Cobler, lately turned Preacher, &c.
WHo is sufficient for the M…nistry?
Cri'd once the Gentiles Doctor. That am I,
Thinks every Tradesman in these dregs of Time.
Even How the Cobler dares the Pulpit climb.
Belike he thinkes the difference is but small
Between the sword o'th' Spirit and the Awle.
And that he can as dexterously divide
The word of truth, as he can cut an Hide:
And that the soules of people cannot choose,
But be as tractable as the soles of Shooes.
In time perhaps he may his error see,
And say, none e'r was more deceiv'd then He.
The faults of shooes he doth no sooner spy,
But he knows how to cure them presently.
The faults of men he may his spirits spend
Upon, and irritate, but not amend.
'Tis not so easie in the Ministry,
To set men Upright that doe tread awry,
As in the Gentle Craft. The holyest Hearts
Ioin'd with the greatest prudence, paines and parts,
Have, oft complain'd that they could doe no good,
On this and that and th' other peece of wood.
Our shooes are soon prevailed with, to quit
Their ancient soles, and new ones to admit.
Men will not be so soon perswaded to
Put off the old Man, and put on the New.
But we may feare, that How ▪ and such as Hee,
Mechanicks, that invade the Ministry,
Have no such end▪ as sinners to convert,
But (O mischievous madnesse…) to pervert
Such as are converts, or are comming on
In a faire way toward Conversion.
They presse not the New Man, but such New Wayes,
As lead men from the Ancient of Dayes.
Whether we New Creatures be or not, wee see
They doe not care, so we their Creatures be.
Against our Reverend Clergy they inveigh,
Because it is a Mountain in their way.
Could they remove that once, all would be theirs;
The Fathers outed▪ they should be brave Heires.
Iust s…ch as Absolom, had he overthrown
His Father David, and p…ss…ss'd his Thr…ne.
The l…berall Arts they likewise doe decry,
Those needfull Hand-ma…ds to Divinity.
This high bo…n Lady, they would leave as bare
As new shorne Sheep, or naked Indians are.
The Spirit they say sufficient is They might
Say too, the Mo…n affords sufficient light,
Without this Train of Starres; ye Starres be gone;
Wee'll be contented with the Moon alone.
But against learning would they blaterate,
Unlesse themselves were so illiterate?
The Ape much fault with Foxes tayle doth find,
Because himselfe can nothing shew behind.
The Fox those Grapes doth greatly vilifie,
Though ne'r so pretious that doe hang too high.
Could tailes he had, they'd well enough please Apes;
And Foxes could they reach them would praise grapes.
These Animals too, had they the Arts they want,
They would them prize, and scorn the ignorant.
To strike all dead, those Pillars of our Land,
Jachin and Boaz may no longer stand
Tabor and Hermon, mountaines that maintain
The gowned Nation they would make a Plain.
What need, say they, o'th' two fold Athens now,
Or Mothers Breasts, when we past children grow?
Our Land can now well spare those two great Eyes.
Yes, so it can, if it will Heathenize.
I'm sure it may well spare such Mouths. If God
Permit them long, we may cry… Ichabod.
For such wild Preachers, whatsoe'r they say,
Will Preach true Preaching, and even Christ away.
Th. Elshmor.
Centuria Sacra. About one hundred Rules for the Expounding, and clearer understanding of the Holy Scriptures. To which are added a Synopsis, or Compendium of all the most materiall Tropes and Figures, contained in the Scriptures.
Psal. 119.96.
I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy Law is exceeding large.
Mat. 5.18.
Heaven and Earth shall passe away, but not one jot or tittle of Gods word shall passe away.
Iotaunum, & apex unus non cadet de Scriptura, nihil ergo contemnendum aut parvi faciendum in Sacris literis.
Illyricus.
Adore plenitudinem Scripturarum.
Tertullian.
LONDON, Printed by W. H. for Nathaniel Webb and William Grantham, at the sign of the Bear in S Pauls Church yard, near the little North door. 1654.