Necessity of Human Learning for a Gospel Preacher, Chapter 12

Necessity of Human Learning for a Gospel Preacher · Chapter 12

p. 163CHAP. XII. Of the Arguments which prove the Ʋſefulneſs of Learning.

SECT. I. Seven Arguments propounded.

HAving declared the particular uſe of Arts and Tongues for the Miniſters of the Goſpel, I will further demonſtrate the need and uſe of Learning for them by ſeven Arguments.

I. God's affording of Means for obtaining Learning in all Ages.

II. Religion flouriſhed when Learning abounded.

III. Learning qualifies for all public employments.

p. 164IV. Satan makes uſe of Learning.

V. Satan ſeeks to obſtruct Learning.

VI. Teſtimonies given to Learning by the Learned.

VII. God hath uſed Learned men as the greateſt Inſtruments of his ſervice and glory.

SECT. II. Of God's affording means of Learning, as Schools, &c.

GOd hath in his good Providence appointed, Argum. 1.and in all ages afforded his people ordinary helps and means for obtaining the knowledge of Arts and Tongues, as Schools, Univerſities, Colledges, the Seminaries or Nurſeries of Learning.

There were many Schools of the Prophets under the Old Teſtament.

Calvin on Amos 7.14. ſaith, Scimus tunc fuiſſe Prophetarum Collegia, & hoc ſatis notum eſt ex ſacris Hiſtoriis. Collegia illa in hunc finem inſtituta fuerunt, ut Seminarium aliquod ſemper maneret in Eccleſia Dei, ne deſtitueretur bonis & probis Doctoribus.

There was a Colledge or School of the Prophets upon the Hill of God, where they trained up young Scholars and Students, p. 1651 Sam. 10.5, 10. Some think it was in Gibeah of Benjamin.

— Another Colledge at Naioth in Ramah, whither David ſled, and Saul followed him, whereof Samuel was Overſeer, and Preſident, 1 Sam. 19.19, 20. the Teacher and Inſtructer of thoſe that were called the children of the Prophets in that School. For though Propheſie be the ſpecial Gift and Work of the Spirit, yet it was fit, that they which afterward ſhould be imployed in the ſervice of God (as it's like that theſe were moſt of Levi) ſhould be prepared, by Godly Inſtruction and Education, for the further works of the Spirit in them. See Doctor Willet on 1 Sam. 19.18.

By theſe two Inſtances (ſcil. of the Colledges at Gibeah and Naioth) it ſeems that Colledges of Students were priviledged Places, ſeeing the Iſraelite-Students in the former were not hurt, though in the Gariſon of the Philiſtines: and David was ſecure in the later, though Saul was his enemie.

There was another Colledge of the Prophets, in the time of Eliſha, at Beth-el, 2 King. 2.3. and another at Jericho, 2 King. 2.5.

Another at Gilgal, 2 King. 4.38, with p. 16643, where there were an hundred Sons of the Prophets.

Eliſha's Colledge was ſo full of Scholars, that there was not room enough for them, and they deſired it might be enlarged, 2 King. 6.1, 2, 3.

Among the Iſraelites forty eight Cities were appointed for the Levites, which were as the common Schools and Univerſities for the whole Kingdom. See Willet in Dan. 1.4.

Some think, that Debir was an Academy or Univerſity of Paleſtina, that when the Jewiſh Polity came to be fixed, and they were in a ſucceſſion of Government, then they erected publick Schools of Learning, appointed Cities, which to that end they priviledged, as this of Debir for one Joſh. 15.15. (ſee Maſius in loc.) which was therefore called Kirjath-Sepher, which ſigniſies a City of Books, or of Learning, though others conceive it to be a place where a famous Library was kept, in which many notable Monuments, ☞and antient Records of many things done ever ſince the Flood were reſerved.

In theſe Schools, or Colledges of the Prophets, there were two ſorts: Firſt, Some were called Prophets ſimply, as the Maſters and Inſtructors of others, ſtiled p. 167Fathers, 1 Sam. 10.12. 2 King. 2.12. Secondly, Others were called the Sons, or Children, that is, the Pupils, or Scholars of the Prophets, yong Students taught and trained up by them in the way of Learning, and Propheſying.

Gods bleſſing upon thoſe Schools of the Prophets amongſt the Jews was ſo great, that upon many in them God beſtowed the extraordinary Gift of foretelling things to come, 2 Kings 2.3, 5. and divers Miracles were wrought for them: two at Gilgal, one in healing the deadly pottage, 2 King. 4.38. another in feeding an hundred of them with twenty Loaves, verſe 42, 43, 44. a third at Jordan, in cauſing the Axe-head to ſwim, 2 King. 6.5, 6.

What an honor was it to theſe Schools of the Prophets, that Elijah went to viſit them, immediately before he was taken up to Heaven, 2 King, 2. as at Beth-el, verſe 2, 3. at Jericho, verſe 4, 5.

In Babylon there were three famous Univerſities of the Jews, Nehardea, Sorah, …xtorf. Com. Maſorct. cap. 6. Alting. Acad. Hebr. p. 30, 31.and Pumbeditha: erected by thoſe that ſtayed there after the Captivity, and returned not with their Brethren (as ſome conceive) or by their Poſterity, for the preſervation of Religion, and the knowledge of the Law, which (as ſome think) p. 168would have been loſt, if they had not brought up their children in Learning; becauſe by living and converſing with the Chaldeans their Tongue was corrupted; ſo that the Word of God delivered in it, without this remedy, would not have been ſo intelligible and uſeful to them.

The ſame courſe was alſo requiſite to be taken by thoſe which returned into their own Land; becauſe their Language was then a Medley of Chaldee and Hebrew. After which time the old and pure Hebrew remained onelyonly among learned men, and was taught in Schools, as among us the learned Tongues are accuſtomed to be. See Breerewoods Enquiries, cha. 9.

Afterwards Learning, and Languages flouriſhed in Judea, as may appear in that ſeventy two learned men were ſent to Ptolemy Philadelphus, to tranſlate the Hebrew Bible into Greek, (As Gellius in Noct. A…tic. lib. 6. cap. 17.)that he might with it enrich his vaſt Library, conſiſting of almoſt 700000 Books, which was kept at Alexandria, a place renowned for the Schools of all Liberal Arts. Strabo lib. 14.Here Euclid ſet up a Mathematic School; after which, till the Times of the Saracens, there was ſcarce any excellent Mathematician, that was not either born, or educated at Alexandria.

p. 169Here alſo was an Academy of the Jews (ſee Hottinger, Eccleſ. Hiſt. part. 1. cap. 2.) Voſſius de Scient. Mathem. cap. 15. Antiqu. Jud. lib. 12. cap 1. & lib. 14. cap. 14.who were a great part of the Citizens, as Joſephus relates. Of this place was Apollos, Acts 18.24.

The Jews dwelt in other places of Egypt, in Cyrene, and all other Nations, Joſeph. ibidem.being diſperſed in the Countreys of their Conquerors in the ſeveral Empires, and diſtinguiſhed into the Babylonian and Greek diſperſion: the firſt made under the Chaldean, the ſecond under the Macedonian Empire, of which we read John 7.35. — Will he go foreign, to the Jews diſperſed among the Greeks in Aſia, or Egypt? They, being diſperſed among other Nations, always endeavored to keep their Schools, which they cal'd Synagogues,

wherein they interpreted the Law,

wherein they conferred and diſputed about the Scriptures, Acts 6.9.

Now, out of all Nations, whither they were ſcattered, ſome of all ſorts went to Jeruſalem, and dwelt there, at or before our Savior's time. For, Acts 2.5. it's ſaid, There were dwelling at Jeruſalem Jews, devout men, out of every Nation under Heaven, Parthians, Medes, &c. the Dwellers in Aſia, in Egypt, and about Cyrene, and Strangers of Rome.

p. 170The Cauſe hereof was either,

1. That Jeruſalem being the Metropolis of Religion and Knowledge, the Jews ſent their Sons to be inſtructed there, as Cornelius a Lapide conceives.

2. Or, as Dr. Lightfoot (on Acts 2.5.) thinks, becauſe the whole Nation had then a general expectation of the Meſsias about that time, as he clears both from Scripture (out of Luke 2.38. and 3.15. and 19.11.) and their own Writings. This might make ſuch multitudes flock to Jeruſalem about this time, and take up their reſidence, where they thought the royal Seat of the Meſsias would be, that ſo they might partake of the pomp and proſperity of his Kingdom. And that the Jews of theſe ſeveral Nations had their diſtinct Synagogues there, is intimated Acts 6.9. where we read, Divers aroſe of the Synagogue of the Libertines (that is, ſuch, both Natural Jews and Proſelytes, See Grotius and Lightfoot on the place.as had obtained the Roman Freedom) of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Aſia.

Hence the Jews tell of 480 (a)(a)See Lightfoot Centur. Chorographic. pag. 71. Juntus de Academ. cap. 2.Synagogues, and Houſes of Learning in Jeruſalem: for there uſed to be a Houſe of Learning joined with a Synagogue.

The Schools of the Jews, about our p. 171Savior's time, had very famous men; the chief were Hillel, and Schammai (the former is ſaid to have bred 80 eminent Scholars) and Simeon Hillel's Son, whom divers Learned Men (b)(b)See Hotting. Hiſt. Eccleſ. Nov. Teſt. part. 1. cap. 9. A…ing. Acad. Hebr. p 39. Lightfoot in Acts 5.34.Acts 5:34make the ſame with him that took Christ into his arms, Luke 2.25. To whom add Gamaliel, Simeon's Son, and Paul's Maſter.

After the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, See Buxtorf. Tiber…as.Schools for Learning were ſtill held up by the Jews: and the Jews had their Schools at Jafne, Zephoria, Ceſarea, and Tiberias: and theſe declining, the three forementioned in Babylon flouriſhed very much, when Learned Jews went thither from Palestine.

The Jewiſh Writers ſay, there were alſo a great number of Colledges in Bither (a place in the Land of Canaan) deſtroyed by the Emperor Hadrian. — Buxtorf. Talmud. Lex. pag. 372.

Thus far of the Jewiſh Schools.

Dr. Willet upon 1 Sam. 19.19, 20. concludes out of Peter Martyr, That the noble Foundation of Univerſities, and Schools of Learning, is grounded upon the Example of the Prophets.

The ſame Author, upon Daniel 1.4. obſerves, that the Inſtitution of Schools, to train up youth in good Letters, was very p. 172ancient: as among the Egyptians, where Moſes was taught their Learning: and in Babylon, where Daniel and the three children were taught the Learning and the Tongue of the Chaldeans. Among the Grecians Athens was famous for the Study of Arts there was Plato's Academy, hence Livy calls Greece Sal Gentium) and in Egypt Alexandria: yea, the rude Indians had their Gymnoſophists, and the Romans had their Colledges of Augures; I may add their Philoſophers and Rhetoricians.

The Perſians and Arabians had their Magi. Grotius in Mat. 2.1.Matt 2:1The Gauls had their Druides.

All Sects whatſoever had their Schools to advance their Way. Stephen met with ſome of them at Jeruſalem, Acts 6.9. and Paul at Athens, Acts 17.18.

It is obſerved, that the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, Perſians, Grecians, Romans, erected Schools, and by great Liberality, and other ways, promoted Learning, and encouraged Scholars.

Now let us view the Schools of the Christians, See Alſted. Chron. cap. 30. ultim. edit.which, upon the Planting of the Goſpel, were ſet up at Antioch and Alexandria; the latter of which afforded many famous Men, as Clemens, Origen, Ammonius, Athanaſius, Didymus, &c.

That the Primitive Church had her p. 173Schools (wherein Youths did learn the Principles of Religion, and the Liberal Arts, and heard the holy Scriptures explaned) and that Care was taken for ſetling Schools every where, where Churches were built, and for ſetting over them ſuch Men as were inveſted with eminent Piety and Learning, See Magdeb. Cent. 2. cap. 7. & Cent. 3. c. 7.Eccleſiastical Histories do declare.

That there were many learned men in divers places in the firſt Ages of Christianity is an Argument, that there were Schools, in which they were educated.

In the time of Constantine the great, when Religion had its free courſe, the Christian Schools flouriſhed, which were after ſhut up by Julian.

It is obſervable, that the Univerſity of Cambridge (to which Chronologers give preheminence for Antiquity to moſt Univerſities in the World of a Christian Foundation) was reſtored by Sigebert, As Iſaacſon, Alſted, Helvicus.a great Promoter of Christianity, preſently upon the Converſion of the Eaſt-Angles (much furthered by him) about the year of Chriſt 631. For there was a Britiſh Academy there long before: of which ſome make Lucius, the firſt Christian King of the Britains, the Founder. But it being ruined by the Saxons, and the Britains p. 174ſhut up in Wales, Dubritius (a great Champion of the Truth againſt the Pelagians, as was alſo David, his Scholar, who held a Synod againſt their Errors) inſtituted an Academy (in the latter end of the fifth Century) on the River Wye, and after at Caer-lion on Usk in Monmouthſhire, where many eminent Men were educated. Of which ſee Mr. Fuller's Church-History of Britain.

This Neceſſity and Uſe of Schools, Univerſities, and Learning, is as great now under the Goſpel (if not greater in ſome reſpects) as ever it was under the Old Teſtament. And God hath plentifully furniſhed all Countries that have entertained the Goſpel of Chriſt, eſpecially all the reformed Churches in Europe, with famous Schools and Academies: and he hath wonderfully bleſſed them (as theſe in England, See Dr. Arrowſm…h, 1. Orat. Antiweigel. p. 3.Scotland, Ireland, and thoſe in the Low-Countreys, in Germany, the Palatinate, Bohemia) ſo that theſe Univerſities have trained up, and ſent forth learned, able, eminent Scholars, and godly Men, choice, uſeful Inſtruments of God's Glory and Service, both in Church and Commonwealth.

The uſe and need of Schools and Univerſities (which is evident in the holy p. 175Scriptures, and by the light of Reaſon, and practiſe, and experience of all Nations) as they are the means of Learning, Qui vult finem vult media. Fints eſt nobilior mediis.infers and evinceth the need of Learning (as it is the end thereof) eſpecially for the Miniſters of the Goſpel.

As there is neceſſity of Schools, and Univerſities, ſo of ſtudy and induſtry in them, for the attainment of Learning. For we cannot expect God ſhould communicate theſe Gifts to us by Miracle, or immediate infuſion of the Spirit (as he did to his Apoſtles) but they muſt be acquired through the uſe of ordinary Means forementioned; which to contemn, or neglect, and depend upon immediate and miraculous Infuſions and Revelations, is to tempt the good Spirit of God, and to provoke him to give us up to ſtrong deluſions, and to give heed to ſeducing Spirits, and to doctrines of Devils. Inſpiration (of ſuch common gifts) muſt be ſupplied by Education. The way Paul directed Timothy unto (even in reference to Miniſterial abilities) was, Give attendance to reading, 1 Tim. 4.13, &c. meditate upon theſe things, give thy ſelf wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all, ver. 15. As Timothy had not health by Miracle, but in the uſe of Means, 1 Tim. 5.23. ſo neither p. 176had he Gifts for the Miniſtery by Miracle, but by Study.

In the Platform of Church-diſcipline, agreed upon in the Synod at Cambridge in New England, cap. 6. num. 6. it's ſaid, This we gladly acknowledge, that Schools are both lawful, profitable, and neceſſary, for the training up of ſuch in good Literature, or Learning, as may afterwards be called forth unto the office of Paſtor or Teacher in the Church.

Scholae non immerito vocantur Emporia & Mercaturae bonarum literarum: Scminaria Eccleſiae: armamentaria Reipublicae: vivaria Oeconomiae: officinae Pietatis: magiſtrae Humanitatis: fontes Honeſtatis: ſcaturigines Utilitatis: nervi Morum & Diſciplinae: horti Gratiarum: & uno verbo Cornu-copia omnimodae felicitatis—O felices Eccleſias, quibus haec pietatis domicilia ſunt adjuncta! Alſted. in Orat. de cauſis corrupt. Schol.

Of the cauſes, and uſes of Publick Divinity Schools, ſee Zanch. tom. 7. orat. 1. —who ſaith in his fourth Tom. lib. 1. Theſ. 2. in quartum praeceptum pag. 812.—It ſhould be the great care of a pious Prince (or Supreme Magiſtrate) that, beſide the public and Eccleſiaſtical Miniſtery, Schools ſhould be conſtituted, wherein p. 177beſide Humane Learning, and the Liberal Arts, the holy Doctrine of Religion ſhould be faithfully delivered to youth, to conſerve heavenly Doctrine in the Church, &c. and that maintenance ſhould be provided for both. Afterwards we ſee (ſaith Zanchy) that the Gentiles, and all Nations, Pag 813.that were not altogether Barbarous, took care hereof; whereby their Religion might be conſerved, and propagated, for they ſaw, Sine Scholis non poſſe conſiſtere vel Religionem, vel etiam Politiam; that without Schools neither Religion, nor Policy could conſiſt: —that Nature it ſelf ſhould teach a Chriſtian Prince, that it is his office to take care of Schools, and Colledges.

He adds, Jeroboamus ille impius, Rex Apoſtatarum ab Eccleſia, &c. That wicked Jeroboam King of Apoſtates from the Church, and Kingdom of Juda, as he corrupted Religion, ſo he alſo overthrew the Schools in the Towns of the twelve Tribes; becauſe he knew that the purity of Doctrine and Religion was conſerved there by the faithful Prophets. But afterwards Elias and Eliſha (his Diſciple) knowing that Religion could not be kept pure without Schools, reſtored them: and when the wicked Kings had transferred the Revenues, p. 178which were due to maintain the Schools, partly to their own private uſe, and partly to ſlatterers, many good men contributed of their own ſubſtance to the maintenance of Students, who, being content with a little, defended true Doctrine ſtoutly againſt the Prieſts of Baal.

Object. Doth not Beza in his marginal Note on Acts 6.9. call Univerſities Flabella Satanae, Satan's ſlaps to keep away ſlyes? Doth not Luther call them Cathedras peſtilentiae, & Antichriſti luminaria? the ſeats of peſtilence, and lights of Antichriſt? Doth not another call them the Synagogues of perdition, the pits of the Abyſs, by the ſmoak whereof the ſun of the Goſpel is obſcured.

Anſw. What ſome worthy men have ſpoken of Jewiſh and Popiſh Univerſities, See Dr. Arrowſmiths Orat. 1. Antiweigel. pag. 3.that others have, out of little Candor, and great fury, transferred to Univerſities reformed, as what Beza ſpake of the Jewiſh Academies (his words are, Academiae jamolim falſis Doctoribus addictae) and what Luther, and others ſpake of the Pontifician or Popiſh Academies.

But the corruptions of ſome will not prejudice the Uſefulneſs of Univerſities in general, or of others Reformed, and free from the ſame infection.

p. 179SECT. III. Of Religion flouriſhing, when Learning abounded.

THe ſecond Argument, Argum. 2.to prove the uſefulneſs of Learning.

Learning hath not been in the ſame ſtate in all Ages ſince Chriſt, but ebbing and flowing like the water, waxing and waning like the Moon. But this is obſervable, that in thoſe Ages wherein Learning abounded moſt, Religion hath flouriſhed, and the Truth of God hath had moſt Champipions, Defenders and Witneſſes of it, and for it.

The fourth Century was, as it is called, Chronol. ad Annum. 365.a Learned Age. Hoc tempore fulſerunt in Eccleſia Dei clariſsima lumina, ſaith Bucholcer. Many famous Lights ſhone in the Church of God in this time, who were the Hammers of Heretics.

The fifth Century was the like. Theſe two Centuries for choice of Learned men, were compared to the golden Age, and are ſtiled the two Learned Ages.

In the ſixth and ſeventh Century there was (as Authors obſerve) a great decay in knowledge, and ſcarcity of able men to p. 180defend Truth, and furniſh the Church withall. There were few in Italy then, as Baronius obſerves—(haud in promptu eſſet, Annal. Tom. 8. A…n. 593. num. 62.qui utriuſque linguae peritus eſſet) who were skilled both in Greek and Latine.

Yea Gregory the Great, who lived in the ſeventh Century who was, In his Critic. Sacr. lib. 4. cap. 29.(as Rivet ſaith) —Primus Papa & ultimus Epiſcopus Romanus, the laſt Biſhop of Rome, and the firſt Pope; or the laſt of the good Biſhops of Rome, and the firſt of the bad ones: This Gregory profeſſeth that he was ignorant of the Greek Tongue, Gregor. Tom 2. 1 p…ſt. lib. 9.lib. 6. Epiſt. 29. Nam nos nec Graecum novimus.

That ignorant Age was a declining age, wherein men came ſhort of their Predeceſſors in ſome Truths, as even Gregory himſelf did; therefore it affords few, and thoſe not full Teſtimonies of the truth.

The Ages of the Church (ſaith a learned man) reſemble the ſtars of the sky. Dr. Featly, Of the Names of viſible Proteſt. in all Ages.In ſome Ages we may ſee many and glorious lights, likeſtars of the firſt and ſecond Magnitude: in other Ages there are few Authors of any Note, or bright luſtre (whoſe writings have come to Poſterity) and in ſome Ages none but obſcure and unknown Authors.

The ſame Author ſaith, that after we have paſſed the eighth Age of the Church, we fall into Cimmerian darkneſs.

p. 181Of the ninth Age Bellarmine cannot ſpeak with patience—Saeculo hoc nullum extitit indoctius, Lib. 4. De Romano pontifice cap. 12, ad linem.aut infeliciu… in quo qui Mathematicis aut Philoſophiae operam dabat, vulgo Magus putabatur. There was no Age more unlearned, or unhappy, then this; in which whoſoever ſtudied the Mathematics, or Philoſophy, was commonly accounted a Magician. This is called an unhappy Age, empty of men famous for wit, or learning, in which the light of knowledge was not to be found, no not in Popes, Biſhops, or Princes: but this Age was full of palpable Egyptian darkneſs: and it may be ſaid of this Age, that it yielded no eminent men, Catholics, or Heretics.

As this ninth Age, ſo the tenth, and ſome other after, were barren of Learned Writers: Dr. …eatly.and therefore no marvel (ſaith my Author) if the Harveſt we gather in theſe Ages of the Profeſſors of the Truth, and defenders thereof by writing, be very thin.

In the tenth Century Learning was decayed by the fall of the Roman Empire, great corruption grew in this Century or thouſandth year, Bi…ck. P…eſt. ….wherein (as ſome think) Satan was let looſe. For at this time, Rev. 20.3.Rev 20:3they of Rome forbad to marry; and indulged uncleanneſs themſelves:—they alſo deviſed p. 182a carnal preſence of Chriſt in the Sacrament.

This ignorant Age was a Monkiſh Age, much cumbred with Monkery, or with the dotages of Monks and Legendary Fables; wherein the Monks deviſed ſubtile tricks to delude the people, as the Oracles of the Holy Rood, &c. and that illiterate herd of Monks and Friers bore the greateſt ſway, and the blind led the blind into the pit.

In the fourteenth Century (as ſome compute it) Learning began to revive, Idem.there being a general Reſurrection of all good Learning (a little before the receiving of the Goſpel) at which the Monks were mad. For as in the firſt Plantation of the Goſpel in Europe, Mellific…i Theolog. pag. 716.as Mr. Trap obſerves, God ſhipped the Arts before into Greece, that they might be as Harbingers unto it, as Tertullian ſpeaketh; ſo in theſe latter Ages the Lord, intending a Reformation of Religion, ſet up the Turk to over-run Greece; and by the cruelty of the Turks, uſed againſt the Grecians (ſuch as they abhorred) and by God's Providence over-ruling it, divers learned men among the Greeks, left (as exiles) thoſe parts, and fled into theſe Weſtern parts; and by their means the knowledge of Letters, and ſtudy of Tongues, eſpecially the Greek and p. 183Latine, began to ſpread abroad through diverſe parts of the Weſt. Theſe were God's firſt Inſtruments (ſaith Mr. Trap) to reſtore humane Learning, that was almoſt loſt out of the world—as Chryſoloras, Trapezuntius, Gaza, Argyrophylus, Chalcondylas, Cydonius, and other. In like ſort alſo afterwards John Capnio brought the uſe of the Greek and Hebrew Tongues into Germany.

In the beginning of this Age Hebrew was firſt taught in Oxford.Iſaacſon's Chronol. ad Ann. Chriſt. 1314.

In this Age knowledge increaſed very much by the means of Printing, ☞which Art is ſaid to be firſt invented at Straſburg in Germany by John Guttenburg. Hereby the Languages were divulged, and good Learning was generally communicated, and Books were more eaſily diſperſed then formerly the Manuſcrips could be. Shortly after, there were printed at Paris, Venice, Antwerp, and divers other places, the Works of ſundry Learned men, ſtirred up by God to fetch the Arts back out of baniſhment. Pag. 716, and 717.Mr. Trap names divers of them. After that Humane Learning began thus to reflouriſh, and lift up the head, Divinity alſo, that had been ſhamefully obſcured and ſlurried with needleſs and endleſs Doubts and Diſputes, was vindicated p. 184and illuſtrated by the knowledge of Latine, Greek, and Hebrew.

In this fourteenth Age (as alſo in the fifteenth and ſixteenth Ages) God raiſed up divers Worthies, who, by their Confeſſions, Writings, and Martyrdom gave a great and glorious Teſtimony to the Goſpel of Chriſt, and the Truths thereof, as Wickliff, Huſs, Hierom of Prague; after them Luther, Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, and many others.

Then grew up that golden Age of gracious and excellent Divines, famous and matchleſs for depth of Learning, and heighth of Holineſs.

If the Times of greateſt Ignorance, Neglect, and Contempt of humane Learning, were the Times, wherein Errors moſt prevailed, Superſtition, and Idolatry was advanced, and Truth ſuppreſſed; and Popery did not fall, till Learning did riſe: and if Religion flouriſhed, and was beſt defended, when Learning moſt abounded, then Learning is uſeful, and needful for the Miniſters of the Goſpel.

p. 185SECT. IV. Learning qualifies for all public Employments.

HUmane Learning qualifies, Argum. 3.and is needful for all Perſons in publick Places, and Imployments, as Kings, Counſellors, Judges, Magiſtrates, Lawyers, Phyſicians (for who would not take advice of Learned Lawyers about their Eſtates, and of Learned Phyſicians for their Bodies) and indeed for every ingenuous Imployment.

Henry the Firſt, King of England, was bred up in Learning, and ſuch a Prizer of it, as he uſed to ſay, ☞That An unlearned King was but a crowned Aſs.

Then Learning is moſt needful for a Miniſter, to fit and furniſh him throughly for the work of the Miniſtery, conſidering that no calling requires more abilities, or acquired parts, then the Miniſtry, which work

I. Is moſt Important, Weighty, and Worthy: for it is the Miniſter's office to be converſant in the Matters of God, and of Souls, of Heaven, and of Eternity, which are of the greateſt Intereſt, and higheſt Concernment, and of the p. 186largeſt, and longeſt Conſequence.

II. Is moſt comprehenſive, and manifold: As

1. To give the Senſe, clear the Difficulties, reconcile the Differences, and ſeeming Repugnancies of the Scriptures.

2. To handle poſitively all Points of Religion, and to diſcuſs and determine Controverſies, and Doubts about them.

3. To reſolve and ſatisfie Caſes of Conſcience, and Scruples.

4. Eph. 4.24. Gal. 5.1.Eph 4:24Gal 5:1To detect falſe Teachers, and diſcover the many Evils, Artifices, Cheats, Fallacies, and Sophiſtries of Seducers, and Impoſtors, and of Satan in them, whereby many poor ſimple Souls are deluded.

Therefore ſaith Paul, Who is ſufficient for theſe things? 2 Cor. 2.6. Do not they call for the beſt accompliſhments?

SECT. V. Satan makes uſe of Learning to oppoſe the Truth.

LEarning is neceſſary to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, Argum. 4.for defence of the Truth, becauſe Satan makes much uſe of Learning to oppoſe the Truth, and fight againſt Religion, to maintain his Cauſe, uphold p. 187and promote his Kingdom: and Satan makes choice and uſe of Learned men to be his Agents and Champions, Advocates for Error, and Adverſaries to the Truth of God. To this end

1. Satan ſtirred up Heathens, who were endued with Learning, to write books againſt the Chriſtian Religion, as Porphyry (who was one of Julians boſom-birds) Celſus, Symmachus, and others.

2. Then Satan raiſed up Heretics within the Church, men of corrupt minds, deſtitute of the Truth (but of Parts, and Learning) to deviſe, defend, and ſpread Errors, Hereſies and Blaſphemies, and reſiſt the Truth of God with all their might, as Arrius, Neſtorius, Macedonius, Donatus, Pelagius, and many others.

3. How many learned Men hath Satan imployed, and ingaged ſince, in later times, to be defenders of Popery, or Romiſh-Idolatry (as Jeſuits, and many others) of Arminianiſm, Socinianiſm, Antinomianiſm, Anabaptiſm, Familiſm, Libertiniſm; and of ſeveral old Hereſies, newly raked up and revived?

It hath been the Jeſuits brag, that Imperium literarum eſt penes Jeſuitas, the Empire of Learning is within their Dominion, and that we have not a Scholar-Proteſtant.

p. 1884. How hath Satan excited the Papiſts (thoſe friends of Antichriſt, and builders of Babylon) to be at great pains, coſt, and charges to advance Learning with them, that they may the better overthrow the Truth of God with us. Hence it is that they have errected ſo many Univerſities in Spain, France, Italy.

How are the Colledges of the Jeſuits, throughout the Pope's Dominions, promoted ſo as to allure even foreiners thereunto.

Then, do not the Proteſtant Reformed Churches ſtand in great need of Men, eminently Learned, to be able Defenders of the Faith, and ſtrenuous maintainers of the Truths of Chriſt, againſt all Heatheniſh, Heretical, and Schiſmatical Adverſaries thereof; whether ſecret underminers, or open oppoſers? to convince, and confute Learned, Subtile, Witty Adverſaries, as Heretics, Jeſuits, and divers others?

May not Learning (being well uſed) be as great a help, or advantage to the Truth and Cauſe of God, as Learning abuſed is an hinderance to it? an Engine, or Bulwark for Errors? Learning (as one ſaith) is part of the defenſive Arms of true Religion. Did not the Iſraelites need Smiths to make them Weapons, to defend themſelves againſt the Philiſtines, as the Philiſtines p. 189did to offend Iſrael? It is very obſervable, how God accompliſhed ſome of his ſervants, in all ages, with excellent Gifts, Graces, and Learning to refute, ſilence, and non-plus the moſt acute, and learned Adverſaries of God's Truth, and Grace, which thoſe times produced, as Moſes to withſtand the learned Egyptians; Athanaſius to confute Arrius; and Auſtin, that learned Father, to oppoſe Pelagius; Jewel, Whitaker, Rainolds, Cartwright, Fulk, Perkins, men of great Learning, to refute the Jeſuits; Moulin, Ames, Twiſs, to confute Arminius.

Yea, the Devil can and doth ſometime make uſe of Learning himſelf to ſerve his turn; as he did in his ſpeaking out of the poſſeſſed man, See Mr. Rich. Rothwel's life in Mr Clark's Book of Lives.John Fox in Nottinghamſhire, to Mr. Richard Rothwel: he quoted many Scriptures out of the Old and New Testament, both in Hebrew and Greek; he cavilled, and played the Critic, and backed his Allegations with Sayings out of the Fathers and Poets, in their own languages, which he readily quoted. So that the Company trembled to hear ſuch things from the Man (who underſtood not Learning, nor moved either tongue or lip) or rather from the Devil in the Man. But Mr. Rothwel, being not onelyonly a gracious p. 190Man, but a great Scholar, was enabled by God to detect the Devil's Sophiſtry. —Was not his Humane Learning then of uſe to him?

SECT. VI. Satan ſeeks by obſtructing Learning to undermine Religion.

THe Neceſſity and Utility of Learning doth further appear by another Deſign of Satan, Argum. 5.which is, to undermine Religion by the obstructing of Learning, and diſcouraging thereof. This he hath practiſed by his Inſtruments, three eſpecially, ſcil. Julian, Antichriſt, and Opinionists.

1. Julian the Apoſtate, who endeavored to ſuppreſs all Chriſtian Religion by repreſſing the Schools of Learning: forbidding to Christians the uſe of humane Authors, of Philoſophy, and the Liberal Arts; telling them in ſcorn, that their own ſublime Learning might ſuffice. He prohibited the Children of Christians to be educated in Learning. He decreed, none ſhould ſtudy in any School, who would not adore Idols, to deprive Men of Learning and Abilities to preach and defend the Christian Faith, and confute the Heathens: p. 191for by this means, ſaith he, Theodor. lib. 3. cap. 8.propriis pennis configimur; ex nostris enim libris arma capiunt, &c. We are beaten with our own Weapons. This is like the Philistines Deſign upon Iſrael, that there ſhould be no Smith in all the Land of Iſrael to make them Swords or Spears.1 Sam. 13.19.1 Sam 13:19

2. Antichriſt (Satan's eldeſt Son) this was one of his Projects, to baniſh Arts and Tongues, and to overſpread all with Barbariſm, which abandoneth Religion, and excludes Learning, and ſucceeds it as Darkneſs doth the Light. There was a time when Graece noſſe ſuſpectum erat, Hebraice fere Haereticum: to underſtand Greek was a matter of ſuſpicion, but to know Hebrew was almoſt Hereſie.

Pope Paul the ſecond pronounced them Heretics, See Platina in vita Paul… 2.who ſhould commemorate the Name of Academy, vel ſerio, vel joco, either in jeſt, or in earneſt: he exhorted the Romans not to bring up their Children in the Studies of Learning, telling them, it was ſufficient if they could write and read: he ſo hated Humane Learning, &c.

How vigorouſly have the Papiſts driven on this Deſign to hinder Learning (as much as they could) among the Proteſtants, of purpoſe to diſable them, and diſarm them of Weapons to defend the Truth of p. 192Chriſt, and to oppugn their Romiſh Doctrines and Tenets: but they have by all means promoted Learning in all kinds among themſelves, to defend themſelves, and offend us; to oppoſe, yea, to overcome the Truth, if they could; but that is great, and will prevail.

That it is a Jeſuitical Deſign to decry Learning and Univerſities, and thereby to extirpate the Protestants Religion, appears by Adam Contzen, a ſubtil Jeſuite, in his Politics, lib. 2. cap. 18. ſect. 6. who preſcribes this, among divers others Means for the introducing of Popery, to baniſh (Protestant) Miniſters out of the Commonwealth, and that at once, if it can conveniently be; if not, inſenſibly, and by degrees. For the Truth, when it wants Patrons, will fall, without ſtriking a ſtroke. Antiminiſterial Deſigns are Antichriſtain Deſigns, into which many are ſeduced, and which are carried on by Jeſuitical craft; that there ſhould be no learned men to detect Popiſh Impoſtures, and refute their Errors.

3. This Deſign Satan carries on by Enthuſiasts alſo, and tumultuous Opinioniſts, miſ-led and acted by a ſpirit of Error, Deluſion, and Faction, giddineſs, and perverſneſs; as thoſe Anabaptiſts, Familiſts, p. 193and Libertines in Germany, who abaſed and abandoned humane Learning, and burnt all Books ſave the Bible.

Should not all the Reformed Churches indulge and encourage the Univerſities, and Nurſeries of good Learning, as much as they can, for the Advancement of Learning, and indeed of Religion thereby? Ought not all, that would approve themſelves the Builders of Sion, be active, to the utmoſt of their power, to countermine theſe dangerous Deſigns of Satan and his Inſtruments? Dr. Arrowſm. Orat. 1. Antiweigel.It is a glory to the Tranſylvanians, that they lately founded Alba Julia; and to the Hollanders, that they erected an illuſtrious School and Colledge, Collegium Auriacum, at Breda; and to the Germans, that they reſtored or renewed the Academy at Heidelberg. Is it not an Honor to the Engliſh to uphold and maintain the two famous Univerſities of Cambridge and Oxford in their juſt Priviledges, due Revenues, Honor, and flouriſhing State? to give all the Encouragement they can to Learning, and not to detract or diminiſh the leaſt of any of theſe from them? Did not the Parliament acknowledge, that, for the Propagation of the Goſpel in New-England, Univerſities, Schools and Nurſeries of Literature muſt be ſetled p. 194there, for inſtructing and civilizing them? See the Act for promoting the Goſpel in New-England.

Even Leo the firſt, ☞Emperor, profeſſed that he would rather have Philoſophers then Soldiers in his Pay.

SECT. VII. Teſtimonies concerning Learning.

LEarning hath been highly eſteemed, Argum. 6.and much commended by the ancient Fathers, and all the Chriſtian Reformed Churches, and by the moſt learned, orthodox, godly, judicious Modern Divines, and by others alſo, for the neceſsity, commodity, and excellency thereof.

Luther ſpeaks thus, Luther. Epiſt. Tom. 1.—Vehementer & toto coelo errare cenſeo, qui Philoſophiam, & Naturae cognitionem, inutilem putant Theologiae. I make account they err exceedingly, who think Philoſophy, and the knowledge of Nature, uſeleſs to Divinity. —And in another place he ſaith, Epiſt. Tom. 2.Ego perſuaſus ſum ſine literarum peritia prorſus ſtare non poſſe ſinceram Theologiam; ſicut hactenus ruentibus & jacentibus literis miſerrime & cecidit & jacuit. Quin video, &c. I am perſwaded, that pure (or ſincere) Divinity can in no wiſe ſtand without the Skill of Learning: p. 195as hitherto Learning ſalling and lying, it (ſcil. Divinity) hath moſt miſerably both faln and lain. Yea (ſaith he) I ſee there was never a remarkable revelation of the Word of God made, but firſt, as by Baptiſts, Forerunners of it, he prepared a way by Tongues and Learning, riſing and flouriſhing.

In his Book of the Inſtitution of Children Luther thus commends the Tongues, Tom. 7. pag. 442. a.—Vaginarum vice ſunt Linguae, in quibus Gladius ille Spiritus, &c. —Arcae ſunt, &c. The Tongues are as it were the Scabbards, in which the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is ſheathed. They are the Cheſts, or Caſes, which keep this precious thing, this noble Jewel. The Storehouſes, out of which a Preacher may fetch Goſpel-proviſion. The Cups, wherein we carry about this wholeſom Potion: and the Baskets, in which the loaves with the fiſhes, and the very fragments are kept, that they be not loſt. He adds, Pag. 444.….— Quanquam & nobis obſcurum non eſt, Spiritu Dei omnia prorſus fieri; tamen niſi ſuppetias mihi tuliſſent Linguae, per hoc quod literarum ſacrarum certo & infallibili me conſtabiliſſem intellectu, ſane priore in ſalebra miſero mihi cum inimicis Evangelii etiamnum haerendum foret. In which, and the following p. 196words he declares, That if he had not been helped out by the Tongues, he had ſtill ſtuck where he was, with the Enemies of the Goſpel, in the mire of Popery: and in pag. Pag. 445. a.445. he ſeriouſly bewails it, that he had not read more Poets and Hiſtorians.—Quanta nunc ducor poenitentia, ob non plures & Poetas & Hiſtoriographos a me lectos.

Melancthon, Melancthon.in his Epiſtle before this book of Luther's, delivers himſelf thus, —Linguas profecto praecidi oportet iis, qui pro concionibus paſſim a literarum ſtudiis imperitam juventutem dehortantur. Nam admiſſa Barbarie, &c. They deſerve (ſaith he) to have their Tongues cut out, who dehort youth from the ſtudy of learning. For we ſee that when Barbariſm hath been admitted, Religion hath been weakned. And I greatly fear leſt things come to the ſame paſs, except we with all our might defend learning, that moſt excellent gift of God.

Quantum Ratio dat Homini (ſaith Caſaubon) tantum Literatura dat Rationi, Caſaubon.Religio Literaturae, & Religioni Gratia. What Reaſon doth give to a Man, ☞that doth Learning give to Reaſon, Religion to Learning, and Grace to Religion.

Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs gives this teſtimony p. 197to Learning. Burtough's Heart-Diviſions upon Hoſea 10.2. p. 88, 89.Hos 10:2There is (ſaith he) a great deluſion in many mens hearts, that makes them think it to be half Popery to give any reſpect to learning. Although the abuſe of learning hath done much evil, (againſt that much hath been, and may be ſaid) yet I dare avow this, that never, ſince the beginning of the world, could a man be found to ſpeak againſt learning, but an ignorant man. Neither is it like, nay I may aver, 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.

Dr. Rainolds ſaith, Rainolds in his Funeral Sermon for Mr. Langley in Acts 7.22.Acts 7:22Humane Learning is a noble gift of God, and a great honor and ornament to the moſt excellent men. All Secular Learning is the knowledge of God's works, aeternae veritatis particula, a ſmall emanation from eternal verity. Philoſophical and Mathematical Learning is the knowledge of his works of Creation: Hiſtorical and Political lea…ning, the knowledge of his works of Providence: Moral, Oeconomical, and Civil learning is the knowledge of thoſe remainders of his image and law, which are left in the mind of men for their direction and conviction: Grammatical, Rhetorical and Logical learning p. 198is the knowledge of the uſe of that Reaſon, which God giveth us for imparting our minds, and evidencing our conceptions one unto another.

—In regard of the Church and Truths of Religion, learning is uſeful as an Handmaid, in a way of attendance thereupon, and ſubſerviency thereunto.

Dr. Gauden.Gauden ſaith, The excellent Gifts of all ſorts of good learning are as the ſtring to the bowe, and as feathers to the arrows of Truth; herewith Satan hath found himſelf much galled, hampered and chained.

—Learning is a Glaſs, wherein the fair faces and beauty of Religion and Reaſon are beſt repreſented.—It is an intellectual beauty, and a mean of knowing ſomething daily more excellent in the Creature, or Creation, then it did before.

Pitſaeus ſaith, Pitſaeus in Procemio Relat. retum Anglic. pag. 23.Homines quo magis ignari, & a bonis literis & diſciplinis alieni, &c. The more men are ignorant and eſtranged from all Arts and Sciences, the nearer they come to the life of beaſts and ſavages. For unleſs the powers of the mind (by which we are diſtinguiſhed from brutes) be by liberal Sciences ordered and modified, all their vertue will degenerate, not only into a likeneſs to, but into a degree p. 199of rudeneſs beyond beaſts.—That of the Poet is true,

—Didiciſſe fideliter artes

Emollit mores, nec ſinit eſſe feros.

Sigiſmund the Emperor (as ſome relate) was much affected, that neither he, Bucholcer. Chronol. Anno 1437.nor any of his Courtiers, or Counſellers, were able (at the Council of Conſtance) to anſwer a foreign Embaſſador in the Latine Tongue: therefore he began to learn Latine when he was old. — And when ſome of his Nobles, that had no learning, (and therefore hated it) diſdain'd that he preferr'd ſome men of mean degree before them, meerly for their learning; he anſwered that he had good reaſon to honor Scholars, as thoſe that were ſingularly graced and gifted by God. Knights and Lords, ſaid he, I can make in a day as many as I liſt, but Scholars God only can make, from whom cometh every good and perfect Gift.

It's true, many in theſe days decry Learning, and lay it as low as they can, as unneceſſary, if not dangerous; and they diſeſteem and diſhonour the learned. But are they not (divers of them at leaſt) fanatic perſons, who ſpeak evil of the things they know not, both Tongues and Sciences? or do not ſome of them ſometimes p. 200uſe it, (or rather abuſe it, as I have heard) even when they ſpeak againſt it? and diſcommend others wares, to get the better price for their own ſilly ſtuff? Uſually they, that ſpeak againſt learning, decry Reaſon (which they may as well do, ſeeing learning is but the improvement of reaſon) when they are not able to ſpeak one word of ſenſe againſt it, without its help: Juſt as thoſe that defame Logic muſt be beholding to it, to frame their Arguments for them? But ſuch men, by diſclaiming reaſon, tie themſelves to oppoſe learning without any reaſon, and ſo diſoblige others regard to what they ſay. They are like thoſe Tradeſmen, who keep their ſhops dark on purpoſe, that they may better put off their bad wares. Theſe are Fauxes (as one calls them) with dark lanthorns to blow up all.☞

It is accounted the character of wicked men to hate learning, and deſign the ruine of it: and ſome obſerve, that they never read in any Hiſtories of any, but evil men, that were oppoſers of it.

Enemies to learning are no friends to the learned, (for they ordinarily beſpatter and vilifie them) nor to Religion, (as hath been declared) no nor to Reaſon, or to natural gifts and abilities, which are much p. 201improved, heightned, and perfected thereby. For what are Arts but reaſon refined, rightned and ripened; or well regulated and well ordered, as far as the ſubjects and capacity of them doth extend.

SECT. VIII. Of the Learning of the Ancient Fathers.

GOd hath uſed ſuch as the greateſt inſtruments of his glory, of good in his Church, and of ſervice in their Generation, who have been indued with, yea excelled in humane learning; as

I. The Ancient Fathers.

II. The Modern Divines.

I. The Ancient Fathers were ſtrenuous defenders of the Truth, juſtifiers of Chriſtian Religion againſt the Jews, and againſt the Heathen, (diſcovering to the world the vanity of their gods, the abſurdity and impiety of Paganiſm) and againſt proud Heretics; and the vindicators of it from unjuſt aſperſions, and injurious calumnies.

They were all learned men, or bred and brought up in learning. I will ſet down ſome hints hereof, which I find in ſeveral Authors concerning ſome of them, in reference to the Centuries (or ages) after p. 202Chriſt, in which they lived, as the Writers of their lives have placed them.

Juſtine Martyr, In the ſecond Century.of a Philoſopher (for he was at firſt a Platoniſt, and learned) became both a Chriſtian, and a Martyr. He labored and ſuffered much for the Religion of Chriſt. He writ a book againſt all Hereſies, and famous Volumes againſt Marcion the Heretic; he writ alſo Apologies for the Chriſtians. He was renowned in all ancient Hiſtories, for his great knowledge both in Religion and Philoſophy.

Irenaeus was educated from his childhood in Philoſophy, and Arts. He was admired of all for his excellent learning and skill in humane and in divine things. Tertullian calls him Omnium doctrinarum curioſum exploratorem, an exquiſite ſearcher out of all learning. He was an exact reſuter of Hereſie. He confuted the Valentinians, and Gnoſtics, who were the inventers (as one ſaith) of the moſt Chymical Divinity that ever came into the fancy of man. He was laborious and proſperous in his Miniſtery, and converted almoſt the whole city (of Lyons in France) from Paganiſm.

Clemens Alexandrinus, Jerom ſaith of p. 203him, Meo judicio fuit omnium eruditisſimus: quid in illius libris indoctum? &c. That in his opinion he was the moſt learned. Daniel Heinſius ſaith, In the Dedication of Clemens his Works to Guſtavus Adolphus.He was ſecond to few in Antiquity, to none in Learning: and that he labored to be an healer of the ſuperſtition of the Greeks, which at that time invaded the world. Cui primo omnium errori vir ſanctiſſimus graviſſimo volumine medetur. His writings contain a treaſure of divine and humane learning, and are full of eloquence. He excell'd in Hiſtory, and in confutation of hereſie.

Tertullian was skill'd in all kind of learning, Lactantius.and of chiefeſt eſteem amongſt the Latine Authors. Jerom ſaith, that his books againſt the Gentiles contain cunctam ſaeculi doctrinam, all the learning of his age, or all ſorts of learning. Pamelius in vita Tertulliam.He was diligently converſant in the Mathematics, and in Hiſtories. Scult. Medull.He oppoſed in thoſe times with great zeal the Heretics, as Marcion, the Valentinians, Praxeas, Hermogenes, as alſo the Jews. He wrote a learned Apology in behalf of the Chriſtians, who were then falſly accuſed and perſecuted; and he demonſtrated to the very Heathen the verity of Chriſtian Religion, and the innocency of Chriſtians.

Origen was (as is reported of him) from p. 204In the third Century.his infancy throughly grounded in all Learning; and he was accounted a Mirror of Piety and Learning, of all ſorts Humane and Divine. He had a great acuteneſs in confuting the Philoſophers, and thoſe Arabians, who would have Souls to die with their Bodies, and Berillus the Heretic, who denied the Eternity of Chriſt: whom at length he reduced to the Truth; as he did Ambroſe from the error of the Marcionites. He was a great honorer of Martyrdom, a comforter of Martyrs. His whole life was a continual ſtudy, he would read at his Meals.

Cyprian was firſt a Rhetorician, after a Learned godly Biſhop, and at length a glorious Martyr of Chriſt. He confuted Novatus the Heretic, whom he ſtiles in his Epiſtles an importunate Innovator, a murtherer of Penitence.

Lactantius excelled all the Writers of the Church in Elegance, In the fourth Century.and luſtre of Language. Jerom ſaith of him, that he was as it were a flood of Tullian Eloquence. He wrote many Treatiſes, which may be read with profit, and pleaſure.

Athanaſius was educated in all ſorts of learning. He was a vigorous Oppoſer of the Arrians, therefore he was called, The Hammer of the Arrian Heretics, by whom p. 205he was extreamly hated, becauſe they perceived the acuteneſs of his wit, Learning, and induſtry, in confuting of Hereſies in the Nicene Council; therefore he was expoſed to great trouble. Theodoret calls him, The Bulwark of Truth; Naziazen ſtiles him, The great Trumpet and pillar of the Church. He was great for his Learning, labors, ſufferings, and conſtancy, and courage, even when not onelyonly Biſhops, but Emperors, Kingdoms, Armies, and Nations, were ſet againſt him, yet the Emperor Conſtantine gave this character of him, Virum plane divinum exiſtimo. I hold him to be indeed a divine man.

Hilary was a man of excellent parts. In his Epiſtle preſixed to his works.Eraſmus ſaith, that he was Ob vitae ſanctimoniam, inſignem eruditionem, & Eloquentiam admirabilem, aevi ſui Lumen, the light of his Age for ſanctity of life, eminent Learning, and admirable Eloquence—quanto ſtomacho ſaevit in Arrianos, &c. He was a great Antagoniſt to the Arrians, whom he called, Devils, Antichriſts, blaſphemers, peſts; he writ ſeveral books againſt them. Jerom calls him The Trumpet of the Latine Tongue, (perhaps becauſe he was the firſt that confuted the Arrians in Latine) and the Confeſſor of our time.

p. 206Cyril of Jeruſalem, a man of great Learning, Prudence, and Piety, Eccleſiaſtical Writers teſtifie of him, that he was Fortiſſimus Chriſti Athleta, & Orthodoxae fidei aſſertor conſtantiſsimus. A moſt valiant champion of Chriſt, and moſt conſtant defender of the Orthodox faith. He ſuffered many perſecutions through the rage of the Arrians.

Baſil called Magnus, Greg. Nazianz. in vita Bahlii.he was great every way, as in wit and Learning (in omni doctrinae genere ſummus, ſaith Suidas) skilful in all the liberal Sciences, and in all the Mathematics. Summus in cunctis apparuit, he was ſo excellent in every one, as if he had ſtudied that onelyonly one. Great in eloquence, (Eraſmus calls him the Chriſtian Demoſthenes) great in contending for, and in defending the truth, in confuting and convincing Heretics.

Gregory Nazianzene was Learned in Grammar, Vita Greg. Nazianz. a Greg. Presbytero conſcripta.Rhetoric, Philoſophy both Natural and Moral, Poetry, Arithmetic, Geometry, Aſtronomy, in all the Liberal Arts: in the ſtudy of which he ſpent many years. He was a man of great Authority and uſe in the Greek Churches: that who ſo oppoſed his teſtimony was ſuſpected of Hereſie. He is called A living Library of Philoſophy and Divinity.

p. 207Epiphanius had great knowledge in the Hebrew, being educated by one Tryphon, a Jew. He was a learned, pious Divine, Cornarius Medicus.ſaith Cornarius, who tranſlated him out of Greek into Latine, which work he undertook propter Authoris praeſ…ntiam, & operis raritatem, for the excellency of the Author and rarity of the work. He was a man (ſaith one) of a very good, honeſt, John Daille.and plain nature. He was ſemper Haereticorum acerrimus oppugnator, alway a ſharp oppoſer of Hereſies. He wrote a Learned book againſt 80 Hereſies, which contains variety of ſtory in it. He purged all Cyprus from Hereſies, and having obtained an Edict from Theodoſius the Emperor, he caſt all the Heretics out of the Iſland.

Ambroſe was Learned in the Liberal Arts, and excellent in Eloquence. He was very couragious for the truth. He denied the Emperor Theodoſius entrance into the Church, until he had publickly confeſed his fault, ſcil. that miſerable ſlaughter cauſed by him at Theſſalonica. Daille ſaith he was one of the moſt firm Pillars of the Church in his time. He was called (ſaith another) orbis Terrarum oculus: the eye of the world, an eye as bright as any other in the world's orb in his time.

p. 208Gregory Nyſſen, a famous man (as Suidas) omnique doctrina exuberans, abounding with all Learning, and as excellent in Rhetoric as any of the Antients. He was the light and ornament of the Nyſſen Church: a ſtrenuous oppoſer of Eunomius his Hereſie; he was a diligent, reverent, ſtudious reader of the holy Scriptures, having a ſpecial eye to the proper and genuine ſence of them.

Theodoret made ſuch proficiency in Learning and piety by his own ingenuity, and induſtry, through God's bleſſing, that he was made Biſhop of Cyrus (a Town in Syria) while he was yet a young man. One calls him, Orthodoxae pietatis amantiſsimus propugnator, haereticaeque pravitatis fortiſsimus oppugnator. A moſt loving propagator of Orthodox piety, and a couragious oppoſer of Heretical pravity. He wrote much againſt the Heretics. He of himſelf condemned Neſtorius, and put ſtop to his Hereſie. He reduced many in his Dioceſs to the truth, with great labor, and hazzard of life, who were infeſted with the peſt of Marcion. He wrote a volume againſt all Hereſies; and an Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, which is very uſeful to the Church. Bellarmine calls him virum plane doctiſsimum, a very Learned man, p. 209Another ſaith, he had multifarium in omni diſciplinarum genere ſcientiam, manifold knowledge in all kind of Learnings.

Jerome was inſtructed at Rome (then the only Nurſery of Learning) where he profited much in all ſorts of Learning, and afterwards travelled over the greateſt part of Europe, to encreaſe his knowledge, by viewing ſeveral Libraries, and conferring with the moſt Learned men. He was a great Linguiſt, hence called foreign, excellent in Hebrew, well skil'd in the Chaldee and Syriac. His ſtile is elegant. He was vir in ſaecularibus valde eruditus, Trithemius.well verſed in ſecular Learnings. Eraſmus calls him facundiſsimum Eccleſiae doctorem, the moſt Eloquent Doctor of the Church. He was the boldeſt and moſt judicious cenſurer of the Ancients, John Dailie.and he happily improved a critical faculty upon them.

He wrote againſt the Pelagians: and was an extirpator of Heretics, and defender of the truth, he read over all his Library, and learned Scriptures to a word, and tranſlated the Bible out of the Original into Latine.

Chryſoſtome ſtudied hard the liberal Sciences and Philoſophy, and afterwards Divinity and Piety; Eraſmus.he was famous for Eloquence p. 210and zeal. He was called os aureum, mellitiſsimus Chriſti concionator, praecoque indefatigabilis, a moſt hony ſweet, unwearied Preacher of Chriſt, for his eloquent wiſdom, and wiſe eloquence, throughout his works Sanctity and Scholarſhip are joyned in one. He was foreign, the moſt copious writer of any of the Greek Fathers now extant. A judicious man ſaith of him, A man cannot eaſily take Chryſoſtome amiſs any where, eſpecially in his Moral Diſcourſes. He was a zealous propagator of the Goſpel to dark places, and oppoſer of Idolatry and Hereſie, and Heretics, as of the Marcionites, and the Arrians. He was bold in reproving ſin, and not fearing ſufferings, as appears by his ſpeeches to Eudoxia the Empreſs. Nil inli peccacatum tunco.Theodoret ſtyles him eximium orbis terrarum luminare, The eminent light of the whole world. He was ſo beloved and reverenced of all men, that, when he was like to be ſilenced, the people cried out, Satius eſt ut ſol non luceat, quam ut non doceat Chryſoſtomus, We had better want the ſhining of the Sun, then the preaching of Chryſoſtome.

Auguſtine was educated in Learning, In the fifth Century. Loſſidius alias Poſſidonius.to the weakning of his Parents eſtate. He learned Grammar in his own city, and p. 211Rhetoric at Carthage, He was ſaecularibus literis eruditus apprime, &c. very learned in all the liberal Sciences: he writ of the Arts, as Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Muſic, Philoſophy, &c. He defended the truth againſt the Arrians, Manichees, Pelagians, Circumcellians, Donatiſts, Priſcillianiſts, and whatſoever error elſe prevailed in his time. He had ſeveral ſharp conflicts with them, and confuted them by many Learned writings, as alſo by word of mouth in Diſputations, as he did Fortunatus, and Placentius, both ſtiff Arrians: and thereby he convinced, and converted one Felix a Manichee, (that he recanted his error, and joyned to the Church) as he did alſo one Firmus, a rich Merchant and a Manichee, by a digreſſion in his Sermon (when he was out, and forgot the ſubject he thought to proſecute, and fell upon a confutation of the Manichees) this Firmus came afterwards to him with tears, renouncing his error, and promiſing reformation. Auguſtine was called Malleus Haereticorum, The Hammer of the Heretics. Eraſmus calls him acerrimum fidei Chriſtianae propugnatorem, the moſt ſharp and valorous defender of the Chriſtian Faith. Another calls him The faireſt flower of Antiquity. He was an inſtrument in God's p. 212hands of gaining many Pagans to the knowledge of the truth. Dr. Sibbs ſaith of him, that he challenged the doctrine of Gods Predeſtination out of the hands of the enemies of Grace, and flatterers of Nature, as being a man fitted with grace, learning, and wit for ſuch a conflict. No Scriptures are more faithfully handled by him, then thoſe that were wreſted by his oppoſites, and ſuch as made for the ſtrengthning of his own cauſe; in other writings he took more liberty. His Scholars, Proſper and others, intereſſed themſelves in the ſame quarrel: Proſper, retaining Auguſtine's Doctrine, learnedly confuted the Pelagian Hereſie. Daniel Toſſanus ſaith, that the Palmary or Maſterpiece of Auguſtine was, that he, above all the other Fathers, and almoſt alone, being provoked by the Pelagians, diligently diſcuſſed the Doctrine of Predeſtination, and of Original Sin.

He onelyonly of all the Ancients wrote Books of Retractations: for, as he profeſſeth in his ſeventh Epiſtle, he wrote by profiting, and profited by writing. He always kept Scholars in his houſe quoad victum & amictum, —with food and raiment. His uſual Prayer was, that when Chriſt came he might finde him aut precantem, p. 213aut praedicantem, either praying, or preaching.

Cyril of Alexandria was famous for Piety and Learning, he was Preſident in the Council at Epheſus, in which he condemned Nestorius and Pelagius, with their Errors, very learnedly and judiciouſly: he ſpake many elegant Sentences: he was ſo renowned, that the Grecian Biſhops (as it is reported) gat ſome of his Homilies by heart, and rehearſed them to their people.

Fulgentius was Augustine's Scholar, In the ſixth Century.and followed him foot by foot, eſpecially in ad Monimum, & ad Petrum, the two beſt of his Works; he had great knowledge in the Greek and Latine Tongues: he contended earneſtly againſt the Arrians (whoſe Opinion then had overſpred all Africa) and other Heretics; and he ſuffered much for defending the Orthodox Faith. He was extremely perſecuted by the Arrians, yet would not ſeek revenge (no not when he had opportunity) but would ſay, Plura pro Chriſto ſunt toleranda, We muſt ſuffer more for Chriſt then ſo: and as he anſwered Felix the Arrian that dealt ſo ill with him, Chriſtiani eſt non ulciſci ſeſe, Deus enim ulturus injuriam ſuis illatam.

Iſidore was called by Caſaubon, In the ſeventh Century.pius & p. 214eruditus Scriptor, a godly learned Writer; he was admired for his Learning and Eloquence: he could fitly accommodate his ſpeech both to the learned, and to the ignorant: it's ſaid, He led an Angelical and Evangelical Life in the fleſh.

Venerable Bede was very learned in Philoſophy, Aſtronomy, Poetry, in Greek, Arithmetic, Rhetoric; but eſpecially very converſant in, and ſtudious of the holy Scriptures: he was ſaid to be the Honor of England, and the Mirror of his Time for Learning: ſo famous for it, and for Piety, that he was ſent for to Rome to help to ſettle the Churches peace.

Damaſcen was educated in Learning, In the eighth Century.got the knowledge of all the Liberal Sciences, then he ſtudied the Scripture, and Divinity: he was a diligent Preacher and Propagator of the Faith and Truth of Chriſt, and a great Oppoſer of Heretics: he was called a great Star in the Churches Firmament in that time when there was great darkneſs; but he by his life and doctrine illuminated many.

Bernard had pregnant and admirable parts for wit, memory, and underſtanding, a great Proficient in Learning, and had an excellent faculty in preaching. His Sentences were ſtuffed (as one ſaith) omni amoenitate p. 215& pietate, with all amoenity and piety: he was in great repute for his ſanctity of life and doctrine.

Thus I have given a brief Account of the ancient Fathers, that they were learned, whom God made eminently uſeful in, and to his Church. Let me add two things by way of Caution:

1. Though they were learned and pious, yet they had their infirmities and blemiſhes; and were ſubject to errors and failings even in their Writings, as hath been obſerved by many. See Daille's Treatiſe.

They were not acted with an infallible ſpirit (as the Pen-men of ſacred Writ were) therefore they muſt be read with conſideration and diſcretion; their Writings muſt be tried by the Touchſtone of God's Word. To be altogether exempt from Errors is the Priviledge of the holy Scriptures.

Divers Divines have given Rules for the right underſtanding of the Fathers. See Scultet. Medull. Patr. Dan. Synopſ. de Legendis Patribus, John Daille in his Treatiſe concerning the right uſe of the Fathers.

2. Leſt any ſhould think theſe ancient Fathers had no need of their humane Learning, or might have been as well without p. 216it; it's true they ſtood in need of more Learning in ſome kinde then they had attained, the want whereof was the Cauſe of their Errors and Miſtakes Ex. gr. Auguſtine, by reaſon of his good inſight into the Hebrew and Greek Tongue, fell ſhort, and failed much of ſolid Interpretation in his Expoſitory Books. Luther inſtanceth in his Comment upon the Pſalms: he mentioned Hilary too. Ambroſe alſo, by reaſon of his Ignorance in the Tongues, erred oft in his Expoſitions. See Luther in libello de Inſtit. pueris, where he ſhews, that Patrum Errores in ſacra Scriptura provenerunt ex Linguarum ignorantia, pag. 442, 443, 444. The Errors of (ſome) of the Fathers grew from their Ignorance of the Tongues. Had it not been better for them to have had more knowledge thereof?

So much of the Learning of the Fathers.

SECT. IX. Of the Learning of the firſt Reformers.

Secondly, Now I ſhall ſhew briefly the Learning of the Modern Divines, which may be caſt into two Ranks:

I. Thoſe former, who were the happy p. 217Reformers of Religion, or honored by God as Maſter-Builders to lay the Foundation, and begin the Work of Reformation.

II. Theſe later, who vigorouſly carried on the Work of Reformation.

I. The Learning of thoſe former Divines, whom God raiſed up in pity to his poor Church, when the Apoſtacy of Popery had ſo far overſpread, and prevailed. They were many of them learned, men of great skill in Arts and Tongues; and others competently learned: and all, men of invincible courage, and indefatigable pains, excited and qualified by God to be the Reſtorers of the true Chriſtian Religion from its bondage in Ignorance and Superſtition; and ſtrong and ſtout Oppoſers of the Pope and Popery in the Points of Doctrine, Worſhip, and Practice. Theſe lived in (or about) the fourteenth and fifteenth Centuries.

Berengarius lived in the diſmal darkneſs, and depth of Popery: Century 14. Uſſertus de Chriſt. Eccleſ. ſucceſ. cap. 7. pag. 196, 197.he profited in the School above his Equals; and was well-skill'd in the Liberal Arts, an excellent Logician; of great account for his Learning and Piety. He was expert in the Scriptures; and alſo in the Writings of the ancient Fathers. He was a Champion p. 218for the Truth in the Point of Tranſubſtantiation; oppoſing the Corporal Preſence of Chriſt in the Sacrament. He had almoſt drawn all Italy, France, and England to his Opinion. He was of a bold, undaunted ſpirit and courage. His Life and Converſation was ſo unblameable, that therein (as one ſaith) he ſtarved the Malice of all his Adverſaries.Fuller.

Petrus Waldus, though he was not one of the Modern Divines, yet ſomething is obſervable in his Story, which is uſeful to our purpoſe. Alſted. Chronol.He was a rich Citizen of Lions in France, ☞converted by ſeeing one fall down dead in the ſtreets; upon which he betook himſelf to teach and admoniſh his Houſe and Friends to repent, and to ſtudy the Scriptures himſelf: and he profited ſo well therein, that he tranſlated divers parts thereof out of Latine into French. Friar Rainer, an Adverſary to the Truth, and to the Waldenſes, ſaith, That Waldus, being tolerably learned, taught thoſe that reſorted to him the Text of the New Teſtament in their Mother's Tongue; and that the Waldenſes (who were his Followers and Auditors) had above forty Schools, In Dioeceli Patavienſi.and divers Churches, all within one Dioceſs: yea, they were (as others witneſs) of that ability, that they had divers Conferences p. 219and Diſputations with the Romaniſts, and had the better.Vide Uſſerium cap. 6, 8.

As for the Doctrines and Tenets of the Waldenſes, Vide Uſſerium in cap. 6, ad cap. 10. & Proteſt. Evidences.they preached againſt the Doctrines and Practiſes of Rome; as the Pope's Power, Tranſubſtantiation, the Adoration of Images, and of the Croſs, againſt Prayers for the dead, Purgatory, Invocation of Saints, extreme Unction, Auricular Confeſsion, with many more.

John Wickliff was brought up in Merton Colledge in Oxford, he was famous both for life and learning, he excell'd in the knowledge of the Arts and School-Divinity; he was admired of all for his ſingular abilities, and ſweetneſs of demeanor: he was Divinity-Reader in Oxford: he was a diligent faithful Preacher of the Goſpel under King Edward the third, who always favored, and protected him againſt the rage of his Adverſaries. He denied the Pope to be the Head of the Church, Mr. Fuller. Mr. Clark.and pronounced him to be Antichriſt: he confuted and condemned his Doctrines about Bulls and Indulgences, Maſſes, Tranſubſtantiation, &c. He was a great Enemy to the ſwarms of begging Friars. He wrote above two hundred fair Volumes, moſt of which were burned by Subinck Arch-Biſhop of Prague in Bohemia: he wrote p. 220many Books of Philoſophy, and ſome of Metaphyſics. Dr. Featly.The Univerſity of Oxford crowned his perſon and doctrine with a fragrant Garland of Praiſes, whoſe doctrine was not onelyonly favored by divers Nobles, but alſo by the third part of the Clergy of England. In all his ſufferings he ſhewed an undaunted ſpirit.

John Huſs was educated in Learning at Prague in Bohemia, he was a great Scholar, and a famous Preacher in that Univerſity: he was converted by reading of John Wickliff's Books, Mr. Fuller.which Queen Ann's Courtiers, who brought her (being Siſter to Wenceſlaus King of Bohemia) over into England to Richard the ſecond King of England, did here light on, and carried them into their own Countrey; which Huſs had the happineſs to read, approve, and diſperſe: which proved a means of the Converſion of Bohemia; for Wickliff's Books firſt diſcovered the Romiſh Superſtitions unto them: he ſtoutly oppoſed the Pope's proceedings, and gave a blow to the man of ſin under the fifth rib, which in Scripture is always obſerved to be mortal. The Gentry and Nobility of Bohemia did highly favor him.

Jerom of Prague had his firſt breeding there, but he much enriched himſelf in p. 221Learning by his travels abroad to the moſt principal parts, and Staple-places of learning. At Paris he commenced Mr. of Arts; and in the Univerſity of Colen, and Heidleberg, had the ſame degree confirmed unto him. He was a man of admirable learning, Eloquence, Memory, Courage, and Zeal. He was converted, as John Huſs, by reading one of Wickliff's books, by which he perceived the abominable ſuperſtitions then uſed in the Church; and began by degrees, firſt in his judgment to diſlike them, after in his practice to diſuſe them, and laſtly in his preaching to confute them. He earneſtly contended for the Truth, againſt the enemies of it, and openly oppoſed the doctrine of Purgatory, and Prayers for the dead; and thundered againſt the ill lives of the Monks and Friers. He proclaimed and defended the innocency of John Huſs, and condemned his falſe accuſers. After his great and grievous ſufferings, being brought before the Council, he ſo learnedly vindicated himſelf, and refell'd his enemies, that they were aſtoniſhed at, and ſilenced by his Oration, which he concluded thus, That all ſuch Articles as Wickliff and Huſs had written againſt the enormities, pomp and diſorder of the Prelates, he would firmly p. 222hold and defend even to death.

Martin Luther born 1483. Century 15.at 14. years of age went to Magdeburg, from thence his Parents removed him to Iſenak, a famous School, there he perfected his Grammar-learning. He went thence to the Univerſity of Erford, Anno 1501. where he profited much in the knowledg of Logic, and other Learning, and read over Cicero, Livy, Virgil, and other Latine Authors. When he was twenty years old, he was made Mr. of Arts, and read as Profeſſor Ariſtotle's Phyſics, Ethics, and other parts of Philoſophy.

After his Converſion he began to read Auguſtine's works; Mr. Fuller.he alſo read over the Schoolmen, eſpecially Occam, whom he eſteemed, for acuteneſs of wit, before Aquinas and Scotus, and he ſtudiouſly peruſed Gerſon. In theſe Studies he ſpent five years in the Colledge at Erford.

When Luther was twenty ſix years old, John Staupicius (who endeavoured to promote the Univerſity of Wittenberg, then lately begun) removed Luther thither, where at firſt he explained Ariſtotle's Logic and Phyſics, yet intermitted not his ſtudy.

When he was 30. years old he was made Doctor in Divinity after the maner of the p. 223Schools, at the charge of Duke Frederic Elector of Saxony. The Prince hearing him preach admired his excellent parts.

Then he betook himſelf to the ſtudy of the Greek and Hebrew. Afterwards Luther publiſhed his Propoſitions againſt Indulgences, and oppoſed the Pope's Supremacy, Purgatory, and other Tenets of Popery.

Luther alſo confuted Nicholas Stork, Mr. Fuller.Thomas Muncer, and other fanatical Ringleaders, broaching new Doctrines, who pretended Revelations Angelical, and conferences with God, and denied the Baptiſm of Infants.

The Pope's Advocates promiſed Eraſmus a Biſhoprick of rich revenue, if he would write againſt Luther; but he anſwered that Luther was a man too great for him to write againſt, and that he learned more from one ſhort page of Luther's Writings, then from all Thomas Aquinas his Books.

Bucer called Luther the firſt Apoſtle of the reformed Doctrine; not ſimply, for Wickliff, Huſs, and thoſe forenamed, preached the ſame before; but Luther was the firſt, who in Bucer's age and memory, publickly and ſucceſsfully, ſet on foot a general Reformation of the Church p. 224in theſe Weſtern parts. John Huſs bare a torch before Luther, and ſhewed him his way. See more of Luther in his life.

Huldericus Zuinglius was ſent to School at Baſil at 10. Born 1487.years of age, where he exceeded his School-fellows in learning. At Bern he learned Rhetoric, Poetry, Oratory and Logic. At Vienna in Auſtria he ſtudied Philoſophy, and perfected his former parts. At Baſil he taught others what himſelf had learn'd. He commenced Maſter of Arts, and ſtudied School-divinity and Greek, wherein he excell'd. He was choſen Paſtor at Zuric, (anno Chriſti 1521.) where, beſide his Miniſterial labors, he ſtudied Hebrew, and was able to expound thoſe two major Prophets, Iſaiah and Jeremiah. He prevailed with the Senate at Zuric to erect a School for Latine, Greek and Hebrew.

He was admired in Switzerland, and famous at Zuric, as Luther in Germany, and at Wittenberg. He was ſolid in all maner of learning, and a diligent ſearcher of the Scriptures, being expert in the Original Tongues. He was ſo great an oppoſer of the Pope's Pardons, Indulgences, and proceedings, that the Cardinals themſelves (as is reported) ſought by great gifts to allure him to their ſide. At Zuric he p. 225diſputed with Franciſcus Lambertus, a Frier, about the Interceſſion of the Saints, and the ſacrifice of the Maſs, and convinced him of his error, ſo that he confeſſed and forſook his error, and gave glory to God.

Then crept in the opinion of the Anabaptiſts, which he oppoſed with all his might.

His works are large witneſſes of his gifts and graces, parts and pains.

Oecolumpadius, he was educated in Religion and Learning, firſt at a School in Germany, call'd Heelbronna, then at Heidelberg. Here he attained to that perfection in learning, that at the age of 14 years he was made Batchelor of Arts, with great approbation, and continued there till he was Maſter of Arts. Afterwards he fell cloſe to the ſtudy of Divinity, and read the Schoolmen, (Aquinas, Gerſon, and others) with indefatigable pains, and much profit. He ſtudied Greek at Stutgard, and Hebrew at Heidelberg. Anno 1515. he was call'd to be Preacher and Paſtor at Baſil, and commenced Dr. in that Univerſity; about the ſame time that Eraſmus came to Baſil to print his Annotations on the New Teſtament; for the perfecting whereof he uſed the aſſiſtance of Oecolampadius, a man (ſaith he) (a)(a)In his Preface to his Annotat. on the New Teſtament.eminent not only for piety, p. 226but for skill in three Languages; and confeſſed he was much helped by him.

The Writers of his Life give this character of him, that he was a worthy inſtrument of advancing the truth of Chriſt; which he defended againſt Eckius and Faber, and others. He was very ſucceſsful in appeaſing Sects and contentions, that aroſe in the Church. His fame both for piety and learning ſpread ſo abroad, that Philip Prince Elector Palatine committed his youngeſt ſon unto his tuition. He was a diligent, faithful Preacher of the Goſpel, and promoter of Reformation in the Church; into which he brought the right adminiſtration of the Sacraments, and the cenſure of Excommunication. He declared his judgement againſt the Maſs, and other Popiſh doctrines; againſt ſprinkling with holy water, and many ſuperſtitious actions; to which his doctrine (ſinking into his auditors hearts) put a period. He was famous in the City of Baſil.

p. 227SECT. X. The after-Promoters of Reformation were Learned.

I Have briefly declared the Learning of the former Modern Divines, who firſt ſet Reformation of Religion on foot; to wit, their Education in Learning, their ſtudy and increaſe of it; and the means thereof, ſcil. Schools and Univerſities; their need and uſe of it, as to the work God gave them to do; and the ſucceſs thereof in their generation. Now followeth,

2. The Learning of the latter Divines, Century 16, 17.who carried on the work of Reformation vigorouſly in Doctrine and worſhip, that was happily begun by the former: and were Eminent for Learning, as well as for Piety; and were very inſtrumental in promoting the truth of God, and in defending it againſt the Adverſaries of it: and in extirpating Errors, Hereſies, and Superſtitions, and many of them were Pillars in the Church of God, famous in the work of the Miniſtery, for their labors in Preaching, and alſo in Printing, and for the ſucceſs of both in the converſion of ſinners, and edification of Saints, and the confirmation p. 228of ſtaggerers, and reduction of the erroneous; in the planting and watering of Churches. Who have ſet forth ſo many Learned Syſtemes, Commentaries, and Tractates, and Diſputations of Divinity, as former Ages cannot parallel.

Their number being very great, and their Lives being largely deſcribed by many Writers, I ſhall refer you to them, for information concerning their Learning and Godlineſs, and uſefulneſs, what bleſſings they were in their Generation, and onelyonly name ſome of them that were of chief Note.

Outlandiſh Divines.

Paulus Fagius.Cent. …6, 17.

Martin Bucer.

Philip Melancthon.

Peter Martyr.

Wolfgangus Muſculus.

John Calvin.

William Farel.

Peter Viretus.

Stephen Zegidine.

Peter Ramus.

Benedictus Aretius.

Henry Bullinger.

Emmanuel Tremellius

Zachary Urſin.

Martin Chemnitius.

Ralph Gualter.

Hierom Zanchy.

Anthony Sadeel.

Lambert Danaeus.

Theodore… Beza.

Daniel Toſſanus.

Francis Junius.

Luke Trelcatius.

Amandus Polanus.

David Pareus.

p. 229John James Grynaeus.

Abraham Scultetus.

John Piſcator.

Engliſh Divines.

John Frith.

Thomas Bilney.

William Tindal.

John Rogers.

Laurence Sanders.

Rowland Tailor.

John Bradford.

John Juel.

William Whitaker.

Alexander Nowel.

William Perkins.

John Rainolds.

Thomas Holland.

Robert Abbat.

Andrew Willet.

Robert Bolton.

William Wheatly.

Dr. Sibbs.

Dr. Taylor.

Dr. Preſton.

Scottiſh Divines.

John Knox.

Robert Bollock.

Cum multis aliis.

Vide Melch. Adamum de vit is Theologorum, tum Germanorum tum exterorum.

The later Divines may be refered to three heads, according to the ſeveral Forms of Church-diſcipline, which they held forth in judgement and in practice Epiſcopal, Presbyterial, Congregational. What man p. 230hath been famous, and eminently inſtrumental in the work of the Miniſtry for labours and ſucceſs (under any of theſe Forms) who have not been Learned, or endued with a good meaſure of acquired parts, as of knowledge in the Tongues and Arts.

1. For Epiſcopacy. How many very Learned, Laborious, Godly Biſhops hath England bred, as Hooper, Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer, who were moſt zealous, couragious, faithful Martyrs for Chriſt, and for the Truth.

And many ſince, who have been famous for their Learning and Labors, both in Preaching and Printing; and for their piety and charity; who by their worthy works yet ſpeak, though they be dead, as Biſhops, Jewel, Abbot, Babington, Cowper, Davenant, Downame, Hall, Uſher, who was a Magazine of Learning, and Mirror of Sanctity, Humility and Charity.

Beſide many other pious, Learned, and uſeful men, who were for Epiſcopacy, though they were not Biſhops.

2. For Presbytery. The old Non-conformiſts, who oppoſed Epiſcopacy and Ceremonies, were many of them Learned men. Dr. Ames in his preface to Mr. Bayn's p. 231Dioceſan's Tryal, ſaith, that Mr. Deering, More, Greenham, Perkins, Rogers, Cartwright, Fenner, Parker, Philips, Hieron, Bradſhaw, Brightman, Dr. Rainolds, Dr. Fulk, and Whitaker, with many others, were apprehended as men agreeing in one ſpirit, having had indeed the ſpirit of glory reſting on them, as their Works do ſhew, together with thoſe Letters Teſtimonial, which they left written in the hearts of many thouſand Chriſtians.

To theſe may be added Gerſon, Bucer, Century 16, ….John Dod, Arthur Hilderſham, Robert Nicols, John Ball, Richard Rothwel, Paul Bayns; who were all as really Learned, as truly Godly; famous for their great Abilities and Labors. Read their Lives, and you ſhall ſee the ſame made out fully, and clearly.

Beſides many pretious Divines of great Note for Holineſs and Learning, both formerly, and lately, (yea even at this day) in all the Reformed Churches, not onelyonly in England and Scotland, but in other Countries, who were (and are) for Presbytery. The Aſſembly of Divines, that ſate at Weſtminſter by Authority of Parliament, was a Demonſtration of the excellent Learning of the Miniſters of the Presbyterian Judgement.

p. 2323. For Independency, or the Congregational way. Many Miniſters of this both in Old England and in New, have been choicely Learned, and excellently accompliſhed with Gifts, as well as Graces; as Reverend, holy and Learned Dr. Ames, Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs, Mr. Sidrach Simpſon, ☞Mr. Carter, Mr. Strong, with many others, ſome deceaſed, others yet living.

Many Paſtors and Teachers, in the Churches of Chriſt in New England, were eminently Learned, as well as exemplarily Godly, and very famous and ſucceſsful in Miniſterial Labors; as Mr. Thomas Hooker, Mr. Peter Bulkeley, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Thomas Shepherd, Mr. Allen. Mr. George Philips, Mr. Norton.

And Mr. John Cotton. B. D. whoſe Name is as an ointment poured forth, a moſt deſervedly famous man of God, of whom Mr. Norton (his Succeſſor, as Teacher of the Church in Boſton in New England) relates, In his Narrative of Mr. Corton's Lafe and Death.that he was a General Scholar, ſtudious to know all things, the want whereof might in one of his Profeſſion be denominated Ignorance. The greater part of the Encyclopaedia he excelled in. Thoſe Arts, which the Univerſity requires ſuch a proficiency in from her Graduates, p. 233he both digeſted and refined by his more accurate knowledge of them. He was a good Hebrician; in Greek a Critic; and could with great facility both ſpeak and write Latine in a pure elegant Ciceronian ſtile. He was a good Hiſtorian; no ſtranger to the Fathers, Schoolmen, Councils; abundantly exerciſed in Commentators of all ſorts. His Library was great, his reading and Learning was anſwerable, himſelf a living and better Library. But though he was a conſtant Student, yet he had not all his Learning out of his books.

Yea ſome of the Separation have been Learned men, I mean, the leaders of them; as Mr. Ainſworth, Mr. Robinſon, Francis Johnſon, Mr. Smith, and others.

Now if God hath uſed ſuch as greateſt Inſtruments of his Glory, and of good in his Church, even from one Generation to another, who have been Learned men, as I have made it appear by inſtances, to wit, in the ancient Fathers, and Modern Divines; yea even under the ſeveral Forms of Church-conſtitution and Government:

Then, Learning is uſeful and needful for a Miniſter of the Goſpel in theſe days, and will be in ſucceeding Ages.