A Just Defense of Hearing the Sermons, Chapter 10 · Section 11
Sect. 11. The example of the learned godly Nonconformists is some inducement to hear the present Ministers.
Object. 7. But many learned and good men (and such as in Conscience could not conform to the Ceremonies of the Church of England) have in dayes past (and do now) hear the present Ministers thereof. To which we answer, 1. That the greatest Scholars, and most accomplished for humane wisdom, parts, yea visible holiness, have not been alwayes on the Lords side, following him in paths of his own appointment; but many times have been found the greatest persecutors and opposers of Christ; the most stupendiously ignorant of the will of God, in respect of the truth, and work of their generation, of any persons in the world: witness the Scribes and Pharisees, the learned Rabbies, and profound Doctors of that day, with what virulency did they oppose Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel preached by him? 2. That persons of as great holiness, and renown for learning, and all manner of accomplishments, as learned Ainsworth, Cotton, &c. have been and are of the same apprehension with us in this matter: not to mention the reformed Churches, who generally renounce the Ministry of the Church of England, not admitting any by vertue of it to the charge of Souls (as they speak.) But 3. To the Law and to the Testimony, Isa. 8.20. if they speak not according to this rule, though Angels for knowledge and holiness, they are not to be received or heeded: one word from the Lord is of more weight to hearts made truly tender, than the example of an hundred professors can be: 'tis possible these may err, be yea and nay; but so cannot the truth of God, which is alwayes the same, and will abide so for ever. 4. The Apostle hath long since determined this case, 1 Cor. 11.1. Be ye followers of me, as I am of Christ: so far as Saints follow Christ, I may and ought to follow them, but no further: so that the learning parts or holiness of any that attend upon the present Ministers of England, is no warrant for me so to do; nor will ever be a satisfactory answer to that enquiry, who hath required these things at your hands?
I reply, It is not denied, that the most learned and zealous of the law, such as St. Paul among the Jews, the most excellent Moralists among the Gentiles, have been great enemies to the Gospel afore their calling to the faith of Christ, but the objection is of learned and good men among Christians, who are never found the greatest persecutors and opposers of Christ. Possibly it may fall out, yea and it hath fallen out, that among Christians the greatest Scholars, and most ac…omp…shed for humane parts, wisdoms, yea for visible holiness, have not been alwayes on the Lords side, following him in paths of his own appointment, but have been stupendiously ignorant of the will of God in respect of the truth and work of their generation; I think …ardinal Caietan was one of the greatest Scholars of his time, yet saw not what Luther saw, about justification by faith, and Luther, though he did much in that point, yet saw not so much as Calvin in the point of the re…l presence in the Eucharist; and therefore (like well the 3d. and 4 …h. answer here, that we should adhere only to the Law and to the Testimony and be followers of the learned as they are of Christ. Yet I conceive, that it is a wicked course, which is taken by some, so to disparage learning, as if it were of no necessity, Universities, as of no use, but rather Seminaries of ungodliness, to say that men that have humane learning are the unlearned and unstable, which do wrest the Scriptures, 2 Pet. 3.16. as How the Cobler a much followed Preacher a great while ago in London vented in print, that learned Scholars do make the Scriptures as a nose of wax, are but Juglers, and deceivers, which are too too often insinuated into the minds of well meaning, but weak minds, whereby they are more addicted to such as How, Tillinghast, and other popular Orators, and their injudicious discourses, if stuffed with fained words and earnest affections, then to the most solid proofs of the most learned, whose interpretations of Scripture, and handling of Controversies, have cleared the truth, and restored purity of Doctrine to the great benefit of the Church of God, which these people understand not. But it hapneth according to the saying, Scientia n…minem hab… inimicum nisi ignorantem. And sure though I would have no Christian enslave his judgement to any man, it were that Anthropolatria or sin of glorying in men forbidden, 1 Cor. 3.21. against which I printed a little treatise in the the year 1645▪ foreseeing it would be the means of dividing Christians into parties; nor would I have that which is propounded by men of none or lesser learning rejected, because it is from them, one Paph…utius may see that truth, which a whole Council, though such as the first N…cene, without him did not discern, it was an evil spirit in Matthaeus Langius, that made him disdain to be taught by Luther, as is related in the History of th… Council of …rent, God doth out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings perfect praise, as our Saviour Matth. 21.16. allegeth Psal. 8.2. against the Priests and Scribes indignation at the Childrens saying Hosanna: yet I would have such things examined by the learned, and godly, especially either their own Pastors, or such as are found or reputed learned and judicious, and that as well what may be said against, as what is said for the thing vented be weighed, lest persons deceive themselves, as too often they do, by their propensity to take all for Oracles, which is said by such as they do affect or magnifie. And surely in doubtful cases, and in points which are above the Sphere of common capacities to determine, I mean such as require more insight in Languages, History, Arts, and other reading, than they can reach to by reason of defect in their natural abilities, educations, time to study, means of attaining the use of books, health or strength, it is a safe way to rest on the received practice and determination of their learned Guides, whom they have reason to judge faithfull and able, and to be satisfied with their resolutions and reasons after a serious and modest arguing of the thing, though every scruple be not removed. As for that which is here said of Ainsworth, Cotton, &c. I think they that knew, and read what Vssher, Ball, Gataker, and such like men were, will not believe it. Mr. Ainsworths differences between him and Johnson, Robinson ▪ and Paget, and their writings, especially of this last, shew him to have been much short of what this Author conceived of him. What Mr. Cotton was I do not rely upon Mr. Baylies Dissuasive, but I think Dr. Twisse his answer to him about reprobation, Mr. Cawdrey about the keyes, that I mention no other, shewed him not such, as whose judgement might be safely rested in. And I scarce think either by the reading of his way of the Churches in new England, or his commendation of Mr. Nortons answer to Apollonius he could be of the same apprehension with this Author in this matter. That the Reformed Churches generally renounce the Ministry of the Church of England, I think is a manifest untruth. The passages at the Synod of Dort, Peter Moulin his Letter to Bishop Andrews, with many more of the like evidences of former and later times assure me this Author is deceived. He adds.