Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	call_v	law_n	scripture_n	1,657	5	5.5828	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65215	Considerations concerning free-schools as settled in England	Wase, Christopher, 1625?-1690.	1678 (1678)	Wing W1015; ESTC R38239	54,418	122

laid on the judgment of former Founders leaves small encouragement to the Devout Rich to dispose their charity upon a subject avow'd unnecessary or suspected by the state Now because the public Peace and increase of Commerce are desirable to any Nation and Parents in particular make it a principal concern that their children be brought up to sound principles and employment which may be hopeful of an honest livelyhood it may be convenient to call under examination whether the Free Grammar Schools of England be so notoriously multiply'd beyond their occasion as is demanded we should believe if first their usefulness can be evinced to reasonable satisfaction §. 2. It is agreed on all parts that Education is absolutely due to man either as in his imperfect or corrupt estate Did not our early follies require di●cipline and restraints yet knowledg is Gradual and Habits of good not at once contracted Add hereto snares and discouragement from abroad the necessity of nurture and manud●ction in a ●ight and steady course especially for those of unripe judgments and in the slippery paths of youth is yet more evident Good in●●itution prevents or reforms vice nor doth it improve particulars only but seasons Families and communities whereby it mightily promotes the common Peace and Pro●perity both of Church and State §. 3. Now this wholesome Breeding allow'd n●cessary for all so far as it respects those that are born in a lower condition some would have understood only what may train them up to work for as to what is commonly call'd Learning and which would engross the name of Education the same effects either on Policy or Religion are not so universally accorded to belong to the general propagation of it There are places and have bin times these observe abounding with a people very devout and tractable to all commands of superiors that ●ever s●te years at School have heard few sermons nor were ever trusted with reading the Bible Light is indeed pleasant but in its full luster scarce suited to our weaker sight discovers blemishes in others even the most beautiful objects disturbs rest in all in what regions it makes the longest stay is there accompanied with least heat the Scythians ignorance being found more innocent then the Athenians knowledg Discourse and Reading entertain but working supports life Arts and labour are the poor mans Indies the surest fond of a Nation the inexhaustible Mine of Princes Trade is that stock from whence not only private necessities are plentifully supplied but also the public charge defray'd and a portion by the thankful separated for uses truly charitable in a just and pious offering Letters indeed may without much difficulty be admitted as to the faculty of reading and writing for thus far they minister to commerce to which all Arts and Labor in their issue refer But to make a Profession of teaching obsolete Languages Poetical Fancies or what hath more appearance of gravity the Art of Suiting colourable Arguments whereby to hold any question in matters sacred or civill eitherwaies indifferently to set up Schools throughout a Land to this purpose and by rewards take off the Youth from following Labor to sedentary studies while the fields say they want hands to till them is this a benefit to the publick or grievance to be encourag'd or redrest For if the providence of the state hath thought fit at times and places by sumptuary Laws to limit the Rich in spending their own with much more reason doth the Government take cognisance whether such as have no visible estate for their support take to some calling §. 4. Here it may be seasonable to interpose whether there be not a General as well as Particular calling All ages sexes ranks relations in every condition all capacities ly under some Duty towards God and Man Now that any Persons can be too early instructed in this Duty or too often admonish'd of it that any Nation can be too universally learn'd in the laws of well-living would be positions hard to be conceiv'd were they not the Dictates of safe Guides men reputed wise and honest Particular callings may through different Providences at least in the timely retreats of old Age from business be decently laid down but the General runs parallel with life This regulates the better part of man and looks forward to eternity Now could it be made out that this duty requir'd of us were a common notion spontaneous in our N●ture and sufficiently clear in all its parts to the light of our reason in its present condition there were less need of teaching Then might the scriptures without much danger remain unsearch'd the Preacher betake himself to some calling necessary and beneficial to the Community and Schools for Catechizi●g to better account be converted into Work-Houses Indeed morality the Law written in our hearts needed not to have bin learn'd out of Books it was to man in his first institution Catholic Religion and however those Characters be defac'd remains inseparable from the rational Nature But the Doctrine of Faith being an ingrafted word not from nature but by culture needed to be reveled to be couch'd in Holy W●itt exhibited under Sacraments and entrusted to Dispencers not only faithful but able also Fo● reason irrad●ated with the Light of supernatural Truth ceaseth not to be rational Again of those that admit Revelation some argue that whatsoever is Prophecy cannot be acquired thereupon disclaim Reading Meditation and whatsoever other Methods preparatory for the Ministery were recommended to the Apostolical men Others of opposite judgment contend that whatsoever is acquir'd cannot be Prophecy These are scandaliz'd that the Minister should demand audience of the people in the name of God or pretend to speak with demonstration of the spirit Neither of them I think duely distinguishing between extraordinary Gifts and a standing Office both furnish'd by the same spirit suitably to the different exigences of the Church for the Bread of Canaan was no less the Gift of God then the Manna in the wilderness Further of those that could allow Schools of the Prophets all have not equally favor'd popular enquiries into the rule of Faith and Manners Some Persons who have taken up for a Principle that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion and Obedience are wont to magnify the peace and prosperity of those days wherein knowledge was not yet vulgar and cheap while the Priest and the Oracle were inseparable nor examin'd but obey'd since as admiration so no less hath Reverence of the Clergy decreas'd in the mean time dissembling that those parties which at present divide Christendome truly date their original not from the breaking out of any clearer light but from the blindness of former Ages whil'st what opinions practises were then insensibly admitted must now be studiously maintain'd It may indeed so fall out that people may owe a temporary quiet to the not searching in to their state through an entire acquiescence in long obtaining customs A