Bishop Wilkins Real Character The grand imposture of phrasing hath eaten out all solid learning B. Wilkins Caesar Caracalla so doated upon the name of Alexander that he was highly offended that a lewd Murtherer called Alexander should be questioned for his misdemeanour saying Accusest thou Alexander unless thou be silent concerning Alexander thou art an undone man Beware lest in loving the name of Philosophy ye embrace Philosophy with its errors Orat. Doct. Ran. Tertullian said that Heresies are propagated by the Platonists by the Stoicks by Epicures by Heraclitus by Zeno by Aristotle by worldly wisdom Orat. Ranoldi Ludovicus Vives Picus Mirandula Hieronymus Savonarola taught that Christians were not to read Aristotle and Plato except very warily Orat. Ranoldi From the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle pestilent errors first of all invaded and have long possessed and at this day do waste the Christian Church Orat. Ranoldi The World is so bewitched by the delusions of Satan that the errors of Philosophers through vain and rotten distinctions are defended of those called Christians in their publick Assemblies hereby they have brought it to pass that the Faith of Christ hath no residence in the hearts of many who profess him Augustin in his Confessions accounts Terence a Comical Poet unworthy to be read and blames Grammarians for teaching of it Orat. Ranoldi This ss accounted a delicate dish now in Schools though professing Reformation Philosophers of old stained the Greek Church with various errors in this our day they have polluted all Italy with their mischievous opinions and I wish it were but Italy only Orat. Ranoldi Far be it from us saith Jerom who lived about the year 384. that omnipotent Jupiter Mecastor and other Monsters rather then Gods should be heard out of the mouth of a Christian Orat. Ranoldi And scarce any other thing rings in Schools now In the Nicene Council of chosen Cardinals they called it a grand and a destructive abuse that Professors of Philosophy taught wickedness in publick Schools Orat. Ranoldi Under the name of Nature saith Augustin of old enemies of Grace lie hid so in our days under the name of Philosophy the enemies of Faith lie hid Orat. Ranoldi Where Aristotle reigns there ungodliness hath great dominion Orat. Ranoldi What other thing did Julian the Apostate when he endeavoured to sweep Christian Religion from off the face of the Earth then provide that those opinions should be taught defended and declaimed in Schools which gain-sayed Christianity Orat. Ranoldi Maximinus a tyrannical Emperor who reigned about the year 336. was blamed by Eusebius because he gave way or wished that those things should be taught and learned in Schools which were contrary to sound godliness Orat. Ranoldi How foul a thing is it that that may be spoken against you which Ambrose spoke of the Arians they have deserted the Apostle and they follow Aristotle Orat. Ranoldi No honour nor regard was given to the Art of Poetry before moreover it was accounted so infamous that if any man was inclinable to the study thereof he was called a Robber Polydor lib. 1. cap. 8. Hadrian Saraviah informs us that the Primitive Christians had no Academical Schools like to these now a-days Yet there was one at Alexandria where they read only Divinity We read not of any Universities among the Waldenses Albigenses and Bothemians for most of their Ministers were Tradesmen Christians in the Primitive times found Sophisters and Philosophers to be the principal enemies of Christianity upon this account they condemned all Heathen learning they condemned Comedies and Tragedies and other Poetical writings judging they did not conduce to solid knowledge Herrald animad in Arnob. Tertullian judged that Schoolmasters professing Learning were guilty of great Idolatry because they only explained Names and Genealogies and fabulous Acts of Heathen gods Tertul. de Idolatr We see saith Gracian that the Priests of the Lord neglecting the Gospel and the Prophets they read Comedies and Love Verses out of Bucolicks they peruse Virgil and what is a sin of inforced necessity in Children is become their delight Doth he not seem to walk in Vanity and Darkness of mind who vexes himself day and night in the Study of Logick and charges his Memory with the distinct knowledge of Verses Petrus Bellonius saith that there were many Christians in Creece but few Learned men among them because they esteemed not of it as of necessity to Christianity In their Libraries were several Manuscripts of Divinity but no Historian nor Philosopher nor Poet for these were Anethemized Neither the Greeks nor the Pickards nor Waldenses in Bohemia did value Learning Luther de institutione puerorum fol. 444. It was an Article exhibited against John Wicklif Condemned at Constance who suffer'd as a Martyr that Graduations and Doctorships in Universities and Colledges then in use did conduce nothing to the Church of Christ for Acts and Monuments Colledge Doctors have for their Arms the Book with seven Seals and why because they are skil'd in the seven Liberal Arts which is absurd and foolish if not Blasphemous as though the seven Liberal Arts as Grammar c. could open the Book with seven Seals 't is the Lamb only The Council of Carthage had an express Canon against the reading of Heathen Authors Conc Carth. Dist cap. 37. Gregory though a Pope burnt several Lascivious Authors as Carden tells us de saplib 2. In like manner Gregory Nazianzen the Father suppressed several Greek Authors as Diphiles Apollodonus Philemon Alexis Sappho c. Machivael testifies that the first promoters of Christianity commanded all Poets and Historians which treated of the Gentiles vain Conversation and Worship to be burned Mach. Disp lib. 2. cap. 5. 'T is written by one in the life of Jerom that he was a great Student in Latin Greek and Hebrew Caldean and Syrian Tongues and much in love with Tullies Eloquence being in a Fever he was brought in the Spirit to the Judgment Seat of Christ being examined he said he was a Christian the Judge replyed thou seemst to be rather a Ciceronian then a Christian for where thy Treasure is there is thy life also On this occasion Jerom rejected Heathen Books and Fables unprofitable and vain Studies writing to Pope Damasus he reproved Ecclesiastical persons for neglecting Holy Scriptures and spending their time in Heathenish Books and Fables Men of unquestionable worth saith Dell seeing the evil of spoiling Philosophy have spoken freely against Universities stained thereby Wicklif tells them Castra Cainitica that is Cains Castles Satans Synagogues affirming that they were never instituted by Christ John Hus or Otho Brunselsius if he set out the Contents of the Chapter calls them Satrapas Antichristi the Lieutenants of Antichrist Luther in his Book against Ambrosius Catharinus saith that Universities are an open gate of hell and that therein the most choice Youth of Christian people are prostituted and cast into the open throat of Hell Further he saith that whosoever first instituted and confirmed
treasury of Heavenly wisdom Who gives eternal life and an everlasting Inheritance and run a Whoring after faln wisdom so are guilty of Israels sin Jer. 2.13 Paul was first brought up at the feet of Gamaliel born in Tarsus that had read Aratus Meander and Epimanides Authors is clear by what he cited but while he stood in the Ethnick mind he was a grand persecutor idolized his Ethnick education but Christ being revealed in him the Store-house of Heavenly wisdom knowledge and understanding then he accounted Ethnick Learning as dung and dross Phil. 3.7 8 All his idolized magnified and highly prized Arts Parts and Attainments of faln wisdom he accounted but as dung wisdom from above being revealed the Lord called Paul wise in naturals and many that were ignorant thereof to Preach the everlasting Gospel Further Paul in the wisdom from above at the University of Athens he reproved their Idolatry Superstition and Heathenism he taught nothing but the living God and Christ Jesus Acts 17. In the comprehending life he saw these Philosophers Epicureans Stoicks and withstood them but they in the gloomy region of Heathenism saw not him nor the Heavenly wisdom that he Preached so called him a babler yet he fought not in vain but conquered several so prevailed that many renounced their Pagan Philosophy and curious Artists burned their Books of earthly Satanical wisdom thus Paul in the Armour of righteousness disarmed these pagan Philosophers the Devils Champions and brought them to be Sions Converts to receive her Armour Acts 19. James one of the Lords worthies writing to the twelve Tribes scattered said if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally James 1.5 He commends the ignorant to the Lord not to Aristotle Plato nor to any other Pagan Philosopher Further James the Apostle of the Lamb describing the nature and quality of Heavenly wisdom said the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie Jam. 3.17 Now no other wisdom then this was taught in the primitive Times in Christian Churches and Schools while the purifying and Victory giving Faith was kept the wisdom of the world was Preached against as foolishness with God Now whoever refuses Wisdom Knowlege and Understanding at the mouth of the Lord such learn Foolishness Ignorance Carnal wisdom and wickedness at the mouth of the Serpent and his wisdom nothing that 's good prospers under it CHAP. II. Of the Rise and Progress of Serpentine Wisdom that is the Wisdom of this World A Dam was Created a noble Plant a blessed Disciple while obedient to the teaching of his Creatour among many Pure Heavenly Sound Savoury and wholesom lessons this was one not to eat of nor touch the forbidden Tree lest they die Now the Serpent filled with subtilty laboured first to beget Eve into a questioning of the verity of Gods Heavenly Doctrine saying Yea hath God said Ye shall not eat of every Tree of the Garden Secondly the Serpent expressly contradicted Gods Heavenly Doctrine saying Ye shall not truly die Thirdly The Serpent informed Eve that by touching and eating of that Tree an advantage should accrue thereby to them Ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3. the Serpent became prevalent Gods teaching was rejected the Serpents deadly Teachings and Insinuations Charms and Inchantments were entertained through this compliance the Serpent got the Chair as I may say and became Teacher than according to the Lords Heavenly word death entered in upon them even as a Consumption seizes upon mans body gradually in this compliance with the Serpent a seed of enmity was sown in mans heart and from that seed sprung another World even a World of wickedness savouring of the nature of the hellish seedsman Adam had never been driven out of the Paradise of blessedness but that through the Serpent being his Teacher he learned to know good and evil saith Cornelius Agrippa of the vanity of Sciences While man kept his Station in the vertue of the ancient of days he lived moved and had his being in him he thought spake and acted in him Yea his thoughts words and actions were the thoughts words and actions of God in him and through him here was a blessed Sabbath Christ said unto his Disciples travelling unto the pleasant Valley of Adams Innocency it is not ye that speak but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you Matth. 10. yea and Peter an Apostle of the Lamb bare Record saying Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 So that all the Holy Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Primitive Christians Children of Light Children of the Day who thought spake and acted in and through the vertue of the Lords presence in them their Language was the Language of the Lord 't is so now of what Nation Kingdom or Countrey soever such be yet they are living wirnesses of that Language promised by the Lord who said I will turn to the people a pure Language that they may call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent Zeph. 3.9 In like manner Adam back-sliden from the Lord and complying with the old thoughts words and works from the miry lake of his power and his posterity center'd in the gloomy region of the same what proceeds from this hellish conjunction is the Language of the old Serpent the Language of the beast all wanton Poets Comedians Tragedians painted Oratours Pagan Philosophers are here found thus of Bethel that is the House of God man became Bethaven that is a House of iniquity and vanity Thus the Serpent prevailing and his Kingdom increasing his hellish Pills as I may say being swallowed man was wrought out of his right course and disposition hence issued a numberless number of internal Diseases As in a corporal Imposthume purulent and foul matter is gathered together in some part of the body so through joyning with the Serpent purulent and foul matter of sin iniquity transgression satanical Arts and Inventions are brought forth whereby the Sons and Daughters of men are defiled As in an external Atrophy or Consumption the body through the want of due and convenient nutriment by little and little pines way so through complying with the Serpent the mouth of faith came and comes to be shut which receives spiritual nourishment which not being received spiritual leanness stept and stept in yea a spiritual Consumption As in a corporal Lethargie there is an unsatiable propensity to sleepiness drowsiness and forgetfulness so Adam not keeping his Heavenly Dominion in his â—aker but attending to the evil one was thereby brought into a spiritual Lethargy into a sleepy drowsie and forgetful state this was Isaraels which occasioned the Lords complaint my people have forgotten me days without number Jer. 2.32 As through a depraved Appetite wholsom nourishment is refused nonconvenient unprofitable and Noxious things
Again Paul writing to Timothy his own Son in the Faith exhortshim to charge some not to give heed to Fables and endless genealogies which minister questions rather then godly edyfying which is faith 1. Tim. 1.3 4. Now what a muddy stream of Fables and fabulous Poems Comedies and Tragedies are gushed into Christian Schools how the fabulous Pedegrees of the Heathens Gods are as I may say driven by force of Arms into tender youth hopeful if not depraved and corrupted by Ethnick education I leave to the wise in heart to Judge who have known these things and the burden of them further he saith to Timothy refuse prophane and old wives Fables and exercise thy self unto godliness 1 Tim. 4.7 The Apostle James writing to the twelve Tribes scattered abroad draws his Sword as I may say against Serpentine wisdom saying if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts c. This wisdom descends not from above but is earthly sensual devilish James 1.14 15. Mark earthly sensual devilish O that Christendom would consider this in whom the hellish spark hath not only kindled them into strife and envy but to be as a prey to the mouth of the Sword Christendom is become as Golgotha a place of Skulls as Aceldama the Field of Blood the Apostle writing to the Church said ye are taught of God to love one another 1 Thes 4. Now where strife envy and bloodshed is of whom are they taught even of the Serpent who was a Murderer from the beginning the Author of that wisdom which is earthly sensual and devilish a true Character of that wisdom which is from below it is called earthly because it arises from the earth keeps man in an unregenerate state out of Heavenly mindedness wholly concerning man for earthly ends sensual as wholly concerned in the pursuit of carnal sinful and transient pleasures devilish as inspired by him doing his work and brings to his end wisdom from above Rescues from his tyranny In the Apostles days such as knew the Lords call into the Ministry they were Stars in Heaven setlted in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus they had the Heavenly Key which opened to them the Royal Cabinet of Heavenly Treasures they received no wisdom in Church or School but what was Heavenly but a Star being faln to the earth Mark this to the earth then an earthly Key was thrust into the hand even the Key of the bottomless Pit then arose a Smoak Which darkned the Sun and the Air what is this Smoak even Serpentine wisdom which steamed into Churches and Schools the gradual rise of this spoiled the glory and beauty of Primitive Christianity at this door crept into the Church Traditions Heresics Scysms Doctrinal errours Superstition Idolatry Pardons Indulgences Trentals Soul-masses Dirgies Purgatory Canonization of Saints In a word devilish errors were set a broach Mabomet steamed out his Alcoran for Divine Scriptures into Schools steamed also in spoiling Philosophy bewitching Orations pompous and painted Rhetorick lascivious Poems vain Comedies foolish Tragedies frivilous Fables Pagan Ethicks Physicks and Metaphysicks whereby Youth is corrupted as the Sea Monster called Physeter as naturalists write mounts above the tops of Ships standing upright in the Sea like a Pillar and spouts out great flouds of water whereby it overwhelms or indangers them so upon the fall of the Star from Heaven the Sea-Monster Satan got up into the Church and spouted out great flouds of errors false Doctrines and of earthly wisdom into Schools and Churches whereby they sunk down into the depth of ignorance spiritual blindness Idolatry and corruption but Heavenly wisdom is displaying its power vertue and influence and Serpentine wisdom be it in Church or School must be scoured away CHAP. IV. A rehearsal of Testimonies born by several men eminent in the Church since the Apostles days against Heathen learning or the teaching of it in Christian Schools as also of others By what hath been spoken 't is evident that the holy men of God acknowledged by all to be inspired of God bare sound Record and a living Testimony in the wisdom of God against the wisdom of the Serpent the wisdom of the World many also who have lived since the Apostles days yea and since the fall of the Star from Heaven in the gloomy night of Apostasie in that measure of Heavenly wisdom then made known have born Testimony against teaching Heathen Authors spoiling Philosophy wanton Poets in Christian Schools or Colledges Yea and have spoken freely against Universities defiled with the same in confirmation of this assertion a few Testimonies are presented to the consideration of the Reader Eusebius brings in Plato sharply blaming that first Education as destructive which was used by the Greeks in reading the feigned Comical and Tragical inventions of Poets Cap. 49. p. 618. As far as I can gather from the writings of the Ancients Philosophy is very hurtful unto him that is much addicted to the study thereof Joh. Pic. Mirand All the discord of Divines hath proceeded from Philosophers for as much as Divines in later Ages have mixed the muddy water of Philosophers with the living vein of Divine Oracles Joh. Pic. Mirand that is have mixed Heathen Philosophick Notions with the Scriptures of truth It is known by lamemtable experience how dangerous a thing it is to be exercised in the writings of Ethnick Philosophers and how easily the plague of lies and vanity creeps through the same into mens minds Theo. Gale In the times of the Hasmoneans this Decreee made let him be accursed who teacheth his Son the Philosophy of the Greeks Theo. Gale What but Greek Philosophy was the first Seminary or seed-Plot of principle Errors in the Churches in the Apostles days and in Churches immediately succeeding Whereupon Tertullian called Philosophers the Patriarchs of Hereticks The. Gale It is not hard to shew saith the same Authour that the whole Mystery of iniquity and the whole System of Antichristianism which hath molested the Christian Church for so many Centuries ought to ascribe their rise and progress to Heathen Philosophy There are saith Andrew Sympson who spend much precious time upon vile Pamphlets curious Arts prophane Stories lascivious Poems c. Most of the Heresies that have been in the Church have come in by Learned men rather then by Ignorant men Ed. Calamy Jerome a Father of the Church who lived about the year 384. reading the Book of Cicero was as 't is said rebuked by an Angel because that he being a Christian minded the Fictions of the Gentiles Jacobus Laurentius de libr. Gentil pag. 41. Gratian put out a Canon that a Bishop should not read Heathen Books Jac. Laur. pag. 41. Gregory the Great saith Jac. Laurentius de libris Gentilium forbad all Bishops the reading of Heathen Books pag. 41. Pernicious Books are to be burned no regard is to be given to the price of them Piscat on Acts. All the wisdom of a man is in this one thing that he know and
worship Christ Lactant. lib. 3. cap. 30. Vlpian the chief Lawyer Galen the chief Physician Porphiry the chiefest Aristotelian Plotinus the chiefest Platonist were profess'd enemies to Christ and his Truth Trapp Augustin Bishop of Hippo in Africa about the year 399. said the unlearned take Heaven by force but we with our learning are thrust into Hell It repented Augustin that when he was young he had preached more to please then to profit others Neither the Jews by their profound Doctors nor the Gentiles by their Wits and Wizards could grope out God Trapp on 1 Cor. 1.21 The Greeks sought after wisdom viz. of this World so shut out Heavenly wisdom Intus existens prohibet alienum they attained not what they sought Trapp on 1 Cor. 1.22 We that have obtained the knowledge of God by and through his Grace are far more Wise and more blessed then Plato Aristotle c. Piscat on 1 Cor. 1. In a natural man there is an impotency that is want of power to know and understand spiritual things Piscat Wisdom that is of the Flesh serves the Worldling as the Ostrich wings to make him out-run others upon Earth and in Earthly things but helps him never a whit towards Heaven Trapp on the Corinth Constantius the Emperor suspecting Julian's proneness to Paganism sent him to be carefully grounded in Christianity to Nicomedia but he frequented by stealth the company of Libanius and Iamblichus Philosophers who warped him wholly to their bent which brake out afterwards Trapp on Colos 2. In the year 220. the Artemonites a certain kind of Hereticks corrupted Scripture out of Aristotle and Theophrastus turning all into Questions as afterwards School-men did that evil generation of Dunghill Divines as one calleth them Trapp on Colos 2. The Gentiles could not be saved by their Philosophy without Christ and yet not only the Divines of Cullen set forth a Book concerning the Salvation of Aristotle whom they called Christ's forerunner in Naturals as John Baptist was in Supernaturals but also some of the School Doctors grave men saith Acosta do promise men Salvation without the knowledge of Christ Trapp on Colos 2.8 The Moral Philosophy of prophane Authors treating of the chiefest good and of the happiness of man and of virtue is no other thing then vain deceit Pisc Colos 2. Seeing we are complete in Christ they commit folly who have recourse unto prophane Philosophers The deep Theorems of Philosophy said King James make one learned but seldom better and oftentimes worse meer Atheists There is an Arabick Proverb Cum errat eruditus errat errore erudito that is a learned man hath learned errors Trapp on Acts 17. Aristotle wrote many things most absurdly concerning God as that he is a living Creature that he works not freely but by a kind of servile necessity and that therefore he deserves no praise sith he doth but what he must do yet at Stuckard in Germany was found a Doctor of Divinity that preached to the people that the Church might be sufficiently well taught and governed by Aristotle's Philosophy especially his Ethicks Trapp on Rom. 1.21 To use Heathen Authors for oftentation is to make a Calf of the Treasures gotten out of Egypt Trapp of Arts. Many saith one through their love to the Tree of Knowledge lose the Tree of Life Papists say that we may find their Holy-Water and sprinkling of Sepulchres in Juvenal's sixth Satyr their Lights in Sepulchres in Suetonius his Octavius Lamps lighted on Saturdays in Seneca's 96 Epistle distribution of Tapers among the people in Macrobius his Saturnals Purgatory in Virgil's Aeneids Trapp Thus proving their Doctrines by Heathen Authors not by Scripture Averroes an Arabian Physician so madly admired his Master Aristotle as that he said there was no errour to be found in his Works that his Learning was the chief Truth c. When he dyed he cryed out Sit anima mea cum Philosophis Let my Soul be where the Philosophers Souls are Trapp Justin Martyr tells us that he left his Gentilism upon reading a piece of Plato Trapp of Arts. Augustin acknowledgeth that nothing more cooled his affections towards that Book called Cicero's Hortensius then that he found not the name of Jesus in it and that on this confideration he was perswaded to the love of Heavenly wisdom and contemplation of things above Trapp The knowledge of Christ is the only Learning without which all other Learning doth but light men into utter darkness Trapp of Arts. As for Aristotle's Divinity which he calls his Metaphysicks whereof he wrote 14 Books it is saith Ramus the most foolish and impious piece of Sophistry that ever was written Trapp of Arts. Lotamus Lovaniensis wrote that there was no other Faith found in Abraham then was found in Cicero a Heathen Philosopher whereas Abram saw my day saith Christ and rejoyced he walked with God and was upright it was not thus with Cicero Trapp of Arts. Latimer was so wrought upon by Bilney's confession as that he began to smell the Word of God and to forsake School Doctors and such like fooleries and horrible barbarism which had overspread the eye of whole Christendom Trapp of Arts. The dignity and study of Latine Greek and Hebrew the Holy Spirit seems to intimate their continuance in the Church by the Inscription of Christ's Title on the Cross in those three Tongues and the utter eradicating of all frivolous and fruitless School Quirks Monkish Dotages Legendary Fables Trapp The Romans one time banished all Philosophers out of their City Gel. lib. 15. Trapp of Arts. Licinius the Emperor called Heathen Learning the plague and poyson of the Commonwealth Trapp of Arts. Pope Paul the second pronounced all Scholars Hereticks and seriously exhorted the Romans not to breed up their Children at School saying it was enough if they could read and write Trapp of Arts. The Heathen Romans having conquer'd this Nation and inhabiting in it for 500 years as Histories inform us they erected Schools in this Nation to teach the Britains and brought in their Heathen Poets Comedies Tragedies c. into Schools which to the shame and corrupting of the Nation are yet continued Julius Agricola a Roman Emperor's Lieutenant in Britain taught the Britains civility and prevailed with Noblemen to breed up their Sons in liberal Arts and brought them to affect the Roman Eloquence then they began to imitate the Roman Fashions the Gown proud Buildings Baths and Banquetings which the foolisher sort called Civility but was indeed a secret Art to prepare them for bondage Milton Edgar a Saxon King put forth a Canon that on Festival days every one should abstain from prophane Heathen Songs and from diabolical Games and Pastimes Further he enjoyned that every one abstain from the reading of fabulous and absurd things and from filthy and blasphemous Ballads Not well observed now I Martin Luther give notice to all that on Monday c. all the Books of the Pope be burned and of some of his Disciples
He gives a reason of this thing saying that they are mischievous false seducing wicked c. Luth. Tom. 2. Luther speaking of Popish Schools and Monasteries said This is my mind and desire that these Stables of two-footed Asses and Schools of the Devil should be levelled with the ground or changed into Christian Schools by a Godly transformation Luth. de institutione puerorum Heathen Learning saith Gell hath a ravishing and a bewitching beauty capta capit being taken it is much taking also and wins much upon mens affections and great danger there is saith he lest men court the Handmaid rather then the Mistress Earthly instead of Heavenly wisdom to their destruction Essential inward knowledge in the secret understanding is not from flesh and bloud nor from the multitude of Books but by a passive reception of Divine things not by study but by patience and submission Osw Crollius The Academical Spirit cannot understand the mystery of intrinsical Teaching only humility is capable of illumination Osw Croll The Schools of the Gentiles have had their time wherein they have become vain in their imaginations being exercised in vain Philosophy and opposition of Science falsly so called whereof the Apostle Paul admonished true Christians to take heed they were not deceived by it Thus saith the Translator of John Baptista Van Helmont's Physick Refined in his Premonition to the Candid Reader Further saith he the Wise men of the East by the direction of the Star came to worship the Child laying down all their wisdom at his feet for a lively token that all true wisdom was to be received from him in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge dwells Further saith he such hath been the subtilty of the fleshly Serpent that under a pretence of owning the name of Christ he hath taken up Paganish means and instruments to build withall calling the dregs and dross of Heathen Schools Handmaids of Divinity John Baptista Van Helmont in his Physick Refined said Logick is so far from leading to the knowledge of Universals that it rather thrusts men down into errors The World saith this Helmont hath suffer'd it self to be circumvented by Aristotle who boasted of Logick to be the Mother of Sciences Aristotle saith this Helmont extolled the method of Disputing invented by himself and he takes away all knowledge from a man unless he hath yielded himself to be instructed in Logick Jerom on Psal 140 and 143. doth not unworthily compare the Art of Syllogizing to the Plagues of Egypt and he calls Logical demonstrations Dog-like discourses Helmont Schools saith this Helmont supposing Logick as necessary do oppose themselves to the commands of the Apostle I wonder saith Helmont at the great blindness of Schools in so great magnifying Logick Let Schools saith Helmont tell me what Science Logick hath ever brought to light whether Geometry making of Glass Printing Husbandry Medicine conducting of Water of Minerals of Arithmetick of Building or any profitable Science verily none Schools of Logick saith this Helmont must needs confess that through boasting deceit and ignorance it hath deceived the credulous World To say that Logical discourse is very necessary for Divines to refute the subtilties of Heresies that thing saith this Helmont would be to be wise above the Apostle and to commend the abuses of Schools above the Holy Scriptures this were to dethrone Gospel-weapons and to inthrone Paganism Steven by the Sword of the Spirit and by Heavenly wisdom refuted the Libertines Cyrenians Alexandrians Cilicians not by Pagan Logick Acts 6.9 10. Christ promised his Disciples saying I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gain-say nor resist Luke 21.15 he commended them not to Pagan Schools to Aristotle or Plato or any other Heathen to enable them to refute Heresies but to his own gift his wisdom Armour of proof his own Sword put into the hands enabling for his work We read not that the ancient Christians ever taught Philosophy openly and in Schools but that they rather gain-sayed it Pagan Gaudentius Theol de moribus seculi Let any one shew me saith this Author that Philosophy was taught by Christians in the time of Justinian or before Scarce any one can be perswaded saith this Author that Christian Emperors would command that a Heathen Philosopher in the Capitol of Rome should teach the opinions of Pagan Philosophers to Christians this would have been to introduce or bring in old Superstition Justin passed to the Church because he found no certainty in the School of Plato he turned from Plato and the rest of the Heathen Philosophers and addicted himself to the Scriptures of Truth Gaudentius de mor. seculi L. Celius Lactantius said I verily cannot call them Philosophers that study for wisdom because by that study they do not attain unto wisdom Richard Fitz-Ralph called Armachanus in a Sermon preached before the Popes Cardinals in the year 1360. said Laymen refrain from sending their Sons to the Universities fearing to have them taken from them chusing rather to keep their Sons at home and breed them to Husbandry then to lose them by sending them to the Schools In a Synod holden at Guernsey 1576. and confirmed by a Synod held there 1597. for the Estate of Guernsey and Jersey it was provided in behalf of School-masters that they should instruct their Scholars in the most pure Authors both for learning and language lest Children by reading lascivions and immodest writings should be infected with their venom as may be seen in a Book called Heylyn's Survey of the State of France Georgius Ederus in his Mateologia Haereticorum greatly inveighs against Wickliff and charges him with saying That Studies were vanities brought into the Church and profits the Church no more then the Devil doth In the days of Queen Elizabeth the Lords of her Privy-Councel sent Letters to her High Commissioners in Causes Ecclesiastical requiring them to write Letters to all the Bishops of this Realm and to require them to give commandment that in all Grammar and Free-Schools within their several Diocesses Christopher Ockland's Book intituled Anglorum praelia should be taught in place of some Heathen Poets saying the Youth of the Realm receives rather infections in manners then advancement in virtue from the Heathen Poets taught in Schools They prayed and required that this might be done for the encouragement of the said Ockland and others travelling in the like Studies and for the removing of lascivious Poets taught in Schools The names of the Lords of the Privy-Councel as also of her High Commissioners in Causes Ecclesiastical as also their Letters are to be seen at the beginning of the Book called Anglorum praelia The aforesaid Commissioners directed their Letters to all the Bishops of the Queens Dominions of England and Wales for the accomplishment of the aforesaid Men have neglected sound savoury and useful matter the very quintessence of Learning and have devoted themselves to an excess of fine speaking
by Charles the great from Rome to Paris about the year 791. Thus Cambridge was made an University by King Sigebert of the Romish Faith and the Lectures there were begun by four Monks Fryer Ode read Grammar Tericus read Aristotles Logicks Fryer William read Tullies Rhetorick Dilsebert read Divinity to them on Sundays and Saints days so called About the year 895. King Alfred through the perswasion of Monk Neotus made Oxford a publick University and appointed Maintenance for the Professors of Learning there as saith Georg. Lilius in Chron. Britt After both these places of Literature were made or confirmed Universities in Edward the first his time by the Court of Rome as Robert Remington affirms The very names of the Colledges discover their Founders as Christs Colledge Jesus Colledge Immanual Colledge Trinity Colledge Corpus Christi that is Christs body Colledge and one in Oxford for the help of all dead Souls and for their rescue out of Purgatory called All Souls Colledge Now how these Collegians shew forth the Spirit of Christ by their Fruits and how their deportment is to such as in faith and patience wait for the Kingdom of Christ and the righteousness thereof or whether they be as the Lilie among the Thorns or as the Thorns Heave another pen to discover Universities to gain the greater profit to themselves give divers Degrees and Titles as Bachelors of Arts Masters of Arts Bachelors of Divinity Doctors of Divinty whereby saith Dell they gain Honour Reverence and Reputation among all that are under the delusion of Antichrist true it is a principio non it a fuit 'T was not so from the beginning till the Star fell from Heaven to Earth and the smoak arose out of the Pit darkening Sun and Air these things were not in seven years in Universities they are Masters of Art as an Apprentice is Master of his Trade having served seven years Papists made their Ministers in these places as the Protestants do now the Philosophy there taught now is the same that the Heathen Roman Emperors set up they caused to be taught Grammar and Logick and most of the seven Arts as now The Vicechancellor admitting a Bachelor of Divinity to his Degree uses these words We admit thee to preach all the Apostolical Epistles in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Spirit But Admitting a Doctor of Divinity to his Degree he saith We admit thee to preach all the Sacred Scriptures both of the Old and of the New Testament in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit cap. 20. de Ceremoniis in gradibus conferendis Zuinglius In the Primitive times such as were called of the Lord they waited for Heavenly Abilities to be capacitated to beget others into the life of Righteousness and to build them up in the most holy Faith they did not ambitioussy affect Titles out of the God-serving life the Pharisees were guilty of this as formal Christians were After the ingress and inrode of Apostasy Zuinglius on Matth. 23. said Thou heare herest that the Titles of Masters and Doctors are not of God because Christ forbids this thing and those Titles that are not of God nor of Christ they are of Antichrist so to be denyed by such as are branches of the true Vine Further Wilson in his Compleat Christian Dictionary said that ambitious seeking after Titles ought to be eschewed Obj. In the Apostles days there were several Titles as Evangelists Apostles Prophets Pastors Doctors Ans True it is but these and the rest made use of or mentioned in the New Testament were significant names names of Office befitting and expressing the work they were called unto and concerned in as I might particularize as for Doctor it might more properly be translated Teacher so a name of Office Wicklif touching this thing said a name of Office differs much from the name of a School Degree brought in by the Heathen Wicklif in sermone domini in Monte. While the Primitive purity Life Power Faith and Order was kept he that ministred he was to do it out of the ability which God gave 1 Pet. 4.11 The power of the Ministry was derived from the pure Spring of Divine ability but this ability being lost Schools were erected Heathen Learning was entertained where men are qualified now for the Ministry this muddy lake open in Rome-Heathen steamed into Apostatised Rome-Christian drunk up in Protestant Countreys and Kingdoms now To draw to a Conclusion you Teachers of Schools and Colledges it being that the specious Fabrick of the World being finished God looked upon every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Gen. 1.31 were it not more God-like more Christian-like to instruct Youth in the knowledge of God whom to know is life Eternal and in the knowledge of his works being very good and useful and necessary things then in the knowledge of Heathen Arts and Sciences brought in by the Serpent which in every Age and Generation the holy men of God yea and such as have lived in the midnight of Apostasie with some glimpses of Divine light in their Goshen bare Testimony against as the fore-mentioned Testimonies with others that might have been subjoyned sufficiently evidence David in the wisdom of God said The works of the Lord are wonderful sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 Such as have pleasure in the Lord cannot but have pleasure in his works Now you that make Heathenism your concern you neither have pleasure in the Lord nor in his works which are very good Further David in the consideration of the Lord broke out saying Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom thou hast made them all the earth is full of thy riches so is the great and wide Sea also wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great beasts Psal 104.24 25. If man should live the days of Mathuselah who lived 969. years yet is the Lord the Book of life and the Book of Creation sufficient for his observation I tell you in downright Tearms the Lord made man to eye him and his Creation but the Serpent dislocating man brought him to eye him and his products and all Heathen Authors Poems Comedies Tragedies Fables spoiling Philosophy Pagan Ethicks Physicks and Metaphysicks are the products of the Serpent so see what you do and where you are Rainold in his Orations said he is to be accounted a wise man who knows things that are profitable not he that knows many things Now if Languages must be Learned were it not more Christian like that out of Latin c. Books for that purpose provided Children and Youth read the Natures of Trees Birds Beasts Fish Serpents Infects Earths Metals Salts Stones Vulgar and Precious as also rules for Gardening Agriculture Grazing of Cattel Buildings Navigation Arithmatick Geography Chronology sound History Medicine knowledge in Law Improvement of Lands Chirurgery Traffick Government ordering of Bees