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
Dagon's Fall Before the ARK OR The Smoak of the Bottomless Pit scoured away by the breath of the Lords mouth and by the brightness of his coming WRITTEN Primarily As a Testimony for the Lord his Wisdom Creation products of his Power useful and necessary Knowledge capacitating people for the concerns of this Life Secondarily As a Testimony against the Old Serpent his wisdom which is foolishness with God his Arts Inventions Comedies or Interludes Tragedies lascivious Poems frivolous Fables spoiling Philosophy taught in Christian Schools Wherein as in a Glass Teachers in Schools and Colledges may see their concern neither Christian nor warrantable By Thomas Lawson Qui novit utilia non qui multa sapiens habendas Orat. D. Rainoldi Id verum quod prius prius quod ab initio ab initio quod ab Apostolis Tertul. Adam nunquam è beatitudinis paradiso pulsus fuisset nisi Serpente Magistro didicisset scire bonum malum Cornel. Agrip. de Van. Scient Printed in the year 1679. THE CONTENTS Of the following TREATISE Chap. 1. OF Heavenly wisdom and her Children being true and divine Philosophers Chap. 2. Of the rise and progress of Serpentine wisdom that is the wisdom of this World Chap. 3. Of the rise and progress of Pagan Philosophy worldly wisdom crept in among the Professors of Christianity and Testimonies of the Holy men of God against the same Chap. 4. A rehearsal of Testimonies borne by several men eminent in the Church since the Apostles days against Heathen learning or the teaching of it in Christian Schools as of others Chap. 5. A Memento to Schoolmasters and Tutors to turn from Heathen to the Godly and Christian education of Youth as also of the rise of Christian Schools and how the same came to be corrupted Chap. 6. Lastly a few Queries soberly proposed to the consideration of such as teach Heathen Authors in Christian Schools DAGON'S Fall before the ARK CHAP. I. Of Heavenly Wisdom and her Children being true and divine Philosophers THere is a wisdom whose Merchandize transcends the Merchandize of Silver whose gain surmounts the gain of the purest Gold more precious than Rubies than the Onyx Saphire Chrystal Coral or Topaz of Ethiopia her ways are ways of pleasantness all her paths are peace she is a Tree of Life By her Kings reign and Princes decree justice her fruit is better than Gold her revenue than choice Silver she was from everlasting or ever the Earth was before the Depths before the Fountains abounding with waters before the Mountains were settled before the Hills towered up before the Curtain of the Heavens was prepared before the Clouds above were established before the Sea had its decree before the foundation of the Earth was appointed before the Rain or pearly drops of Dew before the Ice and hoary frost of Heaven before the Pleides and the bands of Orion before Mazzaroth Arcturus and his Sons before the Bottles of Heaven were poured out In this wisdom Adam was created in purity innocency and righteousness a noble extract in this he had dominion over the Fish of the Sea over the Fowl of the Air over the Cattle over all the Earth and over every creeping thing through the virtue and influence of this he knew his Creator and had an understanding of the natures and properties of the Creation and gave names to all Cattle and to the Fowl of the Air and to every Beast of the Field and that significant names Through this Adam was all fair through a Garment conferred upon him out of the Wardrobe of Eternity while in the love and power of this he was a true Divine Philosopher that is a Lover of wisdom not tainted by the intermixture of the Serpent not his ensnaring inventions The living God saith the Paraphrast on the Samaritan Pentateuch formed Adam and filled him with the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge that from him as from a Fountain all useful Arts and Sciences might flow unto his posterity for besides the secret virtues of living Creatures of Plants of Stones of Metals and Minerals he perfectly knew the influences of supernal Bodies saith Theoph. Gale And if Adam and his posterity had persevered in that state of Heavenly wisdom innocency and sincerity in which he was created here had been no defilements of Astrologers Charmers Consulters with Familiar Spirits Diviners Inchanters Magicians Nicromancers Observers of Times Prognosticators Soothsayers Sorcerers Witches Wizards who all derive their power and foolish infernal knowledge from those lying Lips which seduced Adam and Eve from the Royal Court of the Lords blessed presence into the dead Sea of delusions and wicked estrangments from God Yea I say if Adam and his posterity had kept their standing in Heavenly wisdoms dominion we had had no lascivious Poems no wanton Comedies no vain Tragedies no foolish Fables no bewitching Orations no spoiling Philosophy no Pagan Ethicks Physicks or Metaphysicks which are the infatuating dregs of the Hellish dead Sea the smoak of the bottomless Pit as hereafter may more fully be touched About the tenth Generation after the Floud Abraham the Father of the faithful grew up among the Caldeans in the saving knowledge of the Lord he loved Heavenly wisdom and the products thereof the Creation so was a true Philosopher through Faith he obtained a good report and among other things this record remains concerning him Shall I hide from Abraham saith the Lord the thing which I do c. For I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment Gen. 18.17 18 19. This was the sum of Abraham's Doctrine to his Family this he and the faithful Patriarchs taught justifying Heavenly wisdom and the blessed order of it Heathenism they kept out through the shield of Faith and who are of Abraham they do the works of Abraham and shun Heathenism Moses grew up in the knowledge of the living God and of the Creation he loved the wisdom that was from above so was a true Divine Philosopher Clemens Alexandrinus wrote of him that he was a Divine and a Prophet Now if any alledge That Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians that is in prophane Arts and Sciences and was mighty in words and in deeds Acts 7.22 I answer True it is Moses was so learned which Egyptian learning faith Pererius was Pagan Mathematicks Ethicks Physicks Metaphysicks a chief part whereof was Hieroglyphicks but when he was to be concern'd for the living God to go his Message see how his prophane Arts and Sciences the Egyptian Hieroglyphicks furthered him he was mute Exod. 4.10 11 12. he said to the Lord O my Lord I am not eloquent The Lord said unto him Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Here he is drawn from the dirty puddle of prophane Arts and Sciences Egyptian wisdom Pagan Metaphysicks Hieroglyphicks In a word from
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
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
learned of Christ Hospinian Matth. 28.19 20. Go and teach all Nations c. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you what and only what they received from Christ that and only that they were to teach others but no Heathen Philosophy nor Traditions of men dropped out of their Mouths but their living concerns was to bring them to learn of Christ the wisdom of God and to witness Salvation and Eternal life through him Further Paul said to Timothy What things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses the same deliver to faithful men which shall be able to teach others also 2 Tim. 2.2 Hosp But we read not that Timothy taught Heathen Philosophy to any which plainly demonstrates that Timothy received no such thing from Paul though he had been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel Further Paul who had the mind of Christ writing to Fathers in the behalf of Children said And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ephes 6.4 Not in wanton Poets Comedies Tragedies Fables the ways of the Heathen The Primitive Bishop or Elders saith one had tender regard unto the Children of Christians and taught them as well as the people the knowledge of God in Christ and rejected vain Philosophy and Traditions of men till the Mystery of iniquity began to insinuate it self among them by the means of humain Learning A School in Alexandria was instituted not very long after the Apostles days for about the year 182. one Pantenus brought up among the Heathen Stoick Philosophers moderated that School whereby the Doctrine of Christ quickly spread over the face of the earth exercise in Scriptures flourished among them at length he travelled as far as India to confirm them in the Faith of Christ Euseb lib. 5. Hospinian we read not that he bred them up in Heathen Philosophy Poets Comedies Tragedies Fables c. Afterwards saith this Hospinian Monasteries were built through Europe not through an opinion of any merit or through any Superstition neither that they should be Stews of lewd Fellows but that they might be as Schools in which not Children only but such as were grown up might be instructed in Piety Religion and Heavenly Doctrine so to be capacitated for convincing converting and building up of others in the saving knowledge of the Lord. But as John foresaw a Star fall from Heaven unto the Earth to whom the Key of the bottomless pit should be given and that a smoak should arise out of the pit Erroneous Doctrines Humain Traditions Heathen Learning spoiling Philosophy whereby the Sun and the Air should be darkned the purity of the Primitive Church and of Schools should be spoiled Revel 9. Now as this was fulfilled the Study of true Divinity saith this Hospinian began by little and little to grow cold to be abolished and altogether to vanish in these Monasteries or Schools then they invented new opinions concerning Merits Invocation of Saints of the Popes Supremacy of Purgatory of Transubstantiation this School Divinity taking root and spreading the minds of the simple were intangled and insnared the Placeats or Opinions of the Roman Popes the Writings of Aristotles Metaphysicks had ingress into Schools thus Heavenly wisdom being turned from the smoak of the pit earthly wisdom Heathen Learning steamed into the Churchse and Schools through which to this day they are clouded stained and corrupted But in reference to the Divinity-School of Alexandria by little and little it so degenerated and lost the Heavenly Savour as that there hath not been saith the Author of the Book called the Naked Truth a greater plague to Christian Religion then School-Divinity from which sprung forth damnable Heresies overspreading all Christendom Whence did Paulus Samosetanus derive his venomous Heresies against the Son of God but from Plotinus and his Philosophick Disputations in the School of Alexandria Did not Arius a Presbyter of the Church of Alexandria imbibe or drink up his blasphemy against the Divinity of Christ out of the Divinity-School of Alexandria about the year 310. From him sprung the Arians who over-ran all Christendom Origen also and after him Pelagius derived their Pestilent Errours against the grace of God out of the same School Thus after the Apostles times the wisdom from above being turned from the wisdom that is from below being entertained in Churches and Schools the Apostacy and fall from the Primitive order life and soundness in Doctrine and Conversation was brought forth If the patern of the Primitive Church rooted and grounded in Heavenly Wisdom Heavenly Philosophy saith Theoph. Gale had been observed neither Origen nor Arius nor Pelagius nor Socinus nor the Schoolmen nor any of that Company had been overwhelmed in so many monstrous Errours Many of the Primitive Doctors and Fathers saith the Author of the Book called the Naked Truth being converted from Heathenism greatly skil'd in Natural Philosophy Antiquity History Subtil Logick or Sophistry were unwilling to abandom their long studied and beloved Sciences so called so translated them into Christianity applying their School Terms Distinctions Syllogisms to Divine matters so defaced Christian knowledge Thus through the steaming in of Heathenism into Church and School the pure sound savoury Education of Youth in the knowledge of the Lord was lost and a depriving spoiling corrupting education entred in out of lewd Poems Comedies Tragedies Fables spoiling Philosophy continued yet in Christendom I doubt not faith our Country man Dell but some men shew more care and pains to teach a Colt to Pace and Amble then they do to instruct their Children to walk in the way of Gods Commandments Further you Masters in Schools and Colledges who instruct Youth in Prophane Authors Arts and Sciences as the Lamp of Eternity is lighted in you you will see you have been dancing after the Popes Pipe yea after the Serpents Pipe the Author of Heathenism You may read that in the time of the Saxon Heptarchie Austine the Monk with others came from Rome into this Nation and the Faith and School-Education of Papal Rome was received by the Saxons so that many Authors came into our Schools by and through them which are yet continued Sigebert King of the East-Angles having learned in France the manner of their Schools with assistance of some Teachers out of Kent instituted after the same Discipline the University of Cambridge then first founded about the year 630. This Sigebert afterward changed his Royal Robe for a Hood About the year 668. by means of Theodore a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus whom Pope Vitalian had ordained Bishop of Canterbury the Greek and Latin Tongue with other liberal Arts as Arithmatick Musick Astronomy c. began first to flourish among the Saxons saith Milton By the Council of four Monks Schollars of Bede saith Dell to wit Rabanus Albinus Claudius and John Scotus the University which had been translated from Athens to Rome was translated
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