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
those lying lips which deceived Adam and Eve and all the inventions thereof even to the mouth of God the Well-spring of pure wisdom savoury knowledge and sound understanding Thus Moses being brought to that mouth which taught Adam and Eve in the state of innocency he streamed out Heavenly eloquence saying My doctrine shall drop as the rain my speech shall distill as the dew as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showers upon the grass Deut. 32.2 No prophane Arts nor Sciences no Egyptian Mathematicks no Hieroglyphicks no Pagan Ethicks Physicks or Metaphysicks dropped out of his mouth Though Moses was excellent in the wisdom of the Egyptians yet he hath left us nothing thereof in writing nor encouraged any to learn the same Ambrose gives the reason of this because he had received Gods Spirit and Heavenly wisdom thereby so as Gods Servant was faithful in all his house he preserr'd Heavenly Truth before vain Earthly Philosophy and concern'd himself only in things whose tendency were to the furtherance of Faith Trapp on the Acts. Further Moses said unto Israel Exo 23.13 In all things that I have said unto you be circumspect and make no mention of the names of other gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth He preached not up Egyptian learning nor the Egyptian gods nor any gods of the Heathen but to raze the memorial of them from off the face of the Earth saying make no mention of the names of other gods but Schools and Colledges shew forth another Spirit ringing with the names of Mars Bacchus Apollo and multitudes more which I forbear to mention Furthermore Moses speaking of the Statutes Judgments and Commandments of the Lord received from Heaven for the edification of Israel said Ye shall teach them to your children when thou sittest in thine house when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down when thou risest up Deut. 11.19 Here was Heavenly wisdom Statutes Judgments and Commandments received from the mouth of Eternity to be taught to Children not Egyptian Mathematicks Hieroglyphicks Ethicks Physicks Metaphysicks not lascivious Poems Comedies Tragedies Fables spoiling Philosophy wherewith Schools and Colledges though professing Christianity and Reformation now abound Further Moses said to Israel When thou art come into the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those Nations Deut. 18.9 Now it is sealed in my inward parts that Heathen Poems Pagan Philosophy foolish Comedies Tragedies Fables c. taught in the Schools of Christendom are abomination in the sight of the Lord though of high esteem among men and driven as it were vi armis by force of Arms into tender years Joshua grew up in the pure knowledge of the Lord received Heavenly wisdom walked in it prized it above the Gold of Ophir so was a true Philosopher God promised to be with him as he was with Moses Jos 1.5 he taught Israel not to be defiled with the abomination of the Heathen nor to make mention of the names of their gods Jos 23. so the Serpent and his inventions he fenced out Schools and Colledges now professing Christianity Scriptures and the Gospel teaching the abominable inventions of the Heathen are not come to Moses who forbad these things death reigns there I am easie to perswade saith Theophilus Gale that the old Egyptians learned many things of Joseph concerning the Soul and the originality immateriality immortality and state of it after death and not only from him but from the Patriarchs and from the writings of Moses they received many things which they stained with the excrements of their own inventions as 't is recorded As for saving knowledge pure understanding sound judgment these are derived from the Lord the Well-spring of life After that Joseph had given Pharoah advice concerning the ensuing Famine and other things Pharoah prized him above all the Wise-men of Egypt Sorcerers Magicians Inchanters saying Can we find such a one as this is a man in whom the Spirit of God is Further he said unto Joseph In as much as God hath shewed thee all this there is none so discreet and wise as thou art Gen. 41.38 39. Thus the wisdom and discretion received from the mouth of God was preferr'd before wisdom received otherwise Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to work in Gold and in Silver and in Brass in cutting of Stones in carving of Timber for the building of the Tabernacle Exod. 31. Thus he was qualified from Heaven without Ethnick education so was a true Philosopher implying that such as under the Evangelical dispensation are appointed for the building up of the living Tabernacle Sons or Daughters their qualification for that work is from Heaven and not from below Solomon the Lord gave unto him a wise and understanding heart whereby he knew the Lord and had great understanding in the Lords Creation without Ethnick education he was a true Philosopher 1 Kings 3.12 he builded the Temple and overlaid it within with pure Gold 1 Kings 6. What implies this but that such as under the Gospel ministration are prepared for the building up of the Spiritual Temple be they Sons or Daughters their preparation is of the Lord and that he had a clear understanding of the Lords Creation is demonstrable from Scripture records for he spake of Trees from the Cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the Hysop that springeth out of the Wall he spake also of Beasts and of Fowl and of creeping things and of Fishes 1 Kings 1. his wisdom excelled all the wisdom of the East-Country and all the wisdom of Egypt so that the Queen of the South whom the Ethiopian Chronicles call Mackeda came from the uttermost parts of the Earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon who was so taken with the Heavenly wisdom that dropped out of his mouth that she could have been content to have changed her Throne for his Foot stool he sed her not with Ethnick Serpentine wisdom but with what was Spiritual and Divine Trapp on Matth. 12. Jehoshaphat taught no Pagan Philosophy no Heathenism but the perfect Law and pure Statutes of the Lord the Lord was with him 2 Chron. 17. Ezra caused no Pagan Philosophy no Heathenism no saln wisdom to be taught in Israel to old or young but going from Babylon to Jerusalem the good hand of God being upon him he sought the Law of the Lord and taught the Statutes and Judgments of the Lord in Israel Ezra 7. Now who neglect the wisdom from above and propagate Earthly Serpentine wisdom which is from below such are in Babylon not come to the Jerusalem which is above Job of the Land of Vz perfect and upright fearing God and eschewing evil he knew that his Redeemer lived in the wisdom of his Redeemer he knew the Lord and saw much into the Creation of the Lord so was a true
in the Patriarchal Mosaical and Evangelical dispensations justified the same and in it by it and through it grew in clearness of understanding distinguishing persons so bare Testimoy against the old Serpent and all his products his spoiling Philosophy wisdom of the flesh introduced into the world by those lying lips that seduced Adam and Eve from their blessed being and welbeing in the Lord. Certain Philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoicks in wisdom of the Serpent encountred Paul who was partaker of Divine wisdom and called him a babler Acts 17.18 and how the Divine wisdom revealed in the lovers of simplicity is entertained by Philosophers now this Nation and others afford many examples yet the wisdom of the living God who are of God cannot but contend for the pure wisdom of the rock of Ages who said Heaven is my Throne and Earth is my Foot stool Act. 7.49 there are as Schools distinguish Bona throni the Treasures of Heaven Christ the repository of pure sou-Isaving soul-refreshing life-giving wisdom and knowledge and there are Bona Scabelli that is the fruits and riches of the Earth now the carriage and deportment of multitudes is such that their very life speaks that Earth is their Throne and Heaven their Foot-stool hot in the pursuit of the Earth the pleasures and delights thereof slighting the pearl of Heavenly wisdom the Duke of Alva said he had so much to do on Earth that he had no time to look after Heaven Trapp saith the frame of the spirits of men bespeaks them to be thus minded complying rather with the Divinity of Sardanapalus Ede bibe lude post mortem nulla voluptas then with the Doctrine of Christ who said learn of me the beforem-entioned Epicureans were a Sect of Philosophers so called from Epicurus who was born in Athens and lived in the time of Alexander the Great Ptolomy Lagus and Philadelphus he held that the world came of the Atomes or Motes in the Sun that the Souls dye with the Bodies that there is no providence that worldly pleasure is the Summum bonum the chiefest good these with others Philosophers resisted Paul Paul writing to the beloved of God in Rome called to be Saints bare this Record relating to the wisdom of the flesh and to the wisdom of the Spirit Rom. 8.6 to be carnally minded is death which being truly translated is thus the wisdom desire or mind of the flesh is death but the wisdom desire or mind of the spirit is life and peace the wisdom of the flesh is death and is not spoiling Philosophy lascivious Poems Comedies Tragedies frivolous Fables Inchanting Orations the Subject taught in Schools and Colledges of the wisdom of the flesh I say yes and that they are death and tend to Bind and Fetter Men in Chains of darkness in the Dungeon of death but the wisdom of the spirit gives the simple a residence in the fragrant Chamber of life and peace Paul further Testified to the Sanctified at Corinth saying Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel not with wisdom words least the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect for it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise Here the Serpents wisdom affected eloquence pompous and painted speech attained by satanical inspiration orhumane acquisition by Study perusal of Heathen Authors is decryed not wisdom of words saith he least the Cross of Christ the door through which pure Divine Heavenly wisdom enters the Tabernacle of mans heart should be made of none effect Further saith he the world by wisdom knew not God neither doth the world by its wisdom now know God to what purpose then are Youth and others so toiled for the attainment of that which is foolishness in the account of God and brings not to his knowledge 1 Cor. 1.17 19 20. Again this clear-sighted Apostle of the Lamb through Divine eye-salve distinguishing between the grounds natures and effects of the wisdom from above and the wisdom from below saith on this wise We speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this world nor of the Princes of this world that come to nought but we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery which none of the Princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory which things also we speak saith he not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Spirit teacheth 1 Cor. 2.6 7 8 13. Further he saith the Natural man knows not the things of the spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. The Natural man though mounted to the very Zenith of Philosophick notions and stored with the quintessence of fleshes wittiness which in very deed is wickedness filled as a well loaded Vessel with acquired Arts and Parts yet being a natural man darkened with the smoak of carnal wisdom in that State he cannot receive the wisdom which is from above in his eye it is foolishness the world and its wisdom is a pearl in his eye the harmless Dove of Heavenly wisdom enters in at another window the Cross of Christ foolishness to them that perish Further the faithful Embassador and true witness Paul in the wisdom of God bare Record against the wisdom of the world saying The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God 1 Cor. 3.19 Adam in the wisdom of God knew God and the Creation Now the Serpent by his insinuations working man into a compliance with his will brought in a Sea of iniquity and confusion a world of unrighteousness and a wisdom favouring of his Nature now spoiling Philosophy Inchanting Orations wanton Poems Comedies Tragedies Fables are a part of of his wisdom taught in Schools and Colledges so is foolishness with God though highly esteemed among men yet are they abomination in the sight of God Luke 16.15 I am brought into the credence of this that as the rays of the Sun of righteousness are displayed in man as Heavenly wisdom is exalted as Nations become seasoned with the salt of the Kingdom these abominations will become burdensom yea and rejected as a Menstrous Cloath then shall Composers Printers Correctors Stichers Binders Stationers School-Masters Tutors in Colledges that have Traded in this dead Sea dregs of Satanism turn from their unlawful concerns as the evil thereof is discovered and justifie the wisdom that is from above Further this faithful Steward Paul writing to the Saints and faithful Brethren at Collosse exhorted them saying Beware least any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceipt after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ Colos 2.8 thus who keep not in Christ the wisdom of the Father but lend an ear to the Pagan Philosophick notions of false teachers they are led by them out of the right path bound and Captives thus Paul in the wisdom from above cautions them to beware of wisdom from below
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
the same can scarce by any way or means be rid out of them Recognit Clement lib. 10. Augustin Bishop of Hippo commanded Poetry to be driven out of the City of God so also did Ethnick Plato out of his Common-wealth Cicero forbad the same to be entertained Cor. Agrip. Devan Scient Augustin called Heathen Poetry the Wine of Error drunk of drunken Doctors Jerom called it the meat of Devils Logick is nothing but the Art of Contention and Darkness whereby all other Sciences are made more obsure and more hard to be known Cornel. Agrip. de vanitate Scientiarum Almost all the rabble of Schollars busied in the inventions of Philosophers or Sophisters seems to do no more then learn to commit Error and to make the Truth more obscure or to lose the same Carnel Agrip. de vanitate Scientiarum Queen Elizabeth enjoyned that Schoolmasters should accustom their Schollers reverently to learn such Sentences of Scriptures as should be most expedient to induce them to all godliness Tindal a Martyr said whosoever ordained Universities be it Alexander of Hales Thomas Aquinas or any other he was a Star fallen from Heaven to Earth for there are brought in saith he Moral vertues for Faith Opinions for Truth and said they were a confused cloud Tindal of the Revelation of Antichrist CHAP. V. 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 NOw O Schoolmasters and instructers of Youth in Schools and Colledges let me come nearer unto you 't is not Schools but corrupting spoiling and depraving abuses therein managed I speak against Cicero could say we cannot any wise do the Common-wealth more service then by teaching and instructing Youth provided saith I it be in the knowledge of the Lord of his Creation of savoury and necessary things and useful accomplishments Let me tell you I oppose not Teaching or Learning of Languages as of Latin Greek or Hebrew c. Knowing there may be a service therein for the management of Forreign Transactions and Negotiations and Correspondence with other Nations but it being that all savoury and sound knowledge relates primarily to God secondarily to the knowledge of the Creation and of the useful and necessary imployments My Testimony is that Children should be instructed in the aforesaid in the fear of the Lord it being the door of Heavenly wisdom How precious were it if their Souls like Gideons Fleece did drink up betime the pearly dew of Divine Grace and Heavenly vertue 'T is honourable saith Ambrose for Youth to be found in the fear of the living God 't is the Devil his Books and his wisdom which is earthly sensual and devilish I speak against if in learning of Languages useful profitable and necessary matter were learned a double advantage would accrue unto the learner cannot Languages be learned except in the Devils Books and Arts I testifie that all lascivious Poems wanton Comedies vain Tragedies frivolous Fables inchanting Orations spoiling Philosophy Pagan Ethicks Physicks and Metaphysicks now taught in Christian Schools are the muddy streams of the lying Spirit and to be denyed by serious Christians You may read that the Patriarchs before the Law taught their Children and Housholds to walk in the ways of the Lord they taught them not Heathenism nor Serpentine Inventions Gen. 18.17 19. Under the Mosaical Despensation the Prophets had Schools wherein they taught Youth the knowledge of the Lord the Book of Moses and the Prophets then extant they taught no Heathenish learning no Egyptian Philosophy nor the Smaragdine Table of Hermes Trismegistus during the continuance of that Ministration Oh that there were such an heart in Israel said the Lord to fear me and to keep all my Commandments always that it might go well with them and with their Children for ever Deut. 5.29 Solomon wise in the wisdom of God said Train up a Child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22.6 He should go in the way of holiness in which the ransomed of the Lord walk with songs of deliverance in their mouths Children are to be trained up in the Lords way not in Heathenism Serpentine inventions Heathen Philosophy lascivious Comedies and Tragedies frivolous Fables these things are in the Devils way I saw it in the glass of Immortality in the lamp of Eternity in the sin-discovering dispensation of the Almighty that such as teach these things they are Satans Cooks preparing a deadly dish Satans Butlers making Youth drunk with the Cup of Abomination and Fornication a rusty Channel through whom a stream of folly enters into those committed to their charge which nothing but a Divine rod can drive out Prov. 22.15 David the sweet singer of Israel enquired saying Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way in taking heed thereto according to the word Psal 119.9 He commends young men to the word the word of Faith of Patience of Reconciliation of Vivification that they may be cleansed and purified thereby he commends them not to Paganism Ethnick Education spoiling Philosophy The Lord saith the holy man of God established a Testimony in Jacob and ordained a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should teach their Children that Children which should be born should stand up and declare it to their Children Psal 78.5 6. The Testimony and Law of the Lord was to be propagated and taught to young and old in that Dispensation the wisdom of God which causes the face to shine and fills the inward parts with joyful Melody not Serpentine wisdom the wisdom of this World the Dictates of the Internal Dragon drowning men in perdition Further the Lord said Learn not the way of the Heathen Jeremiah 10.2 Now all Heathen Philosophy Ethicks Physicks and Metaphysicks Heathen Poets Comedies Tragedies and Fables are the way of the Heathen so not to be learned the language of the Serpent to be rejected when Israel was stained with the Inventions of the Heathen the Lord raised complaints against them Psal 106. As the holy men of God in the Patriarchal and Mosaical dispensations through the shield of Faith fenc'd out the wisdom of the Flesh So in the Evangelical dispensation the Disciples and Apostles of the Lamb kept the same and laboured in the vertue and strength of Divine abilities committed to them to bring them to Christ the Magazine Repository and store-house of Heavenly wisdom and knowledge Christ Jesus saith Hospinian de Origine Scholarum instituted the first Academy in the New Testament and called twelve Disciples whom he diligently instructed in Heavenly Doctrine he taught them no Heathen Philosophy nor Traditions of men After the Resurrection of Christ the Apostles being well confirmed in his School and furnished with the gifts of the holy Spirit went out into the World according to Christs command and commended unto others what they had
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