of the Pagan Philosophers among themselves Writers are not silent for not being content with Logomachy that is Verbal altercation they fell at length to Dagger drawing one against another Johan Franc. Pic. Mizand Of the absurd opinions of Pagan Philosophers as of their Magicks South sayings Conjurings casting of Nativities their Doctrine of the worlds Eternity of the Souls Mortality of the transmigration of the Soul from one body into another of like temperament and quality I forbear further to particularise How Pagan Philosophy Arts and Languages called Hand-maids to Divinity have been and are courted embraced and entertained Heavenly wisdom the Mistress hath been and is sleighted the wise in heart understand the Egyptians saith Theophilus Gales so pursued the study of the Mathematicks that the Title of Prophet Priest or wiseman was allowed to none but such as were profoundly instructed therein before Now how spoiling Philosophy Tongues Ethnick Arts natural endowments and qualifications are doted upon among the Professors of Christianity is evident in that who without qualifications are fitted by the Lord for the work of the Ministry they are branded as Hereticks and persecuted It was a saying of Solomon Take away the dross from the Silver and there shall come forth a Vessel for the finer Pro. 25.4 Now if thâ— intermixture of Paganism spoiling Philosophy Satanical Arts in a word the wisdom of the flesh which is foolishness with God were scoured away and Heavenly wisdom in its primitive purity in Schools and Churches were restored happy would the Nations be which in measure was attempted for in the School of Alexandria an Eclecktick Sect flourished so called because it Selected and picked out the choice parts of Philosophy out of all Sects this laudable attempt was undertaken by men accounted eminent Potamon Plutarch Ammonius and other Philosophers with what issue and success a conclusion may be drawn for that somuch of the dross of Satanical Art carnal reason inventions and imagination remains as that it yet remains spoiling Philosophy Corruptio optimi fit pessima that is best things corrupted become the worst Theophilus Gale advises well that all the placets or opinions of Philosophers should be brought to be tryed by the holy Scriptures that there it may appear what should be imbraced and what should be rejected Man in the beauty of his Innocency was to eye the Lord and in his Spirit the Creaation the products of the Lords power and wisdom for all serious solid sound and justifiable knowledge relates to the essentiality of God and to the Creation the products of his power and to useful and necessary concerns herein appears true wisdom primitive Philosophy Plato though an Ethnick through a Divine spark or through the writings of Moses in that spark bouldly and truly called the knowledge of God the true Philosophy how saith Epinomondas can God be the Author of all good if he be not the Authour of the chiefest good that is wisdom The Serpent being prevalent disjoynted dislocated that is wrested man out of his blessed State and center'd him in his own power whence issued into the world a muddy stream of earthly wisdom inventions and Idolatry the posterity of Noah saith Theophilus Gale degenerating from the pure Philosophy that is wisdom of the Patriarchs plunged into the bottomless pit of diabolical Astrology and Idolatry for in their contemplation of Coelestial bodies the feeling of the Creatour being lost they were first of all hurried to the admiration of them afterwards to the adoration of them so those glorious Creatures being lifted up into the throne of the Creatour became the object of monstrous Idolatry Rom. 1.21 Deut. 4.19 Job 31.26 27. Geographers affirm that the Valley in which Sodom and Gomorrah were built was full of saltish and bituminous pits the Lake Asphaltites called also Mare Mortuum that is the dead Sea because the very Fish cannot live in its foul gross waters yea anp Birds flying over it were smothered and killed by its exhalations Adam as Created of the Lord was a fruitful Valley plentious infragrant odoriferous aromatical balsamical fruits shewing forth the regency of the Lambs life in him closing with the deadly whispers of the Serpent a muddy Lake as I may say gushed into the world whose exhalations are pernicious this may spiritually be called the dead Sea none can live to God to righteousness in that which the Devil brings in in the putred or rotten stock old Adam all die in Christ is life Obj. We read Philosophers because many good moral sayings are in them and we learn natural Arts to qualifie and enable us for the understanding of Heavenly things Ans 'T is recorded in Scripture that Christ is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world Joh. 1.9 Pagan Philosophers as well as others I said Du Hamel ascent unto the Platonists that mens minds are enlightened with a Divine light so every man hath in himself the ground of morality which man turning from within and fetching in from without he continues in Clouds of darkness and an Eclipse in the world of his heart what the Philosophers spoke from that is found and good but through a now perseverance in it intermixtures entred in and what proceeded from the mind thus carnalized was spoiling Philosophy Corruptio optimi fit pessima as before yea and the same John bare Record saying the light shined in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not John 1.5 this non-comprehension of Pagan Philosophers as well as of others so far prevailed that they could in no wise comprehend the sparks of Divine light which shined in the darkness of their hearts but unjustly and wickedly resisted restrained and opposed the same Rom. 1.18 19. c. And natural Arts Parts Endowments Languages Accomplishments cannot reveal the knowledge of Heavenly things Canst thou said Zophar by searching find out God Job 11.7 c. No man knows the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him Matth. 11.27 and Paul who was eminent in Tongues natural in Parts and Abilities and knew what Key opened into the rich Cabinet of Heavenly wisdom and Treasures he excluded natural Arts and Parts to be that Key saying expressly the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God c. neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 God and the things of God are known in and by the spirit this spirit Paul Preaches up not natural Arts Parts and Tongues Plato a Heathen Philosopher said well vertue is not acquired but infused of God a natural man though he have mounted to the Turret of Philosophick elevations and may profess himself to be a great Sophist that is wiseman yet he is ignorant of the saving knowledge of the Lord which only comes by the teaching of the Lord Rom. 1.22 Acts. 17.18 23.1 Cor. 2.14 Holy men of God inspired of God taught of God replenished with the vertue influence and sweetness of Heavenly wisdom
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
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
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
Universities he was a Star fallen from Heaven to Earth from the Gospel of Christ to humane Learning Melancthon termed the Universities houses of Lies saying further that Students in Universities are not people of the Gospel nor yet of the Law but are the people of Aristotles Morals Obj. These spoke against Popish Universities and they are otherwise now 'T is true saith Dell the outward form of gross Popery is taken away from them as from the Nation yet the Inner part of it remains as before the self same Statutes of the Universities remain in force which were first given by Popish Founders again the same Philosophy of Heathenism is instilled now into Youth as in the darkest dayes of Popery the self same outward and Antichristian Forms and Follies still remain as in the darkest o Popery even unto their Hoods Caps Scarlet Robes Doctoral Rings Gloves their Doctoral Dinner and Musick To this day presently after their Divinity Acts said this Dell they have their Prevaricator a notable Varlet picked out of the Universities who in the presence of all the Heads Students Scholars and the great resort of Ministers and People at their Commencement Abuses Derides and Jeers all sorts of persons of all Ages Sexes and Professions such works of Levity were never allowable among the Holy men of God Christ said have Salt in your selves Heavenly wisdom with which those that are seasoned cannot but savour and comprehend such things to be unsavoury Justin Martyr lived about the year 150. He as 't is related in his Dialogue with Trypho first joyned himself to that Sect of Philosophers called Stoicks after to the Peripateticâ—s after to the Pythagorean Sect after to the Platonists being Converted he wholly left his Philosophy and Philosophical apprehensions and betook himself to the Scriptures Constantine the Emperor took care that the Scriptures might be taught to people judging it most meet that Christians should be instructed in the Faith of Christ and not in Heathenish Philosophy Euseb lib. 4. Through this Constantine the Sufferings of the Church vanished then Christians grew more Carnal and secure even in his days and began to seek after spoiling of Philosophy yet in all Ages God had some witnesses against it Berno who lived in the year 1008. Being furnished with all sorts of Learning said that he for many years had rejected Poetical Fictions Heathen Historians Worldly Learning as dung and was wholly minded to search out Heavenly things Berno in Epistola ad Magnifred Zuinglius in his Youth was exercised in all sorts of Learning In the end he intreated the Lord to vouchsafe him his own Light saying what he had Learned before from Philosophers procur'd him much trouble and he rejected Phylosophy and counted it as dung Zuingl de veritate Verbi Schools and Universities were at first corrupted by declining the pure word of the Gospel and entertaining Philosophy and Heathen Authors Dell. Matthias Parisiensis a Bohemian by Nation about the year 1580. wrote a Book against Antichrist wherein he affirms that Antichrist had deceived and misled all Universities and Colledges of the Learned so that now saith he they teach no sound thing neither give they true light unto Christians by their Doctrine Illeryc Flair Catal. Test Veritat Antichrist saith John Hus hath drawn men aside from the wisdom of God replenished with Salvation and with the Holy Spirit to the prudence and wisdom of men and of the Princes of this World de Antichristo cap. 30. Martin Luther said whosoever it was whether Alexander of Hales or Thomas Aquine who first instituted Universities he was a Star fallen from Heaven to Earth Luther de Captiv Babylon Abbas Joachim Calaber about the year 1230. in his Commentary on Jeremy speaks to this purpose that the first Angel mentioned in Revelations the ninth opens the bottomless pit and brings forth Philosophy into the Church and out of this smoak of this Doctrine proceeded Locusts and these Locusts said he are Schoolmen and Masters who sometime use Flattery to deceive sometime Rigour to subvert the simple and unwary The Lord stirr'd up Julian saith he to put down Heathen Learning in Christian Schools that it might appear that as the true Christian Religion is not helped by humane Learning so neither is it hindred by the want of it Rainold in his Orations saith the contrary of this Julian but times and ends being considered they are easily reconciled The Queen of the South neglecting the Magi Philosophers Heathen Wisemen came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear Wisdom of Solomon but Schools and Universities leave Christ greater then Solomon in whom are all Treasures of wisdom and knowledge and seeks knowledge from the Heathen as Aristotle Plato c. Dell. Socrates Scholasticus saith that for Christians thoroughly to imbibe the Learning of the Heathen it can no way advantage Christian Religion for it is not without danger for Christians to be instructed in Heathen Learning because it teacheth a plurality of gods that there are many gods lib. 3. cap. 14. My advice is saith Luther that Youth shun Philosophy and School Divinity as the death of the Soul Tom. 2. fol. 434. It is an Error to say that a Divine is not made without Aristotle rather a Divine is not made unless that be done without Aristotle Luth. Tom. 1. fol. 10. I truly judge that our English man Wicklif was a wise man who first of all as far as I know saw that Universities were Satans Synagogues Melancthon Seeing Christ Instituted not those Universities saith Wicklif or Colledges it seems evident that they as Graduations in them are vain Heathenism brought in in token of this both Collegiates and other Graduates seek themselves This Wicklif was Master of Baliol Colledge in Oxford Wicklif in speculo Militantis Ecclesiae cap. 26. We must make inquiry of Schoolmasters and other professors of Learning teaching Heathen Gods their Names Genealogies and Fables Yea we need not doubt but that they are guilty of Idolatry of divers sorts Tertul de Idolatr A Christian Schoolmaster by his frequent reading of Poets defilements of Idols he seems to allow of these things Regaltius in Tertullianum Socrates drove out of the City lewd Demons and Atchievers of Naughtiness handled by Poets and he taught men to shun Homer and other Poets and he exhorted them after the search of the living God whom they were ignorant of Justini pro Christianis apologio prima Abstain from all Heathen Books saith Clemens Romanus saying further what is wanting in the Law of God that thou should apply thy mind unto Heathen Fables lib. 1. cap. 6. What madness possesses the minds of men that they should regard Jupiter whom they do not only know to be an ungodly man Wicked Profane Whorish a patricid but also sing to him on the Stage The Ancients denyed these things but now through a pretence of instructing Youth the knowledge of these things is so incorporated in tender and simple minds as that
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