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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57125	A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...	Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668.; Reyner, J. (John), b. 1624.	1663 (1663)	Wing R1232; ESTC R22136	152,217	372

the Daughters of Philip the Evangelist Acts 21.8 9 10. and other Gifts 1 Cor. 12.28 yet they were confined to the Primitive Times onely of the New Testament when the Gospel was first published as proper and peculiar thereunto But such extraordinary Gifts are now ceased as I shewed before Viz. 1. For kinde 2. For maner by immediate infusion or without means 3. For measure the Apostles being filled herewith And we must now look for the pouring forth of the Spirit I. Onely in ordinary Effects As 1. In regenerating renewing or sanctifying Graces 2. In quickening strengthening comforting Operations though in a greater measure 3. In common Gifts 4. In the performance of holy Duties and in the efficacy of the Ordinances through the working of the Spirit for the conversion of more Souls and greater edification of them II. To obtain these Gifts and Graces Comforts c. of the Spirit and the growth and increase thereof in and by the use of the Means which God hath appointed for that purpose Secondly 1 Joh. 2.27 That Promise in 1 John 2.27 must be thus understood The anointing ye have received that is the Spirit of Christ ●●●eth you all things so that ye need not be taught either better things Mr Cotton in locum or in a better maner then he teacheth Yet the Spirit ordinarily teacheth by Means that is Hildersham in Psal 5● 7 chiefly 〈◊〉 the Ministery of the Word and not by immediate Inspirations or Enthusiasms or by any other outward Means so much Faith that grand saving Grace and greatest work of the Spirit comes by hearing the word preached Rom. 10.17 Therefore Christ at his Ascension gave gifts unto men and appointed some to be Apostles Prophets Evangelists extraordinary Officers some Pastors and Teachers i. e. standing Officers of the Church for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery c. and these to continue for the Ministery is necessary in the Church till we all come into the Unity of the Faith c. that is till we be made perfect in Christ till we all come in Heaven Eph. 4.8 11 12. Christ who hath promised his Spirit Jer. 2.15 promiseth Ministers also and gifts to them and requires they should not be despised Luk. 10.16 nor their Office 1 Thes 5.20 despise not prophesying Hence Paul calls the Ministery of the Gospel the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 whereby the Spirit is conveyed into us Gal. 3.2 and works in us The Spirit first breathed the word of God into the Prophets and Apostles to write the same 2 Pet. 1.21 and now he breaths in the holy Scriptures and in and by the Ministery of them upon our souls This is observable that where our being taught of God is spoken of which some conceive to be immediately something is mentioned either going before or following after in the context relating to the Ministery of the Word to shew that that is the Means whereby God ordinarily teacheth his people Ex. gr Joh. 6.45 It 's written in the Prophets John ● 15 Mr. Hild●r●h They shall be taught of God he adds immediately Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me q.d. The Father teacheth no man ordinarily but in and by the hearing of he Word preached Isaiah 30.21 Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it when thou turnest to the right hand or to the left When God promiseth to teach and guide his people aright by his Spirit they being in danger to be seduced or drawn out of the right way in the 20 verse he shews or premiseth how or by what means the Spirit will do this thine eyes shall see thy Teachers c. Then follows Thine ears shall hear a word behinde thee c. q. d. I will accompany the Ministery of my Word with the efficacy of my Spirit in the dispensation of thy Teachers to instruct and guide thee in the right way 1 Joh. 2.27 The anointing ye have received teacheth you all things in verse 24. he declares how Let that scil doctrine abide in you which ye heard from the beginning verse 7. which was preached at first by Christ and after by his Apostles Luk. 1.2 The Spirit of Christ teacheth us all things by the Doctrine or Word dwelling or abiding in us Act. 2.42 Joh. 15.7 1 Thes 4.9 Touching Brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye are taught of God to love one another Compare the first verse herewith We beseech and exhort you as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more to which add the tenth verse God teacheth by his Ministers Thus the Spirit of Christ teacheth ordinarily by the word and the Ministery of it for the Word and the Spirit God hath joyned together Isai 59.21 Let no man put them asunder that is in the Church of God chiefly though he doth teach also by Christians exercise of their Gifts and Graces for mutual edification in private Communion by Exhortation and Admonition c. which is enjoyned in the Gospel Col. 3.16 1 Thes 5.14 Hebr. 3.13 and 10.24 Jude 20. Acts 18.26 1 Cor. 14.35 Thirdly Though the Spirit be the principal Teacher of us yet he useth his Gifts which he bestows on us as instruments wherby he teacheth us and enableth us to teach others The Spirit of God is the Author of every good Gift in us Jam. 1.17 1. Of all saving Graces which are the fruits of the Spirit in us Gal. 5.22 23. As he is the Spirit of Regeneration and Sanctification 2 Thes 2.13 2. Of all spiritual Gifts qualifying for Church-offices and Christian Communion 1 Cor. 12.4 to 12. Rom. 12.6 to 9. Eph. 4.8 3. Of all common Gifts which qualifie and enable men for Callings and Imployments Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit of God that is the Gifts of the Spirit in wisdom understanding and knowledge and in all maner of workmanship to devise cunning works all those things that did belong to the Tabernacle to work curiously in gold silver and brass Exod. 31.2 3 4. The skill of Husbandry is the Gift of God Isai 28.26 God teacheth the Husbandman by his Spirit how to plow sow reap and thresh as he doth the Soldier how to handle his weapon Psal 18.34 and 144.1 The skil of a Smith in blowing the coals and in forming Tools Instruments Weapons c. the fruits of the Forge in the work of his Trade is the Gift of God also Isai 54.16 Much more are Arts and Tongues or Liberal Sciences the Gift of Gods Spirit as being more excellent in themselves and indeed having more of God in them and more needful and eminently useful for the highest Callings and Imployments especially for the Ministers of the Gospel as hath been demonstrated The Apostles being filled with the Holy Ghost speake with other Tongues even all kinde

twelve Apostles See Mede in Revel 14.1 See Mr. Cotton in Revel 13.18 he saith This number of the Lamb's followers hath its rise from 12 12 multiplied by 12 will arise from so many scores to so many hundreds and 12 times 12000 is 144000 and the number of the Beast scil 666 is expresly opposite thereunto See more about it in Mr. Cotton CHAP. IX Of the Vsefulness of Geometry GEometry is of use to a Minister of the Gospel upon a threefold account First For the explication of many places in the Old Testament especially those which treat I. Of Weights and Measures II. Of Edifices and Buildings and of their Proportions and Dimensions As Of the Fabrick of Noah's Ark. Of Moses's Tabernacle Of Solomon's Temple Of Ezekiel's Temple chap. 40. and City chap. 48. Of the New Jerusalem Revel 21. Of the Division of the Land of Canaan among the Tribes Psal 78.55 Josh 13.4 And of several other particulars in Scripture which are Geometrically described or to which Dimensions are attributed I shall instance in two or three places wherein the Spirit speaketh Geometrically and cannot be understood without knowledge in the Mathematics 1. Dr. Potter 666. About plain and superficial Measure in Ezek. 43.16 and most evidently in Ezek. 48.20 where he useth a circumlocution that he might by a Geometrical phrase and a number multiplied by it self viz. 25000 by 25000 intimate the Square and plain measure of a piece of Ground 2. About solid Measure Rev. 21.16 where he saith The City was measured 12000 furlongs the length breadth and heighth of it are equal So that it is set down as a solid Cubical Figure containing three Dimensions and so onely to be measured by solid Measure and then the compass of Ezekiel's City namely 1800 great Cubits will be the compass of this new Jerusalem for Brightman Villalpandus and others make them both to be the same City Secondly Geometry is an Help to the understanding of the Works of God who hath ordered all things in number measure Wisdom 11 17 and weight Pondere mensura numero Deus omnia fecit Geometry is conversant about Order and Measure or Commensuration which two do so excel as Plato saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God doth alway play the Geometrician that is he doth all and every thing exactly in order as by Line and Measure Or as Plutarch interprets it God doth Octavo S●mp●s 2. Problem ratione proportione similitudine omnes mundi partes exornare dimetiri Etenim cum Deus saith Pet. In his Epistle before his general Table of Geometry Ramus immensitatis aeternae spacia definire statueret Geometria inprimis usus est quae longitudinem latitudinem profundorum spatia terminaret omniumque symmetriam rationem proportionem similitudinem discerneret quae aerem levitate sublime tolleret aquam terramque pondere deprimeret quae denique coelestes globos ita tornaret ut ad conversion is motum nihil rotundius effingi nihil aptius expoliri posset Itaque Mundi Architectus ille summus in fabricando machinandoque Universitatis Opisicio Geometriam inprimis adhibuit neque Plato quidquam magnificentius locutus est cum dixit Deum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus Geometry conduceth much to the acknowledging and celebrating of the Wisdom and Power of God in his Works Thirdly Arithmetic and Geometry are of good use to the fore-named Arts or Sciences As in Ethics to understand what Virtue is which is said to consist in Proportion and what are the bounds or limits of Justice that a Geometrical Proportion should be kept in Distributive Justice and Arithmetical Proportion in Commutative Justice Also in Physics Astronomy and Geography Arithmetic and Geometry sunt duae illae alae Mathematicae quibus Astronomi Geographi alta profunda pervolant Alsted Furyclop Didact cap. 7 8. pag. 126. in 4. Of the Antiquity Certainty Jucundity Utility of the Study of Geometry see Alsted It is observed the Patriarchs were Mathematicians There may be use of Mathematics in handling Points of Divinity Bradwardine the profound Doctor made use of the Mathematics wherein he excelled of the Principles Demonstrations and Corollaries or Conclusions thereof Sir Henry S●vile's Prelace before Bradwardine's 〈◊〉 in handling Theological Points silo Mathematico Theologica contexit CHAP. X. Of the Vsefulness of Astronomy AStronomy is useful for a Minister of the Gospel upon a double account First To know the Nature Light Motions Magnitudes Influences and Operations of the Celestial Bodies the Sun Moon and Stars and of their Constellations And how they serve according to God's appointment for signs and seasons for days and years Gen. 1.14 To know the Ordinances of Heaven Job 38.33 the various Motions and the marvellous and unspeakable Order of the Heavenly Bodies which they keep as constantly as if they walked by a Rule Jer. 31.35 As also to understand Eclipses It is onely an Astronomer that can demonstrate that famous Eclipse of the Sun at Christ's passion to be miraculous Luke 23.45 since it happened about the full Moon for then was the Passover celebrated but Solar Eclipses in the Course of Nature must be at the new Moon Secondly To understand the Jewish Years Moneths Days and their several Accounts hereof and the dependences thereupon as the Jewish Feasts and the Prophecies Histories Chronologies that are in the Scripture and the clearing and reconciling of diverse Places or Passages in Scripture as the difference between the Jews and the Romans in fixing the beginning of their Hours the Jews reckoning them from Sun-rise the Romans from midnight the clearing whereof will make those Places agree which speak of the time of Christ suffering and the circumstances of it In the night Christ was in the High Priests Hall denied by Peter at the Cock-crowing at the break of the day he was delivered to Pilate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 15.1 then accused before him till the sixth hour Joh. 19.14 to wit of the Romans which was the first hour of the Jews After that he was condemned and delivered to the Soldiers and all things prepared for his crucifixion which by Mark is said to be at the third hour to wit of the Jews cha 15 25. but the ninth hour of the Romans and the darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour is to be understood of the Jewish hours that is from noon to three of the clock See De Dieu on Mark 15.25 And as John useth the Roman hours cha 19.14 so the Roman day cha 20.19 The same day at evening being the first day of the week Jesus c. that could not be the evening before Sun-set for when the two Disciples went with Christ to Emmaus it was towards evening and the day far spent Now they supt there and returned to Jerusalem which was sixty furlongs distant from Emmaus and Luk. 24.13 c. told the Disciples what had happened to them then Christ appeared in the midst of

no not when he had opportunity but would say Plura pro Christo sunt toleranda We must suffer more for Christ then so and as he answered Felix the Arrian that dealt so ill with him Christiani est non ulcisci sese Deus enim ulturus injuriam suis illatam Isidore was called by Casaubon In the seventh Century pius eruditus Scriptor a godly learned Writer he was admired for his Learning and Eloquence he could fitly accommodate his speech both to the learned and to the ignorant it 's said He led an Angelical and Evangelical Life in the flesh Venerable Bede was very learned in Philosophy Astronomy Poetry in Greek Arithmetic Rhetoric but especially very conversant in and studious of the holy Scriptures he was said to be the Honor of England and the Mirror of his Time for Learning so famous for it and for Piety that he was sent for to Rome to help to settle the Churches peace Damascen was educated in Learning In the eighth Century got the knowledge of all the Liberal Sciences then he studied the Scripture and Divinity he was a diligent Preacher and Propagator of the Faith and Truth of Christ and a great Opposer of Heretics he was called a great Star in the Churches Firmament in that time when there was great darkness but he by his life and doctrine illuminated many Bernard had pregnant and admirable parts for wit memory and understanding a great Proficient in Learning and had an excellent faculty in preaching His Sentences were stuffed as one saith omni amoenitate pietate with all amoenity and piety he was in great repute for his sanctity of life and doctrine Thus I have given a brief Account of the ancient Fathers that they were learned whom God made eminently useful in and to his Church Let me add two things by way of Caution 1. Though they were learned and pious yet they had their infirmities and blemishes and were subject to errors and failings even in their Writings as hath been observed by many See Daille's Treatise They were not acted with an infallible spirit as the Pen-men of sacred Writ were therefore they must be read with consideration and discretion their Writings must be tried by the Touchstone of God's Word To be altogether exempt from Errors is the Priviledge of the holy Scriptures Divers Divines have given Rules for the right understanding of the Fathers See Scultet Medull Patr. Dan. Synops de Legendis Patribus John Daille in his Treatise concerning the right use of the Fathers 2. Lest any should think these ancient Fathers had no need of their humane Learning or might have been as well without it it 's true they stood in need of more Learning in some kinde then they had attained the want whereof was the Cause of their Errors and Mistakes Ex. gr Augustine by reason of his good insight into the Hebrew and Greek Tongue fell short and failed much of solid Interpretation in his Expository Books Luther instanceth in his Comment upon the Psalms he mentioned Hilary too Ambrose also by reason of his Ignorance in the Tongues erred oft in his Expositions See Luther in libello de Instit pueris where he shews that Patrum Errores in sacra Scriptura provenerunt ex Linguarum ignorantia pag. 442 443 444. The Errors of some of the Fathers grew from their Ignorance of the Tongues Had it not been better for them to have had more knowledge thereof So much of the Learning of the Fathers SECT IX Of the Learning of the first Reformers Secondly Now I shall shew briefly the Learning of the Modern Divines which may be cast into two Ranks I. Those former who were the happy Reformers of Religion or honored by God as Master-Builders to lay the Foundation and begin the Work of Reformation II. These later who vigorously carried on the Work of Reformation I. The Learning of those former Divines whom God raised up in pity to his poor Church when the Apostacy of Popery had so far overspread and prevailed They were many of them learned men of great skill in Arts and Tongues and others competently learned and all men of invincible courage and indefatigable pains excited and qualified by God to be the Restorers of the true Christian Religion from its bondage in Ignorance and Superstition and strong and stout Opposers of the Pope and Popery in the Points of Doctrine Worship and Practice These lived in or about the fourteenth and fifteenth Centuries Berengarius lived in the dismal darkness and depth of Popery Century 14. Ussertus de Christ Eccles succes cap. 7. pag. 196 197. he profited in the School above his Equals and was well-skill'd in the Liberal Arts an excellent Logician of great account for his Learning and Piety He was expert in the Scriptures and also in the Writings of the ancient Fathers He was a Champion for the Truth in the Point of Transubstantiation opposing the Corporal Presence of Christ in the Sacrament He had almost drawn all Italy France and England to his Opinion He was of a bold undaunted spirit and courage His Life and Conversation was so unblameable that therein as one saith he starved the Malice of all his Adversaries Fuller Petrus Waldus though he was not one of the Modern Divines yet something is observable in his Story which is useful to our purpose Alsted Chronol He was a rich Citizen of Lions in France ☞ converted by seeing one fall down dead in the streets upon which he betook himself to teach and admonish his House and Friends to repent and to study the Scriptures himself and he profited so well therein that he translated divers parts thereof out of Latine into French Friar Rainer an Adversary to the Truth and to the Waldenses saith That Waldus being tolerably learned taught those that resorted to him the Text of the New Testament in their Mother's Tongue and that the Waldenses who were his Followers and Auditors had above forty Schools In Dioeceli Pataviensi and divers Churches all within one Diocess yea they were as others witness of that ability that they had divers Conferences and Disputations with the Romanists and had the better Vide Usserium cap. 6 8. As for the Doctrines and Tenets of the Waldenses Vide Usserium in cap. 6 ad cap. 10. Protest Evidences they preached against the Doctrines and Practises of Rome as the Pope's Power Transubstantiation the Adoration of Images and of the Cross against Prayers for the dead Purgatory Invocation of Saints extreme Unction Auricular Confession with many more John Wickliff was brought up in Merton Colledge in Oxford he was famous both for life and learning he excell'd in the knowledge of the Arts and School-Divinity he was admired of all for his singular abilities and sweetness of demeanor he was Divinity-Reader in Oxford he was a diligent faithful Preacher of the Gospel under King Edward the third who always favored and protected

studied Greek at Stutgard and Hebrew at Heidelberg Anno 1515. he was call'd to be Preacher and Pastor at Basil and commenced Dr. in that University about the same time that Erasmus came to Basil to print his Annotations on the New Testament for the perfecting whereof he used the assistance of Oecolampadius a man saith he (a) In his Preface to his Annotat on the New Testament eminent not only for piety but for skill in three Languages and confessed he was much helped by him The Writers of his Life give this character of him that he was a worthy instrument of advancing the truth of Christ which he defended against Eckius and Faber and others He was very successful in appeasing Sects and contentions that arose in the Church His fame both for piety and learning spread so abroad that Philip Prince Elector Palatine committed his youngest son unto his tuition He was a diligent faithful Preacher of the Gospel and promoter of Reformation in the Church into which he brought the right administration of the Sacraments and the censure of Excommunication He declared his judgement against the Mass and other Popish doctrines against sprinkling with holy water and many superstitious actions to which his doctrine sinking into his auditors hearts put a period He was famous in the City of Basil SECT X. The after-Promoters of Reformation were Learned I Have briefly declared the Learning of the former Modern Divines who first set Reformation of Religion on foot to wit their Education in Learning their study and increase of it and the means thereof scil Schools and Universities their need and use of it as to the work God gave them to do and the success thereof in their generation Now followeth 2. The Learning of the latter Divines Century 16 17. who carried on the work of Reformation vigorously in Doctrine and worship that was happily begun by the former and were Eminent for Learning as well as for Piety and were very instrumental in promoting the truth of God and in defending it against the Adversaries of it and in extirpating Errors Heresies and Superstitions and many of them were Pillars in the Church of God famous in the work of the Ministery for their labors in Preaching and also in Printing and for the success of both in the conversion of sinners and edification of Saints and the confirmation of staggerers and reduction of the erroneous in the planting and watering of Churches Who have set forth so many Learned Systemes Commentaries and Tractates and Disputations of Divinity as former Ages cannot parallel Their number being very great and their Lives being largely described by many Writers I shall refer you to them for information concerning their Learning and Godliness and usefulness what blessings they were in their Generation and onely name some of them that were of chief Note Outlandish Divines Paulus Fagius Cent. ●6 17. Martin Bucer Philip Melancthon Peter Martyr Wolfgangus Musculus John Calvin William Farel Peter Viretus Stephen Zegidine Peter Ramus Benedictus Aretius Henry Bullinger Emmanuel Tremellius Zachary Ursin Martin Chemnitius Ralph Gualter Hierom Zanchy Anthony Sadeel Lambert Danaeus Theodore● Beza Daniel Tossanus Francis Junius Luke Trelcatius Amandus Polanus David Pareus John James Grynaeus Abraham Scultetus John Piscator English Divines John Frith Thomas Bilney William Tindal John Rogers Laurence Sanders Rowland Tailor John Bradford John Juel William Whitaker Alexander Nowel William Perkins John Rainolds Thomas Holland Robert Abbat Andrew Willet Robert Bolton William Wheatly Dr. Sibbs Dr. Taylor Dr. Preston Scottish Divines John Knox. Robert Bollock Cum multis aliis Vide Melch. Adamum de vit is Theologorum tum Germanorum tum exterorum The later Divines may be refered to three heads according to the several Forms of Church-discipline which they held forth in judgement and in practice Episcopal Presbyterial Congregational What man hath been famous and eminently instrumental in the work of the Ministry for labours and success under any of these Forms who have not been Learned or endued with a good measure of acquired parts as of knowledge in the Tongues and Arts. 1. For Episcopacy How many very Learned Laborious Godly Bishops hath England bred as Hooper Latimer Ridley Cranmer who were most zealous couragious faithful Martyrs for Christ and for the Truth And many since who have been famous for their Learning and Labors both in Preaching and Printing and for their piety and charity who by their worthy works yet speak though they be dead as Bishops Jewel Abbot Babington Cowper Davenant Downame Hall Usher who was a Magazine of Learning and Mirror of Sanctity Humility and Charity Beside many other pious Learned and useful men who were for Episcopacy though they were not Bishops 2. For Presbytery The old Non-conformists who opposed Episcopacy and Ceremonies were many of them Learned men Dr. Ames in his preface to Mr. Bayn's Diocesan's Tryal saith that Mr. Deering More Greenham Perkins Rogers Cartwright Fenner Parker Philips Hieron Bradshaw Brightman Dr. Rainolds Dr. Fulk and Whitaker with many others were apprehended as men agreeing in one spirit having had indeed the spirit of glory resting on them as their Works do shew together with those Letters Testimonial which they left written in the hearts of many thousand Christians To these may be added Gerson Bucer Century 16 ●● John Dod Arthur Hildersham Robert Nicols John Ball Richard Rothwel Paul Bayns who were all as really Learned as truly Godly famous for their great Abilities and Labors Read their Lives and you shall see the same made out fully and clearly Besides many pretious Divines of great Note for Holiness and Learning both formerly and lately yea even at this day in all the Reformed Churches not onely in England and Scotland but in other Countries who were and are for Presbytery The Assembly of Divines that sate at Westminster by Authority of Parliament was a Demonstration of the excellent Learning of the Ministers of the Presbyterian Judgement 3. For Independency or the Congregational way Many Ministers of this both in Old England and in New have been choicely Learned and excellently accomplished with Gifts as well as Graces as Reverend holy and Learned Dr. Ames Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs Mr. Sidrach Simpson ☞ Mr. Carter Mr. Strong with many others some deceased others yet living Many Pastors and Teachers in the Churches of Christ in New England were eminently Learned as well as exemplarily Godly and very famous and successful in Ministerial Labors as Mr. Thomas Hooker Mr. Peter Bulkeley Mr. Davenport Mr. Thomas Shepherd Mr. Allen. Mr. George Philips Mr. Norton And Mr. John Cotton B. D. whose Name is as an ointment poured forth a most deservedly famous man of God of whom Mr. Norton his Successor as Teacher of the Church in Boston in New England relates In his Narrative of Mr. Corton's Lafe and Death that he was a General Scholar studious to know all things the want whereof might in one of his

Profession be denominated Ignorance The greater part of the Encyclopaedia he excelled in Those Arts which the University requires such a proficiency in from her Graduates he both digested and refined by his more accurate knowledge of them He was a good Hebrician in Greek a Critic and could with great facility both speak and write Latine in a pure elegant Ciceronian stile He was a good Historian no stranger to the Fathers Schoolmen Councils abundantly exercised in Commentators of all sorts His Library was great his reading and Learning was answerable himself a living and better Library But though he was a constant Student yet he had not all his Learning out of his books Yea some of the Separation have been Learned men I mean the leaders of them as Mr. Ainsworth Mr. Robinson Francis Johnson Mr. Smith and others Now if God hath used such as greatest Instruments of his Glory and of good in his Church even from one Generation to another who have been Learned men as I have made it appear by instances to wit in the ancient Fathers and Modern Divines yea even under the several Forms of Church-constitution and Government Then Learning is useful and needful for a Minister of the Gospel in these days and will be in succeeding Ages CHAP. XIII Objections against Learning answered SECT I. That the people may be better for the Learning of their Ministers MAny Objections are made against the use of Learning for the Ministers of the Gospel Object What are the people better for the Learning of their Ministers Answ The people which are unlearned may enjoy the benefit of all the Studies and Learning of their Ministers in the extract result refinement or quintessence thereof as a Learned man saith in and by their labors in preaching and writing by which they convey the same unto them which the people could not by their own private industry have attained So that the Ministers of the Gospel may be said to study even Learning as well as Piety for the People as Mothers and Nurses eat and digest food for their children to whom they give suck and the people suck Learning and Knowledge out of the Breasts of the learned labors of their Ministers both Sermons and Books in Translating and Expounding the Holy Scriptures in handling points of Divinity in deciding Controversies in resolving Cases of Conscience in composing Tracts c. In all which Learning is prepared and fitted for the Peoples reception and digestion and by all which they are made partakers of the Sap and Virtue of their Ministers Parts and Studies Gifts and Graces Hereby the people may be kept from Errors and Heresies from corrupting or rejecting wholesom Doctrine from perverting and wresting the holy Scriptures which as S. Peter saith they that are unlearned to wit in themselves 2 Pet. 3.16 and in their Teachers do unto their own destruction That saying is very true scil that judicious Believers can never be unthankful despisers of those Gifts of good Learning in their Ministers by whom they have been instructed foundly and plainly in the truth SECT II. That the Prophets Christ and his Apostles were learned THe Prophets in the Old Testament Obj. 2. Christ and his Apostles in the New had not Humane Learning Ergo there is no need of it for the Ministers of the Gospel They carried on their Ministery without the knowledge of Arts and Tongues may not Ministers do so now Answer in five Propositions The first Proposition Mr. Rutherford The Prophets and Christ and his Apostles were learned and had all the learning and Tongues that we now have and these Gifts are the same in them and in us in the names substance and proper use of them but otherwise acquired then ours are The maner of obtaining them is double scil 1. By Infusion Or 2. By Education I. By Infusion or inspiration from the Spirit of God immediately and extraordinarily without the help of Schools or study Thus the Prophets and Apostles were Act. 2.4 plentifully furnished with all gifts of knowledge and abilities 1. Of Learning to wit the Arts and Languages needful to carry on the work of Prophecy in the Old Testament and of preaching the Gospel of planting and watering Churches in the New 2. With the knowledge of God and his will of Christ and the mysteries of the Gospel and the things pertaining to the kingdom of heaven This came to the Prophets and Apostles from God by revelation Jesus Christ was filled with all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge both humane and divine Col. 2.3 by the spirit which he received above measure Joh. 13.34 wherewith he was anointed above and for his fellows The spirit of wisdom and counsel c. that made him quick of understanding Isa 11.2 3. Hence it is that when he was a child he disputed among the Doctors and learned men in the Temple Luke 2.46 among whom he was found Vers 48. when his parents had sought him sorrowing He grew in wisdom and knowledge so as Vers 40 52 according tothe proportion of his age the gifts of the Spirit were augmented in him He being greater then Solomon could not come short of Solomon's wisdom in any thing Matth. 12.42 II. The manner of obtaining learning is by Education in Schools and Universities by study and industry by the reading of books and teachings of men c. This is the ordinary means God hath appointed to serve his providence in for attainment of learning and knowledge both humane scil of Arts and Tongues and divine to wit of God and Christ of Law and Gospel c. The same knowledge of the doctrine of Moses and the Prophets and of the mysteries of salvation and of speaking with Tongues in the substance and nature of the gift which came to Paul by immediate Revelation from God Gal. 1.11 12. Eph. 3.2 3. and to others of the holy men of God 2 Pet. 1.21 Timothy acquired by Paul's teaching 2 Tim. 3.10 14. and chap. 2. ver 2. and by his parents education of him in the knowledge of the holy Scriptures from a child 2 Tim. 3.15 and by study and industry 1 Tim. 4.15 16. Thus the Prophets and Apostles had learning and knowledge both divine and humane infused and inspired into them by the Spirit immediately supernaturally extraordinarily and miraculously in respect of the maner and of the measure of their obtaining them which is now ceased and cannot be expected without tempting of God We must seek to acquire all these from God by pains and diligence in the use of the means God hath appointed for that purpose Paul exhorts Timothy thereunto to study and meditate and to give himself wholly to these things that his profiting may appear in all things or to all men and to stir up the gift that is in him for fitting himself more to the work of the Ministery 1 Tim. 4.13 14 15. Obj. The Council perceiving that Peter and John were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉

of Languages as the Spirit gave them utterance Acts 2.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to speak Apophthegms wise and weighty grave and gracious Sentences The Spirit now teacheth us Arts and Tongues as well as the way of preaching not by revelation or immediately as formerly but by Means as Schools Universities and humane Teaching Hence I infer that the Teaching of Gods Spirit as the principal cause doth not exclude the Gifts of the Spirit and in particular of Arts and Tongues from being Instruments which the Spirit useth to teach us and to make us more fit to teach others considering the Spirit of God is the Author of them all and he bestowing them on us may imploy them or work by them as subservient to himself as he pleaseth As the inward teaching of the Spirit doth not exclude the outward teaching by the Ministery of the word for these are Subordinates not Opposites Consistents yea inclusive the one of the other not Repugnants Christ that promised to teach his people by his Spirit promised also to give them Pastors and Teachers throughly furnished with all abilities requisite for the work of the Ministery Ephes 4.11 12. the perfecting of the Saints and for the edifying of the body of Christ Hence it is that as some have observed the perfection of humane Arts both Liberal and Mechanic is to be found in the Church because God ordinarily pours his Spirit and all the Gifts of it both special and common upon it most plentifully SECT IV An Objection drawn from the ill effects of Learning answered and it shewn to be good in it self Obj. 4. VVHat is humane Learning but the wisdom of this world which carnal men yea Heathens affect and seek most after which God will bring to nothing 1 Cor. 1.18 c. which stands in opposition to Christ and his Gospel and crosses the wisdom of God and by which both Jews and Gentiles slighted Christ refused him and accounted the preaching of Christ foolishness verse 23 24. and mocked at it Acts 2.11 13. and the Ministers of it Act. 17.18 Is not Learning the wisdom of the flesh which is enmity against God Rom. 8.7 and upon these accounts a great obstruction to mans salvation Further doth not humane Learning puff men up and make men proud and qualifie men as subtilty did the Serpent Gen. 3.1 to be fit instruments for Satan to work by in oppugning Truth and Holiness and the Kingdom of Christ to devise and defend Errors Heresies Blasphemies Wickedness and also malicious mischievous Designs Answ First these are not the genuine or proper effects of Learning in it self but as it is in men by reason of their corruptions and of Satans tentations So that all these are Vitia personae non rei the faults of the Persons that are learned not of the Thing or of Learning it self Or these are the effects of Learning abused to the perverting of the simplicity of the Gospel to the putting false Glosses upon the Scripture or to the maintaining of Evil in opinion or practice and to the service of Satan against Christ Or these are the effects of Learning prided and gloried in or overvalued set above its proper place and price and prefer'd before Gods Spirit and the saving Graces of it or reputed sufficient to teach Christ to convert and save souls Now the carnal abuse of Learning no more then of any thing else takes not away the lawful use thereof Not onely Meats Drinks Cloaths c. but Grace it self and Reason may be abused Secondly It is demonstrable by Reason Experience and Scripture also that humane Learning is good in it self it being the knowledge of God in the Creatures and the good Gift of God who is the Author and Donor of it as he is of all good therefore it is not enmity but complacency or pleasing to God and it is good in the natural tendency and efficacy of it Indeed it is but a subordinate good yet subservient to an higher end both in its Nature and in Gods appointment and donation of it God hath so wisely contrived and ordered all his Gifts both superior and inferior as that they should not clash together nor one give impediment to another but all conspire and move as wheels in a Clock to promote the chiefest good that is Gods Glory and mans Salvation Neither Arts nor Tongues nor any other Gift of God can be any hinderance thereunto except our corruptions make them so to be Learning in it self or rightly used is a threefold Good 1. A Natural Good the profit and pleasure of the knowledge whereof is discovered and discerned by the light of Nature and upon that account so much prized desired and labored for by all sorts of men yea even by the very Heathen Yea by the use of Learning the Heathen have attained to so much knowledge of God from the Creatures scil of his eternal power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 as made them unexcusable though not sufficient to save them 2. It is a Moral Good for regulating reforming and restraining even carnal men the very Heathen 3. It is a Civil Good to qualifie men for all Callings and employments as hath been shewed and for Societies But Learning sanctified and spiritualized proves a great help and blessing every way both to them that have it and to others also but of this before III. It 's not Humane Learning or Arts or Tongues in it self but that wisdom of this world by which men slight neglect and reject Christ and the Gospel that Paul condemns and God will bring this to nothing and make it to be foolishness 1 Cor. 1.12 20. and that wisdom of the flesh or fleshly wisdom which is the corruption and pravity of our Nature or proceeds from it and makes us walk contrary to God this Paul condemns and it is enmity against God Rom. 8.7 SECT V. An Objection against Rhetoric from 1 Cor. 1.17 answered Obj. 5. DId not Paul disclaim wisdom of words as making the Cross of Christ ineffectual 1 Cor. 1.17 and 2 Cor. 1.4 what is Rhetoric or Eloquence else Answ First by the wisdom of mans words Paul means not Rhetoric or Eloquence considered simply or purely in it self but the affectation of Eloquence high-slown Phrases vain soaring expressions pomp of words painted speech as if the efficacy of preaching stood therein or they could add virtue to the Gospel to call or save souls Secondly There is a lawful use of Rhetoric in Sermons as hath been declared so it be 1. Free from affectation and ostentation 2. Humbly soberly and fitly made Use of as we see in the Prophets and Apostles 3. So it may probably have an insinuating influence or influential insinuation upon the hearers 4. So it tend and serve clearly plainly and livelily to set forth Christ and his Cross and the Truths of the Gospel in a taking way and no way to darken dim or obscure the same as painted glass doth the light Aretius Problem loc

a Gift or a Gift of prayer As there is a difference between a Scholars pronouncing an Oration which he hath onely gotten by heart and his uttering one he made himself according to the Rules and Art of Oratory The third thing is That God is the Author and Donor of all Ministerial Gifts to that end that they may qualifie Men for the Work of the Ministery whether they be extraordinary Gifts as in former times or ordinary as in our days which God bestows on some men not on others as appears by some Scriptures which I shall endeavor to explane As Ephes 4.8 Ephes 4.8 When Christ ascended on high he gave Gifts unto Men that is Church-Gifts or Ministerial Abilities suitable and needful for the Work of the Ministery both in the Primitive Times and to the End of the World and upon the variety and diversity of these Gifts Christ founded the several Offices and Officers in his Church He gave some Apostles some Prophets Verse 11. some Evangelists these were extraordinary Officers to be and continue in the Church but for a time God hath set forth us saith Paul 1 Cor. 4.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the last Apostles which implies there should be no Apostles after them none should succeed them in Apostleship but onely in the Ministery of the Gospel and some Pastors and Teachers which are to continue as standing Officers in the Church Verse 13. till we all come in the Unity of the Faith c. unto a perfect man that is till we all come in Heaven Quoties a Deo vocati sunt homines dona necessario conjuncta sunt officiis saith Calvin on Ephes 4.11 Herein commemorat discrimina donorum in Ecclesiae Doctoribus saith Piscator Diversitatem donorum Ministerii Ecclesiastici saith Rollock Dr. Hammond in Ephes 4.7 calls these Gifts capacities and qualifications for the serving of Christ in the Church which are given by Christ severally and in divers degrees not in the same maner and measure to all To this end Christ ascended Annot. in Eph. 4.10 that he might fill all things that is replenish the Church with his Gifts The next Scripture is 1 Cor. 12.4 1 Cor. 12.4 to 12. to 12. Now there are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit c. The diversity of Gifts the Apostle speaks of in this place seems to be not saving Graces bestowed on God's Elect for the Salvation of their own Souls but Ministerial Gifts conferred by God on Men for the discharge of Church-Offices or Administrations for the propagation and confirmation of the Gospel unto others for the edification of the Church These Gifts were of two sorts 1. Some were extraordinary suited to those Times Verse 9. as Faith not that we call saving Faith which is proper to God's Elect but the Faith of Miracles and the Gifts of Healing Verse 10. the working of Miracles Prophecy that is the foretelling of things to come from extraordinary Revelation discerning of spirits Gifts of Tongues Verse 6. These Paul calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversities of Operations or distinctions of Actions as Beza renders it the doing of which exceeds all natural power yet it is the same God that worketh all in all 2. Some were ordinary Verse 8. to continue in the Church as the word of wisdom to the Pastor to enable him to apply the Word to the people and the word of knowledge to the Teacher to handle Doctrinal Truths Verse 5. There are diversities of Administrations or Ministeries which Beza expounds Sic signate vocat Apostolus functiones Ecclesiasticas toti coetui Ecclesiae formando nutriendo destinatas The Gifts are divers as the Offices and Functions in the Church are divers yet they all flow from one and the same Fountain that is Verse 7 11. the Spirit of God who divideth and dispenseth all these to every man severally for kinde and measure more or less as he will the Will of the Spirit of God being the Rule of this Distribution and they are all referred to the same end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the profit of all scil the edification of the Church Having declared and cleared these three things I must proceed to shew and prove That Ministerial Gifts and saving Graces are distinct in themselves and separable in the Subject which I shall endeavor to do by three Arguments Argum. I. God gives Ministerial Gifts to many men as those five fore-named scil of common Illumination of Preaching of Prayer Utterance of Arts and Tongues of Argumentation to whom he gives not saving Grace Even common Experience is a plain Evidence and full Proof hereof Ergo Grace is not essential to make a Minister of the Gospel As on the contrary God gives Grace to many to whom he gives not Ministerial Gifts Ergo These are not necessary to make a Christian. But God gives both Ministerial Gifts and saving Graces to some of his servants who are thereby most accomplished and throughly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 3.16 17. that is to all the Services of their Ministerial Function and made most able Ministers of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 not of the Letter but of the Spirit This is appropriated or peculiar but to some Ministers of the Gospel not extended or common to them all In former Times God gave Gifts extraordinary for kinde to many to whom he gave no saving sanctifying Grace to bad as well as good A man might have them yet miscarry and perish might want them yet be saved Paul's words in 1 Cor. 13.1 2 3. hold forth the distinction or separability of extraordinary Gifts and saving Graces each from other A man may have the Gift of Prophecy to prophesie truly and not be truly godly and of Tongues c. A man may understand all mysteries and all knowledge and have all faith that is all the degrees of a Miracle-working faith and yet want love that is saving Grace and so perish Baalam prophesied particularly of Christ to come and spoke of many things concerning Israel foretelling their excellency Numb 23.9 their multiplication ver 10. Piscator and happy death and he is called a Prophet 2 Pet. 2.16 because sometimes he had Revelations from the true God Num. 23 and 24. and uttered Divine Oracles as from the mouth of God And he desired to die the death of the righteous yet he would not live their life he was a wicked man a Soothsayer and a Sorcerer he loved the wages of unrighteousness 2 Pet. 2.15 and he was rebuked by the dumb Ass for his iniquity and madness Caiphas prophesied Joh. 11.51 52. of Christ that he should die c. though he spake it out of his own malicious sense thinking it better that Christ should rather perish then their Nation Many will plead their extraordinary Gifts Mat. 7.22 23. and Works as Prophecy Ejection of Devils c. as done in Christ's Name yet Christ will