A Seasonable DISCOURSE Written by Mr. Iohn Dury UPON The earnest requests of many briefly shewing these Particulars 1. What the Grounds and Method of our Reformation ought to be in Religion and Learning 2. How even in these times of distraction the Worke may be advanced By the knowledge of Orientall tongues and Jewish Mysteries By an Agency for advancement of Vniversall Learning Published By SAMUEL HARTLIB Aprill 24. 1649. Imprimatur Joseph Caryl LONDON Printed for R. Woodnothe at the Starre under Peters Church in Corne-hill 1649. An Extract out of the Humble Addresses of the free and Wel-affected People and Inhabitants of the County and City of LINCOLN To his Excellency the L. Fairfax and his Generall Councell of War Inserted into the PERFECT DIURNALL Numb 296. pag. 2372. THat some Publick Schools for the better education and principling of youth in vertue and justice would soberly be considered of and fettled that so by not leaving them loose to themselves and their carelesse Parents the Laws being deficient to instruct them well when Children though not to punish them for it when men they may not remaine lyable to be scourged for the faults of their naturall and civill Parents rather then their own as they now do Besides that according to the structure this Generation propounds to build for the next it may not againe incline to fall by its own weight through negligence of timely preparing fit materials to support and confirme it A DISCOURSE OF REFORMATION WEe are upon the designe of a Publick Reformation herein every body is one way or other if not engaged yet concerned some more some lesse some in a private some in a Publicke way This work hath been long in hand many stones have been moved about it much dust is raised in it and to the outward appearance after all attempts we are further from our purpose then at the beginning For their is more visible opposition and lesse inclination to a settlement then ever so that we must expect if God in mercy doth not prevent it that the Publick profession of Religion the Sunne shine of our soul will be turned into darknes and the outward Government of the State the Moone which shineth upon our civill conversation will be changed into blood We shall not here look backward to enquire into the causes which have obstructed our hopefull proceedings for that may beget more and not cure any of our distempers but we shall rather look forward and after some grounds of Councells which either now or hereafter when ever God shall make it seasonable may give to the Master-Builders occasion to lay the foundations of their building more deeply and build therupon more solidly then is ordinarily intended or at lest they may become happily in their hand some help towards their work by preventing or rectifying some of the causes of our cheif diseases which originally proceed from Ignorance and from self-seeking partiality The Ignorance is of the true aime and rules of proceeding towards an effectuall Reformation The Partiality and self-seeking is about the use of the meanes whereby that aime is to be prosecuted Now then that something towards the removall of these evils by the suggestion of some positive and unquestionable principles may be offeted in brief to the unpartiall Lovers of Truth and Righteousnes we shall endeavour to open the matter of these two Questions The first What is meant by the Publick good The second How the Publick good ought to be advanced And this we shall do God willing in a few propositions to the end that such as shall be pleased to examine seriously and lay to heart conscionably the sence thereof may have occasion if they will enlarge their thoughts thereon to draw by their own judgements some satisfactory conclusions which may set forward the designes of that Reformation which should be endeavoured and wherunto we shall herein contribute some of our best wishes Of the first Question What a Publick Good is 1. No man can be said truly to aime at or to prosecute a Publick good except he understand the true principles of that which is good in it selfe and to us and of that which is publickly so and then also except he proceed answerably thereunto 2. The true principle of that which is good in it self and to us can be no thing else but the known purpose of Gods will towards mankind because none is good in himself save God alone and towards us nothing is found good acceptable and perfect but what is according to his will Rom. 12.2 3. The purpose of his will towards mankind is this that Man should be with God to enjoy him and have communion with him in all things which is now and for ever all his happines 4. To bring this purpose to passe God hath appointed meanes whereby he doth offer himself unto Man and whereby Man is fitted to come unto him 5. This meanes is The Grace which bringeth salvation in Jesus Christ which God hath made appear to all men that they should deny ungodlinesse and worldy lusts and live soberly righteously and godly in this present world 6. The fitting of Man to come unto God by this Grace is when Faith is begotten in him by the acknowledgment of the truth which is after godlines and when godlines is effectually perfected in him by the spirit of Regeneration in the life of Love and holines 7. If therefore a Man do attaine to that which the good will of God hath appointed for him and whereby he is fitted to have communion with God then he is partaker of that which is good indeed but if he doth not attaine to this nothing can be good unto him because he doth misse of his cheif only end and of the meanes thereof without which he cannot be happy in any thing 8. This then is that which is to be counted good in a direct and proper sense and every thing else is good as it is reducible hereunto and not otherwise And thus much of that which is the Principle of Good 9. The true Principle of that which is publickly good is nothing else but the right way of Common Nature whereby Man being more excellent then other Creatures is obliged to do all things as Man and for Mankind For every thing is to act sutable to its own nature and kind 10. The way wherein Common Nature hath set Man is that he should lead rule and employ all things to their common ends and not that he should be lead ruled or employed by them in any thing 11. The way whereby Man is enabled to do all things as Man is reason and whereby he may do all for Mankind is society For by that alone Man is Man and by this onely all things are made usefull unto all men 12. Reason is in man the faculty of his mind by which he is enabled to know and judge to order and direct himself his own actions and all other things belonging to his
That the full confirmation of the Testimony of Jesus even to our selves that are Gentiles shall not be compleated in a publick and Church way uncontrolably to the conviction of all till both the Old and the New be brought forth together to evidence the same truth in all ages of the world if therfore either the propagation of the Gospel effectually unto others or the full confirmation of it to our selves which are the great concernments that Christians have upon earth should have any influence upon our desires then it will follow that we ought to endeavour the propagation of the knowledge of those tongues which will discover unto us the writings which containe the old Provision and Store of the House of God which are the true ancient Mysteries of the Jewish Learning and whereby we shall be inabled to discover unto them the writings which containe the New Provision and Store of the House of God which God hath betrusted us withall in latter times to dispence unto others For first how is it possible to have communication with those Nations in any thing without the knowledge of their Languages And Secondly How can their be any effectuall or rationall dealing with the Jews more especially in matter of Religion except we have a true and full in-sight in their ancient and they in our moderne Learning Now that we are really oblieged faithfully to endeavour to have some communication dealings with them in matters of Religion will evidently appear if we reflect conscionably upon the glory of God which cannot otherwise be savingly manifested Phil. 2. Marke 16.15 Isa 48. Jer. 56.2 Rev. 18. but in the face of Jesus Christ upon the state of their poor souls who are our elder brethren in the Faith as concerning the election for the Fathers sake and upon the discharge of our duty whereunto God hath called us in the holy profession which is to hold forth unto the world the word of life to declare the testimony of Jesus unto all creatures and to publish even to the end of the earth the destruction of the spirituall Babylon as well as of the temporall and Redemption of all Israel from their captivity Rom. 11.26 and 15.11 If I say we reflect conscionably upon these Motives and consider the opportunities which God doth put into our hands to advance this endeavour we shall find our selves highly obliged to have some dealings with the Easterne Nations and cheefly with the Jewes that are amongst men for the advancement of Christianity because it is manifest to all that we have dealings with them in other things even a free Commerce and Trade for worldly Commodities amongst them all and if we can make our addresses unto all of them in worldly things how unanswerable will it be before God if we should not intend at all to make any application towards any of them in spirituall things which things both they may receive from us and we from them with inestimable profit unto both through the manifestation of Christ his glory in his Kingdom For the benefit of the Trade will be reciprocall at least very much for our advantage by the confirmation of that Truth whereof God hath made us partakers above them and according to the promises made of old unto them seeing not only a clearer understanding of the things delivered by the spirit in the old Testament will be granted by this meanes but also many of the Mysteries of the new Testament and cheifly that of the desire of all Nations the Messias will be opened more fully to us by them and by us unto them because it is evidently found of late by some that have traded with their most ancient Rabbinicall writers men with them of unquestionable credit that they speake plainly from the words of Moses and the Prophets the same Truths which are revealed unto us by the Apostles and Evangelists whereby they do give not only unto us a manuduction to understand for the strengthning of our Faith the harmony of the Old and New Testament more fully but they also lay a ground of conviction for those of their own Nation to be dealt withall by us more effectually for the Demonstration of the Truth when we shall be able to back it with the Authority of their own Teachers whom they dare nor contradict There be some who have already gained much by this Trade and if some reall course were taken to settle it amongst us by bringing their Authors to be Printed and translated and in Publick view this truth would be made out unto all that the Christian Religion doth teach nothing but that Truth nakedly which of old was darkly spoken of and beleived by the cheif Doctors of the Jewes themselves and from the beginning by Moses and the Prophets This usefulnes of the Orientall languages and of the Jewish Rabinicall writings hath moved many in the reformed Churches abroad to apply themselves of late unto the study thereof with much diligence and industry the example therefore of others together with the like inclination in any here raised upon the fore-named considerations doth give us an encouragement to hope well of the successe of this desire If then the countenance of Authority may be obtained with maintenance to carry on the design which by private Contribution hath been set up at London house according to the Petition signed by the hands of many Ministers and others of the City well-affected to the advancement of Learning and Piety we would humbly move that the settlement which shall be made may be so considerable as to deserve the name of a Colledge for the propagating of Orientiall Languages and Learning that is that out of the reserve which is kept for the advancement of Religion and Learning such an allowance may be made as will maintaine some Professors and Students whose employment should be 1. To uphold Publickly a constant weekly Lecture in these Languages 2. To attend the private instructions also of such as shall desire the same 3. To publish a Printing Presse being erected which they should set a work and over-see and translate such Manuscripts as shall be found most usefull for the propagating of the Truth amongst those Nations and acquainting us with their Learning 4. To advance the Printing of the new Testament into those Languages at easie rates to be made Common amongst the Orientals and chiefly the Jewes 5. To endeavour to facilitate the learning of those Tongues by the abridgment of Grammaticall intricasies and the naturall harmony which is found between them 6. To translate also some of our Treatises into these Languages to be imparted unto them for their conversion to the Truth Towards these employments if the State would be pleased to allow but one thousand pounds a year and appoint Fee-offies in trust who should be over-seers of the Colledge and have power to receive the voluntary Contributions as shall be given towards the advancement of these designes from time to time to maintaine
of the like abilities labouring in the same subjects either the same or a different way that by mutuall acquaintance Conference their thoughts may be ripened they may perfect rectifie and benefit one another and beat out the hidden paths of Truth which in due time seasonably may be published for the benefit of all This Agency will not only impregnate the Spirits of fruitfull men with Conceptions but will be as a Midwife to bring them to birth and when they have brought them forth it will addresse them unto the publike uses whereunto they may be most serviceable for the Advancement of Learning In a word briefly What ever Necessity or use there may be of a Generall Solicitor in any publike Affairs for the good of any Societie that same necessity use is here to be found in this Agency for the Common-wealth of Learning in general and more especially for the Reformation and Constitution of Schools and except they who shall be appointed by the State to intend the Advancement of Learning have such an Instrument Agent at hand who shal be able to impart unto them from all hands that representation of matters which shall conduce unto their Aime their proceedings will be exceeding imperfect lame and defective but if one be set thus apart to become the Center of all such Communications as shall conduce to their designe from time to time and all men of parts be drawn to contribute and suggest what they have gain'd by Meditation Observation and Experience to be usefull towards the Advancement thereof they may hope for a compleat establishment of those ways of Learning which will make this Nation not only happy within it self in one Age or two but a Blessing unto others and a Praise unto Posterity And to bring all this succesfully to passe These things are to be desired in this Agencie 1 THat the Agent already design'd by the Parliament and long agoe exercised in this way and known to the chiefe men of parts at home and abroad be speedily provided for with a competent subsistance for himselfe and family that he may attend this worke without distraction and with some allowance to defray the charges of his ordinary and extraordinary Negotiation of which he shall be accountable to the joynt Overseers of the whole businesse 2 That some Trustees be appointed Men of publique spirits of Universall parts and learning of credit with all sides who should together with and by the Agent super-intend the universall course and the Advancement of Learning that whilst the Committee which is appointed for the disposall of the reserve for the maintenance of Religion and Learning shall be making the distribution of setled Salaries for Ministers Professors and School-masters throughout the Kingdome in places most convenient These Trustees may have 500 or 1000 lib. put into their hands as a yearly allowance from the State towards the advancement of the wayes of Learning in generall to be dispos'd of by them in a more universall way as the occasions shall be offer'd unto them advantagiously to be employ'd 3 These Trustees should have power to receive voluntarie Contributions and Legacies which may be made from time to time by the wel-willers to the Meanes of Universall Learning to see the same employ'd towards the ends for which they shall be contributed 4 Those Trustees should make a particular and exact description both of the Universal Objects of Learning about which they should be conversant and also of the ways of their Consultations Cares deliberation and intendencie over the same and of the managing of the Means betrusted unto them which should not be made common to every body but onely communicated to all that are in places of Authority that they may be satisfied in the usefulnesse of their employment 5 To these Trustees the common Agent as one of them should be subservient and they should be his Co-adjutors so that he should be oblig'd to make them acquainted with all his Negotiations and upon mature deliberations follow their directions in the prosecution thereof 6 They should be Authoriz'd by the Supream Power of the Kingdom to over-see all the Schools to consider all the Schoolmasters and their lives and abilities and to furnish them with helps as they shall see expedient for the rectifying of their ways of Teaching and Educating 7 They should have a regular correspondencie with men of eminent and publique parts in forrain places by the means of their Agent to discover by them and gain from them all the feats of Learning which from time to time spring up amongst them that being found usefull they may be set afoot amongst us and accommodated unto our more profitable ways 8 To this effect a learned Secretary one or more for Latine and other Vulgar Languages should be entertain'd to be under the direction of the Agent according to the advice of the Trustees and some Clerks and Transcribers are to be had which are skill'd to write in more Languages then one 9 The Hospitall entertainment of Travelling Learned Strangers by whose means Intelligence may be gotten of things elswhere most considerable is to be allow'd as an extraordinary charge unto the Agent who is to gain their acquaintance 10 They should have a peculiar Presse for Printing of things to be destributed and communicated to the Schools and Universities or universally to the chiefe learned men of the Land to possesse them with those things which may season their spirits with thoughts of a Publike concernment Other things subordinate unto these Ends without which the Agencie cannot be effectuall and which are matters of cost and charge are to be wholly referr'd unto the Trustees that the Means betrusted unto them may be bestow'd to the best Uses which the opportunities of times places and persons do afford Many excellent feats of Learning in Men and in Manuscripts lie dead and buried in oblivion and cannot be brought to any perfection for want of some patronage but by the judgment of the Trustees and their faithfulnesse to their Universall Aimes and the diligence of their Agent who is to bring all unto their hands and by their advice to publish and communicate what is usefull this publike evill may be remedied and a way open'd for the encouragement of Vertue and Industry in the best and most eminently usefull Objects of Divine and Humane Knowledge FINIS