COlledge Doctors (as 'tis said) have for their Arms the Book with Seven Seals: And why? Because they are skilled in the Seven Liberal Arts or Sciences, as though the Seven Liberal Arts, acquired by Natural Search, could open the Book with Seven Seals: This is Absurd and Foolish, if not Blasphemous.

John saw in the Right Hand of him that sate on the Throne, a Book sealed with seven Seals; and a strong Angel proclaimed, Who is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof? No Man in Heaven, nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, could do this, all Mouths were shut; no Critical Grammarian, no Subtil Logician, no Painted Rhetorician, no Melodious Musician, no Nimble Arithmetitian, no Accurate Geometrition, no Airy Astro­nomer durst appear, or was found worthy; Then one of the Elders said, Weep not, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the Seales thereof, Rev. 5. So let Colledge Do­ctors say what they can, 'tis not Natural Arts, nor Artists, but the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, and he alone that can open the Seals thereof; all others are excluded as Impotent and Unworthy.

Josephus in his Antiquities writes, That the Children of Noah [Page 4]dwelt divers Years after the Flood upon Hills and Mountains, as fearing a second Flood, until such times as Shem, Ham and Japhet adventur'd to make their Habitations in the lower Grounds. New Nimrod, upon Promise of Defence and Protection, took upon him Rule and Dominion over others, to be their Captain and Commander, and to provide a Remedy for their Safety, in case of another Flood; he invented the building of a Tower, so high, as no Flood of Water might over-top it, it contained in height 5164. Paces (as Hidore saith) so that it seemed rather a wonderful great Mountain than a Tower; the passage to mount up was wide, and went winding on th [...] out-side, in which the Carriages were born, and drawn up by Camels, Dromedaries, Horses, Asses and Mules with Carts; the Almighty beholding their Proud Attempt,

That is, Bereaved them of their Natural Speech, which till then (as Josephus writes) was but one, to wit, the Hebrew Tongue, as most affirm, and instead thereof gave them Seventy Two different Languages, as Authors Report; from this confused Chat­tering among them, arose much Anger and Vexation, because one could not understand another: So these New-languaged Ma­sons were forced to leave the Tower Unfinished; they run up and down like Mad-Men, labouring to find such as they could under­stand; and this labour of seeking one another endured till such times as they were grown to so many Companies, or Troops of Men, as there were different Languages among them, to wit, Seventy Two; and each Company, or Troop, that understood one another, resolved to depart divers ways, to seek themselves new and several Habitations: Hence, according to the distinct Tongues, as many different and distinct Nations were begun. Thus of one Language and one Nation, through Nimrod's Arrogant and Ambitious Enterprise, came Seventy Two Languages and Na­tions, as divers affirm; Verst. and others.

This Tower was called Babel, which signifies Confusion, because there their Language was Confounded; so from this, when we hear a man speak confusedly, we say, he Babbles, or we call him [Page 5]a Babbler. Here is the Original of many Languages, Proud Nim­rod brought in Babel, C [...], many Languages: Let Linguists glorying in their Languages [...] this.

Thus of one Nation [...] Language, many Nations and Lan­guages were brought [...], who were as Barbarians one to another; then to the end they might be capacitated for the management of Forreign Transactions, Negotiation and Correspondance with o­ther Nations, a Concern entred Mens Minds, for the learning of Forreign Languages, and in order thereunto Grammer was invented, defined to be an Art teaching to Write and Read rightly; and one Epicurus a Heathen, as Authors affirm, was the first that taught Grammer, Pol. Virg. lib 1. cap. 7. Alsted, Vossius, &c.

Suetoneus saith, ‘'That Grammer and Rhetorick had almost the same Original; for men observing what was fit and proper in Speech, and what was unfit and improper, what was to be imita­ted, and what was to be rejected, hereupon hammer'd out this Art,' Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 7.’

The same Suetonius saith, ‘'That Grammer formerly was nei­ther used nor regarded at Rome; and that at length one Crates Melotes brought the Study thereof to Rome, being sent to the Senate by King Attalus between the first and third Carthaginian War, about or a little before the Death of Eunius,' Pol. Virg. lib. 1.’

In the time of the Saxon Heptarchy Austin the Monk, with o­thers, came from Rome into this Nation, and brought the Faith and School Education of Papal Rome, received from Ethnick Rome, to among the Saxons; so that many Prophane, Obscene, Lascivious, Corrupting and Depraving Authors came into our Schools, which are yet continued, notwithstanding the Endeavours and Attempts of many to cradicate the same.

Seigebert, King of the East-Angles, of the Romish Faith, ha­ving learned in France the manner of their Schools, translated from Athens to Rome, and from Rome to Paris by Charles the Great, made Cambridge an University, about the Year 630. The Lectures there were begun by four Monks: Fryar Ode read Grammer; Te­ricus read Aristotle's Logick; Fryar William read Rhetorick; Fryar Gislebert read Divinity to them on Sundays and Saints-days, so called.

[Page 6]About the Year 668. by meanes of Theodore, a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus, whom Pope Vitalian had ordained Bishop of Can­terbury, the Greek and Latin Tongue, with other Liberal Arts, as Arithmetick, Musick, Astronomy, &c. began first to flourish among the Saxons, saith Milton.

About the Year 895. King Alferd, through the Perswasion of Monk Neotus, made Oxford a publick University, and appointed Maintenance for the Professors of Learning there, Geor. Lilius in Chron. Brit.

Further, I say, that if all Heathenish, Obscene, Lascivious and Unprofitable Books were decryed, whose tendency is to Deprave, Spoil, Corrupt and Debauc [...] Youth, and all Honest, Useful and Profitable Books were faithfully translated into English, the Latin Trade need not be so magnified, which some Honest and Wise in their Day had in their thoughts. But in as much as the learning of Languages are useful for the Management of Forreign Transacti­ons, Negotiations and Correspondence with other Nations, as before, I speak not against the same, nor against Grammer, con­tributing to the attainment thereof, only I give my judgment as fol­loweth; and do wish:

1. That Grammers were not so tedious, finding that the great heaps of Rules, Exceptions, Criticisms and Nicities therein are a discouragement to many, and pursued by others, as the only Ne­cessaries, Sound, Useful, Solid and Profitable Matter; being in the mean time neglected, the Comments of Grammarians (saith M.Fab. Quintilian Institut. lib. 1.) are so stuffed with Impediments and Hindrances, as that they are scarce well understood of the Compo­sers; 'tis a Rule of knowing Hebricians, [...] that is, Let a Man always teach his Schol­lars in a short way. Further, Vossius saith in his Grammer, That the great heap of Rules are very hurtful to Children.

2. It being that Grammer consists of Rules and Examples, I could wish that all Examples therein were Sound and Savoury, that in reading thereof, nothing but what savours of, and encourages to a virtuous course of Living, might be instilled into the Reader; how precious were it if their Souls, like Gideons Fleece, did drink up betime the pearly Dew of Divine Grace, and Heaven-bred Wis­dom! Children are to be trained up in the Lord's Way, and in the [Page 7]Lords Language; not in the Way of the Heathen, nor in bad, vitious and infecting Words; evil Communications as the chosen Vessel Paul bears record) corrupt good Manners.

3. It being that Grammer is an A [...]t, teaching to Write and Read rightly, ought it not to be observed in Writing, Reading and Speak­ing? Yes. But all that in Writing or Speaking use Ye or You to one Person, High or Low, Poor or Rich, such are out of the Right, Sound, Proper Speech, and deviate from the Form of Sound Words, and from the Rule and Order of Grammer.

The World consists of many Nations, whereof each hath a pecu­liar Language, Speech or Dialect; yet all concur, and are unani­mous in the account of Number, Singular and Plural, I, Thou, He, imports but One, We, Ye, They imports more then One; and 'twere as proper to say Thou to a Thousand, as to say You or Ye to One Man, both being Absurd, Improper and Ridiculous.

Do not all Grammarians in teaching their respective Languages or Tongues, as Eaglish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Caldee, Syriack, Arabick, Persian, Ethiopian, Samaritan, Captick or Aegyptick, Armenian, Saxon, Welch, Cornish, French, Spanish, Portugal, High Dutch, Low Dutch, Danish, Bohemian, Sclavonian, Polonian, Lithuanian, Irish, Swedish, Turkish, Muscovian, &c. I say, do they not all distinguish between Singular Number and Plural, which is, Thou to One, You or Ye to more then One? I say, Yes.

Do not Roman Authors, and others, as Poets, Comedians, Trage­dians, Orators, Historians, Philosopers, highly esteemed in Schools and Universities, observe this distinction? Yes.

Are not Children blamed, yea, and entertained with Orbilian Severity in Schools of Literature, if they use one Number for an­other? And why they should not in other places, upon all accounts and occasions observe the true property of Speech, in relation to this distinction of Numbers, let them shew a Reason that can.

Object. 'Tis true, say some, this distinction of Numbers cannot be spoken against, in order to Grammatical Consideration, and Verity of Speech; but a Custom to the contrary hath got entrance, so that 'tis un­civil and improper to use the Word Thou to some perticular Person.

[Page 8] Answ. To account Thou to a single Person, High or Low, Rich or Poor, Uncivil, Clownish or Improper, 'tis no less then to accuse God himself, Christ, the Upright Patriarchs, Holy Prophets, Seers, Evangelists, Disciples, Apostles, Gospel Bishops, Elders, Pallors, Deacons, Primitive Saints, Holy Martyrs, who never used any other Language; yea, and 'tis no less then to accuse all Languages upon the Face of the Earth, which according to the property thereof observe this distinction.

Luther, much esteemed in his Age, and deservedly owned plain­ness of Speech, holding out You or Ye to one to be Ridiculous, Foolish, Absurd and Impertinent. Lud. Int Oper.

Erasmus derided the impertinent Speech of using You to one, E [...]s. Col.

Must the Language of the Antient of Days, of Christ, of the Holy men of God be slighted, because of an Unsound, Absurd and Impertinent Custom crept in, in the Night of Apostacy? Must the Glorious Work of Reformation be shut out upon such frivolous accounts? The Apostle of the Lamb bore Record, saying, If any Man be in Christ, he is a New Creature, old things are done away. Not only the Works, but the Foolish, Absurd and Impertinent Wordt of the Old Man, that the Work of Reformation may prosper. This using of You or Ye to a perticular Person, â principio non ita suit, it was not so from the beginning: Tertullian, an Antient and Learned Latin Father, said thus, ‘'That is true, which was first; that was first, which was from the beginning; that was from the beginning, which was from the Apostles.'’ The Apostles, who derived the ground of their Works and Words, from him who was before all Time, used no such impertinent Speech. Augustin, Bishop of Hippo, in or about the Year 399. did not so magnifie groundless Custom, as his Testimony implies, who said, ‘'Custom is not to be prefered before Truth, but ought to give place to the Truth.'’ Not only in Works, say I, but in Words also. Again the same Augustin said, ‘'Custom crept in among some, ought not to hinder the Truth from Prevailing and Conquering: For Custom (saith he) without Truth, is nothing but Gray-hair'd or Old Error: Wherefore (saith he) forsaking Error, let us follow Truth.'’ Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, who was never sound in such absurd, improper and impertinent Speech.

[Page 9]Further, James Howel saith, in his Epistle dedicated to the No­bility and Gentry of Great Britain, which he annexed to a French English Dictionary, compiled by Randle Cotgrave, Printed in the Year 1650. That it was the Stile of France at first, as well as of o­ther Countries, Tutoyer, that is to say, Thou to any particular Per­son they spoke unto; but when the Common wealth of Rome turn­ed into an Empire, so much Power came into one Mans Hand; then in regard he was able to confer Honour and Offices, the Countries began to magnifie him, and to use You unto him. See Symmathus his Epistles to the Emperor Theodosius, and to Valentinian.

Again, Pope Clement in his Letter to Sigismund the Emperor, wrote We, when it was sent from him only, and You, when it was sent to Sigismund the Emperor only: See the Turkish History, pag. 1081.

Thus the Language of the Spirit, of the Holy Men of God, of all Nations came to be denied, and an improper, impertinent and absurd Custom of Speech came to be entertained, and is spread as a foul Leprosie, and is pleaded for, yea by such as would be accoun­ted sharers in Reformation.

LOgick is defined to be the Manner or Art of Reasoning and Disputing well, of which I have to say, as follows.

The Ante-diluvian and Post-diluvian Patriarchs, that is, the Fa­thers that lived before and after the Flood, Prophets, Seers, Evan­gelists, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons; yea, all the Holy Men of God, Children of Light, Children of the Day, formed in the Womb of Eternal Wisdom, were Qualified and Impowered from above, to defend and maintain the Cause, Concern and Wor­ship of the Lord, in their respective Dispensations, with having recourse to Pagan Means, Fallen Arts, Earthly Wisdom, Infectious Sophistry; as many Instances left upon Record clearly demon­strate.

The Lord said unto Moses, when he sent him with a Massage to [Page 10] Pharaoh, Go therefore, I will be with thy Mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say, Exod. 4. Here he was drawn from the Puddle of Prophane Arts and Sciences, Worldly Wisdom, Deceitful Sophi­stry, to have Reliance and Dependance on the living God, the Well-Spring of pure Wisdom, savoury Knowledg and sound Un­derstanding; and he streamed out heavenly Eloquence, saying, My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, my Speech shall distill as the Dew, as the small Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the Showers upon the Grass, Deut. 32. Moses in the Wisdom from above, contended for the Concern of God, his Will, his Worship, maintained the same against Pharaoh, Magicians, Wise Men, Inchanters, Apostates, without recourse to Pagan Means, Arts or Sciences.

Again, Christ, who is Alpha and Omega, the Amen, made a Pro­mise unto his Disciples, saying, I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luk. 21.15. Thus the Disciples derived heavenly Wisdom from Christ, whereby they defended and maintained the Concern of Christ, his Kingdom, Doctrine, Worship, against all Adversaries, Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites, Painted Sepulchres, Faithless Lawyers, Spoiling Phylosophers, Painted Orators, Subtil Sophisters, Pagan Logicians: Christ commended them not to Heathen Schools, not to Aristotle, Plato, or any other Heathen, to enable them to refute Hereticks, but to his own Gift, his Wisdom, Armour of Proof, his Sword put into their Hands, enabling them for his Work.

Again, Certain Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, Asians disputed with Stephen: What was the issue of the Contest? 'tis there Recorded, They were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, Acts 6 9, 10. Thus Stephen obtained Vi­ctory over the Champions of the Dragon: And how? Not by Heathen Wisdom, Pagan Logick, Spoiling Philosophy, but by the Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith, Wisdom from above; in this Armour he prevailed. So Pagan Logick, an Art of the Old Man is not Gospel Armour, whereby Stephen refuted the Adversaries of Truth.

Paul, though eminent in Tongues, Natural Parts and Abilities, and knew what Key opened into the rich Cabinet of heavenly Wis­com and Treasures; yet he excluded Natural Arts and Endowments from being that Key, saying, The Natural Man receiveth not the things [Page 11]of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned, 1. Cor. 2.14.

A Natural Man, though mounted to the Terret of Philosophick Elevations, and to the Zenith of Scholastick Notions, and stored with the Quintessence of Serpentine Wisdom, and profess himself to be a great Sophist, that is, Wise Man, yet groping in the gloomy Region and dark Night of Degeneration, Alienation and Estrange­ment from God, he cannot thereby open one Seal of the sealed Book: The Seven-sealed-Book is a thing of God, so no way to be opened and read but by the Spirit of God. Plato, a Heathen Phi­losopher, through Divine Glimpses said well, Vertue is not acqui­red, but infused.

This Paul, a skilful Warrior of Christ, desirous that the Church might be so harnessed, as to hold out against all the Assaults of the old Dragon and his Confederates, Instruments, mentions the whole Armour of God, Ephes. 6. or all the Armour of God: What be they? Girdle of Truth, Breast plate of Righteousness, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit, Feet shod with the prepara­tion of the Gospel. Here's no mention made of Subtil Logick, nor of Painted Rhetorick, nor of Spoiling Philosophy, nor of Pagan Ethicks, Physicks, Metaphysicks; he that mentioned the whole Armour of God, mentioned not any of these, which clearly de­monstrates they are not of the Armour of God: Whose then? Of the Old Dragon the Devil: The Apostles harnessed with the Ar­mour of God, reduced many to the saving Truth, they stopt the Mouths of Gain-sayers, they bore faithful Testimony to, and con­tended for the Living, Life-giving, Soul-quickning Truth, against such as was harnessed with the Old Dragons Armour, the Wise, the Scribe, the Disputer of this World, Subtil Logicians, Crafty Sophisters, Painted Orators, Spoiling Philosophers, Drunk with the Dregs of Pagan Ethicks, Physicks, Metaphysicks, Heathenism.

By what is said, 'tis evident that in the Patrirachal, M [...]saical and Evangelical Dispensations; yea, in all Churches Professing Christianity, while the Primitive Faith, Doctrine and Worship was sincerely maintained, the respective Membess thereof were qualifi­ed and impowered from above to defend the same; and such lively and truly influenced Confessors of the holy Truth, are true and divine Logicians, influenced from above, to Reason, Dispute for [Page 12]and Defend the Faith delivered to the Saints, and all this we own. And as in this Generation the Lord influences his for the perfor­mance of that Work and Service unto the which they are called: So the insinuating Serpent, the old Dragon, hath his Agents and Instruments in every Generation to carry on his Work, and they are bred and formed in the Womb of Earthly Wisdom; this is seen not only among the Professors of Christianity, but also among the old Heathen, who had their Logick, which they defined to be the Art of Reasoning and Disputing well: And this Art was brought in and invented by one Zono Eleates a Heathen, who lived in or about the Year of the World 34 24. as Pol. Virgil saith, Lib. 1. Cap. 16. After arose Aristotle, a Heathen Philosopher, a Logician, whom many Apostatized Christians have, and do call, the Prince or Chief of Philosophers, the Great Rule of Universities, the sore-runner of Christ in Naturals, as John was in Spirituals: But neither this Aristotle, nor any of the company of Pagan Philoso­phers, Logicians, were entertained in Christendom, while a pure Virgin to Christ, the Spring of Heavenly Wisdom and Heavenly Treasures they found in them.

But upon the sounding of the fifth Angel, the fall of the Star from Heaven to Earth, the opening of the bottomless Pit, a Smoke arose, which Darkened both Sun and Air, Disfigured the Face, Stained the Beauty of the Primitive Church; then in and through this Smoke, Christ, the Well-spring of pure Wisdom, and Soul-enriching Treasures, being lost within, Apostatizing Christians entertained and received Heathen Wisdom without, and received into their Schools the Philosophy, Logick, Ethicks, Physicks, Metaphysicks, Poetry, Comedies and Tragedies of the Heathen; they assumed the frivolous clouding Tearms of subtil Pagan Logi­cians, then disputing for Dead, Empty and Life-less Forms of Worship became an Art of the Old Man, the true Armour being lost within, they entertained Pagan Armour without, received and gloried in Pagan Terms, yet taught in the Schools of such as would be accounted eminently Reformed, not only from Paganism, but from the Superstition and Idolatry of Italian Babylon.

Thus the infectious Cloud of Heathenism is continued, Pagan Terms gloried in, as Predicable, Predicate, Predicament, Category, Categorick Proposition, Hypotherick Proposition, Syllogism, Ca­tegorick [Page 13]Syllogism, Hypotherick Syllogism, Rhetorical Syllogism, Expository Syllogism, Rhetorical Induction, Logical Induction, Enthymem, a Rhetorical Enthymem, a Logical Enthymem, Di­lemma, &c. and multitudes more which might be numberd. The Papist Castanaeus complains, That not only Youth, but he himself was grievously vexed with the multitudes of Terms and Distincti­ons, of which he gathered Thousands: What Logick Choppers intend by these I judge it no way useful to explain; herein they soar in the Foggy and Infections Element of such like Pagan Terms, above the Apprehension and Comprehension of Vulgar Capacities, gaining Repute and Admiration in the Breasts of such as are in­fected with Antichristian Delusions.

Again, not only frivolus are the Terms of Aristotle and other Philosophers, and Pagan Logicians, but their Opinions are Ab­surd and Blasphemous, as of their Magicks, Southsayings, Conju­rings, casting of Nativities; their Doctrine of the Worlds Eter­nity, that it was made of the Atoms of the Sun; of the Souls Mortality, of the Transmigration of the Soul from one Body in­to another, of like Temperament and Quality: Diagoras denyed that there was a God; Protagoras doubted whether there was a God or no; Aristotle denyed the Providence of God; Plato held out a Purgatory; Porphyrius, an Enemy to Christian Religion, held out the Worshipping of Angels; Aristotle taught Free-Will; Epicurus held that the Soul was Mortal; Aristippus held that Plea­sure was the chiefest Good. Rainold.

Notwithstanding, through the over spreading of Apostacy, Hea­thenism, as Philosophy, Logick, Poetry, &c. got entrance into Christendom; yet in the very Night of Apostacy the Lord had his Witnesses who bore record against the same.

Gregory, Nazianzen, Eusebius, Ambrose, Augustin, Origen, Lac­tantius, Gregory of Nyse, bore Record against the Judgment of Aristotle, as Sordid, Base, Impure, Foolish, contrary to Truth and Godliness: Ʋpon the Consideration of which (saith Dr Rainold) let no Man wonder, if I chuse rather to confess the Truth with such wor­thy Men, then with Aristotle to commit Error. Orat. Rain.

‘'At or about the City Hierapolis (saith this Rainold) there is a Cave, whose Vapours no living Creatures, but Eunuchs only, can endure: Such like (saith he) is the Stile of Aristotle, unsavoucy [Page 14]to all that are alive unto God, only Eunuchs, that is, such as are deprived of true Judgment, and are enslaved to Aristotle, can en­dure the same.'’

Cleanthes being asked, Why among the Antients, when there were but few Philosophers, more became eminent then now? ‘'Because (saith he) then they minded Matter; that is, a virtuous course of Living.'’ Now the Contest is only after windy Words. Stob. Serm. 80. Noviss. Pol.

Ariston compared the Words of Logicians to Spiders Webs, be­ing indeed very Subtil, Witty, but Unprofitable. Stob. Serm. 80. Noviss. Pol.

Licinus the Emperor called Heathen Learning the Plague and Povson of the Common-wealth. Trapp.

Luther speaking of Popish Schools and Monastries, wherein Heathenism was taught, said, ‘'This is my mind and desire, that these Stables of Two-Footed Asses, and Schools of the Devil, were levelled with the ground, or changed into Christian Schools, by a Godly Transformation.' Luth. de Instit. Puer.’

Logick is so far from leading to the Knowledge of Universals, that it rather thursts Men down into Errors. John Bapt. Van Helm. his Physick Refined.

‘'The World (saith this Helmont) hath suffered it self to be cir­comvented 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.'’

Jerem (on Psal. 140 and 141.) doth not unworthily compare the Art of Syllogizing to the Plagues of Egypt, and he calls Logical Demonstrations Dog like Discourses.

‘'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 greatly magnifying Logick.'’

‘'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 Gospel Mi­nisters, [Page 15]to refute the Subtilties of Schismaticks and Hereticks; that thing (saith this Helmont) would be to be wise above what is written, above the Aposties, and to commend the Abuses of Schools above the Holy Scriptures; this were to Dis-throne Gospel Wea­pons, and to Inthrone Paganism: 'Twas not by Pagan Logick that Stephen refuted the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Asians, Cilicians, but by Weapons from Heaven, Acts 6.9, 10. 'Tis not Pagan Logick that Christ promised his Disciples, whereby they should be Conquerors, Luke 21.15.

‘'Doth he not seem to walk in Vanity and Darkness of Mind, who vexes himself Night and Day in the Study of Logick (saith one) and charges his Memory with the distinct knowledge of Verses.'’

‘'Logick is nothing but the Art of Contention and Darkness, whereby all other Sciences are made more obscure, and more hard to be known.' Cornel. Agrip. de vanitat. Sient.’

‘'Almost all the Rabble of Schollars busied in the Inventions of Philosophers or Sophisters, seem to do no more then learn to com­mit Error, and to make the Truth more obscure.' Corn. Agr. de Va [...].’

Tindal, a Martyr, said, Whosoever ordained Ʋniversities drunk with Heathenism, be it Alexander of Hales, Thomas Aquinas, or any other, he was a Starfallen from Heaven to Earth: For there are brought in (saith he) Moral Virtnes for Faith, Opinions for Truth; and said, They were a confused Cloud. Tindal of the Revelation of Ant.

Aristotle wrote many things 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.' Trapp. on Rom. 1.21.’

‘'As for Aristotles Divinity, which he calls his Metaphysicks, it is (saith Ramus) the most Foolish and Impious piece of Sophistry that ever was written.' Trapp. of Arts.’

From the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle Pestilent Errors first of all Invaded, and have long Possessed, and at this day do Waste the Christian Church. Orat. Rainold.

Where Aristotle Reigns, there Ungodliness hath great Dominion Orat. Rainold.

How foul a thing is it, that that may be spoken against you, which Ambrose spoke of the Arians, ‘'They have deserted the Apostle, and follow Aristotle.' Orat. Rainold.’

[Page 16]Some in our days have been seen to repeat Aristotle upon their Knees at Oxford, before their Masters, being at Dinner: The muddy Lake of Heathenism, opened in Rome Ethnick, steamed in­to apostatized Rome Christian, is received in Protestant Kingdoms, among whom Rome hath too much Room.

Many in their day bore Testimony against Pagan Philosophy, Philosophers and Logicians; among many, one Ramus, born in France, Master of Arts, was much aspersed by the Sorborne Do­ctors, who accused him of Heresie in Philosophy, as an Heretical Philosopher, for that he being but Young, durst take upon him to correct Aristotle, the Prince of Philosophers, the great Rule of Universities. This Ramus published a Logick (received in the most Reformed Universities, and Aristotle rejected) with some Animadvertions upon Aristotle: He was the Kings Professor of Logick in Paris, Dean of the whole University, where he remain­ed till the Massacree at Paris, where many Thousands of the Pro­testants perished by the Papists, who (because of Ramus his Love to Protestants, and Testimony against Aristotle) ran him thorow, and being half Dead, threw him out of his Window, cut off his Head, dragged his Body about the Streets, in the Channels, and some young Schollrs were encouraged, by their Tutors, to whip it in a most contemptuous manner, and at last cast it into the River Sein, in the Year 1572. Clar. Mart. Fox Mon.

By what is said, 'tis manifest that the Wisdom which is from a­bove, with its out-goings and products, we own, and desire the en­crease thereof, to the seasoning and rectifying of the Nations: But the Wisdom from below, with its Propagators, not able to open one of the seven Seals we deny; Aristotle forsook his Master Plato, that he might defend his own Error; and shall we not re­fuse prophane Aristotle, to defend the Truth of the Living God? saith Rainold. Yes, Christ is to have Pre-eminence in all things, the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge.

RHetorick is defined to be the Art of Speaking Ornately, Firely, Eloquently, with Rhetorical Colours and Ornaments.

Adam, as he was the Workmanship of God, he Lived, Moved, and had his Beeing in God, his Thoughts, Words and Works, Pro­ducts of that Life, into the which he was Incorporated, Savour'd of that Life, had a Divine Lustre in them, Stamp and Excellency, and were Fragrant and Aromatical in the Nostrils, and Precious in the Eyes of the All-forming Power: But the Serpent that deceived Man, and incorporated him into another Power, therein to Think, Speak and Act, brought forth an other Language, out of the simpli­city of Truth, savouring of the Womb of its Original; though Plausible, Painted, Eloquent, Garnished with Colours and Orna­ments of Pagan Rhetorick, yet 'tis Abomination to the Lord, Stinks in his Nostrils, and in the Nostrils of such as are truly Re­born, as Christ bore Record: Those things that are highly Esteem­ed with Men are Abomination unto the Lord.

This is my Testimony, that that Language which the Lord speaks in and through his People, Sons and Daughters, is the on­ly and heavenly Eloquence and Rhetorick, if I may so call it; though Plain, Simple, and be accounted Rude, Clownish and Babbling by the VVorldly VVise.

Moses brought to that Mouth that taught Adam and Eve in their Primative State, streamed out heavenly Eloquence, saying, My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, my Speech shall distil as the Dew, as the small Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the Showers upon the Grass, Deut. 32.2. Yea, and David streamed out saying, My Heart is inditing a good Matter; I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; My Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer, Psal. 45.1. And the Lord promised, saying, I will turn to the People a pure Language, that they may call upon the Lord, and serve him with one Consent, Zeph. 3.9. This pure Language, where­ever 'tis witnessed, is the true Eloquence. And Christ saith to [Page 18]the Church, come and coming out of the Wilderness, leaning up­on her Beloved, Oh my Dove! that art in the Clefts of the Rock, in the scorer places of the Stairs, les me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy Voice; for Sweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is Comely, Cant. 2.14. Mark, the Voice of the Church is Sweet, though not Painted with enticing Words of Mans Wisdom, nor Garnished with Pagan Rhetorical Flourishes; 'tis Sweet to Christ, though judged Rude and Babbling by Worldly Sophisters; her Voice, her Prayers, her Praises, arising from Divine Indwellings, a live Cole from the heavenly Alter, as Fragrant Perfumes is Sweet to his Nostrils. God respects not the Arithmetick of our Prayes, how many they be; nor the Rhetorick of our Prayers, how neat they be; nor the Geometry of our Prayers, how long they be; nor the Logick of our Prayers, how methodical they be; nor the Mu­sick of our Prayers, how melodious they be; but his Eye and Re­gard is to the Divinity of Prayers, how Heart-sprung they be, saith Trapp. on 2 Cor. 12.8.

Further, though there was a Divine Excellency in Paul's Speech, seasoned with Salt, Heavenly Wisdom, yet he saith plainly to the Corninthians, That he came not with Excellency of Speech, nor with En­ticing Words of Mans Wisdom: He came not with Frothy Flourishes of Pagan Rhetorick or Oratory, nor with Enchanting Words of fallen Wisdom, which the fallen Mind ascribes Excellency unto, but falsly; but his Preaching was in Demonstration of the Spirit and Power, 1 Cor. 2.1, 4. There was a Divine Excellency in his Speech, though called Babbling by Worldly Sophisters, as 'tis to this day, Acts 17.17, 18.

Thus 'tis clear to every seeing Eye, what Wisdom, and what Speech was justified and contended for among the Children of Light in every Age and Generation, and in the Church succeeding the Apostles, while a Virgin to Christ; but as the black Vail and foul Leprosie of Apostacy over-spread and disfigured the Face of the Christian Church, then heavenly Salt, true Savour, heavenly Wis­dom being lost within, then they Entertained and Magnified Hea­then Wisdom without; then Pagan Rhetorick came to be embra­ced and taught to Christian Youth, defined to be the Art of Speak­ing Finely and Eloquently; which Heathen Rhetorick, a Pagan, one Mercury is said to invent or bring in, him the Heathen called [Page 19]the Messenger of the Godds, and Godd of Eloquence, Merchandize, Chivalry and Thievery; but Aristotle saith, that one Empedocles was the Inventor of this Rhetorick, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 13. who as 'tis said, stole away from his Company by Night, and cast himself into the Mouth of the Burning Mountain Aetna, that so the People not finding him, might conceive he was taken up into Heaven, so might honour him; but his two Pattens cast up again by the Vehe­mency of the Flame, betrayed his Policy and itch after Honour: Thus they that magnifie Earthly Wisdom, Pagan Rhetorick, may see what manner of Man the Author thereof was.

Yet though these things be Magnified in Pagan and Christian Kingdoms, the Lord hath had his Witnesses in the darkest of Days, against Serpentine Wisdom, Rhetorical Flourishes, the Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God: I might produce a Cloud of Instances.

‘'Wisdom of the Flesh, Rhetorical Flourishes 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.’

‘'Men have neglected Sound, Savoury and Useful Matter, the very Quintessence of Lerning, and have devoted themselves to an Excess of fine Speaking,' Bishop Wilkins his Real Caracter.’

‘'The grand imposture of Phrasing hath eaten out all sollid Learning,' B. Wilkings.’

‘'Phrases (saith this Author) are an Imperfection of Speech, which like other affected Ornaments, derogate from the native Simpicity of it, disguising it with false Appearances; and that such canting Forms have eaten out sollid Knowledge, through mens admiring them.'’

‘'Eloquence (saith Angustin) in a Lewd Man, is as Poyson in a Golden Cup,' lib. 1. De Anima.’

‘'The use of Rhetorick (saith Suetonius) was some time forbid­den at Rome, but by little and little, it appearing Profitable and Honest, many for Maintenance and Honours sake pursued it, and through it many aspired to the Terret of Worldly Honours,' Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 13.’

Julius Agricola, a Roman Emperors Lieutenant, in Brittain, prevailed with Noble Men to breed up their Sons in Liberal Arte, [Page 20]brought them to effect the Roman Eloquence; then they begun to imiate 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. And these things are too much countenanced among the Professors of Christi­anity; the Simplicity of Truth, and the Language thereof is slight­ed; Mans Wisdom, Heathen Wisdom magnified; a pursuit of Roman Eloquence, through the Imitation of their Orators, Rheto­ricians, Poets, &c. is encouraged; and this is not without Pride and Vain Glory. The Apostle, wise in the Wisdom from above, touched this, Knowledge puffs up, but Charity edifies, builds up.

The Equity of a Poor Mans Cause is often stifled by that grim Monster fleshly Wisdom, frothy Flourishes of Pagan Eloquence. ‘'A Poor Man (saith Trap.) complained to his King, That such a Lawyer had taken his Cow from him: I will hear (said the King) what the Lawyer will say to the Matter. Nay (saith the Poor Man) if you hear him speak, then have I surely lost my Cow indeed.'’

Secrates in his Apology; said to his Judges, ‘'My Lords, I know not how you have been affected with mine Accusers Eloquence, while you heard them speak; for my own part, I assure you, that I, whom it toucheth most, was almost drawn to believe all they said (though against my self) was true, when they scarce uttered one word of Truth,' Trap.’ Such are the Inchantments of painted Oratory, Pagan Rhetorical Flourishes.

Cross-Bearers, who in Self-denial grow up in the Wisdom that is from above, so become VVisdom's Children, justifie VVisdom; if these Stumble, Fall, Err, Sin, they have not so learned Christ, as to Paint or Cloke the same; but knowing that he, he who con­resseth and forsaketh finds Mercy, they rejoyce in Judgment, being brought forth into Victory. But subtil Sophisters, Erring, Sinning, so Trim, Deck, Dress, Garnish, Cloke and Paint their Sins and Er­rors, as that they pass with most for Truth; only VVisdom's Chil­dren, honoured with an heavenly Eye and Savour, discern and com­prehend the same: There is an Arabick Proverb, Errans eruditus errat errore erudito, that is, Learned Men have learned Errors.

By what is said, it appears, that the VVisdom from above, its Products, Divine Eloquence we own, and desire the Nation may be scasoned thereby: But the VVisdom from below, introduced by [Page 21]the Serpent, Pagan Rhetorick, Eloquence, Enticing VVords of Mans Wisdom, we deny, knowing the same to be Foolishness with God, and altogether unable of opening any one of the Seals of the seven Sealed Book.

ADam, as the VVorkmanship of God, Lived, Moved and had his Beeing in God; he was bound up in that Life, whence Praises, Songs of Thanks-giving, as sweet and fragrant Odours ascends unto the Lord; whoever draws VVater out of the VVell­spring of Salvation, 'tis not without Joy and Heart Melody unto the Lord; this the New Man knows, not the Old. Moses, the Children of Israel, Miriam, Deborah and Barack, David, Mary, Zacharias, holy Men and holy VVomen of God, overcome with the Sence, Feeling and Sweetness of the Lords Presence, and see­ing Deliverance brought and wrought by his Arm, Songs of Praise and Thanks-giving streamed out from them; and Praise is come­ly in the Mouth of such; and such Singing, and such Songs we own.

But the Serpent prevailing, Man became Incorporated into his Venomous and Infecting Power, the Foundation of a World of Wickedness was laid, a false Joy was brought forth; and this is the very Sourse or Spring of all Wanton Poems, Lascivious Come­dies, Deluding Tragedies, Frivilous Fables, Foolish Balads, Ob­scene Songs, invented by the Adulterated Mind, used and pleaded for by the like Mind; yea, among such as profess Christianity; but Real Christians are in Christ, and such as are in Christ are New Creatures, Old things are done away; and such Singers, and such Songs are in the fallen Spirit, Joy of this World, the which we deny.

In the increase of this dark Kingdom came in Musick, called one of the seven Liberal Arts, defined to be the Art of Singing well, the Study of Poetry, of Heathen Poetry; of this Musick, Vocal or Instrumental, or both, one Amphion, a Heathen, the Son of Jupi­ter, [Page 22]is said to be the Inventor, Plin. lib. 7. Others ascribe the In­vention thereof to one Dionysius or Menoury, Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14. But Jubal, the Son of Lamach, who lived many Generations before these, is reported by Josephus, in his first Book of Antiquities, to be affected with Musick, and to use the Psaltery and Harp. Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14.

David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, in the Service of the House God, appointed Singers of the Levites, instructed in the Songs of the Lord, appertaining to the Temple Worship, 1 Chron. 6. and 1 Chron. 25. These Singers be arrayed in white Linnen, they Prais­ed and gave Thanks unto the Lord, whose Mercy endures forever. These Singers arrayed in VVhite, shadowed out the lively Mem­bers of the Evangelical Dispensation: A Remnant of the Church in Sardis were to walk in VVhite, Rev. 3.4. Again, John saw a numberless Multitude of all Nations, Kindreds, People and Tongues clothed in white Robes, Rev. 7. And John saw the Armies in Hea­ven clothed in fine Linnen, Rev, 19. VVhat is this fine white Lin­nen? VVhat are these white Robes? Not Aarons white Robes, no imitation thereof, not the white Linnen of the Singers of the Temple, not Surplices, such as are now used by the Conforming Ministry and Queristers in Cathedrals: VVhat then? John tells us expresly, That the fine white Linnen was the Righteousness of Saints, Rev. 19.8. And who, or what but Christ is the Saints Righteous­ness? So Christ the Righteousness of Saints, is that very thing which the white Linnen of Aaron, and of the Levitical Singers, shadowed forth. So to plead for the Shadow, or for an Imitation thereof, the Substance being come, 'tis Antichristian. And Paul said to the Ephesians, to the Saints and Faithful Brethren, who were come to the Righteousness of Saints, to the end of Shadows; Be not Drunk with Wine, wherein is Excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to your selves (not in VVanton Balads, Obscene Songs, but) in Psalms, Hymes and spiritual Songs, Singing and making Me­lody in your Hearts to the Lord, Ephes. 5.18, 19. and Col. 3.16. Such Singers we own, their Psalms, Hymes and spiritual Songs we own; they stream out of the Mouth of the New Man, not of the Old. John tells us of a New Song, which none could learn but the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand which were Redeemed from the Earth, Rev. 14. And Paul said to the Sanctified at Corinth, [Page 23]When ye come together, every one of you hath a Psalm, hath a Doctrine, hath a Tongue, hath a Revelation, hath an Interpretation; let all things be done to Edifying, 1 Cor. 14. So a Psalm was a Gift particular to the New Man, who sings with the Spirit, and with Understanding. The Primitive Church, while a Virgin to Christ, sung with the Spirit, with Understanding; had to Clark no give them in other Mens Experiences; but Christendom being become a Sea, the Spi­rit lost, turned from, in which true Joy and Singing is; then stept in Formal Singing without, without the Spirit, without Under­standing.

The Wanton, who spends his precious Hours in Jollity, he sings, I am weary with my Groaning, I water my Couch with my Tears.

The proud Atheist, who hath banished the Lord out of hie thoughts, he sings, I have set the Lord always before me.

The vain Minded, who delights in the Company and Society of vain [...], he sings, I have hated the Congregation of Evil-Doers, and will not sit with the Wicked.

He that is as a withered Tree, Plucked up by the Roots, Fruitless, he sings, I am like a Green Olive Tree in the House of God,

He whose Heart is as a Cage of Uncleanness, he sings, My Heart is enditing a good matter.

The daily Feaster, such as the Residentarians, whose Legs can scarce bear about his Gross Corpulent Body, he sings, My Knees are Weak through Fasting, and my Flesh faileth of Fatness.

Satans Captive, who wallows in the Mire and Puddle of Sin and Iniquity, he sings, O Lord, truly I am thy Servant.

The Son of Belial, who by Persecution would wear out the Flock of the Lord from off the Earth, he sings, I am a Campanion of all them that fear thee.

The Lawless man, whose Life is a Life of Rebellion, subject (as I may say) to the grand Charter of Sin and Death, he sings, The Law of thy Mouth is better unto me than Thousands of Gold and Silver.

He that Adder-wise stops his Ears from the Heavenly Doctrine of the Lords anointed Ones, he sings, How sweet are thy Words to my Taste, yea sweeter than the Honey to my Mouth.

The Ambitious Man, puft up with the Breath of Satans Bel­lows, he sings, Lord, my Heart is not Haughty, my Soul is even as a Weaned Child.

[Page 24]Do these and such like sing with the Spirit? Do they sing with Understanding? No. Now who are of God, they are distingui­shing Persons, and with us they contend for singing in the Spirit, and with Understanding; this Song none but the Redeemed can learn; this Song of the Lord cannot be sung in a strange Land, Captivity, Spiritual Babylon; and such as are of God, they deny all dead formal Singing and Singers, who formally sing other Mens Conditions, out of the Spirit, without Understanding.

That the Primitive Christian Church, while a Virgin to Christ, sung David's Experiences or Testimonies in Meetre, that I deny; but through the Engress of the Apostacy, Singing in the Spirit being lost, then a formal Singing in Meetre entred in, whereof I have read, That

In or about the Year 383. Psalms began to be sung, being brought in by Damasus Bishop or Pope of Rome, though not turned into Meetre [Mark this]

In or about the Year 1552. in the sixth Year of Edward the sixth, the Psalms of David first began to be composed in English Meetre by one Thomas Sternhold, one of the Grooms of the Pivy-Chamber, who Translating but a few, left both Example and Encouragement to John Hopkins and others to dispatch the rest; a Device first ta­ken up in France, by one Clement Merot, one of the Grooms of the Bed-Chamber to King Francis the first: At first they were sung in private Houses, after were taken into the Church of the French: And of other Nations, they were first allowed for private Devoti­on, after, by little and little, crept into the use of the Church, after­wards Printed and Bound up with the Common-Prayer-Book, at last added by Stationers in the end of the Bible; see Dr Heylin's Ec­clesia. Restaurata. pag. 191. But though by this Author called a De­vice, yet now 'tis called a Vice, yea a Symptom of a Heterodox Judgment to deny or question the Observation of the same.

Benedictus, an Abbot of the Monestary of Peter and Paul at Wire, brought with him from Rome one John the Arch-Chanter, who first taught in England how to sing in the Quire, after the manner of Rome, in the Year 724. Fox Acts and Mon.

The Levites, that were Singers, were divided into twenty four Ranks or Courses: Hence the Apostatized Church brought in Queristers, so introduce the Levites for a proof for their Office; [Page 25]but the truly Redeemed Church receives not Jewdaism for Christi­anity, neither their Practice for Christs Institution and Appoint­ment.

'Tis a Custom of many Countries and Nations, saith Macrobius, to accompany Dead Bodies to their Burials with Singing: And why? Because their Souls are believed to return to the Original of Musical Sweetness or Pleasure, that is, to Heaven. lib. 2. De Somne Scrip. Noviss Pol.

Ecclesiastical Histories mention many Testimonies which have dropped from the Mouthes of Men, Eminent in their Day against dead formal Singing, used in Churches professing Christianity.

Cassiodor, a Learned Man of Ravenna, about the Year 510. saith That the Fathers made no great account of Singing in Churches; and that most of them knew nothing thereof; for in the days of Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria, about the Year 348. Flavian and Theodor, first of all in the East, brought in the Rite or Custom of Singing at Antioch. Histor. Tripart. lib. 5. & Nov. Pol.

Augustin saith, That it was received into the Church of Millain, when Ambrose was Bishop thereof, about the Year 373. Nov. Pol.

Anastatius shuning all Vanities, forbad the Custom of Singing in the Church. Nov. Pol.

THe House of Israel, the outward Jew, Praised the Lord on divers kinds of Instruments, as Harps, Psalteries, Timbrels, Cornets, Cimbals, Trumpets, Organs, Instruments of ten Strings, 1 Chron. 15. 1 Chron. 25. And these, saith Thomas Aquinas, the great School-man, figured forth something to come: And what was that? Even Jesus Christ, say I, the End, Sum, Substance of all the Jewist Types, Shadows and Figures; the Spiritual Israelite, the Inward Jew, the Gospel Church, made up of Living Stones, in and through Christ, streamed out a Melody unto the Lord, sweeter then all visible Musical Instruments, Ephes. 5.18, 19. Col. 3.16. The [Page 26]Evangelical Church come to Christ, whose Meat and Drink it was to do his Fathers Will, in whom alone he was well pleased, a bun­dle of Myrthe, she was come to the end of the Jewish Worship, of all its Appurtenances, Musical Instruments used in the outward Jewish Church, John saw as it were a Sea of Glass, mingled with Fire, and them that had gotten the Victory over the Beast, and over his Image, and over his Mark, and over the Number of his Name, stand on the Sea of Glass, having the Harps of God, Rev. 15.2. What are these Harps? Not Jewish Harps, not Visible Harps, not made with Hands, but Harps of God, such as he gives to the Jew inward, peculiar to the Evangelical Dispensation, the End and Substance of the outward Jewish Harps.

And while the Primitive Church remained a Virgin in Christ, knit and joyned to him, through the pure Ligament of Heaven-bred Faith, making Melody in Heart to the Lord, there was no use of the Typical Jewish Musical Instruments in the Christian Church; but the Star being fallen from Heaven, to Earth, Smoke arisen, which darkned Sun and Air, which stained the Beauty of the Primitive Church, the Sum, Substance, the Heavenly Harp, (as I may say) being lost within, in and through the Smoke of the Pit, then they turned to Musical Instruments without, as Organs, Dulcimers, Cornets, Sackbuts, used in Cathedral Churches, so called, as in others: And this is the ground of Musical Instruments (the Type) in the Churches professing Christianity, even that which led them from Christ, the Life, the Substance.

I might produce a Cloud of Witnesses against the using of Musick in Churches professing Christianity.

Instruments of Musick were not heard of in the Latin Church till the days of Pope Vitalian, who about the Year 660. invented and brought the Use of Organs into the Church, of whom [...]ap Mant.

Here is the Author of Organs in Churches Professing Christianity, not Christ, not the Apostles; but the Pope Vitalian, Balani Angliae Episcopus, [...]ospin Leigh's Body of Divinity.

[Page 27] Ames, Aquinus, Rivet, Zanchaeus, Zepperus, Altingius dislike the use of Organs, and such like Musick in the Church. Leigh's Body of Divinity.

Rivet speaking of the Organ saith, ‘'It is much better to abstain therefrom, then to introduce or continue the same, because there is more Danger therein than Edification.'’

‘'The use of Musical Instruments (saith Dr Taylor) are apt to turn Religion into Air and Fancies,'’ and to take off some of its Simplicity, and are not so fitted for Edification.

‘'The Apostles (saith Hospinian.) had not the use of Organs, or of other Musical Instruments in their Churches.'’

‘'Organ-Musick (saith one) seems rather to become Children, than the Church.' Hosp.’

Marianus Scotus saith in his Chronicle, ‘'That about the Year 757. the Organ first came into France, being sent out of Greece from Constantine the Emperor, unto King Pipin.' Hosp.’

Lactantius sharply blames the Gentiles for placing the Worship of God in those things which the Foolishness of Men highly esteem, lib. 2. Institut. Hosp.

Erasmus speakes Learnedly and Gravely against the use of Or­gans in Churches, saying, ‘'People flock thereto, as to a Theater or Stage, that their Ears may be Tickled or Delighted. What (saith he) at this day is more Burdensom than our Musick, imita­ting the Notes of many Birds? It were therefore better that these Organs should be taken away.' In Annot. ad 1 Cor. cap. 14. Hosp.’

At the Princely Banquets of the Heathen they sung the Praises of their Godds and Heros upon the Harp; Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14. From this Custom and Example, 'tis grown Customany; yea, among such as profess the honourable Name of Christ, to have Musick at Feasts, Banquets, Dinners, notwithstanding the Prohibition of the Prophet, Learn not the way of the Heathen, and of the Apostle, Be not conformed to this World.

After the Apostles days, through the Prevailing and Encroach­ment of Apostatical Delusion, Singing in Spirit, the Ingrafted Word, the Harp of God being lost, they not only entertained Formal Singing, and Jewish Musical Instruments into the Church, but also the Heathen Liberal Art Musick, Vocal, Instrumental, into Schools, a part whereof is Heathen Poetry, which to the [Page 28]Depraving, Spoyling and Corrupting of Christian Youth, is yet continued and contended for; and this we deny, and bear our Testimony, That Heathenism, as Lascivious Poets, Comedies, Tragedies, Frivolous Fables, Spoyling Phylosophy, are as the Dead Sea, in which none can Live unto God; and in the very Mid-night of Apostacy, the Lord hath had his Witnesses against the teaching thereof in Christian Schools; others have not been silent.

A certain Lacedemonian being asked, What he thought of the Poet Tyrreus? He answered, He was apt to Deprave, Corrupt the Minds of Young Men. Plutarch.

Some put Amethyst in their Cups against Drunkenness; much more in the hearing of Poets, a right Rule is to be minded, lest they infect the Mind. Plut. Plin.

Eusebius brings in Plate, sharply blaming the first Education of Youth, as Destructive, which was used by the Greeks, in reading the feigned Comical and Tragical Inventions of Poets, Cap. 49. Page 618.

The Heathen Romans having Conquer'd this Nation, and Inhabi­ting in it, erected Schools to teach the British Youth, and brought in their Lascivious Books, Poets, Comedies, Tragedies; which to the Corrupting of Youth are yet continued.

Edgar, a Saxon King, having some sense of the Abomination of the Time, put forth a Canon, That on Festival Days every one should abstain from Prophane Heathen Songs, and from Diabolical Games and Pastimes: But now 'tis not heeded.

In the days of Queen Elizabeth, the Lords of her Privy Council sent Letters to her high Commissioners in Causes Ecclesiastical, in order to the rectifying of School-abuses, saying, The Youth of the Realm receive rather Infections in Manners, than Advancement in Vir­tue, from the Heathen Poets taught in Schools. They were concern­ed for the removing of Lascivious Poets, taught in Schools; but— Inimicae tenacias haerent; see the Preface of the Book called, Anglorum praelia.

Augustin, in his Confessions, accounts Terence a Comical Poet, unworthy to be read; and blames Grammarians who teach it. Orat. Rainold.

Primitive Christians found Sophisters and Philosophers to be the [Page 29]principal Enemies of Christianity: Upon this account they con­demned all Heathen Learning, Comedies, Tragedies, and other Poetical Writings, judging they did not conduce to sollid Learning, Herrald. Anim. in Arnob.

Berno, who lived about 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. In Epist­ad Magnifr.

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 exhorted them after the search of the Living God. Just. pro. Christianis Apol. prima.

Augustin called Heathen Poetry; The Wine of Error, Drunk of Drunken Doctors. Jerom called it, The Meat of Divils.

‘'The Devil takes pleasure in filthy and dishonest Musick, and uses the same as his Vehicle or Chariot, whereby he enters the Minds of Men, who delight in Diabolical Musick.' Alsted.’

‘''Tis a profitable Work to draw Christian Youth from the read­ing of wanton Poems to sound History.' Alex Ross in his Preface to Verg. Evangel.’

The Lacedemonians made no account of Poets, but drove them out of the City, because of their Wantonness. Pult. in Lacon. Noviss. Pol.

Jerom complained, that Priests, neglecting the Prophets, did read Comedies, and sung the armorous Sayings of the Bucolicks. In Epist. de dueb. fil.

Obscene Poets are to be neglected, for they corrupt good Man­ners, and fraught the Mind with Naughtiness. Fran. Petrar. de regne. Lib. 2.

The Lacedemonians would neither hear the Comedies nor Trage­dies of Poets, because contrary to all Laws; they hold out Whore­doms, Incest, Adulteries, Injuries, Thefts, and other Flagitious Crimes. So it appears that Pagan Poetry, and Ingredient of the Liberal Art Musick, hath been testified against.

ARithmetick, one of the seven Liberal Arts, is defined to be the Numeral Science, the Art of Numbring; the knowledge whereof is useful in Civil-Acts, in the Government of Common-Wealths, for the due Provision and Order of Armies, Viewing of Artillery, useful for Merchants, Auditors, Treasurers, Receivers, Stewards, Bailiffs, &c. 'Tis said to have its Rise among the Mer­chandizing Phenicians; but Josephus, in the first Book of his Anti­quities, ascribes the Original of it to the Jews. Pol. Vir. de Invent. rerum, lib. 1. cap. 18.

Plato, a Learned Heathen Philosopher, ( Aristotles Master) so accounted of this Art, as that he wrote this Sentence over his School Door, Nemo Arithmeticae ignarus hic ingrediatur; that is, Let none enter here who is ignorant of Arithmetick.

'Tis my Judgment, that none can groundly deny, but the knowledge hereof is useful, as to the Concerns of this Life, useful in its place; but such who ascribe the opening of the seven Seals to this or any Natural Art or Arts whatever, the Book is sealed to such, not one Seal thereof opened; the Lyon of the Tribe of Ju­dah, whose Prerogative it is to open the Seals, he is denyed, and Nature and Natural Arts are lifted into his Throne.

Herein any Member of Italian Babilon with his Mass-Book, Mass for the Dead, Fabulous Legend; any Mahumetan with his dreggy Alcoran; any Flint hearted Jew with his Talmud, a mingle-mangle of Jewish Divine and Humane Matters; any Dead, Dry, Unfruit­ful Formalist, may grow Profound, Exquifit, Nimble, yea, and though involved in the intricate windings of Degeneration, out of the Royal state of Regeneration and Heavenly Transformation may apprehend the Feates, Termes and Parts of this Natural Art, as Digits, Articles mixt Numbers, Cyphers, Terniries, Golden Rule direct, Golden Rule reverse, a Cube, Phythagoras's Table, Algorism, &c. yet be Strangers to the Divine Exercise which leads to Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who alone opens the Seals of the Book.

[Page 31]Though there be an Use and Service in this Natural Art, yet the Children of Light, the Children of the Day, are, as I may say, the wise Arithmeticians, who being the Disciples of the Lord, are kept Alive unto the Lord, and are daily in the Numbring of his Mercies, Living Mercies, Mercies Heavenly, Mercies Earthly: 'Twas the breathing of David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, That the Lord would teach him to Number his Days, that he might apply his Mind un­to Wisdom.

Again, the Eagle-Eyed Apostle John, proposed (as I may say) an Example to wise Arithmeticians, saying, Here is Wisdom; let him that hath Ʋnderstanding count the Number of the Beast, for it is the Number of a Man, and his Number is Six Hundred Sixty Six, Rev 13.18. And John saw such as had got Victory over the Beast, and over the Number of his Name, Rev. 15.2.

Herein, together with other places is evidently intimated.

• 1. That a Beast, a Beastial Man shall arise in the Churches pro­fessing Christianity.
• 2. That this Beast, or Beastial Man, should have a Numeral Name, that is such a Name as should contain a certain Number in it.
• 3. That the Number contained in the Beasts Name, should be, being computed, Six Hundred Sixty and Six.

Hence this Conclusion necessarily arises, that he is the Beast, or great Antichrist, that hath that Numeral Name, which contains in it the Number of six Hundred Sixty six.

Now what remains, but that he be faithfully and impartially sought out who bears this Name, and that we be informed what this Name is? Ireneus (whose Master Polycarpus had been St John's Disciple) informs us, ‘'That the Name Latinus contains the Num­ber of six Hundred Sixty six; so was believed to be the Name of the Beast: For (saith he) they are Latines who now have Domi­nion;'’ but we will not boast thereof (saith he) Implying that the Name of the Beast should be the greatest Insamy of the Church of Rome; as if he should have said, In this we have no ground for Glorying, but rather for being ashamed. Iren. against Heresies.

Again, the Numeral Letters of the Name Roman in Hebrew, ac­cording to the Computation of the Jews, makes up this Number of six Hundred Sixty six. So whether we have recourse to the Word Latin in Greek, or Roman in Hebrew, the Numeral Letters make [Page 32]up six Hundred Sixty six, whereby we are led as by the Hand to the Monarch of Rome, who hath long possessed the Kingdom of the Latines, and Rome the Seat of the Latin Kingdom; his Church is called the Latin Church, his Letanies, Masses, Prayers, Exorcisms, Indulgences; in a word, his whole Service is in Latin, set up in the Year 666. by Pope Vitalian. Latin containing the Number of the Name of the Beast, being also his Language; yea, and 'tis judged unlawful to perform the same in any other Language: 'Twas the definitive Sentence of the Council of Trent, If any shall say, that the Mass ought to be Celebrated in the Vulgar Tongue, let him be Accursed. So doubtless Lattin and Roman is the Numeral Name of the Beast.

Object. No Pope was called Latin, and but one was called Roman: How then can the Pope be intimated thereby?

Answ. John speakes not so much of a Personal as of a National Name, for he will have the Numeral Name to be the Character, whereby it might be known where Antichrist should have his Rise, and his principal Reign, to wit, in Italy, at Rome: Italy of Old was called Latinum, the Inhabitants were called Latins, from their first King Latin, as 'tis said, being also the National Name; and how that Church rings with the Tearm Roman, who is ignorant? As Roman Faith, Roman Religion, Roman Catholick, Roman Church, and that out of the same there is no Salvation; and that Rome is the Mother, Queen, Lady and Mistriss of all Church, and that all ought to return to her Lap.

GEometry is defined to be the Art or Science of measuring the Earth, &c. which in Concerns among Men is Useful and Ser­viceable in its place: The Invention hereof, Strabo, Herodotus, and Proclus ascribes to the Aegyptians, on this occasion.

The River Nilus, now and then by its over-flowing, Confounded [Page 33]and Disordered their Land-marks; upon this the Aegyptians found out the Use and Benefit of Geometry, to the end that every one might be settled in the possession of proper and respective Rights: Yet Josephus in the first Book of his Antiquities, seems to ascribe the In­vention thereof to the Hebrews, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 18.

A Natural Man through search may apprehend much of the Feats and Terms of this Art, their Points, Physical, Optick and Mathe­matick, their Lines, Parralels, Diameter, Perimeter, Triangle, Rectangulous, Obliquangulous, Obtusangulous, Acutangulous, Multangulous; their Rhombus, Rhomboides, Cone, Cylinder, Pa­rallelogram, Quadrat, Quadrant, Diagram, Astrolabe, &c. Yet that hereby, or by any other natural Acquisition or Attainment, he can find out the knowledge of the Almighty, or open the Seals of the Book, that I deny: For the things of the Spirit of God are Spiritually Discerned; and such as live in the Spirit, they come to be honoured with that Divine Understanding, as to set every thing in its proper place.

THe Living God (saith the Paraphrast on the Samaritan Penta­tench) formed Adam and filled him with the Spirit of Wis­dom and Knowledge, that from him, as from Fountain useful Knowledge and Arts might flow unto his Prosterity: For besides the secret Virtues of Living Creatures, of Plants, of Stones, of Metals and Minerals, he perfectly knew the Influences of Superna­tural Bodies. Theoph. Gale.

That Adam, as he was the Workmanship of God, was wise in the Book of the Creation, 'tis an undoubted Truth: So many of the Holy Men of God, as Moses, David, Solomon, Job, Daniel, &c. who grew up in that Image, in which Adam was Created, they grew up in the Wisdom of God, became wise in the Book of Life, and in the Book of the Creation; yet I read not that they were called Astrologers, or were stained with their Fooleries, Do­tages, Imaginations, Uncertainties, Conjectures; but were Wit­nesses [Page 34]in their respective Generations against such, and that Spirit by the which they were acted; what they saw of the Book of the Creation, 'twas in and through the Wisdom of God revealed in them; and that we own.

The Sons of Seth, who was the Son of the first Man Adam, as Josephus saith in the first Book of his Antiquities, understood the Doctrine of Heavenly Things, who (to the end that what they knew and apprehended might not be lost, nor swallowed up in the Sea of Oblivion; forasmuch as Adam had foretold a future De­struction of all things) made two Pillars, the one of Brick, the other of Stone, that if the Brick Pillar should be destroyed by the Rain Water or Flood, the Stone Pillar remaining might shew the Writing fresh and entire to the Nations: On these two Pillars, saith Josephus, they graved those things which appertained to the Obser­vation of the Stars. Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17.

Josephus in his first Book of Antiquities, clearly demonstrates, that Abraham first taught Astrology unto the Aegyptians, when he went down into Aegypt, and that the Caldeans and Greeks received the same from the Aegyptians. Pol. lib. 1. cap. 17. To this I say, Abra­ham was perfect in his Generation, the Father of the Faithful; and the sum of his Doctrine unto his Children was, That they might walk in the Way of the Lord, and observe his Statutes, and being wise in the Wisdom of the Lord. I do not deny, but that he might take occasion among the Aegyptians, to speak of the Wisdom and Power of the Lord, in producing the wonderful Fabrick of the Creation, of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and their Influence over and upon Inferior Bodies, all which bespeak the unutterable Power and Wisdom of the great Former: To which Testimony of Abraham, the Aegyptians adding the corrupt Ingredients of their own Inventions and Imaginations, Fooleries and Mis apprehensions, might patch up their Art of A­strology; Corruptio optimi fit pessima; Best things being Corrupted become Worst.

Job knew that his Redeemer Lived, and in the Wisdom of his Redeemer he saw much into the Creation; he spoke of Thunder, of Vapours, of Clouds, of Rain, of Snow, of Hail, of the Sea, of Foun­tains, of Metals, as Gold, Silver, Iron, Brass, of Stones, of Precious Stones, of Subterraneo [...]s Fire, of Stars, of Living Creatures, of Earth-Quakes, of A [...]cturus, Orion and the Pleides, of the Sun, of the Hea­vens, &c.

[Page 35]Now from the Writings of Moses, and of other Holy Men of God, the Heathen desirous of Knowledge, adding their Inventions and Imaginations thereto, patcht up their Ethicks, Physicks and Metaphysicks; from the same Sourse or Spring came in the Art of Astronomy and Astrology, which some will have to be one and the same; others distinguish them, calling him an Astronomer who Rea­sons or Treats of the motion of the Stars; him an Astrologer, who from the Course or Conjunction of the Stars, take upon them to foretel what shall betide Men, States, Persons, People, &c.

The Spirit of the Lord, in which the holy Men of God lived unto the Lord, and saw much into the Creation, being turned from by the Heathen, they became Drunk with strange Conceits, Inventions, Whimsies, Imaginations.

Divers things were Devised or Invented by the Aegyptians, as Calculating of Nativities, that is, from the Day or Hour of ones Nativity, foretelling what his Fortune shall be, as 'tis called, what Death he shall dye, and what manner of Man he shall be, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17. Are Astrologers now, though professing Christia­nity, and Redemption from Spiritual Aegypt the House of Bondage, clear of these Dregs?

Do not many Ungodly and Prophane Astrologers, from the Ob­servation of the Heavens, Contemplation of Celestial Bodies, Course and Conjunction of the Stars, take upon them to foretell what Good or Evil shall betide Men, States, Persons, People, so to determine things of future Contingence? Yes.

To which I say, the great Former of all things, the Almighty having made two great Lights; Moses mentions their Use, End and Service, The greater Light to rule the Day, the lesser Light to rule the Night, Gen. 1.16. He saith not, that they were made for that end, that Men by the Contemplation thereof should Predict, Foretell, Prophecy, Prognosticate, what Good or Evil should betide Men, &c.

True it is, The Heavens declare the Glory of God, &c. Psal 19.1. And not only Sun, Moon and Stars, but every Product, as with open Mouth, Proclaims, Preaches forth the Power and Wisdom of the great Former; But that men by the observation of them should foretel what Good or Evil would betide Men, Seates, Persons, People, &c. this I cannot receive,

[Page 36]One reasons thus: What saith the Astrologer? Why is the Star of Jupiter or Venus in Conjunction with Luna, at the Nativity of Children, happy, or a portender of Good; but the Star of Saturn or Mars contrary?

The Prophets of the Lord, his holy Seers, (as holy Records tell us) fore-saw things, and what should befall in the World, to Men, States, Persons, People; but this they did by the Indwellings of the Anointing, the Word of Prophecy; not by the observation of Celestial Bodies: And how fallible Astrologers in this thing are, we have annual evident and pregnant Demonstration.

Pharaoh having Dreamed, not any of the Magicians of Aegypt, not any of the Wise Men thereof could Interpret the same, though doubtless eminent in Astrological Judgment; but Joseph Interpre­ted the same to him; not by the Contemplation of the Heavens, but by the Gift of God: Pharaoh said, Can we find such a one as this is, a Man in whom the Spirit of God is? And for as much as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and Wise as thou art, Gen. 41. Joseph's Interpretation Pharach ascribed to the Lord's Work, and not to any Astrological Judgment of Joseph.

Nebachadnezzar having Dreamed, he sent for all the Inchanters, Astrologians, Socerers, Southsayers, Wise-Men of Babel, pro­mising Gifts, Rewards, and great Honour, to such as could declare to him his Dream, and the Interpretation thereof; if not, they should all be put to Death. Notwithstanding, Wealth Honour and Death was set before them, which set their Wits upon Work, yet they could not answer the King; notwithstanding their Astrologi­cal Prudence: But the Lord that reveals Secrets, revealed that secret unto Daniel, Dan. 2. So the King was answered; yet not by Astrological Judgment of the Artists of Babel, or of Daniel, but by the Revelation of the Lord.

Relshazzar, King of Babylon, saw a Hand-writing upon the Wall; so sent for the Astrologians, Caldeans, Southsayers, Wise Men of Babel, promising great things to him that could read the Writing, and interpret the same; but it was hid from them: But Daniel read the Writing, and shewed the Interpretation there­of; not by Astrological Judgmeat, but by the Gift of the Lord, Dan. 5.

The Caldeans said, That the Planets conduced very much to the [Page 37]bringing of Good or Evil to Man: Whereupon Hermione com­plains in Ovid;

Diodorus, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17. And this conceit hath got en­trance among many that profess Christianity.

That the Seven Days of the Week are named after the the Seven Panets, 'tis thought to be the Invention of the Aegyptians. Dion. Histor. Pol. Vir. Lib. 6. Cap. 5. And this is observed not only by Astrologers, but also by Schools and Colledges professing Christi­anity: Thus the Mist and Darkness of Aegypt is continued among the Professors of Christianity.

In most Ages and Generations the Lord Hath had his Witnesses, against the Vanity and Naughtiness of Judicial Astrology.

There shall not be found among you any one that useth Divination, or an observer of Times, &c. Deut. 18.10.

The Lord frustrateth the Tokens of the Lyars, and maketh Diviners Mad, &c. Isa. 44.25.

The Prophet bears Testimony against the Caldean Astrologers, saying, Thou art wearied in the Multitude of thy Counsels; let now the Astrologers, the Star-gazers, the Monethly Prognosticators stand up, &c. Isa. 57.13, 14.

‘'The Art of Astrology (saith Pol. Virg.) was devised or inven­ted to make sound Minds Rave, or go out of the Way,' lib. 1. cap. 17.’

Calvin, Born at Noviodune a City of France, a stout opposer of the Apostatized Roman Church, about the Year 1548. discovered in a Book the Vanity and Falshood of Judicial Astrology, which many began then too much to heed. Clark in the Life of John Calvin.

Bion said, ‘'That Astronomers were very ridiculous, who when they cannot see Fish swiming near them on the Shore, yet say, That they see Fish; that is, the Constellation Piscis, in Heaven.' Stob. Serm. 78.’

‘'The Prosterity of Noah (saith Theoph. Gale) degenerating from the pure Philosophy, that is, Wisdom of the Patriarchs, plunged into the bottomless Pit, of Diabolical Astrology and [Page 38]Idolatry: For in their Contemplation of Celestial Bodies, the feeling of the Creator 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 to the Throne of the Creator, became the Object of monstrus Idolatry, Rom. 1.21. Deut. 4.19.

Epiphanius, Basil, Chrysostom, Augnstin, ancient Fathers, eminent in the Church in their respective Days, give Reasons why Judicial Astrology is to be exploded, cast out.

Augustin, Bishop of Hippo, sadly complains in his Confessions, That he was Deluded, in making any account of that Art; and bit­terly Inveighes against it, and the Professors thereof. Nov. Pol.

Judicial Astrology was often forbidden by the Canons of Coun­cils. Conc. Tolet. prim. Nov. Pol.

Phavorinus was wont to check Judicial Astrologers by this witty Dilemma or Argument; ‘'They (saith he) do say, That either Unfortunate or Prosperous things will befall: If they say Prospe­rous things, and deceive thee, thou shalt be made Miserable by ex­pecting; If they say Unfortunate things will befall, yet Lye, thou shalt be made Miserable through fearing: Therefore by no means (saith he) must we have to do with such like men, who take upon them to foretel what shall happen.' Gel. lib. 4. cap. I. Nov. Pol.’

Many have been the Testimonies against this Art; yea, and that of many eminent in the Church in their Day, whose Testmonies herein we own: And as Nations come to be rectified, and seasoned with Heavenly Salt, this and all other Arts not savouring of God, but tending to deprave People, and lead them into an uncert in Airy State will be Witnessed against.

A Philosopher [...]ture of the Word being considered, signi­fies, A [...] [...]isdom. Now there is a twofold Wisdom, a Wisdom from a [...] Pure, Heavenly, full of good Fruits; and such as gr [...]w up in [...]s Wisdom, so become Wisdom's Children; such as grow up in the K [...]owledge of the Lord, and in the Book of the Creation, s [...]ch a [...] only su [...]h are the true and divine Philoso­phers, though the Gown, and other Philosophical Ornaments, as some call them, be not received by them.

‘'There were (saith Alsted) Ante-diluvian Philosophers, that is, Philosophers before the Flood, as Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Malaleel, Jared, Enock, Methusalem, Noah, who did not only understand heavenly Mysteries, but also the Knowledge of Nature, the Book of the Creation, the which they taught in their Families, as in Schools.'’ And

‘'There were (saith he) Post-diluvian Philosophers, that is, Philo­sophers after the Flood, as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Daniel, &c.'’ These he bears witness to, to be true and divine Philosophers; and this we own.

Tatianus gave pregnant Evidence, saying, ‘'That every Age and Order among Christians, were Christian Philosophers; yea, that the very Virgins and Maids, as they sate at their Wool work were wont to speak of God's Word and Works;' Trapp.’ And while the Christian Church remained a Virgin to Christ, no Hea­then Books, of Poets, Heathen Philosophers, Comedians, Trage­dians, were entertained among them.

As there is a Wisdom from above, the very Sourse and Well­spring of Divine Philosophers, Anointed Ones, Christian Philoso­phers, who receive from above, and the Tendancy of what they re­ceive is to honour him, who is above, the God of their Mercies; so there is a Wisdom from below, Earthly, Sensual and Devilish. Now Prgans of several Nations itching after Wisdom, to some [Page 40]scraps of Moses, and other Writings relating to Morals, Naturals and Supernaturals, to which they adding the corrupt Ingredients of their own Inventions and Imaginations, steaming from the Lake of Wis [...]om from below, they patch up their Ethicks, Physicks and Metaphysicks; hence came the Philosophy of the Aegyptians, Phe­nicians, Caldeans, Phrygians, Lybians, Ethiopians, Scithians Thra­cians, Persians, Indians, Brachmans, Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Drutdes, of Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, of the Cynicks, Stoicks, Epicureans, Scepticks, &c. And all Pagan Philosophy and Philosophers the Primitive Christians denyed, and entertained not, as all their Lascivions Poets, Comedians, Tragedians, and bore lively Testimony against.

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 Heathen Philosophy; Euseb. lb. 4. But the Apostacy prevailing, and the Mystery of Ini­quity prevailing, Heathenism came to be entertained in Schools professing Christianity; for in the third and fourth Centuries Phi­losophers had the Education of Christian Youth, and no man had any Reputation among Christian Doctors, who were not well initia­ted in Heathen Philosophy, Rhetorick, Poetry, whereby the Sluces of great Impurity of Manners were opened; yet in every Age and Generation the Lord had his Witnesses against the teaching of Hea­then Authors, Obscene Books in Christian Schools. Many Testi­monies hereunto relating may be read in a little Book, called, Da­gon's Fall before the Ark.

Licinus the Emperor called Heathen Learning, The Plague and Payson of the Common-Welth. Trapp of Arts.

Our Country man Theophilus Gale adviseth well, ‘'That all the Placets or Opinions of Philosophers, should be brought to be try­ed by the Scriptures, that there it may appear what should be Embraced and what should be Rejected.'’

The Primmer, Psalter, Testament, Bible, &c. are taught in Schools to learn English, not Play-Books, Ballads, Romances, Fa­bles, Heathen Philosophy: Why then is not Latine, and other Languages learned out of Pure, Wholsome, Sound, Savoury Books, but out of Lascivious Heathen Books, Poets, Comedies, Trage­dies, &c.? Were it not more Christian-like, that in Books pro­vided [Page 41]for that purpose, Youth read the Nature, Use and Service of Trees, Birds, Beasts, Fish, Serpents, Infects, Earths, Mettals, Salts, Stones Vulgar and Precious; as also Rules of Gardening, Agriculture, Grasing of Cattle, Building, Navigation, Arithme­tick, Geography, Chronology, Sound History, Medicine, Know­ledg in Law, Improvement of Lands, Chyrurgery, Traffick, Go­vernment, Ordering of Bees, Propagation of Plants, by Roots, Seeds, Slips, Layers, Suckers, by Grafting, Inoculating, Imping; of Geometry, of Useful and Necessary things, whereby they might be Qualified for Concerns of this Life, for the Help, Benefit and Advantage of others in their respective Generations, then to be trained up in Lascivious Poems, Comedies, Tragedies, Frivolous Fables, Heathen Orations, Pagan Philosophy, Ethicks, Physicks, Metaphysick, which after the Apostles Days darkned Sun and Air, disfigured the Face, spoiled the Glory of the Primitive Church?

Universities stained with these things make more Loose than Learned. Prov. 22.6. Train up a Child (saith Soloman) in the Way he should go, &c. Ought he to go in the Way of the Heathen, or learn their Abomination? No; 'tis a shame for Christianty, it loud­ly proclaims want of Reformation in Churches Professing Christi­anity, that Books savouring of Levlty, Indecency and Obscenity are therein instilled into Youth; antient Canons have been exhi­bited against the reading of such.

Through the ingress and overspreading of the Apostacy in Chri­stendom, the Fume thereof so Darkened and Deluded People, as to account Heathen Poetry, and such like pregnant Evidence, for their groundless Traditions, Controversies, &c.

Roman Catholicks say, We may find their Holy Water, and Sprink­ling of Sepulchers in Juvenal 's 6th Satyr. Their Lights in Sepulchers, in Suetonius 's Octavius. Lamps Lighted on Saturdays in Senecas 's 96 Epistle. Distribution of Tapers among the People in Macrobius 's Saturnals. Purgatory in Virgil 's Aeneids. Thus proving their Doctrine by Heathen Authors: But the Evidence of one Poor Fisher, one Tent-maker, one Peter, one Paul, is a Thousand times of more Validity. 'Twas the Language of the Holy Men of God, to say, Thus saith the Lord. Of Apostatized Christians, Thus saith Juvenal, Seneca, Virgil: This is against such as would defend groundless Traditions by Heathen Armour.

[Page 42]Humane Wisdom, Pagan Philosophy being entertained in Chri­stendem, by little and little did wear out Seriousness, Soundness, Solidity, and the Simplicity of Truth. Damascen first among the Greeks, about Eight Hundred Years since, as Lumbard first among the Latins Six Hundred, forming Divinity into the Rules of Phi­losophy, brought in the Method of School Divinity; but where Wisdom from below prevails, there is a sound, a talk of Divinity, but 'tis cast out of the Region of their Hearts.

IN the Primitive Times Gospel Ministers were Called, Qualified and Impowered of and by the Lord, to fulfill the Charge com­mitted to them; they laboured together to beget others into the Life of Righteousness, to erect a Spiritual Building, a Heavenly Structure on the Rock of Ages; they affected not Titles, nor itch­ed after the same, to gain Reputation of the Children of this World; they had Names suitable to the Work and Office they were concerned in, as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, and laboured together for the Perfecting of the Saints; Batchelors of Arts, Master of Arts were not heard of among them; Heathen Learning & Arts, the Wisdom of this World, they bore lively Testimony against: But the Divine Call being lost, through the ingrest of the Apostacy, then they entertained Hea­then Learning and Heathen Arts, to qualifie them for the Work of the Ministry; then arose an Insatiable itch after Titles, to gain Honour, Reputation and Reverence among such as are under the Delusion of Antichrist: Divers Degrees and Titles are conferred, according to their standing; Batchelor of Art in such a time, Master of Arts in such a time, &c. When University Students have got a Degree in the Arts, then they have a Gown and a Cap, for the sign of it; and the Name Batchelor of Arts, in Latin Bacca­ [...]urius, which implies as much as Laurel Berries; Why so? The Pagan Romans accounted Heathen Apollo their Godd of Wisdom, [Page 43]and they dedicated the Laurel-Tree to him, and such as were judg­ed deserving, they became Laureati, that is, were Crowned with, or did wear Garands of Laurel, in token of Honour and Glory: Po [...] tell us much of these things. Now the Romans, through Con­sta [...] the great, received Christianity by the Lump; and not knowing [...] dying with Christ, that his Life might be manifest in their mortal Bodies, they continued much of their old Stuff, and other Nations received the same from them; as now in our Univer­sities, Students having got a taste of the Berries of the Laurel-Tree, dedicated to the Heathen Godd of Wisdom, Apollo (as I may say) that is, having attained to such a Degree in the Knowledge of Na­tural Arts, or such a Standing, without much Proficiency, then they have a Gown and a Cap, to distinguish them, and the Title of Batchelor of Arts derived, as you see from the Heathen; and this Title, this Gown and Cap, are as Signs and Liveries of that, where­of they by their Natural Education are made Masters; and such as are attained to such or such a Degree, in Scotland, are called Laureati, Laureat, from the Laurel-Tree, Thus Heathenism crept in, is continued.

Object. The Title of Doctor was in the Apostles Days.

Answ. True; but this and other Titles there, were Names of Office, relating to the Work they were concern'd in, and called of the Lord unto; this might more properly be translated Teacher, so a Name of Office. Wickliff touching this thing, said, ‘'A Name of Office differs much from the Name of a School-Degree, brought in by the Heathen.'’ He ascribes these School-Degrees to the Hea­then. Wickliff in Serm. Domini in Monte.

Zuinglius on Mat. 23. said, ‘'Thou hears here, that the Titles of Masters and Doctors are not of God, because Christ forbids this thing.'’

Wilson in his Christian-Dictionary saith, ‘'Ambitious seeking after Titles ought to be eschewed.'’

John Wickliff, Condemned at Constance, who Suffered as a Martyr for his Testimony against the Apostatized Roman Church; his Testi­mony was, ‘'That Graduations and Doctorships in Universities and Colledges, then in use, conduced nothing to the Church of Christ.'’ [Page 44]So 'tis apparant, that Protestants, yea, such as were Pillars of the Protestant Religion, saw an Evil in Heathenism, and the Ambitious Titles thereof.

Object. These spoke against the Fooleries and Abuses in Popist Ʋniversities.

True it is; and their Fooleries and Abuses remain Fooleries and Abuses where-ever they are Practised; the self-same Outward and Antichristian Forms, Fashions and Follies remain in Univer­sities, as in the Darkest of Popery, even unto the Hoods, Caps, Scarlet Robes, Doctoral Rings, Gloves, their Doctoral Dinner and Musick. Dell.

IN the first Priesthood Aaron and his Sons had Garments assigned them, in which they were to execute their Office, and the de­nyal thereof, in that Typical Dispensation, had been a Transgressi­on; those their Garments were a Shadow of some-what to come: Now Christ, the End of the first, Priesthood, of its Appurtenances, of the Law, he put an End to the distinct Aaronical Robes, as to the rest of the Typical and Transient Shadows of that Ministration.

When Christ sent out his Disciples, Apostles, he taught them not to have recourse to Aaron's Robes, nor any Imitation thereof, nor that their Garments should be of one Colour; their Eye was hea­ven ward, for the Garment of Salvation, white Linnen, What's that? The Righteousness of Saints; and in this white Linnen, Righteousness of Saints; the Evangelical Royal Priestood, was and is clothed, without respect to Distinct Habits, or to any, but what is Common, Ordinary, Decent and Plain; and who Minister with­out this white Linnen, Righteousness of Saints, and place Religion in Distinct Robes and Colours without, such are false Witnesses, made by the Will of Man, Run Unsent.

[Page 45] Polidor Virgil seconds this Testimony, saying, ‘'In the Beginning of the Christian Religion, Ministers being about their holy Performance unto the Lord, put nothing on, but as at other times: They endeavoured rather to clothe themselves inwardly, with the Virtues of the Mind, and to put off the Vices of the Body, then to put on new Garments.' Pol. Virg. Lib. 6. Cap. 12.’

And while the woman was clothed with the Sun, while the Moon was under her Feet, while the Christian Church was a Virgin to Christ, and while her Ministers were Stars in Heaven, the Care and Regard was for the Robe of Righteousness; no Jangling about Robes without, but the living Concern was to beget many to the Lord, to know Establishment in the Word of his Grace: Of such Ministers 'tis truly said,

Now, when this white Linnen, Righteousness of Saints, Sun's Clothing, the inward Ornament and Garment of the Evangelical Ministry, Pastors, Teachers, Prophets, Deacons, Elders, Bishops, (through the steaming in of Apostatical Smoke, Ignorance, Dark­ness, Heresie, Traditions, Serpentine Wisdom) was lost within; then they began to jangle about Garments without; and that none should be capable of Orders, or Ecclesiastical Livings and Benefits, but that conformed thereto. A principio non ita fuit; It was not so from the Beginning. Then Gospel Simplicity came to be slighted, Worldly Pomp, Splender and Ostentation came to be pursued, then the Life, Sum, Substance being lost, they entertained Aronical Rites, and Heathen Inventions into the Christian Church, Dark­ning Sun and Air; from this Sourse or Spring ushered in Distincti­on of Garments without, Gowns, Hoods, Tippets, round Caps, [Page 46]square Caps, Gowns, with standing Collars, the Pall, Rochet, Surplice, Copes, Bonnets, Cowls, Black Coats, Miters, Girdles Sursingles, &c.

And to the end that Prelacy and Clergy might be had in outward Reverence and Honour, and as Badge to distinguish them by, it was enjoyned by Eccl [...]siastical Canons and Constitutions, what manner of Robes all Masters and Fellows of Colledges and Halls, all Students of both Universities, Ministers, Arch-Deacons, Pre­bendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, Deans Batchelors of Arts, Masters of Arts, Batchelors in Divinity, Doctors in Divinity, Bishops, Arch-Bishops should wear; and if any con­formed not thereto, What followed? A Thunderbolt of Excom­munication, Suspension, &c.

Tertullian, an Ancient and Learned Latin Father, a Philosopher, being convinced of the Truth of Christianity, he laid away his Gown, grown in fashion by the Romans having Dominion, whose Garbe it was, and took upon him the usual Country Habit; for which he was derided, as many are now, for not conforming to the World. Tertul. de pallio.

In Tertullian's time every one that was made Presbyter did re­nounce his Gown, which was the Roman Vestment; and the Cler­gy and Laity in the end came to be both alike Habited; but not­withstanding the Example of the primitive Church, wherein the Ministers, Stars in Heaven, were redeemed from the Pomp, Pride and Fashions of the World, and were no way distinguished from other men, by their Vestures; and notwithstanding the Practice of Tertullian's Time, yet Pope Pius the fourth commanded, that the Clergy should be clad in Gowns, and in the Habit peculiar unto them; Onuph. in vita ejus. Thus the Gown (invented by the Greeks, from their Example entertained by the Lydians, and from the Lydians, passed to the Romans) came to be the Habit of the Cler­gy, by the Popes Authority, and others after. And how this is ob­served, every respective Parish, and Colledge Students give pregnant Evidence. Tertul. de pallio, Pol. Virg. lib. 3. cap. 6.

FƲller in the third Book of his Ecclesiastical History saith, That about the Year 1102. it was ordained; that the Garments of Clergy-men should be of one colour: so that that Custom is of no great Antiquity. Black Colour hath been so reverenced, accoun­ed so peculiar to the Clergy, that in late Years it caused Admira­tion, if any other Colour presumed to preach, as if the Ministry of the Gospel were entailed on that Colour; but the Lord is opening the Eyes of Thousands to see the Folly, Emptiness and Frothiness of such Conceits: The Habits of Black Gowns and Black Coats have been borrowed from Rome, or from the Idola­trous Chemarims. I (saith the Lord) will cut off the Remnant of Baal from this place, and the Names of the Chemarims, by Inter­pretation Black Coats, as profound Hebraicians say, Z [...]ph. 1.4. Junius and Tremillius on this Scripture gave this Version, Nomen A­trotorum cum sacerdotibus; that is, the Name of Black Coats with the Priests: Hosea Prophesied against them: Josiah, by Inter­pretation, The Fire of the Lord, suppressed them; and Christ, the heavenly Josiah, is at work to make a Reformation in the Earth, to Burn up Wood, Hay and Stuble, the Inventions of Men. Jcrom, a Learned Man, a Reverend Father in the Church, about the Year 348. bad Nepotian, being to enter into the Clergy, To avoid Black Attire. And a Bishop was condemned by the Council of Grangre, for introducing the Fashion of Long Sad Coloured Cloaks, which that Assembly Condemned, as unbeseeming the Priesthood. Tertul. de pallio, with the Notes of Salmasius.

AAron and his Sons, who were to Minister unto the Lord, in the Priests Office, were to have Coats of fine Linnen, and Linnen Breeches to cover their Nakedness, Exod. 28. Now Christ, a Priest forever, after the Order of Melchizedec, he put an end to the Law, to the Priesthood, to its Appurtenances, being the Anti-Type, the Substance of the Typical and Transient Rites of the first Priesthood. The Disciples, Apostles and gathered Churches, they walked with the Lord in white Linnen, they had Robes made white in the Blood of the Lamb, the Armies in Heaven, the Primitive Church, knowing Christ to be the Captain of their Salvation, fol­lowed him on white Horses, clothed in fine Linnen: And what was this Linnen? Not Aaron's imbroidred Linnen Coat, nor his Linnen Breeches, but the Substance of these Shadows, their fine Linnen was the Righteousness of Saints, and Christ is their Righ­tousness.

Now, as the Apostacy prevailed, the fine Linnen, Righteous­ness of Saints was lost, then they began to Jewdaize, yea, and to Gentilize, in Imitation of Aaron's Linnen, or of the Pagan Priests, to introduce these Surplices. Anno. 769. Pope Adrian the first, in his Time was a Council held at Frankford, in which it was decreed, That whosoever did any Service in the Church he should perform it in a Surpliee; yea, the very Sexton.

The Priests of Aegypt put on White Robes in their Idolatrous Worship, so were called Linigeri; yea, and the Ethnick Romans observed the Feast of Ceres in White Apparel: Ovid, a Compiler of their Antiquities speaks thereof. Fast. lib. 4.

[Page 50]The D [...]uides had Oak-Trees in great estimation; they Worship­ped the Misleen that grows thereon, as a thing sent unto them from Heaven, they performed their Rites being clad in White; in imi­tation of the Linnen of the Jews, or of the Heathen, came the Sur­plice, so called, of its plettings, fouldings and gatherings about the Neck, Sur in French is as much as Sursum, above, upward; and Plis is as much as plico, to fould.

One asked Edward the first, Why he, so potent a Prince, went in so mean a Garment? Old Father, said he, what can I do more in Royal Robes, than in this my Gabbardine? But such regard is had to these Surplices now, as that the Refusers thereof are branded as He­reticks, Non-conformists: This is not the first Testimony that hath been born against them. Doctor Knewstub told King James and the Bishops, That the Surplice was an Ornanent of the Priests of Isis, the Aegyptian Goddess, which was before Aaron: See the ground of these things. 'Tis used for Decency, some say. I Answer, Is not this to be Wise above what is Written? The Apostles, who had the mind of Christ, wise Judges of what was Decent, entertain­ed no such thing, neither from Jew nor Gentile.

Many eminent in the Church in their respective days, bare faith­ful Testimony against the introducing or continuing of Jewish Sha­dows or Heathen Inventions in the Church professing Christianity.

The Waldenses, faithful Protestants, from whom streamed a Sea of Blood, for their Faith and Testimony against the Apostacy of Rome, bore Record, That Priests Robes, Altar Ornaments, Palls Corporals, Chalices, Patens, and such like Vessels were of no vali­dity, use or service in the Church B. Ʋsher.

Bucer refused to wear a square Cap, and being demanded the Reason, he answered, God had made his Head round.

Philpot chused rather to be secluded the Convocation of the Cler­gy, then to wear a Hood and a Tippet: He dyed a Martyr for the Faith of the Protestant Church. Fox Acts and Mon.

Didoclavius in his Book to Damascen, pag. 891. saith, ‘'Hoods, Tippets and spuare Caps, were Introduced by Antichrist, to pro­mote his Splendor. And saith be, 'It is a Stage-play Dress, and altogether Ridiculous, being a distinguishment of some Men from others, by Signs useless, and destitute of all Ornament: Upon their Shoulders (saith he) there hangs down a Hood, such as [Page 51]Fools used to wear, being neither handsome nor convenient.'’

Object. Arts, though sprung from the Heathen, and Ceremonies, being admitted into the Christian Schools, and into the Church, and found useful, ought not to be spoken against: But Lay-men are to acquiess in the Judgment of their Teachers, and to comply with Aristotles advice, Opor­tet discentum Credere; that is, A Learner must believe, to wit, his Teacher.

Answ. Lascivious Heathenism, Poets, Comedies, &c. and fri­volous Pagan Arts are of the Evil Communications which corrupt Good Manners: And Pagan Wisdom, Jewish Shadows, Heathen Inventions, arising out of the Pit, after the Apostles days, dar [...]ned Sun and Air, disfigured the Face, and spoiled the Beauty of the Pri­mitive Church; And are these things useful? They are without Use or Service, tend to promote the Splendor of Antichrist: And a Learner must believe, saith Aristotle. Well, he also said, Oportet docentem non mentiri; that is, A Teacher must not Lye. Upon this Doctor Rainold thus and soundly Reasoned.

‘'If thou teach false things, which I ought not to believe, thou deals very impudently if thou require me to believe them: If thou wilt be believed in what thou teaches, teach what thou ought; if thou teach not what thou ought, I will not believe what thou teaches,' Rainold Orat.’ 'tis a sad Judgement to be given up to be­lieve Lyes; 'tis a Symtom of a Mind or People Intoxicated, Poy­soned with the infernal Drugs of Antichristian Delusions. But the Day is dawned and dawning, the Day-Star is risen and arising, giving Wisdoms Children to Justifie Wisdom, and to War in Righteousness against the Old Serpent and his Wisdom, which is Foolishness with God, which hath brought the Kingdoms of this World into a Spiritual Timpany, puft up with Pride, Ambition, a Name of Living, yet Dead.