A Plain and Necessary confutation Of divers gross and Antichristian Errors, DELIVERED To the university Congregation, The last Commencement, Anno. 1653. By Mr. Sydrach Simpson, Master of Pembroke HALL in CAMBRIDGE.  
Potentior est veritas quam eloquentia, potior spiritus quam ingenium, major fides quam eruditio: & ut Paulus ait, Stultum Dei sapientius est hominibus. Luther. Epist. ad Caspar. Bornerum. Profess. Lipsens.  
Non est istud temeritas, sed fides; neque inconsideratio, sed ratio; neque furor, sed fiducia. Hilarius lib. contr. Constantium Augustum.  
LONDON, Printed by Robert White, for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the Sign of the Black-spread-Eagle, near the West-end of Paul's. 1654.   

An apology to the Reader, touching the following Reply to Mr. Sydrach Simpson's Sermon.  
IF it shall seem grievous to any, that I have dealt thus freely and plainly with Mr. Sydrach Simpson, one of the first pastors of an independent Congregation in England; let them consider how Paul dealt with those Brethren Gal. 2. to whom (according to his Zeal, and the present occasion) he gave no place by subjection, no not for an hour, that the Truth of the Gospel might continue with the Galatians; and though those brethren seemed to be somewhat, yet saith Paul, what ever they are, it makes no matter to me, seeing God accepteth no man's Person: And so notwithstanding their Reputation, he did not spare them. Yea, let them consider how Paul at Antioch withstood Peter to the face for dissembling with the Jews in the case of the Gentiles, and for not walking uprightly according to the Truth of the Gospel: wherefore Paul did publicly and sharply reprove him before them all. For no true believer is to keep silence, when the Doctrine of the Gospel is corrupted by the Doctrines of men, or to be modest in this matter. Wherefore I was compelled to speak thus plainly to him, for his gross prevarication in the things of God; and I am well satisfied in my conscience in the discharge of my duty, whatever shall be the censure of carnal Christians, who have no true sense of the Glory of Christ's Gospel, or of the profit of his People, whom yet Christ so loved, as to lay down his life, and to be Crucified for them.  
Again, if it shall offend any that I deal thus roundly against human Learning; Let them know, that I am not against human Learning upon all accounts, but do allow human Learning (so it be sober and serious) in its own place and sphere, as well as other human things: But I do oppose it as it is made another John Baptist, to prepare the way of Christ into the world, or to pepare the world's way to Christ: And also, as men make it necessary, for the true knowledge of the Scriptures; Yea, the very Unction for the Ministry.  
And herein, according to the grace of Christ I both do and will contend against it for ever: Seeing human Learning mingled with Divinity, or the Gospel of Christ understood according to Aristotle, hath begun, continued, and perfected the M●ster●e of Iniquity in the outward Church. Wherefore I do in all boldness appear for Christ the w●●dom of God, against human Learning the wisdom of th●world; knowing assuredly that he is as very Antichrist who opposes Christ as the Wisdom o●God, as ●e that opposes Him as the Power and Righ●ousness of God: and men may as well bring into the Church of God another Righteousness than Christ, and another Power than Christ, as another Wisdom than Christ. Wherefore, as they who bring in human Righteousness, that is, civil or moral Righteousness, or any Works or Duties of men for Righteousness, into the Church of Christ, they are true Antichrists in so doing; seeing herein they are contrary to, and do oppose Christ the Righteousness of God: And as they who bring in human Power, or the Secular Arm into the Church of Christ, to do, or leave undone, to reward or Punish, to promise or threaten, to encourage or discourage by that, they are true Antichrists in so doing, seeing herein they are contrary to, and do oppose Christ the Power of God; So also they that bring in human Wisdom, or the Learning and Philosophy of men into the Church of Christ, they also are true Antichrists in so doing; for herein they are contrary to, and do oppose Christ the Wisdom of God. For Christ is, and is to be the only Power, the only Wisdom, and the only Righteousness in the Church of God; And he that brings in any other Power, Wisdom or Righteousness, besides Christ Himself, that man is in very deed Antichrist. And in this matter also, it was necessary that I should be bold for Christ against Antichrist.  
3. Again, if any shall be offended that I speak thus freely against the Universities, which are of such honourable esteem everywhere in the Nation, especially with the Ignorant and Vulgar people, and with men of all sorts, who have not the right Knowledge of Christ and his Gospel (wherein are so contained all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge, that no part of this Treasury is left out thereof, to enrich Heathenish Philosophy withal, which by the Gospel is left as a desolate thing, empty and destitute of all true Wisdom and Knowledge) I say, if any think that I have too deeply censured these Universities; let them know, that I have done in this matter but as Wickliff, Hus, Luther, and several others, holy men of God, and happy Instruments in the hand of Christ have done before me. As for instance;  
Wickliff terms the Universities, Castra Caimitica, Cains Castles; Synagogas Satanae, the Synagogues of Satan, and affirms they were never Ordained or Instituted by Christ.  
John Hus, (or Otho Brunfelsius, if he set out the Contents of the Chapters) calls them satrap Antichristi, the Lieutenants of Antichrist.  
Luther in his book Contra Ambrosium Catharinum, showing out of Daniel the Prophet, that Antichrist is Rex facierum, the King of faces, or appearances, he affirms that the Universities are one of those faces of Antichrist, and that they are very comely or sightly to look on, and yet indeed are a very chaos and open gate of Hell, and that in these the most choice youth of Christian people are prostituted, and are cast into the open throat of Hell; And that in these Aristotle is read, whereby the wits of Christian youth are possessed & busied with human & Heathenish Learning; Yea, are quite blinded and oppressed with it.  
He saith also, that the Universities are the Woe, that the fifth Angel (mentioned Revel. 9) brought upon the earth: and that who ever it was that did first institute and confirm Universities, he was a star fallen from Heaven to Earth: to wit, from the Gospel of Christ to human Learning.  
And in his Exposition on Psal. 22. he calls the Universities the Mothers of Learned men, the Gates of Hell, and saith, they are called (Scholae, i. e. Ludi) Schools, that is, Plays by a fatal name, seeing they make sport with the Scriptures, and cast lots upon them, as upon the Garments of Christ, every one dividing to himself a share of them, according to his own human and Philosophical apprehension. And he saith, that the Doctors of these Universities are by the same providence called Doctores Scholastici, i. e. Ludicri, vel Illusorii: School-Doctors, that is, mocking or May game Doctors.  
Again he saith, those most glorious Mothers of studies, the Universities, stink before God with most loathsome abomination.  
These Universities are those Antichristian soldiers, who put a Reed into Christ's right hand instead of a sceptre: and this reed is Philosophy, that vain deceit, or as the Apostle else where terms it, the Operation of Error: by which Philosophy (saith he) the unhappy people of Christ began to be governed, that is, to be seduced, and to be led away from the Gospel of God. And this vain Reed they put into his right hand, by preferring Learning before Godliness; saying, (according to their usual manner of speaking) he is a Learned and a godly man; hereby making Learning to take place of Godliness. And yet this Philosophy is nothing but a weak Reed, which counterfeits a sceptre, rather than represents it, and so is nothing but vain deceit; for there is nothing propounded in such Doctrine but vanity and lying, 
Omnes Scholas esse hareticas, vel Theologia Scholastica arguit.  though under the title of Knowledge and Religion.  
In a word, he calls them Antichristi Lupanaria, the Stews of Antichrist.  
Melancthon also terms the Universities, 
Melanct. in Apol. pro Mart. Luther.  Domos mendacii, Houses of lies, and saith, it is manifest that they are all heretical by their School Divinity, which all the Schools in Europe have received from the University of Paris, and are thereby infected with heresy; and he saith, the students in the Universities, are not the people of the Gospel, nor yet of the Law, but are the people of Aristotle's Morals.  
And thus it is manifest that others have spoken freely and sharply against the Universities before now. And therefore wise and Godly Christians will have no just cause to be offended at me, who have spoken in like manner, having the same cause.  
Object. Now if any shall Object, that they all spoke against Popish Universities, and that our Universities are otherwise now, than they were then, and so there is not the same cause to speak against them now, as there was heretofore.  
Answ. To this I answer, That though the outward form of gross Popery be taken away from them (as also from the rest of the People of this Nation) God having put it into the hearts of the Civil power to reject it, after the light of the Gospel had begun to shine to them, yet are the heart, bowels, bones, marrow, sinews and blood of the Universities, the selfsame now as heretofore; and though the outside of it hath passed under a very little change, yet the inner parts of it remain as before, in the full strength of Antichrists Kingdom, and that without any alteration at all. For the selfsame Statutes of the Universities and colleges still remain with them in force, which were at first given to them by their Popish Founders, through the help of Antichrist: and these Statutes are of such Authority with them, that they depart from the Rule of Christ's Gospel, to walk by the rules of sinful men, for worldly stipends and rewards. Farther, the same Philosophy or Heathenism, and the same School-divinity or Antichristianism, are yet instilled into the youth and students, as were many hundred years ago, in the darkest times of Popery; and these things are all in all in the University Learning and Education, insomuch that no man is of any esteem and reckoning with them, know he the Gospel of Christ never so soundly and truly, if he be not (as they speak) a good Philosopher, and School-divine. So that the University for its inside is the selfsame now, as it was in Wickliff, Hus, or Luther's time, being informed and possessed with the same Heathenish and Antichristian Doctrine, now as then: Yea, many of the selfsame outward and Antichristian forms and follies still remain with them, more than with any other people in the Nation again, even to their Hoods, Caps, Scarlet Robes, Doctoral Ring, Kiss, Gloves, their Doctoral Dinner and music: neither could they ever yet to this day find in their hearts to lay aside their very prevaricator, which is some notable Varlet picked out of the University, and brought forth in the presence of all the Heads, Students, scholars, and all the great resort of Ministers and People at their public Commencement, to make shipwreck of Faith and a good conscience before them all, and in open defiance of the Gospel, which stands in faith and love, to abuse, and deride, and jeer, and reproach all sorts of persons, of all ages, sexes, professions, and this presently after their Divinity Acts, which is a wickedness the very Heathen would be ashamed of, and which plainly declares what kind of Divinity is taught and learned in the University, which can endure, allow, countenance, and be merry at that which so highly contradicts God's Word, and grieves his Spirit: yet because it makes them merry after a full dinner, and puts more joy into their hearts then the holy Scriptures, they could hitherto dispense with all to this day.  
And so however Religion for the outward form, hath been much reformed in these Nations; yet the Universities as the strongest Holds that Antichrist hath had amongst us, have still remained much what the same, not only as to the inward substance of all things, to wit, their Statutes, Philosophy and Divinity, but also in a great measure to their outward forms, as they were in their first Antichristian Institution.  
Wherefore it was necessary also, that I should be plain and free for Christ's sake and his Churches, against these (as Luther calls them) stews of Antichrist, and Dens of Thieves, who have been, and still are the constant and fruitful seed of Antichrists Kingdom in the world, out of which it might suddenly on all occasions and opportunities grow up afresh, how greatly soever it had been before wasted and destroyed among the people, by the clear word of God and his mighty Providences and Works accompanying it.  
Now as it was necessary this work should be done, so through the Grace of Christ was I made willing to do it, seeing nobody else more fit and able did appear. And well knowing, that he that provokes the Universities and Clergy against him, provokes Principalities and Powers, and the Rulers of the Darkness of this world against him; as is evident in the example of Wickliff, Hus, Luther, Tindal and others: I have therefore according to Christ's Counsel, sat down and counted the cost of this undertaking, and after all do say, the Lord is on my side, I will not fear what man can do unto me. And so I commit thee Christian Reader, to that Grace which is from God, to keep thee in this new hour of Temptation, if the Lord suffer it to come forth upon the earth.  
4. Again, if any shall Object in reading this Reply, that I, myself make use of human Learning, whilst I speak against it.  
I Answer, what part of Philosophy is here made use of? or who of the Heathens are here quoted? I have chiefly made use of the Testimony of some faithful Christians, who have lived in several ages, and yet have all witnessed by the same Spirit, the same Truth. And it is no more human Learning to quote Believers in the Church since Christ, then to quote the patriarchs and Prophets before Christ, or the Apostles and Evangelists which immediately followed him.  
5. And last of all, If any say, I myself relate to the University, why then do I speak against it thus?  
I answer, that I neither do, nor will relate to the University, as it is polluted with any of the Abominations herein mentioned: But as by the Providence of God alone, I have been brought to that Relation in which I now stand, and continue in it, against the wills and workings of many; so through his good pleasure I will remain, till he shall otherwise dispose of me; and during my sojurning with them, I will not fail to testify against their evil, and to endeavour to win all those whom God shall persuade to receive his Truth, from Heathenism to the Gospel, and from Antichrist to Christ.  
Wherefore let none be offended that I am made willing to hazard and part with my worldly accommodations for Christ's Names sake; but let them rather praise the Grace of God, which hath enabled me to witness a good confession, what ever worldly disadvantage I might run into thereby. Wherefore welcome the Kingdom, Righteousness, Power, Wisdom, Word of Christ, though they swallow up all my earthly accommodations: For such love hath the Lord put into my heart, that I would not willingly conceal any thing of his most precious Truth, either to gain or to preserve to myself the whole World. And so righteous Father, not my will be done, nor theirs, but Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven.  
FINIS.   
Isa. 62.1. 
For zions sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the Righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the Salvation thereof as a Lamp that burns.  
MAster Sydrach Simpson the last Commencement preaching to the university Congregation in Cambridge, and to many others, especially Ministers there gathered together at that time, from several parts of the Nation, among other things, he let fall in that discourse of his, these gross and Antichristian Errors.  

The Rehearsal of the Errors.  
1. He brought in that Scripture 2 Kings 6. v. 1, 2. which was his Text: the words whereof are these, 
The Rehearsal of the Errors.  And the Sons of the Prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now the place where we dwell with thee, is too straight for us; let us go we pray thee unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam and let us make us a place where we may dwell: and he answered Go ye. This Scripture he used to prove the Lawfulness and Religiousness of the present universities, and the usefulness and necessity of human Learning to the Church and ministry of the New Testament. And what the Scripture speaks of those Schools, he brought to countenance, encourage and justify these: adding, that if it were objected, That that was the Old Testament: He did answer, That the old and the new were not distinct Testaments, but Administrations: thereby holding forth, that the universities now, are answerable to the Schools of the Prophets that were then; and that the universities are as agreeable to the New Testament, as the Schools of the Prophets to the Old.  
2. That they who have endeavoured to pull down Schools, have always been men who were found enemies to Religion. So Julian the Apostate shut up the doors of the Schools, because he would have all Religion to go down.  
3. That the knowledge of heavenly things cannot come to us but by things on earth, and that all Divinity is swaddled in human Learning.  
4. That Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and that God took him so fitted, and made him an able Minister of his Church.  
5. That men's hatred to God doth as well appear in their hatred to human Learning, as if they hated the Scriptures.  
6. That if the spirit teach without means, men may as well be without the Ordinances as without the universities and human Learning.  
7. That men now are not to receive the spirit in that immediate way to understand the Scriptures in which it was given to them who wrote the Scriptures.  
8. That men now are to get knowledge by studies and human Learning, and not by inspiration.  
9 That human Learning is as the outworks to the Fort of the Gospel, and as the outer Court to the Temple of the Gospel: and so if you will keep the Fort well, you must keep the outworks strong; and if you will preserve the inward, you must look to the outward Court.  
10. But what is the bottom of all this (to wit, of some men's appearing against human Learning, as the unction of the ministry, and against the universities as the Fountain of the ministry) but this? that some say, They are one with Christ; and as Christ hath the Divine nature in him, so every believer hath; and he that hath God in him, need not go to any man to learn; whereas John 17. Christ speaketh of believers as at an infinite distance from him: And if believers be so united to Christ as they say, they will follow, that Christ should not be the only begotten of God; and that Christ and we should be equal, and be not our Lord, &c.  
11. Arts and Tongues are the Cups in which God drinks to us.  
12. We shall never keep up Religion, if we do not keep up Learning: but when Learning goes down, Religion goes down too.  
13. Seeing Religious Foundations are so ancient, then keep them up: Your Destruction will never be but from yourselves.  
These Notes were take from Mr. Simpson's mouth, and delivered to me by an honest hand, and affirmed to be true for the substance of them; and I also heard several others who were hearers of that Sermon, relating the same things.  
Now because I find that this Doctrine hath not only grieved the hearts of the faithful, but also strengthened the hands of the carnal and evil People: The things which he then delivered, being usually the thoughts of their hearts, and words of their mouths; I thought it my duty, being set in my place for the defence of the Gospel, to give a public Reply to such gross Errors so publicly delivered, to the danger of so many; and which one would never have thought should have proceeded from such a man; especially after the day of the Gospel hath so far dawned, and the Antichristian shadows are so far retreated and flown away.  
And so I shall begin with the first of these Errors, and proceed in the Order in which they are set down.   

1. ERROR.  
He brought that Scripture, 2 King. 6.1.2. 
1. Error.  Touching the Sons of the Prophets, asking leave of Elisha to go and build at Jordan, to prove the Lawfulness and Religiousness of the universities, in their present use and Customs, &c.   

Answer.  

Answer.  To this I Reply, that there is a vast difference between those Schools, 
No Heathenish Learning was taught in the Church of God all the time of the Old-Testament.  and these universities, as in many other things, so chiefly in this; That in those Schools of the Prophets, named by him, the holy men of God freely taught the Youth, who came willingly to them to learn, especially in the corrupt times of Israel and Judah; I say they taught them only the Knowledge of the Books of Moses, and of the other Prophets then extant, and no Heathenish knowledge, or Disciplines of the Gentiles at all. And these kind of Schools began early in the Church: For the Fathers before the Flood, and the patriarchs after, all taught their Children and Families the Word of God; And so each of their Families was such a School. And that we may not be at uncertainties in this matter, it is manifest what Doctrine they taught, by that which God himself saith of Abraham, Gen. 18.19. I know Abraham (saith God) that he will command his Children and Household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, and to do Justice and Judgement: This was the sum of Abraham's Doctrine to his Family. And this is farther confirmed by that of Asaph, Psal. 78.2.3.4. Where he saith, I will open my mouth in a Parable, I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our Fathers have told us: We will not hide them from their Children, showing to the Generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and the wonderful works that he hath done: Where we plainly see what Doctrine the Children received from their Parents, and the Parents taught their Children from one Generation to another; to wit, not vain Philosophy, and the Disciplines of the Heathens, but the praises of the Lord, and his strength and wonderful works. This also is manifest by the practice of Jehosaphat King of Judah, who sent his Princes with the Levites up and down throughout Judah, and they only took the Book of the Law of the Lord with them, (and no heathenish Authors) and taught the People, 2 Chron. 17.  
And Ezra after the Prophets return from Babylon, took only the Book of the Law of Moses, and read it to them, and the Levites also read in the Book of the Law of God distinctly to the People, and gave them the sense, and caused them to understand it. Nehem. 8.  
And this also James the Apostle witnesseth, Acts 15.21. saying, Moses of old time hath in every City them that Preach him, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.  
So that the faithful Prophets of the Lord, during all the Old-Testament, had the chief care in their Schools to keep the Word of the Lord among them in a right sense, according to the mind of the Spirit. For seeing the Lord's People are his Portion, they knew they were to be carefully Educated and Instructed in the right knowledge of the Scriptures, to prepare them for the Lord, and to make them meet for his Kingdom. And the keeping of the Word and Doctrine of God pure, is one of the greatest matters of all in the Church of God: For as the Word is, such is the worship, such is the Faith, such is the Conscience, such is all: Wherefore the Holy men of God, would by no means bring in the Philosophy or Doctrine of the Heathens into their Schools, to teach that to their Sons, or Scholars, but only the true, faithful, and unmixed word of God.  
And if against this it be Objected, 
Object.  That Moses was learned in all the Learning of the Egyptians.  
To this I Reply. 
Answ.  But did Moses ever teach any of that Learning in the Church, or publish any of the Doctrines of it, or did he command or encourage any of the people of God to learn it? Or did any other of the Prophets of the Lord many ages, teach their Sons or Scholars, any of the Egyptian Philosophy, which was the ancientest, or the Sinaradine Table of Hermes Trismegistus (the pretended Scholar of Moses) so much boasted of, or any heathenish Author whatsoever, of which there were many then extant? I say, let them prove that but one heathenish Author was read by any of the Prophets to their Scholars, and then they will have some colour taught Jesus, and the Resurrection from the dead.  
Thus Peter first taught the Men of Judea, 
Peter.  and Inhabitants of Jerusalem, That God had made Jesus whom they had crucified both Lord and Christ, having raised him from the dead, because it was not possible for him to be holden of death, who was the Lord and Author of Life.  
And Steven, 
Steven.  disputing with the Libertines, Cirenians, and Alexandrians, and divers Philosophers of Cilicia and Asia, did hold forth to them, nothing but Christ, and that He should put an end to the Temple and Law, and should change all the Customs of Moses. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke. Act. 6.  
And Paul at the university of Athens, 
Paul.  reproved their Heathenism, and taught nothing among the Epicureans and Stoics, and other sects of Philosophers, but the Resurrection of Christ and his Kingdom and judgement. Act. 17.  
He also disputed daily in the School of one Tyrannus, and that for two years together, and persuaded only the things touching the Kingdom of God, brought into the world by Jesus Christ. Act. 19 And he so prevailed with his Doctrine, that many which used curious Arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men, and the prior of them was counted at fifty thousand pieces of silver. So that as the Gospel pr●vailed, and the Name of Christ was magnified; so did people renounce Philosophy, and burn their books of curious Arts: For which Books our university would give as much money (if they could procure it from good Benefactors) as they were valued at: So that as they, through the efficacy of the Gospel, of Heathens became Christians, and threw away all other Learning, and burned their Books of great value, lest they should infect others: So on the contrary, in our universities of pretended Christians, men usually become true Heathens; never valuing the precious Gospel of God our Saviour, as they do other heathenish and Philosophical Books.  
Farther, the same Paul dwelled after at Rome two whole years in his own hired house, and during all that time, Preached only the Kingdom of God, and taught those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness: But taught not one word of Philosophy.  
He also at Corinth, a great and famous City of Greece, full of Philosophers and Orators, taught nothing among them, but Christ Crucified, to the Jews a Stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness; But to them that believe both of Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1.  
And as he made no use of human learning all this while; So in 1 Cor. 2. he plainly renounces it, and rejects it; saying.  
Ver. 1. And I brethren when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the Testimony of God.  
Ver. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him Crucified.  
Ver. 3. And I was with you in weakness, and fear, and much trembling.  
Ver. 4. And my speech and preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and Power.  
Ver. 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.  
Ver. 6. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; Yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the Princes of this world which come to nought.  
Ver. 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God Ordained before the world unto our glory, &c.  
Ver. 13. Which things, also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the holy spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.  
In a word, this whole Chapter tends to the utter rejection of Philosophy, (which is the wisdom of the world,) in the Kingdom of Christ, which is the Kingdom of God.  
He also in his Epistle to the Collossians chap. 2. gives forth another plain Testimony against Philosophy, desiring ver. 2. that the hearts of the believers might be comforted and that they might be kni● together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the Treasures of wisdom and Knowledge; And this (saith he) I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words: Wherefore v. 8 saith he, Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit, after the Tradition of men, after the Rudiments or Elements of the world, and not after Christ; for in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in Him, who is the Head of all Principality and Power; Here is a sufficient caution again Philosophy for the true Church for ever. For what need we (if we are true Christians) to turn aside for Wisdom and Knowledge, and Learning, and curious Arts to the Heathen, seeing God hath given Christ to us, in whom is treasured up all the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths of Wisdom and Knowledge, whereby the whole world was made, and every Creature formed and fashioned, and in which it hath its being, subsistence, and operation; Yea in this Christ dwells all the fullness of the Infinite and eternal God, and he is the head of all Principality and Power, in earth and Heaven; and there is in him alone, infinitely enough to make us wise and learned for ever, without calling in the help and contributions of the vain Philosophers, and their foolish wisdom. It is enough for Christian Schools, to be taught to know Christ, by the Ministration of the Spirit; and all other Learning that is out of Christ, though it seem to be never so high and deep, all faithful Christians are to reject it, as mere sophistry and Deceit.  
And thus you see that the Apostles, as well as Christ, taught their Scholars and Disciples only the Gospel, and spoke not one word for Philosophy, but directly against it.  
And the following Fathers, 
The Primitive Christians and Believers, taught no Philosophy.  and next Teachers of the Christian Church after the Apostles, they also obeyed the command of Christ, and followed the example of the Apostles in this matter. For the Bishops and Presbyters, that is the Overseers and Elders, had tender regard to the children of Christians, and did teach them as well as the people, the pure Doctrine of the Gospel; They held forth to them, Christ Crucified, and did exhort them to faith, new Obedience, the Confession of Christ, and patient suffering, and did not at all ●ntermingle Philosophy with their Divinity, but always rejected and condemned it, all along the first and purest times of the Christian Church, till the mystery of iniquity began to arise, and did cunningly insinuate itself into the Church, by the means of human Learning.  
And here it will not be amiss to Relate what Justine Martyr saith of himself, 
Justine Martyr forsook Philosophy, and betook himself only to the Scriptures.  as to this matter; who was before his Conversion to the Christian Faith, a great Philosopher: and lived about 150. years after Christ's Nativity: He in his Dialogue which Try●ho relates, How first he joined himself to that Sect of Philosophers called the Stoics, and after to the peripatetics, after to the Pythagorean Sect, and after to the Platonists, but had no satisfaction in his mind by all this knowledge: But at last he beholding the torments and sufferings of Christians, and seeing them bear them with such comfort and constancy, he did thereby conceive that it was impossible for that kind of people to be subject to any vice, or carnality; which vices of their own nature are not able to sustain any sharp adversity, much less the bitterness of death. And hereupon he began to love and search after the Christian Religion: and being afflicted in mind, he did withdraw himself into a solitary place, where there met him an old ancient Father of comely visage, and gentle behaviour, who began to reason with him, and to tell him that there was no knowledge of truth among the Philosophers, who neither knew God, nor were aided by his holy Spirit: And did farther reason with him of the immortality of the soul, of the reward of the godly, and punishment of the wicked. Then Justine being satisfied with his reasons, yielded to him, and demanded of him how he might attain to that true knowledge of God, whereof he had spoken? 
Non ad humana● cationes, sed ad voluntatem Doctrinae Spiritu● interpretatio est accommodanda. Justin. in Exposit. fidei.  Who counselled him to read the Scriptures, adjoining therewith prayer, &c.  
And as this●ustine left all other Learning, and betook himself only to the●criptures; so in the understanding of the Scriptures, he rejected all his Philosophy, and Philosophical apprehensions; Saying, that the Interpretation of the Scripture is to be accommodated to the will of the Doctrine of the Spirit, and not to human reasonings▪ and that he might be sure and safe in all things, he had constant recourse to the Scriptures thus understood. So that Justine Martyr being effectually Co●verted, wholly le●t his Philosophy, and betook himself to the Scriptures, and taught them to the Church, as he had been taught them of God by his Spirit.  
Constantine the Emperor (though he were the first that brought in the mystery of Iniquity into the Christian Church, 
Constantine the Emperor, took care for the teaching the Scriptures to Christians. E●s. lib. 4. de vità Consta●ti●.  by mingling the Civil and Ecclesiastical states and Laws together) there being in his time a great increase of Christians, through the Ministry of the Gospel, and a great confluence of them to his Imperial city for the Words sake, he wrote to Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, in a special Letter, Wherein he desired him withal diligence and speed to procure fifty volumes of the Scriptures to be written in parchment well and Legibly, and in such a bigness or Volume as might be carried with greatest ease; for she further teaching and instructing of those that came to attain the knowledge of the Christian Religion: Judging it most meet, that Christian people should be instructed in the Doctrine of Christ.  
And though afterwards, when the suffering times of the Church began to be over, Christians became more car●●l and secure (and that in the very days of Constantine) and so began to decline the word of faith, and to seek after Philosophy; yet had God in all the ages of his Church some of his servants, who did reject it, and did cleave only to the word: Among which, I shall only for the present, produce the Testimonies of Berno, who lived above six hundred years ago, and Zuinglius of latte● times.  
Berno who lived about the year 1008, and was a man furnished with all sorts of Learning, 
Berno Augiensis Abbas. Se mu●tis ●am annis Poetarum figmenta, & 〈…〉 interiorem ad 〈◊〉 per 〈…〉 Epist ad Magnified.  saith, That he had for many years rejected a●●ung the figments of the Poets and the Histories of the Heathens, and the study of secular Letters, and had converted the whole intention of his mind in the word of God, and the Divine things contained therein: And accordingly, he taught no other Doctrine to any.  

Cum juvenis adhuc, in omni Disciplinarū genere exercerer, certo affirmare possum, me●●on minus quam reliquos aquales meos prosecisse, etc, Zuingl. lib. de Certitud. & Veritat. Verbi Dei.  Hularicus Zuinglius also Pastor of Z●rich in Helvet●ae, ●man who had been educated in all kind of Learning, and was after through faith and the teaching of God an eminent Instrument in his Church, he saith thus of himself; When (saith he) I being yet a youth, was exercised in all sorts of Learning, I can truly say, that I did not profit less than the rest of my equals: But when about seven years ago, I betook myself to the study of the holy Scriptures, than the things that I had before sacked in, or learned from Philosophers and Divines, did procure me so much trouble, that being then moved by the Authority of the Scriptures, I judged that all those things were to be cast away and counted as dung, and that the true mind of God was only to be received from his pure and simple word. And therefore I began humbly to entreat the Lord, that he would vouchsafe me his own light: By which means it shortly came to pass, that the reading of the holy Scripture did much delight and please me; and they being nakedly and alone propounded, did flow unto me with more ease, then if I had read them divided and distracted with variety of Comments. And as he rejected Philosophy wholly, and entertained the word, So did he only teach this word to faithful C●ristians, who are the only true School of Christ in the world.  
Now by all this it appears, that the Schools of the Prophets and Apostles, and of Christ himself the Head of them, and of the most faithful Christians, that followed Christ, in the first and latter ages, were in no sort like the Schools in the present universities, where human Learning, according to the Statutes of the universities, prevails for the first seven years, and they think youth cannot be made good Christians, except they be first made good Heathens.  
The Schools of the Prophets and Apostles would not meddle with the Philosophy of the Heathen, but led the children and youth presently to the word of God, and therein to the true Knowledge of God in Christ: But these Schools first lead youth from God and his word several years together, to the corrupt Reason, Wisdom, Notions, Conceptions, yea to the Idolatry, Blasphemy, Atheism, Lusts, Filthiness, and villainies of the cursed Heathen, that thereby (in a strange and Antichristian Method) they may be the fitter to know and understand the Scriptures.  
The Schools of the Prophets, taught only Moses and the Prophets to the Jewish youth, and the Schools of the Apostles taught Christ only and his Gospel to the children of Christians: But the universities lead men both from Moses and from Christ, both from the Law and the Gospel, to the Heathen, to make men hereby able Christians and Divines.  
The Queen of the South came from the utmost parts of the earth, to hear the wisdom of Solomon; And the universities leave Christ, who is Infinitely greater and wiser than Solomon, and go to the utmost parts of the earth for wisdom there. So that in these universities, there hath been the greatest apostasy and withdrawing from Christ, and the greatest dishonour and disparagement offered to him, and his Gospel, as ever was known.  
For is it not a matter of greatest wonder and amazement, that after that Word which was with God, and was God, and is God blessed for ever, hath been manifested in the flesh, and that flesh of his hath been justified by the Spirit, to have the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in it bodily: and that this wonderful person hath come to his Church, in the same common nature with it, filled with all the Righteousness, Wisdom, Truth, Power, Life, Peace and Joy, and all the things of God: I say is it not strange, that He who alone comprehends the fullness of all things and in whom are hid all the Infinite Treasures of Divine and Heavenly wisdom and knowledge, that he alone should not be counted sufficient and enough, no not by those who pretend his name, to make us wise to Salvation (which is the only True, Excellent, and necessary wisdom in the world) and to make the man of God perfect, and the whole Church of God complete: but to the great dishonour of Christ, yea, to the very rejection of Christ, the children of Christians must be led from the Doctrine of Christ▪ the Son of the living God, to the Doctrine and Disciplines of the Wretched, Filthy, Abominable, Wicked and damned Heathen and to spend the prime and flower of their youth in these things? Who but Antichrist himself could have brought in and set up such an Abomination of desolation in the Church of God?  
And yet for the better credit of all things, must these be them, that their Divinity cannot be called the Doctrine of Christ, but of Antichrist, being wholly contrary to the word of faith.  
And therefore Mr. Simpson was the more to blame to flatter them in their evils, and to deceive the world, in appropriating to them the glorious Title of the Schools of the Prophets, who are in all things so contrary and contradictory to them.  
Now the sum and certainty of this matter, is this; That the Congregations of Believers, where only the word of the Gospel is truly taught according to the Ministration of the Spirit, whether to youth or men, they under the New Testament are answerable to the Schools of the Prophets, under the Old, who only taught Moses and the Prophets: And the universities, wherein Philosophy is first taught the youth, and after Divinity, and then both are mingled together, to the utter perverting and corrupting the Gospel of Christ; I say, these universities in the time of the Gospel, are answerable to the High-Places in the time of the Law, where a Doctrine and Worship prevailed which was not according to God's word, but man's will: and where Judaism, and Heathenism were mingled together into one mongrel Religion most odious and abominable to God and his People: And so the universities in the time of the Gospel, are only answerable to the High Places in the time of the Law: but not at all to the Schools of the Prophets, as Mr. Simpson pretends.  
And now for the Conclusion of this matter (which I reckon, to be of great concernment for the true Church to be thoroughly instructed in:) I shall bring forth the Testimony of some Godly men: of whom some show how the Schools and universities of Christians came first to be corrupted, to wit, by departing from the plain word of the Gospel, and bringing in Philosophy: And another foretells the Reformation of the Schools of Christians, to wit, by rejecting Philosophy again, and bringing in the word of faith: all which will serve as a Confirmation of what hath been already spoken.  
Matthias Parisiensis a Bohemian by Nation, 
Matthias Parisiensis  who lived about the year 1380. wrote a large book against Antichrist, whrein he affirms That Antichrist had seduced all universities and colleges of learned men; 
Antichristum o●nes Vaive sitates & eruditorum Collegia seduxisse, ita ut jam nihil sani doceant aut Christianis rectè suâ Doctrinâ praeluceant. Illyrit. Flat. Catal. Test. Veritat.  so that now they teach no sincere Doctrine, neither give any true light to Christians through their teaching; to wit, they being all corrupted through Philosophy, and having through that corrupted all Divinity.  
And John Hus, 
John Hus. Seduxit Antichristus à Divina sapientia, plena salute & spiritu sancto, ad prudentiam & scientiam hominum & principum hujus mundi: quam copiavit nimis vehementer, & dilalavit & authenticavit & lucrosam divitiarum & honorum in hoc seculo effecit, ut ita Divina Sapientia & Scientia esset neglecta à Christianis, inveterata & obducta, & quasis vilis & inutilis ab iisdem reputata, &c. Joh. Hus. Lib. de vita & Regn. Antichr. cap. 30.  that humble and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and blessed Martyr, saith, That Antichrist hath seduced all carnal Christians from Divine wisdom, which is full of Salvation and the Holy Spirit, to the wisdom and Science of men and of the Princes of this world, which (wisdom and Science) he hath exceedingly enlarged and increased, and made Authentical, and very gainful of Riches and honours in this world: that so by this means, Divine wisdom and science might be neglected of Christians, and grow old, and be covered over, and be accounted as vile and unprofitable by them; And that, only that which is high with men (to wit, human Learning) might be reckoned glorious, and excellent, and of great Authority with Christian people.  
The same Hus saith, That this human Learning, Wisdom and Knowledge, Antichrist doth perfectly subject to himself and his Service, he being more mighty and subtle through the Operation of Satan, than all worldly men, whom with all their Learning, Disciplines, and Abilities, he strongly sub●ugates to himself, and doth especially serve himself of these: wherefore saith Job chap. 41. sub ipso erunt radii solis, the heams of the Sun shall be under him, that is, the holy Scripture, and the chief Doctors and Teachers of it: and he shall prepare gold as dirt, that is, he shall have all the wisdom and learning of men at his pleasure, and in great readiness, and with much ease shall gain it to himself. And Antichrist by such men (saith I. Hus) doth make his body or Church strong against the Saints of God, and well-favoured and glorious, that it may appear very taking to the world, and may win in all men to it that are not taught of God and renewed by his Spirit. And thus Antichrist serves himself of all Learning and Learned men; whereas Divine Learning, and the Teaching of God he could never in any measure subject to himself, but is always rejected, discovered, and overcome by it.  
Martin Luther saith, 
Martin Luther.  That whosoever it was, whether Alexander of Hales, or Thomas of Aquine, who first instituted universities; he was a Star fallen from heaven to earth, who received the key of the bottomless pit, and opened it, and brought forth into the Church Philosophy, long ago dead and damned by the Doctrine of the Apostles; and from the smoke of the bottomless pit, that is, Philosophy, came forth Locusts on the earth; that is, saith he, populus Vniversitatum è Philosophia natus, the people of the universities, born and bred of Philosophy, &c. thus Luther. 
M. Luther. De cap. civit. Babylon.   
Abbas, Joachim Calaber, who was long before these, 
Joachim Calaber.  and flourished about the year 1230, in his Commentary on Jeremy the Prophet, speaks to this purpose, That the sixt Angel, mentioned, Revel. opens the bottomless pit, and brings out Philosophy into the Church; and out of the smoke of this Doctrine Locusts proceeded, and are spread over all the Church into every fruitful place; and these Locusts he saith, are Scholastici & Magistri, qui nunc facietenus blandiuntur ut decipiant, nunc caudetenus feriunt unsubvertant simplices & incautos; that is, the Locusts are Scholars and Masters, according to the Academical degrees, who sometimes flatter with their countenances to deceive, and sometimes strike with their tails, that they may subvert the simple and unadvised. And to these Scholars and Masters, the ignorant and common people resort, and they open to them the old Cisterns of heathenish Learning and Disciplines, long ago stopped up by the Doctrine of the Apostles: and these Cisterns they open, by teaching Philosophy to the people: But they shut up the living fountain of saving water, that is, the word of faith: But the spirit of the Lord (saith he) in the following Prophets whom the Lord shall raise up, idola studiorum carnalium visitabit, shall visit the Idols of carnal studies, maintained and kept up by secular Stipends.  
Further he saith, that as Antichrist brings forth his mark, which is Philosopical Doctrine in the Church of Christ, and by this mark all his Teachers and persons are known; so there shall rise up against these, such as have the mark of Christ, or the sign of thou in their foreheads, that is, the open and manifest Doctrine of Christ crucified. And as the signs of Moses destroyed the signs of the Magicians so shall the word or preaching of the Cross destroy all Philosophical Doctrine, and human and secular Learning out of the Church. And then the children, and youth, and, men of all ages, sorts and conditions, shall be taught no other Doctrine in the Church of Christ, then that which is found in the Scriptures, even in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, and that not according to any human and Philosophical understanding, but according to the teaching and mind of the Spirit. And God by all his true servants shall destroy the studies of carnal Doctors, and Masters in Divinity, and shall dissipate all secular and Philosophical Learning, by the word of Truth in their mouths. And so shall the Church be reformed aright, when the Doctrine of Christ only shall be received and esteemed of, and shall live and flourish among Christians.  
And thus as Antichrist hath laid aside the Scriptures, and all true spiritual and divine Learning out of his Schools and universities, and hath brought into them, instead thereof, Philosophy and human Learning (and so these Schools are most unlike to the Schools of the Prophets) so in due time, when God shall undertake to reform his Church, all this sort of Learning shall be cast out again as dirt and dung, and the plain word of the Gospel only shall prevail and flourish among the Christian People: which time the Lord hasten for his Elects sake.   

2. ERROR.  
That they who have endeavoured to pull down Schools, 
2. Error.  have always been men who were found Enemies to Religion: So Julian the Apostate shut up the doors of the Schools, because he would have all Religion to go down.   

Answer.  
True it is, 
Answer.  that they who have sought the subversion of Christian Schools, wherein the Doctrine of the Gospel is purely taught, without the mixture of Philosophy and Heathenism, they all have been, and are very enemies to the true Religion: But they that seek to put down Heathenish Schools, and to erect Christian, or to reform the Schools of Heathen into Christian, or to remove Heathenism out of Christian Schools, they are not before God and good men enemies to true Religion, but the great friends of it, Nay, they that call Heathenish Schools by the name of Christian, that they may still remain with the better credit in their Heathenism without any true Reformation according to the Gospel. I rather judge them to be enemies to the true Religion, and friends only to their profit, preferment and ends.  
Julian indeed did forbid that Christians should be instructed in the Disciplines of the Gentiles, but saith Sozomen (the Writer of the Ecclesiastical History) he did this, 
Vetuit ne Christiani Gentilium Disciplinis instrucrentur. Sozomen, Histor. Eccles. cap. 17.  because he thought, that by those Disciplines men might attain to a great faculty to persuade, which advantage he would not have the Christians to gain to the help of their Religion. Now certainly this was done, as Socrates (another Writer of the Ecclesiastical History) doth acknowledge, by the singular providence of God, For seeing than Christians had begun to degenerate from the Gospel, and to betake themselves to Heathenish Learning, Julian attribu●●d all the glory and excellency of Christianity to that Learning, and so thought with Mr. Simpson, that if human Learning were denied to Christians, Christianity itself would soon be at end. Wherefore the Lord stirred up Julian to put down the Doctrine of the Heathen in the Schools of Christians that it might appear to all the World, That as the true Christian Religion is not helped by human Learning, so neither is it hindered by the want of it: And that there is more Light Knowledge, Truth, Wisdom, Power, utterance given to Christians by the unction of the Spirit alone, which all receive who believe, then through all Heathenish Disciplines: And also that it might be manifest that true Christianity is founded on faith in Christ, and the gift of his Spirit only, and not at all on human Learning. For what human Learning had Peter and John? and yet in what Wisdom and Authority did they, being ignorant and unlearned men, 
Acts 4.13.  Reprove, Convince, and Silence the greatest and ablest men of the Jews? And what human Learning had Steven, and yet he confuted the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and all the Philosophers of Cilicia, and Asia, which disputed with him; and they all were not able to resist (not the human Learning but) the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke. 
Acts 6.10.  And Christ hath promised all his people, that when for his Names sake they should be brought before Kings and Rulers, who usually have the greatest accomplishment of human Learning, that then they should not study beforehand what to say; for he would give them in that very hour a mouth and wisdom which none of their Adversaries should be able to resist. And the power and virtue of the Gospel, and the wisdom, knowledge, and utterance of God's Spirit is more gloriously manifest in plain men then in learned men; For in the one, the Grace and virtues of the Spirit are attributed to human Learning; But in the other, to God only, who dwells in them. Wherefore that the Wisdom, and Knowledge, and Light, and Power of the word of faith in true Christians might not be attributed to human Learning, God stirred up an enemy to Christian Religion to be so serviceable to it as to hinder Heathenish Doctrine from being taught in the Schools of Christians, that so the C●urch might be restored to be, as in the days of its Youth, when there flourished in it only the simple and plain word of faith, without any intermingling Philosophy or human Doctrine. And if Constantine had made such an order in his time, Julian had not had such an opportunity to have renounced Christianity, and turned Heathen. For Julian being instructed in the Philosophy and Disciplines of the Heathen by Libanius his Tutor, by this means he came to love Philosophy better than the Gospel, and so by degrees turned from Christianity to heathenism, which may be a fair warning to all Christians, that they suffer not their children to be so educated, lest at last, with Julian, they (at least in their hearts) loath and reject the Gospel, and become with him Apostates and Pagans.  
And hence it is most evident, that Heathenish Philosophy is so far from being a profitable study for the children of Christians, 
Christianos de integro Gentilium Disciplinam imbibere, nemo est qui Christianae Religioni prodesse concesserit. Nam non est extra periculum Christianos Gentilium eruditione institut, quippe quae docet multos esse Deos. Socrates Histor. Eccles. cap. 14.  that it is very dangerous for them to be so educated, as Socrates is forced to confess; where he saith, For Christians to be thoroughly instructed in the Disciplines of the Gentiles, there is none will grant that this is profitable to the Christian Religion: For it is not without danger for Christians to be taught in the learning of the Heathens, seeing this teacheth that there are many Gods. And therefore saith he, the Doctrine of the Heathen is not approved by Christ or any of his Apostles or Disciples.  
Wherefore said Luther, My counsel is, 
Meum consilium est, ut adolescens vitet ●hilosophiam ac Theologiam Scholasticam, ut mortem animae suae. Luth. Tom. 2. fol. 434. b  that a youth should shun Philosophy, and School Divinity, as the death of his soul.   

3. ERROR.  
That the Knowledge of Heavenly things cannot come to us but by things on earth: 
3. Error.  and that all Divinity is swaddled in human Learning.   

Answer.  
I conceive that all Christians at the first reading of this, will acknowledge that this Doctrine is not Divine, 
Answer.  but Philosophical.  
The Philosophers say, that nothing is in the understanding, but that which is first in the sense, (which is proportionable to that which Mr. Simpson speaks) and yet they know not what they say, when they say so. But let us consider if this be so: That the Knowledge of heavenly things cannot come to us but by things on earth; then how shall we know the mystery of God, even the Father, and the mystery of Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh? Or how shall the mystery of faith, and of our union with Christ through faith into one flesh and Spirit with him be known? Or the new birth, and new Creature, which hath all things new in it, and all those new things, the things of God? Or how shall the free Justification of a sinner through the death of Christ, and his Reconciliation to God be known, with all the rest of the things of the Gospel, seeing nothing on earth can reveal the least part of these things? And if the world by wisdom, that is, its Philosophy, knew not God, how can it by that wisdom reveal God and his things which it never knew? Nay, the Apostle doth clearly testify against this carnal and corrupt Doctrine, in 1 Cor. 2.7, 8. saying, We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory, which none of the Princes of this world knew; and by Princes of this world, he means not only worldly Powers, as Chrysostom affirms, but also Philosophers and Orators, who often obtained the chief Government among the nations. God hath wrapped up his Gospel, saith Paul, into such hidden wisdom, that they are never able to search into it, or to discover the least part of it, seeing God contrived it all, and appointed it before the world unto our glory: and all their knowledge is but from the world. Yea, he adds, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have ever entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; In which words God hath shut out the natural man for ever, with all his study, knowledge, abilities, and attainments, from the having any right understanding of his Kingdom, or the things of it: For the eye of man hath not seen them at any time, nor his ear heard them, nor hath any knowledge of them entered into his heart: so far is this Doctrine from truth, that the knowledge of heavenly things cannot come to us but by things on earth. But the Apostle shows how the faithful come to know these high, holy, spiritual, and eternal things, which lie infinitely beyond the knowledge and discovery of all men, to wit, by the Spirit, saying, But God hath revealed them to us by the Spirit; 
Ver. 10.  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. So that the people of God know the things of the Gospel, not by earthly things, as Mr. Simpson affirms, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Chrysostom. in 1. Epist. ad Cor. Hom. 7.  nor by Philosophy and outward wisdom, which only reaches to earthly things, but by the Spirit.  
Farther, if all Divinity be swaddled in human Learning: then I do affirm that all such Divinity hath no great Depth; seeing the bottom of human Learning is easily fathomed.  
But can any Christian Heart think, that all true Divinity, which comprehends in it the height, and breadth, and length, and depth of the love of God, which passeth knowledge, and all the unsearchable riches of Christ, and all the infinite and incomprehensible Treasures of his wisdom, power, and righteousness, of his love, goodness, truth, faithfulness, and of all the fullness of the Godhead, wherewith he is filled, can be contained and wrapped up in the narrow and scant bounds of human Learning? How much truer Doctrine had it been to have taught, that all true Divinity is contained in God and his word, and that we can know nothing of God aright but by his word, which holy men have spoken by the Spirit, and believers do receive by faith, and out of this word. All the Learning in the world doth not contain in itself, neither can it reveal to us aright, the least thing of God, or of his Mind and Will.  
But I conceive he might speak thus, that all Divinity is wrapped up in human Learning, to deter the common people from the study and enquiry after it, and to cause them still to expect all Divinity from the Clergy, who by their education have attained to that human Learning which the plain people are destitute of: For it is the old and new design of Antichrist to make the People depend on the Clergy for all Divinity, though the people have the Scriptures as near them, and the Grace of God usually nearer to them then they; seeing God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.  
Again, if all Divinity be swaddled in human Learning, then must it sadly follow, that all who want human Learning, must needs also want Divinity; And then, how shall poor plain people, who live in lawful callings, and have not the leisure to attain human Learning, how shall they do to be saved? Or what help must they have to teach them Divinity, who have not opportunity to gain human Learning?  
And yet farther, if all Divinity be swaddled in human Learning; then Christ and his Apostles had no true Divinity; for they had no human Learning to swaddle it in, nor would have none; Shall we say now according to Mr. Simpson's Doctrine, that they had no Divinity? I do with all boldness affirm that this Doctrine is contrary to the Christian faith.   

4. ERROR.  
That Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and God took him so fitted, 
4. Error.  (to wit, with human Learning) and made him an able Instrument in his Church.   

Answer.  
Not so, But God took Paul, not a good scholar, and so made him an able Preacher; 
Answer.  but he took him as a Blasphemer, and Persecutor, and as a cruel and enraged enemy against Christ and his Truth, and People, and magnified the riches of his mercy by converting such an one: and Paul having much forgiven him, loved much, and through his great love, was the fitter to preach the Gospel, according to that of Christ to Peter; Peter, dost thou love me! feed my Sheep. Yea Paul himself ascribes his painful and profitable preaching, not to his Learning and Education under Gamaliel (which also was, or aught to have been only in the Law and Prophets, as hath been proved) but to the free Grace of God bestowed on him, saying, I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the Grace of God in me: So that Paul became so excellent a Preacher, not by his fitting through human Learning, but through the Grace of God.  
And here I shall mind Mr. Simpson of a passage which I have read in Chrysostom, which comes home to this matter in hand; it is in the third Homily on the first Epistle to the Corinthians, where he saith, That God had no need at the beginning of the Gospel of Learned men, and Sophisters to preach the Gospel, and to convince the world with Syllogisms; but did only use the word of faith in the mouths of plain Handicrafts men, and Artificers: Wherefore (saith he) when the Greeks shall accuse the Disciples of Christ, as ignorant of Letters, and unlearned, let us ourselves who are Christians, accuse them more. Neither let any one say that Paul was wise and learned; but let us say, Their men were wise and learned, but ours were rude and ignorant; For in thus doing (according to the truth) we shall have the greater advantage against them. For if Paul were unlearned, and yet overcame learned Plato, his Victory was the greater, and the Grace of God the more glorious. 
* {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, &c.  Now this I say, (saith he) because the other day, I heard a certain Christian discoursing ridiculously with a Greek, each of them in their Discourse prejudicing their own cause: For the Greek spoke that which the Christian should have said, and the Christian spoke that which the Greek should have said. For the Question between them, being touching Paul and Plato, the Greek endeavoured to prove that Paul was rude and unlearned, but the Christian through his simplicity did endeavour to prove that Paul was more learned and eluquent than Plato. And so the Greek should obtain the Victory, if the Christians Reasons should prevail. For if Paul were more learned than Plato, then might men object that he overcame not the world through Grace, but through Eloquence. Wherefore that which the Christian spoke, made for the Greek, and that which the Greek spoke; made for the Christian. Wherefore (he saith) when the Greeks shall say the Apostles were rude, and unlearned, poor, mean simple, obscure persons, let us acknowledge it as the truth; For this is not their reproach but their glory; that being such, they yet overcame the Learned men, the Wise men, the Philosophers, the Rhetoricians, the Orators, the Princes, and all the world, as if they had not been men. For when any thing is done above the State and power of Nature, this doth exceedingly manifest and magnify the Grace of God.  
And so it appears that Chrysostom was of another mind in this matter touching Paul, then Mr. Simpson; and that Paul was of another mind touching himself.  
Now seeing Mr. Simpson doth here insinuate that human Learning fits a man to the Ministry of the Gospel: and seeing this also is the Opinion of all the carnal and unbelieving people, I do desire them to consider what some Godly men have spoken clearly from the word of God in this matter.  
Chrysostom (who knew the mystery of the Gospel more clearly than any of the Ancient Writers) in his Comment on the first Epistle to the Corinthians, 
Chrysost.  doth wholly exclude human Learning from contributing any thing, either to the speaking or receiving the Gospel. For (saith he) to believe in Him that was Crucified and Buried, and to be fully persuaded that he rose again, and sits at the right hand of God, and hath all power in Heaven and Earth given to him, and that he is made of God, to the whole Church, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption; this Doctrine stands not in need of human Wisdom and Reasonings, but of faith only, and that both in them that speak it, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Chrysost. in 1. Epist. ad Corinth Hom. 4.  and in them that receive it. For the Apostles did not proceed in this matter in outward wisdom, but in faith, and so became more wise and excellent than the worldly wise: and so much the more, as it is a greater matter to receive the things of God by faith, then to be persuaded into them by the force of Argument.  
He adds also, That to the receiving the Doctrine of the Gospel, neither is the Wise man profited thing by his Wisdom, neither is the plain man hindered any thing by his Ignorance; Yea, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, &c. Idem. Ibid.  if I may speak a wonderful thing (saith he) Ignorance is more fit and ready to receive the Gospel than Wisdom. And a Shepherd, and a ploughman will sooner receive the Gospel and submit to it, than a scholar who lives in the strength of human wisdom and Reason.  
He farther saith there, that where the wisdom of God is, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Chrysost.  (as it is in the Gospel) there is no need of man's wisdom, as where the Sun is, there is no need of a Candle.  
And he concludes there this matter thus. That the Preaching of the Gospel is a heavenly thing, and that human wisdom and Learning cannot help herein, but rather hinder. And that therefore when Christ sent forth the first Teachers of the Gospel, he took not wise and learned Philosophers, that the Cross of Christ might not be made void, and that the faith of Christians should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God: But he chose plain Fishermen, Tent-makers, Publicans, Obscure, Simple, Poor, Contemptible, Ignorant and unlearned men; And these overcame Kings, Princes, People, Nations, Greeks, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}.  Philosophers, Orators, Sophisters, they overcame the ancient Manners, Customs, and the very Religion of the world, also their Laws, Judgements, divers sorts of punishments, and innumerable kinds of deaths; and by all this (saith he) it was manifest that their preaching was not in human w●sdom, but in the Grace of God.  
And thus doth Chrysostom affirm, and prove that human Learning doth not fit men to the Ministry of the Gospel, but is rather a hindrance thereunto, and that the Grace of God only fits them for this heavenly work.  
Hear also what Wickliff saith to this matter, 
Wickliff.  in his book entitled, The Path way to perfect knowledge; where he showeth, that it is not human Learning that helps to understand the Scriptures, and to profit in the study of them, but something more high and heavenly; His own words as these. He whose heart is full of love, comprehendeth without any error, the manifold, abundance, and largest teaching of God's Scripture; For Paul saith, the fullness of the Law is Charity; and in another place, the end of the Law is Charity of clean heart, and good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; And Christ saith, Thou shalt love thy Lord God of all thy heart, and of all thy soul, and of all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself: For in these two Commandments, hangeth all the Law and the Prophets: And as the root of all evil is Covetousness, so the root of all good is Love.  
Charity by which we love God, and the Neighbour, holdeth surely all the greatness and largeness of God's speeches. Therefore, if we have not leisure to search all the holy Scriptures, and to pierce into all the privities of them; hold thou love, whereon all things hang, and so shalt thou hold that which thou learnest there, and also that which thou learnest not. For if thou know Charity, thou knowest something, whereon also that hangeth which thou knowest not. And in that that thou understandest in Scripture, love is open; and in that that thou understandest not, love is hid. Therefore he that holdeth love in virtues or good life, holdeth both that which is open, and that which is hid in God's word.  
And after speaking to the Clergy, he saith, Therefore worldly fools, do ye first repent of your sins, and forsake pride and covetousness, and be ye meek, and fear ye God in all things, and love your neighbour as yourself, and then shall ye profit in the study of Holy Writ. And this is a far other way to understand the Scriptures then human Learning. 
How the Ministers may come to understand the Scriptures.   
And after, he speaking of the Abominations of the university of Oxford, saith thus, The fourth Abomination, is, that it is now purposed to hinder Christian men from learning freely God's Law, till they have spent nine or ten years at Art, or Philosophy, which comprehendeth many strong errors of Heathen men, against the Christian Belief. It seemeth well that God will not cease from vengeance, till it and other things be punished sore. For it seemeth that worldly Clerks, and feignedly Religious, do this under pretence, that simple men of wit and knowledge know not God's Law to preach it generally against sins in the Realm. But wit ye, worldly Clerks, and feignedly Religious, that God both can, and may if it liketh him, speed simple men out of the university, as much to know the holy Scriptures, as Masters in the university. Wherefore (he saith) it is no great matter, though men of good will be not poisoned with Heathen men's error nine or ten years together; But let them live well, and study the holy Scriptures, and preach truly and freely against open sins till death. Thus he. Whereby he declares that the Scriptures are not to be understood by human Learning, but by faith and love: And that human Learning, doth not prepare men to the knowledge of the word, but rather corrupt them with Heathen men's Errors.  
Tindal also, 
Tindal.  that Apostle of England (as Fox calleth him) and blessed Martyr, speaks thus to this matter; They will say yet more shamefully (meaning the Clergy) that no man can understand the Scriptures without Philautia, that is to say, Philosophy: A man must first be well seen in Aristotle, ere he can understand the Scripture, say they. Now (saith he) Aristotle's Doctrine is, that the world was without beginning, and shall be without end, and that the first man never was, and the last never shall be: And that God doth all of necessity, neither careth what we do. Without this Doctrine (saith he Ironically) how could we understand the Scripture, that saith, God Created the World of nought, and God worketh all things of his free will, and for a secret purpose, and that we shall rise again, and God will have accounts of all that we have done in this life.  
Aristotle saith, Give a man a Law, and he hath power of himself to do, or fulfil the Law, and becometh righteous with working righteously. But Paul and all the Scripture saith, That the Law doth but utter sin only, and helpeth not; Neither hath any man power to do the Law, till the Spirit of God be given him through faith in Christ. Is it a not madness then to say that we could not understand the Scripture without Aristotle? Moreover Aristotle's felicity and blessedness standeth in avoiding all tribulations, and in riches, health, honour, worship, friends, and authority, which felicity pleaseth our spirituality well Now without these and a thousand such like points, couldst thou not understand Scripture, which saith, that Righteousness cometh by Christ, and not of man's will: And how that virtues are the fruits and gifts of God's Spirit, and that Christ blesseth us in tribulations, persecution, and adversity. How I say; couldst thou understand the Scriptures without Philosophy, in as much as Paul, Col. 2. warned them to beware lest any man spoil them (that is to say, rob them of their faith in Christ) through Philosophy and deceitful Vanities, and through the Traditions of men, and Ordinances after the world, and not after Christ?— And after— But now ye drive them from God's word, and will let no man come thereto, until he have been two years' Master of Art. First they nuzzel them in Sophistry, & in bene fundatum; And there corrupt they their judgements with apparent arguments, and with alleging to them texts of logic, of Natural Philosophy, of metaphysic and Moral Philosophy, and of all manner of books of Aristotle, and of all manner of Doctors, which yet they never saw, &c.  
Again, Huldricus Zuinglius speaks thus to this matter. 
Zuingl. Libr. de certitudine & Veritate Ver. Dei.  we must needs be taught of God and not of men (to wit in the knowledge of the Gospel) For this is the saying of the Eternal Truth, which knows not how to lie. Joh. 6. But and if you do not firmly believe that you may be taught of God, 
Quod si non firmiter creditis, vos, humanis Doctrinis desertis, divinitus doceri posse, vera fide etiamnum vacui estis.  human Doctrines being utterly rejected, ye are yet destitute of true faith. Neither have I myself devised this thing; For Hilary also is of this opinion, But there is no need of his Testimony, when we hear that both Christ, and all the Apostles were of the same mind. And here the whole use of School Divinity falls to the ground, and whatsoever is drawn out of the Philosophers. For all these things do lean on human Reasons, which when they have once possessed a man's mind, he than thinks that the heavenly Doctrine is wholly to be directed and framed according to the Rule of human Learning, 
Cadit hic Theologiae Scholasticae usus universus, & quicquid ex Ph●losophis haustum est.  which he judges to be most firm and infallible. Which thing they sufficiently discover in their words, saying, ubi cessat Philosophus, illic incipit Theologus, where the Philosopher ceases, there the Divine begins; whereby they signify thus much, that he is able to judge most rightly in Divine things, who comes most furnished with human Learning. As if so be the light of our will were more excellent, and more perspicuous than the Divine Glory; when yet we hear Christ saying, I receive not Glory of men; but I know you, that you have not the love of God in you, Joh. 5. For they who have the love of God, cleave to no word so constantly as to the word of God; seeing this is the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world. But no man is able to prove that Philosophy is such a light. For which of the Philosophers instructed the Apostles? Those simple, and in the judgement of the world, those foolish men, unskilful, and unlearned fisherman, were elected and instituted of God, and then were sent forth to preach, that they might become the Masters and Teachers of the whole world: to wit, that God according to the saying of Paul, might make ashamed all the strength of the world, and all the wisdom of the world. Thus he.  
Luther also saith, It is an Error to say, that a man cannot be a Divine but through Aristotle; Nay, saith he, A man cannot be a Divine except he become one, without Aristotle. 
Error est dicere, sine Aristotele non fit Theologus, imò Theologus non fit nisi id fiat sine Aristotele. Tom. 1. fol. 10. Vivendo, imò moriendo & damnando sit Theologus, non intelligendo, legendo aut speculando. Luth. To. 2. fol. 57 In saecris rebus non est disputandum aut Philosophandum: in Theologia tantum est audiendum & credendum, & slatuendum in corde, Dem est verax, &c. Rectius fecerimus fi Dialectica seu Philosophia in sua sphara relictis, discamus loqui novis linguis in regno fidei, extrae omnem spharam. Affectus fidei exercondus est in articulis fidei, non intellectus Philosophicus. Luther.  And again, A man becomes a Divine by living, yea by dying, and by being damned (to wit in his own sense) not by studying, reading, or speculating. And again, In holy things we must not dispute or play the Philosophers; but in Divinity we must only hear and believe, and resolve in our heart that God is true, though the things he speaks in his word seem never so absurd to reason. And again, We shall then do well, if we leaving logic or Philosophy in their own sphere, do learn to speak with new tongues in the Kingdom of faith, without all sphere. For the affection of faith is to be exercised in the Kingdom of faith, and not a Philosophical understanding.  
And thus have these Godly men held forth and proved from the word, that human Learning is rather a hindrance than a help to the Ministry of the Gospel, and doth rather unfit than fit men for it: and that the Grace and teaching of God only, prepares and enables men to this Divine work, and no human thing at all.  
Wherefore let all true Christians be advised, that human Learning is so far from fitting men for the Gospel and the Ministry thereof, as is suggested, that indeed there is nothing in greater enmity to Christ Crucified; nor more contrary to the word of the Cross, than that; Yea nothing in all the world hath been such an Introducer, Favourer, Supporter, and Inlarger of Antichrists Kingdom, as human Reason, Learning, and Philosophy; This hath brought in all the hypocrisy, Superstition, false Doctrine, false Worship, Sects, schisms, Divisions, which have at any time prevailed in the Church during all the Reign of Antichrist: And the Gospel of Christ, and the true belief and practice of it, hath not had at any time a greater and more subtle and plausible Enemy than this. Yea farther, the gross ignorance and blindness of the rude world, hath not so perverted and falsified the word of the Gospel, nor rendered it such contradiction and resistance, nor hath brought such annoyance, to the faithful who have received and confessed it, as human Science hath done; For this hath enabled men stoutly to oppose the truth, and subtly to defend error as the truth; this hath made men bold and cunning to suppress God's mind from the World, and to hold forth their own mind to them, as if it were God's, under the pretence of the outward letter of the word, and a multitude of other evils have sprung from this corrupt fountain. Wherefore the Apostle Paul is so far from encouraging Christians to betake themselves to human Learning to fit them for the Gospel, that He by the Spirit utterly forbids Christians Heathenish Philosophy, lest they should be spoiled through the vanity of it, and be led away from Christ. And thus in this matter hath Mr. Simpson manifestly departed from the Doctrine of the Scriptures, and of faithful men who have spoken from it.   

5. ERROR.  
That men's Hatred to God, 
5. Error.  doth as well appear in their hatred to human Learning as if they hated the Scriptures.   

Answer.  
I conceive Mr. Simpson's heart was hot within him, 
Answer.  out of his great Zeal to human Learning (the great goddess by which the university lives) when he thus spoke; And it appears he is very tender of the Reputation and Glory of it, who thus vindicates it, at as high a rate as the very Scriptures. But Sir, do you know no more difference between the most precious word of our eternal Lord God, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the foolish, corrupt, and stinking Doctrine of men? is there no more difference in your Divinity, between the word of Righteousness, Life, and Salvation, which God hath spoken by Christ, and Christ by his servants, and the word and Doctrines of wretched men, full of sin, death, and destruction? And if the Law itself, given by the Ministration of Angels, loseth its glory before the Gospel, as the Apostle testifies; How much more doth Heathenish Philosophy, brought forth, partly from the corrupt Reason of man, and partly from the Inspiration of the Devil, become ●oathsom & abominable before it for ever. And cannot we be enemies to this say y●u, without hating the blessed word of God? Nay, the blessed word of God where it prevails in truth, doth make men to hate this, and to count it loss, and dung, and filth, and the most loathsome baseness in the world, in comparison of itself. Wherefore, through the grace of Christ, we will so love the Scriptures, which are Divine Learning, as to hate human and Heathenish Learning for their sakes, seeing it hath put a Veil of Darkness in the Church, over this glorious Sun, the word of faith.   

6. ERROR.  

6. Error.  That if the Spirit teach without means, men may as well be without the Ordinances, as without the universities and human Learning.   

Answer.  
We do not say, that the Spirit usually teacheth without means in the Church of Christ; 
Answer.  But we say, he teacheth by means of his own appointing; And how will Mr. Simpson prove by any Scripture that universities and human Learning, are Means, which the Spirit of God useth to teach his Church by? where did ever the Lord speak one word, that he would use the Disciplines of the Gentiles, as means whereby to teach men to know the mystery of Christ? Wherefore this is strange Doctrine, that Arts and Sciences are the means whereb● the Spirit teacheth the Church: For sure I am, the Lord never taught his Church, either of the Old, or the New Testament by these Means: Only Antichrist hath taught his Church after this manner, and hath set up human Learning as an Ordinance of God, yea, as an Ordinance of the New Testament to learn Christ by; that Christians might be trained upto know Christ the wisdom of God, by human Learning the wisd●●● of the world, which is in direct enmity to God.  
The chief Ordinances whereby God helps his Church are the word of faith, and the prayer of faith; And by the Ministration of the Spirit, he begins, and carries on the Salvation of this Spiritual People: And these Ordinances the true Church cannot want, neither doth God do any thing in his Church without them. But the Spiritual Church, for aught that I could ever yet read in the word, may well want their Divine Ordinance of human Learning, and yet not want any Ordinance of God, that he hath appointed and sanctified for the use of his true Church.   

7. ERROR.  
That men now, are not to receive the Spirit, 
7. Error.  in that immediate way to understand the Scriptures, in which it was given to them who wrote the Scriptures.   

Answer.  
Surely Mr. Simpson will not deny, 
Answer.  that the Spirit is given to that whole Church which is the body of Christ; seeing Paul saith, if any man have not Christ's Spirit, he is none of his, he is no member of his. Now the Spirit is always given to whomsoever it is given, by the Father and the Son, as Christ taught his Disciples, promising them that the Father would send the Spirit to them in his Name; and also, that he Himself would send it to them from the Father. And was this promise only made to them, and not to all the faithful also, who should believe in Christ through their word? doth not Paul say, Rom. 12.13. of the whole Church, that by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body, and are all made to drink into one Spirit▪ He saith also to the Galatians Chap. 4. because ye are Sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father. And thus it is manifest that the whole Church of Believers, and every true member thereof, do receive the Spirit of God. And do they not receive in alike immediately from God▪ Who can give the Spirit of God to man, but God himself▪ when God promised to, pour out his Spirit in the last days upon all flesh, did he name any difference in the pouring of it out, saying, some shall receive it immediately, and some mediately? No, but all that are counted worthy to receive the Spirit of God, do receive it alike immediately from him; neither hath Christ left any Lieutenant or Deputy in the world, to give his Spirit to men in his absence: But he himself is always present in his true Church to the end of the world, both to teach them, and to give them his Spirit. He is too much in the darkness of Antichrist, that denies this.  
It is manifest then, that all the true Church alike receive the Spirit of God and that they all receive it alike immediately from God, seeing no man nor Angel can give the spirit of God, but God himself gives his own Spirit to whom he pleases by his own word, which he himself Ministers by his own spirit; And by this spirit did holy men speak the Scripture, and by this spirit only do holy men of God understand the Scripture, as Paul saith, 1 Cor. 2 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, among which his word hath a chief place: and after saith, that by the spirit they had the mind of Christ, which others want, who yet have the same Letter of the word, and are destitute of the Spirit. And so as the faithful spoke the word by the spirit of faith, so through the same spirit of faith only, so given, do the faithful understand it.  
And though this thing be clear in itself, yet I judge it convenient to add here the Testimonies of Luther and Calvin in this matter Luther saith, The Scriptures are not to be understood but by that very spirit by which they were writ, which spirit can be nowhere found more readily and effectually, then in those holy Letters of his which he hath written.  


Scripturae non nisi eo Spiritu intelligendae sunt quo scriptae sunt, qui Spiritus nusquam praesentius & vivacius quàm in ipsis sacris suis quas scripsit literis inveniri potest. Luth. Tom. 2. fol. 309. a.  
Idem Spiritus qui per os Prophetarum locutus est, in corda nostra penetret necesse est, ut persuadeat fidelit●r protulisse quòd divinitus erat mandatum. Cal. Institu. lib. 1. cap. 8. §. 4.   And Calvin saith, The same spirit that spoke by the mouth of the Prophets, it is necessary that that should pierce into our hearts, to persuade us that they faithfully delivered that which was committed to them of God. So that we must necessarily have the same spirit to know his mind, that they had to utter his mind. Wherefore it is evident that Mr. Simpson is not Orthodox in this point neither.   

8. ERROR.  
That men now are to get knowledge (to wit of the Scriptures) by Studies, and human Learning, 
8. Error.  and not by Inspiration.   

Answer.  
This Doctrine carries the visible mark of Antichrist upon it; For it is only the Inspiration of God, 
Answer.  that inables a man to know the things of God, and not a man's study or human Learning: It is not in this case, in him that wills or runs, but in God that shows Mercy. Wherefore Christ hath said, no man knows the Son but the Father, and he to whomsoever the Father will re●eal him; Wherefore Paul prays for the Ephesians, that God would give them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Christ: without which Spirit of Revelation; Christ and the Father can never be known. What can human Learning, and the studies of men find out of the mystery of Christ, which was hidden from ages and Generations, as Paul testifies, till the Spirit revealed it? Yea, Christ hath taught, that God hides these things of the Gospel from the wise and prudent, that is, the studying and learned men, and reveals them to Babes; and that this is his good pleasure so to do. And so no man can know Christ and his Gospel, and what is the faith, hope, and love of the Gospel, but by the most present Teaching and Revelation of God himself by his Spirit. Wherefore to deny the Inspiration of God's spirit now, and to ascribe all knowledge of the word of God to men's studies, and to human Learning, is the most gross and palpable Doctrine of Antichrist and his Prophets; whereas, all the People of God are taught of God Himself, in all the things of God, as Christ hath said; Because no man by his own studies and pains can attain thereunto.  
And in this matter, I shall also add the Testimony of Luther, and Latimer. Luther saith, No man sees one jot or tittle in the Scriptures, 
Nullus homo unum iota in Scripturis videt, nisi qui Spiritum Dei habet: omnes habent obscuratum cor, ita ut si etiam dicant & norint proserre omnia Scripturae, nihil tamen horum sentiant aut ver● cognoscant, &c. Spiritus enim requiritur ad totam Scripturam & quamlibet ejus partem intelligendum. Luth. Tom. 3. fol. 169. a.  but he that hath the Spirit of God: For all men have a darkened Heart, in such sort, that if they could speak, and knew how to bring forth all things of the Scripture, yet have they not any true sense or right Knowledge of them. For (saith he) the spirit is required to the understanding of the whole Scripture, and of every part thereof.  
And Latimer saith, The carnal and Philosophical understanding of the Scriptures, 
Carnalis & Philosophica Scripturarum intelligentia non est sapientia Dei qua à sapientibus absconditur, parvulis revelatur, Latimer in his Answer to Sr. Edward's Baintons' Letter.  is not that wisdom of God which is hid from the wise, and revealed to little ones.   

9 ERROR.  

9 Error.  That human Learning is as the Outworks to the Fort of the Gospel, and as the outer Court to the Temple of the Gospel; and so if you will keep the Fort well, you must keep the Outworks strong; and if you will preserve the inner, you must look to the outer Court.   

Answer.  

Answer.  How highly hath Mr. Simpson honoured Socrates, Pythagoras, Plato and Aristotle's, &c. to make them a strong guard for the Person of Christ? And how highly hath he honoured their Learning, 
human Learning is not the outworks to the Gospel.  to make it a defence for the Gospel? And how weak and feeble hath he sought to render the word of faith, that must be thus defended by the Arts and Disciplines of men, as not being able to stand alone, and to defend itself? Doth this man truly believe in the Son of the living God, who make him such an helpless Idol? or doth he believe the word of the Gospel, which hath given eyes to the blind, and ears to the deaf, and feet to the lame, which hath raised the dead, and cast out Devils, and commanded the winds and waves, and they have obeyed? I say, doth he believe this word to be of God, which hath done the very works of God? and yet openly affirms to the world, that it cannot maintain itself, or subsist without the help of Philosophy? Is that word, which mightily and perfectly saves all the Elect, and that in despite of the world and the Devil, and the gates of Hell, not able to save itself without human Help? Must that word be secured by Aristotle, which delivers all the Elect from sin, death and hell for ever? Are Grammar, R●thorick, logic, ethics, physics, metaphysics, mathematics, the weapons whereby we must defend the Gospel? Is Mr. Simpson so ill a Proficient in Christianity, that he hath not read, or doth not remember that of Paul, Ephes. 6.12. where he saith, We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities, against Power, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this world, against Spiritual wickedness in high places.  
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.  
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast plate of Righteousness.  
And your feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace.  
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  
And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  
Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perseverance.  
Here now are the true Christian weapons, whereby he defends himself through the word, and defends the word against all the world.  
And the same Paul, in 2 Cor. 10.3. saith.  
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.  
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds.  
Casting down Imaginations, and every High thing that exalteth itself against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the Obedience of Christ.  
And having in a readiness to revenge all Disobedience.  
So that the faithful do not defend the Gospel by Philosophy, as is heathenishly suggested; but by the Gospel they defend the Gospel; and the Gospel hath in itself that Wisdom, Righteousness, Strength, and those virtues which are infinitely able to defend itself against all the world, and against all the powers of darkness. And how contrary is this Doctrine to Mr. Simpson's? And thus much for his Outworks to the Gospel.  
Now for his outer Court to the Gospel, I know no other outer Court the Gospel ever had then the Law of Moses, 
human Learning is not the outer Court to the Gospel.  which Law was the preparation to the Gospel, and the School Master to bring us unto Christ; which human Learning never was. But human Learning is the outer Court to Antichrists Temple, it is the schoolmaster to bring men to Antichrist. And thus would Mr. Simpson also turn the Law out of its place, and set up human Learning in the stead of the Law, and so would make void both Law and Gospel for human Learning sake; Surely one would think he hath some considerable advantage thereby, that he thus fences for it.   

10. ERROR.  

10. Error.  But what is the bottom (saith he) of all this (that is, of some men's appearing against human Learning, as the unction of the Ministry, and against the universities as the Fountain of the Ministry) but this, That some say they are one with Christ, and as Christ hath the Divine nature in Him, so every Believer also hath: and he that hath God in Him, need not go to any man to Learn. Whereas Joh. 17. Christ speaketh of Believers as at an infinite distance from Himself; He their Lord, they his Servants. He in Glory they in the World. And if they be so united to Christ, than it will follow, that Christ is not the only begotten Son of God; and that Christ and we should be equal, and He not our Lord, &c.   

Answer.  
Now doth not all this declare a most woeful Ignorance of, 
Answer.  and enmity to the Gospel of God our Saviour? For is our union with Christ, the Foundation of error? or have true, Believers no real union with Christ, but imaginary? Do not the Saints partake of the Divine Nature? doth not Peter expressly affirm it; 2 Pet. 1.4. where he saith, exceeding great and precious promises are made to us that we thereby should be made partakers of the Divine Nature? and what is the divine Nature, but the very Nature of God? See Luther on the place.  
Again, are believers, as he affirms, at an infinite distance from Christ▪ If this were true, what sad news would it be to the Church of God? How can this Doctrine agree with these Scriptures? that Christ may dwell in your Hearts by faith: and Christ in you the hope of Glory: and of Him are ye in Christ Jesus: Again saith Christ, I am the true Vine, and ye are the branches: and so as the Vine is in the branches, and as the branches are in the Vine, so is Christ in Christians, and so are Christian in Christ. Again, Joh. 14.20. At that day ye shall know saith Christ Himself, that you need not doubt of the Doctrine) that I am in my father, and you in me, and I in you: And again Joh. 17.21. saith Christ, I pray not for these alone, that is, who now believe, but also for all that shall hereafter believe in me through their word, that they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one, as we are one▪ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, that the world may know thee▪ hast sent me, and hast loved them 〈◊〉 thou hast loved me▪ Here now is no infinite distance between Christ and Believers, but a wonderful and admirable Nearness, and Oneness, which the learned Ignorance of Philosophy understands not, nor the ignorant Knowledge of any carnal Christian.  
But sure this word of God is true, and the Saints receive it in faith, and will not be deluded with any Philosophical, Sophistical, or Antichristian glosses of False Teachers.  
And thus doth the holy word of God affirm plainly enough, that Christ and his Christians are most nearly united; And yet doth not this union make an Equality, and rob Christ of his due glory: seeing Christ is the Head and they his Members; Christ the first born, and they his Brethren: And so as Christ hath the pre-eminence in all things above them all, as becomes the Head and first born, so They have Communion with Him in all things, as becomes his Members and Brethren.  
And whereas he jests, and saith, He that hath God in Him, needs not go to man to learn; I do affirm this is true enough, and the Scripture hath affirmed it in several places; Isaiah saith to the Spiritual Church, All thy Children shall be taught of the Lord: And Christ saith it is written, They shall be all taught of God; he therefore that had heard and learned of my Father, cometh to me. And John saith, 1 John 2.27. The anointing which ye have received from him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you▪ but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is Truth, and is no lie. And this Doctrine is so manifest from the Scriptures, that he is of Antichrist that denies it: For God inwardly teaches all his People by his Spirit his own self: and they so hear the word by the Ministry of man, that it is always God that teaches them, and not Man.   

11. ERROR.  
Arts and Tongues are the Cups in which God drinks to us. 
11. Error.    

Answer.  
In what a sad condition then are the common and plain people, that they cannot pledge him? 
Answer.  But only the learned clergy keep these cups to themselves, as heretofore they kept the Cup in the Sacrament.  
But what strange Phrase is this? Savouring of the Ranters Religion; as if God was the familiar companion of the clergy, and sometimes drank to them in a Cup of Hebrew, sometimes in a Cup of Greek, and sometimes in a Cup of Latin as if sometimes he drank to them in a Cup of logic, and sometimes in a Cup of ethics, sometimes in a Cup of metaphysics. Is not this truly, Profana vocum novitas, a profane Newness of Speech, never before heard of to my knowledge in the Church of God, and which the Apostle utterly condemns.   

12. ERROR.  
We shall never keep up Religion, 
12. Error.  if we do not keep up Learning; but when Learning goes down, Religion goes down too.   

Answer.  
The Church is founded on Christ, 
Answer.  and Christ and His Church (it seems) are both founded on human Learning. It is no wonder now, that Mr. Simpson lays so great stress on it everywhere; And that men of his Religion term the university, Fundamentum Ecclesiae, the Foundation of the Church. And if human Learning do indeed uphold all Christian Religion, let all Men and Magistrates come forth and uphold it in the Name of God. But surely the Religion of the Gospel depends wholly on Christ, as Christ on God: and there is no need of human Learning to support this, except God and Christ are insufficient. We have a sure word and Doctrine of the Gospel, that remains firm for ever, and inviolable, and inconquerable, in and through Christ, and his Spirit, and the Father; and all the World shall shatter in pieces, and human Learning, go down to Hell, and this shall stand fast for ever: Heaven and Earth shall pass away, and not one jot or Tittle of my Word, saith Christ.  
Believers, know that not one Point of your Religion depends on human Learning; But all on Christ Himself, who is the true and living Word. Wherefore these are the fears of Antichrist and his Prophets, that their Religion will go down with human Learning, because it was set up by it; But the true Religion of the Gospel of God our Saviour was at first set up without it, and hath hitherto remained without it, and will abide so for ever. And to this the Spirit, and the Bride give witness.   

13. ERROR.  
Seeing Religious Foundations are so ancient, then keep them up: 
13. Error.  Your Destruction will never be but from yourselves.   

Answer.  
Religious Foundations! What Religion founded the universities is well known. 
Answer.  For by the council of four Monks, the scholars of Bede, to wit, Rabanus, Albinus, Claudius, and John Scotus, the university which had been translated from Athens to Rome, was translated by Charles the great from Rome to Paris, 
Studium Cantabrigiense institutum noscitur, Anno. 630 à Siguberto A●glorum O ●entalium R●ge, qui postea purpuram in cu●ullum commutavit. Arnoldus Wion Duacensis, Benedictinus. lib. 5. cap. 94.  An. 791. And for our English universities of Cambridge and Oxford; Thus it is recorded, That the Study of Cambridge was instituted, Anno 630. By Sigi●bert King of the East, Angles, who after changed his Purple or Kingly Robes, for a friars Cool or Hood. And the Lectures here were begun by four Monks, of which brother Ode (as they termed him) read Grammar, according to Priscian's Doctrine: Terricus an acute Sophister read Aristotle's logic, according to the Institutions of Porphyrius, and Averr●es▪ Brother William, read Tully's rhetoric, and Gislebertus, read Divinity to them on Sundays, and Saints days.  
And for Oxford, that was founded by King Alfred, Anno 895. by the persuasion of Neotus the Monk, 
An. 895 Rex Alfredus hortante Neot● Monacho viro doctissimo, Oxonii publicam Academiam instituit, proposita Professoribus literarum praemiis. Georg. Lilius in Chron. Britan. Regnante, Edvardo primo, de studio Granibrig, facta est Vniversitas, sicut est Oxonium, per Curiam Romanam. Robert. Remington.  and rewards were propounded for those that would profess Learning there. Afterwards both these Schools were made universities, in Edward the first's time by the Court of Rome, as Robert Remington affirms.  
Yea farther, by the very Names of the colleges it is manifests, what Religion set them up; some being founded in the honour of one Saint, some of another Saint; one being founded in the honour of Christ, another in the honour of Jesus, another in the honour of Immanuel, another in the honour of the Trinity; Whereby they have rent the Name of God in pieces, each one seeking to honour that name of Christ most, in the honour of which his college was founded; Yea, some colleges have been founded in the honour of Christ's body; as the colleges of orpus Christi, in both Universities: and one in Oxford, for the help of all dead Souls, and for their rescue out of Purgatory: And so it is well known what Religion founded them. And what Religion will in due time destroy these Foundations (if they be not Reformed) is as well known.  
For Wickliff, whom God raised up to be one of the most eminent Reformers of the Christian Religion, since the Apostles times, speaks thus touching universities, colleges and Students. 
Quia enim Christus non ordinavit istas universitates sive collegia, manifestum videtur, quod ista sicut Graduationes in illis sunt vana Gentilitas introducta, in cujus signum tam Collegiati quam & alii Graduati, quaerunt quae sua sunt, Charitatis Regulas deserentes: ex quo pollulant invidi●, comparationes Personarum & Patria, & multa alia seminaria patru mendacii. Wickliff in Speculo Militantis Ecclesiae. cap. 26.  Seeing Christ (saith he) hath not ordained these universities, or colleges, it is manifest that both They and the Graduations in them are nothing but so much vain Heathenism introduced, in Testimony whereof, as well the Collegiates as other Graduates do seek the things which are their own, leaving the Rules of Charity: From whence do arise envies, and comparisons between Persons and Countries, and many other seed-plots of the Father of lies.  

— Quantum ad Collegia in Studiis suis generalibus est idem Judicium. Nam per ipsa Patriae & Personae, contra charitatis regulas acceptantur, & intrinsecae invidiae, cum peccatis aliis & perjuriis ac Simoniis contra instituta propria cumulantur. Conceditur tamen quod ex talibus Collegiis sicut ex aliis Scotis eveniunt multa bona, non tamen tot, quot occasione peccati Diaboli, & peccati primi Hominis, Ideo erubescat fidelis fructum talis commodi allegare. Wickliff lib. de cura Pastorall. cap. 10.  Again, he having spoken of other Sects, saith, Our Judgement concerning colleges is the same, as touching their General Studies: For through them, Persons and Countries are accepted against the Rules of Charity, and inward envies are h●aped up with other sins, Perjuries, and Simonies, against their own Statutes. Notwithstanding it is granted, that out of such colleges many good things do arise, as well as out of other Sects, yet not so many as by the occasion of the sin of the Devil, and the sin of the first man. And therefore let a faithful man be ashamed to allege the fruit of such Profit.  

Si Collegia ista sunt in conversatione à Domino reprobata, quis dubitat quin sic nutrire eos non foret elcemosyna, sed factiones & partis contra Christum stulta praesumptio. Nam omnes hae Sectae & omnes Novitates, quae non in Christo Domino sundatae sunt, tentant Christum cum Satana, Mat. 4. cum spe●nunt Ordinationem liberam Sectae ejus, & praeeligunt servilem sectam aliam minus bonam; acsi nollent per gradus quos Deus ordinat in Zion coelestem ascendere, sed per lationem Satanae ad Templi pinnacula transvolvere. Quae ergo ●lcemosyna est sic fovere puerulum talem Diaboli in Castris Cainiticis contra Christum? Idem.  Again saith he, If these colleges are in their conversation rejected of the Lord, who doubts but that to nourish them in this way is no alms, but the foolish presumption of a Faction, and party against Christ. For all these Sects, and all Newnesses which are not founded on Christ the Lord, they tempt Christ with the Devil, Mat. 4. seeing they despise the free Ordination of his Sect, and do rather choose another sevile Sect, less good, as if they would not ascend into the heavenly Zion, by the steps which God hath Ordained, but would fly to the pinnacle of the Temple by the carrying of the Devil. What alms therefore is it to cherish such a child of the Devil in Cains Castles against Christ?  
He also affirms that one idiot through the help of the Grace of God, doth more good in the Church, than many Graduates in the Schools and colleges: and that God's Inspiration of such, doth more profit the Community of the faithful, than all the universities, and all their Studies and privileges.  
Thus hath Wickliff witnessed in this matter, who was also Himself Master of Balliol college in Oxford: And Philip Melancthon gives this Testimony of Him, Equidem sapientem virum judico fuisse wicklefum Anglum, qui omnium primus, quod ego sciam, vidit universitates fuisse Satanae Synagogas, that is, I do indeed judge Wickliff of England to have been a wise man, who for aught I know, first of all saw Universities to have been the Synagogues of Satan.  
John Hus also, 
John Hus. Pedibus conculcabitur Corona superbiae. Nam multorum Doctora●us & Magistratus, qui suffocato in ipsis prorsus verbo Evangelii, jam invere, cundè nimis magnificant fimbrias & dilatant Phylacteria sua, & amant primas Cathedras in Scholis & salutari in foro, vocari ab hominibus Rabbi ●. cc per hoc cedunt in apparatu & armamento Corporis Mystici Antichristi, quoniam Scriptum est, est Rex super-omnes filios Superbiae, Joh. Hus. Lib. de Regno Antichristi. cap. 14.  that excellent Instrument of Jesus Christ, and blessed Martyr, saith, speaking on that Scripture, Isa. 28. woe to the Crown of the Pride of Ephraim, and the Crown of Pride shall be trodden underfoot, saith, The Doctor-ships and Masterships of many, who having the word of God wholly choked in them, do now too shamelessly make broad their Phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the chief chairs in the Schools, and to be saluted in the Markets, and to be called of men Doctor; And by this they go in the apparel and harness of the Mystical body of Antichrist, because it is written that he is the King of all the children of Pride. And the Crown of Pride, of these children of Pride shall be trodden down.  
And thus as it is manifest what Religion founded the universities; so it is as manifest what Religion will in the appointed time destroy these Foundations, if they be not truly and thoroughly Reformed. For surely as they are, if the work of Christ go forward in the world (as it necessarily must do notwithstanding the present defection) in the appointed time) they can no more be held up, than the house built on the sand, in the time of Tempest. For the true Spiritual Church is built on the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles; Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, and so it is firmly founded upon a Rock, and can never fall; But the universities are built on the Philosophers and Heathen, Plato and Aristotle being the chief corner stones, and so they are built upon the sand, and neither can their own hands uphold them, nor the Secular Arm establish them, in that day wherein the Lord alone shall be exalted. But it is not men of moral and civil Religion and Righteousness, who will do this work, and execute this vengeance; for the Inchauntments of the universities are too strong and mighty for all human Spirits: But the called, chosen, and faithful Ones of Christ, when he shall summon them, and call them to his foot, they shall not stand on-Complements , Formalities and Niceties; nor regard friendship or enmity; but through the Power of Faith, shall break through all that can be said and objected by the Wisdom, Policy, Prudence, and Religion of man, and shall execute the righteous Judgements of the Lord, on these Mothers of Harlots, and Fornications of the Nations.  
And whereas he saith, their Destruction will never be but of themselves: I do verily believe that. For seeing their Root is rottenness, their Fruit must needs be Destruction. Yea, the Lord will raise up his word in the midst of them to destroy them: For the more the word of the Lord shall blow upon the university, the more shall this Grass wither, and the flower thereof, that is, human Learning fade away, till it be at last quite dried up. And this is the Burden of the university, whose day is coming, when iniquity shall have an end.  
And thus have I done with these things; There were many other things in that S●rmon as contrary to the Gospel; which for brevity's sake I have omitted.  
Now what a sad thing is it, that such poisonful Doctrine should be poured forth into an university Congregation, and that by the Ministry of such a man? and if the Ceremonies of the Law were in use under the Gospel, how ought we to rend our Garments at the bearing of these things?  
And now blessed Lord Jesus, who wast crucified, dead and buried, but art risen from the Dead by the Eternal Spirit, and art ascended on high to fill all things, have mercy on thy poor Church, which is so grievously rent and torn this day, by Wolves in sheep's clothing, and is thus hurt and consumed by poisonable Doctrine of men, who seek themselves, and their own things, to the harm and ruin of thy poor people! O thou Son of the Living God, who are the way, the truth, and the life; how shall the Kingdom of Antichrist be brought down, when the hands of such men, who seem Pillars in the Church, are stretched forth so strongly to hold it up; And how shall the days of Antichrist be shortened, when his Kingdom is coming forth again in the greatest deceivableness of unrighteousness that hath ever yet appeared in the World to delude the Nations? O Lord remember all thy Promises, and make haste to destroy Babylon the Great, with all its Mysteries of Righteousness, and unrighteousness, and let it sink as a millstone in the Sea, without any hope or possibility of a Resurrection. And seeing there is no hand of man stretched out for this work, but all hands are against it; do thou destroy it O Lord without hand, even with the Spirit of thy mouth, and brightness of thy coming according to the Truth of thy Promises, and the unutterable sighs and groans of thy Spirit occasioned thereby, in the hearts of all thy faithful and elect. Even so Lord, And let thy Kingdom come, and make no long tarrying.  
AMEN.    

A TESTIMONY From the WORD Against DIVINITY-DEGRES IN THE University: OR, Any Academical Degrees made us● of for the Ministry of the GOSPEL.  
THe Universities (whose soul and life do lie in human Learning and School-Divinity) that they might gain the greater profit to themselves, and glory to their children, have (after the example of the heathen) given their children Degrees in D●vinity (as they in Art) and the glorious Titles of bachelors, Masters, and Doctors in Divinity, as so many Crowns of Gold upon their heads, to win them honour and reputation with all people, who have been under the delusion of Antichrist.  
And in the confirming of these Graduations or Degrees, (which also is done for a sum of money) they give the graduate's licence and power to preach, and to expound the Scriptures, and that by the sole Authority of the University.  
For the vice-chancellor, admitting a bachelor in Divinity to his Degree, 
Procancellarius Bacchalaureum Theologiae admittens, his verbis utatur; Admittimas te ad enarrandum omnes Apostolicas Epistolas, i● nomine Patris, Filii, & Spiritus sancti. Doctorem admittens ita dicet, Admittimus te ad interpretandum & prositendum universam sacram Scripturam tamve●etis quam novi Testamenti, In nomine Patris, Filii & Spiritus sancti. cap. 20. De Ceremoniis in Gradibus conferendis  useth these words in the name of the University, We admit you to declare all the Apostolical Epistles, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And so the bachelor in Divinity, hath Power according to his Degree, only to deal with the Apostolical Epistles, but must go no farther. And admitting a Doctor to his Degree, the vice-chancellor saith thus, We admit you to interpret and profess all the holy Scriptures both of the old and new Testament, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  
And thus doth the University, through power received from Antichrist, give men, chiefly for money, Divinity-Degrees; and through those Degrees it gives Authority and privilege to bachelors in Divinity to expound part of the Scriptures, and to Doctors to expound and profess all the Scriptures; and they that gain these Degrees to themselves, are (as there is good reason) the great men in account with the University, and also with the carnal people of Antichrist, how destitute soever they be, of the faith and spirit of the Gospel.  
Wherefore I cannot choose but give in my Testimony against this glorious and gainful privilege of the Universities, to wit, their conferring upon their children Degrees in Divinity, and creating them Masters in that Mystery, which none can teach but God himself; and which none can learn, but true believers who are borne of God, and are his true Disciples.  
And so I do openly affirm, that Degrees in Divinity (for I meddle with none else) given by the Universities to their children, are plainly and grossly Antichristian, 
University-degrees in Divinity Antichristian.  being most manifestly contrary to the word of the Gospel, and the light that shines in the New Testament.  
For first, In the Gospel of God our Saviour, we learn, That only a new and heavenly birth makes men to be of the true Church, 
The Gospel against Divinity-Degrees in the Universities.  and that the pouring forth of the spirit on these children of God, according to the measure of the gift of God, makes Christians of several Degrees in this Church, and not Academical Graduations.  
Secondly, In this Gospel also we are taught, that all the true Ministers of Christ are equal, and not one superior to another, as these Degrees make them.  
Thirdly, In this Gospel also we are taught, that the true greatness amongst Christ's true Disciples, doth not stand in Academical Degrees, or worldly honour and Dignities, but in the faithfuls near and exact following of Christ in word and conversation; and that the sons of Zebedee, in desiring superiority and preeminence above the other Disciples, contrary to the life and doctrine of Christ, did grievously offend, and were therefore sharply rebuked of Christ.  
Fourthly, Yea here, we hear Christ himself forbidding this very thing to his Disciples, that Antichrist and his prophets might have no cloak for doing the contrary, where his Gospel is truly taught and published. For Mat. 23. Christ doth forbid his Disciples before all the multitude, to be as the Jewish rabbis or Doctors, who (saith Christ) do their works to be seen of men, and disguise themselves with different garments or habits from others (that they might be the more taken notice of, and have the more respect) and do love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the Synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men Doctor, Doctor; but saith Christ to his Disciples, Be not ye called Doctor, for one is your Master, even Christ, and ye all are brethren, and so equal.  
Whence it is evident, that this practice of Universities and colleges in giving men Degrees in Divinity, as they call it, and Titles, Habits, and Dignities accordingly, is contrary to the express command of Jesus Christ, and so is a mere Invention of Antichrist, to put Honour and Reputation on his Ministers.  
It is also manifest, that this practice of the Universities, hath all along made many Doctors in the Church, which yet never were Christ's true D●sciples.  
It is also manifest, that these Degrees and Titles do cause men to be proud, and to lift themselves up above their brethren, and to think themselves something when they are nothing; such Graduates, u●ually pro●ing Theologi Gloriae, Divines of glory; and not Theologi crucis, D●vines of the cross, as Luther speaks; that is, proud and h●ughty clerks, and not the humble Ministers of Christ cru●ified.  
These Degrees also do break the simplicity of the people of God, and do prejudice the communion of Saints.  
Farther, these Degrees are a dangerous snare to simple people, causing them to receive all for good Doctrine that is delivered b●such men, though it be never so erroneous and unsound, inasmuch as their high titles which they have gotten in these High places, and the reputation of their learning, strikes an awe into them, that the● dare not once question what such men deliver, m●ch less contradict it.  
Wherefore, as much of the mystery of iniquity is discovered and dissolved already, so there is no doubt, but that this glorious relic thereof, to wit, Divinity-Degrees, will also in due time follow, as the lightnings of God shall enlighten the world.  
And seeing so much of the light of the Gospel hath shined forth in thi●Age, it were to be wished that the Universities, Heads of colleges, and Clergy, would not wilfully, for worldly honour, ●espects and advantage sake, shut their eyes against it, or rather with open eyes, maliciously seek to extinguish it, but that they would be contented, to have all their honour lie in their l●keness to Christ, who was in the Church as one that served; and who was so far from receiving honour and taking titles from men, to make himself of account in the world, that being Lord of all, he made himself of no reputation; and that they would reject all the pomp and pride of the fa●se Church, which being destitute of faith and the spirit, makes itself and its Ministers glorious, in outward names and Titles.  
Now though this be a plain case in the Gospel, and there needs no Testimony of men, yet for the fuller conviction of the world, I shall add the witness of other believers, that it may appear, that I am not alone in this matter, 
The Saints & Martyrs against Div●nity-Degrees.  though to have been alone with the word, would have been sure and safe enough.  
In Edward the third's time, there was an excellent d●scourse set forth, called, The ploughman's complaint, 
ploughman's complaint.  &c. which testifieth against these Divinity-degrees, in these words, Antichrist (saith it) maketh Masters too many, who teach the people with their own teaching, and leave Gods teaching which is needful, and hide it with quaint glosses from the mean people. But (saith he) these Glosers object, that they desire not the state of Mastery to be worshipped thereby, but the more to profit the people when they preach the word. For they say the people will more believe the preaching of a Master, that hath taken a state of School, than the preaching of another man that hath not taken the state of Mastership. To which he replies, That it is no need that Masters bear witness to God's teaching or word, that it is true and good, neither (saith he) can any man by his state of Mastership which God hath forbidden, draw any man from his sin, rather than another man which is not a Master, nor will be none, because it is forbidden him in the Gos●el. And a little after he saith, Seeing we are to bel●eve a m●ns wo●ks more than his word, the deed showeth well of these Masters, that they desire Mastership, rather for their own worship, then for profit of the people, &c.  
After, John wickl●ffe that chosen servant of Christ, 
J●hn Wickliff  did witness against these Antichristian Degrees, who saith, The Clergy do busily seek their own wo●ldly w●rship and glory, and by great gifts and va●ne costs, to be called Masters in divinity, and to speak before Lords, and to sit at meat with them, and not to teach truly the Gospel to all manner of men, by meek l●fe, and freely, as Christ bids.  
The same Wickliff on Mat. 23. cap. 4. saith, Although in some studies, the name of Doctor imports excellency, 
Licet in qui bus●am sindus nom●m Docto●is sit excell●ntius, cum fit vitus Gentilis ex multis honoribus & statibus aggregatus, tamen in teatu Apo●toli ●●mitur simplicius, pro quocunque fideli, qui notabiliter docet fid●m catholicam; & sic dici● nomen Doctoris meritum & laborem, & interimit superbiam & status eminentiem quoad mundium. Wickliff Tractat. in cap. 23. Mat.  seeing it is a heathenish Rite, heaped together of many honours and states, yet in the text of the Apostle, it is taken more plainly, for any faithful man, who doth notably teach the Catholic faith: and so the name Doctor, speaks desert and labour, and takes away pride and eminency of State according to this world.  

Breviter, omnis Secta, Satus vel operatio, quam Christus non approbat in suo evangelio, est rationabiliter dimittenda; ideocum Christus non approbat sed reprobat gentile M●gisterium supraedictum, patet quod est de Ecclesia dimittendu●. Idem.  again, saith he, Every Sect, State and operation which Christ doth not approve in his Gospel, is in reason to be rejected; and therefore seeing Christ doth not approve, but reprove the forenamed heathenish Mastership, it is manifest that it is to be discharged, and cast out of the Church.  

Nota quod nomen Officii multum distat a nomine Graduat●onis Scholasticae, gentiliter introductae. Wickliff, in Sermon. Domini in Monte.  again, saith he, Note that the name of an office, doth much differ from the name of a Scholastical Graduation, heathenishly brought in.  
He saith also, That Christ hath specially forbidden his Disciples, heathenish or Scholastical Mastership; and that Christ would have the name of Master or Doctor singularly reserved to himself, 
Cum periculum & superfluitas sit in isto nomine videtur quod istud nomen sit rationabiliter fugiendum.  seeing he, by reason of his hypostatical union, hath a certain excellen●y which cannot agree to any other of mankind. And concludes, That seeing there is danger in attributing to men the Title of Master or Doctor in Divinity, therefore in good reason those Titles are to be shunned in the Church of God.  
John Hus also saith, That they who take to themselves Academical Degrees, and Titles answerable, do go in the apparel and harness of the mystical body of Antichrist, 
John Hus. Hus, libr. de Regno, &c. Antichristi. c. 14.  who is the King of all the children of pride, to wit, of the Masters and Doctors in Divinity.  
Again in another place he speaks to this purpose, Christ (saith he) saith, Joh. 8. Neither came I of myself, but the Father sent me; so the Saints have come in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the name of Jesus they have performed their Priesthood, and he is the Crown of their glory: 
* Ac per hoc distinguuntur a quibusdam aliuade coronatis, ut Magistti & Doctores, & Baccalaurei, nec non aliis varii generis titulorum in multiplici scientia hujus mundi, &c.  and by this, they are distinguished from certain, who are otherwise crowned, as Masters and Doctors, and bachelors, and from others of other kind of Titles, according to the manifold wisdom of this world: for these excelling others by their pains, and through their own science and learning, are notably beautified with their own titles and crowns, and therefore do rather perform their office in their own name, then in Christ's. Thus he.  
Luther Speaks much to this purpose also; 
Luther.  but I shall have occasion to use him more largely.  
Zuinglius on that Scripture Mat. 23. 

Zuinglius. Audes hic bu●usmodi titulos Magistrorum & Doctorum non ex Deo esse, x Christus hoc vetat. Zuin. Conradus pelican.  
Melch. Adam. in vita pelican.   Be ye not called Doctor, for one is your master, Christ, &c. saith thus: Thou hearest here, that these titles of Masters and Doctors, are not of God, seeing Christ forbids them.  
Conradus pelican also, a godly preacher, having the sense of this on his deathbed, desired his friends, that he might by no means be buried, as the manner than was, in the habit of a Doctor, quia sperabat se resurrecturum ad judicium non ut Doctorem, sed ut humilem Christianum; because he hoped he should rise to judgement, not as a Doctor, but as a humble Christian.  
Now methinks, the clear and precious word of Christ alone, should take off the Universities and Clergy, from giving and receiving these Degrees and titles, if they do in good earnest profess themselves to be his Disciples; but how much ought they to be ashamed and confounded, when they see other believers, for the love of Christ and his word, utterly renouncing these things before their faces, that they, if they persist, may be left wholly without excuse before Christ and his Church.  
And now for the conclusion of this matter, I shall hold forth to the Universities, the true Degrees, which Christ the Son of God, did himself take in the Church of God, and which all his Saints are to take after his example.  
Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, the first and chief Teacher of the new Testament, 
The true Divinity-degrees in the Church of God.  did neither commence bachelor nor Doctor in Divinity, but he took five other Degrees, wherein the University-Graduates are usually wanting.  
Christ's first Degree in the Church was this, that He was the Son of God, as the Lord said to him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; and again, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this is the first Degree that Christ himself took in the Church, his Divine Sonship according to his human nature. 
Christ's first degrees in the Church. His Divine Sonship.  And this Degree all the faithful take with him, for they all are begotten of God, and born of the immortal seed of his word, and their being the children of God through faith, is the first Degree also, that they take in the Church.  
2. Christ's second Degree in the Church, was his unction with the spirit, 
His second degree. His Unction.  for being the Son of God, the spirit of God came and sat upon him in the form of a Dove, which was his New testament-baptism: and his first Degree was confirmed to him by the Father, when he took this second; for whilst the spirit rested on him, a voice from heaven said, Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  
And this second Degree also, all the faithful take with Christ, for they all as his fellows, are anointed together with him, the chief among them; they as members are anointed together with him the head, with the same oil of gladness; and being sons, God sends the spirit of his Son into their hearts; and the spirit of the Son in their hearts, is a sure testimony they are sons: and their second degree also confirms their first; to wit, the Gift of the spirit, their s●nship.  
3. Christ's third degree was this, that after he was anointed by the Spirit, and declared to be the Son of God, then for the proof of both, He was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, forty days and nights together; and in all these temptations, 
His third degree. His victory over temptation.  through his Sonship, and unction, he overcame the devil, and came away Conqueror: And this was his third degree in the Church of God, that the anointed Son of God, overcame the devil, in all the greatest and most grievous temptations he could assault him with.  
And this third degree also, all the faithful take with Christ; for when they are the anointed Sons of God, Satan sets upon them, with all sorts of Temptations, and they are led by the Spirit of God, to wrestle with principalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses set in high places, and the rulers of the darkness of this world: and yet they in the strength of their Sonship and unction with Christ, do also with him, tread Satan under their feet, and go away Conquerors through the Grace of God in them; and this also is their third degree in the true Church.  
4 Christ's fourth degree in the Chur●h was this, 
His fourth degree. His teaching the word.  that after his Sonship, unction, and victory over the devil in all Temptations, he then went forth as a fit and able Minister to teach the Gospel of the kingdom, against all the enmity and opposition of the world, Devil, and false Church, as is taught us Mat. 4. v. 11. & 17.  
And this fourth degree also, all the truly faithful take with Christ. For after they through faith are the sons of God, and through their Sonship are anointed, and through their unction, overcome the devil in all his Temptations, than also they preach the Gospel of the kingdom, being all of them, a chosen Generation, and royal priesthood, to show forth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darkness, into his marvelous light, as Peter testifies: and they all speak as they do believe, and have experience: and their Sonship, Unction, and Victory over temptation, is as sufficient a ground for them to teach, as it was for Christ to teach; and so they without any regard of the Laws of Antichrist, or Orders of the Clergy, go forth to teach the everlasting Gospel, as Christ did before them; and this is the fourth degree of the faithful in the Church.  
5. Christ's fifth and last degree, which he took in the Church was this, that he having both preached and lived the word, 
His fifth degree. His dying for the word.  whereat the world and worldly Church were wholly offended, and enraged, did at the last, willingly confirm his Doctrine with his death, and seal to the truth of it, with his blood; exposing himself to the most shameful and ignominious death of the cross, to confirm his Gospel to his Church; and this was the highest and most glorious Degree that Christ took in his Church, as Christ testifies, when speaking of his suffering, he saith, Now is the hour come that the Son of man should be glorified.  
And this fifth degree also, all the truly faithful do take with Christ, either in deed, if need require, or in preparation and readiness, and that whilst they live in outward peace. All the blessed Martyrs have taken this highest degree in the Church with Christ; and all the rest of his seed have been, and are ready to take it also, when it is the good will of their heavenly Father, seeing they can say in the same faith and spirit with Christ, even in this matter, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not my will, but thine be done: for they are come to do the will of him that sent them, even to the laying down their lives.  
Now these are the only degrees, that Christ himself took in the Church, and which all the Saints take with him; and the true spiritual Church of believers, allows and approves no other Degrees but these.  
And what now are the University-Degrees in Divinity to these? they are Degrees in Antichrists Church only, and every heathen or human creature, Turk or Infidel may take them as welll as they, with a little time and pains, and money.  
Wherefore (that I may turn my speech a little to the University) do thou University lay this to heart, how much thou hast departed from the Gospel of Christ in this matter, as well as in all the rest; and hast received the Doctrine, and Laws, and Methods, and Manners of Antichrist, wherewith thou hast deceived thyself as well as the Nations. And thou University, hast like thy own mother Babylon, Mystery written on thy forehead, for thou hast taken to thyself this title, ALMA MATER, the beautiful mother, which only belongs to Jerusalem from above: and though thou hast brought forth a company of prodigious children, heathenish foolish, vain, vile and abominable, yet hast thou called them learned, and given them Degrees in Divinity, contrary to the Degrees in the Gospel, and hast sent them forth, into every City, County, Town, and Village, as Ministers of Christ, yea as Sons of the morning, though unbelievers and destitute of the spirit: And thus hast thou deceived the Nations, and given them a false ministry in stead of a true, and by this false ministry, a false word in stead of the Gospel, and the world hath not at any time received a greater woe, nor more grievous plague then from thee: Wherefore thus saith the word of the Lord, The day of thy vengeance is coming, and the years wherein thou shalt be made desolate; and thy dainty and goodly things shall depart from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all, and the voice of musicians and Pipers shall no more be heard in thee, for in thee is found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth: thy human learning, to wit, thy Philosophy and School-Divinity, & the false ministry that they have set up, and the false Christians, that have proceeded from that ministry, have devised and executed all these murders, and massacres, on the true Saints of God.  
FINIS.  
 Quis est sapiens & intelliget haec?  

The Testimony of Martin Luther upon the whole matter, To wit, touching universities, human Learning, or Philosophy, Vniversity-Degrees, &c.  
MArtin Luther in his Answer to Ambrose Catharinus, expounding the Vision concerning Antichrist, Dan. 8. speaks thus:  
The twelfth and last face of Antichrist, is that Chaos, and open gate of Hell, yet very comely to behold, to wit, the Universities, into which, perjury, and the abuse of God's Name are the entrance, and the progress is a free and most licentious conversation in all manner of wickedness. And yet under these sins and destructions, Science and Sapience are promised. Yea Titles and Degrees are given in stead of rewards.  
But what do they perform at length? First, the more choice youth of christian people are here prostituted, and are cast into the open throat of Hell, that I verily think this destruction was figured by the Idol Moloch, to whom anciently they made their choice children to pas● through the fire. Afterwards Aristotle being read to them, and not rightly understood, the wits of christian youth are exercised with heathenish and human learning, yea, are quite blinded and oppressed with it. And in stead of the Word of God, the doctrine of Antichrist is delivered, that it may seem, the devil himself could not bring forth a more subtle and effectual Invention and engine, Eutterly to extinguish the Gospel, then to set up Universities. Wherein, under the pretence of Christian Doctrine, nothing should be taught but that which is most contrary to the Christian Faith. And if at any time it seems good to call forth the choicest to the Government of the Churches, they call them out of these Stews and Dens.  
And truly to me, this last face of Antichrist seems to be the most hurtful of all, because this hath the pretence of the Word, when all the rest have only the colour of Example; and this is plainly Schola Hidoth, the School of Propositions, of which anon. For it is incomparably the greatest prejudice, under the colour of the Word, to teach things contrary to the Word; seeing the face of E●amples is formed and strengthened by the face of the Word, which otherwise would soon come to nothing, if the Word should reign in its genuine sense; and also, seeing the pretence of Examples doth only deceive the manners, but the pretence of the Word, overthrows the Word. But if by any Grace of God, the Universities should receive the Word (to wit, instead of Philosophy and School-Divinity) how soon would the Papacy, with all its faces or appearances perish, seeing this face, to wit, the Universities, is the prop, bones and whole strength of that kingdom of faces!  
This deceitful face seems to be foretold Rev. 9 which Scripture it is worth the while to rehearse, 
Rev. 9 from the first to the twelfth verse expounded by Luther.  and a little to unfold, for John saith, The first Angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth, and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit, 
Vers. 1.  &c. I will here make trial a little with my own apprehension. Now certain it is, that by Angels through all the Apocalypse, is meant the Overseers of Churches, as doth plainly appear out of the second and third chapters, where it is written to the Angel of Ephesus, Smyrna, and others. Further, that other sort of Angels which sounds the Trumpet, of which there are seven mentioned, chap. 8. cannot agree to any but the Roman Bishop, seeing no others are said to sound with Trumpet. Now to sound with Trumpet, can be nothing else, as appears by the consequence of the Text, and the following effects, then to make Decrees, which none ever arrogated to himself, besides the Bishop of the Roman Church. Neither is it said in vain, that they prepared themselves to sound, see●ng chiefly in these Popes, there hath been an impatient fury, and unquiet Tyranny, to make Laws, and thereby to subject others to themselves.  
But let us come to our first Angel, who was the first among three, who were to bring three woes upon the earth, and this is He, who did first institute and confirm Universities, whom it is not easy for me to name, Histories so varying in this matter. But let him be whosoever he was, he was a star fallen from heaven to earth, whether it were Alexander of Hales, or (which I rather think) St. Thomas who only (after the Universities were approved, and this Angel had sounded) was either the first, or chief Author of bringing in Philosophy into the Christian world, being the most Aristotelian, yea plainly Aristotle himself, to whom, as to the Earth, he fell from Christ the Heaven, having obtained the authority of that most wicked Angel, approving such studies.  
And he received the key of the bottomless pit, 
Ver. 2.  and opened it, and brought forth to us Philosophy, long ago dead and damned by the Doctrine of the Apostles: and from thence ascended the smoke of that pit, that is, the mere words and opinions of Aristotle and the Philosophers, as the smoke of that great furnace: for then Philosophy prevailed, and became of large extent and power, so that Aristotle was made equal with Christ, in respect of Authority and Faith. And hereby was the Sun darkened, (even Christ the Sun of Righteousness and Truth; Moral virtues being brought in in stead of Faith, and infinite Opinions instead of Truth) and the air also with the smoke of the pit; that it may be understood, not to be an Eclipse of the Sun, but the obscurity of the air and Sun, by the smoke of the pit ascending, to wit, human Doctrines, obscuring Christ and his Faith, as the Sun and air.  

Ver. 3.  And out of the smoke of the pit, there came forth Locusts on the earth. Here the people of the Universities, bred and born of Philosophy, are called Locusts by a most fit name, because they are without a King, that is, Christ, and fly in companies, as is said, Prov. 3. and also because they waste and burn up all green things, wherever they light; and so the Grammarians think they have their name Locustae, Locusts, a loco usto & vastato, from the place which they burn and waste. And so, this people of the Universities, consumes and burns up all the green pasture of Christ, that is, the fruit of Faith.  
And power was given to them as the scorpions of the earth have power: to wit, to wound the Consciences of men, because the green fruit of Faith being wasted, which heals the Consciences of men, it cannot be but the Conscience must be hurt and prejudiced.  

Ver. 4.  And it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing; that is, that they should not hurt the Elect. For they do not hurt all, neither do natural Locusts hu●t every green thing, but some certain place: so it is here.  
But only those men, who have not the mark or seal, of God in their foreheads; that is, some grass they should hurt, to wit, those who have not Faith, which is the mark of God, which we carry in a pure Conscience and free conversation,  

Ver. 5.  And it was commanded them that they should not kill them, but only should torment them five months. This seems to be spoken of Moral Doctrine, which seeing it teaches us the knowledge of sin like the Law of God, it doth not kill, but only afflict a man with vain studies, wherein he is always learning, and yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth: for they being killed with the Letter, are quickened with the eternal Spirit, only they are tormented five months, that is, the whole time of their sensual life, in which moral virtues reign. And we see by experience that all Moral Divines, are of a most evil and unhappy Conscience, full of scruples and unquietness, and have power neither of good nor evil: and therefore it follows,  
And their torment is, as the torment of a Scorpion when it strikes a man. Behold here a wounded conscience: for here he expounds what he had said before, that they are not savingly killed, nor spiritually quickened.  
And in those days' men shall seek death and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, 
Vers. 6.  and death shall flee from them: to wit, the death of sin, which doth too much live in the conscience, and yet is not rightly known; for if it were known, presently it being slain would perish: but this cannot Aristotle's ethics do, but it is the office of the Letter and the Spirit.  
And the shapes of the Locusts were like to horses prepared to battle, to wit, of Scholastical disputation and conflict. 
Vers. 7.  
Praeparatis in praelium, & armatis omni genere Doctrinae, & arte loquendi, arguendi, respondendi, exhortandi● potentes sunt ad invedendum & defendendum quamcunque velint veritaelem, aut speciem veritatis, armati nihil ominous omni apparentia fa●etiae & honestalis. J. Hus. Et super capita corum Coronae: i. e. Tituli Magistrales, vel dignitatum & graduum in Ecclesia investitura. J. Hus.  He describes the war by this Allegory; for they are ready to argue pro & contra (as they speak.) And on their heads were as it were crowns of gold: that is, the Names and Titles of Degrees, as, Magister noster eximius: sacrae Theologiae humilis & indignus professor, &c. that is, Our famous Master: and the humble and unworthy professor of sacred Theology, and the like. And these crowned ones, John Hus called Hypocritas Coronatos, Crowned Hypocrites: and by reason of these Crowns, they have Authority and power among the multitudes of carnal Christians, who are willing to entertain Antichrists pomp, into Christ's Church. Yet have they not true crowns, but as it were Crowns of Gold, which they are very proud of, and are much puffed up with them, though usually, they are set on the head, of Ignorance and Error.  
And their faces are like the faces of men, because their doctrine and life is governed, not by the spirit of faith, but by the dictate of natural reason, and by the light of nature illuminated by Aristotle.  
And they had hairs like the hairs of women. For Philosophy brings forth effeminate Ministers, given to ease and luxury; and in whom is nothing of spirit, nor of manly abilities in Christ. For the haired are Priests, 
Vers. 8.  as you may see Psal. 68 Isa. 3. and in other places.  
And their teeth are like the teeth of lions: consider only the Thomists in stead of all other Divines; whether they be not biting, slanderous, and devourers of all that speak a word against Aristotle's Divinity. Yea the Thomists, Scotists and Modern men, bite one another among themselves, and sharpen against one another, not any teeth, but the teeth of lions, neither is there any sort of men which war more fiercely or with greater hatred, than those Sects of Divines, each of which desire to devour the other, that it may reign alone.  
And they have brestplates as it were brestplates of iron, and this is the pertinacious and confident presumption of each Sect, 
Vers. 9  on the truth and soundness of his opinion: and by these iron brestplates they are unconquerable: and these are the Principles of each Sect.  
And the sound of their wings was as the sound of Chariots, and of many horses running to battle: the wings are the words of these that dispute and conflict, by which they do impetuously, brawlingly and clamorously rush on one another and fight: as we see in the tumults of Disputants both by words and writings, where neither yields to neither, but each one is unconquerable. For he signifies this pertinacious affection of disputing, by the rushing of chariots and horsemen.  
And they had tails like unto Scorpions, and there were stings in their tails, 
Vers. 10.  and their power was to hurt men five months. Here he explains what before he had propounded, to wit, that the fruit and end of this Divinity is nothing but evil consciences, during all the time of the sensual lives of men. For that Divinity is an abomination to those who are spiritual, because these are without the bounds of the five months, in the spirit of Liberty.  

Vers. 11.  And they had a King over them, which is the Angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek Apollyon. Here we may learn that the Rector General of all Universities, is not Christ nor the holy Spirit, nor any Angel of God, but an Angel of the bottomless pit, that is, one that is dead, and is among the dead and damned. Who is it then? even that Light of nature, to wit, Aristotle, who doth truly reign in the Universities, as Abaddon, and Apollyon, that is, a Waster and Destroyer of the Church. For we have said that an Angel signifies a Teacher or a Doctor in the Church. And certain it is, that Aristotle who is dead and damned, is at this day the great Doctor of all the Universities rather than Christ; for he reign● alone, being exalted by the Authority and study of Thomas, reviving freewill, and teaching moral virtues and natural Philosophy, to wit, the three-headed Cerberus, or three-bodied Geryon.  
Behold the first no which the Church hath from the Romish Antichrist by the ministry of Saint Thomas: and they whose duty it was chiefly to have prohibited and extinguished these things, they chiefly have erected and established them.  
Thus Luther, 
Luther's second Testimony.  word for word, in the forenamed place. He also in his book De abroganda missa privata, speaking of the Idol M●loch, saith thus:  
Moses and Jeremy have described the worship of this Idol to be after this manner, that they did burn or offer to him their children in the fire, supposing that hereby they did perform the greatest and highest service to God, inasmuch as after the example of Abraham they do not spare their own children, though they do this, not only not being called as Abraham was, but also without faith, & in the highest wickedness; and therefore the Psalmist testifies, Psal. 78. That they offered not their children to God, but to Devils. For whatsoever is not done by the call and command of God, is not done to God but devils, who suggest this, though it be done under pretence of the name of God.  
Now hereby (saith he) I conceive the Universities to be represented, in which the best and choicest part of Christian youth is offered, as it were in burnt sacrifice to God, that there they may be instructed, and be made as it were wholly divine. For the common people believe there is no place under heaven, in which youth can be better instructed, so that even religious people have recourse hither. For to learn any thing out of the University, is to learn nothing: but to have studied in the University, is to know all things. There all Divine and human things are believed to be taught: for no man sends his son hither with any other opinion than this, that he can nowhere be better sent. They think they perform the highest service to God, that they offer their sons to be formed according to the instruction of godliness, that thereby they may become profitable and useful Ministers, Preachers, Governors, who may wholly become God's own portion, and be useful both to God and men.  
And hereto appertains the name Moloch, which signifies a King, or kingly, because this kind of study doth honour them with Degrees and Promotions, and renders them fit and able to govern others. For we see that all that are preferred to Governments, are taken out of Universities: and he that is not a Graduate or Member of an University, is not qualified for preferment, or to be set over any people: but let the Ass first be crowned (to wit, with a Degree) and then let him reign.  
And parents do not see, and they that do see, do not regard, that youth are usually here destroyed, though rude and vile manners, none commonly forbidding them. Yea fornications, luxury, and other manifest sins do but mildly destroy them, but that they are endued and possessed with Philosophical, heathenish, human, wicked, and impious opinions, this is the fire of Moloch, which no tears can sufficiently bewail, seeing through this they especially are devoured and perish, who are the most studious and modest youth in Universities. So great is the fury of God upon this Valley of Tophet and Hinnom, that they perish more grievously who learn most, and live modestly, than they who learn nothing and are corrupted with lusts. For these learn nothing which is to be unlearned again, seeing they know they do evil; whereas the other suck in poison which happily or never they do vomit up again, holding that for good which is evil, and instructing those with the like opinions, whom they take to teach.  
And to these pits of Hell it is to be imputed, that the Sun of the Gospel is obscured with the smoke of the pit: 
☞ Ut Academiis, ab initio mundi, satanas nihil excogitaret praesentius, ad vastandum fidem & Evangelium toto orbe.  for out of this smoke proceed those Locusts, which possess all Chairs, and Pulpits, and administer all Governments, that Satan from the beginning of the world, could devise nothing in all the world more strong and pernicious to waste Faith and the Gospel, than Universities, Neither was it meet that this evil should arise, but in the end of the world, when the world through the prevailing of sin, being loaden with the wrath of God, should draw near to hell and damnation. For the miserable people must needs hear those things taught and delivered out of the Pulpits, which those Molochites have learned in the Universities. And they have learned nothing but the highest blasphemies of God. Neither is it lawful to have anywhere any other Pastor than these.  
In Jeremiah that valley is called Gehinnom, from whence Christ took that word Gehenna, which what it signifies, I do not well know: but it seems to me to come from Janah, which signifies to eat up; or to pill, or waste, as Tyrants or Usurers, do pill and suck out the people: so that Gehinnom is the valley of pilling or wasting the people, for these being set over the people as shepherds, aught to feed them with the word of life, and they in stead thereof, do insensibly waste and devour them, in their body, goods, and soul, with the pestilent Doctrines of Universit●es. And such Teachers do the universities, those S●nagogues of perdition, give us. Thus Luther.  
These now are Luther's own words, which I have made legible to English men. Wherein it is manifest that he condemns the Universities in the very institution and constitution of them, and chiefly in their chief studies, human Learning, and School-Divinity, and also, as to that gross popish Opinion, that they are the Fountain and Nurseries of the ministry: and that none are fit to teach, or so fit to teach, as those that have been educated in them. Yea though these be raw, foolish, ignorant fellows, yet being University-Graduates must they be set over Towns and Parishes, and the miserable people must not only hear them and their doltish Doctrine brought from the Uni●ersities, but also must be constrained by secular power and Laws, to pay them well for such pains, which tends only to the ruin of their souls for ever: and no hand is yet strongly and resolutely stretched out to deliver the people from this intolerable bondage. For the necks of the people of the world have never endured so grievous a yoke from any Tyrants, as from the Doctrine and Domination of the Clergy. For worldly Tyrants, have only afflicted men's bodies and temporal estates, which reached but to this short life: but these spiritual Tyrants, the Clergy or false ministry, when they have got countenance, strength, and aid, from the worldly Magistrates, how have they with their Academical, Philosophical, Heathenish Divinity, infected, poisoned, and destroyed the people to eternal death, and nobody durst shun them, upon pain of temporal death or punishments. But now through the great goodness of God, and his mighty Providences and Works from heaven, it is a more happy age: and happy shall they be, who being called forth, shall do the work of God against all discouragements and difficulties, and shall not with Ephraim being harnessed turn their backs in the day of battle.  
And now to return to our business again touching the Universities, let none object that Luther speaks against Popish Universities only, for this is but a weak and simple Defence, and altogether unable to ward off the mighty blow of God's word, from their heads and hearts. For the things condemned in the foregoing Testimonies of Luther, are the self same for the substance of them, as do live, prevail, and flourish in our present Universities, as hath been before declared, and I leave it to every faithful Christian to judge the truth in this matter. But men would fain preserve their Titles, Degrees, Authority, Dignity, State, Stipends, and therefore for defence of these things, they must needs say something, though it be to never so little purpose: but yet by such discourse they sufficiently declare how cool and icy they are for Christ's interest, and how zealous for their own.  
But certain it is, that as the Universities were set up at first as nurseries for Antichrists kingdom, men being therein so educated (according to the undertaking of Charles the great) in Philosophy and School-Divinity, that it might be said to them, Vos estis sal terrae, & lux mundi, Ye are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (which yet only agrees to the faithful who are born of God) so have they still remained the same hitherto in substance, though not without some small change of outward form.  
For first, the Philosophy taught and studied in the University is the very same that it was at first, 
The University-Philosophy.  and this Philosophy is nothing but the Religion of the heathen, for what the Law was to the Jews, and the Gospel is to the Christians, Philosophy was and is to the heathen; and in this study the poor lads wast the flower and cream of their lives, to no purpose, but to make them more heathenish, corrupt, and bold, than they were by nature. And,  
2. For their Divinity which they usually learn in the Universities, 
T●e Un●versi●y-Divinity.  out of the Fathers, Schoolmen, and Systems; and in which they are trained up, to dispute either for it, or against it in the Schools (it being in seriousnes●, all one to them what they hold and maintain in Religion, seeing all is but opinion to them) and which they after teach to the peole, with special regard to their own profit and advantage, this is not the true word, and ministry of the Gospel. For the Gospel is the word of faith, which word, is the word in our hearts, according to the tenor of the New Covenant, wherein God saith, I will write my law in their hearts, and put it in their inward parts; But now the University-Divines, the Truth being indeed dead in their hearts, and having no presence nor power there, they take it up out of the books and writings of men, wherein it hath been buried, and by this means bring forth a dead Doctrine to the world (which other men have spoken, but they have no experience of) and not the word of life, which hath quickened them; but only a dead Letter, raised up like the l●ving Letter, which they present to them, as the W●t●h of Endor raised up a dead Samuel in the outward habit and appearance of the living Samuel, and presented him to Saul: so these University-Divines bring forth the outward garments and appearance of the Truth to the people, when they do best, but the substance, soul, and life of the truth, they cannot bring forth, because they have not the l●ving word of God in their hearts, but have only a dead word, which they gather out of the books and writings of men. And this is the University-D●vinity.  
And Lastly, The Preachers which the Universities send forth, 
The University-Preachers.  are usually in the greatest enmity to Christ and his Gospel, of all other men whatsoever, and do bring greatest prejudice to Christ's Kingdom, and advantage to Antichrists. For when men without learning, and yet without the Spirit of Christ, will undertake to teach the people (as many also now do) their Ignorance is manifest to all, and is judged of all, and they through their rudeness can never long deceive the world; but now, when men are as destitute of the Spirit as they, and yet have human Learning, and the Letter of the word in a Philosophical sense to help them, this is that that endangers and deceives the world, the people supposing the doctrine of the Gospel according to Philosophical learning, to be the Ministration of the spirit, and to be sufficiently enough to instruct the Church. And so Antichrists kingdom is set up with credit and renown by these: whereas the Ignorant Teachers, who are destitute of the Spirit, are able to do him no considerable service. But Christ will not have the Learned men to be Teachers in his Church through their Learning, and as little will he have Ignorant men to teach in his Church, because of their Ignorance; but whether men be learned or ignorant according to the world, it is no matter in Christ's Church, where each man is to speak in the Spirit of Christ, which makes alike, both the Ignorant and the Learned, wise in Christ: and so the Learned man becomes Ignorant in the Church to be Learned in Christ, and the Ignorant man without worldly Learning, forthwith becomes wise in Christ; and the Learned and the Ignorant meet together only in the wisdom of Christ, which is the wisdom of God, and swallows up at once, all the Learning and Ignorance of the world alike, and will have all wise alone in itself.  
Wherefore all Universities being left and forsaken as to this matter, let Learned and Ignorant men come alike to Christ to be made wise in him, who is made unto us of God, our only wisdom.  
FINIS.   

THE Right Reformation of Learning, schools and Universities according to the State of the Gospel, and the True Light that shines therein.  
THough I do not pretend to that wisdom which might direct the world (farther than the word of God is with me) yet shall I be bold, as one who desires to be faithful to Christ, and profitable to his true Church, to offer my apprehensions and advice, to the Called, Chosen, and faithful Ones of Christ, that either now are, or hereafter may be in Authority in these Nations, touching the instructing youth, and ordering Schools.  
1. First, therefore, as to this matter, I do judge, there neither is, nor can be, any greater evil then to bring up children in ease and idleness, and that they should have nothing to do, but to do nothing; and to live freely and without control, according to those natural lusts and corruptions which they bring along with them, into the world, which do soon wonderfully improve through such a careless and unnurtured life. And such children and youth, usually become an early prey to the devil, who readily fills them, with all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of the heathen.  
2. I conceive it meet, that the Civil power, or chief Magistrates, should take great care of the education of youth, as of one of the greatest works that concerns them, and as one of the worthiest things they can do in the world; inasmuch as what the youth now is, the whole Commonwealth will shortly be.  
3. To this end, it is meet that Schools (if wanting) be erected through the whole nation, and that not only in Cities and great Towns, but also (as much as may be) in all lesser Villages: And that the Authority of the Nation take great care, that godly men especially, have the charge of greater Schools; and also that no women be permitted to teach little children in Villages, but such as are the most sober and grave; and that the Magistrate afford to this work, all suitable encouragement and assistance.  
4. That in such Schools, they first teach them to read their native tongues, which they speak without teaching; and then presently as they understand, bring them to read the HOLY SCRIPTURES, which though for the present they understand not, yet may they (through the blessing of God) come to understand them afterwards.  
5. That in Cities and greater Towns, where are the greater Schools, and the greater opportunities to send children to them, they teach them also the Latin, and Greek tongues, and the Hebrew also, which is the easiest of them all, and aught to be in great account with us, for the Old Testaments sake. And it is most heedfully to be regarded, that in teaching youth the Tongues, to wit, the Greek and Latin, such heathenish Authors, be most carefully avoided, be their Language never so good, whose writings are full of the fables, vanities, filthiness, lasciviousness, idolatries, and wickedness of the heathen. Seeing usually, whilst youth do learn the Language of the heathen, they also learn their wickedness in that Language; whereas it were far better for them to want their Language, then to be possessed with their wickedness. And what should Christian youth have to do with the heathenish Poets, who were for the most part the devil's Prophets, and delivered forth their writings in his spirit, and who through the smoothness, quaintness, and sweetness of their language, do insensibly instill the poison of lust and wickedness into the hearts of youth; whereby their Education, which ought to correct their natural corruption, doth exceedingly increase and inflame it.  
Wherefore my counsel is, that they learn the Greek and Latin tongues, especially from Christians, and so without the lies, fables, follies, vanities, whoredoms, lust, pride, revenge, &c. of the heathens; especially seeing neither their words nor their phrases, are meet for Christians to take into their mouths: and most necessary it is, that Christians should forget the names of their Gods and Muses, (which were but Devils and damned Creatures) and all their Muthology and fabulous inventions,, and let them all go to Satan, from whence they came.  
6. It may be convenient also, that there may be some Universities or colleges, for the instructing youth in the knowledge of the l●beral Arts, beyond grammar and rhetoric; as in logic; which as it is in Divinity (as one calls it) gladius Diaboli, the devil's sword, so in human things, if it may be of good use, if Reason manage that Art of Reason: but the mathematics especially are to be had in good esteem in Universities, as Arithmet●ck, Geometry, Geography, and the like, which as they carry no wickedness in them, so are they besides very useful to human Society, and the affairs of this present life.  
There may be also in these Universities or colleges, allowed the studies of physic, and of the Law, according to that Reformation which a wise and godly Authority will cause them to pass under, both being now exceedingly corrupt and out of order, both for practice and fees.  
7. But why these Universities or colleges should be only at Cambridge and Oxford, I know no reason; Nay, if human learning be so necessary to the knowledge and teaching of the Scriptures, as the Universities pretend, they surely are without love to their brethren, who would have these studies thus confined to these places, and do 
* Juramentum Magistrorum in receptionibus & resumptionibus sol●nnibus. Jurent etiam, quod extra is●an Vniv●rsitatem nusquam alibi in Anglia, praeterquam Oxoniae, in aliqua facultate incipi●●l, ou● Lectiones suas solcuniter resum●nt, nec consenticut quod aliquis a libi in Anglia incipiens, hic pro Magistro in illa feculiate habeatur.  swear men to read and teach them nowhere else: certainly it is most manifest, that these men love their own private gain, more than the common good of the people. But now seeing by the hand of God, a kingdom is turned into a Commonwealth, and Tyranny into freedom, we judge it most prejudicial to the common good of a Commonwealth, that these two Universities should make a Monopoly of human Learning to themselves, especially (as is said) seeing they say, nobody can well understand or teach the Scriptures without it; and so by reason of this their encroachment, against the rule of love, through the former Grants of Popes and King●, all men should be necessitated to send their children hither from all parts of the Nation, some scores or hundred mile●, for liberal education, to the great trouble and charge of Parents: especially this considered, that the Universities usually, have been places of great licentiousness and profaneness, whereby it often comes to pass, that Parents sending them children far from them, young and hopeful, have for all their care and cost, after several years received them back again with their tongues and Arts, proud, profane, wicked, ab●minable, and incorrigible wretches.  
Wherefore doubtless it would be more suitable to a Commonwealth (if we become so indeed, and not in word only) and more advantageous to the good of all the people, to have Universities or colleges, one at least in every great town or City in the Nation, as in London, York, Bristol, Exeter, Norwich, and the like; and for the State to allow to these colleges an honest and competent maintenance, for some godly and learned men to teach the Tongues and Arts, under a due reformation. And this the State may the better do (by provision out of every County, or otherwise, as shall be judged best) seeing there will be no need of endowment of Scholarships, inasmuch as the people having colleges in their own cities, near their own houses, may maintain their children at home, whilst they learn in the Schools; which would be indeed, the greatest advantage to learning that can be thought of.  
8. It would also be considered, whether it be according to the word of God, that youth should spend their time, only in reading of books, whilst they are well, strong, active, and fit for business. For commonly it so falls out, that youth lose as much by idleness, as they gain by study. And they being only brought up to read books, and such books as only contain wrangling, jangling, foolish, and unprofitable Philosophy, when they have continued any long time in the University in these unwarranted courses by God, they are commonly in the end, fit for no worthy employment either in the world, or among the faithful.  
To remedy which great evil, colleges, being (as hath been spoken) dispersed through the great cities and towns of the Commonwealth, it may be so ordered, that the youth according to Luther's counsel) may spend some part of the day in learning or study, 
Luther. libel. de Instituend. puer.  and the other part of the day, in some lawful calling, or one day in study, and another in business, as necessity or occasion shall require.  
And thus shall youth be delivered from that ease and idleness, which fills the hearts of University-Students with many corruptions, and noisome lusts, whilst they fill their heads only with empty knowledge and foolish notions; whereby neither can God be glorified, nor their neighbour profited.  
9 And if this course were taken in the d●sposing and ordering colleges, and studies, it would come to pass that twenty would learn then, where one learns now, and also by degrees, many men, (on whom God shall please to pour forth his Spirit) may grow up to teach the people, whilst yet they live in an honest calling and employment, as the Apostles did. And this would give them great efficacy and power in teaching, whilst they lived by faith, through their honest labour, and were delivered from the mischief of idleness: But and if the faithful shall desire any one, that is more apt to teach, and hath received a greater measure of the anointing▪ then his brethren, to spend more of his time in the word and prayer, than his calling will afford, at such times they ought to supply him: and the law of love in the hearts of the faithful, will be law enough in this matter, without calling in the aid of the Magistrate.  
And by this means may the chargeable and burdensome maintenance of Ministers, by degrees be taken away, and the Church of Christ, and the very nations themselves, be supplied with a more faithful, Christian, and spiritual ministry then now it hath, at a far less rate. For God hath promised in the last days, to pour out his Spirit on all flesh, and the sons and daughters, and servants and handmaids shall prophesy, and then shall knowledge cover the earth as waters the seas.  
Now for conclusion, I do conceive that none of the faithful and wise, ha●e any just cause to be offended for speaking for the use of human learning in this reformed way, which the Gospel will permit, seeing by this means these two errors of Antichrist would be dissolved among us; the one of making Un●versities the fountain of the ministry; which one thing, is, and will be more and more (as Christ's kingdom shall rise up and prevail in the world) a millstone about their necks; and the other, of making the Clergy a distinct Sect or Order, or Tribe, from other Christians, contrary to the simplicity of the Gospel.  
2. Let the faithful consider that this reformed use of Tongues and Arts, justly hath its place in the world. For if all men cannot be Chr●stians (as Paul saith all men have not faith) yet let them be Men, and improved in the use of reason, and sober learning, where by they may be serv●ceable to the Commonwealth in their age, whilst the Church of Christ hath its own members and officers, through the call of God, and unction of his Spirit only. For 
* Sufficit autem ut homines de his rebus, (scil. de artibus & scientiis) quantum in Schola diclicerunt, noverint propter usus humanos. August. in act. contr. Felicem.  human learning hath its place and use among human things, but hath no place nor use in Christ's kingdom, as hath been sufficiently proved.  
And thus, have I freely offered my advice for mending things that are amiss, and making straight the things that are crooked in this matter.  
FINIS.