A Mite into the Treasury, Being a Word to ARTISTS, Especially to HEPTATECHNISTS, The Professors of the Seven Liberal Arts, so called, Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Music, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy. Showing what we own herein, being according to God and Godliness, and of God; and what we deny, proceeding from and savouring of those deceitful Lips, which seduced Man from his Primitive Station, a State of Blessedness. Several other things are herein touched, as in the following Contents appear.  
Indocti rapiunt coelum, nos cum doctrina,  
Nostra trudimur in Infernum, August.  
Unlearned Men take Heaven by Violence,  
Proud Rabbis Hell, when they depart from Hence,  
Poor Fishermen do find the way to Heaven,  
When Scholars go astray, who Arts have Seven;  
For Humane Learning, and such kind of Preaching,  
Is nothing to the Blessed Spirit's Teaching.  War with the Devil, by B. K. 
Thomas Lawson.  
London, Printed by Andrew Sowle, 1680.   

The CONTENTS.  

OF the Original of Languages, and of Grammar. Cap. 1.  
Of Logic. Cap. 2.  
Of Rhetoric. Cap. 3.  
Of Music. Cap. 4.  
Of the Rise of Musical Instruments in the Churches professing Christianiiy. Cap. 5.  
Of Arithmetic. Cap. 6.  
Of Geometry. Cap. 7.  
Of Astronomy and Astrology. Cap. 8.  
Of Divinity and Heathen Philosophy, and against teaching Heathen Books. Cap. 9  
Of School Titles, Degrees, as Doctors, Bachelors of Arts, etc. Cap. 10.  
Of the Rise of Distinct Habits, Gowns, square Caps, etc. used by the Clergy, and by University Students. Cap. 11.  
Of the Clergies Garmemts being of one Colour. Cap. 12.  
Of the Pall. Cap. 13.  
Of the Suplice. Cap. 14.    
A MITE INTO THE Treasury, etc.  

CAP. I. Of the Original of Languages, and of Grammar.  
College Doctors (as 'tis said) have for their Arms the Book with Seven Seals: And why? Because they are skilled in the Seven Liberal Arts or Sciences, as though the Seven Liberal Arts, acquired by Natural Search, could open the Book with Seven Seals: This is Absurd and Foolish, if not Blasphemous.  
John saw in the Right Hand of him that sat on the Throne, a Book sealed with seven Seals; and a strong Angel proclaimed, Who is worthy to open the Book, and to lose the Seals thereof? No Man in Heaven, nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, could do this, all Mouths were shut; no Critical Grammarian, no Subtle Logician, no Painted Rhetorician, no Melodious Musician, no Nimble Arithmetitian, no Accurate Geometrition, no Airy Astronomer durst appear, or was found worthy; Then one of the Elders said, Weep not, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Book, and to lose the Seals thereof, Rev. 5. So let College Doctors say what they can, 'tis not Natural Arts, nor Artists, but the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and he alone that can open the Seals thereof; all others are excluded as Impotent and Unworthy.  
Josephus in his Antiquities writes, That the Children of Noah dwelled divers Years after the Flood upon Hills and Mountains, as fearing a second Flood, until such times as Shem, Ham and Japhet adventured to make their Habitations in the lower Grounds. New Nimrod, upon Promise of Defence and Protection, took upon him Rule and Dominion over others, to be their Captain and Commander, and to provide a Remedy for their Safety, in case of another Flood; he invented the building of a Tower, so high, as no Flood of Water might over-top it, it contained in height 5164. Paces (as Hidore saith) so that it seemed rather a wonderful great Mountain than a Tower; the passage to mount up was wide, and went winding on th● outside, in which the Carriages were born, and drawn up by Camels, Dromedaries, Horses, Asses and Mules with Carts; the Almighty beholding their Proud Attempt, 
Propterea dedit ora sono difcordia, et omnes.  
Jamlinguis varios, varias dispersit in oras.  Virg. Evangelis. That is, Bereft them of their Natural Speech, which till then (as Josephus writes) was but one, to wit, the Hebrew Tongue, as most affirm, and instead thereof gave them Seventy Two different Languages, as Author's Report; from this confused Chattering among them, arose much Anger and Vexation, because one could not understand another: So these New-languaged Masons were forced to leave the Tower Unfinished; they run up and down like Madmen, labouring to find such as they could understand; and this labour of seeking one another endured till such times as they were grown to so many Companies, or Troops of Men, as there were different Languages among them, to wit, Seventy Two; and each Company, or Troop, that understood one another, resolved to departed divers ways, to seek themselves new and several Habitations: Hence, according to the distinct Tongues, as many different and distinct Nations were begun. Thus of one Language and one Nation, through Nimrod's Arrogant and Ambitious Enterprise, came Seventy Two Languages and Nations, as divers affirm; Versed. and others.  
This Tower was called Babel, which signifies Confusion, because there their Language was Confounded; so from this, when we hear a man speak confusedly, we say, he Babbles, or we call him a Babbler. Here is the Original of many Languages, Proud Nimrod brought in Babel, C●…, many Languages: Let Linguists glorying in their Languages 〈…〉 this.  
Thus of one Nation 〈…〉 Language, many Nations and Languages were brought 〈◊〉, who were as Barbarians one to another; then to the end they might be capacitated for the management of Foreign Transactions, Negotiation and Correspondance with other Nations, a Concern entered men's Minds, for the learning of Foreign Languages, and in order thereunto Grammar was invented, defined to be an Art teaching to Write and Read rightly; and one Epicurus a Heathen, as Authors affirm, was the first that taught Grammar, Pol. Virg. lib 1. cap. 7. Alsted, Vossius, etc.  
Suetoneus saith, ‛ That Grammar and Rhetoric had almost the same Original; for men observing what was fit and proper in Speech, and what was unfit and improper, what was to be imitated, and what was to be rejected, hereupon hammered out this Art, ' Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 7.  
The same Suetonius saith, ‛ That Grammar formerly was neither used nor regarded at Rome; and that at length one Crates Melotes brought the Study thereof to Rome, being sent to the Senate by King Attalus between the first and third Carthaginian War, about or a little before the Death of Eunius, ' Pol. Virg. lib. 1.  
In the time of the Saxon Heptarchy Austin the Monk, with others, came from Rome into this Nation, and brought the Faith and School Education of Papal Rome, received from Ethnic Rome, to among the Saxons; so that many Profane, Obscene, Lascivious, Corrupting and Depraving Authors came into our Schools, which are yet continued, notwithstanding the Endeavours and Attempts of many to cradicate the same.  
Seigebert, King of the East-Angles, of the Romish Faith, having learned in France the manner of their Schools, translated from Athens to Rome, and from Rome to Paris by Charles the Great, made Cambridge an University, about the Year 630. The Lectures there were begun by four Monks: Friar Ode read Grammar; Tericus read Aristotle's Logic; Friar William read Rhetoric; Friar Gislebert read Divinity to them on Sundays and Saints-days, so called.  
About the Year 668. by means of Theodore, a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus, whom Pope Vitalian had ordained Bishop of Canterbury, the Greek and Latin Tongue, with other Liberal Arts, as Arithmetic, Music, Astronomy, etc. began first to flourish among the Saxons, saith Milton.  
About the Year 895. King Alferd, through the Persuasion of Monk Neotus, made Oxford a public University, and appointed Maintenance for the Professors of Learning there, Geor Lilius in Chron. Brit.  
Further, I say, that if all Heathenish, Obscene, Lascivious and Unprofitable Books were decried, whose tendency is to Deprave, Spoil, Corrupt and Debauch Youth, and all Honest, Useful and Profitable Books were faithfully translated into English, the Latin Trade need not be so magnified, which some Honest and Wise in their Day had in their thoughts. But in as much as the learning of Languages are useful for the Management of Foreign Transactions, Negotiations and Correspondence with other Nations, as before, I speak not against the same, nor against Grammar, contributing to the attainment thereof, only I give my judgement as followeth; and do wish:  
1. That Grammars were not so tedious, finding that the great heaps of Rules, Exceptions, Criticisms and Niceties therein are a discouragement to many, and pursued by others, as the only Necessaries, Sound, Useful, Solid and Profitable Matter; being in the mean time neglected, the Comments of Grammarians (saith M.Fab. Quintilian Institut. lib. 1.) are so stuffed with Impediments and Hindrances, as that they are scarce well understood of the Composers; 'tis a Rule of knowing Hebricians, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is, Let a Man always teach his Scholars in a short way. Further, Vossius saith in his Grammar, That the great heap of Rules are very hurtful to Children.  
2. It being that Grammar consists of Rules and Examples, I could wish that all Examples therein were Sound and Savoury, that in reading thereof, nothing but what savours of, and encourages to a virtuous course of Living, might be instilled into the Reader; how precious were it if their Souls, like gideon's Fleece, did drink up betime the pearly Dew of Divine Grace, and Heaven-bred Wisdom! Children are to be trained up in the Lord's Way, and in the Lord's Language; not in the Way of the Heathen, nor in bad, vicious and infecting Words; evil Communications as the chosen Vessel Paul bears record) corrupt good Manners.  
3. It being that Grammar is an A●t, teaching to Write and Read rightly, ought it not to be observed in Writing, Reading and Speaking? Yes. But all that in Writing or Speaking use Ye or You to one Person, High or Low, Poor or Rich, such are out of the Right, Sound, Proper Speech, and deviate from the Form of Sound Words, and from the Rule and Order of Grammar.  
The World consists of many Nations, whereof each hath a peculiar Language, Speech or Dialect; yet all concur, and are unanimous in the account of Number, Singular and Plural, I, Thou, He, imports but One, We, Ye, They imports more than One; and 'twere as proper to say Thou to a Thousand, as to say You or Ye to One Man, both being Absurd, Improper and Ridiculous.  
Do not all Grammarians in teaching their respective Languages or Tongues, as Eaglish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Caldee, Syriack, Arabic, Persian, Ethiopian, Samaritan, Captick or Aegyptick, Armenian, Saxon, Welsh, Cornish, French, Spanish, Portugal, High Dutch, Low Dutch, Danish, Bohemian, Sclavonian, Polonian, Lithuanian, Irish, Swedish, Turkish, Muscovian, etc. I say, do they not all distinguish between Singular Number and Plural, which is, Thou to One, You or Ye to more than One? I say, Yes.  
Do not Roman Authors, and others, as Poets, Comedians, Tragedians, Orators, Historians, Philosophers, highly esteemed in Schools and Universities, observe this distinction? Yes.  
Are not Children blamed, yea, and entertained with Orbilian Severity in Schools of Literature, if they use one Number for another? And why they should not in other places, upon all accounts and occasions observe the true property of Speech, in relation to this distinction of Numbers, let them show a Reason that can.  
Object. 'Tis true, say some, this distinction of Numbers cannot be spoken against, in order to Grammatical Consideration, and Verity of Speech; but a Custom to the contrary hath got entrance, so that 'tis uncivil and improper to use the Word Thou to some particular Person.  
Answ. To account Thou to a single Person, High or Low, Rich or Poor, Uncivil, Clownish or Improper, 'tis no less than to accuse God himself, Christ, the Upright Patriarches, Holy Prophets, Seers, Evangelists, Disciples, Apostles, Gospel Bishops, Elders, Pallors, Deacons, Primitive Saints, Holy Martyrs, who never used any other Language; yea, and 'tis no less than to accuse all Languages upon the Face of the Earth, which according to the property thereof observe this distinction.  
Luther, much esteemed in his Age, and deservedly owned plainness of Speech, holding out You or Ye to one to be Ridiculous, Foolish, Absurd and Impertinent. Lud. Int Oper.  
Erasmus derided the impertinent Speech of using You to one, E●…s. Col.  
Must the Language of the Ancient of Days, of Christ, of the Holy men of God be slighted, because of an Unsound, Absurd and Impertinent Custom crept in, in the Night of Apostasy? Must the Glorious Work of Reformation be shut out upon such frivolous accounts? The Apostle of the Lamb bore Record, saying, If any Man be in Christ, he is a New Creature, old things are done away. Not only the Works, but the Foolish, Absurd and Impertinent Wordt of the Old Man, that the Work of Reformation may prosper. This using of You or Ye to a particular Person, â principio non ita suit, it was not so from the beginning: Tertullian, an Ancient and Learned Latin Father, said thus, ‛ That is true, which was first; that was first, which was from the beginning; that was from the beginning, which was from the Apostles. ' The Apostles, who derived the ground of their Works and Words, from him who was before all Time, used no such impertinent Speech. Augustin, Bishop of Hippo, in or about the Year 399. did not so magnify groundless Custom, as his Testimony implies, who said, ‛ Custom is not to be preferred before Truth, but aught to give place to the Truth. ' Not only in Works, say I, but in Words also. Again the same Augustin said, ‛ Custom crept in among some, ought not to hinder the Truth from Prevailing and Conquering: For Custom (saith he) without Truth, is nothing but Gray-haired or Old Error: Wherefore (saith he) forsaking Error, let us follow Truth. ' Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, who was never sound in such absurd, improper and impertinent Speech.  
Further, James Howel saith, in his Epistle dedicated to the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain, which he annexed to a French English Dictionary, compiled by Randle Cotgrave, Printed in the Year 1650. That it was the Style of France at first, as well as of other Countries, Tutoyer, that is to say, Thou to any particular Person they spoke unto; but when the Common wealth of Rome turned into an Empire, so much Power came into one Man's Hand; then in regard he was able to confer Honour and Offices, the Countries began to magnify him, and to use You unto him. See Symmathus his Epistles to the Emperor Theodosius, and to Valentinian.  
Again, Pope Clement in his Letter to Sigismond the Emperor, wrote We, when it was sent from him only, and You, when it was sent to Sigismond the Emperor only: See the Turkish History, pag. 1081.  
Thus the Language of the Spirit, of the Holy Men of God, of all Nations came to be denied, and an improper, impertinent and absurd Custom of Speech came to be entertained, and is spread as a foul Leprosy, and is pleaded for, yea by such as would be accounted sharers in Reformation.   

CAP. II. Of LOGIC.  
Logic is defined to be the Manner or Art of Reasoning and Disputing well, of which I have to say, as follows.  
The Ante-diluvian and Post-diluvian Patriarches, that is, the Fathers that lived before and after the Flood, Prophets, Seers, Evangelists, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons; yea, all the Holy Men of God, Children of Light, Children of the Day, form in the Womb of Eternal Wisdom, were Qualified and Impowered from above, to defend and maintain the Cause, Concern and Worship of the Lord, in their respective Dispensations, with having recourse to Pagan Means, Fallen Arts, Earthly Wisdom, Infectious Sophistry; as many Instances left upon Record clearly demonstrate.  
The Lord said unto Moses, when he sent him with a Massage to Pharaoh, Go therefore, I will be with thy Mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say, Exod. 4. Here he was drawn from the Puddle of Profane Arts and Sciences, Worldly Wisdom, Deceitful Sophistry, to have Reliance and Dependence on the living God, the Wellspring of pure Wisdom, savoury Knowledge and sound Understanding; and he streamed out heavenly Eloquence, saying, My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, my Speech shall distil as the Dew, as the small Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the Showers upon the Grass, Deut. 32. Moses in the Wisdom from above, contended for the Concern of God, his Will, his Worship, maintained the same against Pharaoh, Magicians, Wise Men, Enchanters, Apostates, without recourse to Pagan Means, Arts or Sciences.  
Again, Christ, who is Alpha and Omega, the Amen, made a Promise unto his Disciples, saying, I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luk. 21.15. Thus the Disciples derived heavenly Wisdom from Christ, whereby they defended and maintained the Concern of Christ, his Kingdom, Doctrine, Worship, against all Adversaries, Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites, Painted Sepulchers, Faithless Lawyers, Spoiling Philosophers, Painted Orators, Subtle Sophisters, Pagan Logicians: Christ commended them not to Heathen Schools, not to Aristotle, Plato, or any other Heathen, to enable them to refute Heretics, but to his own Gift, his Wisdom, Armour of Proof, his Sword put into their Hands, enabling them for his Work.  
Again, Certain Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, Asians disputed with Stephen: What was the issue of the Contest? 'tis there Recorded, They were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, Acts 6 9, 10. Thus Stephen obtained Victory over the Champions of the Dragon: And how? Not by Heathen Wisdom, Pagan Logic, Spoiling Philosophy, but by the Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith, Wisdom from above; in this Armour he prevailed. So Pagan Logic, an Art of the Old Man is not Gospel Armour, whereby Stephen refuted the Adversaries of Truth.  
Paul, though eminent in Tongues, Natural Parts and Abilities, and knew what Key opened into the rich Cabinet of heavenly Wiscom and Treasures; yet he excluded Natural Arts and Endowments from being that Key, saying, The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned, 1. Cor. 2.14.  
A Natural Man, though mounted to the Terret of Philosophic Elevations, and to the Zenith of Scholastic Notions, and stored with the Quintessence of Serpentine Wisdom, and profess himself to be a great Sophist, that is, Wise Man, yet groping in the gloomy Region and dark Night of Degeneration, Alienation and Estrangement from God, he cannot thereby open one Seal of the sealed Book: The Seven-sealed-Book is a thing of God, so no way to be opened and read but by the Spirit of God. Plato, a Heathen Philosopher, through Divine Glimpses said well, Virtue is not acquired, but infused.  
This Paul, a skilful Warrior of Christ, desirous that the Church might be so harnessed, as to hold out against all the Assaults of the old Dragon and his Confederates, Instruments, mentions the whole Armour of God, Ephes. 6. or all the Armour of God: What be they? Girdle of Truth, Breast plate of Righteousness, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit, Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel. Here's no mention made of Subtle Logic, nor of Painted Rhetoric, nor of Spoiling Philosophy, nor of Pagan Ethics, Physics, Metaphysics; he that mentioned the whole Armour of God, mentioned not any of these, which clearly demonstrates they are not of the Armour of God: Whose then? Of the Old Dragon the Devil: The Apostles harnessed with the Armour of God, reduced many to the saving Truth, they stopped the Mouths of Gain-sayers, they bore faithful Testimony to, and contended for the Living, Life-giving, Soul-quickning Truth, against such as was harnessed with the Old Dragon's Armour, the Wise, the Scribe, the Disputer of this World, Subtle Logicians, Crafty Sophisters, Painted Orators, Spoiling Philosophers, Drunk with the Dregs of Pagan Ethics, Physics, Metaphysics, Heathenism.  
By what is said, 'tis evident that in the Patrirachal, Mosaical and Evangelical Dispensations; yea, in all Churches Professing Christianity, while the Primitive Faith, Doctrine and Worship was sincerely maintained, the respective Membess thereof were qualified and impowered from above to defend the same; and such lively and truly influenced Confessors of the holy Truth, are true and divine Logicians, influenced from above, to Reason, Dispute for and Defend the Faith delivered to the Saints, and all this we own. And as in this Generation the Lord influences his for the performance of that Work and Service unto the which they are called: So the insinuating Serpent, the old Dragon, hath his Agents and Instruments in every Generation to carry on his Work, and they are bred and form in the Womb of Earthly Wisdom; this is seen not only among the Professors of Christianity, but also among the old Heathen, who had their Logic, which they defined to be the Art of Reasoning and Disputing well: And this Art was brought in and invented by one Zono Eleates a Heathen, who lived in or about the Year of the World 34 24. as Pol. Virgil saith, Lib. 1. Cap. 16. After arose Aristotle, a Heathen Philosopher, a Logician, whom many Apostatised Christians have, and do call, the Prince or Chief of Philosophers, the Great Rule of Universities, the sore-runner of Christ in Naturals, as John was in Spirituals: But neither this Aristotle, nor any of the company of Pagan Philosophers, Logicians, were entertained in Christendom, while a pure Virgin to Christ, the Spring of Heavenly Wisdom and Heavenly Treasures they found in them.  
But upon the sounding of the fifth Angel, the fall of the Star from Heaven to Earth, the opening of the bottomless Pit, a Smoke arose, which Darkened both Sun and Air, Disfigured the Face, Stained the Beauty of the Primitive Church; then in and through this Smoke, Christ, the Wellspring of pure Wisdom, and Soul-enriching Treasures, being lost within, Apostatising Christians entertained and received Heathen Wisdom without, and received into their Schools the Philosophy, Logic, Ethics, Physics, Metaphysics, Poetry, Comedies and Tragedies of the Heathen; they assumed the frivolous clouding Terms of subtle Pagan Logicians, then disputing for Dead, Empty and Life-less Forms of Worship became an Art of the Old Man, the true Armour being lost within, they entertained Pagan Armour without, received and gloried in Pagan Terms, yet taught in the Schools of such as would be accounted eminently Reform, not only from Paganism, but from the Superstition and Idolatry of Italian Babylon.  
Thus the infectious Cloud of Heathenism is continued, Pagan Terms gloried in, as Predicable, Predicate, Predicament, Category, Categorick Proposition, Hypotherick Proposition, Syllogism, Categorick Syllogism, Hypotherick Syllogism, Rhetorical Syllogism, Expository Syllogism, Rhetorical Induction, Logical Induction, Enthymem, a Rhetorical Enthymem, a Logical Enthymem, Dilemma, etc. and multitudes more which might be numbered. The Papist Castanaeus complains, That not only Youth, but he himself was grievously vexed with the multitudes of Terms and Distinctions, of which he gathered Thousands: What Logic Choppers intent by these I judge it no way useful to explain; herein they soar in the Foggy and Infection's Element of such like Pagan Terms, above the Apprehension and Comprehension of Vulgar Capacities, gaining Repute and Admiration in the Breasts of such as are infected with Antichristian Delusions.  
Again, not only frivolus are the Terms of Aristotle and other Philosophers, and Pagan Logicians, but their Opinions are Absurd and Blasphemous, as of their Magic's, Southsaying, Conjure, casting of Nativities; their Doctrine of the World's Eternity, that it was made of the Atoms of the Sun; of the Souls Mortality, of the Transmigration of the Soul from one Body into another, of like Temperament and Quality: Diagoras denied that there was a God; Protagoras doubted whether there was a God or no; Aristotle denied the Providence of God; Plato held out a Purgatory; Porphyrius, an Enemy to Christian Religion, held out the Worshipping of Angels; Aristotle taught ; Epicurus held that the Soul was Mortal; Aristippus held that Pleasure was the chiefest Good. Rainold.  
Notwithstanding, through the over spreading of Apostasy, Heathenism, as Philosophy, Logic, Poetry, etc. got entrance into Christendom; yet in the very Night of Apostasy the Lord had his Witnesses who bore record against the same.  
Gregory, Nazianzen, Eusebius, Ambrose, Augustin, Origen, Lactantius, Gregory of Nyse, bore Record against the Judgement of Aristotle, as Sordid, Base, Impure, Foolish, contrary to Truth and Godliness: Upon the Consideration of which (saith Dr Rainold) let no Man wonder, if I choose rather to confess the Truth with such worthy Men, then with Aristotle to commit Error. Orat. Rain.  
‛ At or about the City Hierapolis (saith this Rainold) there is a Cave, whose Vapours not living Creatures, but Eunuches only, can endure: Such like (saith he) is the Style of Aristotle, unsavoucy to all that are alive unto God, only Eunuches, that is, such as are deprived of true Judgement, and are enslaved to Aristotle, can endure the same. '  
Cleanthes being asked, Why among the Ancients, when there were but few Philosophers, more became eminent then now? ‛ Because (saith he) than they minded Matter; that is, a virtuous course of Living. ' Now the Contest is only after windy Words. Stob. Serm. 80. Noviss. Pol.  
Ariston compared the Words of Logicians to Spider's Webs, being indeed very Subtle, Witty, but Unprofitable. Stob. Serm. 80. Noviss. Pol.  
Licinus the Emperor called Heathen Learning the Plague and Pouson of the Commonwealth. Trapp.  
Luther speaking of Popish Schools and Monastries, wherein Heathenism was taught, said, ‛ This is my mind and desire, that these Stables of Two-Footed Asses, and Schools of the Devil, were leveled with the ground, or changed into Christian Schools, by a Godly Transformation. ' Luth. de Instit. Puer.  
Logic is so far from leading to the Knowledge of Universals, that it rather thursts Men down into Errors. John Bapt. Van Helm. his Physic Refined.  
‛ The World (saith this Helmont) hath suffered itself to be circomvented by Aristotle, who boasted of Logic to be the Mother of Sciences. '  
Aristotle (saith this Helmont) extolled the Method of Disputing invented by himself, and he takes away all Knowledge from a man unless he hath yielded himself to be instructed in Logic. '  
Jerem (on Psal. 140 and 141.) doth not unworthily compare the Art of Syllogizing to the Plagues of Egypt, and he calls Logical Demonstrations Dog like Discourses.  
‛ Schools (saith this Helmont) supposing Logic as Necessary, do oppose themselves to the Commands of the Apostle. '  
‛ I wonder (saith Helmont) at the great Blindness of Schools, in so greatly magnifying Logic. '  
‛ Schools of Logic (saith this Helmont) must needs confess, that through Boasting, Deceit and Ignorance, it hath deceived the Credulous World. '  
To say, that Logical Discourse is very necessary for Gospel Ministers, to refute the Subtleties of Schismatics and Heretics; that thing (saith this Helmont) would be to be wise above what is written, above the Apostles, and to commend the Abuses of Schools above the Holy Scriptures; this were to Dis-throne Gospel Weapons, and to Enthrone Paganism: 'Twas not by Pagan Logic that Stephen refuted the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Asians, Cilicians, but by Weapons from Heaven, Acts 6.9, 10. 'Tis not Pagan Logic that Christ promised his Disciples, whereby they should be Conquerors, Luke 21.15.  
‛ Doth he not seem to walk in Vanity and Darkness of Mind, who vexes himself Night and Day in the Study of Logic (saith one) and charges his Memory with the distinct knowledge of Verses. '  
‛ Logic is nothing but the Art of Contention and Darkness, whereby all other Sciences are made more obscure, and more hard to be known. ' Cornel. Agrip. de vanitat. Sient.  
‛ Almost all the Rabble of Scholars busied in the Inventions of Philosophers or Sophisters, seem to do no more than learn to commit Error, and to make the Truth more obscure. ' Corn. Agr. de Va●.  
Tindal, a Martyr, said, Whosoever ordained Universities drunk with Heathenism, be it Alexander of Hales, Thomas Aquinas, or any other, he was a Starfallen from Heaven to Earth: For there are brought in (saith he) Moral Virtnes for Faith, Opinions for Truth; and said, They were a confused Cloud. Tindal of the Revelation of Ant.  
Aristotle wrote many things absurdly concerning God, as ‛ That He is a Living Creature; that he works not freely, but by a kind of Servile necessity; and that therefore he deserves no Praise, sigh he doth but what he must do. ' Trapp. on Rom. 1.21.  
‛ As for Aristotle's Divinity, which he calls his Metaphysics, it is (saith Ramus) the most Foolish and Impious piece of Sophistry that ever was written. ' Trapp. of Arts.  
From the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle Pestilent Errors first of all Invaded, and have long Possessed, and at this day do Waste the Christian Church. Orat. Rainold.  
Where Aristotle Reigns, there Ungodliness hath great Dominion Orat. Rainold.  
How foul a thing is it, that that may be spoken against you, which Ambrose spoke of the Arians, ‛ They have deserted the Apostle, and follow Aristotle. ' Orat. Rainold.  
Some in our days have been seen to repeat Aristotle upon their Knees at Oxford, before their Masters, being at Dinner: The muddy Lake of Heathenism, opened in Rome Ethnic, steamed into apostatised Rome Christian, is received in Protestant Kingdoms, among whom Rome hath too much Room.  
Many in their day bore Testimony against Pagan Philosophy, Philosophers and Logicians; among many, one Ramus, born in France, Master of Arts, was much aspersed by the Sorborne Doctors, who accused him of Heresy in Philosophy, as an Heretical Philosopher, for that he being but Young, durst take upon him to correct Aristotle, the Prince of Philosophers, the great Rule of Universities. This Ramus published a Logic (received in the most Reformed Universities, and Aristotle rejected) with some Animadvertions upon Aristotle: He was the King's Professor of Logic in Paris, Dean of the whole University, where he remained till the Massacree at Paris, where many Thousands of the Protestants perished by the Papists, who (because of Ramus his Love to Protestants, and Testimony against Aristotle) ran him thorough, and being half Dead, threw him out of his Window, cut off his Head, dragged his Body about the Streets, in the Channels, and some young Schollrs were encouraged, by their Tutors, to whip it in a most contemptuous manner, and at last cast it into the River Sein, in the Year 1572. Clar. Mart. Fox Mon.  
By what is said, 'tis manifest that the Wisdom which is from above, with its out-going and products, we own, and desire the increase thereof, to the seasoning and rectifying of the Nations: But the Wisdom from below, with its Propagators, not able to open one of the seven Seals we deny; Aristotle forsook his Master Plato, that he might defend his own Error; and shall we not refuse profane Aristotle, to defend the Truth of the Living God? saith Rainold. Yes, Christ is to have Pre-eminence in all things, the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge.   

CAP III. Of RHETORIC.  
Rhetoric is defined to be the Art of Speaking Ornately, Firely, Eloquently, with Rhetorical Colours and Ornaments.  
Adam, as he was the Workmanship of God, he Lived, Moved, and had his Being in God, his Thoughts, Words and Works, Products of that Life, into the which he was Incorporated, Savoured of that Life, had a Divine Lustre in them, Stamp and Excellency, and were Fragrant and Aromatical in the Nostrils, and Precious in the Eyes of the All-forming Power: But the Serpent that deceived Man, and incorporated him into another Power, therein to Think, Speak and Act, brought forth an other Language, out of the simplicity of Truth, savouring of the Womb of its Original; though Plausible, Painted, Eloquent, Garnished with Colours and Ornaments of Pagan Rhetoric, yet 'tis Abomination to the Lord, Stinks in his Nostrils, and in the Nostrils of such as are truly Reborn, as Christ bore Record: Those things that are highly Esteemed with Men are Abomination unto the Lord.  
This is my Testimony, that that Language which the Lord speaks in and through his People, Sons and Daughters, is the only and heavenly Eloquence and Rhetoric, if I may so call it; though Plain, Simple, and be accounted Rude, Clownish and Babbling by the Worldly Wise.  
Moses brought to that Mouth that taught Adam and Eve in their Primative State, streamed out heavenly Eloquence, saying, My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, my Speech shall distil as the Dew, as the small Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the Showers upon the Grass, Deut. 32.2. Yea, and David streamed out saying, My Heart is inditing a good Matter; I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; My Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer, Psal. 45.1. And the Lord promised, saying, I will turn to the People a pure Language, that they may call upon the Lord, and serve him with one Consent, Zeph. 3.9. This pure Language, wherever 'tis witnessed, is the true Eloquence. And Christ saith to the Church, come and coming out of the Wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved, Oh my Dove! that art in the Clefts of the Rock, in the scorer places of the Stairs, les me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy Voice; for Sweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is Comely, Cant. 2.14. Mark, the Voice of the Church is Sweet, though not Painted with enticing Words of Man's Wisdom, nor Garnished with Pagan Rhetorical Flourishes; 'tis Sweet to Christ, though judged Rude and Babbling by Worldly Sophisters; her Voice, her Prayers, her Praises, arising from Divine Indwellings, a live Cole from the heavenly Altar, as Fragrant Perfumes is Sweet to his Nostrils. God respects not the Arithmetic of our Prays, how many they be; nor the Rhetoric of our Prayers, how neat they be; nor the Geometry of our Prayers, how long they be; nor the Logic of our Prayers, how methodical they be; nor the Music of our Prayers, how melodious they be; but his Eye and Regard is to the Divinity of Prayers, how Heart-sprung they be, saith Trapp. on 2 Cor. 12.8.  
Further, though there was a Divine Excellency in Paul's Speech, seasoned with Salt, Heavenly Wisdom, yet he saith plainly to the Corninthians, That he came not with Excellency of Speech, nor with Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom: He came not with Frothy Flourishes of Pagan Rhetoric or Oratory, nor with Enchanting Words of fallen Wisdom, which the fallen Mind ascribes Excellency unto, but falsely; but his Preaching was in Demonstration of the Spirit and Power, 1 Cor. 2.1, 4. There was a Divine Excellency in his Speech, though called Babbling by Worldly Sophisters, as 'tis to this day, Acts 17.17, 18.  
Thus 'tis clear to every seeing Eye, what Wisdom, and what Speech was justified and contended for among the Children of Light in every Age and Generation, and in the Church succeeding the Apostles, while a Virgin to Christ; but as the black Veil and foul Leprosy of Apostasy overspread and disfigured the Face of the Christian Church, then heavenly Salt, true Savour, heavenly Wisdom being lost within, than they Entertained and Magnified Heathen Wisdom without; then Pagan Rhetoric came to be embraced and taught to Christian Youth, defined to be the Art of Speaking Finely and Eloquently; which Heathen Rhetoric, a Pagan, one Mercury is said to invent or bring in, him the Heathen called the Messenger of the Gods, and Godd of Eloquence, Merchandise, Chivalry and Thievery; but Aristotle saith, that one Empedocles was the Inventor of this Rhetoric, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 13. who as 'tis said, stole away from his Company by Night, and cast himself into the Mouth of the Burning Mountain Aetna, that so the People not finding him, might conceive he was taken up into Heaven, so might honour him; but his two Pattens cast up again by the Vehemency of the Flame, betrayed his Policy and itch after Honour: Thus they that magnify Earthly Wisdom, Pagan Rhetoric, may see what manner of Man the Author thereof was.  
Yet though these things be Magnified in Pagan and Christian Kingdoms, the Lord hath had his Witnesses in the darkest of Days, against Serpentine Wisdom, Rhetorical Flourishes, the Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God: I might produce a Cloud of Instances.  
‛ Wisdom of the Flesh, Rhetorical Flourishes serves the Worldling, as the Ostrich Wings, to make him outrun others upon Earth, and in Earthly Things, but helps him never a whit towards Heaven, ' Trapp.  
‛ Men have neglected Sound, Savoury and Useful Matter, the very Quintessence of Learning, and have devoted themselves to an Excess of fine Speaking, ' Bishop Wilkins his Real Character.  
‛ The grand imposture of Phrasing hath eaten out all solid Learning, ' B. Wilkings.  
‛ Phrases (saith this Author) are an Imperfection of Speech, which like other affected Ornaments, derogate from the native Simpicity of it, disguising it with false Appearances; and that such canting Forms have eaten out solid Knowledge, through men's admiring them. '  
‛ Eloquence (saith Angustin) in a Lewd Man, is as Poison in a Golden Cup, ' lib. 1. De Anima.  
‛ The use of Rhetoric (saith Suetonius) was some time forbidden at Rome, but by little and little, it appearing Profitable and Honest, many for Maintenance and Honour's sake pursued it, and through it many aspired to the Terret of Worldly Honours, ' Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 13.  
Julius Agricola, a Roman Emperors Lieutenant, in Britain, prevailed with Noble Men to breed up their Sons in Liberal Art, brought them to effect the Roman Eloquence; then they begun to imiate the Roman Fashions, the Gown, Proud Buildings, Baths and Banquet, which the Foolisher sort called Civility; but was indeed a secret Art to prepare them for Bondage, Milton. And these things are too much countenanced among the Professors of Christianity; the Simplicity of Truth, and the Language thereof is slighted; Man's Wisdom, Heathen Wisdom magnified; a pursuit of Roman Eloquence, through the Imitation of their Orators, Rhetoricians, Poets, etc. is encouraged; and this is not without Pride and Vain Glory. The Apostle, wise in the Wisdom from above, touched this, Knowledge puffs up, but Charity edifies, builds up.  
The Equity of a Poor Man's Cause is often stifled by that grim Monster fleshly Wisdom, frothy Flourishes of Pagan Eloquence. HE Poor Man (saith Trap.) complained to his King, That such a Lawyer had taken his Cow from him: I will hear (said the King) what the Lawyer will say to the Matter. Nay (saith the Poor Man) if you hear him speak, then have I surely lost my Cow indeed. '  
Secrates in his Apology; said to his Judges, ‛ My Lords, I know not how you have been affected with mine Accusers Eloquence, while you heard them speak; for my own part, I assure you, that I, whom it toucheth most, was almost drawn to believe all they said (though against myself) was true, when they scarce uttered one word of Truth, ' Trap. Such are the Enchantments of painted Oratory, Pagan Rhetorical Flourishes.  
Cross-Bearers, who in Self-denial grow up in the Wisdom that is from above, so become Wisdom's Children, justify Wisdom; if these Stumble, Fall, Err, Sin, they have not so learned Christ, as to Paint or Cloak the same; but knowing that he, he who conresseth and forsaketh finds Mercy, they rejoice in Judgement, being brought forth into Victory. But subtle Sophisters, Erring, Sinning, so Trim, Deck, Dress, Garnish, Cloak and Paint their Sins and Errors, as that they pass with most for Truth; only Wisdom's Children, honoured with an heavenly Eye and Savour, discern and comprehend the same: There is an Arabic Proverb, Errans eruditus errat errore erudito, that is, Learned Men have learned Errors.  
By what is said, it appears, that the Wisdom from above, its Products, Divine Eloquence we own, and desire the Nation may be scasoned thereby: But the Wisdom from below, introduced by the Serpent, Pagan Rhetoric, Eloquence, Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom, we deny, knowing the same to be Foolishness with God, and altogether unable of opening any one of the Seals of the seven Sealed Book.   

CAP. IU. Of MUSIC.  
ADam, as the Workmanship of God, Lived, Moved and had his Being in God; he was bound up in that Life, whence Praises, Songs of , as sweet and fragrant Odours ascends unto the Lord; whoever draws Water out of the Wellspring of Salvation, 'tis not without Joy and Heart Melody unto the Lord; this the New Man knows, not the Old. Moses, the Children of Israel, Miriam, Deborah and Barack, David, Mary, Zacharias, holy Men and holy Women of God, overcome with the Sense, Feeling and Sweetness of the Lords Presence, and seeing Deliverance brought and wrought by his Arm, Songs of Praise and  streamed out from them; and Praise is comely in the Mouth of such; and such Singing, and such Songs we own.  
But the Serpent prevailing, Man became Incorporated into his Venomous and Infecting Power, the Foundation of a World of Wickedness was laid, a false Joy was brought forth; and this is the very Source or Spring of all Wanton Poems, Lascivious Comedies, Deluding Tragedies, Frivolous Fables, Foolish ballads, Obscene Songs, invented by the Adulterated Mind, used and pleaded for by the like Mind; yea, among such as profess Christianity; but Real Christians are in Christ, and such as are in Christ are New Creatures, Old things are done away; and such Singers, and such Songs are in the fallen Spirit, Joy of this World, the which we deny.  
In the increase of this dark Kingdom came in Music, called one of the seven Liberal Arts, defined to be the Art of Singing well, the Study of Poetry, of Heathen Poetry; of this Music, Vocal or Instrumental, or both, one Amphion, a Heathen, the Son of Jupiter, is said to be the Inventor, Plin. lib. 7. Others ascribe the Invention thereof to one Dionysius or Menoury, Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14. But Jubal, the Son of Lamach, who lived many Generations before these, is reported by Josephus, in his first Book of Antiquities, to be affected with Music, and to use the Psaltery and Harp. Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14.  
David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, in the Service of the House God, appointed Singers of the Levites, instructed in the Songs of the Lord, appertaining to the Temple Worship, 1 Chron. 6. and 1 Chron. 25. These Singers be arrayed in white Linen, they Praised and gave Thanks unto the Lord, whose Mercy endures forever. These Singers arrayed in White, shadowed out the lively Members of the Evangelical Dispensation: A Remnant of the Church in Sardis were to walk in White, Rev. 3.4. Again, John saw a numberless Multitude of all Nations, Kindred's, People and Tongues clothed in white Robes, Rev. 7. And John saw the Armies in Heaven clothed in fine Linen, Rev, 19 What is this fine white Linen? What are these white Robes? Not Aaron's white Robes, no imitation thereof, not the white Linen of the Singers of the Temple, not Surplices, such as are now used by the Conforming Ministry and Queristers in Cathedrals: What then? John tells us expressly, That the fine white Linen was the Righteousness of Saints, Rev. 19.8. And who, or what but Christ is the Saints Righteousness? So Christ the Righteousness of Saints, is that very thing which the white Linen of Aaron, and of the Levitical Singers, shadowed forth. So to plead for the Shadow, or for an Imitation thereof, the Substance being come, 'tis Antichristian. And Paul said to the Ephesians, to the Saints and Faithful Brethren, who were come to the Righteousness of Saints, to the end of Shadows; Be not Drunk with Wine, wherein is Excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves (not in Wanton ballads, Obscene Songs, but) in Psalms, Hymen's and spiritual Songs, Singing and making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord, Ephes. 5.18, 19 and Col. 3.16. Such Singers we own, their Psalms, Hymen's and spiritual Songs we own; they stream out of the Mouth of the New Man, not of the Old. John tells us of a New Song, which none could learn but the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand which were Redeemed from the Earth, Rev. 14. And Paul said to the Sanctified at Corinth, When ye come together, every one of you hath a Psalm, hath a Doctrine, hath a Tongue, hath a Revelation, hath an Interpretation; let all things be done to Edifying, 1 Cor. 14. So a Psalm was a Gift particular to the New Man, who sings with the Spirit, and with Understanding. The Primitive Church, while a Virgin to Christ, sung with the Spirit, with Understanding; had to Clerk no give them in other men's Experiences; but Christendom being become a Sea, the Spirit lost, turned from, in which true Joy and sing is; then stepped in Formal Singing without, without the Spirit, without Understanding.  
The Wanton, who spends his precious Hours in Jollity, he sings, I am weary with my Groaning, I water my Couch with my Tears.  
The proud Atheist, who hath banished the Lord out of high thoughts, he sings, I have set the Lord always before me.  
The vain Minded, who delights in the Company and Society of vain 〈◊〉, he sings, I have hated the Congregation of Evil-Doers, and will not sit with the Wicked.  
He that is as a withered Tree, Plucked up by the Roots, Fruitless, he sings, I am like a Green Olive Tree in the House of God,  
He whose Heart is as a Cage of Uncleanness, he sings, My Heart is enditing a good matter.  
The daily Feaster, such as the Residentarians, whose Legs can scarce bear about his Gross Corpulent Body, he sings, My Knees are Weak through Fasting, and my Flesh faileth of Fatness.  
Satan's Captive, who wallows in the Mire and Puddle of Sin and Iniquity, he sings, O Lord, truly I am thy Servant.  
The Son of Belial, who by Persecution would wear out the Flock of the Lord from off the Earth, he sings, I am a Campanion of all them that fear thee.  
The Lawless man, whose Life is a Life of Rebellion, subject (as I may say) to the grand Charter of Sin and Death, he sings, The Law of thy Mouth is better unto me than Thousands of Gold and Silver.  
He that Adder-wise stops his Ears from the Heavenly Doctrine of the Lords anointed Ones, he sings, How sweet are thy Words to my Taste, yea sweeter than the Honey to my Mouth.  
The Ambitious Man, puffed up with the Breath of Satan's Bellows, he sings, Lord, my Heart is not Haughty, my Soul is even as a Weaned Child.  
Do these and such like sing with the Spirit? Do they sing with Understanding? No. Now who are of God, they are distinguishing Persons, and with us they contend for singing in the Spirit, and with Understanding; this Song none but the Redeemed can learn; this Song of the Lord cannot be sung in a strange Land, Captivity, Spiritual Babylon; and such as are of God, they deny all dead formal Singing and Singers, who formally sing other men's Conditions, out of the Spirit, without Understanding.  
That the Primitive Christian Church, while a Virgin to Christ, sung David's Experiences or Testimonies in Metre, that I deny; but through the Engress of the Apostasy, Singing in the Spirit being lost, than a formal Singing in Metre entered in, whereof I have read, That  
In or about the Year 383. Psalms began to be sung, being brought in by Damasus Bishop or Pope of Rome, though not turned into Metre [Mark this]  
In or about the Year 1552. in the sixth Year of Edward the sixth, the Psalms of David first began to be composed in English Metre by one Thomas Sternhold, one of the Grooms of the Pivy-Chamber, who Translating but a few, left both Example and Encouragement to John Hopkins and others to dispatch the rest; a Device first taken up in France, by one Clement Merot, one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber to King Francis the first: At first they were sung in private Houses, after were taken into the Church of the French: And of other Nations, they were first allowed for private Devotion, after, by little and little, crept into the use of the Church, afterwards Printed and Bound up with the Common-Prayer-Book, at last added by Stationers in the end of the Bible; see Dr Heylin's Ecclesia. Restaurata. pag. 191. But though by this Author called a Device, yet now 'tis called a Vice, yea a Symptom of a Heterodox Judgement to deny or question the Observation of the same.  
Benedictus, an Abbot of the Monestary of Peter and Paul at Wire, brought with him from Rome one John the Arch-Chanter, who first taught in England how to sing in the Choir, after the manner of Rome, in the Year 724. Fox Acts and Mon.  
The Levites, that were Singers, were divided into twenty four Ranks or Courses: Hence the Apostatised Church brought in Queristers, so introduce the Levites for a proof for their Office; but the truly Redeemed Church receives not Jewdaism for Christianity, neither their Practice for Christ's Institution and Appointment.  
'Tis a Custom of many Countries and Nations, saith Macrobius, to accompany Dead Bodies to their Burials with Singing: And why? Because their Souls are believed to return to the Original of Musical Sweetness or Pleasure, that is, to Heaven. lib. 2. De Somne Scrip. Noviss Pol.  
Ecclesiastical Histories mention many Testimonies which have dropped from the Mouths of Men, Eminent in their Day against dead formal sing, used in Churches professing Christianity.  
Cassiodor, a Learned Man of Ravenna, about the Year 510. saith That the Fathers made no great account of Singing in Churches; and that most of them knew nothing thereof; for in the days of Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria, about the Year 348. Flavian and Theodor, first of all in the East, brought in the Rite or Custom of Singing at Antioch. Histor. Tripart. lib. 5. & Nou. Pol.  
Augustin saith, That it was received into the Church of Milan, when Ambrose was Bishop thereof, about the Year 373. Nou. Pol.  
Anastatius shuning all Vanities, forbade the Custom of Singing in the Church. Nou. Pol.   

CAP. V Of the Rise of Musical Instruments in the Churches Professing Christianity.  
THe House of Israel, the outward Jew, Praised the Lord on divers kinds of Instruments, as Harps, Psalteries, Timbrels, Cornets, Cymbals, Trumpets, Organs, Instruments of ten Strings, 1 Chron. 15. 1 Chron. 25. And these, saith Thomas Aquinas, the great School-man, figured forth something to come: And what was that? Even Jesus Christ, say I, the End, Sum, Substance of all the Jewist Types, Shadows and Figures; the Spiritual Israelite, the Inward Jew, the Gospel Church, made up of Living Stones, in and through Christ, streamed out a Melody unto the Lord, sweeter than all visible Musical Instruments, Ephes. 5.18, 19 Col. 3.16. The Evangelical Church come to Christ, whose Meat and Drink it was to do his Father's Will, in whom alone he was well pleased, a bundle of Mirth, she was come to the end of the Jewish Worship, of all its Appurtenances, Musical Instruments used in the outward Jewish Church, John saw as it were a Sea of Glass, mingled with Fire, and them that had gotten the Victory over the Beast, and over his Image, and over his Mark, and over the Number of his Name, stand on the Sea of Glass, having the Harps of God, Rev. 15.2. What are these Harps? Not Jewish Harps, not Visible Harps, not made with Hands, but Harps of God, such as he gives to the Jew inward, peculiar to the Evangelical Dispensation, the End and Substance of the outward Jewish Harps.  
And while the Primitive Church remained a Virgin in Christ, knit and joined to him, through the pure Ligament of Heaven-bred Faith, making Melody in Heart to the Lord, there was no use of the Typical Jewish Musical Instruments in the Christian Church; but the Star being fallen from Heaven, to Earth, Smoke arisen, which darkened Sun and Air, which stained the Beauty of the Primitive Church, the Sum, Substance, the Heavenly Harp, (as I may say) being lost within, in and through the Smoke of the Pit, than they turned to Musical Instruments without, as Organs, Dulcimers, Cornets, Sackbuts, used in Cathedral Churches, so called, as in others: And this is the ground of Musical Instruments (the Type) in the Churches professing Christianity, even that which led them from Christ, the Life, the Substance.  
I might produce a Cloud of Witnesses against the using of Music in Churches professing Christianity.  
Instruments of Music were not heard of in the Latin Church till the days of Pope Vitalian, who about the Year 660. invented and brought the Use of Organs into the Church, of whom ●…ap Mant.  
Signius adjunxit molli conflata Metallo  
Organa, quae festis resonant ad sacra diebus.  
Vitalian the Organ he invented,  
The which for use in Churches he intented.  
Here is the Author of Organs in Churches Professing Christianity, not Christ, not the Apostles; but the Pope Vitalian, Balani Angliae Episcopus, ●…ospin Leigh's Body of Divinity.  
Aims, Aquinus, Rivet, Zanchaeus, Zepperus, Altingius dislike the use of Organs, and such like Music in the Church. Leigh's Body of Divinity.  
Rivet speaking of the Organ saith, ‛ It is much better to abstain therefrom, then to introduce or continue the same, because there is more Danger therein than Edification. '  
‛ The use of Musical Instruments (saith Dr Taylor) are apt to turn Religion into Air and Fancies, ' and to take off some of its Simplicity, and are not so fitted for Edification.  
‛ The Apostles (saith Hospinian.) had not the use of Organs, or of other Musical Instruments in their Churches. '  
‛ Organ-Musick (saith one) seems rather to become Children, than the Church. ' Hosp.  
Marianus Scotus saith in his Chronicle, ‛ That about the Year 757. the Organ first came into France, being sent out of Greece from Constantine the Emperor, unto King Pipin. ' Hosp.  
Lactantius sharply blames the Gentiles for placing the Worship of God in those things which the Foolishness of Men highly esteem, lib. 2. Institut. Hosp.  
Erasmus speaks Learnedly and Gravely against the use of Organs in Churches, saying, ‛ People flock thereto, as to a Theatre or Stage, that their Ears may be Tickled or Delighted. What (saith he) at this day is more Burdensome than our Music, imitating the Notes of many Birds? It were therefore better that these Organs should be taken away. ' In Annot. ad 1 Cor. cap. 14. Hosp.  
At the Princely Banquets of the Heathen they sung the Praises of their Gods and Heros upon the Harp; Pol. lib. 1. cap. 14. From this Custom and Example, 'tis grown Customany; yea, among such as profess the honourable Name of Christ, to have Music at Feasts, Banquets, Dinners, notwithstanding the Prohibition of the Prophet, Learn not the way of the Heathen, and of the Apostle, Be not conformed to this World.  
After the Apostles days, through the Prevailing and Encroachment of Apostatical Delusion, Singing in Spirit, the Engrafted Word, the Harp of God being lost, they not only entertained Formal Singing, and Jewish Musical Instruments into the Church, but also the Heathen Liberal Art Music, Vocal, Instrumental, into Schools, a part whereof is Heathen Poetry, which to the Depraving, Spoiling and Corrupting of Christian Youth, is yet continued and contended for; and this we deny, and bear our Testimony, That Heathenism, as Lascivious Poets, Comedies, Tragedies, Frivolous Fables, Spoiling Philosophy, are as the Dead Sea, in which none can Live unto God; and in the very Midnight of Apostasy, the Lord hath had his Witnesses against the teaching thereof in Christian Schools; others have not been silent.  
A certain Lacedaemonian being asked, What he thought of the Poet Tyrreus? He answered, He was apt to Deprave, Corrupt the Minds of Young Men. Plutarch.  
Some put Amethyst in their Cups against Drunkenness; much more in the hearing of Poets, a right Rule is to be minded, lest they infect the Mind. Plut. Plin.  
Eusebius brings in Plate, sharply blaming the first Education of Youth, as Destructive, which was used by the Greeks, in reading the feigned Comical and Tragical Inventions of Poets, Cap. 49. Page 618.  
The Heathen Romans having Conquered this Nation, and Inhabiting in it, erected Schools to teach the British Youth, and brought in their Lascivious Books, Poets, Comedies, Tragedies; which to the Corrupting of Youth are yet continued.  
Edgar, a Saxon King, having some sense of the Abomination of the Time, put forth a Canon, That on Festival Days every one should abstain from Profane Heathen Songs, and from Diabolical Games and Pastimes: But now 'tis not heeded.  
In the days of Queen Elizabeth, the Lords of her Privy Council sent Letters to her high Commissioners in Causes Ecclesiastical, in order to the rectifying of School-abuses, saying, The Youth of the Realm receive rather Infections in Manners, than Advancement in Virtue, from the Heathen Poets taught in Schools. They were concerned for the removing of Lascivious Poets, taught in Schools; but— Inimicae tenacias haerent; see the Preface of the Book called, Anglorum praelia.  
Augustin, in his Confessions, accounts Terence a Comical Poet, unworthy to be read; and blames Grammarians who teach it. Orat. Rainold.  
Primitive Christians found Sophisters and Philosophers to be the principal Enemies of Christianity: Upon this account they condemned all Heathen Learning, Comedies, Tragedies, and other Poetical Writings, judging they did not conduce to solid Learning, Herald. Anim. in Arnob.  
Berno, who lived about the Year 1008. being furnished with all sorts of Learning, said That he for many Years had rejected Poetical Fictions, Heathen Historians, Worldly Learning, as Dung. In Epistad Magnifr.  
Socrates drove out of the City Lewd Demons and Atchievers of Naughtiness, handled by Poets; and he taught Men to shun Homer, and other Poets, and exhorted them after the search of the Living God. Just. pro. Christianis Apol. prima.  
Augustin called Heathen Poetry; The Wine of Error, Drunk of Drunken Doctors. Jerom called it, The Meat of Divils'.  
‛ The Devil takes pleasure in filthy and dishonest Music, and uses the same as his Vehicle or Chariot, whereby he enters the Minds of Men, who delight in Diabolical Music. ' Alsted.  
' 'Tis a profitable Work to draw Christian Youth from the reading of wanton Poems to sound History. ' Alex Ross in his Preface to Verg. Evangel.  
The Lacedæmonians made not account of Poets, but drove them out of the City, because of their Wantonness. Pult. in Lacon. Noviss. Pol.  
Jerom complained, that Priests, neglecting the Prophets, did read Comedies, and sung the armorous Say of the Bucolics. In Epist. de dueb. fill.  
Obscene Poets are to be neglected, for they corrupt good Manners, and fraught the Mind with Naughtiness. Fran. Petrar. de regne. Lib. 2.  
The Lacedæmonians would neither hear the Comedies nor Tragedies of Poets, because contrary to all Laws; they hold out Whoredoms, Incest, Adulteries, Injuries, Thefts, and other Flagitious Crimes. So it appears that Pagan Poetry, and Ingredient of the Liberal Art Music, hath been testified against.   

CAP. VI Of ARITHMETIC.  
Arithmetic, one of the seven Liberal Arts, is defined to be the Numeral Science, the Art of Numbering; the knowledge whereof is useful in Civil-Acts, in the Government of Commonwealths, for the due Provision and Order of Armies, Viewing of Artillery, useful for Merchants, Auditors, Treasurers, Receivers, Stewards, Bailiffs, etc. 'Tis said to have its Rise among the Merchandizing Phenicians; but Josephus, in the first Book of his Antiquities, ascribes the Original of it to the Jews. Pol. Vir. de Invent. rerum, lib. 1. cap. 18.  
Plato, a Learned Heathen Philosopher, (Aristotle's Master) so accounted of this Art, as that he wrote this Sentence over his School Door, Nemo Arithmeticae ignarus hic ingrediatur; that is, Let none enter here who is ignorant of Arithmetic.  
'Tis my Judgement, that none can groundly deny, but the knowledge hereof is useful, as to the Concerns of this Life, useful in its place; but such who ascribe the opening of the seven Seals to this or any Natural Art or Arts whatever, the Book is sealed to such, not one Seal thereof opened; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, whose Prerogative it is to open the Seals, he is denied, and Nature and Natural Arts are lifted into his Throne.  
Herein any Member of Italian Babylon with his Mass-Book, Mass for the Dead, Fabulous Legend; any Mahometan with his dreggy Alcoran; any Flint hearted Jew with his Talmud, a mingle-mangle of Jewish Divine and Humane Matters; any Dead, Dry, Unfruitful Formalist, may grow Profound, Exquifit, Nimble, yea, and though involved in the intricate wind of Degeneration, out of the Royal state of Regeneration and Heavenly Transformation may apprehend the Feats, Terms and Parts of this Natural Art, as Digits, Articles mixed Numbers, Ciphers, Terniries, Golden Rule direct, Golden Rule reverse, a Cube, Phythagoras' Table, Algorism, etc. yet be Strangers to the Divine Exercise which leads to Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who alone opens the Seals of the Book.  
Though there be an Use and Service in this Natural Art, yet the Children of Light, the Children of the Day, are, as I may say, the wise Arithmeticians, who being the Disciples of the Lord, are kept Alive unto the Lord, and are daily in the Numbering of his Mercies, Living Mercies, Mercies Heavenly, Mercies Earthly: 'Twas the breathing of David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, That the Lord would teach him to Number his Days, that he might apply his Mind unto Wisdom.  
Again, the Eagle-Eyed Apostle John, proposed (as I may say) an Example to wise Arithmeticians, saying, Here is Wisdom; let him that hath Understanding count the Number of the Beast, for it is the Number of a Man, and his Number is Six Hundred Sixty Six, Rev 13.18. And John saw such as had got Victory over the Beast, and over the Number of his Name, Rev. 15.2.  
Herein, together with other places is evidently intimated. 

1. That a Beast, a Beastial Man shall arise in the Churches professing Christianity.  
2. That this Beast, or Beastial Man, should have a Numeral Name, that is such a Name as should contain a certain Number in it.  
3. That the Number contained in the Beasts Name, should be, being computed, Six Hundred Sixty and Six.    
Hence this Conclusion necessarily arises, that he is the Beast, or great Antichrist, that hath that Numeral Name, which contains in it the Number of six Hundred Sixty six.  
Now what remains, but that he be faithfully and impartially sought out who bears this Name, and that we be informed what this Name is? Ireneus (whose Master Polycarpus had been St John's Disciple) informs us, ‛ That the Name Latinus contains the Number of six Hundred Sixty six; so was believed to be the Name of the Beast: For (saith he) they are Latins who now have Dominion; ' but we will not boast thereof (saith he) Implying that the Name of the Beast should be the greatest Insamy of the Church of Rome; as if he should have said, In this we have no ground for Glorying, but rather for being ashamed. Iren. against Heresies.  
Again, the Numeral Letters of the Name Roman in Hebrew, according to the Computation of the Jews, makes up this Number of six Hundred Sixty six. So whether we have recourse to the Word Latin in Greek, or Roman in Hebrew, the Numeral Letters make up six Hundred Sixty six, whereby we are led as by the Hand to the Monarch of Rome, who hath long possessed the Kingdom of the Latins, and Rome the Seat of the Latin Kingdom; his Church is called the Latin Church, his Litanies, Masses, Prayers, Exorcisms, Indulgences; in a word, his whole Service is in Latin, set up in the Year 666. by Pope Vitalian. Latin containing the Number of the Name of the Beast, being also his Language; yea, and 'tis judged unlawful to perform the same in any other Language: 'Twas the definitive Sentence of the Council of Trent, If any shall say, that the Mass ought to be Celebrated in the Vulgar Tongue, let him be Accursed. So doubtless Latin and Roman is the Numeral Name of the Beast.  
Object. No Pope was called Latin, and but one was called Roman: How then can the Pope be intimated thereby?  
Answ. John speaks not so much of a Personal as of a National Name, for he will have the Numeral Name to be the Character, whereby it might be known where Antichrist should have his Rise, and his principal Reign, to wit, in Italy, at Rome: Italy of Old was called Latinum, the Inhabitants were called Latins, from their first King Latin, as 'tis said, being also the National Name; and how that Church rings with the Term Roman, who is ignorant? As Roman Faith, Roman Religion, Roman Catholic, Roman Church, and that out of the same there is no Salvation; and that Rome is the Mother, Queen, Lady and Mistress of all Church, and that all aught to return to her Lap.   

CAP. VII. Of GEOMETRY.  
GEometry is defined to be the Art or Science of measuring the Earth, etc. which in Concerns among Men is Useful and Serviceable in its place: The Invention hereof, Strabo, Herodotus, and Proclus ascribes to the Egyptians, on this occasion.  
The River Nilus, now and then by its overflowing, Confounded and Disordered their Landmarks; upon this the Egyptians found out the Use and Benefit of Geometry, to the end that every one might be settled in the possession of proper and respective Rights: Yet Josephus in the first Book of his Antiquities, seems to ascribe the Invention thereof to the Hebrews, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 18.  
A Natural Man through search may apprehend much of the Feats and Terms of this Art, their Points, Physical, Optic and Mathematic, their Lines, Parallels, Diameter, Perimeter, Triangle, Rectangulous, Obliquangulous, Obtusangulous, Acutangulous, Multangulous; their Rhombus, Rhomboides, Cone, Cylinder, Parallelogram, Quadrat, Quadrant, Diagram, Astrolabe, etc. Yet that hereby, or by any other natural Acquisition or Attainment, he can find out the knowledge of the Almighty, or open the Seals of the Book, that I deny: For the things of the Spirit of God are Spiritually Discerned; and such as live in the Spirit, they come to be honoured with that Divine Understanding, as to set every thing in its proper place.   

CAP. VIII. Astronomy, Astrology.  
THe Living God (saith the Paraphrast on the Samaritan Pentatench) form Adam and filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge, that from him, as from Fountain useful Knowledge and Arts might flow unto his Posterity: For besides the secret Virtues of Living Creatures, of Plants, of Stones, of Metals and Minerals, he perfectly knew the Influences of Supernatural Bodies. Theoph. Gale.  
That Adam, as he was the Workmanship of God, was wise in the Book of the Creation, 'tis an undoubted Truth: So many of the Holy Men of God, as Moses, David, Solomon, Job, Daniel, etc. who grew up in that Image, in which Adam was Created, they grew up in the Wisdom of God, became wise in the Book of Life, and in the Book of the Creation; yet I read not that they were called Astrologers, or were stained with their Fooleries, Dotages, Imaginations, Uncertainties, Conjectures; but were Witnesses in their respective Generations against such, and that Spirit by the which they were acted; what they saw of the Book of the Creation, 'twas in and through the Wisdom of God revealed in them; and that we own.  
The Sons of Seth, who was the Son of the first Man Adam, as Josephus saith in the first Book of his Antiquities, understood the Doctrine of Heavenly Things, who (to the end that what they knew and apprehended might not be lost, nor swallowed up in the Sea of Oblivion; forasmuch as Adam had foretold a future Destruction of all things) made two Pillars, the one of Brick, the other of Stone, that if the Brick Pillar should be destroyed by the Rain Water or Flood, the Stone Pillar remaining might show the Writing fresh and entire to the Nations: On these two Pillars, saith Josephus, they graved those things which appertained to the Observation of the Stars. Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17.  
Josephus in his first Book of Antiquities, clearly demonstrates, that Abraham first taught Astrology unto the Egyptians, when he went down into Egypt, and that the Chaldeans and Greeks received the same from the Egyptians. Pol. lib. 1. cap. 17. To this I say, Abraham was perfect in his Generation, the Father of the Faithful; and the sum of his Doctrine unto his Children was, That they might walk in the Way of the Lord, and observe his Statutes, and being wise in the Wisdom of the Lord. I do not deny, but that he might take occasion among the Egyptians, to speak of the Wisdom and Power of the Lord, in producing the wonderful Fabric of the Creation, of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and their Influence over and upon Inferior Bodies, all which bespeak the unutterable Power and Wisdom of the great Former: To which Testimony of Abraham, the Egyptians adding the corrupt Ingredients of their own Inventions and Imaginations, Fooleries and Mis apprehensions, might patch up their Art of Astrology; Corruptio optimi fit pessima; Best things being Corrupted become Worst.  
Job knew that his Redeemer Lived, and in the Wisdom of his Redeemer he saw much into the Creation; he spoke of Thunder, of Vapours, of Clouds, of Rain, of Snow, of Hail, of the Sea, of Fountains, of Metals, as Gold, Silver, Iron, Brass, of Stones, of Precious Stones, of Subterraneous Fire, of Stars, of Living Creatures, of Earthquakes, of A●cturus, Orion and the Pleides, of the Sun, of the Heavens, etc.  
Now from the Writings of Moses, and of other Holy Men of God, the Heathen desirous of Knowledge, adding their Inventions and Imaginations thereto, patched up their Ethics, Physics and Metaphysics; from the same Source or Spring came in the Art of Astronomy and Astrology, which some will have to be one and the same; others distinguish them, calling him an Astronomer who Reasons or Treats of the motion of the Stars; him an ginger, who from the Course or Conjunction of the Stars, take upon them to foretell what shall betid Men, States, Persons, People, etc.  
The Spirit of the Lord, in which the holy Men of God lived unto the Lord, and saw much into the Creation, being turned from by the Heathen, they became Drunk with strange Conceits, Inventions, Whimsies, Imaginations.  
Divers things were Devised or Invented by the Egyptians, as Calculating of Nativities, that is, from the Day or Hour of ones Nativity, foretelling what his Fortune shall be, as 'tis called, what Death he shall die, and what manner of Man he shall be, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17. Are Astrologers now, though professing Christianity, and Redemption from Spiritual Egypt the House of Bondage, clear of these Dregs?  
Do not many Ungodly and Profane Astrologers, from the Observation of the Heavens, Contemplation of Celestial Bodies, Course and Conjunction of the Stars, take upon them to foretell what Good or Evil shall betid Men, States, Persons, People, so to determine things of future Contingence? Yes.  
To which I say, the great Former of all things, the Almighty having made two great Lights; Moses mentions their Use, End and Service, The greater Light to rule the Day, the lesser Light to rule the Night, Gen. 1.16. He saith not, that they were made for that end, that Men by the Contemplation thereof should Predict, Foretell, Prophecy, Prognosticate, what Good or Evil should betid Men, etc.  
True it is, The Heavens declare the Glory of God, etc. Psal 19.1. And not only Sun, Moon and Stars, but every Product, as with open Mouth, Proclaims, Preaches forth the Power and Wisdom of the great Former; But that men by the observation of them should foretell what Good or Evil would betid Men, Seats, Persons, People, etc. this I cannot receive,  
One reasons thus: What saith the ginger? Why is the Star of Jupiter or Venus in Conjunction with Luna, at the Nativity of Children, happy, or a portender of Good; but the Star of Saturn or Mars contrary?  
The Prophets of the Lord, his holy Seers, (as holy Records tell us) foresaw things, and what should befall in the World, to Men, States, Persons, People; but this they did by the Indwellings of the Anointing, the Word of Prophecy; not by the observation of Celestial Bodies: And how fallible Astrologers in this thing are, we have annual evident and pregnant Demonstration.  
Pharaoh having Dreamt, not any of the Magicians of Egypt, not any of the Wise Men thereof could Interpret the same, though doubtless eminent in Astrological Judgement; but Joseph Interpreted the same to him; not by the Contemplation of the Heavens, but by the Gift of God: Pharaoh said, Can we find such a one as this is, a Man in whom the Spirit of God is? And for as much as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and Wise as thou art, Gen. 41. Joseph's Interpretation Pharach ascribed to the Lord's Work, and not to any Astrological Judgement of Joseph.  
Nebachadnezzar having Dreamt, he sent for all the Enchanters, Astrologians, Socerers, Soothsayers, Wisemen of Babel, promising Gifts, Rewards, and great Honour, to such as could declare to him his Dream, and the Interpretation thereof; if not, they should all be put to Death. Notwithstanding, Wealth Honour and Death was set before them, which set their Wits upon Work, yet they could not answer the King; notwithstanding their Astrological Prudence: But the Lord that reveals Secrets, revealed that secret unto Daniel, Dan. 2. So the King was answered; yet not by Astrological Judgement of the Artists of Babel, or of Daniel, but by the Revelation of the Lord.  
Relshazzar, King of Babylon, saw a Handwriting upon the Wall; so sent for the Astrologians, Chaldeans, Soothsayers, Wise Men of Babel, promising great things to him that could read the Writing, and interpret the same; but it was hid from them: But Daniel read the Writing, and shown the Interpretation thereof; not by Astrological Judgmeat, but by the Gift of the Lord, Dan. 5.  
The Chaldeans said, That the Planets conduced very much to the bringing of Good or Evil to Man: Whereupon Hermione complains in Ovid; 
Quae mea caelestes injuria fecit iniquos?  
Quodque mihi miserae Sydus obesse querar?  
What fault of mine hath made the Heaven's unkind?  
And that a Star should not be well inclined?  Diodorus, Pol. Virg. lib. 1. cap. 17. And this conceit hath got entrance among many that profess Christianity.  
That the Seven Days of the Week are named after the the Seven Panets, 'tis thought to be the Invention of the Egyptians. Dion. Histor. Pol. Vir. Lib. 6. Cap. 5. And this is observed not only by Astrologers, but also by Schools and Colleges professing Christianity: Thus the Mist and Darkness of Egypt is continued among the Professors of Christianity.  
In most Ages and Generations the Lord Hath had his Witnesses, against the Vanity and Naughtiness of Judicial Astrology.  
There shall not be found among you any one that useth Divination, or an observer of Times, etc. Deut. 18.10.  
The Lord frustrateth the Tokens of the Liars, and maketh Diviners Mad, etc. Isa. 44.25.  
The Prophet bears Testimony against the Caldean Astrologers, saying, Thou art wearied in the Multitude of thy Counsels; let now the Astrologers, the Stargazers, the Monthly Prognosticators stand up, etc. Isa. 57.13, 14.  
‛ The Art of Astrology (saith Pol. Virg.) was devised or invented to make sound Minds Rave, or go out of the Way, ' lib. 1. cap. 17.  
Calvin, Born at Noviodune a City of France, a stout opposer of the Apostatised Roman Church, about the Year 1548. discovered in a Book the Vanity and Falsehood of Judicial Astrology, which many began then too much to heed. Clark in the Life of John Calvin.  
Bion said, ‛ That Astronomers were very ridiculous, who when they cannot see Fish swimming near them on the Shore, yet say, That they see Fish; that is, the Constellation Piscis, in Heaven. ' Stob. Serm. 78.  
‛ The Posterity of Noah (saith Theoph. Gale) degenerating from the pure Philosophy, that is, Wisdom of the Patriarches, plunged into the bottomless Pit, of Diabolical Astrology and Idolatry: For in their Contemplation of Celestial Bodies, the feeling of the Creator being lost, they were first of all hurried to the Admiration of them, afterwards to the Adoration of them. ' So those Glorious Creatures being lifted up to the Throne of the Creator, became the Object of monstrus Idolatry, Rom. 1.21. Deut. 4.19.  
Epiphanius, Basil, Chrysostom, Augnstin, ancient Fathers, eminent in the Church in their respective Days, give Reasons why Judicial Astrology is to be exploded, cast out.  
Augustin, Bishop of Hippo, sadly complains in his Confessions, That he was Deluded, in making any account of that Art; and bitterly Inveighes against it, and the Professors thereof. Nou. Pol.  
Judicial Astrology was often forbidden by the Canons of Councils. Conc. Tolet. prim. Nou. Pol.  
Phavorinus was wont to check Judicial Astrologers by this witty Dilemma or Argument; ‛ They (saith he) do say, That either Unfortunate or Prosperous things will befall: If they say Prosperous things, and deceive thee, thou shalt be made Miserable by expecting; If they say Unfortunate things will befall, yet Lie, thou shalt be made Miserable through fearing: Therefore by no means (saith he) must we have to do with such like men, who take upon them to foretell what shall happen. ' Gel. lib. 4. cap. I. Nou. Pol.  
Many have been the Testimonies against this Art; yea, and that of many eminent in the Church in their Day, whose Testmonies herein we own: And as Nations come to be rectified, and seasoned with Heavenly Salt, this and all other Arts not savouring of God, but tending to deprave People, and lead them into an uncert in Airy State will be Witnessed against.  
Astrologus caveat quinquam praedicere, precept  
Nam cadet Impostor dum super astra volat.  
ginger, foretell not, soar not high,  
Lest down thou fall, in mounting up the Sky.   

CAP IX. To such as Trade 〈…〉 Sea of Heathenism, Philoso●…●…ool-Masters, etc.  
A Philosopher ●…ture of the Word being considered, signifies, A 〈◊〉 ●…isdom. Now there is a twofold Wisdom, a Wisdom from a 〈◊〉 Pure, Heavenly, full of good Fruits; and such as gr●w up in ●…s Wisdom, so become Wisdom's Children; such as grow up in the Knowledge of the Lord, and in the Book of the Creation, s●ch a●… only su●h are the true and divine Philosophers, though the Gown, and other Philosophical Ornaments, as some call them, be not received by them.  
‛ There were (saith Alsted) Ante-diluvian Philosophers, that is, Philosophers before the Flood, as Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Malaleel, Jared, Enock, Methusalem, Noah, who did not only understand heavenly Mysteries, but also the Knowledge of Nature, the Book of the Creation, the which they taught in their Families, as in Schools. ' And  
‛ There were (saith he) Post-diluvian Philosophers, that is, Philosophers after the Flood, as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Daniel, & c. ' These he bears witness to, to be true and divine Philosophers; and this we own.  
Tatianus gave pregnant Evidence, saying, ‛ That every Age and Order among Christians, were Christian Philosophers; yea, that the very Virgins and Maids, as they sat at their Wool work were wont to speak of God's Word and Works; ' Trapp. And while the Christian Church remained a Virgin to Christ, no Heathen Books, of Poets, Heathen Philosophers, Comedians, Tragedians, were entertained among them.  
As there is a Wisdom from above, the very Source and Wellspring of Divine Philosophers, Anointed Ones, Christian Philosophers, who receive from above, and the Tendancy of what they receive is to honour him, who is above, the God of their Mercies; so there is a Wisdom from below, Earthly, Sensual and Devilish. Now Prgans of several Nations itching after Wisdom, to some scraps of Moses, and other Writings relating to Morals, Naturals and Supernaturals, to which they adding the corrupt Ingredients of their own Inventions and Imaginations, steaming from the Lake of Wisdom from below, they patch up their Ethics, Physics and Metaphysics; hence came the Philosophy of the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Chaldeans, Phrygians, Lybians, Ethiopians, Scythians Thracians, Persians, Indians, brahmin's, Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Drutdes, of Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, of the Cynics, Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics, etc. And all Pagan Philosophy and Philosophers the Primitive Christians denied, and entertained not, as all their Lascivions' Poets, Comedians, Tragedians, and bore lively Testimony against.  
Constantine the Emperor took care that the Scriptures might be taught to People, judging it most meet that Christians should be instructed in the Faith of Christ, and not in Heathen Philosophy; Euseb. lb. 4. But the Apostasy prevailing, and the Mystery of Iniquity prevailing, Heathenism came to be entertained in Schools professing Christianity; for in the third and fourth Centuries Philosophers had the Education of Christian Youth, and no man had any Reputation among Christian Doctors, who were not well initiated in Heathen Philosophy, Rhetoric, Poetry, whereby the Sluices of great Impurity of Manners were opened; yet in every Age and Generation the Lord had his Witnesses against the teaching of Heathen Authors, Obscene Books in Christian Schools. Many Testimonies hereunto relating may be read in a little Book, called, Dagon's Fall before the Ark.  
Licinus the Emperor called Heathen Learning, The Plague and Payson of the Commonwealth. Trapp of Arts.  
Our Country man Theophilus Gale adviseth well, ‛ That all the Placets or Opinions of Philosophers, should be brought to be tried by the Scriptures, that there it may appear what should be Embraced and what should be Rejected. '  
The primer, Psalter, Testament, Bible, etc. are taught in Schools to learn English, not Playbooks, Ballads, Romances, Fables, Heathen Philosophy: Why then is not Latin, and other Languages learned out of Pure, Wholesome, Sound, Savoury Books, but out of Lascivious Heathen Books, Poets, Comedies, Tragedies, & c.? Were it not more Christianlike, that in Books provided for that purpose, Youth read the Nature, Use and Service of Trees, Birds, Beasts, Fish, Serpents, Infects, Earth's, Metals, Salts, Stones Vulgar and Precious; as also Rules of Gardening, Agriculture, grazing of Cattle, Building, Navigation, Arithmetic, Geography, Chronology, Sound History, Medicine, Knowledge in Law, Improvement of Lands, Chirurgery, Traffic, Government, Ordering of Bees, Propagation of Plants, by Roots, Seeds, Slips, Layers, Suckers, by Grafting, Inoculating, Imping; of Geometry, of Useful and Necessary things, whereby they might be Qualified for Concerns of this Life, for the Help, Benefit and Advantage of others in their respective Generations, then to be trained up in Lascivious Poems, Comedies, Tragedies, Frivolous Fables, Heathen Orations, Pagan Philosophy, Ethics, Physics, Metaphysic, which after the Apostles Days darkened Sun and Air, disfigured the Face, spoiled the Glory of the Primitive Church?  
Universities stained with these things make more Lose than Learned. Prov. 22.6. Train up a Child (saith Soloman) in the Way he should go, etc. Ought he to go in the Way of the Heathen, or learn their Abomination? No; 'tis a shame for Christianty, it loudly proclaims want of Reformation in Churches Professing Christianity, that Books savouring of Leulty, Indecency and Obscenity are therein instilled into Youth; ancient Canons have been exhibited against the reading of such.  
Through the ingress and overspreading of the Apostasy in Christendom, the Fume thereof so Darkened and Deluded People, as to account Heathen Poetry, and such like pregnant Evidence, for their groundless Traditions, Controversies, etc.  
Roman Catholics say, We may find their Holy Water, and Sprinkling of Sepulchers in Juvenal 's 6th satire. Their Lights in Sepulchers, in Suetonius 's Octavius. Lamps Lighted on Saturdays in Senecas 's 96 Epistle. Distribution of Tapers among the People in Macrobius is Saturnals. Purgatory in Virgil is Aeneids. Thus proving their Doctrine by Heathen Authors: But the Evidence of one Poor Fisher, one Tentmaker, one Peter, one Paul, is a Thousand times of more Validity. 'Twas the Language of the Holy Men of God, to say, Thus saith the Lord. Of Apostatised Christians, Thus saith Juvenal, Seneca, Virgil: This is against such as would defend groundless Traditions by Heathen Armour.  
Humane Wisdom, Pagan Philosophy being entertained in Christendem, by little and little did wear out Seriousness, Soundness, Solidity, and the Simplicity of Truth. Damascen first among the Greeks, about Eight Hundred Years since, as Lombard first among the Latins Six Hundred, forming Divinity into the Rules of Philosophy, brought in the Method of School Divinity; but where Wisdom from below prevails, there is a sound, a talk of Divinity, but 'tis cast out of the Region of their Hearts.   

CAP. X. Of School-Titles, as Doctor, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, Doctor of Divinity, etc.  
IN the Primitive Time's Gospel Ministers were Called, Qualified and Impowered of and by the Lord, to fulfil the Charge committed to them; they laboured together to beget others into the Life of Righteousness, to erect a Spiritual Building, a Heavenly Structure on the Rock of Ages; they affected not Titles, nor itched after the same, to gain Reputation of the Children of this World; they had Names suitable to the Work and Office they were concerned in, as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, and laboured together for the Perfecting of the Saints; Bachelors of Arts, Master of Arts were not heard of among them; Heathen Learning & Arts, the Wisdom of this World, they bore lively Testimony against: But the Divine Call being lost, through the ingrest of the Apostasy, than they entertained Heathen Learning and Heathen Arts, to qualify them for the Work of the Ministry; then arose an Insatiable itch after Titles, to gain Honour, Reputation and Reverence among such as are under the Delusion of Antichrist: Divers Degrees and Titles are conferred, according to their standing; Bachelor of Art in such a time, Master of Arts in such a time, etc. When University Students have got a Degree in the Arts, than they have a Gown and a Cap, for the sign of it; and the Name Bachelor of Arts, in Latin Bacca●…urius, which implies as much as Laurel Berries; Why so? The Pagan Romans accounted Heathen Apollo their god of Wisdom, and they dedicated the Laurel-Tree to him, and such as were judged deserving, they became Laureati, that is, were Crowned with, or did wear Garands of Laurel, in token of Honour and Glory: Po●… tell us much of these things. Now the Romans, through Consta●… the great, received Christianity by the Lump; and not knowing 〈◊〉 dying with Christ, that his Life might be manifest in their mortal Bodies, they continued much of their old Stuff, and other Nations received the same from them; as now in our Universities, Students having got a taste of the Berries of the Laurel-Tree, dedicated to the Heathen god of Wisdom, Apollo (as I may say) that is, having attained to such a Degree in the Knowledge of Natural Arts, or such a Standing, without much Proficiency, than they have a Gown and a Cap, to distinguish them, and the Title of Bachelor of Arts derived, as you see from the Heathen; and this Title, this Gown and Cap, are as Signs and Liveries of that, whereof they by their Natural Education are made Masters; and such as are attained to such or such a Degree, in Scotland, are called Laureati, Laureate, from the Laurel-Tree, Thus Heathenism crept in, is continued.  
Object. The Title of Doctor was in the Apostles Days.  
Answ. True; but this and other Titles there, were Names of Office, relating to the Work they were concerned in, and called of the Lord unto; this might more properly be translated Teacher, so a Name of Office. Wickliff touching this thing, said, HE Name of Office differs much from the Name of a School-Degree, brought in by the Heathen. ' He ascribes these School-Degrees to the Heathen. Wickliff in Serm. Domini in Monte.  
Zuinglius on Mat. 23. said, ‛ Thou hears here, that the Titles of Masters and Doctors are not of God, because Christ forbids this thing. '  
Wilson in his Christian-Dictionary saith, ‛ Ambitious seeking after Titles ought to be eschewed. '  
John Wickliff, Condemned at Constance, who Suffered as a Martyr for his Testimony against the Apostatised Roman Church; his Testimony was, ‛ That Graduations and Doctorships in Universities and Colleges, then in use, conduced nothing to the Church of Christ. ' So 'tis apparent, that Protestants, yea, such as were Pillars of the Protestant Religion, saw an Evil in Heathenism, and the Ambitious Titles thereof.  
Object. These spoke against the Fooleries and Abuses in Popist Universities.  
True it is; and their Fooleries and Abuses remain Fooleries and Abuses wherever they are Practised; the selfsame Outward and Antichristian Forms, Fashions and Follies remain in Universities, as in the Darkest of Popery, even unto the Hoods, Caps, Scarlet Robes, Doctoral Rings, Gloves, their Doctoral Dinner and Music. Dell.   

CAP. XI. Of the Rise of Distinct Habits used by the Clergy, and by Students in the Universities.  
IN the first Priesthood Aaron and his Sons had Garments assigned them, in which they were to execute their Office, and the denial thereof, in that Typical Dispensation, had been a Transgression; those their Garments were a Shadow of somewhat to come: Now Christ, the End of the first, Priesthood, of its Appurtenances, of the Law, he put an End to the distinct Aaronical Robes, as to the rest of the Typical and Transient Shadows of that Ministration.  
When Christ sent out his Disciples, Apostles, he taught them not to have recourse to Aaron's Robes, nor any Imitation thereof, nor that their Garments should be of one Colour; their Eye was heaven ward, for the Garment of Salvation, white Linen, What's that? The Righteousness of Saints; and in this white Linen, Righteousness of Saints; the Evangelical Royal Priesthood, was and is clothed, without respect to Distinct Habits, or to any, but what is Common, Ordinary, Decent and Plain; and who Minister without this white Linen, Righteousness of Saints, and place Religion in Distinct Robes and Colours without, such are false Witnesses, made by the Will of Man, Run Unsent.  
Polidor Virgil seconds this Testimony, saying, ‛ In the Beginning of the Christian Religion, Ministers being about their holy Performance unto the Lord, put nothing on, but as at other times: They endeavoured rather to cloth themselves inwardly, with the Virtues of the Mind, and to put off the Vices of the Body, then to put on new Garments. ' Pol. Virg. Lib. 6. Cap. 12.  
And while the woman was clothed with the Sun, while the Moon was under her Feet, while the Christian Church was a Virgin to Christ, and while her Ministers were Stars in Heaven, the Care and Regard was for the Robe of Righteousness; no Jangling about Robes without, but the living Concern was to beget many to the Lord, to know Establishment in the Word of his Grace: Of such Ministers 'tis truly said, 
Even as the Heart hath not a Moment's Rest,  
But Night and Day moves in our panting Breast  
That by his Breathing it may still impart  
The lively Spirits about to every Part.  
So those, to whom God doth his Flock Betake,  
Ought always Study, always Work and Wake;  
To Breathe, by Doctrine and good Conversation,  
The quickening Spirit into their Congregation.   
Now, when this white Linen, Righteousness of Saints, Sun's Clothing, the inward Ornament and Garment of the Evangelical Ministry, Pastors, Teachers, Prophets, Deacons, Elders, Bishops, (through the steaming in of Apostatical Smoke, Ignorance, Darkness, Heresy, Traditions, Serpentine Wisdom) was lost within; then they began to jangle about Garments without; and that none should be capable of Orders, or Ecclesiastical Live and Benefits, but that conformed thereto. A principio non ita fuit; It was not so from the Beginning. Then Gospel Simplicity came to be slighted, Worldly Pomp, Splendour and Ostentation came to be pursued, than the Life, Sum, Substance being lost, they entertained Aronical Rites, and Heathen Inventions into the Christian Church, Darkening Sun and Air; from this Source or Spring ushered in Distinction of Garments without, Gowns, Hoods, Tippets, round Caps, square Caps, Gowns, with standing Collars, the Pall, Rochet, Surplice, Copes, Bonnets, Cowls, Black Coats, Mitres, Girdles Sursingles, etc.  
And to the end that Prelacy and Clergy might be had in outward Reverence and Honour, and as Badge to distinguish them by, it was enjoined by Ecclesiastical Canons and Constitutions, what manner of Robes all Masters and Fellows of Colleges and Halls, all Students of both Universities, Ministers, Arch-Deacons, Prebendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, Deans Bachelors of Arts, Masters of Arts, Bachelors in Divinity, Doctors in Divinity, Bishops, Arch-Bishops should wear; and if any conformed not thereto, What followed? A Thunderbolt of Excommunication, Suspension, etc.  
Tertullian, an Ancient and Learned Latin Father, a Philosopher, being convinced of the Truth of Christianity, he laid away his Gown, grown in fashion by the Romans having Dominion, whose Garb it was, and took upon him the usual Country Habit; for which he was derided, as many are now, for not conforming to the World. Tertul. de pallio.  
In Tertullian's time every one that was made Presbyter did renounce his Gown, which was the Roman Vestment; and the Clergy and Laity in the end came to be both alike Habited; but notwithstanding the Example of the primitive Church, wherein the Ministers, Stars in Heaven, were redeemed from the Pomp, Pride and Fashions of the World, and were no way distinguished from other men, by their Vestures; and notwithstanding the Practice of Tertullian's Time, yet Pope Pius the fourth commanded, that the Clergy should be clad in Gowns, and in the Habit peculiar unto them; Onuph. in vita ejus. Thus the Gown (invented by the Greeks, from their Example entertained by the Lydians, and from the Lydians, passed to the Romans) came to be the Habit of the Clergy, by the Pope's Authority, and others after. And how this is observed, every respective Parish, and College Students give pregnant Evidence. Tertul. de pallio, Pol. Virg. lib. 3. cap. 6.   

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

CAP. XIII Of the PALL.  

THe Pall was an Episcopal Vestment coming over the Shoulders, made of Sheep Skin, in Memorial of him that sought the Stray Sheep, and having found the same, laid it on his Shoulders, Wrought and Embroidered with Crosses; it was Ordained by Gregory the great, a Pope, That the Metropolitan Dignity, with the Honour of the Pall, should be at London; yet for the honour of Augustin, called, Apostolus Anglorum, that is, The Apostle of the English; 'twas translated to Canterbury. The Roman Poet Vergil mentions the Pall, Aen. lib. 1. For the Ground of it is from the Pagan Romans: I have not read of it either in the Mosaical or Evangelical Dispensations.  
Apostatised Christian-Romanists derive many Doctrines and Ceremonies from the old Pagans, or therein symbolise with them, and many things as Mire and Clay sticks and cleaves to such as would be accounted high sharers in Reformation.   

Of the Corner'd Cap.  
" The Mystery of the Corner'd Cap, used in Universities (saith a certain Anonimous) is, That they are to go into the four Corners of the World to Preach the Gospel; though (saith he) when Richly settled in their Microcosm, little World, a Parish, they seldom go out of its Corners, upon the account of Preaching, but exactly search the same, reaping Profits and supposed Dues from the Living and the Dead."    

CAP. XIV. Of the SURPLICE.  
AAron and his Sons, who were to Minister unto the Lord, in the Priest's Office, were to have Coats of fine Linen, and Linen Breeches to cover their Nakedness, Exod. 28. Now Christ, a Priest forever, after the Order of Melchizedec, he put an end to the Law, to the Priesthood, to its Appurtenances, being the Anti-Type, the Substance of the Typical and Transient Rites of the first Priesthood. The Disciples, Apostles and gathered Churches, they walked with the Lord in white Linen, they had Robes made white in the Blood of the Lamb, the Armies in Heaven, the Primitive Church, knowing Christ to be the Captain of their Salvation, followed him on white Horses, clothed in fine Linen: And what was this Linen? Not Aaron's embroidered Linen Coat, nor his Linen Breeches, but the Substance of these Shadows, their fine Linen was the Righteousness of Saints, and Christ is their Righteousness.  
Now, as the Apostasy prevailed, the fine Linen, Righteousness of Saints was lost, than they began to Jewdaize, yea, and to Gentilize, in Imitation of Aaron's Linen, or of the Pagan Priests, to introduce these Surplices. Anno. 769. Pope Adrian the first, in his Time was a Council held at Frankford, in which it was decreed, That whosoever did any Service in the Church he should perform it in a Surpliee; yea, the very Sexton.  
The Priests of Egypt put on White Robes in their Idolatrous Worship, so were called Linigeri; yea, and the Ethnic Romans observed the Feast of Ceres in White Apparel: Ovid, a Compiler of their Antiquities speaks thereof. Fast. lib. 4. 
Alba decent Cererem, vestris Cerealibus alban  
Sumite; nnnc pulli velleris usus abest. (1.)  
White pleases Ceres, in her Cereals wear,  
White Vestures; Black is out of Date with her.   
The D●uides had Oak-Trees in great estimation; they Worshipped the Misleen that grows thereon, as a thing sent unto them from Heaven, they performed their Rites being clad in White; in imitation of the Linen of the Jews, or of the Heathen, came the Surplice, so called, of its plettings, fold and gathering about the Neck, Sur in French is as much as Sursum, above, upward; and Plis is as much as plico, to fouled.  
One asked Edward the first, Why he, so potent a Prince, went in so mean a Garment? Old Father, said he, what can I do more in Royal Robes, than in this my Gabbardine? But such regard is had to these Surplices now, as that the Refusers thereof are branded as Heretics, Non-conformists: This is not the first Testimony that hath been born against them. Doctor Knewstub told King James and the Bishops, That the Surplice was an Ornanent of the Priests of Isis, the Egyptian Goddess, which was before Aaron: See the ground of these things. 'Tis used for Decency, some say. I Answer, Is not this to be Wise above what is Written? The Apostles, who had the mind of Christ, wise Judges of what was Decent, entertained no such thing, neither from Jew nor Gentile.  
Many eminent in the Church in their respective days, bare faithful Testimony against the introducing or continuing of Jewish Shadows or Heathen Inventions in the Church professing Christianity.  
The Waldenses, faithful Protestants, from whom streamed a Sea of Blood, for their Faith and Testimony against the Apostasy of Rome, bore Record, That Priests Robes, Altar Ornaments, Palls Corporals, Chalices, Patens, and such like Vessels were of no validity, use or service in the Church B. Usher.  
Bucer refused to wear a square Cap, and being demanded the Reason, he answered, God had made his Head round.  
Philpot choosed rather to be secluded the Convocation of the Clergy, then to wear a Hood and a Tippet: He died a Martyr for the Faith of the Protestant Church. Fox Acts and Mon.  
Didoclavius in his Book to Damascen, pag. 891. saith, ‛ Hoods, Tippets and spuare Caps, were Introduced by Antichrist, to promote his Splendour. And saith be, ' It is a Stage-play Dress, and altogether Ridiculous, being a distinguishment of some Men from others, by Signs useless, and destitute of all Ornament: Upon their Shoulders (saith he) there hangs down a Hood, such as Fools used to wear, being neither handsome nor convenient. '  
Object. Arts, though sprung from the Heathen, and Ceremonies, being admitted into the Christian Schools, and into the Church, and found useful, ought not to be spoken against: But Laymen are to acquiess in the Judgement of their Teachers, and to comply with Aristotle's advice, Oportet discentum Credere; that is, A Learner must believe, to wit, his Teacher.  
Answ. Lascivious Heathenism, Poets, Comedies, etc. and frivolous Pagan Arts are of the Evil Communications which corrupt Good Manners: And Pagan Wisdom, Jewish Shadows, Heathen Inventions, arising out of the Pit, after the Apostles days, darkened Sun and Air, disfigured the Face, and spoiled the Beauty of the Primitive Church; And are these things useful? They are without Use or Service, tend to promote the Splendour of Antichrist: And a Learner must believe, saith Aristotle. Well, he also said, Oportet docentem non mentiri; that is, A Teacher must not Lye. Upon this Doctor Rainold thus and sound Reasoned.  
‛ If thou teach false things, which I ought not to believe, thou deals very impudently if thou require me to believe them: If thou wilt be believed in what thou teaches, teach what thou ought; if thou teach not what thou ought, I will not believe what thou teaches, ' Rainold Orat. 'tis a sad Judgement to be given up to believe Lies; 'tis a Symtom of a Mind or People Intoxicated, Poisoned with the infernal Drugs of Antichristian Delusions. But the Day is dawned and dawning, the Daystar is risen and arising, giving Wisdoms Children to Justify Wisdom, and to War in Righteousness against the Old Serpent and his Wisdom, which is Foolishness with God, which hath brought the Kingdoms of this World into a Spiritual Timpany, puffed up with Pride, Ambition, a Name of Living, yet Dead.   
THE END.