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The right use of humane Learning in Divinity. [ 1386]
IT is seen by Experience,* 1.1 that when a Man crops a flower from the Earth, he can get nothing out of it but the sweetnesse of the smell, or delightfulnesse of the colour; but when the diligent Bee comes, he will make another manner of work with it, he will extract honey,* 1.2 which is (as it were) the very spittle of the Stars: So when simple carnal-minded men read the Poets and the Philosophers, they gather nothing but delight and pleasure; but when the diligent Bee comes, a Wise man, a serious considerate man, he drawes honey and comfort out of them: Or (which is more to the purpose) as a man that cometh into a Garden of Roses, and seeing them blush upon him, is not afraid to pluck one,* 1.3 yet in the mean time he hath a great care that he do not prick his fingers: So in reading of Poets and Philosophers, we should pluck the Rose, but shun the thorn or prickle; alway take the best, and be sure to avoid that which is harmfull; For the mixture is such, that as the Rose growes in the midst of thorns, so the doctrine of the Poets is mixt with Barbarism, superstition and corruption.