Verse 11. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old]
An∣tiquity* 1.1 'tis venerable: and of witnesses, Aristotle witnesseth, that the more ancient they are, the more to be credited, as lesse corrupt.* 1.2 New things are vain things, saith the Greek proverb. And the Historian condemneth his countrymen, as despisers of old customs,* 1.3 and carried after new. But as old age is a crown, if it be found in the way of righteousnesse, Prov. 16. 31. and not otherwise: So may it be said of these Kadmônin or the old Rabbins, later then Ezra, whom our Saviour here confuteth. Much might have been attri∣buted to their authority, had they not rested upon the bare letter of* 1.4 the Law, and wrested it sometimes to another meaning. Antiquity disjoyned from verity, is but filthy hoarinesse: and deserveth no more reverence then an old leacher; which is so much the more odious, because old. And as Manna, the longer it was kept, against the command of God, the more it stanke; so do errours and enor∣mities. Laban pretendeth antiquity for his god, in his oath to* 1.5 Jacob, The God of Abraham, saith he, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father judge between us. Bu Jacob sware by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his father Isaac. He riseth not higher 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his father; and yet doubts not, but he worshipped God aright. It's no good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to say, wee'l be of the same religion with our forefathers; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we can approve it right by the holy Scriptures. Plus valet ma∣lum* 1.6 inolitum quam bonum insolitum: And that Tyrannus, trium literarum mos, too often carries it against truth: The image that fell down from Iupiter (for which there was so much adoe at 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.7 Acts 19.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said by the Town-clarke, to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as could not be spoken against with any reason. And why? because it was wonderfull ancient (as Pliny telleth us.) For whereas the Temple* 1.8 of Diana had been seven severall times reedified, this image was* 1.9 never changed: and thence grew the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great superstition, by the* 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Priests: as likewise the Ancilia among the Romanes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 among the Asians. But what saith a Noble writer? Antiquity must have no more authority then what it can maintain. Did not our predecessours hold the torrid Zone 〈◊〉〈◊〉? did they not confine the world in the Ark of Europe,