The modern states-man. By G.W. Esq

CHAP. XVI. (Book 16)

The abuse of Learning no argument against the use of it.

But as this fellow cries down, so are there others which too much cry up learning, who will entail the ••ift of teaching upon it, and allow none to teach but an Vniversity Graduate; which is no other than put bounds to God, to limit the ho∣ly Spirit, hither and no farther shalt thou go; but because these men idolize it, must we exe∣crate and abhor it? because the Persians adored the Sun, must we Christians refuse the comfort of its light and heat? in thus do∣ing

we run as far out of the way on the one hand, as they do on the other.

Let them consider how many under the light of the Gospel fur∣nish'd with the helps of humane learning are strangely unac∣quainted with the knowledg of Christ crucified; a plain expe∣rienced Christian (notwithstan∣ding their Auxiliary forces) on∣ly by the help of a Bible, will put a whole Army to flight; Surgunt indocti et rapiunt coelum, when they in the mean time do but, as he speaks, ornare Diabolum; they become learned spoiles, Sapien∣ter descendunt in infernum, they go cunningly to Hell. And then on the other side let not us be so silly and malicious as to put the fault in learning, whereas

there is no greater vicinity than between truth and goodness; hea∣ven is full of knowledge, as it is of holiness; and it is brimfull of both: if some will not make a right use, or will abuse their learning, must learning suffer? can there be a more gross abuse than, as, Isocrates speaks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to lay the blame on the thing, not the man? some men with weapons commit murders and outrages, shall not others therefore have any for their own necessary and just defence? some make them∣selves drunk, may not others therefore drink to maintain life, and to comfort and chear the heart? Noah was drunk with wine, shall not Timothy therefore

drink a little for his stomachs sake, and his often infirmities? 1 Tim. 5. 23. a subtil Jesuiticall Knave wrests Scripture, may not a Minister of the Gospel therefore quote it? The first abuses his learning to pervert, and destroy, shall not the second make use of his to instruct, and edifie? Up∣on this account all things might be condemned, even profession it self, and all religious duties, which have been by some abu∣sed, and prophaned.