Vindiciæ academiarum containing some briefe animadversions upon Mr Websters book stiled, The examination of academies : together with an appendix concerning what M. Hobbs and M. Dell have published on this argument.

CAP. IX. Of some Expedients or Remedies in Theology, Grammar, Logick, and Mathematicks.

DID not I heretofore intimate, that I found M. Webster to be a pittifull man, and now Sir you see it plainly proved by this Chapter, and those which follow,

Vna eadem{que} manus vulnus opem{que} feret.

he that hath hurt the Universities will heale them. You know it is the custome of those generous soules, who for the health and safety of the generality of men, doe use to ascend the banke or publick stage, to give poyson to some that are about them, to wound or scald them, not that they delight in torturing the crea∣ture, (that were cruelty) but by the smart of some few, to con∣vince the unbelieving multitude of the celestiall energy of their Balsames; they only wound, that they may cure the wounded. And now for Application in short, that's the designe of this noble Gen∣tleman: yet least any man should think the remedies worse then the diseases, I am resolved here to joyne with him, and with stee∣ly arguments, to confound his gainsayers.

For Theology.

1. His first remedy is, that men should lay aside the suffering of themselves, to be stiled by the Blasphemous title of Divines, and that the people should call them Theologues, as they doe in Scot∣land.

I am for Theologue, Divine is a thinne stingy word to it, this fills the mouth better, and is fitter to astonish, comes nearer too to a Magicall noise, (and Magick is almost Divine p. 68.) I would have the people call them Theologues, and this is my reason; his reasons are mysticall, because the other is blasphemous: yet nothing more frequent amongst the Antients then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: and those who have sought Epithites for Plato, Aristotle, and Ptolemy, called the first of them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the second 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the last 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I am perswaded without any intention to Blaspheme. In the last place, I must pray you not to mistake him, as a favourer of the

Scottish interest, for it is well known he is a Leveller, and by con∣sequence an adversary to the High-lands.

2. His next remedy is, that the Scriptures be wholly laid aside in Scholastick exercises.

The truth is Sir, he hath spoken so excellently in his remedies, that all the service I can doe him, is only to unfold his meaning. I say then that his meaning is not, that the Scripture should be laid aside in morall exercises, (for he would have them deduced from the principles of Christianity p. 87.) nor yet in Physicall exercises, (for he would have some Physicall Learning introduced into the Schooles, which is grounded upon Scripture Principles p. 105.) but his meaning is only, that the Scriptures should be laid aside in Theologicall exer∣cises, and who does not see what a remedy to Theology that would prove?

3. That the discoveries of God by reason, may be a part of Naturall Philosophy.

For why? the subject of Naturall Philosophy is Corpus Natura∣le Mobile.

Concerning Languages.

1.2. His first and second Remedies for Languages are, that we should advance our owne, and have a compendious way for teaching forraigne Languages.

Who ever thou art that deniest these to be speciall (or rather indeed generall) remedies in this malady, I say unto thee, thou Liest, and art stiffnecked: moreover I say, that they are excellent remedies, as being part of the universall medicine.

3, 4. That in teaching

• Languages, Comenius way in his Ianua Linguarum.
• Grammar, M. Brinsleys way in his Grammar Schoole.

may be followed.

Comenius I know, and that his way is usefull, Mr Brinsley I have not the happinesse to know, any otherwise then by M. Websters commendation, being one of his favorites I should be glad to serve him: I conceive by M. W. his designe is, that Children should be well instructed in the Accedence before they learne their Grammar.

5. In his fift remedy he discovers a maine secret, that Irregulars should be learned without rule, and that the Irregulars being learned, the rule also of the Regular Nounes and Verbes would be facile and briefe, as being but one rule for all.

Indeed the Children ought to cry gratias, for if for one play-day, and that a broken one, they use to doe it, how many play-daies

hath he procured them? besides the present sport he makes them.

After all this he feares it may be imagined, that he should prof∣fer at advancing Symbolicall and Cryptographicall Learning, the universall Character, and Language of Nature.

I testify they doe him wrong that thus imagine, and never un∣derstood well what formerly he delivered in that Argument: I had him presently in the wind, (such was my felicity) and durst then have sworne (if need had been) that it was even just as now I find it: that concerning Cryptography, Symbols, the Vniversall Character, he knew nothing; and that his discourse of the Language of Na∣ture, did signify only this, that wanting the use of other langua∣ges, even of the Latine, he had obtained a gift as usefull, viz. a Canting Language.

Next in order followeth Logick.

1. His first remedy is, that we find out what reason is in its in∣trinseck nature and operation. And examine wherein mans reason exceeds the reason of other Animants; and here he saith it will be found, there is no specificall but a gradual dif∣ference.

M. Webster having discovered that betwixt his reason, and his horses, there is only a graduall difference, hath given much light in the present enquiry; only he hath concealed from us, which of them hath the advantage of degrees, and whether those Degrees are divided by minutes, seconds, and thirds, and whether in the sexagesimall or decimall way. When he shall have holpen us in these scruples, I pray Sir, let us make the best we can of this remedy.

2. That the principles of Syllogisme be cleared and demon∣strated.

Because 'tis very hard for him to understand, that Quae eidem sunt aequalia, vel inaequalia; sunt inter se aequalia vel inaequalia. Or Quae conveniunt in uno tertio vel non conveniunt; inter se conveniunt etiam vel non conveniunt, his reason differing but gradually from the reason of other Ani∣mants.

3. That some prevalent way be found out, for discovering and rectifying the fallacies of the sences, for Abstracting adequate notions, and giving apposite denominations to them.

Now Sir, what say you to M. Webster? Had he had the luck to have added the Quadrature of the Circle, with its Appendices

in Geometry, and the Phylosophers Stone in Chymystry, what could more judiciously and comprehensively have been required?

4. That induction may be improved, and to that end Experi∣ments frugiferous and luciferous may be made.

The thing that is here proposed I do exceedingly like, and seeing it is an Amphibious argument, belonging to Physick and Logick both, I will not be so unreasonable as to quarrell with him about his Method or disposition.

The Mathematicks.

The Mathematicks should come to be spoken of, but they being what they are, (able to shift for themselves) and he being a∣ble to make a (scambling) shift without them, and it being terrible hard for one utterly unacquainted with them to speake any tol∣lerable sence in this Argument, he being wisely-wary, wishing well to the Mathematicks and Mathematicians, (l meane the Coperni∣can Astronomers) having spoken against Ptolemy, having had a twitch at Aristotle, and having no more to say, concludes the Chap∣ter.