A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...

SECT. II. Of God's affording means of Learning, as Schools, &c.

GOd hath in his good Providence ap∣pointed, * 1.1 and in all ages afforded his peo∣ple ordinary helps and means for obtaining the knowledge of Arts and Tongues, as Schools, Universities, Colledges, the Semi∣naries or Nurseries of Learning.

There were many Schools of the Prophets under the Old Testament.

Calvin on Amos 7.14. saith, Scimus tunc fuisse Prophetarum Collegia, & hoc satis notum est ex sacris Historiis. Colle∣gia illa in hunc finem instituta fuerunt, ut Seminarium aliquod semper maneret in Ec∣clesia Dei, ne destitueretur bonis & probis Doctoribus.

There was a Colledge or School of the Prophets upon the Hill of God, where they trained up young Scholars and Stu∣dents,

1 Sam. 10.5, 10. Some think it was in Gibeah of Benjamin.

— Another Colledge at Naioth in Ramah, whither David sled, and Saul followed him, whereof Samuel was Overseer, and Presi∣dent, 1 Sam. 19.19, 20. the Teacher and Instructer of those that were called the children of the Prophets in that School. For though Prophesie be the special Gift and Work of the Spirit, yet it was fit, that they which afterward should be im∣ployed in the service of God (as it's like that these were most of Levi) should be prepared, by Godly Instruction and Educa∣tion, for the further works of the Spirit in them. See Doctor Willet on 1 Sam. 19.18.

By these two Instances (scil. of the Col∣ledges at Gibeah and Naioth) it seems that Colledges of Students were priviledged Places, seeing the Israelite-Students in the former were not hurt, though in the Ga∣rison of the Philistines: and David was secure in the later, though Saul was his enemie.

There was another Colledge of the Prophets, in the time of Elisha, at Beth-el, 2 King. 2.3. and another at Jericho, 2 King. 2.5.

Another at Gilgal, 2 King. 4.38, with

43, where there were an hundred Sons of the Prophets.

Elisha's Colledge was so full of Scho∣lars, that there was not room enough for them, and they desired it might be en∣larged, 2 King. 6.1, 2, 3.

Among the Israelites forty eight Cities were appointed for the Levites, which were as the common Schools and Univer∣sities for the whole Kingdom. See Willet in Dan. 1.4.

Some think, that Debir was an Academy or University of Palestina, that when the Jewish Polity came to be fixed, and they were in a succession of Government, then they erected publick Schools of Learning, appointed Cities, which to that end they priviledged, as this of Debir for one Josh. 15.15. (see Masius in loc.) which was there∣fore called Kirjath-Sepher, which signi∣sies a City of Books, or of Learning, though others conceive it to be a place where a famous Library was kept, in which many notable Monuments, * 1.2 and antient Records of many things done ever since the Flood were reserved.

In these Schools, or Colledges of the Prophets, there were two sorts: First, Some were called Prophets simply, as the Masters and Instructors of others, stiled

Fathers, 1 Sam. 10.12. 2 King. 2.12. Secondly, Others were called the Sons, or Children, that is, the Pupils, or Scholars of the Prophets, yong Students taught and trained up by them in the way of Learning, and Prophesying.

Gods blessing upon those Schools of the Prophets amongst the Jews was so great, that upon many in them God bestowed the extraordinary Gift of foretelling things to come, 2 Kings 2.3, 5. and divers Mira∣cles were wrought for them: two at Gil∣gal, one in healing the deadly pottage, 2 King. 4.38. another in feeding an hun∣dred of them with twenty Loaves, verse 42, 43, 44. a third at Jordan, in causing the Axe-head to swim, 2 King. 6.5, 6.

What an honor was it to these Schools of the Prophets, that Elijah went to visit them, immediately before he was taken up to Heaven, 2 King, 2. as at Beth-el, verse 2, 3. at Jericho, verse 4, 5.

In Babylon there were three famous U∣niversities of the Jews, Nehardea, Sorah, * 1.3 and Pumbeditha: erected by those that stayed there after the Captivity, and re∣turned not with their Brethren (as some conceive) or by their Posterity, for the preservation of Religion, and the know∣ledge of the Law, which (as some think)

would have been lost, if they had not brought up their children in Learning; because by living and conversing with the Chaldeans their Tongue was corrupted; so that the Word of God delivered in it, without this remedy, would not have been so intelligible and useful to them.

The same course was also requisite to be taken by those which returned into their own Land; because their Language was then a Medley of Chaldee and Hebrew. After which time the old and pure Hebrew remained onely among learned men, and was taught in Schools, as among us the learned Tongues are accustomed to be. See Breerewoods Enquiries, cha. 9.

Afterwards Learning, and Languages flourished in Judea, as may appear in that seventy two learned men were sent to Pto∣lemy Philadelphus, to translate the Hebrew Bible into Greek, * 1.4 that he might with it en∣rich his vast Library, consisting of almost 700000 Books, which was kept at Ale∣xandria, a place renowned for the Schools of all Liberal Arts. * 1.5 Here Euclid set up a Mathematic School; after which, till the Times of the Saracens, there was scarce any excellent Mathematician, that was not either born, or educated at Alexan∣dria.

Here also was an Academy of the Jews (see Hottinger, Eccles. Hist. part. 1. cap. 2.) * 1.6 who were a great part of the Citizens, as Josephus relates. Of this place was Apol∣los, Acts 18.24.

The Jews dwelt in other places of E∣gypt, in Cyrene, and all other Nations, * 1.7 be∣ing dispersed in the Countreys of their Conquerors in the several Empires, and distinguished into the Babylonian and Greek dispersion: the first made under the Chal∣dean, the second under the Macedonian Empire, of which we read John 7.35. — Will he go 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the Jews dispersed among the Greeks in Asia, or Egypt? They, being dispersed among o∣ther Nations, always endeavored to keep their Schools, which they cal'd Synagogues,

• where∣in they interpreted the Law,
• where∣in they conferred and disputed about the Scriptures, Acts 6.9.

Now, out of all Nations, whither they were scattered, some of all sorts went to Jerusalem, and dwelt there, at or before our Savior's time. For, Acts 2.5. it's said, There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every Nation un∣der Heaven, Parthians, Medes, &c. the Dwellers in Asia, in Egypt, and about Cy∣rene, and Strangers of Rome.

The Cause hereof was either,

1. That Jerusalem being the Metropo∣lis of Religion and Knowledge, the Jews sent their Sons to be instructed there, as Cornelius a Lapide conceives.

2. Or, as Dr. Lightfoot (on Acts 2.5.) thinks, because the whole Nation had then a general expectation of the Messias about that time, as he clears both from Scripture (out of Luke 2.38. and 3.15. and 19.11.) and their own Writings. This might make such multitudes flock to Jerusalem about this time, and take up their residence, where they thought the royal Seat of the Messias would be, that so they might par∣take of the pomp and prosperity of his Kingdom. And that the Jews of these several Nations had their distinct Syna∣gogues there, is intimated Acts 6.9. where we read, Divers arose of the Synagogue of the Libertines (that is, such, both Natural Jews and Proselytes, * 1.8 as had obtained the Roman Freedom) of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia.

Hence the Jews tell of 480 (a) 1.9 Syna∣gogues, and Houses of Learning in Jeru∣salem: for there used to be a House of Learning joined with a Synagogue.

The Schools of the Jews, about our

Savior's time, had very famous men; the chief were Hillel, and Schammai (the for∣mer is said to have bred 80 eminent Scho∣lars) and Simeon Hillel's Son, whom divers Learned Men (b) 1.10 make the same with him that took Christ into his arms, Luke 2.25. To whom add Gamaliel, Simeon's Son, and Paul's Master.

After the Destruction of Jerusalem, * 1.11 Schools for Learning were still held up by the Jews: and the Jews had their Schools at Jafne, Zephoria, Cesarea, and Tiberias: and these declining, the three forementi∣oned in Babylon flourished very much, when Learned Jews went thither from Pa∣lestine.

The Jewish Writers say, there were also a great number of Colledges in Bither (a place in the Land of Canaan) destroyed by the Emperor Hadrian. — Buxtorf. Tal∣mud. Lex. pag. 372.

Thus far of the Jewish Schools.

Dr. Willet upon 1 Sam. 19.19, 20. con∣cludes out of Peter Martyr, That the noble Foundation of Universities, and Schools of Learning, is grounded upon the Exam∣ple of the Prophets.

The same Author, upon Daniel 1.4. observes, that the Institution of Schools, to train up youth in good Letters, was very

ancient: as among the Egyptians, where Moses was taught their Learning: and in Babylon, where Daniel and the three chil∣dren were taught the Learning and the Tongue of the Chaldeans. Among the Grecians Athens was famous for the Study of Arts there was Plato's Academy, hence Livy calls Greece Sal Gentium) and in E∣gypt Alexandria: yea, the rude Indians had their Gymnosophists, and the Romans had their Colledges of Augures; I may add their Philosophers and Rhetoricians.

The Persians and Arabians had their Magi. * 1.12 The Gauls had their Druides.

All Sects whatsoever had their Schools to advance their Way. Stephen met with some of them at Jerusalem, Acts 6.9. and Paul at Athens, Acts 17.18.

It is observed, that the Egyptians, Chal∣deans, Babylonians, Persians, Grecians, Ro∣mans, erected Schools, and by great Li∣berality, and other ways, promoted Learn∣ing, and encouraged Scholars.

Now let us view the Schools of the Christians, * 1.13 which, upon the Planting of the Gospel, were set up at Antioch and Alexandria; the latter of which afforded many famous Men, as Clemens, Origen, Ammonius, Athanasius, Didymus, &c.

That the Primitive Church had her

Schools (wherein Youths did learn the Principles of Religion, and the Liberal Arts, and heard the holy Scriptures ex∣planed) and that Care was taken for setling Schools every where, where Churches were built, and for setting over them such Men as were invested with eminent Piety and Learning, * 1.14 Ecclesiastical Histories do de∣clare.

That there were many learned men in divers places in the first Ages of Christi∣anity is an Argument, that there were Schools, in which they were educated.

In the time of Constantine the great, when Religion had its free course, the Christian Schools flourished, which were after shut up by Julian.

It is observable, that the University of Cambridge (to which Chronologers give preheminence for Antiquity to most Uni∣versities in the World of a Christian Foundation) was restored by Sigebert, * 1.15 a great Promoter of Christianity, presently upon the Conversion of the East-Angles (much furthered by him) about the year of Christ 631. For there was a British Aca∣demy there long before: of which some make Lucius, the first Christian King of the Britains, the Founder. But it being ruined by the Saxons, and the Britains

shut up in Wales, Dubritius (a great Cham∣pion of the Truth against the Pelagians, as was also David, his Scholar, who held a Synod against their Errors) instituted an Academy (in the latter end of the fifth Century) on the River Wye, and after at Caer-lion on Usk in Monmouthshire, where many eminent Men were educated. Of which see Mr. Fuller's Church-History of Britain.

This Necessity and Use of Schools, U∣niversities, and Learning, is as great now under the Gospel (if not greater in some respects) as ever it was under the Old Testament. And God hath plentifully furnished all Countries that have enter∣tained the Gospel of Christ, especially all the reformed Churches in Europe, with famous Schools and Academies: and he hath wonderfully blessed them (as these in England, * 1.16 Scotland, Ireland, and those in the Low-Countreys, in Germany, the Pa∣latinate, Bohemia) so that these Universi∣ties have trained up, and sent forth learned, able, eminent Scholars, and godly Men, choice, useful Instruments of God's Glory and Service, both in Church and Com∣monwealth.

The use and need of Schools and Uni∣versities (which is evident in the holy

Scriptures, and by the light of Reason, and practise, and experience of all Nations) as they are the means of Learning, * 1.17 infers and evinceth the need of Learning (as it is the end thereof) especially for the Mini∣sters of the Gospel.

As there is necessity of Schools, and Universities, so of study and industry in them, for the attainment of Learning. For we cannot expect God should communi∣cate these Gifts to us by Miracle, or imme∣diate infusion of the Spirit (as he did to his Apostles) but they must be acquired through the use of ordinary Means fore∣mentioned; which to contemn, or neglect, and depend upon immediate and miracu∣lous Infusions and Revelations, is to tempt the good Spirit of God, and to provoke him to give us up to strong delusions, and to give heed to seducing Spirits, and to doctrines of Devils. Inspiration (of such common gifts) must be supplied by Edu∣cation. The way Paul directed Timothy unto (even in reference to Ministerial abi∣lities) was, Give attendance to reading, 1 Tim. 4.13, &c. meditate upon these things, give thy self wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all, ver. 15. As Timothy had not health by Miracle, but in the use of Means, 1 Tim. 5.23. so nei∣ther

had he Gifts for the Ministery by Mi∣racle, but by Study.

In the Platform of Church-discipline, agreed upon in the Synod at Cambridge in New England, cap. 6. num. 6. it's said,

This we gladly acknowledge, that Schools are both lawful, profitable, and necessary, for the training up of such in good Lite∣rature, or Learning, as may afterwards be called forth unto the office of Pastor or Teacher in the Church.

Scholae non immerito vocantur Emporia & Mercaturae bonarum literarum: Scmi∣naria Ecclesiae: armamentaria Reipublicae: vivaria Oeconomiae: officinae Pietatis: ma∣gistrae Humanitatis: fontes Honestatis: scaturigines Utilitatis: nervi Morum & Disciplinae: horti Gratiarum: & uno ver∣bo Cornu-copia omnimodae felicitatis—O fe∣lices Ecclesias, quibus haec pietatis domi∣cilia sunt adjuncta! Alsted. in Orat. de causis corrupt. Schol.

Of the causes, and uses of Publick Di∣vinity Schools, see Zanch. tom. 7. orat. 1. —who saith in his fourth Tom. lib. 1. Thes. 2. in quartum praeceptum pag. 812.—

It should be the great care of a pious Prince (or Supreme Magistrate) that, beside the public and Ecclesiastical Ministery, Schools should be constituted, wherein

beside Humane Learning, and the Liberal Arts, the holy Doctrine of Religion should be faithfully delivered to youth, to conserve heavenly Doctrine in the Church, &c. and that maintenance should be provided for both.

After∣wards we see (saith Zanchy) that the Gen∣tiles, and all Nations, * 1.18 that were not altoge∣ther Barbarous, took care hereof; whereby their Religion might be conserved, and propagated, for they saw, Sine Scholis non posse consistere vel Religionem, vel etiam Politiam; that without Schools neither Religion, nor Policy could consist: —that Nature it self should teach a Christian Prince, that it is his office to take care of Schools, and Colledges.

He adds, Jeroboamus ille impius, Rex Apostatarum ab Ecclesia, &c. That wick∣ed Jeroboam King of Apostates from the Church, and Kingdom of Juda, as he cor∣rupted Religion, so he also overthrew the Schools in the Towns of the twelve Tribes; because he knew that the purity of Doctrine and Religion was conserved there by the faithful Prophets. But after∣wards Elias and Elisha (his Disciple) know∣ing that Religion could not be kept pure without Schools, restored them: and when the wicked Kings had transferred the Re∣venues,

which were due to maintain the Schools, partly to their own private use, and partly to slatterers, many good men contributed of their own substance to the maintenance of Students, who, be∣ing content with a little, defended true Doctrine stoutly against the Priests of Baal.

Object. Doth not Beza in his marginal Note on Acts 6.9. call Universities Fla∣bella Satanae, Satan's slaps to keep away slyes? Doth not Luther call them Ca∣thedras pestilentiae, & Antichristi lumina∣ria? the seats of pestilence, and lights of Antichrist? Doth not another call them the Synagogues of perdition, the pits of the Abyss, by the smoak whereof the sun of the Gospel is obscured.

Answ. What some worthy men have spoken of Jewish and Popish Universities, * 1.19 that others have, out of little Candor, and great fury, transferred to Universities re∣formed, as what Beza spake of the Jew∣ish Academies (his words are, Academiae jamolim falsis Doctoribus addictae) and what Luther, and others spake of the Pontifi∣cian or Popish Academies.

But the corruptions of some will not prejudice the Usefulness of Universities in general, or of others Reformed, and free from the same infection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Argum. 1.
• * 1.2

  ☞
• * 1.3

  ••xtorf. Com. Masorct. cap. 6. Alting. Acad. Hebr. p. 30, 31.
• * 1.4

  (As Gellius in Noct. A••tic. lib. 6. cap. 17.)
• * 1.5

  Strabo lib. 14.
• * 1.6

  Vossius de Sci∣ent. Mathem. cap. 15. Antiqu. Jud. lib. 12. cap 1. & lib. 14. cap. 14.
• * 1.7

  Joseph. ibidem.
• * 1.8

  See Grotius and Lightfoot on the place.
• (a) 1.9

  See Light∣foot Centur. Chorographic. pag. 71. Juntus de Aca∣dem. cap. 2.
• (b) 1.10

  See Hotting. Hist. Eccles. Nov. Test. part. 1. cap. 9. A••••ing. Acad. Hebr. p 39. Lightfoot in Acts 5.34.
• * 1.11

  See Buxtorf. Tiber••as.
• * 1.12

  Grotius in Mat. 2.1.
• * 1.13

  See Alsted. Chron. cap. 30. ultim. edit.
• * 1.14

  See Magdeb. Cent. 2. cap. 7. & Cent. 3. c. 7.
• * 1.15

  As Isaacson, Al∣sted, Helvicus.
• * 1.16

  See Dr. Arrow∣sm••h, 1. Orat. Antiweigel. p. 3.
• * 1.17

  Qui vult finem vult media. Fints est nobili∣or mediis.
• * 1.18

  Pag 813.
• * 1.19

  See Dr. Arrow∣smiths Orat. 1. Antiweigel. pag. 3.