to Earth For there are brought in saith he Moral Virtnes for Faith Opinions for Truth and said They were a confused Cloud Tindal of the Revelation of Ant. Aristotle wrote many things absurdly concerning God as ' That He is a Living Creature that he works not freely but by a kind of Servile necessity and that therefore he deserves no Praise sith he doth but what he must do ' Trapp on Rom. 1.21 ' As for Aristotles Divinity which he calls his Metaphysicks it is saith Ramus the most Foolish and Impious piece of Sophistry that ever was written ' Trapp of Arts. From the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle Pestilent Errors first of all Invaded and have long Possessed and at this day do Waste the Christian Church Orat. Rainold Where Aristotle Reigns there Ungodliness hath great Dominion Orat. Rainold How foul a thing is it that that may be spoken against you which Ambrose spoke of the Arians ' They have deserted the Apostle and follow Aristotle ' Orat. Rainold Some in our days have been seen to repeat Aristotle upon their Knees at Oxford before their Masters being at Dinner The muddy Lake of Heathenism opened in Rome Ethnick steamed into apostatized Rome Christian is received in Protestant Kingdoms among whom Rome hath too much Room Many in their day bore Testimony against Pagan Philosophy Philosophers and Logicians among many one Ramus born in France Master of Arts was much aspersed by the Sorborne Doctors who accused him of Heresie in Philosophy as an Heretical Philosopher for that he being but Young durst take upon him to correct Aristotle the Prince of Philosophers the great Rule of Universities This Ramus published a Logick received in the most Reformed Universities and Aristotle rejected with some Animadvertions upon Aristotle He was the Kings Professor of Logick in Paris Dean of the whole University where he remained till the Massacree at Paris where many Thousands of the Protestants perished by the Papists who because of Ramus his Love to Protestants and Testimony against Aristotle ran him thorow and being half Dead threw him out of his Window cut off his Head dragged his Body about the Streets in the Channels and some young Schollrs were encouraged by their Tutors to whip it in a most contemptuous manner and at last cast it into the River Sein in the Year 1572. Clar. Mart. Fox Mon. By what is said 't is manifest that the Wisdom which is from above with its out-goings and products we own and desire the encrease thereof to the seasoning and rectifying of the Nations But the Wisdom from below with its Propagators not able to open one of the seven Seals we deny Aristotle forsook his Master Plato that he might defend his own Error and shall we not refuse prophane Aristotle to defend the Truth of the Living God saith Rainold Yes Christ is to have Pre-eminence in all things the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge CAP III. Of RHETORICK RHetorick is defined to be the Art of Speaking Ornately Firely Eloquently with Rhetorical Colours and Ornaments Adam as he was the Workmanship of God he Lived Moved and had his Beeing in God his Thoughts Words and Works Products of that Life into the which he was Incorporated Savour'd of that Life had a Divine Lustre in them Stamp and Excellency and were Fragrant and Aromatical in the Nostrils and Precious in the Eyes of the All-forming Power But the Serpent that deceived Man and incorporated him into another Power therein to Think Speak and Act brought forth an other Language out of the simplicity of Truth savouring of the Womb of its Original though Plausible Painted Eloquent Garnished with Colours and Ornaments of Pagan Rhetorick yet 't is Abomination to the Lord Stinks in his Nostrils and in the Nostrils of such as are truly Re-born as Christ bore Record Those things that are highly Esteemed with Men are Abomination unto the Lord. This is my Testimony that that Language which the Lord speaks in and through his People Sons and Daughters is the only and heavenly Eloquence and Rhetorick if I may so call it though Plain Simple and be accounted Rude Clownish and Babbling by the VVorldly VVise Moses brought to that Mouth that taught Adam and Eve in their Primative State streamed out heavenly Eloquence saying My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain my Speech shall distil as the Dew as the small Rain upon the tender Herb and as the Showers upon the Grass Deut. 32.2 Yea and David streamed out saying My Heart is inditing a good Matter I speak of the things which I have made touching the King My Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer Psal 45.1 And the Lord promised saying I will turn to the People a pure Language that they may call upon the Lord and serve him with one Consent Zeph. 3.9 This pure Language where-ever 't is witnessed is the true Eloquence And Christ saith to the Church come and coming out of the Wilderness leaning upon her Beloved Oh my Dove that art in the Clefts of the Rock in the scorer places of the Stairs les me see thy Countenance let me hear thy Voice for Sweet is thy Voice and thy Countenance is Comely Cant. 2.14 Mark the Voice of the Church is Sweet though not Painted with enticing Words of Mans Wisdom nor Garnished with Pagan Rhetorical Flourishes 't is Sweet to Christ though judged Rude and Babbling by Worldly Sophisters her Voice her Prayers her Praises arising from Divine Indwellings a live Cole from the heavenly Alter as Fragrant Perfumes is Sweet to his Nostrils God respects not the Arithmetick of our Prayes how many they be nor the Rhetorick of our Prayers how neat they be nor the Geometry of our Prayers how long they be nor the Logick of our Prayers how methodical they be nor the Musick of our Prayers how melodious they be but his Eye and Regard is to the Divinity of Prayers how Heart-sprung they be saith Trapp on 2 Cor. 12.8 Further though there was a Divine Excellency in Paul's Speech seasoned with Salt Heavenly Wisdom yet he saith plainly to the Corninthians That he came not with Excellency of Speech nor with Enticing Words of Mans Wisdom He came not with Frothy Flourishes of Pagan Rhetorick or Oratory nor with Enchanting Words of fallen Wisdom which the fallen Mind ascribes Excellency unto but falsly but his Preaching was in Demonstration of the Spirit and Power 1 Cor. 2.1 4. There was a Divine Excellency in his Speech though called Babbling by Worldly Sophisters as 't is to this day Acts 17.17 18. Thus 't is clear to every seeing Eye what Wisdom and what Speech was justified and contended for among the Children of Light in every Age and Generation and in the Church succeeding the Apostles while a Virgin to Christ but as the black Vail and foul Leprosie of Apostacy over-spread and disfigured the Face of the Christian Church then heavenly Salt true Savour heavenly Wisdom being lost within then they Entertained and
Cotgrave Printed in the Year 1650. That it was the Stile of France at first as well as of other Countries Tutoyer that is to say Thou to any particular Person they spoke unto but when the Common wealth of Rome turned into an Empire so much Power came into one Mans Hand then in regard he was able to confer Honour and Offices the Countries began to magnifie him and to use You unto him See Symmathus his Epistles to the Emperor Theodosius and to Valentinian Again Pope Clement in his Letter to Sigismund the Emperor wrote We when it was sent from him only and You when it was sent to Sigismund the Emperor only See the Turkish History pag. 1081. Thus the Language of the Spirit of the Holy Men of God of all Nations came to be denied and an improper impertinent and absurd Custom of Speech came to be entertained and is spread as a foul Leprosie and is pleaded for yea by such as would be accounted sharers in Reformation CAP. II. Of LOGICK LOgick is defined to be the Manner or Art of Reasoning and Disputing well of which I have to say as follows The Ante-diluvian and Post-diluvian Patriarchs that is the Fathers that lived before and after the Flood Prophets Seers Evangelists Apostles Bishops Elders Deacons yea all the Holy Men of God Children of Light Children of the Day formed in the Womb of Eternal Wisdom were Qualified and Impowered from above to defend and maintain the Cause Concern and Worship of the Lord in their respective Dispensations with having recourse to Pagan Means Fallen Arts Earthly Wisdom Infectious Sophistry as many Instances left upon Record clearly demonstrate The Lord said unto Moses when he sent him with a Massage to Pharaoh Go therefore I will be with thy Mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Exod. 4. Here he was drawn from the Puddle of Prophane Arts and Sciences Worldly Wisdom Deceitful Sophistry to have Reliance and Dependance on the living God the Well-Spring of pure Wisdom savoury Knowledg and sound Understanding and he streamed out heavenly Eloquence saying My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain my Speech shall distill as the Dew as the small Rain upon the tender Herb and as the Showers upon the Grass Deut. 32. Moses in the Wisdom from above contended for the Concern of God his Will his Worship maintained the same against Pharaoh Magicians Wise Men Inchanters Apostates without recourse to Pagan Means Arts or Sciences Again Christ who is Alpha and Omega the Amen made a Promise unto his Disciples saying I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist Luk. 21.15 Thus the Disciples derived heavenly Wisdom from Christ whereby they defended and maintained the Concern of Christ his Kingdom Doctrine Worship against all Adversaries Scribes Pharisees Hypocrites Painted Sepulchres Faithless Lawyers Spoiling Phylosophers Painted Orators Subtil Sophisters Pagan Logicians Christ commended them not to Heathen Schools not to Aristotle Plato or any other Heathen to enable them to refute Hereticks but to his own Gift his Wisdom Armour of Proof his Sword put into their Hands enabling them for his Work Again Certain Libertines Cyrenians Alexandrians Cilicians Asians disputed with Stephen What was the issue of the Contest 't is there Recorded They were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke Acts 6 9 10. Thus Stephen obtained Victory over the Champions of the Dragon And how Not by Heathen Wisdom Pagan Logick Spoiling Philosophy but by the Sword of the Spirit Shield of Faith Wisdom from above in this Armour he prevailed So Pagan Logick an Art of the Old Man is not Gospel Armour whereby Stephen refuted the Adversaries of Truth Paul though eminent in Tongues Natural Parts and Abilities and knew what Key opened into the rich Cabinet of heavenly Wiscom and Treasures yet he excluded Natural Arts and Endowments from being that Key saying The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2.14 A Natural Man though mounted to the Terret of Philosophick Elevations and to the Zenith of Scholastick Notions and stored with the Quintessence of Serpentine Wisdom and profess himself to be a great Sophist that is Wise Man yet groping in the gloomy Region and dark Night of Degeneration Alienation and Estrangement from God he cannot thereby open one Seal of the sealed Book The Seven-sealed-Book is a thing of God so no way to be opened and read but by the Spirit of God Plato a Heathen Philosopher through Divine Glimpses said well Vertue is not acquired but infused This Paul a skilful Warrior of Christ desirous that the Church might be so harnessed as to hold out against all the Assaults of the old Dragon and his Confederates Instruments mentions the whole Armour of God Ephes 6. or all the Armour of God What be they Girdle of Truth Breast plate of Righteousness Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel Here 's no mention made of Subtil Logick nor of Painted Rhetorick nor of Spoiling Philosophy nor of Pagan Ethicks Physicks Metaphysicks he that mentioned the whole Armour of God mentioned not any of these which clearly demonstrates they are not of the Armour of God Whos 's then Of the Old Dragon the Devil The Apostles harnessed with the Armour of God reduced many to the saving Truth they stopt the Mouths of Gain-sayers they bore faithful Testimony to and contended for the Living Life-giving Soul-quickning Truth against such as was harnessed with the Old Dragons Armour the Wise the Scribe the Disputer of this World Subtil Logicians Crafty Sophisters Painted Orators Spoiling Philosophers Drunk with the Dregs of Pagan Ethicks Physicks Metaphysicks Heathenism By what is said 't is evident that in the Patrirachal Mâ—saical and Evangelical Dispensations yea in all Churches Professing Christianity while the Primitive Faith Doctrine and Worship was sincerely maintained the respective Membess thereof were qualified and impowered from above to defend the same and such lively and truly influenced Confessors of the holy Truth are true and divine Logicians influenced from above to Reason Dispute for and Defend the Faith delivered to the Saints and all this we own And as in this Generation the Lord influences his for the performance of that Work and Service unto the which they are called So the insinuating Serpent the old Dragon hath his Agents and Instruments in every Generation to carry on his Work and they are bred and formed in the Womb of Earthly Wisdom this is seen not only among the Professors of Christianity but also among the old Heathen who had their Logick which they defined to be the Art of Reasoning and Disputing well And this Art was brought in and invented by one Zono Eleates a Heathen who lived in or about the Year of the World 34
of the House God appointed Singers of the Levites instructed in the Songs of the Lord appertaining to the Temple Worship 1 Chron. 6. and 1 Chron. 25. These Singers be arrayed in white Linnen they Praised and gave Thanks unto the Lord whose Mercy endures forever These Singers arrayed in VVhite shadowed out the lively Members of the Evangelical Dispensation A Remnant of the Church in Sardis were to walk in VVhite Rev. 3.4 Again John saw a numberless Multitude of all Nations Kindreds People and Tongues clothed in white Robes Rev. 7. And John saw the Armies in Heaven clothed in fine Linnen Rev 19. VVhat is this fine white Linnen VVhat are these white Robes Not Aarons white Robes no imitation thereof not the white Linnen of the Singers of the Temple not Surplices such as are now used by the Conforming Ministry and Queristers in Cathedrals VVhat then John tells us expresly That the fine white Linnen was the Righteousness of Saints Rev. 19.8 And who or what but Christ is the Saints Righteousness So Christ the Righteousness of Saints is that very thing which the white Linnen of Aaron and of the Levitical Singers shadowed forth So to plead for the Shadow or for an Imitation thereof the Substance being come 't is Antichristian And Paul said to the Ephesians to the Saints and Faithful Brethren who were come to the Righteousness of Saints to the end of Shadows Be not Drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be filled with the Spirit speaking to your selves not in VVanton Balads Obscene Songs but in Psalms Hymes and spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord Ephes 5.18 19. and Col. 3.16 Such Singers we own their Psalms Hymes and spiritual Songs we own they stream out of the Mouth of the New Man not of the Old John tells us of a New Song which none could learn but the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand which were Redeemed from the Earth Rev. 14. And Paul said to the Sanctified at Corinth When ye come together every one of you hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine hath a Tongue hath a Revelation hath an Interpretation let all things be done to Edifying 1 Cor. 14. So a Psalm was a Gift particular to the New Man who sings with the Spirit and with Understanding The Primitive Church while a Virgin to Christ sung with the Spirit with Understanding had to Clark no give them in other Mens Experiences but Christendom being become a Sea the Spirit lost turned from in which true Joy and Singing is then stept in Formal Singing without without the Spirit without Understanding The Wanton who spends his precious Hours in Jollity he sings I am weary with my Groaning I water my Couch with my Tears The proud Atheist who hath banished the Lord out of hie thoughts he sings I have set the Lord always before me The vain Minded who delights in the Company and Society of vain 〈◊〉 he sings I have hated the Congregation of Evil-Doers and will not sit with the Wicked He that is as a withered Tree Plucked up by the Roots Fruitless he sings I am like a Green Olive Tree in the House of God He whose Heart is as a Cage of Uncleanness he sings My Heart is enditing a good matter The daily Feaster such as the Residentarians whose Legs can scarce bear about his Gross Corpulent Body he sings My Knees are Weak through Fasting and my Flesh faileth of Fatness Satans Captive who wallows in the Mire and Puddle of Sin and Iniquity he sings O Lord truly I am thy Servant The Son of Belial who by Persecution would wear out the Flock of the Lord from off the Earth he sings I am a Campanion of all them that fear thee The Lawless man whose Life is a Life of Rebellion subject as I may say to the grand Charter of Sin and Death he sings The Law of thy Mouth is better unto me than Thousands of Gold and Silver He that Adder-wise stops his Ears from the Heavenly Doctrine of the Lords anointed Ones he sings How sweet are thy Words to my Taste yea sweeter than the Honey to my Mouth The Ambitious Man puft up with the Breath of Satans Bellows he sings Lord my Heart is not Haughty my Soul is even as a Weaned Child Do these and such like sing with the Spirit Do they sing with Understanding No. Now who are of God they are distinguishing Persons and with us they contend for singing in the Spirit and with Understanding this Song none but the Redeemed can learn this Song of the Lord cannot be sung in a strange Land Captivity Spiritual Babylon and such as are of God they deny all dead formal Singing and Singers who formally sing other Mens Conditions out of the Spirit without Understanding That the Primitive Christian Church while a Virgin to Christ sung David's Experiences or Testimonies in Meetre that I deny but through the Engress of the Apostacy Singing in the Spirit being lost then a formal Singing in Meetre entred in whereof I have read That In or about the Year 383. Psalms began to be sung being brought in by Damasus Bishop or Pope of Rome though not turned into Meetre Mark this In or about the Year 1552. in the sixth Year of Edward the sixth the Psalms of David first began to be composed in English Meetre by one Thomas Sternhold one of the Grooms of the Pivy-Chamber who Translating but a few left both Example and Encouragement to John Hopkins and others to dispatch the rest a Device first taken up in France by one Clement Merot one of the Grooms of the Bed-Chamber to King Francis the first At first they were sung in private Houses after were taken into the Church of the French And of other Nations they were first allowed for private Devotion after by little and little crept into the use of the Church afterwards Printed and bound up with the Common-Prayer-Book at last added by Stationers in the end of the Bible see Dr Heylin's Ecclesia Restaurata pag. 191. But though by this Author called a Device yet now 't is called a Vice yea a Symptom of a Heterodox Judgment to deny or question the Observation of the same Benedictus an Abbot of the Monestary of Peter and Paul at Wire brought with him from Rome one John the Arch-Chanter who first taught in England how to sing in the Quire after the manner of Rome in the Year 724. Fox Acts and Mon. The Levites that were Singers were divided into twenty four Ranks or Courses Hence the Apostatized Church brought in Queristers so introduce the Levites for a proof for their Office but the truly Redeemed Church receives not Jewdaism for Christianity neither their Practice for Christs Institution and Appointment 'T is a Custom of many Countries and Nations saith Macrobius to accompany Dead Bodies to their Burials with Singing And why Because their Souls are believed to return to the Original of Musical Sweetness or Pleasure that is to
' Gel. lib. 4. cap. I. Nov. Pol. Many have been the Testimonies against this Art yea and that of many eminent in the Church in their Day whose Testmonies herein we own And as Nations come to be rectified and seasoned with Heavenly Salt this and all other Arts not savouring of God but tending to deprave People and lead them into an uncert in Airy State will be Witnessed against Astrologus caveat quinquam praedicere praecept Nam cadet Impostor dum super astra volat Astrologer foretell not soar not high Lest down thou fall in mounting up the Skie CAP IX To such as Trade 〈…〉 Sea of Heathenism Philosoâ—…â—…ool-Masters c. A Philosopher â—…ture of the Word being considered signifies A 〈◊〉 â—…isdom Now there is a twofold Wisdom a Wisdom from a 〈◊〉 Pure Heavenly full of good Fruits and such as grâ—w up in â—…s Wisdom so become Wisdom's Children such as grow up in the Kâ—owledge of the Lord and in the Book of the Creation sâ—ch aâ—… only suâ—h are the true and divine Philosophers though the Gown and other Philosophical Ornaments as some call them be not received by them ' There were saith Alsted Ante-diluvian Philosophers that is Philosophers before the Flood as Adam Seth Enos Cainan Malaleel Jared Enock Methusalem Noah who did not only understand heavenly Mysteries but also the Knowledge of Nature the Book of the Creation the which they taught in their Families as in Schools ' And ' There were saith he Post-diluvian Philosophers that is Philosophers after the Flood as Abraham Jacob Moses David Solomon Daniel c. ' These he bears witness to to be true and divine Philosophers and this we own Tatianus gave pregnant Evidence saying ' That every Age and Order among Christians were Christian Philosophers yea that the very Virgins and Maids as they sate at their Wool work were wont to speak of God's Word and Works ' Trapp And while the Christian Church remained a Virgin to Christ no Heathen Books of Poets Heathen Philosophers Comedians Tragedians were entertained among them As there is a Wisdom from above the very Sourse and Well-spring of Divine Philosophers Anointed Ones Christian Philosophers who receive from above and the Tendancy of what they receive is to honour him who is above the God of their Mercies so there is a Wisdom from below Earthly Sensual and Devilish Now Prgans of several Nations itching after Wisdom to some scraps of Moses and other Writings relating to Morals Naturals and Supernaturals to which they adding the corrupt Ingredients of their own Inventions and Imaginations steaming from the Lake of Wisâ—om from below they patch up their Ethicks Physicks and Metaphysicks hence came the Philosophy of the Aegyptians Phenicians Caldeans Phrygians Lybians Ethiopians Scithians Thracians Persians Indians Brachmans Spaniards Italians Greeks Drutdes of Pythagoras Socrates Plato Aristotle of the Cynicks Stoicks Epicureans Scepticks c. And all Pagan Philosophy and Philosophers the Primitive Christians denyed and entertained not as all their Lascivions Poets Comedians Tragedians and bore lively Testimony against Constantine the Emperor took care that the Scriptures might be taught to People judging it most meet that Christians should be instructed in the Faith of Christ and not in Heathen Philosophy Euseb lb. 4. But the Apostacy prevailing and the Mystery of Iniquity prevailing Heathenism came to be entertained in Schools professing Christianity for in the third and fourth Centuries Philosophers had the Education of Christian Youth and no man had any Reputation among Christian Doctors who were not well initiated in Heathen Philosophy Rhetorick Poetry whereby the Sluces of great Impurity of Manners were opened yet in every Age and Generation the Lord had his Witnesses against the teaching of Heathen Authors Obscene Books in Christian Schools Many Testimonies hereunto relating may be read in a little Book called Dagon's Fall before the Ark. Licinus the Emperor called Heathen Learning The Plague and Payson of the Common-Welth Trapp of Arts. Our Country man Theophilus Gale adviseth well ' That all the Placets or Opinions of Philosophers should be brought to be tryed by the Scriptures that there it may appear what should be Embraced and what should be Rejected ' The Primmer Psalter Testament Bible c. are taught in Schools to learn English not Play-Books Ballads Romances Fables Heathen Philosophy Why then is not Latine and other Languages learned out of Pure Wholsome Sound Savoury Books but out of Lascivious Heathen Books Poets Comedies Tragedies c. Were it not more Christian-like that in Books provided for that purpose Youth read the Nature Use and Service of Trees Birds Beasts Fish Serpents Infects Earths Mettals Salts Stones Vulgar and Precious as also Rules of Gardening Agriculture Grasing of Cattle Building Navigation Arithmetick Geography Chronology Sound History Medicine Knowledg in Law Improvement of Lands Chyrurgery Traffick Government Ordering of Bees Propagation of Plants by Roots Seeds Slips Layers Suckers by Grafting Inoculating Imping of Geometry of Useful and Necessary things whereby they might be Qualified for Concerns of this Life for the Help Benefit and Advantage of others in their respective Generations then to be trained up in Lascivious Poems Comedies Tragedies Frivolous Fables Heathen Orations Pagan Philosophy Ethicks Physicks Metaphysick which after the Apostles Days darkned Sun and Air disfigured the Face spoiled the Glory of the Primitive Church Universities stained with these things make more Loose than Learned Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child saith Soloman in the Way he should go c. Ought he to go in the Way of the Heathen or learn their Abomination No 't is a shame for Christianty it loudly proclaims want of Reformation in Churches Professing Christianity that Books savouring of Levlty Indecency and Obscenity are therein instilled into Youth antient Canons have been exhibited against the reading of such Through the ingress and overspreading of the Apostacy in Christendom the Fume thereof so Darkened and Deluded People as to account Heathen Poetry and such like pregnant Evidence for their groundless Traditions Controversies c. Roman Catholicks say We may find their Holy Water and Sprinkling of Sepulchers in Juvenal 's 6th Satyr Their Lights in Sepulchers in Suetonius 's Octavius Lamps Lighted on Saturdays in Senecas 's 96 Epistle Distribution of Tapers among the People in Macrobius 's Saturnals Purgatory in Virgil 's Aeneids Thus proving their Doctrine by Heathen Authors But the Evidence of one Poor Fisher one Tent-maker one Peter one Paul is a Thousand times of more Validity 'T was the Language of the Holy Men of God to say Thus saith the Lord. Of Apostatized Christians Thus saith Juvenal Seneca Virgil This is against such as would defend groundless Traditions by Heathen Armour Humane Wisdom Pagan Philosophy being entertained in Christendem by little and little did wear out Seriousness Soundness Solidity and the Simplicity of Truth Damascen first among the Greeks about Eight Hundred Years since as Lumbard first among the Latins Six Hundred forming Divinity into the Rules
of Philosophy brought in the Method of School Divinity but where Wisdom from below prevails there is a sound a talk of Divinity but 't is cast out of the Region of their Hearts CAP. X. Of School-Titles as Doctor Batchelor of Arts Master of Arts Batchelor of Divinity Doctor of Divinity c. IN the Primitive Times Gospel Ministers were Called Qualified and Impowered of and by the Lord to fulfill the Charge committed to them they laboured together to beget others into the Life of Righteousness to erect a Spiritual Building a Heavenly Structure on the Rock of Ages they affected not Titles nor itched after the same to gain Reputation of the Children of this World they had Names suitable to the Work and Office they were concerned in as Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers and laboured together for the Perfecting of the Saints Batchelors of Arts Master of Arts were not heard of among them Heathen Learning Arts the Wisdom of this World they bore lively Testimony against But the Divine Call being lost through the ingrest of the Apostacy then they entertained Heathen Learning and Heathen Arts to qualifie them for the Work of the Ministry then arose an Insatiable itch after Titles to gain Honour Reputation and Reverence among such as are under the Delusion of Antichrist Divers Degrees and Titles are conferred according to their standing Batchelor of Art in such a time Master of Arts in such a time c. When University Students have got a Degree in the Arts then they have a Gown and a Cap for the sign of it and the Name Batchelor of Arts in Latin Baccaâ—…urius which implies as much as Laurel Berries Why so The Pagan Romans accounted Heathen Apollo their Godd of Wisdom and they dedicated the Laurel-Tree to him and such as were judged deserving they became Laureati that is were Crowned with or did wear Garands of Laurel in token of Honour and Glory Poâ—… tell us much of these things Now the Romans through Constaâ—… the great received Christianity by the Lump and not knowing 〈◊〉 dying with Christ that his Life might be manifest in their mortal Bodies they continued much of their old Stuff and other Nations received the same from them as now in our Universities Students having got a taste of the Berries of the Laurel-Tree dedicated to the Heathen Godd of Wisdom Apollo as I may say that is having attained to such a Degree in the Knowledge of Natural Arts or such a Standing without much Proficiency then they have a Gown and a Cap to distinguish them and the Title of Batchelor of Arts derived as you see from the Heathen and this Title this Gown and Cap are as Signs and Liveries of that whereof they by their Natural Education are made Masters and such as are attained to such or such a Degree in Scotland are called Laureati Laureat from the Laurel-Tree Thus Heathenism crept in is continued Object The Title of Doctor was in the Apostles Days Answ True but this and other Titles there were Names of Office relating to the Work they were concern'd in and called of the Lord unto this might more properly be translated Teacher so a Name of Office Wickliff touching this thing said 'A Name of Office differs much from the Name of a School-Degree brought in by the Heathen ' He ascribes these School-Degrees to the Heathen Wickliff in Serm. Domini in Monte. Zuinglius on Mat. 23. said ' Thou hears here that the Titles of Masters and Doctors are not of God because Christ forbids this thing ' Wilson in his Christian-Dictionary saith ' Ambitious seeking after Titles ought to be eschewed ' John Wickliff Condemned at Constance who Suffered as a Martyr for his Testimony against the Apostatized Roman Church his Testimony was ' That Graduations and Doctorships in Universities and Colledges then in use conduced nothing to the Church of Christ ' So 't is apparant that Protestants yea such as were Pillars of the Protestant Religion saw an Evil in Heathenism and the Ambitious Titles thereof Object These spoke against the Fooleries and Abuses in Popist Vniversities True it is and their Fooleries and Abuses remain Fooleries and Abuses where-ever they are Practised the self-same Outward and Antichristian Forms Fashions and Follies remain in Universities as in the Darkest of Popery even unto the Hoods Caps Scarlet Robes Doctoral Rings Gloves their Doctoral Dinner and Musick Dell. CAP. XI Of the Rise of Distinct Habits used by the Clergy and by Students in the Universities IN the first Priesthood Aaron and his Sons had Garments assigned them in which they were to execute their Office and the denyal thereof in that Typical Dispensation had been a Transgression those their Garments were a Shadow of some-what to come Now Christ the End of the first Priesthood of its Appurtenances of the Law he put an End to the distinct Aaronical Robes as to the rest of the Typical and Transient Shadows of that Ministration When Christ sent out his Disciples Apostles he taught them not to have recourse to Aaron's Robes nor any Imitation thereof nor that their Garments should be of one Colour their Eye was heaven ward for the Garment of Salvation white Linnen What 's that The Righteousness of Saints and in this white Linnen Righteousness of Saints the Evangelical Royal Priestood was and is clothed without respect to Distinct Habits or to any but what is Common Ordinary Decent and Plain and who Minister without this white Linnen Righteousness of Saints and place Religion in Distinct Robes and Colours without such are false Witnesses made by the Will of Man Run Unsent Polidor Virgil seconds this Testimony saying ' In the Beginning of the Christian Religion Ministers being about their holy Performance unto the Lord put nothing on but as at other times They endeavoured rather to clothe themselves inwardly with the Virtues of the Mind and to put off the Vices of the Body then to put on new Garments ' Pol. Virg. Lib. 6. Cap. 12. And while the woman was clothed with the Sun while the Moon was under her Feet while the Christian Church was a Virgin to Christ and while her Ministers were Stars in Heaven the Care and Regard was for the Robe of Righteousness no Jangling about Robes without but the living Concern was to beget many to the Lord to know Establishment in the Word of his Grace Of such Ministers 't is truly said Even as the Heart hath not a Moments Rest But Night and Day moves in our panting Breast That by his Breathing it may still impart The lively Spirits about to every Part. So those to whom God doth his Flock Betake Ought always Study always Work and Wake To Breathe by Doctrine and good Conversation The quickning Spirit into their Congregation Now when this white Linnen Righteousness of Saints Sun's Clothing the inward Ornament and Garment of the Evangelical Ministry Pastors Teachers Prophets Deacons Elders Bishops through the steaming in of Apostatical Smoke Ignorance