Insomuch that the learned men of the world have done the Devil more service than any other men. For the Devil at first did not use an Ass, or any such dull creature to seduce Eve, but the Serpent, Because he was more subtle than any ⟨p. 8⟩other beast upon the earth, Gen. 3. 1. Thus still the Devil loveth to appear in Serpents, in wise men, in great learned men, and plausible Scholars, knowing that such are like Samson, That can destroy many at one blow. Thus all the Heathen Philosophers, they were great enemies unto the ways of God. Who disputed for their Idolatry, and against the Christian Religion, but their Sophisters, their learned men? For that word was used in a good sense at first; and the reason is, because man being naturally corrupted, and the wisdom thereof being enmity to God, Rom. 1. 8. The more wisdom, and the more abilities a man hath, the greater adversary he is to God; as the stronger or greater the toad is, the more poisonous he is. So that learned men, if not godly, they come out like so many Goliath's against the people of God. Austin wrote to a learned Heathen, Ornari à te diabolus quaerit, Learned men they adorn the Devils way, and make his Kingdom and Laws to be accepted; and withal it's hard to have this talent of gold, and not to make an Idol o• it. It's hard to be learned, and not to be puffed up with it. So that whereas the way of the Gospel, and the Scripture, is in a plain but solid and majestical way, they are apt to deride and contemn it; witness Austin's confession of himself, That he loved Tully's works, better than the Bible. And Hierom tells us, That he was so addicted to humane learning, that in a vision he was terribly beaten and afflicted, hearing this voice, Ciceronianus es non Christianus. So that we grant, That many learned men are kept off from the humble and low way of Christ, they cannot stoop to his yoke, and all because of their learning. But yet
Insomuch that the learned men of the world have done the Devil more service than any other men. For the Devil at first did not use an Asse, or any such dull creature to seduce Eve, but the Serpent, Because he was more subtill than any ⟨p. 8⟩other beast upon the earth, Gen. 3. 1. Thus still the Devil loveth to appear in Serpents, in wise men, in great learned men, and plausible Scholars, knowing that such are like Samson, That can destroy many at one blow. Thus all the Heathen Philosophers, they were great enemies unto the wayes of God. Who disputed for their Idolatry, and against the Christian Religion, but their Sophisters, their learned men? For that word was used in a good sense at first; and the reason is, because man being naturally corrupted, and the wisdome thereof being enmity to God, Rom. 1. 8. The more wisdome, and the more abilities a man hath, the greater adversary he is to God; as the stronger or greater the toad is, the more poisonous he is. So that learned men, if not godly, they come out like so many Goliah's against the people of God. Austin wrote to a learned Heathen, Ornari à te diabolus quaerit, Learned men they adorn the Devils way, and make his Kingdom and Laws to be accepted; and withall it's hard to have this talent of gold, and not to make an Idol o• it. It's hard to be learned, and not to be puffed up with it. So that whereas the way of the Gospel, and the Scripture, is in a plain but solid and majestical way, they are apt to deride and contemn it; witness Austin's confession of himself, That he loved Tully's works, better than the Bible. And Hierom tells us, That he was so addicted to humane learning, that in a vision he was terribly beaten and afflicted, hearing this voice, Ciceronianus es non Christianus. So that we grant, That many learned men are kept off from the humble and low way of Christ, they cannot stoop to his yoke, and all because of their learning. But yet
