§. XX.
2. Logick and Philosophy not needful to a Preacher.The second Part of their Literature is Logick and Philosophy, an Art so little needful to a true Minister, that if one that comes to be a true Minister hath had it, it is safest for him to forget and lose it; for it is the Root and Ground of all Contention and Debate, and the Way to make a Thing a great deal darker, than clearer. For under the Pretence of regulating Man’s Reason into a certain Order and Rules, that he may find out (as they pretend) the Truth, it leads into such a Labyrinth of Contention, as is far more fit to make a Sceptick than a Christian, far less a Minister of Christ; yea, it often hinders Man from a clear Understanding of Things that his own Reason would give him; and therefore through its manifold Rules and divers Inventions, it often gives Occasion for a Man, that hath little Reason, foolishly to speak much to no Purpose; seeing a Man, that is not very wise, may notwithstanding be a perfect Logician. And then, if ye would make a Man a Fool to purpose that is not very wise, do but teach him Logick and Philosophy; and whereas before he might have been fit for something, he shall then be good for nothing, but to speak Nonsense; for these Notions will so swim in his Head, that they will make him extremely busy about nothing. The Use of Logick is to see its Emptiness.The Use that wise and solid Men make of it, is, to see the Emptiness thereof; therefore saith one, It is an Art of Contention and Darkness, by which all other Sciences are rendered more obscure, and harder to be understood.
If it be urged, That thereby the Truth may be maintained and confirmed, and Hereticks confuted;
I answer, The Truth, in Men truly rational, needeth not the Help thereof; and such as are obstinate, this will not convince; for by this they may learn twenty Tricks and Distinctions, how to shut out the Truth: And the Truth proceeding from an honest Heart, and spoken forth from the Virtue and Spirit of God, will have more Influence, and take sooner and more effectually, than by a thousand Demonstrations of Logick; as that Heathen Philosopher[91][92] acknowledged, who, disputing with the Christian Bishops, in the Council of Nice, was so subtile, that he could not be overcome by them; but yet by a few Words spoken by a simple old Rustick, was presently convinced by him, and converted to the Christian Faith; and being enquired how he came to yield to that ignorant old Man, and not to the Bishops; he said, That they contended with him in his own Way, and he could still give Words for Words; but there came from the old Man that Virtue, which he was not able to resist. This secret Virtue and Power ought to be the Logick and Philosophy wherewith a true Christian Minister should be furnished; and for which they need not be beholden to Aristotle. Natural Logick useful.As to natural Logick, by which rational Men, without that Art and Rules, or sophistical Learning, deduce a certain Conclusion out of true Propositions, which scarce any Man of Reason wants, we deny not the Use of it; and I have sometimes used it in this Treatise; which also may serve without that dialectick Art. 3. Ethicks or the Manner-Rules to Christians not needful.As for the other Part of Philosophy, which is called Moral, or Ethicks, it is not so necessary to Christians, who have the Rules of the holy Scriptures, and the Gift of the Holy Spirit, by which they can be much better instructed. 4. Physicks, and the Metaphysicks make no Preachers of the Truth.The Physical and Metaphysical Part may be reduced to the Arts of Medicine and the Mathematicks, which have nothing to do with the Essence of a Christian Minister. And therefore the Apostle Paul, who well understood what was good for Christian Ministers, and what hurtful, thus exhorted the Colossians, Col. ii. 8. Beware lest any Man spoil you through Philosophy and vain Deceit. And to his beloved Disciple Timothy he writes also thus, 1 Tim. vi. 20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy Trust, avoiding profane and vain Babblings, and Opposition of Science, falsely so called.
[91] An Heathen Philosopher disputing with the Bishops in the Council of Nice, was converted to the Christian Faith by an ignorant old Man, when they could not.
[92] Lucæ Osiandri Epit. Hist. Eccles. Lib. 2. Cap. 5. Cent. 4.