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The great Antiquity of the Sacred Books, and the comparative Lateness of the Pagah Authors were demonftrated; the Abfurdity and abominable Impiety of the Pagan Theology and Worship were expos'd; the Defects and Errors of the most celebrated Poets and Philofophers among the Gentiles were laid open; the vain Deceit of that Philofophy and Science, which were falfly fo called, was detected, that Men might not be spoil'd by it; the Judgments of Men were convinc'd by clear and found Reasonings, and their Affections gain'd by the moft moving Perfwafions and Exhortations. Such were the Ufes which the antient Doctors of the Church ferv'd by their Acquaintance with the Heathen Hiftorians, Poets, Orators and Philofophers; by their Skill in Chronology, in Languages, and in the Arts of Reafoning and Elocution. Thus was profane Learning hallow'd, and made inftrumental to the maintaining and propagating the holy Doctrine of the Gospel.

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TRUE it is, that Learning has been

SERM fometimes employ'd to fight against that

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holy Doctrine. Yet that it is in itself far from being an Enemy to it, is evident from hence; that by the Help of it, not only the best and holieft Perfons have been far more useful to the Church of God, than they could otherwise have been; but also wicked and irreligious Men have been fometimes very ferviceable to the Caufe of Religion. Some, who have done the Works of the Devil, have by their Learning promoted the Knowledge of the Lord.

THE Primitive Chriftians being very fenfible of the great Usefulness of Learning of all kinds, human as well as divine; that the Church might have sufficient Supplies of it, had not only Catechetical Schools, in which the Doctrines of the Gospel were explain'd and confirm'd; but alfo Schools of Grammar, Rhetoric and Philofophy; the Mafters of which were fometimes Men of great Eminence and Reputation for Learning. Origen, before he was Catechift, taught Grammar

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at Alexandria, and when he prefided over the Catechetical School, he introduc'd many of his Scholars to the Study of the Sciences and Philofophy, affirming that the Knowledge of them conduc'd to the right understanding of the Scriptures. For which Reafon he faid he thought it neceffary for himself to be well vers'd in them.

IN the fame City Origen's Master Ammonius Saccas profefs'd Philosophy. Heathens as well as Chriftians frequented his Lectures; and from his School were deriv'd the Improvements which were made in the Platonic Philofophy by the later Platonifts; feveral of whom had been his Hearers. And on the other hand, the Chriftians, rather than their Youth fhould want Inftruction in the liberal Arts and Sciences, or not have the beft, were content that they fhould receive it from unbelieving Masters. The great Bafil and Chryfoftom laid the Foundation of their inimitable Eloquence under Himerius and Libanius, the moft noted Sophifts of their Time, but bitter Enemies to Christianity.

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THE Emperor Julian being minded to extirpate the Chriftian Religion, provided by Law that the Children of the Galilæans fhould not be inftructed in Grammar, or Rhetoric, or Philosophy, nor taught the Greek Poets or Orators. For he thought that the Prevalence of the Gospel was in a great measure owing to this, That the Heathen were shot with Arrows wing'd with their own Feathers, and overcome with Arms with which they themselves had furnished the Chriftians. Wherefore if he could once difarm the Chriftians of the Weapons which they had borrow'd from their Adversaries, he hop'd it would be no hard matter to prevail against them.

AND indeed it is obfervable, that in fact Chriftianity and Learning have generally flourish'd and decay'd together. At how low an ebb they both have long been in the Eaftern Countries is well known. It is well known too, how groffly Chriftianity was imbas'd and corrupted during the Times of Ignorance in the Western Church; and that a princi

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pal Means of reftoring True Religion in thefe Parts, was the revival of good Literature. That Religion which was at firft wonderfully propagated thro' the World in oppofition to Learning, did afterwards prevail more and more by the Help of it; and hath declin'd where-ever it hath been deftitute of its Support. Miraculous Powers did for fome time more than compenfate for the want of it. But when thofe Powers which fupplied the room of it grew lefs frequent, and at length ceafed, it became not only of great Ufe, but neceffary to the Well-being and Profperity of the Church.

So that the Encouragement of Learning [* the Design which now calls us together] hath a direct Tendency to promote the Interefts of Christianity, and to preferve and increase that Knowledge, the Prefervation and Increase of which all muft wish, who wish well to Mankind.

WHEREFORE may the Lord be with them who are employ'd in publishing the Word of Salvation; and with thofe

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* Preached at Canterbury School Feaft.

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