An Exhortation to the Students, upon their the Greeks was a mere jargon and noise of return to the University after the Vaca- words."* tion. You, who are engaged in philosophical inquiries, ought to remember in the mean WE are at last returned, and some for the time, that you are not so strictly confined to first time, brought hither by that Supreme that study, but you may, at the same time, Hand which holds the reins of this universe, become proficients in elocution; and, inwhich rules the stormy winds and swelling deed, it is proper you should. I would, sea, and distributes peace and war to nations, therefore, have you to apply to both these according to its pleasure. The great Lord studies with equal attention, that you may of the universe, and Father of mankind, not only attain some knowledge of nature, while he rules the world with absolute sway, but also be in a condition to communicate does not despise this little flock, provided your sentiments with ease upon those subjects we look up unto him, and humbly pray, you understand, and clothe your thoughts that we may feel the favourable effects of his with words and expressions; without which, presence and bounty; nay, he will not dis- all your knowledge will differ but very little dain to dwell within us, and in our hearts, from buried ignorance. unless we, through folly, and ignorance of In joining these two studies together, you our true happiness, shut the door against have not only reason for your guide, but also him when he offers to come in. He is the Aristotle himself for your example; for we Most High, yet has chosen the humble are told, that it was his custom to walk up heart for the most agreeable place of his re- and down in the school in the morning, sidence on this earth: but the proud and teaching philosophy, particularly those specuhaughty, who look with disdain on their in-lative and more obscure points which in that feriors, he, on his part, despises, and be- age were called rationes acroamatice, and holds, as it were, afar off. He is most holy, thus he was employed, till the hour appointand dwells in no hearts but such as are purg- ed for anointing and going to exercise :+ but ed from the dross of earthly affections; and after dinner, he applied to the more enter. that these may be holy, and really capable taining arts of persuasion, and made his of receiving his sacred Majesty, they must scholars declaim upon such subjects as he of necessity be purified. "Know ye not," appointed them. says the divine apostle, "that you, even But to return to my own province; for, your bodies, are the temples of the Holy to say the truth, I reckon all other things Ghost,' ," and therefore are to be preserved foreign to my purpose: whatever you do, pure and holy? But the mind that dwells with regard to the other studies, give always within them, must be still more holy, as the preference to sacred Christian philosobeing the priest that, with constant and un-phy; which is, indeed, the chief philosophy, wearied piety, offers up the sacrifices and and has the pre-eminence over every other sweet incense of pious affections, cheerful science, because it holds Christ to be the obedience, ardent prayers, and divine praises, head, in whom all the treasures of wisto the Deity of that temple. dom and knowledge are hid." This the apos Of your studies and exotic learning, I in- tle tells us, was not the case of those false tend not to say much. The knowledge, I Christians in his time, whose philosophy reown, that men of letters, who are the most garded only some idle superstitions and vain indefatigable in study, and have the advan- observations. Cultivate, therefore, I say, tage of the greatest abilities, can possiby at- this Sacred Wisdom sent down from hea tain to, is at best but very small. But ven, "Let this be your main study ;§ for since the knowledge of languages and scien- its mysteries are the most profound, its preces, however inconsiderable it may be, is the cepts the most pure, and, at the same time. business of this society of ours, and of that the most pleasant. In this study, a weak period of years you are to pass here, let us understanding will be no disadvantage, if do, I pray, as the Hebrews express it, "the you have but a willing mind, and ardent dework of the day while the day lasts;"+sires. Here, if any where, the observation "for time slips silently away, and every suc- holds, "That if you love learning, you canceeding hour is attended with greater disad- not fail to make great progress therein."|| vantages than that which went before it." For some, that have applied with great inStudy to acquire such a philosophy as is dustry to human philosophy, have found it not barren and babbling, but solid and true; to be like a disdainful mistress, and lost not such an one as floats upon the surface of their labour; but divine philosophy invites endless verbal controversies, but one that en- and encourages even those of the meanest ters into the nature of things; for he spoke parts. good sense, that said, "The philosophy of ⚫ 1 Cor. vi. 19. • Φιλισοφία Ελληνων, λόγων ψαρ Εν ταυτη εστι - Ως κεφαλην χρεια Εαν της φιλομαθής, έση πολυμαθής. Isoc. ad Dem. Let us pray. And, indeed, it may be no small comfort | out doubt, what we all seek after, yet there and relief to young men of slow capacities, are very few that know the way to it, though who make but little progress in human it be quite plain and open. It is indeed no sciences, even when they apply to them with wonder, that the blind, who wander about the most excessive labour and diligence, that without a guide, should mistake the plainest this heavenly doctrine, though it be the most and most open path; but we have an inexalted in its own nature, is not only acces- fallible guide, and a most valiant leader, let sible to those of the lowest and meanest parts, us follow him alone; for he that treadeth in but they are cheerfully admitted to it, gra- his steps, can never walk in darkness. ciously received, preferred to those that are proud of their learning, and very often advanced to higher degrees of knowledge therein; according to-that of the Psalmist, "The law of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the entrance of his word giveth light, it giveth also understanding unto the simO! INVISIBLE God, who seest all things; ple." You therefore, whom some very for- eternal light, before whom all darkness is ward youths leave far behind in other stu- light, and in comparison with whom every dies, take courage; and to wipe off this stain, other light is but darkness. The weak eyes if it be one, and compensate this discourage of our understanding cannot bear the open ment, make this your refuge; you cannot and full rays of thy inaccessible light: and possibly arrive at an equal pitch of eloquence yet, without some glimpses of that light from or philosophy with some others; but what heaven, we can never direct our steps, nor hinders you, pray, from being as pious, as proceed towards that country which is the modest, as meek and humble, as holy and habitation of light. May it therefore please pure in heart, as any other person what- thee, O Father of lights, to send forth thy ever? And, by this means, in a very short light and thy truth, that they may lead us time, you will be completely happy in the directly to thy holy mountain. Thou art enjoyment of God, and live for ever in the good, and the Fountain of goodness; give us blessed society of angels, and spirits of just understanding, that we may keep thy premen made perfect. cepts. That part of our past lives, which we But if you want to make a happy progress have lost in pursuing shadows, is enough, in this wisdom, you must, to be sure, declare and indeed too much; bring back our souls war against all the lusts of the world and the into the paths of life, and let the wonderful flesh, which enervate your minds, weaken sweetness thereof, which far exceeds all the your strength, and deprive you of all disposi-pleasures of this earth, powerfully, yet pleation and fitness for imbibing this pure and santly, preserve us from being drawn aside immaculate doctrine. How stupid is it to therefrom by any temptation from sin or the catch so greedily at advantages so vanishing world. Purify, we pray thee, our souls from and fleeting in their nature, if, indeed, they all impure imaginations, that thy most beaucan be carried advantages at all: "Advan- tiful and holy image may be again renewed tages that are carried hither and thither, hur- within us, and by contemplating thy glorious ried from place to place by the uncertainty perfections, we may feel daily improved withof their nature, and often fly away before they can be possessed!" An author, remarkable for his attainments in religion, justly cries out, "O! what peace and tranquillity might he possess, who could be prevailed upon to cut off all vain anxiety, and only think of those things that are of a divine and saving nature!" Peace and tranquillity is, with in us, that divine similitude, the perfection whereof, we hope, will at last make us for ever happy in that full and beatific vision we aspire after. Till this most blessed day break, and the shadows fly away, let thy Spirit be continually with us, and may we feel the powerful effects of His divine grace constantly directing and supporting our steps, that all our endeavours, not only in this society, but throughout the whole remaining part of our lives, may serve to promote the honour of thy blessed name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |