The Reformed Librarie-Keeper (1650) | Page 8

proper to such of the Nobilitie, Gentrie and better sort of Citizens,
which are fit to bee made capable to bear Offices in the
Common-wealth: the other Schools may bee spoken off in due time, so
far as they are distinct from this, but that which now I have to suggest
is chiefly this, that as out of the Schools the chois, which ought to bee
made for Colleges, ought, Caeteris paribus, onely to bee of such as are
most fit to Advance the Ends of a Collegial Association; so out of
Colleges a chois ought to bee made of Professors for the Universitie
onely, of such as are fitted to advance the Ends of Publick teaching in
Universities, which are not to Repeat and Compendiate that which

others have published twentie times already, over and over again, but to
add unto the Common stock of humane knowledg, that which others
have not observed, to the end that all these degrees of Studies and
Exercises of the minde of man, beeing subordinate unto the Kingdom
of Jesus Christ, the happiness of Man by all Rational and Spiritual
waies of improving humane Abilities, may bee advanced unto it's
perfection in this life so far as may bee.
But how far short wee com now of all these designs, I need not to relate
unto you: the Colleges as they are now Conformed, can scarce reach to
the half of that which the Schools might bring us unto: and the
Professors of the Universities com not up to that, which the Collegial
Associations might elaborate, if they were rightly directed to set their
Talents at work; and if the publick Spirit of Christian love and
ingenuitie did possess those, that are possessed of publick places in the
Colleges of the Universities. For if this Spirit did rule their Aims and
Endevors, there would bee no self-seeking, no partialitie, no envie, nor
anie cross actings for private ends, to the prejudice of the Publick; but
the generous love of virtue and of profitable Learning, would swaie all
their inclinations to a free conjunction; and make all their endeavors
subordinate unto the publick good of the Common-wealth of Israel in
the Communion of Saints. But how far this Principle of acting is now
wanting amongst us all, I shall not need to mention: you have
considered it long ago, and wee have together lamented that defect, and
the doleful effects thereof: our endevor must bee to seek out the best
means of a Reformation therein, and to make use of them as God shall
give us opportunities. And truly somthing of this kinde might bee don,
without anie great alteration or stir, even as matters now are formed in
the Colleges; if God would bee so gracious to us, as to beget in the
mindes of those that understand those things, a heartie Aim and
Resolution to benefit the Christian Common-wealth of Learning, by
their Collegial Relations and Associations one to another. For if men
that are ingenuous will call to minde the end first, for which God doth
give them all their Talents, and then also for which men of publick
Spirits have erected Colleges and Universities, and endowed the same
with long and competent maintenances; that such as are fit for Studies,
and called to bee Instrumental in the propagation of Truth and Virtue,
might not bee distracted with the care of the World, in reference to

outward matters, but might have all the conveniences which are
imaginable to improve those Talents to the utmost, either singly, or
conveniently with others, if (I saie) ingenuous Christians would minde
these ends, for which the benefit of their Talents from God and of their
accommodations from men to improve those Talents are bestowed
upon them: it would not bee possible for them; to be so unthankful
towards God, and avers from the rule of Christianitie, and from the love
of doing good to the generation wherein they live; that they should
intend to lead a Collegial life onely for their own private eas and
conveniencie in outward things; that beeing accommodated with all
necessarie helps of the Bodie, they may pleas themselvs onely in the
cours of their Studies, with that Reservation and Retiredness, which is
proper to a Monkish life in Popish Cloisters; wherein the Spirit of
Mutual envie, of detraction and division is more irreconcilably
entertained, then in anie other Societies of the World. For their
Cloister-constitutions, obliging them onely to the observation of som
formal works as an _opus operatum_; for which their maintenance is
allowed them; they not knowing anie further design of their life, or any
greater happiness in this World, then to pleas themselvs; bestow all the
rest of their time and thoughts, as their natural inclinations lead them,
which