Wherefore
to the understanding of the Scripture, it is necessary to have
ancient languages, and the knowledge of ancient times, or the aid
of them who have such knowledge; and to have such as may be
always able and ready to give such aid (unless you would borrow
it of another nation, which would not only be base, but
deceitful) it is necessary to a commonwealth that she have
schools of good literature, or universities of her own.
"We are commanded, as has been said more than once, to search
the Scriptures; and which of them search the Scriptures, they
that take this pains in ancient languages and learning, or they
that will not, but trust to translations only, and to words as
they sound to present circumstances? than which nothing is more
fallible, or certain to lose the true sense of Scriptures,
pretended to be above human understanding, for no other cause
than that they are below it. But in searching the Scriptures by
the proper use of our universities, we have been heretofore blest
with greater victories and trophies against the purple hosts and
golden standards of the Romish hierarchy than any nation; and
therefore why we should relinquish this upon the presumption of
some, that because there is a greater light which they have, I do
not know. There is a greater light than the sun, but it does not
extinguish the sun, nor does any light of God's giving extinguish
that of nature, but increase and sanctify it.
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