so, still we ought not to give up music because of the super-
CHAP. XIX.] THE USE OF HEATHEN LEAHNING. 55 the eyes of any of the citizens, but because it was obvious to remark that all sound, which is the material of song, is by nature of three kinds. For it is either produced by the voice, as in the case of those who sing with the mouth without an instrument ; or by blowing, as in the case of trumpets and flutes ; or by striking, as in the case of harps and drums, and all other instruments that give their sound when struck.
CiiAP. XVIII. No help is to be despised, even tJioi([/h it comefrom a profane
•source.
28. But whether the fact is as Varro has related, or is not so, still we ought not to give up music because of the superstition of the heathen, if we can derive anything from it that is of use for the understanding of Holy Scripture ; nor does it follow that we must busy ourselves with their theatrical trumpery because we enter upon an investigation about harps and other instruments, that may help us to lay hold upon spiritual things. For we ought not to refuse to learn letters because they say that Mercury discovered them ; nor because they have dedicated temples to Justice and Virtue, and prefer to worship in the form of stones things that ought to have their place in the heart, ought w^e on that account to forsal^e justice and virtue. N'ay, but let every good and true Christian understand that wherever truth may be found, it belongs to his Master ; and while he recognises and acknowledges the truth, even in their religious literature, let him reject the figments of superstition, and let him grieve over and avoid men who,
" when they knew God, glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imagjinations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things."-^
CnAr. XIX. Two kinds of heathen Jcnoidedge.
2 9. But to explain more fully this whole topic (for it is one that cannot be omitted), there are two kinds of knowledge which are in vogue among the heathen. One is the knowledge of things instituted by men, the other of things which they
» Rom. i. 21-23.