“Then spake Jesus… saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”
Mt. 23:1-3
“And He gave… some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…”
Eph. 4:11-12
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…”
1 Cor. 12:28
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Subsection
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Order of Contents
Intro
Articles 6+
Book 1
Quotes 8+
Members of Presbytery, may sit on Sessions 1
May a Person Not Ordained Teach? 10
Don’t Lord over your Teachers
Latin 2
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Intro
Article
Fentiman, Travis – ‘Introduction to the Office of Teacher’ (2014) 27 paragraphs, with four appendices of 44 more paragraphs.
Here is a comprehensible introduction to the historic, Reformation view and that of the Westminster Assembly, showing the Biblical warrant for the Office of Teacher. Further resources are suggested in the article for further study.
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Articles
1500’s
Calvin, John – 3. ‘Of the Teachers & Ministers of the Church. Their Election & Office’ in Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 3, bk. 4, pp. 56-73
Beza, Theodore – A Brief & Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith made in Form of a Confession (London, 1562), ch. 5
25. Of the Office of Pastors & Doctors
26. The Difference between Pastors & Doctors
27. The Pastors & Doctors be but instruments by the which God conducts the ministry of his Word
28. The Marks & Tokens of False Doctors & Pastors
Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction… (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573), A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism, 9th Dialogue, ‘Of the Offices of Jesus Christ’
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1600’s
Voet, Gisbert – ‘On Whether there is an Office of ‘Doctor” from Ecclesiastical Politics (Amsterdam, 1669), pp. 479-81 trans. Charles Johnson
Owen, John – ch. 6, ‘Of the Office of Teacher in the Church’ Buy (1688) 12 pp. in The True Nature of a Gospel Church & its Government in Works, vol. 16
This is the best short work arguing for the office from scripture. Owen was a congregationalist, which view held that teachers must be called by the local church and could preach and administer the sacraments.
The Scots, which this webmaster agrees with, held that doctors could be called by presbyteries, could work outside the bounds of the local church, and did not have the power to preach or administer the sacraments.
Heidegger, Johann – On the Office of Doctor Buy trans. 2017
“Johann Heinrich Heidegger (1633-1698) was one of the great Swiss theologians of the seventeenth century. He served as Professor of Theology at Zurich from 1667 to 1698. Heidegger is remembered for his leading role in the drafting of the Formula Consensus Helveticus, a document, although moderate in tone, intended to unite the Swiss churches against the innovative theology of Saumur. His Corpus Theologiae Christianae is a massive and learned presentation of orthodox Reformed dogmatics.”
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2000’s
Myers, Andrew – ‘Office of Doctor’ (2009) 34 paragraphs
This is an anthology of excerpts from 14 reformation era creeds, books of discipline and documents demonstrating that the Office of Doctor was the universal view and practice of the Reformation and post-reformation eras. Read here to see how these godly divines understood the particulars of the office, including its Biblical warrant and functions.
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Book
Henderson, Robert – The Teaching Office in the Reformed Tradition: a History of the Doctoral Ministry Buy (1962) 277 pp.
This is an invaluable, exhaustive dissertation on the history of the Office of Doctor in the historic, Reformed Church, though it is not exegetical and does not cover many of the Biblical arguments. He very clearly distinguishes the different conceptions and practices of the Office of Doctor in the Middle Ages, Calvin’s Geneva, the Scottish Church, the French Church, the Dutch Church, the English Church (including the Westminster Assembly), and in the puritan Congregational churches.
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Quotes in addition to those in Myers’ article
Order of Quotes
French Churches
Beza & Faius
Synod of Dort
Rutherford
Fergusson
Baynes
Gillespie
Leigh
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1500’s
The Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France 1559
ch. 11, ‘Of Baptism’, Canon 2 in Synodicon in Gallia Reformata, vol. 1, p. xliv
“A Doctor in a church may not preach, nor administer the sacraments, unless that he be at the same time both Doctor and Minister.”
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Theodore Beza & Anthony Faius & Students
Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius… (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), 73. ‘Of the Ministers of God’s Word under the Gospel’, p. 230
“15. There remain two callings belonging to the ministry of the Word: to wit, pastors and doctors, who are distinguished from the former [offices of apostles, prophets and evangelists] in a three-fold respect: first in that they are not immediatlie, but have been ever since the time of the apostles, ordained by the ministery of men according unto that form whereof we shall speak. Secondly, in that they are tied unto a certain congregation: lastly, because the Lord has ordained both these functions to be perpetual in the Church.
16. The proper and the peculiar function of the doctor is to teach the doctrine of true religion, by the faithful interpreting of the Scriptures, to defend the same against the gainsayers and to govern the ecclesiastical schools.”
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1600’s
The Synod of Dort 1619
First Head, The Offices, Article 2
“The offices are of four kinds: of the Ministers of the Word, of the Professors of Theology, of the Elders, and of the Deacons.”
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Samuel Rutherford 1642
A Peaceable & Temperate Plea for Paul’s Presbytery in Scotland (London, 1642)
Ch. 20, Whether or not the government of the Church of Scotland can be proved by God’s Word to be lawful?
Article 2, Officers of the Church
“The ordinary officers of our Church are Pastors, to whom belongeth the word of exhortation, 1 Tim. 3:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:7,8, Doctors, who in schools expound the word of God, and convince gainsayers, Rom. 12:7,8; Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28, Governors, or governing Elders who rule well, Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 15:23, and Deacons who care for the poor, Acts 6:2-4; 1 Tim. 3:8-12.”
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Article 5, Pastor’s Duty
“The doctors’ way is doctrinal, to inform the mind and defend the truth against gainsayers (Rom. 12:7).”
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Article 10, Schools and Doctors
“There are with us Doctors of Divinity who teach in schools and Universities, men tried to be holy and learned, and then put in office, as 1 Tim. 3:10, under whose instruction are students aiming at the holy ministry called expectants, as in the Jewish Church in their colleges, were young prophets, or sons of the prophets, as 1 Sam. 10:5; 2 Kings 2:7; 2 Kings 4:1; 1 Kings 20:35. These Doctors and also the teachers of human literature, who train up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4, if they aim at the ministery, prophecy in our presbyterial meetings, 1 Cor. 14:29.”
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Lex Rex... (1644; Edinburgh: Ogle, 1843), p. xxiii
“Doctors both in academies and in parishes, we desire, and our book of discipline holds forth such.”
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A Survey of the Survey of that Sum of Church-Discipline penned by Mr. Thomas Hooker… wherein the way of the churches of New England is now Re-examined (London, 1658), p. 22
“2. The contret [contract?] of a lecturer that preacheth the word to diverse professors from sundry Churches, if:
1. He have no warrant to administer the seals, or to exercise discipline over them; he seemeth to me some catholick doctor I read not of in scripture, not unlike the Popish and prelatical deacon, who may preach and baptize (as a midwife to them in case of necessity may baptize) but not to administer the other seal.
2. If he be a lawfully called Pastor, I shall say, the meeting is a true visible Church of visible members met from sundry churches, and is not a fixed, but a transient church, and it is no more absurd to say [that] these [auditors] are members of four visible churches, to wit, transient members, than to say they are members of the whole catholic, visible Church, and baptized. Whether Jews or gentiles, all, by one spirit, unto one body, 1 Cor. 12:13., being all one body, having one spirit, one faith, one Lord, one baptism. Eph. 4:4-5, though they belong to diverse particular churches:”
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James Fergusson
Commentary on Eph. 4:11. HT: Andrew Myers
“The other two are ordinary office-bearers, pastors and teachers; I say two, though the disjunctive particle “some,” be not cast in between them; for they are distinguished, Rom. 12:7, 8, and the exercise of their respective offices is distinguished also, 1 Cor. 12:8; so that by pastors are meant those who, besides their ability to open up the text of Scripture in some measure, are chiefly gifted with the word of wisdom, wisely and powerfully to apply the word for working upon the affections, as the matter requires; and the teacher is he who is gifted with the word of knowledge, or ability to open up the mind of God in Scripture, establishing truth, and confuting error, without insisting much upon particular application; which office, because of the church’s poverty, is confined to the schools, and the ordinary exercise of it before the people left upon the pastor.”
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Paul Baynes
Commentary on Eph. 4:11. HT: Andrew Myers.
“Pastors, that is, ministers that labored in the word of exhortation, and ministering the sacraments.
Teachers. Ministers that labored in the word of doctrine or knowledge; for as the persons are here distinguished, so the gifts elsewhere.”
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George Gillespie
An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland, ch. 2:
“But they differ, in that the pastor labors in the word of exhortation, that is, by the gift of wisdom applies the word to the manners of his flock, and that in season and out of season, as he knows their particular cases to require. The doctor labors in the word of doctrine, that is, without such applications as the pastor uses; by simple teaching he preserves the truth and sound interpretation of the Scriptures, against all heresy and error. The ruling elder doth neither of these, but labors in the government and policy of the church only. The Apostle has distinguished these three sorts of elders, 1 Tim. 5.17, “Let elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” Where, as [Theodore] Beza notes, he distinguished the word, which is the pastor’s part, from doctrine, which is the doctor’s part. Even as Rom. 12:7,8, he distinguishes teaching from exhortation; and 1 Cor. 12:8, puts “the word of wisdom,” and “the word of knowledge,” for two different things. Now, besides those elders which labor in the word, and those which labor in doctrine, Paul speaks to Timothy of a third sort of elders, which labor neither in the word nor doctrine, but in ruling well. Hence it appears how truly the Book of Policy, ch. 2, says, That there are four ordinary, perpetual, and necessary offices in the church, the office of the pastor, the doctor, the elder, and the deacon; and that no other office, which is not one of these four, ought to be received, or suffered in the church.”
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Edward Leigh, was a member of the Westminster Assembly
Annotations on the New Testament, 1650
Matt 23:39
“…so that this should be the meaning, I [Jesus] have behaved Myself humbly and lovingly amongst you, and have discharged the office of Teacher, now the course of my calling being finished, I will depart, and you shall not enjoy Me hereafter…”
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John 7:37
“Jesus stood. When otherwise the custom of that age carried it, that the teachers sat, even as Christ also often did, but here He stood that He might signify that He would seriously execute the great Office of Teaching.”
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Doctors are Members of Presbytery & may Sit on Sessions
Geroge Gillespie
An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland in the Points of Ruling-Elders…. (Edinburgh: Bryson, 1641), ch. 2, pp. 8-10
“Notwithstanding of all the multiplicity of Popish orders, yet Peter Lombard (pt. 4, distinction 4) treading the vestiges of the primitive simplicity, did observe that the apostles left only two sacred orders to be perpetual in the Church, the order of deacons and the order of elders.
The administration of deacons is exercised about things bodily. The administration of elders about things spiritual. The former about the goods: the latter about the government of the Church. Now elders are of three sorts: 1. Preaching Elders, or Pastors, 2. Teaching Elders or Doctors, 3. Ruling Elders. All these are elders, because they have voice in presbyteries and all assemblies of the Church, and the government of the Church is incumbent to them all: nor only to the pastor and elder, but to the doctor also.
The bishop of Dune, in his Examen conjurationis Scoticae [‘Examination of the Scottish Conjuration’], p. 35, alleges that our Church of Scotland did never yet determine whether doctors and deacons have right of voicing in the consistories and assemblies of the Church. But had he read our book of Policy, he might have found that it excludes deacons from being members of presbyteries and assemblies, ch. 8, but admits doctors into the same, ch. 5.
The doctor being an elder, as said is, should assist the pastor in the government of the Kirk and concur with the elders, his brethren, in all assemblies, by reason the interpretation of the Word, which is [the] only judge in ecclesiastical matters, is committed to his charge. But they differ in that the pastor labors in the Word of exhortation, that is, by the gift of wisdom, applies the Word to the manners of his flock, and that in season and out of season, as he knows their particular cases to require. The doctor labours in the Word of doctrine, that is, without such applications as the pastor uses, by simple teaching he preserves the truth and sound interpretation of the Scriptures against all heresy and error. The ruling elder does neither of these, but labours in the government and policy of the Church only.
The apostle has distinguished these three sorts of elders, 1 Tim. 5:17, ‘Let elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine,’ where, as Beza notes, he distinguishes the Word, which is the pastor’s part, from doctrine, which is the doctor’s part. Even as Rom. 12:7-8, he distinguishes teaching from exhortation: and 1 Cor. 12:8 puts the Word of wisdom and the word of knowledge for two different things. Now beside those elders which labour in the Word, and those which labor in doctrine, Paul speaks to Timothy of a third sort of elders, which labor neither in the Word nor doctrine, but in ruling well.”
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May a Person Teach Christianity who is not Ordained?
The Public Sphere
The General Rule
John Calvin
Commentary on Luke 3, verse 2
“Hence infer, that there are no regular teachers, but those on whom God has conferred the office; and that it is not enough to have the word of God, if there be not likewise a special calling.”
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Samuel Rutherford
A Survey of the Survey of that Sum of Church-Discipline Penned by Mr. Thomas Hooker… (London, 1658), p. 195
“Would the Lord appoint men, elders and brethren, and Churches to come many hundred miles to heal rent and spoiled Churches, and the result of all is a mere counsel which a woman at home may give?”
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Further Explanation
Public School teachers of youth who taught Christianity in Scotland during the 1500’s-1600’s often held the office of doctor or teacher in the Church.
Religious teachers of young children would seem not to need ordination, this fitting with nature and its close relation to domestic and private instruction (see below).
Nor do Church teachers in ‘Sunday Schools’ necessarily need to be ordained, if they have the implicit consent and responsible government of the elders of the Church (see Rutherford below).
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On Writing Books: Not from the Authority of the Pastoral Office
Samuel Rutherford
A Survey of the Survey of that Sum of Church Discipline… (London, 1658), bk. 2, ch. 4, pp. 210-11
“3. Neither Mr. Rutherford [contra what Hooker said] nor any judicious man can teach that either a gift to write books, or of eminent preaching, praying, exhorting, proceeds out of a power of office; it is a sanctified gift which the Church sees and judges to be in any before they call him to office; and any gift is by order of nature and time before the office, and so proceeds not from the office; and therefore it is not required that every pastor should have a gift of writing books; But if the Lord have given it to any, they exercise it as such [additionally] gifted officers as the prophets and apostles, as such prophets so gifted did write canonic Scriptures; so are pastors, if gifted, to write and preach in their way, and both to write and preach by their office.
Nor is it good logic that all in office should write books because some by virtue of their office write books; for a minister gifted with four talents is obliged to gain with these four talents, and that as a minister by virtue of his office; but it is weak logic to infer, therefore, all ministers by virtue of their office are obliged to gain with four talents, for many are obliged by virtue of their office to gain with only two [talents, not including with writing books] to their Lord, and with only one [talent].
4. It was needless to Mr. Hooker to prove writing of books does not belong to the power of office because a learned man out of office may do it with more authority, for Mr. Rutherford had no such intention [of teaching to the contrary].
For sure, if such a thing agreed to the office-power as the office-power, then all officers, pastors [and] elders were obliged to write books, and yet Mr. Hooker does not very happily prove it, because many learned men, unofficed, may with more au∣thority of truth write books than officed men. It is only some officed men he must mean, or it is not true.
[emphasis added below]
And then I retort it thus: Many officed men may write books with more authority both of truth and of office (and two are better than one) than some unofficed men less learned [Rutherford affirms this]. Therefore [according to Hooker’s logic, it would seem], some gifted pastors do not as pastors so gifted, and by virtue of their office relating both to the presbyterian Church and their own congregation, edify all the Churches about by writing books. It follows not. [Rutherford is affirming that some gifted pastors do write books with the virtue of their office in relation to the churches, though a calling to write books does not derive simply from their office]”
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Exceptions to the Rule
Samuel Rutherford
Due Right of Presbyteries (1646)
pt. 1
p. 8
“…as David without immediate revelation from Heaven to direct him, by only the Law of nature, did eat showbread; So is the case here, so answer the casuists and the schoolmen, that a positive law may yield in case of necessity to the good of the Church; so Thomas, Molina, Suarez, Vasquez, Vigverius, Sotus, Scotus, Altisiodorensis, Durand, Gabriel; and consider what the learned Voetius says in this:
What if in an extreme case of necessity, a private man, endued with gifts and zeal should teach publicly, after the example of the faithful at Samosaten.”
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p. 165
“4. Stephen [a deacon] did no more (Acts ch. 7) in his apology [contra Anglicans who hold that deacons may preach] than any witnesses of Christ convened before rulers may do who are obliged to be ready always to give an answer to every one who asks them of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear, 1 Pet. 3:15, yea though it were a woman who yet may not preach, 1 Cor. 14:34.”
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Part 2, p. 272
“5th Distinction: There is a formal calling of the Church, as the laying on of the hands of the elders, and a virtual and interpretative calling or tacit approbation of the Church, when learned men of eminent gifts, not in office, do write commentaries, sermons on canonical Scriptures, and tractates refuting heresies; to this the tacit approbation of the Church is required, but these have not ordinary pastoral care, nor are they the ordinary converters of souls to Christ, as the pretended prophets of Separatists are [claimed to be].”
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A Peaceable & Temperate Plea (1642), ch. 19, p. 298
“2. As a singularly graced Christian, he [the civil king] may write sermons and commentaries on holy Scripture for edifying the Church; but this should be done by him by no kingly faculty [but rather as a private person].”
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A Careful Review of Arminianism, trans. David C. Noe (RHB, 2023), ch. 27, ‘Synods’
“All friends, brothers, and equals that are endowed with greater grace, experience and knowledge – to the extent that they provide us with good and just counsel from God’s Word – must be acknowledged as our superiors.
If David had rejected Abigail’s advice and suggestion in pushing him away from disproportionate vengeance, he would have also rejected God’s counsel and sinned against the fifth commandment of the Decalogue no less than if the supreme priest or prophet of God had commanded that same thing, according to his prophetic authority, which Abigail had only urged privately.”
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Articles
Baker, Richard – An Apology for Laymen’s Writing in Divinity… (London, 1641) 155 pp. ToC
Baker (Knight, c.1568-1645) was an English politician, historian and religious writer. He is now known for his Meditations on several psalms, which were highly commended by Charles Spurgeon and have been reprinted.
‘John Owen on Commending Edward Polhill as a Lay Theologian’ from Edward Polhill, The Divine Will Considered in its Eternal Decrees, & Holy Execution of Them. By Edward Polhill of Burwash in Sussex Esquire 2nd ed. (London: Thomas Shelmerdine, 1695), unpaginated
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Other Lay Persons who wrote theological works during the 1600’s
Edward Leigh
Andrew Wellwood
Johnston of Wariston
Francis Rous
Archibald Campbell
Sir Richard Baker
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The Private Sphere
Scottish Directory for Family Worship 1647
“12. Seeing the word of God requireth that we should consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; therefore, at all times, and specially in this time, wherein profanity abounds… every member of this kirk ought to stir up themselves, and one another, to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, admonition, rebuke; exhorting one another to manifest the grace of God in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and in living godly, soberly…”
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Samuel Rutherford
A Survey of the Survey of that Sum of Church-Discipline Penned by Mr. Thomas Hooker… (London, 1658), p. 260
“And though women be forbidden authoritatively to teach in the Church, 1 Tim. 2:7; 1 Cor. 14, and publicly, yet they may teach the younger women, Tit. 2:2-3, give a seasonable rebuke and counsel to men, 2 Sam. 20:16-17; 1 Sam 25:23-24, 32-33, and a woman, a sister is to labor to gain a sister, by Mt. 18, and that in a Church-way; and women, as other Church-members, are to teach, exhort, warn, according to their place, as well as men, Col. 3:16; Rom. 15:14; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:13 & 20, 25.”
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Don’t Lord over & Teach your Teachers
Quote
1600’s
John Bairdie
Balm from Gilead, or the Differences about the Indulgence Stated & Impleaded in a Sober & Serious Letter to Ministers & Christians in Scotland (1674; London, 1681), pp. 167-68
“Usurp never to be teachers of your teachers or guides of guides. Take not like Korah and his company too much upon you; albeit ye are not to follow any man blindly in matters of religion but humbly and seriously to examine all things (like the noble Bereans) and hold fast that which is good, 1 Thess. 5, yet your teachers ye are to reverence and humbly learn from them, Heb. 13:7 & 17, and have them so far in regard as not rashly to oppone your judgment to theirs, much less to dictate and prescribe unto them, and not let them have your peace unless they follow all your opinions.
What intolerable arrogance is it for weak heads of men or women (whom God has set to learn, not to teach) to leave the place of disciples and presume unto the chair, to teach and give laws unto their governors and guides? Has He not said, Mal. 2:7, ‘The priests’ lips shall preserve knowledge, and men should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts’? But where has He said that ministers are to be tutored and led by the people? Is it not an high degree of pride for persons of your station and understanding to arrogate to yourselves to be wiser and judiciouser than your best ministers, who make it their daily work to read, meditate, and pray, to stand by the Lord’s counsel and learn his mind, and like watchmen stand on their watchtower to know what of the night? With whom is this urim and thummim more than with his holy ones?
If ye find them fail in anything, admonish them gravely and discreetly: Tell Archippus [Col. 4:17; Phile. 1:2] your thoughts humbly and seriously, yet presume not to impose your apprehensions on him nor to censure him shrewdly if he do not forthwith become of your opinion; for ye are fallible and may be in the mistake. ‘Brethren’ (says James, 3:1), ‘be not many masters.’ This spirit savors little of sober-mindedness or self-acquaintance; suffer 〈◊〉 to tell you, that as for your sincerity, zeal and affectionateness, many of you are your teachers ••y, and that it is not a little they have done and suffered for your sakes, and their bowels yern to have more and more of Christ formed in you; so for unfruitfulness in the Word of righteousness, for being such babes in knowledge, and inability to scan intricacies and discern between things that differ, not a few of you are their shame and grief; and yet will ye be their leaders? Ye know it is the blindest who usually are the boldest and most confident, Prov. 14:16. ‘Be not therefore high-minded, but fear,’ and be self-jealous: The Holy Ghost’s rule is, ‘Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,’ James 1. Think they do but flatter you who would puff you up with self-conceit, as if it were people who keep Ministers right, and not Ministers the people, and would teach you to usurp over your leaders.”
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Latin Articles
1600’s
Voet, Gisbert – Ecclesiastical Politics (Amsterdam: Waesberge, 1663), vol. 3, pt. 2
bk. 2, ‘Of Ministers & the Ecclesiastical Ministry’, Tract 3, ‘Of the Ordinary Ministers of the Old and New Testament’
7. ‘Of Doctors’ 479
bk.4, tract 3, Of Ecclesiastical Assistants
1. Of Doctors of Theology 915
2. Of Doctors and Professors of Canonical Law 918
3. Of the Preacher, Disputator, Catechizer & Ecclesiastical Scholar 923
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