Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/363

 to succeeding Ages. Yet, though these, together with the Writings of the Greek and Latin Fathers, be Instruments without which no Divine can work; and though it seems almost impossible that any Man should be able to perform all the Duties of his Profession, that are incumbent upon him as a Scholar, without a competent Exactness in all these Things; yet it is very possible that Modern Divines, who make use of these Instruments, may be better Work-men than those Ancient Fathers, who furnished them with the greatest part.

Now, that there may be no Disputes about Terms mis-understood, it will be necessary to explain what is here meant by a perfect Divine; that is to say, such an one as may be a Standard whereon to found a Comparison. A perfect Divine ought to understand the Text of the Old and New Testament so exactly, as to have a clear Notion of every Book in general, and of the Grammatical Meaning of every Text in particular; that so he may be able to reconcile all Difficulties, and answer all Objections that may arise: He ought to understand the State of the Church, as to its Doctrine and Discipline, in its several Ages: He ought to be thoroughly versed in all the General Notions