Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/364

 of Ethicks, taken in their utmost Extent, to enable him to resolve such Cases of Conscience as may occurr, with Judgment and Satisfaction; he ought to be a Master of all the Topicks of Perswasion which can ever lie in his Way, that so his Exhortations may please and convince those whom he designs to perswade at the same Time; last of all he ought to be able to answer all the Objections which may be, or have been raised against the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, by its open or secret Enemies. These seem to be the necessary Qualifications of a Perfect Divine; it may perhaps, be questioned whether any Man did ever fully come up to this Description; neither is it necessary that any should, since the Question will be as perfectly answered by determining who have come the nearest to it, as by assigning any particular Person that ever quite reach'd up to it. For these Differences do not lie in a Mathematical Point, and I do not desire that any disputable things should ever be brought under Debate. One Qualification indeed, and that the greatest of all, I have omitted; but that relates not to the present Controversie, since we are not now enquiring who were the holiest Men, but who have been the greatest Masters