Page:The Journal of English and Germanic Philology Volume 18.djvu/336

 332 Gilbert Secular studies, pursued under learned and pious men, are necessary not only to candidates for the ministry, but to others, and in fact the. educational function of the Church does not end when it gives proper religious instruction to the masses, and trains for the ministry those called to it. The movement for general education at Strassburg was, we have seen, the work of Bucer and his associates in the Reformation. He interpreted the educational function of the Church in the broadest sense, and believed that the religious foundations were bound to provide advanced instruction for all who could profit by it. His plan for the reformation of the chapter of Saint Thomas provided for a number of teachers, one of whom was to teach the logical arts, and another Greek. And besides providing for the support and training of poor boys who were candidates for the ministry, the college ought also to educate for other func- tions as large a number of poor boys as it is able to support. They may become lawyers, physicians, or public officials, or undertake any other duty for which their training may fit them. In aiding a young man to obtain an education, the chapter would consider its own resources and the financial means of the candidate, but above all his probable ability to serve the state. 48 But, as his work at Strassburg shows, Bucer was not inter- ested in higher education only, or in the education of the few, nor was he satisfied with giving such opportunity for advanced training as would be provided by a limited number of scholar- ships. The interests of the state, of the Kingdom of Christ on earth, required something more than that. Hence, Bucer pre- sented to King Edward an inclusive plan for education in the interests of individual and public welfare. The eighth law recommended in De Regno Christi is entitled 'Lex Octava, de Educatione luventutis Civili, et Profligando Ocio.' Parts of it are as follows: Although the Lord has promised that to those who love him and observe his commandments he will show himself favorable for a thousand generations that is, give them so long a succession of sons, grandsons, and later descendants, formed according to his model in virtue and piety and that to those seeking first his kingdom, and justice, other things which they may ask will be given most liberally, nevertheless, he demands that not merely every individual, but also the state and the nation should educate, discipline, and instruct their 48 Script* Anglicana, p. 198.