The Character of the Genuine Theologian [pp. 158-170]

( 158 )
ARr. II.-THE CHARACTER OF THE GENUINE
THEOLOGIAN.
Preliminary Remarks.
THIS article which follows is a translation from the Latin
of Witsius. The elevated thought and ardent piety of the
whole, together with the manifest importance of the subject,
and the known wisdom of the author, will suggest themselves
to the reader as sufficient reasons for its insertion As the
original discourse is an Inaugural Oration, pronounced when
Witsius assumed the theological chair at Franeker, there are
local allusions which are entirely omitted. A few paragraphs
have been passed over for the sake of brevity. The date of
the discourse is April 16, 1675.
THE TiHEOLOGIAN, as I use the term, is one imbued with
the knowledge of God and divine things, under the teaching
of God himself; who celebrates his adorable perfections, not
by words alone, but by the ordering of his life, and is thus
entirely devoted to his Lord. Such, of old, were the holy
patriarchs, the inspired prophets, the apostles by whom the
world was enlightened, with some of those luminaries of the
Primitive Church, whom we denominate the Fathers. Their
knowledge consisted, not in the acute subtilities of curious
questions, but in the devout contemplation of God and of his
Christ. Their chaste and simple method of instruction did not
gratify the itching ear, but by sealing the impression of sacred
things on the heart, enkindled the soul with love of the truth.
Their blameless life was apprehended even by their enemies,
and being in correspondence with their profession, fortified
their teaching with irrefragable evidence, and was a manifest
token of intimate communion with the Most Holy God.
In contemplating the character of such a theologian, let us
inquire, first, in what schools, under what teachers, by what
methods, he attains to a wisdom so sublime; secondly. in
what manner he may best communicate to others what he
has thus acquired; and finally, with what habits of mind and
excellence of life he may adorn his doctrine. Or, more concisely, let us view the genuine Theologian, with reference to