Conformity of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Reformed churches of France with that of the primitive Christians written by M. La Rocque ... ; render'd into English by Jos. Walker.

XIX.

A Minister cannot, together with the holy Ministry, Practise Physick, or the Law; nevertheless he may for Cha∣rity, give Counsel and Assistance to them which are sick of his Flock, in the neighbouring parts, provided it don't hinder him from doing the duty of his Charge, and that he makes no gain of it, except it be in times of trouble and persecution, when he cannot exercise his calling in his Church, and is not maintained by it; to avoid the study of Law, or other di∣straction, to addict themselves wholly to their Office, and to the study of the holy Scriptures and Divinity: And against those which refuse to yield obedience, the Colloquies and Sy∣nods are warn'd to proceed according to Order of the Disci∣pline; as also against those which so employ themselves in teaching youth, that it may in some measure hinder them from attending to their principal Employment; to which the Provincial Synods, Colloquies, and Consistories, shall have regard, even to the suspending of Ministers.

CONFORMITY.

It is said that Philosophy requires the whole Man; it may more truly be averr'd of the Ministry of the Go∣spel, to the Functions whereof one should apply all their time, and all their study; so far unfit it is to think one shall be able to exercise any other Calling with that of the Ministry, for example, that of Physick; therefore amongst us, it is not permitted for a Minister to undertake any other Profession with the Ministry; a Pastor may have some insight in the Law and in Phy∣sick, and also may use it charitably for the good of his Neighbours, in giving Counsel to some, and affording Ease to others, as Theodotus, Bishop of Laodicea, did, of whom Eusebius speaks so advantagiously; * 1.1 but with all, that 'tis requisite one should apply himself intirely to the good of his Flock, and that one can't with safe Conscience rob it of a great part of the time which be∣longs to it, to employ it in the Exercise of any other Profession, to the prejudice of that whereunto it is prin∣cipally dedicated. Thence it is, that the 10th Canon of the Council of Mayence in the year 813, * 1.2 and the 100 of that of Aix la Chapell, in the year 816. prohibit Ec∣clesiasticks of taking any thing for helping any sick persons by the Rules of Physick, which was not un∣known to them. Doubtless for warning them, that having been Consecrated to the Service of the Church, they ought not to spend time in the common practise of Physick, by the knowledg of which, they have liberty in certain occasions, charitably to help their Neighbours, without any expectation of Profit, pro∣vided that don't in any wise hinder them from their principal Employment, and Calling; in such a case it

was absolutely forbidden, * 1.3 as the Patriarch Lucas of Con∣stantinople did to his Deacons. Theodoret indeed makes mention of one certain person he calls Peter, which he represents as a very good Man, and he observes in the Letters 114 and 115, that he had been honour'd with Priestly dignity, and that nevertheless he practis'd Phy∣sick; but it plainly appears by what he says, * 1.4 That this Man was not bound to the Service of any Church, al∣though in was contrary too to the Rule of the Canons, and so nothing hinder'd but that he might commonly practise Physick: Moreover, nothing hinders but to this Article may be applied, Canon 6.81. and 83. of the Apostles. The Example of Gerantius Bishop of Nico∣media mention'd by Z••zomen, might here find place, had his Ordination been legitimate; * 1.5 for being a very good Physician, he was very helpful to the Inhabitants of Nicomedia, who bewail'd him much after his being depos'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hist. Ec∣cles. l. 7. c. 32. p. 288.
• * 1.2

  Tom. 2. Concil. Gall.
• * 1.3

  Pandect. Can. To. 2. p. 129. Oxford. 1672.
• * 1.4

  Theodor. Tom. 3. P. 988. Paris. 1642.
• * 1.5

  L. 8. c. 6.