V - Of Doctors, and their Office, and of the Schooles

ONE of the two ordinary and perpetuall functions that travell in the Word, is the office of the Doctor, who may bee also called Prophet, Bishop, Elder, Catechiser, that is, teacher of the Catechisme, and rudiments of Religion.

His office is to open up the minde of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures simply, without such applications as the Ministers use, to the end that the faithfull may be instructed, and sound doctrine taught, & that the purity of the Gospell be not corrupted through ignorance, or evill opinions.

Hee is different from the Pastor, not onely in name, but in diversity of gifts. For to the Doctor is given the word of knowledge, to open up by simple teaching the mysteries of faith; to the Pastor the gift of wisedome, to apply the same by exhortation to the manners of the flock, as occasion craveth.

Vnder the name and office of a Doctor wee comprehend also the order in Schooles, Colledges, and Vniversities, which hath been from time to time carefully maintained, as well among the Iewes and Christians, as also among the prophane Nations.

The Doctor being an Elder, as said is, should assist the Pastor in the government of the Kirk, and concurre with the Elders his brethren in all assemblies; by reason the interpretation of the Word, which is onely judge in Ecclesiasticall matters, is committed to his charge.

But to preach unto the people, to minister the Sacraments, and to celebrate mariages, perteine not to the Doctor, unlesse he be otherwise called ordinarily: howbeit the Pastor may teach in the Schooles, as he who hath the gift of knowledge, oftentimes meet for that end, as the examples of Polycarpus, and others testifie; &c.