THe Countrey Parson is full of all knowledg. They say, it is an ill Mason that refuseth any stone: and there is no knowledg, but, in a skilfull hand, serves either positively as it is, or else to illustrate some other knowledge. He condescends even to the knowledge of tillage, and pastorage, and makes great use of them in teaching, because people by what they understand, are best led to what they understand not. But the chief and top of his knowledge consists in the book of books, the storehouse and magazene of life and comfort, the holy Scriptures. There he sucks, and lives. In the Scriptures hee findes four things; Precepts for life, Doctrines for knowledge, Examples for illustration, and Promises for comfort: These he hath digested severally. But for the understanding of these; the means he useth are first, a holy Life, remembring what his Master saith) that if any do Gods will, he shall know of the Doctrine, John 7[:17]. and assuring himself, that wicked men, however learned, do not know the Scriptures, because they feel them not, and because they are not understood but with the same Spirit that writ them. The second means is prayer, which if it be necessary even in temporall things, how much more in things of another world, where the well is deep, and we have nothing of our selves to draw with? Wherefore he ever begins the reading of the Scripture with some short inward ejaculation, as, Lord open mine eyes, that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law. &c. The third means is a diligent Collation of Scripture with Scripture. For all Truth being consonant to it self, and all being penn’d by one and the self-same Spirit, it cannot be, but that an industrious, and judicious comparing of place with place must be a singular help for the right understanding of the Scriptures. To this may be added the consideration of any text with the coherence thereof, touching what goes before, and what follows after, as also the scope of the Holy Ghost. When the Apostles would have called down fire from Heaven, they were reproved, as ignorant of what spirit they were. For the Law required one thing, and the Gospel another: yet as diverse, not as repugnant: therefore the spirit of both is to be considered, and weighed. The fourth means are Commenters and Fathers, who have handled the places controverted, which the Parson by no means refuseth. As he doth not so study others, as to neglect the grace of God in himself, and what the Holy Spirit teacheth him; so doth he assure himself, that God in all ages hath had his servants, to whom he hath revealed his Truth, as well as to him; and that as one Countrey doth not bear all things, that there may be a Commerce; so neither hath God opened, or will open all to one, that there may be a traffick in knowledg between the servants of God, for the planting both of love, and humility. Wherfore he hath one Comment at least upon every book of Scripture, and ploughing with this, and his own meditations, he enters into the secrets of God treasured in the holy Scripture.

Herbert makes a good point here about needing a broad range of knowledge. Wherever we minister we need to understand the things that occupy the thoughts of our parishioners. For a minister in a rural setting that means farming and care of animals. If one were pastoring in a mining town, or a automotive manufacturing town he would need to learn about those things. It is not only helpful, as Herbert says, to relate to people in teaching and preaching, but also can give insights into ministry. Understanding the work of actual shepherds helps me to understand my calling as a pastor.

He goes on to say the main knowledge a minister needs is of the scriptures and lists 4 ways of means or ways of understanding the Bible.

• Obedience: we cannot understand the scriptures if we are not obedient. He cites John 7:17, ‘If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority’. (ESV) The scriptures are not meant to be analyzed and debated in sterile, academic abstraction; they are meant to be lived. You would never really understand a saw until you actually felt it in your hand and you experienced the angle of holding it or the pull of wood.

• Prayer: if we need prayer for our ‘daily bread’, how much more so to gain understanding in the Words inspired by the Spirit.

• Comparing Scripture with Scripture: as the Westminster Confession says, ‘The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly’.

• Church Tradition: the Bible has been read and meditated on for thousands of years, only a fool would disregard the work of some of the most brilliant minds in history. Through commentaries and other works we can ‘discuss’ the Bible not just with people in our local congregation, but with the faithful from the earliest times and from all around the world.

Notice that Herbert does not mention our personal experience or feelings. How often do we read a passage and immediately ask ourselves ‘How do I feel about this?’ or ‘What do I think it means?’ Notice also, he doesn’t say find your congregation’s ‘felt needs’ and look in the Bible for something to address them. To understand the scripture we need to come to it on its terms, not our own and listen for what it has to say instead of flipping through the pages for what we want to hear.

(Photo is bible study by b e m)