Vitringa preached as well as practiced the principle that ministers should have a broad liberal arts education in preparation for their theological studies. Those who argued for a shorter, streamlined course of training were seriously mistaken. Ministers must become people of broad scholarship. Knowing great thinkers of earlier times produces humility and modesty and teaches us to be patient with those who hold opinions other than our own in secondary matters. Haughty pride typifies the semischolarly, and superficial scholarship tends to stir up unnecessary disputes.

– from the biography included with the preface of The Spiritual Life

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