
On the Duties of the Clergy
'On the Duties of the Clergy' Summary
On the Duties of the Clergy was published in about 391 AD. It was written to motivate the clergy of his diocese so that they would conduct their lives in a manner appropriate to their vocation. With his immense background in the Classics, Ambrose modeled his treatise on Cicero's De Officiis. Hence, the Latin title of his work is De Officiis Ministorum.
He begins by reiterating that what he is about to say has already been taught to his clergy, but he would like to refresh their memory and ensure that they have indeed imbibed the right lessons. One of the devices he uses to convey his teachings is by replacing the old Roman heroes with Old Testament saints. On The Duties... is divided into three main books. In the first book he describes duties which are “ordinary” and those which are “perfect.” Duties to parents, elders, and the cardinal virtues are discussed here. In the second book, he looks at the “expedient” aspects of life. The third book deals with “duties of perfection.” He exhorts the clergy to consider not only what is duty, or perfect or expedient, but to ascertain what is good for all.
As an early piece of ecclesiastical writing, On the Duties of the Clergy makes interesting reading whether you're drawn to religious writings or not.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
Published In
391Authors

Saint Ambrose
Rome
Ambrose venerated as Saint Ambrose, was the Bishop of Milan, a theologian, and one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. Ambrose was serving as the Roman governor of Aemil...
Books by Saint AmbroseDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors, Volume 5 by Max Arthur Macauliffe
The tenth and final guru of Sikhism, Gobind Singh, was a warrior, poet, and philosopher. His life and teachings are the subject of Volume 5 of Max Art...

On Reading The Bible by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
This book is a collection of three lectures on the art of reading the Bible. It is intended for students of English literature and theology, and for a...

The Blue Island by W. T. Stead
Embark on an extraordinary journey beyond the realm of the known in "The Blue Island" by W. T. Stead, where the veil between the living and the depart...

Three Essays on Religion by John Stuart Mill
In this essay, Mill argues the idea that the morality of an action can be judged by whether it is natural or unnatural. He then lays out the two main...

Selection of Divine Poems by John Donne
This collection of John Donne's 'divine poems' offers a profound exploration of theological themes through the lens of his personal experiences. Donne...

Binsey Poplars by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Binsey Poplars is a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, an English poet and Jesuit priest. The poem is a meditation on the beauty of nature, and on the rel...

Clarel by Herman Melville
Clarel is an epic poem by Herman Melville that follows the journey of a young American, Clarel, to the Holy Land. The poem explores themes of faith, d...

All the World by Charles Monroe Sheldon
Set in the aftermath of the Great War, "All the World" tells the story of a small town struggling to adjust to the return of soldiers and the shifting...

Hurlbut's Story of the Bible Part 5 by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to "the hundred greatest men in Great Britain" asking them this question: "If f...

A Confession by Leo Tolstoy
The story begins with the Eastern fable of the dragon in the well. A man is chased by a beast into a well, at the bottom of which is a dragon. The man...
Reviews for On the Duties of the Clergy
No reviews posted or approved, yet...