Introductory note on Stock’s study with Master William Whitaker at Cambridge
Turning to Cambridge again, the dates remind us (in the words of the loveable Author of the Thirty-two Lives’) that “at this time Doctor Whitaker was Master of St John’s,” who, Clarke says, “favored” Master Stock very much “for his ingenuity (=ingenuousnesss), industry, and proficiency in his studies,” and under whom “a younger brother had a sizar’s place.” Whitaker had succeeded John Still and Richard Howland, who were as sternly Anti-Puritan as he was Pro-Puritan, and brought with him at once the learning, the piety, and the zeal of their predecessors, Thomas Lever and James Pilkington. Dr. Whitaker’s “Mastership” is admitted by those who had no love for him or his doctrines, to have been “the most flourishing and remarkable period in the history of St John’s College” To have won and retained the regard of that foremost “Master in Israel,” not less erudite as a scholar than winsome as a man, argues not a little in favor of Master Richard Stock, more especially as at the time, the venerable man had much of the contradiction of sinners against himself to contend with. (vii)
Commentary on Malachi 2:6
The law of truth was in his month. He taught the truth and word of God, and nothing but that, and that wholly.
Doctrine. The minister of God must deliver to his people the law of truth, and it only ; only the word of God and nothing else : Rev. ii. 7, “Hear what the Spirit saith.” The law of truth was in his mouth. He taught the truth, and nothing else but the truth, and the whole truth, all the truth, not keeping anything from them.
Doctrine. The minister must deliver to his people the whole truth of God, all his will and counsel, whatsoever he hath commanded and revealed: Lev. x. 11, Deut. v. 27, Mat. xxviii. 20, Acts x. 33, and xx. 27, 35.
Reason 1. Because else he cannot be free from the blood of his flock, that is, the perishing or slaughtering of them, sanguinis, i.e. caeslis, saith Chrysostom, upon Acts xx. 26. For if Paul be free from their blood and from their murder, because, as he said, Acts xx. 26, 27, “I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back but have shewed you all the counsel of God;” then will this by the contrary follow.
Reason 2. Because else they should not be faithful, neither to him that sent them, nor to them over whom they are set; for what fidelity can there be, when, for their own pleasures or respects, they shall not deliver the whole he commanded, and might be profitable to them. 1 Cor. iv. 2, “And as for the rest, it is required of the disposers that everyone be found faithful.”
Richard Stock, A Commentary on the Prophecy of Malachi, 1651, (London: James Nisbet and Co., 1865), 138.
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