Augustine on how Human authority Can Open the Door

The following is a footnote supplied in the Henry Beveridge translation of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion in book I chapter 7 where he addresses the common Catholic citation of Augustine where he says that he would not believe the gospel, were he not moved by the authority of the Church. The footnote supports Calvin's point that Catholics make too much of Augustine's statement given what he says elsewhere about human authority.

Footnote:

Augustin. De Ordine, lib. 2 c. 9 “Ad discendum dupliciter movemur, auctoritate atque ratione : tempore auctoritas, re autem ratio prior est,” &c. “Itaque quamquam bonorum auctoritas imperitae multitudini videatur esse salubrior, ratio vero aptior eruditis: tamen quia nullus hominum nisi ex imperito peritus fit, &c., evenit ut omnibus bona, magna, occulta discere cupientibus, non aperiat nisi auctoritas januam,” &c. He has many other excellent things to the same effect.

Here's Meta AI's translation:

### *English translation*

*Augustine, _On Order_, Book 2, Chapter 9:*  

“We are moved to learn in two ways: by authority and by reason. In point of time, authority comes first, but in reality, reason is prior.” &c. 

“Therefore, although the authority of good men seems more beneficial for the unlearned masses, and reason more suitable for the educated, nevertheless, because no one becomes skilled except by starting out unskilled, &c., it comes about that for all who desire to learn things that are good, great, and hidden, *authority alone opens the door*,” &c. 

He has many other excellent things to the same effect.

### *Plain-English version*

Augustine is saying: 

1. *Two ways we learn*: someone we trust tells us, or we figure it out ourselves with reason. 

2. *Authority comes first in time* — kids/trust beginners have to take things on authority before they can reason them out. *But reason is more fundamental* in the order of reality.  

3. *Authority is better for beginners*; reason is for the educated.  

4. *But since everyone starts ignorant*, you _have_ to go through the “authority door” first. Nobody gets to deep, hidden truths without first submitting to a trustworthy teacher.

Meta AI properly explains that these quotes are given to support Calvin's point. Namely, "...unbelievers first come to Scripture through respect for the Church’s authority, but real certainty comes later from the Spirit — same “authority first, then understanding” pattern."