E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Clergy.
The men of God’s lot or inheritance. In St. Peter’s first epistle (ch. v. 3) the Church is called “God’s heritage” or lot. In the Old Testament the tribe of Levi is called the “lot or heritage of the Lord.” (Greek, o; Latin, clerus and clericus, whence Norman clerex and clerkus; French, clergé.)
o
; Latin, clerus and clericus, whence Norman clerex and clerkus; French, clergé.)
