sembly 1701, it is recommended to several synods to maintain a bursar of theology, having the Irish language, out of their own purses. And by the 13th act of Assembly 1704, in respect the Lowland presbyteries besouth Tay are competently planted, and that the promoting of knowledge in the Highlands is of common concern; therefore it is appointed that the one half of all bursaries of the presbyteries be-south Tay be bestowed on students having the Irish, at least the half thereof; which act is to continue at least for four years, and longer, if there shall be found need: and by the 5th act of Assembly 1707, contributions, and erecting of societies for the maintenance of poor scholars, are to be encouraged by judicatures and the commissions of Assemblies.

17. By the act of Assembly Feb. 7. 1645, it is appointed that notwithstanding of any progress any may pretend to have made privately in their studies, yet in the college they shall not at first enter to any higher class than that wherein the Greek language is taught; and being entered, they shall proceed orderly through the rest of the classes, until they finish the ordinary course of four years; and otherwise that none be admitted to the degree of Master of Arts, unless the Faculty of Arts find him to be of extraordinary learning.

18. By that same act it is appointed, that none be allowed to enter the Greek class, but such who are found can make congruous themes in Latin, and are not to be promoted to any higher class, till it be found that they understand what was taught them in the lower. The annual examination of students at the first sitting down of colleges, looketh as if something like this were intended: but the best effects that such examinations do ordinarily now produce, may be the doing of justice upon some poor ignorant students in keeping them back from advancing to higher classes. And as for the rest who

pay

the masters their ordinary dues, they are only thereby excited to be at more than ordinary pains for some few days. It is a piece of justice done to the world, that those who are to gain and live by their learning, should not, under that pretence, be suffered to impose upon men

by ignorance or craft. For, what a great deal of hurt are immoral, ignorant, crafty, and idle scholars, capable to work in their generations? Let them be directed and obliged to serve their time in some honest vocation, where the want of so much knowledge cannot do so great prejudice; otherwise, it is highly reasonable they should study to have accomplishments, and a conversation suitable to the profession and character they bear in the world.

19. By that same act, none who have entered to one college should be admitted to any class in another, than that wherein he was, or should have been in the college from whence he came; nor be admitted without testimonials from the former masters, both concerning his literature and dutiful behaviour; that so these who have been rejected or removed as unworthy or ignorant by one college, may not be admitted or promoted in another. And in order to the better education of young men for the ministry, by the 22d act of Assembly 1696, it is recommended to professors of divinity that they require of such students, as they employ in any exercises, testimonials from universities where they have studied, and the places where they have lived.

20. By the act of Assembly August ult. 1647, it is recommended to universities to take an account of all their scholars on the Sabbath-day, of the sermons, and of their lessons on the Catechism.

TITLE V.

Of School-Masters, and Instructors of Youth.

1. By the 17th act of K. W. & Q. Mary's Parliament, it is ordained, that no professors, principals, regents, masters or others, bearing office in any university, college, or school, within this kingdom, be either admitted or allowed to continue in the exercise of their said functions, but such as do acknowledge and profess, and shall subscribe the Confession of Faith, and swear the oath of allegiance (and now they must subscribe the same with

the assurance. Vide act 6. Parl. 1693,) and withal shall be found of a pious, loyal, and peaceable conversation, and of good and sufficient literature and abilities for their respective employments, and submitting unto the government of the church now settled by law. And by the 10th act of Assembly 1700, all presbyteries are appointed to take special, particular, and exact notice of all school-masters, chaplains, governors, and pedagogues of youth within their respective bounds, and oblige them to subscribe the Confession of Faith; and in case of continued negligence, (after admonition,) error, or immorality, or not being careful to educate these under their charge in the Protestant reformed religion; the presbytery, with respect to school-masters, is to apply to the civil magistrates of burghs, and heritors in land-ward: And with respect to governors, chaplains, and pedagogues, to their masters, for removing such persons from these offices: And if this be not remedied by them, that the presbytery, with respect to school-masters, apply to the Commission of Parliament for visitation of schools and colleges: And it is appointed, that an account be given in every half year to the presbytery, by ministers, what schoolmasters, chaplains, governors, and pedagogues are in their respective parishes. And by the 13th act of Assembly 1706, such as have power of settling school-masters, are to prefer thereto men who have past their course at colleges, and have taken their degrees, before others who have not, cæteris paribus.

2. By the act of Assembly Dec. 17, 18, 1638, presbyteries are to see that schools in land-ward parishes be settled with able men, for the charge of teaching the youth, public reading, and precenting of the psalm, and the catechizing of the common people. Which teaching. of the youth I understand to be, teaching to read, write, and know the principles of religion, according to the act of Assembly Aug. 3. 1642; and by that same act, every presbytery, scat, and burgh, is to have a grammar school.

TITLE VI.

Of Doctors, and Professors of Theology.

1. According to the fifth chapter of the Policy of the Kirk, in the General Assembly 1581, the office of the doctor or catechiser, is one of the two ordinary and perpetual functions that travel in the word. He is to open up the mind of the Spirit of God simply, without such applications as the ministers use. They are such properly who teach in schools, colleges, or universities: But to preach unto the people, to administer the sacraments, and to celebrate marriage, do not pertain to him, except he be called and ordained thereto. If the pastor be qualified for it, he may perform all the parts of the doctor's office, that being included in the pastoral. By the 2d article, chap. 11. of the Discipline of the French Church, a doctor in the church cannot preach nor administer the sacraments, unless he be both doctor and minister. And when the General Assembly, February 10. 1645, ratifies the propositions sent to them from the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, concerning church-government, and ordination of ministers, they expressly provide, that the present ratification shall be noways prejudicial to the further discussion and examination of one of the articles or propositions, which holds forth, that the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration of sacraments, as well as the pastor.

2. Though the office of a deacon is included in the office of a ruling elder, yet it is fit that some be appointed deacons, distinct from that of the elder; so, albeit the office of a doctor be included in that of the pastor, yet it were very fit that some not in the sacred order of the ministry were ordained and set apart to teach and catechise the people, especially in large and incommodious parishes, (see § 3. of the preceding Title,) as well as in schools and colleges.

3. By the act of Assembly February 13. 1645, for encouragement to scholars for professions in schools, it is

recommended to synods, to try who within their bounds most probably may be for a profession in the schools, and report their names to the General Assembly, that they may be stirred up and encouraged by them to frame their studies for such places. This cumulative power doth noways prejudge or hinder the faculty of an university (which hath power and right to elect) from doing of the same. It were to be wished, that this custom of synods, reporting to General Assemblies the names of such as are fit to be professors, were again revived, and more exactly practised; for it would prevent the transporting of ministers to be only teachers or masters in universities, which is an appointing of him to exercise the office of a doctor, and dispensing with him from preaching of the word, and administrating of the sacraments: Which dispensation, or the loosing of which tie, if it be a favour, it can never be imposed upon any pastor without his own. consent: but if it be a punishment, it can be inflicted upon none without their fault. It is liker a commutation of offices than a transportation: or if he still continue to be a pastor, his pastoral talent is thereby but much hid in a napkin. By the 3d article, 2d chap. of the French church-discipline, doctors and professors of divinity shall be elected and tried by the synods of the province where the academies are.

4. By the 5th chap. of the Policy of the Kirk of Scotland, the doctor, being an elder, is to assist the pastor in the government of the kirk. And by the act of Assembly August 4. 1643, professors of theology cannot be elected commissioners to General Assemblies, except they be ministers; so that, as doctors, they are not ruling elders, and the Assembly consists of none but pastors and elders: therefore, as doctors, they cannot be members of church judicatures for government and ruling; see §. 1. huj. tit.

5. By the act of Assembly June 18. 1646, professors of divinity are desired to present their dictates to the next General Assembly; but they declined at that time to make any act about it for the future, till further consideration.