An appendix to the history of the Church of Scotland containing the succession of the archbishops and bishops in their several sees from the reformation of the religion until the year 1676, as also the several orders of monks and friers &c. in Scotland before the Reformation : with the foundation of the universities and colledges, their benefactours, principals, professours of divinity and present masters : and an account of the government, laws and constitution of the Kingdom.

Professours of Divinitie.

The Professour of Divinitie was founded by the Bishop, Synod, and Colledge of Aber∣dene, Anno 162—. The first Professour was

162—. John Forbes, Doctour of Divinity, a most pious, peaceable and learned Di∣vine. He continued till the year 163—. and being by the Magistrates of Aberdene chosen to be one of the Ministers of the Town, left for his Successour

1634. Andrew Strachan, Doctour of Divinity, who lived little above a year after his Instalment.

1635. Doctour Forbes was chosen Professour again, and continued till for his Loyalty he was thrust out by the Covenanters, Anno 1639. Shortly after he went over into Hol∣land, where he published his Instructiones Historico-Theologicae, and returning home died in his house of Corse, Anno 165—.

164—. William Douglas, Minister at Forgue, succeeded Doctour Forbes. He died Anno 1665.

1673. Henry Scongal, Parson of Achterless, was after some years Vacancy preferred to the place.

The Election of the Rectour, Dean of Facultie, Professour of the Oriental Languages, Professours of Philosophy, Janitor, &c. is by the major part of the Masters: but the Prin∣cipal and the rest of the Prebendaries are chosen not onely by the major part, but also by four Procuratores Nationum. In all the Elections the Foundation gives the Principal one great Privilege: Volumus enim ut in omnibus hisce Electionibus, Principalis habeat vocem

Nominativam, Electivam, & Conclusivam: which seems to be a Negative voice inherent in him.

If a Place be vacant, a Bursar (Alumnus) is to be preferred before any other, if he be sufficiently qualified.

If a vacant Place be not filled within one month, then it falls to the Chancellour Jure devoluto, who presents one for that time.

The Procuratores Nationum their having a voice in the Elections, imports the like to be in the Scholars, from whom they derive their power of voting. The Scholars are divi∣ded into four Classes, according to the number of the Dioceses or Provinces wherein they live. The Provinces are these.

1. Provincia Aberdonensis contains the Shires of Aberdene and Bamff.

2. Provincia Moraviensis includes all those Countries that lie on the North side of the River Spey.

3. Provincia Angusiensis contains Angus and Mernis.

4. Provincia Landoniensis comprehends (besides Lothian) all the rest of Scotland.

The Students of each Province do chuse a Procuratour to give up their Vote in the E∣lection.

Every Michaelmas, the Masters convene after ending of the ten weeks Vacation, and a Probleme is affixed on the Colledge-Gates, inviting young Scholars to come and dispute for a Burse, (which is their maintenance at the Colledge.) To these are prescri∣bed Exercises or Themes to make, then Latin Authours in Prose and Verse to expound: and the first four (for so many Burses are void at every Commencement) who are recko∣ned to be the best Scholars, are preferred.

In October the Students begin to convene. They wear a Red or Scarlet Gown with hanging Sleeves; but those who are Bursars, a Black Gown with a Girdle. Their time of continuance at the Universitie is four years. They are ranked into four Classes.

To those of the first Class is taught the Greek Language.

The Students of the second Class do learn Logicks and Metaphysicks.

Those of the third Class (who at the year's end are Bachelours of Arts) do learn E∣thicks and General Physicks.

The fourth and highest Class do compleat their Course with Special Physicks and Ma∣thematicks.

The time of the Commencement of Masters of Arts is in July; the manner thus.

Before the day appointed, those who are to receive their Degree do publish their The∣ses, inviting all Learned men and Scholars to come and dispute.

At the day appointed, great preparation is made, the Candidati are apparelled in Black, with Black Gowns, and at ten of the clock all go into the publick School, where the Professour of Philosophy or Regent, who is to conferre the Degree, makes a long Speech (beginning with a Prayer) to the Auditours: which being ended, the Disputes begin, and continue till four or five of the clock. Then they take a little refreshment, and so re∣turn to the Graduation, (Laureation.)

The Regent doth tender to the Candidati the following Oath:

Ego, A.B. coram Omniscio & Omnipotenti Deo, Religionem & Fidem, unicam & solam Orthodoxam, in Ecclesia Scoticana palàm propositam, professurum me, & ab omni∣bus Pontificiorum & aliorum quorumcunque Haeresibus longè abhorrentem, spondeo, voveo, juro. Insuper, Universitati buie, almae Parenti, cui banc Ingenii culturam debeo, liberaliter relaturum me nutritiam quam potero, eâdem fide solenniter promit∣to. Quòd si fidem sciens & volens fefellero, arcanorum cordis recessuum Scrutsta∣rem Deum, ultarem & vindicem non recuso. Ità me adjuvet Deus.

After the Oath one of the Candidati ascends the Desk, and the Regent taking into his hand a Hat or Cap, with these following words doth give him his Degree.

Ego eâdem authoritate, quam Summi ac Potentissimi Principes Almae buic Ʋniversitati amplissimam indulsêre, te A.B. in Artibus Liberalibus, & Disciplinis Philosophicis, Magistrum creo, proclamo, constituo, renuncio: tibíque potestatem do, Legendi, Scri∣bendi omniáque id genus alia committendi, quae bîc, aut ubivis Gentium, Artium Magistris concedi solet. Et in signum manumissionis tuae, Caput tuum hoc Pileo (put∣ting the Cap on the Scholar's Head) adorno: quod ut tibi felix faustúmque sit, Deum Optimum Maximum precor. Insuper, Librum hunc tibi apertum trado: ut Ingenii tui aliquod specimen coram celebri hoc coetu edas, rogo.

Then the Graduate hath a short Speech to the Auditours, and so the Ceremony is en∣ded

with clapping of hands, founding of Trumpets, shouting, &c. Thus are all the Can∣didati graduated one after another. The same way almost is used in all the Universities of Scotland.

Concerning the Graduation of Bachelours and Doctours of Divinitie, Law, and Phy∣sick, I can give no account.