Scotiæ indiculum, or, The present state of Scotland together with divers reflections upon the antient state thereof / by A.M. philopatris.

Professors of Divinity.

The Professor of Divinity was founded by the Bishop, Synod and Colledge of Aberdeen Anno 162—The first Professor was

John Forbes, Doctor of Divinity, a most pious, peaceable and Learned Divine; he continued till the year 163—And being by the Magistrates of Aberdeen chosen to be one of the Ministers of the Town, he left for his Successor

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

Anno 1635. Dr. Forbes was chosen Professor again, and continued, till for his Loyalty, he was thrust out by the Covenanters, Anno 1639. Shortly after he went into Holland, where he published his Instructiones Historico-Theologicae; and returning

home, died in his house of Corse: Anno 164—William Douglass, Mini∣ster at Forgue, succeeded Dr. Forbes: He died Anno 1665.

Anno 1673. Henry Scougall, Parson of Achterless, was after some years vacancy, preferred to the place.

The Election of the Rector, Dean of Faculties, Professor of the Orien∣tal Languages, Professors of Philo∣sophy, &c. is by the major part of the Masters: The Principal, and rest of the Prebendaries, are chosen not only by the major part, but also by four Procuratores Nationum: In all the Elections the Foundation gives the Principal one great priviledge: Volumus enim ut in hisce omnibus Electionibus Principalis habeat vocem nominativam, Electivam & Conclusi∣vam; which seems to be a negative voice inherent to him.

If a place be vacant, a Bursar or Alumnus, is to be preferred before

any other, if he be sufficiently quali∣fied: If a vacant place be not filled within one month, then it falls to the Chancellor jure devoluto, who presents one for that time.

The Procuratores Nationum, their having a Voice in the Election, im∣ports the Like to be in the Scholars, from whom they derive their power of Voting: The Scholars are divided into four Classes, according to the number of Diocesses, or Provinces, wherein they live.

The Provinces are these;

1. Provincia Abredonensis, con∣tains the Shires of Aberdeen and Bamf.

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

3. Provincia Augusiensis, contains Angus, and Mernis.

4. Provincia Laudoniensis, com∣prehends, besides Lothian, all the rest of Scotland.

The Students of each Province, do chuse a Procurator, to give up their Votes in the Election.

Every Michaelmas the Masters convene after the ending of the Ten weeks Vacation, and a Problema is affixed on the Colledge Gates, in∣viting young Scholars to come and dispute for a Burse (which is their maintenance at the Colledge.) To these are prescribed Exercises or Theams to make, then Latine Au∣thors in prose and verse to expound, and the first four (for so many Bur∣ses are void at every Commence∣ment) who are reckoned to be the best Scholars, are preferred.

In October the Students begin to convene: They wear a Scarlet Gown with hanging Sleeves; and these who are Bursars, a black Gown with a Girdle: Their time of continuance at the University 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 learn Logicks and Metaphysicks.

Those of the third (who at the years end are Batchelors of Arts) do learn Ethicks and general Physicks.

The fourth and highest Class do compleat their course with special Physicks and Mathematicks.

The time of Commencement of Masters of Arts, is in July: The man∣ner thus, as in all other of the Uni∣versities.

These who are to receive their degrees, do publish their Theses, some daies before the Commence∣ment, inviting all Learned men and Scholars to come and dispute.

At the day appointed, great pre∣parations are made; the Candidates apparelled in black, with black Gowns: and at Ten of the Clock all go into the publick School, where

the Professor of Philosophy, or Re∣gent, who is to confer the degree (or in some Colledges the Principal confers the degree) makes a long Speech, beginning with prayer, to the Auditors; which being ended, the Disputes begin, and continue till Four or Five of the Clock: Then they take a little refreshment, and so return to the Graduation or Lau∣riation.

The following Oath is tendered to the Candidati.

Ego A. B. coram Omniscio & Om∣nipotenti Deo, Religionem & Fidem, unicam & solam Orthodoxam, in Ec∣clesia Scoticana palam propositam, pro∣fessurum me, & ab omnibus Pontisi∣ciorum & aliorum quorumcunque hae∣resibus longe abhorrentem, spondeo, voveo juro: Insuper, Ʋniversitati huic, almae Parenti, cui hanc ingenii culturam debeo, liberaliter relaturum me nutritiam quam potero, eâdem fide

solenniter promitto: Quod si fidem, sciens & volens, fefellero, arcanorum cordis recessuum Scrutatorem Deum, ultorem & vindicem non recuso: Ita 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 eadem Authoritate, quam sum∣mi ac potentissimi principes Almae huic Ʋniversitati amplissimam indulsere Te A. B. in Artibus liberalibus, & Disciplinis ••hilosophicis Magistrum creo, proclamo, constituo, renuncio, Tibi∣que potestatem do, legendi, scribendi, omniaque id genus alia committendi, quae hîc, aut ubivis gentium, Artium Magistris concedi solet: Et in signum manumissionis Tuae: Caput Tuum hoc pileo (putting the Cap on the Scho∣lars head) adorno, Quod ut Tibi fae∣lix faustumque 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 Auditors, and so the Ceremony is ended, with clapping of hands, sounding of Trumpets, Shoutings, &c. Thus are all the Candidati graduated one after ano∣ther.