he ministers, and others deputed by the session, town, and parish for this effect, that he be also approven by the presbytery. 3. That neither the Greek language, nor ogic, nor any part of philosophy, be taught in any grammar school, or private place, within this kingdom, to young scholars, who thereafter are to enter to any college, unless it be for a preparation to their entry there; and notwithstanding of any progress any may pretend to have made privately in these studies, yet in the college he shall not enter into any higher class than that wherein the Greek language is taught; and, being entered, shall proceed orderly through the rest of the classes, until he finish the ordinary course of four years, unless, after due trial and examination, he be found equal in learning to the best, or most part of that class to which he desires to ascend, by overleaping a mid class; or to the best or most part of those who are to be graduate, if he supplicate to obtain any degree before the ordinary time: And also that there be found other pregnant reasons to make the faculty of arts condescend thereto, and otherwise that he be not admitted to the degree of master of arts. 4. That none be admitted to enter a student of the Greek tongue in any college, unless, after trial, he be found able to make a congruous theme in Latin; or, at least, being admonished of his error, readily knows how to correct the same. That none be promoted from one inferior class of the ordinary course to a superior unless he be found worthy, and to have sufficiently profited; otherwise, that he be ordained not to ascend with his condisciples, and if he be a bursar, that he lose his burse; and namely, it is to be required that those who are taught in Aristotle be found. well instructed in his text, and be able to repeat in Greek and understand his whole definitions, divisions, and principal precepts, so far as they have proceeded. 6. That such trial be taken of students, especially of magistrands, that those who are found unworthy be not admitted to the degree and honour of masters. 7. That none who have entered to one college be admitted to another, without the testimonials of the masters of that college wherein he entered first, both concerning his literature and dutiful 5. 5. behaviour so long as he remained there; at least, unti the masters of that college from whence he cometh be timeously advertised, that they may declare, if they have any thing lawfully to be objected to the contrary; and that none be admitted, promoted, or received to a degree in any college, who was rejected in another college for his unfitness and unworthiness, or any other cause repugnant to good order; or who leaves the college where he was for eschewing censure or chastisement for any fault commit ted by him; or who leaves the college because he was chastised, or for any other grudge or unjust quarrel against his master. 8. That none of those who may be lawfully received into one college after he was in another, be admitted into any other class but that wherein he was, or should have been, in the college from whence he came except upon reasons mentioned in the 3d article preced ing. 9. That at the time of every General Assembly, the commissioners directed thereto from all the universities of this kingdom meet and consult together, for the estab lishment and advancement of piety, learning, and good order in the schools and universities; and be careful that a correspondence be kept among the universities, and so far as possible uniformity in doctrine and good order. Feb. 7. A where ૦૧ ૦૬ found Seek commended to synods, to take account of of the above overtures, Sess. 14, Feb. 7, Jr visitation of schools, and advancement of Act Sess. 28, Aug. ult. TATIONS MINISTERIAL OF FAMILIES. always ay be best at leisure to meet with him; and that due atimation be made of the minister's design to visit, that he people may order their affairs so that he may find hem at home. 3. That he be accompanied with the elder of the bounds; with whom he may confer before hey go forth to the work about the state and condition of the persons and families of these bounds, that the ninister may be able to speak the more suitably to their condition, and as may be most for edification. 4. When they enter a house, after a short account of the design of che visit, they are to take an account of the names of the Family, parents, children, and servants; and inquire for certificates from those who are lately come to the parish, and to mark them in their roll for catechising; and to take notice who can read, and of the age of children, when capable for catechising. 5. Then the minister may speak to them all in general, of the necessity of regeneration, and the advantage of serious religion and godliness; of piety towards God, and justice and charity towards men. 6. And next, more particularly, to the servants, of their duty to fear and serve God; and to be dutiful, faithful, and obedient servants, and of the promises made to such; recommending to them the reading of the scriptures as they can, and prayer in secret, and love and concord among themselves; and, in particular, a holy care of sanctifying the Lord's day. 7. The minister is to apply his discourse to the children, as they are capable, with affectionate seriousness; showing them the advantages of knowing, loving, seeking, and serving God, and remembering their Creator and Redeemer in the days of their youth, and honouring their parents, and to remember how they were dedicated to God in baptism; and when of age, and fit, and after due instruction of the nature of the covenant of grace, and seals thereof, to excite them to engage themselves personally to the Lord, and to desire and pray for, and take the first opportunity they can of partaking of the Lord's supper; to be specially careful how they communicate at first, much depending thereon; and such of the servants as are young are to be exhorted hereto in like manner, exciting them also to daily reading of the scriptures, and to secret prayer, and sanctifying the Lord day. 8. After this he should speak privately to the mai ter and mistress of the family about their personal dut towards God, and the care of their own souls' salvation and their obligations to promote religion and the worship of God in their families, and to restrain and punish vice and encourage piety, and to be careful that they and their house serve the Lord, and sanctify the Lord's day. After this it may be fit to exhort masters to take care that God be worshipped daily in their family, by prayer and praise and reading of the scriptures. They should inquire of him concerning the conversation and behaviour of the servants, and their duty towards God and man, and how they attend the worship of God in the family, and the public worship on the Lord's day, and how they behav after sermon, if any of them be piously inclined, if the make conscience of secret prayer and reading of the scrip tures; if there be catechising and instructing of the ig norant and weak; if due care be taken in educating the children; and, particularly, if they be put timeously to school, and how they profit thereat, and how the Lord's day is spent after sermon in the family, and in secret; all which the minister may mix with suitable directions, en couragements, admonitions, as he shall see cause, and most for edification. 9. He may inquire who have Bibles, and encourage them who are able to get Bibles of their own, to make diligent and religious use thereof, and to recommend to parents and masters of families to have the Confession of Faith, catechisms, and other good books for instruction in faith and manners. 10. If any be tainted with errors, or given to vice, they should be particularly dealt with and spoken to, either privately or before others, as may be most for edification; and all in the family are to be exhorted to watch and edify one another, and to carry towards any that walk disorderly according to the rule, Matt. xviii. 15. 11. If there be any difference or division, either in the family or with the neighbours, the minister should endeavour to remove the same, and to make peace, and to excite to follow it with all men, as far as possible. 12. It may be also inquired of those who have received tokens to communicate the last season for it, whether they have made use of them or not, and those who have communicated may be inquired privately how they have profited thereby, and excited to remember to pay their vows to the Lord. 13. If there be any in the parish who keep not church communion with us, whatever their motives be, ministers ought to deal with God for them, and with themselves, in such a way as may be most proper to gain them, and exoner their own consciences before God and his people, waiting if God peradventure will prevail with them; who can tell but our making them sensible of our tender love and affection to their persons, especially to their souls, giving them all due respect, and doing them all the good we can, yet still discountenancing their sins, may, in the end, be blessed of God for their good; Jude 22, 23; 2 Tim. ii. 23, 25. All this should be carried on with dependance on God, and fervent prayer to him, both before a minister set forth to such a work, and with the visited, as there shall be access to, and opportunity for it.-Act 10. VISITATIONS PRESBYTERIAL OF PARISHES. 1638. That visitation of particular kirks within presbyteries be made once every year, and that thereat care be had, amongst other things, to try how domestic exercises of religion are exercised in particular families, and what means there are in every parish in landward for catechising and instructing the youth.-Act Sess. 23, 24, Dec. 17, 18, Art. 3. 1700. It is recommended to all presbyteries to be diligent and careful in visiting the parishes within their bounds, and to take particular notice how all sums of money mortified, or otherwise belonging to the poor of the parish, have been managed and applied from time to time, and if they shall find any dilapidations of any such sums, that those guilty thereof be pursued according to law and that the several synods take account of the pres Р |