[450] In the present edition, the sub-divisions have been numbered,
I., II., &c. The Editor of the Collection of Confessions, in 1722, has
not only numbered the chapters and sub-divisions, but also the
paragraphs of each chapter.
Seing that God hath determined that his Churche heir in earth, shallbe
tawght not be angellis but by men; and seing that men ar born ignorant
of all godlynes; and seing, also, now God ceassith[451] to illuminat
men miraculuslie, suddanlie changeing thame, as that he did his
Apostlis and utheris in the Primitive Churche: off necessitie it is
that your Honouris be most cairfull for the virtuous educatioun, and
godlie upbringing of the youth of this Realme, yf eathir ye now thirst
unfeanedlie [for] the advancement of Christis glorie, or yit desire
the continewance of his benefits to the generatioun following. For as
the youth must succeed till us, so aucht we to be cairfull that thei
have the knawlege and eruditioun, to proffit and confort that whiche
aucht to be most deare to us, to wit, the Churche and Spouse of the
Lord Jesus.
[451] In edit. 1621, "ignorant of God and of all godliness, and seing
also he ceasses."
Off necessitie thairfore we judge it, that everie severall Churche
have a Scholmaister[452] appointed, suche a one as is able, at least,
to teache Grammer and the Latine toung, yf the Toun be of any
reputatioun. Yf it be Upaland, whaire the people convene to doctrine
bot once in the weeke, then must eathir the Reidar or the Minister
thair appointed, take cayre over the children and youth of the
parische, to instruct them in thair first rudimentis, and especiallie
in the Catechisme,[453] as we have it now translaited in the Booke of
our Common Ordour, callit the Ordour of Geneva.[454] And farther, we
think it expedient, that in everie notable toun, and especiallie in
the toun of the Superintendent, [there] be erected a Colledge, in
whiche the Artis, at least Logick and Rethorick, togidder with the
Tongues, be read be sufficient Maisteris, for whome honest stipendis
must be appointed: as also provisioun for those that be poore, and be
nocht able by them selfis, nor by thair freindis, to be sustened at
letteris, especiallie suche as come frome Landwart.
[452] In edit. 1621, "Kirk have one."
[453] That is, the translation of Calvin's Catechism: see subsequent
note.
[454] It was so named from having been compiled for the use of the
English congregation at Geneva, while Knox was minister there. It
bears this title: "The Forme of Prayers and Ministration of the
Sacraments, &c., used in the English Churche at Geneva," &c. From
Knox's share in this book of Common Order, it will be included in a
subsequent volume of his Works. Having been subsequently approved and
received by the Church of Scotland, the Geneva edition of 1558 was
reprinted at Edinburgh in 1562; and it continued with occasional
alterations, to be prefixed to most editions of the old metrical
version of the Psalms, printed in this country. The translation of
Calvin's Catechism, first reprinted at Edinburgh in 1564, was also
usually adjoined to the volume.
The frute and commoditie heirof shall suddanlie appeare. For, first,
the youtheid and tender children sall be nurischit and brocht up in
virtue, in presence of thair freindis; by whose good attendence many
inconvenientis may be avoided, in the which the youth commonlie
fallis, eathir by too muche[455] libertie, whiche thei have in strange
and unknawin placis, whill thei can not rule them selfis; or ellis for
lacke of gude attendence, and of suche necessiteis as thair tender
aige requireth. Secoundarlie, The exercise of the children in everie
Churche shall be great instructioun to the aigeit.[456]
[455] In edit. 1621, "over much."
[456] In edit. 1722, "to the aged and unlearned."
Last, The great Schollis callit Universiteis, shallbe repleanischit
with those that be apt to learnyng; for this must be cairfullie
provideit, that no fader, of what estait or conditioun that ever he
be, use his children at his awin fantasie, especiallie in thair
youth-heade; but all must be compelled to bring up thair children in
learnyng and virtue.
The riche and potent may not be permitted to suffer thair children to
spend thair youth in vane idilnes, as heirtofore thei have done. But
thei must be exhorted, and by the censure of the Churche compelled to
dedicat thair sones, by goode exercise,[457] to the proffit of the
Churche and to the Common-wealth; and that thei must do of thair awin
expensses, becaus thei ar able. The children of the poore must be
supported and sustenit on the charge of the Churche, till tryell be
tackin, whethir the spirit of docilitie be fund in them or not. Yf
thei be fund apt to letteris and learnyng, then may thei not (we
meane, neathir the sonis of the riche, nor yit the sonis of the
poore,) be permittit to reject learnyng; but must be chargeit to
continew thair studie, sa that the Commoun-wealthe may have some
confort by them. And for this purpose must discreit, learned, and
grave men be appointit to visit all Schollis for the tryell of thair
exercise, proffit, and continewance; to wit, the Ministeris and
Elderis, with the best learned in everie toun, shall everie quarter
tak examinatioun[458] how the youth hath proffitted.
[457] In edit. 1722, "their sonnes, by training them up in good
exercises."
[458] In edit. 1621, "the Minister and Elders, and the rest of learned
men in every town, shall in every quarter make examination."
A certane tyme must be appointed to Reiding, and to learning of the
Catechisme; ane certane tyme to the Grammar, and to the Latine toung;
ane certane tyme to the Artis, Philosophie, and to the [other]
Toungis; and a certane to that studie in which thei intend cheaflie to
travell for the proffit of the Commoun-wealth. Whiche tyme being
expired, we meane in everie course, the children must eathir proceid
to farther knawledge, or ellis thei must be send to sum handie-craft,
or to sum othir profitable exercise; provideit alwayis, that first
thei have the forme of knawledge[459] of Christiane religioun, to wit,
the knawledge of Goddis law and commandimentis; the use and office of
the same; the cheaf articulis of our beleve; the richt forme to pray
unto God; the nomber, use, and effect of the sacramentis; the trew
knawledge of Christ Jesus, of his office and natures, and suche
otheris,[460] as without the knawledge wheirof, neathir deservith
[any] man to be named a Christiane,[461] neather aught ony to be
admittit to the participatioun of the Lordis Tabill: And thairfore,
these principallis aught and must be learned in the youth-heid.
[459] In MS. 1566, "have the formar knawledge;" in edit. 1621, "that
they have further knawledge."
[460] In edit. 1621, "such other points."
[461] In edit. 1621, "neither any man deserves to be called a
Christian."