Oration in the Praise of Divinity, Part
The Inauguration of ALEXANDER COLVINUS.
IT remaineth therefore that we now come unto that, which hath beene the cauſe of this frequent Congregation.
With Gods good-will we are about to elect unto the profeſſion of Divinity, and the degree of a Doctor, Alexander Colvinus, a man by deſcent noble, endued with much learning and commendable for his diſpoſition and māners whoſe knowledge above his yeares, elegant and piercing wit, acute judgement, tenacious memory, happy flowing ſpeech, and ſtile lofty with naturall decency, laſtly whoſe great and conſtant labour doe not need our commendation.
Hee hath with much praiſe performed the office of Philoſophy and Hebrew reader, for ſome yeares already. But revolving greater things in his mind he applyed himſelfe to the ſtudies of Divinity. Wherein having very much profitted hee is by his own, juſt deſert and the will of our moſt illuſtrious Dutcheſſe called unto the profeſſion of Theologie. To wit, that this profeſſion which by the death of Profeſſors, or by other caſualties may ſuffer hurt and dammage, might bee confirmed by the more props and defences.
In your ſight hee hath given teſtimonies of his wit and learning both in diſputing and teaching. Not as if we deſired trial of his wit, nor that wee have the leſt doubt of his learning; but that wee might ſatisfie cuſtome.
Let therefore the univerſity Regiſter ſtand up and read unto thee Alexander Colvinus the uſuall forme of Oath, whereunto thou ſhalt ſweare, that thou mayeſt know to what Offices thou doeſt tye thy ſelfe, and what are the duties of thy profeſſion.
Here is read the forme of of the Oath.
NOw then, thou moſt worthy man, that ſhalt be a member of our Colledge, aſcend this Chaire where thou ſhalt be graced with the dignity of a Doctor, as is due unto thy vertue.
The Doctor to be admitted aſcendeth the Chaire and the Promotor ſpeakes thus unto him.
FIrſt of all I warn thee, and will againe and againe admoniſh thee, that thou prove all thy doctrine according to the rule of Gods word which is contained in the Canonicall bookes of the new and the old Teſtament, and that thou entangle not mens minds in falſe opinons, and corrupt the uſe of the pulpit which is conſecrated to truth; That thou applaud not thy ſelfe in a vaine ſubtilty of wit, or giuegive thy ſelfe to curioſity. That thou tire not thine auditour with multiplicity of ſpeech, raiſing queſtions out of queſtions, and being too buſily diligent in unneceſſaries: but forth with invade the maine force of the controverſie, and ſtrike at the heart of falſe Doctrine. That thou intermit not thy Lectures with too long neglect, and bee thou more carefull of the benefit of thy Schollers then thine owne fame. And as thou wouldeſt have thine Auditors attentive and earneſt, ſo let thine care be open to the queſtions of thy Schollers when they aske thee. Let thy manners bee blameleſſe, thy life honeſt, thy correction perpetual, be thou courteous to thy Schollers, peacefull with thoſe of thy ſociety, and upright before all men.
I know that I admoniſh one that is mindfull, and adde ſpurres to one that freely runneth. But it is better to adviſe what is ſuperfluous, then to bee deficient in what is neceſſary. Whatſoever thou ſhalt judge to bee needleſſe in our exhortation, impute it partly to the cuſtome, and partly to our love.
The Forme of Inaugration.
THerefore in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghoſt, the Individuall Trinity J create, and declare thee Alexander Coluinus to be Doctor of Divinity. And with the conſent, and allowance of our worthy fellowes, I admit thee into the body and Colledge of Profeſſors, that thou may'ſt teach out of this Chaire; And that from henceforth thou enjoy all the priviledges, and immunities, which are granted to this ſacred order by the Illuſtrious Dukes of Bulloigne.
I propoſe unto thee the booke of the ſacred Scripture open, that thou mayſt learne wiſedome from thence, and continually caſt thine eyes on it. I propoſe the ſame unto thee ſhut, that without the helpe of bookes, thou mayſt as often as ſhall be needfull, anſwere unto mens demands Extempore.
I give thee mine hand as to a fellow Collegian, for a pledge of our brotherly ſociety.
And with this brotherly embrace I ſalute thee.
With the good proſpering and the guidance of one good and great God, take on thy ſelfe this office, that it may be an honou… … …hee, delight to our moſt illuſtrious Dutcheſſe, profit to this Vniverſity, and … ſafegard to Truth. To the glory of Gods name, and the edifying of his Church, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord, Amen.
FJNJS.
Imprimatur. T. WYKES. January. 28. 1639.
End of the text · Peter du Moulin Jr, Oration in the Praise of Divinity (1640)