Page:The Laws and Acts of Parliament of Scotland.djvu/206

 184 KING JAMES THE SEXT dois expreffe, and now ratifyed and approoved in this prefent Parliament , or that refufis the participatioun of the halie Sacramentes, as they are now Miniftrat , To be na members of the faid Kirke , within this Re- alme now prefendy profefled, fa long as they keep themfelves fa divided fra the Society of Chrifts Bodie. j. i^AdmiJJioun of '^Minifters : oflaickTatronages. ITEM, It is ftatute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord , with advife of his deareft Regent , and three Eftaitis of this prefent Parliament, that the examination and admiffion of Minifters 5 within this Realme , be only in the power of the Kirk, now openlie , and publickly profefled within the famin. The prefentation or laick Patronages alwaies referved to the Juft and auncient Patrones. And that the Patroun prefent ane qualified perfoun, within fex Monethes (after it may cum to his knawledge , of the deceafe of him , quha bruiked the Benefice of before) to the Superintendent of thay partis, quhair the Benefice lyes, or uthers havand commiffion of the Kirk to that effecT: ; utherwaies the Kirk to have power to difpone the famin to ane qualifyed perfon for that time. ■ PROVIDING that in caice the Patron prefent ane perfon qualified to his underftanding, and fail- zeingofane, ane uther within the faid fex Moneths, and the faid Superintendent or Commiffioner of the Kirk, refufis to receive and admit the perfon prefented be the Patron , as faid is : It fall be lefum to the Pa- tron to 2ppeale to the Superintendent, and Minifters of that Province quhair the Benefice lyis, and defire the perfon prefented to be admitted, quhilk gif they refufe , to appeale to the genera!! Aflembiie of this haill Realme, bequhomethecaufebeanddecyded, fall take end, as thay decerne and declair. 8. Anent the Kingis aith, to be given at his Coronation. ITEM, Becaufe that the increafe of vertew, and fuppreffing of Idolatrie craves , that the Prince and the people be of ane perfite Religioun, quhilk of Gods mercie is now prefendy profefled within this Realme : THEIRFOREItis ftatute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord , my Lord Regent , and the three Eftaites of this prefent Parliament, that all Kinges and Princes , or Magiftrates whatfoever , halding their place, quhilkis hereafter in ony time fall happen to reigne , and beare rule over this Realme , at the time of their Coronatioun, and receipt of their Princely authoritie , make their faithfull promife beaith, in prefence of the Eternall God , That induring the haill courfe of their lives , they fall ferve the famin Eter- nall God, to the uttermoft of their power , according as he hes required in his maift haly word , reveiled and contained in the new and auld Teftaments. And according to the famin worde fall mainteine the trew Religion of Chrift Jefus, the preaching of his halie word , and dew and richt miniftration of the Sacraments now received, and preached within this Realme : And fall abolifh and gainftand all fals Religioun contrare to the famin : And fall rule the peopil committed to their charge, according to the will and commaund of God, reveiled in his forefaide word , and according to rhe lovabill Lawes , and constitutions received in this Realme, nawife repugnant to the faid word of the Eternall God. And fall procure to the uttermaift of their power, to the Kirk of God , and haill Chriftian peopill , trew and perfite peace in all time cum- ming. The richtis and rentis, with all juft priviledges of the Crowne of SCOTLAND, to preferve andkeipinviolated, nouther fall they transfer nor alienate the famin. They fall forbid and reprefle in all Eftaites, and degries , reife , oppreffion , and all kinde of wrang. In all judgementes, they fall com- mand, and procure that Juftice and equitie be keiped to all creatures , without exception , as the Lord and Father of all mercyis, be mercifull to them. And out of their landes and Empyre, they fall be carefull to rate out all heretikes , and enimies to the trew worfhip of God , that fall be convict be the trew Kirk of God, ofthefoirfaidiscrymes. And that they fall faithfullie affirmethe things above written, be their folemne aith. 9 . Na perfon may be Judge Procurator., Notar, nor member of Court, quhaprofefJJs not the Religion. ITEM, The Kingis Grace with advife ofmy Lord Regent, and the three Eftaites of this prefent Parlia- ment, ftatutcs and ordainis, that no maner of perfon nor perfons , be received in ony times heirafter , to bear publike office removabill of Judgement , within this Realme , bot fik as profeffis the puritie of Religion anddodtrine, now prefentlie eftablifhed. And that nane be permitted to procure, nor admitted Notar, or created a member of Court, in any time cumming, without he in likewife profeffe the Evangel , and Re- ligion foirfaid. Providing alwayes, that this Acl be on na wife extended , to ony maner of perfon or perfones, havand their offices heritablie or in life-rent, bot that diey may ufe the famin , conforme to their infeftments, and difpofitions granted to them thereof. 1 o. Anent the thridis of benefices, granted in the CMoneth of December , the zeir of God 15-61. zeires, for fiifleining of the rJMinijters and uther affaires oft he Trince. ITEM, Becaufe the Minifters hes bene lang defrauded of their ftipendis, fwa that they ar becummin in great povertie and neceffity. And notwithftanding hes continued in their vocation, without payment of