Page:The Laws and Acts of Parliament of Scotland.djvu/594

 ^ The fi rft Parliament of ^ J ^' l 9- Preaching, Thanksgiving and Praifes to God for fo tranfcendent Mercies : And that all Trade, Mer- chandized Work, Handy-labour, and other ordinary imployments ' be forborn, and the remaining part of the day fpent in fuch lawfull divertifemeiits as are futeable to fo Solemn an occafion. And it is hereby recommended to allMinifters of the Gofpel, and to all Sheriffs, Juftices of Peace, and other pub lick Ministers in the feveral Counties, and to allMagiftrates within Burghs, to be careiull that for this prefant year, and in all time coming, the twenty ninth day of May, be accordingly kept and obferved within their feveral Jurisdictions. And for the fpeedier and more fpll intimation here- of to all His Majefties Subjects, It is Appointed thir Prefents be printed, and published at all the Mercat CroiTes of the Royal Burroughs. xv iii. AB for the due Observation of the Sabbath-day. THe Kings Majefiy confidering, how much it concerns the honour of GOD, that the Sabbath- day be duly obferved, and all abufes thereof reftrained : And that notwithstanding of feveral Acts of Parliament made in that behalf, particularly the third Act of the fixth Parliament of King James the fixth of bleffed memory, the laid day hath been much prophaned by Salmond-fifhing, going of Salt-pans, Milnes and Kilies, hiring of Shearers, and ufing of Merchandize on that day and othervvayes. Therefore our Soveraign Lord, with advice and conient of His Eftates of Parliament, Ratifies and Approves all former Acts of Parliamentjinadeiorobiervationofthe Sabbath-day, and againft. the breakers thereof; And by thefe prefents Inhibits and Difcharges all Salmond-fiihing, going of Salt-pans, Milns or Kilies ; all hiring of Shearers, carrying of Loads, keeping of Mercats, orufingany i forts of Merchandize on the faid day, and all other prophanation thereof vvhatlcever, under the pains and penalties following ; viz. The ium of twenty pounds Scots tor the going of ilk Salt-pan, Miln or Kill on the faid day, to be paid by the Heritors and pofleifors thereof; and the fuih often pounds for ilk Shearer and fiflier of Salmond on the faid day, the one half thereof to be paid by the Hirers and Conducers, and the other hall' by the perfons hired ; and the laid fum of ten pounds for every other prophanation of the faid Day: And which .Fines and Penalties are to be uplifted and difpofed of, in manner contained in the Act and Inftructions anent the Juftices of Peace; and if the Party Offender be not able to pay the penalties forefaid, then to be exempkrly puniihed in his body, according to the merit of his fault. XIX. Atf againft Swearing and Exceffive 'Drinking. OUr Soveraign Lord, being defirous that all His Subjects within this Kingdom, may live a quiet and peaceable life under His Government, in all godlihefs andhonelty ; And in order thereto, having refolved to curb and furprefle all fort of fin and wickedneffe, and efpecially thefe abomi* nable and fo much abounding fins of Drunkennefs and all manner of Curfing and Swearing. 1 here- fore our faid Soveraign Lord Ratifies and Aproves ail Acts of Parliament, made in former times a- gainlt the faid crimes, or either of them. And further Declares, That each perfon, who fliall BIa£ pheme, Swear of Curfe ; and whofoever fliall Drink into excefs, fliall be lyable in the pains fob lowing, according to the quality of the offenders; viz. Each Nobleman in twenty pounds Scots* each Barron in twenty Merks, each Gentleman* Heritor or Burgefs in ten merks, each Yeoman in fourty Ihillings, each Servant in twenty lhillings toties quoties, each Minilter in the fifth part of his years Stipend : and that the faids Fines and Penalties be uplifted and difpofed upon, in manner contained in the Act and Inftructions anent the Juftices of Peace. And if the party Offender, be not able to pay the Penalties forefaid, then to be examplarly puniihed in his body, according to the merit of his fault. X X. ' AB againft Curfing and Beating of Tarents. OUr Soveraign Lord, and Eftates of Parliament, confidering how great and atrocius a crime it is, for Children to beat, or curfe their Parents ; And how the Law of G O D hath pronounced jult fentence of death againft fuch, as ihall either of thefe wayes injure either of their Parents. There- fore, His Majefty, with advice of His Eftates, Doth hereby Statute and Ordain, That whofoever, Son or Daughter, above the age oifixteen years, not being diffracted, fliall Beat or Curfe either their Father or Mother, mall be put to death without mercy : and fuch as are within the age of frxteen years, and paft the age of pupiliarity, to be puniihed at the arbitrament of the Judge, according to their deferring?,- that others may hear and fear, and not do the like. XXI.