Sess. 5. July 30. 1641.
Act anent old Ministers bruiking their Benefices.
The Assembly having considered the Supplication given in by Doctor Robert Howie, Provest of the new Colledge of S. Andrews, whereby he craved, that (notwithstanding of his admission of his charge) he should not be prejudged of his full provision and maintenance during his life time: The Assembly thinks it fit and necessary, that his provision and maintenance should not be diminished, but that he should injoy the same fully, as before during all the dayes of his life time, and craveth his dismission to be only but a cessation from his charge, because of his age and inability: And declares, that old Ministers and professors of Divinitie, shall not by their cessation from their charge, through age and inabilitie, be put from injoing their old maintenance & dignity. And recommends this and others the like things, concerning the estate of that Universitie of S. Andrews, to the Parliament, and the Visitation to be appointed from the Assembly & Parliament. And likewise the Assembly being informed, that the said Doctor Howie hath been very painfull in his charge, and that he hath divers papers which would be very profitable for the Kirk: Therefore they think fit, that the said doctor Howie be desired to collect these papers, which doeth concerne, & may be profitable for the use of the [pg 098] Kirk, that the samine may be showne to the Visitors of the said Universitie.