The Booke of the Universall Kirk of Scotland / Wherein the Headis and Conclusionis Devysit Be the Ministers and Commissionaris of the Particular Kirks Thereof, Are Specially Expressed and Contained.

by Unknown

1. Imprimis, for planting and preaching the word through the whole realme; It is desyrit that so many ministers as may be had, qwhilks are yet unplacit, may be receivit, alswell in the countrie, to relieve the charge of them that hes many kirks, as utherwayes throughout the whole realme; with Superintendants or Commissioners within these bounds where Bischops are not, to help sic Bischops as hes uther great charge, and reasonable livinges to be appointed to the forsaids persones; and also payment to them that hes travellit before Commissioners in the years of God (15)73-74, and so furth, in tymes comeing, without the qwhilk the trauells of sic men will ceise.

2. That sic impediments be removit away as makes hinderance to the progress of the doctrine, sic as abundance of vice in all parts of this realme unpunischit, marketts upon the Sabbath-day, and ministers troublit in the exercise of their office.

3. That the order already tane toward the poore may be put in full executione to that effect, that anie portione of the teinds qwhilk is their awne patrimonie, alswell of the twa part as of the thrids, may be imployit for their sustentatione, according as necessitie craves; and to this effect, that the hospitalls qwhilks hes been of old, may be restorit to their awne use, notwithstanding any tytle made thereof to uther persones; and also that sic ordinare almes as hes been appointed furth of abbayes or uther benefices, be lang consuetude, may be payit to the poore as of before.

4. Because the schooles are the fountaines frae the whilks ministers must flow, that provisione be made for them, not only for sic as remaynes within the realme, but also for men of good ingyne, qwhilk be the Kirk should be funde to visite uthers countries and universities for their furtherance in learning, and chieflie for Glasgow, because it is new erectit, and hes not sic provisions as uther universities.

5. That sic assignationes as hes been appointed be the Prince and the Kirk, and alterit without the advyce of the Kirk, may be repairit, and that in tyme cumeing sic assignationes shall be appointit not to be alterit without the advyce of the Kirk, utherwayes no minister shall be sure of his assignatione.

6. Qwheir ministers produces letters of horning to the Generall Collector, upon sic persones as are assignit to them for payment, the said Collector may be causit make payment to the saids ministers.

7. That all dayes that heirtofore hes been keepit holy, besydes the Sabbath dayes, sic as Zuill day, Saints’ dayes, and sic uthers, may be abolischit, and ane civill penaltie against the keepers thereof be ceremonies, banquetting, fasting, and sic uther vanities.

8. That all sic ministers and readers as, either be infirmitie or age, becomes unable, may have their stipends dureing their lifetymes.

9. That the Clark of the Assemblie be answerit of the ordinarie stipend appointit to the Clark of before; namely, in respect of his laboures multiplied in wreiting of the haill ministers’ and readers’ letters, alswell for answering them of their stipend as of their gleibs and manses, graces, and that his name may be insert in the book of Assignationes, with his stipend, as use was; and sicklyke be answerit of the year bypast that he hes servit.