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

6. Think ye it not convenient, that the Reports answering to the King’s Majestie’s letter, send over all the realme this last summer, shall be sein and considerit at this tyme, for the better understanding of the estates of the kirks, and to see how many of the same reports are in your awne hands, for so many as the Clerk of Register hes shall be readie and patent?

7. That ye latt us wnderstand what ye haue thocht meit and concludit, anent the Readers in generall, and speciallie Readers that are presentit to viccarages for their lyfetymes?

8. Think ye it reasone, that any presentit to the title of a benefice, and serving as minister and reader at the only kirk belonging to the same benefice, shall haue any manner of allowance or stipend nor the rent of the selfe same benefice?

9. What think ye most readie and possible to sustaine the colledge kirks?

10. To qwhom think ye the King’s Majestie and the lawit patrones sould direct the presentationes for admitting qualifiet persones to such benefices as shall happen to vaike, be the deceiss of the present possessors of them, and that ye will name the persones in speciall?

11. Seeing the dearth of victualls maks great inequalitie of stipends, some haveing victuall allowit for ane mark or xx. shilling, and uthers of that silver assignit to them, constraint to buy at 5 or 6, or sumtymes 7 merks the boll; were it not agrieable to equitie that all ministers had their proportionall part of victuall and money, or else that the victuall sould be sauld or allowit at the hyest pryce, qwherthrough such as hes small stipends may be the better augmented?

Answers to the Articles.

1, 2. To the first and second: before they be speciallie answerit, it is thocht meitest, that there be ane forme of assignatione made be some to be appoyntit thereto, betwixt and the next Assemblie, to all kirks and ministers that are licklie to stand and continow, respectand the answers and advyce sent out of everie countrie, and as if the present possessors were dead; and that chairges be direct to such as hes not sent their answer, to send them with expeditione.

3. It is thocht meitest that the intrant to any benefice shall enter and serve the cure of the kirk thereof, at the next first day of November, after his admission at the next Whitsonday, and shall have no farder stipend for this year, but the taxt or superplus, as it falls; because his executors will fall alse meikle at his deceiss, according to the ancient order of the annatt: and that diligence be done to gett rowis of all benefices taxt; and qwhatever benefices are not taxed, the rents thereof the first year to be devydit equallie betwixt the executors of the defunct and the intrant; qwhilk intrant shall only have the half fruits of the year of intrantie, and sicklyke of the stipends.

4. We think nane sould be placit in the book of modificatione but worthie and qualified persones; and if any be presentit or admittit to benefices since the King’s coronatione, that are unworthie or unable to discharge their dewtie, that they be callit and depryvit, be such order as shall heirafter be condescendit upon.