VII.
The Ratificatioun of the Libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Religioun, with Confirmatioun of the Lawis and Actis maid to that effect of before.[33]—Penult die mensis Novembris, 1581, (ch. 1.)
Our Souerane Lord, with auise of his thre Estaittis and haill body of this present Parliament, hes ratifeit and apprevit, and be the tenoure heirof ratifies and apprevis, all and quhatsumever Actis of Parliament, statutis, and constitutionis, past and maid of befoir, aggreabill to Goddis word, for mantenance of the liberte of the trew Kirk of God and Religioun, now presentlie professit within this Realme, and puritie thairof. And specialie the actis maid in the regne of the Quene, his dearest moder, in the Parliament halden at Edinburgh, the 19th day of Aprile, the zeir of God 1567, Anent the cassing, annulling, and abrogating of all lawis, actis, and constitutiounis, cannon, ciuile and municipale, with uther constitutiounis contrair the Religioun now professit within this Realme. And the actis in likewise efter following, made in diuerse Parliamentis, halden sen his Hienes’ Coronatioun. Namelie, the actes anent the abolisching of the Pape and his usurpit authoritie. Annent the annulling of the actis of Parliament, maid againis Goddis word, and mantenance of Idolatrie in any times bypast. The Confessioun of the Faith professit be the Protestantis of Scotland. Anent the Mes abolischit, and punisching of all that heiris or sayis the same. Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of thame that are declairit not to be of the same. Anent the admissioun of thame that salbe presentit to benefices, havand cuir of ministerie. Anent the Kingis aith to be gevin at his coronation. Anent thame that suld beir publict office heirefter. Anent thriddis of benefices grantit in the moneth of December, the zeir of God 1561 zeris, for sustenyng of the ministerie, and utheris effairis of the Prince. Anent thame that salbe teicheris of the zouth in scules. Anent the jurisdictioun of the Kirk. Anent the dispositioun of Prouestries, Prebendareis, and Chaplanreis to Bursaris, to be foundit in Colleges. Anent the fylthie vice of Fornicatioun, and punischment of the same. Anent thame that committis Incest. Anent lawfull Mariage of the awin blude in degreis, not forbiddin in Goddis word. Ratification and approbatioun of the actis and statutis maid of befoir, anent the freedome and libertie of the trew Kirk of God. Anent the trew and haly Kirk. That the aduersaries of Christis Euangel sall not enjoy the patrimony of the Kirk. Anent the disobedientis, quhilk salbe resavit to oure Soueraine Lordis mercie and pardoun. The explanatioun of the act maid anent manses and gleibis. Anent purchessing of the Papis bullis, or giftis of the Quene, oure Soverane Lordis moder. Approbation of the actis maid anent the dispositioun of benefices to the ministers of Christis Euangel. Anent the reparatioun of Paroche Kirkis. The ratificatioun of the libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Religioune. That the Gleib of the Ministeris and Reideris salbe fre of teyndis. Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of thame that are declarit not to be of the same. Anent the jurisdictioun of the Kirk, dischargeing of Mercattis, and lauboring on Sondayis, and playing or dreinking in tyme of sermone. Anent the zouth, and utheris bezond sey, suspect to haif declinit from the trew religioun. That householderis haif Bybillis and Psalme buikis. ffor punischment of strang and idill beggeris, and releif of the puir and impotent. And declaris the saidis actes, and ewery ane of thame, and all utheris actis of Parliament, maid in favour of the trew Religioun, sen the said Reformatioun, to haue effect in all poyntis, eftir the forme and tenour thairof.
VIII.
That Ministeris sallbe presentit be the Kingis Maiestie and the lawit Patronis to all benefices of cuir under Prelacyis.[34]—(Ch. 4,) 30 November 1581.
Item, It is statute and ordanit be our Souerane Lord, with aduise of his thre Estatis of this present Parliament, That all benefices of cuir, under prelacyis, sallbe presentit be our Souerane Lord, and the lawit personis in the fauoure of abill and qualifeit ministers, apt and willing to enter in that functioun—and to discharge the dewtie thairof. And in cace any sall happin to be gevin and disponit wtherwise herefter, decernis and declaris the giftis and dispositiounis to be null and of none availl, force nor effect.
IX.
Anent the Libertie of the Preching of the trew Word of God, and administratioun of the Sacramentis.—22d May 1584, c. 1.[35]
Oure Souerane Lord, with auise of his thrie Estatis convenit in this present Parliament, hes ratefeit and appreuit, and be the tennour heirof ratefeis and apprevis the libertie of the preching of the trew word of God, and administratioun of the Sacramentis in puritie and synceritie, according to the Confessioun of the Faith receavit and auctorizit be Parliament, in the first zeir of his Majestie’s Regnne.