Sessio Second, holden Junii 26th, 1565.
The haill Kirk present for the tyme, humblie requyred the nobilitie present to be humble suiters at her hienes for the execution of the Laws and Acts lately made against the violators of the Sabbath day, committers of adulterie and fornication, and desyred every Superintendent for to sute for commissions to judge within their jurisdictiones, givand power to them to execute punishment against the committers of sic crymes, according to the tenor of the saids Laws and Acts, &c.
And in like manner to request her heines to cause thankful payment be made of the Ministers’ stipends throughout this realme, as also to complain to her Majestie that where of before the Kirk of Candwell in L. Carrok was assigned for payment of the Ministers’ stipends in Kyle and Carrick, is now given by her heines to the young Laird of Skeldrume, and in like manner the parochiners of Dalry shew that the lands of the Kirke was assigned to the minister of the parochine, and now was givan to the Laird Provane, and to understand her heines will thereanent.
Ordains for ordering the articles to be sent to the Q. Majestie, John Erskine of Dunne, Superintendent of Angus and Mearns, John Willock, Superintendent of the West, Christopher Goodman, Minister of St Andrews, John Row, Minister of St Johnstone, to conveen after eleven houres, and set them furth and present them to the Assemblie this day afternoone; whilk ordinance the saids persones obeyed, and presented the Articles to the Assemblie.
TENOR OF THE ARTICLES.
Imprimis, That the Papisticall and blasphemous masse, with all Papistrie and idolatrie of Paip’s jurisdictione, be universallie suppressed and abolished throughout the haill realme, not only in the subjects, but also in the Q. Majestie’s awn persone, with punishment against all persones that shall be deprehended to transgresse and offend the same; and that the sincere word of God, and his true religion, now presently receaved, might be established, approven and ratified throughout the whole realme, alswell in the Queen’s Majestie’s owne persone as in the subjects, without any impediment, and that the people be astricted to resort upon the Sunday at least to the prayers and preaching of God’s word, like as they were astricted before to the idolatrous masse; and thir heads to be provided be act of Parliament, with consent of the Estates and ratification of the Queen’s Majestie.
Secondlie, That sure provisione be made for sustentation of Ministers, as well for the tyme present as for the tyme to come, and that such persons as are presently admitted to the ministrie may have their livings assigned unto them in the roomes where they travell, or at leist next adjacent thereto, and that they have na occasione to crave the samen at the hands of any others, and that the benefices now vaikand or that hes vaiked since the moneth of March 1558, or yet hereafter shall happen to vaike, be dispensed to qualified and learned persones, able to preach God’s word, and to discharge the vocatione concerning the ministrie, be tryall and admissione of the Superintendents, and that no Bishopric, Abbacie, Priorie, Deanerie, Provestrie, or any other benefices, havand many Kirks annexed thereto, be disponed altogether in any tyme comeing to any one man. But at the least the Kirks thereof be severallie disponed and to severall persones, so that every man having charge may serve at his awne Kirk according to his vocatione; and to this effect that the gleibs and manses be givene to the Ministers that they may make residence at their kirks, wherethrough they may discharge their consciences conforme to their vocatione, and also that the kirks may be repaired accordinglie, and that ane law be made and established herein be act of Parliament, as said is.
Thirdlie, That none be permitted to have charge of Schooles, Colledges, or Universities, or yet privately or publickly to instruct the youth, but such as shall be tryed be the Superintendents or visitors of the Church, sound and able in doctrine, and admitted be them to their charges.
Fourthlie, For sustentation of the poor, that all lands founded to hospitalitie of old be restored agane to this same use, and that all lands, annualrents, or any other emoluments pertaining any ways to the friers of whatsumever ordour, or annualrents, altarages pertaining to Priests, be applyed to the sustentatione of the poor, and uphald of Schooles in the towns and uthers places where they ly.
Fifthly, That horrible crymes as now abounds in the realme without any correction, to the great contempt of God and his holy word, sic as idolatrie, blaspheming of God’s name, manifest breaking of the Sabbath Day, witchcraft, sorcerie, and inchantment, adulterie, incest, manifest whoredome, maintainance of Brodells, murther, reiffe, slaughter and spulzie, with many uther detestable crymes, may be severely punished, and judges appointed in every province or diocie for the executione thereof, with power to doe the same, and that be act of Parliament.