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

7. This they aucht to do according to the juigement and appointment of the Presbyteries or Elderschipis (of the quhilk the deaconis ar not) that the patrimony of the kirk and pure, be not converted to privat mennis use, nor wrangfullie distributit.

Off the Patrimony of the Kirk, and Distributioun thairof.

CAP. 9.

1. Be the patrimony of the kirk we mene, quhatsumeuer thing hath bene at ony time befoir, or sallbe in tyme cuming gevin, or be consent and universall custome of cuntreis professing Christiane religioun, applyit to the publick use and utilitie of the kirk.

2. Swa that onder the patrimony we comprehend first, all thingis gevin, or to be gevin to the kirk and seruice of God, as lands, bigginis, possessionis, annual rents, and all siclyke, quherewith the kirk is dotit, ather be donationis, fundationis, mortificationis, or ony uther lawchfull title, of Kings, Princes, or ony personis inferiour to thame, togidder with the continuall oblationis of the faithfull.

3. We comprehend also, all sic thingis as be lawis and custome, and use of countreis, hes bene applyit to the use and utilitie of the kirk, of quhilk sort ar the teindis, mans, glebis, and siclyk, quhilks be commoun and be municipall lawis and universall custom ar possessit be the kirk.

4. To tak ony of this patrimony be onlawfull meanis, and convert to the particular and prophane use of ony persone, we hald it ane detestable sacrilege befoir God.

5. These guidis ecclesiasticall, aucht to be collectit, and distributit be deacons, as the word of God appointis, that thay quha beiris office in the kirk be provydit for, without cair and solicitud.

6. In the apostolicall kirk, the deaconis war appoyntit to collect and distribut quhatsumeuir thingis war collectit of the faythfull to be distribut unto the necessitie of the sanctis; sa that nane laickit amang the faithfull.

7. These collectionis war not onlie of that quhilk was collectit in manir of almous, (as sum supponis,) bot of uther guidis, movable and onmovable, of lands and possessionis, the pryc quhairof was brocht to the feit of the Apostles.