4. Item, Forasmuch as one of the most special meanes for staying the increase of Poperie, and settling of true religion in the hearts of the people, is, That a special care be taken in tryal of young children their education, and how they are catechized; Which in time of the primitive kirk was most carefully attended, as being most profitable to cause young children, in their tender yeares, drink in the knowledge of God and his religion, but is now altogether neglected in respect of great abuse and errours which crept into the Popish Kirk, by making thereof a sacrament of confirmation: Therefore, that all superstitions built thereupon may be rescinded, and that the matter it selfe being most necessary for the education of the youth, may be reduced to the primitive integrity.
It is thought good that the minister in every parish shall catechize all young children of eight yeares of age, and see that they have the knowledge, and be able to make rehearsal of the Lord’s Prayer, Belief, and Ten Commandments, with answers to the questions of the small Catechisme used in our kirke: And that every bishop in his visitation shall censure the minister who shall be found remiss therein, and the saides bishopes shall cause the saides children to be presented before them, and blesse them with prayer for the increase of their knowledge, and continuance of God’s heavenly graces with every one of them.
5. Item, As wee abhorre the superstitious observation of festival dayes by the Papists, and detest all licentious and profane abuse thereof, by the common sort of professors; So we think, that the inestimable benefites receaved from God, by our Lord Jesus Christ, his birth, passion, resurrection, ascension, and sending down of the Holy Ghost, was commendably and godly remembered, at certain particular dayes and times by the whole kirk of the world; and may be also now. Therefore the Assembly ordaines, that every minister shall upon these dayes have the commemoration of the foresaids inestimable benefits, and make choice of several and pertinent texts of Scripture, and frame their doctrine and exhortations thereto; and rebuke all superstitious observation and licentious profanation thereof.
Which articles and ordinances, Our Soveraigne Lord, with advice and consent of the Estates, statutes and ordaines to be obeyed and observed by all his Majesties subjects as lawes in time comming; Annulling and rescinding whatsomever other acts of Parliament, constitutions and customes, in so farre as they are derogative to any of the articles above-written.
X.
Ratification and addition to the Act of Parliament, made anent Restitution of Chaptours.
4th August 1621.
Our Soveraign Lord, and Estates of this present Parliament, ratifies and approves the act of Parliament made in the moneth of Junii, in the year of God one thousand, six hundred, seventeene years, anent restitution of chaptours of cathedral kirks, in all the heads, clauses, exceptions, limitations, and restrictions thereof. And further, Ordaines and declares, That all deeds done since the date of the said act, or to be done hereafter, whereby any member of any cathedral kirke, being an office or dignity, hath been or shall be supprest, or any land, parsonage, vicarage, or other living, belonging to the said dignity dissolved from the same, without an expresse warrand from his Majesty, and consent of Parliament, are, and shall bee, with all that have followed, or shall follow thereupon, null, and of no force, nor effect: and shall be so founde in all tyme hereafter, by way of action, exception, or replye. Providing alwayes, the Marquess of Hamilton his right to the parsonage of Hamilton and Dalserffe: The Earl of Marre his right to the parsonage of Carnwath: and any other parson having lawful rights conforme to the lawes of the country, before the act of Parliament, in anno one thousand, sixe hundreth, and seaventeen yeares; be no wayes hurt, or prejudged herein.