SEVENTH PARLIAMENT. XXIV. of October. iy8i. axi THE SEVENTH PARLIAMENT, Halden and begun at Edinburgh , the XXIV. date of October , the zeir of God , ic8i. zeires i Be JAMES the Sext, be the Grace of God, King of SCOTT ES , and the three Eftaites of this Realme. 99. The Ratification of the Libertie of the trew Kirk of GOT) and Religion, with con- firmation of the Lawes andt^Acfes maid to that effect ofbefoir. URSOVERAINELORD, with advife of his three Eftaites and haill body ofthisprefent Parliament, hes ratified and appreived , and be the tenour heirof ra- tifies and appreivis , all and quhat-fum-ever Aftes of Parliament, Statutes and con- • ftitutionespaft and maid ofbefoir, aggrieable to God his word, for maintenance iyiof the libertie of the trewe Kirk of G O D and Religion , now prefently profefled I' within this Realme , and puritie theirof. And fpeciallie the Act maid in the Reigne ~J °^ the Qy eene nis deareft Mother , in die Parliament halden at Edinburgh the 1 9. iK ^ °^ A P ri *' the zeir °'GOD 1 5-67. Anent the calling, annulling, and abrogating ^j^of all Lawes, Acts and con ftitutiones, Canons Civile , and Municipal , withuther conftitutions contrair the Religion now profefled within this Realm. And in like- wife the Actes after following, maid in divers Parhamentes , halden fen his Hienes Coronation. Namelie the Acts anent the abolifching ol the Paipe and his ufurped authoritie. Anent the annulling of the Actes of Par- liament, maid againft GOD his word, and maintenance of Idolatrie in ony time bypaft. The Confeffion of the Faith profefled be the Proteftantes of Scotland , Anent the Mefie abolifched , and punifching of all that hearis orfayisthefame. Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of them that are declared not to be of the fame. Anent the admiflion of them that fall be prefented to Benefices , havand cure of Minifterie. Anent the Kingis Aith to be given at his Coronation. Anent them that fuld beare publick Office hereafter. Anent thriddis of Benefices granted in the Moneth of December , the zeir of God , 15-61. zeires , for fufteining of the Mini- fterie , and utheris afFairis ol the Prince. Anent them that fall be teachers of the zouth in Schooles. Anent thejurifdiction of the Kirk. Anent the difpofition of Proveftries, Prebendries, and Chaplaneries toBurfares, to be founded in Colledges. Anent the filthie vice of Fornication , and punifhment of the fame. Anent them that committis Inccft. Anent lawfull Mariage of the awin blude in degries , not forbidden be God his word. ' Ratification and approbation of the Actes and ftatutes maid ofbefoir , anent the friedome and libertie of the trew Kirk of G O D. Anentthe trew and halie Kirk. That the Adverfaries of Chrifts Evangel fall not enjoy the Patrimonie of the Kirk. Anent the difobedientes , quhilk fall be received to our Soveraine Lordis mercie and pardon. The explanation of the Ad maid anent Manfes and Glebes. Anent purcheffing of the Paipes Bulles , or giftes of the Queene , our Soveraine Lordis Mother. Approbation of the Act maid anent the dif- pofition of Benefices to the Minifters of Chriftis Evangel. Anent the reparation of Paroche Kirkis. The rati- fication of the libertie of the trew Kirk ol God and Religion. That the Glebes of the Minifters and Readers fall be frie of teyndes. Anent the trew and halie Kirk, and of them that are declaired not to be of the fame. Anent the jurifdiction of the Kirk , difchargeing ol Mercattes, and labouring on the iSabboth-dayes, and playing or drinking in time of .Sermone. Anent the zouth, and utheris bezond fea fufpect to have declined from the trewe Religion. That houlhalderis have Bibles and Pfalme buikes. For punifhment of ftrang and idle Beg- gers. and releife of the pure and impotent. And declaris the faidis Actes, and everie ane of them and all utheris Actes of Parliament, maid in favours of the trew Religion, fen the faid reformation, to have effect in all poy ntes , after the forme and tenour theirof. 1 00. Provifion of Minifters , andcertaineftipendes for them at all Paroche Kirkes. ITEM, Becaufe for laik of Preaching and teaching in findrie parts of the Realme , monie people arfuf*- pected to be fallen in great ignorance and danger of godles Atheifme. It being found maift difficil , that in the charge of pluralitie of Kirkes ony ane Minifter may inftruct monie flockes. T heirfoir it is thocht expe- dient, ftatute and ordained be our Soveraine Lord, and his three Eftaites of this prefent Parliament : That every Paroch Kirk, and fameikil boundes as fall be found to be a fuffkient and competent Parochin their- foir , fall have their awin Paftour , with a fufficient and reafonabil ftipend : according to the ftait and habilitie of the place. And that all Kirkis annexed to Prelacies be provided of fufficient Minifters with competent livinges , afweill laitlie difponed fen his Hienes acceptation of the government in his awin perfone, as that fall vaik and be provided hereafter, quhill his Hienes perfite age. And befoir the title of ony Prelacie be conferred to ony perfon hereafter, that the faidis livings and ftipends, bereferved K k in
