recommended unto them by the Estates and to set down such reasons and motives as they can devise whereby to inforce either the passing or rejecting of the famine in Parliament To be reported with the said Articles to the remanent of the said Estates assembled in Parliament that they may deliberate and advise thereupon and that after discussing of the reasons given in either for or against the famine The said Estates may ordain such of the saids Articles as they find to deserve consideration to bee formed the saids Articles to bee voyced in plain Parliament And in case it shall happen them to omit or forget to make report to the Estates as said is of any of the saids Articles with their reasons for or against the same It shal be lawfull in that case to the in-givers of the saids Articles to propone the famine again in plain Parliament that they may there be determined and decided And farther to the effect that the saids Estates may be in readines to receive all Articles which shal be given in and presented to the Parliament and either to give answer thereunto themselves if they shall think it expedient or otherwise to recommend the same to the said Committee to be digested by them and reported as said is IT is thought fit and declared That the rest of the Estates by and beside these of the severall Committees to the Articles shal be holden continually to sit for receiving advising and discussing of all Articles Propositions Overtures and Matters shall be presented to them from the beginning of the Parliament to the closure thereof And such like after all the saids Articles are past and discust by the saids Estates in manner foresaid That they shall take such a competent time as they shall think requisite according to the number and importance of the Affaires in hand To revise and consider the famine again before the day of voycing That they may be well and ripely advised thereanent ACT IV. ACT ANENT THE RATIFICATION Of the Acts of the Assembly THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by His Majesties speciall Authoritie Ratifies approves and perpetually confirmes the Act of the Generall Assemblie holden at EDINBURGH in the moneth of August last by-past made upon the seventeenth day of the said Moneth and in the eighth Session of the said Assembly intituled Anent the six causes of our bygone evils whereof the tenour followes THE Kings Majestie having graciously declared that it is His Royall will and pleasure that all questions about Religion and matters Ecclesiasticall be determined by assemblies of the Kirk having also by publick Proclamation indicted this Free Nationall Assembly for setling the present distractions of this Kirk and for establishing of a perfect peace against such divisions and dis-orders as have been sore displeasing to His Majestie and grievous to all his good subjects And now his Majesties Commissioner John Earl of Traquaire instructed and authorized with a full Commission being present and sitting in this assembly now fully conveened and orderly constitute in all the members thereof according to the order of this Kirk having at large declared His Majesties zeal to the reformed Religion and His Royall care and tender affection to this Kirk where His Majestie had both His Birth and Baptisme His great displeasure at the manifold distractions and divisions of this Kirk and Kingdom and His desires to have all our wounds perfectly cured with a faire and fatherly hand And although in the way approven by this Kirk tryall hath been taken in former Assemblies before from the Kirk Registers to our full satisfaction yet the Commissioners Grace making particular inquirie from the members of the Assembly now solemnly conveened concerning the reall and true causes of so many and great evills at this time past had so sore troubled the peace of this Kirk and Kingdome IT was represented to His Majesties Commissioner by this Assembly that beside many other the main and most materiall causes were first the pressing of this Kirk by the prelates with a Service book or book of Common prayer without warrant or direction from the Kirk and containing beside the popish frame thereof divers popish errours and ceremonies and the seeds of manifold and grosse superstitions and idolatrie With a book of Canons without warrant or direction from the Generall Assembly establishing a tyrannicall power over the Kirk in the persons of the Bishops and overthrowing the whole Discipline and Government of the Kirk by Assemblies With a book of Consecration and Ordination without warrant of authoritie Civill or Ecclesiasticall appointing offices in the house of God which are not warranted by the word of God and repugnant to the Discipline and Acts of our Kirk And with the High Commission erected without the consent of this Kirk subverting the jurisdiction and ordinary Judicatories of this Kirk and giving to persons meerly Ecclesiasticall the power of both swords and to persons meerly civill the power of the keyes and kirk censures A second cause was the Articles of Perth viz. the observation of Festivall dayes kneeling at the Communion Confirmation Administration of the Sacraments in private places which were brought in by a null Assembly and are contrary to the Confession of Faith as it was meant and subscribed Anno 1580. and diverse times since and to the order and constitution of this Kirk Thirdly the change of the Government of the Kirk from the Assemblies of the Kirk to the persons of some Kirkmen usurping priority and power over their Brethren by the way and under the name of Episcopall Government against the confession of Faith 1580. against the order set down in the book of policie and against the intention and constitutions of this Kirk from the beginning Fourthly the civill places and power of Kirkmen their sitting in Session Councell and Exchequer their ryding sitting and voycing in Parliament and their sitting in the Bench as Justices of Peace which according to the Constitutions of this Kirk are incompatible with their spirituall function lift them up above their Brethren in worldly pomp and doe tend to the hinderance of the Ministerie Fiftly the keeping and authorizing corrupt Assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. 1608. at Glasgow 1610. at Aberdene 1616. at S. Andrewes 1617. at Pearth 1618. which are null and unlawfull as being called and constitute quite contrary to the order and constitutions of this Kirk received and practised ever since the Reformation of Religion and withall labouring to introduce Novations into this Kirk against the Order and Religion established A sixth cause is the want of lawfull and Free Generall Assemblies rightly constitute of Pastours Doctours and Elders yearely or oftner pro re nata according to the Liberty of this Kirk expressed in the book of policie and acknowledged in the Act of Parliament 1592. after which the whole Assembly in one heart and voyce did declare that these and such other proceeding from the neglect and breach of the Nationall Covenant of this Kirk and
worshipping of Imagerie Relicts and Crosses dedicating of Kirks Altars Dayes Vowes to creatures His Purgatorie Prayers for the dead praying or speaking in a strange language with his Processions blasphemous Letanie and multitude of Advocates or Mediators His manifold Orders Auricular Confession His desperate and uncertain Repentance His generall and doubtsome Faith His satisfactions of men for their sinnes His Justification by works opus operatum works of Supererogation Merits Pardons Peregrinations and Stations His holy-water baptizing of Bells conjuring of Spirits crossing saning anointing conjuring hallowing of GODS good creatures with the superstitious opinion joyned therewith His wordly Monarchie and wicked Hierarchie His three solemne vowes with all his shavelings of sundry sorts His erroneous and bloudie decrees made at Trent with all the subscribers and approvers of that cruell and bloudie Band conjured against the Kirk of GOD And finally we detest all his vain Allegories Rites Signes and Traditions brought in the Kirk without or against the Word of GOD and Doctrine of this true reformed Kirk To the which wee joyne ourselves willingly in Doctrine Faith Religion Discipline and use of the holy Sacraments as lively members of the same in Christ our Head Promising and swearing by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD that wee shall continue in the Obedience of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the dayes of our lives under the paines contained in the Law and danger both of Body and Soule in the day of GODS fearefull Judgement And seeing that many are stirred up by Sathan and that Roman Antichrist to promise sweare subscribe and for a time use the holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceitfully against their own consciences minding thereby first under the externall cloak of Religion to corrupt and subvert secretly GODS true Religion within the Kirk and afterward when time may serve to become open enemies and persecutors of the same under vain hope of the Popes dispensation devised against the Word of GOD to his greater confusion and their double condemnation in the day of the LORD JESUS Wee therefore willing to take away all suspicion of hypocrisie and of such double dealing with GOD and his Kirk Protest and call The Searcher of all hearts for witnesse that our mindes and hearts doe fully agree with this our Confession Promise Oath and Subscription so that Wee are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded only in our consciences through the knowledge and love of GODS true Religion printed in our hearts by the holy Spirit as wee shall answere to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed And because wee perceive that the quietnes and stabilitie of our Religion and Kirk doth depend upon the safetie and good behaviour of the Kings Majestie as upon a comfortable instrument of Gods mercy granted to this Countrey for the maintaining of his Kirk and ministration of Justice amongst us we protest and promise with our hearts under the same Oath Hand-writ and paines that wee shall defend his Person and Authoritie with our goods bodies and lives in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Countrey ministration of Justice and punishment of Iniquitie against all enemies within this Realme or without as wee desire our GOD to bee a strong and mercifull defender to us in the day of our death and comming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST To whom with the Father and the holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory eternally LIKE AS many Acts of Parliament not only in generall do abrogat annull and rescind all Laws Statutes Acts Constitutions Canons civill or municipall with all other Ordinances and practique penalties whatsoever made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professours thereof Or of the true Kirk discipline jurisdiction and freedome therof Or in favours of idolatrie and superstition Or of the Papisticall Kirk As Act 3. Act 31. Parl. 1. Act 23. Parl. 11. Act 114. Parl. 12. of K. James the sixt That Papistrie and Superstition may be utterly suppressed according to the intention of the Acts of Parliament repeated in the 5. Act Parl. 20. K. James 6. And to that end they ordaine all Papists and Priests to bee punished by manifolde Civill and Ecclesiasticall paines as adversaries to Gods true Religion preached and by Law established within this Realme Act 24. Parl. 11. K. James 6. as common enemies to all Christian Government Act 18. Parl. 16. K. James 6. as rebellers and gain-standers of our Soveraigne Lords authority Act 47. Parl. 3. K. James 6. and as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. K. James 6. But also in particular by and attour the Confession of faith do abolish and condemne the Popes Authority and Jurisdiction out of this Land and ordain the maintainers thereof to be punished Act 2. Parl. 1. Act 51. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 114. Parl. 12. K. James 6. do condemn the Popes erroneous doctrine or any other erroneous doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of the true and Christian Religion publikely preached and by Law established in this Realme And ordaine the spreaders and makers of Books or Libels or Letters or writs of that nature to be punished Act 46. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. K. James 6. do condemn all Baptism conform to the Popes Kirk and the Idolatry of the Masse and ordain all sayers wilfull hearers and concealers of the Masse the maintainers and re-setters of the Priests Jesuits traffiquing Papists to bee punished without any exception or restriction Act 5. Parl. 1. Act 120 Parl. 12. Act 164. Parl. 13. Act 193. Parl. 14. Act 1. Parl. 19. Act 5. Parl. 20. K. James 6. do condemne all erroneous bookes and writs containing erroneous doctrine against the Religion presently professed or containing superstitious Rites and Ceremonies Papisticall whereby the people are greatly abused and ordain the home-bringers of them to be punished Act 25. Parl. 11. K. James 6. do condemn the monuments and dregs of by-gone Idolatry as going to the Crosses observing the Festivall dayes of Saints and such other superstitious and Papisticall Rites to the dishonour of GOD contempt of true Religion and fostering of great errour among the people and ordain the users of them to be punished for the second fault as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. K. James 6. LIKE AS many Acts of Parliament are conceived for maintenance of Gods true and Christian Religion and the purity thereof in Doctrine and Sacraments of the true Church of GOD the liberty and freedome thereof in her Nationall and Synodall Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions Policie Discipline and Jurisdiction thereof as that purity of Religion and liberty of the Church was used professed exercised preached and confessed according to the Reformation of Religion in this Realme As for instance the 99 Act Parl. 7. Act 23. Parl. 11. Act 114. P. 12. Act. 160. Parl. 13. of K. James 6. ratified by 4. Act
Kirks be changed by the Lawes of the Countrey And it is alwaies declared that this admission standing good for the present intrants their time is and shal be without prejudice to the right of patronage belonging to his Majesty or to any other Kirk-patron whatsoever whensoever their Kirks shall fall to vaike ACT VIII ACT ANENT ADMISSION OF Ministers to Kirks which belonged to Bishopricks THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority Considering that the right of patronage and power of presenting of Ministers to divers Kirks within this Realme have been acclaimed and possessed by the sometime pretended Bishops and Archbishops within this Kingdome by vertue of the 2. Act of Parliament 1606. anent the restitution of the estate of Bishops or by some other right or pretence of right to the very great grief and prejudice of this Kirk her just liberty and possession since the Reformation by Superintendents and the Commissioners of the Kirk before the erection of Presbyteries And since by Presbyteries themselves who have been respective in possession for providing and planting of all Kirks within this Kingdome belonging to the Bishopricks And that even since their annexation 1587. upon the sute and calling of the Congregations and Paroches where the Ministers were to serve in the function of the Ministerie which is most evident by the 7. act of the 1. Parliament of our dearest father in the yeare 1567. and by the assignation to Ministers of stipends out of the thirds of benefices and letters of horning constantly used to bee direct by deliverance of the Lords of Session upon the provisions and admissions of Ministers to the saids stipends out of the thirds of benefices by Superintendents Commissioners of the Kirk and Presbyteries respectivè without any presentation at all both before and since the act of annexation 1587. whereby the Ministers so provided and admitted did brook and enjoy the fruits and rents assigned and their stipends during their life time and many of them yet living doe still brook and enjoy the same And suchlike the foresaid priviledge and the right of the Kirk is evident by divers Acts of her Generall Assemblies made thereanent and by her frequent grievances against the usurpation of Prelats and others upon her said right and possession and especially by her protestation against the foresaid two Acts of Parliament of King Iames the 6. his Majesties Umwhile dearest father holden in the yeare 1606. whereby the Prelats pretended right of patronages and advocations of Kirks and defrauded the Kirk thereof And now seeing the said Act of that Parliament in the yeare 1606. is rescinded cassed and annulled in this present Parliament and it is most reasonable that the Kirk be restored now after the abolition of the Estate of Bishops to the wonted rights priviledges and liberties which she had and was in possession of before the restitution of Bishops Therefore the saids Estates of Parliament conveened as said is decernes statutes and ordaines that according to the said 7. Act of the first Parliament of the Kings Majesties Umwhile dearest father the full power of providing of all Ministers to Kirks which the saids pretended Bishops have been in use to provide since the said Act of their restitution 1606. shall hereafter belong and appertaine to the Kirk and that in all time coming Presbyteries who are now in place of Superintendents and Commissioners of the Kirk within their severall jurisdictions shall provide and admit Ministers to all these vacand Kirks which before were acclaimed by the foresaids Bishops by the said Act of restitution 1606. to the fruits and stipends thereof but prejudice alwayes to any patronages of Kirks which belong either to the Kings Majesty or to any Laick patron or to any Nobleman Baron or Burgesse right and possession before these late troubles and but prejudice of the interest of the paroches according to the Acts and practise of the Kirk since the Reformation And declares that the said provision and admission with collation and institution following thereupon shall be a sufficient right and title for the Intrant to possesse and enjoy the whole fruits rents and stipends whatsoever belonging to the Kirk and to the Ministers serving the cure thereat And ordaines the Lords of Session and all other Judges competent to give out decreets and sentences letters conforme horning and inhibition and all other executorialls upon the said provision and admission of Ministers by Presbyteries collation and institution following thereupon suchlike as they are in use to doe upon collation and institution following upon presentations from lawfull patrons ACT IX ACT DISCHARGING THE GOING OF Salt-pans and Mylnes upon the Sabbath day FOrsamekle as the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by His Majesties speciall authority Considering that GODS publick worship upon the Sabbath day is hindered and the Sabbath day prophaned by the going of Mylnes and Salt-pans upon the Sunday For remeed hereof the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority discharges and prohibites all Salt-pans and Mylnes within this Kingdom from all going grinding making of Salt or any wayes working upon the Sunday in any time hereafter And ordaines the Salters Millers and other servants in the saids Mylnes and Salt-pans to attend GODS publick worship every Sunday hereafter under the paines and censures contained in the Acts of the Assembly or other Kirk-Acts set down hereanent To the which Acts the saids Estates of Parliament interpones the civil sanction and authority of Parliament for the better execution thereof ACT X. ACT DISCHARGING SALMOND-fishing on Sunday THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority Considering the great abuse and prophanation of the Sabbath day occasioned by the fishing of Salmond upon that day whereby many people are with-holden from divine exercise are imployed in the ordinary works of their calling or other wayes have opportunity to mis-spend their time in unlawfull actions contrary to the Law of GOD and Acts of this reformed Kirk Therefore for remeed thereof in all time comming inhibites and discharges all manner of Salmond-fishing upon the Sabbath day under the paine to the contraveeners to be punished as breakers of the Sabbath day by the confiscation of the nets and fish to the behoofe of the poore ACT XI ACT AGAINST PAPISTS THE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority ratifies and approves all and whatsoever acts and statutes of Parliament Convention or Secret Councell made against Papists against sayers and hearers of Masse and against Jesuits Seminary Priests and against excommunicate persons for papistry or for resetting of Jesuits and excommunicate Papists and against the resetters of the foresaids persons or any of them in the whole heads and articles thereof And specially but prejudice of the generality foresaid ratifies and approves the Act of Parliament made by his Majesties Father of blessed memory Parl. 13. cap. 164. and Parl. 14. cap. 193.194 and the Act
kept and holden in their saids Burghs upon the dayes hereby appointed and that no markets bee kept upon the Mundayes for the goods hereby discharged in time coming And last the saids Estates of Parliament discharges and prohibits all markets and trysts to be kept hereafter upon Sunday throughout all this kingdome and discharges all the Lieges from all keeping thereof upon Sunday hereafter and ordaines this Act to stand in full force as a law while the next assembly that the inconveniences redounding hereby to the Lieges being represented to that Assembly the Assembly may consider thereof and as they finde the same sufficient they may supplicate the next ensuing Parliament to rescind this Act in whole or in part as after triall it shall be found hurtful to the Lieges ACT XIV ACT FOR TAKING ORDER WITH THE Abuses committed on the Sunday by the confluence of people for hyring of shearers on Sunday FOrsamekle as the prophanation of the Sunday is greatly occasioned in the time of harvest by the great confluence of people to publick places as ports or streets of townes and paroch Kirkes of Landward everie Sunday from morning to preaching time for hyring shearers the week following whereof there ariseth also sundry tumults disorders swearing drinking and often fighting on the Sabbath day For remeed hereof the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties special authority refers and remits the samine to be taken order with to the Justices of peace and Kirk Sessions where the abuse shall be committed hereafter by the coufluence of the said people and hyring of the saids shearers upon the Sunday as said is as the saids Justices of peace and Kirk Sessions shall find the saids abuses then to be committed to deserve ACT XV. FOR DIRECTING LETTERS OF HORNING And Caption by the Lords of Session against the excommunicate Prelates and all other excommunicate persons THe Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie Considering the necessitie of reviving and putting in execution the 53. Act of the third Parliament of King Iames the sixth Anent Letters of horning and caption to follow upon excommunication of the Kirk after fourtie daies Renews and revives the said Act of Parliament and ordaines the Lords of Session to grant Letters and other Executorials against the excommunicate Prelates and all other excommunicate persons ACT XVI ANENT THE LARGE DECLARATION Or MANIFESTO THe Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that the supplication of the late generall Assembly to his Majesties Commissioner against a book called A large Declaration as followeth was presented unto Us by the Commissioners of the Kirk and recommended to his Majesties Commissioner for obtaining from his Majesties Justice and Goodnesse the desire thereof And as the said Book was examined by the appointment of the Assembly and found to be dishonourable to God and his true Religion to this Kirk and Kingdome to the Kings Majesty and to the Marques of Hammiltoun then his Majesties Commissioner and divers others persons therein and to be full of lies in averring known untruths in wilfull concealing and perverting many truths in wresting of intentions words and actions as is particularly contained in the censure of the book registrate in the Registers of Assembly So they having re-examined the same declares their judgement to be the same there-anent And therefore ordaines the Authours and Spreaders thereof to bee most severely punished according to the Lawes of this Kingdome against liesing-makers betwixt the Kings Majesty and his Subjects slanderers of the King and Kingdome and raisers of sedition and discord betwixt them that all others may be deterred from such dangerous courses Gods honour may be vindicate the innocencie of this Kirk and Kingdome and his Majesties Justice and goodnesse may appeare not onely in censuring such Malefactors but in discouraging all such underminers of his Majesties Throne and abusers of his Royall Name by prefixing the same to such scandalous and dishonourable Treatises ACT XVII STATUTARIE APPOINTING PARLIAments to be holden once every three yeare THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that by reason of his Majesties ordinary residence forth of this his ancient and native Kingdome the grievances and complaints of his good Subjects cannot have so free and easie accesse to his Majesties eares as the same may be conveniently represented to his Majesties Commissioners and the Estates of Parliament from time to time and how necessary it is that frequent Parliaments be keeped within this Kingdome for preservation of the puritie of the true Religion now by Gods providence established within the same and for the equall and impartiall administration of Justice to all his Majesties Subjects and maintaining of peace and concord amongst them by applying of the true and lawfull remedies to their grievances and complaints and timous suppressing of all abuses and corruptions which otherwayes from small beginnings will grow to great disorders which frequent Parliaments were continually observed in this Kingdome before his Majesties Father of happie memorie went into England Have statute and ordained that every three yeare once at least a full and free Parliament shall be holden and oftner as his Majestie shall be pleased to call them within the bounds of this Kingdome in the most commodious place and convenient time to be thought upon appointed and affixed by his Majestie or his Commissioner for the time and the Estates of Parliament before the ending and closing of every Parliament and to be the last Act thereof And the whole Estates wisheth that as it was their happinesse to have his Majesties presence at all Parliaments while the King had his residence in this Kingdome so that his Majestie would be pleased to be present at each Parliament and they humbly supplicate his Majestie for that effect ACT XVIII ANENT THE KEEPERS OF THE CASTLES Of Edinburgh Striveling and Dumbartane THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority Considering that the commandement of the Castle of Edinburgh wherein the most part of the publike Registers and Records and the Honours of the Kingdome are keeped and siclike the commandement of the Castle of Striviling and Dumbartane being a charge of great weight and importance concerning as well the Kings Majesties honour and safetie as the securitie and safetie of this whole Kingdome ought not to be committed but to such persons as are knowne and approved by the whole course of their life to be true and faithfull Subjects to his Majesty and trustie and well affected Countrey-men loving and tendering the peace prosperitie and good of this whole Kingdome and the preservation and advancement of the true reformed Religion now therein by Gods providence established and professed and intertaining of Unitie betwixt the King and his good Subjects Have therefore statute and ordained and hereby statutes and ordains that the custody and keeping of the saids Castles shall be only intrusted to such persons as are natives
in any time comming And in case any happens to be purchased declares the same to be null of the Law and not admissable by any Judge nor effectuall to the purchaser in any wayes And ordaines all Judges within this Realme to proceed and doe justice to all parties suchlike and in the same manner as if the saids Supersederes had never been purchased nor produced And also by the 13. Act of his 23. Parliament in anno 1621 intituled Anent the discharging of Protections Of the which Act also the tenour followes Our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament understanding that there may sundry Protections be sought by bankrupts and others who are adebted in great summes of money whereby the execution due unto the creditours by the Lawes of the Countrey against the debter may bee frustrate to the great damage of the creditour FOR REMEED whereof it is statute and ordained that hereafter the Lords of Session shall grant no Protection from any execution due and competent against any man of the Law And declares that if any shall bee hereafter granted the granter of the same shall be subject and lyable of the Law for the summe from the which hee hath granted Protection And the saids Estates of Parliament foresaid being carefull that the prejudices and evills incurred and sustained by his Highnesse Lieges by the granting of the saids Protections be helped and remeeded Have therefore renewed ratified and approven and by these presents renewes ratifies and approves the foresaids two particular Acts of Parliament above mentioned in the whole heads and clauses thereof before rehearsed conforme to the tenour of the samine which are insert hereintill ad longum ut supra And ordaines the saids Acts and every one of them to have the strength of a Law with full force and execution conform to the tenour thereof in all time comming with this addition That the certification of the foresaid last Act made in anno 1621. against the Lords of Session shall also be extended against the Lords of Secret Councell and Exchequer AND THEREFORE of Estates of this present Parliament statutes and ordaines that hereafter the Lords of Privie Councell Session or Exchequer shall grant no protection from any Execution due and competent against any man of the Law and declares that if any shall be hereafter granted the granter of the same shall bee subject and lyable of the Law to the Creditor for the summe from the which he hath granted protection And ordaines all Sheriffes Stewarts Bailiffs of Regalities Provests and Bailiffs of Burrows and other Officiars of Justice in all time comming to proceed in discharge of their duty and execution of the command of our Soveraign Lords Letters notwithstanding of any Protection or Supersedere ACT XXII ACT ANENT THE EXCHEQUER DECLARING The famine to be onely Judges to matters concerning the managing of the Kings Rents and Casualities THe Estates of Parliament now presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority for the explanation of the 18. Act of the late Parliament holden at Edinburgh in the moneth of June 1633. year intituled Anent the Exchequer Finds declares statutes and ordaines that the validity or invalidity of Infeftments of his Highnesse property or of any other Infeftments may not be discust nor decided in Exchequer neither by way of Action Exception or Reply but that the discussing and decision thereof is onely proper to the Lords of Session It is added that the Exchequer are onely Judges to matters concerning the managing of the Kings Rents and Casualities ACT XXIII IN FAVOURS OF THESE WHO HELD their lands of Arch-bishops Bishops or of their Chapters THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties special Authority considering that the Offices of Arch-bishops Bishops Archdeanes Deanes and others the members of their Chapters are now abolished out of this Kirke and Kingdome And herewith also taking to their consideration that there is sundrie Noble-men Gentle-men and others within this Realme who held their lands of the saids Archbishops Bishops Archdeanes Deanes and others members of Chapters who are now abolished forth of this Kirke and Kingdome as said is for payment of certaine yearely few dueties and fulfilling of certain clauses irritant and performing of other conditions contained in their Infeftments Takes and Rights And who not knowing to whom they shall now pay their saids dueties and fulfill the other conditions of their Infeftments and Rights may be prejudged by incurring of the failÈie and danger of the clause irritant of their saids Rights for not payment of their few and other dueties therein specified And by the incurring of the certification contained in the Acts of Parliament set downe anent the payment by Vassels of their few dueties to their Superiours The saids Estates for remeed hereof and for eschewing of the prejudice and danger that may come hereby Findes and declares that these Noble-men Gentle-men and others who by their Infeftments Takes and Rights are adebted in payment of few and Take dueties or oblisht in fulfilling of any other conditions to the saids Archbishops Bishops Archdeanes Deanes or other beneficed persons members of their Chapters now abolished as said is are not and shall not be in mora for not payment of their saids dueties and not fulfilling of the other conditions of their Rights And that the clause irritant of their Infestments Takes and other Rights shall not runne against them Nor yet the certification of the saids Acts of Parliament militat against them for not payment of their saids dueties and not fulfilling of the other clause of the Rights during the intervall of time betwixt the first day of April 1638. yeares and sensyne and in time coming while order be taken by the Estates of Parliament anent the way and manner of payment of the foresaids few and other dueties for the sayds Noble-men Gentlemen and others foresaids their security for the payment thereof and while the same order so to be taken by the Estates hereanent be publickly notified to all the Lieges notwithstanding of any clause irritant contained in the foresaids Infeftments and Rights And notwithstanding of the certification of the Acts of Parliament set downe against these who payes not their few dueties to their Superiours ACT XXIIII ANENT VASSALS OF ERECTIONS THAT They be not subject in double payment nor the superiours defrauded of their few dueties THE Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that whereas by the generall surrender of Kirke lands and erections made by the Superiours and Titulars thereof in favours of the Kings Majestie It is specially provided that the saids Superiours and Titulars notwithstanding their surrender foresaid shall have right to the Few-fermes and duties of the Vassals and Fewars of the said Kirk lands and erections till the Kings Majesty make paiment to them of the prices of the said Few-firmes and duties modified by the Lords and others of the Commission for surrenders and teinds And siclike the Fewars
for the Kirk and the summe of five hundreth markes to be payed yearly to the said Master Archbald Johnstoun as present Clerk to the generall Assemblies of the Kirk for the Fee and Pension of that office and to his Successours chosen and appointed by the Assembly in that place for the discharge thereof and service thereintill And the summe of other five hundreth markes of Fee and Pension yearly to bee payed to Master Robert Dalgleish present Agent for the Kirk and to his Successours chosen and appointed by the Assembly in that charge And in respect that the Advocate Clerk and Agent for the Kirk must have their continuall residence at Edinburgh for attending the affairs of the Kirk and that the saids Fees and Pensions ought to bee payed out of the Bishops rents and that the saids officers should be payed thereof out of the nearest and most commodious rents belonging to the saids Bishopricks Therefore the saids Estates ordaines the saids fees and pensions to be payed to the saids present officers and to their successours respective in that charge out of the readiest of the few duties and out of the quotes of Testaments of the diocesse of S. Andrews Glasgow and Edibburgh according to the proportion and division to be determinate and set down by the Committee from this present Parliament appointed to remaine at Edinburgh and ordaines the foresaids fees to be payed conforme to that division by the heritors fewars fermorers and others adebted in payment of the few duties of the saids three Bishopricks and by the collectors and intrometters with the saids quotes of Testaments And also ordaines the Lords of Session to direct letters on this present Act and upon the determination and division of the said Committee at the instance of the Advocate Clerk and Agent for the Kirk present and to come for payment to them yearly of their saids fees and pensions above-specified And because that the present Procurator Clerk and Agent have been serving the Kirk in these places these two yeares by-gone without receiving their fees otherwayes due to them and that the rents of the saids two yeares are yet untaken up by the pretended Bishops of Edinburgh Glasgow and S. Andrews but are restand in the tenants and collectors hands Therefore they ordaine their entrie of payment to be to the crop and yeare of God 1638. yeares ACT XXXVIII ORDAINING THE WHOLE SUBJECTS And Lieges of this Kingdome to obey maintaine and defend the Conclusions Acts and Constitutions of this present session of Parliament and to subscribe the band appointed for that effect IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the eleventh day of June 1640. yeares the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority Considering that whereas after many petitions and supplications given in and presented to his Majestie and the Lords of his secret councell by divers of the Nobility Barons and Burgesses of this Kingdome for granting a free Generall Assembly and Parliament for reforming of many great abuses and novations tending to the overthrow of the true reformed Religion and undoing of this Kirk and Kingdome devised and brought in by the late pretended Bishops who by their subtle practises during his Majesties absence these many yeares had ingrost in their persons all the Ecclesiastick and civill Power of this his Majesties ancient and native Kingdome It was granted by his Majestie out of his Royall Justice and accorded by the Articles of Pacification made at his Majesties camp in the moneth of June 1639. yeares last by-past that a free generall Assembly and Parliament should be indicted by his Majestie and that all matters Ecclesiasticall should be determined by the Assemblies of the Kirk and matters civill by Parliaments and other inferiour Judicatories established by Law And that according thereunto his Majestie did indict an Assembly to be holden at Edinburgh the twelfth of August and a Parliament for ratifying the Conclusions of the same assembly and setting down such other things as might conduce to the peace and good of the Kingdome To be holden at Edinburgh the twenty sixth of August last by-past In the which assembly the matters concerning the puritie of the true reformed Religion and peace of this Kirk after great debate delayes and protracting of time made by John Earle of Traquaire his Majesties Commissioner being at length concluded upon the _____ day of August 1639. yeares the Parliament sitting down immediately thereafter upon the penult day of the said moneth of August the ratifications of the Conclusions of the same assembly and many other matters of great importance conducing necessarily to the setling of the peace of this Kingdome being proponed in Parliament were likewise shifted and delayed and the closing of the Parliament protracted from time to time unto the _____ day of November last by-past At the which time the said John Earle of Traquaire did take upon him without the consent of the Estates to prorogate the foresaid Parliament to the second day of June instant not only contrary to the Articles of Pacification but also to the prejudice of the Liberties of the Parliament for preservation whereof the saids Estates were forced to make a declaration in Parliament against the same And that albeit since the said _____ day of November unto this time the saids Estates have used all possible meanes to give his Majesty full satisfaction both by their peaceable carriage at home and by sending their Commissioners to acquaint his Majestie with all their just desires and the reasons thereof yet they have not onely received no answer but upon the contrary their proceeding in the said Parliament being untruly related by the said John Earle of Traquaire have been condemned as Rebellious without hearing And our Commissioners sent for clearing thereof all restrained in private houses for a long time and John Lord Lowdoun being one of them committed to the Tower where he is still detained prisoner The Castles of Edinburgh and Dumbartane have in the meane time beene fortified and provided with all sort of Ammunition in great abundance and Garisons of Souldiers not being natives of this Kingdome put therein the Garison in the Castle of Edinburgh dayly killing diverse of the inhabitants of this Citie and spoyling their houses with musquets and great Ordnance all ships belonging to this Kingdome arrested in England and Ireland and many of them coming from other places layed waite for and taken by the way their owners and passengers spoyled of their goods and apparell layed in the yrons and barbarously abused A Commission granted to the Generall of the English forces by sea and land to kill destroy and subdue this whole nation a printed Declaration put forth denouncing war against it perswading exhorting and provoking the other two Kingdomes to grant subsidies and take Armes against the inhabitants of this Kingdome as traitours and rebells And the Parliament of Ireland hath proceeded so farre as to declare them to bee such All which they have hitherto
be holden for the time And in the meane time declares the same Parliament to be current to the day foresaid And ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes concluded in this present Session of the said Parliament to stand and have the force and strength of Laws such like as any Acts and Statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And ordaines the same to be published and printed notwithstanding of the continuation thereof to the day foresaid ACTS DONE AND PAST AT EDINBURGH NOVEMBER The nineteenth 1640. ACT ANENT THE ELECTION OF Robert Lord Burghly to be Preses of this meeting of Estates in Parliament THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie this nineteenth day of November 1640. years To the which day the Parliament was continued by the last Act of the last Session thereof the 11. of June 1640. did unanimously elect and choose Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this their meeting of Estates in Parliament ACT I. ACT ANENT THE CONTINUATION Of the Parliament to the 14. of Januarie 1641. years with continuation of daies THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie yet as of before continues this present Parliament and all summonds and actions intended or depending with all other matters belonging to the said Parliament to the fourteenth day of Januarie next to come with continuation of dayes At the which day or sooner as the Committee of Estates and Quorums thereof both in the Countrie and at the Armie shall appoint Ordaines the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the famine to be appointed to be holden for the time And in the mean time declares the said Parliament to be current to the day foresaid And ordaines the whole acts and statutes made and concluded in plain Parliament in the last session thereof in June last by-past to stand and have the force and strength of laws and acts conforme to the tenours thereof such like as any acts and statutes of any preceding parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generalitie foresaid the act of Committee of the Estates to stand in full force ay and while it be discharged by the Estates And ordaines the foresaid acts with the act of election of the said Robert Lord Burghly to be Preses at this meeting of Estates together with this present act of continuation to be published and printed conforme to the last act of continuation bearing date the eleventh of June last notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST AT EDINBURGH Januarie 14. 1641. ACT ANENT THE ELECTION OF Robert Lord Burghly to be Preses of this meeting of Estates in Parliament THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie this fourteenth day of Januarie 1641. years To the which day the Parliament was continued by the last act of continuation thereof dated the 19. of November 1640. years did unanimously elect and choose Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this their meeting of Estates in Parliament ACT II. ACT ANENT THE CONTINUATION Of the Parliament to the 13. day of April 1641. years with continuation of daies THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie yet as of before continues this present Parliament and all summonds and actions intended or depending with all supplications grievances and other matters belonging to the said Parliament to the thirteenth day of April next to come with continuation of dayes And that for satisfaction of his Majesties gracious desire signified by his Majesties letter directed to the Estates to that effect bearing date the last of December 1640. And also for sundry grave and weighty considerations concerning the weal of the Estate Kirk and Kingdome known to the Estates At the which 13. day of April ordains the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the famine to be holden for the time But prejudice alwaies of the power granted to the Cōmittees of Estate contained in the Act of this present Parliament made thereanent dated the 11. day of June last and mentioned in the last Act of continuation thereof bearing date the 19. of November 1640. And in the mean time the Estates declares the said Parliament to be current to the effect above-written unto the day foresaid with continuation of dayes and ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes made and concluded in plaine Parliament in that Session thereof in June last by-past together with all former Acts of continuation made by the said Estates to stand and have the force and strength of Laws and Acts conform to the tenours thereof such like as any Acts and Statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generalitie foresaid the Act of Committee of the Estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof aye and while it be discharged by the Estates And ordaines the foresaids Acts with the Act of Election of Robert Lord Burghlie to be preses at this meeting of Estates together with this present Act of continuation to be published and printed conforme to the last Act of continuation of the date foresaid notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST AT EDINBURGH Aprill 13. 1641. ACT ANENT THE ELECTION OF Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this meeting of Estates in Parliament THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority this 13. day of April 1641. years To the which day the Parliament was continued by the last act of continuation thereof of the date the 14. day of January 1641. yeares Did unanimously elect and chuse Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this their meeting of Estates in Parliament ACT III. ACT ANENT THE CONTINUATION OF The Parliament to the 25. day of May 1641. yeares with continuation of dayes THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie yet as of before continues this present Parliament and all summonds and actions intended or depending with all supplications grievances and other matters belonging to the foresaid Parliament to the twenty fifth day of May next to come with continuation of dayes And that for satisfaction of his Majesties gratious desire signified by his Majesties letter direct to the Estates to that effect bearing date 23. March 1641. And also for sundry grave and weighty considerations concerning the weal of the Estate Kirk and Kingdome known to the Estates At the which twenty fifth day of May next to come ordaines the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the famine to be holden for the time But prejudice alwayes of the power granted to the Committees of Estate contained in the Act of this present Parliament made thereanent dated the eleventh day of June last and mentioned in
the two last Acts of continuation thereof the one bearing date the 19. of November 1640. and the other bearing date the 14. of January last by-past 1641. And in the mean time the Estates declares the said Parliament to be current to the effect above-written unto the day foresaid with continuation of dayes and ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes made and concluded in plaine Parliament in that Session thereof in June last by-past together with all former Acts of continuation made by the said Estates to stand and have the force and strength of Laws and Acts conform to the tenours thereof such like as any Acts and Statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generalitie foresaid the Act of the Committee of Estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof aye and while it be discharged by the Estates And ordaines the foresaids Acts with the Act of Election of Robert Lord Burghlie to be preses at this meeting of Estates together with this present Act of continuation to be published and printed conforme to the last Act of continuation of the date foresaid notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST AT EDINBURGH May 25. 1641. ACT ANENT THE ELECTION OF Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this meeting of Estates in Parliament THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority this 25. day of May 1641. yeares to the which day the Parliament was continued by the last act of continuation thereof of the date the 13. day of April 1641. yeares foresaid Did unanimously with one uniforme consent elect and chuse Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this their meeting of Estates in Parliament ACT IIII. ACT ANENT THE CONTINUATION Of the Parliament to the 15. day of July 1641. yeares with continuation of dayes THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority yet as of before continues this present Parliament and all summonds and actions intended or depending with all supplications grievances and other matters belonging to the said Parliament against all parties cited or desired to be sent home to Scotland as Incendiaries or cited for other crimes or causes and the former citations and continuations thereof and this present continuation to continue in the same force strength and effect as they were at the severall daies of compearances respectivè whereunto they were cited and as if they had been called or were now called per expressum upon the saids severall daies whereunto they were cited respective as said is or upon the severall daies of continuation whereunto this Parliament was continued from time to time notwithstanding of the not calling of them publikely in judgment at none of the saids dayes which was no wayes necessary to have beene done nor to be done before insisting against them in respect that they were both cited to severall daies of compearance with continuation of dayes that the Parliament was continued from time to time to certaine other daies also with continuation of dayes to the fifteenth day of July next to come with continuation of dayes and that for satisfying his Majesties gracious desire signified by his Majesties letter direct to the Estates for that effect beating date the 18. of May 1641. yeares And also for sundry grave and weighty considerations concerning the weal of the Estate Kirk and Kingdom known to the Estates But prejudice alwaies to the Estates of Parliament of their undoubted libertie to sit without prorogation except they consent to a prorogation and that by reason that all Acts of prorogation of Parliament are Acts of Parliament and no Acts of Parliament can be made without consent of the Estates conveened and sitting in plaine Parliament AT the which fifteenth day of July next to come ordaines the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the famine to be holden for the time And such like ordaines his Majesties Advocate and Procutors of Estate all and every one of them to compeare and attend and to insist as they shall be commanded by the Estates against whatsoever persons indited or to be indited And discharges the said Advocate and Procutors every one of them to consult with or take upon hand directly or indirectly to defend any who shall seek their advise for pleading or maintaining them in any sort against any pursuit moved or to be moved against them in Parliament for any crime against the publick or to give any information for that effect And that because it is incumbent to the Kings Majesties Advocate and Procutors of Estate to pursue all who happens from time to time to be cited to the Parliament for any offence against the publike and no wayes to take their Patrocinie but prejudice likewise of the power granted to the Cornmittees of Estate contained in the Act of this present Parliament made thereanent dated the 11 of June last and mentioned in the three last Acts of continuation thereof The first dated the 19. November 1640. the second the 14. of January 1641. and the third dated the 13. of Aprill the same year 1641. yeeres And in the mean time the Estates declares the said Parliament to be current to the effect above-written unto the day foresaid with continuation of dayes and ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes made and concluded in plain Parliament in that session thereof in June last by-past together with all the former Acts of continuation made by the saids Estates to stand and have the force and strength of Lawes and Acts conforme to the tenours thereof such like as any Acts and statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generality foresaid the act of the Committee of Estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof ay and while it be discharged by the Estates and ordaines the foresaids Acts with the Act of election of Robert Lord Burghlie to be preses of this meeting of Estates together with this present Act of continuation to be published and printed conform to the last act of continuation of the date foresaid notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST IN THE LAST SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF OUR SOVERAIGN LORD c. Beginning the 15. day of June 1641. and ending the 17. of November the same year according to the severall dates respective after specified prefixed thereto ACT V. ANENT THE OATH TO BE GIVEN BY Every member of Parliament August 18. 1641. FORSOMUCH as the honour greatnesse and happinesse of the Kings Royall Majestie and the welfare of the Subjects depend on the puritie of Religion as it is now established in this Kingdome the laws liberties and peace thereof which ought to be sought after by all good Christians loyall Subjects and true Patriots And to be furthered and maintained by
Commission to John Earle of Rothes Lord Lesley c. Charles Earle of Dumfermling Lord Urquhart and Fuby c. John Lord Londoun Sir Patrick Hepburne of Wachtoun Sir William Douglas of Cavers William Drummond of Riccarton John Smith of Edinburgh Mr. Alexander Wedderburne of Dundy and Hugh Kennedy of Air as members of the Estates of Parliament And because many things may occurre concerning the Church and Assemblies thereof Therefore besides these of the Estates we nominate and appoint Mr. Alexander Hendersone and Mr. Archibald Johnstoun whom we adjoyne for that effect With power to them or any seven of them there being alwayes two of every Estate to passe to the said City of London and there or at any other place convenient mutually to be agreed upon to meet and conveen with any who shall be appointed by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament of England for the foresaid Treaty giving granting and committing like as we by these presents give grant and commit to them in manner foresaid full power warrant and commission to treat consult advise determine and agree as well anent the satisfying and granting of our Demands as in obtaining and securing a setled peace for all time comming conforme to the instructions given to them herewith or which shall be sent to them hereafter by us or any one of the said Quorums at the Campe of Edinburgh thereanent With power to them as said is to do everything which may conduce for the better and easier obtaining of our said demands and establishing a setled peace conforme to the said particular instructions in such like manner as we might do if we were all personally present our selves in full number promising to hold firme and stable all and every thing our said Commissioners in manner foresaid shall do in the Premisses conforme to the said instructions And in case it shall be found expedient or necessary to adde any more Commissioners to the foresaid persons these who shall so be sent authorized under our hands or the full number of any of the said Quorums shall have a like power and Commission by vertue of these presents with the fore-named Commissioners in such like manner as if their names were particularly exprest herein In witnesse whereof these presents are subscribed at Newcastle and Edinburgh the last of October and 4. of November 1640. SIC SUBSCRIBITUR Rothes Montrose Cassils Lothian Lyndesay Balmerino Naper Burghly Jo. Cooper Thomas Hope Ricccarton Caprinton Gaitgirth Dundas Edward Edgar Rich. Maxwell James Scot. Gorterfield Hume Hammilton Mr. Will. More Ja. Sword Hew Kennedy Rutherfoord And forasmuch as by vertue of the said Commissions the Commissioners therein authorised have treated and by the assistance and blessing of God have agreed upon the heads and articles following ARTICLES OF THE LARGE TREATY concerning the establishing of the peace betwixt the Kings Majestie and his people of Scotland and betwixt the two Kingdomes agreed upon by the Scottish and English Commissioners at the City of Westminster the seventh day of August 1641. THe SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS having given in the Declaration following viz. WEE doe still in all Loyalty as becomes humble and duetifull Subjects acknowledge our dependency upon his Majesty as our dread Soveraign whether his Majesty live in Scotland or England and shall alwayes and in all things witnesse our high respects and best affections to the Kingdome and Parliament of England according to the strong bonds of nature and religion by which the two Kingdomes are joyned under one Head and Monarch yet as wee are fully assured that the Kingdome and Parliament of England is for the present farre from any thought of usurpation over the Kingdome and Parliament of Scotland or their Lawes and Liberties so for the preventing the misunderstanding of the Posterity and of Strangers and for satisfying the scruples of others not acquainted with the nature of this Treaty and the manner of our proceedings which may arise upon our comming into England and our treating in time of Parliament We doe by these declare and make known that neither by our Treaty with the English nor by seeking our peace to bee established in Parliament nor any other actions of ours doe wee acknowledge any dependency upon them or make them Judges to us or our Lawes or any thing that may import the smallest prejudice to our Liberties but that wee come in a free and brotherly way by our informations to remove all doubts that may arise concerning the proceedings of our Parliament and to joyne our endeavours in what may conduce for the good and peace of both Kingdomes no otherwise then if by occasion of the King his residence in Scotland Commissioners in the like exigence should be sent thither from England DID DEMAND that his Majesty would bee graciously pleased to command that the Acts of the late Parliament may bee published in his Highnesse name as our Soveraign Lord with consent of the Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties authority WHEREUNTO it is answered and agreed That for as much as the Kings Majesty at the humble desire of his Subjects did call and conveen a Parliament to be holden at Edinburgh the 2. of June 1640. wherein certain Acts were made and agreed upon which Acts his Majestie for the peace and good of his Kingdome is pleased to publish in his owne name with consent of the Estates and therefore commands that the said Acts bearing date the 11. day of June 1640. be published with the Acts to be made in the next Session of the same Parliament and that all the said Acts aswell of the precedent as of the next Session to be holden have in all time comming the strength of Lawes and to be universally received and obeyed by all the Subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland His Majesty doth in the word of a King promise the publishing of the said Acts in such sort as is above specified As for the manner of publishing the said Acts his Majesty approves that the Declaration of the Estates in the beginning of the Acts and the conclusion at the end may be past in silence at the publishing of the Acts and left out in the printed Copies And if any thing shall further occurre concerning the manner of publishing the said Acts his Majesties Commissioner may then offer it to the Estates to be considered of his Majesty being most assured that the Estates of Parliament will have a great care not to suffer his Majesties authority to be prejudiced in the managing of these great affaires Tertio Decembris 1640. THE SECOND DEMAND that the Castle of Edinburgh and other strengths of the Kingdome should with the advice of the Estates of Parliament according to their first foundation be furnished and used for defence and security of the Kingdome IS AGREED UNTO THE THIRD DEMAND that Scottish men within his Majesties Dominions of England and Ireland may be freed from censure for subscribing the Covenant and be no more pressed with oathes and subscriptions
or Prince and their Vassals to be free of the said taxe notwithstanding of this present Act or any Act preceding And that letters be direct thereupon by the Lords of Session to charge the Free-holders heritors and life-renters holding of his Majesty and the Prince to conveene at the head Burgh of every shire upon one speciall day for dividing and setting down the proportion thereof in manner foresaid With power also to stent the saids free-holders heritors and life-renters for the tenth peny more of the said whole summe so calculate for the expences of the letters to be raised therefore and others charges in the collection thereof with certification that such as shall conveene shall have power to proceed notwithstanding of the absence of the rest And that letters of horning and pounding be direct thereupon at the instance of the said Commissioners for payment thereof in manner above-written And if payment be not made within the dayes contained in the charge so that the Commissioners be forced to pound therefore Then and in that case it shall be lawfull to pound for the double of the summe charged for by and attour the Sheriffe And that no suspension passe thereupon but upon consignation allanerlie and if the suspension discusse against the suspender in that case the suspender shall be ordained to make payment to the Commissioners of the double of the summe charged for by and attour the Commissioners others charges and expences in discussing the suspension And this Act to take effect for the commissioners of this present Parliament and all Parliaments â—ereafter ACT XIX ACT IN FAVOURS OF THE COMMISsioners for the Sherifdome of Sutherland 11. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament considering that by an Act of the date of thir presents made anent the expences of Commissioners of Shires passing to Parliaments or Generall Councels and Conventions allowance shall be given to the saids Commissioners for their whole charges and expences in manner specified in the said Act And that the daily allowance appointed for ilk Commissioner in manner mentioned and divided in the said Act after the rising of the saids Parliaments or generall Councels shall be calculate and put in a summe by the Clerks of Parliament under their hand to be divided and imposed proportionally upon the whole Freeholders of the Kings Majesty and the Prince according to the stent of their lands lying within the Shire And that letters be direct thereupon by the Lords of Session to charge the saids Freeholders of his Majesty and Prince to conveen at the head Burgh of every Shire upon a special day for dividing setting down the proportion thereof in maner foresaid as the said Act made in favours of the said whole Commissioners of small Barons and Shires at more length bears And his Majestie and the saids Estates considering that in the Parliament in the year of God 1633. a particular Act of Parliament was made in favours of the Free Barons and others Inhabitants within the Sherifdome of Sutherland giving power to them to elect and choose their own Commissioners for the said Sherifdome to compeir at Parliaments meetings and generall Conventions within this kingdom at all occasions And considering likewise that by the said Act made in favours of the saids whole Commissioners the Commissioner chosen and attending this present Parliament for the Sherifdome of Sutherland and the Commissioners who shal be chosen and sent from the said Sherifdome of Sutherland to attend thir Parliaments Generall Councels and other Generall meetings and Conventions of Estates hereafter in all time comming shall have no allowance of their expences and charges to be depurst by them in the said service albeit the said Shire be one of the remotest and farthest distance in the Kingdome Because there is onely two Inhabitants within the said Shire holding Lands of the Kings Majesty the whole remanent heritors being either Vassals to the Earle of Sutherland or holding their Lands of some other Superiour And so according to the said generall Act the allowance of the Commissioner of that Shire cannot be divided not imposed for payment and satisfaction of his charges and expences except the samine be extended against the Heritors Fewars and Freeholders within the said Sherifdome holding lands of other Superiours in manner under written Therefore His Majesty and Estates of Parliament ordains the allowance appointed by the said generall Act in favours of the Commissioners of the said Sherifdome of Sutherland to be extended divided and imposed proportionally upon all and sundry Heritors Fewars Life-renters and Freeholders within the said Shire whether they bee Vassals to his Majesty or holding their lands of any other Superiours whatsoever according to the stent of their lands lying within the said Shire and that letters be direct thereupon by the Lords of Session to charge all and sundry the Heritors Fewars Life-renters and Free-holders within the said Shire holding of any Superiour whatsoever to conveene at Dornoch being the head Burgh of the said Shire upon a speciall day for dividing and setting down the proportion thereof in manner foresaid With power also to stent all and sundry the saids Heritors Fewars Life-renters and Free-holders holding of whatsoever Superiour within the said Shire for the tenth penny more of the saids whole summes so calculted for the expences of the letters to be raised therefore and others charges in collecting thereof With certification that such as shall conveene shall have power to proceed notwithstanding of the absence of the rest And that letters of horning and pounding be direct thereupon at the instances of the saids Commissioners for payment thereof in manner above written And if payment be not made within the dayes contained in the charge so that the said Commissioners shall be forced to pound therefore then and in that case it shall be lawfull to pound for the double of the summe charged for by and attour the Sheriffe And that no suspension passe thereupon but upon consignation allanerly And if the suspension shall discusse against the Suspender in that case the Suspender shall be ordained to make payment to the Commissioners of the double of the sum charged for by and attour the Commissioners others charges and expences in discussing the suspension And this Act to take effect for the Commissioners of this present Parliament and all Parliaments hereafter ACT XX. ACT ANENT THE NOMINATION And election of the Officers of Estate 13. November 1641. THe which day the Kings Majesty with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament conveened in Parliament nominated and elected the persons underwritten to the places and offices of Estates of this Kingdome respective after mentioned formerly possest by them viz. Robert Earle of Roxburgh to the place and office of Privie Seale William Earle of Lanerk to the place and office of Secretarie Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall to the place and office of his Highnesse Advocate Sir James Carmichaell to the place and office of
Treasurer depute and Sir John Hamiltoun of Orbestoun to the place and office of Justice Clerk and that ad vitam vel culpam conforme to the Act of this present Parliament made anent the election of Officers of Estate Counsellours and Sessioners upon the sixteenth day of September last by-past Like as his Majesty with advice and approbation foresaid gives and dispones to the forenamed persons and ilk one of them ad vitam vel culpam as said is the foresaids Offices respective above mentioned whereunto they are nominate and elected in manner foresaid Together with all honours dignities profits benefits liberties and priviledges which have beene possest and bruiked by any preceding Officers of Estate of the foresaids offices above written and which may be now bruiked by the Lawes of this Kingdome And ordaines a gift to be past and exped under his Highnesse great Seale to ilk one of the persons above named of the foresaid offices respective above written whereunto they are nominate and elected in manner before rehearsed ACT XXI ACT ANENT THE NOMINATION AND Election of Sir Alexander Gibson to be Clerk Register 13. November 1641. THe which day the Kings Majestie with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament nominated and elected Mr. Alexander Gibson younger of Durie to the place and office of Clerk of Register of this his Highnesse ancient and native Kingdome of Scotland and that ad vitam vel culpam conform to the Act of this present Parliament made anent the election of Officers of Estate Counsellers and Sessioners upon the sixteenth day of September last by-past Like as his Majestie with advice and approbation foresaid gives and dispones to the said Mr. Alexander Gibson younger of Durie ad vitam vel culpam as said is the foresaid office of Clerk of Register with all honours dignities priviledges profits casualities and liberties pertaining to the said office conforme to the foresaid Act and to the gift to be granted to him of the samine office under his Highnesse great Seal to be bruiked and possest by him as the samine hath been possest and bruiked by any preceding Clerk of Register and which may be now bruiked by the Laws of this Kingdome And ordains a gift to be past and exped under his Highnesse great Seal to the said Mr. Alexander Gibson of the foresaid office of Clerk of Register with all honours dignities profits casualities liberties and priviledges belonging thereto ACT XXII ACT ANENT THE NOMINATION AND Election of the Councellors 13. Novem. 1641. THe which day the Kings Majestie with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament conveened in playne Parliament nominated and elected the Persons under-written viz. Lord Lowdoun Chancellour Duke of Lennox Marques of Hammiltoun Earle of Argyle Earle Marshall Earle of Sutherland Earle of Mar Earle of Mortoun Earle of Eglintoun Earle of Cassils Earle of Glencairne Earle of Murray Earle of Perth Earle of Dumfermling Earle of Wigtoun Earle of Kinghorne Earle of Roxburgh Earle of Seaforth Earle of Lauderdale Earle of Lothian Earle of Kynnowll Earle of Southesk Earle of Weymes Earle of Dalhoussie Earle of Findlater Earle of Lanerk Earle of Levin Lord Angus Lord Lindesay Lord Yester Lord Sinclare Lord Elphingstoun Lord Balmerino Lord Burghlie Lord Amont Lord Balcarras the Clerk of Register Advocate Justice Clerk Thesaurer depute Master of requests Sir Robert Gordoun Sir William Douglas of Cavers Sir Patrik Hepburne of Wauchetoun Laird of Dundas Laird of Fintrie Laird of Cambo Laird of Dun Laird of Innes Laird of Morphie and the Provest of Edinburgh for the time being To be of the Councell ad vitam aut culpam conform to the Act made in this present Parliament upon the 16. day of September last by-past anent the nomination and election of the Officers of Estate Counsellors and Sessioners and conform to the Commission to be granted by the Kings Majestie with the advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament to the saids Lords and others of his Majesties secret Councell above named for government of this Kingdome in all affairs concerning the peace good and happinesse thereof which by the Lawes and Custome of this Kingdome pertaine to his Majesties secret Councell Like as his Majestie with advice and approbation foresaid likewise nominated and elected the Earle of Arrundel the Earle of Pembroke the Earle of Salisbury and the Earle of Holland to be supernumerarie Counsellors of his Majesties Privie Councell of this Kingdome and to be contained in the foresaid commission to be granted to the Councell as supernumerarie there-intill And his Majestie with advice and approbation foresaid gives and grantes to the saids Counsellors above named and every one of them all honours dignities liberties immunities and priviledges whatsoever belonging to the Lords and others of his Highnesse Privie Councell of this his ancient and native Kingdome To be bruiked and possest by them siclike and with all respects as the samine have beene bruiked by any preceding Counsellers of his Majesties Privie Councell foresaid and which may be now bruiked and enjoyed by them by the Laws of this Kingdome conforme to the foresaid Act of the sixteenth day of September last by-past and to the commission to be granted to the saids Lords and others of his Majesties Privie Councell as said is ACT XXIII ACT ANENT THE NOMINATION AND Election of the Lords of Session ordinary and extraordinary 13 November 1641. THe which day the Kings Majestie with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament conveened in plaine Parliament nominated and elected Sir George Erskene of Innerteil Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie Sir Andro Fletcher of Innerpeffer Sir John Hamiltoun of Orbestoun Justice Clerk Sir James Carmichaell of that ilk The saurer depute Sir James Leirmonth of Balcomie Sir James Macgill of Crastoun Riddell Sir George Halyburtoun of Fodderance Sir John Hope of Craighall Sir John Scot of Scottistatbet Sir Alexander Falconer younger of Hackertoun Sir John Leslie of Newtoun and Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse Knights Mr. Archibald Johnstoun of Warristoun and Mr. Adam Hepburne of Humbie To be the fifteen ordinair Lords of Session and Senators of the Colledge of Justice and that ad vitam vel culpam and Judges for administration of Justice to the lieges conform to the foundation and erection of that Soveraigne Judicatorie of the Colledge of Justice Like as his Majestie with advice and approbation of the saids Estates of Parliament gave and disponed and hereby gives and dispones to the saids fifteen ordinair Lords of Session above named and to ilk one of them ad vitam vel culpam as said is the fifteen ordinarie places of the said ordinair Lords and Senators of the Colledge of Justice with all fees honours dignities profits casualities immunities liberties and priviledges whatsoever pertaining and belonging to the ordinair Lords and Senators of the Colledge of Justice and their places thereof to be bruiked and possest by the persons above named now nominate and lected thereto as said
is And ilk one of them siclike and with all respects and priviledges fees casualities immunities liberties and profits whatsoever as the samine hath beene possest and bruiked by any preceding Lords and Senators of the said Colledge of justice and which the saids Lords and Senators foresaids may now bruike and enjoy by the Lawes of this Kingdome and that ad vitam vel culpam conforme to the Act of this present Parliament made hereanent upon the sixteenth day of September last by-past Like as his Majestie with advice and approbation foresaid likewise nominated and elected Archibald Earle of Argyle Archibald Lord Angus John Lord Lindsay and John Lord Balmerino to be the foure extraordinair Lords of Session and Senators of the said Colledge of justice conforme to the foresaid Act made anent the nomination and election of the Officers of Estate Counsellours and Sessioners of the date the 16. day of September last by-past And His Majesty with advice and approbation of the saids Estates gave and disponed and hereby gives and dispones to the saids foure extraordinair Lords of Session above named and to ilk one of them the foure extraordinair places of the saids extraordinair Lords and Senators of the Colledge of justice with all honours dignities immunities liberties and priviledges whatsoever belonging to the extraordinair Lords of Session and their places thereof to be bruiked and possest by the foresaids foure Lords above named now nominated and elected thereto siclike and with all respects as the famine have beene possest and bruiked by any preceding extraordinair Lords of the Session and which may be now bruiked and enjoyed by them by the Lawes of this Kingdome ACT XXIV COMMISSION FOR REGULATING The common burthens of the Kingdome 15. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering that during the time of the late troubles of this Kingdom there were many great summes and burdens contracted undertaken and advanced for the outreiking and maintenance of the Armies and for other publike affaires As likewise considering that the courts of the common burdens of the Kingdome and the accounts of the tenth penny and of the other debts resting due and payable to the publike Together with the accounts and intromissions of all Commissioners Collectors others persons who have had any charge or intromission with any thing pertaining to the publike aswell in the Countrey as at the Army and other parts abroad are not yet fully closed cleared counted for payed nor reduced in order And seeing it is absolutely necessary that all the debts contracted and advanced for the publike use either within the Kingdome or without the famine be known satisfied payed and relieved As also that every thing resting to the publike be counted for payed and brought in for reliefe of the common burthens and that the whole counts of the Armies and other counts within and without the Kingdome together with the accounts of the monthly maintenance of the Army and Brotherly assistance granted by the Parliament of England for reliefe of the common burthens of this Kingdome at least so much thereof as is already payed be all cleared fitted and closed and that the rest and superplus of the said brotherly assistance yet resting may be craved uplifted and received for the publike use And it being likewise necessary that all and every person who have had any trust and intromission with any thing pertaining to the publike either within the Country or at the Armie or any other place be called to an account for their intromission and that the Generall Officers and others who have served in the publike be satisfied and recompensed for their service according to their demerits As also that the losses sustained by the particular persons whose ships and goods were taken at Sea either in England or Ireland be taken to consideration To the effect that the whole burthens and debts resting by the publike being knowne and all that is due to the publike being counted for payed and brought in for relief of the common burthens the estate and condition of the publike affairs may be the better known and according lie such course taken thereanent as may best conduce for the good and weale of the country And seeing the clearing and setling of the premisses will necessarily draw to such a length of time as his Majesty and the Estates of Parliament cannot in this present Parliament receive call for nor examine the saids accounts and common burthens of the Kingdome and settle and order every thing concerning the same In respect whereof Our said Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament have found it necessary and expedient that a select number of the severall Estates of the Kingdom be nominated authorised and appointed for clearing and setling of the whole premisses and for directing setling and ordering of every thing which may concerne the same Or which may offer and come in consideration thereanent Therefore His Majestie and Estates of Parliament presently conveened do by vertue of thir presents elect nominate choose authorise and appoint the persons after specified viz. John Earle of Lowdoun High Chancellour of Scotland Archbald Marques of Argyle Alexander Earle of Eglintoun John Earle of Cassils William Earle of Glencairne John Earle of Lauderdaill William Earle of Lothian John Earle of Lindesay David Earle of Southesk Iames Earle of Findlater Iohn Lord Sinclair Iohn Lord Balmerino Robert Lord Burghlie George Lord Forrester Sir Charles Erskene of Bandeth Sir David Hoome of Wedderburne Sir Robert Innes of that ilk Sir George Dundas of that ilk Sir William Cunyngham of Capringtoun Sir Iohn Wauchope of Nidrie Sir Alexander Erskene of Dun Sir Gilbert Ramsey of Balymayne Sir Duncane Campbell of Auchinbrek Sir William Forbes of Craigievare Sir Robert Greirsone of Lag Master George Douglas of Bonjedburt William Rig of Ethernie Alexander Gordoun of Earlstoun Iohn Binnie Burges of Edinburgh Thomas Durham Burges of Pearth Patrik Leslie Burges of Aberdene George Bell Burges of Linlithgow Patrik Bell Burges of Glasgow Iames Sword Burges of Saint Andrewes Iohn Kennedye Burges of Air Iohn Sempell Burges of Dumbartane William Glendoning Burges of Kirkcudbright Iames Scot Burges of Montrose Master Robert Barclay Burges of Irving Iames Anderson Burges of Couper George Gardine Burges of Bruntiland and Master Alexander Dowglas Burges of Bamff Together with Alexander Earle of Levin and Sir Adam Hepburne of Humbie one of the Senatours of the Colledge of Justice whom His Majestie and Estates of Parliament adde to the foresaid number as ordinair members with the rest to be Commissioners from his Majesty and the Parliament to the effect above and after specified Of the which persons any twelve of them shall be a Quorum there being alwaies three of them of ilk Estate To whom our said Soveraign Lord and Estates and whole body of the present Parliament Gives grants and commits full power warrant and commission to meet and conveen within the burgh of Edinburgh or such other places as
Majesty and Estates declares such other persons shall fill their places as his Majesty shall think fit by advice of the remanent Commissioners who must receive and admit them upon the said Commission and take their oaths for faithfull discharge of the same And his Majesty and Estates ordaines this present Commission to indure unto the _____ ay and while the famine be expresly discharged by his Majesties warrand with consent of the Estates for that effect And his Majesty with consent of the Estates foresaid findes declares and ordaines the acts decreets and ordinances of the Commissioners foresaid and of the other persons who shal be surrogate in their places by his Majesty in manner foresaid in the whole particulars above specified and every one of them to have the force strength and effect of a decree sentence and Act of Parliament And ordaines the Lords of Session to grant and direct letters of horning pounding and others thereupon upon a simple charge of ten dayes or otherwayes as shall be found necessarie Attour for clearing of all doubts and difficulties which may arise anent the rectifying of valuations or other particular heads following His Majestie and Estates have declared and declares that where valuations are lawfully led against all parties having interest and allowed by the former Commissioners according to the order reserved by them that the famine shall not be drawn in question nor rectified upon pretence of enorm lesioun at the instance of the Minister not being titular or at the instance of his Majesties Advocate for and in respect of his Majesties annuity except it be proved that collusion was used betwixt the titular and heretor or betwixt the Procutor Fiscall and heretors and titular which collusion is declared to be where the valuations are led with diminution of the third of the just rent presently payed And which diminution shall be proved by the parties oaths It is alwayes declared that the provisions of the former Commission so far as they are conceived in favours of the Colledges Hospitals and Ministers are herein renewed As also that Ministers serving the cure who leade their teinds And that Colledges Schooles and Hospitals be not constrained to sell set nor dispone their teindes in prejudice of their successours notwithstanding of the valuations thereof Like as the Kings Majestie and Estates grants power to the saids Commissioners to do every thing necessary for setling and establishing the right of any teinds of the prelacies appointed by them in favours of the saids Kirks Schooles Universities and Colledges according to their severall divisions as also to set down rules and wayes how the same shall not thereafter be delapidate or made worse by the titulars for the time And his Majesty and Estates declares That all his Majesties subjects who are willing to buy their teinds shall be oblisht to pay the price thereof contained in the Act made thereanent within the space of two yeares after the famine beis valued and approven before the saids Commissioners And that after the expiring of the said time the titular shall not be compelled to sell the famine except they doe it of their owne good will With this declaration alwayes that in case the impediment induring the space foresaid flow from the titular by reason of his minority or other inability in that case the Heretor who offereth himselfe ready to buy his owne teind within the space foresaid shall have place so soone as the impediment is removed to buy his teinds notwithstanding of the expiring of the yeares and space above exprest And it is declared that if the heretors be minor and his tutors neglect the buying of his teinds within the space foresaid The minor shall have action for two yeares after his minority to compell the titular for selling of the saids teinds Likeas his Majesty and Estates of Parliament grants power to the saids Commissioners to give recompence to parties for the augmentation of stipends to be imposed by this present Commission in the same way as was done by some former Commissions as 1617. yeares Likeas it is hereby declared that where by mistaking and wrong compting there was a greater quantitie assigned to the minister out of any mans teinds nor is due by proportion according to the valuation that the Commissioners may rectifie the same without diminishing the ministers stipend or wronging his possession untill it be given out of other teinds in the paroch Likeas it is declared that where the assignations are made wrong in the quality that the same might be reduced to the just number of bols of meale beire and wheat answerable to the valuation With power also to the saids Commissioners to assigne the few dueties of the parts of land called Parsons and Viccars gleibes to the ministers and others serving the cure ACT XXXI COMMISSION ANENT THE ARTICLES Referred to Consideration by the Treaty 16. November 1641. OUr Soveraigne Lord with consent of the Estates of Parliament Considering that there are sundry heads of the Articles of the Treaty of peace betwixt his Majesty and his Subjects and betwixt his Majesties Kingdoms of Scotland and England which are referred to bee taken in consideration by the Commissionars to bee appoynted by his Majesty with consent of both Parliaments who shall have power to advise and treate thereupon and to report their proceedings therein to his Majesty and to the Parliament of both Kingdomes respective and specially the articles after specified And his Majesty with consent foresaid being willing that a Commission bee exped on their part for advising and treating upon the saids Articles with the Commissioners chosen or to bee chosen by his Majesty with consent of the Parliament of England within which is included the Kingdome of Ireland Therefore his Majesty with advise and consent of the Estates gives and grants full power and Commission to the persons after specified William Earle of Lothiane John Earle of Lindesay Lord Parbrothe and Struther John Lord Balmerino Sir Thomas Myretoun of Cambo Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse Sir Archbald Johnstoun of Wariestoun Sir John Smyth of Grottell Burgesse of Edinburgh Patrik Bell Merchant Burgesse of Glasgow and Mr. Robert Barclay Burgesse of Irving as also to John Earle of Lowdoun Chancellour of Scotland and Archbald Marquesse of Argyle Earle of Kintyre Lord Lorne or any of them two who beis at Court To bee of the Commission with the remanent Commissioners above named With power to the saids whole Commissioners above named or any five of them there being one thereof at least of every Estate to conveene with the Commissioners chosen or to bee chosen by his Majesty with consent of the Parliament of England within which is included the Parliament of Ireland as said is at whatsoever places and times convenient to bee accorded amongst them and there to consult advise treat and agree upon the speciall Heads and Articles following viz. Anent the Demand concerning the making war with Forreigners and anent Leagues and Confederations
of the saids Estates makes nominates and constitutes John Earle of Loudoun High Chancellour of this Kingdome Archbald Earle of Argyle Lord Campbell and Lorne William Earle of Glencairne Lord Kilmars John Lord Lindesay of Struther and Sir James Carmichael of that ilk Knight Thesaurer Depute his Majesties Commissioners to the effect under-written And gives and grants to them or any three of them the full place and power of His Majesties high Thesaurer Comptroller Collector and Thesaurer of his Majesties new augmentations with all liberties priviledges immunities benefits and emoluments whatsoever pertaining to the said place of high Treasurer Comptroller Collector and Thesaurer of his Majesties new augmentations and that in as ample manner and quality as the famine was in the Persons of any of His Majesties high Thesaurers in any time of before With power to them or any three of them to uplift gather and intromet with all and sundry His Majesties rents revenewes customes imposts casualities commodities dueties and others whatsoever any wayes belonging to his Majesty within this Kingdome or to his Majesties dearest Sonne the Prince and that of all years and termes by-gone and yearely in time comming and with power to them or any three of them with advice of the remanent Commissioners of Exchequer contained in his Majesties Commission under the great Seale and according to the tenour thereof to compone passe and subscribe signators gifts confirmations escheats liferents remissions tutories gifts by forfeiture recognition wards marriages reliefe non-entresses legittimations presentations taks rentals licences dispensations and others dispositions writs and securities whatsoever pertaining to the saids Offices or any of them or to the power and priviledges thereof But prejudice alwayes to the said Sir James Carmichael Thesaurer Depute of his gifts of the office of Thesaurary Depute whole liberties power and priviledges therein contained which are holden as herein exprest but adding or paring to him in the point of receiving and without derogation in any sort to this present act and commission And it is declared that the yearly fees and other casualities due to his Majesties principall Thesaurer and especially the summe of foure thousand pounds scots money shall bee divided equally amongst the saids first foure of the said commissioners by the said Thesaurer Depute who hath right to his owne fee and casualities by vertue of his gifts granted to him thereupon And His Majesty with consent foresaid ordains the Lords of His Majesties Privie Councell Session or Exchequer to grant and direct letters at the instance of the saids Commissioners for answering and obeying them their chalmerlands under receivers and officers of all and sundry of His Majesties rents casualities customes imposts and duties belonging to the said office and that enduring the time of this present Commission which shall endure to the next Parliament ACT LXIX ACT ANENT RESTITUTION OF HORSE And Armes to the Owners out-putters thereof 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering that diverse Souldiers aswell foot as horse who were imployed reiked out sent forth with the Armies and Regiments levied during the time of the late troubles Having at their going forth and outreiking received troup-horses arms ammunition horses and baggage horses from the heritors of lands and others who did reik and send them forth and that the saids Souldiers keepers up and withholders or have put away the saids horses and armes intrusted to them from the owners thereof Therefore Our said Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament doe hereby grant full power and warrant to the Committee appointed from the Parliament for regulating and setling of the common burdens and debts of the Kingdome and to all other Judges ordinair aswell to Burgh as Land within this Kingdome within whose bounds any such persons dwell or can be found who have keeped or detained either horses or armes That the saids Judges do forthwith upon complaint of the partie owner of the saids horses and armes call the receivers and detainers or out-putters of them before them and to discern and ordain them to deliver the saids horses and armes to the saids owners or the prices of same their receit of them being lawfully proven And with power to the saids judges to do every thing as lawfull and necessair anent the premisses agreeable to Justice and the Lawes of the Country ACT LXX ACT SALVO JURE CUIUSLIBET 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering that in the present Parliament there are many particular Acts and Acts of ratifications made in favours of particular persons which may be prejudiciall to parties having intrest and not heard albeit the meaning of the Estates be at this time as it was ever in all preceding Parliaments That by no particular Act or Act of ratification granted to any particular person any other parties should bee hurt or prejudged of their lawfull rights and defences competent to them of the Law For remeed whereof it is statute and ordained that no ratification nor other particular Act whatsoever made in favours of any particular person in this present Parliament be prejudiciall to any other parties rights or defences competent to them of the law But that the saids particular Acts and Acts of Ratification made in favours of particular persons be alwayes understood salvo jure cujusâ—ibet ACT LXXI ACT APPOINTING THE NEXT PARliament to conveen the first Tuesday of June 1644. 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering that forsameikle as by the Act of Parliament made in the Session of this present Parliament holden at Edinburgh in June 1640. anent trienniall Parliaments It is statute and ordained that before the closure of every Parliament the day of the next subsequent Parliament shall be condescended upon And because this present Parliament is this day by the assistance of God Almighty and his Majesties great wisedome to be brought to an happy conclusion Therefore his Majestie and Estates foresaids appoint and ordaine the first Tuesday of the moneth of June in Anno 1644. yeares to be the day of meeting and conveening of the next trienniall Parliament But prejudice alwayes to his Majesty to appoint any diets of Parliament betwixt and that day as his Majesty shall think fitting And ordaines all the Members of Parliament to meet and conveene at Edinburgh the said first Tuesday of June 1644. and all other persons interessed without any other or farther warning and premonition to be made for that effect declaring hereby that the publication of this Act with the rest of the Acts of this present Session shall be al 's sufficient for meeting and conveening of the whole Members of Parliament as if all former solemnities were used whereanent his Majesty and Estates hereby dispenses FINIS A TABLE OF THE PRINTED ACTS DONE IN THE SESSION Of the second Parliament of our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES c. Holden at EDINBURGH upon the eleventh day of June 1640. And in what Leafe
and Page the same is to be found 1ACT anent the choosing of Robert Lord Burghly to be President in this Court and Session of Parliament in respect of the absence of the Kings Commissioner pag. 3. 2 Act anent the constitution of the Parliament and all subsequent Parliaments pag. 4. 3 Act anent the choosing of Committees out of each Estate pag. 5. 4 Act anent the ratification of the acts of the assembly pag. 6. 5 Act anent the ratification of the Covenant and of the Assemblies Supplication act of Councell and act of Assembly concerning the Covenant pag. 9. 6 Act Recissorie pag. 20. 7 Act for planting of Kirks unprovided with Ministers through the Patrons default pag. 22. 8 Act anent admission of Ministers to Kirks which belonged to Bishopricks pag. ib. 9 Act discharging the going of Salt-pans and Mils on the Sunday pag. 24. 10 Act discharging Salmond fishing on the Sunday pag. ibid. 11 Act against Papists pag. 25. 12 Act discharging Zule vacance and appointing the Session to sit down the first day of November and rise the last of February and thercafter to sit down the first of June and rise the last of July yearely pag. 26. 13 Act discharging the Munday Market in Edinburgh Jedburgh Drumfreis Brechin and Glasgow pag. 27. 14 Act for taking order with the abuses committed on the Sunday by the confluence of people for hiring of Shearers pag. 28. 15 Act for directing Letters of Horning and Caption by the Lords of Session against excommunicate Prelates and all other excommunicate persons pag. 29. 16 Act anent the large Declaration or Manifesto pag. ibid. 17 Act statutarie appointing Parliaments to be holden once every three yeare pag. 30. 18 Act anent the keepers of the Castles of Edinburgh Striviling and Dumbartane pag. ibid. 19 Act anent the Production of the Registers and Records of Parliament to the first Session of each Parliament pag. 31. 20. Act discharging all Proxies to be admitted in Parliament and that no forraine Noblemen shall have place and voice in Parliament unlesse they have ten thousand marks of land-rent within this Kingdome pag. 32. 21. Act discharging the granting of Protections by the Lords of Councell and Exchequer pag. 33. 22. Act anent the Exchequer declaring the same to be onely Judges to matters concerning the managing of the Kings rents and casualities pag. 34. 23 Act in favours of those who held their lands of Archbishops Bishops or of their chapters pag. 35. 24. Act anent Vassals of erections that they be not subject in double payment nor the Superiours defrauded of their few duties pag. 36. 25. Act appointing all grievances to be given in plaine Parliament pag. 37. 26. Act for suppressing the distinction of spirituall and temporall Lords of Session pag. ibid. 27. Act against liesing-makers of whatsoever qualitie office place or dignity pag. 38. 28. Act anulling all unlawfull and unjust Proclamations made under the pain of treason against the disobeyers pag. 39. 29 Act explaining the preceding Acts of Parliament made against Bands and Conventions amongst the Subjects as also declaring the Bands and Conventions made and keeped since the beginning of the present troubles to be legall and lawfull pag. ibid. 30. Act anent the ward and marriage of these who shall happen to be killed in the defence of the Religion and liberties of Kirk and Kingdome pag. 40. 31 Act ratifying the act of the Lords of Session made for supplying of the absence of the Signet and discharging the transporting thereof or any other Seale in time comming pag. 41. 32. Act discharging all custome of Ammunition brought home to the Lieges to their owne use for defence of Religion and liberties of Kirk and Kingdome pag. 43. 33. Act for the Committees of Estates pag. ibid. 34. Act anent the common reliefe pag. 48. 35. Act ordaining Summonds to be direct and execute against the persons who are culpable of the crimes and faults contained in the Act to compeare before the next Session of Parliament pag. 52. 36. Act in favours of the Kings Vassals of ward-lands recommending their prejudice by the Act anno 1633. to the consideration of the next Parliament and in the meane time while then suspending the force and execution of that Act. pag. 53. 37. Act appointing the fees for the Procuratour the Clerk and Agent for the Kirk pag. 54. 38 Act ordaining the whole Subjects and Lieges of this Kingdome to obey maintain and defend the Conclusions Acts and constitutions of this present Session of Parliament and to subscribe the band appointed for that effect pag. 55. 39. Act declaring the Parliament current and continuing the same while the nineteenth day of November next pag. 59. A TABLE OF THE PRINTED ACTS WHICH WERE DONE IN THIS Session of the Parliament which began the 15. of July 1641. and concluded the 17. of November 1641. With the Acts of continuation of the said Parliament interveening betwixt the last Session thereof holden in June 1640. and the said 15. day of July 1641. 19. November 1640. 1ACT of continuation of the Parliament from the 19. of November 1640. to the 14. of January 1641. 61 14. Januarie 1641. 2 Act of continuation of the Parliament to the 13. of April 1641. 62 13. April 1641. 3 Act continuing the Parliament to the 25. of May 1641. 64 25. May 1641. 4 Act continuing the Parliament to the 15. of Iuly 1641. 65 18. August 1641. 5 Act containing the Oath ordained to be taken by every Member of Parliament before they proceed to any act or determination 67 26. August 1641. 6 Act ratifying the Articles of the Treatie 68 Ultimo Augusti 1641. 7 Act discharging James Bannatines Patent of pearling and wearing thereof 87 1. September 1641. 8 Act discharging unlawfull marriages 88 2 September 1641. 9 Act anent non-covenanting Patrones appointing the right of presentation to their Kirks to pertain to the Presbyterie ibid. 10 Act for freeing of Viccarages provided to Ministers for their stipends of all payment of taxations 89 9 September 1641. 11 Act against suspensions for Ministers stipends duties of Colledges Hospitals and Schooles ibid. 10. September 1641. 12 Act for abolishing the monuments of idolatry 91 13 Act anent non-communicants and excommunicate persons 92 14 Act anent the Bullion 93 16. September 1641. 15 Act anent the election of the Officers of Estate Counsellours and Sessioners 94 Ultimo Septembris 1641. 16 Act anent the nomination and election of the Lord Lowdoun to be Chancellour 95 29 October 1641. 17 Act anent the change of the termes from Whitsunday and Martinmas to Candlemas and Lammas ibid. 11 November 1641. 18 Act anent the charges of the Commissioners for the Barons 96 19 Act anent the charges of the Commissioners for the Sherifdome of Sutherland 98 13. November 1641. 20 Act anent the nomination and election of these Officers of Estate retained in their places 99 21 Act anent the nomination and election of Sir Alexander Gibson younger of Durie to be Clerk Register
100 22 Act anent the nomination and election of the Counsellours 101 23 Act anent the nomination and election of the ordinair and extraordinair Lords of the Session 102 15. November 1641. 24 Act anent the Commission for the common burthens of the Kingdom 103 25 Act of approbation in favours of the Committee of Estates 110 26 Act for reliefe of these who have given band for the use of the publicke 112 27 Act for receiving of the remainder of the brotherly assistance from the Parliament of England 113 28 Act discharging the ganging of Salt-pans Mills fishings Kills and other prophanations on the Lords day 115 29. Act anent the nomination and election of Sir James Galloway to bee Master of Requests 116 30 Commission for plantation of Kirks 117 16. November 1641. 31 Commission anent the Articles of the Treatie referred to consideration by the Treatie 123 32 Commission for conserving the articles of the Treatie 124 33 Act anent the five Incendiaries and Plotters with the Kings declaration thereanent 126 34 Commission for trying the Incendiaries and Plotters 127 35 Act for passing from these who are cited to the Parliament as unfriends 130 36 Act anent selling yarne by weight ib. 37 Act anent linnen cloath and breadth thereof 131 38 Act discharging the importation of strong-waters ib. 39 Act anent the excise of herring 132 40 Act anent loyall packing of Salmond 133 41 Act dispensing with the Kings rents uplifted by warrant of the Committee for the publicke use 134 16. November 1641. 42 Act discharging advocations for summes within a hundred pound 135 43 Act for directing of cocquets within the regality of Saint Andrewes in the Kings name ib. 44 Act discharging transportation of eggs 136 45 Act against destroyers of Planting Parks and others ibid. 46 Act ordaining the pursuer of the thiefe to be restored to his owne goods 137 47 Act anent coale-hewens 138 48 Act discharging the mixing of tinne with lead ibid. 49 Act anent presenting and docquetting of signators letters and others 139 50 Act anent the election of the President of Parliament 140 51 Act anent superioritie of lands which held of Bishops and their Chapters ibid. 52 Commission for revising of the Registers 142 53 Act anent Cocquets and entries of Ships 143 54 Act discharging the registration of Comprisings and appointing onely recording and allowing thereof and modifying 40. shillings for both ib. 55 Act discharging the Lords of the Session to exact twelve pennies for the pound and all other exactions imposed upon sentences to be pronounced by them 144 56 Act anent the pardon of penall Statutes 145 57 Act in favours of Orphans fatherlesse children and others ibid. 58 Act in favours of the vassals of ward lands holding of the King and Prince 146 59 Act anent the breadth of plaiding 147 60 Act in favours of the Laicke Patrons of Provostries Prebendaries Chaplainries and Altarages ibid. 61 Act discharging the quotes of Testaments 149 62 Commission for regulating the Commissariats ibid. 63 Act discharging Monopolies 150 64 Commission for the Manufactories ibid. 65 Commission for the Secret Councell 152 17. November 1641. 66 Act discharging the Custome of two and an halfe on the hundred and the impost of foure pound on the Tun. 155 67 Act in favours of Minors anent the duties of the lands comprised from them 156 68 Commission for the Thesaurarie 157 69 Act anent the restitution of the horse and armes to the owners out-putters thereof 158 70 Act Salvo jure cujuslibet 159 71 Act appointing the next Parliament to conveene the first Tuesday of Iune 1644. ibid. THE TABLE OF THE VNPRINTED ACTS AND RATIFICATIONS PAST IN This Parliament which began the last day of August 1639. and did conclude the 17. of November 1641. 1 DEclaration by the Estates of Parliament premitted by them to thir acts and proceedings made in that session of Parliament holden 11. of June 1640. 2 Act in favours of the Lady Loudoun and her children 11. of June 1640. 3 Act and declaration anent the closure of that Session of Parliament 11. of June 1640. 4 Ratification of Generall Lesleys Commission to be Generall 5 Act approving his proceedings as Generall in anno 1639. 6 Ratification of Colonell Hammiltouns commission to be Generall of the Artilerie 7 Ratification of Generall Major Baily his commission 8 Ratification of Generall Major Munros gift 9 Ratification of the Generall Commissars gift 10 Act against the Keepers of the Castle of Dumbartan 11 Act against the Keepers of the Castle of Thrave 12 Decreet of forfeiture against Generall Ruthven and others therein contained 13 Reference in favours of Robert Scot of Dryhoip to the Committee of Estates 14 Reference Laird of Kinhilt to the Committee of Estates 15 Reference for James Arnot to the Committee of Estates 16 Reference for Master William Cunnyngham to the Committee of Estates 17 Protestation by William Dick Provest of Edinburgh anent the custome of ammunition 18 Reference in favours of Sir John Hammiltoun of Reidhouse to the Committee of Estates 19 Instrument and protestation for the Queenes-ferrie 20 Declaration of the Estates anent the Earl of Glencairne his sitting and voycing in this session of Parliament 21 Articles for ordering the house of Parliament 22 Act to the Kings Advocate and Procutors for the Estate for raising summonds against the Earle of Montrose Lord Naper Lairds of Keir and Blakhall 23 Commission for concluding and subscribing the treatie at London 24 Supplications Constable of Scotland and Towne of Edinburgh with the Parliaments deliverance thereupon 25 Declaration of the Assembly anent a Band subscribed by some Noblemen which is now cancelled 26 Warrant for the Kings Advocate his in-coming to the Parliament house 27 Ratification of the act of Exchequer for reliefe of these who are bound for the 100000. marks therein contained 28 Act in favours of the Laird of Lochend for entring of him to his Lands gratis 29 Act in favours of Sir William Dik against Laird Aickin 30 Protestation by the Kings Advocate anent his place liberties and priviledges 31 Declaration by the Paraliament anent the Kings Manifest concerning the Prince Elector Palatine 32 Act and warrant for publishing and printing of the Acts made in June 1640. 33 Act and warrant for causing print his Majesties Manifest anent the Prince Elector with the Parliaments approbation and remonstrance thereupon to the King with the Kings answer 34 Act in favours of the Prince Elector for restraint of Levies and recrues of Souldiers 35 Ratification of the profession of Theologie in the Universitie of Glasgow 36 Commission for the accompts of the three Regiments viz. Lord Sinclaire Munro and Cochrane 37 Act of approbation and exoneration in favours of the Lord Loudun 38 Act of exoneration and approbation Earle of Rothes 39 Act of approbation and exoneration Earle of Dumfermling 40 Act of exoneration Master Robert Barclay 41 Act of exoneration Adam Blair 42 Act of approbation and exoneration Sir John Smith 43 Act of
THE ACTS MADE IN THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF OUR MOST HIGH AND DREAD SOVERAIGNE CHARLES By the grace of God King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Holden at Edinburgh in the severall Sessions thereof according to the dates therein mentioned Acts past and done in this present Session of Parliament the eleventh of June 1640. EDINBURGH Printed by Robert Young and Evan Tyler Printers to the Kings most excellent MAJESTIE ANNO 1641. Cum Privilegio Regiae Majestatis ACTS PAST AND DONE IN THIS PRESENT Session of PARLIAMENT the eleventh of June 1640. ACT I. ACT ANENT THE CHOOSING OF Robert Lord Burghlie to be President in this Court and Session of Parliament in respect of the absence of the Kings Commissioner THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by His Majesties speciall authoritie Considering that in respect of the absence of His Majesties Commissioner they are necessitate to make choyse of one of their number to be President in this present Session of Parliament And understanding the sufficiencie of Robert Lord Burghlie for that charge They all in one voice with one consent did nominate elect and choose the said Robert Lord Burghlie to bee President and to proceed in this present Session and Court of Parliament for discussing and handling of the matters to be determinat thereintill ACT II. ACT ANENT THE CONSTITUTION Of the Parliament and all subsequent Parliaments THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by His Majesties speciall authoritie Considering that this present Parliament was indicted by His Majestie for ratifying of such Acts as should be concluded in the late Assemblie of the Kirk for determining all Civill matters and setling all such things as may conduce to the publick good and peace of this Kirk and Kingdome And considering the severall complaints of this Kirk unto Parliaments from time to time proceeding from her continuall experience of prejudice and ruine through many persons and specially of Prelates their attempting to voyce or do any thing in name of the Kirk without either bearing Office in the Kirk or having commission from the Kirk And the Acts of the late Generall Assemblie condemning the office of Bishops Archbishops and other Prelates and the civil places and power of Kirkmen as their voycing and ryding in Parliament and craving the abolishing of these Acts of Parliament which grants to the Kirk or Kirkmen vote in Parliament to be abrogate as prejudiciall to her Liberties and incompatible with her spirituall nature Considering also that there are conveened in this present Parliament by His Majesties speciall indiction warrant and authoritie the Nobilitie Barons and Burgesses the Estates of this Kingdome who have a full and undoubted power to proceed and determine in all matters concerning the publick good of this Kingdome and that notwithstanding of the absence of the Prelates who by former Lawes were appointed to bee members of Parliament And to the effect none presume to move any question there anent The saids Estates now conveened as said is have declared and by these presents declares this present Parliament holden by the Nobilitie Barons and Burgesses and their Commissioners the true Estates of this Kingdome to be a complete and perfect Parliament and to have the famine power authority and jurisdiction as absolutely and fully as any Parliament formerly hath had within this Kingdome in time by-gone And ordaines all Parliaments hereafter to be so constitute and to consist onely in all time comming of the Noblemen Barons and Burgesses as the members and three Estates of Parliament And rescindes and annulls all former Lawes Acts of Parliament made in favours of whatsoever Bishops Archbishops Abbots Pryors or other Prelates or Churchmen whatsoever for their ryding sitting or voycing in Parliament either as Churchmen or the Clergie or in name of the Church or as representing the Church as an State or member of Parliament by reason of their Ecclesiasticall Offices Titles Dignities or Benefices and namely the 231. Act Parl. 15. K. Ja. 6.1597 anent the Kirk and specially parsons and prelates representing the third Estate and the 2. Act Parl. 18. K. Ja. 6.1606 anent the restitution of the estate of Bishops and their representing the third Estate with all Acts and Constitutions of Convention Councell or Session and all practises and customes whatsoever in so far as the same or any clause thereof tends or may be extended to the effect foresaid as being found and declared prejudiciall to the Libertie of this Kirk and Kingdom and to the puritie of the true reformed Religion therein established And prohibites all persons whatsoever to call in question the authoritie of this present Parliament upon whatsoever pretext under the pain of treason ACT III. ACT ANENT THE CHOOSING of Committees out of every Estate THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by vertue of His Majesties speciall authority Considering that there have divers questions arisen in this present Parliament anent the freedome of the Parliament either to choose or not to choose Committees for Articles when they resolve to choose anent the manner of election of them anent their use and power By reason the same is not yet determined nor set down by any Acts of former Parliaments for removing whereof avoyding the great prejudice which by experience they find will hereby redound to this Kingdom and to the liberty freedom dignity of the supreme Courts of Parliament They have thought it necessary that a solid Order be set down as wel declaring the Liberty of the Parliament in the manner of their proceedings by themselves alone or by Committees for Articles as prescribing the form and manner of the election of these Committees for Articles and defining their use power and manner of proceeding to be observed in all times coming AND THEREFORE have statute and declared That according to the Liberty of all free Judicatories anent their own preparatorie Committees all subsequent Parliaments may according to the importance of Affairs for the time either choose or not choose severall Committees for Articles as they shall think expedient And that any subsequent Parliaments making election of Committees for Articles to prepare matters for them shall proceed in manner following To wit That these of the Noblemen shal be named and chosen by the Noblemen themselves out of their number And by the Barons Commissioners of Shires by themselves out of their number And the Burgesses Commissioners of Burrowes by themselves out of their number The names of the which persons so named and chosen out of every Estate not exceeding for every Committee the number prescribed by the Act of Parliament 1587. being openly read and made known to the whole Estates sitting in plain Parliament The said Estates having received any propositions which are ever first to bee presented to themselves by an Act shall authorize the said persons with power to treat reason and consult upon the expediencie or inexpediencie of such Articles allanerlie as shal be committed and
and Vassals of the said Kirk lands and erections are obliged by their new infeftments under the great Seale to pay the saids Few-fermes and duties to the Kings Majestie and His Successours And so are lyable to double payment thereof without remeed bee provided It is therefore statute and ordained by the saids Estates that the saids Fewars and Vassals of Kirke lands and erections their heirs and successours shall bee obliged to make thankfull payment of the saids Few-fermes and duties and services used and wont contained in their Infeftments and whereof the saids Superiours and Titulars have beene in possession preceding that surrender foresaid to the saids Superiours and Titulars their heirs and successours aye and while they get payment of the prices modified by the saids Lords and others of the Commission foresaid And that Letters of horning and poinding shall be granted to that effect without prejudice alwayes to his Majestie and his Successours of the Superiority of the saids Fewars and Vassals surrendred in manner foresaid and without prejudice to them of their infeftments taken to be holden of his Majestie and his successours Like as it is declared that the saids Fewars and Vassals of Kirke lands and erections have beene in bona fide in payment of the saids Few-fermes and dueties to the saids Superiours and Titulars of all termes by-gone according to the provision contained in the said generall surrender ACT XXV APPOINTING ALL GRIEVANCES TO Be given in plaine Parliament THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority considering that the Act of Parliament made in Anno 1594. in the 14. Parliament of King James the 6. cap 218. whereby all matters and grievances to be given in to Parliament are appointed to be given to his Majesties Clerk of Register and by him presented to the Estates Hath bred great hurt and prejudice to the liberties and freedome of this Kirke and Kingdome and Subjects thereof in time bygone as is evident by experience of the evils that hath flowed therefrom Therefore the saids Estates for remeed hereof retreats rescinds casses and annuls the foresaid Act of Parliament and declares the same to be null and of none availe force nor effect in all time comming And ordaines and appoints all grievances and other matters that are to be handled and treated of in Parliament hereafter to be given in and presented in open and plaine Parliament in all time comming ACT XXVI FOR SUPPRESSING THE DISTINCTION Of spirituall and temporall Lords of Session THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority casses annulls and rescinds that Article of the first Act of the fifth Parliament holden by King James of fifth of worthy memory Anent the institution of the Colledge of Justice bearing That the Lords of Councell and Session shall be chosen halfe spirituall halfe temporall And decernes and ordaines the whole number to be temporall and none of them spirituall And the foresaid distinction of spirituall and temporall to be supprest and forgotten in all time comming ACT XXVII ACT AGAINST LIESING-MAKERS OF Whatsoever qualitie office place or dignitie THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering the Honour Dignitie and Authoritie of the supreme Court of Parliament over the Councell and Session and all other civill Judicatories of this Kingdome which have their originall their power and antiquitie from the Kings Majestie and the Estates of Parliament is subordinate thereunto and ought to be countable and censurable by them for their abusing of their power to the prejudice of the Countrey For the weale whereof they were established according to the twelfth Act of the second Parliament of King James 4. wherein the Kings Councell was sworn in presence of the three Estates to give his Highnesse a true and effauld Counsell in all matters concerning his Majestie and his Realme And to bee responsall and accusable to the King and his Estates of their Counsell Considering also that during his Majesties absence forth of this Kingdome it is most necessar for the publick peace of this Kingdome and his Majesties honour that all misinformers raisers and entertainers of jealousies suspitions and divisions betwixt the King this Kirke and Kingdome should be severely punished and especially all bad Counsellers who in stead of giving his Majestie a true and effauld Counsell hath given or will give information and counsell to the evident prejudice and ruine of the liberties of this Kirk and Kingdome should bee exemplarly judged and censured by the Kings Majestie and the Estates of Parliament Therefore they renue and revive all Acts of Parliament made against liesing makers raisers and entertainers of jealousies contentions and divisions betwixt the Kings Majestie and this Kirk and Kingdome And declares that no dignitie qualitie place or office whatsoever shall exeeme these or any person whatsoever from the censure of the said Acts. ACT XXVIII ANNVLLING ALL UNLAWFULL AND Unjust Proclamations made under the paine of treason against the disobeyers FOrsomuch as the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie having taken to their consideration that there hath been diverse unjust and unlawfull Proclamations made commanding the obedience of things unjust and unlawfull tending to the overthrow and prejudice of the lawes and liberties of Kirke and Kingdome under the paine of treason As also declaring the disobeyers of these unlawfull and unjust proclamations to be rebels and traitours which is a-against law equity and reason no triall nor declaratour of treason having proceeded against them of before Findes and declares all these proclamations with the pretended Acts and warrands for making and proclaiming thereof to be null and of none availe force nor effect with all that hath followed or may follow thereupon And therefore the saids Estates of Parliament casses and annulls the foresaids pretended proclamations with all the said Acts and warrands whereupon the same proceeded And findes and declares that no person nor persons can be declared traitours but either by the Parliament it selfe and by Act and Sentence thereof or then by the lawfull ordinar Judge after tryall And finding that the saids persons hath contraveened a law and Act of Parliament made under the paine of treason against the disobeyers and contraveenars thereof ACT XXIX EXPLAINING THE PRECEDING ACTS Of Parliament made against Bands and Conventions amongst the Subjects as also declaring the Bands and Conventions made and kept since the beginning of the present troubles to be legall and lawfull TOrsomuch as the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that by the twelfth Act of the tenth Parliament of the Kings Majesties umwhile dearest Father of eternall memory All Leagues and Bands amongst the Subjects are discharged and by the 131. Act of the eighth Parliament of the Kings umwhile dearest Father All Councels Conventions or Assemblies without the Kings command or licence are also discharged under the paines ordained by the Acts of
Parliament against such as unlawfully convocates the Kings Lieges And that also by sundry other preceding Statutes and Acts of Parliament made by his Majesties most noble Progenitors the foresaid Leagues Bands Counsels Conventions and Meetings are likewise discharged And herewith also the said Estates taking to their consideration what was the true end and meaning for making of the foresaid Acts how farre the same in equitie and reason can be extended findes and declares that the foresaid Acts and Laws particularly and generally before exprest is not nor cannot bee extended against any Bands Leagues Counsels Conventions Assemblies Committees or Meetings made holden and kept by the Subjects for maintenance and preservation of the Kings Majestie the Religion Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdome or for the publick good eyther of Kirk or State But the said Estates findes and declares that all these Bands Conventions Committees and other meetings made and keeped by the Estates and Subjects of this Kingdome for the publike good of King Kirke and State and intended for the defence and preservation thereof since the beginning of these present troubles are not prohibited nor discharged by the foresaids Lawes and Acts of Parliament particularly and generally before rehearsed nor none of them And can no wayes be understood nor interpret to fall within the compasse of the discharge and prohibition of the foresaids Acts and doth no wayes contraveene the same nor none of them And therefore the saids Estates ratifies approves and allowes all the saids Bands Conventions Committees and other Meetings which are and have beene made and keeped within this Kingdome for the defence and preservation of the Kings Majestie the Religion Lawes and Liberties of this Kirke and Kingdome since the beginning of the present troubles thereof And declares the same to bee lawfull and legall deeds and that they doe no wayes contraveene the foresaids Acts of Parliament respective above mentioned nor none of them nor no other Law nor constitution of this Kingdome ACT XXX ANENT THE WARD AND MARRIAGE OF These who shall happen to be killed in the defence of the Religion and Liberties of Kirke and Kingdome THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority Taking to their consideration the prejudice that may come to these Subjects who holds their lands ward of the Kings Majesty or of any other Superiour whatsoever and shall happen to be killed in the defence and maintenance of the Religion and of the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome during the time of the present troubles thereof hath statute and ordained and hereby statutes ordaines and declares that the profit and benefit of the ward marriage none entresse and reliefe falling by the decease of any of these who shall happen to be killed in manner and for the cause foresaid with the whole commoditie that can follow upon the same shall onely pertaine and freely be given and disponed to the heires Relick and Bairnes of these who shall happen so to be killed as followes viz. Where the Relicke and remanent Bairnes by the heire shall be found provided by the Defunct Then in that case the whole benefite of the ward marriage none entresse and reliefe shall solely belong to the heire But where the Relicke and remanent Bairnes by the heire be 's not found provided in that case the benefite of the marriage shall onely pertaine to the heire and the profite commoditie and benefite of the ward none entresse and reliefe shall be imployed and used for the entertainment and maintenance of the Relicke and Bairnes unprovided And also for the entertainment of the heire if he have no other meanes for maintenance And what is overplus by the Relicke and Bairnes their entertainment foresaid ordaines the same superplus to be imployed for the provision of the said remanent Bairnes by the heire unprovided as said is Providing alwayes that the saids heires and other persons foresaids to whom the benefite of the saids ward marriage none entresse and reliefe is appointed to pertaine in manner respective before rehearsed Be 's found not to have studden against the maintenance of Religion lawes and liberties of Kirke and Kingdome contrair to the late Covenant ratified in this present Parliament And also the saids Estates findes and declares that the Kings Majestie and all other Superiours whatsoever of the saids ward holdings shall be altogether secluded from the benefite of the foresaid ward marriage none entresse and reliefe falling by decease of their Vassals in manner and for the cause before rehearsed ACT XXXI RATIFYING THE ACT OF THE LORDS Of Session made for supplying of the absence of the Signet and discharging the transporting thereof or any other Seale in time comming THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority Ratifies and approves the Act of the Lords of Councell and Session made at Edinburgh the penult day of March 1639. yeares whereof the tenour followes The which day the Lords of Councell and Session being petitioned by some of his Majesties Lieges to provide remeed against the prejudice sustained by them through the exportation of the Signet out of this Kingdome And thereupon taking unto their consideration the many great inconveniences redounding to this Realme and whole Lieges thereof And manifestly ensuing by the transporting of the Signet not onely from the place of residence of the saids Lords but out with the bounds of this Kingdome into England without any reason or example Therefore after mature deliberation they have statute and ordained and for remeed of the said heavie prejudice statutes and ordaines that all Summonds Letters Charges Suspensions Signators or other Writs whatsoever which by the law and custome of this Realme useth to passe the said Signet shall bee presented to George Hadden writer to the Signet and the ordinarie price due for the Signet consigned in his hands to bee made forth comming to the Lord Secretarie and his keepers of the Signet in his name Whereupon the said George Hadden shall marke the date of the said offer beside the waxe at the place customably bearing the date of the Signet and write thereupon these words marked by me according to Act and Warrant of the Lords of Session and ordained to be a Warrant for execution hereof or passing through the Seals albeit it bee not signetted which words hee shall subscribe with his Signe and Subscription manuall Which Summonds Charges Letters Suspensions Signators or Writs whatsoever so dated and subscribed by the said George Hadden shall have the same effect in all respects as if the Signet were affixed thereto And the saids Lords declares that the same shall be a sufficient warrant to all keepers of Seals and Registers Messengers of Armes Pursevants Heraulds or others persons whatsoever for passing of the saids writs through the Seals execution of the saids Summonds Letters Charges and Suspensions and doing all deeds incumbent to their office such like and as amplie and warrantablie in all respects as
taxations But that every mans right and claime anent the prejudice may arise concerning the same and manner thereof whereby any man can instruct enorme lesioun and that he was unequally stented Is hereby specially reserved hinc inde And last It is statute and ordained that the Lords of Session shall bee Judges to all Suspensions to be raised in the said collection and contribution in such forme and manner as they are and have been in matters of taxation ACT XXXV ORDAINING SUMMONDS TO BE DIRECT and execute against the persons who are culpable of the crimes and faults contained in the Act to compeare before the next Session of Parliament THe Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering the present strait and exigencie menacing the ruine of this Kingdome and how necessary it is for preventing thereof that these who have beene the authors or are the maintainers and assisters of these courses that are destructive to the liberties of this Kirk and Kingdome and that either by their false suggestions and calumnious relations of the Estates of this Kingdome and their proceedings to his Majestie or by their comming in Armes against this their mother Countrey and contributing to further our Adversaries in their intended and professed plots and violences for the subduing and destroying this Kingdome or by their rising in Armes within the Countrey fortifying and keeping of Castles and houses against the Estates who defend the Countrey against all forraigne invasions and subjection or by deserting their native Countrey in such an extreame necessitie and with-drawing from them all the assistance they can That all these and others in the like condition be distinguished and censured according to the severall degrees of their transgression against the State and Kingdome Therefore they grant full power and warrant to the Committee which is to sit at Edinburgh for to direct in their name precepts to the Lion King of Armes and his brethren Heraulds and Messengers to passe warne and charge in name of the saids Estates the persons under-written And all others whom the said Committee upon like probable grounds can suspect to have been the Liesing-makers and tellers and false accusers of the States of this Kingdome and their proceedings to the Kings Majestie as seditious rebellious and treasonable to have beene the instigatours framers and up-drawers of the strange Proclamations and Declarations made against his Majesties Subjects and Estates as Rebels and Traitours or to have risen or rise in Armes and concurre with the adversaries for subduing of this their native Countrey or to fortifie keepe or detaine Strengths or Castles against the Estates of this Kingdome who stand to their Covenant for defending their Religion Crown and Countrey Or wittingly and willingly to with-draw their assistance from their mother Countrey in this extremity and contribute their help and countenance to the adversaries and all others who are either authours abetters maintainers or suppliers or art and part or have any hand in countenancing and concurring with our adversaries to the subduing and destroying of this Kingdome and especially these that have seemed to joyne with us and have subscribed the Covenant for to compeare personally on _____ day at Edinburgh before the Parliament at the next Session thereof to answer unto these and all other crimes of that kinde which may bee layed to their charge and that under the paine of treason and forefaultrie for their contumacie in case of not compearance Like as the Estates declares that these precepts being subscribed by the Praeses and Quorum of the Committee foresaid shall bee as sufficient as if they were subscribed in Parliament ACT XXXVI IN FAVOURS OF THE KINGS VASSELS of ward-lands recommending their prejudice by the Act Anno 1633. to the consideration of the next Parliament and in the meane time while then suspending the force and execution of that Act. THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority Taking to their consideration the bounty and benevolence of the Kings Majesties most noble Progenitors King James the second and King James the fourth giving their Vassels liberty to set ward-lands few And likewise considering how the Kings Vassels of ward-lands are secluded from that benefite by the Act 1633. which seemeth to be done by mis-information of the Kings Majesty and contrary to the intention of the Parliament to debarre the Subjects of the bounty and benevolence of the Kings Majesty towards them which was formerly granted by his Progenitours Recommendeth the serious consideration hereof with the meaning and intention of the Kings and the Estates in setting downe of the foresaids Acts and how farre the same Acts can be extended to the prejudice of the Vassels the Act Anno 1633. being only a ratification of a former Act made in favours of the Subjects and appointing the same to be extended to lands holden of the King and Prince and not a direct Act for these lands to the next meeting of the Parliament And in the meane time while the determination thereof the Estates suppresses and suspends the force and execution of the Act 1633. against the Kings Vassels of ward-lands and exeemes them from that Act during the said interim ACT XXXVII APPOINTING THE FEES FOR THE Procurator the Clerk and Agent for the Kirk THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Taking to their consideration the desire of the last Assembly and the supplication of the Commissioners of the Kirk craving that the Advocate for the Kirk the Clerk of the Assembly and the Agent for the Kirk may be provided to Fees and Pensions for their service in that charge out of the Kirk rents belonging to the late Bishopricks as they have had their Pensions payed to them out of the same since the Reformation For the Procurator of the Kirk had assigned to him foure last halfe last cost extending to six chalders twelve bowles meal and malt out of the readiest duties of the Bishopricke of Orknay yearly In place whereof after the restitution of Bishops Anno 1606. there was five hundreth pounds ordained to be payed out of the Kings Checker to the Advocate for the Kirk Like as the Clerk of the generall Assembly since the Reformation and before the restitution of Bishops and by the Bishops themselves conforme to their Band in Janu. 1610. yeares had five hundreth markes payed to him yearly and the Agent for the Kirk had a continuall pension payed to him out of the Kirk rents for his charge And herewith also the said Estates considering the necessitie of the saids Officers of Advocate Clerk and Agent for the Kirks businesse with the weight of that charge and continuall attendance requisite thereto ordaines and appoints the summe of a thousand markes of Fee and Pension to be payed yearly to Master Archbald Johnstoun present Advocate for the Kirk and to his successours chosen and appointed by the Assembly in that place for the Fee of that charge as Procurator
number as ordinair members with the rest to be Commissioners from his Majesty and the Parliament to the effect after specified Granting and committing like as his Majesty and Estates foresaids doe by vertue of thir presents grant full power warrand and commission to the forenamed persons or to any twelve of them who shall be a quorum there being alwayes three of them of ilk estate either by themselves or by such others persons as shall be intrusted and authorised by them or their Quorum foresaid for that effect to crave receive uplift and intromet with the foresaid summe of two hundreth and twentie thousand pounds sterling money foresaid yet resting unpayed of the said brotherly assistance promised and obliged to be payed by the said Parliament of England in manner foresaid And with power to the saids Commissioners or such as shall be appointed by them as said is to give and grant discharges upon the receit of the said summe in whole or in part which shall be al 's vallid and sufficient as if the famine were granted by his Majestie and whole body of this present Parliament And with power to them to setle accord and agree upon the best wayes and courses how the said brotherly assistance may be most timously conveniently payed at the termes of payment appointed for that effect or otherwise how the famine may be advanced either by exchange or otherwise for defrayment and reliefe of the saids common burdens as may be most conducible for the reliefe and good of the publick And whatever acquittances or discharges the forenamed persons or such other persons as shall be authorized by them shall grant subscribe upon the receit of the said summe or any part thereof or whatever other course they shall accord and agree upon concerning the famine his Majesty and the Estates of Parliament doe by these presents approve and authorise the same and if need bee shall ratifie the famine in the next ensuing Parliament And generally our said Soveraigne Lord and Estates foresaids grants and commits full power and commission to the forenamed persons and their Quorum foresaid and to these who shall be authorised by them as said is to doe exerce accord and agree upon all and every thing necessary anent the payment and recoverie of the foresaids summes and every thing else which may concerne the samine in all respects needfull and expedient Whereanent our said Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament declares that thir presents shall be a good and sufficient warrand for them and all others whom the samine may concerne the forenamed Commissioners and these to be authorised and appointed by them for the effect above specified being alwayes comptable and answerable for their carriage and proceedings in the premisses ACT XXVIII ACT AGAINST GOING OF Salt-pans and Mils on the Lords day and other prophanations of that day 15. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering notwithstanding the Acts of the Generall Assembly ratified in this present Parliament June 1640. against the prophaning of the Lords day by going of Salt-pans Salmond fishings Kils Mils and hyring of shearers on the said day yet the saids abuses are not left off but rather increased Therefore Our Soveraign Lord and Estates foresaids for the better restraint of the saids abuses and prophanations do againe inhibite and discharge all going of Salt-pans or Mils and all working of works thereintill upon the Lords day and all hyring and conditioning of shearers on the said day and that under the paines and penalties following to be payed to the particular Sessions of every paroch wherein the abuses before specified are committed to be imployed to pious uses viz. The summe of twenty pounds for ilk day foresaid working in manner foresaid of ilk Salt pan of ilk dayes fishing of Salmond and of ilk Mill to be payed by the heritors and possessors thereof for the time and the masters to be answerable for their servants And the summe of ten pounds for ilk shearer and fisher of Salmond on the Lords day the one halfe to be payed by the hyrers and conducers the other halfe by the persons hired toties quoties And ordaines the magistrates of the town to keep the transgressours in ward while they pay the said penalties for the which the Magistrates shall be answerable to their sessions And further Our said Soveraign Lord and Estates do hereby inhibite and discharge all Markets using of Merchandize carrying of loads upon the Lords day and all other prophanations or abuses thereof whatsoever And that under the same pain of ten pounds to be payed by every transgressour to their Sessions respective for the uses foresaid toties quoties And ordaines the saids penalties respective above specified to be exacted by and attour the confiscation of the salt corne marchandize loads and other goods whatsoever imployed used gayned or made and wrought in the prophaning and a busing of the said Lords day which paine is also hereby ordained And if the transgressours be not able to pay the penalties foresaids ordaines them to be punished exemplarly in their bodies according to the merit of their fault toties quoties ACT XXIX ACT ANENT THE NOMINATION AND Election of Sir James Galloway to be Master of Requests 15. November 1641. THe which day the Kings Majesty with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament nominated and elected Sir James Galloway to be Master of Requests of this His Highnes Ancient and Native Kingdome of Scotland and that ad vitam vel culpam conforme to the Act of this present Parliament made anent the Election of Officers of Estate Councellours and Sessioners upon the sixteenth day of September last by past Like as His Majestie with advice and approbation foresaid Gives and dispones to the said Sir James Galloway ad vitam vel culpam as said is the foresaid office To be Master of Requests of this His Majesties Kingdome With all Honours Dignities Priviledges Profits Casualities and Liberties pertaining to the samine office which have been possest and bruiked by any preceding Master of Requests and which may be now bruiked by the Lawes of this Kingdome And ordains a gift to be past and exped under his Highnes great seale to the said Sir James Galloway of the foresaid office With all Honours Dignities Profits Casualities Liberties and Priviledges pertaining and belonging thereto as said is ACT XXX ACT ANENT THE COMMISSION FOR Plantation of Kirks and Valuation of teinds 15. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Considering the humble Supplication of the general Assembly presented by the Commissioners thereof for planting of Kirks uniting or dis-uniting of Paroches and for other pious and good workes mentioned thereintill For the which and other causes after specified It is necessair That power commission be given from His Majesty and Estates to the effect under-written And therefore His Majesty and Estates foresaid have granted and by these presents grant full
book wherein all comprisings shall be recorded in manner above written for the which allowance and recording of the said comprising in manner above-written the clerk shall have forty shillings for the whole record of ilk comprising and allowance And siclike for the extract of ilk record of the saids comprisings that shall be extracted under the said clerk his hands Our Soveraign Lord and Estates ordaines the summe of twenty shillings for every extract to be payed to the said clerk of the bils as due price competent to him therefore Which summe the said clerk shall not transcend under the paines contained in the acts of Parliament ACT LV. ACT DISCHARGING THE LORDS OF Session to exact twelve pennies for the pound and all other exactions 16. November 1641. OUr Soveraign Lord with advice and consent of the Estates of Parliament Considering that the Senators of the Colledge of Justice are sufficiently provided by His Majesty and Estates for serving their places without further burden of the Lieges Therefore His Majesty and Estates foresaids discharges in all time comming all sentence silver twelve pennies of the pound and other exactions imposed upon sentences and decreets to be pronounced by the saids Judges And discharges all Acts Statutes and Ordinances made for payment thereof With power alwayes to the saids Judges to modifie such charges to the parties in whose favours the saids decreets and sentences shall be pronounced as in equity and conscience they shall think reasonable and as the malicious and wilfull pleyars pursuers or defenders shall deserve ACT LVI ACT ANENT PARDON OF PENALL Statutes 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord considering that the precise and rigorous exaction of the paine arbitrary and pecuniall adjected to penall Statutes heretofore made would prove a burthen to his Majesties Lieges heavie and insupportable if by his Majesties Grace and Favour they should not bee eased and liberate of the same In consideration whereof his Majesty being willing to give ease and reliefe to his Subjects of the foresaid burthen Hath therefore been graciously pleased with consent of the Estates of Parliament to discharge freely pardon and remit and by these presents discharges freely pardons and remitts all contraveeners of any of the said penall Statutes for all deeds done by them contrary to the tenour of the same Statutes in time by-gone Except onely the Statutes concerning the unlawfull taking of usury transporting of money and gold slaying of red and blacke fish with the penalties incurred by the concealers of annuall rents and wrongous up-givers of the inventars of their money which are no wayes discharged by this present Act nor comprehended under the same ACT LVII ACT IN FAVOURS OF ORPHANES Fatherlesse and others 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord with the advice and consent of the Estates of this present Parliament Understanding many pitifull effects daily found and encreasing Anent the misery and poverty of Orphanes and Fatherlesse children to have beene occasioned in this manner That many ignorant people the time of the acquiring to them of bands contracts and other securities for payment of summes of money takes the famine to them their herres executors and assignes with clause and condition of payment of annuall rent therefore during the not payment of the said principall summe meaning thereby that the famine should no wayes remaine unprofitable during the not payment thereof And no wayes that the said clause or condition should make the said summes and securities thereof to pertaine to the heire in prejudice of their bairnes and others nearest of kinne by the heire whereas by the contrary by the interpretation now observed all such summes and securities bearing annuall or profit are exponed to bee heretable after the terme of payment and to pertain to the heire so that thereby the rest of the children nearest of kinne and others having interest are altogether therefrom secluded and left pitifully unprovided of any meanes to live on As also the saids bands and contracts are very oft fraudfully concealed and abstracted and never knowne to the true owner thereof that in due time they might make use of the same Which is against both equity and conscience and the intention of the party acquirer of the saids securities whereby great number of orphanes fatherlesse children and others that are so prejudged of that 's due to them eitherby their naturall portion or otherwayes adebted are brought to great poverty and misery and forced to become beggars which is oft found by pitifull experience For remeed whereof our said Soveraigne Lord with advice of the saids Estates statutes and ordaines That all contracts or bands for summes of money payable to parties with condition of payment of annuall-rent or profit made at any time hereafter shal be holden and estimate to pertaine to the bairnes and nearest of kinne to the defunct except seasing follow thereupon in the life time of the creditor acquirer thereof or that by the tenour of the band or contract the famine be conceived to be payable to the heires and assigns secluding the executors or other waies that the said band or contract bear per expressum oblishment to infest in either of the which excepted cases ordaines the saids summes to be heretable and pertaine to the heir and out with the saids excepted cases ordaines the said sums to be confirmed by the executor without payment of any quote for the famine And that to the end the nearest of kinne and others having interest as said is be no wayes frustrate of what may be due to them nor yet the said bands or contracts fraudfully concealed and abstracted from them every one of them for their owne parts Providing alwayes that by vertue of this present act The bands or contracts hereby ordained to pertaine to the nearest of kinne to the defunct and to be confirmed shall not fall under the compasse of escheat nor yet any part thereof pertaine to the relick jure relictae But shall remaine in the owne nature quo ad siscum et relictam as they were before the making of this act ACT LVIII ACT ON FAVOURS OF THE VASSALS Of ward Lands holding of the King and Prince 16. November 1641. OUr Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Taking to consideration the bounty and benevolence of his Majesties most noble progenitors King James the 2. and King James the 4. in giving their vassalls Liberty to set their ward lands few and herewith also remembring that by the 16. act of his Majesties first parliament anno 1633. his Majesty and the prince his highnes their vassals of ward lands are altogether secluded from that benefit of his Majesties bounty and benevolence foresaid which prejudice is by the 37. act of the session of this present parliament holden in June 1640. yeares recommended to be considered at the next meeting thereafter of the said parliament and during that interim the force and execution of the said act 1633. is suspended and suppressed And now his Majesty being gratiously pleased
of his royall favour and bounty that the vassalls of ward lands holding of his sacred Majesty and of the Prince his highnesse may enjoy their former libertie with the benefite of his Majestie and his most noble progenitors their bounty and benevolence foresaid unprejudged or empared by foresaid act 1633. Therefore our said Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament rescinds and annulls the foresaid 16. Act of his Majesties first Parliament in anno 1633. yeares intitulate Anent vassals holding ward And declares the famine Act to be null of none availe force strength nor effect in all time coming in so farre as the famine Act is or may bee extended to the lands holden ward of the King or Prince as said is And declares the vassals of the ward lands foresaids and others his Majesties Lieges and Subjects to bee in that same estate and condition and have the same libertie concerning ward lands which they had before the making of the said Act and as if the famine had never beene made Which our said Soveraign Lord Estates of Parliament declares to be extinct and of none availe force nor effect in all time hereafter ACT LIX ANENT THE BREADTH OF PLAIDING 16. November 1641. WHereas our Soveraign Lord and Estates presently assembled understanding that the plaiding of this Kingdom is one of the most ancient prime commodities thereof which of late through the inconstancy of the breadth is likely to become of no estimation abroade Therefore our Soveraign Lord with advice of the said Estates ordains the makers thereof to make the same of no lesse breadth then of three quarters of an elne under pain of confiscation of all that shal be found of a lesser breadth And farther understanding that the Lords of his Majesties Councell had for eschewing of the deceit in making thereof ordained the same to bee presented in Folds and not in Rols to the market as it was used of before Therefore his Majesty with consent and advice foresaid ratifies and approves the said Act of Councell dated at Edinburgh the twentie fourth day of March 1635. yeeres in all the heads clauses and circumstances thereof and ordaines the same to takefull execution and to stand as a law in all time coming ACT LX. ACT IN FAVOURS OF LAICK PATRONES Of Provestries Prebandries Chaplandries and Alterages 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament Ratifies and approves the Act of Parliament made by King James the sixt His Majesties Father of eternall memory Par. 1. cap. 12. anent Provestries Prebandries Alterages Chaplandries and collegiall Kirks pertaining to laick Patrones together with the act of Parliament 12. cap. 158. ratifying the famine and ordaines the said acts to have full force and effect in all time comming With this declaration alwayes that in respect the vassals which held lands of the saids Provests Prebanders and others foresaids are put to a great uncertainty of their Superiours it not being knowne to them who are provided to the saids Provestries Prebandries Chaplandries Alterages and others foresaids by reason there is no publike Register to the which they may have recourse for knowledge and notice thereof and that the farthest that they can know by any registers is the infeftments and seasings made to these who are laick Patrons holding of His Majestie Therefore for securing of the vassals who hold Lands Mils Fishings Tenements annual rents of others whatsoever of the saids Provestries Prebandries of collegiall Kirks or of Chaplandries Alterages and others of that nature at any time of before It is Stature and ordained that the entry of the saids vassals by retour precept of clare constat resignation comprysing or other wayes whatsoever shall pertaine to the laick Patrones and their successours who stands infest in the said laick patronages holding immediately of His Majesty and that the entrie of the vassals by them shall be al 's vallid and sufficient to the saids vassals receivers thereof as if they were entered by the Titulars of the saids Provestries Prebandries Alterages Chaplandries and others foresaids and that the said laick Patrons shall be in all time comming in their places as superiour to the said vassals and to have the same power to give infeftments to his Majesties Subjects upon retour or by precept of clare constat or by resignation comprising or any other manner of way with gifts de novo damus and that without consent of persons provided or to be provided to the saids Provestries and Prebandries of collegiall Kirks Alterages Chaplandries or others titulars of collegiall Kirks and alse without consent of the chapter or convent of the said Prebandries therof or most part of the same which of before was in use and custome whereanent and anent all acts in the contrair his Majesty with consent foresaid dispences for ever reserving alwayes to the titulars of the saids Provestries Prebandries Alterages Chaplandries and others foresaids the fruits rents and emoluments of the saids Provestries Prebandries and others foresaids which are no wayes prejudged by this present Act. It is hereby father statute and ordained where there is any Prebandries Chaplandries Alterages or others foundations of that nature above mentioned founded and situate within any burgh royall of this Kingdome that the Provest Bayliffes and Councell of that Burgh where the famine are founded are and shall be in all time comming only indoubted Superiours by whom and by no others the vassals and tenants enter in manner above specified the Provest and Bayliffes being alwayes Patrons ACT LXI ACT DISCHARGING QUOTES OF Testaments 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord with advice and consent of the Estates of Parliament taking to consideration the great burden hurt and prejudice his Majesties lieges have sustained thir many years by-gone by exacting of great quote the time of the confirmation of the defuncts Testaments to the wasting and consuming of the means and estates of Minors in speciall and to the generall grievance of persons of all sorts Therefore our Soveraign Lord with consent foresaid out of his Highnesse gracious care and fatherly affection to the weal and ease of all his Majesties subjects statutes and ordains that no quote shall hereafter be payd by any of his Majesties subjects for any Testament of whatsoever qualitie to be confirmed by them And for that effect discharges all Commissars Commissars Clerks Fischals and others whom it effeirs not to exact nor uplift any quote for whatsoever Testament to be confirmed hereafter the party confirmer paying allanerly the other ordinar dues as appertaine ACT LXII COMMISSION FOR REGULATING OF Commissariates 16. November 1641. OUr Soveraign Lord with advice and consent of the Estates of Parliament hath given and granted and by the tenour hereof gives and grants full power and Commission to these persons who shall be nominate by the Lords of secret Councell to whom his Majestie and Estates of Parliament remits and refers the nomination of the Commissioners to the effect after specified or any five of the saids
to an Act made in this present Session of Parliament with consent of the Estates whereby his Majesty for himselfe and his Successours hath willed enacted and ordained that now and in all time coming the Officers of State Lords of secret Councell and Lords of Session on whose care wisedome and fidelity in their severall judicatories which next unto the supreme Court of Parliament are the chiefe and principall judicatories depends the weal and happinesse of the government shall be chosen now and in all time comming by His Majesty and his Successours with advice and approbation of the Estates of Parliament when they are sitting and for the interim with advice of the Lords of secret Councell and Session respective as in the said Act of Parliament at more length is contained Therefore His Majesty hath with speciall advice and approbation of the saids Estates nominated elected and chosen the persons after following Lord Loudoun Chancellour Duke of Lennox Marquesse of Hammiltoun Earle of Argyle Earle Marshall Earle of Sutherland Earle of Mar Earle of Mortoun Earle of Eglintoun Earle of Cassils Earle of Glencairn Earle of Murray Earle of Pearth Earle of Dumfermling Earle of Wigtoun Earle of Kinghorne Earle of Roxburgh Earle of Sea-forth Earle of Lauderdaill Earle of Lothian Earle of Kinnowl Earle of Southesk Earle of Weymes Earle of Dalhoussie Earle of Finlater Earle of Lanerk Earle of Levin Lord Angus Lord Lindesay Lord Yester Lord Sinclair Lord Elphingstoun Lord Balmerino Lord Burghlie Lord Almond Lord Balcarras Clerk Register Advocate Justice Clerk Thesaurer Depute Master of Requests Sir Robert Gordoun Sir William Douglas Sir Patrike Hepburne Lord Dundas Lord Fintrie Lord Cambo Lord Dun Lord Innes Lord Morphie The Provest of Edinburgh for the time being and thir supernumerarie Councellors English viz. _____ Earle of Arundall _____ Earle of Pembroke Earle of Salisbury _____ Earle of Holland To whom or any nine of them by these supernumerary above named His Majesty with advice and consent of the said Estates hath committed and commits the administration and governement of this his Majesties native Kingdom in all affaires concerning the peace good and happinesse thereof which by the Lawes and Custome of this Kingdome pertaines to the judgement cognition and determination of his Majesties privie Councell with power to them or any nine of them as said is to meet and conveen at the place appoynted for the ordinair residence of his Majesties privie Councell within the burgh of Edinburgh or at any other place or places which by common consent in case of any necessity or urgent occasion thereof shall bee found most fit and convenient and there to advice consult deliberate conclude decerne and determine upon all and sundry affaires purposes and actions which may concerne the good and peace of the Kingdome according to the Lawes and Acts of Parliament established or to bee established within the famine and to heare decide and determine upon all causes and actions betwixt Subject and Subject proper to bee decided by the Lords of his Majesties privie Councell and that none bee present at their meetings but such as are of the privie Councell with the clerke of the privie Councell whom his Majesty with advice foresaid continues in his place as of before His Majesty with advice and consent foresaid hath likewise given and granted and by the tenour hereof gives and grants full power and Commission to the said Councell and every one of them upon any interveening occasion of disorder or trouble in such parts of the Countrey where they shall remaine for the time To command and charge the person or persons committers of such disorders to observe and keepe his Majesties peace and to charge the contraveeners thereof to enter their persons in ward in such part or places or within such a short space as the said Councellour shall think meet there to remaine till order bee taken by a full number of the Councell in the matter wherein they have offended Providing alwayes he be comptable to his Majesty and the rest of the Councell and that no just cause of complaint be heard against him And if the person or persons so charged to ward shall happen to disobey and contemn the charge his Majesty with advice and consent of the saids Estates declares that upon report thereof to the Councell a pecuniall summe shall be imposed upon the offender according to the quality of his person and nature of his offence and the Councell is to cause apprehend the offenders and commit them to ward with power likewise to the said Councell to make and set downe Acts and Ordinances for governement of the Kingdome and suppressing of disorders within the same With power likewise to the said Councell to give and appoynt Assessors to the Justice generall and his Deputies in case of necessity and to give warrant to the said Justice his Deputes and Assessors for continuing execution after conviction or for mitigating the punishment of the Law in criminall causes if the nature and quality of the crymes shall require to grant Commissions of Justiciarie in matters criminall other Commissions in matters concerning the weale of the Kingdome and al 's with power to them to give warrant to the said Justice generall his Deputes and others Commissioners foresaids for imponing of fines or pecuniall summes upon the crimes of Adultery bearing and wearing of Hagbuts and Pistolets usury and such other transgressours of the acts of Parliament where the punishment by the Law is inflicted upon body or goods or left to the arbitriment of the Judge And likewise with power to them to grant exemptions from hostes raids assises and licences for departing out of the Kingdome according to the conditions contained in the act of Parliament And alse with power to the said Councell in case an open and avowed rebellion shall happen to be raised within the said Kingdome which cannot be redressed but by force To give commission of Lieutenantrie and Justitiarie for repressing of the said rebellion and to direct charges to such parts of the countrey as they shall think fit for concurrence to be given in execution of the said commission and to give order and direction to furnish and advance the summes of money that shall be requisite in such expeditions With power likewise to the said Councell to raise the Session upon any interveening occasion or necessity and to appoint times and places of their downe sitting And generally with power to the said Councell to do use and exerce all and every thing which the Councell of the said Kingdome did or might have done the time of his Majesties late Father Providing alwayes like as his Majesty expresly provides with advice and consent foresaid that this Commission shall no wayes be prejudiciall to the commission of Exchequer And it is declared that any nine of the said Councell shall be a sufficient number and make a Session providing the Lord Chancellour be one of the nine and in case of the
The governement of the Kirk by Bishops The civill places and power of Kirkmen upon the reasons and grounds contained in the Acts of the Generall Assembly declared to be unlawfull within this Kirk Wee subscribe according to the determination foresaid ACT VI ACT RESCISSORIE THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties special authority Considering that the office of Bishops and Archbishops and all other prelates the civil places and power of Kirkmen as their voycing and ryding in Parliament are condemned by the Assemblies of this Kirk And considering the severall acts and complaints of this Kirk unto Parliaments from time to time against any persons especially of prelates their attempting to vote or doe any thing in name of the Kirk without either bearing Office in the Kirk or having Commission from the Kirk with her frequent supplications to the Parliament for dissolving of all prelacies Considering also the petition of the Commissioners of the late General Assembly humbly craving the rescission of all Acts of Parliament which grants to the Kirk or Kirkmen of whatsoever sort allowed or disallowed as representing her or in her name the priviledge of ryding voting in parliament as prejudicial to her liberties and incompatible with her spirituall nature declares that the sole onely power and jurisdiction within this Kirk stands in the Kirk of God as it is now reformed and in the General Provincial Presbyterial Assemblies with the Sessions of the Kirk established by act of Parliament in June 1592. cap. 1140. which act the saids Estates now conveened by his Majesties speciall indiction warrant and authority revives and renewes in the whole heads points and articles thereof with this expresse declaration that according to the last clause in the Act of the late Generall Assembly of the 17. of August the necessitie of occasional Assemblies be first remonstrate to his Majestie by humble supplication to stand in full strength as a perpetuall law in all time comming notwithstanding of whatsoever acts statutes made in the contrair thereof in whole or in part which the Estates conveened as said is casses and annuls in all time comming and declares that it is and shall be lawfull to the Presbyteries of this Kirk to exact and receive from subjects of all qualities their Oath of the Confession of Faith and Covenant with the Subscription thereof to examine Pedagogues of the sons of Noblemen passing out of the Countrey to give them Testimonials according to former Acts of Parliament to give and direct admonitions private or publick to persons joyned in marriage for adherence to designe manse and gleibs to ministers to appoint stent-masters for reparation of Kirks and Kirk-yards and for maintenance of the Masters of Schooles and to stent the parochioners conforme to the Act of parliament to admit Ministers upon the presentations from the lawfull Patrons or Jure devoluto which shall happen hereafter Or unto Kirks which fall not under patronages suchlike and as freely as they did or might have done off before And to doe all and whatsoever things which before pertained to Presbyteries and were usurped by the prelates And that notwithstanding of whatsoever acts or statutes made in the contrair in favours of Bishops Archbishops or other prelates which the Estates authorized in manner foresaid casses and annuals And specially the Estates foresaids casses and annuls the 23. Act 1597. anent the Kirk and speciall persons and prelates voycing in Parliament and representing the third Estate the 2. Act 1606. anent the restitution of the state of Bishops and their representing the third estate the 8. Act 1607. anent the Chapter of S. Andrewes the 6. Act. 1609. anent the Commissariats and jurisdiction given to Bishops and Archbishops the first Act 1612. anent the ratification of the Acts of the pretended Assembly of Glasgow 1610. the first and second Acts 1617. anent the election of Bishops and restitution of Chapters without prejudice alwaies to the Ministers serving the cure of any emoluments allowed to them in part of their stipend the first Act 1621. anent the ratification of the Articles of the pretended Assemby holden at Perth And finally the Estates foresaid conveened by authority rescindes and annulls all and whatsoever Acts of Parliament Lawes and Constitutions in so far as they derogate and are prejudiciall to the spirituall nature jurisdiction discipline and priviledges of this Kirk or of her Generall Provinciall Presbyteriall Assemblies and Kirk-sessions and so far as they are conceived in favours of Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors and others Prelates or Kirkmen whatsoever their dignity title power jurisdiction and estate in this Kirk and Kingdome or in favours of the civill places and power of Kirkmen of whatsoever sort allowed or dis-allowed for their riding sitting and voycing in Parliament either as Kirkmen or the clergy or in name of the Kirk or as representing the Kirk either in regard of their Ecclesiastick titles offices places and dignities or in regard of the temporality or spirituality of their Ecclesiastick benefices or other pretext whatsoever with all acts and constitution of convention counsell or session or other Judicatory whatsoever and all practises and customes whatsoever introduced in favours of the saids offices titles benefices or persons provided thereto And declares all persons civill or ecclesiasticall censured deprived confined or banished by vertue of whatsoever acts decreets or sentences given and pronounced by the saids Archbishops and Bishops or others their colleagues and associats in their Ecclesiasticall courts holden by vertue of the acts foresaids or any of them or by vertue of the pretended high Commission and all acts interponed thereto against the persons foresaids for not obedience of the foresaids Acts or any of them which are now repealed as said is or for not acknowledging their saids courts or for their pretended contumacy and not compearance to answer before them To be null and of none avail force nor effect and the foresaids persons to be restored and reponed against the same such like as if the samine had never been given nor pronounced ACT VII ACT FOR PLANTING OF KIRKES Unprovided with Ministers through the Patrons default THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority Considering the lamentable condition of a great number of Congregations lying destitute of Ministers since the assembly at Edinburgh and before by the negligence of Patrons and others having interest to the great prejudice of the Gospel Therefore do require the Presbyteries with consent of the Parochins with all diligence to plant these vacant Kirks which by the oversight of any Patrons whatsoever have lyen six moneths unprovided And ordain the Lords of Session to give forth sentences and letters in the ordinary forme for payment of the former stipends of these Kirks to such as the Presbyteries shall admit or have already admitted to the office and cure of the ministery in these Kirks with consent of the Parochins as said is while the samine former stipends of these
made Parl. 20. cap. 5. in the whole heads and articles thereof And declares that witting and wilfull resetting of the persons foresaids shall be understood to be committed by these who after lawful intimation to be made at the head Burgh of the Shire where they dwell and make their residence for the most part and at the market Crosse of Edinburgh of the names of the Jesuits Seminary Priests and excommunicate persons for the causes foresaid resets the persons foresaids by the space of three nights together or three nights at several times which is the manner of intimation prescribed by the said 13. Parl. cap. 164. and by the said Parl. 20. cap. 59. and that the persons resetters in manner foresaid shall be lyable to the paine and punishment contained in the said Acts without farther verifying of their notice and knowledge except the intimation foresaid And also declares that the saids Acts of Parliament ratified as said is shall comprehend not onely men but women of all quality and that they and their resetters shall be lyable to the paines therein contained And such like the Estates ratifies and approves the act of Parliament made by his Majesties Father Parl. 16. Cap. 17. intituled Act anent non-Communicants and ordaines every person non-communicant to be lyable to the paines therein contained And wills and ordaines all Ministers within their Parochins and all Presbyters within their Presbyteries to take tryall and cognition of the premisses and that as fully as the Bishops or Archbishops might have done by the foresaids acts or any of them And abrogates the saids acts in so far as any power is thereby granted to the said Archbishops and Bishops anent the premisses ACT XII ACT DISCHARGING THE ZULE VAcance and appointing the Session to sit downe the first of November and rise the last of February and thereafter to sit downe the first of June and rise the last of July yearely THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie Understanding that the Kirke within this Kingdome is now purged of all superstitious observation of dayes And herewith also considering that the keeping of the Zule vacance hath not only relation to that superstition and may serve to keep the famine in memory but also that the keeping of the said Zule vacance hath interrupted the course of Justice in this Kingdome to the hinderance heavie prejudice of the lieges therof Therefore the saids estates have discharged and simply discharges the foresaid Zule vacance and all observation thereof in time comming and rescindes and annulls all acts statutes warrants and ordinances whatsoever granted at any time heretofore for keeping of the said Zule vacance with all custome of observation thereof And findes and declares the famine to be extinct voyde and of no force nor effect in time comming And ordaines the Court and Session of the Colledge of Justice and Senatours and members thereof to conveene and sit for the administration of Justice without any interruption by the foresaid Zule vacance from the first day of November to the last day of February thereafter inclusive yearely And ordaines the saids Senatours and remanent members of the Colledge of Justice to rise the said last day of February and to conveene and sit downe againe for administration of Justice to the Lieges the first day of June yearly and to rise the last day of July next thereafter inclusive And also ordaines the whole remanent Judges of inferiour Courts within the Kingdome to proceed in the administration of Justice within their severall jurisdictions without any respect to the said Zule vacance and without any interruption or vacation by the same Zule vacance notwithstanding of any by-gone custome of observation of the said Zule vacance seeing the famine is now discharged in manner foresaid ACT XIII ACT DISCHARGING THE MUNDAY Market in Edinburgh Jedburgh Drumfreis Brechin and Glasgow FOrsameekle as the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority are informed and understand that travelling upon the Sunday and the prophanation of that day is greatly occasioned by the Markets holden weekly upon the Munday in Edinburgh Jedburgh Drumfreis Brechin and Glasgow and that the Leiges resorting from the Countrey to the saids Markets upon the Munday are distracted from Gods publick worship and service upon the Sunday and are constrained to travell all the Sunday for keeping of the Munday Markets respective foresaids For remeed whereof the saids Estates of Parliament have discharged and simply discharges all Markets upon Munday to be any wayes keeped in the Burghs of Jedburgh Drumfreis and Brechin in time comming And appoints changes and ordaines the famine Markets which were in time by-gone keeped and holden weekly upon the Munday in the saids Burghs of Jedburgh Drumfreis and Brechin to be hereafter keeped and holden in Jedburgh weekly upon Tuesday and in Drumfreis and Brechin weekly upon Wednesday And also the saids Estates of Parliament foresaids discharges all Markets within the Burgh of Glasgow to be keeped or holden hereafter upon the Munday or selling buying and making Market of Horses and other quick bestiall Meale brought to Glasgow Market upon Munday from Burrows-townes as Stirling Falkirk and other remote places where men may not come from their owne houses in the morning to the houre of the Market with their saids Commodities Item the Beere-Market and all crafts-mens work brought to be sold in Market aswel by free as unfree persons Item all Market for Salt brought from the Salt-pans upon Forth the Market for salt Butter keeping Cheese and Timber of all sorts which is brought up the river of Clide to the town of Glasgow And ordains and appoints the Market for the particular goods foresaids to be keeped hereafter weekly within the Burgh of Glasgow upon the Wednesday And in like manner the saids Estates of Parliament discharges all Market to be keeped and holden hereafter within the Burgh of Edinburgh upon the Munday for Wool Butter Cheese Skinnes Hides Shoone And generally discharges all markets in Edinburgh upon Munday of all unfree-mens work brought in to bee sold in Edinburgh upon the Munday in any time hereafter but ordaines and appoints the market of these goods and marchandise particularly and generally before rehearsed to bee kept and holden weekly upon the Wednesday within the said Burgh of Edinburgh in time comming in the same manner and as freely in all respects as the market thereof hath beene kept on the Munday in times bygone And therefore ordaines the Leiges to keep and attend the saids market dayes respective before rehearsed as the samine are now appointed to bee kept within the Burghs of Edinburgh Glasgow Jedburgh Drumfreis and Brechin and to resort and repaire thereto weekly as they shall have occasion suchlike and in the same manner as they were in use to repaire to the Munday markets within the saids Burghes before the discharging thereof And also ordains the Magistrates of the saids Burghes to see the markets
endured patiently and thereby given an evident demonstration to the world of the loyalty of their affections to their Soveraigne which no extremitie shall ever make them to forget And now being prest by the present exigence of the Estate of this Kingdome and bound by the necessity of that naturall duety they owe to themselves and their posterity to provide for the safety of the Common-wealth and their owne and timously to prevent the utter ruine of this Nation which can no longer subsist under so great a burden That time appointed being come to the which the Parliament was prorogate and no advertisement come from his Majestie to them anent any course to bee taken for remeeding of the great disorders they being the great Councell of the Kingdome could not bee altogether so forgetfull of themselves and deficient to their Countrey as to suffer this Parliament which they had so often petitioned from his Majestie which was conditioned and accorded by the saids Articles of Pacification and indicted by his Majesties Authority to bee deserted and expired without any conclusion to the good of the Common-wealth in so great extremity But rather thought themselves bound in conscience and duety to proceed to the determination of such matters as are necessary for the establishing of the peace of this Kirk and Kingdome as being the expresse and speciall ends of all their Supplications and agreeable to the saids Articles of Pacification without trenching any wayes on Soveraignitie or derogating in any sort from his Majesties Royall Authority but on the contrary only looking first upon the constitutions of the generall Assembly past in presence of his Majesties Commissioner and the necessary consequences thereof and then providing remedies for the present evils of the Kingdome by removing the cause and establishing necessary conclusions for preventing the like hereafter In doing whereof as they have proceeded uprightly in the way of Justice and with all due reverence and regard to his Majesties Authority and thereby have stopped the calumnious mouthes of their adversaries so they rest assured that his Majesty after due examination of their proceedings finding the same agreeable to the fundamentall lawes and customes of this his ancient and native Kingdome and no wayes repugnant to Monarchicall government will out of his Royall Justice and goodnesse give his full consent thereunto And thereby totally remove and extinguish all ground and occasion of controversie against his faithfull and loyall Subjects restore this Kingdome to a perfect and sollid peace which they pray the LORD to put in his Majesties Royall Heart that he may long and prosperously reigne over them And on the other part considering from by-gone experience how malicious and diligent their adversaries will be to calumniate these their proceedings and by their suggestions to the Kings Majestie and to the Lieges to kindle and entertaine factions and divisions thereanent and how necessary it is for the safety and peace of this Kirk and Kingdome that the members of both doe unanimously with heart and hand testifie by their subscription their resolution and obligation to acknowledge this Parliament so often desired by their petitions and supplications and conveened by his Majesties solemne indiction according to the Articles of Pacification to be a free lawfull and necessarie Parliament and to obey observe and maintaine the same for themselves constantly and faithfully and to the uttermost of their power to joyne and concurre in their severall stations and callings with others to advance further and assist the execution obedience and observing of the Acts and Constitutions of this present Parliament as the most sit and necessarie remedies of the by-gone and present evils and distractions of this Kirk and Kingdome and for preservation of the Religion laws and liberties thereof and of his Majesties Authoritie and that in the first Parliament which shall be holden hereafter within this Kingdome and at all other occasions against any opposition whatsoever except in so farre as shall hereafter be thought sit and expedient by the common advise and consent of the Estates They have ordained and ordaines the Band under-written to be subscribed by all the Members of Parliament present and absent and by all Noble men Barons Burgesses and all other Subjects and inhabitants of the Kingdome in their Shires and Burghs as they shall be directed by the Commissioners of Parliament left at Edinburgh and to be reported to the Clerk betwixt and the first day of September next with certification that such as refuse or post-pone and delay to subscribe the same shall be holden as Enemies and Opposites to the common Cause consisting in the maintenance of the true reformed Religion and of the laws and liberties of this Kingdome and his Majesties Authoritie WEe Noble-men Barons Burgesses and others under subscribers Considering how necessarie it is to establish our Union in the preservation and maintenance of the Religion Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome and of his Majesties Authority and to prevent all factions contentions and divisions which may arise in prejudice thereof from malicious suggestions and mis-informations of our adversaries doe all and every one of us with our heart and hand testifie and declare our Resolution and Obligation for the reasons and causes at length exprest in the Act of Parliament immediately preceding to acknowledge the foresaid Parliament to have been and to be a free and lawfull Parliament Like as we binde and oblish us and every one of us upon our honours and credit and as we desire to be and to be holden true lovers of our Countrey and of the Religion laws and liberties thereof effauldly and faithfully to the uttermost of our power To joyne and concurre with our persons and estates every one of us according to our severall stations and callings in the maintenance of the freedome and lawfulnesse of the foresaid Parliament and in the advancement furtherance and assistance of the execution obedience and observation of the Acts and Constitutions thereof as the most sit and necessarie remedies of the by-gone and present evils and distractions of this Kirk and Kingdome and for the preservation of Religion laws and liberties thereof and of his Majesties Authoritie and that in the first Parliament which shall be holdeu hereafter within this Kingdome and at all other occasions and against any opposition whatsoever except in so far as shall be hereafter thought sit and expedient by the common advise and consent of the Estates In witnesse whereof we have signed and subscribed these presents with our hands At c. ACT XXXIX DECLARING THE PARLIAMENT Current and continuing the same while the nineteenth of November next THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Continues this present Parliament and all matters and actions belonging thereto while the nineteenth day of November next to come At the which day ordaines the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the same to be appointed to
absence of the said Lord Chancellour it is declared that it shall be lawfull to any nine or moe of the Councell conveened in the ordinar place and at the indicted time of meeting to choose one of the number conveened who shall preside at the meeting al 's oft as the Lord Chancellour shall be absent And his Majesty and Estates considering that the often absence of the most part of the Councell and their not attendance upon the charge and trust concreded unto them will be a great impediment and hinderance to his Majesties service Therefore his Majesty with advice foresaid declares that it is his speciall pleasure and command that the Lord Chancellour or President of the Councell to be elected as said is doe see and provide that the Councell be frequent specially in great and weighty matters of Estate And if upon occasion that requires the number of the Councell to be more full then the said Quorum the Lord Chancellour or President to be elected in manner foresaid shall write to such others of the Councell as they think fit to be present and give their attendance In which case if any disobey without a licence obtained from his Majesty or the Quorum of the Councell or without some reasonable cause either of which shall excuse their absence then and in that case his Majesty with advice foresaid wils that the absent shall be censured by the said Councell as a neglecter of his Majesties service and that his Majesty be advertised thereof And it is declared that if any of the saids Councellours places vaiks by decease dimission or deprivation that his Majestie in the interim shall nominate another of the same degree and quality in the vacant place with advice of the most part of the Lords of Privie Councell they being all present at the said election at the least lawfully warned to that effect upon fifteene dayes warning conforme to the Act of Parliament made thereanent Which election made in the interim as said is shall be allowed or disallowed by his Majestie with consent of the Estates in the next ensuing Parliament as they shall think expedient And al 's his Majesty with consent of the saids Estates gives power to the saids Lords of Secret Councell or any nine of them as said is to set down such rules and orders for their meetings and attendance and spaces and times thereof as they shall resolve appoint and ordaine amongst themselves And wils and declares that the saids Lords of Secret Councell now nominate as said is and these who shall be surrogate in their places in the interim in manner foresaid shall have bruik and enjoy their places ad vitam vel ad culpam and shall be liable to the censure of his Majesty and the Estates of Parliament anent their proceedings therein firme and stable holding whatever by the saids Lords or any nine of them as said is shall be lawfully done in the premisses And decernes and ordaines all his Majesties lieges and subjects to reverence acknowledge and obey the saids Lords of his Majesties councell in all things concerning the charge and trust committed to them as said is under all highest paine and charge which after may follow And this Commission to indure to the next Parliament and longer ay and while the same be expresly discharged ACT LXVI ACT DISCHARGING THE CUSTOME Of two and an halfe of the hundred and the Impost of foure pounds on the Tunne 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament considering that the prices of all Merchandize doe daily rise to exceeding great dearths which is alledged to bee occasioned through extraordinary Customes and Impositions For remeed whereof his Majesty with advice and consent of his saids Estates doth discharge all and sundry whatsoever Customes and Impositions exacted by the Customers which are not allowed and approved by the Acts of Parliament and especially the late Custome of two and an halfe per Centum and late new Imposition of foure pound upon the Tunne of wine and all raising of his Majesties Customes directly or indirectly without consent of Parliament And because that the too much troubling of Merchant estate and drawing of Masters and Mariners from their ordinary charges doth much impede the trade Therefore his Majesty with advice and consent foresaid discharges the taking of Merchants Masters and Mariners oaths in the matter of Customes and to the end that the subject of trade may not be restrained with unnecessary customes therfore his Majesty with consent foresaid declares that all goods and Merchandize imported from forraine places to this kingdome and out paying inward Custome shall be free of all outward Custome according as is used in England and Ireland Like as his Majestie declares that he consented to the Act above written upon this condition that commission and warrant be granted to the Exchequer to establish the Booke of Rates according as the prices of merchandize now rules and his Majesty permitted the option to the Burrowes Whereupon the Burrowes having advised they made choice to be ruled by the Booke of Rates anent the Customes and consented that Commission should be granted to the Exchequer to establish the Booke of Rates according as the prices of Merchandize now rules In respect whereof our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament ordaine a Commission to be drawne up to the Exchequer to the effect foresaid and extracted thereupon for establishing the Booke of Rates according as the prices of Merchandize now rules And therefore our said Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament ordaines the Act above mentioned to stand as a law in manner and to the effect before rehearsed ACT LXVII ACT IN FAVOURS OF MINORS ANENT The duties of the lands comprised from them 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraigne Lord with advice of Estates of Parliament ratifies and approves the Act of Parliament made in August 1621. cap. 6. in so farre as the famine concernes Minors and declares that the true meaning thereof was and is that Minors having right to the legall reversion should be no further obliged than during their minoritie of 21 yeares of age but allanerly for the annuall rent of the summes contained in the comprisings and that they tyne not the right of the superplus of the mailes and duties of the lands so farre as the famine exceeds the said annuall rents induring their said minoritie ACT LXVIII ACT ORDAINING THE COMMISSIONERS For the Thesaurarie 17. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord Considering that His Majesty was lately pleased to condescend to the humble desire of His Majesties Estates of Parliament to nominate by their advice and approbation His Officers of Estate of whom his Majesties high Thesaurer is one And that His Majesty for the present is not resolved upon the nomination of any particular person to enjoy the said place but hath with advice of the saids Estates taken present course to supply the want of a principall Thesaurer by a Committee Therefore His Majesty with consent