Kingdome made anno 1580. have been indeed the true main causes of all our evils and distractions AND therefore ordain according to the Constitutions of the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk and upon the grounds respective above-specified That the foresaid Service-book books of Canons and Ordination and the High Commission be still rejected That the articles of Pearth be no more practised That Episcopall government the civill places and power of Kirkmen bee holden still as unlawfull in this Kirk That the above-named pretented assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. 1608. at Glasgow 1610. at Aberdene 1616. at S. Andrewes 1617. at Pearth 1618. be hereafter accounted as null and of none effect and that for preservation of Religion and preventing all such evils in time comming Generall Assemblies rightly constitute as the proper and competent Judge of all matters Ecclesiasticall hereafter be keeped yearely and oftner pro re nata as occasion and necessitie shall require The necessitie of these occasionall Assemblies being first remonstrate to His Majestie by humble supplication As also that Kirk Sessions Presbyteries and Synodal Assemblies be constitute and observed according to the Order of this Kirk Which Act with all and sundrie the particular heads clauses and articles therein contained The Estates now conveened by His Majesties indiction warrant and authoritie foresaid Ratifies approves and confirmes in all points in manners as the same proports And gives thereunto the strength of a Law and Act of Parliament and ordaines execution to passe thereupon as effeirs And rescindes casses and annulls all Acts and Decrees of Parliament and Councell formerly made contrair and in prejudice of the said Act or any part thereof ACT V. ACT ANENT THE RATIFICATION Of the Covenant and of the Assemblies supplication Act of Councell and Act of Assemblie concerning the Covenant THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie considering the supplication of the Generall Assembly at Edinburgh the 12. of August 1639. to his Majesties high Commissioner the Lords of His Majesties Honourable Privie Councell and the Act of the Councell the 30. of August 1639. containing the answer of the said supplication the Act of the said General Assembly ordaining by their Ecclesiasticall constitution the subscription of the Confession of Faith Covenant mentioned in their Supplication And withall having supplicated His Majestie to ratifie and enjoyne the famine by His Royall authoritie under all civill paines as tending to the glorie of God preservation of Religion the Kings Majesties honour and the perfect peace of this Kirk and Kingdome Do ratifie and approve the said supplication Act of Councell and Act of Assembly and conforme thereto Ordaines and commands the said Confession and Covenant to be subscribed by all His Majesties Subjects of what rank and qualitie soever under all civill paines And ordaines the said Supplication Act of Councell and Act of the Assembly with the whole Confession and Covenant it selfe to bee insert and registrate in the Acts and books of Parliament And also ordaines the famine to be presented at the entrie of every Parliament before they proceed to any other Act That the same bee publickly read and sworne by the whole members of Parliament claiming voice therein otherwise the refusers to subscribe and swear the same shall have no place nor voice in Parliament And such like ordaines all Judges Magistrates or other Officers of whatsoever place rank or qualitie and Ministers at their entrie to sweare and subscribe the famine Covenant Whereof and of the said Supplication Act of Councell and Act of the Assembly the tenour followes c. THE SUPPLICATION OF THE GEnerall Assembly conveened at EDINBURGH the 12. of August 1639. to his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties Honourable Privie Councell WEe the Generall Assembly considering with all humble and thankfull acknowledgment the many recent favours bestowed upon us by His Majestie and that there resteth nothing for crowning of His Majesties incomparable goodnesse towards us but that all the members of this Kirk and Kingdome be joyned in one and the same Confession and Covenant with God with the Kings Majestie and amongst our selves And conceiving the main lett and impediment to this so good a work and so much wished by all to have been the Informations made to his Majestie of our Intentions to shake off civill and duetifull obedience due to Soveraignty and to diminish the Kings greatnes and authoritie and being most willing and desirous to remove this and all such impediments which may hinder and impede so full and perfect an Union and for clearing of our loyaltie WEE in our own names and in name of all the rest of the Subjects and Congregations whom we represent do now in all humility represent to your Grace His Majesties Commissioner and the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell and declares before God and the world that we never had nor have any thought of with-drawing our selves from that humble and duetifull obedience to his Majestie and to his goverment which by the descent and under the reigne of 107. Kings is most chearfully acknowledged by us and our predecessours and that we never had nor have any intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may tend to the dishonour of God or the diminution of the Kings greatnesse and authoritie But on the contrary acknowledging our quietnes stabilitie and happines to depend upon the safety of the Kings Majesties Person and maintenance of his greatnes and royall authoritie who is Gods Vice-gerent set over us for the maintenance of Religion and ministration of Justice Wee have solemnly sworn and do sweare not only our mutuall concurrence and assistance for the cause of Religion and to the uttermost of our power with our meanes and lives to stand to the defence of our dread Soveraigne his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion Liberties and Lawes of this Kirk and Kingdome but also in every cause which may concerne his Majesties honour shall according to the Lawes of this Kingdome and the duties of good Subjects concurre with our friends and followers in quiet manner or in Armes as we shal be required of his Majestie his Councell or any having his authority And therefore being most desirous to cleare our selves of all imputation of this kinde and following the laudable example of our predecessours 1589. do most humbly supplicate your Grace his Majesties Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell to injoyn by act of Councell that this Confession and Covenant which as a testimony of our fidelity to GOD and loyaltie to our King wee have subscribed be subscribed by all his Majesties Subjects of what ranke and quality soever THE ACT OF HIS MAJESTIES MOST Honourable Privie Councell at Edinburgh August 30. Anno 1639. containing the answer of the Supplication above-written THe which day in presence of the Lord Commissioner and Lords of Privie Councell
living amongst us which was warranted also by Act of Councell commanding a generall Band to bee made and subscribed by his Majesties Subjects of all ranks for two causes One was for defending the true Religion as it was then reformed and is expressed in the Confession of Faith above-written and a former large Confession established by sundry acts of lawfull General Assemblies and of Parliament unto which it hath relation set down in publick Catechismes and which had beene for many yeares with a blessing from Heaven preached and professed in this Kirk and kingdom as GODS undoubted Truth grounded onely upon his written Word The other cause was for maintaining the Kings Majestie his Person and Estate the true worship of GOD and the Kings authority being so straitly joyned as that they had the same friends and common enemies and did stand and fall together And finally being convinced in our minds and confessing with our mouths that the present and succeeding generations in this Land are bound to keep the foresaid Nationall Oath and Subscription inviolable Wee Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons under-scribing considering divers times before and especially at this time the danger of the true reformed Religion of the Kings honour and of the publick peace of the Kingdome by the manifold innovations and evils generally contained and particularly mentioned in our late supplications complaints and protestations doe hereby professe and before GOD his Angels and the world solemnly declare that with our whole hearts wee agree and resolve all the dayes of our life constantly to adhere unto to defend the foresaid true religion and forbearing the practise of all novations already introduced in the matters of the worship of GOD or approbation of the corruptions of the publick government of the Kirk or civill places and power of Kirkmen till they be tryed and allowed in free assemblies and in Parliaments to labour by all meanes lawfull to recover the purity and liberty of the Gospel as it was established and professed before the foresaid novations And because after due examination wee plainely perceive and undoubtedly beleeve that the innovations and evills contained in our Supplications Complaints and Protestations have no warrant of the word of GOD are contrary to the articles of the foresaid Confessions to the intention and meaning of the blessed reformers of Religion in this Land to the above-written acts of Parliament and doe sensibly tend to the re-establishing of the Popish religion and tyranny and to the subversion and ruine of the true reformed religion and of our liberties lawes and estates Wee also declare that the foresaid confessions are to be interpreted and ought to be understood of the foresaid novations and evills no lesse than if every one of them had been expressed in the foresaid confessions and that wee are obliged to detest and abhorre them amongst other particular heads of Papistry abjured therein And therefore from the knowledge and consciences of our duty to GOD to our King and Countrey without any worldly respect or inducement so farre as humane infirmity will suffer wishing a further measure of the grace of GOD for this effect Wee promise and sweare by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD to continue in the Profession and obedience of the foresaid Religion That wee shall defend the same and resist all these contrary errours and corruptions according to our vocation and to the uttermost of that power that GOD hath put in our hands all the dayes of our life And in like manner with the same heart wee declare before GOD and Men that wee have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of GOD or to the diminution of the Kings greatnesse and authority But on the contrary wee promise and sweare that wee shall to the uttermost of our power with our meanes and lives stand to the defence of our dread Soveraigne the Kings Majestie his Person and Authority in the defence and preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Lawes of the Kingdome As also to the mutuall defence and assistance every one of us of another in the same cause of maintaining the true Religion and his Majesties authority with our best counsell our bodies meanes and whole power against all sorts of persons whatsoever So that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that cause shall be taken as done to us all in generall and to every one of us in particular And that wee shall neither directly nor indirectly suffer our selves to be divided or withdrawn by whatsoever suggestion allurement or terrour from this blessed and loyall Conjunction nor shall cast in any let or impediment that may stay or hinder any such resolution as by common consent shall be found to conduce for so good ends But on the contrary shall by all lawfull meanes labour to further and promove the same And if any such dangerous and divisive motion be made to us by word or writ wee and every one of us shall either suppresse it or if need bee shall incontinent make the same known that it may be timously obviated Neither doe wee fear the foul aspersions of rebellion combination or what else our adversaries from their craft and malice would put upon us seeing what wee doe is so well warranted and ariseth from an unfained desire to maintain the true worship of God the Majesty of our King and peace of the Kingdome for the common happinesse of our selves and the posterity And because wee cannot look for a blessing from God upon our proceedings except with our profession and subscription wee joyne such a life and conversation as beseemeth Christians who have renewed their Covenant with God Wee therefore faithfully promise for our selves our followers and all others under us both in publike in our particular families and personall carriage to endeavour to keepe our selves within the bounds of Christian libertie and to be good examples to others of all Godlinesse Sobernesse and Righteousnesse and of every duty wee owe to God and Man And that this our Union and Conjunction may bee observed without violation Wee call the living GOD the Searcher of our Hearts to witnesse who knoweth this to be our sincere Desire and unfained Resolution as wee shall answer to JESUS CHRIST in the great Day and under the pain of GODS everlasting wrath and of infamie and losse of all honour and respect in this World Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end and to blesse our desires and proceedings with a happy successe that Religion and Righteousnesse may flourish in the Land to the glory of GOD the honour of our King and peace and comfort of us all In witnesse whereof wee have subscribed with our hands all the premisses The article of this Covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the Generall Assembly being determined And thereby the Five articles of Perth
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
compeired personally John Earle of Rothes James Earle of Montrose John Lord Lowdoun Sir George Stirling of Keir Knight Sir William Douglas of Cavers Knight Sir Henry Wood of Bonytoun Knight John Smyth Burgesse of Edinburgh Mr. Robert Barclay Provest of Irwing Mr. Alexander Henderson Minister at Edinburgh and Master Archbald Johnstoun Clerk to the Generall Assembly and in the name of the present sitting Generall Assembly gave in to the Lord Commissioner and Lords of Privie Councell the petition above written which being read heard and considered by the saids Lords they have ordained and ordain the same to be insert and registrate in the bookes of Privie Councell and according to the desire thereof ordaines the said Confession and Covenant to be subscribed in time comming by all his Majesties Subjects of this Kingdome of what rank and quality soever THE ACT OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY Ordaining by Ecclesiasticall authoritie the subscription of the Confession of Faith and Covenant THe Generall Assembly considering the great happinesse which may flow from a full and perfect Union of this Kirk and Kingdome by joyning of all in one and the same Covenant with God with the Kings Majestie and amongst our selves having by our great Oath declared the uprightnes and loyalty of our intentions in all our proceedings and having withall supplicated his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privie Councell to injoyne by Act of Councell all the Lieges in time comming to subscribe the Confession of Faith and Covenant which as a testimony of our fidelity to God and loyalty to our King wee have subscribed And seeing his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privie Councell have granted the desire of our Supplication ordaining by civill authority all his Majesties Lieges in time comming to subscribe the foresaid Covenant that our union may be the more full and perfect We by our act and constitution Ecclesiasticall doe approve the foresaid Covenant in all the Heads and Clauses thereof and ordaines of new under all Ecclesiasticall censure that all the Masters of Universities Colledges and Schooles all Schollers at the passing of their degrees all persons suspect of Papistry or any other errour and finally all the members of this Kirk and Kingdome subscribe the same with these words prefixed to their subscription The Article of this Covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the generall Assembly being determined And thereby the Five Articles of Perth the governement of the Kirk by Bishops the civill places and power of Kirke-men 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 And ordaines the Covenant with this declaration to be insert in the Registers of the Assemblies of this Kirk Generall Provinciall and Presbyteriall ad perpetuam reimemoriam and in all humility supplicates his Majesties high commissioner and the honourable Estates of Parliament by their authority to ratifie and injoyne the same under all civill paines which will tend to the glory of God preservation of Religion the Kings Majesties honour and perfect peace of this Kirk and Kingdome The Confession of Faith subscribed at first by the Kings Majestie and his Houshold in the yeare of God 1580. Thereafter by Persons of all rankes in the yeare 1581. By ordinance of the Lords of the secret Councell and acts of the Generall Assembly Subscribed again by all sorts of Persons in the yeare 1590. By a new ordinance of Councell at the desire of the Generall Assembly with a generall Band for maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings Person And subscribed in the yeare 1638. By Us Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons then under subscribing Together with our resolution and promises for the causes after specified to mainetaine the said true Religion and the Kings Majestie according to the Confession foresaid and acts of Parliament And now upon the Supplication of the Generall Assembly to his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privy Councell subscribed again in the yeare 1639. by ordinance of Councell and Act of the Generall Assembly WEe all and every one of us under-written protest that after long and due Examination of our owne consciences in matters of true and false Religion Wee are now throughly resolved of the Trueth by the word and Spirit of God And therefore wee believe with our hearts confesse with our mouths subscribe with our hands and constantly affirme before God and the whole World that this onely is the true Christian Faith and Religion pleasing God and bringing Salvation to man which now is by the mercie of God revealed to the world by the preaching of the blessed Evangel and received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirke of Scotland the Kings Majestie and the three Estates of this Realme as Gods Eternall Trueth and onely ground of our Salvation as more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith stablished and publickly confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliaments and now of a long time hath beene openly professed by the Kings Majestie and whole body of this Realme both in Burgh and Land To the which Confession and forme of Religion wee willingly agree in our consciences in all points as unto Gods undoubted Trueth and Veritie grounded onely upon his written Word And therefore wee abhorre and detest all contrarie Religion and Doctrine But chiefly all kind of Papistrie in generall and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland But in speciall we detest and refuse the usurped authoritie of that Roman Antichrist upon the Scriptures of God upon the Kirk the civill Magistrate and consciences of men all his tyrannous lawes made upon indifferent things against our Christian libertie His erroneous Doctrine against the sufficiencie of the written Word the perfection of the law the office of Christ and his blessed Evangel His corrupted Doctrine concerning originall sinne our naturall inabilitie and rebellion to Gods Law our Justification by faith only our imperfect Sanctification and obedience to the Law the nature number and use of the Holy Sacraments His five bastard Sacraments with all his Rites Ceremonies and false Doctrine added to the ministration of the true Sacraments without the word of God His cruell judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament His absolute necessitie of Baptisme His blasphemous opinion of Transubstantiation or reall presence of Christs Body in the Elements and receiving of the same by the wicked or bodies of men His dispensations with solemne Oaths Perjuries and degrees of Marriage forbidden in the Word His crueltie against the innocent divorced His divellish Masse His blasphemous Priesthood His profane Sacrifice for the sins of the dead and the quicke His Canonization of men calling upon Angels or Saints departed
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
any of the Kingdomes shall rise in arms or make war against any other of the Kingdoms and subjects thereof without consent of the Parliament of that Kingdome whereof they are subjects or upon which they doe depend that they shall be held reputed and demained as traitours to the States whereof they are subjects And that both the Kingdomes in the cases aforesaid bee bound to concurre in the repressing of these that shall happen to arise in Armes or make warre without consent of their owne Parliament And that the way of conveening Forces for suppressing such as levie warre bee as in case of Invasion Provided that this bee not extended to particular quarrells upon the borders And that it bee enacted that in such case It shall be lawfull for any of the subjects to conveene to suppresse such evill affected persons And that each Kingdome shall bee bound by publike faith punctually to performe this Article And if eyther parliament shall denounce warre they shall give three moneths warning That the Peace to be now established may be inviolably observed in all time to come It is agreed that some shall be appointed by his Majestie and the Parliaments of both Kingdomes who in the interim betwixt the sitting of the Parliaments may be carefull that the peace now happily concluded may be continued and who shall endeavour by all means to prevent all trouble and division And if any debate or difference shall happen to arise to the disturbance of the common peace they shall labour to remove or compose them according to their power It being supposed that for all their proceedings of this kinde they shall be answerable to the Kings Majestie and the Parliaments And if any thing shall fall forth which is above their power and cannot bee remedied by them they shall informe themselves in the particulars and represent the same to the Kings Majestie and the ensuing Parliaments that by their wisedome and authoritie all occasions and causes of troubles being removed the peace of the Kingdome may be perpetuall to all Posteritie And it is declared that the power of the Commission shal be restrained to the articles of peace in this treatie Whereas it is desired that an Act may be made in the Parliament of England for ratifying of the Treatie and all the Articles thereof which is likewise to be ratified in the Parliament of Ireland which in all the Articles is comprehended under the name of England and after the Treatie is confirmed in the said English Parliament and all other necessarie conditions performed and Armies on both sides shall at a certain day to be appointed for that effect remove and disband So that when the Scottish Armie shall remove from New-castle the English Armie shall likewise be disbanded and repaire home to their severall Countries and places of their residence and the Irish Army to disband before that time that hereafter a quiet and durable peace may bee kept according to the Articles And that this Treaty and whole proceedings thereof may be likewise ratified in the Parliament of Scotland and a firme Peace established It is desired that his Majestie may bee graciously pleased now to declare That the ensuing Parliament of Scotland shall have full and free power as the nature of a free Parliament of that Kingdome doth of it self import to ratifie and confirm the Treatie and whole Articles thereof and to receive account of all Commissions granted by them examine their proceedings and grant exonerations thereupon And to treat deliberate conclude and enact whatsoever shall be found conducible to the settling of the good and peace of that Kingdome And that his Majesties Commissioners shall be authorized with full power to approve whatsoever Acts and Statutes which upon mature deliberation shall happen to be accorded unto by the Estates in that behalfe and shall sit and continue without interruption or prorogation while all things necessary for that effect be determined enacted and brought to a finall conclusion unlesse for better conveniencie of affairs his Majesties Commissioner with the speciall advice and consent of the Estates shall thinke fit to adjourne the same to any other time which shall no wayes derogate from the full and perfect concluding of the whole premisses before the said Parliament be dissolved This whole Article is assented unto but in so farre as concerns the dayes and circumstances of disbanding to be agreed upon Forasmuch as the severall jurisdictions and administrations of Justice in either Realme may be deluded or frustrated by delinquents for their owne impunity if they shall commit any offence in the one Realme and thereafter remove their persons and make their abode in the other Therefore that no person sentenced by the Parliament of either Nation as Incendiaries betwixt the Nations or betwixt the King and his people shall enjoy any benefit Civill or Ecclesiasticall or have any shelter or protection in any other of his Majesties Dominions Like as where Malefactors and Criminals guilty of the crimes mentioned in the Act of Parliament 1612. Cap. 2. and others of that nature and committed by Scottishmen within the Kingdome of England or Ireland or any part thereof are taken and apprehended in England or Ireland that it shall be lawfull to the Justiciars of England or Ireland to remand them to Scotland as the Act beares And further if any Malefactors committing crimes in Scotland England or Ireland being duly processed in the Kingdome where the crimes are committed and being Fugitives and remayning in any other of the Kingdomes foresaid that the Judges of either Kingdomes shall be holden at the instance and suit of the party offended to take and remand the Criminals and Malefactors to the Kingdomes where the Crimes were committed And the like Act to be made in Scotland and this Act would be extended as well to debts as crimes And what further is requisite concerning this and other particulars for setling of Peace in the middle shires and accelerating Justice upon delinquents both Civill and Criminall Is to bee considered by the Committee to be appointed for that effect It is answered that such persons as shall be Natives in either Kingdome and shall commit any offence in the Realme whereof they shall be Natives and shall afterwards remove their persons into the other and such persons as shall be inhabitants in either Kingdome and shall commit any offence in the Realme where they shall be inhabitants during the time of their habitation there and shall afterwards remove their persons into the other and shall be for that same censured by the Parliament of that Nation where the offence was committed as Incendiaries betwixt the Nations or betwixt the King and his people shall not enjoy any benefit Civill or Ecclesiasticall or have any protection in any other of his Majesties Dominions And that such Scotish Natives incensing the King of England against the Kingdome of Scotland shall be remanded at the desire of the Scottish Parliament into Scotland to abide their
power commission to the persons after following viz. Iohn Lord Lowdoun Chancellour Archbald Earle of Argyle Alexander Earle of Eglintoun Iohn Earl of Cassils William Earle of Glencairn Iohn Earle of Lauderdail William Earle of Lothian David Earle of Southesk Iames Earle of Findlater Iohn Lord Lindesay Iohn Lord Sinclair John Lord Balmerino Robert Lord Burghly George Lord Forrester Sir George Dundas of that ilk Sir Iohn Wauchope of Nidrie Sir David Home of Wedderburn Sir William Forbes of Craigievare Sir Gilbert Ramsay of Balymayn Sir William Cunyngham of Caprintoun William Rig of Ethernie Sir Duncan Campbel of Auchinbrek Sir Alexander Erskene of Dun Sir Charles Erskene of Bandeth Sir Robert Innes of that ilk Alexander Gordoun of Earlstoun Sir Robert Griersone of Lag Master George Douglas of Bonjedburgh Iohn Binnie for Edinburgh Thomas Durham for Pearth Patrik Leslie for Aberdene George Bell for Linlithgow James Sword for Saint Andrews Patrik Bell for Glasgow John Kennedy for Air John Semple for Dumbartan William Glandoning for Kirkcudbright Iames Scot for Montrose Master Robert Barclay for Irving Iames Anderson for Couper George Gardine for Bruntiland Master Alexander Douglas for Bamff Robert Earle of Roxburgh Lord Privie-Seal Sir Alexander Gibson younger of Durie clerk Register Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall Advocate Sir James Carmichael Thesaurer Depute Sir John Hamiltoun Justice clerk Sir Andrew Fletcher of Innerpeffer Sir Thomas Hope of Kers and Sir Adam Hepburn of Humbie three of the Senatours of the Colledge of Justice To meet and conveene at Halyrude-house or Edinburgh or such other places as shall be appointed by them at such times and dyets as they shall appoint And to value and cause value whatsoever teinds great or small Personage or Viccarage of whatsoever Lands and others within this Kingdome liable to the payment of teinds of whatsoever nature and quality the famine be of which are yet unvalued Providing the Ministers serving the cure who doe lead tithes be secured of good and thankfull payment of so much victuall or money answerable to the worth of the saids tithes as the tithes shall be valued to And al 's to receive the reports from the Sub-commissioners appointed within ilk Presbyterie of the valuations of whatsoever teinds of lands and others lyable to teind as said is led and deduced before them according to the tenor of the Sub-commissions direct to that effect And to allow or disallow the famine according as the same shall bee found agreeable or disagreeable from the tenor of their Sub-commissions And for the better expeding and advancing of the saids valuations with power to appoynt Committees or Sub-committees of their owne number to receive the reports of the saids valuations made or to bee made and to receive admit and examine witnesses And to take parties oath with their depositions where the same is referred to oath and to give such farther power to the saids Committees or Sub-committees of their owne number as they shall think fit for the good of the work and speedy finishing of the same And siclike with power to them if need bee to appoynt Sub-commissioners who are not of their owne number within any Parochine or Presbyterie of the Countrey for leading and deducing of the saids valuations and to receive the reports thereof allow or disallow of the samine And generally with power to them to set downe whatsoever other order or course which shall be thought fit and expedient for dispatch of the faids valuations rectifiying thereof and for finall closing of the same And siclike with power to the saids Commissioners or any fifteene of them there being foure thereof for every Estate after closing and allowance of the valuations of ilke Kirke and Parish or at least the exact diligence of the Ministers done to that effect to appoynt modifie and set downe a constant and locall stipend and maintenance to ilke Minister his present stipend being allowed in the first end thereof to bee payed out of the teinds thereof And to grant augmentations to ilke Ministers of other Kirks nor Bishops Kirkes who got not the benefit of the former Commission and have not the full quantity of eight chalders victuall or eight hundred markes according to the tenor of the Acts of Parliament made in anno 1633. wherein that is found to bee the lowest proportion for the maintenance of the Ministers except such particular Kirkes occurre wherein there shall bee just reasonable and expedient causes to goe beneath the said quantity which is hereby also referred to the conscionable consideration of the Commissioners before exprest And to grant augmentations to Ministers of Kirkes which were provided by the former Commission but to a lesse quantity nor eight chalders victuall or eight hundred markes in the cases after following allanerly viz. where the teinds in whole or in part are fewed with the lands cum decimis inclusis whereby the Ministers were debarred of the full quantity foresaid or where the valuations already led the time of the provision of these Kirkes shall happen to bee reduced as unjustly valued or where it can be proved by writ or oath of party that the lesse quantity foresaid proceeded from pactions betwixt the Titular and the Ministers or Titular and Parochiners in prejudice of the Ministers Successors or where the honest Incumbents for the time were impeded by the Prelates for their never practising conformity to obtaine the full quantity in the former Commission albeit there was sufficiency of teinds within the Paroch In the which cases or any of them it is hereby declared that the Ministers provided by the former Commission shall bee supplied to the full quantity foresaid Like as hereby it is declared that all Bishops Kirkes whether or not provided at all or provided by the former Commission but beneath the quantity foresaid shall bee supplied to the full quantity of eight chalders victuall or eight hundred marks out of the tithes of their owne Parish and where the same cannot bee had then out of the teinds of the other Kirkes of that Bishoprick And that all Kirks that had greater quantity of stipend before the restitution of Bishops nor they now have except they have beene diminished by just valuations shall bee supplied and brought to the same quantity whereof they were in possession before the said restitution to bee payed out of their owne Paroch and where it is in-lacking to bee payed out of the tithes of the Bishops Kirkes For the which effect the Kings Majesty and Estates of Parliament grants power to the Commissioners foresaid or any Quorum of them and al 's gives power to the saids Commissioners to dis-joyne too large and spacious Kirks and plant them severally and to cause build and erect new Kirks and appoynt competent provisions for the Ministers to change Kirks incommodiously situate to a more commodious part of the Paroche to dis-joyne and dismember such parts and portions of parochins lying contigue and whereof ane part is farre
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