THE LAWS and ACTS OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT Of our most High and Dread SOVERAIGN CHARLES THE SECOND By the grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith Holden at Edinburgh the First of January 1661. By a Noble Lord John Earl of Middleton Lord Cleremont and Fettercairn His MAJESTIES Commissioner for holding of this Parliament by vertue of a COMMISSION under His MAJESTIES Great Seal of this Kingdom With the special Advice and Consent of the Estates of Parliament Extracted and Collected from the Records of Parliament by Sir ARCHIBALD PRIMEROSE of Chester Knight and Barronet Clerk to His MAJESTIES Council Registers and Rolls EDINBURGH Printed by Evan Tyler Printer to the Kings most Excellent MAjESTY Anno Dom. 1661 CVM PRIVILEGIO CHARLES the 2d BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF SCOTLAND ENGLAND FRANCE IRELAND Defender of the faith â—â—uch not my Anoynted GOD SAVE THE KING FEAR GOD HONOVR THE KING HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE NEMO ME IMPVNE LACESSET The LAWS and ACTS made in the first PARLIAMENT of our most High and Dread Soveraign CHARLES the Second by the grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith Began at Edinburgh the first day of January 1661. I. ACT concerning the President and Oath of Parliament FOrasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty GOD to compassionat the troubles and confusions of this Kingdom by returning the Kings most excellent MAjESTY to the exercise of that Royal Government under which and its excellent constitution this Kingdom hath for many ages injoyed so much happiness peace and plenty And it being upon good and important considerations an inviolable practice in this Government before these troubles that the person nominate by His MAjESTY to be His Chancellor within this Kingdom did of right and as due to his place preside in all Meetings of Parliament and other publick Judicatories of the Kingdom where he was present for the time And His MAjESTY now considering the great advantages do accress to the publick good of His Subjects by the due observance of such ancient and well grounded Customs and Constitutions and the prejudices that do accompany a change thereof Therefore His MAjESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth Declare That the present Lord Chancellor and such as hereafter shall be nominate by His MAjESTY or His Royal Successors to succeed in that place and in case of their absence such as shall be nominate by His MAJESTY are by vertue and right of the said office and such nomination respective to preside in all meetings of His MAJESTIES Parliaments or other publick Judicatories of the kingdom where they shall happen to be present and that they are now and in all time coming to injoy this priviledge And in discharge of this trust they are at the first down-sitting of every Parliament to administer to all the Members thereof the Oath of Alleagiance whereof the tenor follows I for testification of my faithfull obedience to my most gracious and redoubted Soveraign CHARLES King of Great Brittain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Affirm testifie and declare by this my solemn Oath That I acknowledge my said Soveraign only Supream Governour of this Kingdom over all Persons and in all Causes and that no Forraign Prince Power or State nor person Civil or Ecclesiastick hath any Jurisdiction Power or Superiority over the same And therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all Forraign Jurisdictions Powers and Authorities and shall at my utmost power defend assist and maintain His MAJESTIES Jurisdiction foresaid against all deadly and never decline His MAJESTIES Power nor Jurisdiction as I shall answer to GOD. With this addition And I shall faithfully give my Advice and Vote in every thing shall be propounded in Parliament as I shall answer to GOD. Likeas His MAJESTY with advice foresaid doth hereby Rescind and Annull all Acts Statutes or Practices as to the President or Oath of Parliament which are prejudicial unto or inconsistent with this present Act and Declare the same to be void and null in all time coming II. Act and Acknowledgement of His MAjESTIES Prerogative in the choice of His Officers of State Councellors and Judges THe Estates of Parliament considering the great obligations that do ly upon them from the Law of GOD the Laws of Nations the municipal Laws of the Land and their Oaths of Alleagiance to maintain and defend the Soveraign Power and Authority of the Kings MAJESTY and the sad consequences that do accompany any incroachments upon or diminutions thereof Do therefore from their sense of humble duty Declare That it is an inherent priviledge of the Crown and an undoubted part of the Royal Prerogative of the Kings of this Kingdom to have the sole choice and appointment of the Officers of Estate and Privy Councellors and the nomination of the Lords of Session as in former times preceeding the year 1637. And that the Kings Sacred MAJESTY and His Heirs and Successors are for ever by vertue of that Royal Power which they hold from GOD Almighty over this Kingdom to injoy and have the full exercise of that Right And therefore the Kings MAJESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth hereby Rescind and Annull all Acts Statutes or Practices to the contrair and Declare them to have been undutifull and disloyal invasions upon the Royal Prerogative and to be void and null in all time coming III. Act asserting His Majesties Royal Prerogative in the calling and dissolving of Parliaments and making of Laws THe Estates of Parliament now conveened by His MAJESTIES special Authority considering that the Quietness Stability and Happiness of the people do depend upon the Safety of the Kings MAJESTIES Sacred Person and the maintenance of His Soveraign Authority Princely Power and Prerogative Royal. And conceiving themselves oblieged in conscience and in discharge of their duties to Almighty GOD to the Kings MAJESTY and to their Native Country to make a due acknowledgement thereof at this time Do therefore unanimously Declare That they will with their lives and fortunes maintain and defend the same And they do hereby acknowledge that the power of Calling Holding Proroguing and Dissolving of Parliaments and all Conventions and Meetings of the Estates doth solely reside in the Kings MAJESTY His Heirs and Successors And that as no Parliament can be lawfully keeped without the special warrand and presence of the Kings MAJESTY or His Commissioner so no Acts Sentences or Statutes to be past in any Parliament can be binding upon the people or have the Authority and force of Laws without the special Authority and Approbation of the Kings MAJESTY or His Commissioner interponed thereto at the making thereof And therefore the Kings MAJESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth hereby Rescind and Annull all Laws Acts Statutes or Practices that have
who otherwise may seem to be comprehended and concluded in it They do therefore from their certain knowledge Declare That even in that Parliament from which many of His Majesties good Subjects were debarred for their affection and adherence to His Majesties Service and Commands there was a considerable number of worthy Patriots of all Estates who at the passing of that base Act gave a publick testimony and dis-assent from it which is here Recorded for their due honour and for which their memory will in all ages receive a famous celebration And that there were divers others who upon the pretexts of Reformation and assurances of the Safety of His Majesties Person being inveigled were in the simplicity of their hearts drawn along for the time But shortly thereafter being convinced of their error did imbrace the first opportunity to expiate the same by freely hazarding their lives and fortunes in the year one thousand six hundred and fourty eight to reedeem His Majesty from these restraints and dangers which by that impious Act He was driven into And therefore His Majesty with advice and consent foresaid doth Declare That the Act of Parliament foresaid of the sixteenth of January one thousand six hundred and fourty seven is not to be look'd upon as the Deed of the Kingdom but as the Act of a few disloyal and seditious persons who having upon specious but false pretences screwed themselves into the Government did by force of Armes keep the same and from the conscience of their own guiltiness being afraid of the justice of His Majesties Government did violently carry on that Act. And in further owning thereof did in the said year one thousand six hundred and fourty eight rise in Arms in opposition to those who endeavoured to restore His Majesty to His Government and to relieve Him from the imprisonment and hazard He was then lying under as the natural effects of that unworthy transaction so justly hereby condemned And for the further clearing of the sense of this Kingdom as to that base and treacherous Act and the aspersions which have been thereupon raised as if there had been previous Transactions and Bargains of Money for carrying on of the same The Estates of Parliament Declare They do abominat the very thought of any such thing and that if at any time hereafter there shall be discovery of any such wickedness which they are confident GOD Almighty will in His Justice bring to light if it be true and wherein they earnestly intreat the concurrence of all His Majesties dutifull and loyal Subjects The persons guilty thereof shall without mercy be pursued as the vildest of Traitours and shall be incapable of the benefit of any Act of Pardon Oblivion or Indempnity for ever XI Act for taking the Oath of Alleagiance and asserting the Royal Prerogative OUr Soveraign Lord being truly sensible of the many sufferings and sad confusions that His dutifull and loyal Subjects have been brought under during these troubles and desirous that His Royal Government in it's due Administration may be refreshing and comfortable unto them And conceiving it necessar for that end and for the honour and advancement of His own Service the welfare and happiness of His Subjects and the peace and quiet of this Kingdom That the places of publick Trust which be the Channels and Conduits by which His Majesties Government is conveyed unto His People be supplied and exerced by persons of known integrity abilities and loyalty Do therefore Declare That it is and will be His Majesties Royal care that those whom according to the undoubted Right of the Crown He hath or shall think fit to call to His Councils or any publick imployments shall be so qualified And that for the full satisfaction of all His good Subjects and for removing any scruples or jealousies can arise upon this account they shall before their admittance to or exercise of any such Trust give such publick testimony of their Duty and Loyalty as may evidence to the world they are such as the Kingdom and all honest men and good Subjects may justly confide in And therefore the Kings Majesty with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Doth Statute and Ordain That all and whatsoever person or persons who are or shall be nominat by His Majesty to be His Officers of State of His Privy-Council Session or Exchequer Justice General Admiral Sheriffs Commissars and their Deputes and Clerks and all Magistrates and Council of Royal Burghs at their admission to their several Offices and before they offer to exerce the same shall take and swear the Oath of Alleagiance hereunto subjoyned And also that all other persons who shall be required by His Majesties Privy-Council or any having Authority from them shall be oblieged to take and swear the same And since all the troubles and miseries that have overspread this Kingdom and almost destroyed all religious and civil all publick and private interests these twenty years by-gone and upwards have arisen and sprung from these invasions that have been made upon and contempts done to the Royal Authority and Prerogative of the Crown His Majesty conceives Himself oblieged both for His own Royal interest and for the publick interest and peace of His people to be carefull to prevent the like for the future And therefore His Majesty with advice foresaid Statutes and Ordains that all persons who are or shall be called to any publick Trust as said is shall beside the taking of the Oath of Alleagiance be oblieged before they enter to their Offices and Trusts to assert under their hand writing His Majesties Royal Prerogative as is exprest in the Acts past in this present Parliament and in the manner hereunto subjoyned Certifying all such as being required shall refuse or delay to take the Oath of Alleagiance they shall not only thereby render themselves uncapable of any publick Trust but be lookt upon as persons dis-affected to His Majesties Authority and Government and such as shall refuse or delay to assert His Majesties Prerogative in manner under-written shall from thenceforth be uncapable of any publick Trust within this Kingdom Follows the Oath of Alleagiance I For testification of my faithfull obedience to my most Gracious and redoubted Soveraign CHARLES King of Great Brittain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Affirm testifie and declare by this my solemn Oath That I acknowledge my said Soveraign only Supream Governour of this Kingdom over all Persons and in all Causes And that no Forreign Prince Power State or Person Civil or Ecclesiastick hath any Jurisdiction Power or Superiority over the same And therefore I do utterly nenounce and forsake all Forreign Power Jurisdictions and Authorities and shall at my utmost power defend assist and maintain His Majesties Jurisdiction foresaid against all deadly and shall never decline His Majesties Power and Jurisdiction as I shall answer to GOD. Follows the Acknowledgement of His Majesties Prerogative FOrasmuch as the Estates of
called Sealch-skins ilk twenty dacker two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Skins called Tod-skins ilk half hundred two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Skins called Veal-skins ilk four dacker two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Skins called Wool-skins ilk fifteenscore two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Skins called Woolf-skins ilk two dacker two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sparres Roof-sparres ilk hundred two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sparres Roof-sparres of Oak ilk twenty two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sparres Wicker-sparres ilk thousand two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Stulling every six bolls two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Stirrop-irons ilk ten dozen two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Stirrop-leathers ilk twenty dozen two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sword-blaides ilk threescore two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Swords mounted ilk twenty two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sword-belts of leather ilk twelve dozen two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Swine ilk ten of them two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Suggar of all sorts ilk sixty pound weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sythes ilk threescore of them two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Seathes ilk five hundred thereof two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Seathes ilk six barrels two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Shoos ilk hundred pair two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Starch ilk hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Slyreland ilk hundred ells three ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Shewed Beds the peece two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Sulfur ilk hundred weight one ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine T TAkle ilk five hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tallow called Narves Tallow ilk six barrels two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Scots Tallow ilk three barrels two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tar of great and small bind ilk six barrels two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tyking for Beds ilk hundred ells two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tows ilk five hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Trumps ilk five hundred one ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tobacco ilk hundred weight one ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Tobacco-pipes ilk fourty grose one ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine V VEals ilk ten of them two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Vineger of Wine ilk two tuns two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Vineger of Bear or Ale ilk three tuns two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine W WAdmoll ilk two hundred ells two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wainscot of all sorts ilk thirty of them two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wax ilk last or fourteen Ship-pounds four ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wheat every four bolls half boll two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Whale-shot ilk two barrels two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Worstead yarn for Shewing ilk twenty pound two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wool ilk six stone weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wines ilk tun two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Wine-sellars ilk twenty of them two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Whingers or Durks ilk sixty of them one ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Y YArn Cable-yarn ilk eight hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Cotton-yarn ilk sixty pound weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Irish-yarn ilk three hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Raw Linning-yarn Dutch or French ilk sixty pound two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Scots-yarn ilk fifty pound weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Spruce or Muscovia-yarn ilk two hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine YArn Woollen or Bay-yarn ilk hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine XXXVIII Commission and Instructions to the Justices of Peace and Constables OUr Soveraign Lord taking to His Royal consideration how much the appointing of Justices of Peace and Constables within all the Shires of this Kingdom under the Reign of His Majesties Royal Predecessors did contribute to the Peace Quiet and good Government thereof and to the speedy and impartial execution of Law and Justice to all persons subjected to their jurisdiction and power Therefore and for the furtherance of these ends in the future His Majesty with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Doth hereby Statute and Ordain That in all time coming there shall be Justices of His Majesties Peace appointed within each several Shire of this Kingdom to be nominate from time to time by His Majesty and His Royal Successors Which Justices of Peace are hereby impowered to administrate Justice and put His Majesties Laws in execution according to the particular Instructions after-mentioned viz. The Justices of Peace at their first sitting shall take the Oath of Alleagiance and Oath De sideli administratione which at first shall be administrate to them by the Sheriff or his Depute of ilk respective Shire or in their absence by the President and Conveener for the time Followeth the Oath of Alleagiance I For testification of my faithfull Obedience to my most Gracious and redoubted Soveraign CHARLES King of Great Brittain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Affirm testifie and declare by this my solemn Oath that I acknowledge my said Soveraign Only Supream Governour of this Kingdom over all Persons and in all Causes and that no Forreign Prince Power or State nor Person Civil or Ecclesiastick hath any Jurisdiction Power or Superiority over the same And therefore I do utterly renounce and foresake all Forreign Jurisdictions Powers and Authorities and shall at my utmost power defend assist and maintain His Majesties Jurisdiction foresaid against all deadly and shall never decline His Majesties Power nor Jurisdiction as I shall answer to GOD. Followeth the Oath De fideli administratione I As one of the Commissioners and Justices of Peace within Shires according to my knowledge wit and power shall do equal Right both to rich and poor conform to the Laws Statutes and Customs of the Land and that I shall not be of Council with any person in any quarrel or matter depending before me and that I shall every Quarter keep the Sessions or oftener as I shall be required not having any just impediment in the contrair and shall faithfully and truly discharge my duty as a Justice of His Majesties Peace and shall leave nothing undone that may tend to the preservation of the same So help me GOD. The Justices of Peace in each respective Shire shall meet and conveen together four times in the year viz. On the first Tuesday of May the first
Parliament of this Kingdom by their several Acts of the eleventh and twenty fifth of January last have from the sense of their humble duty and in recognisance of His Majesties just Right Declared That it is an inherent Priviledge of the Crown and an undoubted part of the Royal Prerogative of the Kings of this Kingdom to have the sole choice and appointment of the Officers of Estate Privy-Councellors and Lords of Session That the power of calling holding and dissolving of Parliaments and all Conventions and Meetings of the Estates doth soly reside in the Kings Majesty His Heirs and Successors and that as no Parliament can be lawfully kept without the special warrand and presence of the Kings Majesty or His Commissioner So no Acts nor Statutes to be past in any Parliament can be binding on the people or have the Authority and force of Laws without the special approbation of His Majesty or His Commissioner interponed thereto at the making thereof That the power of Armes making of Peace and War and making of Treaties and Leagues with Forreign Princes or States or at home by the Subjects among themselves doth properly reside in the Kings Majesty His Heirs and Successors and is their undoubted Right and their's alone And that it is high Treason in the Subjects of this Kingdom or any number of them upon whatsoever ground to rise or continue in Armes to maintain any Forts Garisons or Strengths to make Peace or War or to make any Treaties or Leagues with Forreigners or among themselves without His Majesties Authority first interponed thereto That it is unlawfull to the Subjects of whatsoever quality or function to convocat conveen or assemble themselves for holding of Councils Conventions and Assemblies to Treat Consult and Determin in any matters of State Civil or Ecclesiastick except in the ordinary Judgements or to make Leagues or Bonds upon whatsoever colour or pretence without His Majesties special consent and approbation had thereunto That the League and Covenant and all Treaties following thereupon and Acts or Deeds that do or may relate thereunto are not obligatory nor do infer any Obligation upon this Kingdom or the Subjects thereof to meddle or interpose by Armes or any seditious way in any thing concerning the Religion and Government of the Churches in England and Ireland or in what may concern the Administration of His Majesties Government there And that none of His Majesties Subjects should presume upon any pretext of any Authority whatsoever to require the renewing or swearing of the said League and Covenant or of any other Covenants or publick Oaths concerning the Government of the Church or Kingdom And that none offer to renew or swear the same without His Majesties special warrand and approbation c. I do conform to the Acts of Parliament aforesaid Declare That I do with all humble duty acknowledge His Majesties Royal Prerogative Right and Power in all the particulars and in the manner aforementioned and that I do heartily give my consent thereto by these presents Subscribed by me at XII Act concerning the Judicial proceedings in the time of the late Vsurpers FOrasmuch since the year of GOD one thousand six hundred and fifty one the late Usurpers did take upon them to establish Judicatories superior and inferior within this Nation as Judges for Administration of Justice in place of the Judicatory of the Session formerly established by Law Commissioners for the Admirality Sheriffs of Shires Commissars Justices of Peace and other inferiour Courts In which Courts the people did in name of the Usurpers or under the notion of the Keepers of the Liberties prosecute and defend their several Causes and Interests these many years past And His Majesty considering that the matters agitate pursued and concluded were for the most part things of course belonging to the ordinary Judicatories formerly established in this Kingdom and being unwilling that the people should be put to any further trouble where Matters have been acted and Cases determined according to Law Therefore His Majesty with consent of the Estates of Parliament Declares That all and whatsoever Acts Interloquiters Decreets and Sentences made pronounced and given forth by the saids Courts superiour and inferiour with all execution thereupon and all execution by Horning Inhibition Caption Comprising Poynding and others to have been and to be valid and stand in full force notwithstanding of the unlawfulness of the Authority by which these Courts were held and the execution used But because the Judges or Commissioners for Administration of Justice did sometimes proceed in an arbitrary way contrair to Law and Justice and at other times many of them being strangers and ignorant of the Law did proceed unwarrantably and unjustly betwixt parties Therefore His Majesty with consent foresaid doth Declare That whatsoever person or persons hath any just reason to quarrel their Acts Interloquiters Decreets and Sentences they are hereby warranded and allowed to do the same without any Reduction or Suspension within the space of one year next after the down-sitting of the Session And if parties complainers be Minors within the space of year and day next after they shall attain the age of twenty one years compleat Parties alwayes being lawfully cited thereto And if any person or persons be charged under the pain of Horning Suspension shall be granted to them upon Caution or if they be not able to find Caution super cautione Juratoria And if it shall be found that the Complainer doth without any just ground unnecessarly vex the party complained upon in that case the Lords of the Session are hereby authorized to determine the parties damage and charges to be paid by the unjust Complainer Likeas all Decreets before the saids pretended Commissioners for Administration of Justice whether given in absence or parties compearand are hereby allowed to be brought in question revised and recognosced in manner foresaid And whereas there be many Processes as yet depending undecided upon Summons and Letters raised in the saids Usurpers names the same Processes shall be all wakned in His Majesties Name and be put to a final close by the Lords of Session as if they had been intended from the beginning in His Majesties Name and Authority And whereas any Acts or Decreets have been made or given forth in the Admiral Courts or any other inferiour Courts the same may be brought in question before the Lords of Session in the same forme and manner as was formerly established by the Law and Practick of this Kingdom And forasmuch as the said Usurpers did from time to time nominate and appoint Commissioners of Exchequer having the same power to passe all sorts of Writs Signators and others and to discusse Processes and Suspensions in the same manner as His Majesties Treasurer and Commissioners appointed by His Majesty had power to do Therefore His Majesty with advice and consent foresaid for the good and case of His people under the provisions underwritten doth Declare all and whatsoever Writs
been or upon any pretext whatsoever may be or seem contrair to or inconsistent with His MAJESTIES just Power and Prerogative above-mentioned and Declares the same to have been unlawfull and to be void and null in all time coming And to the end that this Act and Acknowledgement which the Estates of Parliament from the sense of their humble duty and certain knowledge have hereby made may receive the more exact obedience in time coming It is by His MAJESTY with advice foresaid Statute and Ordained that the punctual observance thereof be specially regarded by all His MAJESTIES Subjects and that none of them upon any pretext whatsoever offer to call in question impugne or do any deed to the contrair hereof under the pain of Treason IIII. Act asserting His Majesties Royal Prerogative in the making of Leagues and the conventions of the Subjects THe Estates of Parliament considering that the maintenance of His MAjESTIES Authority and Royal Prerogative in and concerning the making of Leagues and the conventions of the Subjects is not only a necessary duty of the people but of singular advantage to their happiness and peace And that their Predecessors wisely foreseing the good and benefit thereof and the prejudices and miseries that inevitably did accompany the neglect of the same did therefore by many several Acts and Laws assert the Kings Prerogative and Authority therein and particularly by the hundred and thirty one Act of the eight Parliament of King James the sixth it is Statute and Ordained That none of his Highness Subjects of whatsoever quality state or function presume to convocat conveen or assemble themselves for holding of Councils Conventions or Assemblies to treat consult and determine in any matter of State Civil or Ecclesiastick except in the ordinary Judgements without His MAJESTIES special command or express licence had and obtained thereto under the pains made against such as unlawfully convocats the Kings Leidges And by the twelfth Act of the tenth Parliament holden the tenth of December one thousand five hundred and eighty five It is by His MAJESTY with advice of His three Estates Statute and Ordained that no Leagues nor Bonds be made among His Subjects of any degree upon whatsoever colour or pretence without His Highness or His Successors privitie and consent had and obtained thereunto under the pain to be holden and execute as movers of Sedition to the breach of the Peace And now finding that the due observance of these Laws might have contribute much to the preventing of these confusions and troubles which in these late times have almost ruined both the Kings MAJESTY and all His loyal Subjects Therefore His MAJESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth revive renew ratifie and approve these Acts above-mentioned and Ordain the same to be punctually obeyed in all time coming conform to the tenor thereof and under the pains therein contained And Declares that any explanation or glosse that during these late troubles hath been put upon these Acts as that they are not to be extended against any Leagues Councils Conventions Assemblies or Meetings made holden or kept by the Subjects for preservation of the Kings MAJESTY the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom or for the publick good either of Kirk or Kingdom are false and disloyal and contrair to the true and genuine meaning of these Acts And therefore His MAJESTY with advice foresaid doth Discharge and for ever Annull the same and all Acts and Practices that have been in pursuance thereof V. Act asserting His Majesties Royal Prerogative in the Militia and in making Peace and War c. THe Estates of Parliament considering the great happiness that this Kingdom hath for many ages enjoyed under the princely Government of their Royal Kings who by the special blessing of Almighty GOD have reigned over them in so long and an unparallel'd series of Royal descents and the obligation thereby lying upon them in conscience honour and gratitude to owne and assert the Royal Prerogatives of the Imperial Crown of this Kingdom which the Kings MAJESTY holds from GOD Almighty alone An to vindicat the same from these invasions which by the malice or specious pretexts of ill affected persons and the confusions and disorders of the late times have been made upon it Do therefore Declare That the power of Armes and making of Peace and War or Treaties and Leagues with Forraign Princes or Estates doth properly reside in the Kings MAJESTY His Heirs and Successors and that it was and is their undoubted Right and theirs alone to have the power of raising in Armes the Subjects of this Kingdom and of the commanding ordering and disbanding or otherwise disposing thereof and of all Strengths Forts or Garrisons within the same as they shall think fit the Subjects alwayes being free of the Provisions and Maintenance of these Forts and Armies unless the same be concluded in Parliament or Convention of Estates Likeas the Kings MAJESTY with advice and consent foresaid doth hereby Declare That it is and shall be high Treason to the Subjects of this Kingdom or any number of them more or less upon any ground or pretext whatsoever to rise or continue in Armes to maintain any Forts Strengths or Garrisons to make Peace or War or to make any Treaties or Leagues with Forraign Princes or Estates or among themselves without His MAJESTIES special Authority and Approbation first interponed thereto And doth discharge all His MAJESTIES Subjects to offer upon any pretext whatsoever to attempt the doing of any of these things hereafter under the said pain of Treason And in further detestation of such unlawfull and unwarratnable practices the Kings MAJESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth hereby Rescind and Annull all Acts Statutes Ordinances or Deeds past or done in any Parliaments Conventions or other Meetings whatsoever or any otherwise in so far as they are or may be contrair to or inconsistent with this present Act and Declares the same dispensing with the generality and holding all the particulars as verbatim herein inserted to be void and of no force nor effect in time coming VI. Act annulling the pretended Convention of Estates kept in the year 1643. FOrasmuch as the power of calling of Parliaments or Conventions of the Estates of this Kingdom hath alwayes been and is an undoubted priviledge of the Crown and doth soly reside in the Kings MAJESTY And that notwithstanding thereof among the many other invasions which during these late times have been made upon the Royal Prerogative a pretended Meeting and Convention of the Estates was called and kept at Edinburgh in June one thousand six hundred fourty three without any warrand from the Kings MAjESTY And the Estates of Parliament now conveened by His MAjESTIES speciall Authority having taken into their consideration the indiction reasons and grounds of the calling of the said Convention do find that the said pretended Convention of Estates notwithstanding of all the specious