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
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
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
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
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
persons and of the crimes whereof they are accused the Parliament declares that they will not proceed to a finall sentence nor insist upon the punishment of those persons but that they doe for the reasons foresaids freely remit them to his Majesty The Estates of Parliament considering that whereas albeit James Earle of Montrose Archbald Lord Naper Sir George Stirling of keir knight Sir Archbald Stewart of Black hall _____ are cited before them and accused as guilty of diverse crimes misdemeanours committed by them to the just offence of the Estates of Parliament and derogatorie to the great trust confidence had of them And albeit the Parliament have just reason to prosecute their processes yet neverthelesse the saids Estates of Parliament taking into their consideration his Majesties gracious goodnesse towards this his native Kingdom and fatherly care and wisedome in composing all past differences and providing for the future to the great joy and happines of all his subjects Do in retribution thereof with an unanimous consent to testifie their high respect and thankfulnesse to his Majesty and that his Majesty may joyfully returne a contented prince from a contented people to the setling of his royall affaires in his other dominions beleeving that the famine will be acceptable to his Majesty and conduceable to the good and peace of the kingdome Declare that for acquitting themselves of their oath they will onely proceed to the exact tryall of the saids parties by a committee to be appointed and authorized by the King and Parliament in respect of the present necessity of their other affaires and after triall shall be taken of the saids persons and of the crimes whereof they are accused The Parliament declares that they will not proceed to a finall sentence nor insist upon the punishment of the saids persons but that they doe for the reasons foresaids freely remit them to his Majesty At Edinburgh the sixteenth day of November the yeare of God 1641 yeares the Parliament having expressed their respect and thankfulnesse to his Majesty by remitting unto him these that are cited as Incendiaries and others according to their above written declaration he was graciously pleased the better to testifie his Princely care and to prevent any feares that may be conceived from the medling of those persons in the affaires of State or Court to make this Declaration following I Taking in good part the respect and thankfulnesse of this Parliament in remitting to me these who are cited as Incendiaries and others according to their Declarations Doe declare that I will not imploy any of these persons in offices or places of Court or State without consent of Parliament nor grant them accesse to my person whereby they may interrupt or disturb the firme peace which is now so happily concluded ACT XXXIV ACT AND COMMISSION FOR TRYING The Incendiaries and Plotters 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament having taken to consideration That in the Session of Parliament conveened by his Majesties authoritie upon the eleventh day of June 1640. yeares full power and warrant was given and granted to the Preses and Quorum of the Committee of Estates therein appointed for directing in the Kings Majesties name and in name of the Estates of Parliament summonds and precepts to the Lyon King at Armes and his brethren Heraulds Pursevants and Maissars to warn and charge the persons under written viz. John Earl of Traquaire Sir Robert Spottiswood of Donipace knight Sir John Hay of Lands late Clerk Register Doctor Walter Balcanquell and Master John Maxwell sometime pretended Bishop of Rosse to compeir personally before the Parliament at certaine dayes and diets by-gone And that conforme to the said warrant of Parliament summonds were raised and intended at the instance of Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall Knight baronet his Majesties Advocate and at the instance of Sir Thomas Nicolson of Carnock Knight Baronet Masters Roger Mowat Alexander Peirson James Baird and Thomas Nicolson Procutors of the Estate to compeire before the Kings Majesty and Estates of Parliament at certaine dayes and diets now by-gone to answer for the crimes of Treason and other crimes contained in the said summonds and precepts of the date the _____ day of _____ yeares And al 's our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament considering that summonds and actions are depending before our said Soveraigne Lord and the Estates of this present Parliament against Iames Earle of Montrose Archbald Lord Naper Sir George Stirling of Keir Knight Sir Archbald Stuart of Blakhall _____ as having been plotters devisers and machinators of courses against the publick weale and as having been the committers of other severall crimes and forefaults particularly specified and contained in the said summonds raised and depending against the saids Earle of Montrose Lord Naper Lairds of Keir and Blakhall _____ Before the Kings Majestie and Estates of this present Parliament of the date the _____ day of _____ 1641. years as the famine at more length beares Therefore our Soveraigne Lord and the Estates of this present Parliament for the further examination and tryall of the persons above specified their guiltinesse of the points and crimes above written contained in the summonds particularly and respectively above mentioned Gives and grants by thir presents full power authority and commission to the persons after mentioned viz. Iohn Lord Lowdoun Chancellour John Earle of Lauderdaill _____ Earle of Weymes Robert Lord Burghly James Lord Couper George Lord Forrester Sir Iohn Hammiltoun of Preston Sir William Cokburne Lord Langtoun Harie Montgomrie of Gifin Sir George Dundas of that ilk Sir Iohn Wauchope of Nidrie William Rig of Ethernie George Bell for the towne of Linlithgow Thomas Bruce for Stirling Mr. George Gray for Hadingtoun George Gardine for Bruntiland and Robert Cunnyngham for Kinghorne James Sword for Saint Andrewes and Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie and Sir Adam Hepburne of Humbie two of the ordinary Senators of the Colledge of justice or to any Quorum of the said number of the saids persons being present for the time which Quorum shall consist of nine two being for ilk estate by the saids two Judges above named to proceed in all further examination of the points of the saids crimes consisting in facto And that by examination of witnesses and by writ or other probation competent of the Law against so many of the saids persons as are not compeiring without all farther citation in respect of their absence and contumacie And al 's to call and conveene before them the foresaids persons above rehearsed in the said summonds particularly and respectively above written so many of them as are incarcerate before them at such dayes and diets as they most conveniently shall appoint at Edinburgh the fourth day of January next to come which is appointed to be the first diet of their meeting And ordaines these who are incarcerate to be cited personally and these who are out of the Countrey at the Mercat Crosse 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
of King Charles So that the 6. Act Parl. 1. and 68. Act Parl. 6. of King James 6. in the yeare of God 1579. declare the Ministers of the blessed Evangel whom GOD of his mercie had raised up or hereafter should raise agreeing with them that then lived in Doctrine and Administration of the Sacraments and the people that professed Christ as hee was then offered in the Evangel and doth communicate with the holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirks of this Realme they were publikely administrate according to the Confession of Faith to bee the true and holy Kirk of Christ Jesus within this Realme and discerne and declare all and sundry who either gain-say the Word of the Evangel received and approved as the heads of the confession of faith professed in Parliament in the yeare of God 1560 specified also in the first Parliament of King Iames 6. and ratified in this present Parliament more particularly doe specifie or that refuses the administration of the holy Sacraments as they were then ministrated to be no members of the said Kirk within this Realme and true Religion presently professed so long as they keep themselves so divided from the societie of CHRISTS Body And the subsequent Act 69. Parl. 6. of King Iames 6. declares that there is none other Face of Kirk nor other Face of Religion then was presently at that time by the favour of GOD established within this Realme which therefore is ever stiled Gods true Religion Christs true religion the true and Christian Religion and a perfect Religion Which by manifold Acts of Parliament all within this Realme are bound to professe to subscribe the articles thereof the Confession of Faith to recant all doctrine and errours repugnant to any of the said Articles Act 4. and 9. Parl. 1. Act 45.46.47 Parl. 3. Act 71. Parl. 6. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. Act 123. Parl. 12. Act 194. and 197 Parl. 14. of King Lames 6. And all Magistrates Sheriffs c. on the one part are ordained to search apprehend and punish all contraveeners For instance Act 5. Parl. 1. Act. 104. Parl. 7. Act 25. Parl. 11. K. James 6. and that notwithstanding of the Kings Majesties licences on the contrary which are discharged and declared to be of no force in so far as they tend in any wayes to the prejudice and hinder of the execution of the Acts of Parliament against Papists and adversaries of true Religion Act 106. Parl. 7. K. Iames 6. On the other part in the 47. Act Parl. 3. K. Iames 6. it is declared and ordained seeing the cause of Gods true Religion and his highnes Authority are so joyned as the hurt of the one is common to both and that none shall be reputed as loyall and faithfull subjects to our Soveraign Lord or his authority but be punishable as rebellers and gain-standers of the same who shall not give their Confession and make their profession of the said true Religion and that they who after defection shall give the Confession of their Faith of new they shall promise to continue therein in time comming to maintaine our Soveraigne Lords Authority and at the uttermost of their power to fortifie assist and maintain the true Preachers and Professours of Christs Evangel against whatsoever enemies and gain-standers of the same and namely against all such of whatsoever nation estate or degree they be of that have joyned and bound themselves or have assisted or assist to set forward and execute the cruell decrees of the Councel of Trent contrary to the true Preachers and Professours of the Word of God which is repeated word by word in the Articles of Pacification at Perth the 23 of February 1572. approved by Parliament the last of April 1573. ratified in Parliament 1587. and related Act 123. Parl. 12. of K. Iames 6. with this addition that they are bound to resist all treasonable uproares and hostilities raised against the true Religion the Kings Majestie and the true Professors LIKE AS all Liedges are bound to maintain the K. Majesties Royall Person and Authority the Authority of Parliaments without the which neither any lawes or lawfull Judicatories can be established Act 130. and 131 Parl. 8. K. Iames 6. and the subjects liberties who ought only to live and be governed by the Kings lawes the common lawes of this Realm allanerly Act 48. Parl. 3. K. James the first Act 79. Parl. 6. K. James 4. repeated in the Act 131. Parl. 8. K. James 6. Which if they be innovated or prejudged the Commission anent the Union of the two Kingdomes of Scotland and England which is the sole Act of the 17. Parl. of K. James 6. declares such confusion would ensue as this Realm could be no more a free Monarchie because by the fundamentall lawes ancient priviledges offices and liberties of this Kingdom not onely the Princely Authority of his Majesties Royall descent hath beene these many ages maintained but also the peoples security of their Lands livings rights offices liberties and dignities preserved And therefore for the preservation of the said true Religion Lawes and Liberties of this Kingdom it is statute by the 8. Act Parl. 1. repeated in the 99. Act Parl. 7. Ratified in the 23. Act Parl. 11. and 114. Act Parl. 12. of K. James 6. and 4. Act of K. Charles that all Kings and Princes at their Coronation and reception of their Princely authority shall make their faithfull promise by their solemne Oath in the presence of the Eternall GOD that enduring the whole time of their lives they shall serve the same eternall GOD to the uttermost of their power according as he hath required in his most holy Word contained in the Old and New Testament And according to the same Word shall maintain the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his holy Word the due and right ministration of the Sacraments now received and preached within this Realme according to the Confession of Faith immediatly preceding and shall abolish and gain-stand all false Religion contrary to the sme and shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of GOD revealed in his foresaid word and according to the laudable Lawes and Constitutions received in this Realme no wayes repugnant to the said will of the eternall GOD and shall procure to the uttermost of their power to the Kirk of GOD and whole Christian people true and perfect peace in all time comming and that they shall be carefull to root out of their Empire all Hereticks and enemies to the true worship of GOD who shall be convicted by the true Kirk of GOD of the foresaid crimes which was also observed by his Majestie at his Coronation at Edinburgh 1633. as may be seen in the Order of the Coronation IN OBEDIENCE to the commandement of God conform to the practise of the godly in former times and according to the laudable example of our Worthy and Religious Progenitors and of many yet
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
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
borne and bred within this Kingdome known and esteemed to be of the qualitie foresaid without exception and who before their entrie and admission to whatsoever charge place or service within the said Castles or any of them either as Captaines Constables Commanders Souldiers or Servants within the same shall be bound and oblisht by a solemne oath to be given and made by them and every one of them to make faith that they shall faithfully employ whatsoever power charge or service committed or that shall be committed to them within the saids Castles or any of them so far as they can or in them lyes to the Kings Majesties honour and safetie to the peace safetie good and prosperitie of this Kingdome and common-wealth and to the preservation and advancement of the true reformed Religion therein presently established and professed as they will answere to God Like as incase it shall happen any of the persons foresaids to doe or attempt any thing contrarie to the premisses or any part thereof It is statute and declared that they shall be punished with all rigour as Traitours and common enemies to the King and Countrey And farther That the Captaines and Commanders of the saids Castles shall be chosen by his Majestie from time to time by advice of the Estates of Parliament and that such as shall happen to be placed therein betwixt Parliaments shall be first tryed and found by his Majesties Councell to be of the qualitie above-exprest and shall have the charge thereof only to the next ensuing Parliament by the which they shall of new be tryed and allowed or otherwise his Majestie shall place others therein by the advice of the Estates as said is Alwayes without prejudice of the Earle of Mar his heritable right of the keeping of the Castle of Striviling ACT XIX ANENT PRODUCTION OF THE REGIsters and Records of Parliament to the first Session of each Parliament THe Estates of Parliament now presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that for the better clearing and resolving of all doubts and difficulties which may arise in Parliaments anent such matters as shall be brought in before them It is very necessar that they have inspection of the Books Registers and Records of Parliaments as they shall have occasion to make use thereof Have statute and ordained that in all times comming the Clerke of Register and his Deputes and such others who for the time shall happen to have the charge keeping or power of any of the saids Registers or Records shall be holden to exhibite and produce the same as they shall be required by the Estates in time of Parliament that they may have the use and inspection thereof upon all occasions as they shall thinke expedient for clearing of whatsoever difficulties And siclike that the Clerk of Register or some having power from him and intrusted with the keeping of the Registers shall be present at all times and shall be ready to give extracts to the Lieges in their particular affaires upon their reasonable charges and expenses and both these under the paine of deprivation of the party contraveening any of the saids members of the Acts or to be otherwayes more mildely or severely punished as the Parliament shall finde the fault to demerit ACT XX. DISCHARGING ALL PROXIES TO BE Admitted in Parliament and that no forraine Noble-man shall have place and voice in Parliament unlesse they have ten thousand merkes of land rent within the Kingdome THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering how farre the dignity honour and authoritie of the high and supreme Court of Parliament which is the great Councel of this Kingdom hath been and is yet likely to be farther diminished weakened by two reasons one is the giving of power of voicing and reasoning to Proxies and Procurators in absence of such as are al 's much tyed to give their personall judgement as their personall presence and hath all these honours riding sitting reasoning and voicing in Parliament only onferred on them and their Successours personally so that it is as absurd that they should give power to any to reason or voice for them as to give any power to ride and to sit in their place of honour and dignitie And it might tend to the weakning and utter overthrow of Parliaments For thus the absence of the most part of the best qualified and experienced might be supplied by Proxies granted to a few and of lesse abilities The other is the granting to strangers having titles of honour conferred on them without any other interest in this Kingdome power of sitting riding reasoning consulting and voicing in this Court of Parliament whereas none should be members of this Court but such as have enterest by Birth Bloud or Inheritance within this Kingdom and so may be sensible of the prejudice or advantage following the lawes and constitutions thereof Therefore the saids Estates statutes ordains that hereafter all Noblemen viz. Dukes Marquesses Earles Vicounts and Lords shall give their personal presence in all Parliaments so being personally present reason and advise voice and no wayes by proxies or procurators but dischargeth any such procurator and commissions in all time comming and that no persons shal hereafter have any place or voice in Parliament as said is but such Noblemen before specified and Commissioners from Shyres and Burrows as have enterest either by Birth Bloud or by Inheritance within this Kingdome and that proportional to the honor and dignity they carry which in the least proportion for every Nobleman must be ten thousand marks by yeare of land rent And that notwithstanding any gifts or patents granted or to be granted to any person whatsoever Such-like the estates foresaid casses and annulls all acts and constitutions any wayes derogatory to this present Act or any part thereof ACT XXI ACT DISCHARGING THE GRANTING Of Protections by the Lords of Councell and Exchequer FOrsameekle as the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering the great prejudice and hurt sustained by his Majesties Highnesse lieges by the frequent granting of Protections and Supersederes and remembring herewithall that his Highnesse Umwhile dearest Father of worthie memorie by the 47. Act of his eleventh Parliament anno 1587. intituled All Supersederes as contrair to the furtherance of justice are forbidden Of the which Act the tenour followeth Forsameekle as our Soveraign Lord and the Estates of this present Parliament understanding great contempt to be done to his Highnesse Lawes and great hurt to his lieges by passing of Licences and Supersederes which daily uses to be granted to such as either by themselves or other friends have credit of his Majesty they being at his Highnes Horne either for causes of Treason or not satisfying of their debts to their creditours for not obtempering decreets and charges Therefore our Soveraigne Lord with advice foresaid statutes and ordaines that no such Licences and Supersederes be granted
unwarranted by their Lawes and contrary to their Nationall oath and Covenant approved by his Majesty It is thereto answered and agreed in his Majesties name upon Decemb. 8. 1640. That as his Majesty hath granted your first and second Demands so doe we in his Majesties name answer to the third That all these who in his Majesties Dominions of England or Ireland have been imprisoned forfeited or censured any other way for subscribing of the Covenant or for refusing to take any other Oath contrary to the same shall be freed of these censures and shall be fully restored to their Liberties Estates and Possessions And for time comming that the Subjects of Scotland as Subjects of Scotland shall not be constrained to any oath contrary to the Lawes of that Kingdome and the Religion there established but such of the Kingdome of Scotland as shall transport themselves into the Kingdome of England or Ireland and there be setled Inhabitants either by way of having inheritance or free-hold or by way of setled Trades by which the way of trading of the Factors of Merchants nor of Merchants themselves is not to be understood shall be subject to the Lawes of England or Ireland and to the oathes established by the Lawes and Acts of Parliament in the said Kingdomes respectively wherein they live and have their ordinary and constant residence and not otherwayes And the English and Irish shall have the like Priviledge in Scotland 8. Decembris 1640. To the fourth Demand craving that his Majesty may be graciously pleased to declare as an Act of Royall Justice serving much to his owne Honour for the establishing of his Throne and for the good and Peace of both Kingdomes That whosoever shall be found upon Tryall and Examination by the Estates of either of the two Parliaments they judging against the Persons subject to their owne Authority to have been the Authors and Causers of the late and present troubles and combustion whether by labouring to make and forment Division betwixt the King and his People or betwixt the two Nations or any other way shall be liable to the Censure and Sentence of the said Parliaments respectively Conforme to the Paper of Decemb. 9. 1640. It is answered upon the 11. of Decemb. 1640. That his Majesty beleeveth he hath none such about him And therefore concerning that point he can make no other Declaration then that he is just and that all his Courts of Justice are free and open to all men His Parliament in this Kingdome is now sitting and the current Parliament of Scotland neere approaching the time of their meeting To either of which hee doth not prohibite any of his Subjects to present their just grievances and complaints of whatsoever nature each medling and judging against the Persons subject to their own Authority 11. Decembris 1640. It is further answered upon the said 11. of December 1640. To your fourth Demand Concerning Incendiaries that his Majesty beleeveth he hath none such about him Therefore concerning that point he can make no other Declaration then that he is just and that all his Courts of Justice are to bee free and open to all men His Parliament in this Kingdome is now sitting and the current Parliament of Scotland neere approaching the time of their meeting in either of which respective he doth not prohibite the Estates to proceed in trying and judging whatsoever of his Subjects And whereas it was further demanded that as his Majesty would not hinder any of his Subjects to be tried and judged by the Parliament so that none after the Sentence of the Parliament should have accesse to his Majesty or be maintained and enjoy Places or Offices and have credit or authority to informe and advise his Majesty Conforme to the Paper of December 23. 1640. It is declared in his Majesties name upon December 30. 1640. Besides his Majesties former Answers His Majesty hath commanded us to declare in his Name That he will not imploy any Person or Persons in Office or Place that shal be judged incapable by sentence of Parliament Nor wil he make use of their service without the consent of Parliament nor grant them accesse to his Person whereby they may interrupt or disturbe that firme Peace which he now so much desireth he being confident that they will proceed in a faire just way and according to their severall professions with that respect to his honour which in reason he may expect from good and dutiful Subjects 30. of Decemb. 1640. The fifth Demand That their ships and goods and all Dammage thereof may be restored Is condescended unto and to be reciprocal That all Ships and Goods taken at Sea or stayed in Ports with dammage bee restored on both sides And that some summary course be agreed upon for the performance thereof upon the Demands of the particulars on both sides Conforme to the Paper of December 30. 1640. And further it was agreed upon the 7. of Januarie 1641. Stilo Scotico That all Ships taken and stayed should be reciprocally restored on both sides And that the Scottish Commissioners having informed that about fourescore Ships of Scotland are yet stayed in the Ports and are like to suffer much further losse and dammage if they shall not be delivered into some hands who may have care of them It is agreed for the more speedy expedition of the Scottish Ships and that the owners thereof be not longer damnifyed by the want of them that warrants shall bee presently granted for delivery of all their Ships and that foure thousand pounds be presently advanced for Cauking Sailes Cordage and other necessaries for helping the present setting forth of the said Ships And for the rest of this Article when it shall come in the sixt Demand it shall be agreed unto 7. of Januarie 1641. Stilo Scotico To the sixth Demand concerning the losses which the Kingdome of Scotland hath sustained and the vast charges they have been put unto by occasion of the late troubles and the reparation desired from the Justice and kindnesse of the Kingdome of England towards reliefe thereof in manner and upon the ground exprest in the Paper of the 7. of Januarie 1641. Stilo Scotico It is answered that this House thinks fit that a friendly assistance and relief shall be given towards supply of the losses necessities of the Scots that in due time this House wil take into consideration the measure maner of it Conform to the paper 22. of Jan. 1641. Stilo Scotico And further the Parliament upon the 3. of February did declare that they did conceive that the summe of three hundred thousand pounds is a fit proportion for the friendly assistance and relief formerly thought fit to be given towards supply of the losses and necessities of their Brethren of Scotland and that the House would in due time take into consideration the manner how and the time when the same shall be raised Conforme to the Paper of the 3. of
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
to bee made with forraign Princes and Estates and concerning mutuall Supply in case of forraign Invasion and also concerning mutuall Trade and Commerce betwixt the Kingdome of Scotland England and Ireland and anent the pressing of Ships and men by sea or land and al 's anent Naturalization and mutuall Capacity of the Subjects of both Kingdomes who either of them respective of all Dignities Liberties Priviledges and other Benefits Ecclesiasticall or civill and others of that nature and concerning the lawfullnesse and solemnity of the extracts of Bands or Decreets in either of the saids Kingdomes And al 's concerning the manner of safe conduct for transporting from England to Scotland by sea or land in such a way as may be most secure and least chargeable to the estate of Scotland of the moneys given and promitted by way of brotherly supply and assistance to the Estate and Kingdome of Scotland by the Parliament of England And concerning what assistance Scotland shall give to England for suppressing of the Rebellion in Ireland or to the Prince Elector conforme to the instructions given or to bee given to them for that effect by the Lords of secret Councell to whom his Maiesty and Estates of Parliament remits the same And what the saids Commissioners their treaties with the saids Commissioners of England and Ireland resolves and concludes upon that they may make timous and due report thereof to his Majesty and the Estates of this Kingdome ACT XXXII COMMISSION FOR CONSERVING OF The Articles of Treaty 16. November 1641. OUR Soveraign Lord Considering That by the late Articles of Treaty concluded betwixt the Commissioners of His Majesties Kingdome of Scotland and England Ratified by Parliaments of both Kingdoms It is thought fit and necessary for observing the saids Articles of Treaty made for establishing a firme and constant peace That Power and Commission be granted by his Majesty by advice of the Estates of Parliament of both Kingdoms to the effect contained in the said Articles of Treaty for performance wherof upon the part of His Majesties said Kingdom of Scotland His Majestie with consent of the Estates of the said Kingdome by thir presents Gives and grants power and Commission to the persons after-specified viz. John Lord Lowdoun Chancellour James Duke of Lennox James Marquesse of Hammiltoun Archbald Earle of Argyle William Earle of Mortoun Alexander Earle of Eglintoun William Earle of Glencairne Charles Earle of Dumfermling Robert Earl of Roxburgh William Earle of Lothian John Earle of Lauderdaill George Earle of Kynnowll William Earle of Lanerk Alexander Earle of Levin John Lord Lindesay John Lord Balmerino James Lord Almond Sir Patrik Hepburne of Wauchtoun Sir George Dundas of that ilk Sir Thomas Myretoun of Cambo Sir Patrik Hammiltoun Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse Sir Robert Innes of that ilk Sir Archbald Johnstoun Sir Alexander Erskene of Dun Sir David Home of Wedderburne Sir Robert Griersone of Lag Sir William Scot of Harden Sir Iohn Charters of Amisfeild _____ Ruthven of Frieland _____ Campbell of Cessnok Sir David Grahame of Morphie Sir Hary Montgomrie of Giffen Sir William Forbes of Craigievare Sir William Douglas of Cavers Edward Edgar Patrik Bell William Glendoning Iohn Smith Master Robert Barclay Thomas Durham Iames Fletcher Patrik Leslie Thomas Bruce George Bell Iames Sword Iohn Rutherford Master Iohn Corser Hugh Kennedye Iohn Semple Master Robert Cunyngham Master Alexander Douglas Richard Maxwell or any twelve of them With power to them or any twelve of them as said is there being at least two of every Estate at any time or times in the Interim betwixt the sitting of the Parliaments To conveene amongst themselves or with the Commissioners chosen or to be chosen to the same effect by His Majesty with consent of the Parliament of England within which is included the Kingdome of Ireland at whatsoever places and times convenient to be accorded unto amongst themselves And to be carefull that the peace now happily concluded may be continued And to endeavour by all lawfull meanes for preserving and keeping of the saids Articles of peace concluded in the foresaid Treaty allanerly And therewith to use all their care to preveen all trouble and division which may arise by the breaking and violating of any of the saids Articles concluded in the said Treaty as said is And if any debate or difference shall happen to arise to the disturbance of the said common peace That they labour to remove or compose the famine according to their power granted to them in manner foresaid and no other wayes It being alwaies provided That for all their proceedings in this kinde they shall be answerable for the lawfulnesse thereof to the Kings Majesty and the Parliament respective and if any thing fall forth beyond their power and which cannot be remedied by them that they informe themselves of the particulars thereof and represent the same to his Majesty and to the ensuing Parliaments respective That by his Majesties wisedome and authority and theirs all occasions and causes of troubles being removed the peace of the Kingdome may be perpetuall to all posterity And it is declared that the power of this Commission shal be restrained to the Articles of peace concluded in the said Treaty as said is and shall endure for the interim betwixt Parliaments allanerly and shall expire at the next ensuing Parliament at the which the said Commissioners shall be holden to give an account of their diligence and proceeding in the premisses ACT XXXIII ACT ANENT THE FIVE INCENDIARIES And the Plotters And the Kings declaration there-anent 16 November 1641. THe Estates of Parliament considering that whereas albeit John Earle of Traquhair Sir Robert Spottiswood of Donipace knight Sir John Hay of Baro knight late Clerk register Doctor Walter Balcanquell and Mr. John Maxwell somtime pretended Bishop of Rosse are cited before them and accused as guilty of divers haynous and treasonable crimes perpetrated and committed by them against the Common wealth contained in their severall ditties which they have just reason to prosecute Neverthelesse the saids estates of Parliament taking into their consideration his Majesties gracious goodnesse towards this his native kingdome and his fatherly care and wisedome in composing of all past differences and providing for the future to the great joy and happinesse of all his Subjects doe in retribution thereof with an unanimous consent to testifie their high respect and thankfulnesse to his Majesty and that his Majesty may joyfully returne a contented prince from a contented people to the setling of his royall affaires in his other dominions beleeving that the famine will be acceptable to his Majesty and conduceable to the good and peace of the kingdom Declare that for acquitting themselves of their oath they will onely proceed to the exact triall of the saids parties by a committee to be appointed and authorized by the king and Parliament in respect of the present necessity of their other affaires And after tryall shall be taken of the saids