Anent the Constitution of the Policie of the Kirk.[28]--5th March
1574.
Forsamekill as the present estate of the Kirk within this realme
being considerit be my Lord Regentis Grace, and Estaittis now
convenit, and how sen the alteratioun of religioun, albeit the
libertie of the evangell hes bene inioyit in vnitie of doctrine,
ʒit is thair not to this day ony perfyte policie be lawis and
constitutionis set out, how the Kirk in all degreis salbe governit
in decent and cumly ordour, qwhairthrow sindry inconvenientis hes
followit, and ma are lyke to occur heirafter, gif tymous remeid be
not prouidit: The Estaittis finding it impossibill that thay can
byde togidder qwhill this mater can be exactlie avysit on, and put
in forme, Hes thairfoir thocht meit and concludit, that Johnne Lord
Glamyss, chancellair, James Archebischop of Glasgow, &c. Maister
James Lowsoun, minister of Edinburgh, and Maister Dauid Lindesay,
minister of Leyth, sall tak the panis to convene, confer, ressoun,
and put in forme, the ecclesiasticall policie and ordour of the
governing of the Kirk, as thay sall find maist agreabill to the
trewth of Goddis word, and maist convenient for the estate and
people of this realme: Qwhilks personis being for the maist part
present, for the gude will thay beir to the avancement of Goddis
glory, the Kingis obedience, and commoun weill of the realme, wer
content to bestow thair panis for this effect, and to begin thair
werk on Mononday the xiiij day of Marche instant, in sic part of the
Palice of Haliruidhous as my Lord Regentis Grace will appoint thame
to convene in, And swa to continow and abyde togidder frome day to
day, qwhill thay haue anys drawin a forme of the said ecclesiasticall
policie; qwhilk being endit, It salbe reportit, and schawin to the
estaittis at the nixt conventioun, To the effect that than be thair
aduise, a Parliament may be appointit, and in the same, the forme
qwhilk salbe drawin, or samekill thereof as salbe found meit, to be
ratifiit and establissit as a law.