Anent Prouisioun of Ministeris and certane Stipendis for thame,
at all Paroche Kirkis, and appointing of Commissioneris for
ordering thairof.--30 Nov. 1581.[32]
_Item_, Becaus for laik of preching and teiching in sindrie partis
of the realme, monie people are suspectit to be fallin in greit
ignorance and danger of godles atheisme. It being found maist
difficill, that in the charge of pluracie of kirkkis, ony ane
minister may instruct mone flokis: Thairfoir it is thocht expedient,
statute, and ordanit be our Soverane Lord, and his thre Estatis
of this present Parliament, That euerie paroche kirk, and samekle
boundis as salbe found to be a sufficient and a competent, parochrie
thairfoir sall haue thair awin pastoure with a sufficient and
ressonable stipend, according to the state and habilitie of the
place. And that all kirkis to the prelacyis annexit, be prouidit of
sufficient ministeris, with competent livingis, alsweill laitlie
disponit, sen his Hines acceptatioun of the gouernement of his awin
persoun, as that sall vaik and be providit heirefter, whill his Hines
perfite age. And befoir the title of any prelacie be conferrit to any
persoun heirefter, that the saidis livingis and stipends be reseruit
in the prouisioun, and alwayis comptit in the thrid, to the effect
that ministeris may be prouidit thairto _ad vitam_. And in cace ony
gift or prouision of prelacie sall pas vtherwayis, declaris the same
to be null, and of nane auail, force, nor effect; ffor the speciall
executioun of the qwhilk ordoure, his Majestie, with aduise of his
saidis thre Estatis, grantis and gevis power and commissioun to his
richt traist cousingis, and trustie and weill belouit Counsaillouris
and vtheris efter specefeit, videlicet: James Stewart, Erle of
Arrane, &c. and to considder, appoint, and ordour the estate of the
saidis kirkis and stipendis, qwhairthrow the saidis ministeris being
honestlie sustenit, may the better attend to thair flokis and propir
vocatioun. And the said ordoure to continew ay and quhill forder
ordoure be tane be his Hines, with aduise of his saidis Estatis in
Parliament.