The Ratificatioun of the Libertie of the trew Kirk of God and
Religioun, with Confirmatioun of the Lawis and Actis maid to
that effect of before.[33]--_Penult die mensis Novembris_,
1581, (ch. 1.)
Our Souerane Lord, with auise of his thre Estaittis and haill body
of this present Parliament, hes ratifeit and apprevit, and be the
tenoure heirof ratifies and apprevis, all and quhatsumever Actis of
Parliament, statutis, and constitutionis, past and maid of befoir,
aggreabill to Goddis word, for mantenance of the liberte of the
trew Kirk of God and Religioun, now presentlie professit within
this Realme, and puritie thairof. And specialie the actis maid
in the regne of the Quene, his dearest moder, in the Parliament
halden at Edinburgh, the 19th day of Aprile, the zeir of God 1567,
Anent the cassing, annulling, and abrogating of all lawis, actis,
and constitutiounis, cannon, ciuile and municipale, with uther
constitutiounis contrair the Religioun now professit within this
Realme. And the actis in likewise efter following, made in diuerse
Parliamentis, halden sen his Hienes’ Coronatioun. Namelie, the actes
anent the abolisching of the Pape and his usurpit authoritie. Annent
the annulling of the actis of Parliament, maid againis Goddis word,
and mantenance of Idolatrie in any times bypast. The Confessioun
of the Faith professit be the Protestantis of Scotland. Anent the
Mes abolischit, and punisching of all that heiris or sayis the
same. Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of thame that are declairit
not to be of the same. Anent the admissioun of thame that salbe
presentit to benefices, havand cuir of ministerie. Anent the Kingis
aith to be gevin at his coronation. Anent thame that suld beir
publict office heirefter. Anent thriddis of benefices grantit in
the moneth of December, the zeir of God 1561 zeris, for sustenyng
of the ministerie, and utheris effairis of the Prince. Anent thame
that salbe teicheris of the zouth in scules. Anent the jurisdictioun
of the Kirk. Anent the dispositioun of Prouestries, Prebendareis,
and Chaplanreis to Bursaris, to be foundit in Colleges. Anent the
fylthie vice of Fornicatioun, and punischment of the same. Anent
thame that committis Incest. Anent lawfull Mariage of the awin
blude in degreis, not forbiddin in Goddis word. Ratification and
approbatioun of the actis and statutis maid of befoir, anent the
freedome and libertie of the trew Kirk of God. Anent the trew and
haly Kirk. That the aduersaries of Christis Euangel sall not enjoy
the patrimony of the Kirk. Anent the disobedientis, quhilk salbe
resavit to oure Soueraine Lordis mercie and pardoun. The explanatioun
of the act maid anent manses and gleibis. Anent purchessing of the
Papis bullis, or giftis of the Quene, oure Soverane Lordis moder.
Approbation of the actis maid anent the dispositioun of benefices to
the ministers of Christis Euangel. Anent the reparatioun of Paroche
Kirkis. The ratificatioun of the libertie of the trew Kirk of God
and Religioune. That the Gleib of the Ministeris and Reideris salbe
fre of teyndis. Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of thame that
are declarit not to be of the same. Anent the jurisdictioun of the
Kirk, dischargeing of Mercattis, and lauboring on Sondayis, and
playing or dreinking in tyme of sermone. Anent the zouth, and utheris
bezond sey, suspect to haif declinit from the trew religioun. That
householderis haif Bybillis and Psalme buikis. ffor punischment of
strang and idill beggeris, and releif of the puir and impotent. And
declaris the saidis actes, and ewery ane of thame, and all utheris
actis of Parliament, maid in favour of the trew Religioun, sen the
said Reformatioun, to haue effect in all poyntis, eftir the forme and
tenour thairof.