1. Be the patrimony of the kirk we mene, quhatsumeuer thing hath bene
at ony time befoir, or sallbe in tyme cuming gevin, or be consent
and universall custome of cuntreis professing Christiane religioun,
applyit to the publick use and utilitie of the kirk.
2. Swa that onder the patrimony we comprehend first, all thingis
gevin, or to be gevin to the kirk and seruice of God, as lands,
bigginis, possessionis, annual rents, and all siclyke, quherewith the
kirk is dotit, ather be donationis, fundationis, mortificationis,
or ony uther lawchfull title, of Kings, Princes, or ony personis
inferiour to thame, togidder with the continuall oblationis of the
faithfull.
3. We comprehend also, all sic thingis as be lawis and custome,
and use of countreis, hes bene applyit to the use and utilitie of
the kirk, of quhilk sort ar the teindis, mans, glebis, and siclyk,
quhilks be commoun and be municipall lawis and universall custom ar
possessit be the kirk.
4. To tak ony of this patrimony be onlawfull meanis, and convert
to the particular and prophane use of ony persone, we hald it ane
detestable sacrilege befoir God.
5. These guidis ecclesiasticall, aucht to be collectit, and
distributit be deacons, as the word of God appointis, that thay quha
beiris office in the kirk be provydit for, without cair and solicitud.
6. In the apostolicall kirk, the deaconis war appoyntit to collect
and distribut quhatsumeuir thingis war collectit of the faythfull to
be distribut unto the necessitie of the sanctis; sa that nane laickit
amang the faithfull.
7. These collectionis war not onlie of that quhilk was collectit in
manir of almous, (as sum supponis,) bot of uther guidis, movable and
onmovable, of lands and possessionis, the pryc quhairof was brocht to
the feit of the Apostles.
8. This office continewit in the deaconis handis, quha intromettit
with the haill gudis of the kirk, ay whill the estait thairof was
corruptit be Antichryst, as the ancient canonis beris witnes.
9. The same canonis mak mentioun of ane fourfald distributioun of
the patrimony of the kirk, quhairof ane part was applyit to the
pasturis or bischoppis for thair sustentatioun and hospitalitie; ane
uther to the eldars and deaconis, and all the clergie; the thrid to
the pure, seick personis and strangers; the ferd to the uphald and
uther effairis of the kirk, speciall extraordinar: We add hereto, the
scoles and school-maisteris, quhilk aucht and may be weill sustenit
of the same guids, and ar comprehendit under the clergie, to quhame
we joine also clerkis of assembleis alsweill particular as generall;
syndickis or procuratouris of the kirkis effairis, takaris up of the
psalmis, with siclyk uther ordinar offices of the kirk, sa far as
thay ar necessar.
Of the Office of a Christiane Magistrat in the Kirk.