Act anent the King’s Majestie’s Royall Prerogative.
9th July 1606.
Forsameikle as the Estates and haill body of this present Parliament,
considering that with the lawful descent in the person of our most
gracious Soveraigne, of the righteous inheritance of the famous
and renouned kingdoms of England, France, and Ireland, whilk very
far surpasses the wealthe, power, and force of the dominions of
any of his progenitours, kings of Scotland, God hath also joyned
an wonderful incresse of care and burding. For discharge whereof,
he hath endued his Majesty with sa many extraordinar graces, and
maist rare and excellent vertues, as he is not only known by
daily and manifest experiences, in matters of greatest difficulty
and consequence, to the unspeakable comfort of all his faithfull
subjects, to be capable of the happy government of his saids
kingdomes. But by his most singular judgement, foresight, and
princely wisdome, worthy to possesse, and habile to govern far
greater dominions and numbers of people. And in respect thereof,
the saids Estates plainly perceiving that by this his Majesties
exaltation, not only in pre-eminence and power, but also in all
royal qualities requisit for the happy discharge thereof, God hes
manifestly expressed his heavenly will to be, that his Majesties
imperial power, whilk God hes sa graciously enlarged, shall not by
them in any sort be impared, prejudged, or diminished; but rather
reverenced and augmented sa farre as possiblie they can. Therefore
the saids Estaites, and haill body of this present Parliament, all
in ane voluntar, humble, faithfull, and united heart, minde and
consent, truely acknawledges his Majesties soveraigne authority,
princely power, royall prerogative, and priviledge of his crown
over all estaites, persons, and causes whatsomever within his said
kingdome. And his Majesty, with expresse advyce, consent, and assent
of the saids haill Estaites, ratifies, approves, and perpetually
confirmes the samin; als absolutly, amply and freely in all respects
and considerations, as ever his Majesty, or any of his royall
progenitours, kings of Scotland, in any tyme bygane possessed, used
and exercised the samine. And lykewyse, with consent foresaid,
casses, annuls, abrogats, retreats, and rescinds all and whatsomever
things attempted, enacted, done, or hereafter to be done, or intended
to the violation, hurt, derogation, impairing, or prejudice of his
Heighnes soveraigne authority, royall prerogative, and priviledge of
his crown, or any point or part thereof, in any tyme bygane or to
come. And the saids haill Estaites, for them and their successours,
faithfully promits, perpetually to acknawledge, obey, maintein,
defend, and advance the lyfe, honour, safety, dignity, soveraigne
authority, and prerogative royall, of his sacred Majesty, his heires
and successours, and priviledge of his Heighnes crown, with their
lyves, lands, and goods, to the utermost of their power, constantly
and faithfully to withstand all and whatsomever persons, powers, or
estaites, wha shall presume, prease, or intend any wise to impugne,
prejudge, hurt, or impaire the samine; and never to come in the
contrare thereof, directly or indirectly, in any tyme comming.