Ratification and addition to the Act of Parliament, made anent
Restitution of Chaptours.
4th August 1621.
Our Soveraign Lord, and Estates of this present Parliament, ratifies
and approves the act of Parliament made in the moneth of Junii, in
the year of God one thousand, six hundred, seventeene years, anent
restitution of chaptours of cathedral kirks, in all the heads,
clauses, exceptions, limitations, and restrictions thereof. And
further, Ordaines and declares, That all deeds done since the date
of the said act, or to be done hereafter, whereby any member of any
cathedral kirke, being an office or dignity, hath been or shall
be supprest, or any land, parsonage, vicarage, or other living,
belonging to the said dignity dissolved from the same, without
an expresse warrand from his Majesty, and consent of Parliament,
are, and shall bee, with all that have followed, or shall follow
thereupon, null, and of no force, nor effect: and shall be so
founde in all tyme hereafter, by way of action, exception, or
replye. Providing alwayes, the Marquess of Hamilton his right to the
parsonage of Hamilton and Dalserffe: The Earl of Marre his right to
the parsonage of Carnwath: and any other parson having lawful rights
conforme to the lawes of the country, before the act of Parliament,
in anno one thousand, sixe hundreth, and seaventeen yeares; be no
wayes hurt, or prejudged herein.
* * * * *
The foregoing Acts of Parliament constitute the main statutory
enactments of the State by which the Church Government in Scotland
was transformed from Presbytery to Episcopacy. There were other acts
passed, bearing reference to Church affairs, in the first Parliament
of King Charles I., 28th June 1633, such as that anent His Majestie’s
Royal Prerogative and Apparel of Kirkmen--anent His Majestie’s
annuity of Tiends--the Submissions and Decrees-arbitral anent the
valuation of Tiends, &c.; but these being easily accessible to all,
and not immediately necessary for illustrating the revolution which
took place in the Church during the period with which we are at
present concerned, it is not necessary here to include them.