ITEM, It is foundin declared, and decerned be our Soveraine Lord, with advise of the three Estaitis, and haill bodie of this present Parliament, that the nominatioun, constitutioun, and ordination of our said Soveraine Lords dearest Cousing, JAMES Erle of Murray, Lord Abernethie, in Regent to his Hienes, his Realme and Liegis thereof, during the time of his Majesties minoritie, and lesse age, specified and expressed in the Queenes Majesties Letters, under her subscriptioun and privie seale, of the date the 24. day of Julij last by-past, togidder alswa with the consent and approbation of the Erles, Lordes, Prelates, Commissioners of Burrowes, Barronnes, and utheris faithful subjects, convened and assembled to that effect. And the acceptation of the said office of Regentrie, be the saide JAMES Erle of Murray, upon the 22. day of August last by-past, was, is, and in all times cumming sall be halden, repute, and esteemed lawful, sufficient, and perfite. And all and whatsumever things, quhilks he hes done be vertew of his said office of Regentrie, sen his acceptation thereof, or quhilks he sall do hereafter, in our said Soveraine Lords name and authoritie, during the time of his hienesse Minoritie, specified in the said commissioun and procuratioun {334} produced, advised and considered, be the said three Estaites, to be as dewlie lawfullie, sufficiently, & righteously done, and to have als great avail, strength force & effect, in all respects and conditions, as ony things done be quhat-sumever Regents, Governours or Protectours of this Realme, in the minorities & lesse aiges of ony uthers native Princes of the same. And ratifies apprevis and confirmis, the same nominatioun and acceptatioun, for now & in time cumming.

MARIE Be the Grace of God Queene of Scots, to all and sindrie our Judges, & ministers of our Lawes, lieges & subjects, quhom it effeiris, to quhais knawledge thir our letters sall cum, greeting: Forsameikle, as after lang greate and intollerable paines, and labours taken bee us, sen our arrival within our Realme, for Government thereof, and keeping of the Liegis of the samin in quietnes, we have not onely beene vexed in our spirite, body, and senses thereby, bot als at length are altogidder sa wearyed thereof, that our habilitie, and strength of body, is not abil langer to indure the samin.

THEREFOIR, and because na thing earthlie can be mair comfortabill and happy to us in this Earth, nor in our life time to see our deare Sonne, the native Prince of this our Realme, placed in the Kingdome thereof, and the Crowne Royal set on his head, we of our awin free-will, and special motive, have dimitted and renounced the Government, guyding and governing of this our Realme of SCOTLAND, lieges and subjects thereof, in favours of our said Sonne, to that effect that in all times hereafter, he may peaceablie and quietlie enjoy the samin, without trouble, and bee obeyed as native King and Prince of the samin, be the Lieges thereof. And understanding, that be reason of his tender zouth, he is not of habilitie in his awin persoun, to administrate in his Kingly roome and governement, as equitie requyres, quhill that hereafter he come to the zeires of discretioun. And als knawing the proximitie of blude standand betwixt us, our saide Sonne, and our dearest brother JAMES Erle of Murray, Lord Abernethie, &c. And havand experience of the natural affectioun and tenderlie love, he hes in all tymes borne, and presentlie beares towardes us, honour and estaite of our saide Sonne. Of quhais love and favoure towardes him, wee can not bot assure our selfe. To quhome na greater honour, joye, nor felicitie in earth can come, nor to see our saide Sonne inaugurate in his Kingdome, feared, reverenced and obeyed be his lieges thereof. In respect quhairof, and of the certaintie, and notorietie of the honestie, habilitie, qualificatioun and sufficiencie {335} of our saide dearest Brother, to have the cure and regiment of our said Sonne, Realme and lieges foresaids, during our saide Sonnes Minoritie: Wee have made, named, appointed, constitute, and ordained, and be thir our Letters, names, appointes, makes, constitutes and ordainis our said dearest brother JAMES Earle of Murray, Regent to our saide dearest Sonne, Realme, and lieges foresaids, during his Minoritie and les age, and ay and quhill he be of the age of seventene zeirs compleit. And that our said brother be called during the said space, Regent to our said Sonne, his Realme and Liegis. Swa that our said Sonne, after the compleeting of the zeiris foresaidis, in his awin persoun, may tak upon him the said government, and use and exerce all & sindrie priviledges, honouris and utheris immunities, that appertainis to the office of a King, alsweil in governing his Realme and people, according to the Lawis, as in repressing the violence of sik as wald invaid, or injustlie resist him or them, or his Authoritie royal. With power to our said dearest brother JAMES Erle of Murray, in Name, Authoritie and behalfe, of our said maist deare Sonne, to receive resignatiounis of quhat-sumever Lands halden of him, or zit of Offices, Castellis, Towres, Fortalices, Mylnes, Fischings, Woods, Benefices, or pertinentis quhat-sumever: the samin againe in our said Sonnes Name, to gif and deliver signatouris thereupon, and upon the gifts of Wairdes, non-entressis, and relevis of Landis, and Marriages of Airis falland, or that sall happen to fall in our said Sonnes hands as superiour thereof. And als upon presentatioun of Lands, Benefices, Escheitis of guddis movabil and unmovabil, debtis and takkis, respittis, remissiounis, supersedereis, and upon the dispositioun of Offices vacand, or quhen they sall happen to vaik, to subscrive, and cause be past the seillis. The said office of Regentrie, to use and exerce in all thingis, priviledges, and commodities, sik-like als freely, and with als great libertie, as ony Regent or Governour to us, or our Predecessouris used in ony times by-gane, and sik-like as gif every head, priviledge and Artickle, concerning the said Office, were at length expressed and amplified in thir our Letteris. PROMISAND to hald firme and stabil, in the word and faith of ane Prince, quhat-sumever things our said dearest brother in the premissis happinnis to doe. Chargeing heirfore zou all and sindrie, our Judges and Ministers of Law, Liegis and subjectis foirsaidis, to answer and obey to our said dearest brother, in all and sindrie things, concerning the said office of Regentrie, as ze and ilk ane of zou, will declair zou loving subjectis, to our said maist deare Sonne, and under all paine, charge and offence, {336} that ze and ilk ane of zou may commit and inrinne, against his Majestie in that part. Subscrived with our hand, and given under our privie seill, at Lochlevin the 24. day of Julij, And of our Reigne, the twentie five zeir.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his dearest Regent, and three Estaitis of this present Parliament, ratifyis and apprevis the Act under written, maid in the Parliament haldin at Edinburgh the 24. day of August, the zeir of God 1560. zeiris. And of new in this present Parliament, statutis and ordainis the said Act to be as ane perpetual Law, to all our Soveraine Lordis Lieges, in all times cumming. Of the quhilk the tenour followis. ITEM the three Estaitis understanding that the jurisdictioun and authoritie of the Bischop of Rome, called the Pape, used within this Realme in times bypast, hes not onely bene contumelious to the eternal God, but also very hurtful and prejudicial to our Soveraines authoritie, and common weill of this Realme. THEIRFOIR it is statute and ordained, that the Bischop of Rome, called the Pape, have na jurisdictioun nor authoritie within this Realme, in ony time cumming. And that nane of our said Soveraines subjects, in ony times heirafter, sute or desire title or richt of the said Bischop of Rome, or his sect, to ony thing within this Realme, under the paines of Barratrie, that is to say, proscription, banishment, and never to bruke honour, office, nor dignitie within this Realme. And the contraveners heirof to be called before the justice or his deputes, or before the Lords of the Session, and punisched therefoir, conforme to the Lawes of this Realme. And the furnischers of them, with finance of money, and purchassers of their title of right, or maintainers, or defenders of them, sall incurre the samin paines. And that na Bischop nor uther Prelat of this Realme, use ony jurisdiction in time cumming, be the said Bischop of Romes authoritie, under the paine foirsaid. And therefoir of newe decernis and ordainis, the contraveners of the samin, in ony time hereafter, to be punished according to the paines in the foresaid Act above rehearsed.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his dearest Regent, and three Estaitis of this present Parliament, ratifyis & apprevis the Acte underwritten, made in the Parliament {337} haldin at Edinburgh the 24. day of August, the zeir of God, ane thousand five hundredth threescore zeiris, And of new in this present Parliament statutis and ordainis the said Act, to be as a perpetual Law to all our Soveraine Lordis liegis in all times cumming. Of the quhilk the tenour followis. THE quhilk day, For-sameikle as there hes beene divers and sindrie Acts of Parliament, made in King JAMES the First, Secund, Thrid, Fourt and Fift times, Kinges of SCOTLAND for the time, and als in our Soveraine Ladies tyme, not aggreing with Gods haly word, and be them divers persones tuke occasion to maintaine Idolatrie and superstition within the Kirk of GOD, and repressing of sik persones, as were professours of the said word, quhairthrow divers innocents did suffer. And for eschewing of sik inconvenientes in time cumming, the three Estaites of Parliament, hes annulled, and declared all sik Acts made in times bypast, not agreing with God his word, and now contrary to the Confessioun of Faith, according to the said word, published in this Parliament, to be of nane availe, force nor effect. And decernis the said Acts, and every ane of them, to have na effect nor strength in time to cum, bot the samin to be abolished and extinguished for ever, in sa far as any of the foirsaidis Acts are repugnant, and contrarie to the Confessioun of Faith, and word of GOD foirsaid, ratyfied and approved be the Estaites in this present Parliament. And therefore decernis and ordainis, the contraveners of the samin Act, in ony time hereafter, to be punisched, according to the Lawes. Of the quhilk Confession of the Faith, the tenour followes.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his dearest Regent, and the three Estaits of this present Parliament ratifyis and apprevis the Act under written, maid in the Parliament halden at Edinburgh, the 23. day of August, the zeir 1560. zeires. And of new in this present Parliament statuts and ordainis, the said Act to be as an perpetual Law, to all our Soveraine Lords Lieges in all times to cum; Of {359} the quhilk, the tenour followes. The quhilk day, for-sameikle as almichty God be his maist trew and blessed word, hes declared the reverence, and honour quhilk suld be given unto him. And be his Sonne JESUS CHRIST hes declared the trew use of the Sacraments, willing the same to be used, according to his will and word. Be quhilk it is notour, and perfitelie knawen, that the Sacramentes of Baptisme, and of the Bodie and bloud of JESUS CHRIST, hes bene in all times by-past corrupted, be the Papistical Kirk, and be their usurped Ministers. And presentlie, notwithstanding the reformatioun alreadie made, according to Gods word: Zit there is sum of the said Papist Kirk, that stubburnely perseveris in their wicked Idolatrie, sayand Messe, and Baptizand, conforme to the Papis Kirk, prophanand therethrow the Sacraments foirsaides, in quiet and secreete places, therethrow nouther regardand God, nor his word. THEREFOIRE, it is statute and ordained in this present Parliament, that na maner of persoun, or personnis, in onie time cumming, administrat ony of the Sacraments foirsaids, secreetly, or ony uther maner of way, but they that are admitted, and havand power to that effect. And that na maner of persoun nor persounis, say Messe, nor zit hear Messe, nor be present theirat, under the paine of confiscatioun of all their gudis movabil, and unmovabil, and punishing of their bodyes at the discretioun of the Magistrat, within quhais Jurisdictioun sik personnis happinnis to be apprehended, for the first fault. Banishment of the Realme, for the second fault: And Justifying to the death, for the thrid fault. And ordainis all Schireffes, Stewards, Baillies, and their deputes, Provestes, and Baillies of Burrowes, and uthers Judges quhatsumever, within this Realme, to take diligent sute and inquisitioun, within their bounds, quhair ony sik usurped Ministerie is used, Messe saying, or they that beis present at the doing thereof, ratifyand, and approovand the samin, take & apprehend them, to the effect, that the paines above written may be execute upon them. And therefore of new decernis & ordaines the contraveneris of the samin, in ony tyme heirafter, to be punished according to the paines of the aforesaid Acte above rehearsed.

ITEM, Forsameikle as the Ministers of the blessed Evangel of JESUS CHRIST whom God of his mercie hes now raised up amangst us, or heirafter sall rayse, agreeing with them that now livis, in doctrine and administratioun of the Sacraments, & the peopil of this Realme, that professis {360} CHRIST, as he now is offered in his Evangel, & do communicat with the haly Sacraments (as in the reformed Kirkes of this Realme they are publicklie administrat) according to the Confessioun of the Faith: Our Soveraine Lord, with advise of my Lord Regent, & three Estaitis of this present parliament, hes declared, and declaris the foresaid persones, to be the onely true and halie Kirk of JESUS CHRIST, within this Realme. And decernis and declaris, that all and sindrie, quha outher gainsayis the word of the Evangel, received and approved, as the heades of the Confessioun of Faith professed in Parliament of before, in the zeir of God 1560. zeires, as also specified in the Actes of this Parliament mair particularlie dois expresse, and now ratifyed and approoved in this present Parliament, or that refusis the participatioun of the halie Sacramentes, as they are now Ministrat, To be na members of the said Kirke, within this Realme now presently professed, sa long as they keep themselves sa divided fra the Society of Christs Bodie.

ITEM, It is statute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his dearest Regent, and three Estaitis of this present Parliament, that the examination and admission of Ministers, within this Realme, be only in the power of the Kirk, now openlie, and publickly professed within the samin. The presentation of laick Patronages alwaies reserved to the Just and auncient Patrones. And that the Patroun present ane qualified persoun, within sex Monethes (after it may cum to his knawledge, of the decease of him, quha bruiked the Benefice of before) to the Superintendent of thay partis, quhair the Benefice lyes, or uthers havand commission of the Kirk to that effect; utherwaies the Kirk to have power to dispone the samin to ane qualifyed person for that time.

PROVIDING that in caice the Patron present ane person qualified to his understanding, and failzeing of ane, ane uther within the said sex Moneths, and the said Superintendent or Commissioner of the Kirk, refusis to receive and admit the person presented be the Patron, as said is: It sall be lesum to the Patron to appeale to the Superintendent, and Ministers of that Province quhair the Benefice lyis, and desire the person presented to be admitted, quhilk gif they refuse, to appeale to the general Assemblie of this haill Realme, be quhome the cause beand decyded, sall take end, as thay decerne and declair. {361}

ITEM, Because that the increase of vertew, and suppressing of Idolatrie craves, that the Prince and the people be of ane perfite Religioun, quhilk of Gods mercie is now presently professed within this Realme: THEIRFORE it is statute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord, my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that all Kinges and Princes, or Magistrates whatsoever, halding their place, quhilkis hereafter in ony time sall happen to reigne, & beare rule over this Realme, at the time of their Coronatioun, and receipt of their Princely authority, make their faithful promise be aith, in presence of the Eternal God, That induring the haill course of their lives, they sall serve the samin Eternal God, to the uttermost of their power, according as he hes required in his maist haly word, reveiled & contained in the new and auld Testaments. And according to the samin worde sall mainteine the trew Religion of Christ Jesus, the preaching of his halie word, and dew and richt ministration of the Sacraments now received, and preached within this Realme: And sall abolish and gainstand all fals Religioun contrare to the samin: And sall rule the peopil committed to their charge, according to the will and commaund of God, reveiled in his foresaide word, and according to the lovabil Lawes, and constitutions received in this Realme, na wise repugnant to the said word of the Eternal God. And sall procure to the uttermaist of their power, to the Kirk of God, and haill Christian peopil, trew and perfite peace in all time cumming. The richtis and rentis, with all just priviledges of the Crowne of SCOTLAND, to preserve and keip inviolated, nouther sall they transfer nor alienate the samin. They sall forbid and represse in all Estaites, and degries, reife, oppression, and all kinde of wrang. In all judgementes, they sall command, and procure that Justice and equitie be keiped to all creatures, without exception, as the Lord and Father of all mercyis, be merciful to them. And out of their landes and Empyre, they sall be careful to rute out all heretikes, and enimies to the trew worship of God, that sall be convict be the trew Kirk of God, of the foirsaidis crymes. And that they sall faithfullie affirme the things above written, be their solemne aith.

ITEM, The Kingis Grace with advise of my Lord {362} Regent, & the three Estaites of this present Parliament, statutes and ordainis, that no maner of person nor persons, be received in ony time heirafter, to bear publike office removabil of Judgement, within this Realme, bot sik as professis the puritie of Religion and doctrine, now presentlie established. And that nane be permitted to procure, nor admitted Notar, or created a member of Court, in any time cumming, without he in likewise professe the Evangel, and Religion foirsaid. Providing alwayes, that this Act be on na wise extended, to ony maner of person or persones, havand their offices heritablie or in life-rent, bot that they may use the samin, conforme to their infeftments, and dispositions granted to them thereof.

ITEM, Because the Ministers hes bene lang defrauded of their stipendis, swa that they ar becummin in great povertie & necessity. And notwithstanding hes continued in their vocation, without payment of their stipendis, be an great space. Quhairthrow they ar and sall be constrained to leive their vocation without remeid be provided. THEREFORE our Soveraine Lord, with advise of my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes statute and ordained, that the haill thrids of the haill Benefices of this Realme, sall now instantlie, and in all times to cum, first bee payed to the Ministers of the Evangel of Jesus Christ, and their successours. And ordaines the Lords of the Session to grant, and give letteris, chargeing all and sundrie intromettours, or that beis adebted in payment of the samin, to answere and to obey the saidis Ministers and their Collectours, to be nominate be the saidis Ministers, with advise of my Lord Regent, in forme as effeiris, Notwithstanding anie discharge given be our Soveraine Lordis Mother, to quhatsumever person or persons, of the said thride, or ony pairt thereof, ay and quhill the Kirk come to the full possessioun of their proper Patrimonie, quhilk is the teindes. PROVIDING alwayes, that the Collectors of the saidis Ministers, make zeirlie compt in the Checker of their intromission. Swa, that the Ministers may be first answered of their stipendis, apperteyning to everie ane of them. And the rest and superplus to be applied to our Soveraigne Lords use. {363}

ITEM, Forsameikle, as be all Lawes and constitutionis, it is provided, that the zouth be brocht up and instructed in the feare of God, and gude maneris: and gif it be utherwise, it is tinsel baith of their bodies and saules, gif Gods word be not ruted in them. QUHEIRFOIRE, our Soveraigne Lorde, with advise of my Lorde Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes statute and ordained, that all Schulis to Burgh and land, and all Universiteis and Colleges be reformed: And that nane be permitted nor admitted, to have charge and cure theirof in time cumming, nor to instruct the zouth privatlie or openlie: bot sik as sall be tryed be the Superintendentes or visitouris of the Kirk.

ITEM, For-sa-meikle as the zouth is not onelie seene to preserve the commoun weill, bot alswa of them mon rise sik, as after this mon serve in the Kirk of God, within this Realme, and to the commoun weill of the samin. And because the povertie of many is in sik sort, that they may not hald their Children at letteris, quhairby the maist part of the zouth of this Realme wantis the guiftis and graces of learning, requisite to that charge. For remeid heirof: OUR SOVERAINE LORD, with advise and consent of my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes statute and ordained, that all Patronis havand Provestries, or Prebendaries of Colleges, Alterages or Chaplaneries, at their giftis and disposition, may in all times cumming, at their pleasure present the samin to Bursaris, quhom they pleise to name, to studie vertew and letteris, within ane College of ony of the Universities of this Realme, there to remaine for sik space, as the Patron foirsaid pleasis to hald him at vertew and learning, within the foirsaid College, and as sall be aggried upon be the Patronis of the saidis Provestries, or Prebendaries, with the Principal and Maisters of the College of the Universities. And after the Patron removeth that Bursar furth of the said College, to present ane uther. And swa furth fra ane to ane uther, to the effect foirsaid, at the Patronis pleasure: notwithstanding ony fundatioun, or confirmatioun past, be quhatsumever authoritie in ony times bygaine. Anent the quhilk our Soveraine Lord, my Lord {364} Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, dispensis: Swa that the saidis Patronis may dispone their Provestries, and Prebendaries, to sik Bursaris, as they sall think expedient, als oft as neid beis. Quhilk sall be na hurt, nor prejudice to their Patronage, notwithstanding their fundationes, and Confirmationes quhat-sumever, or ony provision conteined thereintil. And therefore our SOVERAINE LORD, my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites foresaides, heartelie requests all Patrones of Colleges, Prebendaries, and Provestries, to graunt and dispone their Provestries and Prebendaries to the Bursaris foresaidis, in maner above specified. Swa that lerters may be authorized, and the zouth sufficientlie brought up in vertew and learning, to the glory of God, and comfort of the common weill of this Realme.

ITEM, It is statute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord, with advise and consent of his dearest Regent, & three Estaites of this present Parliament, that gif ony person or personis within this Realme, to Burgh or to land, sall commit the filthie vice of Fornication and beis convict thereof, that the committeris thereof, sall be punished in maner following. That is to say, for the first fault, alsweil the man, as the woman, sall pay the summe of fourtie pundis: Or then baith he, and she, sall be imprisoned for the space of aucht dayes, their fude to be breade and small drinke. And thereafter presented to the mercat place of the Towne or Parochin bair-headed, & there stand fastened, that they may not remoove, for the space of twa houres: as fra ten houres to twelve houres at noone. For the second fault being convict, they sall pay the summe of ane hundreth markes, or then the foirnamed dayis of their imprisonement sall be doubled, their fude to be bread and water allanerlie. And in the end, to be presented to the said mercat place, and baith the headis of the man & the woman to be schaven. And for the thrid fault, being convict thereof, sall pay ane hundreth pundis, Or else their above imprisonment to be tripled, their fude to be breade and water allanerlie. And in the end, to be tane to the deipest and foullest pule, or water of the Towne, or Parochin, there to be thrise dowked, and theirafter banished the said Towne, or Parochin for ever. And fra thine furth, how oft that ever they be convict, of the foresaide vice of Fornication, that sa oft the said thrid penaltie be execute upon them. And that the Provest and Baillies of ilk Burgh, the Justice general, and his deputes, or sik {365} uthers persones, as sall please our said Soveraine Lord to give commission unto, be Judges to the persones suspect, & delated of Fornication: and being convict, they sall lift and uptake the above written pecunial paines, of the persones responsal, & rather willing to pay the samin, nor to be demained in their persones. And that the saidis corporal paines of imprisonment, banishing, and uthers above specified, be execute upon all sik persones, as outher refusis to pay the pecunial paines, or that ar not responsal to pay the samin. And that the samin pecunial paines, quhilkis sall happen to be received, be surelie keiped in ane close box, and be converted ad pios usus, in they partis, quhair the cryme is committed, as it sall please our said Soveraine Lord, and his dearest Regent to commande. And the receivers of the said paynes, to be ready to give accompt thereof, quhen ever they sall be requyred thereunto.

ITEM, Forsameikle as the abhominable, vile, and filthie lust of Incest, is sa abhominable in the presence of God, and that the samin Eternal God, be his expresse word, hes condemned the samin, and zit nevertheless the said vice is sa used within this Realme, and the word of God is in sik sort contemned be the users thereof, that God be his just judgements hes occasioun to plague the Realme, where the said vice is committed, without God of his mercie be mair gracious, and remeid be provided, that the said vice cease in time cumming. THEREFOIR our Soveraine Lord, with advise and consent of my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, statutes and ordaines, that quhat-sumever person or persones, that committes the said abhominable cryme of Incest, That is to say, quhat-sumever person or persones they be, that abuses their bodie with sik persones in degrie, as God in his word hes expresslie forbidden, in ony tyme cumming, as is contained in the xviij. Chapter of Leviticus, sall be punished to the death.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise & consent of my Lord Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes statute, and ordained, that the halie band of marriage, made be all Estaites and sorts of men and women, to be als lawful and als frie, as the Lawe of God hes permitted {366} the samin, to be done, without exception of person or persones. And hes declared, and declares, that secunds in degrees of consanguinitie, and affinitie, and all degries outwith the samin, contained in the word of the Eternal God, and that are not repugnant to the said word, might, and may lawfully marry at all times sen the viij. day of March, the zeir of God ane thousand five hundreth fiftie aucht zeiris, notwithstanding ony Law, statute, or constitution maid in the contrare. And ratifyis and apprevis all the said mariages done sen the said day. And the bairnis gottin, or to be gottin in sik Mariage, to be as lauchful, asweil toward their successioun to landis, heritages, or ony uther liberties, as ony bairnis gottin in Mariage, and to be repute and esteemed, in all time to cume, lauchfullie gottin, in lauchful Mariage, notwithstanding any Lawes, statutes, constitutions, or Actis, maid, or to be maid in the contrare.

ITEM, For-sa-meikle as there hes bene divers Acts and statutes made of before, that na maner of person, nor personis suld schut with Culveringis, Crosbow, or handbow ony time, at Da, Ra, Hart, Hynde, Hair, Cunning, Dow, Herron or foule of river, under special pains, conteined in the saidis acts and statutes. And notwithstanding the samin, and that na execution hes followed of before, upon the persones contraveneris of the saidis Actes, they ar sa lichtlie esteemed, that the saidis Beastes and Foules, are at all times slaine down, & destroyed be sik persones, that nouther hes regaird to the commoun weill, nor policie of the countrie.

Theirfoir it is statute and ordained, be our Soveraigne Lord, with advise of his Regent, and the three Estaitis of this Realme, that quhatsumever person or personis, of quhat Estaite, degree or conditioun that ever they be of, schuttis in ony times cumming, with Culvering, Crosbow, or Handbow, at Da, Ra, Hart, Hynde, Hair, Cunning, Dow, Herron, or foule of river, within this Realme, sall foirfault and tyne their haill moveabil gudis, that ane halfe thereof to our Soveraine Lordis use, and the uther halfe to be applyed to the Judge, and apprehender of him that committis the crime, to bee divided equallie betuixt them. And to that effect, ordainis all Schireffes, Stewardes, Baillies of Regalitie, and all uther ordinar Judges, with sik uthers, as sall please our Soveraine Lord, & his Regent to give power & commission, to call the contraveneris of this present Act, {367} at particular diettis. And gif they be convict of the crime, to escheit all their moveabil gudis, to be applyed in maner foirsaid. And gif the committer of the cryme be ane vagabound not havand gudis, that the Judge, quhom befoir he is conuit, keip and hald him in prison, for the space of fourtie dayis. And that for the first fault. And the nixt fault, to cut of his richt hand.

ITEM, For-sa-meikle as the ordouring of the Cuinzehous, and the forgeing of money within this Realme, is ane mater of great importance, to the haill lieges thereof, as may appeare bee divers Actis, maide in our Soveraignis Lordis predecessouris Parliamentes of befoir. And seeing the greate necessity now required, for having of gude and sufficient cuinzie within the Realme, seeing the gude Silver, as Testones, and uther auld silver, is utterlie melted and destroyed, swa that the unce of silver, is at dowbil price, that it wount to be at, within thir late dayis, quhairthrow the Realme is utterlie impoverished be evil Cuinzie. Therefore it is declared, in this present Parliament, that our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his Regent, may cause prent and cuinzie Golde and Silver of sik fynesse, as uthers Countreis dois, to passe within this Realme to the lieges of the samin. And that na prent nor cuinzie of onie layed money, be maid or cuinziet, in ony time cumming, but advise of the three Estaites of Parliament. And sik-like OUR SOVERAINE LORD with advise of his Regent, and the three Estaites foirsaidis, ordainis, that na maner of Gold, nor Silver, alreadie cuinziet within this Realme, bee melted, nor broken downe, in the Cuinzie-house, or otherwise in anie time heirafter, under the paine of confiscation of the halfe of the guddes of the awner, and melter for the first fault. And gif the melter be not responsal, to punish his person at the discretion of the Justice. And the secund fault, confiscation of their haill gudis.

ITEM, anent the petition proponed be the Senatoures of the College of Justice, beirand that there is divers persones, that hes persewed Actiones before them, for reduction of infeftmentes, quhilkis ar confirmed be our Soveraine Lordis Predecessoures, quhilkis ar granted and {368} confirmed in Parliament. And against the samin it is alledged, that the saide Senatoures are na wise Judges competent, to the reduction of ony sik infeftment.

Quhairfoir the saidis Senatoures hes referred the declaration, whither they be Judges competent, to ony sik reduction or not, to our Soveraine Lord and the three Estaites of Parliament. And therefore desiring the sensement, and declaration of this our present Parliament, quhat they sall do thereanent: OUR SOVERAINE LORD, with advise of his Regent, & the three Estaites of this present Parliament, declairis the saids Senatouris of the College of Justice, to be Judges competent, to the reduction of all sik Infeftmentes, as said is, notwithstanding quhatsumever confirmation, or grant of Parliament past thereupon.

ITEM, Forsameikle as be the use of Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, and sik uther ingines of fire-warke, ar not onlie of the lovabil constitutions of this Realme, in slaying of wilde beastes, and foules forbidden, but als divers our Soveraine Lords lieges, ar schamefullie and cruellie murthered, slayne, and hurt, quhilkes utherwise wer abill, to make defence sufficientlie for themselves, at all times of persute, as hes bene laitlie seene within this Burgh of Edinburgh. And for eschewing and remeid thereof in time cumming: It is statute and ordained be OUR SOVERAINE LORD, with advise and consent of his Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that na maner of person, nor persones, of whatsumever estate, degree, or condition they be of, schutt with Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, or any uther Gunnes, or ingines of fyre-warke, in any part of this Realme, nouther to Burgh nor to land (except sik, as for pastime will schut within their Inner-clois, and zaird adjacent thereto, and Marinerres, and sik as hauntes the Seas, being actuallie upon the samin, for defense of their bodies and guddes) under the paine of cutting of their right hand. And siklike, that na maner of person, nor persones, of quhatsumever estate, condition or degree they be of, beare, weare, or use onie Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, or anie uther sik ingine of fire-wark, upon their persones, or in their cumpanie with them privatlie or openlie, outwith housis, without licence of our Soveraine Lorde, and his Regent had, and obteined thereupon, under the paine foresaid. PROVIDING alwayes, that the Capitanis, and men of weir, serving our Soveraigne Lord, and his Regent foresaide, actuallie in his highnesse wages, {369} nor zit the Liegis of this Realme, asweil in Regalitie, as Royaltie at weapon-schawings. Nor the Provestes, Baillies, and inhabitantis of the Burgh of Edinburgh, or utheris Burrowes of this Realme, charged be our Soveraine Lordis authoritie, to assemblies, weapon-schawingis, and conuentionis, for furth setting of his highnes service and affaires, in the time thereof: nor zit nane of our Soveraine Lords liegis in their cumming, remayning, or departing to and fra ony hostes, weiris, armies, raidis, weapon-shawingis or assemblies, being speciallie and expresselie commanded & charged, to that effect be his hienesse letters, and authoritie, Wardanes meittand at dayes of trews. And siklike they that ar followand thieves, in defence of steilling of Leill mennis gudis, and in rescours thereof, sall not be comprehended under this present Act.

ITEM, Forsameikle for the abolishing of great quantitie of false cunzie, quhairwith the common weill of this Realme is greatlie troubled, to the heavie damnage, and skaith of the haill lieges thereof: THEREFOIRE, It is devised, statute, and ordained, be our Soveraigne Lorde, with advise of his Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that certaine men of Judgement, having understanding of cunzie, be chosen and elected, within everie Burgh of this Realme. Quha being sworne thereto, all summes of money sall bee delivered in their presence, & quhair ever they apprehend, or finde any false money, to clip the samin. And the deliverer to tyne the said false money, and the clipper to have ane penny of ilk pound, for his labouris of the receiver of the money, quhilk sall be received. And to that effect, ordaines the Provest and Baillies, & all uthers officiaris of Burrowes, to make sufficient clipping houses, in sik places of their Burgh, as sall be sufficient for the premisses. And the personis, quhom to they commit that charge, that they be abil to answer for their office in that behalfe.

ITEM. It is found, declared, statute, and ordained, be our Soveraine Lord, his Regentes grace, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that all giftes and provisionis of benefices elective, pensionis, or uthers quhatsumever, given and disponed under the privie seill, be the Queens grace, our Soveraigne Lordis Mother, in her Reigne, sen {370} the Parliament halden, in the zeir of God 1560. zeiris, unto the Coronation of our saide Soveraine Lord, were, ar, and in all time cumming sall be, to the possessouris, be vertew thereof lauchful, full, and perfite tytles and richtis, and als vailzeabil in all respects, quhair ever they be produced, as gif the saidis provisionis, and giftis had past upon supplicationis, direct to the Court of Rome, and Bullis past thereupon, in maist ample forme.

Providing, that this present Act be not prejudicial to the Act of secreit Councel, granted in favouris of the Ministers, anent the giving to them of all benefices, within zeirlie rent of three hundreth markis, sen the dait of the said Act, nor zit be prejudicial to laick Patronages.

ITEM, Anent the Artickle proponed be the Barronnes, Free-halderis, and Inhabitantes of the Schirefdomes of Selkirk, Roxburgh, Lanark, Peblis, Dumfreis, Edinburgh, and utheris inhabitantis of the remanent Schires of this Realme: beirand, that it is not unknawin of the continual thieft, reif, and oppression, committed and done, within the boundis of the saidis Schirefdomes, be thieves, traitouris, and utheris ungodlie persones, havand nouther feare of GOD nor man, and speciallie in thir troublis be receipteris, fortifieris, and mainteneris of the saidis evil given personis, amangis the inhabitantis and indwelleris of the saidis Schirefdomes respectivè, within divers partis of the samin, quhlik is the chiefe cause, and fortification of the said thieft. And siklike, that the thieves, and broken men, inhabitants of the saidis Schirefdomes, and utheris boundis of the marches of this Realme, foirnentis the partis of England, not onlie committis daylie thiftis, reiffis, heirschippes murtheris, and fyre raysings, upon the peaceable subjects of the countrie: bot als takis sindrie of them, deteinis them in captivity as prisoners, ransoumis them, or lettis them to borrowis for their entrie againe. And in like maner, divers subjects of the Inland, takis and sittis under their assurance, payand them black-maill, and permittand them to reif, herrie, and oppresse their Nichtbouris, with their knawledge, and in their sicht, without resistance or contradiction. For eschewing and stopping of the quhilkis inconvenientis foirsaid:

IT is statute and ordained, be our Soveraine Lord, his dearest Regent, and three Estaites of this present Parliament, that quhatsumever person, or persones, receiptis, fortifyis, {371} mainteinis, or givis meate, harbourie, or assistance to any thievis in their thifteous stealling, and deedes, outher in their cumming thereto, or passing therefra, at any time cumming, or intercommonis, or trystis with them to that effect, any maner of way, without licence of the keeper of the countrie, quhair the thief remaines, had thereto, to the effect it may be knawin, for quhat purpose they intercommoned with the saidis thieves within xlviij. houris after, or before the committing of the said cryme, that the receipter, fortifier, maintener, assister, meat-giver, and intercommoner with sik persones, sall be called therefore at particular diettis criminally as airt and pairt of their thifteous deidis, or utherwayis civilie at the instance of the partie offended upon 15. dayis warning allanerlie, without diet or tabill. And als that the Schireffis of all Schires, Stewartes, Baillies or Regalitie, and their deputes, and all uther Judges ordinar, at every head Court, put the saidis maters to the inquisition of ane assyse of the countrie, at the desire and complainte of the partie, and as beis foundin, to report the samin to the Justice, Justice Clerk and their deputes, within 15. dayis nixt after the matter be tryed. Swa that this present Act and statute, may be put to execution upon them, as the saidis Schireffes, Stewartes, Baillies of Regalitie, and Judges ordinar foirsaidis, will answer to our Soveraine Lord, and his dearest Regent, upon the execution of their office: And alswa for eschewing of the said great, continual, and odious crimes and offenses, and pacifying of the lieges in all partis oppressed within this Realme, and for the commoun weill thereof,

Thievis may not take leilmen, or ransom them.

It is statute and ordained, that na theif, take ony Scottisman, at onie time heireafter, under the paine of treason and lese majestie. And that nane of our Soveraine Lordes trew and faithful liegis quhilks have bene takin be the saids thieves and broken men, sall be halden to enter to them, notwithstanding ony band given to their entrie, discharging them & their soverteis simpliciter in that behalfe.

And gif ony of the saidis thievis callis or charges the principal men takin be them, or their soverty for their entres, for paymente of the paines conteined in the bands, or ony parte thereof, be ransom or band, not payed to the saids thieves, outher bygane or in time cumming, they sall (be the doing of the same) incurre and underlie the paines of treasoun, and lese-majestie foirsaide.

Leil-men suld present thievis to the Justice.

And als that our said Soveraine Lordis faithful, & obedient subjectis, quhilkis heirefter sall happin {372} to take and apprehende ony of the saidis thievis, in their passing to committe thieft, or in the actual doing thereof, or in their returning there fra, on na wise let them to libertie and freedome, bot presente them before the Justice, & his deputis in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, within fifteene dayis after their apprehension, gif their takeris (havand power) Justifye them not to the death themselfis. And als that nane take assurance, or sitte under assurance of the saidis thievis, or pay them blak maill or give them meate, drinke, receipt, maintenance: or supply them in their thifteous deidis in time cumming, under the paine of death, and confiscation of all their gudis movabil.

Thieves suld be followed with ane crie.

And in like maner, quhen ony thieves repairis in steilling or reifing, within the Incountrie, that all our Soveraine Lordis liegis, dwelland in the bounds, quhair they resort, rise, crye, raise the fray, & follow them, alsweil in their cumming as outpassing, on horse and fute, for redding and recovering of the gudis stollin and reft, and apprehending of their persones to be brocht to Justice, & concurre with the awners of the guddis, and uthers followers to that effect, under the paine to be halden partakers of the said thift. And quhasoever beis suspected, or delated to doe in the contrare, that the Justice Clerke grant letters, at the instance of any partie, for calling of them to underly the Law therefore, at ane particular dyet, complenand upon the premisses, or ony poynt thereof. Or accuse them, for the samin at general Justice airis, executand the paines conteined in this present Act, against the contraveneris thereof, but favour or delay. And gif it sall happen ony open notorious thief, to resort, or cum to ony maner of personis house, it sall be lawful to the awner of the saide house, to take and apprehend that thief, without reproch or dishonours, and bring him to the Justice, to be punished conforme to the Lawis.

ITEM, For-sa-meikle as albeit there was divers Actes and ordinances maid of before, inhibeting the carying of ony Horse foorth of this Realme, zit thir twa zeiris last bypast, divers persones, partlie under pretence of priviledges and licences: and partlie without ony leife, hes transported Horse foorth of this countrie, to Bourdeaux, and utheris partes bezond sea, and maid an common trade & mercat thereof, to the great skaith of the common weill, {373} and raysing of dearth of Horse, gif remeid be not provided.

THEIRFOIR, It is statute and ordained, by the Kings grace with advise of his dearest Regent, and the three Estaites of Parliament, that nane of the liegis of this Realme, take upon hand, privatlie or openlie, to carry or transport foorth of the samin by Sea, ony maner of Horse in time cumming. And in likewise, that na skipperis and maisteris of Schippis, indwelleris of this Realme, or strangers, receive within their Schippes ony Horse, to bee transported to uther Countreis, under the paine of confiscation of the Horse, Schippes and remanent gudis movabil, of the transporteris, and punishing of their persones, at the Kingis Majesties will, and his said Regentis.

ITEM, our Soveraigne Lorde, with advise and consent of his dearest Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes statute and ordained, that in all times cumming, na gift of escheit passe, with this clause following, (Or quhen it sall happen the offendar to bee denunced rebel, and put to the horne) bot that the horning be execute befoir the gift of the escheit bee disponed, utherwise the gift of escheit to be of nane effect.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise and consent of his Regent and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes ratified, and ratifies, all civil priviledges, granted and given be our Soveraigne Lordis Predecessouris to the spiritual estate of this Realme, in all poynts, after the forme and tenour thereof.

ITEM, Our Soveraine Lord, with advise and consent of his dearest Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes ratified and appreved, all priviledges, and liberties, granted and given to the Nobilitie and Barronnes of this Realme, and actes of Parliament, made in their favouris, and ordainis the same to be put to execution in all poyntes, after the forme and tenour thereof.

ITEM, Our Soveraigne Lord, with advise of his {374} Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes ratified and appreved, and be thir presentes ratifies and appreves, all Actes and constitutiones of Parliament, maid bee quhatsumever our Soveraine Lordis predecessoures of befoir, in favouris of the Burrowes and Burgesses of all this Realme, inhabitantes of the samin, with all priviledges, freedomes, immunities and liberties, granted and given to them, and everie ane of them, in ony times by-past. And decernis and declaris, the samin to have full strength, force, and effect, in all times heirafter, swa that the samin may be put to full and dew execution in all poyntes, and to stand as ane perpetual Law to them and their successouris.

ITEM, Forsameikle as the great hurt, done of befoir within Burgh, be giving of saisingis privatlie, without anie Baillie, and ane common Clerke of Burgh, quhairthrow our Soveraine Lordis liegis, may bee defrauded greatlie: THEIRFORE it is statute, and ordained be our Soveraine Lord, with advise and consent of his Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that na saising be given within Burgh of ony maner of land, or tenement within the samin, in ony time cumming, bot be ane of the Baillies of the Burgh, and common Clerke theirof. And gif ony saising beis utherwaies given heirafter to be null, and of nane avail force nor effect.

ITEM, Anent the Artickle proponed be the Commisseris of EDINBURGH, beirand that there is divers and sundrie beneficial Actiones depending before them, upon the richt and propertie of the Benefices. Quhairein the ane part hes their provisioun of the gift of the Queene, and the uther of the ordinar, partlie bee dimissioun in his handes, partlie be collation, as vacand. And sum given be the ordinar, with the Queenes confirmation thereupon, and that sen the reformation of the Religion. And therefore desiring the determination to be given to them, quhilk of the gifts sall have place in time by-gane, sen the saide reformation, as alswa in time cumming. Our Soveraine Lorde with advise of his Regent, and three Estaites of this present Parliament, hes decerned & declared, and decernis and declaris, that the saidis Commisseris, sall at all times proceede, and minister justice in the saidis causis, be vertew of all giftis {375} and dispositions, granted and given be our Soveraine Lords dearest Mother, sen the Moneth of August, the zeir of God, ane thousand five hundreth threescoir zeiris, and na utherwise. And sik-like, conforme to the giftes, to be granted be our Soveraine Lord, or his Regent hereafter. And ordainis all giftis, and dispositions, given be her, sen the said time, to have place, and to proceide according thereto, but prejudice to the benefices of the laick [law] patronages, quhilkis ar not comprehended in this Act.

ITEM, It is statute and ordained, be our Soveraine Lorde, his Regent, and three Estaites of this present Parliament, for the common weill of this Realm, that there be na Deakon of Craft of Malt-men, outher to Burgh or to land, or ony uther part within this Realme. And gif ony writing, gift, or priviledge be given ony time befoir: Our Soveraine Lorde, with advise of his Regent, and three Estaites foirsaidis, decernis and declaris the samin to have bene fra the beginning, and to be in all time cumming null, and of nane avail, force nor effect. Sa that it sall never be lesum to ony of the Malt-men of this Realme, to have Deakons, bot to be repute na craft.

ITEM, It is statute and ordained, be our Soveraine Lord, be advise of his Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that the Acts of Parliament, made be our Soveraine Lordis Predecessours of befoir, anent the slauchter of black fishe, Smoltes, and cutting of greene-wood, be put in execution in all poyntes. And that, the paynes be execute upon them with all extremitie, & with this addition: That all Judges ordinar, alsweil in Regalitie as Royaltie, & sik utheris, as sall please our Soveraine Lord, and his Regent to give power, and commission to that effect, to take up dittay of the persons contravenaris of the saids Actis, and hauld twa Courts ilk zeir, that is to say, ane Court at Pasche, and ane uther at Martine-messe, for punishment to be maid, in maner foirsaid. (Providing alwaies, that this present Act be na wise extended to the slaying of reid fische in the water of Tweede) and quha beis convict of the said crime, sall pay the paines conteined in the said Act. And als sall finde caution, to pay an hundreth pundis, als oft as he contravenis the saidis Acts, to be applyed to our Soveraine Lordis use. {376}

[¶ Anent the cassing, annulling, and abrogating of all Lawis, actis, and constitutiounis, Canone, Ciuile, and Municipall, with vther constitutiounis, contrare to the Religioun now professit within this Realme. Ca. xxxix.]

IN the Parliament halden at Edinburgh, the 19. day of April, the zeir of God 1567. zeiris. The quhilk day, the Queens Majestie having considered the Estate of hir Majesties Realm, that it stude at, the time of hir arrival furth of France, & zit presently standis at Foirseing alswa the common weil of hir countrie greatumlie to be increased, & established be the keiping of the common peace & quietnes, amangs all her subjects: & like as hir hienes sen hir foirsaid arrival, hes attempted nathing contrare the Estate of religion, quhilk her M. fand publiklie & universallie standing, at hir arrival foirsaid, quhair by hir M. is maist worthy to be served, honored, & obeyed. Richt sa hir hienes intends to continew in the samin gudnes & governement, in all times cumming, quhairby all her gude subjects, professouris of the religion foirsaid, sall have occasion to praise God, for her gude, happy & gratious governement. And to crave of God fra the bottom of their hearts, that he wald of his infinit gudnes, prosper & blis hir M. & hir posterity, with lang life & gude & happy governement, to rule & reigne over them. And to the effect alswa, that all hir hienes gude subjects, professouris of the religion foirsaid, may assure themselves to be in full suretie therof, & of their landis, lives, benefices, dignities, jurisdictions, priviledges, guddis, fame, & honouris in time cumming, And with the better will jeoparde & hazard their lives & guddes in her hienes service, against all enemies to hir M. & to the common weill of this realm at all times neidful as their predecessours hes maist frankly done heirtofoir. And that without fear of any paine, punishment, tinsel of landis, benefices, and gudis, for professing exercing & using of the said religion, in times by-gane, and to be impute unto them, or their aires, notwithstanding any lawes, actis & constitutionis, canon, civil or municipal, or uther quhat-sumever ordinance heirtofoir institute in the contrare. And for their great surety foirsaid, our Sov. with the advise of the haill three Estaites of this Parliament, hes thocht neidful, & convenient to dispense, casse, abrogat, & annul, like as her M. presently dispensis, cassis, abrogatis, & annullis, all & quhat-sumever lawis, acts & constitutionis canon, civil, or municipal with all other constitutions & practicks penal, introduced contrair to the foirsaid religion & professors of the samin: and ordainis them, & their posterity, in all times to cum, to be free, & exeemed from all paine corporal, infamie, reproch, depriving fra benefices, dignities, or offices, or uther crime or paine quhat-sumever, that may be incurred, or imputed to them, be vertew of the saidis acts, lawes, ordinances, canon, {377} civil, or Municipal, & practicque, for contravening of the samin: renunceand the samin, & strength therof, in favoris of our saidis subjects, to the effect foirsaid. And sik-like, the Queenis M. of her authoritie royal, granted to hir be God, with the advise of the three Estaites foirsaidis, takis to hir selfe, & her posteritie, all her gude subjects, their benefices, lands, offices, gudis, & honouris, to be under sure saifgard, maintenance, protection, & defence perpetually, against quhat-sumever forreine authority, power, jurisdiction, & persute be it Ecclesiastical or temporal. Eximand hir foirsaidis subjects, fra all comperance, summoning or obedience, pretended heirafter against them, for the causes foirsaidis. Be quhat-sumever forreine person, or uther pretendand jurisdiction, or authoritie throw them: Willing hir subjects to dwell in perpetual security, & quietnes within this Realme, be making of their maist humble and faithful obedience to hir hienes & hir posterity, in all times cumming heirafter allanerly. Like as alswa her Majestie (God willing) in times convenient, sall take further ordour, in all uther poynts, concerning the Estate of Religion, as may best serve for the glorie of God, commoun weill of this Realme, & continuing of common peace and quietnesse universallie amangis all her subjects. Commanding them, and everie ane of them, in all times heirafter, to keip mutual, perfite, and maist heartie kindnesse, love, friendship, & Nichtbourhead, ilke ane to uthers, under all hiest paine and charge, that heirafter may follow, for breaking of this present Act of Parliament, and her Majesties maist lawful commandement.

ITEM, The xxix. day of December, the zeir of God, 1567. zeires, quhilk was the last day of this Parliament, the samin being continued, to the xj. day of Julij nixt-to-cum: Our Soveraine Lord, with advise of his Regent, and the three Estaites of Parliament, hes ordained, and ordainis, all and sindrie the foirsaidis Acts of Parliament, to be authenticklie imprented: As alswa, ordainis the Act of Parliament, maid in our Soveraine Lordis umquhile dearest Gudschirs Parliament, halden at Edinburgh, the 22. day of Januar, the zeir of God 1528. zeiris, made anent burning of houses, and utheris specified therein, to be alswa imprented. Swa that nane of our Soveraine Loreis liegis, may pretend ignorance of the samin.

ITEM, In the Parliament halden at Edinburgh, the xij. day of November, the zeir of God 1526. zeires. The quhilk day, anent the Artickle of slauchteris, murtheris, burning: IT IS statute and ordained, that the Acts maid thereupon of before, and the auld Lawes be keiped, with this addition, that quha cummis and burnis folkis in their houses, and cornes, and wilful fyre-raysing, be treason, and lese-majestie, because sik deides ar exorbitant, and mair against the common weill, then uther crymes. And particular Justice airis, or general Justice airis, be set thereto, as sall pleis the Kings Majestie, his Councel, and the Justice for the time, with their consent. Providing, that it sall be lesum, to ony man to persew, and follow common thieves, and rebellis to take them. And gif they enter in houses, that it sall be lawful to invade, break or destroy the saidis housis, be fyre or utherwise, to the intent and effect of taking, or slaying of the saidis thieves, or rebelles, for the quhilk there sall follow upon the doeris, na paine, accusation, cryme, bot to be free theirof at all times.