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}