ITEM, Because the Ministers have been long defrauded of their stipends, so that they are becoming in great poverty & necessity; And notwithstanding have continued in their vocation, without payment of their stipends, by a great space. Where-through they are and shall be constrained to leave their vocation without remedy be provided; THEREFORE our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, and the three Estates of this present Parliament, has statute and ordained, that the whole thirds of the whole Benefices of this Realm, shall now instantly, and in all times to come, first be paid to the Ministers of the Evangel of Jesus Christ, and their successours. And ordains the Lords of the Session to grant, and give letters, charging all and sundry intrometters, or that are adebted [indebted] in payment of the same, to answer and to obey the said Ministers and their Collectors, to be nominate by the said Ministers, with advice of my Lord Regent, in form as effeiris [accords], Notwithstanding any discharge given by our Sovereign Lord’s Mother, to whatsomever person or persons, of the said third, or any part thereof, aye and while [ever and until] the Kirk come to the full possession of their proper Patrimony, which is the teinds [tithes]. PROVIDING always, that the Collectors of the said Ministers, make yearly account in the Checker of their intromission. So, that the Ministers may be first answered of their stipends, appertaining to every one of them; And the rest and superplus to be applied to our Sovereign Lord’s use. {363}