ITEM, Forsomuch as the youth is not only seen to preserve the common weal, but also of them must rise such, as after this must serve in the Kirk of God, within this Realm, and to the common weal of the same; And because the poverty of many is in such sort, that they may not hold their Children at letters, whereby the most part of the youth of this Realm wants the gifts and graces of learning, requisite to that charge; For remedy hereof: OUR SOVEREIGN LORD, with advice and consent of my Lord Regent, and the three Estates of this present Parliament, has statute and ordained, that all Patrons having Provostries, or Prebendaries of Colleges, Alterages or Chaplainries, at their gifts and disposition, may in all times coming, at their pleasure present the same to Bursars, whom they please to name, to study virtue and letters, within a College of any of the Universities of this Realm, there to remain for such space, as the Patron foresaid pleases to hold him at virtue and learning, within the foresaid College, and as shall be agreed upon by the Patrons of the said Provostries, or Prebendaries, with the Principal and Masters [Ministers—Ed. 1568.] of the College of the Universities. And after the Patron removeth that Bursar forth of the said College, to present another. And so forth from one to another, to the effect foresaid, at the Patron’s pleasure: notwithstanding any foundation, or confirmation past, be whatsomever authority in any times bygone. Anent the which our Sovereign Lord, my Lord {364} Regent, and the three Estates of this present Parliament, dispenses: So that the said Patrons may dispone [dispose] their Provostries, and Prebendaries, to such Bursars, as they shall think expedient, as oft as need is. Which shall be no hurt, nor prejudice to their Patronage, notwithstanding their foundations, and Confirmations whatsomever, or any provision contained therein. And therefore our SOVEREIGN LORD, my Lord Regent, and the three Estates foresaids, heartily requests all Patrons of Colleges, Prebendaries, and Provostries, to grant and dispone [dispose] their Provostries and Prebendaries to the Bursars foresaids, in manner above specified. So that letters may be authorized, and the youth sufficiently brought up in virtue and learning, to the glory of God, and comfort of the common weal of this Realm.