The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

which in their Majesties absence shall take order, and make one ordinary Council for the administration aforesaid, so that no man of whatsoever quality he be, shall have the power to order any thing to be done touching the said business, without the mediation, authority, and consent of them; and the said Councillors shall convene together as oft as they can conveniently, but shall convene no less nor fix together. And when any matter of importance occurreth, they shall all be called to consult, and order to be taken by them, or the most part of them, if need be: And if it happen any of the said seven chosen by the King and Queen to decease, their Majesties shall choose another forth of the said number of four and twenty in the place of him that deceased. And if any of the said five chosen by the States dieth, the remnant forechosen by them shall name another of the number of 24. Moreover, if it be thought expedient to the said States that other two be augmented to the said number of 12. then and in ⟨p. 248⟩that cause, the King and Queen shall choose one, and the States another; and so was this Article agreed under condition, that is to say, That the same be no prejudice in times coming to the King and Queen, and Rights of the Crown. And the said Deputies offered their labours to make mediation to the King and Queen, for maintaining Pensions and Expenses of the said Councillors, and ordinary Officers of the said Council, to be provided of the Rents and Revenues of the Crown. Item, Upon the Petition made to the said Deputies anenst the Officers of this Realm, they consented and accorded, &c. That in time to come the King and Queen shall not depute any stranger in the administration of the Civill and Common Justice, and likewise in the Office of Chancery, Keeper of the Seal, the Treasurer, Controller, and every like Offices, and shall not use them, but shall be content with their own subjects borne in the Realm. Moreover, It shall not be lawful to put the Office of Treasury,¹ Controller, into the hands of any Church-man, or other which are not able to exercise the said Offices; the which Treasurer and Controller shall be provided of sufficient Commission to use the said Offices:

which in their Majesties absence shall take order, and make one ordinary Councell for the administration aforesaid, so that no man of whatsoever quality he be, shall have the power to order any thing to be done touching the said businesse, without the mediation, authority, and consent of them; and the said Councellors shall convene together as oft as they can conveniently, but shall convene no lesse nor fix together. And when any matter of importance occurreth, they shall all be called to consult, and order to be taken by them, or the most part of them, if need be: And if it happen any of the said seven chosen by the King and Queen to decease, their Majesties shall chuse another forth of the said number of four and twenty in the place of him that deceased. And if any of the said five chosen by the States dieth, the remnant forechosen by them shall name another of the number of 24. Moreover, if it be thought expedient to the said States that other two be augmented to the said number of 12. then and in