The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

An Act against the Mass, and the Sayers and Hearers thereof. IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of July, the year of God, 1560.¹ The said Parliament being continued to the first of August next thereafter following, with continuation of days, upon the twenty fourth day of the said month of August, the three States then being present: The which day, forsomuch as Almighty God, by his most true and blessed Word, hath declared the Reverence and Honour which should be given to him; and by his Son Jesus Christ hath declared the true use of the Sacraments, willing the same to be used according to his Will and Word; By the which it is notorious, and perfectly known, That the Sacraments of Baptism, and of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, hath been this long time past, corrupted by the Papistical Church, and by their Ministers. And at this present time, notwithstanding the Reformation already made according to Gods Word; yet nevertheless, there is some of the same Popes Church that stubbornly persevereth in their wicked Idolatry, saying Mass, and Baptizing conform to the Popes Church, profaning therethrough the Sacraments aforesaid in quiet secret places, regarding therein neither God nor his Word: Therefore it is Decreed and Ordained in this present Parliament, That no manner of person or persons, in any time coming, administrate any of the Sacraments secretly, in any manner of way, but they that are admitted, and having power to that effect; Nor say Mass, nor yet hear Mass, nor be present thereat, under the pain of confiscation of all their goods, and punishing of their bodies at the discretion of the Magistrates within whose Jurisdiction such persons happeneth to be apprehended for the first fault; banishing out of the Realm for the second fault, and chastising by death for the third fault. And Ordaineth all Sheriffs, Stewards, Bailies, and their Deputies, Provosts and Bailiffs of Burroughs, and other Judges within this Realm, to make diligent suit and inquisition within their Bounds, where any such usurped Ministry is used, Mass-saying, or they that be present at the doing thereof, ratifying, and approving the same, and take, and apprehend them, to the effect, that the pains above written may be executed upon them. Extractum de Libro Parliamenti, per me, &c. Sic Subscribitur. Jacobus Magill.

An Act against the Masse, and the Sayers and Hearers thereof. IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of Iuly, the yeer of God, 1560.¹