The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Papists, a little before the Parliament, resorted in divers Bands to the Town, and began to brag, as that they would have defaced the Protestants: Which thing perceived, the brethren assembled, and went in such Companies, and yet in peaceable manner, that the Bishops and their Bands forsook the calsay or street. The Brethren understanding what the Papists meant, convened in Council in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh the seven and twentieth of May, the year of God 1561. and after consultation, concluded, That an humble Supplication should be presented unto the Lords of the Secret Council, and unto the whole Assembly that then was convened, in the which should these subsequent Heads be required, and a Law to pass thereupon.

The Papists, a little before the Parliament, resorted in divers Bands to the Town, and began to brag, as that they would have defaced the Protestants: Which thing perceived, the brethren assembled, and went in such Companies, and yet in peaceable manner, that the Bishops and their Bands forsook the calsay or street. The Brethren understanding what the Papists meant, convened in Councell in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh the seven and twentieth of May, the yeer of God 1561. and after consultation, concluded, That an humble Supplication should be presented unto the Lords of the Secret Counsell, and unto the whole Assembly that then was convened, in the which should these subsequent Heads be required, and a Law to passe thereupon.

1. First, That Idolatry, and all Monuments thereof should be suppressed throughout the whole Realm: That the sayers, hearers, maintainers, and haunters of the Mass, should be punished according to the Act of Parliament, as said is. 2. That special and certain provision be made for the maintenance of the Superintendents, Ministers, Exhorters and Readers: That Superintendents and Ministers should be planted where none were: That punishment should be appointed for such as disobeyed or contemned the Superintendents in their Function. 3. That punishment may be appointed for the abusers of the Sacraments, and for the contemners of the same. 4. That no Letters of the Session, or Warrant from the Judge, be given to answer or pay to any person of their Tenths, without especial provision that the Parishioners retain so much in their own hands, as is appointed for the maintenance of the Ministry: And that all such as are else given be called in and discharged; And likewise that no Sheriffs give Precepts to that effect. 5. That neither the Lords of Session, nor any other Judges, proceed upon such Precepts or Warnings past at the instance of them that of late have obtained feus of Vicarages and Parsons Manses, and Church-yards: And that six akers (if so much there be of the Glebe) be always reserved to the Minister, according to the appointment of the Book of Discipline. 6. That no Letters of Session, nor other Warrants, take place while the stipends contained in the Book of Discipline for maintenance of the Ministers, be first consigned in the hands at the least of the Principals of the Parishioners. 7. That punishment be appointed against all such as purchase, bring home, or execute within this Realm the Popes Bulls.