It appeared to some of the brethren that the lang continuance of Commissioners in their office, should induce some ambitione and inconvenience within the Kirk, and therefore was thocht a matter to be consultit in this Assemblie, Whether it was best that Commissioners of provinces should be changit from year to year from the countries where they travell to uthers? After lang reasoning, the greatest part of the Assemblie thocht best, where men may be had able to use the Commissione, that ane yearly exchange should be.
Ordaines Mr James Lawsone, James, Bischope of Glasgow, Mr Andrew Hay, Mr George Hay, with Alexander Hay, Clerk of Privie Councill, to concive ane article in wreit, concerning the union of paroche kirks, to be presentit the morne to the brethren, to be condescendit be them.
Articles to be presentit to my Lord Regent’s Grace.
1. Imprimis, for planting and preaching the word through the whole realme; It is desyrit that so many ministers as may be had, qwhilks are yet unplacit, may be receivit, alswell in the countrie, to relieve the charge of them that hes many kirks, as utherwayes throughout the whole realme; with Superintendants or Commissioners within these bounds where Bischops are not, to help sic Bischops as hes uther great charge, and reasonable livinges to be appointed to the forsaids persones; and also payment to them that hes travellit before Commissioners in the years of God (15)73-74, and so furth, in tymes comeing, without the qwhilk the trauells of sic men will ceise.
2. That sic impediments be removit away as makes hinderance to the progress of the doctrine, sic as abundance of vice in all parts of this realme unpunischit, marketts upon the Sabbath-day, and ministers troublit in the exercise of their office.
3. That the order already tane toward the poore may be put in full executione to that effect, that anie portione of the teinds qwhilk is their awne patrimonie, alswell of the twa part as of the thrids, may be imployit for their sustentatione, according as necessitie craves; and to this effect, that the hospitalls qwhilks hes been of old, may be restorit to their awne use, notwithstanding any tytle made thereof to uther persones; and also that sic ordinare almes as hes been appointed furth of abbayes or uther benefices, be lang consuetude, may be payit to the poore as of before.