XII - Certain speciall heads of reformation which we crave

Whatsoever hath been spoken of the offices of the kirke, the severall power of the officebearers, their conjunct power also, and last of the patrimonie of the kirk, wee understand it to be the right reformation, which God craves at our hands, that the kirk be ordered according thereto, as with that order, which is most agreeable to the word.

But because something would be touched in particular, concerning the estate of the countrey, and that which we principally seek to be reformed in the same, we have collected them in these heads following.

Seeing the whole countrey is divided in provinces, and thir provinces again are divided in parishes, as well in land-ward, as in townes; in every parish and reasonable congregation there would be placed one or moe pastors to feed the flock, and no pastor or minister alwaies to be burdened with the particular charge of moe kirks or flockes then one alanerly.

And because it will be thought hard to finde out Pastors or Ministers to all the paroch kirks of the Realm, as well in Landward, as in Townes, we think by the advice of such, as commission may be given to by the Kirk and Prince, parishes in landward or small villages, may be joyned two or three or more, in some places together, and the principall and most commodious kirks to stand, and be repaired sufficiently, and qualified Ministers placed thereat; and the other Kirks, which are not found necessary, may be suffered to decay, their kirk-yards alwaies being kept for buryall places, and in some places where need requires a Parish, where the Congregation is over great for one kirk, may be divided in twa or moe.

Doctors would be appointed in Vniversities, Colledges, and in other places needfull, and sufficiently provided for, to open up the meaning of the Scriptures, and to have the charge of Schooles, and teach the rudiments of Religion.

As for Elders there would be some to be censurers of the manners of the people, one or moe in every Congregation, but not an Assembly of Elders in every particular kirk, but onely in townes, and famous places, where resort of men of judgement and abilitie to that effect may be had, where the Elders of the particular kirks about may convene together, and have a common Eldership, and assembly place among them, to treat of all things that concernes the Congregations of which they have the oversight.

And as there ought to be men appointed to unite and divide the Parishes, as necessity and commodity requires: So would there be appointed by the generall Kirk, with assent of the Prince, such men as feare God, and know the estate of the Countries, that were able to nominate and designe the places, where the particular Elderships should convene, taking consideration of the Diocesse, as they were divided of old, and of the estate of the Countries, and provinces of the Realme.

Likewise concerning Provinciall and Synodall Assemblies consideration were easie to be taken, how many and in what places they were to be holden, and how oft they should convene, ought to be referred to the liberty of the generall Kirk, and order to be appointed therein.

The Nationall Assemblies of this Countrey, called commonly the Generall Assemblies, ought alwayes to be reteined in their own liberty, and have their own place.

With power to the kirk to appoint times and places convenient for the same, & all men, as well Magistrats, as inferiours to be subject to the judgement of the same in Ecclesiasticall causes, without any reclamation or appellation to any Iudge, civill or ecclesiasticall within the Realm.

The libertie of the election of persons called to the Ecclesiasticall functions, and observed without interruption, so long as the kirk was not corrupted by antichrist, we desire to be restored and reteined within this Realm.

So that none be intrused upon any Congregation, either by the Prince, or any inferiour person, without lawfull election, and the assent of the people over whom the person is placed, as the practise of the Apostolical and Primitive Kirk, and good order craves.

And because this order, which Gods word craves, cannot stand with patronages and presentation to benefices used in the Popes kirk, we desire all them, that truely feare God, earnestly to consider, that for as much as the names of patronages and benefices together with the effect therof have flowed from the Pope, and corruption of the Canon law onely, in so farr as thereby any person was intrused or placed over kirkes having Curam animarum.

And for as much as that manner of proceeding hath no ground in the word of God, but is contrary to the same, and to the said liberty of Election, they ought not now to have place in this light of Reformation. And therfore, whosoever wil embrace Gods word, and desire the kingdome of his Son Christ Iesus to be advanced, they will also embrace, and receive that policie and order which the word of God, and upright estate of his kirk craves, otherwise it is in vaine that they have profest the same.

Notwithstanding as concerning other patronages of benefices that have not curam animarum, as they speak: such as are chaplenries, prebendaries founded upon temporall lands, annuels, and such like, may be reserved unto the ancient Patrones, to dispone hereupon, when they vaike, to schollers and bursers, as they are required by act of Parliament.

As for the kirk rents in generall we desire that order be admitted and maintained amongst us, that may stand with the sincerity of Gods word, and practise of the purity of the Kirk of Christ.

To wit, that as was before spoken, the whole rent and patrimony of the Kirk, excepting the small patronages before mentioned, may be divided in foure portions: one thereof to be assigned to the Pastor for his entertainment, and hospitality; an other to the Elders, Deacons and other officers of the Kirk, such as clerks of Assemblies, takers up of the Psalmes, Beadels and keepers of the kirk, so farre as is necessarie: Ioyning with them also the Doctors, & Schooles, to help the ancient foundations where need requires: the third portion to be bestowed upon the poore members of the faithfull, and hospitals; the fourth for reparation of the Kirks, and other extraordinary charges as are profitable for the kirk, and also for the common wealth, if need require.

We desire therefore the Ecclesiasticall goods to be uplifted, and distributed faithfully to whom they appertaine, and that by the ministerie of the Deacons, to whose office properly the collection and distribution therof belongs, that the poore may be answered of their portion thereof, and they of the Ministery live without care and solicitude: as also the rest of the treasurie of the kirk may be reserved, and bestowed to their right uses.

If these Deacons be elected with such qualities as Gods word craves to be in them, there is no feare, that they shall abuse themselves in their office, as the prophane Collector did of before.

Yet because this vocation appeares to many to be dangerous, let them be oblished, as they were of old, to a yearely count to the Pastors and Eldership, and if the Kirk and Prince think expedient, let cautioners be oblished for their fidelity, that the kirk rents on na wayes be dilapidat.

And to the effect this order may take place, it is to be provided that all other intrometters with the Kirk rents, Collectors generall or speciall, whether it be by appointment of the Prince, or otherwaies, may be denuded of further intromission therewith, and suffer the Kirk rents in time comming to be wholly intrometted with by the ministry of the Deacons, and distribute to the use before mentioned.

And also to the effect, that the ecclesiasticall rents may suffice to these uses, for the which they are to be appointed: We thinke it necessary to be desired, that all alienations, setting of fewes, or tacks of the rents of the Kirk, as well lands as teinds, in hurt and diminution of the old rentals, be reduced and annulled, and the patrimony of the Kirk restored to the former old liberty.

And likewise, that in times comming the teinds be set to nane, but to the labourers of the ground, or else not set at all, as was agreed upon, and subscribed by the nobility of before.