[1579/10/22]¹

Concerning the jurisdiction of the kirk, chapter 2

²Our sovereign lord, with advice of the three estates of this present parliament, has declared and granted jurisdiction to the kirk, which consists and stands in the preaching of the true word of Jesus Christ, correction of manners and administration of the holy sacraments; and declares that there is no other face of a kirk nor other face of religion than is presently, by the favour of God, established within this realm, and that there be no other jurisdiction ecclesiastical acknowledged within this realm other than that which is, and shall be, within the same kirk, or that which flows therefrom concerning the premises. And further our sovereign lord, with advice of the three estates, has given and gives full power and commission to the noble and mighty lords after following: that is to say, James [Douglas], earl of Morton, lord of Dalkeith, Colin [Campbell], earl of Argyll, lord Campbell and Lorne, chancellor, Andrew [Leslie], earl of Rothes, lord Leslie, Robert [Douglas], earl of Buchan, lord Glendowachy,³ Patrick [Adamson], archbishop of St Andrews, Robert [Pitcairn], commendator of Dunfermline, Mark [Kerr], commendator of Newbattle, Robert [Keith], commendator of Deer, Alexander [Colville], commendator of Culross, John Erskine of Dun, superintendent of Angus, Master John Spottiswood, superintendent of Lothian, Masters John Craig, James Lawson and David Lindsay, ministers, and Alexander Hay [of Easter Kennet], clerk register, to convene in Edinburgh on 11 April 1580, which is the morning after Low Sunday coming, to search forth more especially and to consider what other special points or clauses should pertain to the jurisdiction, privilege and authority of the said kirk, and to report their declaration thereupon to our sovereign lord and three estates of this parliament, so that they may take order thereto and authorise the same by act of parliament as shall be found agreeable to the word of God.