The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 March 2024
[1587/7/25]1
For explanation of the commission given to proceed against non-residents
2Our sovereign lord, with advice of his three estates of this present parliament, having considered the act made in the parliament held at Edinburgh on 22 May 1584, concerning deprivation of persons provided to benefices of cure under prelacies for non-residence at the kirks of their benefices, and that it should be accounted non-residence to be absent from their function four Sundays in the year, by which act commission is granted to certain ecclesiastical persons mentioned therein to call and convene before them the persons dilated and suspected as non-residents, or for other causes mentioned in the said act, which necessarily requiring explanation for diverse questions and doubts daily falling out thereupon, therefore declares, statutes and ordains that the said act and commission directed thereupon is, nor at no time hereafter shall be, extended against any of the lords of secret council or senators of the college of justice or their members occupied or daily attending on his highness's necessary service, or against any persons being out of the realm by his highness's licence and employed in his special service during the time of their absence (which notwithstanding shall be obliged and held to sustain qualified ministers at their kirks in their absence). Neither shall the said act and commission be extended against such persons as were provided to benefices of cure under prelacies being lay patronages before the making of the said act of deprivation for non-residence and other causes specified therein, but that the whole persons possessing benefices in cases before declared shall enjoy and possess their benefices during their lifetimes, sustaining the ministry according to such order as is taken or shall be taken thereupon as if the said act and commission had not been granted, and that always such persons as have received benefices and been given collation on condition to serve in the function of the ministry and to make residence and yet fails therein, shall be subject to the judgement of the said act and commission.
- NAS, PA2/13, f.90v.
- 'V.' written in margin.