[A1597/3/15]¹

Proclamation: testifying the good success of the convention

Proclamation testifying the good success of this convention

²The king's majesty, his nobility, council and estates presently convened, considering how it has pleased God to give a good and happy success to this present convention by moving the hearts and minds of his said nobility and estates, with the ministry of the kirk now present with his highness, to unity and concord, and the same ministry to yield and agree to certain heads and articles proposed by his majesty tending always to the glory of God, surety of his highness's person and estate and common benefit, peace and quietness of the country; as indeed his majesty has found such a willing mind in the same ministry chiefly at this time for this purpose as his highness could have wished, likewise they have found themselves fully satisfied for his majesty's part in all things whereof they stood in doubt or that by the misreports of restless spirits they were wrongfully informed of, his majesty and the said ministry, having always concluded that at the next assembly of the same ministry, appointed to be within the burgh of Dundee in the month of May next to come, to proceed in the resolution of the rest of the heads and articles which are superseded to that time, and so within a short space to set down, God willing, with common consent, such a solid and perfect order in his estate as all contention and strife which heretofore from time to time has intervened shall be altogether abolished and good order and obedience of all his subjects professed and procured in such sort as all malicious, seditious and unquiet spirits seeking occasion of trouble and unquietness shall always find themselves disappointed of their expectation. Likewise his majesty, for the further declaration of his goodwill to all the ministry who professes his obedience, has taken and by this proclamation takes them, their wives, bairns, family, goods, gear and possessions under his highness's special maintenance, protection and defence, to be unhurt, unmolested, troubled, invaded or in any way damnified or hurt in their lawful calling or otherwise under whatsoever colour or pretence hereafter. And to the effect none shall pretend ignorance thereof, ordains letters to be directed to make publication of the premises, as also of the special heads and articles presently agreed upon, to all and sundry his highness's lieges by open proclamation at the market crosses of the head burghs of this realm and other places needful; and also to signify and declare to all his good subjects, as presently his highness has declared to the said ministry, that as his highness's principal care and affection is and has been to the glory of God and the maintenance of the true religion, with the preservation of the same ministry from all kind of violence in their lawful calling, which religion his highness professes with his whole heart and, God willing, shall maintain with all his power to his life's end, so shall not his majesty suffer any other name, kirk or religion to be professed but the name and religion of our master and saviour, Christ Jesus, received and established by his highness's laws, detesting and abhorring all kind of idolatry, superstition, papistry or other infidelity whatsoever; and therefore to command and charge all the said lieges to conform themselves to the said true religion and discipline presently established by his highness, his council, estates and ministry foresaid, and in no way take upon hand to vex, trouble, molest or disquiet any of the said ministry in their lawful calling, or their wives, bairns or family by way of deed, or yet to do or attempt any thing tending to the violation of his highness's protection foresaid in any part, under whatsoever colour or pretence as they will answer to his highness upon their obedience, at their utmost charge and peril and under all highest pain, crime and offence that they may commit and incur against his majesty in that behalf. Certifying them if they do in the contrary, that whatsoever hurt or inconvenience they shall sustain through this, that his majesty will account and esteem the same as done against his highness's self and so will be careful to see the same punished accordingly. And likewise to command and charge all and sundry papists, Jesuits and excommunicated persons presently remaining within this realm (excepting only such persons as are presently in conference and dealing with the kirk for their satisfaction, against whom this proclamation shall in no way be extended nor no other execution to be moved against them to the time they satisfy the kirk, or, for their obstinacy, be given over by his majesty and the said ministry as persons in whom there is no hope of amendment and satisfaction), to depart out of this realm to the parts beyond sea between now and 1 June next to come, or else to satisfy the kirk before the same day according to the order observed in such cases, under the pain to be pursued and punished according to his highness's laws, acts and proclamations made relating thereto. Certifying them if they fail, they shall be taken, apprehended and punished with all rigour and extremity; and to this effect, to command all sheriffs, stewarts, provosts and bailies of burghs and bailies of regalities and their deputes to search, seek and take all the said papists, Jesuits and excommunicated persons which shall be found remaining within this realm after the day foresaid (except before excepted), bring and present them before his majesty and council to be punished for their demerits according to the laws and acts of parliament made relating thereto. Certifying the said sheriffs, stewarts, provosts and bailies foresaid if they fail, that they shall be likewise pursued and punished with the same rigour and extremity without favour.