[A1609/1/6]¹

Regarding knowledge to be had of every man's disposition in his religion

And to the effect every man's affection and disposition in his religion may be clearly and sufficiently known, the estates statute and ordain that every archbishop and bishop within the bounds of his own diocese shall once every year give up to the treasurer, comptroller, collector and their deputes, and to the director of our sovereign lord's chancellery, a roll subscribed with his hand, containing the names of all such persons within his diocese who are excommunicated for religion and who are apostates and refuse to subscribe, swear and communicate for religion; and ordain the said treasurer and his deputes that they receive no resignations nor grant confirmations nor infeftments to nor in favour of any of the persons whose names shall be contained in the said roll, and that the director of the chancellery and his deputes give out no brieves, receive no retours, nor direct no precepts upon retours nor upon comprisings in favour of any of the said persons whose names shall be inserted in the said roll at any time thereafter, until the said person or persons produce to the said treasurer, comptroller, director of the chancellery and their deputes a sufficient testimonial subscribed by the said archbishop or bishop testifying their relaxation from the said excommunication and their obedience and satisfaction to the kirk, as the said treasurer, director of the chancellery and their deputes will be answerable to his majesty upon the duty of their office. And also the said estates declare that it shall be lawful to all lords of regalities and to all superiors whatsoever within this kingdom to refuse brieves and precepts of clare constat in favour of any of the persons whose names shall be inserted in the said roll; as also to refuse the entry of tenants upon comprising, whose names are inserted in the same roll.