[1641/4/5]¹

Procedure: continuation of parliament

Act regarding the continuation of the parliament to 25 May 1641, with continuation of days

The estates of parliament, presently convened by his majesty's special authority, continue this present parliament and all summons and actions intended or depending, with all supplications, grievances and other matters belonging to the foresaid parliament, to 25 May next, with continuation of days; and that for satisfaction of his majesty's gracious desire signified by his majesty's letter directed to the estates to that effect, bearing date 23 March 1641, and also for sundry grave and weighty considerations concerning the well of the estate, kirk and kingdom known by the estates, at the which 25 May next ordain the whole estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the same to be held for the time, without prejudice always of the power granted to the committees of estate contained in the act of this present parliament made relating thereto, dated 11 June last, and mentioned in the two last acts of continuation thereof, the one bearing date 19 November 1640 and the other 14 January 1641. And in the meantime the estates declare the said parliament to be current to the effect above-written to the day foresaid, with continuation of days, and ordain the whole acts and statutes made and concluded in plain parliament in that session thereof in June past, together with all former acts of continuation made by the said estates, to stand and have the force and strength of laws and acts, according to the tenors thereof, in the same way as any acts or statutes of any preceding parliaments in any time bygone, and namely (without prejudice of the generality foresaid) the act of the committee of estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof until it be discharged by the estates, and ordain the foresaid acts, with the act of election of Robert [Balfour], lord [Balfour of] Burleigh to be president at this meeting of estates, together with this present act of continuation, to be published and printed according to the last act of continuation of the date foresaid, notwithstanding of this present continuation of the parliament, to the day above-written.

The continuation of the parliament to the day foresaid was intimated by a macer of parliament to the whole estates and all others, his majesty's lieges, whereupon the said Robert, lord Burleigh, president of the parliament, in name of the estates, asked instruments.