nce of Assembly in all
time coming._

Act Sess. 7. August 3. 1642.

_Act anent the order for making Lists to His Majestie, and other Patrons
for Presentations; The order of tryal of Expectants, and for trying the
quality of Kirks._

Forsameikle as His Majestie was graciously pleased in His Answer to the
Petition, tendred by the Commissioners of the late Assembly to His
Majestie, to declare and promise, for the better providing of vaiking
Kirks at His Majesties Presentation with qualified Ministers, to present
one out of a list of six persons, sent to His Majestie from the
Presbyteries wherein the vaiking Kirk lyeth, as His Majesties Declaration,
signed with his Royal hand at _White-hall_, the 3. of _January_ last,
registrate in the books of Assembly, this day at length beares. And
suchlike whereas the Lords of Exchequer upon a Petition presented to them
by the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, and the Procurator and
Agent for the Kirk representing two Prejudices; one, that gifts obtained
from His Majestie of Patronages of Kirks, at His Presentation were passing
the Exchequer, without the qualification and provision of a List,
wherewith His Majestie was pleased to restrict himself; and the other,
that some were seeking gifts of patronage of Bishop-Kirks, which we
declared to belong to Presbyteries, to be planted by two Acts of the late
Parliament, The saids Lords have ordained that no signatory containing
gifts of patronages from His Majestie, shall passe hereafter, but with a
speciall provision that the same shall be lyable to the tenor of His
Majesties said Declaration. Ordaining also the Procurator & Agent of the
Kirk to be advertised, & to have place to see all signaters whatsoever,
containing any patronage, to the effect they may represent the interest of
the Kirk therein; as the said Act of the date the 27 of _June_ last,
registrate also in the Books of Assembly, this day at length beares.
Therefore that the saids Kirks which now are, or which were at his
Majesties presentation the sayd third day of _January_ last, may be the
better provided with able Ministers, when the samine shall vaik, The
Assembly ordaines that hereafter every Presbyterie shall give up yearly a
Roll of the ablest of their Expectants, to their Synods; and that the
Synods select out of these Rolls such persons whom they in certain
knowledge judge most fit for the Ministrie and worthiest of the first
place, With Power to the