Charles R.

We, having taken into our serious consideration, how highly important it is for the preservation and advancement of true religion, and the peace of the church and kingdom of Scotland, that the affairs and government ecclesiastical therein established be duly managed; do allow and approve the practice of the bishops these years past since their restitution, in that they have exercised the government and discipline of the said church, conjunction with presbyters, in the accustomed meetings of presbyteries and synods. And for the establishment of the same synod order and practice in time to come, it is our will and we do ordain:

1. That the said bishops shall continue to manage all church matters with the advice, consent, free vote and assistance of the presbyters, or major part of them, in the said meetings of presbyteries and synods. And to the end that discipline may be constantly and exactly exercised, and all scandalous offences and offenders duly censured, we further will and ordain that presbyteries shall ordinarily meet once a month, and the diocesan synods once a year, in May or June, in their accustomed places.

2. Concerning ordination of presbyters, it is our pleasure that entrants to the ministry being lawfully presented to any parish church, and bringing with them certificates of their having taken the oath of allegiance and supremacy, be duly tried and examined in the usual manner: and if thereupon they shall be in all points approved, and found sufficiently qualified by the bishop and presbytery within which the said parish church lies, an edict shall be duly served at the same, and a day appointed by the bishop and presbytery for their meeting there, in order to the ordination and admission of the person so presented and appointed; and that one of the presbyters be appointed to preach and the people of the parish warned to convene at a fit hour for the exercise of divine worship, and to see their designated minister solemnly ordained by the imposition of the hands of the bishop and presbyters there present, and be exhorted to yield due reverence and obedience to him and his ministry in the Lord.