10. To qwhom think ye the King’s Majestie and the lawit patrones sould direct the presentationes for admitting qualifiet persones to such benefices as shall happen to vaike, be the deceiss of the present possessors of them, and that ye will name the persones in speciall? 11. Seeing the dearth of victualls maks great inequalitie of stipends, some haveing victuall allowit for ane mark or xx. shilling, and uthers of that silver assignit to them, constraint to buy at 5 or 6, or sumtymes 7 merks the boll; were it not agrieable to equitie that all ministers had their proportionall part of victuall and money, or else that the victuall sould be sauld or allowit at the hyest pryce, qwherthrough such as hes small stipends may be the better augmented? Answers to the Articles. 1, 2. To the first and second: before they be speciallie answerit, it is thocht meitest, that there be ane forme of assignatione made be some to be appoyntit thereto, betwixt and the next Assemblie, to all kirks and ministers that are licklie to stand and continow, respectand the answers and advyce sent out of everie countrie, and as if the present possessors were dead; and that chairges be direct to such as hes not sent their answer, to send them with expeditione. 3. It is thocht meitest that the intrant to any benefice shall enter and serve the cure of the kirk thereof, at the next first day of November, after his admission at the next Whitsonday, and shall have no farder stipend for this year, but the taxt or superplus, as it falls; because his executors will fall alse meikle at his deceiss, according to the ancient order of the annatt: and that diligence be done to gett rowis of all benefices taxt; and qwhatever benefices are not taxed, the rents thereof the first year to be devydit equallie betwixt the executors of the defunct and the intrant; qwhilk intrant shall only have the half fruits of the year of intrantie, and sicklyke of the stipends. 4. We think nane sould be placit in the book of modificatione but worthie and qualified persones; and if any be presentit or admittit to benefices since the King’s coronatione, that are unworthie or unable to discharge their dewtie, that they be callit and depryvit, be such order as shall heirafter be condescendit upon. 5. For the generall, we think that such being ministers, as hes sufficient livings of their awne, be reasone of benefices qwhereunto they are provydit for their lyfetymes, sould not take stipends to serve at uther kirks, without great necessitie seen and allowit be the General Assemblie; and upon the speciall knawledge of the persones that are not able in this head, order shall be taken to reforme them as appertayneth. 6. We think this thing most necessar and agrieable to that qwhilk is appoyntit in the answer to the first and secund articles. 7. This article shall be speciallie answerit, how soon it may be advysed be the Generall Assemblie.