Towards the deprivatione of Bischops admittit since the King’s coronatione: it is thocht meit that the same be lykewyse in the power of the Kirk, and them that examinats, elects, and admitts Bischops, and the same deprivatione alseweell to extend from this functione of the ministrie as from the benefice itself and fruits thereof, qwhairthrough the same may be declaired vacand, and to be presentit and conferrit of new, as if he were naturallie dead.
Causes of deprivatione we take it to be--heresie, papistrie, common blasphemie, perjurie, adulterie, fornicatione, incest, slauchter, theft, common oppression, common drunkenness, wsurie against the lawes of the realm, nonresidence and absence from his flock and office be the space of fourtie dayes together in ane year, without lawfull impediment allowit be the Generall Assemblie; pluralitie of benefices provydit sen the King’s coronatione, to be cause of deprivatione from them all except ane, that the possessors will astrict themselves to make residence at the same; dilapidatione of the rents of benefices contrare the act of Parliament; simonie: For the forme of deprivatione, ane lybellit precept on fourtie dayes warning within the realme, and within sixty dayes being without the realme, to be direct to the Kirk and such Commissioners thereof, as elects and admitts the persone complaint on--summonding him to compeir and answer upon the complaint; and, in caice of his absence at the first summonds, the second to be directit upon the lyke warnyng, with certification if he failzie, the lybell shall be admittit to probation, and he shall be haden _pro confesso_. Efter the decreit gine, if the persone against qwham it is gine think himselfe wrangouslie grevit thereby, it shall be leisum to him to interpone appellatione to the next Generall Assembly, and intimat the same within ten dayes, utherwayes the decreit to receive present executione.
Anent the questione moveit to the Assembly, If the Generall Kirk hes power to revoke whatsoever things done be them, or any particular member of the same, to the hurt and prejudice of the Kirk, or not?
The brethren, after reasonyng and disputting in the matter, at lenth votit _affirmative_ in the questione--that the Kirk hes power to doe the same.