ACT of COUNCIL, Explanatory of the TEST: WITH His Majesty's LETTER Containing His Royal Approbation thereof.  
C R  
〈◊〉 SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms 
EDINBURGH, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Sacred Majesty, Anno DOM. 1681.   

Act of Council, Explanatory of the TEST.  
Edinburgh the third day of November, 1681.  
FORASMUCH, as some have entertained Jealousies and Prejudices against the Oath and Test, appointed to be taken by all Persons in public Trust, Civil, Ecclesiastic, or Military, in this Kingdom, by the sixth Act of His Majesty's third Parliament, as if thereby they were to Swear to every Proposition or Clause in the Confession of Faith, therein-mentioned; or that Invasion were made thereby upon the Intrinsic Spiritual Power of the Church, or Power of the Keys; or as if the present Episcopal Government of this National Church, by Law Established, were thereby exposed to the hazard of Alteration, or Subversion; all which, are far from the Intention and Design of the Parliaments Imposing this Oath, and from the Genuine Sense and Meaning thereof: Therefore, His Royal Highness, His Majesty's High Commissioner, and Lords of Privy Council, Do Allow, Authorise and Empower, the Arch-Bishops and Bishops, to Administer this Oath and Test, to the Ministers and Clergy in their respective Dioceses, in this Express Sense; that though the Confession of Faith, Ratified in Parliament, one thousand five hundred sixty and seven, was framed in the Infancy of Our Reformation, and deserves its due Praises; yet by the Test We do not Swear to every Proposition or Clause thereincontained; but only to the true Protestant Religion, Founded on the Word of GOD, contained in that Confession, as it is opposed to Popery and Phanaticisme. Secondly, That by the Test, or any Clause thereincontained, no Invasion or Encroachment is made, or intended upon the Intrinsic Spiritual Power of the Church, or Power of the Keys, as it was Exerced by the Apostles, and the most pure and Primitive Church in the first three Centuries after Christ, and which is still reserved entirely to the Church. Thirdly, That the Oath and Test, is without any prejudice to the Episcopal Government of this National Church, which is declared by the first Act of the second Session of His Majesty's first Parliament, to be most agreeable to the Word of God, and most suitable to Monarchy, and which upon all occasions, His Majesty hath Declared, He will inviolably and unalterably Preserve. And appoints the Arch-Bishops and Bishops, to require the Ministers in their respective Dioceses, with the first conveniency to obey the Law, in Swearing and Subscribing the foresaid Oath and Test; with certification, that the refusers shall be esteemed persons disaffected to the Protestant Religion, and to His Majesty's Government, and that the punishment appointed by the foresaid sixth Act of His Majesty's third Parliament, shall be impartially and without delay, inflicted upon them. Extracted forth of the Records of Privy Council, by  
WIL PATERSON. Cl. Sti. Concilij.   

His Majesty's Letter of Approbation.  
CHARLES R.  
MOST Dear, and most entirely beloved Brother; Right Trusty and well beloved Cousins and Councillors, Right Trusty and well beloved Councillors, and Trusty and well beloved Councillors, We Greet You well; Whereas, by one of your Letters, Directed unto Us, bearing Date the eight Instant; We do find that some having entertained Scruples and Prejudices against the Test, by mistaking the true Sense and Meaning thereof: And others having put false and unjust Glosses and Senses upon it, tending to defeat its excellent Design, for the Security of Our Government; and that upon this account, you found it necessary, by an Act of that Our Council (which We have seen) to Declare its True and Genuine Sense, and to allow and Empower the Bishops to Administer the same, in this Sense to the Clergy, in their respective Dioceses: We are so well pleased with that Explanatory Act, that We will not delay to send you Our Cheerful Approbation thereof, with Our hearty Thanks, for your Zeal in Our Service upon all occasions, especially, in what relates to the Security of the Persons, Rights, Interests and Privileges of Our Orthodox Clergy; which We do now (as We have often done before) in a particular manner, Recommend to your Care, as a matter wherein you may render unto Us the most acceptable Services; And therefore, We do expect, that you will upon all fit Occasions, give them all possible Encouragement, as these whom We have received, and will constantly Shelter under Our Royal Protection, against all their Enemies. So We bid you hearty Farewell.  
Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the fifteenth day of November, One thousand six hundred eighty and one. And of Our Reign, the thretty three year. By His Majesty's Command. MORRAY.  
Directed Thus, To Our most dear, and most entirely beloved Brother, Our right Trusty and well beloved Cousins and Councillors, Our right Trusty and well beloved Councillors, and Our Trusty and well beloved Councillors, James Duke of Albany and York, Our High Commissioner, and the Lords of Our Pilvy Council, of Our Ancient Kingdom of SCOTLAND.  
FINIS.