C R  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  royal blazon or coat of arms James by the grace of god  
A PROCLAMATION Anent Elders of Kirk Sessions, 1684.  
CHARLES, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Our Lovits, Macers of Our Privy Council, Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting:  
Forasmuch as by the Supremacy Inherent in Our Imperial Crown, as one of the Prerogatives thereto belonging; It solely Resides in Us, to Enact and Emit such Constitutions, Acts and Orders, concerning the Administration of the External Government of the Church, and the Persons to be Employed therein, as We, in Our Royal Wisdom shall think fit, 〈…〉 ●●●●●…ly specified in the first Act of Our second Parliament: And therefore We, and Our Predecessors, have always been careful that the Discipline of the Church, by Kirk Sessions and otherways be observed; for preservation whereof, it being , that Persons of good Reputation, and known Loyalty, should assist the Ministers in the exercise of Ecclesiastic Discipline. We therefore▪ with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, Do hereby Empower the Ministers of the respective Paroches, within this Our ancient Kingdom, to give in Lists to the Bishops, their Ordinaries, of such as are fit to Serve as Elders in the saids Paroches, and being approven by them; We hereby Ordain and Command the Persons so Named and Authorized, to Serve as Elders, except they can offer such sufficient Reasons, to be allowed by the Bishop, as may excuse them from Serving in the said Employment, with Certification to the Persons who shall refuse, not being lawfully excused, as said is, that upon production of the said Nomination, and Instruments taken upon their refusal, Letters of Horning shall be direct, under the Signet of Our Privy Council, Charging them to accept and Officiate, within fifteen Days, under the pain of Rebellion: And to the effect, Our Pleasure in the Premises may be made known, to all Persons concerned▪ Our Will is, and We Charge you strictly and Command, that incontinent, these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh; and remanent Mercat Crosses of the head burgh's of the Shires of this Kingdom, and other places needful, and there, by open Proclamation, make publication of the Premises, that all Persons concerned may give obedience thereto, according to Justice, as ye will answer to Us thereupon, the which to do, we commit to you, conjunctly and severally, Our full power, by their Our Letters, delivering them by you, duly execute, and endorsed again to the Bearer.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the twenty two day of April, One thousand six hundred eighty and four. And of Our Reign, the thirtieth sixth Year. 1684. Per actum Dominorum Secreti Concilij. WILL. PATERSON, Cls. Sti. Concilij. 
 GOD save the KING.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Sacred Majesty, Anno Dom. 1684.