Series 1 > Statutes of the Scottish Church, 1225-1559

i.] COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL OF BASEL 219
VIII. Commission to appear on behalf of the King of Scot¬
land at the Council of Basel, in order to associate
the king and kingdom of Scotland with the work
of extirpating heresies.
James, etc. To all and several under whose notice these
present letters shall come, greeting. Know that we, reposing
perfect confidence in the fidelity, discretion, and learning of
the reverend fathers in Christ and venerable men, John of
Glasgow and John of Brechin, bishops of the churches there,
and our counsellors, as also of John of Melrose and Thomas of
Dundrennan, abbots of these monasteries, of Donald Mac-
nachtane and Nicholas of Athol, dean and precentor respec¬
tively of the church of Dunkeld, of John . . . and David
.... our faithful subjects, do make, appoint, and by the
tenor of these presents nominate them formal and regular
ambassadors and representatives of ourselves and our king¬
dom, giving and granting to the said John and John, bishops ;
John, Thomas, Donald, Nicholas, John and David, and any
seven, six, five, four, three, or two of them, power, authority
and our special mandate to appear for us and our kingdom in
the sacred Council of Basel lawfully assembled in the Holy
Spirit as representing the universal church, and to associate us
and the said kingdom with the sacred council, to communicate,
advise, and deal, and to conclude and determine for us and our
kingdom in all that concerns the extirpation of heresies and
the pacification of the Christian people and the reformation
of morals, and generally for doing and performing all the
other and similar acts as may about the foresaid matters be
necessary or even opportune, and such as we should do if we
were personally present at the said proceedings. Holding and
hereafter to hold as ratified and acceptable all and every¬
thing that the regularly appointed seven ambassadors or repre¬
sentatives of the said kingdom or any six, five, four, three,
or two of them shall hold proper to be done on our behalf
and for our kingdom in the said matters. In testimony
whereof, etc.