WHereas many good and wholesome Laws have been made and provided for the good Government of the people of this Commonwealth, and for the suppres­sing and preventing of many sins, disorders, abuses and deceipts, tending to the dishonour of God, the scandal of Religion, and the prejudice and great wrong of the People. But for want of zeal and care in the Officers and Mi­nisters of Iustice, to whose Trust the execution thereof hath been committed, there hath not been that due observation of those Laws, and the punishment inflicted upon the Offenders, as is thereby provided; by reason whereof such ill disposed persons have been hardned in their evil waies, and others the more bold and encourag­ed to commit the like offences in hove of impunity: His Highness the Lord Protector desiring (ac­cording to the Trust reposed in Him for the publique Weal of these Nations) to use His utmost Power, That the Laws be duly executed, Iustice administred, Abuses punished, and the good and welfare of the People by all good ways and means procured and preserved, Hath by the Ad­vice of His Council, thought fit to Recommend the same unto the Iudges, and other Officers and Ministers of Iustice, unto whom the due execution of the Law and Iustice is committed; And doth therefore hereby Will and Require all the Iustices of Assizes in their several Circuits, to give in Charge, and to take especial Care, that the Laws be duly executed, and particularly such Laws as are in force, for the better suppressing and preventing the abominable Sins of Drun­kenness, Prophane Swearing and Cursing, Adultery, Fornication, and the like Uncleanness; the Laws and Statutes made touching the Assize of Bread and Ale, the Assize of Fewel, touch­ing Weights and Measures, for Setting the Poor on work, the Providing for such as by reason of age or impotency are not able to maintain themselves; for punishment of Rogues, Uagabonds calling themselves Egyptians, and other Uagabonds or sturdy Beggers, and preventing the increase of them, and duly taking Accompts of Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor, for punish­ment of such as shall disturb publique Preachers and Ministers in their publique Exercises, and such as shall prophane the Lords-Day: And His Highness, by the Advice of His Council, Doth straitly Charge and Command all Majors, Iustices of the Peace, Bayliffs, Constables, and all other Officers who are any way Intrusted with the execution of any of the Laws and Admini­stration of Iustice, to use their utmost Care, Diligence and Endeavor within their Counties, Cities, Towns, Liberties and Precincts, That all and every the Laws whereby they are im­powèred, or with the Execution whereof they are Intrusted, and more especially such as concern the several Matters aforesaid, be duly and vigorously put in Execution, and the Offenders against the same effectually prosecuted and punished, according to the said Laws. And His Highness doth, by the Advice of His said Council, also Require and Enjoyn all the People of this Common­wealth, to be aiding and assisting in Discovering of the Offenders, and bringing them to condign punishment, as they tender the Glory of God, their own good, and the good and welfare of this Commonwealth, which cannot be preserved and supported without the due Observation of the Laws, and the Execution of Iustice for the Terror of evil doers, that others may see it, and fear, and not dare to do the like. And His Highness doth further Charge and Require His Judges in their several Circuits to take an exact Accompt how these things have been, and shall be from time to time observed, and what the success thereof shall be; from whom His Highness will expect to be truly informed at their Return out of their Circuits.

Given at White-Hall the Ninth day of August, in the Year of Our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five.