THE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fift Session of this second Triennall Parliament, Taking to their consideration, the great abuses dayly committed by the running away of souldiers from their standing Troups or Regiments, wherein they are engaged, which dayly occurres, and through want of condigne punishment, is be­come too ordinary; For remedie whereof, The saids Estates of Par­ [...]iament have ordained, and ordaines, That if any souldier shall run away from the present standing Troops or Regiments, whereunto they are engaged, & have undertaken, that they shall be punished with death. And for that effect, The Estates of Parliament gives and grants full Power to every Regiment within themselves respective­ [...]y, To call a counsell of VVar for punishing of the saids Runa­wayes accordingly, and because many of the foot souldiers are in use to run away from their Collors, and to take on with others to be horsemen; Therefore the saids Estates of Parl. have discharged, & by thir presents, discharges all Shyres and Officers to take on any of the standing foot souldiers who are already engaged in any Re­giment or Company, with certification, that if any such who were formerly engaged in service shall be found in the Regiments or Troops, the Out-putter, or Taker on of them (without sufficient testimonials from Ministers, Kirk-Sessions, or from the Elders of these places where they live, and abide, that they are free-men) shall be obliged to furnish two men in their places, either to the Troop or Regiment where they shall be found; with power like­wise to any of the officers in the Regiments, from which they are runawayes to sease upon them, and bring them back to the saids Regiments to be punished as aforesaid, and to make use of their horse and armes (if horsemen) and of their Pikes and Muskets (if footmen) for supply of their own Regiments and Companies, as they shall think fitting; And ordains these presents to be intimate publickly at the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh, and in all the severall Shyres, and to all the Troops of horse, and Regiments of foot in the Army, and to be printed for that effect.