Forasmuch as We have taken to conside­ration, the disorderly carriage of several Heretors, outed Mini­sters, Tennents and others of the Commons within this Kingdom, by their keeping of Conventicles, and baptizing of their Children by persons not authorized or allowed; which not only foment and nourish Separation and Schism, but tend to Sedition, and the disturbance of the publick Peace. Do therefore, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, require all Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs of Regalities and their Deputes, Magistrates of Burghs in their respective bounds, and the Commissioners of the Militia, To inform them­selves where such Conventicles have been keeped since the nineteenth day of October last, or shall happen to be keeped hereafter, and to call before them the Ministers who have preached or shall preach at them, the Heretors or substantial Tennents who have been or shall be present thereat, or have had their Children baptized since the said nine­teenth day of October, or shall procure them to be baptized by any not allowed or autho­rized to do the same; and according as they shall find any of them guilty, that they take caution of them for their appearance before Our Privy Council, when ever they shall be called: And in case any of them, being called before the saids Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs or Magistrates foresaids, or before the saids Commissioners of the Militia, com­pear not, or compearing shall refuse to give caution, That they, with advice and con­currence of the Captain, Lieutenant or Cornet of any of the Militia Troops of the Shire, seize upon their persons, and send them to the Lords of Our Council by a Party of the Milit [...]a; Which Party shall be payed at eighteen shillings Scots a day for each Horseman, and three shillings Sterling for the Officer who shall command, from the time of their setting forth to their return: And that they send alongst with them any proofs or evidences they have received of their guiltiness: And Ordains the saids Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs, Magistrates and Commissioners of the Militia, from time to time, to give an account of their diligence to Our Council: And that these presents be printed, and published at the Mercat-cross of Edinburgh and other places needful, that none pretend ignorance.