FOrasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, lately to call vnto his infinite mercy, the most High and Mighty Prince, King Iames, of most blessed memory, the Kings Maiesties most deare and entirely beloued Father, by whose decease, the authority and power of the most part of the offices and places of Iurisdiction, and gouernement within this Realme, and in the Realme of Ire­land, did cease and faile, the Soueraigne person failing, from whom the same were deriued; And thereupon, through doubt­fulnesse, or want of authority, in such persons, as were inuested in the said offices and places, the setled and ordinary course of Iustice, and of the affaires of State, (if remedy be not pro­uided) might receiue disturbance, and preiudice, by discontinuance, and interruption; The Kings most excellent Maiestie, in his Princely wisedome, and care of the State, (reseruing to his owne iudgement heereafter, the reformation & redresse of any abuses in misgouern­ment, vpon due knowledge & examination thereof,) is pleased, and hath so expresly signified, that all persons that at the time of the decease of the late King, his dearely beloued Father, were duely and lawfully possessed of, or inuested in any office, or place of authority, or go­uernment, either Ciuill, or Martiall, within this Realme of England, or in the Realme of Ire­land, or in any other his Maiesties Dominions belonging thereunto; And namely, all Pre­sidents, Lieuetenants, Vicepresidents, Iudges, Iustices, Sheriffes, deputy Lieutenants, Commissioners of Musters, Iustices of peace, and all others in place of gouernment, either meaner, or superior, as aforesaid; And all other officers & ministers, whose interests and estates in their offices are determined, or ceased by the meanes afore mentioned, shall be, and shall hold themselues continued in the said places and offices, as formerly they held and en­ioyed the same, vntill his Maiesties pleasure be further knowen.

And that in the meane while, for the preseruation of the peace, and necessary proceedings in matters of iustice, and for the safety & seruice of the State, all the said persons, of whatsoe­uer degree or condition, may not faile, euery one seuerally, according to his place, office, or charge, to proceed in the performance and execution of all dueties thereunto belonging, as formerly appertained vnto them, and euery of them, while the late Kings Maiestie was liuing.

And further, His Maiestie doeth hereby will and command all and singuler His Highnesse Subiects, of what estate, dignitie or degree, they, or any of them be, to bee ayding, helping, assisting, and at the commandement of the said officers and ministers, in the performance, and execution of the said offices and places, as they, and euery of them, tender His Maiesties pleasure, and will answere for the contrary, at their vttermost perils.

And further, His Maiesties will, and pleasure, and expresse commandement is, That all orders and directions made, or giuen by the Lords of the Priuie Councell of the late King, in his life time, shall bee obeyed, and performed by all, and euery person and persons, and all, and euery thing, and things to be done thereupon, shall proceed as fully and amply, as the same should haue beene obeyed or done, in the life of the said late King, His Maiesties most deare, and entirely beloued father.

Giuen at the Court at S. Iames, the eight and twentieth day of March, in the first yeere of His Ma­iesties Reigne of Great Britaine, France and Ireland.

God saue the King.