WHereas the number of wandring, idle, loose, dissolute and disorderly persons is (of late) much increased, by reason of some defects in the Laws and Statutes heretofore made and provided for the punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggers, (they being seldome taken begging) by means [Page 2] whereof divers Robberies, Burglaries, Thefts, Insurrections and other Misdemeanours have been occasioned; For the prevention whereof, Be it Enacted by His Highness the Lord Pro­tector and this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That all and every idle, loose and dissolute person and persons, which from and after the first day of July, One thou­sand six hundred fifty seven, shall be found and taken within the Commonwealth of England, vagrant and wandring from his or their usual place of living or abode, and shall not have such good and sufficient cause or business for such his or their travelling or wandring, as the Iustices or Iustice of Peace, Mayors, or other Chief Officer or Officers of the respe­ctive Counties or Corporations, before whom such person or persons shall be brought, shall approve of; That then every such idle, loose and dissolute person and persons, so taken va­grant and wandring as aforesaid, shall be ad­judged, and are hereby adjudged and declared to be Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beg­gers, within the Statue made in the Nine and thirtieth year of the Reign of Queen Eli­zabeth, Cap. 4. For the Suppressing of Rogues, Va­gabonds and Sturdy Beggers, and shall be proceed­ed against and punished as Rogues, Vaga­bonds and Sturdy Beggers within the said Statute, although they shall not be taken begging, Any Law, Statute or Vsage to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstand­ing.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons com­monly called Fidlers or Minstrels, shall at [Page 3] any time after the said First day of July, be ta­ken playing, fidling and making musick in any Inn, Ale-house or Tavern, or shall be taken profering themselves, or desiring, or intreat­ing any person or persons to hear them to play, or make musick in any the places aforesaid, That every such person and persons so taken, shall be adjudged, and are hereby adjudged and declared to be Rogues, Vagabonds and Stur­dy Beggers, and shall be proceeded against and punished as Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggers within the said Statute, Any Law, Statute or Vsage to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.