THe Quenes highnes well remembrynge what great inconuenience and daungers haue growen to this her hyghnes realme in tyme past thorough the diuersitie of opinions , in questions of religion , and hearing also that now of late , sithens the begynning of her moost graciouse reygne , the same contentions be agayne muche renewed thorowe certeyne false and vntrue reportes and eumors spredde by some lyght and euyll disposed persons , hath thought good to do to vnderstande to all her hyghnes moost louynge and obedient subiectes , her mooste gratious pleasure , in maner and fourme folowynge .

FYRST her maiestie being presently by thonely goodnes of God settled in her iust possession of thimperiall crowne of this realme , and other dominions therunto belongynge , can not nowe hyde that religion ( whiche GOD and the worlde knoweth the hath euer professed from her infancy hitherto ) whiche as her maiestie is mynded to obserue and maynteyne for her selfe by gods grace durynge her tyme , so dothe her highnes muche desyre , and woulde be gladde the same were of all her subiectes quietly and charitablye embraced . And yet she doth signifye vnto all her maiesties sayde louinge subiectes , that of her moost gratious disposition and clemency , her highnes myndeth not to compell any her sayde subiectes thervnto , vnto suche tyme as further ordre by common assent maye be taken therein . Forbyddinge neuerthelesse , all her subiectes of all degrees , at theyr perylles , to moue sedicions , or to styrre vnquietnes in her people by interpretyng the lawes of this realme after theyr braynes and fansies , but quietly to continue for the tyme , tyl asbefore is sayde further order maye be taken . And therefore wylleth and streyghtly chargeth and commaundeth all her sayde good louynge subiectes , to lyue togethers in quiet sorte , & christian charitie , leauynge those newe founde deuelishe termes of Papyste or Heretique , and suche lyke , and applyenge theyr whole eares , studye , and trauayle , to lyue in the feare of God , exercising theyr conuersations in suche charitable and godlye doynge , as theyr liues maye in dede expresse that great hunger and thyrst of Goddes glorye and holye worde , whiche by rashe talke and wordes many haue pretended , and in so doynge , as they shall best please GOD , and lyue withoute daunger of the lawes , and maynteyne the tranquillite of the realme , wherof her hyghnesse shal be most gladde : so yfanye man shall rashelye presume to make any assembles of people , or at any publique assembles or otherwyse , shall go aboute to styrre the people to disorder , or disquiet , she myndeth accordinge to her duetye , to see the same moost seuerely refourmed and punyshed , accordyng to her hygnesse lawes .

AND furthermore , forasmuche also as it is well knowen , that sedition and false rumours haue bene nouryshed and maynteyned in this realme , by the subteltye and malyce of some euell disposed persons , whiche take vpon them withoute sufficient auctoritie , to preache , and to interprete the worde of GOD , after theyr owne brayne , in churches and other places , both publique and pryuate . And also by playinge of Interludes and pryntynge of false fonde bookes , ballettes , rymes , and other lewde treatises in the englyshe tonge , concernynge doctryne in matters now in question and controuersye , touchynge the hyghe poyntes and misteries of christen religion , whiche bokes , ballettes , rymes , and treatises are chiefly by the Prynters and Stacioners sette out to sale to her graces subiectes , of an euyll zeale , for lucre and couetous of vyle gayne . Her highnes therfore strayghtly chargeth and commaundeth all and euery her sayde subiectes , of whatsoeuer state , condition , or degree they be , that none of them presume from henceforth to preache , or by waye of readynge in Churches , or other publique or pryuate places ( excepte in the scholes of the vniuersities ) to interprete or teache any scriptures , or any maner poyntes of doctryne concernynge religion . Neyther also to prynte any bookes , matter , ballet , ryme , interlude , processe or treatyse nor to playe any interlude , except they haue her graces speciall licence in writynge for the same , vpon payne to incurre her highnesse indignation and displeasure .

AND her highnesse also further strayghtly chargeth and commaundeth all and euery her sayde subiectes , that none of them of theyr owne pryuate authoritie , do presume to punyshe , or to ryse agaynst any offendour in the causes aboue sayde , or any other offendour in wordes or dedes in the late rebellion commytted by the Duke of Northumberlande , or his complices , or to seise any of theyr goodes , or violentlye to vse anye suche offendour by strykynge , or imprysoninge , or threatynge the same , but wholy to referre the punyshment of all suche offendours vnto her highnes , and her publique authoritie , wherof her maiestie myndeth to see due punyshment accordyng to the ordre of her highnes lawes . Neuertheles as her highnes myndeth not hereby to restreyn and discourage any of her louinge subiectes , to geue from tyme to tyme true information agaynst any suche offendours in the causes abouesayde , vnto her grace , or her counsell , for the punishment of euerye suche offendour , accordynge to theffecte of her hyghnesse lawes prouyded in that part . So her sayd highnes exhorteth and strayghtly chargeth her sayde subiectes to obserue her commaundement and pleasure in euery parte aforesayde , as they wyll auoyde her hyghnesse sayd indignation , and moost greuouse displeasure . The seueritie and rygour wherof , as her hyghnesse shal be moost sorye to haue cause to put the same in execution : so doth she vtterlye determine not to permytte suche vnlawfull and rebelliouse doynges of her subiectes ( wherof may ensue the daunger of her royall estate ) to remayne vnpunyshed , but to see her sayde lawes , touchyng these pointes , to be thoroughly executed , whiche extremities she trusteth all her sayde louynge subiectes wyll forsee , dreade , and auoyde accordinglye .

HER sayde hyghnesse strayghtely chargynge and commaundinge all Mayors , Sheryffes , Iustices of peace , Bayliffes , Constables , and all other publique officers and ministers , diligently to see to the obseruynge and executynge of her sayde commaundementes , and pleasure , and to apprehende all suche as shall wylfully offende in this parte , committinge the same to the next gaile , there to remayne without bayle or maynepryse , tyll vpon certificate made to her highnes , or her pryuye counsell , of theyr names and doynges , and vpon examination had of theyr offences , some further ordre shal be taken for theyr punyshment , to the example of others , accordynge to theffecte and tenor of the lawes aforesayde .