WHeras diuers bookes made or translated by certayne the Queenes Maiesties subiectes , for the more part remayning on the other syde of the sea , without lawfull licence , contayning sundry matters repugnaunt to trueth , derogatorie to the soueraigne estate of her Maiestie , and stirring and nourishing sedition in this Realme , are commonly in secrete sort here dispearsed by malicious persons among sundry her Maiesties subiectes , to thintent to drawe them to errour , and withdrawe them sediciously from their dueties and allegiance due to her Maiestie , as their onlye soueraigne . For redresse hereof , lyke as of late tyme some mylde example hath ben made in the starre chaumber at Westminster , in correction of certayne persons founde faultie in the secrete dispearsing , buying , and allowing of sundry of the sayde seditious bookes : So her Maiestie meaning of her clemencie neither to haue any aduauntage taken for thinges herein alredy past , nor any her honest and quiet subiectes to be entangled with the lyke hereafter for lacke of admonition in due tyme : wylleth and earnestlye chargeth all maner of persons , to forbeare vtterly from the vse or dealing with any such seditious bookes , made or translated by any person , contayning matter derogatorie to the soueraigne estate of her Maiestie , or impugning the orders and rites established by lawe for Christian religion and deuine seruice within this Realme , or otherwyse styrring and nourishing matter tending to sedition : and that such as alredy haue any of the sayde bookes , shall present , or cause to be presented the sayde bookes , within twentie and eyght dayes after the publishing of this proclamation , to the byshop of the diocesse , or ordinarie of the place , and to receaue of hym a testimoniall of the tyme of the deliuerie thereof : and without expresse licence in wryting of the sayde byshop or ordinarie , or some archbyshop , or other byshop of the Realme , not to kepe or reade any seditious bookes , vpon payne of her Maiesties greeuous indignation , and to be punished seuerely , as the qualitie and circumstaunces of the offence shall require and deserue .