THe Kings most Excellent Maiesty , in His most religious care , and Princely consideration , of the Peace of this Church & Common wealth of England , and other his Dominions , whereof God of his goodnes hath , vnder his Sonne Christ Iesus , made him the supreame Gouernour , obseruing , that in all ages great disturbances , both to Church and State , haue ensued out of small beginnings , when the seedes of Contention were not timely preuented , and finding , that of late some Questions and Opinions seeme to haue been broched or raised in matters of Doctrine , and the Tenents of our Religion , which at first onely being meant against the Papists , but afterwards by the sharpe and indiscreete handling and maintaining of some of either parts , haue giuen much offence to the sober and well grounded Readers , and Hearers of these late written Bookes on both sides , which may iustly be feared , will raise some hopes in the professed enemies of our Religion , the Romish Catholikes , that by degrees , the professours of our Religion may bee drawen first to Schisme , and after to plaine Popery .

His Maiestie therefore , in the integrity of His owne heart , and singular prouidence of the peaceable gouernment of that people , which God hath committed to His charge , hath thought fit , by the aduice of His reuerend Bishops , to declare and publish , not onely to His owne people , but also to the whole world , His vtter dislike to all those , who to shew the subtilty of their wits , or to please their owne humours , or vent their owne passions , doe , or shall aduenture to stirre or moue any new Opinions , not only contrary , but differing from the sound and Orthodoxall grounds of the true Religion , sincerely professed , and happily established in the Church of England ; And also to declare His full and constant resolution , that neither in matter of Doctrine , or Discipline of the Church , nor in the gouernment of the State , he will admit of the least innouation , but by Gods assistance will so guide the Scepter of these His Kingdomes and Dominions , by the Diuine prouidence put into his hand , as shall be for the comfort and assurance of His sober , religious , and well affected Subiects , and for the repressing and seuere punishing of the insolencies of such , as out of any sinister respects , or disaffection to his Person or Gouernment , shall dare either in Church or State , to disturbe or disquiet the peace thereof .