THE said Councill having taken into their serious consideration how much it may conduce to the peace and good of this Nation , That Iustices of Peace should be setled and re-established in every County and Shyre therof ; And finding that by severall Acts of the Parliament of Scotland , the said Office hath been found needfull , and was appointed and established for preserving of the publick Peace , and suppressing and punishing of sundry Misdemeanours , have found it necessary for the good Government of this Nation , to appoynt certain Persons of Ability and Fidelity in every County and Shire in Scotland to be Iustices of his Highnes the Lord Protectors Peace ; Which being accordinglie done : The Council have thought it fit hereby to declare , That they have given Commissions to such persons to be Commissioners and Iustices of his Highnesse Peace in the sayd Counties respectively , and authorized them to put in execution all the Powers and Authorities committed to them by certain Instructions which were agreed on by the Councill , Printed by their Order , and are heereunto annexed . And as the Councill do expect that the Persons intrusted , as aforesaid , be carefull in the good discharge of the Trust reposed in them for the Peace and happiness of the Nation ; so the Councill will vpon all occasions give them all due Countenance and Encouragement therein : And the Councill do heereby strictly require all People of this Nation , whom it may concern , to take notice and be observant of the said Instructions ( in what to them respectively appertaineth ) as the Contemners or Contraveners thereof will answer the contrary at their perils . And to the end that that no person may pretend ignorance of them , The Councill do heereby Order , That this Declaration , with the said printed Copies of the said Instructions , be forthwith Published at the Marcate Cross of Edinburgh , and in the head Burgh or Town of each Shire in Scotland , by the respective Sheriffs of the said Shires .