THE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fift Session of this second Triennall Parliament , Taking to their consideration , the great abuses dayly committed by the running away of souldiers from their standing Troups or Regiments , wherein they are engaged , which dayly occurres , and through want of condigne punishment , is become too ordinary ; For remedie whereof , The saids Estates of Par●iament have ordained , and ordaines , That if any souldier shall run away from the present standing Troops or Regiments , whereunto they are engaged , & have undertaken , that they shall be punished with death . And for that effect , The Estates of Parliament gives and grants full Power to every Regiment within themselves respective●y , To call a counsell of War for punishing of the saids Runawayes accordingly , and because many of the foot souldiers are in use to run away from their Collors , and to take on with others to be horsemen ; Therefore the saids Estates of Parl. have discharged , & by thir presents , discharges all Shyres and Officers to take on any of the standing foot souldiers who are already engaged in any Regiment or Company , with certification , that if any such who were formerly engaged in service shall be found in the Regiments or Troops , the Out-putter , or Taker on of them ( without sufficient testimonials from Ministers , Kirk-Sessions , or from the Elders of these places where they live , and abide , that they are free-men ) shall be obliged to furnish two men in their places , either to the Troop or Regiment where they shall be found ; with power likewise to any of the officers in the Regiments , from which they are runawayes to sease upon them , and bring them back to the saids Regiments to be punished as aforesaid , and to make use of their horse and armes ( if horsemen ) and of their Pikes and Muskets ( if footmen ) for supply of their own Regiments and Companies , as they shall think fitting ; And ordains these presents to be intimate publickly at the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh , and in all the severall Shyres , and to all the Troops of horse , and Regiments of foot in the Army , and to be printed for that effect .