WILLIAM and MARY by the Grace of GOD , King and Queen of Great-Britain , France and Ireland , Defenders of the Faith : To Macers of Our privy Council , or Messengers at Arms , Our Sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially Constitute , Greeting . Forasmuch as , We understand that a great many Souldiers of the Forces presently under Our Pay , and in Our Service within this Our antient Kingdom and Abroad , have Deserted their Colours , and do Skulk and hide themselves in obscure Places , being afraid to return to Our Service , out of Dread of that Justly Deserved Punishment due to Deserters , by the Severity of Military Laws : For Remeid whereof , and that all Souldiers who have Deserted as said is , may be Inexcusable and receive chat Condign Punishment due to Deserters by the Military Laws , in case they shall not give Punctual Obedience to this present Proclamation . Therefore , We with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council , do hereby Peremptorily Require and Command , all Souldiers within this Our antient Kingdom , who have been in Our Service , and under Our Pay , in any of the Regiments , Troops , or Companies now in Our Service , within this Our antient Kingdom , or forth thereof , ( who have not left the same upon a Pass granted to them , by their Captain or other Superior Officer , ) to return to Our Service , and present themselves to the Commander in Chief , or any Commissionat Officer of Our Forces within our said Kingdom . And We with Ad ice foresaid , Pardon and Indemnifie them and every one of them , who shall return and present themselves in manner foresaid , within two Moneths after the date hereof , Certifying all such who shall not return and accept , and take the Benefit of this Our Gracious Indemnity within the space foresaid , they shall be Treated as Deserters , when , and wherever they shall be seised on without Mercy . And We with Advice foresaid , Require and Command all Magistrats and Ministers of the Law within this Realm , to Concur with , and be Assisting to the Officers of Our Forces , and such as shall be imployed by them , in Seising and Securing the Persons of all such Deserters ( in manner specified in the former Proclamations , ) as shall not accept of the Benefit of this Indemnity , within the space above-written . OUR WILL IS HEREFORE , and We Charge you strictly and Command , that incontinent these Our Letters seen , ye pass to the Mercat-cross of Edinburgh , and to the Mercat-crosses of the whole Head-Burghs within this Kingdom , and there by open Proclamation , make Publication hereof , that none may pretend Ignorance . And Ordains these Presents to be Printed .