WHereas , the Lord in Mercie hath been pleased , to blese the Endevours of his poor unworthy Instruments in this Army , in bringing the work of Mar in this Nation to so hopeful a Period ; yet withall considering that every Condition hath us Temptations , and even outward Peace and Successes attended oft times with the greatest and most dangerous appearing in a Spirit of Carelessness and Negligence , arising much from Inconsiderateness and slighting of Enemies ( because but few , and their Condition low ) too little minding how God can , and oft doth make poor despised handfuis of the Enemie , prevalent against , or at least vexations to his own Instruments ( whom he hath before eminently used ) when they are given up to , or acted by the forementioned Spirit of Negligence in the Duties of their Places , and having too evident grounds to fear and beleive , that such an evil Temper is much broken in upon this Army , since the days that God lessened the number of their Enemies , so as that , that conscientious Care which hath formerly been observed in the keeping close to Duty , is much abated , partly through the Officers absenting themselves too frequently from their respective Commands , or in being too careless and remiss when present with them to execute the Duties of their Charges , whereby the through & effectual prosecution of the Enemie yet remaining is not onely neglected , but some of the Officers themselves become uncapable of giving a due account of the Trust committed to them ,

As perticularly appears in the supine Carelessness and Negligence of Captain Deyas in the late loss of the Fort of Archeen in the Isle of Arran : For Prevention of which Evils in future , and the sad Consequencies of them ; I thought it my Duty with the Advice of a Council of Officers , to Publish this , which I desire and hope , may be in Mercy a Warning to all , both Officers and Souldiers under my Command , who are hereby required diligently to Observe and Execute the ensuing Articles according to their Capacities respectively . ( viz. )

I. That no Commander in Chief of the Forces in any Precinct , be absent a night out of the said Precinct , unless upon Publick Service or business relating to his Charge , without leave from my self or other Superior Officer , upon penalty of loss of Place .

II. That no Governor of a Garrison in any Precinct , do leave his Government or Command or be absent a night from his Charge , unless upon Publick Service against an Enemie , or upon necessarie business relating to his Command , without leave from a General-Officer or the Officer Commanding in Chief in the Precinct , or whom he shall Authorize so to give leave , upon loss of Place .

III. That no Inferior Officer whatsoever , be absent without leave , a night from his Charge , upon penalty of Cashiering .

IV. That no privat Souldier shall depart a Mise from his Garrison or Colours , without leave from his Officer , upon the penalty provided in the first Article , concerning Duties in Camp and Garrison , Exprest in the Book of Articles .

V. That the Commanders of the Forces in their respective Precincts , or such as shall be impowered by them , in giving leave to any under them , do both respect the season of doing it , the Number they give leave unto , and other Circumstances , so as the Publick Work may not suffer thereby ; and likewise that the said Commanders do as oft as they can , take a view of the Forces under their Charge , inquiring diligently after their Discharge or Neglects of Dutie , and cause such Neglects to be Punished .

VI. That a strict Care be always had in the disarming all Irish whatsoever , or others who have been in Arms against the Parliament at their entering into any Garrison , upon penalty of Cashiering the Officer commanding the Guard , who shall be Negligent herein .

VII . That the Officer commanding any Guard , do not set forth a Centinel without a Match lighted , except he have a fire lock Musket : And that no Officer be absent from his Guard , nor suffer any Souldier to be off from the Guard , but upon a justifiable Occasion , until they be releived , upon penalty of Cashiering .

VIII . That at no time , above the Number of two Irish at once ( and those unarmed ) be suffered to enter into any Castle , Fort , or Citidel upon any Occasion whatsoever , without special Order from the Governor , nor the Grate or Door of any Castle , Fort , or Citidel stand open but at the time of passing in and out , upon penalty of Cashiering the Officer commanding the Guard wherein they entered , or such Grate or Door stood open .

IX . And lastly , for the due and frequent Exercise of Troops and Companies ( whereof there is lately too much Neglect ) as also touching defending of Garrisons with Care , and to the utmost extremity , and in all other perticulars requisit for preserving the Discipline of the Army , the Officers are required to observe and put into Execution the Printed Book of Articles , which are to be Published once every Month atleast by the Chief Officer present with every Troop or Company , or upon default thereof , the said Officer shall for the first Offence forfeit one Months Pay , for the second two Months Pay , and for the third be Cashiered .

And all Officers whatsoever , who are now absent from their Charges without special Licence , are required to repair unto their respective Commands , within three days after Publication hereof .