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 .

And therefore his most excellent Maiestie , doth heereby admonish , and also straitly charge and command all his subiects of this Realme , and of his Realme of Ireland , of whatsoeuer degree , qualitie , or condition they be of , especially those who are Church-men , and by their Profession and places , ought to be Lights and Guides to others , that from hencefoorth they cary themselues so wisely , warily , and conscionably , that neither by Writing , Preaching , Printing , Conferences , or otherwise , they raise any doubts , or publish , or maintaine any new inuentions , or opinions concerning Religion , then such as are clearly grounded , and warranted by the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England , heretofore published , and happily established by authoritie . And if any person , of what degree soeuer , shall at any time hereafter , aduenture to breake this Rule of sobrietie , and due obedience to his Maiestie , and his Lawes , and to this religious duetie to the Church of God ; His Maiestie doth hereby straitly charge , and command all his reuerend Archbishops and Bishops in their seuerall Diocesses , speedily to reclaime and represse all such spirits , as shall in the least degree attempt to violate this bond of peace . And his Maiestie doth also charge and command all his Counsellors of State , Iudges , Iustices and ministers of Iustice whatsoeuer , that they in their seuerall places take especiall care , to obserue and execute his Maiesties pious and Royall pleasure herein expressed .

And lastly , his Maiestie doth hereby giue assurance to all whom it may concerne , that such as shall take the boldnesse wilfully to neglect this his Maiesties gracious admonition , and for the satisfying of their vnquiet and restlesse spirits , or to expresse their rash or vndutifull insolencies , shall wilfully breake that circle of Order , which without apparant danger to Church and State , may not bee broken ; That his Maiestie shall and will proceed against all such offendors , and wilfull contemners of his gracious and Religious gouernment , with that seueritie , as vpon due consideration had of the qualitie of their offences and contempts they shall deserue , that so by the exemplary punishment of some few , who by lenitie and mercy cannot be wonne , all others may be warned , and take heed , how they fall into the iust indignation of their Soueraigne ; and that all his Maiesties good and louing subiects , who are studious of the peace and prosperitie of this Church and Common wealth , may blesse God , for his Maiesties pious , religious , wise , iust , and gracious gouernment .