By the King. A proclamation concerning the execution of the lawes against recusants.

royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT ❧ By the King . ❧ A Proclamation concerning the execution of the Lawes against Recusants .

WHereas vpon the humble Aduice of Our Lords and Commons in Parliament , Wee resolued to put the Lawes in execution against Iesuites , Priests , and Popish Recusants , and by their iust forfeitures accruing vnto vs , to encrease Our Reuenue towards the defraying of those extraordinary Charges for the publique Defence of Our State , which necessarily doe lie vpon vs , which Our determination Wee haue already published vnder Our great Seale of England , and caused the same to bee enrolled of Record in Our great Courts of Iustice : And that Resolution then taken by vs , Wee haue since pursued in such measure , as for the present Wee could , and intend constantly to proceede therein with as much care and speede , as by the industry of Our Officers and ministers of Iustice the same can be effected , which being a worke of time , cannot at once be begun and perfected : Yet because we found diuers of Our Subiects , being Recusants , apt to complaine , that the Lawes made and in force against them , if they should all bee strictly exacted , are so hard and seuere in diuers points , that the seuerall penalties and punishments which they must incurre , and vndergoe , would vtterly disable them and their families in their very subsistence , whereby many of them must become a burthen to the place where they liue , and yet Our Profite would be nothing encreased thereby :

Wee tooke their humble Petitions in this behalfe into Our serious and Princely consideration , & being desirous in all things to cary Our Selfe towards all Our Subiects with that Iustice and moderation , as is fit for a iust and a good King ; For Our better instructions herein , by Our Commission vnder Our great Seale , Wee directed diuers of Our Lords , and others of Our Priuie Counsell , to take these things into their due consideration , and to aduise and informe vs in what things Wee might giue conuenient ease to the Recusants , without slacking the due prosecution of Our Lawes against them , or encouraging them thereby to persist in their errors , and without the destroying that part of Our Reuenue , which might fitly bee raised by their forfeitures , from which Our Commissioners , Wee haue receiued such aduice , as that thereout wee haue drawen Instructions and Directions vnto Our Commissioners imployed by vs , which We haue recommended vnto them vnder Our Royal Hand , and which We purpose shall in the substance thereof bee obserued by them in the ordering of that Seruice .

Now , lest this Our Clemency and Moderation might bee misconstrued , and the one part of Our Subiects obnoxious to Our Lawes in this case might flatter themselues , as if We could by any importunity be drawne to silence Our Lawes against them , and the other part of Our Subiects Conformeable to Our Lawes , and the true and orthodoxe Religion professed by the Church of England , might be possessed with some diffidence , lest Our Zeale and Constancy in Our Religion were cooled or abated , Wee haue thought fit hereby to make this publike Declaration , whereby all sorts of Our Subiects may discerne , and be assured of Our cleere intention herein , and that Our full resolution is not to decline from Our first purpose and promise for the due execution of Our Lawes in this case , nor will not at any time hereafter bee mooued , by any whosoeuer , to that purpose ; and yet that We shall proceede therein with such moderation , as the whole world shall beare witnesse with vs , that Wee seeke their conuersion , and not their ruine .

And whereas amongst other things , which Wee haue directed in the fauour of the Recusants , that we are contented , that they themselues , or their friends for them , may take leases of Our two parts of their Lands , which by the strictnes of the Lawes is denied vnto them , so as alwayes they render vnto vs for the same as great a Rent , at the least , as any other would giue ; Lest this also should receiue a misinterpretation , and turne to the preiudice of Our seruice , Wee doe hereby publish and declare Our will and pleasure to be , that all such Leases of Recusants lands , as haue beene already contracted for , and for any defect in the proceedings , or otherwise are not yet passed , or not effectually passed vnder Our Seales , shall be proceeded in according to those contracts ; and for all other lands yet to be contracted for , that the Recusants themselues , or some for them , within three moneths after the date hereof , shall make their Compositions with Our Commissioners for their owne Lands , or else it shall be free for any other to take the same ; and that then , and in the meane time also , if any others shall make a better offer vnto vs for Our profit according to Our said Instructions , then the Recusant , or some other in his behalfe shall doe , that he shall be receiued . Of all which Wee will , that all Our louing Subiects , whom it may any wise concerne , doe take notice .

Giuen at Our Court at White-Hall the sixteenth day of February , in the second yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine , France and Ireland . God saue the King .