WHereas nothing is more agreeable to the true rules of Charitie and Policie , then the relieuing of the truly indigent and impotent poore , and the setting on worke of those who are able to labour ; And whereas diuers good Lawes , haue with great prouidence been made here tofore to that purpose , the neglect whereof is the occasion of much disorder , whereby the poorer sort grow to idlenesse , and consequently runne into many inconueniences : His Maiestie therefore , in His great wisdome and princely prouidence , for the good and prosperitie of His people , by the aduice of His Priuie Counsell , and of His Iudges , doth straitly charge and command , that all the Lawes heretofore made , and now standing in force , for the reliefe of the indigent and impotent poore , for binding out Apprentices , for prouiding of Stockes , and for setting the poore on worke , bee duely and carefully put in execution .

And whereas by the Lawes of this Realme , the inhabitants of each Parish , where such Parish is of sufficient abilitie , ought to prouide for their owne poore in all the cases aforesaid , and where the Parish shall not bee of abilitie so to doe , the whole Hundred , Lathe , or Wapentake , is chargeable therewith , but if that also by reason of the multitude of the poore , or want of abilitie of the Inhabitants be not sufficient , that then the whole County is bound to contribute thereunto , wherof the Iustices of Peace of each County , at their generall or Quarter Sessions , are to take speciall care and there order the same accordingly : To the end that a due preparation may be made herein before the Generall Sessions , in those Counties especially , where , vpon any accident there hath fallen , or shall fall out , a more speciall occasion to prouide Stockes , and to set the poore on worke ; His Maiesty doth hereby straightly charge and command , that the Ministers , Churchwardens , and Ouerseers for the poore in euery Parish , doe forthwith assemble together , and take these things into their serious consideration , and thereof with all speede aduertise the next Iustices of Peace , according to the Law , and that the Iustices of Peace in their seueral Diuisions , doe also meete at some conuenient times and places to vnderstand the true state of the poore in those parts , and thereof giue true and full information to the rest of the Iustices of the peace at the next Generall or Quarter Sessions ; And that at those Sessions they all take the same into their best and most serious considerations , and settle and order the same accordingly , as that which doeth greatly tend to the glory of God , and the honour of His Maiesties gouernement , and will very much conduce to the peace , quiet , and prosperitie of the whole Kingdome .

And his Maiestie doeth further charge and require His Iudges in their seuerall circuits , to take an exact account how these things haue been , and shall be from time to time obserued , and what the successe thereof shall bee , from whom His Maiestie will expect to be truely informed at their returnes out of their circuits .

And His Maiesties expresse pleasure and Royall command is , that all and euery Sheriffes , Maiors , Iustices of Peace , Constables , Churchwardens , Ouerseers of the poore , Headboroughs , Tithingmen , and all other his Officers , Ministers and louing Subiects in their seuerall places doe faithfully and diligently obserue , execute , and performe all and euery the Premisses as they tender his Maiesties fauour , and would auoide his highnes displeasure for the neglect thereof at their vttermost perils .