TRusty and well beloved , We greet you well . We call to mind that in former times the constant custome was , by the mouth of the Lord Keeper for the time being , at the Court of Star-chamber , in the end of Trinity Terme , to put the Judges of Assise ( shortly after to undertake their severall Circuits ) in minde of such things as were then thought necessary for the present , for the good government of the Kingdome . This course in Our judgement We doe well approve of , That although We want the opportunity , which We and Our Predecessors then had , of communicating Our thoughts to Our Judges , for the good of Our People , yet We doe still retaine the same care for the safety and prosperity of Our good Subjects . And much more , by how much the distempers and distractions of the present times , unhappily fallen , have given us more occasion . We have therefore thought it fit , to supply the defect by these Our Letters ; wherein , besides the generall care of Our justice , committed to vs by God , and by vs delegated to Our Judges by Our severall Commissions , We recommend unto you in your Circuits , as We shall do to the rest of your Brethren in their severall Circuits , these particulars following .

First , that you take care , by all the best meanes you can , to suppresse Popery in all those Counties whither you are to go , by putting the Lawes made against them in due execution : And that you take like care to give a stop to the over-hasty growth of Anabaptisme , and other Schismes , as farre as by the good Lawes of the Land you may ; and to punish the Delinquents with an equall hand , and those specially of either sort whom you shall discover to bee seditious stirrers and movers of others to any Acts of disobedience to us , and our government ; And that in your Charge , and otherwise , as you shall have sit opportunity , you assure our good Subjects in our name , and in the word of a King , who calls God to witnesse , that by his gracious assistance we are constantly resolved to maintaine the true Protestant Religion , established by Law in this Church of England , in the purity thereof , without declining either to the right hand or to the left , as wee found it at our accesse to the Crown , and as it was maintained in the happy times of Queene Elizabeth , and King Iames our deare Father , both of happy memory , and therein both to live and die .

Secondly , You shall let Our People of those Counties know , That , according to Our Kingly duty and Oath , We are also constantly resolved to maintain the Lawes of this Our Kingdome ; and by , and according to them to governe Our Subjects , and not by any Arbitrary power , whatsoever the Malevolent Spirits of any ill affected to Our Person or Government , have suggested , or shall suggest to the contrary . And that We shall also maintaine the just Priviledges of Parliament , as far as ever Our Predecessors have done , and as far as may stand with that justice which We owe to Our Crowne , and the honour thereof : But that We may not , nor will admit of any such unwarranted power , in either , or both Houses of Parliament , which in some things hath been lately usurped , not onely without , but against Our Royall Consent and Command . And We require and command you , as there shall be just occasion offered , in a legall way , that you take care to preserve Our just right in these cases .

Thirdly , We charge you , as you tender the peace of this Kingdom , in the Government whereof , according to the Lawes , you Our Judges of the Law have a principall part under vs , that you take care for suppressing of all Insurrections , if any such should happen , and of all Riots and unlawfull Assemblies under any pretence whatsoever , not warranted by the Lawes of this Land ; and whosoever shall transgresse therein , that you let them know that they must expect that punishment which by the Law may be inflicted upon them , and at your hands We shall look for such an account herein , within you Circuit , as becometh the quality of the place wherein you serve Vs.

Fourthly , because the distempers of the present times , unhappily stirred up & fomen●ed by some , under specious , but unjust pretences , & probable to stirre up loose & ungoverned people , under hope of impunity as farre as they dare to make a prey of Our good Subjects , We straitly charge and command you to take the best order you can in those Counties , That Rogues , V●g●bonds , and other disorde●l● people may bee 〈…〉 , dealt with and punished according to the Lawes , whereby the good and quiet people of our K●●●●o●e may be secured , and the wicked and licentious may 〈◇〉 suppressed : and Wee charge and command you to 〈◇〉 in charge in all the Counties whither you are 〈…〉 Commissions , that Watches and Wards be stratily kept ●● all Parishes and places convenient , whereby the Lawes made against such disorders may be put in due execution .

Fiftly and lastly , you shall let Our people of those Counties know from vs , and by Our command , that if they shall professe unto vs , or unto you in Our stead , any thing wherein they hold themselves grieved , in an humble and sitting way , and shall desire a just Reformation or reliefe , We shall give a gracious eare unto them , and with all convenience returne them such an answer , as shall give them cause to thank vs for Our Justice and Favour : And when you shall have published Our cleare intentions to Our people in these things , lest at the first hearing they should not so fully apprehend Our sense therein , you shall deliver a copy of these Our letters to the Fore-man of the Grand-Jury , and to any other , if any one shall desire copies of these Our letters for their better information ; And to the end that Our services in your Circuit may not suffer through the absence of Our learned Counsell , Our Will and Command is , that you assign in every place of your Sessions some of the ablest Lawyers who ride that Circuit to be of Counsell for vs , to assist in such Pleas of the Crown , that may bee most necessary for Our service in the execution and punishment of notorious Delinquents .

Of all these things We shall expect that good account from you , as We shall from the rest of your Brethren Our Judges , to whom Wee have also written to the like purpose , of whose fidelity and good affections Wee are confident as becommeth vs to look for from you , and for you to render to vs , wherein you have so great a trust committed ,