WHereas His Majesties loyall Subjects , the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled , have humbly represented unto His Majesties gracious consideration , that all Iesuites and Priests ordained by authority from the See of Rome , remaining in this Realm , by a Statute made in the seven and twentieth yeer of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth , are declared Traitors , and to suffer as Traitors , which Law is not so rigorous as some men apprehend , or would make others to beleeve , for that it is restrained to naturall born Subjects , and doth not extend to any strangers at all , and that the said Statute is not onely approved , but by the Iudgement of severall Parliaments adjudged fit and necessary to be put in execution : And that they conceive the not putting of these Statutes in execution against Iesuites and Priests , is a principall cause of the increase of Popery ; And that the putting of these Laws in execution tendeth not onely to the preservation and advancement of the true Religion established in this Kingdom , but also to the safety of the Kings Person , and security of the State and Government , which were principall causes of the making of these Laws against Iesuites and Priests : And that it appears by these Laws , that the Iesuites and Priests have come hither , not onely to draw the Subjects from their due obedience to the King , but also to stir up Sedition , Rebellion , and open Hostility within this Realm , to the great endangering of the safety of the Kings Royall Person , and to the utter ruine , desolation , and overthrow of the whole Realm , if not timely prevented : And that Iesuites and Priests did dayly withdraw many of the Kings Subjects from the true service of Almighty God , and the Religion established within this Realm , to the Romish Religion , and from their obedience to the King , and had perswaded divers Recusants and Papists , and encouraged and emboldned them to commit most damnable Treasons , tending to the overthrow of Gods true Religion , destruction of the King and His Royall Issue , and the subversion of the whole State , if God of his Goodnesse and Mercy had not then within few houres before the intended time of the execution thereof , revealed and disclosed the same : And that ( considering the state and condition of this present time , wherein they finde Iesuites and Priests in so great abundance , and to appear here with such boldnesse and confidence , as if there were no Laws made against them ) they do think the said Laws now more necessary to be put in strict execution , then at any time before .

His Majestie having taken into His serious consideration the Representation so made , and accepting with much contentment the great care of His said loyall Subjects , for the preservation of the true Religion established as aforesaid in this Kingdom , from which He will never depart , as also their tendernesse of His safety , and security of His State and Government , and firmely resolving to be carefull and vigilant that Popery or Superstition shall not any way increase within this Kingdom , or any other His Dominions , and to provide against the dangers of Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests , by putting the Lawes made against them into execution ;

His Majestie doth therefore hereby straitly charge and command all manner of Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests whomsoever , now out of Prison , made or ordained by any power or authority derived , challenged , or pretended from the See of Rome , hereby to take notice , that His Majesties absolute command and pleasure is , that they , and every of them do before the seventh day of April next ensuing the date hereof , depart forth of this His Realm of England and Dominion of Wales , and out of all other His Majesties Realms and Dominions , upon pain to incurre the uttermost danger , and penaltie of His said Lawes ; Admonishing , and assuring all such Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests , of what sort soever , that if any of them shall be after the said seventh day of April taken within this Realm , or any other His Majesties Realms or Dominions , or departing now upon this His Majesties pleasure signified , shall at any time hereafter return into this His Majesties Realm of England , or any other His Majesties Realms or Dominions , that they shall be left to the uttermost penaltie , and receive and suffer the judgement and execution of the Lawes here being in force concerning them , without hope of any favour or remission from His Majestie ; And that for that purpose it shall be lawfull to all the Officers of His Majesties Ports , to suffer them and every of them to depart from thence into any Forraign parts between this and the said seventh day of April .

Wherefore His Majestie hereby straitly chargeth and commandeth all Archbishops , Bishops , Lieutenants , Iudges , Iustices of Assize , and Iustices of Peace , and all other His Majesties Officers and Ministers whomsoever , within this His Majesties Realm of England and Dominion of Wales , and all other His Majesties Realms and Dominions , to be from time to time vigilant and carefull , after the said seventh day of April , to do their duties and diligence , in discovering and apprehending of , and in putting into execution the said Lawes against such Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests , as shall presume to remain in this His Majesties Realm of England or Dominion of Wales , or any other His Realms or Dominions , contrary to the said Lawes , and His Majesties Royall pleasure and command herein declared .

Provided alwayes , and His Majesties intention is ( which he doth hereby declare ) that this His Majesties Proclamation , do not extend to Priests that do , or shall from time to time attend upon the person of His dearest Consort the Queen , according to the Treatie of His Majesties Marriage , the names of which Priests shall be set down , and signified by His Majesties said dearest Consort , under her great Seal , and such signification inrolled in His Majesties Court of Kings Bench .

And His Majesties further will and pleasure is , and His Majestie doth hereby declare , that such Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests , as are now in prison , shall within one moneth after their inlargement depart out of this Realm , and all other His Majesties Realms and Dominions , upon pain to incurre the uttermost danger and penaltie of the said Lawes ; Admonishing , and assuring all such Iesuites , Seminaries , and Priests , of what sort soever , that if any of them shall be after the said moneth next following their inlargement , taken within this Realm , or any other His Majesties Realms and Dominions , or departing after such moneth as aforesaid , shall at any time hereafter return into this His Majesties Realm of England , or any other His Majesties Realms or Dominions , that they shall also be left to the uttermost penaltie , and receive and suffer the judgement and execution of the Lawes here being in for●e concerning them , without hope of any 〈◇〉 , or remission from His Majestie .

And to that purpose it shall be also lawfull to all the Officers of His Majesties Ports to suffer them and every of them , to depart from thence into any Forraign parts within the said moneth after their inlargement as aforesaid .

And His Majestie is resolved that concerning those that are in prison , a speedie proceeding in course of Iustice shall be had for their deliverance , and their receiving of His Majesties mercy , and for the execution of the Lawes against them , as His Majestie shall finde their severall and respective cases to deserve .