WHEREAS by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome , the Counterfeiting of Our Great Seale of England is High-Treason ; and is so particularly and expressely declared by the Statute made in the five and twentieth yeare of the Raigne of Our Royall Predecessor , King Edward the Third , which Statute and Declaration was then obtained and assented to upon the Petition , and at the instance of the Lords and Commons in that Parliament , for the safety and security of themselves and their Posterity , in regard of the different opinions before that time touching Treason , and what should be said to be Treason , and what not : and hath since by other severall Acts of Parliament been ratified and approved to be kept and observed as the Rule and direction for deciding and determining of Treason . And whereas of late a new Great Seale , without Warrant or Authority from Us , and against Our Will or Consent , hath been traiterously made , and Counterfeited to the similitude and likenesse of Our Great Seale of England , and by the two pretended Houses of Parliament ( or by Persons styling themselves by the name of the Lords and Commons in Parliament , yet maintaining and upholding Treasons , Warre , and Rebellion against Us , and intolerable oppressions upon Our Subjects , to the ruine and destruction of this Kingdome and Nation ) the same is Ordered to be put in use , and that Order published in a printed Paper , intituled , A Declaration and Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament , touching the Great Seale ; wherein it is likewise declared by them , That all Letters Patents , Grants , Leases , Pardons , and other Acts and things therein mentioned , which have passed under Our Great Seale , since the time that the same was brought unto Us , shall be invalid , voyd , and of no effect ; and that all and every act or thing , which after the publication of that Ordinance , shall passe by , or under Our Great Seale , or under any Great Seale ( other then what is therein appointed ) should be utterly voyd , frustrate , and of no effect , usurping therein to themselves , and , as much as in them lyes , depriving Us of the meanes of dispensation of Our Justice , Power , Grace , and Mercy , and of what else is in Us to give or conferre , which are Our principall , knowne , and undoubted Rights inherent and belonging only to Our Crowne and Kingly Office . We have therefore thought fit to publish this Our Proclamation , thereby to let all Our Subjects know the deep sense We have of this high indignity offered to Us , and the danger which they shall incurre by acting , passing , clayming , or obeying any thing which shall passe by , or under that new and Counterfeit Seale , or by colour of the pretended and usurped authority thereof . And We doe strictly Charge and Command all pretended Committees , and Keepers of the said Counterfeit New great Seale , That they , or any of them , or any other Person or Persons whatsoever , shall not presume to Seale any Letters Patents , Pardons , Commissions , Faculties , Writs , or any other Instruments or things whatsoever , with the said New Counterfeit Great Seale . And We doe hereby farther straitly Charge and Command all Arch-Bishops , Bishops , Arch-deacons , Deanes , and their Chancellors , Commissaries , and Officialls , and all Judges , Justices , Justices of Peace , and Commissioners of what kind soever , and all Sheriffes , Bailiffes , Officers and Ministers , and all Our Subjects in generall , of what degree , quality , place , office , or Function soever they be , that they presume not in any sort , either directly , or indirectly , mediately , or immediately , to exercise any Jurisdiction , Power , or Authority , Judiciall or Ministeriall , Ecclesiasticall or Temporall , or to act , passe , claime , doe , or execute , any act , matter , or thing whatsoever , by , or under that new and Counterfeit Great Seale , or by colour or pretence of any interest , power , or authority derived from thence , or in any wise to give obedience or allowance thereunto , or to any Writs , Commissions , Letters-Patents , Grants , Presentations , Leases , Pardons , Faculties , or any other Act or thing whatsoever , which shall passe by , or under the same . And We doe likewise Charge and Command all Cursitors , Clearks , Officers , and Ministers , and all Our Subjects whatsoever , that they in no sort presume to write , make , frame , fit , prepare , or present any Writs , Commissions , Letters-Patents , Grants , Presentations , Leases , Pardons , Faculties , or any other Instrument , act , writing , or thing whatsoever , to passe under the said Counterfeit Seale , or any way to put the same in use . And We Require a ready and exact obedience from all Our Subjects to this Our just Command , in a matter so highly concerning Our Soveraignty , letting them know , that whatsoever shall be done to the contrary , will be invalid , and voyd in it selfe , and for doing the contrary , they must expect to undergoe the highest and severest penalties , forfeitures , and punishments , which by the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdome may be imposed or inflicted upon them .