SInce it hath pleased the Divine Providence in so wonderful a manner , and by ways and means no less miraculous , then those by which he did , heretofore , preserve and restore his own chosen people , to restore vs , and Our good Subjects to each other , and to shew vs a very hopeful Prospect , if not to put vs already into possession of that Peace , Happiness , and Security with which this Our Kingdom hath been heretofore blessed ; It will become vs all , in Our several Stations , to acknowledge this transcendent goodness of Almighty God , in so seasonable a conjuncture , with such a Circumspection , Integrity , and Reformation in Our Lives , that We may not drive away that Mercy which so near approacheth vs , by making Our selves ( wholly ) unworthy of it . And in Order hereunto , We think it high time to shew Our dislike of those ( against whom We have been ever enough offended , though We could not , in this manner declare it who , under pretence of Affection to vs and Our Service , assume to themselves the liberty of Reviling , Threatning and Reproaching others ; and as much as in them lies , endeavor to stifle and divert their good Inclinations to Our Service , and so to prevent that Reconciliation and Union of Hearts and Affections , which can onely , with Gods Blessing , make vs rejoyce in each other , and keep Our Enemies from rejoycing .

There are likewise another sort of Men , of whom we have heard much , and are sufficiently ashamed , who spend their time in Taverns , Tipling-houses and Debauches , giving no other Evidence of their Affection to vs , but in drinking Our Health , and Inveighing against all others who are not of their own dissolute temper ; and who , in truth , have more discredited Our Cause by the Licence of their Manners and Lives , then they could ever advance it by their Affection or Courage . We hope that this extraordinary way of delivering vs all from all We feared , and almost bringing vs to all We can reasonably hope , hath and will work upon the Hearts , even of these men to that degree , that they will cordially renounce all that Licenciousness , Prophaneness , and Impiety with which they have been corrupted , and endeavored to corrupt others , and that they will hereafter become examples of Sobriety and Virtue , and make it appear , that what is past , was rather the Vice of the Times then of the Persons , and so the fitter to be forgotten together .

And , because the fear of Punishment , or apprehension of Our Displeasure , may have influence upon many , who will not be restrained by the Conscience of their Duty , We do Declare , That We will not exercise just Severity against any Malefactors , sooner , then against men of dissolute , debauch'd , and prophane Lives , with what parts soever they may be otherwise qualified and endowed ; and We hope , that all Persons of Honor , or in Place and Authority , will so far assist vs in discountenancing such Men , that their Discretion and shame will perswade them to reform what their Conscience would not , and that the displeasure of good Men towards them , may supply what the Laws have not ; and , it may be , cannot well provide against , there being by the Licence and Corruption of the Times , and the depraved Nature of Men , many Enormities , Scandals , and Impieties , in Practice and Manners , which Laws cannot well describe , and consequently not enough provide against , which may by the example and severity of Vertuous Men , be easily discountenanced , and by degrees suppressed .

However , for the more effectual reforming these Men , who are a discredit to the Nation , and unto any Cause they pretend to favor , and to wish well to ; We require all Majors , Sheriffs , and Iustices of Peace , to be very vigilant and strict in the discovery and prosecution of all Dissolute and Prophane Persons , and such as Blaspheme the Name of God , by prophane Swearing and Cursing , or revile or disturbe Ministers , and despise the Publick Worship of God ; that being first bound to the Good-behavior , they may be further proceeded against , and exposed to shame , in such a manner , as the Laws of the Land , and the just and necessary Rules of Government shall direct or permit .