THe Lords and Commons in Parliament , taking into their serious consideration , a Proclamation dated at Oxford the first of this instant April , for the holding & continuing of the Court of Chancery & all proceédings therein , the Receipt of his Majesties Exchequer , and of the first fruits and tenths , the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster , Court of Wards , and Liveries , and Court of Request , at the City of Oxford , for the whole terme of Easter then next ensuing , upon and from the 19 day of this instant April , untill and upon the 15 day of May next following , and for adjourning the Courts of Kings-Bench , Common-Pleas , & Exchequer , from Quindena Pasche , untill the returne of Quinque Septianas Pasche next , doe find that it will much tend to the prejudice of the Commonwealth , to have the said Courts & Receipts held and continued at Oxford , where great part of an Army raised against the Parliament and the authority therof now resides . And the said Lords and Commons apprehending & fore-seéing the great inconveniences and mischiefes , that necessarily must happen to many of his Majesties most faithfull & best Subjects , in case those Courts and Receipts be held at Oxford , where such of them as have occasion to attend , cannot with any safety of their persons or estates repaire to his Majesty , having in effect declared all persons that have contributed any thing in ayd or defence of the Parliament & the priviledge thereof , to be guilty of high Treason , and in pursuance therof , by the force & power of the Army there remaining , have seized upon many of their persons , where they are detained Prisoners , and some proceeded against as Traytors , having nothing layd to their charge but their assisting the Parliament , and opposing that Army raysed to destroy it and the Kingdome , and finding that divers , both Iudges and others , whose attendance upon the said Courts & Receipts will be necessary , are Members or Assistants , to one or both Houses of Parliament , whose presence at this time cannot be be spared , and that if the Records necessary to be used in the said Courts , shou●d be removed from the usuall places to Oxford , in a time when two Armies are residing neere thereabouts , it would indanger the miscarriage of them which might ruine many of his Majesties Subjects , whose estates depend thereupon , and that so farre a distance betweene the said Courts of Law and Equity , which have necessary dependance one upon another , would prove exceeding prejudiciall to many ; and finding greater cause to take care for preventing the said mischiefes and inconveniences , then was in Hilary Terme last , in that the said Army is still continuing , although the said Lords and Commons have used the best means they possibly could by Proposition and Treaty , to , and with His Majesty , for the disbanding thereof , and as yet all their endeavours are fruitlesse .

The said Lords and Commons doe therefore Declare and Order , that no Iudge , Minister , or other person belonging to any of the said Courts or Receipts shall repaire to the said city of Oxford , or doe , or execute any thing belonging to the said Offices , and Imployments , but in the places usuall for the doing and executing thereof , and the said Lords and Commons doe enioyne the said severall Iudges , Officers , and Ministers , to attend the execution of the said Offices at the usuall times and places for the execution thereof , and not elsewhere ; And that no member of , or Assistant to either of the two Houses of Parliament , that have any place , office , or imployment about any of the said Courts or Receipts shal presume to depart from their attendance upon the Parliament , without the speciall leave of that House wherof they are Members or Assistants , and that those departed doe returne forthwith ; and doe further order that no person shal remove or cause to be removed any Records or writings of any the said Courts or receipts , to or towards the City of Oxon , and the Lords and Commons , doe declare that if any persons shall disobey this Order , they will proceéde against them as wilfull contemners of the authority of Parliament , and dissturbers of the Peace of the Kingdome ; And it is further Declared and Ordered by the said Lords and Commons , that no Iudgment , decree , Order , or proceédings whatsoever , that shall be given , made or had by , or in any of the said Courts or Receipts out of the vsuall places where the said Courts & Receipts have beéne accustomed to be held and kept , shall bind any person that may be concerned therein , without his owne voluntary consent ; and that all Iudges , Officers , and other persons shall be protected and kept indempnified from any dammage or inconvenience that may or can happen to them , for yeelding obedience to this Ordinance , or by the not execution of any iust suite , or action in the said Courts at Oxford , or any of them .