blazon or coat of arms ❧ By the King.  
WEe haue( before this time) made known to our Subiects vpon diuers occasions, that we haue received so great contentment in their general conformity & submission to all such courses, as might best establish the possession of this crown, according to the right of our Succession, as it would ever nourish in us an earnest desire to show ourselves careful in all things, to preserve their greatest affection, and to answer that expectation, which( by their joyful maner of receiving us) Wee perceived they had conceived of our government. Whereof, as we well know, that Princes cannot yield, more general, more clear, or profitable proof to their people, then by redressing abuses, wherewith they find their Subiects justly grieved, either in constitution, or administration of their laws in being, or by seeking to establish new laws for them, agreeable to the rules of Iustice, whensoever time doth discover any defects in the former Policy, or when accidents in the State of any Common wealth require new ordinances: So seeing both these things( which are of so great moment in a State) haue accustomend to bee considered and ordered( as in this, so in other well governed Common wealths) by a lawful assembly of the three Estates of the realm, commonly called The Parliament; We were desirous to haue summoned them long since for that purpose, if the Infection( reigning in the City of London and other places of our kingdom) would haue permitted the Concourse of so great a multitude into one place, as that Assembly must necessary bring with it. Which great Contagion being now by the goodness of God abated, and likely( as we hope) to be shortly quiter extinguished in and about the said City, Wee haue resolved to hold a Parliament at our city of Westminster, as soon as we shall find, that the same may be done without the peril aforesaid. In which, as God doth know, that we haue nothing to propound for satisfaction of any private desire, or particular profit of our own, but merely and onely to consult and resolve with our loving Subiects of all those things, which may best establish the public good, with the general safety and tranquillity of this realm:( on which it hath pleased God to multiply so many blessings) so to the intent that this assembly of our Parliament( being grounded vpon so sincere an intent on our part) may be matched with a like integrity on theirs, And as it is the first in our reign, so to be found not onely worthy of the High Title it beareth, to be the Highest counsel of the kingdom, but also to be a President for hereafter of the true use of Parliaments, We haue bethought ourself, of as many ways and means, as may be, to prevent those inconveniences, which daily arise and multiply by the perverting of those ancient good orders, which were devised by the wisdom of former times to bee observed in calling of Parliaments.  
Amongst which, because there is no one point of greater consequence, then the well choosing of Knights and Burgesses, who as they do present the body of the third Estate, so being eligible by multitude there are often many unfit persons appointed for that service: And where it is so well known to every private man of wit and iudgement( much more to us who haue had so long experience of Kingly government) how ill effects do follow, when such as haue to do in matters of Commonwealth, shall come to that great and Common council, with other then public minds, sincere, and void of any factious humour or dependency: We do hereby straightly charge and admonish all persons interested in the choice of Knights for the Shires, First, that the Knights for the County be selected out of the principal Knights or Gentlemen of sufficient ability within that county wherein they are chosen: And for the Burgesses, that choice be made of men of sufficiency and discretion without any partial respects, or factious combination, which always breed suspicions, that more care is taken to compass private ends, then to provide for making good and wholesome laws for the realm. And because it is no more possible to draw sound Counsels and resolutions from inconsiderate or insufficient spirits, then to haue a sound or healthful body composed of weak and imperfect members: We do likewise admonish all persons to whom it doth appertain, That seeing the dealing in causes of Parliament, requires conveniency of yeeres and experience, there may be great heed taken by all those that will be accounted louers of their country, That both Knights and Burgesses may be chosen accordingly, without desire in any particular men to please parents or friends, that often speak for their children or kin, though they bee very young, and little able to discern what laws are fit to bind a Common-wealth, To the consultation whereof those persons would be selected principally, of whose gravity and modest conversation men are likest generally to conceive best opinion.  
Next and about all things, concerning that one of the main Pillars of this Estate, is the preservation of unity in the profession of sincere Religion of Almighty God: We do also admonish, that there be great care taken, to avoid the choice of any persons either noted for their Superstitious blindness one way, or for their turbulent humors other ways: because their disorderly and unquiet Spirits, will disturb all the discreet and modest proceeding in that greatest and gravest council. Further wee do command, that an express care bee had, that there be not chosen any persons Banquerupts or Outlawed, but men of known good behaviour and sufficient livelihood, and such as are not onely taxed to the payment of Subsidies and other like charges, but also haue ordinarily payed and satisfied the same, Nothing being more absurd in any Common wealth, then to permit those to haue free voices for Lawe making, by whose own acts they are exempted from the laws protection. Next, that all sheriffs be charged that they do not direct any Precept for electing and returning of any Burgesses to or for any ancient Borough town within their Counties, being so utterly ruined and decayed, that there are not sufficient Resiants to make such choice, and of whom lawful election may be made, Also to charge all Cities and boroughs, and the inhabitants of the same, that none of them seal any blanks, referring or leaving to any others to insert the names of any Citizens or Burgesses, to serve for any such city or Borough, but that the Inhabitants of every such city or Borough, do make open and free Election according to the Lawe, and set down the names of the persons whom they choose, before they seal the Certificate.  
Furthermore We notify by these Presents, that all Retournes and certificates of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, ought and are to be brought to the Chancery, and there to be filled of Record. And if any shall be found to be made contrary to this Proclamation, the same is to be rejected as unlawful and insufficient, and the city or Borough to be fined for the same. And if it be found that they haue committed any gross or wilful default and contempt in their Election, return, or Certificate, That then their Liberties according to the Lawe, are to be seized into our hands, as forfeited. And if any person take vpon him the place of a Knight, Citizen, or burgess, not being duly Elected, returned, and sworn according to the laws and Statutes in that behalf provided, and according to the purport, effect and true meaning of this our Proclamation, Then every person so offending to bee fined and imprisoned for the same.  
Wee do also hereby give warning to the Lords and others that are to serve in this Parliament, to haue special care,( as they tender our displeasure) That they admit none to haue the name or countenance of their seruants & attendants, during the Parliament, seeing such questions of privilege haue in times past consumed a great part of the time appoynted for the Parliament, whereby the service for the realm hath been hindered, and the Subiects drawn to great charges and expenses, by attending much longer then otherwise needed.  
having at this time been the more careful to set down a particular Order & forewarning for preventing of these several abuses afore mentioned, that thereby there may arise at that public and solemn meeting, such a Comely proportion and laudable Sympathy between the honourable, just, and necessary laws that are to be made and established at this Parliament, and the commendable discretion, with all other wise and virtuous qualities meet for such persons as are to be the members and assisters of us, in so honourable, lawful, and necessary an Action, as may both put us, and all our good Subiects in a sure expectation of a happy issue to follow thereupon: Wee doubt not but these our Directions thus made manifest, shall be duly observed, according to the important consequence thereof, and the peril of our heavy displeasure to all those that shall offend in the contrary.  
given at our Honour of Hampton Court, the eleventh day of january, in the first year of our reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth.  
God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty. Anno 1603.