HIS majesty's LETTER OF instruction DIRECTED AND SENT to the judges of ASSIZE of the several Circuits, AT THE LAST SUMMER ASSIZE.  
Printed, by His majesty's Command, AT OXFORD, February 7.  
By LEONARD LICHFIELD Printer to the university. 1642.   

HIS majesty's LETTER OF INSTRUCTION directed and sent to the JUDGES of Assize of the several Circuits.  
TRusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. We call to mind, that in former times the constant custom was, by the Mouth of the Lord Keeper for the time being, at the Court of Star-chamber, in the end of Trinity term, to put the Judges of Assize (shortly after to undertake their several Circuits,) in mind of such things as were then thought necessary for the present, for the good government of the kingdom. This course in Our Judgement▪ We do so well approve of, that although We want that opportunity which We and Our Predecessors then had, of Communicating Our thoughts to Our judges, for the good of Our People: yet We do still retain the same care for the safety and prosperity of Our good Subjects; And much more by how much the distempers and distractions of the present times, unhappily fallen, have given Us more occasion. We have therefore thought it fit to supply this defect by these Our Letters; wherein beside the general care of Our justice committed to Us by God, and by Us delegated to Our judges by Our several Commissions, We recommend unto you in your Circuit, as We shall do to the rest of your Brethren in their several Circuits, more especially these particulars following.  
First, That ye take care by all the best means you can, to suppress Popery in all those Counties whither you are to go, by putting the laws made against them in due execution: And that you take the like care to give a stop to the overhasty growth of Anabaptism, and other schisms, as far as by the good laws of this Land you may, and to punish the delinquents with an equal hand; and those especially of either sort, whom you shall discover to be seditiously stirrers and moters of others, to any Act of disobedience to Us, and to Our Government. And that in your Charges and otherwise, as you shall have fit opportunity, you assure Our good Subjects in Our name, and in the word of a King (who calls God to witness of His integrity and sincerity therein) That by His gracious assistance, We are constantly resolved to maintain the true Protestant Religion established by Law in this Church of England, in the purity thereof, without declining either to the right hand or to the left, as We found it at Our access to the crown, and as it was maintained in the happy times of Queen Elizabeth, and King James (Our dear Father) both of happy memory; and therein both to live and die.  
Secondly, you shall let Our people of those Counties know, That according to Our Kingly duty and Oath, We are also constantly resolved to maintain the laws of this Our Kingdom, and by, and according to them, to govern Our Subjects, and not by any Arbitrary power, whatsoever the malevolent Spirits of any ill-affected to Our Person, or Government have suggested, or shall suggest to the contrary; and that we shall also maintain the Just privileges of Parliament, as far as any of Our Predecessors have done, and as far as may stand with that justice which We owe to Our crown, and to the honour thereof. But that We may not, nor will admit of any such unwarranted power in either or both houses of Parliament, which in somethings hath been lately usurped, not only without, but against Our royal Consent and Command; And We require and Command you, as there shall be just occasion offered, in a legal way, that you take care to preserve Our just Right in those Cases.  
Thirdly, We charge you, as you tender the Peace of the Kingdom, (in the government whereof, according to Our laws, you Our Judges of the Law have a principal part under Us) that you take care for the suppressing of all Insurrections (if any such should happen) and of all Riots, and unlawful Assemblies, under any pretence whatsoever, not warranted by the laws of the Land, and whosoever shall transgress therein, that you let them know, that they must expect that punishment which by the Law may be inflicted upon them, and at your hands We shall look for such an account herein, within your Circuit, as becometh the quality of the place wherein you serve Us.  
Fourthly, Because these distempers of the present times, unhappily stirred up, and fomented by some, under specious, but unjust pretences, are probable to stir up loose and ungoverned persons, under hope of impunity, as far as they dare, to make a prey of Our good Subjects, We strictly charge and command you to take the best order you can in those Counties, that Rogues and Vagabonds, and other disorderly people may be apprehended, dealt with, & punished according to the laws, whereby the good and quiet People of Our Kingdom may be secured, and the wicked and licentious may be suppressed. And We Charge and Command you to give it in Charge in all the Counties whither you are sent by Our Commissions, that Watches and Wards, be strictly kept in all Parishes & Places convenient, whereby the laws made against such disorders may be put in due execution.  
Fiftly and lastly, you shall let Our People of those Counties know from Us, and by Our Command, That if they shall prefer unto Us, or unto you in Our stead, any thing wherein they hold themselves grieved, in an humble and fitting way, and shall desire a just reformation or relief, We shall give a gracious ear unto them, and with all conveniency return them such an Answer, as shall give them cause to thank Us for Our Justice and Favour.  
And when ye shall have published Our clear intentions to Our People in these things, lest, at the first hearing, they should not so fully apprehend Our sense therein, you shall deliver a Copy of these Our Letters to the Foreman of the Grand-jury, and to any other, if any shall desire Copies of these Our Letters for their better information, you may deliver the same.  
And to the end that Our Service in your Circuit may not suffer through the absence of Our learned council; Our will and Command is, That you assign in every place of your Sessions some of the ablest Lawyers who ride that Circuit, to be of council for Us, to assist in such pleas of the crown, as may be most necessary for Our service, in the examination and punishment of notorious delinquents.  
Of all these things We shall expect that good account from you, as We shall from the rest of your Brethren Our judges, to whom We have also written to the like purpose, (of whose fidelity and good affections We are confident,) as becometh Us to look for from you, and for you to render to Us, from whom you have so great a trust committed.  
Given at Our Court at York the 5 of July 1641.