Die Veneris 21 February, 1644.  
WHereas both Houses of Parliament, have appointed certain Ships to be set forth this Spring for Guard of the Narrow Seas, preservation of Trade, and for the necessary defence of this Kingdom, & other his Majesty's Dominious, which at this time is of great necessity, considering not only the homebred distractions of this Kingdom, and of Ireland; but the great preparations which are making already in foreign Parts, in aid and encouragement of the Papists, and ill affected Party amongst ourselves now up in Arms against the Parliament: And whereas there is occasion as well at present as hereafter will be, for impresting of Mariners for the said service; Be it therefore ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, That the Lord high Admiral of England appointed by both Houses of Parliament, shall and may at any time or times, from the day of the date hereof, unto the first day of january, 1645. by himself, his Commissioner or Commissioners, Officer or Officers, or any of them, raise, levy, and impress such and so many Mariners, Sailors, Watermen, Surgeons, Gunners, Ship-Carpenters Caukers and Whoymen, as also Carmen for carriage of victuals, etc. as shall be requisite and necessary for the service aforesaid, or for any such further defence of this Realm, or any other of his Majesty's Dominions: which said Mariners, Sailors, and other such Persons so to be levied and impressed as aforesaid, and every of them shall have paid and delivered unto him upon such his Impressing by the person that shall so impress him, for conduct money for every mile from the place where he shall be so iwprest to the ship or place where he shall be appointed to make his repair, the sum of one penny to each man, and the like sum of one penny for every mile from the place of his discharge unto the place of his abode, and shall be allowed for this service the same wages and entertainment in all respects which hath been allowed by the Parliament this last year to any such person or persons employed in the said service. And if any Mariner, Saylor, Waterman, Chirurgeon, Gunner, Ship-carpenter, Cauker, Whoyman, or Carman, shall wilfully refuse to be impressed in or for the said service, or shall voluntarily hid or absent himself at the time of such press, to avoid the said service, or receiving his said conduct moneys, do not appear at such places and times as by his Ticket he is appointed; that then any such Person so offending, shall suffer imprisonment for the space of three months without Bail or Mainprize; Provided always, and be it ordained that no money or other reward shall be taken, or any corrupt practice used by any the Persons Authorized by this Ordinance, in or for the pressing, changing, sparing, or discharging of any Person or Persons to be impressed as aforesaid, as they will answer such offence in Parliament. And all Deputy Lieutenants, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, and all other inferior Officers, are hereby required and enjoined to be aiding and assisting from time to time to the Persons Authorized by this Ordinance, according to the true intent and meaning thereof; Provided always that this Ordinance shall not extend to the pressing of any Master, or Master's Mate, Gunner, Carpenter, or Boatswain of any Ship or Vessel, that is or shall be in employment: And for the better encouragement, both of Seamen and watermen, to apply themselves the more willingly to this service, It is further ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That all Mariners, Sailors, and likewise all watermen, who have served an Apprenticeship by the space of seven years in their said Professions, or that are servants and Apprentices by Indenture to any such watermen, shall hereby be freed and exempt from being pressed to serve as Soldiers in any land service, except in case of extreme necessity, and that with the consent and privity of the Lord high Admiral of England, or by express Order of both Houses of Parliament.   

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published.  
Jo. Brown Cleric. Parliamentorum.   

London, printed for Laurence Blaiklock, near Temple Bar, 1644.