arms By the Major.  
THe Right Honourable the Lord Major having taken into his serious Consideration the many dreadful Afflictions, which this City hath of late years suffered, by a raging Plague, a most unheard of devouring Fire, and otherwise: And justly fearing that the same have been occasioned by the many heinous crying Sins and Provocations to the Divine Majesty: And his Lordship also considering the present dangers of greater mischiefs and misery which seem still to threaten this City, if the execution of the Righteous judgements of God Almighty be not prevented by an universal timely Repentance and Reformation: He hath therefore thought it one duty of his Office, being entrusted to take all possible care for the good Government, Peace, and Welfare of this City, First, to pray and persuade all and every the Inhabitants thereof to reform in themselves and Families all Sins and Enormities whereof they know themselves to be guilty: And if neither the Fear of the Great God nor of his Impending judgements shall prevail upon them; He shall be obliged to let them know, that as he is their Chief Magistrate, he ought not to bear the Sword in vain: And therefore doth resolve by God's Grace to take the Assistance of his Brethren the Aldermen, and to require the aid of all the Officers of this City in their several places, to Punish and Suppress according to the Laws of the Land and the good Customs of this City, those Scandalous and Provoking Sins which have of late increased and abounded amongst Us, even without shame, to the dishonour of Christianity and the Scandal of the Government of this City, heretofore so famous over the World, for its Piety, Sobriety, and good Order.  
To the end therefore that the Laws may become a Terror unto Evil doers, and that such, in whose hearts the fear of God, and the love of Virtue shall not prevail, (being forewarned) may amend their Lives for fear of punishment; His Lordship hath thought fit to remember them of several Penalties provided by Law against notorious Offenders: As also all Constables and Public Officers (who are to put the said Laws in Execution) of their Duty therein; known by the party's confession or otherwise; or if it be not known, then to the Parishes where they last dwelled, before the same punishment, by the space of one whole year; or if that cannot be well known, then to the Parishes to which they last passed without punishment. Also that every Inhabitant do apprehend such Beggars, etc. as he shall know to resort to his house, to beg or receive alms, and carry or cause them to be carried to the next Constable, who is thereupon to punish and pass away such Beggar as aforesaid, upon the severest penalties to be inflicted upon every such Constable for their failure herein: And that the Dwellings of all Constables may be known, and themselves more readily found, they are forthwith to have their Staffs duly placed or fixed at their Street-doors in open view of all Passengers; and themselves to remain constannly at home, or leave some other fit and able persons to perform their Office in their absence. And his Lordship having thus reminded the said Constables of their Duty in this particular, he doth also declare that he expects all ready Conformity to be yielded hereunto; in default whereof the Penalties appointed by Law shall certainly be inflicted upon them: And to this end the Marshals of this City, and their men, and the Beadles of the several Wards are required to take notice of and present to high the Names of all such Constables whom they shall find remiss and negligent of their Duty in this service: But it is hoped that the said Constables upon this public Admonition, will rather in conscience of their Duty, and for so great and public a Benefit, readily acquit themselves in this matter as becomes honest and worthy Citizens, than constrain the inflicting of Penalties upon them for neglect of their Duty. And the said Marshals and Beadles are also to be very careful and industrious to avoid the said Vagrants, and bring them to Punishment in manner as aforesaid.  
Dated at Guildhall, this Thirteenth day of October, 1676. and in the Eight and Twentieth Year of His Majesty's Reign.  
God save the King.   

Printed by Andrew Clark, Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON.