depiction of the state arms of the Commonwealth (1649-60) consisting of the cross of St. George (patron saint of England) and the Irish harp  
AN ORDINANCE FOR Suspending the proceed of the Judges named in the Act, Entitled, An ACT for the Relief OF Creditors and poor Prisoners.  
WHereas upon perusal and serious consideration had of one Act of Parliament, Entitled, An Act for the Relief of Cretors and poor Prisoners; many doubts and difficulties do appear, which must necessarily occasion an Explanation of the said Act, for the better enabling the judges in the said Act named and authorized for Sale of such Estates as are to be Sold by the said Act, for satisfaction of Creditors, which cannot in short time be effected; and without such Explanation and further direction to be given to the several & respective judges, authorized in & by the said Act, several inconveniencies and mischiefs would grow, not only to the said Creditors and Prisoners, but to divers other persons, not meant or intended to be included within the said Act, and will occasion many troubles, and suits in Law, and Equity; For the prevention whereof, due care is likewise to be had: And whereas many of the said Prisoners have offered really to endeavour the satisfaction of the said Creditors, if some further time may be given for that purpose; Be it therefore Ordained by His Highness the Lord PROTECTOR, by and with the advice and consent of His Council, That the said several and respective judges mentioned in the said Act, or any of them, shall not proceed to the Sale or Disposition of any the Estates Real or Personal, of any of the said Prisoners, or of any other person or persons whatsoever mentioned or intended in or by the said Act; nor shall otherwise intermeddle in the execution of the said Act, or of any the powers or authorities given by the same, until the 20th day of April next. And be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That all acts or things to be done by the said several and respective judges, or any of them, by virtue, colour, or pretence of the said Act, from henceforth, and before the said 20th day of April, shall be utterly void, null, and of none effect; saving only that it shall and may be lawful for the said several and respective judges that have bailed or let out any Prisoners upon Sureties or otherwise, out of Prison (which Prisoners are to appear again at a certain day before the said judges, and are not absolutely discharged by any Order of the said judges) to sit only for the remanding and recommitting of the said Prisoners into their former Prisons and Goals, where they formerly were detained in Prison, there to remain in safe custody, and to continue and be in the same condition as formerly they were at the time of their Bailing or letting out as aforesaid.   

Friday the 31 March, 1654.  
ORdered by His Highness the Lord PROTECTOR and His Council, that this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published.  
HEN. SCOBEL, Clerk of the Council.   

LONDON, Printed, by William dugard, and Henry Hills, Printers to His Highness the Lord Protector. 1654.