AN ORDINANCE To enable such SOLDIER'S As served the Commonwealth In the late WARS, to exercise any TRADE.   seal of the commonwealth of England 
Saturday September 2. 1654.  
ORdered by his Highness the Lord Protector, and His Council, That this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Henry Scobell, Clerk of the Council.  
London, Printed by William dugard and Henry Hills, Printers to His Highness the Lord Protector, 1654.   

 seal of the commonwealth of England AN ORDINANCE To enable such SOLDIER'S As served the Commonwealth In the late WARS, to exercise any TRADE.  
WHereas there are divers Soldiers who have served the Parliament and this Commonwealth in these late Wars, some of which are Men that used Trades, others that were Apprentices to Trades who had not served out their times, and others who are apt and fit for Trades; many of which, the Wars being now ended, would willingly employ themselves in those Trades they were formerly accustomed unto, or which they are apt and able to follow and make use of, for the getting of their living by their labour and industry, but are hindered from exercising those Trades in certain Cities, Corporations, and other places within this Commonwealth, because of certain By laws and Customs of those places: And of a Statute made in the Fifth year of the late Queen Elizabeth, prohibiting the use of certain Trades by any person that hath not served as an Apprentice to such Trades by the space of Seven years: For remedy whereof, and to the end that those persons that have adventured their Lives for the Safety and Preservation of this Commonwealth, might not be deprived of a means of livelihood in the places where they now do, or hereafter shall reside and inhabit; It is by His Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, by and with the advice and consent of His Council Ordained, and be it hereby Ordained, That all such Soldiers which have been employed in the Service of the Parliament and Commonwealth, either in England, Scotland or Ireland, or in any of the Dominions of the same, by the space of Four years, at any time since the Year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundrtd forty two; And before the Third of September, Anno Domini, One thousand six hundred fifty one, and have not since revolted to the late King's party, or deserted the Service of the Parliament; or that have served by the space of two years in the Wars in Scotland or Ireland; in the Service of the Commonwealth of England, since the said Third day of September, One thousand six hundred fifty one; and before the First day of this instant month of August, One thousand six hundred fifty four; and that have heretofore used or exercised any Trade before that time, or that were Apprentices to any Trade, though they did not serve out their Apprenticeship; or any other person employed as aforesaid in the Service of the Parliament and Commonwealth, that is apt and able to practise any Trade, may set up and exercise such several and respective Trades, Mysteries or Occupations, whereunto he or they have been bound Apprentice and served any part of his or their Time; or any Handicraft, or other Trade exercised about Manufactures, though he was never bound Apprentice to the same, in any City or Town Corporate, or in any other place whatsoever within this Commonwealth, where they or any of them do or shall reside and inhabit, without any Suit, let or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever, for or by reason of the using of such Trade. And if any such Soldier or Soldiers shall be Sued, Impleaded or Indicted in any Court whatsoever within this Commonwealth, for using or exercising any such Trades as aforesaid, than the said Soldier or Soldiers making it appear to the same Court where they are so Sued, Impleaded or Indicted, that they have served the Parliament and Commonwealth in the late Wars as aforesaid, shall, upon the General Issue pleaded, be found Not Guilty, in any Plaint, Bill, Information or Indictment exhibited against them; and such persons, who notwithstanding this Ordinance, shall prosecute their said Suit, by Bill, Plaint, Information or Indictment, and shall have a Verdict pass against them, or become nonsuit therein, or discontinue their said Suit; such person or persons shall pay unto such Soldier or Soldiers double Costs of Suit, to be recovered as any other Costs at Common Law may be recovered: And all judges and jurors before whom any such Suit, Information or Indictment shall be brought, and all other persons whatsoever, are to take notice of this present Ordinance, and shall conform themselves thereunto, Any Statute, Law, Ordinance, Custom, Usage or Provision made to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.  
Provided, That this Ordinance shall not extend to any such Soldier that hath been, or shall for any misdemeanour hereafter be cashiered out of the Army: And that no Soldier shall have the benefit of this Ordinance, that shall not prove his Service as aforesaid, either by a Certificate under the Hand and Seal of some Field Officer, and two Commission Officers of the Regiment wherein he served, or some General Officer of the Army certifying his knowledge of the Service aforesaid; and the said Certificate to be proved by one Witness at least to be a true Certificate; or for default of such Certificate, by the Oaths of Two credible persons at least.   

Saturday Septemb. 2. 1654.  
ORdered by His Highness the Lord Protector and his Council, That this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Henry Scobell, Clerk of the Council.