A BREVIATE of the BILL for Relief of Ancient Tenants of Church-Lands.  
THat divers persons of great Loyalty, held several Church Lands by Lease before the Wars, and paid rents in time of wars to the Clergy, and many of them were forced to purchase their own Tenements.  
That his Majesty in his Declaration from Breda, promised to such, some reasonable satisfaction, And by his Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury requires, that the Ancient Tenants of the Church be favourably dealt with in renewing their Leases.  
That the King Commissionated divers Lords and others to Effect those purposes, and himself hath often interposed, but the Obstinacy of some of the Clergy have refused to obey him.  
Therefore it is Enacted 
 That Certain Persons are Commissionated to agree all differences between the Ancient Tenants and the Churchmen concerning any Lease in being in 1642. Or which may be made before 1663. Or any Purchase by such Tenant of his own tenancy, And the Order of the Commissioners to be final to the Tenants.  
But if the Churchmen resuse to comply with Orders of the Commissioners, than the Case to be reported to the King and Council, And the Judgement there to be final to all parties.  
If Churchmen will not obey, the King may under the Great Seal, Privy Signet, or Sign Manual, make Leases for 21. years, or three Lives, of the Lands, according to such Order which shall be good and available; And if such Lessees be impleaded, he may plead the General Issue, and minister the Special Matter in Evidence, And if verdict go for him, shall recover Double Costs.  
All Concurrent Leases since 1643. are made void, except the same were made to the Old Tenant, or to others with his Consent, or which is or shall be approved by the Commissioners, or the King.  
Provided the Fine upon the Lease to be made shall be paid to him whose Lease is avoided, if it come short the Lessor shall make it up, if it be more the Surplus shall be paid to the Lessor.  
All rates of Fines and Covenants in Leases to be made by virtue of this Act shall be subjected to the Approbation of the Commissioners, and the King and Council, with particular regard to be had to such Tenant as paid his rent any two years in the time of Wars.  
Where several Persons were Joint Lessees, whereof One or More do not merit the benefit of this Act, and the other do, the Lease shall be renewed solely to him that stands upright.