blazon or coat of arms incorporating the Commonwealth Flag (1649-1651) AN ORDINANCE For Adjourning part of EASTER TERM. 1654.  
WHereas many abuses and corruptions are crept into the ordinary course and administration of justice, both in Law and Equity, the Reformation whereof hath not yet been attained; Out of a tender care and desire that so necessary and good a work may at length be brought to effect, It is held convenient and necessary to Adjourn part of the next Term of Easter; Be it therefore Ordained by His Highness the Lord Protector, by and with the consent of His Council, That part of the said Term of Easter now next coming be Adjourned, That is to say, from and after the first Return called Quindena Paschae, unto the first Return of Trinity Term called Crastino Trinitatis; And all and every person or persons, which have cause, or commandment to appear in any of the Courts at Westminster, in or at any day, or time, from and after the said Return, called Quindena Paschae, and during the said Term, called Easter Term, may tarry at their dwellings, or where their business shall lie, without resorting to any of the said Courts for that Cause, and without danger or forfeiture, penalty or contempt to be in that behalf. And be it also Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That Writs of Adjournment shall be directed to the justices of the said Courts, giving them au●hority to Adjourn the said Term of Easter, as aforesaid, that is to say, from and after the first Return, called Quindena Paschae, until the first Return of Trinity Term, called Crastino Trinitatis, as before is said, and the said Adjournment shall be made, as aforesaid. And be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That all Matters, Causes and suits, Depending in any of the said Courts, shall have continuance, and the parties shall have day, from the day of the said Adjournment, until the said Return of Crastino Trinitatis, as is aforesaid; And the Lord's Commissioners of the Great Seal are required to issue forth Writs accordingly. And be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and all other Sheriffs both in England and Wales, do forthwith proclaim and publish this Ordinance in the Chief Market Towns within their several and respective Counties.   

Thursday April 6. 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 Henry Hills, and William du-Gard, Printers to His Highness the Lord Protector, MDCLIV.