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❧ By the Protector. A PROCLAMATION Commanding a speedy and due Execution of the laws made against the abominable sins of Drunkenness, profane Swearing and Cursing, Adultery, Fornication, and other acts of uncleanness; For observing the Assize of Bread, Ale, and fuel; and touching Weights, and Measures; For setting the Poor on Work, and providing for the impotent and aged poor, and punishing Rogues and Vagabonds, taking Accounts of churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor; and against disturbing of public Preachers, and profanation of the Lord's day.  
WHereas many good and wholesome Laws have been made and provided for the good Government of the people of this Commonwealth, and for the suppressing and preventing of many sins, disorders, abuses and deceits, tending to the dishonour of God, the scandal of Religion, and the prejudice and great wrong of the People. But for want of zeal and care in the Officers and Ministers of justice, to whose Trust the execution thereof hath been committed, there hath not been that due observation of those Laws, and the punishment inflicted upon the Offenders, as is thereby provided, by reason whereof such ill disposed persons have been hardened in their evil ways, and others the more bold and encouraged to commit the like offences in hope of impunity: his Highness the Lord Protector desiring (according to the Trust reposed in Him for the public Weal of these Nations) to use His utmost Power, That the Laws be duly executed, justice administered, Abuses punished, and the good and welfare of the People by all good ways and means procured and preserved, Hath by the Advice of His Council, thought fit to Recommend the same unto the judges, and other Officers and Ministers of justice, unto whom the due execution of the Law and justice is committed; And doth therefore hereby Will and Require all the justices of Assizes in their several Circuits, to give in Charge, and to take especial Care, that the Laws be duly executed, and particularly such Laws as are in force, for the better suppressing and preventing the abominable Sins of Drunkenness, profane Swearing and Cursing, Adultery, Fornication, and the like uncleanness; the Laws and Statutes made touching the Assize of Bread and Ale, the Assize of fuel, touching Weights and Measures, for Setting the Poor on work, the Providing for such as by reason of age or impotency are not able to maintain themselves; for punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds calling themselves Egyptians, and other Vagabonds or sturdy beggars, and preventing the increase of them, and duly taking accounts of Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor, for punishment of such as shall disturb public Preachers and Ministers in their public Exercises, and such as shall profane the lordsday: And His Highness, by the Advice of His Council, Doth straightly Charge and Command all Majors, justices of the Peace, bailiffs, Constables, and all other Officers who are any way entrusted with the execution of any of the Laws and Administration of justice, to use their utmost Care, Diligence and endeavour within their Counties, Cities, Towns, Liberties and Precincts, That all and every the Laws whereby they are impowered, or with the Execution whereof they are entrusted, and more especially such as concern the several Matters aforesaid, be duly and vigorously put in Execution, and the Offenders against the same effectually prosecuted and punished, according to the said Laws. And His Highness doth, by the Advice of His said Council, also Require and enjoin all the People of this commonwealth, to be aiding and assisting in Discovering of the Offenders, and bringing them to condign punishment, as they tender the Glory of God, their own good, and the good and welfare of this Commonwealth, which cannot be preserved and supported without the due Observation of the Laws, and the Execution of justice for the Terror of evil doers, that others may see it, and fear, and not dare to do the like. And His Highness doth further Charge and Require His judges in their several Circuits to take an exact account how these things have been, and shall be from time to time observed, and what the success thereof shall be; from whom His Highness will expect to be truly informed at their Return out of their Circuits.  
Given at White-Hall the Ninth day of August, in the Year of Our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five.   

Published by His Highness special Command.  
LONDON: Printed by Henry Hills and John Field, Printers to His Highness. 1655.