official insignia  
AN ORDINANCE OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament,  
For the Apprehending and bringing to condign punishment, all such lewd persons as shall steal, sell, buy, inveigle, purloin, convey, or receive any little Children. And for the strict and diligent search of all Ships and other Vessels on the River, or at the downs.  
Die Veneris, 9 Maii. 1645.  
WHereas the Houses of Parliament are informed, that divers lewd Persons do go up and down the City of London, and elsewhere, and in a most barbarous and wicked manner steal away many little Children, It is ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That all Officers and Ministers of justice be hereby straightly charged and required to be very diligent in apprehending all such persons as are faulty in this kind, either in stealing, selling, buying, inveigling, purloining, conveying, or receiving Children so stolen, and to keep them in safe imprisonment, till they may be brought to severe and exemplary punishment.  
It is further ordered, That the Marshals of the Admiralty, and the Cinque-ports, do immediately make strict and diligent search in all Ships and Vessels upon the River, and at the downs, for all such Children, according to such directions as they have or shall receive from the Committee of the Admiralty, and Cinque-ports.  
It is further ordered, That this Ordinance be forthwith published in Print, and Proclaimed in the usual manner as other Proclamations, in all parts of the City of London, within the Lines of communication, and in all Parishes within the bills of mortality, presently: And in all Churches and chapels by the Ministers, within the Line of communication, and bills of mortality, on the next Lord's day: And in all other Churches and chapels elsewhere respectively, the next Lord's day after the receipt hereof, that it may appear to the World, how careful the Parliament is to prevent such mischiefs, and how far they do detest a crime of so much villainy.  
Mr. Spurstow, Mr. vassal, and colonel Venn, (Members of the House of Commons) are desired to go to the Lord Major, and to acquaint him with this Order, and to take care that it may be Proclaimed presently, and Published according to the directions, on the next Lord's day.  

Die Veneris, 9 Maii. 1645.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Ordinance shall be forthwith Printed and published presently, and read in all Parish Churches and chapels within the Line of Communication and Bills of mortality, the next Lord's day: and in all other Churches and chapels elsewhere respectively, the next Lord's day after the receipt hereof.  
J. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.    

London, Printed for John Wright at the sign of the Kings-head in the Old-bailey, May 9▪ 1645.