AN ACT AND DECLARATION For putting the LAW against Priests and Jesuits in speedy and effectual Execution.  
Monday, March 12. 1659.  
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act and Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
THOMAS St. NICHOLAS, Clerk of the Parliament.   seal of the Commonwealth 
LONDON, Printed by John Streater, and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament, 1659.   

AN ACT AND DECLARATION FOR Putting the Laws against Priests and Jesuits in speedy and effectual Execution.  
FOr as much as the Laws have not of late time been effectually put in Execution against Seminaries, jesuits, and Romish Priests, whereby they have lately, more than heretofore, taken the boldness to come into this Commonwealth in great numbers, to the intent to stir up and move Sedition, Rebellion, and open Hostility therein, to the endangering of the peace of this Nation, and seducing of the good People thereof from the true Religion established in this Commonwealth, to the Romish Idolatry and Superstition. The Parliament taking the same into their consideration, do hereby Publish and Declare, That all Laws and Statutes in force against all jesuits, Seminary-Priests, or other such Priests, Deacons, or Religious or Ecclesiastical Persons whatsoever, made, ordained, or professed, or hereafter to be made, ordained, or professed by any Authority or jurisdiction, derived, challenged, or pretended from the See of Rome, by or of what Name, Title, or Degree soever the same shall be called or known, shall be put into speedy and effectual Execution, and against the Harbourers, Concealors, Abettors, and Aiders of them. And the Parliament doth hereby further require all judges, justices, Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other Officers and Ministers entrusted with the Execution of the Laws, to take notice hereof, and to put the same in Execution accordingly. And for the more effectual putting the premises in Execution, and better encouragement of any discovery of any the persons aforesaid: Be it hereby Enacted and Declared, That he or they that shall hereafter first discover to any judge or justice of Peace any the Persons aforesaid, and that by reason thereof any of the said Offenders be taken, convicted, or attainted, That then he or they, that have made such Discovery, shall, immediately after such Conviction, have a Certificate from the judge or justice, before whom such Conviction shall happen, to be directed to the Sheriff, or other Officer of any County, Limit, or Place where such Conviction shall be; commanding the Sheriff, or other Officer, to pay him or them that shall first make such discovery, twenty pounds; which Warrant and Payment shall be effectual in the Law for that purpose, and a sufficient discharge in that behalf for the Sheriff or other Officer, upon his Account, and that the Discoverer of such persons shall be free from the Penalties which he may have incurred by any of the said Laws and Statutes.   

Monday, March 12. 1659.  
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act and Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
THOMAS St. NICHOLAS, Clerk of the Parliament.