blazon or coat of arms  blazon or coat of arms  
FOrasmuch as notwithstanding divers good Acts and Ordinances of Parliament 
London sc.  made for the better observation of the lordsday, days of public Humiliation, and Thanksgiving; and the many endeavours used for the due execution thereof: It is observed that the Lord's day is very much profaned, and the observation thereof, and others the days aforesaid, are very much neglected within this City and the Liberties thereof, by Vintners, Inholders, Ale-house-keepers, Butchers, Fruiterers, cooks, Tobacco-sellers, Keepers of Ordinaries, and such like, by suffering tippling and drinking in their houses; and by them and others in Selling, and exposing to sale divers Commodities, and in unlawful Pastimes, and Travelling, and working upon the days aforesaid, within this City and Liberties thereof, to the great dishonour of Almighty God, scandal of Religion and the Government of this City: And whereas also several persons do keep Hackney-Coaches, and Watermen by rowing upon the river of Thames, do ordinarily exercise their Callings upon the days aforesaid; I have therefore thought fit for the better discovering and suppressing of the several Offences aforesaid, and for the more exact execution of the several Laws and Ordinances made for that purpose, to appoint, and do hereby accordingly appoint the persons here-under named, Inhabitants within the said City and Liberties, diligently and by all lawful means to make discovery of all persons offending contrary to the Laws and Ordinances aforesaid, to myself or any the Justices within the said City and Liberties, or to any Constable or other officer who are authorized by the said Acts, or any of them, to apprehend such Offenders: And for that end do also will and require, and in the name of his Highness the Lord Protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, hereby straightly Charge and Command all such Constables and others, Officers and Ministers, within the said City and Liberties thereof, to whom it shall appertain, to be diligent in the execution of the Powers and Authorities given them by the said Laws, or any of them, And also to be aiding and assisting unto them the said persons hereunder particularly named, and every, or any of them in the finding out, & causing to be apprehended, all and every such person and persons, as shall offend in any of the kinds aforesaid, or otherwise contrary to the Laws aforesaid, And them and every of them to bring before me, or some other the Justices of the Peace, within this City and the Liberties of the same, to the end that such offenders, and every of them, may be further dealt withal as to Justice shall appertain: I do judge it to be my Duty to use the utmost power that God and Men hath betrusted me with, to find out all Offenders in the premises, and to inflict on them the utmost punishment that the Law requires for such offences, and do desire all persons entrusted herewith, to make Conscience of doing their utmost, to bring all offenders herein to punishment, That so this City may not lie under the guilt of this Crying sin; and such as are required by the Law upon a penalty to see these laws duly executed, must expect to suffer what ever the Law doth lay on them, if they shall be found negligent in their duties: And the Ministers of every congregation, are hereby desired to be frequent in minding and exhorting their People to use their Constant, and Vigorous endeavours, to prevent this growing evil, by bringing the Offenders to their due punishment, which is a work that will doubtless be highly pleasing to God and all good men, and greatly honourable to our Religion and Government, which ought to be the desire and endeavour of all that profess to own God, Jesus Christ and the gospel:  
Dated the_____ day of_____ 1656  
And to all Constables and other Officers and Ministers of Justice within the said City and Liberties thereof whom it shall concern.