C R  DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
A PROCLAMATION, Anent CONVENTICLES.  
Edinburgh, the third day of February, one thousand six hundred and seventy. CHARLES, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Macers or Messengers at Arms, conjunctly and severally specially constitute, Greeting.  
Forasmuch as We have taken to consideration, the disorderly carriage of several Heretors, outed Ministers, Tenants and others of the Commons within this Kingdom, by their keeping of Conventicles, and baptising of their Children by persons not authorized or allowed; which not only foment and nourish Separation and Schism, but tend to Sedition, and the disturbance of the public Peace. Do therefore, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, require all Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs of Regalities and their Deputes, Magistrates of burgh's in their respective bounds, and the Commissioners of the Militia, To inform themselves where such Conventicles have been keeped since the nineteenth day of October last, or shall happen to be keeped hereafter, and to call before them the Ministers who have preached or shall preach at them, the Heretors or substantial Tenants who have been or shall be present thereat, or have had their Children baptised since the said nineteenth day of October, or shall procure them to be baptised by any not allowed or authorized to do the same; and according as they shall find any of them guilty, that they take caution of them for their appearance before Our Privy Council, when ever they shall be called: And in case any of them, being called before the saids Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs or Magistrates foresaids, or before the said's Commissioners of the Militia, compear not, or compearing shall refuse to give caution, That they, with advice and concurrence of the Captain, Lieutenant or Cornet of any of the Militia Troops of the Shire, seize upon their persons, and send them to the Lords of Our Council by a Party of the Militia; Which Party shall be paid at eighteen shillings Scots a day for each Horseman, and three shillings Sterling for the Officer who shall command, from the time of their setting forth to their return: And that they send alongst with them any proofs or evidences they have received of their guiltiness: And Ordains the saids Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailiffs, Magistrates and Commissioners of the Militia, from time to time, to give an account of their diligence to Our Council: And that these presents be printed, and published at the Mercat-cross of Edinburgh and other places needful, that none pretend ignorance.  
Al. Gibson, Cl. S ti Concilii.   

EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1670.