❧ By the King.  
THe zeal and great affection, which we haue found in all sorts of people of this our kingdom towards our Person, and that Right which we had to the succession of this crown, hath so many ways been expressed, as we cannot choose but make it manifest to them all by some public declaration, how great a desire it hath wrought in our heart to show our gracious acceptation of their devotion towards us, whensoever there shall be offered either occasion or subject, that may concern their universal good. For though it be true, that our Right was so assured, that whatsoever testimony could thereof be uttered, was but the duty of Subiects, acknowledging that faith and loyalty whereunto by the laws of God and Nature they were bound: yet do we confess, that there is in the true rules of Iustice from the sovereign to the subject, a reciprocal office and respect, which they are bound in honour and conscience to observe. The consideration whereof, hath moved us to think of such ways, as for the present did occur unto us, wherein wee might make manifest to our people, how willing we are now,& will be ready hereafter, to be as forward in requiting their love, as they haue been in expressing it. In which consideration while we were busied, we were informed that the queen our Sister deceased, finding some few yeeres before her death, that some things had passed her hand at the importunity of her seruants, whom she was willing to reward with little burden to her estate( otherwise by necessary occasions exhausted,) which though they had and might haue foundation in Princely prerogative, yet either by too large extending thereof, or for the most part in respect that they were of such nature, as could hardly be put in use without hindrance to multitudes of people, or else committed to inferior persons, who in the execution therof did so exceedingly abuse the same, as they became intolerable: Had purposed to revoke all Grants of that nature, and did begin with some, which were held most unjust, putting the rest to the examination of her laws to stand or fall, as in the construction of Law they might consist, or not. We, who though we had never had such an example, were ever opposite in our own nature to any thing that had colour of oppression, hold it our part not onely carefully to perfect all her good intentions, but to study further by all good means,& with all expedition to put in practise all other courses whereby a people so loving, so dutiful, and so dear unto us, may know and feel that we are as desirous to make them happy by our Iustice and grace towards them in all reasonable things, as they haue been ready to increase our comfort and contentment in yielding their loyalty and obedience towards our establishment in those Rights, which under God wee do enjoy. Therefore we do expressly charge and command all persons whatsoever, That from henceforth they utterly desist and forbear to use or execute any maner of Charter or grant made by our late Sister the queen deceased, of any kind of Monopolies, or of any power or Licence to dispense with, or discharge any maner of penal laws( except such Grants onely, as haue been made to any Corporation or Company of any Art or mystery, or for the maintenance or enlargement of any trade of merchandise) until such time as the same Charter or Grant shall be examined& allowed of by us, with the aduise of our counsel, to bee fit to be put in execution, without any prejudice to our loving Subiects. And where heretofore many haue been greatly prejudiced and delayed in suing for their debts and other dueties by sundry kind of Protections,& by pretence of other privileges and exemptions: We charge and command, and our express will and pleasure is, That no Protection, privilege or exemption to delay any persons Suite or Action, shall from henceforth be received or allowed in any our Courts or else where, which are or shall be contrary or repugnant to the laws of this realm.  
And furthermore, we will and command, that no assignments of Debts or Actions be made unto us by any that is, or pretendeth to bee indebted unto us, who is otherwise able and sufficient by himself, or by his Sureties, readily to pay the same Debt, nor any assignment taken to our use of any Debt, other thē such, as shal then appear to be a just& true Debt. And for that wee are certainly informed of many great disorders and abuses, to the great grief of our loving Subiects as well by Salt-petermen and such as haue or pretend to haue Commission and authority to make saltpeter, as also by sundry purveyors and Takers of Carts and other provisions for our use and service: Therefore wee do expressly charge and command, that the said Salt-petermen, purveyors& Takers, haue especial care to execute their Offices and Authorities without any maner of oppression, grievance or wrong to be done to any our loving Subiects. And if they that haue the Commissions, shall abuse the execution of them contrary to this our declaration, We are pleased that such, as shall be grieved therewith, shall resort to us or our council with their complaints. And we do also give express charge and commandement to all Lawyers, attorneys, Officers and clerks, of and in any our Courts of Iustice whatsoever, ecclesiastical or temporal, that they nor any of them extort or take any undue or excessive Fees, but such onely as are allowed to be had or taken in the same Courts. And to the end that our pleasure and commandment may bee duly and effectually performed, and observed in the premises: Wee do hereby notify and declare, that whosoever shall presume to break or violate in any thing aforesaid our royal commandments, they shall thereby incur our indignation and displeasure, And that vpon complaint and proof thereof made, we will not fail to proceed to such severe punishment against such offenders according to their demerits, as shall bee fit for so high and contemptuous an offence. These graces above specified, as we do presently extend to our people, and do intend others hereafter when we shall understand more particularly wherein wee may yield them comfort: So because things wel-meant may in the maner of the execution of them be abused; and Complaints grounded vpon just causes, may in the craving of remedy be accompanied with offensive proceedings, We haue thought good to admonish our Subiects, that wee do expect at their hands, that if in the things above specified, or in any other wherewith they shal find themselves grieved( which haue not yet come to our knowledge) they shall haue cause to seek any thing at our hands, they shall forbear all assembling and flocking together in multitudes, but shall in lawful and decent maner without numbers, without clamour, or any other kind of disorder, resort to us or our council by way of humble Petition; from whom they shall receive such answer, as shall make manifest the zeal we haue to the observation of Iustice, and maintenance of their welfare, if their Complaints be just. And on the other side, if we shal perceive that their petitions shal savour of humour, and tend only to slander and calumniation, and indeed haue no other foundation but such as often happeneth in bulgar people, under pretence of seeking public redresses to utter private malice: We would haue them understand hereby, that they shall not onely displease us therein, but find that we hold it no less the Office of a Prince to Protect their Magistrates and Officers, and all public persons in their just causes, then to give redress to the vulgar sort, when they haue indeed cause to complain, against all persons how great soever they be in rule or dignity under us: reserving to ourself the Right justly appertaining to our prerogative, for that we would not haue it conceived, that in doing these things out of our Grace, we do intend to renounce those ancient dueties and privileges, which haue descended vpon us with the succession of our kingdoms. And for that we are informed, that there hath been heretofore great neglect in this kingdom of keeping the Sabbath day: For better observing of the same, and avoiding of all impious profanation of it, wee do straightly charge and command, that no Beare-bayting, Bul-bayting, interludes, common plays, or other like disordered or unlawful Exercises or Pastimes be frequented, kept or used, at any time here after vpon any Sabbath day.  
given at our Court at Theobalds the 7. day of May, in the first year of our reign.  
God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty. Anno 1603.