❧ By the King.  
having after some time spent in settling the politic affairs of this realm, of late bestowed no small labour in composing certain differences Wee found among our clergy about Rites and Ceremonies heretofore established in this Church of England, and reduced the same to such an Order and form, as Wee doubt not but every spirit that is led onely with piety, and not with humour, shal be therein satisfied: It appeared unto us in the debating of those matters, that a greater contagion to our Religion, then could proceed from those light differences, was imminent by persons common Enemies to them both, Namely the great number of Priests both Seminaries and jesuits abounding in this realm, as well of such as were here before our coming to this crown, as of such as haue resorted hither since, using their functions and professions with greater liberty, then heretofore they durst haue done, partly vpon a vain confidence of some innovation in matters of Religion to be done by us, which Wee never intended, nor gave any man cause to expect,& partly vpon the assurance of our general Pardon, granted according to the custom of our Progenitors at our Coronation, for offences past in the dayes of the late queen, which Pardons many of the said Priests haue procured under Our great seal, and holding themselves thereby free from the danger of the laws, do with great audacity exercise all Offices of their profession, both saying Masses, persuading our Subiects from the Religion established, and reconciling them to the Church of Rome, and by consequence seducing them from the true persuasion, which all Subiects ought to haue of their duty and obedience to Vs. Wherefore, forasmuch as by way of providence to preserve their people from being corrupted in Religion, piety and obedience, is not the least part of royal duty, Wee hold ourself obliged both in conscience and in wisdom, to use all good means to keep our Subiects from being infected with superstitious opinions in matter of Religion, which are not onely pernicious to their own souls, but the ready way and means to corrupt their duty and allegiance, which cannot be any way so surely performed, as by keeping from them the ministers and instruments of that Infection, which are the Priests of all sorts ordained in foreign parts, by authority prohibited by the laws of this land, Concerning whom therefore We haue thought it fit to publish to all our Subiects this open declaration of our pleasure. That where there be of Priests at this present within our kingdom, be they Regular or without Rule, diuers sorts, some in prison, some at liberty, and of both, some having obtained our Pardon under our great seal, and some having no such Pardon: And again some that were here before Our coming into this realm, and some commen hither since: For all such as are in prison We haue taken order that they shall be shipped at some convenient Port, and sent out of our realm as soon as possibly may be, with commandement not to return again into any part of our Dominions, without our Licence obtained, vpon pain and peril of the laws being here in force against them, And for all others who are at liberty, whether having sued out our Pardon or not, which Wee do advertise them and all our Subiects, that extending onely to matters done before the death of the late queen, doth not exempt any Priest from the danger of the Law for his abode here since Our succession to the crown above the time by the Statute limited.  
Wee do hereby will and command all maner of jesuits, Seminaries, and other Priests whatsoever, having Ordination from any authority by the laws of this realm prohibited, to take notice That our Pleasure is, that they do before the nineteenth day of March next ensuing the date hereof, depart forth of our realm and Dominions, And that for that purpose it shalbe lawful to all Officers of our Ports, to suffer the said Priests to depart from thence into any foreign parts, between this and the said nineteenth day of March: Admonishing and assuring all such jesuits, Seminaries, and Priests of what sort soever, That if any of them shall be after the said nineteenth day taken within this realm or any our Dominions, or departing now vpon this our Pleasure signified, shall hereafter return into this realm or any our Dominions again, that they shalbe left to the penalty of the laws here being in force concerning them, without hope of any favor or remission from Vs.  
Wherefore We will and command all Archbishops, Bishops, Lieutenants, Iustices of Peace, and all other our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, to be vigilant and careful after the said nineteenth day of March past, to do their duties and diligence in discovering and apprehending of all Priests that shall remain here contrary to this our declaration. Which though perhaps it may seem to some to presage a greater severity towards that sort of our Subiects, who differing in their profession from the Religion by Lawe established, call themselves catholics, then by our proceedings with them hitherto we haue given cause to expect: Yet doubt we not, but that when it shall be considered with indifferent Iudgement, what causes haue moved us to use this providence against the said jesuits, Seminaries, and Priests, all men will justify us therein. For to whom is it unknown, into what peril our Person was like to be drawn, and our realm unto confusion not many moneths since, by a conspiracy first conceived by persons of that sort, who having prevailed with some, had undertaken to draw multitudes of others to assist the same, by the authority of their persuasions and motives grounded chiefly vpon matter of Conscience and Religion? Which when other Princes shall duly observe, Wee assure ourselves they will no way conceive that this alteration groweth from any change of disposition now more exasperate then heretofore, but out of necessary providence to prevent perils otherwise inevitable, considering that their absolute submission to foreign jurisdiction at their first taking of Orders, doth leave so conditional an authority to Kings over their Subiects, as the same power by which they were made, may dispense at pleasure with the straightest band of loyalty and love between a King and his People. Amongst which foreign powers, although wee aclowledge ourselves personally so much beholding to the now Bishop of Rome for his kind offices and private temporal carriage towards us in many things, as wee shall be ever ready to requited the same towards him,( as Bishop of Rome in state and condition of a Secular Prince) Yet when wee consider and observe the course and claim of that Sea, Wee haue no reason to imagine, that Princes of our Religion and Profession, can expect any assurance long to continue, unless it might be assented by mediation of other Princes Christian, that some good course might be taken( by a general council free and lawfully called) to pluck up those roots of dangers and jealousies which arise for cause of Religion as well between Princes and Princes, as between them and their Subiects, and to make it manifest that no State or Potentate either hath or can challenge power to dispose of earthly kingdoms or Monarchies, or to dispense with Subiects obedience to their natural Soueraignes: In which charitable Action, there is no Prince living, that will be readier then Wee shall be to concur even to the uttermost of our power, not onely out of particular disposition to live peaceably with all States and Princes of christendom, but because such a settled amity might( by an union in Religion) be established among Christian Princes, as might enable us all to resist the common enemy.  
given at our palace of Westminster the xxij. day of February, in the first year of our reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth.  
God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most excellent majesty. ANNO DOM. 1603.