royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT BY THE KING. A PROCLAMATION. JAMES R. WHEREAS since Our Arrival into this Our Kingdom of Ireland, We are informed that notwithstanding the several Proclamations issued by Our Chief Governor and Council of this Our Realm, assuring all Our Subjects of Our Protection to their Persons, Liberties and Properties, divers of them entred into actual Rebellion within this Realm, many of them withdrew themselves into Our Kingdoms of England or Scotland, where they have adhered to Our Enemies and Rebels; and that others of them out of fear and apprehension of meeting some ill usage in this Realm, without any other evil intent, did transport themselves into Our said Kingdoms of England or Scotland, having acted nothing more contrary to their Allegiance; which removal of theirs, as it cannot be but very destructive to themselves, so it tends much to the depopulating of this Realm, and to the decay of Trade therein. And as We have an extraordinary regard for all Our Subjects of this Our Kingdom of what persuasion soever in matters of Religion, who have hitherto since the late distractions remained firm and constant in their Duty and Allegiance to us, so We cannot but have compassion and tenderness of those who withdrew themselves from their Fortunes and Being, in this country, upon jealousies and groundless Fears that violence was to be used towards them by their fellow Subjects, or that they should be disturbed in the exercise of their Religion. In order therefore to remove these Fears and jealousies, and to unite all Our Subjects of this Our Kingdom, and to quiet the minds of Our People, and for the advance of Trade and traffic here; We have thought fit, by the Advice of Our Privy Council, to declare, and We do hereby declare, that it is Our Royal Will and Pleasure that from henceforth all Our Subjects within this Our Realm may have and enjoy the free Exercise of their Religion, so that they take special care that nothing be Preached or Taught amongst them which may tend to alienate the hearts of Our People from us or Our Government. And that such Liberty and Freedom may be enjoyed with greater assurance, We have thought it requisite, and do hereby command, with the advice aforesaid, that no disturbance be made, or interruption given unto them by any person whatsoever, under pain of Our displeasure, and to be further proceeded against according to the utmost rigour of the Law. And We do further hereby publish and declare, that We shall from time to time equally preserve and protect all Our Subjects of this Kingdom of what persuasion soever in matters of Religion in their Persons, Properties and Liberties, excepting only such as are now, or of late have been in actual Rebellion against Vs. And We do hereby strictly Charge and Command all Our Subjects of this Realm now residing in Our Kingdom of England or Scotland, who either happened to be there before the late Troubles, or who transported themselves thither upon the Fears and jealousies aforesaid, and who acted nothing more against their Duty and Allegiance to us, to repair hither within forty days after the date hereof, and to return to their several Habitations and Callings, hereby assuring all such of Our said Subjects as shall repair to this Our Kingdom in obedience to these Our Commands, that they shall be protected by us in their Persons, Properties, Liberties, and the free Exercise of their Religion. And We do hereby Require and Command all Our Loving Subjects of this Kingdom of what persuasion soever, to join with us in the Defence of this Realm against all Rebels and Enemiesâ–ª who shall endeavour to disturb the Peace thereof. Given at Our Court at Dublin Castle the 25th day of March 1689. And in the Fifth Year of Our Reign. God Save the King. DUBLIN, Printed by Andrew Crook and Samuel Helsham Assigns of Benjamin took Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty; and are to be Sold at the Kings Printing house on Ormonde-Key, and the Colledge-Arms in Castle-street. 1689.