C R  dieu ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion and Tudor rose on one side and the Scottish unicorn and thistle on the other  
A PROCLAMATION Prohibiting all Ecclesiastical Meetings in Synods or Presbyteries, until authorised and Ordered by the ARCHBISHOP and BISHOPS.  
THE Lords of His Majesties Privy Council having considered His Majesties Letter, of the date at Whitehall the Twenty Eight of December last, one thousand six hundred and sixty one; bearing, that whereas by the advice and consent of the Parliament, His Majesty did allow the administration of the Church Government of this Kingdom by Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods, notwithstanding of the Act Rescissory, until His Majesty should take care for the better settling of the Government thereof. And that having, by a late Proclamation, of the date the sixth of September, one thousand six hundred and sixty one, declared His Royal pleasure for restoring the ancient and legal Government of the Church, by Archbishops and Bishops, as it was exercised in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty seven; and that in pursuance of that resolution, His Majesty hath nominated and presented persons to the several bishoprics of this Kingdom: of whom some have been lately consecrated and invested with the same Dignities, Church-power and Authority, which was formerly competent to the Archbishops and Bishops of this Church, in the reigns of His Royal Grand-father and Father of blessed memory; and that the allowance of the administration of this Church, in the way it hath been, since the violent interruption of Episcopal Government, being inconsistent with the same now established, is now of itself voided and expired, as being only for a time till His Majesty should settle and secure Church Government in a frame most suitable to Monarchy, and complying with the peace of the Kingdom, and so the said allowance should be of no further force and continuance, but the jurisdiction and exercise of Church Government should be ordered in the respective Synods, Presbyteries and Sessions of this Church, by the Appointment and Authority of the Archbishops and Bishops thereof, according to the standing Laws and their known privilege and practise comform thereto. And that special care be taken that all due reverence and respect be given by all the Subjects to the Arch-bishops and Bishops of the Church, and that they have all countenance, assistance and encouragement from the Nobility, Gentry and others, in the discharge of their Office and Service to His Majesty in the Church. And that strict notice be taken of all and every one who shall presume to reflect or express any dis-respect to their Persons, Function or Authority, with which they are invested: which His Majesty requires to be intimate to the whole Lieges by Proclamation, discharging all Ecclesiastical Meetings in Synods, Presbyteries or Sessions, until they be authorised and ordered by the Archbishops and Bishops upon their entry unto the Government of their respective Seas, which is to be done speedily. Therefore in obedience of, and comform to, His Majesties Royal pleasure and command, have Ordained, and by these presents ordain the lion King at Arms and his brethren heralds, pursuivants, and Messengers at Arms, to pass to the Mercat cross of Edinburgh, and there by open Proclamation to make publication of His Majesties Royal pleasure foresaid, discharging all Ecclesiastical Meetings in Synods, Presbyteries and Sessions, until they be authorised and ordered by the Archbishops and Bishops, upon their entering unto the Government of their respective Seas, as said is; and to require all His Majesties Subjects of whatsoever rank, quality or degree they be, to give all due reverence and respect unto the Archbishops and Bishops; and that all the Nobility, Gentry and boroughs, Sheriffs of Shires, Stewarts of Stewartries, bailies of Regalities, Magistrates of Burghs, Iustices of Peace, and other public Ministers within their respective bounds and jurisdictions, at all times give all countenance, assistance and encouragement to them, in the discharge of their Office and Service to His Majesty in the Church; with certification, that if any shall presume to reflect or express any dis-respect to their Persons, Function or Authority, with which they are invested, they shall be severely and exemplarly punished, according to the nature and quality of their offence. And Ordains these presents to be printed, and published at the Mercat across of Edinburgh, as said is, and other places needful, that none may pretend ignorance.  
At Edinburgh, the Ninth day of January, one thousand six hundred and sixty two. Pet. Wedderburne, Cl. Sti. Concilii. 
 GOD SAUE THE KING.   

Printed at Edinburgh, and Re-printed at London for Richard thrall at the cross Keys entering into St. Pauls Church Yard.