IT ſhalbe good in this pointe to folowe ye order of the auncient church for as much as it is but a putting in vſe of that whiche is declared vnto vs in the ſcripture: that is, that the miniſters firſt chuſe him which ought to be put in office, geuing vnderſtanding to the Seniorie, & after preſent him to the counſell, and if he be foūde worthy, that the counſell receiue and accepte him: and after hauing knowledge of him (as they ſhal ſe expediēt) geue him a teſtymony that he may be brought forth, and finally preſented to the people in the ſermon, to ye ende he maye be receyued by the common cōſent into ye companye of ye faithful.

If he be founde vnworthye, and ſo declared by lawfull proues, that then they procede to a newe election and choſe another.

Concerning the maner of the induction, bicauſe the ceremonies in times paſt haue ben turned into manye ſuperſtitions by reaſon of the infirmity of the tyme, it ſhalbe neceſſarye that one of the myniſters make declaration and demonſtracion of the office, to the which he is choſen, and after that ye praiers be made for him, that ye lord geue him grace well to diſcharge hys offyce.

When he ſhalbe choſen, it is neceſſarie that he be ſworne before ye Seniorye wyth ſuche an othe as ſhalbe conuenient for a miniſter, as here foloweth.

VPon the Sondayes there ſhalbe mornīg ſermons at the churches of ſainct Peter and S. Gerueis, alſo at y• houre accuſtumed, ſermons throughe all the periſhes.

At noone the catechiſme, that is to ſay inſtructions for the ſmale childrē, in thre churches, and at three of the clocke lykewyſe Sermons in all the churches.

Vpon the weeke daies ouer and beſide a ſermō ī euery periſhe, alſo ther ſhalbe ſermons at ye heade churches Mondaye, Wedinſdaye, and Fridaie at fower of the clocke in the mornīg. ſo that the ſermon maye be ended a good ſpace before the ordinarie ſermō be begon.

If there be made any extraordinary praier in tyme of neceſſitie, that the order for the Sondaye be obſerued.

To beare theſe and other burdens of the miniſterie, it ſhalbe nedefull to haue v. miniſters and iii. conductours which ſhall alſo be miniſters, to ayde and helpe according as nede ſhall require.

THe proper office of doctours is to teache the faithefull with ſounde doctrine, to the ende that the puritye of ye goſpell be not corrupted by ignorance or wicked opinions: neuertheles according as thinges be dyſpoſed in theſe dayes, we doe comprehende them vnder this title, to be aides and Inſtrumentes to conſerue ye doctrine of god, ſo that the churche be not deſolate for fault of paſtors and myniſters, but to vſe a worde more intelligible, we ſhall call them the order of ſcholers.

The next degree vnto the myniſters and next conioyned to the gouernement of the church, is reding of diuinitie: which reding ſhalbe oute of the newe or olde teſtament.

But becauſe they cannot profytt in ſuche leſſons excepte they be firſte inſtructed in the tonges and humayne ſcyences, alſo it is nedeful to raiſe vp ſede for the time to come, to the ende that the churche be not lefte deſtitute to oure children, therfore it is nedful to erecte A colledge to enſtructe children, to prepare them aſwel to ye myniſterye as to cyuill gouernement.

For the firſt there muſt be a place aſſigned aſwell for the lectures as for the teaching of children and others which will proffyt in learning, alſo to haue a man learned and expert for to dyſpoſe aſwell the houſe as the lectours, which can him ſelfe teach & inſtructe others: and that there be vnder his charge readers as wel ī tongs as in Logicke yf it may be: alſo for bachelars to teache yonge children, ye which we wyll and ordaine to be don: and that all thoſe which be there ſhal be ſubiectes to the eccleſyaſtycall diſcipline, as well as the miniſters.

That there be no other ſchole in the towne for children, but we will that there be a ſchole a parte for mayden children, as hath ben accuſtumed.

That none ſhalbe receyued into this office excepte he be approued by the myniſters, and fyrſte let hym be knowen to the Seniors, and then againe be preſented to ye coūſell wyth his wytneſſes, for feare of inconueniences. And alwayes examinacions oughte to be made before two of the Seniors.

I Promyſe and ſweare folowing the charge that is geuen to me, to hinder all Idolatries, blaſphemies, diſſolutions and other thinges againſt the honour of god and the reformacion of the goſpel, and to admoniſhe thoſe to whom it apperteineth as occaſion ſhalbe geuen me.

Item, when I ſhall knowe anye thinges worthy to be brought before the conſiſtorie, that I ſhal doe my duty faithfully without fauour or hate, onely to that ende that the towne be maynteyned in good order and in the feare of god.

Item as touching all thinges concerning the office to be diſcharged wt a good conſcyence, to obſerue the ordynaunces which be decreed by the ſmale, great, and generall councell of Geneua.

IN the ende of the yere after they haue choſen ye coūcel, theſe mē ſhal be preſēted to ye Seniorie to knowe if they be worthy to continue in their office or to be chaūged for as much as it is not expedient that they be chaū ged withoute a cauſe.

THere hath ben alwayes two ſō drye kindes or ſortes of officers in the auncient churche, ye one were deputes to receyue, to delyuer, and conſerue the goods of the poore, as well dayly Almeſes, as poſſeſſions Stipends, and penſions.

The other to fede and ouerſee the ſicke, and to miniſter the portion of ye poore. The which cuſtume we doe obſerue yet to this preſent, for we haue procuratours and maiſters of the hoſpitall: and to auoyde confuſion, one of the procurators of the hoſpitall ſhalbe receyuer of al the goods of ye ſame, the which ſhal haue ſufficient wages the better to execute his office.

Alſo the number of the fower procuratours ſhall continue as hath ben ſayd. Wherof one to haue the charge to the ende that the prouiſions maye be the better made in tyme conuenyent.

Alſo that thoſe which doe ſhewe any charitie vpon the poore, be the more aſſerteyned that the goods ſhalbe no otherwyſe employed but according to their intention: and if the reuenues or gyftes be not ſuffycient and that there happen any extraordinarie neceſſitie, then the Seniorie ſhall determine to furniſhe according as neceſſitie ſhall requyre.

Concerning the election of the procuratours and maiſters of hoſpitalles, it ſhalbe lyke ye order of the elders or commiſſyoners in the conſiſtorye: and in choſing them to folowe ye rule of Saincte Paule touchinge deacons in the fyrſt to Tymothie the thyrde chapter, & to Titus the fyrſt chapter.

Touching the office and aucthoritie of procuratours, we ſhall kepe ye articles whiche be all redye by vs ordeyned but ſpecially in things vrgent & where there ſhalbe daunger to differre the tyme, but when there is no great dyfficultie nor matters of great charge, that then they be not conſtrained to aſſemble daylye, but that one or two may ordayne in the abſence of the other that which ſhalbe reaſonable.

Item it ſhalbe neceſſarye to take diligent heede that the common hoſpitall be well preſerued and meete to receyue the ſicke, alſo for aged perſons which cannot worke, men or womē, for wydowes, children, orf • lyns, and the poore, alwayes ye ſicke to be kepte and ſeperated a part in a ſeuerall lodging from the other.

Item y• Almeſes for ye poore which be dyſtributed throughoute ye towne, ſhalbe brought to the hoſpitall according as the procuratours ſhall determyne.

Item that beſides the hoſpital it is neceſſarye that ſtraungers and waye faring men be relyeued, and holpē: & that therebe an hoſpitall aparte for them as ſhalbe conuenient, and according to the eſpecially order and rule of charitye, and therefore we ordeyne & determine that there ſhalbe chambers appointed to receyue ſuche as ſhalbe directed thether by the procuratours, and that ſuche ſhalbe receyued accordingly.

Item aboue all this it be remembred, that the famylies of the hoſpitallours be honeſtly gouerned according to the rule of gods worde, conſideryng that they haue ye gouernaūce of the houſe of god.

Alſo that the miniſters and ye commiſſyoners or elders wyth one of the Sendiques ſhall of their parte be diligent to enquire if in the aforeſayde adminiſtracion for the poore, there be anye lacke or neceſſitie, to the ende to deſire and admoniſhe the Seniorie to ſet order, & ſo to doe that euery thre monethes ſome of their cōpagnions with the procuratours ſhall make viſitacion in ye hoſpital to knowe if al things be well ruled.

It is neceſſarye both for the poore of the hoſpital and other of the towne whiche haue not wherwyth to helpe them ſelues, that there be a Phiſiſion and a ſurgian meete for ye ſame, mainteyned by the wages of the towne, yet neuertheles they maye practyſe throughe the towne, and notwtstanding to be bounde to haue care ouer ye hoſpital, and to viſet other that haue neede.

Concerninge the peſtilence in the hoſpitall, ye ſuche be ſeperated a part, and principally if it happen that the towne be ſcourged of god by any ſuch rod. Moreouer to eſchue begging in ye towne which is contrary to all good pollicye, it is neceſſarye and alſo we doe ordeine that the Seniori ſhall appoynte certeyne of theyr officers at theyr comminge oute of the churches from the ſermons, to take away and auoide from the place before the ſame churches, thoſe that be loyterors or thoſe that be diſſemblers & obſtinate beggers, and that they be brought before one of the lordes Sendiques, and lykewyſe at all other tymes that the dyſenars be dyligent and take hede ye this lawe for beggers be well obſerued and kepte.They vſe but one ſuertye be it man or woman childe be ſide the father being preſent.

THat baptiſme be not myniſtered but incontinent after the ſermon and onely myniſtred by the miniſters or coadiutours: and that they doe regiſter the names of the children wt their parents: and if their be founde anye baſterde, the iuſtice to be aduertiſed therof, and therin to procede according to reaſon.

Item that no ſtraunger be receiued as godfather, but thoſe that be faithfull people and of • ure communion, conſydering that others be not meete to make promyſe vnto the churche to inſtructe the infantes as it is requyred.

FOr as muche as the ſupper hath bene inſtituted by our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt to be frequented and vſed and alſo it hath bene obſerued in the primatiue chriſten churche, vntyl ſuche time as the deuill turned al vpſyde downe, ſetting vp ye Maſſe in ſted therof whiche faulte ought to be corrected, and alſo the rare celebratinge therof we haue determyned and ordeined yt it ſhalbe miniſtred fower times in the yere that is to ſaye. At Chriſtmas, Eaſter, Penticoſte, and the firſt Sondaye in the monethe of September.

Item that the myniſters diſtribute the breade in good order wt reuerence and that none other geue the cuppe but onely the Commiſſioners or Deacons with the myniſters: and for this cauſe that there be no great number of cuppes and veſſells.

Item that the table be nere vnto ye pulpytt, to the ende that the miniſter maye more commodiouſly and playnly declare the vſe therof nere vnto the table.

Item that it be not celebrated but in the churche, excepte it be in greate neceſſytie.

Item that the Sondaye before the celebracion of the ſayd ſupper, there be declaration made, to the ende that no chylde come before he haue made profeſſion of his faythe, according as ſhalbe declared in ye Catechiſme, and alſo to exhorte all ſtraungers & newe commers, to come fyrſte and preſent them ſelues vnto the churche, to be inſtructed yf nede ſhalbe, and conſequently that none approcheto his cō dempnacion.the banes muſt be pronoū ced 〈◊〉 ſondaies ſolemnely.

AFter the declaration of the banes accuſtomed, the Mariages to be made when the party ſhall require it, as well on the ſondaye as working dayes, ſo that it be done at the beginning of the ſermon.

And as concerning the abſtynence of the ſame, it ſhalbe good that onely vpon the day of the celebration of the ſupper, they abſteyne for the honour of the ſame ſacrament.

Item it ſhalbe good to bring in and vſe eccleſiaſticall ſonges or pſalmes, ye better to ſtirre ye people vnto praier and praiſe god.

Item firſt they ſhall teache their litle children, and ſo in the proces of time all the church may folowe.

Touching debate in cauſes matrimonialls, for that it is not onelye a ſpirituall cauſe, but medled with the ciuile order, the ſame to remayne to the Seniorie: neuertheles we are determyned to leaue to the conſiſtorye the charge to heare the partyes, and ſo to make reporte of ther aduyſe vnto the counſell, therin to geue Iudgement, ſo that good ordinances may be from henceforthe made and folowed accordingly.

BEcause that many be negligent to comforte them ſelues in god by his worde when they be in extremity of ſickenes, wherof it happeneth oftē tymes that many dye without admonicion or doctrine, the whiche at that tyme is moſt nedefull of all times, for this cauſe we haue ordeyned and determyned that none ſhall tarye three dayes in their bedde or • icke, but that it be made knowen to the myniſters, and that euery one ſhalbe aduertiſed to call ye myniſters, whenſoeuer they wyl haue them at a cōuenient houer, they not to with drawe them ſelues frō their office in ye whiche they ſerue in common to the churche: and to put awaye all excuſes, we haue determined that the ſame ſhalbe publiſhed, & moreouer to be geuen commaundement by proclamacion yt the parents frendes and kepers ſhal not tarie vntyll the perſon be redye to yelde vp ye ſpirite, for in ſuch extremitie the consolacion ſerueth to ſmale purpoſe for the moſt part.

MOreouer we haue ordeyned a certeyne day in the weeke, in the whyche ſhalbe made certeyne conſolacions to the priſoners, for to admoniſhe and exhorte them: & that there be one of the Seniors of ye counſell deputed to be there aſſiſtent, to the ende there be no fraude committed, and if there be anye appointed to dye by the determynacion of the coū ſell, it ſhalbe neceſſarye to call ſome certayne mynyſter to comforte the perſon, as nede ſhall require, for whē they tarye vntyll ſuche tyme as they leade them to the death, they be often tymes ſo occupied with horrour, that they be not apte to receyue or vnderſtand anye conſolacion, and this daye is ordeined the ſatterday after diner.

THe commiſſyoners aforeſayd ſhall gather them ſelues together once a weeke with the myniſters, whiche ſhalbe on the thurſdaye, to ſee if there be any diſorder in the churche, and to talke together for the remedye therof whē & how as ſhalbe moſt couenient.

Becauſe they haue no auctoritie or Iuriſdiction to compell or to conſtrayne anie, we haue aduiſed to geue them one of oure offycers to call any of thoſe perſons before theim vnto whom they wyll geue admonycion. If anye by contempte refuſe to appeare, theyr offyce ſhalbe to aduertiſe the counſell therof, to the ende to geue order therin.

THat the miniſter beinge appointed to thys offyce after he hath preached and admoniſhed the people as is aforeſaide, ſhall enquire of ye wardes and procurators of ye paryſhe both concerning the doctrine, and life of the miniſter, and likewiſe concerning his diligence and maner of teaching, deſiring them in the name of god not to ſuffer nor diſſemble anye thinge which may hinder the honour of god, the aduancement of his worde, or the welth of the commons.

Item according as he hath founde, yt he make reporte to ye cōgregaciō, to the ende that yf there be anye faute which deſerueth no greater correction then by wordes, he ſhalbe admoniſhed according to the cuſtume.

Item if he haue offended more greuouſly then ought to be ſuffered, let them procede according to the forme of ye articls afore mēſioned, yt is to ſay, the foreſaid fower deputes ſhal make the reporte vnto the Seniorie, therin to procede according to reaſon.

Item viſitacion ſhall not importe anye determinacion of cauſes or kind of Iuriſdiction, but ſhalbe onely a remedie to auoyde all offences. And aboue all, ye miniſters ſhal not ſwarue from their duety nor be corrupted.

Item this ſhall in no caſe be anye let to the courſe of Ciuill Iuſtice, nor to exempt the miniſters from ye common ſubiection: but yt they aunſwere in cyuyll cauſes as others doe before the ordynarye Iuſtyce. And alſo for crimes not to ſpare them but to punyſhe them when they haue offended and in ſume, that their ſtate may cō tynue as it is at this preſent.

This hath ben the order in the primitiue church in ye time of ye Apoſtles, and at thys daye is obſerued in the churches well reformed, according to the pure doctrine of the goſpell.

WE promiſe and ſwere before god betwene the handes of the Seniory, to choſe and name into the office of Sendiques, thoſe which we knowe to be meete and ſufficient, for the maintenance of the honour of god and the chriſtiā religiō, in this towne to guide & gouerne the people in good order and pollicye, to conſerue the liberties of the towne, and in choſinge them we ſhall haue oure reſpecte to ye publicke welth, and not to particuler affectiōs, neither for fauour nor hate, as god is oure wytnes of thys promyſe, and ſhalbe Iudge therin yf we doe the contrarye.

After that done, euery one by order ſhall name foure cittezens before the Sendiques, and ye Secretaires ſhalbe there preſent to wryte thoſe that ſhalbe named.

The frydaye folowinge they ſhall holde the counſell of the two hūdred, and after exhortaciō & praier made, the forme of their othe ſhalbe recyted all preſently holding vp their hands.

Alſo they ſhal declare eight of thoſe whych haue bene named in the election of the ſmale counſell, that is to ſaye thoſe which had the moſt voices, and vpon the ſame let them make the election of eyghte, or of the number which haue bene propoſed, or of other if it ſhall ſeme good, nameli that they be all citezens, in ſuche maner that ye election of the ſmale counſell, be as an aduertiſment withoute preiudice to the libertie of the two hundred.

The ſondaye folowing the generall counſell ſhalbe aſſembled, & there they ſhall pronounce vnto the people the election made by the two hundred ſo that oute of eight which ſhalbe preſented to the people, they ſhall choſe foure, if ſo be yt they ſhal like thē: but alwayes when it ſhall ſeme good vnto them they ſhall haue lybertie to refuſe as well all as any party.

And yf it happen that oute of that preſent nūber their ſhall not be foūde foure whom the people ſhall like, that is to ſaye by the moſte voices, yt then they procede to a newe election, for the number which hath bene refuſed: firſt by the ſmale counſell, and afterwarde by the two hundred, ſo that none be receyued but ſuche as ſhalbe approued by the people.

Item this order ſhalbe obſerued to take two to ye lower parte of ye towne and two of the vpper.

This election made and confyrmed by the people, the foure newe elected ſhall come into the towne houſe to make their othe betwine the hands of the foure aūcientes, & ſo be put in poſſeſſion of their office.

VVE promyſe and ſwere to acquite vs faythefully in the duetye of oure offyce, and fyrſte to maynteyne and defende as muche as in vs lyeth the lybertyes and ryghtes of the towne, well and trulye to miniſter y• which we ſhall haue in oure handes, to execute good and right Iuſtice, rendring to euery man that whiche ſhall apperteine to him, ſuſteyning ye good and punyſhinge the euill, wythoute fauour or hate, moreouer we promiſe to doe and obſerue that which is conteined in the office of the counſellors, god bearing vs witnes in al ye ſame to punnyſhe vs yf we doe the contrarye.

Touchinge the place for to knowe who ſhalbe the firſt or ſecond, if thoſe which they choſe haue bene before in the office, let them ſee who hath ben the fyrſte, and let hym goe before the other, and ſo euery one conſequently and after his order.

If they haue taken anye whyche haue not bene before in offyce, then to ſee howe they were in the counſell before the other, and accordynge to their aūcienty they ſhalbe placed: by the counſel, we vnderſtand as well y• threaſorers and ſecretaries as coū ſellers, and he which hath ended his yere ſhall not be choſen vntyl he haue reſted three yere.

If it happen that anye of the Sendicques die during his office, and that there reſte yet foure monethe of hys tyme, let there be another choſen as ſone as maye be: but yf the tyme be ſhorter, to let the yere paſſe withoute ſubſtituting of any other.

THe mondaie folowing, the fower newe elected Sendiques with the olde, and the threaſorer, ſhall aſſemble together with the two hundred, and after they haue made exhortacion and praier, and the othe, they ſhall recite the rowle of the yere paſt: and whom they wil haue to continue in their office: the other to be put of. Neuertheles ye fower auncient Sendiques ſhall continue withoute controuerſye, excepte they haue committed faultes worthy of reprehenſion in the time of their gouernement.

If that anye be put of by the moſte voices, there ſhalbe no other put in their places ſodenly, but the ſmale counſell whyche ſhalbe choſen, ſhall name in number double, yt is to ſay two for one, to take which ſhall ſeme good to thē, or to choſe by their iudgemēt, as hath ben ſaid of ye Sēdicques.

If it happen that anye counſellour dye, there ſhall none ſuccede hym in place vntyll the next yere, excepte it be by peſtilence, or by other inconueniences, yt ye nūber be ſo ſore diminiſhed yt the coūſell ſhalbe vnfurniſhed.

The election done, all ſhall come and make their othe before they ſet downe, principallye the newe elected as the other hath done before.

VVE promiſe and ſweare faythfully to applie and to doe all y• perteyneth to oure office, and firſte of al to doe oure diligence to conſerue and maintayne the welth honour and profite of the towne, and to come together as often and as many tymes as nede ſhalbe, to giue good and faithfull counſell touchynge that whyche ſhalbe required of vs.

Item to aduertiſe thoſe to whom it ſhall aperteine, of al yt we ſhal thinke to be to the profyte of the towne.

Item to kepe ſecret all that which hath bene ſayd and determined in the counſell, excepte it be a publike matter which ought to be publiſhed.

Item in no caſe to be preiudiciouſe vnto the honour or profite of ye towne for fauoure, or amytie, or hate, or any other carnall conſyderacyon, whatſoeuer it be.

Item not to be moued with bribes or anye ſuche practyſe whatſoeuer it be, from Iuſtice, or rightly to doe our duetie, but contrarily to breake & let with al oure power ſuch enterpriſes.

Item not to take preſents or bribes for fauour of anye, in that which concerneth oure office, nor in generall, all that maye be preſented vnto vs in the reſpecte of oure eſtate, for to make vs decline frō the fidelitie whiche we owe to ye towne, & the right which we be bounde to render to all.

Item in al cauſes yt which we ſhalbe required of, to pronounce with all right & equitie that which ſhall ſeme good vnto vs, wtoute fraud or hate to ani of ye parties, & aboue al to procure that the chriſtian religion be puerlye obſerued, and god honoured & ſerued as well in the towne as in y• teritoris of the ſame, god being witnes vnto vs in al theſe promiſes to be Iudge therin if we doe the contrarie.

Touching the appointement of all their places, y• foure aūcient Sendicques ſhalbe the firſt, and ſo orderly ye other according to ye time y• they haue bene counſellers, or in higher offices.

ITem from thre yere, to thre yere, he ſhalbe choſen with the Sendicques in like order and faſſion, moreouer when he ſhalbe choſen that he make like othe wt ye counſellers, adioyning therto this promiſe: to miniſter faithfully to the profyte of the towne, the common monye which ſhalbe delyuered into his handes, and in general to procure for the common welth as his owne proper, as wel in recouering as in keping and diſtributing.

ITem their ſhalbe two Secreataries the one ſuperior & the other inferior, whoſe office ſhalbe for no prefixed terme, but euery yere when the Sendicques ſhalbe elected, the counſell ſhal conſider if it be good that thei continue in their office. And if it ſhall ſeme good vnto them vpon good conſyderacion, to put them of, y• then they place other in their ſteade, referringe it alwayes to the Iudgement of the two hundred, the whiche maye doe as ſemeth good vnto them: & that there be ouerſeing or ſuruieng euery yere ouer this office, to make election whan nede ſhall require.

WE promyſe and ſwere to put in writing faithfully and diligently al that ſhalbe nedeful as oure office ſhal require, and alſo to trauail that by oure defaulte or negligence there come no damage neyther to the towne nor to the people.

Item not to reueale anye of ye Seacreates of ye counſel, nor declare them to any perſon excepte it be by ye ordynarie cōmaundement of the counſell.

Item to make expedicion in al that ſhalbe committed to oure charge, as well for the towne as for priuate parties, and in generall to obſerue with a good conſcience al y• apperteineth to the duety of oure offices.

ITem the ſmale counſell ſhal the next day after ye election, peruſe the roule of the yere paſt, to the ende to choſe the counſell of thre ſcore and conſequently the two hundred, continuinge thoſe whiche they ſhall thinke to be mete, putting of thoſe which ſhall ſeme good to be put of, placing other in their ſteade, to fulfill the number: moreouer to commaunde to ſwere or renewe their othe, y• forme therof ſhalbe the ſame which they of the ſmale councell doe make.

ITem that euery yere the pety coū ſel ſhal choſe foure, wherof one ſhalbe one of the Sendicques for to cō tynue (if it ſhal ſeme good vnto them) of thoſe whiche were the yere before, or others: & that done they ſhall make their reporte to the counſell of ye two hundred, the which haue ſuche lybertie to ratifie them or put them of as hath bene ſaide.

Item that euery three yere after the counſel is choſen, the petie counſel ſhall choſe theſe officers alwayes vpō this condicion y• y• election ſhalbe referred to the two hundred, to be ratified by them: and yf they doe not approue them, the petye counſell ſhall choſe newe, neuertheles the olde may continue if they ſhal ſee it good.

Touching the forme of their othe it ſhalbe ſufficient that it be general, to procure the welthe and honour of ye towne as muche as lyeth in their power, and with all paine and diligence wtout fraude or gile to exercyſe their office, as wel towardes euery perticular man as y• whole publicke ſtate.

ITem that this ſhalbe a yerely office for as muche as it ſhalbe lawefull to continue him which hath ſerued if it ſhall ſeme good, & namely it ſhalbe moſt expedient yf he be a mā meete and one that ſerueth in his office diligently, moreouer the maner of his electyon ſhalbe lyke vnto the laſte aboue ſayde.

Item being choſen he ſhalbe ſworne betwene the handes of the Seniorye as foloweth.

I Promyſe and ſwere to maynteyne and defende with all my power the honour and profite of ye commons, & diligently to watche for the conſeruacion of the rightes of the citie, as if they were myne owne proper: and to purſue thoſe to whom it ſhall apperteine, & likewiſe to recouer withoute ſupporting y• one or greuing y• other.

Item to haue an eye that no perticuler perſon doe encroche vppon the cōmunaltie, & if ani happen ſo do doe, to reueale him or purſue him according as mine office importeth.

Item to make no bargain couenaūt or agrement in anye wyſe for to dyminyſhe the profyte of the towne, nor to receyue preſentes nor bribes, for to diſſemble, nor to holde my peace whē my dutie ſhalbe to ſpeake.

THis ſhalbe an office perpetual, yet neuertheles there ſhalbe a diligent vew had euery three yere, to prouide for ye towne a newe, yf he whyche is therin be faulen into age, or longe ſickenes, or other wyſe occupied that he cannot tende to hys office: and the election to be by ye coū ſell and alſo approued by the two hū dred as is afore ſayde.

THis ſhalbe an office for terme of lyfe, and in euery quarter of the towne he ſhall choſe his perticuler captaine in the preſence of the captayne generall, and two of the counſell deputed for the ſame, and after ye election ſhallbe reported to the counſell, whyche ſhall haue auctoritie is ratifye hym.

ITem ye banderettes general ſhalbe elected as the captayne and in ſuche ſorte. Touching the other banderettes they ſhallbe choſen as the perticuler captaynes, excepte in ſteade of two counſellours it ſhalbe ſufficient that the captayne of the quarter be ther wyth their dizoners.

EVery one maye choſe him his lieutenant ſo that it be by the conſent of all their bandes in generall, excepte in the time of daunger this ſhal not be done withoute the knowledge and expreſſe permyſſyon of y• coūſell.

ITem the petye counſell hathe full power to choſe them, and to contynue them ſo longe as they doe their duetie, or other wyſe to diſpoſe them.

All ſhalbe ſworne betwene y• hands of the Sendicques in this forme, and to renewe it in time of neceſſitye.

I Promyſe & ſwere to endeuoure my ſelfe faythefully for the defence of the towne, & in no caſe to forſake it in the time of neceſſity.

Item to be continually readie and preſt to beare armes againſt the enemies, whenſoeuer I ſhalbe appointed by my ſuperiors.

Item to maintaine and kepe peace and tranquilitie amōge the burge • es and habitantes of the towne: and to ſtaye and let with al my power al ſedicion, ſtrife, fighting, or chiding.

Item to make no euell conſpiracie or enterpriſe, but the contrarie, reſiſting all thoſe which doe it, and to reueale them to my ſuperiours.

Item to ſtope all dyſſolucyons and outrages, and in generall all whiche ſhalbe contrarye to the order and pollicie of the towne.

THis offyce ſhalbe for no certeyne tyme, neuertheles it ſhalbe ouerſeen and vewed euery thre yere, to ſee if he doe well his duetye: the election ſhalbe by the counſell, the confirmacion by ye two hūdred, as is aforeſaid.

I Promiſe and ſweare to kepe faithfully all that which ſhalbe committed to me, and to render accompte therof withoute fraude.

Item to kepe euery priſoner commytted to my charge chayned or at large, as ſhalbe commaunded me.

Item in ſuch caſes as ſhalbe forbidden and not permitted that anye doe ſpeake wt a priſoner, I ſhall take ſuch diligent hede that none come at them to talke with them.

Item not to permit the priſoners to vſe any bancketts, outrages, plaieng, diſſollutneſſe, gamyng, or ſuche other vnmete things.

Item not to exacte or take aboue y• which ſhalbe due according to ye taxe.

THis ſhalbe an office perpetual,he holdeth the bible open before the iudges at the time of Iudgement. if he which be once choſen doe truly diſcharge his office, neuertheles he ſhalbe ouerſen euery thre yere, to ſee if he be meete or conuenient to contynue or be depoſed.

Item this election ſhalbe made by the petie counſell, and confirmed by y• two hundred.

THis ſhalbe an office likewiſe perpetuall as of the Saoultier, the one ſhalbe a horſe man, the other a foote man, the election ſhalbe as is aforeſayde.

ITem this office ſhalbe perpetual ſo longe as they ſhall doe their duetie, the counſel ſhall ouer ſee them, and in theyr power to contynue or dyſpoſe them.

Item it ſhall not be nedefull to ſet anye eſpeciall forme of othe, for it requireth not but fidelitie and diligence to kepe the place, in the whiche they be conſtituted, which may be briefely done by wordes.

THe power to make them or depose them, ſhalbe in the petie coū ſell, neuertheles none ſhalbe receyued withoute the reporte and witneſſe of the notaires of ye towne, concerning their ſufficiencie, wiſedome, and learning.

I Promyſe and ſweare to receyue no acte nor Inſtrument which ſhalbe to ye diſhonour or damage of y• towne, or againſt the pollicie of the ſame.

Item to couche faithefully and ſet downe by writing al ſuch actes & Inſtruments as I ſhalbe required, withoute addinge or dymyniſhing to the puritie therof.

Item to deliuer to euery one al ſuch rightes as apperteine to him, & ſhalbe in my hands.

Item not to Concele or kepe backe anye inſtruement to the preiudice of the one or fauour of the other, and alſo not to delyuer into the handes of ye partye contrarie, anye documents to defraud him which I ought to helpe: but to conſerue and kepe faithefully all actes whiche ſhalbe committed to my charge.

Item to make expedicion to all mē of that which may ſerue them according to equitie and reaſon.

The counſel haue ful power to ordeine al theſe offices, to conſtitute & ſet in thoſe which they will.

Nowe it is to be noted that to exerciſe theſe offices aforeſayde, from the petye counſell vnto the Sendicques, and ſo downe ward vnto the Saoultier, it is required yt he be a cittezen.

Item to be the lieutenant or one of the aſſiſtance.

Item for al the Captaines & banderettes generall.

Item the Controuller, Auditour of the counſell, maiſter of the monye, procurer generall maiſter of thartilery, & geoler, it ſhalbe required that he be a citezen: for the reſt it is ſufficient if he be a Burges.

As concerning that which hath ben ſayd of terme and ſpace of time, it is to be vnderſtande in this ſorte, that if it happen any faulte worthy to be puniſhed by depoſicion it ſhall alwayes be lawfull to depoſe the offender as he hath deſerued.

Moreouer the Burgeſes or citezens which ſhall refuſe to take the dignity of office or eſtate vnto the whiche he ſhalbe called or ordeyned by the Seniorie, and will in no caſe condiſſende and agree to take it, that he ſhal then be ſet to paye .xxv. Crownes for fine for hys contumacye, and conſtrayned to abſent the towne for a yere excepte he haue a lawfull excuſe wel knowen to the counſell.

THe foure Sendicques ſhalbe contynually reſident in the towne, during y• yere of their Sendicate, not ſo muche as anye of them to departe oute of the towne, to lodge oute of ye towne, not for one night, excepte he let it be knowen to ye others: & that none of them doe enterpriſe any farre iourney, to be ſixe or eighte daies abſent, wythoute the leaue of the counſell.

Item that euery daye they ſhal gather thē ſelues to gether after dinner, yt is to ſaye at one of y• clocke, to conſulte vpon that whiche ſhalbe to doe, and to put order their in, and alſo to put thoſe thinges in execution which hath been concluded by the counſell.

Item vpon the ordinarie daies that the counſel is holden, the Sendicques ſhalbe the firſt in the towne houſe▪ as wel to ſhewe good enſpāle vnto other as to deliberate together of thoſe things which they will doe.

Item if anye thinge happen which requireth the aſſemblie of the coūſel, they ſhall gather them ſelues together to doe thoſe thinges which ſhalbe nedefull.

Item in things which ſhal require their preſence in dyuers places at one tyme, they ſhal deuyde them ſelues in ſuche ſorte as eche of them maye be where it ſhalbe expedient.

Item if it happen any publike noiſe as fyre, tumulte, or other like, that ye firſte Sendicque ſhall come incontynent into the towne houſe, and ſhall cōtinue there, waiting for the newes which ſhalbe brought him, to y• ende to aſſemble the counſell from hower to hower if nede ſhalbe, or otherwyſe to diſpoſe according as neceſſitie ſhal require: and that the other thre ſhall runne haſtely vnto the place where ye dainger ſhalbe, and moreouer hauing ſeen the thing, two ſhall diſſeuer, one on the one ſyde of the towne and the other on the other ſyde, to viſyte and kepe the ſtreates, corners and ye gates if nede ſhalbe, and the thirde ſhal continue vpon the daūger, vntyll it ſhalbe apeſed, or otherwiſe.

THat euery daye when there ſhalbe no counſell, he ſhall come into the towne houſe that is to ſay at the comming from the ſermō, to ſe if there reſt anye concluſion of the coū ſell to execute, or heare thoſe plaintifes which ſhall come.

Item that he receyue the letters y• ſhalbe addreſſed to the counſel, but he ſhall not open them but in ye preſence of one of his felowes, or at y• leſt two coūſellers: but if it be a matter of haſt he ſhall cal his other compagnions to conſulte at the hower, or otherwyſe to tarie vntyll they ſhalbe aſſembled: and generally yt in al matters which are worthye to haue conſultacion at the hower he ſhall aſſemble hys compagnyons.

Item on the dayes of ye counſell incontinent after the ſermon, he ſhalbe in ye towne houſe to heare thoſe which ſhall require audience.

Item at his cōmīg forth he ſhal make aunſwere vpon thoſe thinges that be hearde, and that ye ſame daye he ſhall prouide to put in executiō that which hath ben ordeined, if they be thinges which may be executed ſo redilie.

Item that he ſhal ſigne y• mariages before they be pronoūced in ye church, inquiring diligently yf the mariage maye be made accordinge to the ordinaunces of god.

Item y• he ſhal haue y• towne ſeale in his hāds, & the charge for to ſeale.

Item he ſhalbe preſident ouer ye ſecond appellacions or ſupreame.

ITem the one ſhall ſet in the conſiſtorie, the other in the chamber of accomptes, and the thyrde ouer the firſt appellacions.

Item there ſhalbe one deputed or appointed to vilet the priſoners once a weeke, and this charge ſhalbe geuē him in the beginning of the yere by y• aduiſe of the counſell.

ITem two maye ſigne the commaū dementes ordinarie, to make paiementes for the charges paſſed by the counſell.

Item to open y• letters y• be adreſſed to the counſel as is ſaid.

ITem that whatſoeuer complainte ſhal come, eche one of y• Sendicques hath full power to cōmaunde thoſe to whom it apperteneth to be examined, and to examine them, and to impriſon them if nede ſhalbe.

Item that al diſſolutions, arroganſye, inſolences, dronkennes, and ſuch other lyke, euery one hath power to impriſō ſuch, and after make reporte to ye counſel, but he hath no power to delyuer the priſonner before he hath made reporte.

IF they take a Criminall or a malifactour, that within xxiiii. howers they ſhal commaūde the lieutenant to make him aūſwere vpō thoſe pointes of the which he ſhalbe accuſed.

Afterward he ſhalbe committed to the lieutenant, yf the caſe be that the matter may be eaſly proued, or namelye if he be alreadie proued, and that there be no difficulty, as of murther, thefte, or ſuche like, that incontinent they ſhall doe iuſtice, and at the moſt thei ſhal not kepe him aboue x. daies.

Item yf it be a matter dyffycill to proue as concerning the acte, or that it require conſultacion concerning ye ſentence, y• then a competent terme ſhalbe geuen vnto the lieutenant to bringe forth his witneſſes, according to ye place where they be: neuertheles he ſhall not haue aboue one monethe to doe it at ye moſt, althoughe he ſeke his witnes in other places.

Item yf they be in the towne or within two leagues, he ſhal haue but fyftene daies.

Item yf the criminall or malefactor demaunde to be admytted to hys Iuſtificacion, yt the coūſell ſhall haue reſpecte if it be conueniēt & according to reaſon or not.

Item if ye counſel ſhal perceiue y• he ought to be admitted, they ſhall geue him reſpit for .xxx. daies.

Item the profe knowen and the examinations & defences hearde, in caſe that they he admitted, ye Sendicques ought to order the matter ſo that the priſoner haue ſentence within .xii. daies, at ye fartheſt, albeit yt the matter require conſultacion, otherwyſe that they doe it the firſt daie.

Item the Sendicques ſhalbe iudges of all criminall cauſes beinge accompanied with the counſell, and eche of the foure in his order ſhall pronounce the ſentences, neuertheles if ther be manye ſentences to be geuen in one ſytting, there ſhalbe but one to pronounce it, but if there be one or more abſent, that thoſe which be the fyrſte ſet after them in counſell y• they take the place wt the ſtaf, e but yet thei ſhal not pronounce the ſentence.

ITem that iii. dayes in ye weeke that is to ſay Monday Tueſday and Fryday, e they ſhall come together at the ſounde of the bell withoute anye other calling: moreouer yf it ſhall happen anye extraordynarye matters, that they ſhal appeare at the hower aſſigned by ye commaūdement of ye Sendicques, by night or by daie.

Item in the ordinarye dayes from Eaſter, to Michelmas, they ſhall aſſemble at ſeauen of the clocke. And from Michelmas to Eaſter at eight of the clocke which is at the ende of the • ermon: and he that appeareth not to be aſſiſtant ſhall paie.

Item in matters of greate importaunce and which require ye preſence of the whole coūſell, the Sendicques ſhall commaunde to ſeke the counſell by ye othe which they owe to ye towne, but thys ſhal not be done but by good diſcreacyon.

Item whoſoeuer ſhalbe called vpon his othe & appeareth not, he ſhall pay a fyne of fyue florence, excepte he haue a lawful excuſe, for ye whiche he ſhalbe ſworne if he wyll haue hys excuſe receiued, & moreouer y• he doe ſignifie in his owne perſon or his wyfe.

Item ye none ſhal depart before yt the coūſel be ended wtoute aſking leaue.

Item whoſoeuer ſhall depart withoute the leaue of the counſell, and beinge called agayne by the Saoultier, at the commaundement of the fyrſte Sendicque, yf he come not, he ſhall be put to a fyne fyue Florens, and three dayes impryſonment.

Item after the praie • be made none ſhal ſpeake but in his order,All their counſells beginne with praier and if many ſpeake at once, the firſt Sendicque ſhall impoſe Sylence, the ſylence impoſed if their be any that ceaſeth not, he ſhalbe put to a fine of v. ſhil.

Item that euery one ſhall kepe his place to auoide confuſion.

Item y• noe man be ſo hardye to propoſe any thīg of his own heade but he ſhal reueale the ſame to the firſt Sendicque before the counſell be ſet, that the Sendicque may propoſe it, neuertheles yf it ſeme good vnto hym, he may commaunde the other to declare it more at large the better to informe the counſell.

Item yf it happen that anye haue aduertyſement after the counſeyll be ſet, of anye thynge perteyninge to the common welthe, that then beinge entred into the houſe he ſhall aduertiſe the firſt Sendicque a parte.

Item that none ſhall reueale that whyche is intreated of or decreed in ſecreate in their counſeyll vpon paine to be depoſed, and for euer to be vnable for that eſtate: moreouer according to the weighte of the caſe, to be puniſhed by the aduyſe of ye coū ſell eyther by a fine of mouer or open penāce, or els by corporall puniſhement, but yf it appeare that he hath done it to ſtoppe the courſe of Iuſtyce it ſhalbe open penance, if it haue bene to greue the common welth it ſhalbe payne corporall.

Item if any of them haue ought to propoſe of his owne caſe he ſhal let it be writen, or otherwyſe he ſhall tarye vntyll they haue diſpatched the preſent thinges.

Item that none ſwere or curſe as to name the deuyl wtin y• coūſell vpon ye paine of v. ſhil. and if he contynue after he hath ben corrected ſōdrie times then to be depoſed.

Item y• none ſhal blaſpheme god vp on ye paine to crie god mercy ſolemynly, that is wt a torche burning in hys hand, and to be put in priſon, & if he doe it often tymes to be depoſed and puniſhed more rigorouſly.

Item y• none reproche or myſname any other, nor to enter into any contenſſion or chiding, or brauling, that they ſpeake no contumelious wordes or diſhoneſtie, but that eche one telling his opinion ſhal ſpeake wt al modeſtye withoute charging the other or ſpeaking againſt their honour, vpon the paine of v. ſhill. & if he be accuſtumed ſo to do, after certeyne admonicions, and no amendemēt had, to be depoſed from the counſel.

Item if any doe charge another wt a crime, he ſhalbe bounde to proue it otherwyſe to crye him mercy: and to be depoſed from ye counſel the reſt of ye yere, and he whiche hath ben charged ſhal haue his action.

Item this order ſhalbe kept as wel for ye coūſel of ſixtie as in general of ye two hūdred, for ye auoiding of confuſion, & y• al thinges may be the better obſerued, they ſhal rede yt which is paſſed euery yere as wel in ye firſte coūſel holdē after ye electiō, as alſo of ye two hūdred, & then al ſhal ſwere to kepe it.

Item ye nothynge ſhalbe ſet forth amonge ye two hundred before it hath bene treated of by ye petye coūſel, neither in the generall counſell before it hath ben treated of before, as wel of ye two hundred as of the petye counſel.

ITem that euery one in hys owne proper cauſe ſhall retyre hym ſelfe before he be commaunded, and yf he doe it not they ſhall compell hym to doe it.

Item in that whiche apperteyneth to his, and not to his owne perſon, as in ciuill cauſes, the father ſhall not be preſent when the cauſe of hys ſonne ſhalbe denounced, neither brother nor vncle: moreouer if anye wil not retire him ſelfe of his owne good wil, to be admoniſhed by the counſell.

Item in Criminall cauſes none ſhal tarye in the affaires of his parent or of his Cooſyn yſſued from his coſyn germayne, but ſhalbe excluded.

Item in all cauſes which ſhal ſeme good to the counſell to exclude anye, immediatly they ſhall depart.

THe threaſorer ſhalbe preſent eueri day in ye counſell vpō paine aforeſaid, and haue his voice as the other.

Item that he ſhall kepe ſecreate y• which ſhalbe ſayd or done in the coū ſell, vpon the ſame paine that is ſet vpon the counſellers.

Item to receiue all the commō money as well of the ordinarye reuenue, as the paynes of fines or other extraordinarye ſommes.

Item that he ſhall demaunde and receiue in due time and alſo yelde accompte of that which ſhalbe due, eyther by fermers, perticuler receyuers, or paines fines or reuenewes, as of al ather things, ſo that the towne haue no lacke by negligence.

Item if he cannot be payde with a good will, he ſhall conſtreyne the detters by impriſonment withoute anye further delaye.

Item he ſhall delyuer no money to anie perſon but by commaundement, and hauing receiued commaundemēt he ſhall not delaye the tyme, ſo that there comme anye complaynte agaynſt him.

Item he ſhall render accomptes euery ſyxte monethe in the chamber of accomptes, & not to dyfferre ye time aboue ſixe wekes ouer his terme.

Item in rendering of his accompts he ſhall ſhewe howe he receyued it, wt what modiaciō, Acte, or Ordinaunce, or by what vertue he hath receiued it.

Item concerning the things receyued or paied, he ſhal ſhewe forthe the commaundementes with ye quittances vpon euery article.

Item y• the accomptes may appeare more cleare, he ſhall ſet them downe in forme of a regiſter.

When he ſhalbe depoſed frō his office he ſhall render the accomptes wt in thre monethes: and if he be founde debitour, he ſhall render the remainder within ſixe wekes, or otherwyſe he ſhalbe kept in priſon vnto the laſt ende of the paiment.

ITem they both ſhalbe continually in the counſell, excepte he haue a lawefull excuſe: alſo they ſhall kepe ſecreate that which ſhalbe done in the counſell.

Item they ſhall not make oute or delyuer to anye perſon the copye of any act which ought to be kept ſecreate, nor to reueale anye thynge without the knowledge of the Seniors: he that doth the contrary ſhalbe puniſhed as is aforeſayde.

Item he ſhall haue two Regiſters, the one for the publike affaires, or in any poynte touching the comminaltie, the other for perticuler men, whiche appertayne not to the towne.

Item, the fyrſte Secreatarye ſhall wryte the fyrſte Regiſter of thoſe thynges holden in the counſell, the other ſhall haue that whiche appertayneth to perticuler affayres.

Not withſtandynge the one ſhall wryte yf nede be, & read the letters, inſtrumentes and actes, that the other ſhall make, to the end that there be no delay.

Item, that eche of them in his office ſhall make diſpatche of the matters whiche his Regiſter importeth, neuertheleſſe, the fyrſte onelye ſhall haue the charge to ſigne all thynges when they ſhalbe preſent.

Of the other part, when there ſhal be publike matters to diſpatche of great importaunce, as inſtructions, and ſuch lyke, the firſt ſhall comunicate with his companion, the one to vſe the others counſell.

But in the abſence of the one, the other ſhall haue the whole charge, & the ſeconde ſhall doe the office of the fyrſte.

Item, there ſhalbe a Regiſter apart for the letters miſſiues, and ſhal continue in the Secretaries place or cloſet, the whiche ſhalbe cōmon to them both according to the neceſſitie.

Item, a Regiſter aparte for cauſes criminalls.

Item, a Regiſter for cauſes of mariages.

Item, a Regiſter wherin ſhalbe enrouled the officers from the fyrſt day of their office to the laſt.

Item, another to kepe in order the ſtatutes & proclamatiōs, which ſhalbe made accordīg to ye neceſſitie of time.

Item, a Regiſter of the cōmaundements wt ſhalbe made for the diſburſing of any monei, to ye ende y• the rendring of the acomptes maye appeare more cleare, and be better verified.

Item, another Regiſter, wherein ſhalbe drawen al the actes which import the recoueryng of money for the communaltie, as of fynes, and other profittes.

Item, that all informacions ſhall be locked in a cheſte or cloſet, of the whiche the firſt Secretarye ſhall haue the kaye, and in his abſence the ſeconde, of the which thei ſhal render accompte: and that thei may be found when nede ſhalbe, eche of them ſhall haue a marke by number, and in another coffer there ſhalbe an Inuentorie marked, all the proces concluded & finiſhed, ſhalbe brought into another place.

Item, they ſhall make diligent diſpatche aſwel for y• perticuler matters as common, and that nothynge ſhall be left vndone, thei both ſhall comme together after dinner, at the ſame houre that the Sindicques aſſemble, alſo at ſixe of the clocke in the mornynge.

Item, they ſhal diſtribute equallye together all the profittes.

ITEM, that three dayes in y• weke that is to ſay Tewſday, Thurſday and Saterdaye, they ſhall aſſemble them ſelues together bothe mornyng and euenyng, to doe that theyr office requireth.

Item, they ſhall put in writynge all maner of Inſtrumentes, and obligacions in order, and ſet thē downe in Inuentorie, to the ende that nothing be loſte but be founde eaſely.

Item, they ſhall haue an officer conuenient appoynted to ſeeke partyes when nede ſhalbe.

Item, that withoute exception of perſon, they ſhall doe theyr dutie to all men, to cauſe them to paye theyr duetye.

Item, when any refuſeth to paye, or denieth the debt, or alledgeth anye excuſe, which ſemeth to them inſufficient, they ſhall make report thereof to the counſell within eyghte dayes folowinge.

Item, if by fauoure or frendſhippe they ſpare anye man, they ſhalbe punyſhed vpon their wages, for that whiche is paſte, and to be bounde for the dette and charged therewith.

Item, to declare that they do truely diſcharge this office, euery .iii. monethes thei ſhal preſent a roule of inuentorie of dettes and obligations, whiche they ſhall fynde, to cauſe the partyes to appeare wyth diligence, and thoſe wyth dilyueraunce of their Regiſter to conferre with the ſame if nede ſhall requier.

Alſo concerning the profites of the towne, they ſhall not concelethe perticulers of their rightes, but when the Regiſters of the town may ſerue, they ſhall communicate wyth them to make out copyes, when neede ſhal requier.

Item, they ſhall note all the rights apperteyninge to the towne, as rentes, reuenues, or cauſes, whiche bee not paied, and after ſhal make report to the counſell to the ende to ioyne them to the ordinarye inuētorie, and that vpon payne aforeſayde.

Item thei ſhal reuiſite the comptes of the Treaſurour incontinent after thei ſhalbe preſented to them, & cloſe them vp without delay, but if thei do not bring them in by the time appointed, that to is ſaye at the ende of ſixe monethes, they ſhall procure them, and not ſuffer them to paſſe the time appointed.

HE ſhal not paſſe one yere withoute viſiting all the buyldings apperteyning to y• towne, but when he ſhalbe aduertiſed by the inhabitauntes that there is neceſſitie of reparaciō, that withoute longe delaie of time he ſhall come vpon the place to ſee what lacketh, and to ſet order therin: but if it happen anye inconuenyence by hys neglygence after he hathe bene aduertyſed, that then he ſhall aunſwere.

Item in all buildinges where as is no habitacion, as temples brydges, & other lyke, he ſhalbe dilygent to ouerſee them wtout aduertiſemēt of other.

Item he ſhall prouide and take order that nothing periſhe or decaye for faulte of reparacions.

Item he ſhal haue a regiſter conuenient to note all the daye workes of maſſons, and carpenters, and that he fayle not but to aſſygne the acquittance of the threaſorer when he ſhalbe therof certified.

Item wherſoeuer there ſhalbe maſſons carpenters or other workemen, he ſhall not fayle to haue an eye to them, to knowe yf they doe their duetye faythefully.

HE ſhall kepe warely the keies and not to deliuer them into y• handes of anye other, nor put anye in truſt withoute expreſſe commaundement of the counſell, and yf there happen anye defaulte, he ſhall aunſwere therto.

Item he ſhalbe diligent to kepe nete and cleane and in good pointe the artillerie, readie for to ſerue at y• hower if nede ſhal require.

Item he ſhalbe dilygent and take hede in making cleane, that nothing be put oute of order.

Item, he ſhall take hede that there be no diſceyte, for the whiche cauſe he ſhalbe contynually preſent, and after he ſhall reuiſyte and ſee that there be no inconueniencie.

Item, he ſhall neyther charge nor diſcharge any peace but in neceſſitie, excepte it be by expreſſe commaundement from the Seniors, and that this be obſerued in all the bulwarkes.

Item he ſhall kepe the pouder well lockyd, ſo that no inconuenience happen, vpon paine to aunſwere it, yf it be his faulte.

Item whē nede ſhalbe to ſet abrode the artillerie, his office is to do it by the commaundement of ye Seniors.

HE ſhalbe aſſiſtant in ye courte of ye lieutenant in ye time of pleading, to knowe & vnderſtande yf there be anye cauſe or intereſt for ye towne, and there after to forme his concluſions, & this to be done, audience ſhalbe geuen him, and the lieutenant ſhal demaūde if there be any thing to be ſaid which ſemeth to be medled wt ye common intereſt, before he end his cauſes.

Item, in al cauſes which perteyne to ye welth or profite of ye towne, & to the conſeruaciō of ye cōmen weale, he ſhal inſtātly purſue it as a good proctor of ye cōmon welth, & namely in criminal cauſes he ſhalbe ioined wt ye lieutenāt.

Item, in ye faulte of parents & frends he ſhal ſolicite & purſue to make gardens, or ouerſeers for pupilles & orfelings, or to depoſe thoſe whiche be if nede ſhall requyre.

Item he ſhalbe a party to demaunde & call vpō all fines in the name of the towne, of al thoſe wt offended: neuertheles he ſhal receiue none, nor it ſhal not be lawefull for him to make anye pacte, or apointe anye man hys payement, and thoſe whiche be condempned in any payement he ſhall ſignifie to the threſorer euery weke, that he maye recouer it.

Item he ſhal ſpare no maner of perſon in ſuche caſes vpon paine to paye the ſumme him ſelfe, neuertheles he ſhall not moleſt anye man to brynge hym before the Iuſtyce excepte he be well furniſhed with proues.

Item he ſhall take payne & doe hys diligence to knowe thoſe which holde ought of the towne, as lands, poſſeſſiōs, medowes, houſes, or whiche we holdeth anye thinge from the towne, to aduertyſe the audytors of the accomptes therin.

Item when there ſhalbe anye buylding in the towne he ſhal haue reſpect that they enterpriſe not nor incroche vpon the ſtrete, but he ſhall endeuer him ſelfe to let it, vntil it be determined by Iuſtice.

Item yf anye houſe be ruynate or faulen downe, ſo that the towne be therby deformed, he ſhall purſue him whyche oweth the place vntyll they haue buylded or forſaken the ſame.

Likewiſe if there be daūger of any houſe to decaye or faulen in ruyne wt the common altie hath intereſt in, he ſhall make pacte wyth the owner to ſhore it or repaire it..

Item, he ſhall ſuffer no houſe to be ſhorde vpon the ſtrete to let the common paſſage, excepte it be for a tyme mete to repaire the ſame, but howſoeuer it be it ſhall not paſſe eighte monethes, but yf he be negligent and by fauour of anye, diſſemble the time he ſhalbe put to fyne.

Item, he ſhall haue the ouerſighte of the breade, which the bakers put to ſale, whether it be of iuſt waight or not, and this ſhal he doe euery weke. And where he findeth defaulte, he ſhal procede informe as foloweth, that is to ſaye if he finde breade whiche hath not his iuſt marke and waight according to the pryce of ye corne, that was the ſaterdaye before, he ſhall leuye v. ſhil. for fine: of the which ye halfe ſhal be geuen to the towne, and the threſorer to receyue it, the other to ye ſayd proctor: & moreouer ye bread ſhalbe cōfiſcate to the profyte of the hoſpital, & this for the fyrſt time.

For the ſeconde time .xx. ſhil. for a fine, and confiſcacion of the breade to be applied as is aforeſaid.

For the thirde tyme .lx. ſhill. for a fyne, and confiſcacion of the bread as is aforeſayde.

For the fourth tyme tenne florence to be diſtributed as is ſayde, and the offe • der to be depriued of his occupacion, and his ouen raced.

Item, he ſhall make an Inuentorie of all the mouables, confiſcacions, & goodes, where the Iuſtice hath layed hande vpon, to the profyte of ye town and make reporte to the counſell.

Item, he ſhal take hede of ye houſes apperteining to the towne ye none vſurpe vpō them by any perticuler. Alſo he ſhal let them to the profite of the commonaltie, neuertheles he ſhal let none: but by his aduertiſmēt, ye threaſorer ſhal ſee if it be vnder .x florens, & for ye ſpace of one yere, or whether it be longer terme, or higher price, y• he doe according to ye cuſtome of the towne.

ITEM, euerye porter ſhal ſhut his gate at the ſound of the bel, & ſhal not open it before ye hower appointed, be it morning or euening.

Item if any deſyre to come in, after the gate be ſhut he ſhall not open vnto him withoute licence, excepte the paſſage for ye poſtes, and yet they ſhal not open vnto them excepte ye watche be there preſent for feare of daunger.

Item in ſpecial neceſſitie as in time of peſtilence, the porter ſhall let oute the ſicke or deade as he ſhal haue commaundement, to open to him whiche ſhalbe admytted for the purpoſe.

Item that euery one ſhalbe diligēt to kepe his keies, ſo that there happen no inconueniences by his negligence, but that he ſhall aunſwere it.

Item none ſhall commyte anye other in his place wtoute aſking leaue of y• firſt Sendicque, or in his abſence one of his companions.

Item in the time of vproare▪ fier, or ſuche accidentes, they ſhall abyde by their gates, and not to depart thence except he haue expreſſe cōmaūdemēt.

Item, in ſuſpicious times the porter with the gardes ſhall ſhutt ye gate incontinent after the watch hath geuen them a ſigne, ſuch as hath ben before declared vnto them.

Item, the gardes of y• towers ſhall not faile but to lye eche of them in his tower, and he ſhall not bring in anye multytude of people wythoute leaue or commaundement.

Item in their abſence they ſhal put none other in, except they haue liſēce.

Item he that kepeth the bulwarke of the market place ſhal haue the keie of the cheyne of the lake, to ſhutte vp the paſſage of the botes, and open it in the morninge.

ITEM, the watche men ſhalbe nighte and daye in the ſteples, of Sayncte Peter and Sayncte Iarueis, and ſhalbe dilygent to eſpie within and withoute.

Item, if it happen anye fyer in the towne, that he whiche is nereſt ſhall crye with a loude voyce to the nexte houſes withoute ſounding his bell.

Item, in ſuſpecte tymes eche ſhall haue a bell and a banner, and if he ſee any great troupe of men he ſhal ſoūd his bell and and put his banner that waye that they be, to the ende that y• porters may be vpō their gardes, and if nede ſhalbe to ſhute the gates.

THE teuſdaie before ye ſondaye after S. Martyne, ye petye coū ſell ſhal aſſemble to make the election of the Lieutenant &: to haue a good beginning, the firſt Sendicque ſhall exhorte the company to pray vnto god, that he wyll direct their waies and hartes, o choſe mē of a good conſcience, louing equitie, & trueth, men of prudence, and knowledge, to iudge rightfully, and after the prayer made they all ſhalbe ſworne in order, in forme folowing.

We promyſe and ſwere before god to choſe & name into this office thoſe which we thinke to be meete and ſufficient for the mayntenaunce of y• honour of god in this towne, and to render right to all withoute accepting of perſon, and in choſing we ſhall haue reſpecte vnto the common welth and tonoe perticuler affection, neyther for fauoure nor hate as god bearethe vs witnes in this promyſe, therin to be iudged if we doe the contrarie.

After this eche ſhall name before ye Sendicques, the Secreataries beyng preſent, to wryte their voyces: ye Fridaye folowinge in the counſell of the two hundred after prayer made, ye declaration and the othe, they ſhall propoſe thoſe two which haue ben choſen by the greateſt part, & vpō that ye two hundred ſhall procede in their electyō, taking if it ſeme good to them one of the two, or els another thirde, ſo that the fyrſte electyon be as an aduertyſement withoute preiudice to the libertie of the ſeconde.

The ſonday folowing, the general counſell ſhalbe aſſembled, there they ſhal pronounce to the people the election made by ye two hūdred, to knowe yf ye people be agreeable to haue him, if the people accepte hym whyche is choſen, then the election is fyrme, and ſhall continue, but if they refuſe hym they ſhal procede to a newe electyon, firſt by the petie counſell, after by the two hūdred, ſo that none be in the offyce except he be cōfirmed & approued by the people or by the greateſt voice.

TOVCHING the Aſſiſtaunce two ſhall continue in their office the ſeconde yere, ſo y• euery yere they ſhall make but two newe in the place of thoſe two which haue ſerued two yere, neuertheles the laſt electiō ſhalbe by the two hundred, withoute comming to the people: and the ſame daye the lieutenant wt his foure adiutors (as well ye auncients which were of ye yere paſt as ye newe elected) ſhall come into ye towne houſe to be ſworne before the Sendicques & the councel, and to be put in poſſeſſion.

THE two auncients ſhall goe before the other, but as well y• auncients as the newe amonge themſelues, ſhall goe according to their degre and dignitye of office in ye which they haue bene.

THE petye counſell ſhall choſe them, to preſent them to the two hundred which haue authority to ratifye the electiō or to make another withoute prolonging the tyme: and the office ſhalbe thre yere at the leaſt excepte there happen death or a notable fault, enot wythſtandynge in the tearme of thre yere there ſhalbe made a ſurueie, & the office peruſed if they ought to contynue therin: before they ſhall enter into ye poſſeſſion they ſhall make an othe before the counſell in maner folowing.

WE promiſe and ſwere to receyue no acte nor inſtrumente to the dyſhonour or damage of the towne, or againſt the polycye of the ſame.

Item, to couche faithfully by writyng and to regiſter all ſuche actes and inſtrumentes, as pertaine vnto our office, and to conſerue that we haue made, to diſtribute in tyme and place, accordynge to the order of Iuſtice.

Item, not to reueale ought to any party to the preiudice of another, or ſtoppe the courſe of the right.

Item, not to defraude any eyther of Acte or inſtrument which may helpe them or further them by reaſon.

Item, to make expedicion of all actes and copies, which we be bound to delyuer, without delaying the one to further the other.

Item, not to eracte or take greater wages than to vs is due by the order of the taxe.

HE that fayleth to be there in the tyme aforeſayde, ſhalbe depriued from ſuche profyttes as ſhal fall or chaunce that daye, and if he haue not a lawful excuſe, to pay two ſhillings for amende, and if it be one of the Aſſiſtauntes to paye double, and the Secretarye ſhall note theyr faultes faithfully, to render the role to the receyuer of the fynes.

YF there bee no excuſe broughte forth, and the action be ordinary, for debte, or other cauſe, none reſerued, as ſhalbe ſayd here after, and if betwene two Burgeſes: the demaunder ſhall make aſſignation thryſe before he obteyne the default.

If then he doe not appeare, & there be no excuſe broughte forthe, letters ſhalbe geuen out to leauye vpon hys goods, vnto the furniture of y• ſūme whiche the cauſe amounteth: but yf he do not delyuer gage into the hands of the Sargeant, or if he haue not ſufficiente in his houſe for to gage the ſayde ſumme, then for defaulte of goods they ſhal take his perſon, and make hym priſoner, neuertheſſe in caſe y• he ſuffer hys houſe to be ſearched and thei take ſuch as thei finde, they ſhall not take him out to putte him in priſō, but if he abſent him ſelf willingly, incontynent there ſhalbe execution againſt him: but yf he haue withſtande the officer, the Sargeant ſhall bringe him the next daye before the lieutenant there to paye all e • epences, aſſignations, letters, and execuſions of the ſame, other wyſe he ſhall procede, whatſoeuer matter to the contrary notwithſtanding.

But if the defendant after he hath bene put backe againe, doe not appeare to the firſte aſſignation, then letters ſhall be graunted to the demaundaunt, to adiorne him peaceablye, to the whiche yf he obey not, there ſhalbe graūted proceſſe againſt him to take his bodie, and put hym in priſon, to the ende of the pa • ment.

If it be a ſtranger which aſſigneth a Burgeſe, then to procede more ſpedily, he ſhall demaunde yf it ſemeth him good, and ſhall haue a iournement frō the lieutenaunt: but if the Burgeſe wyll not appeare vpon the day in which he is aſſigned, then default ſhalbe decreed againſt him, and immediatlye letters of execution to gage it in his goods, or to take hys perſon for faulte of goods, but yf he haue lawful excuſe, either by abſence or by ſickenes, it muſt be declared in the firſt aſſignation.

Contrarywyſe if ye demaunder appeare not, the defendour ſhal obteine againſt him default, and ſhalbe freely at lybertye from his aſſignation.

Item, none ſhall be releued from his faulte, excepte he come before the courte be ryſen, ſo y• he come in tyme to anſwere to his aſſignation, & preſent him ſelfe before the Iudge, and that before he be ryſen, vnto the end that this be no occaſion to prolonge the cauſes: before they be vp, he ſhall ſwere y• he doth it not to delaye or to make fruſtrate his demaunder, but that he is come as ſoone as he could.

But in ſuche caſe yf the tyme wyll ſerue, he ſhall be called agayne, neuertheleſſe yf the demaunder be not there preſent in hys owne perſonne or Proctour for him, that thys callynge ſhall not tourne to be preiudiciall to put him to defaulte, but onelye for a lette, that he ſhall not leuye lettes of execution agaynſt hys partie: moreouer, none ſhall be receyued twyſe to pleade ſuch excuſe, but ſuch a relyfe ſhalbe onely for one tyme.

INcontinent after that the terme for the probation ſhalbe geuen, the partye which ought to bring furth witneſſe, ſhall doe his diligence to call them, that the examination may be made in tyme and that the adiornement be made with expreſſe denomination that it is in caſe of witnes.

If it happen, that he whiche they demaunde for witnes, bee abſent or ſicke, that his wyfe or one of his ſhal come and excuſe hym wyth an othe, as hath bene ſayde.

If he appeare not, or there bee no excuſe at the firſt aſſignation, he ſhal be aſſigned the ſeconde tyme, and yf yet he make defaulte, then letters of compulſion ſhall bee graunted to the partye, to conſtrayne hym to comme before the tyme be expired, vp on the payne of gage or impriſonment: and if he ſuffer to bee gaged, they ſhall take as muche of his goods as the principall of the cauſe maye amounte.

But if he be ſicke, there ſhalbe deputed one of the aſſiſtaunce, to goe and examine him in his houſe, & the aduerſe partye ſhalbe called thyther to ſee him ſworne, as if he were in the courte.

ITEM, folowynge our auncient cuſtome, the pleding ſhalbe holden in the common language of the countrey, and not in Latyne: but for to auoyde all exceſſe of expences, as prolonging and troubling of ye parties, folowing our auncient cuſtome, that all cauſes which amount not aboue fyue Florence ſhall be diſpatched wyth the greateſt expedicion that maye be, withoute writynge, but onely by wordes, as well the propoſitions, and anſweres of the partyes, as the proues and witneſſes.

Item, to auoyde all vaine delayes that in cauſes whiche exceade not aboue ten Florence, the principal ſentence that is geuen by the lieutenant and his aſſiſtauntes ſhal ſtande for the laſt, without appellation: but for the other of hygher ſummes, it ſhalbe lawfull to appeale, that is to be vnderſtande onely for debte, & not for cauſe of rentes.

Item, that all ſentences not paſſing ten Florences, ſhalbe geuen by mouth onely, and in general, all ſentēces interlocutoris ſhalbe vnwrittē but the Secretary to put them in his regiſter.

TOVCHYNG the cauſes whiche ought to be diſpatched without wryting as is ſayd, that the demaundant by him ſelfe, or by his Proctor, ſhall make redilye at ye firſte his trew demaunde, at the firſt aſſignatiō, namely y• the aduerſe partie be there to anſwere lyke wiſe, & the defendour ſhal anſwere redily & directly, either affirming or deniyng, proteſtīg the cauſe if it be his owne proper act, if it be the cauſe of another (for the whiche neuertheles he is bounde) he ſhall haue delaye for two dayes onely, to giue informacion, yf the other bee in the towne: but if he bee without, he ſhall haue competent terme, according to the place where he is.

If it be nedeful to be proued, and ye he will proue his intenſion by inſtrument or by wrytyng, he ſhall bringe it out incontinent, & thus doinge he ſhal not come without furniture: if it be for witneſſes, he ſhall haue terme cōpetent, hauing reſpect to the place where they be.

TOVCHING other cauſes that excede fyue Florence, if the demaunde be certeyne, as a debt proued by obligation, byll, or ſuch other debt, where it is not nede to haue a byll in wryting, the demaund ſhall be made by worde, wt the profe of the obligation, bill, or other inſtrument, to ende the cauſe briefelye, in ſuche forme as hath bene ſayde.

If the cauſe be ſuch, that it requier the demaunde to be put in wryting, as when there be manye reaſons to alledge, and that the deduction be • longe and difficill, than the demaunder the firſte daye of his aſſignation ſhall bringe furthe his demaunde by wrytinge, and ſhall haue a copye of the ſame readie to communicate wt his aduerſe partie, and ye to be done at the coſtes of the demaunder according to the taxe of charges.

For to anſwere, the defender ſhall not haue aboue eyght dayes reſpite, and then to anſwere, denying or affirming the declaration of the cauſe: after ye defender hath anſwered, & the cauſe declared, yf the plaintyue wyl ſet hys cauſe by articles, to come to probation, as the day of his conteſtation, he ſhall haue eyghte dayes to doe the ſame, and then yf he haue righte eyther by wrytinge or inſtrumente for to ſerue hys purpoſe, he ſhall bringe them furthe, and declare them with his articles.

Thys done, the Defender ſhall haue eyghte dayes to anſwere vpon the articles and no more.

If the probation lye in wytnes, after the Defender haue aunſwered, the demaunder ſhall haue yet eyghte dayes terme to bring furthe his witneſſes, if thei be in the towne, if they be withoute, he ſhall haue a competent terme to bryng thē, or examine them vpon the place, by the vertue requiſitorie, ſo that eyghte dayes after the terme geuen, the witneſſes ſhalbe publiſhed, ſo that ordinarilye they ſhall haue but fiftene dayes.

This oughte ſo to be vnderſtand, that after the beginning of y• terme, ye ſayd party ſhal one certen day cauſe his witneſſes to bee ſworne againſt the daye of his publication excluſiuely, neuertheleſſe callyng his aduerſe partie as right and reaſon requireth.

Item, in the daye of the publication yf the parties pretend to propoſe any obligation or ſedule to declare their facte or righte, they ſhall haue eyght dayes delay to do it.

IN caſe that the Defender in his anſwere vſe exception, the whiche requireth profe, as yf he alegeth payment, or ſuche lyke thynge, that the ſame terme ſhall be geuen him, as hathe ben ſayd of the Demaunder.

Item, vpon the exceptions whiche ſhalbe made, there ſhalbe one replication, and it ſhall not be permittted to ye defender to reioyn againſt him, nor ye Plaintyue to ſurreioynder, neuertheleſſe, it ſhalbe lawefull as the matter ſhall require, to oppoſe diuers exceptions in one cauſe, accordyng to the diuerſitie of the proues, or demaundes, ſo that one of the exceptions let not another.

IN cauſes which mounte not aboue fyue Florence the principall, and all other which be eaſye, and nede no longe conſultacion, as yf Iudgement maye be geuen vpon an obligation or other certayne proues: the Lieutenant and his Aſſiſtaunts ſhal not take aboue eyghte dayes terme at the moſte.

Item, in cauſes of greate importaunce, whiche requireth further repecte, and ſpeciallye require conſultation, they ſhall take ſuch terme, as they thinke by their iudgement to be neceſſarye, neuertheleſſe ſo ſtanding continuallye for briefnes, as muche as in them is poſſible, ſo that for the moſte higheſt terme, they ſhall not paſſe aboue a moneth.

THAT thys order ſhall ſerue to diſpatche al proceſſes in the briefeſt maner that maye bee, to auoyde all prolongings and delayes, ſo that in cauſes of great importance the whiche ſhalbe broughte by wrytinges, althoughe there be acception of the partie Defender, a proces ſhal not continue aboue foure monethes and an halfe, but ſhalbe alwayes ended and finiſhed in the ſayde terme, namelye that they bee conſtrained to ſeeke theyr wytneſſes oute of the towne, for in ſuche caſe they muſte ioyne to it ſuch tymes as is ordeined to call them as hath bene ſayde, and ſo the terme ſhalbe ſo manye dayes prolonged.

THERE ſhalbe two Feries in the yere, in the which the cauſes and ſute ſhal ſeaſe: that is to ſay, in corne harueſt and wyne harueſt, the which ſhal dure eche one a moneth.

For the beginning there is no certayne tyme to continewe, but they ſhall ordeyne it accordynge as the yere and ſeaſon wyll beare, ſo in the ende of the moneth of May, the Lieutenaunt with his aſſiſtauntes, ſhall conſulte when corne maye bee rype, and there after the daye ſhall be appointed, the whiche ſhalbe publiſhed in the courte the weke before, and in the wyne harueſt the like to be done.

The reſte of the yere, there ſhalbe no nother vacations to ſtoppe the courſe of the audientes, except there happen ſome neceſſitie extraordinarie in the towne, for the whiche the coūſel ſhal ordein according to reaſō.

Moreouer, concerninge the examination of the witneſſes, as hath bene ſaid, thei may chaunge the dayes, as the Sonday ought to be exempt, and lykewiſe other actes iudiciall, as to adiorne, to leuy goods, & ſuche lyke.

Now, alſo becauſe the feries maye come often before one proces maye be ended, as hath bene ſayd of times and delayes in the terme, whyle the cauſes ſhall duer, that is to be vnderſtande by this exception, that the feries ſhall not be compriſed in ye ſame tyme of delay.

TOVCHYNG cauſes, whyche maye not ſuffer delaye, as matters of prouiſion of fruites hanginge or ſtanding on the grounde, & ſuche lyke, becauſe it is needefull to prouyde more briefely, it ſhalbe ſayd in the place and order of eche one.

THAT no Iudge ſhalbe holden ſuſpecte excepte he be refuſed of one of the parties, but in caſe the partyes conſent both to haue hym, he ſhall not refuſe to doe his office.

Item, it ſhall not be lawefull to refuſe wythout allegacion of the cauſe, and to be knowen to the reſte of the bench, and he that wyll refuſe ſhalbe hearde vpon his reaſons.

Afterwardes the Iourney ſhalbe taxed by the proctor, and leuied vpon ye goodes confiſcate of the malefactor.

Neuertheles they ſhall take nothīg vntil ye ende, then if ye partie be foūde culpable, or haue wherwith to ſatyſfie, it ſhalbe diſbourſed.

For other inſtrumentes, whiche be alſo made by the notaryes, it ſhalbe ſaide in the taxe common.

FOR the execuſion of hys letters & for default or contumaſye as hath bene ſayde, he hathe aucthorytye to impriſon.

Item for the tranſgreſſion of cryes or proclamations, in caſe that the offender deſerue punniſhement, for the lieutenaunt is the executour of proclamacions.

Item at the requeſt of anye whiche wilbe partye accuſer againſt another he ſhall ſet him priſoner with him.

Item in matters of crimes, be it ſtrife, fighting or violence, if ye plaintife come to him and the perſon whom he complaineth of be ſuſpect of flieng, excepte it be a man reſydent in the towne hauing goodes and houſes, he ſhal not laie hand vpon him before he haue notified it to one of the Sendicques, and hath had his permiſſion.

Moreouer he hath no power to deliuer or ſet at libertie a priſoner which hath ben taken for other cauſes then ciuill, and apperteyning to his tribunal, but incontinent as he hath ſhut vp any in caſe as hath bene ſaid, that he notyfie it.

VVHEN he hath put in priſon any man complayned on, or that the Sendicques notifye to him that they haue taken anye: that within xxiiii. howers he ſhal examine them, & deliuer ye examinaciō to ye Sendicques

If the offender be founde faulty, wt oute any dificultye, or that he render him ſelfe ſo, y• there be ſufficient cauſe againſt him, he ſhal make expedicion of his proces.

Item yf the fyrſte anſweres be not founde ſufficient by the Sendicques, he ſhall contynue his examinacions, vntyll ſuche tyme as he maye render vnto the Sendicques ſuch aunſwere, as reaſon requireth: but howe ſo euer it be, he ſhal not deferrre the time for to render it aboue two daies.

Neuertheles, this ſhall not be holden for his laſt concluſion, but after y• he hath rendred him ſelfe, and ſubmitted hys cauſe vnto the proctor generall, vnto ſuche tyme as ſentence be geuen, and as ſhalbe founde in the deduction of hys proceſſes, he ſhal make vp and fyniſhe his concluſions.

The ſentence pronounced to hym, ſhalbe committed to the charge of the executyoner, and he ſhal goe into the place beynge accompanyed wyth the Saultier and the ſergeants, and there ſhall remaine til ye execuſion be done.

Item for lacke of the Lieutenante, whether he be abſent or ſicke, the firſt Aſſyſtaunte ſhall take his parte, and ſupplye all that ſhall apperteyne to his office.