THe Kings most Excellent Majesty (upon the Humble De­sire of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com­mons in Parliament Assembled) for the Prevention of the present Dangers threatning His Majesties Sacred Person and Government, from the Pernicious Plots and Con­trivances of Popish Persons universally spread over this His Majesties Kingdom, doth (by this His Royal Pro­clamation) strictly Charge and Command all Sheriffs, Iustices of the Peace, Mayors, and other Magistrates within their respective Counties, Cities and Places in England and Wales, with all Speed and Diligence to Apprehend, Disarm, and Secure all Popish Re­cusants, and all others who are or shall be justly Suspected to be Papists, and them to Require to enter into Recognizances with Sufficient Sureties to keep the Peace, and to be of the Good Behaviour, and to Return such Recognizances to the next General Sessions of the Peace for their respective Limits, where they are to be proceeded against according to Law. And in case they shall not give such Recognizances, to Commit the Refusers to the Common Gaol, where they are to remain till the next General Sessions of the Peace (unless they shall in the mean time enter into such Recogni­zances with Sureties as aforesaid) where they are likewise to be Proceeded against according to Law.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the Twentieth day of December, 1678. In the Thirtieth year of Our Reign.

God save the King.