FOrasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God lately to call unto his infinite Mercy the most High and Mighty Prince, King Charles the Second of most Blessed Memory, the Kings Majesties most dear and most entirely beloved Brother, by whose Decease the Authority and Power of the most part of the Off ces and Places of Iurisdicti­on and Government within this Realm, and in the Realm of Ireland did cease and fail, the Soveraign Person failing, from whom the same were derived. The Kings most Excellent Majesty in His Princely Wisdom and Care of the State (reserving to His own Iudgment hereafter, the Reformation and Redress of any Abuses in Mis-government, upon due Knowledge and Examination thereof) is pleased, and hath so expresly signified, That all Persons that at the time of the Decease of the late King His dearly beloved Brother, were Duly and Lawfully Possessed of, or Invested in any Office, or Place of Authority or Government, either Civil or Military, within this Realm of England, or in the Realm of Ireland, or in a­ny other His Majesties Dominions belonging thereunto; And namely, all Presidents, Lieutenants, Vice­Presidents, Iudges, Iustices, Sheriffs, Deputy-Lieutenants, Commissioners of Musters, Iustices of Peace, and all others in place of Government, either Meaner or Superior, as aforesaid; And all other Officers and Ministers, whose Interests and Estates in their Offices are determined, or ceased by the means aforementioned, shall be, and shall hold themselves continued in the said Places and Offices, as formerly they held and enjoyed the same, until His Majesties Pleasure be further known.

And that in the mean while, for the preservation of the Peace, and necessary Proceédings in matters of Iustice, and for the Safety and Service of the State; All the said Persons of whatsoever De­gree or Condition may not fail, every one severally, according to his Place, Office, or Charge, to pro­ceed in the Performance and Execution of all Duties thereunto belonging, as formerly appertained unto them, and every of them, while the late Kings Majesty was living.

And further, His Majesty doth hereby Will and Command all and singular His Highness Sub­jects, of what Estate, Dignity, or Degree they or any of them be, to be Aiding, Helping and Assisting, and at the Commandment of the said Officers and Ministers, in the Performance and Execution of the said Offices and Places, as they and every of them Tender His Majesty's Displeasure, and will an­swer for the Contrary at their uttermost Perils.

And further, His Majesty's Will and Pleasure and Express Commandment is, That all Orders and Directions Made or Given by the Lords of the Privy Council of the Late King, in His Life-time, shall be Obeyed and Performed by all and every Person and Persons, and all and every Thing and Things to be done thereupon, shall Proceed as Fully and as Amply as the same should have been Obey­ed or Done, in the Life of the said Late King, His Majesty's most dearly and entirely beloved Brother.

Given at the Court at Whitehall, the Sixth Day of February, In the First Year of His Majesty's Reign of England, Scotland, France and Ireland.

GOD SAVE THE KING.