WHereas many general and promissorie Oaths, and Engagements, in former times imposed upon the People of this Nation, have proved burdens and snares to tender Consciences; and yet have been exacted, under several penalties, for­feitures, and losses; upon consideration where­of, and out of a tenderness of requiring such obligations, Bee it Ordained by His Highness, the Lord PROTECTOR, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, That one Act of Parlament, published in print the se­cond [Page 54] day of January one thousand six hundred fortie and nine, entituled, An Act for sub­scribing the Engagement; And certain Or­ders, entituled, Resolves touching the sub­scribing to an Engagement, &c. And all and every Clause, Branch, Article, and Sentence in them, and every or any of them conteined, shall from and after the nineteenth day of J [...]nuary in the yéer of our Lord one thousand six hundred fiftie and three, stand and bee ab­solutely repealed, and adnulled; And that all and every Clause, Branch, Article, Proviso or Sentence conteined in any other Act, Ordi­nance, Resolves or Order of Parlament, whereby the said Oath or Engagement is di­rected, and appointed to bee taken, and admi­nistred, and all and every the penalties, losses, incapacities, disabilities, and forfeitures for not taking, or subscribing the same, shall from and after the said nineteenth day of Ja­nuary, in the yeer of our Lord one thousand six hundred fiftie and three, (as to so much onely (and no more) as concerneth the said Engagement, and the penalties, losses, inca­pacities, disabilities, and forfeitures for not taking or subscribing the same) bee, and are here­by, utterly repealed, and made void: And that the said Oath or Engagement, where the same is appointed to bee Administred by it self, or where the same is inserted into any other Oath (as to so much onely as concer­neth the said Engagement) shall not, from or after the said nineteenth day of January, in the yeer of our Lord one thousand six hundred fiftie and three, bee administred unto, or taken [Page 55] by any Officer, Minister of Iustice, or other Person whatsoever; but the same shall from thenceforth bee wholly taken away and aboli­shed to all intents and purposes whatsoever. And that from and after the said nineteenth day of January, in the said yeer of our Lord one thousand six hundred fiftie and three, no place or Office of trust within this Common-wealth, shall bee made void, by reason of the not ta­king or subscribing the said Engagement. And it is lastly Ordained by the Authoritie aforesaid, That if any person or persons what­soever have been delaied, hindred, or prejudiced in any Cours or proceedings of Law, Iustice, or Equitie, or hath not or cannot have the full benefit thereof, by reason or means that such person or persons hath not or have not taken or subscribed the said Engagement, in such form, or at such time or times as hath or have been li­mited or appointed for the taking or subscribing thereof, such person or persons shall from hence­forth bee admitted unto, and have such Cours, pleadings and Proceedings in Law, Iustice, and Equitie, as if such person or persons had ta­ken or subscribed the said Engagement, in such maner & forme, and at such time or times, as was or were directed or appointed for the taking or subscribing thereof, and not otherwise.