ALthough it hath pleased Almighty God of his infinite mercy and goodness, to discover and disappoint from time to time the manifold, wicked, and secret Plots and Devices against the peace and welfare of these Nations, contrived by the restless & implacable Enemies of this Commonwealth, yet they still make it their business and take hold of all opportuni­ties to insinuate their Principles into the mindes of those that are of sober and peaceable dispositions; and that chiefly by the advantage of publique Meetings, and the concourse of People at Horse-Races and other such like Meetings, that they may the better carry on their pernici­ous ends to involve these Nations in new Troubles. His Highness therefore, with the advice of His Privy Council, hath thought fit to declare His Will and pleasure to be, And doth expresly charge and Command, That from and after the Eighth day of this instant April, One thousand six hundred Fifty and eight, during the space of eight Moneths from thence next ensuing, there shall be no Horse-Races, nor any Meetings or Assembling together for that purpose of any persons whatsoever, on any pretence or colour in any place or places whatsoever, within this His Highness Realm of England or Dominion of Wales. And if any person or persons of what estate, degree, quality or condition soever, shall at any time during the said space of 8. Moneths, presume or take upon him or them to appoint any Horse-Race or Horse-Races, or assemble or meet together in any place or places by any colour or pretence whatsoe­ver, Then and in such case they are and shall be, and shall be taken and proceeded against as breakers of the publique Peace, and contemners of His Highness just Commands herein. And His Highness Iustices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and (other His High­ness Officers and Ministers of Iustice, calling to their ayd and assistance (if need require) any Offi­cers or Souldiers of His Highness Army quartered or lying near such place or places) are hereby strait­ly charged and Commanded, That immediately upon notice given unto them, or any of them, of any such Horse-Race, or Horse-Races, or appointment thereof, they do not omit but repair to those places, and seise or cause to be seised all and every such Horses as shall be brought or sent to the said place or places; And likewise to apprehend and cause to be apprehended and keep, or cause to be kept in safe custody, the bodies of all and every such person and persons, who shall so assemble and meet together, on any such pretences, or other pretence whatsoever, and bring or cause them to be brought before the Lords of His Highness Privy Council, to be examined and further proceeded against for their contempts according to the severity of Law and Iustice.

Given at His Highness Palace of Westminster the 8th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, 1658.