March, 1660
[12 March, 1659/60.]
Laws against Jesuits, Popish priests, etc., to be put in speedy execution.; Reward for discovery of such persons.
For as much as the Lawes have not of late time been effectually
put in Execution against Seminaries, Jesuits, and Romish Priests,
whereby they have lately, more than heretofore, taken the boldness
to come into this Commonwealth in great numbers, to the intent
to stirr up and move Sedition, Rebellion, and open Hostility therein,
to the endangering of the peace of this Nation, and seducing of the
good People thereof from the true Religion established in this
Commonwealth, to the Romish Idolatry and Superstition.
The Parliament taking the same into their Consideration, do hereby
Publish and Declare, That all Laws and Statutes in force against
all Jesuits, Seminary-Priests, or other such Priests, Deacons, or
Religious or Ecclesiasticall Persons whatsoever, made, ordained,
or possessed, or hereafter to be made, ordained, or professed by
any Authority or Jurisdiction, derived, challenged, or pretended
from the See of Rome, by or of what Name, Title, or Degree soever
the same shall be called or known, shall be put into speedy and
effectuall Execution, and against the Harbourers, Concealors,
Abettors, and Aiders of them. And the Parliament doth hereby
further require all Judges, Justices, Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other
Officers and Ministers intrusted with the Execution of the Laws,
to take notice hereof, and to put the same in Execution accordingly.
And for the more effectuall putting the premisses in Execution,
and better encouragement of any discovery of any the persons
aforesaid: Be it hereby Enacted and Declared, That he or they
that shall hereafter first discover to any Judge or Justice of
Peace any the Persons aforesaid, and by reason thereof any of the
said Offenders be taken, convicted, or attainted, That then he or
they, have made such Discovery, shall immediately after such
Conviction, have a Certificate from the Judge or Justice, before
whom such Conviction shall happen, to be directed to the Sheriff,
or other Officer of any County, Limit, or Place where such Conviction shall be; commanding the Sheriff, or other Officer, to
pay him or them that shall first make such discovery, twenty
pounds; which Warrant and Payment shall be effectuall in the
Law for that purpose, and a sufficient discharge in that behalf for
the Sheriff or other Officer, upon his Accompt, and that the Discoverer of such persons shall be free from the Penalties which he
may have incurred by any of the said Laws and Statutes.