Parliament of England

“ And that if any man be sued or impeached for execution of this Law, he shall and may plead the general issue, and give the said matter of Justification in evidence. Provided that no man be impeached by this Act, except he be called in question within one month next after the said offence committed. ”

“ Forasmuch as there is nothing more acceptable to God then the true and sincere Service and worship of him according to his holy Will, and that the holy keeping of the Lord's day, is a principal part of the true Service of God, which in very many places of this Realm hath been and now is profaned and neglected by a disorderly sort of people, in exercising and frequenting Bearbaiting, Bullbaiting, Interludes, common Plays, and other unlawful exercises and pastimes upon the Lord's day ”