paid unto the person and persons of whom such reproachfull words are
or shalbe spoken or uttered, and the other half thereof to the Lord
Proprietary and his heires Lords and Proprietaries of this Province.
But if such person or persons who shall at any time utter or speake
any such reproachfull words or Language shall not have Goods or
Chattells sufficient and overt within this Province to bee taken to
satisfie the penalty aforesaid, or that the same bee not otherwise
speedily satisfyed, that then the person or persons soe offending
shalbe publickly whipt, and shall suffer imprisomnt without baile or
maineprise untill hee, shee, or they respectively shall satisfy the
party soe offended or grieved by such reproachfull Language by asking
him or her respectively forgivenes publiquely for such his Offence
before the Magistrate or cheife Officer or Officers of the towne or
place where such Offence shalbe given. And be it further likewise
Enacted ... That every person and persons within this Province that
shall at any time hereafter prophane the Sabbath or Lords day, called
Sunday, by frequent swearing, drunkennes, or by any uncivill or
disorderly recreacon, or by working on that day when absolute necessity
doth not require it, shall for every such first offence forfeit 2s. 6d.
sterling or the value thereof, and for the second offence 5s. sterling
or the value thereof, and for the third offence and soe for every
time he shall offend in like manner afterwards, 10s. sterling or the
value thereof. And in case such offender and offenders shall not have
sufficient goods or chattells within this Province to satisfy any of
the said Penalties reecsptively hereby imposed ... That in Every such
case the partie soe offending shall for the first and second offence
in that kinde be imprisoned till hee or shee shall publickly in open
Court before the cheife Commander Judge or Magistrate of that County
Towne or precinct where such offence shalbe committed acknowledg the
Scandall and offence he hath in that respect given against God and the
good and civill Governmt of this Province; And for the third offence
and for every time after, shall also bee publickly whipt. _And whereas
the inforceing of the conscience in matters of Religion hath frequently
fallen out to be of dangerous Consequence in those commonwealthes where
it hath been practised, And for the more quiett and peaceable governmt
of this Province, and the better to preserve mutuall Love and amity
amongst the Inhabitants thereof. Be it Therefore also by the Lord
Proprietary with the advise and consent of this Assembly Ordeyned and
enacted_ (_except as in this present Act is before Declared and sett
forth) that noe person or persons whatsoever within this Province, or
the Islands, Parts, Harbors, Creekes, or havens thereunto belonging,
professing to beleive in Jesus Christ, shall from henceforth bee any
waies troubled, Molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or
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