Greenwich Hospital, etc. Act 1696

VII. Quakers may make Affirmation instead of an Oath, as by 7 & 8 W. III. c. 34; and offending, are liable to the same Penalties as other Offenders.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Master or Co[m]mander of any Ship or Vessell mentioned in the said recited Act being a Quaker may and shall be examined before the said Co[m]missioners appointed for registring Seamen or any Three or more of them or their Deputy or Deputies and the said Co[m]missioners or their Deputies may and shall from time to time take the solemne Affirmation & Declaration of such Quakers instead of their Oath and in such manner and forme as by one Act made in the Seventh and Eighth Yeares of the Reigne of his Majesty is directed intituled An Act that the solemne Affirmation and Declaration of the People co[m]monly called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an Oath in the usual Forme And such Quakers refusing to appeare on such Su[m]mons or to answer or make such solemne Affirmation or Declaration before the said Co[m]missioners or their Deputy or Deputies shall be deemed Offenders and be liable to the same Penalties and Forfeitures mentioned in this Act for refusing to appeare and be examined on Oath or sweare as aforesaid Any thing in this Act before to the contrary notwithstanding.