Whereas it is observed that several great inconveniencies have attended this isle by reason of the bishop, archdeacon, clergy, temporal officers, soldiers and others, often withdrawing themselves from their respective duties within the same; for prevention whereof for the future, be it enacted by the governor, officers, deemsters and twenty-four keys aforesaid, that every bishop, archdeacon, parson, vicar, curate or others who now hold and enjoy the bishopric, archdeaconry or any parsonage, vicarage, curacy or such like ecclesiastical promotion within the isle, to the value often pounds per annum or upwards, as also every temporal officer, soldier or other person or persons having and enjoying any office, place or other employment from and under the right honourable lord of this isle, to the value of three pounds per annum or upwards, shall, from and after the first day of May next ensuing the date hereof [1 May 1697], inhabit and personally reside within this isle in and upon their respective livings, promotions, benefices, offices, places or other employments, and if they or any of them shall at any time after the said first day of May be nonresident, or not inhabit within the isle, in and upon their said respective livings, promotions, benefices, offices, places or other employments, but shall be found wilfully to absent him or themselves from his or their duties in the same (wind, weather, health and convenient shipping permitting) above the space of four months (to be accounted at several times) in any one year, commencing always upon the said first day of May in every year, such person or persons so offending shall (for the first offence) forfeit and lose the full value of one half year's profit, benefit and advantage of his or their said livings, promotions, benefices, offices, places or other employments, to be levied, collected and disposed of in manner and form as in any by this act is hereafter mentioned and expressed;