House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 27 February 1673

Jovis, 27 die Februarii, 1672.

Prayers.

PHilip Lloyd did this Day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, at the Clerk's Table in the House, before Mr. Speaker, in order to his Naturalization.

Woolrich's Award.

A Bill, sent from the Lords, for confirming an Award made by Sir Orlando Bridgman Knight and Baronet, late Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, for the ending of all Differences in the Family of Sir Thomas Woolrich Knight and Baronet, deceased; and to enable John Woolrich Esquire, and his Heirs, to execute the Powers in the said Award mentioned, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed to Sir Trevor Williams, Sir Ralph Bankes, Sir Thomas Allen, Sir Anth. Irby, Colonel Sands, Mr. Maynard, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Solomon Swale, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Rich. Everard, Sir John Covert, Sir Thomas Clergis, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir John Trevor, Sir Thom. Hanmer, Mr. Morrice, Mr. Fox, Sir Cha. Musgrave, Sir Rich. Francklyn, Sir Adam Browne, Sir Edw. Massey, Mr. Weld, Mr. Sands jun. Sir Thomas Littleton, Sir Will. Whitmore, Serjeant Seys, Mr. Oakely, Mr. Leighton, Mr. James, Mr. Newport, Mr. Mervell, Mr. Streete, Mr. Ash, Mr. Price, Sir John Winne, Mr. Garraway, Sir Herbert Price, Sir Cicill Bishop, Mr. Grey, Mr. Mallett, Mr. Morgan, Sir Francis Lawley, Sir John Mallett, Mr. Wareing, Sir Walter St. John, Mr. Powle, Sir John Newton, Sir John Talbott, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Dalton, Col. Robinson, Mr. Titus, and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Salop and Stafford; or any Five of them: And they are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Lloyd's, &c. Nat.

A Bill for Naturalization of Philip Lloyd Esquire, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the said Bill be committed to Sir Robert Howard, Mr. Maynard, Sir Solomon Swale, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Rich. Everard, Mr. Wareing, Sir Ralph Bankes, Colonel Sands, Sir Wm. Bucknall, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir John Trevor, Sir John Brampston, Sir Thom. Bide, Mr. Westphaling, Sir Lancelot Lake, Mr. Crouch, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Courtney Poole, Sir Anthony Irby, Sir John Moreton, Sir Will. Coventry, Lord Ashley, Sir Adam Browne, Sir John Covert, Sir Thomas Dolman, Sir Thom. Clergis, Mr. Birch, Mr. Morrice, Sir Thomas Allen, Sir John Talbot, Mr. Milward, Doctor Burwell, Sir John Birkenhead; or any Five of them: And they are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, in the Court of Wards, at Two of the Clock: And to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Bankes', &c. Agreements.

A Bill, sent from the Lords, for confirming Agreements made between Sir Ralph Bankes, Sir John Hanham Baronet, Ellis Bethell, Thomas Mackrell, Richard Warland and John Edwards, by their Guardians and divers other Persons, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time, on Saturday Morning next, Ten of the Clock.

Fowcourt's, &c. Nat.

Ordered, That Mons. Fowcourt, and the Children of Sir John Griffith, be inserted in the Bill of Naturalization.

King appoints to be attended.

Sir Robert Carr acquaints the House, That he, with other Members of the Privy Council, had attended his Majesty, to know his Pleasure when he will be attended with the further Address of this House, upon his Majesty's last Message: And that his Majesty did expect their Attendance this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, at the Banqueting House at Whitehall.

Protestant Dissenters.

The House then resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Subject Matter for a Bill of Ease to his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenters in Matters of Religion from the Church of England.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Meeres took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Meeres reports from the said Committee, That they had considered of Heads for a Bill of Ease to his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenters in Matters of Religion from the Church of England; and that he was ready to make Report thereof: And humbly moved from the said Committee, that the House would sit this Afternoon, after their Return from his Majesty, to review the same.

Resolved, &c. That the House doth agree with the said Committee, to sit this Afternoon; to receive the Report of the Heads for a Bill of Ease to Protestant Dissenters in Matters of Religion from the Church of England.

And then the House adjourned till Three of the Clock this Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Further Address in Reply presented.

THE House being met; and the further Address of the House, to be presented to his Majesty, being again read;

Mr. Speaker, with the House, went to Whitehall, to attend his Majesty: And being returned;

Mr. Speaker reports, That, he having presented, and read the Address to his Majesty, he was pleased to say, That it was of Consequence; and would take it into his Consideration.

Williams' Estate.

A Bill on the Behalf of Sir Robert Williams, to enable him to make Leases for raising of Portions, and making Provision for his younger Children, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time.

Michell Election.

A Petition of Jeremiah Snow was read; complaining of an undue Election and Return, made of Humphrey Burlase Esquire, for to serve as Member of Parliament, for the Borough of Michell in Cornewall, in wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections, to examine the matter thereof; and to report it, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Chippenham Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Elections, in the Case between Mr. Gwynn and Mr. Bartie, concerning the Election for the Borough of Chippenham, be heard upon Saturday Morning Ten of the Clock.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That Sir John Hobart be added to the Committee of Elections and Privileges: And all that come to the said Committee shall have Voices.

Protestant Dissenters.

Sir Thomas Meeres reports from the Committee of the whole House, appointed to consider of the Subject Matter for a Bill of Ease to his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenters in Matters of Religion from the Church of England, several Heads and Resolves, agreed by the Committee for the Subject Matter of the said Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were again read.

And being read a Second time; and all of them, except the last, upon the Question, severally agreed to.

The said last Resolve being read a Second time; and the Words "of the said," after the Word "any" being, upon the Question, agreed to be omitted; the Resolve was, upon the Question, agreed to: And are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, &c. That Ease shall be given to his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenters in Matters of Religion, who shall subscribe the Articles of the Doctrine of the Church of England, and shall take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.

Resolved, &c. That the said Protestant Subjects be eased from all Pains and Penalties, for not coming to Church.

Resolved, &c. That the Clause in the late Act of Uniformity, for declaring the Assent and Consent, be taken away by the Bill.

Resolved, &c. That the said Protestant Subjects be eased from all Pains and Penalties, for meeting together, for the Performance of any Religious Exercises.

Resolved, &c. That every Teacher shall first give Notice of the Place where he shall intend such his Meeting, to the respective Quarter Sessions; where, in open Court, he shall also first make such Subscription, and take such Oaths as aforesaid; and receive from thence a Certificate thereof: Where all such Proceedings shall remain upon Record.

Resolved, &c. That any such Teacher may exercise as aforesaid, until the next respective Quarter Sessions; and no longer, in case he shall not first take such Oaths, and make such Subscription, before Two of the neighbouring Justices of the Peace; and shall first give them Notice of the Place of his intended Meeting; and take Certificate thereof under the said Justices Hands: A Duplicate whereof they are to return in to the next Quarter Session.

Resolved, &c. That the Doors and Passages of all Houses and Places, where the said Dissenters do meet, shall be always open and free, during the Time of such Exercise.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill continue but for One Year; and from thence to the End of the next Session of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That if any Dissenters refuse to take Churchwardens Oaths, that then he shall find another fit Person, who is no Dissenter, duly to execute That Office; and shall pay him for his Pains.

Resolved, &c. That a Bill be brought in upon the said Resolves and Heads agreed to: And that it be referred to Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir Anthony Irby, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir John Duncombe, Dr. Burwell, Sir Robert Carre, Sir John Bramston, Sir Will. Coventry, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Cheney, Mr. Mallet, Sir John Lowther, Sir Philip Musgrave, or any Three of them, to prepare and bring in a Bill accordingly: And that it be referred to Sir Thomas Meeres to take care of the Bill.

Teaching the Catechism.

A Motion being made, and a Debate arising, touching the most useful, and for many Years past too much neglected, Duty of Educating and Instructing the Youth of the Kingdom in the Catechism enjoined by the Liturgy of the Church of England.

Ordered, That a Bill be prepared and brought in, to enjoin all Persons that are in Ecclesiastical Preferment, under a Penalty, to catechize and instruct the Youth, within their several Parishes and Places of Incumbency, every Sunday in the Afternoon, in the Church Catechism: And to explain the same; and expound thereupon to the Congregation: And it is recommended to the Care of Mr. Attorney General, to prepare and bring in the Bill.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.