House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 9 May 1645

DIE Veneris, 9 die Maii.

PRAYERS.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

The Earl of Essex reported from the Committee from the Admiralty and Cinque Ports a Paper; which was read, as followeth:

Mr. Peake to be Steward of the Chancery at Dover.

"Upon the Recommendation of Sir Edward Boys, and the Testimony given by the Earl of Warwicke; Ordered, (fn. 1) upon the Question, That Peter Peake Esquire, Counsellor at Law, be presented, from this Committee, to the Houses of Parliament, as a Person fit to execute the Place of Steward of the Chancery at Dover; and that the Approbation of the Houses be thereupon desired.

"Warwicke. Essex.

"Ch. Wray. P. Stapilton."

"B. Whitlocke."

Ordered, That this (fn. 2) House approves of this Report.

Black sent for, for sueing Langham and Andrews, late Sheriffs of London, for releasing James, One of the Lord General's Lifeguard, from an Arrest.

Upon reading the Petition of John Langham and Thomas Andrewes, Aldermen of the City of London, and late High Sheriffs of the said City and County of Midd. shewing, "That, in the Time of their Sheriffalty, John James of Graies Inne, in the County of Midd. Gentleman, was taken and arrested, by their Warrant, upon Process of the Court of King's Bench, at the Suit of Jervas Blackwall, for a Debt of Seventy Pounds by Bond; but, upon a Certificate of the Lord General, that the said James was of his Lordship's Life-guard, they discharged him: Now the said Jarvas Blackwall hath since commenced and prosecutes an Action of Debt against the Petitioners, for discharging of the said John James out of their Custody."

Hereupon it is Ordered, That the said Jarvas Blackwall shall forthwith attend this House, and answer the Complaint of these Petitioners.

Protection for Havering Park.

Ordered, That a Protection shall be granted, for the Preservation of Havering Parke, in the County of Essex, and the Woods, Deer, and Pales there.

Answer from the H. C.

Sir Edward Leech, &c. return with this Answer to the Message (fn. 3) sent to the House of Commons Yesterday:

That they are now in Debate of great Matters concerning the Safety of the Kingdom; and they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from thence, with an Ordinance and Order.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Giles Greene;

To desire their Concurrence in these Particulars:

1. An Ordinance for sending Doctor Walter Walker to negotiate for the Merchant Ships that are stayed in Flanders, &c. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

2. An Order for sending some Horses to Colonel Massey, for his own Use. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the Particulars of this Message.

Message from thence, with an Order.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Bolstrode Whitlocke Esquire, &c.

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Order against Persons that take up and steal Children.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees in this Order now brought up.

Votes against scandalous Persons receiving the Sacrament.

Next, the House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to take into Consideration the Votes brought lately up from the House of Commons, concerning the keeping of scandalous and ignorant Persons from the Sacrament.

The House being resumed;

The said Votes were read the Third Time; and they were unanimously Agreed to. (Here enter them.)

Colonel Russell not to be Governor of the Isle of Ely.

The Question was put, "Whether to agree with the House of Commons, that Colonel Francis Russell shall be Governor of the Isle of Ely?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Colonel Davies to be Governor there.

The Question was put, "Whether Colonel Davies shall be Governor of the Isle of (fn. 4) Ely?".

And it was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Committee to prepare Reasons for not agreeing to Colonel Russell's Appointment.

Ordered, That these Lords following are appointed to draw up Reasons, to be offered to the House of Commons, why this House doth not agree with them in nominating Colonel Francis Russell to be Governor of the Isle of Ely; and to report the same to this House:

Any Three, to meet when they please.

Committee to consider of Reversals of Decrees of Inferior Courts; and of Walsingham and Baker's Petitions.

Ordered, That the Committee for Privileges, or any Three of them, shall meet To-morrow Morning, and consider of ancient Precedents of the Proceedings in Parliament, in Reversal of Decrees in Inferior Courts, and report the same to the House; and consider of the Petition of Sir Tho. Walsingham, and Sir John Baker's Petition.

Money for Colonel Massey.

"Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the Committee of Lords and Commons for Advance of Monies at Habberdashers Hall do pay out (fn. 5) so much Monies as shall satisfy and pay for Six Horses for Service, with Saddles and Furniture, to be bestowed upon Colonel Massey."

Ordinance against stealing Children.

"Whereas the Houses of Parliament are informed, that divers lewd Persons do go up and down the City of London, and elsewhere, and in a most barbarous and wicked Manner steal away many little Children: It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That all Officers and Ministers of Justice be hereby streightly charged and required, to be very diligent in apprehending all such Persons as are faulty in this Kind, either in stealing, selling, buying, inveigling, purloining, conveying, or receiving Children so stolen, and to keep them in safe Imprisonment until they may be brought to severe and exemplary Punishment.

To be published.

"It is further Ordered, That the Marshals of the Admiralty and the Cinque Ports do immediately make strict and diligent Search, in all Ships and Vessels upon the River, and at The Downes, for all such Children; according to such Directions as they have or shall receive from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports.

"It (fn. 6) is further Ordered, That this Ordinance be forthwith published in Print, and proclaimed, in the usual Manner as other Proclamations, in all Parts of the City of London within the Lines of Communication, and in all Parishes within the Bills of Mortality presently; and in all Churches and Chapels, by the Ministers, within the Lines of Communication and Bills of Mortality, on the next Lords-day; and in all other Churches and Chapels elsewhere respectively, the next Lords-day after the Receipt hereof; that it may appear to the World how careful the Parliament is to prevent such Mischiefs, and how far they do detest a Crime of so much Villany: Mr. Spurstoe, Mr. Vassall, and Colonel Venne, Members of the House of Commons, are desired to go to my Lord Mayor, and to acquaint him with this Order, and to take Care that it may be proclaimed presently, and published, according to the Directions, on the next Lords-day."

Dr. Walker and Thelwell to be sent into Flanders, to negotiate for the Merchants Ships stayed there; and to prevent the Cruizers against Ships belonging to those in Obedience to the Parliament from being protected in the Ports there.

"Forasmuch as many great Complaints have been made, by divers well-affected Subjects of this Kingdom of England, to the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That many ill-affected Persons of this Nation, in actual Rebellion, do shelter themselves, with their Ships and Vessels, in the Parts and Harbours of the Provinces under the Obedience of the King of Spaine, and there are permitted, by the Officers and Ministers of that King, not only to equip, furnish, victual, and man, in warlike Manner, their Ships and Vessels which they carry thither, but also there, and from the Subjects of that Nation, to buy, equip, furnish, victual, and with the Natives of that Country for the most Part to man, many Frigates and other Vessels, and with the same, so warlikely appointed, to remain and continue in the said Parts and Harbours as long as they please, and, as often as Advantages are offered, to set Sail to Sea from thence, and to commit many Spoils and Depredations upon the Ships and Goods of the well-affected Subjects of this Kingdom, and of the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland, adhering to the Parliament; and with such their Purchase and Spoil, freely, and at their Pleasures, before any Adjudications had or obtained in any Court or Place in the Kingdom of England, where, and no where else (in case any Colour had been), the Adjudication must have been obtained, to return again into the said Ports and Harbours of the King of Spaine, and there to vend, sell, and dispose of, the Ships and Goods which they take as aforesaid, and there again to sit, re-victual, and man, and from thence to put out again upon the like unlawful Enterprizes; so that those Rebels, Pirates, and Sea Rovers, support and enrich themselves upon the Spoil of the well-affected Subjects of the aforesaid Kingdoms adhering to the Parliament, are encouraged and enabled to persist in such their Rebellion and unlawful Proceedings, by the Advantage, Succour, and Aid, which they receive by the Freedom of the said Ports and Harbours; and that from thence, by those Rebels, with their Ships and Companies, great Store of Arms, Ammunition, and other Necessaries for War, are conveyed into the Western Parts of this Kingdom, as also to the Kingdom of Ireland, to the great Support of the Rebels there, and the great Detriment and Damage of the said loyal and well-affected Subjects of the Three Kingdoms; which being contrary to the Treaties and Capitulations made and agreed upon between the Crowns of England and Spaine and their Subjects respectively, and inconsistent with Neutrality, much more with Amity and Alliance, and a very great Interruption to Commerce and Trade, which, by the said Treaties and Capitulations, ought to be kept and maintained: The Lords and Commons aforesaid now assembled in Parliament do hereby Ordain, That WalterWalker Doctor in the Civil Laws, and Peter Thelwell, English Merchants resident in Flanders, shall be Agents for the English Nation, in the said Provinces under the Obedience of the King of Spaine; and do hereby authorize them, the said Doctor Walker and Peter Thelwell, or either of them, for and in the Name of the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England, to make his or their Addresses to the Governors, Council, Admiral, or other Officers and Ministers of the King of Spaine, in Flaunders, and other Provinces under His Subjection, and from them, or any of them, to require Redress in the Premises, Restitution of the Ships and Goods that have been taken and brought into the said Ports and Harbours as aforesaid, and Punishment to be inflicted upon the Delinquents according to their Demerits; as also to assist and further the good and loyal Subjects of the said Three Kingdoms, adhering to the Parliament, in all their just Suits and Occasions, and to do whatsoever else shall be needful or requisite for the Good and Safety of the Three Kingdoms, and for the Maintenance of a good Understanding and Correspondence between the Crowns and Nations, and free Commerce and Trade between them, according to such Directions and Instructions as they shall from Time to Time receive from both Houses of Parliament, the Committees of Lords and Commons for the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, the Committee of Lords and Commons for Foreign Affairs, or the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty, or either of those Committees."

Votes concerning Church Government.

"The Lords and Commons do heartily praise God, for the good Acceptation and Approbation of the Directory of Worship, and the Propositions for Church Government, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the Parliament of that Kingdom; and, for the more constant Use of the Directory, hath Ordered, That an Ordinance shall be brought in to that Effect; and hath further proceeded in Propositions for Church Government presented herewith in the following Votes, which are to be put into an Ordinance for Church Government, when the Materials of it are fully perfected, towards which the House striveth by continual Endeavours, as the pressing Business of divers Natures in these distracted Times do permit; acknowledging it to be a Matter of highest Concernment for God's Glory, the intended Reformation and Uniformity, and the Welfare of these Three united Churches and Kingdoms."

Votes against srandalous and ignorant Persons being admitted to the Sacrament.

"Resolved, &c. That a Person not having a competent Measure of Understanding in the Grounds and Principles of Religion, laid down in the Scriptures, concerning God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, shall not be admitted to the Sacrament of the LordsSupper.

"Resolved, &c. That all such Persons, who shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, ought to know; First, that there is a God; 2ly, That there is but One Ever-living and True God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and Governor of all Things; 3ly, That this only True God is the God whom we worship; 4ly, That this God is but One, yet Three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all equally God.

"Resolved, &c. That every Person, that shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, ought to have a competent Understanding concerning the State of Man by Creation, and by his Fall.

"Resolved, &c. That every Person, that shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, ought to have a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Redemption by Christ, and the Way and Means to apply Christ and His Benefits.

"Resolved, &c. That every Person, that shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, ought to have a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Nature and Necessity of Faith, Repentance, and a Godly Life.

"Resolved, &c. That every Person, that shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, ought to have a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Nature and Use of the Sacraments, and the Condition of Man after this Life.

"Resolved, &c. That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Estate of Man by Creation, and by his Fall, who do not know that God created Man after His own Image, in Knowledge, Righteousness, and true Holiness; that by One Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin, and so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have sinned; that thereby they are all dead in Trespasses and Sins, and are by Nature the Children of Wrath, and so are liable to eternal Death, the Wages of every Sin.

"Resolved, &c. That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Redemption by Jesus Christ, who do not know that there is but One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus, who is also over all, God blessed for ever, neither is their Salvation in any other; that He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary; that He died upon the Cross, to save His People from their Sins; that he rose again the Third Day from the Dead, ascended into Heaven, sits at the Right Hand of God, and makes continual Intercession for us, of whose Fulness we receive all Grace necessary to Salvation.

"Resolved, &c. That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Way and Means to apply Christ and His Benefits, who do not know that Christ and His Benefits are applied only by Faith; that Faith is the Gift of God; and that we have it not of ourselves, but it is wrought in us by the Word and Spirit of God.

"Resolved, &c. That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding in the Nature and Necessity of Faith, who do not know that Faith is that Grace whereby we believe and trust in Christ for Remission of Sins, and Life Everlasting, according to the Promises of the Gospel; that whosoever believes not on the Son of God shall not see Life, but shall perish eternally.

"Resolved, &c. That they have not a competent Measure of the Knowledge of Repentance, who do not know, that they who truly repent of their Sins do see them, sorrow for them, and turn from them to the Lord; and that, except Men repent, they shall surely perish.

"That they have not a competent Measure of Knowledge concerning a godly Life, who do not know that a godly Life is conscionably ordered, according to the Word of God, in Holiness and Righteousness, without which no Man shall see God.

"That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding in the Nature and Use of the Sacraments, who know not that the Sacraments are Seals of the Covenant of Grace in the Blood of Christ; that the Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lords-Supper; that the outward Elements in the Lords-Supper are Bread and Wine, and do signify the Body and Blood of Christ crucified, which the worthy Receiver by Faith (fn. 7) doth partake of in this Sacrament, which Christ hath likewise ordained for a Remembrance of his Death; that whosoever eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord; and therefore that every One is to examine himself, lest he eat and drink Judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's Body.

"That they have not a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Condition of Man after this Life, who do not know that the Souls of the Faithful after Death do immediately live with Christ in Blessedness, and that the Souls of the Wicked do immediately go into Hell Torments; that there shall be a Resurrection of the Bodies both of the Just and of the Unjust at the last Day, at which Time all shall appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, to receive according to what they have done in the Body, whether it be good or evil; and that the Righteous shall go into Life Eternal, and the Wicked into Everlasting Punishment.

"That those who have a competent Measure of Understanding concerning the Matters contained in these Eight Articles, shall not be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper for Ignorance.

"That the Examination and Judgement of such Persons as shall, for their Ignorance of such Points of Religion as have been voted by the Houses not to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, is to be in the Power of the Eldership of every Congregation.

"1. (fn. 8) That an incestuous Person, appearing to be such upon just Proof, shall not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper.

"2. Resolved, &c.

"3. That whosoever shall blasphemously speak or write any Thing of God, His Holy Word or Sacraments, shall, upon just Proofs thereof, not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper.

"4. That the Cognizance and Examination of any Capital Offence shall (fn. 9) be by the Magistrate thereunto appointed by the Law of the Kingdom, who, if he shall commit the Party questioned to Prison, or secure him or her by Bail, he shall thereof make Certificate unto the Eldership of the Congregation where he or she did last reside, or to any other neighbouring Eldership, who shall thereupon have Power to suspend the Party from the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper.

"5. Resolved, &c. That Power shall be given to the Eldership of every Congregation, to examine any Person complained of, for such Matter of Scandal as is passed by Vote of this House; and, upon Consession of the Party before the Eldership to have committed such an Offence, to suspend that Person from the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, pro Tempore.

"6. That the Eldership of every Congregation shall have Power to suspend any Person from the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper, that is lawfully convicted of any Matter of Scandal passed by Vote of this House.

7. That Matters of Scandal, not Capital voted by this House, shall be examined by the Eldership of every Congregation; who, upon just Proof made thereof, shall have Power to suspend the Parties offending from the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper.

Directory to be put in Execution, and dispersed; and the Book of Common Prayer abolished.

"That a speedy Course be taken, for the putting the Directory in present Execution, by Authority of Parliament.

"That an Ordinance be forthwith brought into the Houses, for the dispersing of the Directory of Worship into all Parish Churches and Chapels, within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, and Town and Port of Berwicke; for the putting of it into present Execution; and for the abolishing of the Book of Common Prayer, together with some Penalties to be imposed upon such as shall make Use of the Book of Common Prayer, or neglect the Directory; or shall write, preach, or publish, any Book written in Contempt or (fn. 10) Depravation thereof."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.