Die Mercurii, 19 Novembris, 1645.
Prayers.
THE Grand Committee for Religion, according to
former Order, proceeded to take into Consideration
the Paper from the Assembly of Divines, touching some
more Particulars to be added to the Catalogue of scandalous
Offenders, who are to be suspended from the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper.
Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.
Mr. Pury received, to carry to the Lords for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for taxing the several Counties of
Glamorgan, Brecon, and Radnor: The Vote for Bushy
Mansell to be Commander in Chief of all the Forces in
Glamorganshire: The Vote for Addition of Committees to
the County of Warwick: The Vote for Edward Prichard
to be Governor of Cardiffe: The Vote for Philip Jones
to be Governor of the Garison of Swansey: The Vote for
the Addition of Committees to the Committee of Nottingham: The Vote for taking off Lieutenant-Colonel
Lilborne's Fine in the Star-Chamber.
He likewise carried the Pardon for such Delinquents as
come in; and several Ordinances for passing Pardons to
Delinquents, according to the former Directions of his
Message on Saturday last.
The House being informed, That divers of the Court
of Aldermen and Common-Council were at the Door,
desiring to represent something to the House;
They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Gibbs did,
in the Name of the rest, present a Petition, stiled, "The
humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council
assembled: " The Desires of the Ministers of London, presented to the Common-Council: The Reasons of those
Desires; and a Petition, stiled, "The humble Petition
of divers Citizens of the City of London."
The which (they being withdrawn) were all read.
Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Tate, Mr. Rowse, Mr. Pierrepont, Mr. Holles, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Selden, Mr. Fynes,
Mr. Sam. Browne, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Recorder;
This Committee is appointed presently to withdraw, to
prepare an Answer to be given to the Aldermen and
Common-Council.
Mr. Tate reports, from the Committee, the Answer to
be given to the Petitioners: The which was read; and,
upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be given
to them.
The Petitioners being again called in: Mr. Speaker,
by the Command of the House, did return them this Answer, accordingly in hæc verba; viz.
"That the House, in the Business now presented to
them, hath, according to their best Judgments, discharged
the Trust and Duty that lies upon them; and do intend,
accordingly, to proceed to the Perfecting thereof, having
had it in Consideration immediately before the Presenting
of this Petition; this being one of the weekly Days appointed for that Purpose: That, upon Perusal of your
Petition, and Papers thereunto annexed, they find the
Proceedings of the Parliament misrepresented and mistaken:
Therefore the House, out of a tender Sense of the Preservation of their Privileges, wherein the City and Kingdom are so much concerned, doth desire, That, in Things
depending in Parliament, their Proceedings may neither
be prejudged, nor precipitated, nor any Sense put upon
them, other than the Parliament itself shall declare. However, this House, having so great a Testimony of your
good Affections to the Publick, and in particular to this
House, do interpret this to proceed from the good Intentions of the Common-Council."
A Letter from the General Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, from
St. Mary-Awtry, of Novembris 14 1645; together with
divers Propositions for carrying on the War, and disposing
the Forces to the best Advantage of the Service this Winter, and next Summer; was this Day read.
A Letter from the General, of Novembris 14 1645,
returning his humble Thanks for the Jewel he received
from the House, in Testimony of their Respects unto him,
was this Day read.
An Ordinance, enabling the Committee for the City of
Bristoll to certify the House their Opinions for the more
convenient uniting the Churches of the said City, establishing a godly and pious Preaching Ministry, and providing Means for their Maintenance, was this Day read;
and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent
unto the Lords for their Concurrence.
An Ordinance for the constituting and appointing Serjeant-Major-General Philip Skippon to be Governor of the
City and Garison of Bristoll; and a List of Establishment for
the daily and monthly Pay of the Officers and Soldiers belonging to the Garison of Bristoll; was this Day read the
First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed;
and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.
The House being informed, That divers Ministers of
the City of London were at the Door; desiring to present
a Petition to the House;
They were called in: And Mr. Walker did present a
Petition, with a Desire of an Explanation of divers Things
doubtful, as they conceive, in the Directory for Trying of
Elders, and Ordinance for Church-Government, set forth
by Authority of both Houses of Parliament: The which
Doubts and Difficulties are expressed in a Schedule annexed.
The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) were
read.
Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of
Examinations, to examine, How and by what Steps this
Petition, and the Schedule annexed, hath proceeded, and
been presented to the Common-Council; and who were
the Advancers and Promoters of this Business.
Mr. Atkins and Mr. Alderman Hoyle are appointed to
go to the Ministers; and to acquaint them, That they
may go home, and not trouble themselves with any further
Attendance; the House resolving to take the Business into
Consideration.
Ordered, &c. That Bristoll Ordinance be taken into
further Consideration To-morrow Morning, the first Business after Mr. Speaker comes to the Chair.
IT is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in
Parliament assembled, That the Committee of Parliament, appointed for the City of Bristoll, shall have Power,
and are hereby authorized, to present unto both Houses
of Parliament, What Churches, and what Number, are
sufficient, and most convenient and necessary, for the City
of Bristoll; and how and in what Manner the same may
be lawfully united; and further to present unto both
Houses of Parliament, How and in what Manner a Competency of Maintenance may be raised for Ministers in
that Place, either by a just and indifferent Taxation to be
made upon the Inhabitants of that Place, or by allotting
some Proportion out of the Revenues of the Bishop, or
Dean and Chapter of that Cathedral; to the Intent that a
speedy Course may be settled by the Parliament, for Establishing of godly and learned Ministers in that City.