Wednesday, 25th April, 1660.
Prayers.
Parliament meet.
THE Parliament being summoned to meet
at Westminster this present Day; the Members of the House of Commons repaired,
about Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, to
Margarett's, Westminster, to hear a Sermon which was
preached by Dr. Reignolds: And that being ended, they
repaired to the Parliament House, went in, and sat in
their Places; Edward Birkenhead Esquire, formerly
Serjeant at Arms, attending at his Place within the Door
of the House.
Sir H. Grimston chosen Speaker.
Whereupon Wm. Peirepont Esquire rose up, and put
the House in Mind, that their first Work was to choose
their Speaker; and that there was a worthy Person of the
Long Robe in his Eye, whom he conceived well experienced, and every way qualified for that Trust; and by
the Leave of the House proposed Sir Harbottle Grimston
Baronet, who was fully approved of by a general Call of
him to the Chair.
He standing up in his Place, offered his Excuse in Respect of the Weakness and Indisposition of his Body and
Mind; and there being many others amongst them of the
Long Robe, more fit and worthy than himself, he desired
the House to pitch upon one of them, to serve them as
their Speaker.
But being generally called on by the House; he was by
the Lord General Monck, Mr. Holles, and Mr. Peirepont,
conducted to and placed in the Chair, the usual Place of
the Speaker; where being set, the Mace was called for,
and brought in by the Serjeant, and placed on the Table.
Clerk and Officers chosen.
Afterwards the House proceeded to the Choice of their
Clerk; and after some short time the Serjeant came out
of the House, and called in Mr. Jessop, who being come
to the usual Seat of the Clerk, Mr. Speaker informed
him, that the House had chosen him to be their Clerk:
And thereupon a Vote was entered for the same as followeth;
Resolved, on the Question, by the Commons assembled
in Parliament, That William Jessop Esquire be Clerk of
the Commons House of Parliament, to attend this House.
Resolved, &c. That James Northfolke Esquire be Serjeant at Arms, to attend this House.
Resolved, &c. That Ralph Darnall Esquire be Clerk
Assistant of the Commons House of Parliament, to attend
this House.
Election Return.
The Clerk of the Crown, attending at the Door, was
called in, and delivered a Book, containing a Return of
the Members chosen to serve in this Parliament; according to which the House was called; and those Members,
which were present, did, upon their Naming, withdraw
into the Committee Chambers and Gallery above; and
the whole Book being gone through, the Members returned, and took their Places in the House.
Dr. Reignolds thanked.
Ordered, by the Commons assembled in Parliament,
That the Thanks of this House be given to Dr. Reignolds,
for his great Pains in the Sermon this Day preached at
Margarett's, Westminster, before this House; and he is
desired to print the same; and is to have the like Privilege in printing as others in like Case have usually had:
And Mr. Serjeant Glyn and Mr. Pryn are to give him
Thanks accordingly.
Message from Lords for a Fast.
The House being acquainted, That some Messengers
attended at the Door with a Message from the Lords;
they were called in.
A Message from the Lords by Mr. Rich, and Mr.
Eltonhead, two of the Masters of Chancery;
That they were commanded by the Lords, to desire,
that this House will concur with them to keep a Fast on
Monday next, to seek the Lord for a Blessing on these
distracted Nations.
Resolved, upon the Question, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this House doth concur with the
Lords, that Monday next be set apart for a Day of Fasting and Humiliation, to seek the Lord for a Blessing on
these distracted Nations.
Preachers appointed.
Resolved, &c. That Mr. Calamy be desired to preach
and assist in carrying on the Work of Fasting and Humiliation before the House, at Margarett's, Westminster,
on Monday next; and Alderman Robinson is desired to
give him Notice thereof.
Resolved, &c. That Dr. Gauden be desired to preach
and assist in carrying on the Work of Fasting and Humiliation before the House, at Margarett's, Westminster, on
Monday next; and Mr. Recorder of London is desired
to give him Notice thereof.
Resolved, &c. That Mr. Baxter be desired to preach
and assist in carrying on the Work of Fasting and Humiliation before the House at Margarett's, Westminster, on
Monday next; and Mr. Swinfin is desired to give him
Notice thereof.
New Business.
Resolved, &c. That no new Business be brought into
or entertained in the House, after Twelve of the Clock.
The House adjourns itself till To-morrow
Morning, at Eight of the Clock.