Lunæ, 3 die Novembris, 1673.

Prayers.

Petition for a Fast.

SIR Thomas Clergis reports from the Committee to which it was referred to prepare and bring in a Petition to be presented to his Majesty, to appoint a General Fast to be observed throughout the Nation, a Petition agreed by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and after delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Which being twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed, is as followeth; viz.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

WE Your Majesty's most loyal and obedient Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, being passionately sensible of the calamitous Condition of this Kingdom, not only by reason of the War, wherein it is at present involved, but many other intestine Differences and Divisions amongst us, which are chiefly occasioned by the undermining Contrivances of Popish Recusants, whose Numbers and Insolencies are greatly of late increased, and whose restless Practices threaten a Subversion both of Church and State, all which our Sins have justly deserved; and, being now assembled in Parliament, as the great Council of this Your Kingdom, to consult on such Means as we shall think fittest to redress the present Evils wherewith we are surrounded; we do, in the first Place, humbly beseech Your Majesty, that, by Your especial Command, one or more Days may be forthwith solemnly set apart, wherein both Ourselves, and this Your Kingdom, may, by Fasting and Prayer, seek a Reconciliation at the Hands of Almighty God; and, with humble and penitent Hearts, beseech Him to heal our Breaches, to remove the Evils we lie under, and to avert those Miseries wherewith we are threatened, and continue the Mercies we yet enjoy; and that He will be graciously pleased to bestow his abundant Blessing upon Your Majesty, and this present Parliament, that all our Counsels and Consultations may tend to his Glory, and the Honour, Safety, and Prosperity, of Your Majesty, and all Your People.

Concurrence of Lords desired.

Resolved, &c. That the Concurrence of the Lords be desired to the Petition, to be presented to his Majesty, for appointing a general Fast: And that Sir Thomas Clergis do go up to the Lords, to desire their Concurrence.

Recovery of Tythes.

A Bill for repairing of Churches, and for the better Recovery of small Tythes, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed to Sir Edward Deering, Sir John Shaw, Sir Charles Wheeler, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Newport, Mr. Maynard, Sir Thomas Allen, Sir John Cotton, Sir John Mounson, Mr. Ban. Maynard, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Nich. Morrice, Sir Thom. Littleton, Sir John Talbot, Sir Robert Dillington, Sir Adam Browne, Sir John Heath, Sir Rich. Everard, Mr. Henley, Mr. Boscowen, Mr. Morrice, Lord Scudamore, Sir Edward Masters, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. Serjeant Maynard, Sir Edward Masters, Mr. Crouch, Sir Philip Warwick, Sir John Robinson, Sir John Knight, Sir Edw. Hungerford, Colonel Birch, Sir John Frederick, Sir William Doyley, Sir John Lowther, Sir John Gilby, Sir John Holland, Colonel Strangwaies, Sir Thom. Lee, Sir Lionell Walden, Sir Nich. Slaning, Sir Robert Carr, Sir Edw. Hales, Sir Edw. Massey, Sir Jos. Tredinham, Sir John Shaw, Sir Nich. Carew, Sir Thom. Meeres, Sir Metcalfe Robinson, Mr. Swinfen: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet on Thursday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Child-stealing.

A Bill being tendered, and read, to prevent stealing and transporting Children, and other Persons; but the Manner of it being disliked, the Bill was withdrawn, upon the Question.

Ordered, That it be referred to Sir John Knight, Mr. Boscowen, Colonel Birch, Sir Thom. Meeres, Mr. Powle, Mr. Maynard, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Thom. Lee, Sir John Shaw, Sir John Birkenhead, or any Three of them, to bring in a Bill to prevent the stealing and transporting Children, and other Persons: And they are to meet on Thursday, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Address against a standing Army.

The House then proceeded to the Consideration of the Grievance of the Nation, by the Standing Army now on Foot: And the Matter being debated;

Resolved, &c. That the Standing Army is a Grievance.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to prepare an Address, to be presented to his Majesty, to shew how this Standing Army is a Grievance.

And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Sir Thom. Meeres, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Thom. Lee, Sir Nich. Carew, Sir Robert Thomas, Mr. Whorwood, Sir Will. Coventry, Sir John Shaw, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir Thom. Clergis, Lord St. John, Colonel Birch, Sir John Mallett, Colonel Strangwayes, Sir Charles Wheeler, or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Five of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

And then the House adjourned till Two of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Gower's Petition.

A PETITION being tendered on the Behalf of Will. Levison alias Gower Esquire;

Ordered, That this Petition be read To-morrow Morning.

Address against the Duke's Marriage presented.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do read, and present to his Majesty, the Address of this House, concerning the Match of his Royal Highness with the Princess of Modena.

And then Mr. Speaker, with the House, went to Whitehall, to attend his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker, with the House, returning;

Mr. Speaker reports to the House, That, in pursuance of their Commands, he had read, and presented to his Majesty, the Address of the House: And that his Majesty was pleased to declare, That it was a Matter that he would take into his present Consideration, and return a speedy Answer.

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