February 1642/3
[21 February, 1642/3.]
Whereas Humphrey Tabor, Parson of the Parish Church of
St. Margaretts Lothbury, London, being double-beneficed hath
absented himself from his said Cure sometimes Six Months together, and, when he is there, preacheth not above Three
Weeks or a Month, and refuseth to read the Orders and Ordinances of Parliament, or obey the Commands thereof, speaking
slightly thereof, as not of any Authority, and in his Sermons
inveighs against such as take up Arms for the Defence of the Parliament, declaiming against them as Rebels, and as led therein by
the evil Spirit that works in the Sons of Disobedience: Which
the Lords and Commons in Parliament taking into Consideration, for the better Supply of an able and Godly Man in the said
Church, and for the Provision of fit Maintenance for him that
shall officiate herein, do constitute and Ordain, That Edward
Hopgood, Peter Hassard, Robert Lowther, Edward Chard, Richard
Cox, William Millex, Anthoney Fletcher, William Burrowes, or
any Three of them, shall have Power and Authority, and they are
hereby required, to sequester the Parsonage House, and all the
Tithes, Rents, and Profits whatsoever of the said Parsonage, and
to appoint Collectors for the gathering and receiving of them, as
they in their Discretion shall think fit; and shall have Power to
deliver the said House, and to pay the same unto Leonard Cooke,
Clerk, Master of Arts, a Godly, Learned, and Orthodox Divine,
who is hereby appointed and required to preach every Lords-day,
and to officiate as Parson, and to take Care for the Discharge of
the Cure of the said Place in all the Duties thereof, until further
Order shall be taken by both Houses of Parliament; and, if any
shall refuse to pay unto the said Sequestrators, or any Three of
them, or to the Collectors appointed by them. any of the Tithes,
Rents, Duties, or lawful Fees accustomed to be paid, upon
Information thereof by the Sequestrators, or any Three of them,
unto either House of Parliament, the said Lords and Commons
do hereby Declare, They will proceed against such Refusers
according to their several Offences and Contempts.