House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 18 September 1644

Die Mercurii, Septembris 18, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Army Cloathing, &c.

RESOLVED, &c. That Eight hundred of the Suits of Cloaths provided for my Lord General's Army, shall be sent and disposed of, to clothe the Soldiers of Plymouth: And that these Cloaths be delivered to such as the Committee for Plymouth shall appoint; to be disposed of accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of Lords and Commons, at Haberdashers Hall, do forthwith issue out of the Monies that come in there, Five hundred Pounds; to be paid upon Account to Michaell Herring Esquire, to be disposed of to the Soldiers of Plymouth, in such manner as the Committee for Plymouth shall appoint.

Publick Stores.

Ordered, The Lieutenant of the Ordnance, and the rest of the Officers, do take the Powder found at Weymouth into the Stores: And that the Fifty Barrels of Powder, appointed on Monday last to be issued out of the Publick Stores for the Service of Barnstaple, be issued out of the Powder that came from Weybridge, and delivered to Captain Crauley: And that the Order be directed to the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, and the rest of the Officers.

Ordnance Officers.

Ordered, That the Business concerning the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, and the rest of the Officers, be taken into Consideration on Friday Morning next.

Ship Edward.

Mr. Solicitor reports from the Committee of both Kingdoms, the Order of that Committee of Septembris 16, 1644, concerning the Ship the Edward of Hartlepoole.

Church Government.

The House being informed, that divers Ministers of the City of London were at the Door, who desired to present a Petition to the House;

They were called in: And the Petition was read; desiring that the Settlement of a Discipline and Government in the Church might be expedited: And

It is Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to meet with the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, and the Committee of the Assembly: And it is recommended unto that Committee, to consider in what State the whole Work of Discipline, Government, Worship, and Doctrine, is in; and to expedite the whole Work in the best way they may.

The Divines were again called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them, that the House did find the Matter of their Petition to be of great Weight: That they had put it in a way, and did well approve of their Care.

The House being informed, that divers of the Assembly of Divines were at the Door;

They were called in; and did present the humble Advice of the Assembly, touching twenty-three Persons, to be appointed to ordain Ministers pro tempore, in the City of London.

The Divines withdrew.

And then the Names of the Persons by them offered to ordain, were read; and assented unto; being these following, viz.

Dr. Cornelius Burges, one of the Assessors of the Assembly, Dr. Wm. Gouge, Mr. John Ley, Mr. Geo. Walker, Mr. Edm. Calamy, Mr. Daniell Cawdry, Mr. Stanley Gowre, Mr. John Conaut, Mr. Humphry Chambers, all Members of the Assembly; Mr. Henry Robrough, one of the Scribes of the Assembly; Mr. John Downham, Mr. Charles Offspring, Mr. Rich. Lee, Mr. Timothy Dod, Mr. James Crauford, Mr. Thomas Horton, Mr. Thomas Clenden, Mr. Arth. Jackson, Mr. Sam. Clerke, Mr. Emanuell Bourne, Mr. Fulk Bellers, Mr. Francis Roberts, Mr. Leonard Coke.

These, being approved of by the House, were ordered to be inserted into the Ordinance for Ordination pro tempore, by the Care of Mr. Rous, and Mr. Tate.

And then that Ordinance was carried up to the Lords by Mr. Rous, with this Order following:

Ordered, That the Care be committed to the Assembly of printing both the present Ordinance, and Directory for Ordination, and all other Things that shall be hereafter presented to the Houses of Parliament, as the humble Advice of the Assembly, if the Houses shall think fit to publish the same: And that, when any thing shall be agreed upon to be published, it may be sent back to the Assembly; that, by their Care, it may be well and truly printed; and none to print the same, but such as shall be appointed thereunto by the Assembly.

Ordnance Stores.

Upon a Report of an Order from the Committee of both Kingdoms, of Septembris 14, 1644;

It is Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, and the rest of the Officers of the Ordnance, do forthwith issue and deliver out, of the Powder that came from Weybridge, unto Arth. Collingham, Thirty Barrels of Powder, and Match and Bullet proportionable; to be by him sent to Arundell Castle.

Upon a Report of an Order from the Committee of both Kingdoms;

It is Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, and the rest of the Officers of the Ordnance, to deliver unto Colonel Jo. Ven, or whom he shall appoint, out of the Powder brought from Weybridge, Ten Barrels of Powder, and half a Ton of Match, for the Use of the Garison of Windesore.

Business deferred.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Yorkeshire, and the other Western Counties, be taken into Consideration on Friday Morning next.

Ordered, That the List of the Names for Sale of Lands, for Payment of the Yorkshire and Northern Armies, be taken into Consideration at the next Sitting of the House.

Publick Stores.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Navy do this Afternoon consider of the State of the Powder and Petre in the Stores; and to consider how the Publick Magazines and Stores may be, from time to time, furnished and replenished.

Letter from the King.

Mr. Holles reports from the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to consider of the Letter from the King, directed to the Lords and Commons of Parliament, assembled at Westminster, That the Committee have passed these Votes:

1. That the Direction of the Letter from his Majesty to the Lords and Commons of Parliament, assembled at Westminster, is not a Direction which doth acknowledge the Parliament of England.

2. That this House would make all Haste with the Propositions that have passed both Kingdoms; that they may be perfected, and sent to the King.

Both which Questions were put to the Question by Mr. Speaker; and assented unto by the House.

Ship Edward, &c.

Upon Mr. Solicitor's Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms;

Ordered, That all the Lead of James Brook, of York, Merchant, aboard the Ship Edward, of Hartlepoole, now in the River of Thames, be forthwith delivered to him, to be transported beyond Seas; he first giving good Security to the Admiralty, to answer the Value thereof, if they be adjudged against him by this House.

Ordered, That a Copy of this be sent to the Commissioners at Sunderland, to certify their Knowledge herein.

Resolved, &c. That the Men of Ipswich, who claim an Interest in the Ship lately stayed at Hartlepoole, shall carry the said Ship, and Goods therein, to Amsterdam, or Roterdam, and shall, before their going, put in sufficient Caution in the Admiralty, to bring back the Ship hither, or to Ipswich; that, if any other can pretend Title to her, they may take Course against her at her Return.

Resolved, &c. That the Twelve Musquets that are in her, be also brought back again, under the same Security.

Resolved, &c. That the Grenadoes that are in her, are to be left behind, and put into the Stores, before the Ship go forth.

Resolved, &c. That Lieutenant Colonel Mackworth, and the other Two Gentlemen that were in that Ship, be set at Liberty, to go along in the said Ship.

Propositions for Peace.

Resolved, &c. That this House do sit To-morrow, purposely to take into Consideration the Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace, this Day reported by Mr. Peirpoint.

Ordered, That the Gentlemen of the Counties of Sussex, Surrey, Hants, and of all other Counties, do meet this Afternoon, to bring in the Names of such Delinquents they hold fit to be excepted in the Propositions.

Leave of Abssnce.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth give Leave to Thomas Hatcher Esquire, a Member of this House, and One of the Commissioners of both Houses, appointed to reside with the Commissioners of Scotland, in the Northern Parts, to be absent from his Employment as one of the Commissioness there, at such times as he shall hold most convenient to attend his Charge; being Commander in Chief, under the Earl Manchester, of all the Forces in Lincolnshire.

Committees to meet.

Ordered, That the Committee of this House, appointed to consider of and prepare an Ordinance for Eighty thousand Pounds, for Ireland; and the Committee appointed by the Common Council, for the Farthing Tokens; and the Five hundred and Fifty Pounds weekly upon the City; do meet this Afternoon, to settle that Business.

Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Business, do meet this Afternoon, peremptorily at Three of Clock, in the Court of Wards: And all the Members of that Committee are enjoined by the House to give their Attendance upon that Service. And Mr. Nicolas is appointed Chairman of that Committee; is to give Notice to the House, of such Members of that Committee as fail this Service.

Ordination.

Mr. Rous carried up to the Lords, The Ordinance concerning Ordination.

Whitelock's Ordinance.

Mr. Lisle carried up to the Lords, The Ordinance concerning Mr. Whitelock.

Whereas, upon the Sale heretofore made of the Manor of South Warmborow, and other Lands in the County of Southampton, by Wm. Sandis Esquire, unto Richard Bishop, then of London, Esquire, the Sum of Five hundred Pounds, Part of the Purchase Money, was, by Agreement, retained in the Hands of the said Richard Bishop, in respect of an Incumbrance whereunto the said Lands were supposed liable, by reason of certain Fines before that time imposed in the High Commission Court, upon Sir John Hall Knight, then Owner of Part of the said Lands: And whereas Bulstrode Whitlock, Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, being engaged by Bond, dated the 13th of June 1638, with the said Wm. Sandys, for the Payment of the Sum of Six hundred and Twenty Pounds, unto Thomas Bennett Esquire, for the Use of Elizabeth Bennett Spinster, for the proper Debt of the said Wm. Sandys; for Counter Security, and in part of Satisfaction to the said Bulstrode Whitlock, he the said Wm. Sandys did agree, That the said Bulstrode Whitlock should receive the said Five hundred Pounds, and the Interest due for the same; which, by Articles of Agreement made between them, the said Wm. Sandys and Richard Bishop, and dated the 17th Day of June 1636, the said Bishop was to pay to the said Wm. Sandys, and his Assigns, with Interest for Six Months, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. when the said Manor and Lands should be freed and discharged from the said Incumbrance, as by the said Articles, which were thereupon by him the said William Sandys delivered into the Hands of the said Bulstrode Whitelock to enable him to receive the same, doth more at large appear: And now the said Bulstrode Whitelock, having paid the said Debt of the said William Sandys, is become justly intitled to the Money so remaining, in the Hands of the said Richard Bishop: Be it therefore, upon the humble Prayer of the said Bulstrode Whitelock, Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that the said Richard Bishop shall within Ten Days after the passing of this Ordinance, satisfy and pay unto the said Bulstrode Whitelocke, his Executors or Assigns, the said Sum of Five hundred Pounds, with Six Months Interest due for the same, according to the Agreement aforesaid; and that, upon Payment thereof as aforesaid, the said Manor and Lands shall be freed and discharged of and from the said Fine and Fines, or any Incumbrance, by reason thereof; and likewise the said Richard Bishop, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, be freed, acquitted, and discharged, against the said Wm. Sandys, upon the said Articles of Agreement, and every thing therein contained, touching or concerning the said Sum of Five hundred Pounds.

Ordination of Ministers.

Whereas the Word Presbyter, that is to say, Elder, and the Word Bishop, do, in the Scriptures, intend and signify one and the same Function, although the Title of Bishop hath been, by currupt Custom, appropriated to One, and that unto him ascribed, and by him assumed, as in other things, so in the matter of Ordination, that was not meet; which Ordination notwithstanding being performed by him, a Presbyter, joined with the Presbyters, we hold for Substance to be valid, and not to be disclaimed by any that received it: And that Presbyters so ordained, being lawfully thereunto appointed, and authorized, may ordain other Presbyters. And whereas it is also manifest by the Word of God, that no Man ought to take upon him the Office of a Minister, until he be lawfully called and ordained thereunto; and that the Work of Ordination, that is to say, an outward solemn Setting-apart of Persons for the Office of the Ministry in the Church by Preaching Presbyters, is on Ordinance of Christ, and is to be performed with all due Care, Wisdom, Gravity, and Solemnity: It is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, (after Advice had with the Assembly of Divines now convened at Westminster), That, during the present Exigencies of the Armies, of the Navy, and of many Congregations, destitute of able and faithful Ministers of the Gospel, and until a Government of the Church be formed, up to the full Power and Work fit, and the whole Course of the Ordination of Ministers in an Ordinary Way, be set up, and settled for the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland: These Persons in the City of London, being Presbyters, viz. Doctor Cornelius Burges, one of the Assessors of the Assembly; Doctor Wm. Gouge, Mr. John Ley, Mr. George Walker, Mr. Edmond Calamy, Mr. Daniell Cawdry, Mr. Stanley Gower, Mr. John Conout, Mr. Humfrey Chambers, Members of the Assembly of Divines; Mr. Henry Robrough, one of the Scribes of the Assembly; Mr. John Downham, Mr. Charles Ofspring, Mr. Richard Ley, Mr. Timothy Dod, Mr. James Crauford, Mr. Thomas Horton, Mr. Thomas Clenden, Mr. Arthur Juxon, Mr. Sam. Clerk, Mr. Eman. Bourne, Mr. Foulk Bellers, Mr. Fran. Roberts, Mr. Len. Coke, or any Seven of them, being the whole Number present; or any Seven or more of them, being the major Part of them that shall be present; may examine, approve, and ordain, Presbyters, according to the Directory for Ordination, and Rules of Examination, hereafter expressed: That is to say,

I. That he that is to be ordained, must address himself to the Ministers appointed to ordain; and bring with him a Testimonial of his taking the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms; of his Diligence and Proficiency in his Studies; what Degrees he hath taken in the University, and what hath been the Time of his Abode there; and withal of his Age, which is to be Twenty-four Years at the least; but especially of his Life and Conversation.

II. The Ministers appointed to ordain, shall proceed to inquire touching the Grace of God in him; and whether he be of such Holiness of Life, as is requisite in a Minister of the Gospel; and to examine him touching his Learning and Sufficiency, and touching the Evidence of his Calling to the holy Ministry; and in particular, his fair and direct Calling to that Place to which he is designed.

Rules for Examination are these:

1. That the Party examined be dealt with in a Brotherly Way, with Mildness of Spirit; and with special respect to the Gravity, Modesty, and Quality of every one.

2. He shall be examined touching his Skill in the Original Tongues; and that Trial to be made, by reading the Hebrew and Greek Testaments, and rendering some Portions of them into Latin: An Inquiry also shall be made after his other Learning, and whether he hath Skill in Logick and Philosophy.

3. What Authors in Divinity he hath read, and is best acquainted with: And Trial shall be made of his Knowledge in the chief Grounds of Religion, and of his Ability to defend the Orthodox Doctrine contained in them, against all unsound and erroneous Opinions, especially those of the present Age; of his Skill in the Sense and Meaning of such Places of Scripture as shall be proposed unto him in Cases of Conscience, and in the Chronology of the Scripture, and of the Ecclesiastical * *

4. If he hath not before practised in Publick with Approbation of such as are able to judge, he shall, at a competent Time assigned him, and before the Ministers appointed to ordain, expound such a Place as shall be given him.

5. He shall, in a competent Time, also frame a Discourse, in Latin, upon such a Common Place, or Controversy in Divinity, as shall be assigned him; and exhibit to the Ministers appointed to ordain, such Theses as express the Sum thereof; and maintain a Dispute upon them.

6. He shall preach before the People, and the Ministers appointed to ordain, or some of them.

7. The Proportion of his Gifts, in relation to the Place unto which be is called, shall be considered.

8. Besides the Trial of his Gifts in Preaching, he shall undergo an Examination in the Premises Two several Days, or more, if the Ministers appointed to ordain shall judge it necessary.

III. After which, he being approved, is to be sent to the Church, or other Place, where he is to serve, (if it may be done with Safety and Conveniency), there to preach Three several Days, and to converse with the People, that they may have Trial of his Gifts, for their Edification; and may have Time and Leisure to inquire into, and the better to know, his Life and Conversation.

IV. In the last of those Three Days appointed for the making known of his Gifts in Preaching, there shall be sent, by the Ministers appointed to ordain (if it may be done with Safety and Conveniency) a publick Instrument in Writing, which shall publickly be read before the People, and after affixed to the Church Door, to signify, such a Day any Member or Members of the said Congregation, or any other Person or Persons whatsoever, or any of them, may put in, with all Christian Discretion and Meekness, what Exceptions they have against him, and if, upon the Day appointed, there be no just Exception against him, the Ministers appointed to ordain shall proceed to Ordination.

V. In the Day appointed for Ordination, which is to be performed in that Church where he that is to be ordained is to serve, if it may be done with Safety and Conveniency; a solemn Fast shall be kept by the Congregation, that they may more earnestly join in Prayer to God for a Blessing upon the Person and Labours of this his Servant, solemnly to be set a-part to the Office of the Ministry for their Good: The Ministers appointed to ordain, or Seven of them, shall come to the Place; whereof one shall preach to the People, concerning the Office and Duty of the Ministers of Christ, and how the People ought to esteem him for the Work's sake.

VI. After the Sermon ended, the Minister which hath preached, shall, in the Face of the Congregation, demand of him who is now to be ordained, concerning his Faith in Christ Jesus, and his Persuasion of the Truth of the Reformed Religion, according to the Scriptures; his sincere Intentions and Ends to enter into this Calling; his Resolution to be diligent in Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Preaching, ministering the Sacraments, and doing all ministerial Duties towards his Charge; his Zeal and Faithfulness in maintaining the Truth of the Gospel, and Unity of the Church, against Error and Schism; his Care that himself and Family may be unblameable, and Examples to the Flocks; and this Resolution to continue in his Duty against all Trouble and Persecution.

VII. In all which, having declared himself, professed his Willingness, and promised his Endeavours, by the Help of God, the Ministers appointed to ordain shall solemnly set him apart to the Work of the Office and Ministry, laying their Hands on him, with a short Prayer or Blessing to this Effect: "Thankfully acknowledging the great Mercy of God, in sending Jesus Christ for the Redemption of his People, and for his Ascension to the Right Hand of God the Father; and there pouring out his Spirit, and giving Gifts to Men, Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, Pastors, and Teachers, for the Gathering and Building-up of his Church; and for fitting and inclining this Man to this great Work; to beseech him to fill him with his Holy Spirit, whom, in his Name, we set apart to this Holy Service, to fulfil the Work of his Ministry in all Things, that he may both save himself, and the People committed to his Charge."

VIII. This or the like Form of Prayer of Blessing being ended, let the Minister who preached, briefly exhort him to consider the Greatness of his Office and Work; the Danger of Negligence, both to himself and his People; the Blessing which will accompany his Faithfulness in this Life, and that to come: And withal, let him exhort and charge the People, in the Name of God, willingly to receive and acknowledge him as the Minister of Christ, and to maintain, encourage, and assist him, in all the Parts of his Office; and so, by Prayer, commending both him and his Flock to the Grace of God, after the Singing of a Psalm, let the Assembly be dismissed with a Blessing.

IX. Let such as are chosen or appointed for the Service of the Army or Navy, or Colleges, or other Charge, be ordained, as abovesaid, in such Church as the Ministers appointed to ordain shall think fit; and such Alterations made by the Minister that ordaineth, from the Exhortation last before prescribed, as the Circumstance of Place and Persons require.

And be it further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, and by the Authority aforesaid, That every Person formerly ordained a Presbyter, according to the Form of Ordination which hath been held in the Church of England, and is to be removed to another Charge, do bring to the Ministers appointed to ordain for that County where he is to be placed, a Testimonial of his Ordination, and of his Abilities and Conversation; whereupon his Fitness for that Place whither he is to be removed, shall be tried by his preaching there, (and if it shall be judged necessary) by a further Examination; and so, without a new Ordination, he shall be admitted, if he be approved as fit for that Place: And if any Person, ordained Minister in Scotland, or any other Reformed Church, be designed to a Congregation in England, he is to bring from that Church, to the Ministers appointed to ordain for that County where he is to be placed, a sufficient Testimony of his Ordination, of his Life and Conversation while he lived with them, and of the Causes of his Removal; and to undergo such a Trial of his Fitness and Sufficiency, and to have the same Course held with him in other Particulars, as is set down in the foregoing Rule and Provision touching the Examination and Admission of Persons formerly ordained in England.

And it is further Ordained, That Records be carefully kept by the Register to be nominated by the Ministers appointed to ordain, of the Names of the Persons ordained, with their Testimonial, the Time and Place of their Ordination, and of the Minister who did ordain them, and of the Charge to which they are appointed; and that no Money or Gift, of what Kind soever, shall be received from the Person to be ordained, or from any on his Behalf, for Ordination, or ought else belonging to it, by any of the Ministers appointed to ordain, or any appertaining to any of them, upon what Pretence soever, except the Register for the Entry, Instruments, and Testimonials, of his Ordination, which shall not exceed the Sum of Ten Shillings for each Person ordained.

And it is further Ordained, by the Authority aforesaid, That all Persons who shall be ordained Presbyters according to this Directory, shall be for ever reputed and taken, to all Intents and Purposes, for lawful and sufficiently authorized Ministers of the Church of England, and as capable of any ministerial Employment in the Church, with the Rights and Profits belonging thereunto, as any other Presbyters whatsoever already ordained, or hereafter to be ordained; and that all Presbyters who are hereby appointed and authorized to ordain, and shall, according to this present Directory, ordain, any Presbyters, are hereby declared to perform an acceptable Service to this Church and Kingdom; and shall have the Protection of both Houses of Parliament for their Indemnity. Provided that this Ordinance shall stand in Force for Twelve Months, and no longer; any thing in this Ordinance contained to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.