House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 9 August 1644

Die Veneris, Augusti 9, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Delinquents Estates.

THE House, according to an Order of Wednesday last, sat in a Grand Committee, to consider of the Ordinance concerning the Sale of Delinquents Estates.

Mr. Rigby was called to the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Ecclesias- tical Affairs.

The House being informed, That divers Ministers of the Assembly were at the Door, who desired to present something to the House;

They were called in: And Dr. Burges informed the House, that the Assembly, taking Notice of God's Provi- dence, from time to time, in the Passages of the Armies; and taking into Consideration the Condition of the noble and honourable General in the West, whose Army is now in a Strait, the King bending his whole Strength against him, and therefore calls for our Prayers to preserve that noble Lord General; (with whom this House has resolved to live and die) and for Success upon his Forces: There- fore our humble Suit is (if this honourable House think it fit) That, upon Tuesday next, in Six Churches within the Line of Communication, whereof Margaret's, West- minster, and Saviour's, Southwark, to be Two . . . .: And the Assembly will take care to provide some of themselves to preach.

The next Thing I am commanded to present to this honourable House is, a Letter of the Earl of Warwick's and Articles against one Picott, who hath held dangerous Opinions in the Island of Guernesey, as Anabaptism, &c. and tending to Sedition in the Isle of Guernesey: Which they present to the Consideration of this House.

Mr. Martiall informed the House, that many Mini- sters and Gentry, in the several Counties, have desired to petition the House, to prevent the spreading Opinions of Anabaptism and Antinomianism with that Turbulency, that it tends to a Division amongst them that join in the Owning of this great Cause: But, in regard to the Un- seasonableness of the Time, we did persuade them, for a Time, to forbear; but now we see those Men have cast off all Affection, and are so imbitterated, that it is high time to suppress them: And we can forbear no longer, but petition this House to think of some such Way for the Stopping of them, as you, in your Wisdoms, shall think fit. Some Things, of late done, are come to our Knowledge: One Mr. Knolles, in a Church in Cornhill, did openly preach against the Baptizing of Children; and, on the last Fast Day, did preach, That the Retaining the Baptizing of Children was one of the greatest Sins in the Land. One Mr. Penrose, on the last Lord's Day, did, attended with many People, in a tumultuous Manner, enter into a Church in Southwark, where Mr. Herle, one of the Assembly, was to preach; and, by a Kind of Vio- lence, he, and those People, kept others from coming there. One Mr. Simson, once prohibited by this House to preach, preached lately (at whose Sermon a Reverend Divine, being present, took Notes of his Sermon); who said, That Jesus Christ is in Hogs and Dogs, or Sheep; yea, that the same Spirit that ruleth in the Children of God, ruleth in the Children of Disobedience: And divers other abominable Doctrines. Mr. Randall, who, for his Anabaptism, was removed, doth still go on in delivering such Things, or worse: He holds, Though a Woman (though wicked) if married to one that is godly, that she is thereby sanctified. These Things will admit of no longer Sufferance: And therefore we humbly present it to your Wisdoms for Redress, being ready (as Occasion is) to attend such Committee as you shall appoint, to make Proof of these Particulars; the Assembly having ap- pointed a Committee for that Purpose.

Resolved, &c. That there shall be a publick solemn Fast kept on Tuesday next, in Six Churches within the Line of Communication (Two whereof are to be Saint Margaret's, Westminster, and one in Southwarke) to desire a Blessing from God upon my Lord General, and the Forces under his Command in the West: And that it be referred to the Assembly of Divines, to provide the Ministers that shall perform this Duty in those Six Churches; and to make Choice of the Churches: And that this Fast may be kept in such other Churches as shall desire it.

The Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That the Letter from my Lord Admiral to the Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines, concerning Mr. Picott of Guernesey; and the Deposition concerning him; and the Sum of Depositions; all this Day presented from the Assembly of Divines, concerning Mr. Picott; be referred unto the Committee for plundered Ministers: And that Committee has hereby Power to secure the said Mr. Picott by Imprisonment, if they shall see Cause.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Simson, Mr. Randall, Mr. Pen- rose, and Mr. Knolles, be forthwith sent for in safe Cus- tody. And

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee for plundered Ministers, to consider of the Informations against Mr. Simson, Mr. Randall, Mr. Penrose, and Mr. Knollis; and to examine them upon the Informations; and to secure them by Imprisonment, if they shall see Cause. They are likewise, by Advice with the Assem- bly of Divines, or such of them as they shall call to their Assistance, to consider of the most expedite and best Way of preventing the Mischiefs that will arise from, and fol- low, the Divulging the dangerous Opinions of Antino- mianism and Anabaptism; and to present their Opinions to the House, touching the whole Matter: And have Power to send for Parties, Witnesses, Papers, Records: And Sir Jo. Corbett, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Pure- foy, Sir Christ. Yelverton, Sir Wm. Strickland, and Mr. Spurstoe, are added to this Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. White do give Order for the publick Burning of one Williams his Books, intituled, &c. con- cerning the Tolerating of all Sorts of Religion.

The Assembly of Divines were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House did assent to a publick Fast on Tuesday next, &c. They have referred the Letter from my Lord Admiral, and the Depositions concerning Mr. Picott, of Guernesay, to a Committee: They have sent for Mr. Simson, &c. in safe Custody; and have referred it to a Committee, to consider of remedying and prevent- ing the Mischiefs that arise from the spreading the dan- gerous Opinions of Antinomianism and Anabaptism.

Message from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Mr. Page;

The Lords have received further Demands from the States Ambassadors, which they desire may be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed for the Complaints of the States Ambassadors. They desire the Committee appointed for the Reception of the French Resident, may meet To- morrow, at Eight of Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings. They have likewise received a Petition from the Officers of Paul's Church, London, which they desire may be re- ferred to the Committee for Sequestrations. They have likewise received a Petition from Guernesay; which they desire to communicate to the Consideration of this House.

States Am- bassadors.

Resolved, &c. That the further Demands of the States Ambassadors shall be referred to the Consideration of the Committee appointed to consider of the Complaints of the States Ambassadors.

French Resident.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of the Reception of the French Resident, do meet with the Committee of the Lords To-morrow, at Eight of Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings.

Officers of Paul's Church.

Ordered, That the Petition from the Officers of Paul's Church, London, this Day read, be referred to the Con- sideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations.

Isle of Guernesay.

Ordered, That the Petition from the Isle of Guernesay, and the Lord Admiral's Letter concerning that Business, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Publick Fast.

Mr. Rous brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the publick Fast on Tuesday next.

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and do agree to the Referring of the further Demands of the States Ambassadors, and the Petition from the Officers of . . . . . Church, London, as is desired; and have ap- pointed that the Committee for the Reception of the French Resident, shall meet To-morrow, at Eight of Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings, as is desired: And they have taken the Petition from Guernesay into Consideration.

Warrant to Aberneth.

Upon Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, it is Resolved, &c. That Mr. Geo. Aberneth shall have Mr. Speaker's Warrant granted unto him, to go into the King's Quarters to Sir Rob. Spottiswood, about a parti- cular Business of the Marquis Argile.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Money due to Merchant Adventurers.

An Ordinance for reimbursing and securing the Fellow- ship of Merchant Adventurers, Ten thousand Pounds, which they should have received from the Excise in Sep- tember next, and are content to forbear it, for the Service of the Parliament, for Four Months longer, was this Day read; and, by Vote upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence, by Mr. Trenchard.

He is likewise to carry up the Ordinance.

Western Forces.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the West, to consider of raising Monies, and making Provisions, to enable the Forces of the West to go to their Rendezvous, and to march, upon this present Ex- pedition, with Sir Wm. Waller.

The Committee is injoined to meet upon this Business, this Afternoon.

Western Association.

Ordered, That the Ordinance concerning the Six associated Western Counties be reported To-morrow Morning.

Money for Army.

Resolved, &c. That Five thousand Pounds more than the Ten thousand Pounds already appointed out of the Excise, being the Ten thousand Pounds forborn by the Merchant Adventurers, shall be forthwith provided, to enable Sir Wm. Waller's own Forces presently to march: And it is referred to the Committee for providing Sup- plies of my Lord General's and Sir Wm. Waller's Armies, to consider of the present raising of this Five thousand Pounds: And are to meet this Afternoon upon it; and to make Report To-morrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Lisle shall have the Leave of this House to go into the Country for a Fortnight, or there- abouts.

Commis- sioners of Excise.

Ordered, That the Propositions presented from the Commissioners of Excise, be taken into further Consider- ation To-morrow Morning.

Money due to Merchant Adventurers.

Whereas the Fellowship of Merchant Adventurers of England are, by Ordinances of both Houses of Par- liament, dated the Fifth of March last, 1643, to receive Ten thousand Pounds, with Interest thereupon arising, from the Twelfth of July last, upon the First Day of September now next coming, out of the Receipts of the Excise: And whereas the said Fellowship have agreed, for the Service of the Parliament, and present Supports of Sir Wm. Waller's Army, to forbear the Receipt of the said Ten thousand Pounds for Four Months longer, from the foresaid First of September that the same is due: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Fellowship of Merchant Ad- venturers of England shall receive the Interest due for the said Ten thousand Pounds, from the Twelfth of July last, upon the said First of September next. And for the Principal, being Ten thousand Pounds, as aforesaid, with the following Interest, after the Rate of Eight per Cent.; it is further Ordained, That the same shall be paid upon the Fourth Day of January next, out of the Receipts of the Excise and New Impost: And in case the Whole, or any Part, of the said Ten thousand Pounds shall not be paid at the Day before mentioned, that the said Fellow- ship shall receive Allowance of Interest, after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long Time as they shall be out of any Part thereof; all which several Payments of Interest, and Principal and Interest, as aforesaid, the Commissioners of Excise and New Impost are hereby required and autho- rized to make due Payment of, from time to time, ac- cording to the true Intent and Meaning of this Ordi- nance, unto the Treasurer of the said Fellowship for the Time being; whose Receipt, testified by the Seal of the said Fellowship, shall be a sufficient Discharge unto the said Commissioners of Excise, and every of them. And the said Lords and Commons do hereby further Declare, That the said Fellowship shall not, by any Order or Or- dinance of either or both Houses of Parliament, be ex- cluded from the several Payments and Receipts before- mentioned, but shall, from time to time, receive the several Sums of Interest, and Principal and Interest as aforesaid, according to the true Intent and Meaning of this Ordinance. And it is hereby further Ordained, That the Commissioners of the Excise and New Impost shall and may pay the said Ten thousand Pounds which the said Fellowship should receive upon the First of September next, by the said Ordinance of the Fifth of March, as aforesaid, unto John Trenchard Esquire, for the Use of Sir Wm. Waller's Army; whose Receipt shall be a suffi- cient Discharge unto them, and every of them.