House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 05 June 1610

Martis, 5 Junii, 1610

Dorchester.

L. 1. Nova. B. - DORCHESTER.

Alehouses.

B. - Alehouses, reported by Sir Rob. Johnson, with Amendments : - Ingrossetur.

Swearing,

B. Against Swearing, reported by Sir Edw. Mountague: - Ingrossetur,

Oath of Allegiance.

Mr. Speaker putteth the House in mind, that, amongst other Things, they had humbly moved his Majesty, by himself, as their Speaker, that the Oath of Allegiance, prescribed by Stat. Anno 3o of his Majesty's Reign, might be tendered to all Persons of what Degree or Quality soever, within the Kingdom : That, upon this Motion, his Majesty had published a Proclamation requiring the Care of all Ministers of Justice, to whom it appertained, and the Obedience of all Subjects in that Behalf; and, for Example and Precedent to others, had caused the Oath to be ministred to all the Lords of his Privy Council, in his own Presence : and had given Order, that the like should be done by all Persons within his Palace.

This (he said) appearing so necessary and fit at this Time, and proceeding of their own Motion, he presumed they would not be backward in Conformity and Care to perform the like amongst themselves; to give Testimony of their Faith and Loyalty, in all other Things so well approved, and so acceptable to his Majesty.

Members take the Oath.

Hereupon there grew some Question, of the Course to be held in the Taking of it, and of the Authority to minister it; and, after some Difference in Opinion, it was conceived, that, sithence the Law doth authorize any Two Justices of the Peace to minister it, and that in this House there were now sitting divers Justices of Peace, of Middlesex (as Sir John Herbert, second Secretary to his Majesty, Sir Julius Caesar, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Tho. Parry, Chancellor of the Duchy, and others) and that the local and peculiar Service of any Member of the House did not suspend or abridge his Power as Justice of Peace for that Shire wherein he is resident; that the Oath might fitly and lawfully be ministred to such of the House, as would voluntarily take it, enforcing no Man unto it. And, for a more orderly and warrantable Proceeding in a House of Parliament, this Course was ratified by special Order of the House; which, in ancient and true Form, hath ever been a Law inviolable to the Members of the same. And, for the Ease of Mr. Speaker, and some other eminent Members of the House, who did specially attend this Service, the Clerk was directed to read it distinctly, and Four, or as many more as conveniently could, to lay their Hands upon the Book at once, and to pronounce it articulatim after him : And this Day, in the Forenoon, these Persons, under-named, took it, in Order as they are placed :

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