House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 12 January 1674

Lunæ, 12 die Januarii, 1673.

Prayers.

Petition for a Fast.

A MOTION being made, and a Petition read, to be presented to his Majesty, for a General Fasting Day of Humiliation, to be observed throughout the Nation;

Resolved, &c. That the Petition be agreed to; and that the Concurrence of the Lords be desired to the Petition: And Sir Thomas Clerges is to go up to the Lords to desire their Concurrence: Which Petition is as followeth; viz.

WE Your Majesty's most loyal and obedient Subjects, the 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 special Command, One or more Days may be 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 Blessings upon Your Majesty and this present Parliament, that all our Councils and Consultations may tend to His Glory, and the Honour, Safety, and Prosperity of Your Majesty, and all Your People.

Lords concur in Petition for a Fast.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Will. Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent us to acquaint you, That they do concur in the Petition to be presented to his Majesty, for a General Fasting Day of Humiliation; and will send to know his Majesty's Pleasure, when he will be attended therewith.

Resolution for redressing Grievances.

The House then proceeded to the Debate of the Matter of his Majesty's Speech;

Resolved, &c. That this House will, in the first place, proceed to have their Grievances effectually redressed; the Protestant Religion, our Liberties and Properties, effectually secured; and to suppress Popery, and remove all Persons and Counsellors Popishly affected, or otherwise obnoxious or dangerous to the Government.

Thanks for the King's Speech.

The Question being propounded, That the Thanks of this House be returned to his Majesty, for his gracious Speech;

The Question being put, That the House do now proceed in the Debate of that Question;

The House divided.

The Noes go out.

Tellers,

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That the humble and hearty Thanks of this House be returned to his Majesty, for those Acts which he has done since the last Prorogation, towards the Suppressing and Discountenancing of Popery; and for his gracious Promises and Assurances in his last Speech.

Resolved, &c. That the House will go in a Body, to return their Thanks to his Majesty: And such Members of this House that are of his Majesty's Privy Council, are desired to know his Pleasure, when he will be attended therewith.

Address on Dangers from Papists.

Information being given to the House, of the present Danger the Kingdom is in from Papists, and other disaffected Persons;

Resolved, &c. That an Address be made to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to give Order for the Militia of London, Westminster, and Middlesex, to be ready at an Hour's Warning; and the other Militia of the Kingdom at a Day's Warning; for the Suppressing any tumultuous Meeting of Papists, or other malecontent Persons whatsoever: And that the House will present this Address, together with the former, to his Majesty.

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