House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 8 August 1645

Die Veneris, 8 Augusti, 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the House, according to former Order, proceeded to take into Consideration the Business concerning Church-Government.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Whittacre reports, from the Grand Committee, the Opinion of That Committee, That an Ordinance be brought in to raise an Allowance, out of the Profits of the Printing of the Septuagint Bible, and other Bibles, for Mr. Patrick Yonge, during his Life: And this Committee to have Power to frame such an Ordinance; and consider of it: And

It is thereupon Ordered, That the said Committee do prepare and consider of an Ordinance, accordingly.

The House being informed, That some of the Assembly of Divines were at the Door;

They were called in: And Mr. White acquainted the House, That the Assembly of Divines had commanded them to present to this House a Petition: And they desired the House would take notice, That there is not a Matter of higher Concernment for the Glory of God, and Peace of this Church, than the Matter of this Petition; nor was ever any thing presented to the House with more Zeal, and Tenderness of Conscience: And therefore they do humbly desire, That it may be accordingly taken into Consideration.

The Petition was read; and was, concerning the Keeping of notorious ignorant and scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Resolved, &c. That this Answer shall be given to the Ministers of the Assembly; That this House hath heretofore considered of the Desires in this Petition; and will take it into further Consideration.

The Ministers were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them with the Resolution and Answer of the House, accordingly.

The Lord Fairfax acquainted the House, That he had received Letters from his Son Sir Thomas Fairfax; and a Letter of 4 Augusti 1645, written to Sir Thomas from Lieutenant-General Cromwell; and also a List of the Country Gentlemen and Ministers, called the Leaders of the Clubmen, for the Counties of Wiltes, Dorsett, and Somerset, surprised at Shaftsbury, and brought Prisoners to Sherborne: Which were all read.

Resolved, &c. That such of the Gentlemen and Ministers, Leaders of the Clubmen in the Counties of Wiltes, Dorsett, and Somersett, and surprised at Shaftsbury, as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall think fit, shall be forthwith sent up Prisoners to London: And it is further left to Sir Thomas Fairfax, to set at Liberty such others, of the meaner Sort, as he shall think fit; so as they first take the Covenant, and engage themselves to live quietly for the future. And Sir Thomas Widdrington is appointed to prepare a Letter, to be sent from this House to Sir Thomas Fairfax, accordingly.

Whereas it was ordained, by the Lords and Commons, assembled in Parliament, the Tenth Day of May last, That Lieutenant-General Cromwell, being then in the actual Service of the Parliament, and the Prosecution of the Enemy, should be continued in the Employment he was then in for Forty Days longer; notwithstanding the late Ordinance, or any Clause therein, that discharges the Members of either House from having any Office or Command Military or Civil: And whereas the said Lords and Commons, the Eighteenth of June last, did further order, That he should continue as Lieutenant-General of the Horse, according to the established Pay of the Army, for Three Months from the End of the Forty Days formerly appointed to him: It is this Day Ordered, by the Commons, assembled in Parliament, That the said LieutenantGeneral Cromwell shall be continued in the same Employment, as formerly, for the Space of Four Months longer, from the End of the said Three Months, for which he was formerly continued, as aforesaid.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.