House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 27 May 1646

Die Mercurii, 27 Maii, 1646, Die publicæ Humiliationis

ORdered, That Mr. Long and Sir Thomas Barnadiston do, from this House, give Thanks to Mr. John Ward: And that Colonel Moore do, from this House, give Thanks to Mr. Herrick, for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they preached this Day, at the Intreaty of this House, at St. Margaret's, Westminster; it being the Day of Publick Humiliation; and to desire them to print their Sermons: And they are to have the like Privilege in Printing of them, as others in the like kind usually have had.

Ordered, That Sir Benjamin Rudyerd do, from this House, give Thanks to Mr. Herle; and that Mr. Holles do, from this House, give Thanks to Mr. Tassell; for the great Pains they took in the Sermons they preached upon the Twelfth Day of May last past, at the Intreaty of the House of Commons, at St. Margaret's, Westminster; it being a Day of Publick Thanksgiving; and to desire them to print their Sermons: And they are to have the like Privilege in Printing of them, as others in the like kind usually have had.

Ordered, Mr. Bainton do, from this House, desire Dr. Smyth; and that Mr. Rose do, from this House, desire Mr. Calamy; to preach before the Commons, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, the next Fast-Day.

Ordered, That the several Members that are in Town, and have not taken the Covenant, have Notice, by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, to be present in the House on the next Fast-Day, to take the Convenant: And are hereby injoined to give their Attendance accordingly.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare an Ordinance to prevent the Growth and Spreading of Heresies and Blasphemies, and to punish the Divulgers and Assertors of them, do meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer-Chamber; and so de die in diem.

Herbert Board, Peter Brookes, John Corbett, George Fenwick, Thomas Hodges, John Hutchinson, Henry Lawrence, Luke Robinson, Richard Shuttleworth, Richard Tolson, Francis Thornhagh, Esquires, this Day took the National League and Covenant.

The House being informed, That divers Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex were at the Door;

They were called in; and presented to the House a Petition, intituled, "The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolk and Essex."

The which was read.

Ordered, That the several Certificates, from the Counties, of their Appointing of Classes, be taken into Consideration the next Day wherein the House shall proceed in the Settlement of the Business of the Church.

The Ministers were again called in: And Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them, That most of the particular Desires of their Petition are now under Consideration; and, they hope, will be brought to a Settlement speedily: That the House is very sensible, that, through some intervening Obstructions, the Church-Government has not been so fully settled as they desire: They give them Thanks for their good Affections; and desire them to put all Ordinances in Execution concerning Church-Government, as lie within their Power.

An Ordinance for better Observation of the monthly Fast was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, committed unto Mr. Ball, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Ashburst, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Francis Bacon, Sir Nath. Bacon, Mr. Swynsen, Mr. Allen, Mr. Stephens;

This Committee, or any Three of them, are to consider of the said Ordinance; and to take care, that a Clause be inserted, That in case any Person, for executing this Ordinance, or any other Ordinance of Parliament, shall be molested, or sued at the Common Law, that it shall be lawful for him to plead the General Issue; and, in case the Tryal pass for him, or the Plaintiff be Nonsuit, to have Double Costs and Damages: And are to meet upon it To-morrow in the Afternoon at Two of the Clock, in the Exchequer-Chamber.

Ordered, That, on Wednesday Morning next, the first Business, the House do take into farther Consideration the Business concerning Paul Best: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind thereof: And all the Lawyers of the House are required to attend at the same time.