House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 15 October 1645

Die Mercurii, 15 Octobris, 1645.

Prayers.

UPON the humble Petition of Arthur Baker, the Housekeeper of the House of Commons;

It is this Day Ordered, That the Committee of the Revenue do forthwith pay unto the said Arthur Baker, or such other Person as he shall appoint to receive the same, the Sum of Ten Pounds, for his present Relief.

An Ordinance for the regulating and reforming the University of Cambridge was this Day read; and, upon the Question, committed unto the Grand Committee for Religion; and ordered to be taken into Consideration on Friday next.

An Ordinance for taking off a former Order of Restriction, and leaving the Fellows of Trinity-Hall in the University of Cambridge to proceed to the Election of a Master of the said Hall; the Place being void by the Death of Doctor Eden; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed.

An Ordinance for establishing Rules and Directions, to be observed by the several Elderships, in the Suspension of ignorant and scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, was this Day read the Third time: And, upon the Question,

It is Resolved, &c. That these Words, "and not otherwise, until it be otherwise declared by both Houses of Parliament," shall stand as now it is in the Ordinance.

A Proviso was offered to be added to this Ordinance; and was read the First time:

And the Question being put, Whether it should be now read the Second time;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

And thereupon the Question passing with the Affirmative;

The said Proviso was read the Second time; and, upon the Question, rejected.

Resolved, &c. That these Words, "How notoriously scandalous Persons, other than such as are herein expressed, shall be kept from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper," shall be added to this Ordinance.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee, in this Ordinance, shall be the Members of both Houses that are now Members of the Assembly of Divines.

Resolved, &c. That the Quorum of the Committee, in this Ordinance, shall be Seven.

And then the whole Ordinance, with the Additions and Amendments, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords, for their Concurrence, by Mr. Whittacre.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Cooke shall be added to the Assembly of Divines, in the place of Mr. Strode, deceased.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Members of this House, that are of the Committee in the Ordinance for establishing Rules and Directions for suspending ignorant and scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to consider, How it may be held forth to all the World, How other notorious and scandalous Sinners, not named in the said Ordinance, may be kept from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

An Ordinance for securing to the Commissioners of Excise the Sum of Three thousand Pounds out of the Excise, Part of Twelve thousand Pounds formerly charged upon the Excise, for the Service of the West, with Interest for the same, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence.

A Letter from Lieutenant-General Cromwell, from Basing, of 14 Octobris 1645, concerning the Taking in of Basing, was this Day read.

The House being informed, That Colonel Hamond was at the Door;

He was called in; and informed the House of his Usage during the Time of his Imprisonment in Basing-House; and of the Particulars of the Taking in of that Place.

Resolved, &c. That Two hundred Pounds be freely bestowed upon Colonel Hamond, towards his Losses: And that the said Two hundred Pounds be paid out of the Monies to come in for the Earl of Devon's Fine for his Composition; viz. One hundred Pounds thereof out of the Proportion of the said Fine, assigned to the County of Hants; and the other Hundred Pounds out of the Proportion assigned for the Use of the West.

Resolved, &c. That the House, Garison, and Works of Basing, be forthwith totally slighted and demolished.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That whosoever will fetch away any Stone, Brick, or other Materials of Basing-House, shall freely have the same for his or their Pains.

Ordered, That a Letter be forthwith sent to LieutenantGeneral Cromwell, to give him Thanks for his good Services to the Parliament; for approving of his Opinion to slight the Garison and Works of Basing; and to recommend to his Care and Consideration the Taking in of Dennington-Castle, if it may not be prejudicial to his other Designs: And Mr. Sollicitor and Mr. Whitelock are to prepare this Letter: And Mr. Speaker is to sign the same.

Ordered, That a Letter be forthwith sent to Colonel Dalbyer, and the respective Committees, to join with Lieutenant General Cromwell, for the Attempting of Dennington-Castle: And that Mr. Whitelock and Mr. Sollicitor do prepare this Letter: And that Mr. Speaker do forthwith sign the same.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to consider, What Force of these Forces now with Lieutenant-General Cromwell, and Colonel Dalbyer, is fit to be left in these Parts for the Safety thereof, in pursuance of a former Order of this House, made Yesterday upon a Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Ordered, &c. That, on the next Lord's Day, publick Thanks be given unto Almighty God, for his great Mercies and Blessings upon the Parliament's Forces under Lieutenant-General Cromwell, and under Colonel Dalbeere, in taking Winchester-Castle and Basinge-House, in all Churches and Chapels of London and Westminster, and within the Lines of Communication.

And further it is Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of the City of London be desired to give timely Notice thereof to the several Ministers of the Churches and Chapels within the Lines of Communication, and Bills of Mortality.

Alderman Pennington and Colonel Venn are appointed to acquaint the Lord Mayor with this Order and Desire of this House.

Ordered, &c. That, instead of Wdenesdays, the House do sit on Mondays in the Afternoon, to hear the Reports, upon Petitions, from the Committee for Petitions where Mr. John Goodwyn hath the Chair.

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

The Lords have commanded us to deliver you these Letters and Papers: They were reported to them from the Committee of both Kingdoms: They came from the Commissioners of both Houses in the North, and are Six in Number; and they have thought fit to impart them unto you.

The Letter from the Commissioners of both Kingdoms, from Barwicke, of Octobris 9 1645, with the Letter from the Lord Digby, from Newarke, of Octobris 4 1645, to General Leven and Lieutenant-General Callander; with the Answer of General Leven, and other Papers inclosed, were all this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Thanks of this House be returned to General Leven.

Sir Henry Mildmay is appointed to prepare a Letter to this Purpose: And that the Jewel, formerly appointed to be bestowed upon General Leven, and referred to the particular Care of Sir Henry Mildmay, be speedily provided: And that both this Jewel for the Earl of Leven, and That designed for the General of the Parliament's Army, be both valued, and recorded in the Office of the Jewel-house.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Burgess for the University of Cambridge, in the room and place of Doctor Eaden, deceased.

Ordered, &c. That a Warrant shall issue forth, under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the new Election of a Knight of the Shire for the County of Cambridge, in the room and place of Thomas Chichesley Esquire; who is disabled, by Judgment of this House, to sit as a Member thereof, during this Parliament.

The Lords and Commons, considering the wonderful Providence of God, in calling them to this great and difficult Work, of reforming and purging his Church and People, his Guidance and manifest Protection of them in it, do acknowledge, that never any of his Servants, since the Foundation of the World, had more high and strong Engagements, heartily and sincerely to endeavour the complete Establishment of Purity and Unity in the Church of God, than they have: They do therefore require all Ministers and Elders, that they be careful to walk with Understanding in the House of God; that, by Example, Exhortations, and Admonitions, they endeavour to build up the People of the Lord in Love; that, with Humility and Meekness of Spirit, they adorn their holy Professions, and win Souls to the Love of the Truth; that they be diligent and faithful in the Work, as those that must give an Account. And where gross Ignorance, or notorious Scandal, shall appear, for the Remedy thereof, and to prevent the Evils that may come thereby, the Lords and Commons do Ordain, and it is hereby Ordained, That the several Elderships, respectively within their respective Bounds and Limits, have Power to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper all ignorant and scandalous Persons, within the Rules hereafter following, and according to the said Rules and Directions.

Rules and Directions, concerning Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in Case of Ignorance.

1. All such Persons who shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, ought to know, That there is a God: That there is but one Ever-living and True God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and Governor of all Things: That this only True God, is the God whom we worship: That this God is but One, yet Three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, equally God.

2. That God created Man after his own Image, in Knowledge, Righteousness, and true Holiness: That, by One Man, Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin; and so Death passed upon all Men; for that all have sinned: That thereby they are all dead in Trespasses and Sins; and are by Nature the Children of Wrath, and so liable to eternal Death, the Wages of every Sin.

3. That there is but One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus, who is also over All God blessed for ever; neither is there Salvation in any other: That he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary: That he died upon the Cross to save his People from their Sins: That he rose again the Third Day from the Dead, ascended into Heaven, sits at the RightHand of God, and makes continual Intercession for us: Of whose Fulness we receive all Grace necessary to Salvation.

4. That Christ, and his Benefits, are applied only by Faith; that Faith is the Gift of God; and that we have it not of ourselves, but it is wrought in us by the Word and Spirit of God.

5. That Faith is that Grace whereby we believe and trust in Christ, for Remission of Sins, and Life everlasting, according to the Promise of the Gospel; That whosoever believes not on the Son of God, shall not see Life, but shall perish eternally.

6. That they who truly repent of their Sins, do see them, sorrow for them, and turn from them to the Lord: And that, except Men repent, they shall surely perish.

7. That a godly Life is conscionably ordered, according to the Word of God, in Holiness and Righteousness, without which no Man shall see God.

8. That the Sacraments are Seals of the Covenant of Grace, in the Blood of Christ: That the Sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper: That the outward Elements in the Lord's Supper are Bread and Wine; and do signify the Body and Blood of Christ crucified, which the worthy Receiver, by Faith, doth partake of, in this Sacrament; which Christ hath likewise ordained for a Remembrance of his Death: That whosoever eats and drinks unworthily, is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord: And therefore, that every one is to examine himself, left he eat and drink Judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's Body.

9. That the Souls of the Faithful, after the Death, do immediately live with Christ in Blessedness; and that the Souls of the Wicked do immediately go into Hell-Torments: That there shall be a Resurrection of the Bodies, both of the Just and Unjust, at the last Day: At which Time All shall appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ, to receive according to what they have done in the Body, whether it be Good or Evil: And that the Righteous shall go into Life everlasting; and the Wicked into everlasting Punishment.

And it is further Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, That those who have a competent Measure of Understanding, concerning the Matters contained in these Articles, shall not be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, for Ignorance: And that the Examination and Judgment of such Persons as shall, for their Ignorance of the aforesaid Points of Religion, not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, is to be in the Power of the Eldership of every Congregation.

Rules and Directions concerning Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in the Cases of Scandal.

The several and respective Eldership shall have Power to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper all scandalous Persons hereafter mentioned, appearing to be such, upon just Proof thereof, made in such manner as is by this present Ordinance hereafter appointed, and not otherwise, until it be otherwise declared by both Houses of Parliament, How notoriously scandalous Persons (other than such as are herein expressed) shall be kept from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; that is to say, All Persons that shall blasphemously speak, or write, any thing of God, his Holy Word or Sacraments; an incestuous Person; an Adulterer; a Fornicator; a Drunkard; a profane Swearer or Curser; one that hath taken away the Life of any Person maliciously; all Worshippers of Images, Crosses, Crucifixes, or Reliques; all that shall make any Images of the Trinity, or of any Person thereof; all religious Worshippers of Saints, Angels, or any mere Creature; any Person that shall prosess himself not to be in Charity with his Neighbour; any Person that challenges any other Person, by Word, Message, or Writing, to fight; or that shall accept of any such Challenge, and agree thereto; any Person that shall knowingly carry any such Challenge, by Word, Message, or Writing; any Person that shall, upon the Lord's Day, use any Dancing, Playing at Dice, or Cards, or any other Game, Masking, Wake, Shooting, Bowling, Playing at Football, or Stoolball, Wrestling; or that shall make or resortunto any Plays, Interludes, Fencing, Bull-baiting, or Bearbaiting; or that shall use Hawking, Hunting, or Coursing, Fishing, or Fowling; or that shall publickly expose any Wares to Sale, otherwise than as is provided by an Ordinance of Parliament, of the Sixth of April 1644; any Person that shall travel upon the Lord's Day, without reasonable Cause; any Person that keepeth a known Stews or Brothel-house, or that shall sollicit the Chastity of any Person, for himself, or any other; any Person, Father, or Mother, that shall consent to the Marriage of their Child to a Papist; or any Person that shall marry a Papist; any Person that shall repair for any Advice unto any Witch, Wizard, or Fortuneteller; any Person that shall assault his Parents, or any Magistrate, Minister, or Elder, in the Execution of his Office; any Person that shall be legally attainted of Barretry, Forgery, Extortion, or Bribery. And the several and respective Elderships shall have Power likewise to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper * * * *.