House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 3 January 1645

Die Veneris, Januarii 3, 1644.

Prayers.

Ordered, That the Petition and Propositions from the County of Kent, formerly referred to a Committee of the whole House, be taken into further Consideration on Tuesday next, peremptorily.

Ordered, That Mr. Edw. Corbett be added to the Assembly of Divines, instead of Mr. Hall, late of that Assembly: And that the Lords Concurrence be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Rous do move the Assembly of Divines to write their Letters of Thanks to all the several Classes in the United Provinces, for their Activity in stirring up their People to a liberal Contribution for the Relief of the distressed Protestants in Ireland; and to send their Letters to the Committee for Ireland, sitting at Grocers-Hall; who will take care to send over and deliver the said Letters according to the Directions.

Memorandum, They have already sent about Ten or Twelve good Ships laden with good Provisions of all Sorts of Victuals, with sufficient Convoy, upon their own Charge, valued above Thirty thousand Pounds: And they are still providing more.

Mr. Whitlocke reports, from the Committee appointed to receive from the Queen of Sweethland's Commissioner, what he had further to say;

That the Queen of Swedland had commanded him to come over hither, and to present to the Parliament the good Affection and Desire and of all Welfare to them, which she wished as much as could be; and had commanded him to present those Letters. And then, after some Pause, he used many Expressions of a great deal of Affection of the Queen his Mistress.

He told the Committee, Besides these Letters, he had somewhat else to communicate to the Parliament of England; which he desired to communicate in private; for he had many would seek to cross that which his Mistress intended for the Good of both.

That the Letters were very long, because they contained most of those Things which he was otherwise to communicate to the Parliament; and hoped we would not think the Letters too long, that did express so much Affection to the Parliament.

According to the Order Yesterday made, the Letter from the Queen of Sweethland was this Day read.

Mr. Reynolds is appointed to go to the Lords, to acquaint them, That this House has this Day read the Letters from the Crown of Swede; and has had the Report made of the Commissioner's Desire delivered at his Reception: That he desires, what further he has to deliver, may be delivered in as private Way as may be; in regard it may suffer much Prejudice, if it should be known. And therefore,

Whereas both Houses Yesterday appointed a Committee to meet this Day, to receive what the said Commissioner had further in Charge to deliver from the Crown of Swede, They would now refer him to the Committee of both Kingdoms, to deliver what he has further in Charge from the Crown of Swede: And, in case the Lords do agree to the referring it to the Committee of both Kingdoms, that then the Commissioner of the Queen of Swetheland be acquainted therewith by the Master of the Ceremonies.

It is further Ordered, That Mr. Reynolds do desire the Lords to pass the Ordinance for continuing the Commission for Martial Law.

The House being informed, that divers Divines of the Assembly were at the Door;

They were called in: And Doctor Smyth delivered, from the Assembly, a Petition, presented unto them from the Company of Merchants Booksellers in London, concerning the Printing of the Copy of the Bible, translated into Greek by the Septuagint, which they recommend unto this House; earnestly desiring, that some Course may be taken, that the said Bible may be printed for the Benefit of the Church, the Advancement of God his Glory, and the Honour of the Kingdom.

Mr. Selden, Sir Simonds D' Ewes, Mr. Rous, Mr. Whittacre, Doctor Eden, Sir Gilb. Gerard, Mr. Oldisworth, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Young, Sir Benj. Rudyerd, Mr. Recorder, and Mr. Baynton;

This Committee, or any Three of them, is appointed to consider of the Matter of the Petition of the Merchant Booksellers in London, concerning the Printing the Copy of the Greek Bible, translated by the Septuagint, now in his Majesty's Library, and in the Custody of Mr. Patrick Young; and to confer with Mr. Young hereupon; and to consider of the best Course for the exact and speedy Printing of it; and of some Expedient for the Encouragement and Support of Mr. Patrick Young: And the Care hereof is especially recommended to Mr. Selden.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitefeild and Serjeant Finch;

The Lords having received this Day, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, Articles concerning the Isle of Guernsey; they desire that this House would take them into speedy Consideration, to prevent the Loss of the said Island.

Ordered, That the said Articles be taken into Consideration on Tuesday Morning next.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will take it into further speedy Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Sir Henry Vane junior reports, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, a Message concerning the Manner of the Treaty to be sent unto his Majesty, in Answer to his Majesty's Message of Decembris 13: The which was twice read: And

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That this Report be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning at Nine of Clock: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have received, from the Earl of Denbigh, these Articles; and they have referred them to the Committee formerly appointed concerning the Earl of Denbighe's Association; to meet on Thursday at Two of Clock, in the Painted Chamber; and desire this House, that they will direct their Committee, formerly appointed touching the said Association, then to meet about the said Articles, and for examining of the Matters contained in the said Articles.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Mr. Reynolds brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to refer the Commissioner from the Crown of Swede to deliver what he has further in Charge from the Crown of Swede to the Committee of both Kingdoms; and that the Master of the Ceremonies do acquaint the said Commissioner herewith.

Mr. Pierpoint reports, from the Committee appointed, a Letter to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland, which is to sit on the Seventh of this Month; and likewise Instructions for the Commissioners, appointed by both Houses, to repair to the Parliament of Scotland; and likewise the Names of the Commissioners; videlicet, Sir Wm. Armyn Baronet, Bryan Stapilton Esquire: The which were all particularly read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their Concurrence: And carried up by Mr. Peirpoint.

Ordered, That the Assembly of Divines here shall have Leave to write to the Assembly of the Church of Scotland; they first acquainting this House with their Letter.

Mr. Pierpoint brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Letter to be sent to the Parliament of Scotland; and to the Instructions; and to the Commissioners.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms, amongst other Parts of their Model of the new Militia, to consider of the Forces of the Northern Army; and to state them, and put them into a way of Establishment: And they are herein likewise to consider of Associating of the Forces of Derbishire and Leicestershire to that Army: And are to consult with the Northern Gentlemen herein.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Page and Doctor Aylett;

The Lords have returned unto you the Ordinance for taking away the Book of Common Prayer, and establishing the Directory for Publick Worship: To which they do agree, with some Alterations and Additions: The which they have herewith sent down; and desire the Concurrence of this House in them.

R. 1 Skin, 1 Line, After the Word "Commons," add "assembled in Parliament."

R. 1 Skin, 15 Line, Instead of "First and Second," make it "Second and Third."

R. 1 Skin, 27 Line, After the Word "not," put in "remain or."

R. 1 Skin, 30 Line, After the Word "observed," put in "according to the Preface."

R. 1 Skin, 36 Line, After the Word "Parish," add "or Chapelry."

R. 18 Skin, 20 and 21 Lines, After the Words "with Christ," put out these Words, "without doubting."

R. 21 Skin, * *, The Clause for Congregational or Family Fast, to be inserted after the Word "Christ."

Last Skin, 15 Line, After the Words "learn to read," put in these Words, "and to have a Bible."

Mr. Tate, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Whitelock, Mr. Stephens, Sir Robert Harley, Sir John Young, Sir Phil. Stapilton, Mr. Rous, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Arthur Hasilrig;

This Committee, or any Four of them, is to consider of the Amendments, sent from the Lords, to the Ordinance and Directory concerning Publick Worship; which, upon the Reading, are not agreed unto: And this Business is especially recommended to the Care of Mr. Tate: And they are to meet in the Inner Court of Wards, this Afternoon at Three of Clock: And are to make their Report To-morrow Morning.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitefeild and Serjeant Finch;

The Lords have this Morning received a Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the Manner of the Treaty; to which they agree: And desire the Concurrence of this House.

Answer returned by the First Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will take it into speedy Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer returned by the Second Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will take it into speedy Consideration; and send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Coals; and concerning Newcastle; be taken into Consideration Tomorrow Morning.

The House proceeded to the Consideration of that Part of the Report, from the Committee of both Kingdoms, which concerns the Ascertaining the monthly Pay of the Forces raised, and to be raised, under the Command of the Lord Fairefaxe: And

It is Resolved, &c. That the Remainder of the Sequestrations of the Six Northern Counties, over and above their Proportions to the Sum of Twenty-one thousand Pounds assigned to the Scotts Army (which said Proportions are first to be paid, together with the King's and Queen's Revenue, the Fifth, and Twentieth Parts, the Loans and Contributions upon the Propositions; and the several Assignments agreed to be set upon the Northern Counties, by the Committee of Northern Affairs, amounting to Eleven thousand Pounds per mensem, or thereabouts); be appropriated for and towards the monthly Pay of the said Forces; and what shall be deficient by the foresaid Means, to be made up by such other Ways and Means as the Parliament shall appoint.

An Ordinance to be brought in to this Purpose.

Sir Tho. Widdrington is appointed to bring in this Ordinance.