House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 24 July 1647

Die Sabbati, 24 Julii, 1647.

Prayers.

Tythes.

AN additional Ordinance, sent from the Lords, for the true Payment of Tythes, and other Duties, was this Day read the Second time.

The Question being put, Whether these Words, "during the Sequestration," shall be added to the Clause that enables the Ministers, put in by Sequestration, or otherwise by Authority of Parliament;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Clause concerning the Oath to be taken by the Owners of Tythes, in case of Substraction, where the Truth cannot be otherwise discovered, be wholly omitted.

Resolved, &c. That this Alteration shall be added to the Clause concerning Appeals; viz. "That no Appeal shall be admitted, until the Party appealing shall lay down, in Money, either with the said Justices of Peace, or in the Court of Chancery, the full Value of the Tythes adjudged before the said Justices, by way of Security," &c.

Resolved, &c. That this Proviso be added; "Provided that this Ordinance shall continue, and be in Force, from the 24th Day of July in the Year 1647, until the First Day of November which shall be in the Year 1648."

The Ordinance, thus amended, passed upon the Question.

Declaration against the Engagement.

Sir John Evelyn carried to the Lords the Declaration against the printed Engagement, by Vow, &c. for their Concurrence: And that it may be forthwith published by Order of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and the Committee of the Militia, of London, by Beat of Drum, and Sound of Trumpet, within the Cities of London, Westminster, and Liberties, and within the Lines of Communication.

Sir John Evelyn brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Declaration concerning the printed Engagement by Vow, as it went from hence; and to the Order for the Publication of it.

Ordered, That Alderman Atkin, Colonel Wilson, and Colonel Ven, do forthwith communicate to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and Committee of the Militia, this Declaration; and take care, that it be forthwith published, according to the Order of both Houses.

Blasphemous Pamphlets.

Resolved, &c. That the horrid blasphemous Pamphlets, intituled, "Mysteries discovered; or a Mercurial Picture: pointing out the Way from Babylon to the Holy City: For the Good of all such as, during that Night of general Error and Apostacy, 2 Thes. ii. 3 Revelat. iii. 10. have been so long misled with Rome's Hobgoblins. By me Paul Best, Prisoner in the Gatehouse, Westminster," be all suppressed, and burnt by the Hands of the common Hangman on Monday, Friday, and Saturday next, in the Palace Yard, Westminster, Cheapside, Paul's Churchyard, and Cornhill before the Exchange, between the Hours of Ten and Twelve: And the Sheriffs of London are hereby required and enjoined to take effectual and diligent care, that these blasphemous Pamphlets may be all suppressed and burnt in those several Places, by the Hands of the common Hangman, accordingly.

Stationers.

Ordered, That the Ordinance concerning the Stationers be reported on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business.

Blasphemous Pamphlets.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Complaints to examine, Who were the Printers of Paul Best's Pamphlet; and who the Publishers, Venders, or Dispersers: and by what Means this blasphemous Pamphlet came forth: And have Power to suppress them.

They are further to inquire and examine after the Printers, Authors, Publishers, Venders, or Dispersers, of such Books and Pamphlets as are dishonourable to God, or scandalous to the Proceedings of Parliament, or to the Disturbance of the Peace of the Kingdom; and to use all fitting Means for the suppressing such Books and Pamphlets.

Suppressing Stage Plays.

They have further Power to take effectual Course for the Suppressing of all Stage Plays.

Punishing Best.

Ordered, That the Ordinance for punishing Paul Best be considered of on Tuesday Morning next.

Distrested Protestants.

An Ordinance for employing and disposing the Moiety of the Collections, the next Fast Days, in all the Churches and Chapels, in the Cities of London and Westminster, England and Wales, to the Relief of the distressed English Irish Protestants that are fled from Ireland, and are about Barnstable, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

Ordered, That the Declaration, this Day passed both Houses, concerning the printed Engagements, by Vow, be forthwith printed and published: And

It is Ordered, That the Knights and Burgesses, that serve for the several Counties, Cities, and Places, do forthwith send Copies of the said Declarations into the several Counties and Places for which they serve: And the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace, and chief Officers of the said several Counties and Places, are hereby required and enjoined to publish the said Declarations accordingly.

Letter-Army Commissioners, &c.

A Letter from the Commissioners with the Army, from Aylesbury, of 23 Julii 1647, Nine at Night, was read; with the printed Petition and Engagement, by Vow, of Citizens, Officers, Soldiers, &c.

The Copy of an Information concerning the same; a Paper delivered to the Commissioners of Parliament, and another to the Commissioners of the City, concerning the same; being inclosed in the Letter; were all read.