House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 4 September 1654

Monday, the 4th of September, 1654.

Protector attended.

THE House met together at Eight of the Clock; and went from thence to the Abbey:

Where his Highness the Lord Protector came, attended with the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, the Commissioners of the Treasury, and divers of the Council, being also Members of the Parliament; and there heard a Sermon preached by Mr. Thomas Goodwyn:

Protector's Speech.

And from thence came into the Painted Chamber: Where his Highness made unto them a large Narration of the Grounds of their being called together, and the Weightiness of their Employment: And then desired them to repair to their House, and exercise their own Liberty in choosing their Speaker, that they might lose no Time from their great Business.

Clerk and Serjeant.

Thereupon the Members repaired to the House: Where, being sat, some Exception was taken by Two Members, that the Clerk and the Serjeant came into the House, before they were chosen by the House: Whereupon both of them voluntarily withdrew: And, after a while, a Member of the House came forth, and called in the Clerk; who coming within the Door, William Lenthall Master of the Rolls, sitting in the Chair as Speaker, acquainted him, that the House had chosen him to be their Clerk; and commanded him to come to his Place: Who, being come to the Bar, desired Leave to speak; and the same being granted, he declared, That he did not presume to come into the House out of Ambition to that Place, but because it was his Duty to be there; and that before the House sat: Nor did he seek that Place at first, but was called to it (as Mr. Speaker knew well) by a Command from that Chair, when nothing else could have brought him thither: That the Parliament which called him did, by an Act of Parliament, appoint and constitute him Clerk of the Parliament, during his Life; and also granted him a Patent under the Great Seal: But nevertheless, if his Right did not consist with the Service of the House, he should accept of an easy Dismission; and did lay both the Act of Parliament, and Patent, at their Feet.

Whereupon the Speaker again commanded him to come to his Place: Which he did.

It being moved by a Member of the House, That, since the House had chosen a Speaker when no Clerk was present to enter it, that some Vote might be passed for the Entry thereof;

And thereupon the said Motion being seconded; It was

Mr. Lenthall chosen Speaker.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Clerk do make an Entry, that Mr. Lenthall Master of the Rolls was called to the Chair, as Speaker.

Clerk and Serjeant chosen.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Clerk do enter, that Henry Scobell Esquire was chosen by the House to be the Clerk, and Edward Birkhead Esquire, to be the Serjeant, attending this House.

Fast-day.

Resolved, by the Parliament, That a Day be set apart for Publick Fasting and Humiliation for this House, and the whole Nation.

Resolved, That Wednesday next come-sevennight, being the 13th Day of September instant, be the Day of Fasting and Humiliation for this House, and for all Places within the Cities of London and Westminster, and late Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality.

Resolved, That Wednesday the 4th of October shall be the Day for a Publick Fast and Humiliation in all Places through England and Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed.

Resolved, That the same Day be appointed for a Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation in all the Places in Scotland.

Resolved, That Wednesday, the First Day of November, be appointed for a Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation, in all the Places in Ireland.

Resolved, That it be referred to some Members of the House, to prepare a Declaration of the Grounds of this Fast; viz. Colonel Fines, Sir William Masham, Sir James Harrington, Major-General Skippon, Sir Arthure Hesilrige, Mr. Recorder, Lord Bradshaw, or any Two of them; and present it to the House.

Resolved, That Mr. Marshall be desired to be assisting in Carrying-on the Work of the Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation, on the 13th of September instant: And that Sir William Massam do give him Notice thereof.

Resolved, That Dr. Thomas Goodwyn be desired to be assisting in Carrying-on the Work of the Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation, on the 13th of September instant: And that Mr. Lawrence, Lord President of the Council, do give him Notice hereof.

Resolved, That Dr. Francis Cheinell be desired to be assisting in Carrying on the Work of the Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation, on the 13th of September instant: And that Mr. Fagge do give him Notice hereof.

Preachers thanked.

Resolved, That Sir Wm. Masham do give the Thanks of this House to Mr. Stephen Marshall, for his great Pains in his Sermon preached Yesterday before the Parliament: And that he be desired to print his Sermon: And it is Ordered, That none shall presume to print it without his Appointment.

Resolved, That Mr. Lawrence, Lord President of his Highness's Council, do give the Thanks of this House to Dr. Thomas Goodwyn, for his great Pains in his Sermon preached this Day before the Parliament: And that he be desired to print his Sermon: And it is Ordered, That none shall presume to print it, without his Appointment.

Fast-day.

The Question being put, That the Parliament do keep the Day of Fasting and Humiliation on the 13th Day of September instant, in Margarett's Church, Westminster;

And the Question being put, That that Question be now put;

It passed in the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the Parliament do keep the Day of Fasting and Humiliation on the 13th Day of September instant, in Margarett's Church, Westminster.

Prayers in the House.

Resolved, That the Governors of the School and Almshouse of Westminster do take care, that such of the Morning Lecturers, as preacheth on the respective Days, do attend, each Morning that they preach, to pray in this House.

Call of the House.

Resolved, That the House be called To-morrow Morning: And that the Book returned by the Clerk of the Commonwealth, be then brought in.

Mayors, &c.

Prima vice lecta est Billa, Bill against the Election and Swearing of Mayors, &c. on the Lord's Day.