House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 24 September 1646

DIE Jovis, 24 Septembris.

Comes Manchester, Speaker.

Boilston to be instituted to Weston upon Trent.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Doctor Aylett, or his lawful Deputy, shall, upon Sight of this Order, give Institution and Induction unto John Boilston Batchelor in Divinity, to the Rectory of Weston upon Trent, in the County of Darby; any former Presentation, Institution, and Induction, thereupon granted, from Thomas Stitch, a Convict Recusant, it being against the Statute of 3 Jac. Regis notwithstanding, Salvo Jure cujuscunque; the said Mr. Boilston producing his Presentation thereunto under the Seal of the University: And this to be a sufficient Warrant, &c.

Capt. Hayward's Petition.

The Petition of Captain Lazarus Heyward was read; but nothing done therein.

Mrs. Huddleston's Petition.

The Petition of Jane Huddleston read, being directed to both Houses, and sent presently.

Ordered, To be specially recommended to the House of Commons, that some Competency may be allowed her, for the Relief of herself and her Children, according to her Quality and Degree; and that a Letter be sent to the Committee in the Country on her Behalf.

Certificate about Haak's Translation of the Dutch Bible and Annotations.

A Certificate touching the Dutch Bible.

We, whose Names are hereunder written, considering that, ever since the Year 1637, at which Time the new Translation of the Bible in the Dutch Language, with large and continual Annotations thereupon, was published, it hath been the uncessant Desire and Longing of such as for Eternal Life search the Scriptures, both Ministers and others in these Kingdoms (which they have expressed at all Occasions), to have those Annotations translated into the English Tongue, promising themselves a rich Treasure of Knowledge and Spiritual Understanding from the Labours of so many eminent Divines as by the Choice of the famous Synod at Dort were set apart for so good and great a Work, and with servent and continual Prayers unto the Father of Lights, and extraordinary Care and Diligence (wherein they had all Helps and Encouragements), were for the Space of Nineteen Years exercised therein; and we, not only by Information of such as are skilled in that Language, but from the Knowledge of the judicious, sound, and satisfactory Interpretation of some more obscure and controverted Places, wherein divers of us have used the Means to take Trial, and have made Proof, being very confident that the Satisfaction of this earnest and pious Desire would prove profitable to all the Godly in these Kingdoms (desiring that the Word of God may dwell plentifully in their Hearts by Faith), and at this Time most seasonable, when so many are dangerously seduced by the Misrepresentation of the Will of God, through the wresting of the Scriptures, cannot but in our Hearts acknowledge the wise and gracious Providence of God (who provided Bread for the Hungry, and doth not despise the Desires of the Humble, delighting to know His Will and to walk in His Paths), in directing and leading us at last to a learned Gentleman, Theodore Haak, every Way fitted for such a Task, he being by Birth and Breeding a German, about Twenty Years conversant in England, where not only his Faithfulness is known in divers Public Employments, but his Dexterity also in translating divers English Books of Practical Divinity into the German Tongue, and whose Affection and Zeal to the Glory of God and Good of the Church we know to be such, that he would willingly bestow himself upon the accurate and painful Prosecution of this Work, which he hath already entered upon, were he not hindered by such Discouragements as the reciprocal Zeal of the Godly, with the Desire of their own spiritual Comfort, and of the Edification of the Church, may easily remove:

We, therefore, grieved that the Churches of Christ in these Kingdoms have for so long a Time wanted so inestimable a Benefit, and fearing that, if the present Opportunity be not apprehended, the like (all Things considered) shall not readily be offered hereafter, do, in all Earnestness of Spirit, intreat that such as in Sincerity desire the sober and solid Knowledge of the Will of God in Christ, revealed in Scripture, may with us join their Prayers and Endeavours for removing all Hinderances and Discouragements out of the Way, that so necessary a Work may be presently prosecuted, and, with all Speed, for the Use of the Church, and the Honour of Jesus Christ, brought to Perfection.

Ordinance for Haak to have the Property of it for Fourteen Years.

Ordinance H. L. That Theodore Haak may be authorized to print and vent the Annotations upon the Dutch Bible for Fourteen Years next after the Date hereof, and no other.

Lords Committees appointed by the House to consider of the Ordinance touching the Dutch Bible; and to make Report; (videlicet,)

Any Three, to meet when they please.

An Order from the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, reported, and read, in hæc verba:

Dover Pier Heads to be repaired.

Die Martis, 22 Sept. 1646.

At the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports.

On reading a Letter to this Committee, from Major Boys, Lieutenant of Dover Castle; importing, That on the 20th of this Instant September, Two great Breaches happened in the North and South Heads of the Harbour of Dover; by reason whereof, if not suddenly repaired, the Harbour is like to be lost, and the Town ruinated: Ordered, That the said Letter be reported to both Houses of Parliament, with a Recommendation from this Committee, that the same may be taken into their Consideration, as a Matter of great and public Concernment, and which will admit of no long Delay.

"Wm. Jessop, Secretary."

A Letter from Mr. John Boys, Lieutenant of Dover Castle, was read, in hæc verba:

Letter from Boys, Lieutenant of Dover Castle about it.

To the Right Honourable the Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports. These most humbly present.

Right Honourable,

Having this Day received Information, from the Mayor and some of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dover, that there have this Morning happened Two great Breaches in the North and South Heads of the Harbour of Dover; by reason whereof, if the same be not speedily repaired, the Harbour is likely suddenly to be utterly lost, and the Town ruinated: I humbly thought fit to acquaint your Honours therewith; conceiving, in regard of the Trust reposed in me in this Place, that it is my Duty, in such Cases of public Concernment, to address myself to your Honours; and desire that, in as much as there is neither any Stock of Money nor Materials for the Repair of the same, your Honours would be pleased to take it into your Consideration, and to make some speedy Order for a Supply of Monies and Timber for the Repair thereof; without which, the Harbour cannot longer be maintained; which, as it will impoverish the Town, so it will much prejudice the Kingdom, in respect of the great Benefit that comes by Customs and otherwise to the State. [humbly desire your Lordships speedy Answer, that there may be no Neglect found in,

My Lords,

Your Lordships

Most humble Servant,

Dover Castle, the 20th of Sept. 1646.

"John Boys."

Horses to be exported for the French King.

A Pass was granted for Twenty Nags, or Geldings, into France, for the French King, Custom-free, with Men to back them.

Message to the H. C. about the following Particulars.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Heath and Doctor Aylett:

1. To put them in Mind of the Ordinance for the Great Seal.

2. To deliver the Lady Huddleston's Petition, with a special Recommendation.

3. To deliver Mr. Boys' Letter concerning Dover, and the Order of the Committee of the Admiralty.

Col. Huddle. ston, a Pass.

Ordered, That a Pass be granted to Colonel Huddleston for Fourteen Days, to go into Warwicksheir, and other Counties, &c.; and to return.

Coles to be instituted to Storington;

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Doctor Aylett, or his lawful Deputy, are hereby authorized and required, upon Sight of this Order, to give Institution and Induction unto Edmond Coles Master of Arts, to the Rectory of Storington, in the County of Sussex, Salvo Jure cujuscunque; the said Mr. Coles producing his Presentation thereunto under the Hand and Seal of Richard Kiddar, the lawful Patron, pro hâc vice: And this to be a sufficient Warrant in that Behalf.

and Todd to Hutton.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Doctor Aylett, or his lawful Deputy, are hereby authorized and required, upon Sight of this Order, to give Institution and Induction to Thomas Todd Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish of Hutton, in the County of Cumberland, Salvo Jure cujuscunque; the said Mr. Todd producing his Presentation thereunto under the Hand and Seal of Francis Sisson Patron: And this to be a sufficient Warrant in that Behalf.

Chamberlain and Nicholls.

The Cause of Mr. Chamberlaine, against Mr. Nicholes, came to a Hearing at the Bar; Chamberlaine having Counsel, and Nicholes none.

Ordered, &c. That the Cause between Abraham Chamberlaine Merchant, and Ralfe Nicholes Gentleman, concerning a Legacy given by Mr. Nicholas Askwith deceased, depending in this House upon Petition, is hereby dismissed this House, and the Parties left to their ordinary Course in Law or Equity, as by their Counsel they shall be advised.

The Petition of the Bishop of Worcester, was read, in hæc verba:

Bishop of Worcester's Petition, for an Allowance.

To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.

The humble Petition of John Bishop of Worcester;

Sheweth,

"That he hath been, by the Space of Twenty-six Years, Regius Professor in the University of Oxford, in which Place, he humbly conceiveth, it is very well known that he hath done faithful Service both to the Church and Commonwealth; and that, about Five Years since, he was removed to the Bishopric of Worcester, where, with much Difficulty, by reason of these distracted Times, he hath procured a poor Livelihood, which now, by Ordinance of Parliament, is sequestered.

That he hath no Personal Estate whereby to provide for his Wife and Children, or to subsist himself any longer:

And therefore prayeth, that such a Proportion may be allowed him, as may stand with the Favour and Goodness of these Honourable Houses.

"And he shall every pray, &c."

Recommended to the H. C.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Bishop of Worcester be recommended and sent to the House of Commons for Relief and Subsistence.

Declaration about Sir J. Worstenholm and Chute.

Order, or Declaration, touching Sir John Worstenholme and Mr. Chute, was read.

To be sent to the House of Commons.

Murray, a Pass to France.

Ordered, That Mr. William Murray shall have a Pass, to go to France, and to return within Six Weeks.

Scots Dove, to be burnt by the Hangman.

Smith, the Author of The Scotts Dove, was brought to the Bar; and the Charge against him, touching some Things written by him, against the French King, was read.

Which being read, he acknowledged the Fact at the Bar.

1. Ordered, That the Book shall be burned by the Hand of the Common Hangman.

Smith, the Author, to make his Submission to Monsieur Bellieur.

2. And that when Monsieur Baleure, the French Ambassador, shall come to the Town, he shall repair to him, and acknowledge his Fault herein and to that State; and that he shall be released of his Imprisonment, being admonished that he take Heed not to commit the like Offence hereafter."

Adjourn.

Adjourn, 10 To-morrow.