House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 19 November 1645

Die Mercurii, 19 Novembris, 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee for Religion, according to former Order, proceeded to take into Consideration the Paper from the Assembly of Divines, touching some more Particulars to be added to the Catalogue of scandalous Offenders, who are to be suspended from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Pury received, to carry to the Lords for their Concurrence, an Ordinance for taxing the several Counties of Glamorgan, Brecon, and Radnor: The Vote for Bushy Mansell to be Commander in Chief of all the Forces in Glamorganshire: The Vote for Addition of Committees to the County of Warwick: The Vote for Edward Prichard to be Governor of Cardiffe: The Vote for Philip Jones to be Governor of the Garison of Swansey: The Vote for the Addition of Committees to the Committee of Nottingham: The Vote for taking off Lieutenant-Colonel Lilborne's Fine in the Star-Chamber.

He likewise carried the Pardon for such Delinquents as come in; and several Ordinances for passing Pardons to Delinquents, according to the former Directions of his Message on Saturday last.

The House being informed, That divers of the Court of Aldermen and Common-Council were at the Door, desiring to represent something to the House;

They were called in: And Mr. Alderman Gibbs did, in the Name of the rest, present a Petition, stiled, "The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council assembled: " The Desires of the Ministers of London, presented to the Common-Council: The Reasons of those Desires; and a Petition, stiled, "The humble Petition of divers Citizens of the City of London."

The which (they being withdrawn) were all read.

Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Tate, Mr. Rowse, Mr. Pierrepont, Mr. Holles, Mr. Sollicitor, Mr. Selden, Mr. Fynes, Mr. Sam. Browne, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Recorder;

This Committee is appointed presently to withdraw, to prepare an Answer to be given to the Aldermen and Common-Council.

Mr. Tate reports, from the Committee, the Answer to be given to the Petitioners: The which was read; and, upon the Question, assented unto; and ordered to be given to them.

The Petitioners being again called in: Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, did return them this Answer, accordingly in hæc verba; viz.

"That the House, in the Business now presented to them, hath, according to their best Judgments, discharged the Trust and Duty that lies upon them; and do intend, accordingly, to proceed to the Perfecting thereof, having had it in Consideration immediately before the Presenting of this Petition; this being one of the weekly Days appointed for that Purpose: That, upon Perusal of your Petition, and Papers thereunto annexed, they find the Proceedings of the Parliament misrepresented and mistaken: Therefore the House, out of a tender Sense of the Preservation of their Privileges, wherein the City and Kingdom are so much concerned, doth desire, That, in Things depending in Parliament, their Proceedings may neither be prejudged, nor precipitated, nor any Sense put upon them, other than the Parliament itself shall declare. However, this House, having so great a Testimony of your good Affections to the Publick, and in particular to this House, do interpret this to proceed from the good Intentions of the Common-Council."

A Letter from the General Sir Thomas Fairefaxe, from St. Mary-Awtry, of Novembris 14 1645; together with divers Propositions for carrying on the War, and disposing the Forces to the best Advantage of the Service this Winter, and next Summer; was this Day read.

A Letter from the General, of Novembris 14 1645, returning his humble Thanks for the Jewel he received from the House, in Testimony of their Respects unto him, was this Day read.

An Ordinance, enabling the Committee for the City of Bristoll to certify the House their Opinions for the more convenient uniting the Churches of the said City, establishing a godly and pious Preaching Ministry, and providing Means for their Maintenance, was this Day read; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

An Ordinance for the constituting and appointing Serjeant-Major-General Philip Skippon to be Governor of the City and Garison of Bristoll; and a List of Establishment for the daily and monthly Pay of the Officers and Soldiers belonging to the Garison of Bristoll; was this Day read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, passed; and ordered to be sent unto the Lords for their Concurrence.

The House being informed, That divers Ministers of the City of London were at the Door; desiring to present a Petition to the House;

They were called in: And Mr. Walker did present a Petition, with a Desire of an Explanation of divers Things doubtful, as they conceive, in the Directory for Trying of Elders, and Ordinance for Church-Government, set forth by Authority of both Houses of Parliament: The which Doubts and Difficulties are expressed in a Schedule annexed.

The which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) were read.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Examinations, to examine, How and by what Steps this Petition, and the Schedule annexed, hath proceeded, and been presented to the Common-Council; and who were the Advancers and Promoters of this Business.

Mr. Atkins and Mr. Alderman Hoyle are appointed to go to the Ministers; and to acquaint them, That they may go home, and not trouble themselves with any further Attendance; the House resolving to take the Business into Consideration.

Ordered, &c. That Bristoll Ordinance be taken into further Consideration To-morrow Morning, the first Business after Mr. Speaker comes to the Chair.

IT is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That the Committee of Parliament, appointed for the City of Bristoll, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to present unto both Houses of Parliament, What Churches, and what Number, are sufficient, and most convenient and necessary, for the City of Bristoll; and how and in what Manner the same may be lawfully united; and further to present unto both Houses of Parliament, How and in what Manner a Competency of Maintenance may be raised for Ministers in that Place, either by a just and indifferent Taxation to be made upon the Inhabitants of that Place, or by allotting some Proportion out of the Revenues of the Bishop, or Dean and Chapter of that Cathedral; to the Intent that a speedy Course may be settled by the Parliament, for Establishing of godly and learned Ministers in that City.