House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 4 February 1646

Die Mercurii, 4 Februarii, 1645.

Prayers.

THE Grand Committee of the House for Religion proceeded to take into Consideration the Business of keeping of scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Mr. Whittacre in the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Tate reported the Vote of the Committee formerly appointed for Accommodation concerning Differences in Church-Discipline: Which was read; and was in bæc verba; viz.

"January 23. 1645."

"At a Committee of Lords and Commons, Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, and Divines of the Assembly;"

"Resolved, upon the Question, Nemine contradicente, That it be reported to the Honourable Houses, That, there being an Inclination to bear with our Brethren in the Matter of Subordination, both for People and Ministers, a very great Impediment, likely to hinder the Work committed to this Committee, is the Want of a full Rule for purging the Congregations, in point of receiving the Sacrament, and choosing fit Officers; and therefore it is desired, That the Members of the Honourable Houses, who are Members of this Committee, do communicate so much to the several Houses respectively: And do desire that some effectual and speedy Course may be taken herein, as may seem best to the Wisdom of the Honourable Houses."

"Februarii 2 , 1645."

"Ordered, That Mr. Tate be desired to communicate this to the Honourable House of Commons."

Herbert Palmer."

The Question was propounded, Whether that Power shall be given to the Grand Committee for Religion, to find out some Expedient for settling the Business concerning the keeping scandalous Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; notwithstanding any former Order or Resolution passed in this House; and to present it to the House; and are to meet upon this Business, on Wednesday next:

The Question being put, Whether this Question should be now put;

It passed with the Negative.

Ordered, &c. That, on Monday next, the first Business, Sir Robert Harley make Report, from the Committee for Privileges, of the Cafe concerning the Return of a Burgess for East-Greenstead in the County of Sussex.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. Holles do make the Report concerning Ireland, the first Business, on Friday Morning: And that Mr. Speaker do take the Chair, on purpose to hear that Report; and put the House in mind hereof.

Sir John Clotworthy went out, to acquaint the Lord Inchiquin, That this House hath adjourned the Consideration of the Affairs of Ireland, till Friday next, the first Business.

Ordered, &c. That on Friday next, after the Business of Ireland, the Business concerning South-Wales be taken into Consideration.

A Letter from the General, from Chidley, of Januarii 29 1645, was this Day read: And

It is Ordered, That the Letter, as to the Business of sending Serjeant-Major-General Skippon's Regiment, now at Bristoll, to the Army, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms: And Mr. Horner is appointed to inform the Committee of such Advices as he hath received out of Somersettshire.

Divers Letters from the Queen, Henry Jermyn, and Colonel Goringe, intercepted by the Occasion of a Ship that came into Dartmouth, supposing it to be still in the King's Power (the Packet being thrown overboard at the Passengers Discovery of their being surprised, and taken floating the next Day after), were all this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Letters in Cyphers be referred to Sir Walter Erle and Sir Henry Mildmay; to confer with Mr. Wackerlyn and Mr. Frost, for the uncyphering them; and to bring them in again to the House, on Saturday Morning next.

A Letter from Colonel Mitton, from before RuthinCastle, of 29 Januarii 1645, with several intercepted Letters from Ireland, and other Places, were this Day read.

Ordered, &c. That the Sum of One thousand Pounds be charged upon the Receipts of the Excise, to be paid out of the Intervals of the said Receipts, or in Course, which shall first happen, to be employed, upon Accompt, towards the Pay of Colonel Mitton's Regiment; with Interest after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Centum, to such as shall advance the same: And that an Ordinance be brought in accordingly.

Ordered, &c. That the Letter from the Marquis of Ormond, of 19 Januarii 1645, from Dublyn; the Letters from John Bishop of Yorke; one to Doctor Lloyde; another from Sir John Watts; another Letter directed to the Lord Astley; all of them from Conway-Castle, of Fiveand-twentieth of January 1645; and a Letter from the Lord Digby, from Dublyn, of 21 Januarii 1645, inclosed in the Bishop's Letter to the Lord Astley; be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Irish Affairs.

Ordered, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, to take care of Shipping for the Irish Coast, and the Coast upon North-Wales.

And it is further referred to the said Committee, to consider of the Continuing of the Ship Rebecca under the Command of Captain Rich, in the Service where she is now employed.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of the Exchange of Mr. Denham, a Prisoner to the Parliament, for Major Harris, a Prisoner to the Enemy at Exceter.

Mr. Recorder, Mr. Thelwall, Mr. Ashburst, Mr. Swinsen, Mr. Leigh, Sir Robert Harley, Sir John Trevour, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Millington, Sir Tho. Middleton, Sir Robert Nedham, Mr. *, Colonel Hunt, Sir Ralph Ashton, Colonel Rigby, Mr. Sallway;

This Committee is appointed to meet on Friday next, at Two post meridiem, in the Star-Chamber: And are to consider of some Propositions, and some Ways and Means of the Gaining and Reducing of the Garisons and Castles, and all the Counties of North-Wales; and to report it to the House.

Ordered, &c. That the Committee, appointed to prepare an Answer to the King's last Letter, shall have Power to make use of the Letters sent up from Colonel Mitton, concerning the Affairs of North-Wales, in relation to Ireland, referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Affairs of Ireland.

Ordered, &c. That the House be adjourned till Friday Morning next, at Eight of Clock.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Army shall have Power to grant Liberty to such Person or Persons as they shall think fit, to beat up Drums within the Lines of Communication, or elsewhere, for Volunteers, for recruiting the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.