House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 3 September 1654

Parliament meets.

ON the 3d Day of September 1654, being the Day whereon the Parliament was, by Writ, summoned to meet, the same being the Lord's Day; divers Members met at the Abbey Church in Westminster, at the Sermons there:

And, after the Sermon in the Afternoon, about Four of the Clock, they came from thence to the ParliamentHouse, to the Number of about Three hundred:

And, after a while, a Message was brought, That his Highness the Lord Protector was come to the Painted Chamber, and desired the Presence of the Members: Who thereupon went from the House to the Painted Chamber:

Whither being come, his Highness, standing bare, upon a Place erected for that Purpose, declared to this Effect:

That this being the Lord's Day, which was not to be taken up in Ceremonies, his Highness desired them to meet at the Abbey To-morrow at Nine of the Clock, at the Sermon; and from thence to come again unto the Painted Chamber, where he would communicate unto them some things, which he held necessary for the Good of the Commonwealth.

And so the Members departing, came again to the House:

And adjourned till To-morrow, Eight of the Clock; Mr. Gewen standing in his Place, and, by general Consent, the House pronouncing the Adjournment.