House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 14 October 1647

Die Jovis, 14 Octobris, 1647.

PRAYERS.

Absent Members.

UPON Report from the Committee for the absent Members, of the Cases concerning the Absence of Mr. Ellys, Mr. Skynner, Mr. Thistlethwayte, Mr. Grattwicke, Sir Thomas Some, and Mr. Phillipe Smithe;

It is Resolved, &c. That the respective Fines of Twenty Pounds, deposited by Mr. Ellis, Mr. Skynner, Mr. Thistlethwayte, Mr. Grattwicke, Sir Thomas Some, and Mr. Phillip Smithe, be respectively restored unto them.

Resolved, &c. That Sir Wm. Strickland be excused for his Absence upon the last Call of the House; and likewise for his being here of the Third of November next; notwithstanding the former Order requiring the Members to appear and attend on the said Third Day of November next.

Ordnance, &c.

Ordered, &c. That, on Wednesday next, Sir Walter Erle do make Repert concerning the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition, that lies loose and dispersed in the Kingdom.

Members Cafes.

Ordered, &c. That, on Wednesday next, Mr. John Corbett do make Report concerning some Members who have delivered in their Cases to the Committee.

Violence to Parliament.

Mr. Nathaniell Fiennis reports a Declaration, or Ordinance, for Stay of further Proceeding against divers Persons, concerning the late Force used upon the Two Houses of Parliament; the seditious Engagement against them; and the Design of raising a new War in this Kingdom; with some Amendments upon the Recommitment: The which Declaration, amended, was read; and ordered to be read and considered on Thursday next, immediately after the Reports from the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall.

Bishops Lands.

Ordered, &c. That the Contractors for Sale of Bishops Lands shall, on Monday next, be heard, concerning such Obstructions as they meet within the Matters referred unto them: And that they shall have Liberty to present an Ordinance for removing the said Obstructions.

Preacher appointed.

Ordered, &c. That Mr. John Corbett do desire Mr. Sterry to preach before the Commons, the next Day of Publick Humiliation, at Margrett's Church, Westminster.

Church Government.

According to the Order Yesterday made, the House proceeded to the Consideration of the Restrictions to be observed in the Indulgence to be granted to tender Consciences.

Resolved, &c. That this Indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the Printing, Publishing, or Preaching, of any thing contrary to those Points of Faith, for the Ignorance whereof Men are to be kept from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as they are contained in the Rules and Directions for that Purpose, passed both Houses the Twentieth of October 1645.

Lords impeached.

According to the Order Yesterday made, Mr. Lisle went to the Lords, to desire them to appoint a Time, when this House may come to them with their Proofs and Evidences against the Lords impeached by them of High Treason.

Mr. Lisle brings Answer, That the Lords have appointed this Day Fortnight for this House to come with their Prooss and Evidences against the Lords impeached by this House of High Treason.

Church Government.

Resolved, &c. That this Question following, now propounded, shall be now put.

The Question being put, That it be also provided, that this Indulgence shall not extend to exempt any Person or Persons from any Penalty, by Law imposed or to be imposed upon them, for absenting themselves, upon the Lord's Day, from hearing the Word of God, unless they can shew reasonable Cause of their Absence; or that they were present elsewhere to hear the Word of God preached or expounded unto them;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So that the Question passed with the Affirmative.

Post meridiem.

Church Government.

RESOLVED, &c. That no Persons whatsoever shall be liable to any Question, or Penalty, for Nonconformity to the Form of Government, and Divine Service, appointed in the said Ordinances: And that all such Persons as shall not conform to the said Form of Government, and Divine Service, shall have Liberty to meet for the Service and Worship of God, and for the Exercise of religious Duties and Ordinances, in any fit and convenient Places.

Resolved, &c. That this Indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the Use of the Book of Common Prayer in any Place whatsoever.

Ordered, That this House do, To-morrow, proceed in the Consideration of this Debate, concerning what shall be prepared to be sent to the King.

That the King be desired to give his Consent to such Act or Acts of Parliament as shall be presented unto him, for the Settling of the Presbyterian Government, and Directory, in England and Ireland, according to such Ordinances as have already, since the Sitting of this Parliament, passed both Houses, and are herewithal sent: Which Act or Acts are to stand in Force to the End of the next Session of Parliament, after the End of this present Session.

That no Persons whatsoever shall be liable to any Question, or Penalty, for Nonconformity to the Form of Government, and Divine Service, appointed in the said Ordinances: And that all such Persons as shall not conform to the said Form of Government, and Divine Service shall have Liberty to meet for the Service and Worship of God, and for the Exercise of religious Duties and Ordinances, in any fit and convenient Places; so as nothing be done by them to the Disturbance of the Peace of the Kingdom.

That all Tythes, or other Maintenance, appertaining to any Church or Chapel, which do now belong to the Ministers of such Churches or Chapels, shall be applied to the Use and Benefit of such Ministers as do conform to the Government settled in the said Ordinances; and to none other, unless it be by the Consent of the present Incumbent.

That nothing in this Provision shall extend to any Toleration of the Popish Religion; nor to exempt any Popish Recusants from any Penalties imposed upon them for the Exercise of the same.

That this Indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the Printing, Publishing, or Preaching, of any thing contrary to the Principles of Christian Religion, as they are contained in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth Articles of the Church of England, according to the true Sense and Meaning of them; and as they have been cleared and vindicated by the Assembly of Divines, now sitting at Westminster; nor of any thing contrary to those Points of Faith, for the Ignorance whereof Men are to be kept from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as they are contained in the Rules and Directions for that Purpose, passed both Houses the Twentieth of October 1645.

That it be also provided, that this Indulgence shall not extend to exempt any Person or Persons from any Penalty, by Law imposed or to be imposed upon them, for absenting themselves, upon the Lord's Day, from hearing the Word of God; unless they can shew reasonable Cause of their Absence, or that they were present elsewhere to hear the Word of God preached or expounded unto them; so as the said Preaching or Expounding be not by any Minister sequestered, and not restored.

That this Indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the Use of the Book of Common Prayer in any Place whatsoever.

That Liberty shall be given to all Ministers of the Gospel, though they cannot conform to the present Government in all Things, being not under Sequestration nor sequestrable, to preach any Lecture or Lectures in any Church or Chapel where they shall be desired by the Inhabitants thereof; provided that it be not at such Hours as the Minister of the said Parish doth ordinarily preach himself; and shall receive such Means and Maintenance as doth or shall thereunto appertain.