House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 11 December 1644

DIE Mercurii, 11 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Taylor.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

E. of Pembrooke, Leave to be absent.

Ordered, That the Earl of Pembrooke hath Leave to be absent for Two or Three Days.

French Minister refuses to receive Audience in the Manner prescribed by the House.

Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, gave the House an Account, "That, according to their Lordships Order, he repaired to the French Agent, to let him know, that their Lordships had appointed To-morrow Morning for to give him Reception; and privately acquainted him with the Manner of his Reception; to which the Agent took great (fn. 1) Exceptions, and desired him to set his Hand to it, that he may send it by an Express to his Master, as being, as he conceives, a Prejudice to Him: And the Master of the Ceremonies asking the French Agent what Manner it is that he expects to have Audience in, he said, "He would not prescribe the Manner; only he thought that the Agent of so great a King as his Master might deserve as much Respect as the Ambassadors of a petty State, as The States of Holland." And further it was signified, "That the French Agent complained of a Passage printed in a Pamphlet; saying, "That he had petitioned the House for Audience;" which was a Disparagement to the King his Master."

Sweating the Messengers of the Receipt of Exchequer.

Upon reading the Certificate of Mr. Baron Trevor and Sam. Browne; shewing, "That, according to the Order of this House of the Twentieth of November last, they have heard all Parties concerned in the said Offices; and find that the Four Messengers of the Receipt of the Exchequer have been always sworn by the Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, or One of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer, and never by the Barons there; the Oath of the said Messengers appears in the Black Book in the Exchequer, which was shewed to us: All which we humbly certify to the Lords assembled in Parliament; and withall, that Sir Edward Bash, One of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer, being attended by Mr. Squire with the Black Book wherein the said Oath is contained, may administer the said Oath to the said Messengers.

Tho. Trevor.

"Sam. Browne."

Ordered, That Sir Edward Bash do administer the said Oath accordingly.

Peter House, Cambridge.

Ordered, That the Lord North do signify to the Committee of Sequestrations of Lords and Commons, from this House, "That they would take into Consideration the Business of Peter House, in Cambridge; and that the Library of Dr. Cosens may be employed and annexed to the said Peter House."

Ordinance for disposing of Livings in the Gift of Bishops.

Next, the Ordinance brought in by the King's Counsel, for disposing of Livings and Preferment by Bishops, and Institution to Livings in the Gifts of Bishops, &c. was read Twice; and Ordered to be committed to these Lords following:

Any Three, to meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine a Clock; and the Judges, King's Serjeants, and Dr. Heath and Dr. Aylett, to be Assistants (fn. 2) to the said Committee.

Message from the Assembly, concerning Church Government.

A Message was brought from the Assembly, by Dr. Burges, One of the Assessors of the Assembly, and others:

"That in Obedience to the Order of this House, they have made Dispatch, as much as they could, concerning the Government of the Church: They have presented some Pieces to this House formerly; and now they present to their Lordships what is further finished. And whereas they brought up some Papers formerly, being Three Propositions concerning Church Government, they have now brought it up again in the same Place where it is to be, to cohere with other Particulars."

The House received the particular Papers.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.