House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 18 September 1643

DIE Lunæ, 18 die Septembris.

PRAYERS.

The Lord Grey of Warke was Speaker this Day.

The Covenant passed.

The House took into Consideration the Covenant; and, after a mature Debate, this Question was put; videlicet,

"Whether this Covenant shall pass now at this Time?" (Here enter it.)

And it was Resolved in the Affirmative, To pass at this Time.

Message to the H. C. about it, and the Votes on the Lord General's Letter, &c.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett:

To let the House of Commons know, that their Lordships do agree to the Covenant; and have agreed to all the Votes concerning the same, and all the Votes made upon the Lord General's Letter, and Colonel Massie's Letter; and that their Lordships have appointed their Committee to join with the Committee of their House, to treat with the Scotts Commissioners, about the Manner of the taking this Covenant in both Kingdoms.

Ordinance concerning Hertfordshire.

The Ordinance for the County of Hertford was read, and Ordered to be committed to the Consideration of the Earl of Pembrooke, the Lord Viscount Say & Seale, and the Lord Howard of Esc. who are to report the same to this House.

The Lord Viscount Say & Seale reported from the Committee, "That their Opinion is, that the Ordinance for Hertfordshire do pass, with a Proviso to be added thereunto;" which Proviso was read, and approved of, and Ordered to be sent to the House of Commons, to let them know, that this House agrees to the Ordinance for Hertfordshire, with the Proviso, (fn. 1) wherein their Concurrence is desired.

Sent to the H. C.

A Message to this Purpose was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett.

Message from thence, with an Ordinance;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Symeon Dewes and others:

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Ordinance for the Relief of the distressed Clergy in Ireland. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to; and Ordered to be printed and published.

and to fit a while.

2. To desire their Lordships would please to fit a while; for the House of Commons intends to bring up some Business of Importance.

Delinquents sent for, for taking away Goods of the Countess of Nottingham.

Upon Information to this House, "That divers Troopers did come lately to the House of the Countess of Nottingham, and take away some of her Goods:" It is Ordered, That the Parties (when their Names shall be presented to this House) shall be summoned to appear before this House, to answer the same.

The Answer to (fn. 2) the Messengers returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees to the Ordinance now brought; and that their Lordships do intend to sit a while, as is desired.

Message from thence, with Ordinances concerning the Excise and Customs.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Walter Longe Esquire, and others:

To present to their Lordships Two Particulars, wherein they desire their Lordships Concurrence:

1. An Oath to be given to the Officers of the Excise, and allowing of a Salary to the Chief Officers. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to; and Ordered to be printed.

2. An Ordinance touching the Customs. (Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to; and Ordered to be printed.

The Answer returned was:

That this House agrees to both the Ordinances now brought up.

The Covenant.

"Wee, Noblemen, Barrons, Knights, Gentlemen, Cittizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospell, and Commons of all Sorts, in the Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the Providence of God, liveing under One King, and being of One Reformed Religion, haveing before our Eyes the Glory of God, and the Advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Honnor and Happines of the King's Majesty and His Posterity, and the true Publique Liberty, Safety, and Peace of the Kingdomes, wherein every one's private Condition is included; and calling to Minde the treacherous and bloody Plotts, Conspiracyes, Attempts, and Practises, of the Enemyes of God, against the true Religion and Professors thereof, in all Places, especially in these Thrie Kingdomes, ever since the Reformation of Religion; and how much theire Rage, Power, and Presumption, are of late and at this Tyme encreased and exercised, whereof the deplorable Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Ireland, the distressed Estate of the Church and Kingdome of England, and the daungerous Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland, are present and publique Testimonyes: Wee have now at last (after other Meanes of Supplication, Remonstrance, Protestations, and Sufferings), for the Preservation of ourselves and our Religion from utter Ruine and Destruction, according to the commendable Practise of these Kingdomes in former Tymes, and the Example of God's People in other Nations, after mature Deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemne League and Covenant, wherein wee all subscribe; and each One of us for himselfe, with our Hands lifted upp to the most High God, doe sweare:

"1. That wee shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the Grace of God, indeavor, in our severall Places and Callings, the Preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, Worshipp, Discipline, and Government, against our common Enemyes; the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worshipp, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches; and shall endeavor to bring the Churches of God in the Thrie Kingdomes to the neerest Conjunction and Uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, Forme of Church Government, Directory for Worshipp, and Catechiseing; that wee, and our Posterity after us, may as Brethren live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the Middest of us.

"2. That wee shall, in like Manner, without Respect of Persons, endeavor the Extirpation of Popery, Prelacy (that is, Church Government by Archbishopps, Bishopps, theire Chauncellors and Commissaryes, Deanes, Deanes and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchie), Superstition, Heresie, Schisme, Prophanenes, and whatsoever shall bee found to bee contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlines, least wee partake in other Mens Sinnes, and thereby bee in Danger to receave of theire Plagues; and that the Lord may bee One, and His Name One, in the Three Kingdomes.

"3. Wee shall, with the same Sincerity, Reality, and Constancy, in our severall Vocations, endeavor, with our Estates and Lives, mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments, and the Libertyes of the Kingdomes, and to preserve and defend the King's Majesty's Person and Authority, in the Preservation and Defence of the true Religion and Libertyes of the Kingdomes; that the World may beare Wittnes with our Consciences of our Loyalty, and that wee have noe Thoughts or Intentions to diminish His Majesty's just Power and Greatnes.

4. Wee shall alsoe, with all Faithfullnes, endeavor the Discovery of all such as have beine, or shal bee, Incendiaryes, Malignants, or evill Instruments, by hindring the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from His People, or One of the Kingdomes from annother, or makeing any Faction or Partyes amongest the People contrary to this League and Covenant; that they may bee brought to publique Tryall, and receive condigne Punishment, as the Degree of their Offences shall require or deserve, or the Supreame Judicatoryes of both Kingdomes respectively, or others haveing Power from them for that Effect, shall judge (fn. 3) convenient.

"5. And whereas the Happines of a blessed Peace betweene these Kingdomes, denyed in former Tymes to our Progenitors, is, by the good Providence of God, graunted unto us, and hath beine lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments, wee shall, each One of us, according to our Place and Interest, indeavor that they may remaine conjoyned in a firme Peace and Union to all Posterity; and that Justice may bee done upon the willfull Opposers thereof, in Manner expressed in the precedent Article.

"6. Wee shall alsoe, according to our Places and Callings, in this common Cause of Religion, Liberty, and Peace of the Kingdomes, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintayning and pursueing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever Combination, Perswasion, or Terror, to bee divyded, and withdrawne from this blessed Union and Conjunction, whether to make Defection to the contrary Parte, or to give ourselves to a detestable Indifferency or Newtrality in this Cause, which soe much concerneth the Glory of God, the Good of the Kingdomes, and Honnor of the King; but shall, all the Dayes of our Lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against all Opposition, and promote the same according to our Power against all Letts and Impediments whatsoever; and that wee are not able ourselves to suppresse or overcome, wee shall reveale and make knowne, that it may bee tymely prevented or removed: All which wee shall doe, as in the Sight of God.

"And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many Sinnes and Provocations against God and His Sonne Jesus Christ, as is to manifest by our present Distresses and Dangers the Fruits thereof, wee Professe and Declare, before God and the World, our unfaigned Desire to bee humbled for our owne Sinnes, and for the Sinnes of these Kingdomes; especially that wee have not as wee ought valued the inestimable Benefitt of the Gospell; [ (fn. 4) that wee have] not laboured for the Purety and Power thereof; and that wee have not endeavored to receave Christ in our Hearts, nor to walke worthy of Him in our Lives, which are the Causes of other Sinnes and Transgressions soe much abounding amongest us; and our true and unfained Purpose, Desire, and Indeavour, for ourselves and all others under our Power and Charge, both in Publique and in Private, in all Dutyes wee owe to God and Man, to amend our Lives, and each One to goe before another in the Example of a reall Reformation; that the Lord may turne away His Wrath and heavy Indignation, and establish these Churches and Kingdomes in Truth and Peace: And this Covenant wee make in the Presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all Hearts, with a true Intention to performe the same, as wee shall answere at the Greate Day, when the Secretts of all Hearts shal bee disclosed; most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by His Holy Spirit for this End, and to blesse our Desires and Proceedings with such Successe as may bee Deliverance and Safety to His People, and Encouragment to other Christian Churches, groaning under or in Danger of the Yoake of Antichristian Tyranny, to joyne in the same or like Association and Covenant, to the Glory of God, the Enlargment of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ, and the Peace and Tranquility of Christian Kingdomes and Commonwealths."

Ordinance concerning the Excise.

"Whereas an Ordinance was lately made, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for setting of a Charge, by Way of Excise, or new Impost, upon the several Commodities in a Schedule thereunto annexed contained; in which Ordinance no certain Salary is expressed for the Commissioners thereby to execute the same: Be it now Declared and Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That the chief Commissioners appointed by the said Ordinance, or as many of them as shall execute the same, shall have, for their Pains and Service therein, Six Pence in every Twenty Shillings, that shall be raised and paid in to the Treasurer or Treasurers of Excise appointed by the said Ordinance; the same to be allowed them Quarterly upon their Accompts, by the said Treasurer or Treasurers, without any further Warrant: And be it further hereby Ordained, That Wm. Bond, of London, Merchant, be appointed an Auditor for the said Service, over and besides Mr. Thomas Fawconbridge, who was appointed an Auditor by the said former Ordinance; and to have the like Power with him; and that every of the said Auditors shall have, for their several Pains and Service in that Behalf, the Sum of per Annum, to be allowed them Quarterly, by the said Treasurer or Treasurers, out of their Receipts, without any further Warrant: And it is hereby Ordained, That the said Commissioners, upon passing of their Accompts before the Auditor or Auditors for the Time being, and Allowance thereof by the said Houses, shall be discharged of their Accompts from Time to Time, by both the said Houses: And be it further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That the several Commissioners and Auditors appointed, and to be appointed, for the said Service, shall take the several Oaths herein prescribed, in such Manner as by the said Ordinance is expressed."

The Form of the Oath for the Commissioners:

The Oath for the Commissioners;

"You shall swear to be faithful and true, in your Place of Commissioner for the Excise, during the Time you shall be a Commissioner, according to the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament in that Behalf made: You shall, according to your Knowledge, execute the same diligently and faithfully, having no private Respect to yourself in Prejudice of the Commonwealth: You shall make and deliver a true Accompt of all your Receipts and Disbursements, to such Auditor or Auditors as is, are, or shall be from Time to Time, appointed by both Houses of Parliament, according to the said Ordinance: So help you God, and the Contents of this Book.

"The Form of the Oath for the Auditors:

and for the Auditors.

"You shall swear to be faithful and true in your Office of Auditor for the Excise, during your Continuance in the said Office, according to the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament in that Behalf made: You shall take the Accompts which shall be made unto you Quarterly by the Commissioners for Excise, and make true Entries and Duplicates, Counterparts thereof; and shall truly present the same to both Houses of Parliament, as by the said Ordinance is appointed; and in all Things diligently and truly execute your said Office, to the best of your Skill and Knowledge: So help you God, and the Contents of this Book.

"And be it Declared and Ordained, That all Manner of Persons, who have bought or sold any Goods or Commodities, chargeable with the Excise, since the 11th of this Instant September, 1643, or shall buy or sell any such Goods before the Execution of this Ordinance, shall, within Ten Days next after the 20th Day of this Month (if the said Goods were, or shall be, bought or sold within the Cities or Suburbs of London or Westm. or Ten Miles Compass thereof); or, if in any other Place or Places, then within Days next after the Erection of the said Office of Excise in or near such Place or Places, cause Entry thereof to be made in the several and respective Offices to which the same shall belong, that so the Duty of Excise may be discovered and paid for the same, under the Pain of Forfeiture of Double the Value of the said Goods or Merchandizes, to be levied in such Manner and Form, and to such Uses, as by the said Ordinance is appointed for Not-entry of Goods liable to the Excise."

Ordinance for the Commissioners of the Customs to repay themselves 30,000 l. advanced for the Navy.

"Whereas Thomas Andrewes, John Fowke, Richard Chambers, Wm. Barkley, Aldermen of the City of London, Maurice Thompson, Francis Allen, James Russell, and Stephen Estwicke, Merchants, are ordained and constituted, to be Collectors and Commissioners, enabled to receive all such Sums of Money as should be paid for Customs, or advanced by Way of Loan, or otherwise, for and in respect of Goods and Merchandize exported out of and imported into the Port of London, and all other Ports within the Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwicke; the said Commissioners, receiving what they ought to receive by virtue of the several Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament already passed concerning them, are contented to advance, by Way of Loan, Thirty Thousand Pounds, towards Supply of the pressing Necessities of the Navy: It is thereupon Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the said Commissioners shall re-pay unto themselves, by Way of Defalcation, out of the One-half of the said Receipts, the aforesaid Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds, with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for a Year, at the End of Six Months next to be elapsed and expired: And, for the further Encouragement and Security of the said Commissioners, it is likewise Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That the said Commissioners shall continue in the said Employment until the 25th of March, 1645; and shall not then be displaced nor dismissed from the said Employment without Order of both Houses of Parliament, nor until they be reimbursed the said Thirty Thousand Pounds, with Interest as aforesaid, and all other Sums which shall be due unto them: And it is likewise Ordained, That as well the Ordinance concerning the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, with such Alterations as the said Lords and Commons shall think fit, as also the other several Ordinances herein mentioned, in all other Things, shall stand and continue in full Force and Power, to all Intents and Purposes, during all the Time aforesaid."

"An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for the Relief of the distressed Clergy of Ireland.

Ordinance for Relief of the distressed Clergy of Ireland.

"Whereas it appeareth, by an humble Petition this Day read, that the distressed Clergy of the Kingdom of Ireland were, at the Beginning of the Rebellion there, despoiled of their Personal Estates, and have been ever since deprived of their respective Livings, by the barbarous Rebels; and are now ready to perish, with their Wives and Children, for Want of present Livelihood: The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, having taken the same into their charitable Considerations, do think fit that there shall be a Collection made, in and throughout the Cities of London and Westm. and the several Counties of Midd. Essex, Kent, Surrey, and Hertford, for their Relief: Be it therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, That all and every the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor, within all and every the several Places and Parishes of the Cities of London and Westm. and Borough of Southwarke, and of the several Counties of Midd. Essex, Kent, Surrey, and Hertford aforesaid, shall and may forthwith, and before the 26th Day of November next, within their respective Parishes and Places aforesaid, ask, take, receive, and gather, the several Gifts and charitable Benevolences of all and every Person and Persons, to and for the Relief of the said distressed Clergy, and their Wives and Children; and the Sums so received and gathered in each several Place or Parish which shall be within the Distance of Ten Miles to the City of London, to set down in a Note in Writing, in Words at Length, and not in Figures, the same to be subscribed by the Minister, Parson, Vicar, or Curate, of the said Place or Parish, and by the said Churchwardens, or One of them; and to be paid and delivered unto Dr. William Gouge Minister of Blackfryers London, Dr. Joshua Hoyle Minister of Stepney, Dr. Thomas Temple Minister of Battersey, Mr. Joseph Carrill Preacher at Lincolne's Inne, Mr. William Brice Minister of Mildred Bredstreet, Mr. Herle, Mr. Cheynell, Mr. Wilkinson Junior, or any Three of them, who, by this Ordinance, are appointed Receivers and Treasurers of the same, or to such Deputy Receiver as they shall appoint, at Dr. Gouge's House, in Blackfryers aforesaid, at or before the 30th Day of November aforesaid; which said Receivers, or One of them, or their Deputy Receiver, are to give several Acquittances for the same; and the Sums so received and gathered, in each several Place and Parish which shall be above Ten Miles Distance from the City of London, to be kept in the Hands of the Churchwardens, till they be demanded of them by such a Person as shall be designed by the aforesaid Ministers (and that Designation made known under the Hands of the Knights and Burgesses which serve for the said Counties, or any Seven of them), from whom they shall receive Acquittances for their Discharge.

"Be it further Ordained, by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Receivers, or any Two of them, immediately after the Receipt of the several Sums of Money from the Churchwardens of the respective Places or Parishes within the several Cities and Counties aforesaid, shall call to their Assistance William Newman and Griffith Perse, Ministers and Agents for the said distressed Clergy, or One of them, who are to advise concerning the sending over the said Monies (the necessary Charges of the said Agents, and of such others as shall be necessarily employed in the Execution of this Ordinance, being first discharged), unto faithful and trusty Persons in Dublin, and other Places of Ireland, to be by them disposed of to such of the Clergy there as are in Distress, according to their Merit, and proportionable to the Exigencies of them and their Families: Be it further Ordained, by the Authority aforesaid, That the Ministers, Parsons, Vicars, and Curates, of all and every the Cities of London and Westm. and Counties aforesaid, shall publish this Ordinance in their several Parish Churches and Chapels respectively, upon any Lords-day after the same shall come to their Hands within the aforesaid Time limited; and shall use their best Endeavours to move and persuade their Parishioners liberally to contribute to so good a Work; and that, if any Minister, Parson, Vicar, Curate, Churchwarden, or Overseer of the Poor, within the several Places or Parishes of the Cities, Borough, and Counties aforesaid, or any of them, shall neglect his or their Duty, in the due Execution of the Premises, that he or they shall be accountable in Parliament for such his or their Neglect: Provided always, That this Ordinance shall not be put in Execution touching any such Collections as aforesaid, longer than, or from or after, the 30th Day of November next."