House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 08 August 1641

Die Dominico, 8 Aug. 1641.

PRAYERS.

Message from Lords.

A MESSAGE from the Lords, by J. Foster and J. Mallett;

The Lords are ready to join with this House, in petitioning the King for the Stay of his Journey into Scotland, as is desired.

King's Journey to Scotland.

Sir Philip Stapleton went up to the Lords with this Message:

To desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, so soon as may stand with their Lordships Conveniency, concerning the Matter of the last Conference, touching the Stay of his Majesty's Journey into Scotland; and, concerning some other Things that may settle and preserve a good Understanding between this and the Scottish Nation.

Mr. Pym, Mr. Hollis, Sir Jo. Colepeper, Lord Falkland; * Hampden, are appointed to retire, and prepare Heads for a Conference, to be desired with the Lords, concerning some Things that may settle and preserve a good Understanding between this and the Scottish Nation.

Ditto.

A Message from the Lords, by J. Reeve and J. * *

The Lords desire a free Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, touching the Moving the King for the Stay of his Journey into Scotland, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Occasions of this House.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

The same Committee that was appointed to prepare Heads for the Conference, concerning the Stay of his Majesty's Journey into Scotland, are appointed Managers and Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Hollis reports from the Conference, that the Lord Privy Seal told them, that they were ready, when this House should think fit, to send to know his Majesty's Pleasure, when his Majesty will please to appoint a Time for both Houses to attend his Majesty.

Business to be done.

That this House shall enter into Consideration of no Business whatsoever upon this Day, but such as shall immediately concern the Good and Advancement of Religion, and the Safety of the Kingdom.

Recusants Children.

That an Act might be framed, whereby it might be ordained, that no Recusant that should have the Educating of their Children after they are Seven Years of Age.

Message from the King.

Mr. Solicitor brings a Message from his Majesty;

He desires that this House would expedite the Bill for the Scotch Treaty; that He might give his Answer to it this Afternoon; being willing rather to give His Answer in Person, than by Commission.

King's Journey to Scotland.

Mr. Pym reports from the Committee, appointed to prepare Heads for a Conference:

This House does think it a great Blessing of the Day, that their Lordships have joined with this House in their Desire of petitioning his Majesty for the Stay of his Journey into Scotland:

To propose a Care of keeping a good Understanding betwixt Two Nations:

To take away all Objections that may be made to this House, for yielding to his Majesty's going upon the Tenth of Aug.

To take notice of the often Putting off the Parliaments in Scotland; and, lest it might now prove a great Inconvenience, if they should sit together, and be able to do nothing.

To send to the Commissioners of Scotland, to let them know, that for the Satisfaction of their Parliament, they do intend to petition his Majesty, to send a Commissioner for the Dispatch of their Affairs, if they be so pressing, that they cannot expect his Majesty's coming Fourteen Days: This, if they shall condescend unto, in respect of the great Affairs of this Kingdom, which cannot with any Safety admit his Journey thither as yet, they shall take it for a great Argument of their Affection to this Kingdom.

To remember the Motion Yesterday at the Even, to send some Commissioners to the Parliament in Scotland, to satisfy the Parliament there of the great and urgent Occasions of this Kingdom, which moved them so earnestly to petition his Majesty to stay his Journey into Scotland.

Sir Ph. Stapleton brings Answer, that their Lordships will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

Resolved, upon the Question, That One Head of the Conference shall be, that the Lords Commissioners may have Direction, in all friendly manner to propose unto the Commissioners of Scotland, to know whether they have any especial Commission from the Parliament of Scotland, to press, at this present time, his Majesty's Journey into Scotland.

Resolved, upon the Question, That these shall be the Heads of this Conference.

The same Committee that prepared the Reasons and Heads of this Conference, are appointed to manage and report this Conference.

Message to Lords.

Resolved, upon the Question, That a Message shall be sent to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to send to his Majesty, to know his Pleasure, when he will be pleased to appoint a Time for both Houses to attend his Majesty.

Lord Falkland is appointed to go with this Message.

Sequestering the Bishops.

To send up a Message to the Lords, to desire their Lordships, that the Bishops, which have been impeached by this House, may be sequestred from Parliament.-

Answer from Lords.

Lord Falkland brings Answer, that the Lords had already sent some Lords to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to appoint a Time for both Houses to attend his Majesty.-

Frustra Legis auxilium petit qui in Legem committit.

Conference, &c.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Ro. Rich, and Sir Edw. Leech;

The Lords do agree in the Matter of the last Conference; and, in pursuance thereof, they have sent some of the Lords Commissioners of that House to the Scotts Commissioners: They do likewise desire a present Conference, if it may stand with the Occasions of this House, to treat of the Reasons for the sitting in Parliament this Day.

Sequestring the Bishops.

That this Business concerning the Sequestring of the Bishops from the House of the Lords * * * *

Answer to Lords.

Answer returned, by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

King appoints to be attended.

A Message from the Lords, by J. Foster and J. Heath;

The Lords... that some of their Lordships have attended the King, concerning the Time when both Houses should wait upon him; and he has appointed Four of Clock this Afternoon, in the Banqueting-house at Whitehall.

Conference.

The former Committee, appointed to prepare the Reasons for Heads of the last Conference, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

House to meet.

Ordered, That the House shall meet this Afternoon at Two of Clock.

Reasons for sitting on Lord's Day.

Mr. Pym reports the Conference had with the Lords, concerning the Parliament sitting on this Day, being the Lord's Day; a Declaration of their Lordships, in hæc Verba;

Whereas both Houses of Parliament found it fit to sit in Parliament upon the Eighth Day of August, being the Lord's Day, for many urgent and unexpected Occasions, concerning the Safety of the Kingdom; and being so straitened in Time, by reason of his Majesty's Resolution to begin his Journey towards Scotland on Monday following, early in the Morning, it was not possible so to settle and order the Affairs of the Kingdom, either for the Government thereof in the King's Absence, or for the present Safety, as was requisite: Upon those pressing Necessities, though the Houses thought it necessary to sit, yet the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, think it meet to declare, that they would not have done this, but upon inevitable Necessity, the Peace and Safety both of Church and State being so deeply concerned; which they do hereby declare, to the end, that neither any other inferior Court or Council, or any other Person, may draw this into Example, or make use of it for their Encouragement, in neglecting the due Observation of the Lord's Day.

Resolved, upon the Question, nullo contradicente, that this House doth assent unto this Declaration.

Sir John Colpeper is appointed to carry up this Declaration back to the Lords; and to acquaint their Lordships how it passed with an unanimous Vote here, nullo contradicente: And that if it passed so in their House, to desire it may be so entered; that it may appear to Posterity, with what unanimous Consent both Houses of Parliament were solicitous for the due Observation of the Lord's Day: And likewise, to desire the Lords, that it may be printed as the Declaration of both Houses.

Post Meridiem.

Abolishing Superstition.

ORDERED, That the Bill for the Abolishing of Superstition shall be reported To-morrow Morning.

This House doth declare, that they hold it fit, that the Church-wardens of every Parish shall have Power and Liberty, within their own Parish Churches, to take down the Rails from about the Communion-tables, which have been set up without any Warrant of Law; and to set the Communion-tables in the same Order, as by the Laws and the Rubrick they be set. This House doth likewise declare, that they hold it fit, that no man shall presume to oppose the Discipline or Government of the Church established by Law.

House to meet.

Ordered, That this House shall meet here after they come from attending his Majesty.

Mr. Fines was sent up to the Lords, to acquaint their Lordships, that this House intends to meet, after they come from the King; and desire their Lordships to do the like, if it may stand with their Conveniency.

Reasons for sitting on Lord's Day.

Sir John Colepeper brings Answer, that their Lordships have voted the Declaration of the Reasons for the Sitting of this Parliament this Day, nullo contradicente; and that they have ordered it to be so entered in their Book; and will give Order, that it shall be printed; that the Reasons may appear publickly.

Lords to sit.

Mr. Fines brings Answer, that the Lords will sit, after their Return from attending his Majesty, as is desired.

King's Journey to Scotland.

Mr. Speaker reports his Majesty's Answer:

'The Lord Keeper told his Majesty, he was to represent unto him the Reasons that moved both Houses of Parliament to desire his Majesty to stay his Journey into Scotland Fourteen Days.'

'His Majesty's Answer was to this Purpose:'

"That the Weight of this Business, and the Necessity, would require Time to answer; but the same Necessity forces him to answer presently."

"Two things were the Reasons to ground his Journey upon."

"1. His Faith, that he had given to that Kingdom: And he was as far engaged as ever Prince was."

"2. The Condition of the Affairs of that Kingdom:"

"He desired Expedition of the Bill concerning the Treaty, that he might give his Answer in Person."

"That he had left such Order for the Government in his Absence, as he doubted not but would give Content."

Message to Lords.

Mr. Hollis went up to the Lords, with this Message;

To know of their Lordships, whether they have yet received any Answer from the Scotts Commissioners; and what it is: And to desire, that their Lordships would be pleased to sit some convenient Time: as this House intends to do.

Answer.

Mr. Hollis brings Answer, that the Lords have not yet received an Answer from the Scotts Commissioners; but do expect it every Minute: So soon as it comes, they will acquaint this House therewith: And they will sit, as is desired.

Preacher thanked.

Mr. Venn is desired, in regard the House cannot, by reason of their many Occasions, hear a Sermon at this time, to thank the Minister for his Patience, and to discharge him.

That the House shall * * * *

Conference.

A Message from the Lord, by Sir Ro. Rich and Sir Edw. Leech;

The Lords have now received the Answer from the Scotts Commissioners; and they do desire a Conference, by a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House.

Answer returned, by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a present Meeting, as is desired.

The Committee appointed to prepare Heads for the former Conference, concerning this Business, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Mr. Hollis reports, the Lords had sent some Lords to the Scotts Commissioners, to express the Desires of both Houses, concerning his Majesty's Stay.

Ordered, That this Answer, now returned from the Scotts Commissioners, shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning at Seven of Clock; and that no other Business intervene.