House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 08 June 1604

Veneris, 8 Junii, 1604

Littleton's Restitution.

L. 1. B. OF Restitution in Blood of Thomas Littleton, eldest Son of John Littleton, late of Frankley, in the County of Wigorn, Esquire, deceased; John Littleton, second Son of the said John Littleton, deceased, and Edw. Littleton, third Son of the said John Littleton, deceased; Bridgett Littleton, eldest Daughter of the said John Littleton, deceased; and Anne Littleton, second Daughter, &c.

Gordon's &c. Nat.

L. 1. B. For the Naturalizing of John Gordon, Dean of Sarum, &c.

Brewers, &c.

B. For the repressing of Abuses in Brewers, Alehouse- keepers against the Laws, &c. reported from the Committee by Mr. Pettus, with Amendments; which were twice read ; and the Bill, upon the Quest, usual, rejected.

Theobald's Estate.

B. To enable John Theobalds, Gentleman, to make his Wife a Jointure, reported by Mr. Hadds, with Amendments; the Amendments twice read; and the Bill, upon Question, ordered to be ingrossed.

Guns and shooting.

B. For the better Execution of the Intent and Meaning of former Statutes against shooting in Guns. Destroying of Hares, &c. reported by Mr. Winch, with Amendments; the Amendments twice read; the Bill much disputed by Mr. James, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Bond; amended upon the Dispute, at the Board, in Three Places; and, upon Question, ordered to be ingrossed.

Penning's Release.

L. 2. B. For the Frustrating of a Release unduly procured by Edmond Penning, &c. - Committed to Sir Lewys Lewknor, Sir John Hobart, Sir John Shirley, Mr. Martin, Sir Robert Maunsell, Sir John Bennett, Sir John Hollis, Sir Lawrence Tanfield, Sir Henry Compton, Mr. D. James, Sir John Scott, Sir Daniel Dun, Sir Edw. Grevill, Sir Edw. Denny, Mr. Hitcham, Sir Henry Hobart, Mr. Hare, Sir John Savill, Mr. Ryvett, Mr. Oxborough, Sir Geo. Moore, Sir Edw. Lewknor, Sir Rob. Drury, Mr. Toby Matthewe, Sir Robert Wroth, Sir Francis Bacon, Mr. Alford: - To meet on Monday next, in the Exchequer Chamber.

It was, upon this second Reading of the Bill, moved, and so ordered,That Notice shall be given, by Letter from

Mr. Speaker, to Anthony Penning, of the Proceeding of this Bill; that he may attend the Committee with his Counsel, and there be heard at large, if he so require it, according to the ordinary Justice of the House in such Cases.

Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Sir Francis Hastings maketh Report of the Meeting and Conference of the Sub-committees of both Houses, at Whytehall, upon Monday last.

Part undertaken by the Lords: Part by us.

That by us, was in Bills depending; viz.

1. For the Providing of a learned Ministry.

2. Against Pluralities.

3. Some Points by Petition, and not by Bill.

An Instrument read by a Bishop, coming from the Convocation-house. - A Mislike uttered, that the House of the Commons should deal in any Matters of Religion. - Dislike of the Conference of the Bishops with us. -

That it prejudged the Liberties of the Church. -

That if the Bishops would not desist, they would appeal to the King, who had given them Authority to deal only in these Matters.

Conclus. To proceed in a Petition by ourselves, seeing the Bishops refuse to join with us.

Sundry Motions ensued this Report, by Sir Vincent Skynner, Mr. Nath. Bacon, Mr. Winch, Sir Edw. Hobby, Mr. Wyseman, Sir Tho. Holcroft, Mr. Hedley, Sir Walter Cope, Mr. Martin, Sir William Bulstrod, Sir Edw. Hext, Sir Edw. Lewknor, Mr. Tate, Mr. Yelverton, Mr. Fuller, Sir Geo. Moore, Sir John Hollis. -

That, for all Matters induced into the Church, savouring of Popery, we might proceed in a Petition by ourselves. -

That we should proceed to send for the Instrument the better to digest our Petition. -

Not to send for the Instrument, till we know whether it be the Fault of the Convocation. -

That the Bishops Canons may be looked into, by Authority whereof the Subject is sued, and much grieved. -

Some of this House be of the Convocation; let us enjoin them to bring a Copy of the Letters of Authority granted to that House. -

Since, by our Writ, we are called to consult of Matters for the Church and Commonwealth, let us make an Act against the Protestation of the Bishops, and protest against them.

An Act of Parliament will bind the Matter of Ceremony, more than a Convocation Pamphlet. -

Papists get too much Encouragement out of the Convocation-house.

There is some Purpose of Proceeding against Ministers by the Bishops. -

To draw a Petition, to beg Mercy for the Ministers threatened by the Bishops, and inhibited to preach, for not using fruitless Ceremonies. -

A Petition, that we may make Laws to bind, as well as to beg Mercy. -

To let the Lords know our Grief, and that they themselves are immediately wounded in this. -

Let us proceed with a Conscience of Religion. -

A select Committee to draw a Petition for the Ministers.

Concluded, and Resolved, upon a double Question;

1. That the great Committee shall select a Sub-committee amongst themselves, to search, view, and consider of all such Precedents, as have warranted, or may warrant, this House to intermeddle with Matters ecclesiastical.

2. To consider of the Frame of a Petition to be exhibited to his Majesty, for Dispensation with some learned and faithful Ministers, in Matters indifferent, and of Ceremony.

And if they shall not think it meet to be done by way of Petition, to report their Opinion to the House.

Privilege - Reflections on the House.

Mr. Cole informeth the House, of some Speeches of Scandal and Scorn to this House, uttered in Conference with himself by a Doctor of the Convocation-house.

Q. Whether the Doctor shall be named? - Resolved.

- And Mr. D. Howson named by Mr. Cole.

This also to be considered of by the Sub-committee; who are appointed to meet on Monday, in the Exchequer Chamber.