House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 4 January 1645

Die Sabbati, Januarii 4, 1644.

Prayers.

Mr. Tate reports, from the Committee, the Amendments to the Lords Amendments to the Ordinance and Directory for Publick Worship: The which were twice read.

The First Amendment from the Committee assented unto.

The Clause concerning Congregational and Private Family Fasts assented unto, as it came from the Lords.

The Lords Amendments concerning the Exhorting the People to learn to read, and to have a Bible, agreed unto, with some Additions; and with the Transposition of the Words to the End of the Clause, concerning the publick Reading of Scriptures.

Sir Rob. Harley went up to the Lords, to desire a Conference upon the Amendments to the Ordinance and Directory for Publick Worship.

An Ordinance for appointing certain Days of Relaxation, was this Day read the First time.

Sir Rob. Harley brings Answer; That the Lords do agree to a Conference by a Committee of both Houses; and desire it may be presently, in the Painted Chamber.

Sir Rob. Harley, Mr. Tate, Mr. Rous, are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Ordered, upon the Question, That the Assembly of Divines here shall have Liberty to write a Letter to the Assembly of the Church of Scotland, with such Respects as they shall think fit; and to inform them What is passed in both Houses in the Matters of the Church: And, as to the rest, to leave it to the Information of the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland that are to repair thither, who have been Eye and Ear-Witnesses of all that passed.

A Message from the Lords, by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Finch;

The Lords do desire, That the Consideration of the Articles preferred by the Earl of Denbigh against Henry Stone, and others, may be referred to the Committee of both Houses, formerly appointed for the Earl of Denbighe's Business concerning his Association; and that they may meet upon Tuesday next, at Two of the Clock, in the Lord-Keeper's Lodgings; and to have Power to adjourn themselves from time to time.

Ordered, That these Articles preferred, by the Earl of Denbigh against Henry Stone, and others, be read; and taken into Consideration on Thursday next.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and, in regard of their great Occasions, cannot take it into a present Consideration: But have appointed a Time to take it into Consideration speedily; and will send Answer by Messengers of their own.

A Message from the Lords, by Baron Trevor and Mr. Justice Bacon;

That the Lords do concurr with this House for the Passing of the Ordinance for the Directory for Worship, &c. with the Alterations: And have given Order, that the Printer belonging to the House of Peers may print it: And that the Assembly will appoint some to correct and oversee the Printing of it.

That the Lords have passed the Ordinance for the Attainder of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ordered, That the Benefit that shall arise by the Printing of the Ordinance for taking away the Book of Common Prayer, and establishing a Directory for Publick Worship in the Three Kingdoms, shall be divided [ (fn. 1) ] into Three equal Parts between the Clerk of the House of Peers, the Clerk of the House of Commons, and the Scribes of the Assembly: And that the Lords be acquainted herewith by Sir John Clotworthy on Monday next.

Ordered, That no Printer do presume to print the Ordinance and Directory for Worship, until this House take further Order.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and, as to that Part as concerns the Printing of the Directory by the Printer of the Lords House, they will send Answer by Messengers of their own; and do agree, that the Assembly do appoint some to oversee the Printing of it.

Ordered, That the Report concerning the Manner of the Treaty . . . . on Monday Morning next, at Nine of Clock peremptorily: And that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.

Ordered, That the Business concerning Coals; and the Ordinance concerning Newcastle; be taken into Consideration on Monday next.

Ordered, Upon the Report from the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall shall appoint and settle their Officers or Agents at Newcastle, Sunderland, and the Members there, to order, regulate, and manage the Coals and Collieries of the Delinquents, and others, within the Ordinance of Sequestration; and also to receive such Monies and Profits as shall arise from the same; and they are likewise to receive such Monies, Issues, and Profits, as shall arise or grow due, out of all other Coals, which shall be transported, either to Foreign Parts, or to any the Parts of the Kingdom, according to an Ordinance of the 16th October 1643.

That the said Officers or Agents shall pay over unto the Treasurer of the Scotts Army, or to whom he shall appoint, all the Monies, Profits, and Issues, which shall be made, of all the said Coals and Colliery for the Space of Four Months: And, in case the Parliament shall find it necessary, after the Expiration of the said Four Months, that the Profits and Issues, or any Part of them, of the said Coals and Collieries, be for any longer time paid for the Maintenance of the Scotts Army, as is aforesaid, the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall are content to submit thereunto.

Ordered, upon the Report from the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, That the Scotts Commissioners may appoint one or more Officers, who may sit with their Officers, to take a Survey of all Receipts and Payments which shall be made of the Profits of the said Coals and Collieries.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee at GoldSmiths-Hall, to take care, that the Business of Coals may be managed with Consideration of the well-affected Inhabitants of Newcastle, and the Good of the Corporation there. And it is further referred to the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall, to take Consideration of the Debts and Engagements incurred upon the Ordinance of June 5, 1643; which provides for the Repayment of Monies, as were lent for the Raising of Forces by Sea and Land for the Reducing of Newcastle; especially . . . have a present Care of the pressing Debts due to Mariners.