House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 29 April 1652

Thursday, the 29th of April, 1652.

Prayers.

Tythes.

THE House being informed, That divers Gentlemen of the County of Middlesex were at the Door;

They were called in: And the Petitioners being come to the Bar, Mr. Wingfield presented a Petition, as the Petition of the County of Middlesex; which the Petitioners desired the Parliament to take into Consideration.

And, after the Petitioners were withdrawn, the Question being put, That this Petition be now read;

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the said Petition was now read, accordingly; and was intituled, "The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Middlesex."

Ordered, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee, appointed to receive Proposals for the better Propagation of the Gospel, to take into speedy Consideration, how a convenient and competent Maintenance for a godly and able Ministry may be settled, in Lieu of Tythes; and present their Opinion therein to the House.

And the Question being put, That this Clause, viz. "and that Tythes shall be paid as formerly, until such Maintenance be settled," be part of the Question;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, by the Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to receive Proposals for the better Propagation of the Gospel, to take into speedy Consideration, how a competent and convenient Maintenance for a godly and able Ministry may be settled, in Lieu of Tythes; and present their Opinion therein to the House. And that Tythes shall be paid as formerly, until such Maintenance be settled.

Resolved, That the said Committee do bring in a Report therein To-morrow Fortnight; and that all that come to that Committee shall have Voices.