House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 9 March 1659

Wednesday, the 9th of March, 1658.

Prayers.

Mr. Speaker's Illness.

Mr. Speaker being in the Chair, and very much indisposed in his Health, acquainted the House, That he came to the Chair with a great Desire to serve the House; but their Sittings had been so extraordinary, and their Business such, and so requiring it, that he was utterly disabled to serve them, as he would, for the present: That it was a great Grief of Mind to him, to retard the Publick Business, though but for one Half-hour, or more, as it had been this Morning: That he found himself grow weaker and weaker; and therefore humbly prayed, he might be totally discharged; or otherwise, that he might have so much Respite, at least, granted to him, as that, by the Blessing of God, he might recover some better Measure of Health, and be enabled to return again to their Service. Whereupon, by the Leave of the House, he left the Chair; and went home to his own House; and the Serjeant attended him, with the Mace, out of the House, to his Coach; and afterwards, brought the Mace back, and placed it below, under the Table.

Sir L. Long to take the Chair.

The Members of the House, sitting in their Places, considered of appointing another of their Members to take the Chair, and supply the Speaker's Place, during his Absence, by reason of his Indisposition of Health: And Sir Lislebone Long, Knight, Recorder of London, being first named, by the general Consent of the House, was called, and brought to the Chair by Sir Walter St. John and Mr. Francis Gerard: And, being their placed, and set in the Chair, and the Mace placed on the Table by the Serjeant, as is usual; It was

Ordered, That, in respect of Mr. Speaker's present Indisposition of Body, and at his earnest Request, Sir Lislebone Long be desired to supply the Speaker's Place, during his Absence, occasioned by his present Indisposition of Health; and no longer.