House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 7 December 1654

Thursday, the 7th of December, 1654.

Prayers.

Settling the Government.

THE House resumed the Debate upon the Clause read Yesterday, upon which the Debate was adjourned; viz. "That the true Christian Religion, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, shall be held forth, and recommended, and no other, as the publick Profession of these Nations."

Resolved, That instead of these Words, "held forth, and recommended," these Words be inserted in this Question, viz. "asserted and maintained."

Resolved, That these Words, "Reformed, Protestant," be inserted into this Question, between the Words "True" and "Christian."

And the Question, so amended, being put to the Question; It was

Resolved, by the Parliament, That the True Reformed, Protestant, Christian Religion, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and no other, shall be asserted and maintained, as the publick Profession of these Nations.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Gorges have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight.

Merchants.

Resolved, That Alderman Avery and Alderman Foote be added to the Committee touching the Merchants of the Intercourse.

Elections for Ireland.

Resolved, That the Committee for Privileges do sit in the Afternoon, on Tuesday, for Dispatch of the Business touching the Elections for Ireland.

Sheriffs, &c.

Resolved, That Sir Richard Onslow be added to the Committee for Sheriff and Under-Sheriffs.

Post Meridiem.

Settling the Government.

THE Question being propounded, That, until some better Provision be made by the Parliament, for the Encouragement and Maintenance of able, godly, and painful Ministers, and Preachers of the Gospel, for instructing the People, and for Discovery and Confutation of Errors, Heresy, and whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine, the present Maintenance shall not be taken away, nor impeached;

Resolved, That the Word "publick" be inserted in this Vote, next before the Word "Preachers."

Resolved, That the Word "publick" be inserted in the same Question, between these Words "present" and "Maintenance."

And the Question, so amended, was put to the Question: And it was

Resolved, That, until some better Provision be made by the Parliament, for the Encouragement and Maintenance of able, godly and painful Ministers, and publick Preachers of the Gospel, for instructing the People, and for Discovery and Confutation of Errors, Heresy, and whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine, the present publick Maintenance shall not be taken away, nor impeached.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to whom the Ordinance concerning uniting Parishes, is referred, to consider how such Impropriators and Colleges, who are bound to find Ministers, and are not charged with any certain or considerable Proportion, may be compelled to allow a Competency of Maintenance for a Minister.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to consider of an Act to enable such Cities, Corporations, and Market-Towns, as have no competent Maintenance for the Ministers of the several Parishes in such City, Corporation, or Market Towns, to tax themselves, for raising a convenient Maintenance for the Ministers of such Cities, Corporations, and Market-Towns; and report it to the House: And that Mr. Godfrey do take care thereof.

Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, Mr. Bulkley, and Alderman Gibbs, Mr. Yeo, Mr. Gwin, Colonel Ceely, Mr. Ashton, Mr. Flackett, Mr. Minors, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Francis Bacon, Mr. Nath. Bacon, Colonel Welden, Major Puchin, Mr. Whitgrave, Sir Antho. Ashley Cooper, Mr. Whaley, Mr. Read, Mr. Brandlin, Mr. Puller, Mr. Grove, Major Gibbon, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Lucy, are added to this Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Hoskins do make Report of the Two Votes, reported from the Sub-Committee to the Grand Committee of the whole House, 1 Novembr. 1654, upon the Government.

Mr. Hoskins, accordingly, reports the said Votes, in these Words; viz.

"That, to the publick Profession held forth, none shall be constrained by any penal Law or Statute, without Consent of the Lord Protector and Parliament: Provided, that such Bills, as shall be hereafter agreed upon by the Parliament, requiring Summission and Conformity to the publick Profession held forth by such Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel, as shall receive the publick Maintenance, for instructing the People, or enjoining Attendance unto the Preaching of the Word, and other religious Duties, on the Lord's Day, in some publick Church or Chapel, or at some other Congregational and Christian Meeting, approved of by the Magistrate, according to Law, shall pass into and become Laws, within Twenty Days after their Presentation to the Lord Protector, although he shall not give his Consent thereunto."

"That, without the Consent of the Lord Protector and Parliament, no Law or Statute be made, for the Restraining of such Tender Consciences as shall differ in Doctrine, Worship, or Discipline, from the publick Profession held forth, and shall not abuse this Liberty to the Civil Injury of others, or the Disturbance of the publick Peace: Provided, that such Bills, as shall be agreed upon by the Parliament, for the Restraining of Atheism, Blasphemy, damnable Heresies, Popery, Prelacy, Licentiousness, and Profaneness, or such as shall preach, print, or publish any Thing, contrary to the publick Profession held forth, or shall do any Overt or Publick Act, to the Disturbance thereof, shall pass into and become Laws, within Twenty Days after their Presentation to the Lord Protector, although he shall not give his Consent thereunto."

Resolved, That Candles be brought in.

The Question being put, That this Report be referred to the Consideration of a Committee of the whole House; and that the House be resolved into a Grand Committee, To-morrow Morning, to take the same into Consideration, accordingly;

It passed with the Negative.

Ordered, That the House do take this Report into Debate and Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to prepare an Act upon the Votes passed touching the Government so far as is agreed upon; and of the rest as it shall, from time to time, be passed: Viz. To the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, Mr. Serjeant Glyn, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Nath. Bacon, Mr. Bulkley, Mr. Turner, Mr. Grove, Sir Rich. Onslow, Colonel John Birch, Colonel Fines, Mr. Lechmere, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. James, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Garland, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Mr. Foxwist, Mr. Francis Bacon, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Boys, Mr. York, Mr. Hobert; or any Three of them: Mr. Nathaniel Bacon and Mr. Recorder to take care of it.

Court of Wards.

Ordered, That the Act touching taking away of the Court of Wards, be reported on Monday Morning next.