December 1646: An Ordinance for justifying the Proceedings of Parliament.

December, 1646

[14 December, 1646.]

Ordinance to justify the proceedings of Parliament.

Whereas the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have been necessitated to make and prosecute a War, in their just and lawful Defence; and thereupon Oaths, Declarations, and Proclamations, have been made against them and their Ordinances and Proceedings, and against others for adhering unto them, and for executing Offices, Places, and Charges, by Authority derived from them; and Judgements, Indictments, Outlawries, Attainders, and Inquisitions, for the Causes aforesaid, have been had and made, against some of the Members of the Houses of Parliament, and other His Majesty's good subjects; and Grants have been made of their Lands and Goods: The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, taking the same into their serious Considerations, have Declared, and do hereby Declare, That all Oaths, Declarations, and Proclamations, heretofore had, or hereafter to be had, against both or either of the Houses of Parliament, or any the Members of either of them, for the Causes aforesaid, or against their Ordinances or Proceedings, or against any for adhering unto them, or for doing or executing any Office, Place, or Charge, by any Authority derived from the said Houses, or either of them, and all Judgements, Indictments, Outlawries, Attainders, Inquisitions, and Grants, thereupon made, and all other Proceedings for any the Causes aforesaid had, made, done, and executed, or to be had, made, done, or executed, whether the same be done by the King, or any Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, Ministers, or any others, by His Majesty's Direction or Appointment, are void and of no Effect, and are contrary to and against the Laws of this Realm: And the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain, Order and Declare, That all Judges, Justices of the Peace, Mayors, Sheriffs, Constables, and other Officers and Ministers, do take Notice hereof, and are hereby prohibited and discharged, in all Time to come, from awarding any Writ, Process, Summons, or Citation, or from pronouncing or executing any Judgement, Sentence, or Decree, or any Way proceeding against or molesting any of the said Members of the Two Houses of Parliament, or against any of the Subjects of this Kingdom, for any the Causes aforesaid.