Die Jovis, Januarii 23, 1644.
Prayers.
THE humble Petition of the Ministers and Preachers
of the Word, in the County of Suffolk, desiring a
settled Government in the Church, for Repressing of Sects
and Schisms, was this Day read; and, upon the Question,
approved of. And
Ordered, That Sir Roger North and Sir Rob. Harley
do return the Thanks of this House to the Petitioners.
Resolved, &c. That a Conference be desired with the
Lords, concerning the Tryal and Proceedings against the
Lord Macguire, an Irish Rebel.
Sir Hen. Mildmay went up to the Lords, to desire this
Conference.
He likewise carried up to the Lords, for their Concurrence, the Order for furnishing Sir Jo. Price with Pistols,
&c.
Mr. Maynard, Mr. Selden, Mr. Nichlas, Mr. Hill, Mr.
Corbett, Mr. Reynolds, are appointed to manage this Conference.
Ordered, That Sir Hen. Vane junior's Report concerning
the bringing the Scotts Army Southwards, and providing
Monies for the Army, be taken into Consideration Tomorrow Morning, the first Business, peremptorily: And
that Mr. Speaker put the House in mind hereof.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of both
Kingdoms, to take into Consideration, What is fit to be
done upon the Papers, which were received from the King;
and to present their Opinions to the Houses To-morrow
Morning.
The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.
Sir Hen. Vane junior went to the Lords, to desire their
Concurrence herein.
Ordered, That, on Saturday next, peremptorily, the
Grand Committee shall sit upon the Affairs of the Navy,
according to the former Order: And that Mr. Speaker
put the House in mind hereof.
Sir Hen. Vane junior reports, That the Lords do agree
in referring the Papers received from the King, to the
Committee of both Kingdoms, in such Manner as is desired.
Sir Hen. Mildmay brings Answer, That the Lords do
agree to a present Conference, as is desired, concerning
the Tryal of the Lord Macguire: Do agree to the Order
for Arms for Sir Jo. Price; and that the Committee appointed to treat with the States Ambassadors do meet
this Afternoon.
A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and
Mr. Page;
The Lords have sent down an Order; wherein they
desire the Concurrence of this House: It is for referring
the Papers concerning the Treaty to the Committee of
both Kingdoms; and that the Fast, to be kept on Wednesday next, may be kept on Tuesday next, by both Houses,
and within the Lines of Communication; and that the
Ministers be desired, in especial Manner, to beg God's
Blessing upon the Treaty.
Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this
House has considered their Lordships Message; and will
send Answer by Messengers of their own.
The House went, according to former Order, to the
Consideration of the Matter of Church-Government.
Resolved, &c. That there shall be fixed Congregations;
that is, a certain Company of Christians, to meet in one
Assembly, ordinarily, for Publick Worship: When Believers multiply to such a Number, that they cannot
conveniently meet in one Place, they shall be divided into
distinct and fixed Congregations, for the better Administration of such Ordinances as belong unto them, and
the Discharge of mutual Duties.
Resolved, &c. That the ordinary Way of dividing
Christians into distinct Congregations, and most expedient
for Edification, is by the respective Bounds of their
Dwellings.
Resolved, &c. That there shall be one at least in every
particular Congregation to labour in the Word and
Doctrine.
Resolved, &c. That the Minister, and other ChurchOfficers, in each particular Congregation, shall join in the
Government of the Church, in such Manner as shall be
established by Parliament.
Resolved, &c. That these Officers shall meet together,
at convenient and set Times, for the well Ordering of the
Affairs of that Congregation, each according to his
Office.
Resolved, &c. That the Ordinances in a particular Congregation are, Prayer; Thanksgiving; and Singing of
Psalms; the Word read, although there follow no immediate Explication of what is read; the Word expounded and applied; Catechizing; the Sacraments administred; Collection made for the Poor; Dismissing of
the People with a Blessing.
Resolved, &c. That many particular Congregations shall
be under one Presbyterial Government.
Resolved, &c. That the Church be governed by Congregational, Classical, and Synodical Assemblies, in such
Manner as shall be established by Parliament.
Resolved, &c. That Synodical Assemblies shall consist
both of Provincial and National Assemblies.
Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed do
meet this Afternoon; and collect the several Votes passed
concerning the Government of the Church; and present
them to the House To-morrow Morning.
Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the whole House
do meet this Afternoon at Three of Clock, to take into
Consideration the new Model of the Army.
Ordered, That the humble Petition of John Davies,
Merchant, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for the Navy, for the Petitioner's Accommodation.