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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	according_a	common_a	prayer_n	2,718	5	6.1677	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A95892	Magnalia Dei Anglicana. Or, Englands Parliamentary chronicle. Containing a full and exact narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies, and mighty (if not miraculous) deliverances, great and glorious victories, and admirable successes, ... from the yeer, 1640. to this present year, 1646. Compiled in four parts; the two first, intituled, God in the mount. The third, Gods ark overtopping the worlds waves; the fourth, The burning-bush not consumed: this last part, comming up to these present times, and to our most renowned generall, Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous actions, in the west, and the happy (because unbloody) rendition of Oxford, in this present yeer, 1646. Collected cheifly for the high honour of our wonder working God; and for the unexpressible comfort of all cordiall English Parliamentarians. / By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vicars.; God in the mount. Part 4	Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652.	1646 (1646)	Wing V319; Thomason E348_1; ESTC R201016	408,597	484

to say one Booke to the respective Constables and other Officers of every one of the said Parishes Chappelries and Donatives to be paid for by the Inhabitants within the said severall Parishes and Chappelries And it is further hereby Ordained by the said Lords and Commons That if any person or persons whatsoever shall at any time or times hereafter abuse or cause the aforesaid Book of Common Prayer to be abused in any Church Chappell or publique place of Worship or in any private place or Family within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales or Port and Towne of Barwick that then every such person so offending therein shall for the first offence forfeit and pay the summe of five pounds of lawfull English money for the second offence the summe of tenne pounds and for the third offence shall suffer one whole yeares imprisonment without Bayle or Main prize And it is further Ordained that every Minister which shall not henceforth pursue and observe the Directory for Publike Worship according to the true intent and meaning thereof in all exercises of the publike Worship of God within this Realme of England and dominion of Wales and within the Towne and Port of Barwick shall for every time that he shall so offend lose and forseit the summe of forty shillings of lawfull English mony And that what person soever shall with intent to bring the said Directory into contempt and neglect or to raise opposition against it Preach Write Print or cause to be written or printed any thing in the derogation or depraving of the said Booke or any thing therein contained or any part thereof shall lose and forfeit for every such offence such a summe of money as shall at the time of his conviction be thought fit to be imposed upon him by those before whom he shall have his triall provided that it be not lesse than five pounds and not exceeding the summe of fifty pounds And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid That no person or persons shall be at any time hereafter impeached or molested of or for any of the offences last above mentioned hereafter to be committed or done contrary to this Ordinance unlesse he or they so offending be thereof indicted at the next or second generall Sessions to be holden before any Justices of Oyre and determiner or Justices of Assize or before the Justices of Peace at their generall quarter Sessions next after any offence committed or done contrary to the tenor of this Ordinance and that he be thereby lawfully convicted according to the Lawes of this Realm by verdict of twelve men or by his own confession It is further Ordered and Ordained That all Common Prayer Bookes remaining in Parish Churches and Chappels shall within a moneth after the publishing of this Ordinance be by the Church-wardens or Constables of the respective Parishes under the penalty of forty shillings to be employed as aforesaid carried unto the Committees of the respective Counties where they shall be found to be disposed of as the Parliament shall direct And about the 20. of this instant we were for certaine informed by Letters out of the Northern parts of the Kingdome that about this time the English and Scottish forces were very considerable in Horse and Dragoones for the preservation of those parts from the rage of the Royalists viz. That Lieutenant Generall Lesley with 5000. Horse and Dragoons valiant Col. Ros●●er with 1000. and the Nottingham Darby and Staffordshire Horse joyned with Major Generall Poyntz had their Rendezvouz neare Doncaster and were compleat 10000. Horse and Dragoones their foot being left at Yorke for their better safety and security the Kings great desire and designe being at this time as they were certainly informed to get further into the North but valiant and vigilant Major Generall Poyntz tooke speciall care to prevent him and to secure the passages at Ferribridge so to impede his progresse that way yet at last the King was come on as neare as Doncaster and had made Proclamation that all should come in to him to goe along with him to Yorke where he hoped to make a second Nest to nestle his devouring Cormorants again but findeing no appearance answerable to his expectation but contrariwise all our Forces ready to receive him he therefore made a speedy retreat backe againe in which his retreat a party of our Horse fell fiercely upon his reare and ferretted them soundly where they tooke the Lord Harris a Papist Prisoner together with 100. Horse and divers Prisoners and forced the King to fly away thence to Newarke About the 24. of this instant the prime Prisoners taken by our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax at Sherburn-Castle were brought to London by Sea and two of the cheife of them were as this day brought to the House of Commons viz. Sir Lewis Dives late Governour of Sherburn Castle for the King and Col. Sir George Strangewaies formerly a Member of that House who were by a strong Guard attended and at last caused to come into the House to the Bar where Dives demeaned himselfe very supercilliously and proudly seeming to refuse to kneel on both his knees til he was compelled unto it and then the Speaker of the House of Commons told him that he was much to be lamented who notwithstanding that he had been a meanes to shed so much innocent bloud and had committed so much Treason against his native Kingdome endeavouring to destroy the same and helping as much as in him was to draw the King from his Parliament and yet that his heart should no more nay not at all relent but that he looked before that Honourable presence as one whom God had given over to hardnesse of heart and impudency of carriage he therefore for his Treasons pronounced the Commitment of him and of Sir George Strangewaies to the Tower of London there to remaine Prisoners till Justice should farther proceed against them And about the 28. instant his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax our most renowned Generall having his Leaguer now before Bristoll we had certaine intelligence from them that the Club-men of Gloucester and Somersetshire expressed much affection to Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and afforded them a gallant Party for the taking of this brave and strong City of Bristoll and that Somersetshire had raised at least 2000. men and were joyned with Sir Thomas in the taking of the strong Fort called Portshead-point the true and exact manner whereof being related by a Letter sent from an eminent Commander in the said Leaguer to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to insert the said Letter verbatim as it was printed and published by authority which was as followeth To the Right Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons SIR I wrot unto you the other day in what posture we were before the Towne we have since

Garye Lieutenant Colonell to Sir Tibbot Bourk eldest Sonne to the Lord of Maye Richard Bourk Major to Richard Bourk the Earle of Clanrickards Heire and Sonne to Sir William Bourk Brother to the late Earle of Clanrickard Captaine William O Shaghuise brother to Sir Roger O Shaghuise Captaine Garret Dillon Sonne to Sir Lucas Dillon who saith that his Father was shot in the thigh Captaine Ro. Castallogh Killed Edward Brown Captaine of 100 Musketeers out of Galloway brother to Jeffery Brown the Lawyer Three Lieutenants of Foot Two Cornets Three Engines Killed also the Titular Archbishop of Tuain the Rebels president of Cannaught a principall incendiary in that Kingdome in whose pockets were found Letters and other papers of great importance and for his own particular an Order from the Councell of Kilkenny for leavying the arreares of his Bishoprick together with severall other prisoners of inferiour quality both of Horse and Foot and 22 or 23 were drowned And here now I shall desire the Reader by way of introduction to what I have further to say touching this Irish Victory and especially some of the Papers taken from this foresaid Archbishop of Tuain to take speciall notice of the admirable wisdome and providentiall mercy of the Lord unto us therein viz. That in regard of the wonderfull great and good successe which the Lord hath lately given to our Forces in the West of our owne Kingdome and the King finding what bad successe he hath of late had as well as all along indeed for the most part in all the parts of the Kingdome both West and North now therefore sent Letter after Letter to the Parliament for the procuring of a pretended well grounded Peace and the way nay forsooth the only way in the opinion of the subtill Oxonians that must lead thereto he propounded to be by a Treaty nay when that could not serve by a Personall Treaty in himself proffering himself to come in person to our Parliament But our prudent Parliament who by much experience knew very well of what danger and disadvantage such Treaties have been and this also of the Kings personall coming in this juncture of time would be both to foment pernicious delayes and abusive designes for raising desperate parties to spoile us all resolved therefore most peremptorily to go a neerer way to worke to wit by drawing up Bils and to present them to the King to have them immediately signed and made Acts. But now that the Reader I say may see how fairely the King meant both in sending Letters thus for a Treaty of Peace yea and proffering himself in person to treat of Peace I have here thought fit to set downe the substance of one of his Letters sent to the Parliament for this purpose verbatim and most faithfully as it was printed and published and therewith also a Declaration of his compacting with the Rebels in Ireland against God our Religion and his English Protestant Subjects yea the whole Kingdome and Parliament And then I say the impartiall Reader may see how crossely and craftily yet most accursedly things were carried underhand even with extream Atheisme and impiety and now I say for the full clearing hereof take here first a true Copy of the Kings Letter to our Parliament expressing his even greedy seeming desire of Peace with his Parliament and his Protestant People and then you shall have the other Letter or Declaration sent into Ireland and then be amazed and confounded in thy thoughts at such hideous and horrid yea even hellish dissimulation Upon Friday Jan. 16. another Trumpet for you must know by the way as I touched before divers former Trumpets and Messages had been sent came from the King with a Letter directed to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore the substance of which Letter was C. R. HIs Majesty doth expresse his great wonder that whereas he had sent a gracious Message on the 26 of December last the subject whereof was for a Treaty for peace that the Parliament should returne no Answer to that Message ever since He much admired what should become of his Trumpeter whom he sent unto them in December last having heard 〈◊〉 newes of him since his departure from Oxford unto London He seemes to be very carefull of the Government of the Church and desireth that it may continue as in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed and perpetuall memory yet he expresseth that because the Act it abolished for the use of the Booke of Common Prayer he is not altogether averse that the Directory shall passe as it is now used in some Churches of London and this He is content to condescend unto for the ease of tender consciences He maketh no question but that He shall give both his Houses of Parliament a full content for the choyce of the Lord Admirall and other Officers of State if He finds his Houses of Parliament inclinable to a Treaty for peace in which he intendeth to assist in Person He expresseth a speciall care to satisfie the Scots in their arreares and to discharge the expences of the City and for the businesse of Ireland He doubteth not but He shall give His Subjects of England perfect satisfaction Subscribed Given at our Court at Oxford Jan. 15. 1645. This is the substance of his Majesties Letter which though communicated by former pens was read in the House this day and it is the rather here inserted because you may see how crosse it is to His Majesties Letter sent to Ireland and sealed with his highnesse Signature and Royall Signet which Letter together with other papers of great concernment were found in the pocket of the Archbishop of Tuain slaine at Sligo in Ireland the tenour of which Letter was as followeth C. R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To our trusty and right well beloved cousin Edward Earle of Glamorgan greeting VVE reposing great and speciall trust and confidence in your approved wisdome and fidelity do by these as firmly as under our great Seale to all intents and purposes authorize and give you power to treat and conclude with the Roman Catholicks in our Kingdome of Ireland if upon necessity any thing be condescended to wherein our Lieutenant cannot so well be seen as not fit for us at the present publikely to owne We therefore charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant with all possible secrecy and for whatsoever you shall engage your self upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgement shall thinke fit we promise in the word of a King and a Christian to ratifie and performe the same that shall be granted by you and under your Hand and Seale the said Confederate Catholicks having by their supplies testified their zeale to our service and this shall be in each particular a sufficient Warrant to you Given at our Court at Oxford under our

thereunto wishing they may be hasted to his Majesty who hath so often called for them And I likewise offer to your Lordships the Copy of his Majesties Letter to my Lord of Ormond discharging him from any further medling in any Treaty with the Rebels in Ireland I hope in order to his Majesties further condescending to the setling of that Proposition concerning Ireland and the rest of the Propositions now to be sent unto him Another Paper there is which concernes the supplying of the Scottish Armies in England and Ireland and the perfecting of the Accompts between the Kingdoms together with a Letter from Generall Monro to the Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland concerning the state of affaires in Ireland All which when your Lordships have considered I trust you will take such course therein as may satisfie our just desires may put an end to our present troubles and settle these Kingdomes in a happy peace A Paper delivered in from the Commissioners of Scotland concerning the PROPOSITIONS IT is a twelve moneth since we did earnestly presse the sending of Propositions to the King for a safe and well-grounded Peace In answer whereunto the Honourable Houses were pleased to acquaint us That they had resolved Propositions should be sent to his Majesty but did intend to make some alterations in the former Propositions and after eight or nine moneths deliberation we received from the Honourable Houses some of those Propositions and though we did finde therein very materiall additions alterations and omissions which for their great importance and the interest of the Kingdome of Scotland therein might very well have required the delay of an Answer untill the Estates of that Kingdome had been consullted yet so unwilling were we to retard the meanes of Peace that in a fortnights time we returned an Answer upon the whole Propositions and the Houses of Parliament not resting satisfied therewith in lesse than ten daies we prepared a further Answer wherein we did very much comply with the desires of the Honourable Houses especially in the matter of setling the Militia of England and Ireland and in other things did shew our readinesse to heare or propose such expedients as might determine any differencer so that in a whole yeares time the Propositions have not remained in our hands the space of foure weekes which we onely mention to cleare our proceedings from mistakes and aspersions and the Houses having now after two moneths farther deliberation delivered unto us upon the 23. of this instant June all the Propositions they intend to send to the King at this time We doe without any delay returne such an Answer and resolution thereupon as will be unto the present and future Generations one undeniable testimony besides many others of the integrity and faithfulnesse of the Kingdome of Scotland in their solemn League and Covenant of their love to Peace and earnest desire to satisfie their Brethren of England in those things which concerne the good and Government of this Kingdome being further resolved touching the Kingdome of Scotland That as nothing of single or sole concernment to that Nation did engage them in this Warre so nothing of that nature shall continue the same Although these Propositions now to be sent doe much differ from the Propositons formerly agreed upon by the Parliament of both Kingdomes and the most materiall additions omissions and alterations are in such particulars as concerne the joynt interest and mutuall considered and 〈◊〉 of both Kingdomes which were as we conceive much better provided for and strengthned by the former Propositions him by these Although the particular Propositions presented by Vs concerning the Kingdome of Scotland are not yet agreed unto by the Houses of Parliament as was offered in their Papers of the tenth of Aprill Although divers Propositions of joynt concernment be now super●●ded and the sending of them delayed to a more covenient time as is ●●pressed in the Votes of both Houses of the twenty sixth of March and ●●though which is to us more than all the rest those Ordinances of Parliament unto which the fifth and sixth Propositions doe relate and were therefore communicated unto Vs upon our desire to see what the Houses had already agreed upon concerning Religion doe not containe the establishment of such a Reformation of Religion and uniformity as was expected and was the chiefe end of our engagement in this Warre and as all these Ordinances put together come short of what we wished so there are some particulars which we conceive to be inconsistent with the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and therefore cannot in our consciences consent unto them which particulars were expressed to both Houses in the Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland of the date March 26. 1646. Yet neverthelesse we doe so earnestly desire and so highly value the easing of the heavy Pressures under which both Kingdomes groane and the bringing of this bloudy lasting warre to a speedy and happy ●nd considering with-all that not onely the Booke of Common Prayer and the Prelaticall Government are abolished and a Common Directory of Worship established in both Kingdomes but that likewise the Ordinances afore mentioned doe containe divers Parts of a Positive Reformation and uniformity in Church-Government unto which we formerly gave our consent in our answer upon the whole Propositions of Peace of the 20. of April and for so happy beginning and so good a foundation laid for the future we heartily thanke God and doe acknowledge the Zeale Piety and Wisedome of the Honourable Houses therein remembring also that those Ordinances doe not containe the whole moddell of Church-Government and that the Houses had been pleased to expresse that it cannot be expected that a perfect Rule in every particular should be setled all at once but that there will be need of suppliments and additions and happily of alterations in some things as experience shall bring to light the necessity thereof upon these Considerations as we doe cheerfully consent to many materiall Parts of these Propositions so we Resolve to make no let but to give way to the sending of such other particulars therein contained with which we are unsatisfied in the matters for the Reasons formerly Represented to both Houses of which some still stand in force though others of them be taken away by the new expedients it being alwaies understood that our not Dissenting from nor our opposing of the sending of the Propositions as they now stand shall be no prejudice nor impediment to all or any one of the Articles of the Solemne League and Covenant especially to the first Article concerning the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches and

gracious providence prevented intended to have sorely and mischeivously increast the f●ames and utterly to have burnt down this onely-God-protected Parliament Bush I mean Sir Alexander Carew who was executed on Tower-Hill in the preceding moneth of December for his intended treasonable plot against Plymouth So now also on the second of this instant January being Thursday Sir John Hotham though much means was used to save his life yet such was the admirable and commendable integrity and inflexible impartiality of the House of Commons in Parliament to doe justice where sentence was once past that even hee was that foresaid day brought by the then Leivtenant of the Towre Alderman Pennington to the place of execution where hee justly suffered deserved death for his most trecherous intentions and endevours against the Parliament to have betrayed Hull into the hands of the Enemy Where also his Son Captain Hotham another complotter with his foresaid Father in the same design was also beheaded as a just reward to such pernicious Parracides and conspiring Catilines who thus would have rejoyced in the ruthlesse ripping up of the bowels of their dearest Mother their native Country And heer also I may most fitly hint and suggest to the Reader another remarkable passage of like divine providence to the effect aforesaid namely that on the 4 of this instant it pleased our most wise God to put it into the hearts of our most noble Peeres in Parliament that they should not only most sweetly concurre with the Honourable House of Commons in the amendments of the Directory for Gods pure Worship and passe the same and therewith to subjoyn an Ordinance of Parliament for utterly taking away and quite abolishing of the Book of common-Common-Prayers But that also the said most noble and pious Peeres unwilling to part the Refiner from his Mettle I mean the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury from his purged Common-Prayer-Book that therefore I say the Lords in Parliament should presently send 2 of the reverend Judges to the House of Commons with the message of their concurrence and resolution to proceed now effectually to the sentencing and condemnation of the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury one of the prime and Metropolitane heads and complotters against Church and State which indeed after this was followed to the full untill they had brought that base and bloody Bishop yea that most abominable and unparallelled hypocrite to his just execution in the cutting off of his most traiterous head also at the Towre-Hill whereof more anon in its more proper place But heer by the way I shall desire the Reader religiously to take notice of one remarkable note and observation heerin namely of the day on which it pleased the most wise providence of our God to order and appoint this seasonable concurrence of Both the Houses of Parliament together for confirmation of those 2 great works of Piety and Justice viz. That it was just on the 4 of January That very day 3 yeares on which unhappy King Charles came in person into the Parliament with a multitude of armed Ruffians to effect such a bloody and desperate design as had it taken effect had made as bloody a peice of work as ever this Kingdom beheld and as had thereby established that pestilent Prelate with his Common-Prayer-Book and therewith especially the Popish faction only masked under those poore Vizards to a long and lustfull tyrannizing over the bodies and soules too of Gods dear Servants the Lord knows how long and lewdly And now say ●ood Reader dost thou not already see in this remarkable passage 〈◊〉 providence a most beautifull and bountifull blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush upon this his Vnconsumed Burning Bush the Parliament But to proceed About the 6 of this instant January wee were certainly informed that the Garrison of Winchester being much straitned of provisions by the Parliaments forces quartered neer them the Enemy there went out to drain the Country of Cattle and to plunder the people and had got much plunder and Cattle from them but before they could get into Winchester with their prey Colonell Morleyes Troop met with them gave them a martiall salute routed them and rescued all the Cattle and plunder which they had got and took divers of the Enemies prisoners Wee had also intelligence from Ailsbury about the same time that they in that brave Garrison having notice of a party of the Kings Horse that were in the Country taking up plunder they made out to finde them and at last discovering them fell valiantly upon the Enemy surprized 30 or 40 of them stript them of their plunder and brought the prisoners to Ailsbury And that shortly after this Colonell Martin the valiant and vigilant Governour of Ailsbury went forth and happily lit upon a whole Troop of Horse which was said to bee the Princes and singular good Horse they were indeed and well armed All which I say hee totally surprized and brought safely into Ailsbury Also that courageous Colonell Holborn had had some brave skirmishes in the Western parts with Gorings Horse and notwithstanding that the addition of strength came not unto him as was promised and which hee expected yet hee most valiantly attempted to fall upon the Enemy in their quarters bravely beat them and took divers of the Enemies prisoners and about 200 Horse and had not a crosse accident falne out and prevented him hee had certainly taken the Town of Bridgewater And about the 8 of this instant January wee had unquestionable information and assurance of a brave prize of Bristol ships taken at Sea by Captain Coachman a valiant and faithfull Sea-Captain testified in renowned Captain Swanleys Letter to the Earle of Warwick as a post-script of the said Letter wherein especially Captain Swanley certifies the foresaid renowned Earl of Warwick of a brave Victory obtained by Major Generall Laughorn viz. his taking of the Town and Castle of Cardigan in Wales with above an 100 Commanders and common Souldiers in it and all the armes and ammunition therein and of the surprizing of ●ivers eminent persons the Kings Irish-Commissioners together with the Kings broad-Seal to treat with the barbarous and bloody Rebells of Ireland King Charles his best Popish Subjects about concluding a peace with them of all which for the Readers better satisfaction I have heer inserted the foresaid Letter it self under Captain Swanleyes own hand The Copy of a Letter sent to the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick from Captain Richard Swanley Right Honourable SInce my last of the 20 of November by Captain Green in the Dogger Beat Major Generall Laughorn keeping the field with such Forces as the indigency of the County gave a possibility of subsistence pretending for Carmarthen and lying still working by double policy to draw the hearts of the Inhabitants of Cardiganshire to the State and the force of Carmarthen with their adherents into the said Town for their d●fence and the indempnity of their

the other particulars of 〈◊〉 Petition into serious and speedy consideration And have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for the Reall Testimonies of duty and good affections which not onely by your words but by your Actions you have constantly manifested unto them Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And the very same day and time the said noble Citizens exhibited the like Remonstrance and Petition to the honourable House of Commons of which I say no more but leave it to the Lords most gracious and righteous wisdome and mercy for a happy returne in his own due time But that which is yet farther very memorable and remarkable in this businesse which I only toucht before and as you saw it most evidently true before was That the very day before the Remonstrance was exhibited in Parliament the Kings Majestie himselfe as it were to honour and encourage them in that their famous and faithfull resolution sent a particular Letter to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell 〈…〉 which they being all at that time assembled in their Guild-Hall was publikely read in the audience of them all And which is yet more memorably remarkable and worthy serious and sacred observation That a day or two at the farthest after they had exhibited their Remonstrance as aforesaid the truly religious and sincerely affected Ministers of two Counties Suffolk and Essex as it were to back the Cities brave Remonstrance exhibited a most excellent Petition to the Lords and Commons in Parliament attested by at least 300 Ministers hands subscribed to it which also for the piety and excellency of it I have thought fit for the Readers better delight and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of the Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Church-Government presented to the Right Honourable Houses of Parliament Sheweth THat your solemne League and Covenant great and glorious Victories the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly and the great City of this Kingdome the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word From the want of this it is Right Honourable that the name of the most High God is blasphemed his precious truths corrupted his Word despised his Ministers discouraged his Ordinances vilified Hence it is that Schisme Heresie Ignorance Prophanenesse and Atheisme flow in upon us Seducers multiply grow daring and insolent pernicious Bookes poyson many souls ●●ety and learning decay apace very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours the Sacrament of Baptisme by many neglected and by many re-iterated the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly prophaned confusion and ruine threatning us in all our Quarters In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the publique good your successefull endeavours for saving this Kingdome your hopefull beginnings of a blessed Reformation we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God and the salvation of our people beseech your Honours That a forme of Church-Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches may with all possible speede be perfected and confirmed by your civill sanction that Schismaticks Hereticks seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Books be effectually suppressed That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers and all good meanes used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion So shall the Church of God be setled your hands strengthened the sacred Covenant performed our feares prevented the Judgements of God diverted And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Lords Answer to the said Petition THe Lords are glad to finde this zeale and care in the Ministery of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex for the preventing the further increase of Heresie and Profanenesse and for the promoting a growth in the power of godlinesse The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of Errour Heresie seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Booke and likewise for the setling of Church Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this answer shall be printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum The Answer of the House of Commons to the Minister Petition Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646. THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the Counties of folke and Essex were at the doore they were called in and presented to the House a Petition intituled The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolke and Essex the which was read The Ministers were againe called in and Master Speaker by command of the House acquainted them That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily That the House is very sensible that through some intervening obstructions the Church-Government hath not beene so fully settled as they desire and that they give them thankes for their good affections and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church-Government as lye within their power H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This speciall act also of Divine providence so oportunely bringing in these Ministers Petition much to the very same effect as the Cities Remonstrance was and full of much piety and zeale for God and his Great Cause the present miserably distracted and distorted Church by abhominable Errours and Scismes I could not but most gratefully and gladly record in these our Parliamentarie-Annals as no small mercie of the Lord unto us and worthy to be taken notice of to the glory of God and honour of those two most worthily to be honoured Counties And about the third of June,1646 We were certainely informed of the taking of Salcomb-Regis which was surrendred to Colonell Welden and also that Bostol-house a most pestilent and pernicious Garrison of the Enemies was also yeeled up unto the power and possession of the Parliament And upon the 4. of June it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most worthy Parliamentarie worthies to set forth an Ordinance of Parliament for the settlement of that great scruple and Question among Gods people as touching the point of worthy or unworthy Communicants at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for the more full and certaine establishment of the Presbyterian Church Government a mercie long