August 5. 1645.  
WHEREAS by special Order of the House of Commons, the Committee for the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax did come to Guild-Hall, London, to receive an account of the Lord Major and Aldermen appointed as Commissioners by Ordinance of Parliament of the 15 of February, 1644. For the Assessing and Levying of 5800 l. per Month, upon London & the Liberties, which is their proportion according to their dividend in like cases. And upon Examination finding that the City of London and Liberties are very much in arrear to what is grown due, & other Counties hath paid; the City of London having formerly had the Honour to be good examples and leaders unto all other Counties in matters of public concernment. The said Committee from the Honourable House of Commons, with the Lord Major and Aldermen aforesaid, having summoned all the Collectors of the several Wards, and their respective Divisions, to inquire of them the true causes of the slack coming in of the Moneys Assessed upon the several Wards. For the speedy bringing in whereof, they were appointed Collectors; and finding amongst other causes this to be the main; (viz.) The backwardness and tenderness of the Collectors in executing the power of the Ordinance by way of distress upon the Goods of their Neighbours that do delay or refuse to pay the said assessment; which neglect of the said Collectors cannot be borne with, in regard of the pressing necessities of that happy Army under the immediate Command of the Victorious general Sir Thomas Fairefax; whom God hath made instrumental, not only to keep the Enemy from our Gates; but also to scatter their greatest Forces, and drive them to the most remote Parts in the kingdom, who are yet in pursuit thereof; which gives us great hopes of a speedy period to our bleeding Calamities, and doth invite the best endeavours of all that are desirous of a settled and well-grounded Peace, to give the said Army all due encouragement.  
Therefore the said Committee, with the Lord Major and Aldermen aforesaid, have thought fit to desire the Ministers of the several Parish Churches and chapels within the City and Liberties, That they on the next lordsday do effectually stir up their Parishioners speedily and cheerfully to pay in their assessments to the several Collectors, and to continue the payment of the remainder, as the same shall grow due. And to let them know, in case they shall continue to delay or refuse the payment thereof, That the respective Collectors are enjoined upon the Penalties expressed in the said Ordinance of the 15 of February, to distrain their Goods, and make sale of the same. And that none do mistake or censure the proceedings of the several Collectors, who without respect of Persons are to do their Duties according to the said Ordinance: But if any inconveniences follow by their nonpayment of the said Moneys, that they lay the blame upon themselves.