An Account of TRANSACTIONS Managed by the LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT: Concerning the KING THE Privileges of Parliament, the Liberties of the Subject, Reformation in Religion, Regulating of Courts, and matters of War and Peace. WITH A Declaration, and Votes of both houses of Parliament, concerning his Majesty. Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield, near the Queens-head Tavern. 1647. Feb. 12: Imprimatur, Gilb. Mabbot. An Account of Transactions, managed by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled. THe Kingdom of England hath received Miriads of refreshments, by the blessings of God upon the Parliaments endeavours; which are of high value, however wretched men (like Saul) may throw their Javelins against their Worthies; and giddy-brained Malignants, (like Corah and his company) oppose them to their own destruction. But let Digbey and Leg, and all the Malignant crew of Sanballets, practise their craft, and stir up their Legions, yet God will finish what he hath determined to do by his Worthies, for the glory of his name, to the joy of good men, and terror of all opposers. The benefits already received by this Parliament, are many, and great, though the burdens of the Kingdom be not yet quite removed, and may answer sweetness to every sorrow, under which the people, at present, groan. As, I. Concerning the King, (because some tax the Parliament to be hard towards Him) consider, 1 Six Subsidies were granted to His Majesty, to win his affections to his people, amounting to 300000 li. 2 A Bill of Pole-money was passed, and collected, amounting to as great a sum as those Subsidies, for the safety and security of the Kingdom, that is also 300000 li. 3 To constitute a Peace between the King and the Scots, when his Majesty had engaged against them, without the advice of Parliament, and against the minds of his people: A debt was contracted to them of 220000 li. Besides 4 The charge of the English Army, which were, in that engagement, his Majesty's Arms, and all the Commanders under contract with him, at greater rates than ordinary, which cost the Kingdom above 50000 li. per mensem. 5 Which with the 300000 li. given to the Scots, for brotherly assistance & the rest of the charges, amounted to 1100000 l. 6 Besides his Majesty had received Marchandine Impositions, at the least 400000 li. 7 The Parliament have often sent to the King, since he went from them, to desire his Majesty to return to his Parliament, & they would make him, if he would join with them for settling the peace, & security of the kingdom, a great & rich Prince. 8 They have had many Treaties with the King, wherein they have only tendered such things, as tend to the settlement of the kingdom, to be made into wholesome Laws, and yet his Majesty hath refused to pass them. 9 They have still been tender of his Majesty's Honour (in all submissive manner owning him for their King, notwithstanding the raising of forces against them, and laid the fault thereof upon his Councillors. 10 Since all his Majesty's Forces have been totally defeated, and subdued, the Parliament hath sent several times to his Majesty, to desire him to pass the Propositions for both kingdoms, as at Newcastle, and at Holdenboy, and yet he hath, though personally under the power of the Parliament, refused to do it 11 His Majesty hath had his own Chaplains, and others whom he hath desired about him, since he was under the power of the Parl. though they have been disaffected to the Parl. 12 Upon his Majesty's desire to Treat with the Parliament the Houses have assented, provided that his Majesty would only have passed four Bills, that were essentially necessary for the peace and security of the kingdom. Besides many other actions of the Parliament, of great affections, and tenderness to his Majesty. TWO Concerning Parliaments, they have sought the good of the People in them, As appears, In that 1 The Dissolution of this Parliament is prevented by a Bill, by which it is provided, That it shall not be dissolved, nor adjourned, without the consent of both Houses. That so all the grievances of the kingdom may be relieved. 2 The discontinuance of future Parliaments is prevented, by the Bill for them to be Triennial. That so corrupt Councillors, Judges and Magistrates may be removed, and pass under the lash of Justice, by often Reformation: And all the burdens of the kingdom be eased, by a perpetual spring of Remedies. 3 The House of Commons protected the five Members demanded by the K. with about 500 soldiers, papists, & others, because his Majesty did not legally proceed against them. 4 The 12 Bishops were committed to the Tower, for protesting against the proceed of the Parl. in their absence, as if they, by their power, could control that great Court. 5 When his Majesty left the Parliament, and the Lord Digby, Lunsford, and others had gathered Horse and men to join with him, for raising of a War against the Parl. The Houses sent Orders to the Sheriffs of the several Counties in Engl. and Wales, to call to their assistance, the Justices of the Peace, and Trained Bands, to prevent the War intended by the King, whereby the destruction of the Parliament was prevented. 6 They have many of them lost a great part of their estates, in defence of the kingdom: and some have been slain in the Wars, whereas it was in their power to have complied with the King against the City of London, and the well-affected people of the Land, to whom they have stuck for defence of their Rights, which had they betrayed, as others that left the Parliament, to adhere to his Majesty, by letting the Cause fall, they might themselves have been advanced to great fortunes. 7 They have even denied their own Callings, and Domestic businesses to serve the public, to a great prejudice to many of the Members. 8 They have endeavoured to satisfy all the Interests in the kingdom, to those who have not betrayed their Liberties. 9 They have not spared their own Members, that have proved Treacherous to the kingdom, as may appear by beheading of Sir John Hotham, and the execution of Justice upon others, and their general Votes against all those, who have betrayed the trust of the kingdom, reposed in them. 10 They have denied their own Privileges, for good of the People, as appears by the late Order of the House of Commons, for giving power to all to prosecute against any of their estates, in an ordinary course of Law, for debts. 11 The house of Commons have chosen a large Committee, who sit daily in the Star-Chamber, to consider of grievances which shall be presented, and draw up Ordinances to present to the House for remedies against them. 12 They are resolved, in all their debates, to consider all ways for the settling of a firm and lasting peace, to make the kingdom rich, and happy. Justice to be executed, and every one to enjoy their just Rights. III To that complaint of some, against the Sessements of the 60000 li. a month for pay of the Army, and other smaller Taxes, by Ordinance of Parliament, Consider on the other side that 1 They have abolished Ship-money, which was, by his Majesty taxed upon the kingdom, amounting to 20000 li. a Month. 2 They took away the Coat and Conduct money, which was by the King, taxed upon the kingdom, with other Military Equipage, the value of which, had it continued here, as in other parts, could not amount to less than 10000 li. a Month. 3 Monopolists are suppressed, and their Patents, which were granted by his Majesty under the great Seal of England, made null, which whilst they were in force, drew a vast sum of moneys from the people. And could not amount to less than Prejudice by the Soap Patent 10000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Month. Prejudice by the Wine Patent, 30000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Month. Prejudice by the Leather Patent, 40000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Month. Prejudice by the Salt Patent, 40000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Month. Prejudiced by other Patte. above 200000 li. a month. In all 1400000 li. a Month. 4 The plundering and insa●iate Cavaliers; and Irish Rebels, who live upon prey, and hoped to have gotten the City of London, and all honest men's estates, that adhered to the Parliament, are subdued, and the kingdom rescued from those great burdens, which through their violence and cruelty, it was forced to bear; which, together with that which the Parlia- was forced to raise, for defence of the kingdom against them, could not amount, in all, to less than 400000 li. a month. 5 So soon as other provisions can be made, for pay of the public debts, and the kingdom be brought into a condition to be settled, without such Assessments, and Taxes, they will be totally taken off. 6 Before the defeat given at Nazeby, it would have been thought an happy contract, if it could have been assured, to have purchased a Peace at so easy a Rate, as the kingdom's Assessments are now. iv The Parliament is so fare from enslaving the people, or prejudicing the Subject's Liberties, That 1 It is Declared, by the judgement of both Houses, and also by an Act of Parliament, That the Arbitrary power, pretended to be in his Majesty of taxing the Subjects, or charging their Estates (without consent of Parliament, is against Law. 2 Justice hath been done upon the Earl of Strafford, and the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury, and Charges brought in against others of his Majesty's Council, who put the King upon this way of trampling upon the people's Liberties. 3 In all their Declarations and Votes concerning this particular, they have given assurance to the people of vindicating, and clearing their just Liberties and Freedoms. V However some unreasonable Horseleeches, never have enough but still cry out against Courts, and Magistrates, after so great a Reformation, established by the Parliament, yet let such blush to remember, That 1 The Parliament have put down the cruel and oppressing Courts of Star-chamber, the High-Commission, the Courts of the Precedent, and Council in the North: and freed the Subject from all such Tyranny as was practised daily by them. 2 The power of the Council Table is provided for, to be so moderated, that the public Liberty of the people may not be prejudiced thereby, against the Laws of the Kingdom, and Privileges of the Subject. 3 The Bishop's Cannons, and the power of their Convocation Courts are blasted, and made null, and (themselves being abolished) all their Tyrannical Judicatures put down, and the Subject's Liberties vindicated from further slavery under them. 4 The Forests are by a good Law reduced to their right bounds. The encroachments and oppressions of the Stannary Courts. The extortions of the Clerk of the Market, and the compulsion of the Subject to receive the order of King-hood against his will, paying of fines for not receiving it, and the vexatious proceed thereupon for levying of those fines (are by beneficial Laws) reform, and prevented. 5 The Court of Wards and Liveries is voted down. Which hath been the ruin of many thousands in this Kingdom. 6 An Ordinance is under debate for taking away the Office for Tenths & First fruits to the great case of the Ministry: 7 All Courts in the Kingdom are either reform or checked, so that they cannot oppress the people without being in danger of the lash of the Parliament. 8 All Committees and other entrusted by the Parl. must be called to an account, and be made liable to answer to any charge that shall be exhibited against them for miscarriages. 9 If any Member of Parliament have received any bribe, for any business depending in Parliament upon information thereof, he is to suffer severely. 10 In any public grievance, the Subject may have present remedy by the Parliament. VI And although some (who are as blind as beetles in the ways of God) cry out, that there is no Religion settled, And that we are now worse than ever we were; yet they might consider. That. 1. Episcopacy (which, as it was settled in England, was a continual tormentor of godly Protestants) is abolished. 2. The Popishly by effected Clergy [who were daily bringing into the Church fresh Innovasions from the Church of Rome, to exterpate the Protestant Religion, are cast out with their trumpery. 3. Divers Ministers, who have been scandalous in their lives, And popish in their Doctrine, have been suspended, and put out of their places. And other honest godly Arthodox Divines placed in their stead. 4. The Assembly of Divines have sat constantly, since they were called. And in matters concerning Religion, have often brought in their humble advice to the Parliament; And in all things tending to the propogation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (both they and all other godly Ministers) have had all possible encouragement and assistance from the Parliament, And the truth of God is preached with great freedom: so that if people be unsettled in their Judgements, it is their own faults, to live without knowledge under the means. 5. The chiefest differences amongst us now are ●●t circumstantials, whereas before the Parliament sat, Popery trampled upon the very fundamentals of the Protestant Religion, especially in the King's Chapel, and other eminent places of worship; And although there are Heriticks amongst us, as must be in all parts of Christendom, yet they are neither considerable, nor publicly tolerated. 6 The truth of God was never preached more clearly, and gloriously since the Apostles time, (it is the Judgement of many very eminent Christians) in any part of the world, than it is now in this Kingdom, And that is the reason that so many errors are discovered, though simple ignorant people do not know it. 7 The Houses have passed an Ordinance for the several Counties in the Kingdom to be drawn into Classes, that so there may be a speedy settled Church-Discipline through the Kingdom. 8 An Ordinance is drawing up by a Committee, for the punishing of Heresy and Blasphemy. 9 All respect (that the word of God will bear) is had to tender Consciences; for the propogation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Both Houses have passed an Ordinance for repair of Churches, and paying Church duties, with penalties imposed on the refusers. 11 The House of Commons fit every Friday upon the settling of the Church, and have almost finished the Confession of Faith. 12 All possible means are used for the propogation of the Gospel, of the Lord Jesus Christ. VII. And though poor distressed Ireland suffer under the Rebels yet the Parliament have been diligent to relieve those groaning Protestants, And to that end. 1. Have often sent them supplies of men and moneys. 2. Called the Scots for brotherly assistance therein, and contracted great sums for their pay, for so doing. 3. The Spanish Ambassador was sent to for the stay of Dunkirk Ships, and other prevention made to hinder supply from going to the Rebels. 4. The Parliament, hath several times at the beginning of the Wars, sent supylyes of Clothes and Victuals, to relieve the Protestant Irish, some of which supplies, of suits of Clothes, stockings, and other provisions, designed for them, were taken for the King's forces. 5. They have every year carefully provided Ships, and supplies for a guard for the Irish Seas; which have much impeaded the Irish Rebels, in their designs. 6. They have entrusted the transactions of affairs in that Kingdom, in the hands of such honest, and able men, as from time to time, have given a good account thereof. 7. They have not only passed votes, and appointed others to assist Ireland; but divers Members of the Parliament, have themselves disbursed large sums towards the work. 8. Though the King and his party have had several Treaties, and agreed to several Cessations, and peace with the Rebels: yet the Parliament would never adhere to them, in the least measure, to give them any advantage against the poor Protestants of that Kingdom. 9 Through God's blessings upon their endeavours, the Rebels, from a great strength are now brought low. 10. They are now about an Ordinance, for asesment for 20000. l. per mensem, to be sessed through the Kingdom of England, and themselves to bear an equal proportion, for the vigorous prosecution of the War against the Irish Rebels. VIII. And their care hath been great, for the safety of the City of London, as appears in that. 1. They refused to comply with the King, against the City, before the late Wars. 2. They prevented the design of the Army, that went against the Scots, from coming against the City. 3. When Lunsford, was Lieutenant of the Tower, A Message was sent to the King, to remove him, and after him, Sir John Byron, both great enemies to the City of London, and at a dangerous time, because his Majesty had then left the City, and the Parliament. 4. And after that, the Houses passed in Ordinance for the safe Guard of the Tower, and the City of London, under the Command of Maj. Gen. Skippon. 5. At all times the Houses have been ready to give all assistance that might be, for the safety, and preservation thereof. 6. They have been always tender to maintain the Liberties, and just rights of the City. 7. They have entrusted no persons in the Kingdom of England, so much as the citizens of London. 8. They have always had a great respect to answer the City to all just, and lawful desires, that they have put up to the Parliament. 9 Though the King invited them to come to him to Oxford, and that many Members of both Houses did go and comply with His Majesty against the City of London; yet they have stayed, and not disserted them. 10. The Houses have (when Commissioners have been chosen to treat with the King) sent to the City to present their desires, to be sent with the Propositions from the Houses, and the Kingdom of Scotland; for the vindicating, and clearing of the Privileges, and just Rights of the City. IX. And however some have charged the Parliament, and still would blemish them, as if they delight in War, and would not have Peace, they may blush at their impudence, and consider that. 1. When His Majesty left them, and went to Windsor, and contracted forces, they sent several Petitions to him, to pray him to return to his Parliament. And desired his Majesty if he had any Charge against the five Members, to send it to the Houses, and they would proceed in a legal Trial, and make Inquisition if any thing could be proved against them. 2. They have had several Treaties with His Majesty, and made very great offers to him; but could not be concurred with. 3. Since the King's forces have been totally suppressed, they have made several addresses to His Majesty; but could not be answered with His Majesty's Concurrence to what they have presented for the safe●y, and peace of the Kingdom. And for further satisfaction herein, consider these following papers. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled. THe Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, after many addresses to his Majesty, for the preventing and ending this unnatural war raised by him against his Parliament and Kingdom; having lately sent four Bills to his Majesty which did contain only matter of safety and security to the Parliament and Kingdom, referring the composure of all other differences to a personal Treaty with his Maj. and having received an absolute Negative; Do hold themselves obliged to use their uttermost endeavours speedily to settle the present Government in such a way as may bring the greatest security to this Kingdom, in the enjoyment of the Laws and liberties thereof; And in order thereunto, and that the Houses may receive no delays, nor interruptions, in so great and necessary a work; they have taken these Resolutions, and passed these Votes following, viz. REsolved, etc. That the Lords and Commons do declare, that they will make no further addresses or applications to the King. Resolved, etc. By the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That no application or address be made to the King by any person whatsoever, without the leave of both Houses. Resolved, etc. By the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. That the person, or persons, that shall make breach of this Order, shall incur the penalties of High Treason. Resolved, etc. That the Lords and Commons do declare, that they will receive no more any Message from the King, and do enjoin, that no person whatsoever, do presume to receive, or bring any Message from the King, to both or either, the Houses of Parliament, or to any other person. H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. John Brown Cleric. Parliamentorum. Die Luna 17. Jan. 1647. ORdered by the Lords and commons assembled in Parliament, That this Declaration and these Resolutions be forthwith printed and published; And that several Knights of Shires, and Burgesses that serve for the several Towns and places, do send copies of the same to the several Counties and places. It is further Ordered, that whatsoever person shall act contrary to this Declaration and resolutions of Parliament, or shall incite or encourage others so to do, shall upon due proof thereof be imprisoned, and his Estate sequestered; and Offenders in the premises after publication here of shall be within the several Ordinances of Sequestrations. And all commits and commissioners of Sequestrations are hereby authorized and required to take notice hereof, and to proceed to Sequestration accordingly. john Brown Cleric. Parl. Hen Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. FINIS.