AN ORDINANCE OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT, For bringing in the Arrears of the monthly Assessment formerly charged upon the Cities 〈◇〉 London and Westminster, And all other Parishes and places within the Line of Communication, and county OF MIDDLESEX.  
26. Decem. 1644.  
H: elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.  
London, Printed for Edw. Husbands. Dec▪ 28. 1644.   

26. Decemb. 1644.  
An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for bringing in the Arrears of the monthly Assessment, formerly charged upon the cities of London and Westminster, and all other Parishes and places within the Lines of Communication, and county of Middlesex.  
WHereas by an Ordinance of the six and twentieth of March last, The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, did Ordain, That there should be monthly charged and levied upon the Cities of London and Westminster, the Hamblets of the Tower, the Borough of Southwark, and all other Parishes and places with it the Line of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality, the sum of six thousand nine hundred sixty two pounds four shillings, and upon the county of Middlesex without the said limits, the sum of one thousand fourscore and seventeen pounds eleven shillings, for the maintenance and payment of the Army under the immediate command of the Earl of Essex, Lord general of the Forces raised by the Parliament; and other things in the said Ordinance mentioned for the space of four moneths, to commence from the twentieth day of March 1643. accounting twenty eight dayes to the month, to be assessed, levied, and collected, and paid unto Sir Gilbert Gerard Baronet, in such manner, and by such ways and means as in and by the said Ordinance is mentioned and expressed. And whereas by another Ordinance of the fourth of October last, The said Lords and Commons did Ordain, That the greatest part of the sums due and payable by virtue of the said former Ordinance, which were then in Arrear, should by the said Sir Gilbert Gerard be paid over to Sir Walter Earl Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for the uses therein limited and expressed, enjoining all and every such persons, as by the said first recited Ordinance were appointed to collect and levy the said Arrears, forthwith to proceed effectually therein, and to make payment of the same in such manner as in and by the said first recited Ordinance was formerly appointed. Notwithstanding which, through the carelessness and negligence of many of those persons, who by the said first recited Ordinance were nominated and appointed to collect and levy the said sums, very little of the said Arrears hath since that time been brought in and paid unto the said Sir Gilbert Gerard or his Assigns. The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, do therefore now Ordain, That if any person or persons by virtue of the said first recited Ordinance, nominated and appointed to collect, levy, or pay any of the sums before mentioned, shall wilfully neglect or refuse to perform the same: The Lord Mayor of the City of London for the time being, or any two Aldermen of the said City, within the same, and Liberties thereof, and the respective Committees without the said City and the Liberties thereof, for the City of Westminster, the Borough of Southwark, and County of Middlesex, by virtue of the said first recited Ordinance respectively nominated and appointed as aforesaid, or any five of them have hereby power to commit such person or persons so refusing or neglecting, to Prison, there to remain without Bail or Mainprize, until he shall comform himself, or otherwise to impose upon such person or persons for every time so refusing or neglecting, to perform the said service or their duties therein, such fine or fines as to them shall be thought fit, and cause the same to be levied by distress and sale of Goods, in such manner and form as in and by the said first recited Ordinance, for and concerning such persons as should refuse or neglect to pay the sums of money, whereat they should be ranted or assessed by virtue of that Ordinance is limited and appointed: Provided that no fine so imposed, shall for any one offence exceed the sum of five pounds.  
Provided that this Ordinance shall not any ways extend to the Members of either of the Houses of Parliament, or to the Assistants or Attendants to the House of Peers.   
FINIS.