A LETTER From His EXCELLENCY Sir Thomas Fairfax, TO The Hono ble William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons, Conceraing the Abuses and Injuries done to certain Godly Ministers placed in Livings by Authority of PARLIAMENT.
Together with an Ordinance of the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament, for preventing the like for the future.
ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Letter and Ordinance be forthwith printed and published:
London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honorable House of Commons. Aug. 26. 1647.
To the Honorable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of COMMONS.
HAving received several Complaints against divers Delinquent Ministers, who have abused my self and the Councel of VVar, by publishing a false Pamphlet in the Name of the Army, whereby many Ministers setled by Ordinance of Parliament, have been disquieted, molested and turned out of possession of their Houses by force and arms, having also their goods possessed and spoiled, some taking the Corn upon the Gleab; and this practice of theirs having greatly disturbed the peace of the Kingdom, and [Page 4]may be a great inconvenience, if not timely prevented; I do therefore humbly desire, That you will be pleased to present the Petitions and Papers inclosed (of those Ministers who have been thus injured) unto the Honourable House, that their conditions may be taken into consideration speedily for reparation; and that these principal Offendors may be questioned for their said Miscarriages, that others may be deterred for the future from the like practices. I lately put forth a Declaration against the said Pamphlet; but fearing that may not be effectual, I do humbly recommend them to the consideration of the House, and remain,
An Ordinance for keeping in godly Ministers placed in Livings by Authority of PARLIAMENT.
VVHereas divers Ministers in the several Counties of this Kingdom for notorious Scandals and Delinquency, have been put out of their Livings by Authority of Parliament, and Godly, Learned and Orthodox Ministers placed in their rooms: And whereas the said Scandalous and Delinquent Ministers by force, or other ways, have entred upon the Churches, and gained the possession of the Parsonage-houses, Tythes, and Profits thereunto belonging, and have obstructed the payment of the Tythes and other Profits due by the Parishioners unto the Ministers placed in the said Churches by Authority aforesaid.
The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament do therefore Order and Ordain, and be it Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That all Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, [Page 6]Justices of the Peace, Deputy-Lieutenants, and Committees of Parliament in the several Counties, Cities and places within this Kingdom, do forthwith apprehend, or cause to be apprehended, all such Ministers as by Authority of Parliament have been put out of any church or chappel within this Kingdom, or any other person or persons who have entred upon any such Church or Chappel, or gained the possession of such Parsonage-houses, Tythes and Profits thereunto belonging, or have obstructed the payment of the Tythes and other Profits due by the Parishioners to the said Ministers there placed by Authority of Parliament, or Sequestrators appointed, where no Ministers are setled to receive the same, and all such persons as have been Ayders, Abettors or Assisters in the premises, and commit them to prison, there to remain until such satisfaction be made unto the several Ministers placed by the said Authority of Parliament for his or their damages sustained, as to the said Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, Justices of the Peace, Deputy-Lieutenants, or Committees of Parliament, or any two of them shall appear to be just, upon [Page 7]hearing and proof made upon the Oath of two sufficient Witnesses (which they or any two of them are hereby authorized to administer) who are likewise required to restore, settle, and quiet the possession in such Ministers as have bin placed by the said Authority of Parliament; and they or any two of them have hereby power to raise Trained Bands, or any other Forces within the said several Counties, Cities, and places, to put this Ordinance in execution; And the said Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, Justices of the Peace, Deputy-Lieutenants, and Committees of Parliament respectively, are hereby required to take effectual course, according to the several Orders and Ordinances of Parliament in that behalf made, that all men do pay their Tythes or Profits due unto the said respective Ministers. And it is hereby further Ordered and Ordained, That the Committee appointed for plundred Ministers, have power to see this Ordinance put in execution. And it is further Ordained, That the Committee of Complaints do give the like remedy to all such Ministers put in by the said Authority of Parliament, and Sequestrators of the profits [Page 8]against whom any Action shall be brought by any such Delinquent, or scandalous Ministers, or any other claiming by or under them, for their Livings, Tythes and Profits, as they are authorized unto by any Order or Ordinance in other cases.
It is lastly Ordered and Ordained, That if any such Scandalous or Delinquent Mlnister, put out as aforesaid, their Ayders or Abettors, shall at any time hereafter disturb, molest or hinder such Minister as is put into such Church or Chappel as aforesaid, in the exercising of the Office of his Ministery, upon proof thereof made upon the Oath of two Witnesses, before the said Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, Justices of Peace, Deputy-Lieutenants, or Committees of Parliament, or any two of them, It shall and may be lawful to and for the said Sheriffs, Majors, Bayliffs, Justices of the Peace, Deputy-Lieutenants, or Committees of Parliament, or any two of them, to commit such Offendor or Offendors, to prison for one Moneth, so often as he or they shall so offend.