of House-keeping: For when on Thursday morning the Committee of five
Probationers met, above 30 of the secluded Gentlemen were below in the
Hall, but none went up to them, being unanimously resolved not to be re-admitted upon
the Termes proposed: which puts CROMVVEL in a cold swear, fearing to leave the Town
until he have either adjourned the House, or otherwise secured himself.
Yet the Junto dream not of any such business, the Reasons being specious enough to
suppose a Necessity of Adjournment. And therefore in hopes of readmittance, they voted,
That Reports should be made of the severall Knacks which the Councell of State are devising,
that so during the Recesse they may be impowered with Authority, equall, if not superior
to the Junto, to compleat and publish them at Pleasure; which yet were needlesse,
if they meant to employ them any longer; the Cream of the Conceit being to transfer their
Authority from Westminster to Whitehall, where are Councell of State intend to Reign, as
the only Hogon-mogone of Supremacy; and trample on Parliaments as well as Kings, till
there be no memory left of either.
In Order to which, they enjoyn them to passe all Knacks concerning the
loan of Moneys, setling the Militia (upon them) prohibiting the Exportation
of Wool and Fullers earth (unlesse by the Members themselves;)
or of Gold and Silver, (untill they imbarque for the Land of Promise: )
Knacks for punishing of revolting Sea-men and Mariners; for Relieving
the well-affected Tenants against Malignant Land-lords(a Sweet device to
ingratiate themselves with the High-shoos.) But especially, One against
Printing and publishing of Truths, which they call Scandalous and Malignant
Pamphlets; and for preventing Printing as much as may be (it being
too great a friend to Learning:) And another to restrain the Licentiousnesse
of Preaching, being (as they say) alike scandalous with the Presse.
In Lieu whereof another Knack is devised for repealing the Clause of the
Statute of 35. Eliz. concerning Sectaries; to the end that none (be they
of what judgment they please, Mahometans or Jews) shall ever be questioned
for any thing said or done, though utterly against the Godhead or
Divinity of Christ; the glorious effects of this blessed Reformation. Another
Knack for a General Pardon to all men but such as shall therein be
particularly named; not thought fit for that mercy and favour: [Shall
honest Prag. have the benefit thereof? Faith, he values it not, he desires
to be a secluded Member.] Knacks for the Relief of poor Prisoners of
debt; for securing the Souldiers Arrears (where they shall never come at
them:) Knacks for probate of Wils, and granting Administrations; and
for setling a due form of presenting Ministers to their Livings. All which
the High and Mighty Councel of State do adjudge sit to be setled before
the time of Adjournment.
Which being done, they reported their Opinion as touching themselves,
adjudging necessary that they sit and Govern (subordinate to none) during
the Recesse, and to ripen Businesses for the House against their next meeting; which they
intend when two Sundayes meet in a week, and not a day sooner.
The Businesses to be ripened are Tithes, which (left they should be over-ripe, and not)
they mean to improve for the advantage of the State; taking them off from the Ministry,
and investing the right thereunto in themselves, as being the more worthy persons, ever
since Presbytery was voted not to be Jure Diving.