Thursday 20 Decemb.
THe House this day proceeded in the debate upon the Rates for the
Excise.
The humble Petition of divers the well-affected of the six Counties of
North-wales, was this day read, and was as followeth, &c.
Sheweth,
THat with much affection and fidelity we have adhered to your honours, and
served you in our severall places and callings without baulking, byassing or
back-sliding)from the beginning of the first unnatural warre. And having admired
and observed the speciall power and providence of God, in leading and carrying
you on safely and successfully through Seas of shame, and Rockes of danger,
so that we may truly say, and others may see, that bitherto the Lord bath helped and
blessed you. And now judging our selves beund by many tyes and Ingagements (as of
duty to God, Zeal to Religion, respect to the Commonwealth and your honors Authority)
& regardto your ignorant and distressed Country) we cannot but become Petitioners unto
you in the behalfe of the souls and bodies of our poor brethren and Country men, whose
conditions and unutterably miserable, their soules ready to starve and perrish for
the bread of life, and their bodyes to faint by the burdens of their oppressions.
Wherefore we beseech you for the honour of Christ, for the salvation of soules &
and for the redemption of the oppressed, first, that some able and religious Gentlemen,
may be appointed (in those Counties) as Commissioners to examine, and upon
just grounds displace all ignorant and scandalous Ministers, who have been, and still
are, the greatest enemies to Religion, and Reformation, and likewise with the advice
of some godly and able Ministers, send forth by way of approcation, such pious
sound and able men as shall intend or desire the Ministery, and that the said Commissioners
may have power to provide maintenance for such. Secondly, that the aforesaid
Commissioners may be impowred to preserve and defend the well-affected,
and innocent, against the unjust molestaton, and oppression of Malignants, and likewise
to heare, examine upon Oath, and determine, if they can, the sad differences and
grievances of the Country, of else to state and represent them to this Honourable
House or councell of state of their redresse.
And your Petitioner shall Pray &c.
The Consideration whereof;was referred to a Committee.
Ordered,
That it be referred to a Committee, to consider how the Gospel may bee
generally preached throughout the whole Nation; and how fit men may
be sent forth into the severall Countries for that purpose,
SIR,
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, hath sent in a Summons to
the Governour of Waterford, for the rendition thereof, and
lyes with his Army on the one side of it, having sent to Corke,
and other Places for additionall Forces, in cafe they refuse to deliver
it up to him, which perhaps they may doe, for on the Other.