.24-8 . Tbe HIs T 0 R y of the PuRITANS: VoL. u~ K. Charles I. went up to W eftmirifter with a r('prefentation of feme of them, and a 1646 · · r d r: Th . . ~petition ror re rers. ur gnev,tnces wet·e, I. " The contempt that began to be put upon the covenant, fome refu– " fing to take it, and others decla iming loudly againft it ; they therefore '' pray, that it may be impaled upon the whole nation, under fuch pe– " nalties as the houfes lhall think fi t ; and that fuch as refufe it be difqua– " lified from all places of profit and truft. 2. " Thegrowth ofhertfj andJchifm; the pulpits having been often ufur- . « ped by preaching foldiers, who infected all places where they came with " dangerous errors; they therefore pray, that all fuch perfons may be for– " bid to preach as have not taken the covenant, and been regularly or– " dained, and that all feparate congregations, the very nurferies of dam– " nable hetetics, may be fuppreffed; that an ordinance be made for the " examplary punifhment of heretics and fchifmatics, and that all godly " and orthodox minifters may have a competent maintenance, many pul– " pits being vacant of a fettled t:ninifler for want of it; and here (fa}' " they) we would lay the ftrefs of our defires, and the urgency of our " affections." They complain further of the " undue pra8ices of coun– '' try committees, of the threatening power if the army, and of fame brea– " ches in the co'!ftitution; all which they defire may be redreffed, and that " his maje!l:y's royal perfon and authority may be preferved and defended, " together with the liberties of the kingdom, according to the cove– " nant." Prowdings To G1tisfy the petitioners the houfe of commons publifhed a declaration ofparliament Dec. 3r. " wherein they exprefs their diflike of lay-preachers, and their upon zt. " refolutions to proceed againft all fuch as £hall take upon them to preach, " or expound the fcriptures in any church or chapel, or any other public " place, except they be ordained either here, or in fome other reformed " churL·hes; likewife againft all fuch miniflers, and others, as fhall pub– cc lifh, or maintain by. preaching, writing, printing, or any other way, " any thing againft, or in derogation of the church government which " is now eftablifhed by authority of parliament; and al(o againfl all and " every perfon or perfons.who lhall willingly or purpofdy intermpt or dif– " turb a preacher in the public.exercife of his function; and they corn· " mand all officers of the peace, and officers of the army, to take notice " of the declaration, and by all lawful means to prevent offences of this " kind, and to apprehend offenders, that a courfe may be fpeedily taken " for a due punifhment to be inflicted upon them." The houfe of lords publifhed an order, bearing date Dec. 22. requiring the head boroughs and conftables, in the feveral parifhes of England and Wales, to arreft tht: bo– dies of filch perfons, as fhall diflurb any miniller in holy orders, in the ex– ercife of his public calling, by fpeech or action, and carry them before; fo~e ;ufl1c~
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