Reasons for Nulling the Forced Votes
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A89459.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
REASONS DELIVERED By the Right Honorable the Earl of MANCHESTER: FOR Nulling the forced VOTES, And against the high and visible insolencies of those that forced the HOUSES.
WITH A DECLARATION OF The House of Peers acquitting themselves AND Other papers delivered at a Conference of both Houses, on Wednesday, August 18. 1647.
ALSO An Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, appointing a secret Committee for the sending for, and examining of Parties and Witnesses.
Aug: 20 th Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson. 1647.
REASONS Delivered By the Right Honorable the Earl of MANCHESTER FOR Nulling the forced VOTES.
AND Against the high and visible insolencies of those that forced the Houses.
Die Mercurii August 18. 1647.
AT a Conference of both Houses, the Right Honorable the Earl of Manchester delivered from the Lord's to the Commons, these ensuing particulars,
That their Lordships had commanded him to put them in mind, that August the 6th. Instant, the Lord's sent a Message for their concurrence to an Ordinance making Null those Orders which passed July 26th. by force, set upon both Houses. And all other Orders, Votes, Ordinances, and proceedings, from thence until the sixth of August following, by any pretence of Parliament, or power.
II. That their Lordships had likewise commanded him, to put them in mind that they likewise sent to them two Declarations for their concurrence, One from the General his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Army: The other from the Lord's and Commons and the Speakers, who went to the Army for safety. Both which declared the proceedings of the Members in their absence to be forced, and invalid.
III. That their Lordships had commanded him to acquaint them that they had received their Expedite, sent up by a Message this day, by some of their Members, (which was for Nulling the forced Votes and Proceedings by a Repeale) And that their Lordships had Voted to lay it aside, and adhered to their former Votes.
IV. That their Lordships had commanded him, to deliver to them Certain Reasons of the great dangers that are like to follow, if the Parliament be not Vindicated and righted, by a speedy course herein.
The Substance of which Reasons was thus:
- First, That if a speedy course be not taken herein, there is no provisions can be made for the safety of a free Parliament sitting, because in these things the Houses were forced in a most insolent and visible manner.
- Secondly, That the Parliament should be hereby liable to do whatsoever they shall further force them to hereafter in the like manner. Contrary to the freedom and privilege of Parliaments; And hereby they gain the Authority of Parliament, to make good what they force.
- Thirdly, That whatsoever force shall be set upon the Parliament, to oppose their proceedings; and thereby force the Houses to Act what they please; There can be no po • er obtained to punish them for so great insolencies.
V. That their Lordships had commanded him to deliver to them a Declaration, ( whereby their Lordships do declare, That they have used all possible means that the Houses of Parliament, may be righted and vindicated herein, against the insolent, and visible mutinings set upon them to force them and disturb the proceedings of a free • Parliament, in which their Lordships do acquit themselves, that they have done, what in the • lies to vindicate and right the Parliament herein.
VI. That their Lordships have now passed an Ordinance for the making of the Votes null, passed on Monday July 26, and so on till Friday August 6. And declaring against the same, to which Ordinance they desire the speedy concurrence of the House of Commons,
Die Veneris 13 August, 1647.
IT is Ordered by the Lord's and Commons in Parliament. Assembled, That the Earl of Denbigh Earl of Malgrave, Lord Grey of Warke, Lord Howard, Sir Arthur Hazlerigge. Mr. Solliciter, Mr. Gurdon, Mr. Miles Corbet, Mr. Alderman Pennington, Mr. A •• in, Mr. Humphry Edwards, and Colonel Uen, or any three of them be a sub-Committee of the Committee appointed by both Houses on Friday last: And that they have power to send for parties and witnesses, and to proceed (under secrecy) at all times when they think fit in preparing the examinations of the businesses committed to the said Committee: And that they or any three of them may administer an oath unto any persons in such things as shall not render the parties criminal that are so sworn.
Henry Elsyng Cler. Par. Dom. Comm • .