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The Ordinance passed, 20. Aug. 1647. To null and void all Acts, &c. passed under the force of the Apprentices. Die Veneris 20. Aug. 1647. An Ordinance for Declaring all Votes, Orders, and Ordinances passed in one or both Houses, since the Force on both Houses, July ••6. until the 6. of this present August 1647. to be null and void.
VVHereas there was a visible, horrid, insolent, and actual force upon the Houses of Parliament, on Monday 26. July last; whereupon the Speakers, and many Members of both Houses of Parliament, were forced to ab••ent themselves from the service of the Parliament: and whereas those Members of the House could not return to sit in safety before Friday, the 6. August. It is there∣fore Declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, that the Ordinance of Monday 26. July, for the Repealing and ma∣king void of the Ordinance of the 23. of the said July, for setling of the Militia of the City of London; being gained by force and vio∣lence; and all Votes, Orders, Ordinances, passed in either, or both Houses of Parliament, since the said Ordinance of the 26. of July, to the said 6. of August, are null and void, and were so at the making thereof, and are hereby Declared so to be, the Parliament being under a force, and not free: Provided alwayes, and be it Ordered, That no Person or Persons shall be impeached, or punished for his or their Actions, by, or upon, or according to the aforesaid Votes, Orders, or Ordinances, unlesse he or they shall be found guilty of contriving, act∣ing, or abetting the aforesaid visible and actual force; or being pre∣sent at, or knowing of the said force, did afterwards act upon the Votes so forced, or were guilty of entring into, or promoting the late Engagement for bringing the KING to the City, upon the Termes and Conditions expressed in his Majesties Letter of the 12. of May last.
John Browne, Cler. Parl.