WHEREAS by speciall Order of the House of Commons, the Committee for the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairefax did come to Guild-Hall, London, to receive an Accompt of the Lord Major and Aldermen appointed as Commissioners by Ordinance of Parliament of the 15 of February, 1644. For the Assessing and Levying of 5800 l. per Month, upon London & the Liberties, which is their proportion according to their divident in like cases. And upon Examination finding that the City of London and Liberties are very much in Arreare to what is grown due, & other Counties hath paid; the City of London having formerly had the Honour to be good examples and leaders unto all other Counties in matters of publique concernment. The said Committee from the Honourable House of Commons, with the Lord Major and Aldermen aforesaid, having summoned all the Collectors of the severall Wards, and their respective Divisions, to enquire of them the true causes of the slack comming in of the Moneys Assessed upon the severall Wards. For the speedy bringing in whereof, they were appointed Collectors; and finding amongst other causes this to bee the maine; (viz.) The backwardnesse and tendernesse of the Collectors in executing the power of the Ordinance by way of distresse upon the Goods of their Neighbours that doe delay or refuse to pay the said Assessement; which neglect of the said Collectors cannot bee borne with, in regard of the pressing necessities of that happy Army under the immediate Command of the Victorious Generall Sir Thomas Fairefax; whom God hath made Instrumentall, not onely to keepe the Enemy from our Gates; but also to scatter their greatest Forces, and drive them to the most remote Parts in the Kingdome, who are yet in pursuit thereof; which gives us great hopes of a speedy period to our bleeding Calamities, and doth invite the best endeavours of all that are desirous of a setled and well-grounded Peace, to give the said Army all due encouragement.
Therefore the said Committee, with the Lord Major and Aldermen aforesaid, have thought fit to desire the Ministers of the severall Parish Churches and Chappells within the City and Liberties, That they on the next Lords-Day doe effectually stirre up their Parishioners speedily and chearefully to pay in their Assessements to the severall Collectors, and to continue the payment of the remainder, as the same shall grow due. And to let them know, in case they shall continue to delay or refuse the payment thereof, That the respective Collectors are enjoyned upon the Penalties express'd in the said Ordinance of the 15 of February, to distreine their Goods, and make sale of the same. And that none doe mistake or censure the proceedings of the severall Collectors, who without respect of Persons are to doe their Duties according to the said Ordinance: But if any inconveniences follow by their non-payment of the said Moneys, that they lay the blame upon themselves.