An Ordinance to disable any person within the City of London and Liberties thereof,
James Dodson
to be of the Common-Council, or in any Office of trust within the said City, that shall not take the late solemn League and Covenant.
Die Mercurii, 20 Decemb. 1643.
The Lords and Commons taking into their consideration, that the well Government and Peace of the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, doth chiefly depend upon the faithfulness and integrity of the persons that have and bear the public Offices and places of Trust therein, And that in these times of trouble, more than ordinary care is to be taken, in the choice and Election of them. And that their good affection to the true Protestant Religion, and to the Parliament, and Peace of the City and Kingdom, should be openly testified and made known before they be admitted unto any such place or Office. And whereas by the ancient Customs and usages of the said City, those of the Common-Council, and some other Officers of the City are to be chosen, at, or about the one and twentieth day of this instant December.
The Lords and Commons do Ordain and Declare, That no person shall be Elected into any the said offices, nor shall be capable thereof, nor shall have any voice in any such Election, whose person hath been imprisoned, or his estate sequestered for malignancy against the Parliament or that before the Election or vote in such Election respectively shall not have taken the late solemn League and Covenant, for reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and Sir John Wollaston Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen in their several Wards, and all other persons to whom the Election of any the said Officers shall appertain, are hereby required to see this Ordinance duly put in Execution.