WHEREAS by the severall Ordinances for Sequestrations and others , there have beene , within the Cities of London and Westminster , sequestred and taken by distresse ( among other goods ) diverse Manuscripts or written Bookes , proceedings of Courts , evidences of Lands , Rentals , Accompt Bookes , and other kindes of writings and written papers and parchments , as also some whole Libraries , and choice Collections of printed Bookes of severall Arts and Faculties ; the dispersing of which by sale or otherwise , may be much more disadvantagious and prejudiciall to the publique ( both for the present and to posterity ) and also to divers particular persons well affected to the Parliament , then the benefit of their Sale can any waies recompence ;

The Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled , taking the premises into consideration , doe hereby Ordaine and Command , That no Committees or Committee for Sequestrations or Distresses , in or of either of the places aforesaid , or any officers under them imployed , shall or may make sale of , or otherwise disperse or dispose of any such Manuscripts or written Booke , proceedings of Courts , evidences of Lands , Rentals , Accompt Bookes , or other kinde of writings or written papers or parchments , heretofore Sequestred or taken by Distresse or hereafter to be sequestred or taken by distresse by Authority of any of the said Ordinances , but that they and every of them respectively , shall from time to time deliver the same into the hands and care of Algernoun Earle of Northumberland , Theophilus Earle of Lincoln , and William Lord Viscount Say and Seale , Iohn Selden Esquire , Francis Rous Esq ; Sir Simonds D'Ewes Knight and Baronet , Samuel Browne Esquire , Edmund Prideaux Esquire , Gilbert Millington Esquire , Roger Hill Esquire , Walter Young Esquire , Members of the house of Commons , or any Two of them , who are to Inventory the same , and leave , or put and dispose them in some such safe place or places as they shall thinke fit and convenient for their Custody , there to remaine for such publique or other use , as to the houses of Parliament shall seem most meet and reasonable . And that the said Committees and Officers respectively shall Deliver all and every such whole Libraries and choice Collections of printed Bookes ( heretofore as aforesaid sequestred or taken by distresse , or hereafter to be sequestred or taken by distresse ) as the Persons aforenamed or any two of them shall signifie under their hands , and direct to be preserved from sale , and from being otherwise dispersed , and to be kept for publique use , into the hands and care of the said Persons or any Two of them , who are likewise to Inventory the same , and Leave or put and dispose them in such safe place or places , as they shall thinke fit and Convenient : there to remaine likewise for such publique or other use , as to the Houses of Parliament shall seeme most meet , and reasonable .

Provided neverthelesse , and it is farther hereby Ordained , that both the Printed Books and Manuscripts and all other writings or written Papers or Parchments sequestred or taken by distresse , or which may hereafter be sequestred or taken by distresse , or shall be subject to sequestration or distresse , in any of the foure Innes of Court ( viz. ) The Inner and Middle Temple , Greyes Inne , and Lincolnes Inne , or any other society of Law , shall be Inventoried , and lay ▪ d up in some Covenient Place , or Places in the said Innes of Court respectively , in such sort and according as by the Fellowes of the said severall Innes of Court , or such other society as aforesaid respectively , being Members of the House of Commons , or by any two of the aforesaid Committee appointed by this Ordinance , shall be directed and Ordered , there likewise to remaine for such publique or other use as to the Houses of Parliament , shall seeme most meet and reasonable .

Provided also that nothing in this Ordinance contained shall be any hinderance , to the Assembly of Divines , or any of that Assembly , but that they or any of them ( during the time that Assembly shall usually sit ) may use , and be permitted to take with them , for their present use , any of the said Manuscript Bookes , or any Bookes of the said Libraries , or Collections , so that they respectively leave in the place where they take them , a note subscribed by them of what they so take , and of the time of such their taking it , and of their promise safely to returne it .

And be it further also Ordained by the Authority aforesaid , That all and every the Committee and Committees of Sequestrations and Distresses or either of them , in all and every other place whatsoever respectively , and all and every the Officers , under them imployed respectively shall preserve and keepe safe from sale , dispersion , and destruction , all and every the Evidences of Lands , Rentals , Accompt bookes , proceedings of Courts , and all and every other kinde of written Bookes , Papers , or Parchments , by them respectively sequestred or taken by distresse , or to be sequestred or taken by distresse ; and the same shall respectively leave or put , and dispose in some place or places of safe Custody for such Publique or further use , as the Houses of Parliament shall direct or Command . And that all and every the Officers of the Army , and of all and every the Forces raysed by the Authority of the Houses of Parliament , and all and every the Souldiers , under them shall respectively upon all occasions and in all places take like care for the preservation of all kindes of Evidences of Lands , Rentals , Accompt Bookes , Proceedings of Courts and all and every other written papers or Parchments that shall or may fall into their Hands or power , that they and every of them may be safely likewise kept as aforesaid , both from sale , or other dispersion of them , as also from Spoile and Destruction .