WHereas by an Ordinance of the six and twentieth of March last , The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled , did Ordain , That there should be monethly charged and levied upon the Cities of London and Westminster , the Hamblets of the Tower , the Borough of Southwark , and all other Parishes and places with it the Line of Communication , and weekly Bills of Mortality , the sum of six thousand nine hundred sixty two pounds four shillings , and upon the county of Middlesex without the said limits , the sum of one thousand fourscore and seventeen pounds eleven shillings , for the maintenance and payment of the Army under the immediate command of the Earl of Essex , Lord Generall of the Forces raised by the Parliament ; and other things in the said Ordinance mentioned for the space of four moneths , to commence from the twentieth day of March 1643. accounting twenty eight dayes to the moneth , to be assessed , levied , and collected , and paid unto Sir Gilbert Gerard Baronet , in such manner , and by such wayes and means as in and by the said Ordinance is mentioned and expressed . And whereas by another Ordinance of the fourth of October last , The said Lords and Commons did Ordain , That the greatest part of the sums due and payable by vertue of the said former Ordinance , which were then in Arrear , should by the said Sir Gilbert Gerard be paid over to Sir Walter Earl Knight , Lieutenant of the Ordnance , for the uses therein limited and expressed , enjoyning all and every such persons , as by the said first recited Ordinance were appointed to collect and levy the said Arrears , forthwith to proceed effectually therein , and to make payment of the same in such manner as in and by the said first recited Ordinance was formerly appointed . Notwithstanding which , through the carelessenesse and negligence of many of those persons , who by the said first recited Ordinance were nominated and appointed to collect and levy the said sums , very little of the said Arrears hath since that time been brought in and paid unto the said Sir Gilbert Gerard or his Assigns . The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament , do therefore now Ordain , That if any person or persons by vertue of the said first recited Ordinance , nominated and appointed to collect , levy , or pay any of the sums before mentioned , shall wilfully neglect or refuse to perform the same : The Lord Mayor of the City of London for the time being , or any two Aldermen of the said City , within the same , and Liberties thereof , and the respective Committees without the said City and the Liberties thereof , for the City of Westminster , the Borough of Southwark , and County of Middlesex , by vertue of the said first recited Ordinance respectively nominated and appointed as aforesaid , or any five of them have hereby power to commit such person or persons so refusing or neglecting , to Prison , there to remain without Bail or Mainprize , untill he shall conform himself , or otherwise to impose upon such person or persons for every time so refusing or neglecting , to perform the said service or their duties therein , such fine or fines as to them shall be thought fit , and cause the same to be levyed by distresse and sale of Goods , in such manner and form as in and by the said first recited Ordinance , for and concerning such persons as should refuse or neglect to pay the sums of mony , whereat they should be rated or assessed by vertue of that Ordinance is limited and appointed : Provided that no fine so imposed , shall for any one offence exceed the sum of five pounds .

Provided that this Ordinance shall not any wayes extend to the Members of either of the Houses of Parliament , or to the Assistants or Attendants to the House of Peers .