A Perfect Summary Of the most Remarkable PASSAGES BETWEEN The King's Majesty and the Commissioners of Parliament at the Treating-house in NEWPORT. From October the 2. to October the 9 Concerning, 1. The King's Majesties last Propositions to the Commissioners and their Answer. 2. His Majesty's positive answer to the point of Religion. 3. A learned Speech spoken by his Majesty touching Episcopacy. With the Answer thereunto. 4. Divers Remarkable Passages between his Majesty and the Commissioners sent to the Army. 5. A Message sent to the Lord General touching the Treaty. 6. The Parliaments Answer touching His Majesty's last Propositions. 7. His Majesty's last Papers delivered at the Treaty. 8. Several Letters from Newport, concerning the proceed between his Majesty and the Commissioners since the last continuance of the Treaty. Beginning Octob. 2. THis day came letters from Newport one of which specifieth, That the King's Majesty with his Bishops and Lawyers, have had a great conference concerning the affairs of the Treaty, and his Majesty declars his earnest desires to Treat personally with his houses of Parl. and made some progress in the Bill for the setlement of Religion. Papers came from his Maj. viz. His Majesty will consent that the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines at westminster, be confirmed for 3. years by Act of Parliament. And confirm for 3. years the Directory. And the form of Church Government, to be used for the Churches of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales; provided, that his Majesty and those of his Judgement, or any others who cannot in Conscience submit thereunto be not in the mean time obliged to comply with the same. And that a free consultation and debate be had, with the Assembly of Divines at Westminster in the mean time (20. of His Majesty's homination being added unto them) whereby it may be determined by His Majesty and his two Houses of Parliament, how the said Church Government and form of public worship after the said time, And how Religion may be settled, and the Articles determined, and care taken for the ease of tender consciences. Concerning Bishops Lands and Revenues, His Maj. will consent to an Act or Acts of Parl. whereby Lives or for years, not exceeding 99 years, shall be made of those Lands towards the satisfaction of the purchasers, and others to whom they are engaged, whereby they may receive satisfaction, or His Maj. will some other way, for their further satisfaction. Provided that the propriety and inheritance of those Lands may still remain to the Church: And the rest shall be reserved to be for their maintenance. His Maj. will give his Royal assent for the better observation of the Lords day; for suppressing of innovations in Churches & Chapels, in and about the worship of God, and for the better advancing of the preaching of God's holy word in all parts of this Kingdom. And to an Act against enjoying pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual persons, and Nonresidency, for regulating and reforming both Universities, and the Collidges of Westminster, Winchester and Eton, for the better discovery & speedy conviction of Popish Recusants, as is desired in your Propositions; for the education of the children of Papists by Protestants, in the Protestant Religion, for levying penalties against Papists, to an Act to prevent the practices of Papists against State, and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Mass. But as to the Covenant, his Majesty is not yet therein satisfied, that he can sign or swear it or consent to impose it, doth conceive it proper or useful on the consciences of others. Nor at this time to be insisted on. Touching the Militia, His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament. That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England now assembled, or hereafter to be assembled, or such as they shall appoint, during the space of 10 years shall Arm, Train and Discipline, or cause to be Armed Disciplined, All the forces of the Kingdoms of England and Jreland, and Dominion of Wales, the Isles of Gernsey and Gersey and the Town of Barwick up to Tweed, already raised, both for Sea and Land service, And shall from time to time during the space of 10 years raise, levy, arm, train, and Discipline, or caused to be raised, levied, armed, trained and disciplined any other forces for land and Sea service in the Kingdoms, Dominions, and places aforesaid as in their judgements they shall during the space of 10 years think fit to appoint. And that neither the King, his heirs or successors, or any other but such as shall Act by the authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of 10 years' exercise any of the powers aforesaid. And all the said forces disposed by the Lords and Commons as they shall think fit and not otherwise. And have power to suppress all forces raised without their authority. To suppress any foreign Forces invading the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, Dominion of Wales, the Isles of Gernsey and jersey, and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed, or any of them. And after the expiration of the said ten years, neither the King His Heirs or Successors, or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commissions power, deputation, or authority to be derived from the King. His Heirs or Successors, or any of them, shall without the consent of the said Lords and Commons, raise arm, train, discipline, employ, order, manage, disband, or dispose any the forces by sea or land, without the consent of the said Lords and Commons. And with the same provisoes, for saving the ordinary Legal power of Officers of Justice, not being Military Officers, as is set down in your propositions. And with a Declaration that if 30 persons be assembled in a warlike manner, and not forthwith disperse themselves being required by them, To be guilty of High-treason; to be uncapable of any pardon from his Majesty, his heirs or Successors. And that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights, Liberties, etc. in raising and employing the forces of that City, in such sort as is mentioned in the propositions. 1. That none be compelled, but in case of coming in of strange enemies. And that the powers for maintenance of forts and Garrisons, and pay of this present Army, be exercised to no other purposes then to the suppressing of forces raised, or to be raised, without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid or for suppressing of any foreign forces invading. And that the, moneys be raised by general, and equal Taxations, saving that Tonnage and Poundage, and such imposts as have been applied to the Navy, and be raised as hath been usual. And that all Patents, Commissioners, and other Acts concerning the premises, be made and Acted in his Majesty's name by Warrant, signed by the Lords and Commons, and such other as they shall think fit to authorize for that purpose. Touching Irel●nd, after advice with his 2 houses, He will leave it to their determination, and give His consent accordingly, as is herein hereafter expressed. Touching public debts, His Maj. will give his consent to such an Act, for raising of moneys by general and equal taxations. His Majesty will consent to an Act, that during the said space of 10. years, the L. Chancellor, or the L. Keeper Com. of the great Seal, or treasury L. Warden of the Cinque-ports, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Duchy, Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls, Judges of both Benches, and Barons of the Exchequer of England, be nominated by both houses of the Parliament of England to continue quam Diu se bene gesserint: And in the intervaies of Parl, by such others as they shall authorize for that purpose. His Maj. will consent that the Militia of the City of London & Liberties thereof, during 10 years may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Commons in the Common Council Assembled, or such as they from time to time appoint, to be employed & directed from time to time during the space of 10 years in such manner as shall be agreed upon, and appointed by both houses of Parl. And no Citizen of London, nor any Officers of the said City shall be drawn forth, or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof, for Military service, without their own free consent. That an Act be passed for granting & confirming the Charters, Customs, Liberties and Franchises of the City of London, notwithstanding the Non user, Misuser, or Abuser. And that during the ten years, the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London. And his Majesty doth only propose, that he may have liberty, to repair forthwith to Westminster, and to be restored to a condition of freedom and safety, (a thing which he shall never deny to any of his Subjects) and to the possession of his Lands and Revenues; And that an Act of Oblivion, and Indemnity may pass, to extend to all persons, for all matters relating to the late unhappy differences, which being agreed by his 2. Houses of Parliament, his Majesty will be ready to make these his Concessions binding by giving them the force of Laws by his Royal Assent. The Lords this day received this letter from the King, brought by Captain Titus. And both Houses had letters from the Commissioners, sent by a Messenger of theirs, concerning the Treaty, Upon which both Houses voted that they do approve of what the Commissioners have done. And a letter of thanks to be sent them, desiring them to go on according to their instructions. The Parliament Message to the Army touching the Treaty. Sir Thomas Withrington, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Nathaniel Fines, and Mr. Thomas Chaloner, were chosen Commissioners from the Parl. to congratulate the Lord Gen. and gives his Excellency thanks for all his good services, and communicate the particulars of what is done as to himself, and for his Army. And some votes concerning the easing of free quarter. October 3. This day came little News from Newport, only that his Majesty is very desirous to have things brought to a conclusion, & seems not well satisfied about the point of Religion, but daily expects an answer to his last concessions. Right Honourable, THe business here is of little consequence for matter of News, only that which I believe you have formerly had, which is as followeth, viz. That His Majesty (in the absence of the Commissioners) and those that have leave of the Parliament to attend him, were very close about the Bill of Church Government. But at night after supper, his Majesty withdrew to prepare a paper to be presented to the Parliaments Commissioners the next day; But in regard that all things were not finished (as to satisfy) the Bishops and Doctors were appointed to meet him again the next morning. But besides the dispute about this business of Church-Government, The King had consultation with the Lords, and also with the Lawyers, and others about him, concerning the rest of the propositions, some of them (as was said) having given his Najesty advice to send a letter to the Parl. to propound something to the Houses in a taking way, so as that his Maj. may come to London, and treat with the Parliament at Westminster about such things as are not considerable. And besides that, by such Propositions he would find what the sense of the 2. Houses of Parliament is, and what his friends will do. And his Majesty was advised (as was said) first to offer this letter to the Commissioners, and they refusing it, he would send it up by one of his own Messengers, or attendants. His Majesty presented to the Commissioners a letter to the Parliament with Propositions to the Parliament concerning many things contained in the Proposition from the Parliament, and offering to treat for the rest, desiring that they would send it to the Parliament. But in regard that it is contrary to their Instructions, the Commissioners desired to be excused, and desired that His Majesty would please to give his answer to the Bill for Religion, and so proceed by the way of Treaty, upon the rest in order, which was the thing which they received in command from the Parliament. The Commissioners that night dispatched a Messenger to the Parl. with Letters to acquaint the Houses that His Majesty hath as yet consented to nothing, but only the bill for recalling of the Declarations, etc. And that ever since they have proceeded upon the Bill for Religion, but nothing as yet concluded. And also to advertise the Parl. that his Maj. offered to them a paper to be sent to the Parl. of Propositions by him made, to grant such and such things, and then the King to come to London, and treat for the rest. These being the chiefest passages here for the present, I remain yours T. B. Octob. 5. Right Honourable, HIs Maj. thought to stay his positive answer to the matter of Religion (now in debate here) until he heard answer of his Message sent by Capt. Titus; but upon a motion from Mr. Seamer, one of the Ministers with the Commissioners to undertake to prove that Lay Presbyterians are Jure Divino. His Majesty said that he had heard much of him (though a stranger) And that he did desire to discourse with him, A conference was had, and excellent Arguments laid down, And the King also discoursed very learnedly, but how fare his Majesty is satisfied therein, he hath not yet declared. The Treaty now goes on again, And you will hear something (considerable) from hence suddenly. Newport 4. Octob. 1648. Octob. 6. Right Worshipful, HAving so trusty a Messenger, I could not choose but advise you something of the State of businesses with us in this Island, viz. The King's Majesty is in all likelihood in a way to come to an Agreement with the Commissioners, so that here is great hopes of a Conclusion; the point of Religion was the last thing they were upon, some papers were delivered to the Commissioners, which have caused much scruple betwixt the King and Commissioners, but we hope all difficulties will be passed over with faci●ty and a happy conclusion for the good of the Kingdom. So I remain From Newport this 2. of Octob. 1648. Your humble Servant T. B. Octob. 7 His Majesty's papers delivered into the Commissioners in defence of Bishops, were 1. That his Maj. cannot consent to abolishing Episcopacy, because it is his judgement that they are nearest to Apostolical institution. 2. That he is not satisfied how he can in Conscience do it in regard of his Coronation Oath. To the former the Ministers delivered in their Answers, and prooffs of Presbytery to be nearer. To the latter. The Lawyers gave his Majesty satisfaction. SIR, ACcording to your desires in your last, I have sent you a Narrative of the proceed in these parts, viz. That the King's Majesty as yet hath given no answer to to the Matter of Religion; but through some occasions given, hath had some small disputation with Mr. Seamer a Minister with the Com: and discoursed very learnedly about the Presbyterian Government; His Majesty delivered some papers touching the Bishops. His Majesty cannot consent to abolishing Episcopacy, neither could he be satisfied how he might in conscience do it, in regard of his coronation oht, both which the Ministers and Lawyers gave his Majesty satisfaction in, Sir I remain From Newport Octob. 6. 1648. Your humble devoted Servant L. S. FINIS.