His Majesties last PROPOSITIONS TO The Commissioners at the Treaty, to be communicated to His two Houses of Parliament assembled at Westminster; Declaring His Royal Assent to sign the Propositions, and to unite Himself with His two Houses, for the concluding of a safe and present Peace. And His Proclamation thereupon, Published by his Majesties special Command, and Dated from Newport 28. Octob. 1648. With the Votes of both Houses concerning the King; And the Proposals of the Lord Gen. Fairfax, touching the settling of the Kingdom, and disbanding part of the Army. AGreed upon by His Excellency, and the council of War, and presented to the Parliaments Commissioners on Saturday last, at the Treaty at St. albans between the Parliament and Army. crowned blazon or coat of arms of the British royal family dieu ET MON DROIT C. R. HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE LONDON, Printed for R. RISHTON, 1648. joyful news FOR ENGLAND FROM The Kings most Excellent majesty, and the Parliaments Commissioners for the Treaty; Declaring their unanimous Proceedings, and Agreement for PEACE. Right Honourable, HIs majesty hath made some further Concessions touching Episcopacy and Church-government, which are to be presented to the Commissioners on monday next, purporting his earnest Desires for their present Condescensions, to his last Paper touching the Church, and that there may be no further detraction of time, promising upon His royal Word to sign the rest of the Propositions, and to give satisfaction to His two Houses in all things by them desired. But the Commissioners proceed according to their Instructions, desiring His Majesty to give His royal Assent for the confirming of the Presbyterian Government, and the abolishing of Bishops and Episcopacy for the future. This motion causeth some scruple to arise from His Majesty, but after mature deliberation thereupon returneth a satisfactory Answer to the Commissioners, insomuch that it is conceived, He will give His royal Word for passing the said Bill, according to the time and manner prefixed by both Houses of Parliament: which causeth a dismal frown to proceed from the adverse party. And His majesty being sensible of their present discontents and murmurings, gave express Command, that proclamation should be made throughout the said iceland, for the preventing of all Insurrections and commotions during the time of the Treaty, which was accordingly done. So that there is great hopes that all Obstacles will be removed, which may prove prejudicial to this Treaty, or frustrate the endeavours and consultation of the great council assembled, who are even upon the close of a final end and Agreement. His majesty saith, that He hath some few things to propound to the Commissioners, which will give great satisfaction to His two Houses, and remove all jealousies and fears whatsoever from amongst His liege people of England; the said Proposals are to be debated at the council Table, so soon as his majesty hath received the sense of His two Houses, to his last Concessions for abolishing of Episcopacy. We hear that there hath been a late Design complotting by the Enemies of Religion, against the King and Kingdom, who had conspired to raise a great army throughout the Kingdom of England, by tendering an Oath of secrecy, a Party whereof to gather to a head in the West, and several other parts of the kingdom for the rescuing his majesty from the power of the Parliament, and to bring him to London by force, if they do not condescend to his Desires, and to put most of them to the sword. But by the divine providence of the All-seeing jehovah, their Plot is discovered, and by his omnipotency quiter frustrated and prevented. Newport 29. Octob. 1648. The parliaments Votes concerning the King. REsolved &c. That that part of his majesties Answer concerning the taking of the Covenant is unsatisfory. Resolved &c. That that part of His Answer concerning the taking away of Arch-bishops, &c. is unsatisfactory. Resolved &c. That that part of his answer concerning toleration for the Queen, is unsatisfactory. Resolved &c. That a Committee be forthwith appointed to draw up the Covenant into such a form as may be proper for his Majesty to take it. Resolved &c. That that part concerning the sale of Bishops Lands is unsatisfactory. The last Weeks journal. ON monday last about 9 of the clock in the morning his Majesty betook himself to study, and continued private in his Chamber till four in the Afternoon. On Tuesday his Majesty had a conference with the Bishops and Clergy, in the privy chamber, where He propounded several questions touching the Covenant and the Presbyterian Government, and desired to be satisfied in judgement in some particulars therein contained, touching the Church of England, which took up two hours dispute; and after several disputations and arguments at the council table, the Bishop of London made a learned Speech to his Majesty, cleared the scruples which his majesty stuck most at, and satisfying him in other points, in relation to the Discipline of the Church, which gave great ease and content to his majesty; so that it is hoped there is no obstacle or let remaining in his royal Breast, which may hinder or eclipse the glorious splendour of our ensuing and blessed peace. On Wednesday( being Fast Day) his majesty had no debate with his Counfell, but observed it with great wisdom and numility, the Bishop of London preaching, who made an excellent and divine prayer, for a blessing upon the Treaty, and for peace and righteousness to flourish within his majesties realms and Dominions. The Parliaments commissioners obeserved the said day, and assembled together in the Church, where Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Vines preached, who made likewise two excellent prayers, Humbly beseeching the great Jehovah of Heaven, who is the pure Fountain of all peace and righteousness, to be present amongst them, and to crown their endeavours with blessings of peace, &c. On Thursday His majesty and his council met in the privy chamber, where they spent some time in debate about the business of the Church, and sent a new message to the Parliaments Commissioners, intimating, That he had made some further enlargement of his present Concessions touching the treaty, in all things that may redound to the peace and happiness of his people, and therefore desired them to expedite the business about the Church, protesting that he hath dispensed with his conscience as far as possible He can in honour. The Commissioners returned answer, that no means shall be left unattempted by them for the settling of a safe and well grounded peace, and as soon as they understand the sense of both Houses touching his majesties last answer to the Church, they shall with all readiness communicate the same unto his majesty. Some differences hath happened between a Royalist & a Parliame teer at Court, who upon words, challenged the field, fought, and hath mortally wounded each other. Newport Octob. 28. 1648. The proposals and Desires of his Excellency the Lord general Fairfax. 1 That there may be allowance and provision made for 3000 Foot to be continued more then the former establishment. 2 That the Lieut. general, an Engineer, and some other Officers, with 20 Gunners, be added to the train. 3 That his Excellency will give command against listing any new Recruits. 4 That the Army being paid off from the 15. of Jan. last, the general is willing that free quarter be deducted for, according to the Rules in the agreement for stating arrears, but those entertained since Septemb. 23. which are now to be disbanded, may have their full pay. 15 That the Army shall be accordingly drawn into Towns, Cities, & Garrisons, and maintain themselves for a fortnight after they are paid, from the 15 of January. FINIS.