THE KINGS MAJESTIES MESS AGE, Brought by Captain TITUS to the Parliament on monday October 2. 1648. Of the Concessions of the Treaty: Delivered to the Parliaments Commissioners at New-port, Septemb. 29. And being by them refused, was sent by His Majesty to His two Houses of Parliament at West-minster, and red in both Houses, Octob. 2. 1648 And the Answer of both Houses of Parliament to the said Message from His Majesty. C R dieu ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion on one side and the Scottish unicorn on the other London printed by Robert Ibbitson. 1648. 8 ber 4 The Kings Majesties Message brought by captain Titus to the Parliament on monday, October 2. 1648. HIs Majesty did use many earnest endeavours for a personal Treaty, which He hoped might have been obtained at Westminster, between Him and His two Houses of Parliament immediately; yet they having made choice of this way by you their Commissioners, His Majesty did gladly and cheerfully accept thereof in this place, as a fit means to begin a Treaty for Peace, which might put an end to his own sad condition, and the miseries of His kingdom; For an entrance whereunto. His Majesty hath already expressed His consent to the first Proposition: But finding you are limited by Instructions which you have no Warrant to Communicate unto Him, And having cause by your Papers of the 20 of this present to believe, that you have no power to omit or alter any thing, though He shall give you such reasons as may satisfy you so to do, without transmitting the Papers to the two Houses at a far distance, where His Majesties reasons, expressions, and offers upon Debate cannot be fully represented; and from whence their Answers cannot be returned without much waste of the time allotted for the Treaty here: And having lately received another Paper concerning the Church, containing in itself many particulars of great importance, and referring to divers Ordinances; Articles of Religion, and other things( 11 or 12 in number) of great length, and some of them very new, and never before presented to his Majesty: The due consideration whereof will take up much time, and require His Majesties presence with his two Houses before a full resolution can well be had in matters of so high consequence; To the end therefore that the good work now in hand may( by Gods blessing) proceed more speedily and effectually to an happy Conclusion; And that His two Houses of Parliament may at present have further security, and an earnest of future satisfaction: His Majesty upon Consideration had of yours, makes these Propositions following: Concerning the Church. HIS Majesty will consent that the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster be confirmed for Three yeares by Act of Parliament. And will by Act of Parliament confirm for Three yeares the Directory for the public worship of God in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales. And will likewise confirm for Three yeares by Act of Parliament the form of Church Government, which ye have presented to Him, 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 other who cannot in Conscience submit thereunto, be not in the mean time obliged to comply with the same government or form of Worship, but have free practise of their own profession. And that a free Consultation and debate be had with the Assembly of Divines of Westminster in the mean time,( 20 of His Majesties nomination 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 may be settled, or sooner, if differencs may be agreed. And how also Reformation of Religion may be settled within the kingdoms of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales. And the Articles of Christian Religion now delivered to Him may in like manner be then considered of and determined, and care taken for the ease of tender consciences. And concerning the Bishops Lands and Revenues, His Majesty considering that during the troublesone times divers of His Subjects have made contracts and purchases, and divers have disbursed great sums of moneys upon security and engagement of those Lands; His Maje●ty for their satisfaction, will consent to an Act or Acts of Parliament, whereby legal Estates for Lives or for Yeares( at their choice) not exceeding 90 yeares shall be made of those Lands towards the satisfaction of the said Purchasers Contractors, and others to whom they are engaged, at the old Rents, or some other moderate Rent, whereby they may receive satisfaction. And in case such Lease shall not satisfy, His Majesty will propound and consent to some other way, for their further satisfaction. Provided, that the propriety and inheritance of those Lands may still remain and continue to the Church and Church-men respectively according to the pious intentions of the Doners and Founders thereof: And the rest that shall be reserved to be for their maintenance. His Majesty will give His royal Assent for the better observation of the Lords day; For suppressing of Innovation, in Churches and chapels, in and about the Worship of God, and for the better advancement of the Preaching of Gods holy Word in all parts of the kingdom. And to an Act against enjoying Pluralities of benefice by spiritual persons, and Nonresidency. And to an Act for regulating and reforming both Universities, and the colleges of Westminster, Winchester, and eton. His Majesty will Consent to an Act for the better discovery and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants, as is desired in your Propositions; And also to an Act for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion. As also to an Act for the true levying of the penalties against Papists, to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on, and as is proposed on his Majesties behalf. And also to an Act to prevent the practices of Papists against the 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 either sign or swear it, or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others. Nor doth conceive it proper or useful at this time to be insisted on. Touching the Militia, His Majesty conceives that your Proposition demands a far larger power over the Persons and Estates of His Subjects, then hath ever hitherto been warranted by the laws and Statutes of this realm; yet considering the present distractions require more, and trusting in His two Houses of Parliament that they will make no further use of the power therein mentioned, after the present distempers settled, then shall be agreeable to the legal exercise thereof in times past, or just necessity shall require, His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament. That the Lords and Commons in Parliament of England now assembled, or hereafter to be assembled. or such as they shall appoint during the space of 10 yeares, shall arm, train, and Discipline, or cause to be Armed, Trained, or Disciplined, all the Forces of the kingdoms of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales, the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey, and the town of Barwick upon Tweed, already raised, both for Sea and Land service, And shall from time to time during the space of 10 yeares raise, levy, arm, train and discipline, or cause 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 from time to time during the said space of 10 yeares think fit to appoint. And that neither the King, His Heires 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 yeares exercise any of the powers aforesaid. That moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land service, and of the Navy and Forces for Sea service, in such sort, and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of 10 yeares think fit and appoint, and not otherwise. That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea service so raised or levied, or to be raised or levied; And also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of 10 yeares be employed, managed, ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons in such sort, and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint, and not otherwise. And the said Lords and Commons, or such as they shall appoint, during the said space of ten yeares shall have power. TO suppress all Forces raised, or to be raised, without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons, to the disturbance of the public lique Peace of the kingdoms of England and Ireland, Dominion of Wales, the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, or any of them. 2 To suppress any foreign Forces who shall invade, or endeavour to Invade 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 heires or Successors, or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission, power, deputation, or authority to be derived from the King, his Heires 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, of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, the Dominion of Wales, Isles of Gernsey and Jersey, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, Nor exercise any of the said powers or authorities herein before mentioned, and expressed to be during the space of ten years, in the said Lords and Commons. Nor do any act, or any thing concerning the execution of the said powers or authorities, or any of them, without the consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained. And with the same proviso's 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 any persons shall be gathered and assembled together, in a War-like manner, or otherwise, to the number of 30 persons, and shall not forthwith disperse themselves, being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons, or command from them, or any by them, especially authorised for that purpose; Then such person or persons not so dispersing themselves, shall be guilty, and incur the pains of High Treason; being first declared guilty of such offence, by the said Lords and Commons: Any Commission under the Great Seal, or other Warrant to the contrary, notwithstanding. And he or they that shall so offend herein, to be uncapable of any pardon from his Majesty, his Heires or Successors. And likewise that it be provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights, Liberties, &c. in raising and employing the Forces of that City, in such sort as is mentioned in the said proposition. With these Proviso's following, to be inserted in the said Act. 1 THat none be compelled to serve in the War against their wils, but in case of coming in of strange enemies into this kingdom. And that the powers above mentioned, or concerning the Land Forces, other then for keeping up, and maintenance of Forts and Garrisons, and the keeping up, maintaining, and pay of this present Army, so long as it shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament, 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 which shall Invade, or endeavour to Invade the kingdoms, Dominions, or places aforesaid. And that the moneys bee raised by general, and equal Taxations, saving that Tonnage and Poundage, and such imposts as have been-applyed to the Navy, and be raised as hath been usual. And that all Patents, Commissions, and other Acts concerning the premises, be made and Acted in His Majesties name by Warrant, signed by the Lords and Commons, and such other as they shall authorize for that purpose. If it shall be made satisfactory to His two Houses to have the Militia, and powers thereupon depending, during the whole time of His Majesties reign, rather then for the space of ten yeares, His Majesty gives them the election. TOuching Ireland, His Majesty having in two preceding propositions given His consent concerning the Church & the Militia there in all things an in England: As to all other matters relating to the kingdom, after advice with His two Houses, He will leave it to their determination, and give His consent accordingly, as is herein hereafter expressed. Touching public debts, His Majesty will give consent to such an Act for raising of moneys by general and equal Taxations, for the payment and satisfying the Arrears of the Army public debts and engagements of the kingdom, as shall be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament, and shall be audited and ascertained by them, or such persons as they shall appoint, within the space of 12 moneths, after passing of an Act for the same. His Majesty will consent to an Act, that during the said space of 10 yeares the Lord chancellor, or Lord Keeper, Commissioners of the Great seal, or Treasury, Lord 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 bone gesserint: And in the intervals of Parliament, by such others as they shall authorize for that purpose. His Majesty will consent that the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof, during the space of ten years, may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons in the common-council Assembled, or such as they shall from time to time appoint,( whereof the Lord Mayor and Sheriffes for the time being, to be three) to be employed and directed from time to time, during the said space of ten years, in such manner as shall be agreed upon, and appointed by both Houses of Parliament. And that no Citizen of the City of London, nor any of the Officers of the said City shall be drawn forth, or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties therof, for Military service, without their own free consent. That an Act be passed for granting and confirming the Charters, customs, Liberties, and Franchises of the City of London, notwithstanding any Nonuser, misuser, or Abuser. And that during the said ten years, the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London, and the chief Officers and governor from time to time, during the said space to be nominated, and removable by the common-council, as are desired in your Propositions, His Majesty having thus far expressed His consent for the present satisfaction, and the security of His two Houses of Parliament, and those that have adhered unto them, touching your four first Propositions, and other the particulars before specified: As to all the rest of your Propositions delivered to Him at Hampton Court,( not referring to those heads) and to that of the Court of Wards, since delivered; As also to the remaining Propositions concerning Ireland; His Majesty desires onely when He shall come to Westminster Personally to advice with His two Houses, and to deliver His opinion, and the reason of it; which being done, He will leave the whole matter of these remaining Propositions to the determination of His two Houses, which shall prevail with Him for His consent accordingly. And His Majesty doth( for His own particular) onely propose that He may have Liberty to repair forthwith to Westminster, and be restored to a condition of absolute 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 two 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. Die Lunae Octobr. 2. 1648. REsolved by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That they are not satisfied in the Propositions made by his Majesty in his Letter. And that a Letter be sent to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight, to acquaint them that the Houses do well approve of their proceedings, and do give them thanks for their great care and pains in managing of this important and weighty business; requiring them still to proceed, and act punctually according to their Instructions. FINIS.