AN ANSWER of Both Houses of Parliament TO His Majesty's LAST Message. Agreed on Monday the 30 of Octo. 1648 to be sent by Sir Peter Killeygrew. WITH Further Instructions to the Commissioners. AND The Copies of several Votes of the House of COMMONS. And Instructions concerning the Army. LONDON, Printed for H. Becke, and are to be sold in the Old Bayley. 1648. AN Answer of both Houses of Parliament, to His Majesty's last Message. Die Lunae Octob. 30. 1648. FIRST. REsolved by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, that His Majesty's Paper concerning Episcopacy, of Newport 31 Octob. 1648. by which it is said, that HIs Majesty conceives that his former Answers to your Propositions concerning the Church, would have given more sati faction to his two Houses then is expressed in your papers of the 16 and 17. of this Instant, as containing in them (if considered in their full extent) Concessions of the most material things desired, and therefore for a Declaration of his intentions by these former Answers, as for a further and final Answer to the said Propositions and Paper of the 19th, His Majesty saith as followeth: That albeit for the reasons expressed in his former Paper, he cannot consent to a Bill, and the Ordinance for abolishing of Bishops, yet for the satisfaction of his two Houses, and settling the public peace he will consent to a Bill for the taking away of all Archbishops, Chancellors, Commissioners, Deans and Sub-Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-Deacons Canons, and Prebendaties, all Chanters, Chancellors, Treasurers, Sub-Treasurers, Subcenters, and Sacrists, and all Choral, and Choristers, old Vicars, and new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church, and all other their under Officers, but of the Church of England, and Dominion of Wales, and out of the Church of Ireland, and further, his Miesty will consent to suspend the exercise of all Episcopal Government for the space of three years, and hath consented & will consent to confirm the form of Church Government now presented unto him, for the space of 3 years, and that no other shall be used during the said time; In which time his Majesty continues his desire that a consultation with the Assembly of Divines at Westmin. 20 of his own nomination being added, to his end his Majesty and his two Houses may within these 3 years informs 〈…〉 the practise of the Primitive Church in 〈…〉 Episcopacy and may accordingly agree in limiting the Bishops to the 〈◊〉 and a●●ist●●ce of Presbytery, and in the exercise of their jurisdiction, and … ing their ●●●●er, if it be thought fit. And his Majesty will consent, that in calen● 〈…〉 shall be agreed on within the said 3 years then after the said time, the power of ordination shall not be exercised by Bishops, without the counccil and assistance of Prosbyters, and that no other Episcopal Jurisdiction shall be exercised by Bishops without the council and assistance of Presbyters, and that no other Jurisdiction shall be exercised by Bishops, but such, and in such manner as shall be agreed on by his Majesty and his we Houses of Parliament. And his Majesty doth profess, that if in that time he be convinced that the function of Bishops is not agreeable to the Word of God, or that Christ commanded any other Government, he will cheerfully embrace that, and take away Episcopacy, but until he be convinced, he believes himself bound in conscience to uphold that function, as is above expressed, That this Answer ●from His Majesty is not satisfactory. 2 Resolved upon the Question, that His Majesties, Paper of Octob. 21. Concerning The Ordinances for the settling the Bishops Lards upon trusties, and so the sale of those Lands, though his Majesty upon conscientious scruples (wherein h● hath the concurrent opinion of the Divines, as well of the Reformed, as other Churches) hath not consented thereunto, yet he hath offered satisfaction to all such as purchased any of those Lands, or disbursed money upon that security by legal estates for lives or years (not exceeding 99 years) reserving only the propriety and Inheritance of those Lands to the Church and Churchmen, and the old rent, or other moderate rents for their maintenance; and that if those Leases shall not suffice, his Majesty would propound and consent to some other way for their further satisfaction, and therefore other satisfaction, for those debts and engagements (which were the motives for the sale of those Lands) being proposed, and his Majesty having herein condescended as fit as possibly he can, he desires his two Houses would comply with his Majesty in this particular. His Majesty hath offered by Act of Parliament to confirm the calling and fitting the Assembly of Divines, as largely in the matter desired as the Ordinance itself proposed for that purpose. He hath likewise offered to continue the pub ique use of the Directory in all Churches and Chapels, as is desired in your Proposition: And to consent to the repeal of so much of all Statutes as concern the Books of Common-prayer, and to take the same away out of all Churches and Chapels, except his Majesty's Chapel, where he intends the use thereof may be continued for himself and his household, until another public Form of Prayer should be agreed on by his Majesty and his two Houses. His Majesty hath likewise consented to the Bill for suppressing Innovations, wherein they 〈…〉 provision for the due observation of the Lords day; and offered (if that was not sufficient) to consent to the matter of the Ordinance for observation hereof, as fully as is desired: But for the Ordinances presented to his Majesty which concern the Assembly of Divines, the Directory, the taking away the Books of Common prayer, and the observation of the Lords day, many expressions therein require nebessary alterations, in respect of some things happening since their first framing, others reflect on former established Laws, and other matters not necessary; and therefore though he consented to the matter therein desired, yet he could not confirm those Judicial Ordinances in ter●ini●, as they are penned, Whereas you conceive his Majesty did not give his Assent to the Bill for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's Holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom his Majesty by his former Answer did sufficiently express his consent thereunto by consenting to the Bill for suppressing of Innovations (in which that for the advancement of Preaching is included.) And his Majesty doth again give consent thereunto; as also to the Bill against enjoying Pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual persens and non Residency, formerly delivered to his Majesty, as is desired in the Propositions. This Answer from his Majesty is not satisfactory. 3 Resolved by the Lords and Commons that His Majesty's Paper of Octob. 21. Touching Reformation of Religion; Whereas you say his Majesty's Answer comes far short of the Proposition which desires that his Majesty should consent; that Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be settled, in such manner as both Houses have agreed, or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines, his Majesty saith, That he hath answered all the particulars which are set dow●e as branches of that general Proposition, and cannot thin●e that it will be expected that he should oblige himself gene rally to what his two Houses shall hereafter agree touching matters of Religion' before he be satisfied of the nature thereof. His Majesty conceives that he had given a full answer to your Proposition for an Act or Acts to be passed for a stricter course to be taken to prevent the saying or hearing of Mass in the Court, or any other part of this Kingdom, or the Kingdom of Ireland, he having consented thereunto, with exemption only of the Queen and her Family (few whereof are of her Profession) according to the Articles of Marriage agreed on betwixt the two Crowns, which his Majesty conceives his two Houses will not advise him to break. And as for restraining the access of all others but her Family, and in all things else his Majesty consents to that Proposition as is desired. This Answer from His Majesty is not satisfactory. 4. Resolved, etc. Touching the Covenant, his Majesty answers as formerly, that he remains yet unsatisfactory to take it, or impose it upon others, and conceives it not proper to be insisted on at this time, and that the end thereof (without taking it) will be obtained by this agreement, if happily concluded. For the Articles of Religion presented to his Majesty, which are desired to be confirmed by Act of Parliament, his Majesty hath already answered, that he had not yet time to peruse them with that deliberation as is requisite, before he bird up himself and his subjects in mtters of Faith and Doctrine; and conceives his Houses will think it not improper to respite the consideration of them to a further tune, considering how perilous, definitions are in matters of Religion, how long time he Articles have been in framing, and that since the beginning of this Treaty, and not before, they came entirely to his Majesty's view. His Majesty having so far consented to the several particulars of this Proposition, that the remaining differences are very few, doth therefore earnestly desire his two Houses that they may be no obstacle to the settlement of the blessed Peace now in hand. This Answer from His Majesty is not satisfactory. Die Lunae. 30 Octob. 1648. SIR Peter Kileygrew is to carry the Votes at large from both Houses of Parliament to the Commissioners, And a Letter to desire them to go on in the Treaty with His Majesty according to their Instructions for a safe and well-grounded peace. Die Sabbati 21 Octob. 1648. ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Committee of Sequestrations in London, be summoned to give an account to this House on Monday morning next, what they have done upon the Order of this House, of the 7 of Octob. 1648. enjoining them to levy the Arrears due by several persons for the Assessment of the Army, mentioned in the said Order, upon their estates. H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. Dom. Com. Die Sabbati, 21 Octob. 1648. ACcording to former Order the Commons resumed the consideration of the Reports made from the Committee of the Army in order to the taking off freequarter. And the Instructions given the last year for bringing in the Arrears of the Assessments, and the Ordinance for them passed concerning Freequarter were read. 1 Resolved, etc. That Members be employed to use their best endeavours to bring in the Arrears of the Assessments for the Army, to the end Freequarter may be taken off. 2 Resolved, etc. That Members of this House be sent down to the General to confer with him and his Officers such as they shall appoint, how the Army and all other Forces may be redused to the establishment, and how those Forces that are to be reduced may have satisfaction. 3 Resolved, etc. That this Committee shall have power to consider with the General and such Officers as he shall appoint, how the Army may have satisfaction, for the pay due since the 15th of January 1647. And that consideration may be likewise had of the Free-Quarters taken upon the Country since the said 15th of Jan. That satisfaction may be given them. 4 Resolved, etc. That the Committee have likewise power to confer with the General, and such Officers as he shall appoint, how the Army may with the most conveniency, be quartered according to former Instructions, and directions. Mr. Scawen. Sir Will. Litton, Sir Rich. Onslowe Mr. Preistley, Cap. Wingate, Col. Birch, Sir Th●. Dacres, Mr. Lemmon. This Committee or any three of them are appointed to go unto the General upon the vote● aforesaid. H. Elsyinge Cler. Par. D. Com. Ordered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament. 1 THat the Committee of the Army do give their Warrant to the Treasurers of War, to satisfy and pay unto the Members of the Committee of the Army employed by this House into several Counties, upon the public service, The expenses and charges they were at in the discharge of that employment. 2 That the Members of the Committee of the Army that were employed in the several Counties upon the service of the house have the thanks of this house given unto them for their good services. Mr. Scawen (then present) had accordingly the thanks of this house given him by Mr. Speaker. H. Elsing Cler. Par. D. Com. Resolved, etc. That it be referred to the Committee of the Army to bring in the names of 10. Delinquents not yet engaged, whose estates or compositions may be converted to the use of the Army, H. Elsing Cler. Par. D. Com. FINIS.