THE VOTES OF THE House of COMMONS UPON His MAJESTIES last MESSAGE: BROUGHT By the Commissioners from the King: Passed on Saturday last Novemb. 11. 1648. ALSO The Names of the seven persons to bee out of mercy, Seven more to be Banished the kingdom. Duke Hambleton to pay an hundred thousand pounds, and the rest of the latter Delinquents to pay a yeares value above their Compositions. Printed for R. Smithurst, near pie-corner 1648, HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE English royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion and Tudor rose on one side and the Scottish unicorn and thistle on the other against a background of stylized foliage and other motifs THE VOTES of the House of Commons, UPON His Majesties last Message: Brought by the Commissioners from the KING. Die Sabbati Novemb. 11. 1648. THe House of Commons this day took in to consideration His Majesties paper of the 4th of Novemb. 1648. which was red as followeth. Charles R. FOr a final answer to you, as to your Paper of the first, of this instant, and the notes therein mentioned concerning the Church, His Majesty saith, that His Concessions expressed in that Paper, and mis-apprehended in these particulars following, viz. He never did, nor doth intend to make any more new bishops during the term of three yeares, nor in the end of three yeares, that the power of Ordination should be practised in the old manner as formerly, for that heretofore the Bishops were at liberty to call what Presbyters they would to assist in ordaining, but were not bound to their council or consent; but His Majesty doth now intend, and will consent, that Bishops shall not receive any into Holy Orders without the consent and limited number of Presbyters, to be chosen in such manner as shall be agreed on by His Majesty, and His two Houses for that purpose. Neither did His Majesty intend that after the end of three yeares no certain way should be settled concerning ecclesiastical Government; for that His Majesty did purpose during the three yeares, to have a Consultation with the Assembly of Divines, twenty being added of His own nomination; which if His two Houses shall resolve to entertain, it cannot well be doubted, but upon the debate, such a Government will be agreed upon by His Majesty and His two Houses, as shall be best for the peace of the Church, and most proper to prevent those distractions which His two Houses apprehended may ensue. And as to that part of the Proposition concerning the Book of Common-Prayer, for the satisfaction of his two Houses, His Majesty will not insist upon any provision for continuance of the famed in His Majesties chapel for himself and His household; nevertheless His Majesty declares, that he intends to use some other set form of Divine Service. And as to that part of the Proposition, that an Act or Acts be passed for a stricter course to prevent the saying and hearing of mass in the Court, or any other part of the Kingdom, or the kingdom of Ireland, his majesty will consent thereunto. And as to all other particulars in your Paper mentioned, his Majesty having in his former Answers consented so far as possibly he can, as he stands at present persuaded in his judgement; doth refer himself thereunto. And since his majesty by his Concessions hath brought all differences concerning the Church into so narrow a compass, that the chief visible obstruction is that, wherein really in conscience he is not satisfied? He hopes his two Houses will not put further pressures of so render a nature upon him, when it is most likely the time and Debate will happily reconcile all these differences, Newport Novemb. 4. 1648. This Message was debated in parts, And first the House considered of the first branch( viz.) For a final answer to your Paper of the first of this instant, and the notes therein mentioned concerning the Church, His Majesty saith, that his Concessions expressed in that Paper, and mis-apprehended in these particulars following, viz. he neither did, nor doth intend to make any more new Bishops during the term of three years, nor in the end of three yeares, that the power of Ordination should be practised in the old manner as formerly, for that heretofore the Bishops were at liberty to call what Presbyters they would to assist in ordaining, but were not bound to their counsel or consent; but his Majesty doth not intend, and will consent, that Bishops shall not receive any into Holy Orders without the consent of a limited number of Presbyters, to be chosen in such manner as shall be agreed on by his Majesty, and his two Houses for that purpose. Neither did his Majesty intend that after the end of three yeares no certain way should be settled concerning ecclesiastical Government; for that His Majesty did propose during the three yeares, to have a Consultation with the Assembly of Divines, twenty being added of His own nomination; which if His two Houses shall resolve to entertain, it cannot well bee doubted, but upon the debate, such a Government will bee agreed upon by His Majesty and His two Houses, as shall be best for the peace of the Church, and most proper to prevent those distractions which His two Houses apprehended may ensue. 1 Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That this Answer from his Majesty is not satisfactory. Then the House considered of the second branch in his Majesties Message, and liked well of that offer from his Majesty,( viz.) That as to that part of the Proposition concerning the book of common prayer, for the satisfaction of his two Houses, his Majesty will not insist upon any provision for countenance of the same in his Majesties chapel, for himself and his household. But upon the Houses consideration of the close of that branch, which folllowes, That nevertheless his majesty declares, That he intends to use some other set form of divine Service, that was debated, and the House passed a Vote thereupon, 2. Resolved upon the Question, by the Commons in Parliament assembled, That his Majesties declaration whereby he intends to use a set form of divine Service, is not satisfactory. Then the House debated the third Branch, which is for abolishing of mass as followeth,( Viz). And as to that part of the Proposition, that an Act or Acts be passed for a stricter course, to prevent the saying, or hearing of mass in the Court, or any other part of the kingdom, or the kingdom of Ireland, his Majesty will consent thereunto. 3. Resolved upon the Question, by the Commons in Parliament Assembled, That this Answer from his Majesty against mass, is satisfactory. And this House doth approve thereof. Then the House debated the conclusion of his Majesties Message, Viz. As to all other particulars in your Paper mentioned, his Majesty having in his former Answers consented so far as possibly he can, as he stands at present persuaded in his judgement: doth refer himself thereunto. And since his Majesty by his Concessions hath brought all differences concerning the Church into so narrow a compass, that the chief visible obstruction is that, wherein really in conscience he is not satisfied: He hopes his two Houses will not put further pressures of so tender a nature upon him, when it is most likely the time and Debate will happily reconcile all these differences. Newport Novemb. 4. 1648. 4 Resolved upon the Question by the Commons in Parliament Assembled, That this part of his Majesties Message is unsatisfactory. 5 Resolved upon the Question by the Commons in Parliament Assembled, That these seven persons be exempted out of mercy, Viz. The Marquis of Newcastle, The Lord George Digby Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Sir Francis D●●dington, Sir John Winter, Sir Rich. Greenvil, and Judge Jenkins. 6 Resolved upon the Question, &c. That these seven persons be Banished the kingdom, Viz. The earl of Holland, The Lord Goring, The Lord Capel, The Lord Loughborough, mayor general Laughorn Sir Henry Lingen, Sir John own, 7 Resolved, &c. That Duke Hamilton be fined for his Delinquency an hundred thousand pounds. 8 Resolved, &c. All Delinquents that engaged against the Parliament since January last to pay a yeares value of their Estate, above their Compositions. FINIS.