Exceeding Joyful NEWS FROM THE TREATY CONTAINING The Acts of Agreement, between the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Parliaments Commissioners, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last. Brought by the Post on Sunday Novemb. 5. 1648. With His gracious Speech at the Council Table, for His present coming to London, and proclaiming of Peace throughout His Realms and Dominions. And the Earl of Northumberlands Declaration thereupon. blazon or coat of arms of the British royal family DIEV ET MON DROIT C. R. HONI SOIT QVI MAY Y PENSE Imprinted at London, for P. LOUNDEL, 1648. JOYFUL NEWS FROM THE TREATY Communicating the proceed of the King's Majesty and the Commissioners, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last. Right Honourable, ON Wednesday morning last the King's Majesty and the Commissioners met in the Treaty Chamber, and taking their places at the Council Table according to the usual manner, the Earl of Northumberland rose up, and made a short Speech, Humbly desiring his Majesty to remove his averseness from the settling of Religion, and to hearken unto the advice of His great and loyal Council, so much tending to the honour of His Majesty and Posterity, and the settling of a true and lasting peace throughout all His Realms and Dominions. Which done, his Lordship presented a Copy of the Parliaments last Votes brought by Sir Peter Killegrey, on Tuesday night last, in answer to his Majesty's Enlargement of Concessions touching Episcopacy. His Majesty (after reading the same) risen up out of the Chair of State, and made a very learned and excellent Speech to the Commissioners, the effect whereof was as followeth. My Lords and Gentlemen, WHereas I find (by your present paper) that the two Houses of Parliament are not satisfied with my last Concessions, I shall therefore endeavour (as a further testimony of Our candid Desires for peace) to give you a more ample and satisfactory Answer touching the said particulars; especially that concerning Religion, and therefore (considering the period of our days) desire no longer detraction of time, but that we may forthwith insist thereon, to the end, that all differences may be composed, and peace and unity established throughout Our Realms and Dominions, which God of his infinite mercy grant. His Majesty having thus graciously declared Himself, the Commissioners began to proceed according to their Instructions, and desired a more fuller and satisfactory Answer, touching the utter extirpation of Episcopacy, which took up some time of debate in pro and con, and the day being far spent, they referred the further results thereof to the happy succession of the morrow following. And (accordingly) yesterday morning they met again, where the streams of joy issued from the current of the hearts both of Priuce and People, who came to a final close upon all the Proposals, His Majesty promising upon his Royal Word to pass those Bills into Acts which He had already assented to. And being further pressed by the Commissioners so sign to the Bill for the establishing of Episcopacy, his Majesty desired respite of time till Saturday morning, which was accordingly granted. And this morning (about the accustomed hour) his Majesty gave the Commissioners a visit, and sitting down in the Chair of State, presented a Paper to them, which is said to be very satisfactory, containing His Royal Assent to the Proposition of the Church, and likewise to all the rest of the Bills and Proposals. This joyful tidings were soon echoed throughout the Island; insomuch that the Bells rang triumphantly in all the respective Parishes. But by reason of the sudden dispatch of the Post, I am forced to conclude, and remain Your Honour's devoted servant, J. RISHTON. Newport 4 Octob. 1648. The voice of the Kingdom touching King Charles. Whereas base degenerate Spirits would sell or their Birthrights for a mess of pottage, or a deceitful smile of a shadowing Prince induce them to a belief that He would fight for their freedoms, when they know that the people throughout all Nations are now staves to their Princes, and cannot be ignorant likewise how for many Ages together this Design hath been violently prosecuted against the free Commoners of this Nation. And could it ever be expected that Christians should be so inhuman, and self destructive to sheathe their swords in their own bowels, and fight with their Enemies against themselves, to make themselves, staves to their enemies and their posterities for ever, but that they were not sensible of their own freedomse, both by the Law of God, Man, and Nature, but deluded by false prophets, who taught the works of the Law, and not of Grace, making the people believe that all power were ordained of God, and to resist these powers. And lest there should be any of this seed yet left in the Nation, spreading abroad this doctrine to deceive the people with these fallacies, I shall give them an explanation of the true sense thereof, and represent these ensuing Articles or Charge, against a perfidious Prince, or an unfaithful Parliament, viz. 1 God hath ordained all things in heaven and earth for the good and well being of man; and what power soever is contrary to, or acting against the same, is no power of God, but again his express will and pleasure, and therefore most lawful to be disobeyed; whereupon the Parl. levied war against the King, and disobeyed his pretended power. 2 Every Officer appointed for the good of the republic and well-government of the people, as the King, parliament, justices of peace, etc. is elected by the people; the King by three several voices, by way of consent and approbation of the people, before his Coronation. 3 The Kingly Office as it is a great trust, so the people will not admit him to the execution thereof, without He swears to be faithful in performing the trust reposed in Him, executing their Laws and Statutes, for their peaceable government, and not otherwise. 4 In case any of the trusties shall forfeit their trust reposed in them by the people, in breaking their Oaths, violating the people's laws, faeedoms, and privileges, levying war against them, to destroy them; the people are bound by the Law of God, Man and Nature to disobey them, and bring them to speedy trial for breach of that trust which they reposed in them. 5 It is lawful for the people after such breach of trust to use all Coercive power for bringing to condign punishment such trusties, and to fight with kill and slay all such as shall oppose them therein. And it it is further declared, That if God hath ordained all things for the good of the people; what earthly principalities or powers which the people have chosen for their good, can enjoin them to obedience in destructive and unlawful? Is not Salus populi suprema Lex, The people's safety the supreme Law? And what Laws and powers there are contrary hereunto, are not they all void, being against the supreme and highest of all Laws, to which all other must give place and precedency, and all Kings and Parliaments veil to, and stand in fear of. SIR, SInce my last, Here hath happened several Overture; between his Majesty and the Parliaments Commissioners; they have had much debate upon the Propositions, especially that concerning the Church, which the King stuck much at; but the dark Cloud being expelled, and the splendour of the Gospel shining most gloriously in the eyes of his Majesty, He was graciously pleased to declare his Royal Assent to all the Propositions, and to grant His Royal Word to pass all things desired by his two Houses, that may be agreeable and consonant to the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom. And as to the business of the Church (which is all they stick at) the King hath promised to give his concurrence therein, rather than his People shall suffer for his disassenting. Just upon the close hereof, news came that all things were agreed on, but the Treaty not to break off till ten at night. Brought by the Post on Sunday Novemb. 5. 1648. And dated from Newport on Saturday last, at 3. of the clock in the Afternoon. FINIS.