A LIVELY CHARACTER OF HIS majesties wisdom, In his last answer to the Propositions of both kingdoms presented to him at Hampton. covert.  
As it was set forth in a way of discourse by Letter to a person of honour in this kingdom.  
Printed in the year. 1647.   

A lively Character of his Majesties wisdom, in his last answer to the Propositions of both kingdoms presented to him at Hampton Court.  
My Lord,  
I Know you cannot provide the queen more rational and pleasing Intelligence, than what I shall represent in this paper unto your Lordship, for that which advances the honour of His Majesty, and opens a door of hope unto Peace in this tired and distracted kingdom, must needs be acceptable unto Her and the Prince, who may now ere long receive an honourable and happy recompense, by a speedy restauration to their hopes in England, for that unparalleled example of constancy and loyalty, which the one as a Princely Wife, the other as an heroic Prince, have so nobly maintained in the midst of all misfortunes, unto so gracious a King.  
The State of affairs in England stand thus. After that the Army had prevailed so far as to triumph through the City in quiet, not a Dog of the adverse party daring so much as to bark against them, and that the Parliament was new-modell'd according to their mind it was necessary then they should set such proceedings on foot, as might tend to the satisfaction of all reasonable men, in order to the settlement of the peace of the kingdom, that so the laws might run in their ancient channel, for the Liberty of the Subject, and withall the affections of the people might be freed from this long engaging in an unnatural war, and return in pious streams of duty and obedience, as becomes loyal Subjects unto their lawful sovereign.  
In order hereunto several particulars were tendered by way of proposal from the Army among which though some appear harsh for the King to grant, yet considering that the austerity of those may be taken off and moderated upon Treaty, the modesty of the rest, with that peremptory indulgence contained in them toward the King and his party, was a strong inducement to his Majesty to insist upon the proposals of the Army, in order to a final Peace and agreement, rather than the Propositions of the Parliament.  
But an engagement lying upon the Parliament, according to an agreement betwixt them and the Scots, to make a second offer of the Propositions to His Majesty, it was judged re●uisite to perform this, not onely to free themselves from Scottish clamours for the future( it being policy to give them as little occasion as may be, who seek a quarrel) but also thereby to give his Majesty an opportunity to wave those Propositions by way of answer, and so to fall upon the proposals of the Army, as more suitable to his own interest as also to that of the Army, of the Parliament in the mode it now stands.  
Hereupon Commissioners of both Houses were appointed to join with those of the Scots to make a second tender of the Propositions of both kingdoms to his Majesty at Hampton Court, which was done Tuesday September the 7. and on Thursday September the 9. his Majesty gave such an answer as hath mightily quickened the affections of the Army: For, They conceiving themselves much obliged by it, the thoughts of mitigation are much revived toward the King and his party: And I really believe that as his Majesty may with honour yield unto these following proposals, which he intends first to insist upon by Treaty when the Houses and Army shall appoint the time, so a cordial agreement being first perfected in these, it will be no hard matter to effect a moderative reconciliation in the rest.  

The chief Propsalls which concern the King and His Party are these.  
AN Act to be passed to take away all coercive power, authority and jurisdiction of Bishops, and all other ecclesiastical Officers whatsoever, extending to any civill penalties u●on any, and to ●●pea● all laws whereby the Civill Magistracy hath been, or is bound ▪ upon any ecclesiastical c●nsure to proceed ( ex Officio) unto any civill penalties against any persons so censured.  
II. That there be a repeal of all Acts, or Clauses in any Act, enjoining the use of the Book of Common Prayer, and imposing any penalties for neglect thereof, as also of all Acts o● Clauses in any Act, imposing any penalties for not coming to Church, or for meetings elsewhere, for Prayer or other religious duties, exercises or Ordinances, and some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists, and Popish Recusants, and for disabling of them, and all jesuits or Priests, from disturbing the State.  
III That the taking of the Covenant be not enforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers, whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgements, or consciences, but all Orders, or Ordinances, tending to that purpose to be repealed.  
IIII That the things here before proposed being provided for settling and securing the Rights, liberty, Peace, and safety of the kingdom, His Majesties Person, His Queen, and royal issue, may be restored to a condition of safety, Honour, and freedom in this Nation, without diminution to their personal Rights, or further limitation to the exercise of the regal power then according to the particul●●s aforegoing.  
V. That a less number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English) being ●●n●●ated particularly by the Parliament, who( together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion, in the third qualification,) may be reserved t● the further judgement of the parliament, as th●y shall ●ad ●●u●●, All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception, and admitted to Composition.  
VI That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limited, not to exceed the several proportions hereafter expressed respectively: that is to say. 1 For all persons formerly excepted not above a third part. 2 For the late members of Parliament, under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions, a fourth part. 3. For other Members of Parliament in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part. 4 for the persons nominated in the said fourth qualification, and those included in the tenth qualification, an eighth part. 5 For all other included in the sixth qualification, a tenth part. And that real debts either upon record, or proved by witnesses, be considered, and abated in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid.  
VII. That those who shall hereafter come to compound, may not have the Covenant put upon them, as a condition without which they may not compound, but in case they shall not willingly take it they may pass their compositions without it.  
VIII. That the Persons and estates of all English, not worth two hundred pounds in Lands or Goods be at Liberty, and discharged. And that the Kings menial Servants that never took up arms, but onely attended His Person according to their Offices, may be freed from Composition, or to pay( at most) but the proportion of one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part.  
IX That in order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid, the Rents, Revenues, and other deuce and profits of all sequestered Estates whatsoever( except the Estates of such persons who shall be continued under exception as before) be from henceforth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective tenants, occupants and others, from whom they are due, for the space of six moneths following.  
X That the Faith of the Army, or other Forces of the Parliament given in Articles upon surrender to any of the Kings party may be fully made good and where any breach thereof shall appear to have been made, full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured, and the persons offending( being found out may be compelled thereto.  
XI. That there may be a general act of oblivion to extend unto all except the persons to be continued in exception as before) to abso●ve from all Trespasses, Misdemeanours, &c. done in prosecution of the war, and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same and to restore them to all privileges, &c. belonging to other Subjects provided, as in the fourth particular under the second general head aforegoing concerning security.  
XII. And whereas there have been of late strong endeavours and practices of a factious and desperate party, to embroil this kingdom in a new war, and for that purpose to induce the King, the queen, and Prince, to declare for the said party, and also to excite and stir up all those of the Kings late party to appear and engage for the same, which attempts and designs, many of the Kings party,( out of a desire to avoid further misery to the Kingdom,) have contributed their endeavours to prevent,( as for divers of them we have had particular assurance,) we do therefore desire that such of the Kings party who shall appear to have expressed and shall hereafter express that way their good affections to the peace and welfare of the Kingdom, and to hinder the imbroyling of the same in a new war, may be freed and exempted from composition, or to pay but one years Revenue or a twentieth part.  
These are the particulars which his Majesty principally aims at: And therefore his late answer to the Commissioners of Parliament was to this effect; That as touching the Propositions now presented to him he conceived them little differing from the former present● him at Newcastle, whereunto he cannot without manifest violation of honour and Conscience give the royal assent; nor would the Interests of the Army and others be in them so well provided for in order to Peace, as to render it satisfactory and lasting; His Majesty therfore wishes rather, that the proposals of the Army might be insisted on to that end, as being far more reasonahle, and that Commissioners from the Parliament & Commissioners from the Army may be sent to treat with him upon those proposals, supposing it the only ready way to a firm Peace.  
This answer is extremely applauded in the Army, nor can it be more pleasing to them, than it appears admirable to me, who do look upon it as the most eminent evidence of his Majesties great wisdom and policy: For, in this one answer he hath exceedingly pleased them: in whose power he is, and besides, played the game so well, that first, he hath very handsomely and subtly diminished the honour of the Parliament in joining their Army equal with them in the Treaty propounded, which if the Parliament shall not yield to, it will be a means to divide them and the Army: And secondly, by wholly leaving out the Scots in this treaty( wherein it is the interest of the Army, and indeed the true Interest of England to second his Majesty) he hath put the Parliament upon a necessity of discontenting the Army, if they shall not consent to treat without the Scots: And again on the other side, if they do treat without them, then the brotherly union will be broken betwixt the Parliament and the Scot. And this ( my Lord) I conceive to be the reach of his Majesties answer to the Propositions, wherein( if I be not mistaken) he hath manifested himself as wise a Prince, as ever was instructed by adversity.  
Till the next return and ever I am; My Lord, Your honours most humble servant. September 16. 1647.   
FINIS.