The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester, to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England. In behalf of the able, faithful, godly ministry of this nation. Delivered by Colonel Jeff Bridges, and Mr. Thomas Foly, December 22. 1652. VVith the Parliaments answer thereunto.
         Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
      
       
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             The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester, to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England. In behalf of the able, faithful, godly ministry of this nation. Delivered by Colonel Jeff Bridges, and Mr. Thomas Foly, December 22. 1652. VVith the Parliaments answer thereunto.
             Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
             Bridges, John, Colonel.
             Foley, Thomas, 1617-1677.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
          
           8 p.
           
             Printed by Robert White, for Francis Tyton, and Thomas Underhill, and are to be sold at their shops, the three Daggers in Fleetstreet, and the Bible and Anchor in Pauls Church-yard,
             London, :
             1652.
          
           
             Attributed to Richard Baxter.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Decemb. 28.".
             Reproduction of the original the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church and state -- England -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A76181  R15906  (Thomason E684_13).  civilwar no The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester, to the Parliament of the Common-weal Baxter, Richard 1652    2867 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 B  The  rate of 7 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           HUMBLE
           PETITION
           OF
           Many
           thousands
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           Free-holders
           ,
           and
           others
           ,
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             WORCESTER
             ,
          
           To
           the
           Parliament
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           
             ENGLAND
             .
          
        
         
           In
           behalf
           of
           the
           Able
           ,
           Faithful
           ,
           Godly
           Ministry
           of
           this
           NATION
           .
        
         
           Delivered
           by
           Colonel
           
             John
             Bridges
             ,
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Foly
             ,
             December
          
           22.
           1652.
           
        
         
           VVith
           the
           Parliaments
           Answer
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Robert
             White
             ,
          
           for
           
             Francis
             Tyton
             ,
          
           and
           
             Thomas
             Vnderhill
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           their
           Shops
           ,
           the
           three
           Daggers
           in
           
             Fleetstreet
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Bible
           and
           Anchor
           in
           
             Pauls
             Church-yard
             .
          
           1652.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           the
           Parliament
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           
             ENGLAND
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             Humble
             Petition
             of
             us
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Free-holders
             ,
             and
             others
             inhabiting
             the
             County
             of
          
           Worcester
           .
        
         
           SHEVVETH
           ,
        
         
           THAT
           your
           Petitioners
           having
           with
           grief
           observed
           both
           the
           Language
           of
           many
           Pamphlets
           and
           persons
           of
           late
           times
           ,
           against
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           Petitions
           preferred
           to
           you
           against
           their
           present
           maintenance
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           the
           substitution
           of
           a
           fitter
           :
           and
           these
           pretending
           to
           the
           relief
           of
           the
           impoverished
           Nation
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           the
           very
           sense
           and
           language
           of
           the
           body
           of
           this
           Commonwealth
           :
           We
           cannot
           but
           suspect
           ,
           yea
           discern
           that
           there
           is
           a
           party
           that
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           the
           subversion
           of
           the
           Ministrie
           ;
           yet
           have
           we
           hitherto
           remained
           silent
           ,
           partly
           in
           hopes
           that
           they
           were
           so
           few
           and
           inconsiderable
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           deserve
           to
           be
           publikely
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           mentioned
           ,
           to
           the
           dishonour
           of
           our
           Nation
           :
           partly
           that
           we
           might
           not
           interrupt
           your
           weighty
           consultations
           ,
           but
           chiefly
           lest
           we
           should
           be
           mis-interpreted
           to
           suspect
           your
           fidelitie
           to
           the
           Ministrie
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           Christianity
           and
           Christ
           himself
           :
           which
           we
           know
           you
           must
           needs
           resent
           as
           an
           uncharitable
           censoriousness
           ,
           considering
           how
           evident
           you
           have
           seen
           ,
           and
           how
           often
           acknowledged
           with
           greatest
           solemnity
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           in
           your
           preservations
           ;
           and
           how
           deeply
           you
           are
           engaged
           to
           him
           above
           most
           men
           on
           earth
           ,
           and
           how
           sensibly
           you
           vindicated
           a
           persecuted
           Ministrie
           in
           the
           very
           beginning
           of
           this
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           how
           strongly
           you
           have
           obliged
           your selves
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           preserve
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           ,
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           Government
           ;
           but
           also
           to
           promote
           in
           all
           these
           a
           further
           reformation
           where
           it
           is
           wanting
           ;
           as
           also
           considering
           what
           a
           tender
           respect
           to
           a
           faithful
           Ministrie
           you
           have
           all
           along
           to
           this
           day
           professed
           ,
           and
           are
           still
           consulting
           for
           the
           Propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           have
           done
           Justice
           on
           some
           opposers
           so
           near
           you
           ;
           besides
           the
           augmentations
           you
           have
           allowed
           
           to
           many
           places
           where
           means
           was
           wanting
           .
           We
           disclaim
           therefore
           all
           such
           ungrateful
           censoriousness
           ,
           and
           thankfully
           acknowledge
           all
           your
           favors
           to
           the
           Ministrie
           and
           Gospel
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           is
           easily
           able
           to
           reward
           you
           ,
           and
           see
           that
           you
           be
           no
           losers
           by
           him
           and
           his
           Cause
           .
           But
           yet
           least
           our
           continued
           silence
           should
           seem
           to
           signifie
           our
           consent
           to
           those
           that
           would
           undo
           us
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           releiving
           us
           ;
           and
           lest
           they
           be
           thought
           to
           speak
           our
           sense
           ,
           lest
           their
           audaciousness
           encrease
           while
           none
           contradict
           them
           :
           and
           lest
           we
           dishonour
           our
           Nation
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           whilest
           they
           think
           that
           the
           voice
           of
           these
           few
           is
           the
           common
           voice
           ;
           and
           lest
           your
           own
           hearts
           should
           be
           overwhelmed
           with
           grief
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           see
           such
           a
           degenerated
           people
           living
           under
           your
           Government
           ;
           but
           also
           that
           so
           few
           gain
           say
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Nation
           had
           lost
           their
           love
           to
           the
           Gospel
           :
           and
           that
           after
           such
           light
           ,
           profession
           and
           engagements
           ;
           and
           consequently
           you
           may
           think
           they
           will
           prove
           an
           ungrateful
           people
           to
           you
           ,
           who
           prove
           so
           ungrateful
           to
           the
           Lord
           their
           Saviour
           ;
           We
           have
           therefore
           adventured
           on
           this
           bold
           enterpellation
           ,
           and
           crave
           your
           patience
           ,
           while
           we
           do
           with
           more
           then
           ordinary
           importunity
           bespeak
           you
           ,
           seeing
           it
           is
           in
           the
           zeal
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           for
           his
           glory
           ,
           his
           Church
           ,
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           souls
           of
           our selves
           and
           posterity
           .
           We
           know
           it
           was
           by
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           did
           set
           up
           his
           Kingdom
           on
           earth
           ,
           and
           hath
           subdued
           so
           much
           of
           the
           World
           to
           himself
           ,
           destroying
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           Paganism
           ,
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           wickedness
           :
           we
           know
           he
           granted
           their
           Commission
           upon
           the
           reception
           of
           his
           plenipotencie
           ,
           and
           upon
           his
           ascending
           he
           gave
           them
           for
           the
           perfecting
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           the
           edifying
           of
           his
           body
           ,
           till
           they
           come
           to
           his
           fulness
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           a
           means
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           Seducers
           ,
           and
           being
           tossed
           and
           carryed
           about
           as
           children
           with
           every
           wind
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           
             Eph.
          
           49.
           to
           15.
           and
           hath
           promised
           to
           be
           with
           them
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           :
           which
           promise
           he
           hath
           hitherto
           eminently
           accomplished
           .
           It
           is
           the
           Ministrie
           by
           which
           Christ
           hath
           continued
           his
           Church
           to
           this
           day
           :
           nor
           do
           we
           know
           ,
           or
           have
           heard
           of
           that
           place
           on
           earth
           where
           Christianity
           was
           ever
           maintained
           in
           splendor
           and
           vigor
           (
           if
           at
           all
           continued
           )
           without
           a
           Ministrie
           .
           It
           was
           the
           Ministers
           by
           whom
           Christ
           did
           waken
           the
           superstitious
           world
           ,
           and
           discover
           to
           them
           the
           Romish
           delusions
           ;
           and
           by
           whom
           he
           begun
           and
           carryed
           on
           the
           Work
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           by
           them
           exciting
           a
           zealous
           Magistracie
           ;
           and
           after
           all
           their
           labours
           ,
           multitudes
           of
           them
           did
           sacrifice
           their
           lives
           in
           the
           flames
           .
           It
           is
           the
           writings
           of
           a
           learned
           able
           Ministrie
           which
           yet
           stand
           up
           in
           the
           face
           of
           Heathenish
           ,
           Mahometan
           ,
           and
           Romish
           adversaries
           ,
           to
           their
           vexation
           and
           confusion
           ,
           which
           they
           may
           sooner
           reproach
           or
           burn
           ,
           then
           answer
           :
           by
           which
           after-ages
           are
           ,
           and
           still
           may
           be
           stablished
           in
           the
           truth
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           subtill
           endeavours
           of
           Seducers
           .
           It
           is
           a
           learned
           ,
           able
           ,
           faithful
           Ministrie
           ,
           which
           yet
           is
           the
           daunting
           and
           discouragement
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           other
           deceivers
           ,
           
           who
           well
           know
           ,
           if
           these
           were
           but
           taken
           out
           of
           their
           way
           ,
           how
           boldly
           they
           might
           dare
           us
           ,
           how
           insultingly
           they
           might
           challenge
           us
           to
           dispute
           for
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           how
           easily
           they
           might
           silence
           and
           shame
           us
           ,
           and
           thereby
           carry
           away
           the
           multitude
           after
           them
           .
           For
           who
           should
           strengthen
           the
           Peoples
           hearts
           and
           defend
           the
           Cause
           of
           the
           LORD
           against
           them
           ,
           if
           such
           a
           Ministry
           were
           down
           ?
           It
           was
           a
           faithfull
           Ministry
           who
           revealed
           Gods
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           the
           precious
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           our
           own
           souls
           ,
           and
           whom
           God
           by
           the
           Cooperation
           of
           his
           Spirit
           hath
           blessed
           to
           be
           the
           means
           of
           converting
           ,
           or
           confirming
           ,
           or
           both
           ,
           the
           souls
           of
           all
           those
           of
           us
           who
           have
           attained
           to
           any
           saving
           knowledge
           of
           himself
           .
           When
           we
           remember
           how
           often
           and
           how
           happily
           our
           souls
           have
           been
           revived
           and
           refreshed
           by
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           we
           are
           ashamed
           of
           the
           remisness
           of
           our
           Zeal
           in
           this
           Cause
           ;
           when
           we
           think
           that
           they
           are
           our
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           confirmers
           in
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           how
           they
           must
           present
           us
           to
           him
           at
           his
           appearing
           as
           their
           Joy
           and
           Crown
           ,
           
             Phil.
          
           2.
           19
           ,
           20.
           and
           that
           when
           we
           have
           escaped
           the
           flames
           of
           Hell
           ,
           and
           meet
           them
           in
           glory
           ,
           we
           must
           acknowledge
           them
           Instruments
           of
           so
           unvaluable
           a
           blessing
           ;
           we
           had
           rather
           there
           were
           no
           tongues
           in
           our
           mouths
           ,
           then
           that
           ever
           we
           should
           joyn
           with
           their
           reproachers
           ,
           and
           had
           rather
           suffer
           greater
           wants
           then
           ever
           we
           yet
           suffered
           ,
           then
           ungratefully
           deny
           them
           their
           necessary
           maintenance
           ,
           seeing
           our
           Lord
           himself
           said
           ,
           when
           he
           set
           them
           upon
           his
           Work
           ,
           
             The
             Labourer
             is
             worthy
             of
             his
             hire
             ;
          
           and
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           saith
           ,
           
             Who
             goeth
             to
             warfare
             at
             his
             own
             charge
             ?
             They
             that
             minister
             about
             holy
             things
             ,
             live
             of
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Temple
             ;
             even
             so
             hath
             the
             Lord
             ordained
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             should
             live
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           7.
           to
           15.
           
           Considering
           also
           that
           they
           are
           not
           Forreigners
           ,
           but
           
             Englishmen
             ,
          
           our
           own
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           Sons
           that
           receive
           it
           from
           us
           ,
           even
           that
           which
           by
           Law
           is
           not
           ours
           but
           theirs
           ;
           and
           considering
           also
           how
           much
           more
           liberal
           Papists
           are
           to
           their
           Mass-Priests
           and
           seducing
           Jesuits
           then
           we
           are
           to
           a
           faithfull
           Ministry
           of
           Christ
           .
           And
           when
           we
           consider
           ,
           that
           if
           
             England
          
           do
           excell
           other
           Nations
           in
           the
           light
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Ministry
           that
           are
           herein
           our
           glory
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           of
           what
           the
           People
           do
           enjoy
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           so
           ungratefull
           to
           them
           as
           to
           starve
           them
           ,
           and
           cast
           them
           off
           ;
           nor
           yet
           such
           enemies
           to
           
             Englands
          
           happiness
           and
           honour
           :
           yea
           when
           we
           consider
           how
           the
           dreadfull
           ,
           omnipotent
           King
           of
           Saints
           doth
           call
           them
           his
           Co-workers
           ,
           and
           hath
           sent
           them
           in
           subserviency
           to
           his
           own
           blood
           shed
           ,
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             He
             that
             despiseth
             you
             ,
             despiseth
             me
             ;
          
           we
           had
           rather
           endure
           any
           corporal
           calamities
           ,
           then
           stand
           charged
           with
           such
           a
           sin
           at
           the
           Bar
           of
           our
           Lord
           :
           Yea
           ▪
           and
           when
           we
           consider
           how
           he
           hath
           owned
           and
           stood
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           rebuked
           Kings
           for
           their
           sakes
           and
           his
           Churches
           ,
           charging
           them
           to
           do
           his
           Prophets
           no
           harm
           ;
           and
           how
           well
           those
           Rulers
           have
           sped
           ,
           that
           have
           most
           obeyed
           ,
           and
           encouraged
           them
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           
           Lord
           ;
           and
           how
           God
           hath
           broken
           those
           powers
           that
           have
           disobeyed
           and
           abused
           them
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           36.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           and
           how
           severely
           he
           hath
           dealt
           in
           
             England
          
           before
           our
           eyes
           with
           that
           generation
           of
           men
           that
           silenced
           ,
           reproached
           ,
           and
           persecuted
           them
           ;
           we
           tremble
           at
           Gods
           Judgements
           ,
           and
           dare
           not
           venter
           into
           the
           same
           consuming
           fire
           ,
           whose
           flames
           are
           yet
           so
           fresh
           in
           our
           memory
           .
        
         
           Your
           Petitioners
           having
           as
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           made
           this
           necessary
           and
           solemn
           profession
           of
           their
           Judgements
           ,
           Affections
           ,
           and
           Resolutions
           ,
           to
           acquaint
           you
           how
           far
           they
           are
           from
           approving
           or
           consenting
           to
           any
           opposers
           or
           underminers
           of
           the
           Ministry
           and
           Gospel
           of
           the
           Lord
           
             Jesus
             ,
          
           do
           humbly
           address
           themselves
           ,
           with
           these
           earnest
           requests
           ,
           to
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           continue
           your
           owning
           of
           ,
           and
           tenderest
           care
           for
           the
           upholding
           or
           an
           Able
           ,
           Godly
           ,
           Faithfull
           Ministry
           (
           of
           which
           we
           dare
           not
           doubt
           )
           but
           also
           that
           you
           will
           so
           far
           countenance
           and
           encourage
           them
           in
           the
           Lords
           Work
           ,
           and
           discountenance
           all
           that
           oppose
           them
           directly
           or
           indirectly
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           People
           of
           this
           Common-wealth
           ,
           may
           still
           see
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           your
           open
           and
           resolved
           adhering
           to
           the
           Reformed
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Interest
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           :
           and
           seeing
           all
           the
           ungodly
           (
           besides
           misguided
           distempered
           Christians
           )
           are
           ever
           discouragers
           of
           them
           ,
           God
           having
           sent
           them
           on
           a
           Work
           so
           unpleasing
           to
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           you
           will
           the
           more
           sedulously
           encourage
           them
           ,
           as
           nursing
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           to
           take
           special
           care
           of
           their
           competent
           maintenance
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           not
           have
           an
           ignorant
           Ministry
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           be
           labouring
           for
           food
           and
           raiment
           ,
           while
           they
           should
           be
           in
           their
           studies
           ,
           or
           watching
           over
           their
           flocks
           ;
           and
           that
           through
           disability
           or
           unpreparedness
           ,
           they
           disgrace
           not
           the
           work
           of
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           make
           it
           and
           their
           office
           contemptible
           ,
           thereby
           rejoycing
           the
           enemy
           ,
           and
           hindring
           the
           saving
           of
           souls
           ;
           specially
           seeing
           it
           is
           expected
           that
           they
           credit
           their
           Doctrine
           with
           works
           of
           Charity
           :
           And
           seeing
           that
           a
           dependant
           and
           beggarly
           Ministry
           will
           lose
           so
           much
           of
           their
           Authority
           with
           the
           souls
           that
           most
           need
           them
           ,
           and
           themselves
           will
           be
           laid
           open
           to
           the
           sore
           temptation
           of
           Man-pleasing
           ;
           besides
           the
           probability
           of
           the
           suffering
           of
           their
           children
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           dead
           :
           And
           if
           the
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Age
           be
           never
           so
           resolved
           to
           continue
           their
           work
           through
           all
           necessities
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           next
           Age
           the
           Church
           is
           like
           to
           be
           destitute
           and
           desolate
           ,
           because
           men
           will
           set
           their
           sons
           to
           other
           studies
           and
           imployments
           :
           We
           therefore
           humbly
           crave
           ,
           that
           this
           Honorable
           Assembly
           will
           not
           take
           down
           the
           present
           Maintenance
           by
           Tythes
           (
           though
           we
           have
           as
           much
           reason
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           those
           inconveniences
           that
           it
           is
           charged
           with
           ,
           
           as
           others
           )
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           not
           till
           they
           ,
           instead
           of
           it
           ,
           establish
           as
           sure
           ,
           and
           full
           ,
           and
           fit
           a
           Maintenance
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           take
           into
           your
           compassionate
           thoughts
           ,
           both
           the
           dark
           places
           in
           
             England
          
           and
           
             Wales
          
           which
           want
           able
           godly
           Teachers
           ;
           and
           the
           state
           of
           great
           Cities
           ,
           and
           populous
           Towns
           ,
           where
           through
           the
           exceeding
           number
           of
           souls
           ,
           one
           Minister
           hath
           more
           work
           then
           can
           possibly
           be
           done
           by
           many
           :
           whereby
           while
           they
           are
           confined
           to
           the
           publike
           work
           alone
           ,
           all
           private
           Ministerial
           Instruction
           ,
           Admonition
           ,
           and
           other
           oversight
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           neglected
           :
           That
           therefore
           to
           such
           very
           numerous
           Congregations
           ,
           you
           would
           allow
           a
           maintenance
           ,
           if
           not
           to
           Ministers
           proportionable
           to
           the
           number
           of
           souls
           ,
           and
           greatness
           of
           the
           work
           ;
           yet
           at
           least
           more
           then
           in
           smaller
           places
           :
           We
           offer
           but
           the
           same
           request
           to
           you
           ,
           in
           your
           places
           ,
           which
           Christ
           hath
           commanded
           us
           to
           offer
           to
           God
           himself
           ,
           That
           where
           the
           harvest
           is
           great
           ,
           and
           the
           Labourers
           are
           few
           ,
           more
           Labourers
           may
           be
           sent
           into
           the
           harvest
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           continue
           your
           care
           of
           the
           Universities
           ,
           and
           Schools
           of
           Learning
           ,
           and
           tenderly
           preserve
           their
           maintenance
           and
           necessary
           priviledges
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           a
           meet
           supply
           of
           Labourers
           for
           the
           continuation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           glory
           of
           
             England
          
           to
           our
           Posterity
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           And
           because
           our
           sad
           divisions
           in
           matter
           of
           Religion
           ,
           especially
           about
           Church-Government
           ,
           have
           been
           such
           a
           hinderance
           to
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           speedily
           to
           imploy
           your
           utmost
           wisdom
           and
           power
           for
           the
           healing
           of
           them
           :
           And
           to
           that
           end
           would
           call
           together
           some
           of
           the
           most
           godly
           ,
           prudent
           ,
           peaceable
           Divines
           of
           each
           party
           ,
           that
           differs
           in
           points
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           and
           lay
           upon
           them
           your
           Commands
           and
           Adjuration
           ,
           that
           they
           cease
           not
           amicable
           consulting
           and
           seeking
           God
           ▪
           till
           they
           have
           found
           out
           a
           meet
           way
           for
           accommodation
           and
           unity
           ,
           and
           acquainted
           you
           therewith
           :
           And
           if
           through
           Gods
           heavy
           displeasure
           against
           us
           he
           shall
           suffer
           the
           spirit
           of
           division
           and
           prejudice
           so
           far
           to
           prevail
           ,
           as
           to
           frustrate
           their
           consultations
           (
           the
           contrary
           whereto
           we
           should
           strongly
           hope
           )
           that
           you
           would
           be
           pleased
           to
           advise
           with
           those
           Divines
           that
           are
           most
           judicious
           and
           peaceable
           ,
           and
           least
           addicted
           to
           parties
           ;
           and
           thereupon
           to
           recommend
           at
           least
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           so
           much
           of
           Church-Order
           and
           Government
           ,
           as
           you
           finde
           to
           be
           clearly
           required
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           vouchsafe
           it
           your
           publique
           Countenance
           and
           Encouragement
           ,
           though
           you
           scruple
           an
           enforcement
           .
        
         
         
           
             These
             things
             we
             humbly
             and
             earnestly
             request
             of
             this
             Honorable
             Assembly
             ,
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             (
             to
             whom
             we
             doubt
             not
             but
             you
             are
             daily
             Petitioners
             )
             and
             of
             this
             Commonwealth
             ,
             and
             the
             souls
             of
             men
             :
             beseeching
             you
             to
             let
             the
             interest
             of
             the
             Gospel
             have
             the
             most
             speedy
             and
             resolute
             dispatch
             in
             your
             consultations
             ,
             and
             at
             least
             to
             equal
             it
             with
             our
             most
             necessary
             defence
             ,
             whereby
             you
             will
             the
             more
             engage
             Christ
             to
             defend
             both
             you
             and
             us
             ,
             whom
             you
             have
             so
             often
             found
             to
             be
             the
             surest
             defence
             :
             So
             shall
             you
             be
             called
          
           The
           Repairers
           of
           our
           Breaches
           ;
           
             And
             shall
             oblige
             us
             to
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             [
             Subscribed
             by
             above
             Six
             thousand
             .
             ]
          
        
         
           
             COl
             :
             
               Iohn
               Bridges
               ,
            
             and
             Mr.
             
               Thomas
               Foly
            
             being
             called
             in
             to
             the
             House
             ,
             Master
             Speaker
             told
             them
             ,
             the
             House
             had
             read
             and
             considered
             the
             Petition
             brought
             up
             out
             of
             the
             County
             of
             
               Worcester
               ,
            
             and
             the
             House
             had
             commanded
             him
             to
             give
             them
             thanks
             on
             the
             behalf
             of
             those
             of
             the
             County
             of
             
               Worcester
            
             that
             sent
             it
             ,
             for
             their
             good
             affections
             expressed
             therein
             :
             And
             accordingly
             he
             did
             give
             them
             the
             thanks
             of
             the
             House
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             would
             take
             their
             Petition
             into
             serious
             consideration
             in
             due
             time
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .