A collection of svndry petitions presented to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie as also to the two most honourable houses, now assembled in Parliament, and others, already signed, by most of the gentry, ministers, and free-holders of severall counties, in behalfe of episcopacie, liturgie, and supportation of church-revenues, and suppression of schismaticks / collected by a faithful lover of the church, for the comfort of the dejected clergy, and all moderately affected Protestants.
         Aston, Thomas, Sir, 1600-1645.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A26103 of text R208748 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing A4073). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
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         Wing A4073
         ESTC R208748
         12325717
         ocm 12325717
         59547
         
           
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         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 932:12)
      
       
         
           
             A collection of svndry petitions presented to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie as also to the two most honourable houses, now assembled in Parliament, and others, already signed, by most of the gentry, ministers, and free-holders of severall counties, in behalfe of episcopacie, liturgie, and supportation of church-revenues, and suppression of schismaticks / collected by a faithful lover of the church, for the comfort of the dejected clergy, and all moderately affected Protestants.
             Aston, Thomas, Sir, 1600-1645.
             Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
          
           [4], 43, [1] p.
           
             Printed for William Sheares,
             [London] :
             1642.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
             Attributed to Sir Thomas Aston. cf. BM.
             Index: p. [1] at end.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- History -- 17th century.
           Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649.
        
      
    
       A26103  R208748  (Wing A4073).  civilwar no A collection of sundry petitions presented to the Kings most excellent Majestie. As also to the two most honourable Houses, now assembled in [no entry] 1642    17791 18 0 0 0 0 0 10 C  The  rate of 10 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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        Assigned for keying and markup
      
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        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2006-04 Judith Siefring
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        2006-04 Judith Siefring
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        2006-09 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
           A
           COLLECTION
           OF
           SVNDRY
           PETITIONS
           Presented
           to
           the
           KINGS
           Most
           excellent
           Majestie
           .
           AS
           ALSO
           To
           the
           two
           most
           Honourable
           Houses
           ,
           now
           assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           AND
           OTHERS
           ,
           Already
           signed
           ,
           by
           most
           of
           the
           
             Gentry
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
          
           and
           
             Free-holders
          
           of
           severall
           Counties
           ,
           in
           behalfe
           of
           
             Episcopacie
             ,
             Liturgie
             ,
          
           and
           supportation
           of
           
             Church-Revenues
             ,
          
           and
           suppression
           of
           
             Schismaticks
             .
          
           Collected
           by
           a
           faithfull
           Lover
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           for
           the
           comfort
           of
           the
           dejected
           
             Clergy
             ,
          
           and
           all
           moderatly
           affected
           
             Protestants
             .
          
           Published
           by
           his
           Majesties
           speciall
           Command
           .
        
         
           
             Ezek.
             34.18
             ,
             20
             ,
             21
             ,
             22
             ,
             23
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             Seemeth
             it
             a
             small
             thing
             unto
             you
             to
             have
             eaten
             up
             the
             good
             pasture
             ,
             but
             you
             must
             tread
             downe
             with
             your
             feet
             the
             residue
             also
             .
             Therefore
             thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             God
             ,
             Because
             ye
             have
             thrust
             with
             side
             and
             with
             shoulder
             ,
             and
             pusht
             all
             the
             diseased
             with
             your
             hornes
             ,
             till
             you
             have
             scattered
             them
             abroad
             ;
             therefore
             will
             I
             save
             my
             flock
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             be
             no
             more
             a
             prey
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             judge
             betweene
             Cattell
             and
             Cattell
             .
             And
             I
             will
             set
             up
             one
             Shepheard
             ouer
             them
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             feede
             them
             ,
             even
             my
             servant
             
               David
               ;
            
             he
             shall
             feed
             them
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             be
             their
             Shepheard
             .
             J
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             my
             servant
             
               David
            
             a
             Prince
             among
             them
             .
             J
             the
             Lord
             have
             spoken
             it
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             William
             Sheares
             ,
          
           1642.
           
        
      
       
       
         
           
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Collector
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             READER
             ,
          
        
         
           LET
           mee
           put
           thee
           in
           mind
           (
           as
           these
           times
           doe
           mee
           )
           of
           a
           speciall
           Law
           in
           (
           that
           singular
           Patterne
           of
           a
           well
           composed
           State
           )
           
             Sparta
             .
          
           So
           sensible
           were
           they
           of
           the
           ill
           effects
           of
           Innovations
           in
           Government
           ,
           that
           who
           ever
           proposed
           a
           new
           Law
           ,
           presented
           himselfe
           with
           a
           Halter
           about
           his
           neck
           ,
           his
           Head
           paid
           the
           trespasse
           of
           a
           new
           invented
           Prejudice
           .
           But
           oh
           ;
           
             Quantum
             mutantur
             Tempora
             ,
             quantum
             nos
             ,
          
           So
           rare
           a
           gift
           have
           the
           illuminated
           fancies
           of
           this
           all-knowing
           age
           ,
           That
           old
           women
           without
           Spectacles
           can
           discover
           Popish
           plots
           ,
           young
           men
           and
           prentizes
           assume
           to
           regulate
           the
           Rebellion
           in
           
             Jreland
             ,
          
           Sea-men
           and
           Marriners
           Reforme
           the
           House
           of
           Peers
           ,
           Poore
           men
           ,
           Porters
           ,
           and
           Labourers
           spy
           out
           a
           malignant
           party
           ,
           and
           discipline
           them
           ;
           The
           countrey
           clouted-shoe
           renew
           the
           decayed
           trade
           of
           the
           Citie
           .
           The
           Cobler
           patch
           up
           a
           Religion
           ,
           &
           all
           these
           petition
           for
           a
           translation
           ,
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           with
           so
           little
           feare
           of
           the
           Halter
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           thinke
           themselves
           neglected
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           thanks
           for
           their
           care
           of
           the
           Re-publicke
           ;
           only
           he
           that
           desires
           the
           ratification
           of
           an
           old
           Law
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           long
           setled
           Ecclesiastick
           Government
           ,
           lookes
           as
           if
           the
           Halter
           were
           his
           share
           ;
           And
           though
           there
           be
           thirty
           thousand
           hands
           subscribed
           to
           it
           ;
           'T
           is
           ods
           ,
           not
           one
           of
           all
           those
           dares
           preferre
           a
           Petition
           to
           that
           purpose
           :
           
             Oh!
             Quis
             pudor
             quod
             non
             praestet
             fides
             quod
             praestitit
             infidelitas
             .
          
           Oh!
           what
           a
           shame
           is
           it
           that
           an
           ignorant
           Seperatist
           shall
           covertly
           draw
           Subscribers
           out
           of
           blind
           zeale
           to
           loose
           papers
           ,
           and
           those
           to
           be
           annext
           to
           some
           
             Embryon
          
           yet
           unhatcht
           ,
           and
           delivered
           in
           the
           name
           of
           a
           County
           ,
           with
           confidence
           ,
           when
           a
           Knight
           of
           a
           shire
           shall
           perhaps
           smother
           the
           true
           child
           ,
           and
           dares
           not
           owne
           it
           .
           That
           a
           few
           Innovators
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           summon
           to
           
             Black-heath
             ,
             South-warke
             ,
          
           and
           
             Saint-george
          
           his
           fields
           ,
           thousands
           of
           credulous
           people
           ,
           with
           implicite
           faiths
           ,
           to
           goe
           along
           with
           Petitions
           shall
           be
           shewed
           them
           when
           they
           come
           there
           ,
           for
           the
           alteration
           of
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           Government
           :
           and
           the
           Resolutions
           of
           an
           assizes
           or
           Sessions
           of
           Iustices
           ,
           published
           in
           all
           Parishes
           ,
           signed
           by
           all
           the
           Free-holders
           of
           a
           County
           for
           the
           supportation
           of
           Lawes
           and
           Government
           ,
           shall
           not
           produce
           one
           Patriot
           to
           present
           the
           unanimous
           desires
           of
           a
           County
           :
           yet
           it
           fals
           out
           often
           ▪
           so
           when
           single
           hearted
           men
           are
           encounter'd
           by
           a
           faction
           ,
           each
           man
           thinkes
           he
           stands
           alone
           unassured
           of
           a
           second
           ;
           when
           
           ten
           of
           the
           other
           confederated
           make
           more
           noyse
           then
           10000.
           silent
           men
           .
           Episcopacy
           and
           Lyturgie
           are
           both
           legally
           planted
           at
           this
           time
           both
           violently
           assaulted
           :
           The
           question
           is
           ,
           whether
           the
           battery
           ,
           or
           the
           defence
           be
           the
           stronger
           :
           the
           one
           side
           charges
           furiously
           ;
           the
           other
           suffers
           silently
           ,
           patiently
           ,
           and
           a
           reserved
           strength
           oft
           masters
           a
           violent
           :
           But
           each
           orthodox
           sonne
           of
           the
           Church
           thinkes
           himselfe
           in
           
             Eliahs
          
           case
           ,
           that
           hee
           alone
           is
           left
           of
           all
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           alas
           ,
           what
           can
           hee
           doe
           ?
           And
           perhaps
           thou
           my
           Reader
           art
           one
           of
           those
           ,
           
             Courage
             man
          
           ;
           the
           same
           God
           that
           taught
           him
           to
           know
           ,
           he
           had
           reserved
           seven
           thousand
           ,
           that
           had
           never
           bowed
           their
           knees
           to
           
             Baall
             ,
          
           when
           he
           opens
           thy
           eyes
           ,
           can
           shew
           thee
           not
           seven
           ,
           but
           seventy
           times
           seven
           thousand
           true
           Protestants
           ,
           that
           will
           lend
           their
           hands
           and
           hearts
           to
           uphold
           that
           Apostolicke
           order
           ,
           this
           blessed
           forme
           of
           divine
           service
           .
           The
           busines
           is
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           hard
           time
           ,
           every
           man's
           afraid
           to
           breake
           his
           shins
           by
           being
           foremost
           :
           But
           the
           Ice
           is
           broke
           already
           .
           This
           Collection
           of
           these
           many
           sleeping
           Petitions
           wil
           shew
           every
           County
           that
           the
           way
           is
           open
           :
           And
           since
           noise
           and
           number
           are
           taken
           into
           consideration
           ,
           the
           forwardnesse
           of
           the
           Assaylants
           will
           ,
           I
           beleeve
           ,
           put
           shame
           upon
           the
           Defendants
           to
           be
           so
           farre
           behind
           .
           The
           Iudges
           being
           honourable
           ,
           and
           impartially
           receiving
           the
           arguments
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           I
           presume
           none
           will
           discover
           a
           distrust
           of
           a
           faire
           acceptance
           ,
           or
           betray
           a
           Trust
           (
           out
           of
           a
           personall
           respect
           )
           by
           detayning
           such
           Petitions
           ,
           as
           the
           Counties
           have
           committed
           into
           their
           hands
           .
           If
           all
           such
           as
           are
           already
           signed
           see
           the
           light
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           this
           volume
           will
           be
           a
           large
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           Number
           ,
           and
           quality
           of
           the
           Defendants
           ,
           as
           much
           over-sway
           the
           Opponents
           ;
           as
           their
           arguments
           drawne
           from
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           will
           out-weigh
           the
           Motives
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           only
           will
           ,
           because
           they
           will
           .
           As
           if
           it
           were
           cause
           enough
           to
           overthrow
           established
           Lawes
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           desired
           it
           ,
           though
           they
           shew
           no
           reason
           for
           it
           :
           But
           if
           all
           other
           Counties
           ,
           all
           true
           Protestants
           with
           like
           liberty
           expresse
           their
           affections
           ;
           the
           distractions
           of
           the
           Church
           will
           be
           quickly
           setled
           ;
           To
           that
           good
           worke
           I
           have
           lent
           my
           hand
           ,
           by
           lending
           thee
           and
           the
           world
           this
           light
           .
           
             Farewell
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           PETITION
           DELIVERED
           In
           to
           the
           Lords
           SPIRITUALL
           and
           TEMPORALL
           .
           By
           Sir
           THOMAS
           ASTON
           
             Baronet
             ,
          
           from
           the
           County
           
             Palatine
          
           of
           
             Chester
             ,
          
           concerning
           EPISCOPACY
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           High
           and
           Honourable
           Court
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           The
           Nobility
           ,
           Knights
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           
             Palatine
          
           of
           
             Chester
             ,
          
           whose
           Names
           are
           subscribed
           in
           the
           severall
           Schedules
           hereunto
           annexed
           .
           
             Humbly
             shew
             ;
          
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           divers
           Petitions
           have
           lately
           beene
           carried
           about
           this
           County
           ,
           against
           the
           present
           forme
           of
           Church-governement
           ,
           (
           and
           the
           hands
           of
           many
           persons
           of
           ordinary
           quality
           solicited
           to
           the
           same
           ,
           with
           pretence
           to
           bee
           presented
           to
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           )
           which
           wee
           conceiving
           not
           so
           much
           to
           aime
           at
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           absolute
           Innovation
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           must
           give
           a
           great
           advantage
           to
           the
           Adversaries
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           wee
           held
           it
           our
           duty
           to
           disavow
           them
           all
           .
        
         
           And
           humbly
           pray
           ,
           that
           wee
           incurre
           no
           miscensure
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           clamours
           have
           (
           without
           our
           privity
           )
           assum'd
           the
           name
           of
           the
           County
           .
        
         
           Wee
           ,
           as
           others
           ,
           are
           sensible
           of
           the
           common
           grievances
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           and
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           rejoyce
           at
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           with
           
           thankefulnesse
           ,
           the
           pious
           care
           which
           is
           already
           taken
           for
           the
           suppressing
           of
           the
           growth
           of
           Popery
           ,
           the
           better
           supply
           of
           able
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           the
           removing
           of
           all
           Innovation
           ;
           and
           wee
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           in
           your
           great
           Wisedomes
           you
           will
           regulate
           the
           rigour
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Courts
           ,
           to
           suit
           with
           the
           temper
           of
           our
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           the
           nature
           of
           Free-men
           .
        
         
           Yet
           when
           wee
           consider
           ,
           that
           Bishops
           were
           instituted
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           That
           they
           were
           the
           great
           lights
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           all
           the
           first
           generall
           Counsels
           ;
           That
           so
           many
           of
           them
           sowed
           the
           seeds
           of
           Religion
           in
           their
           bloods
           ,
           and
           rescued
           Christianity
           from
           utter
           extirpation
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Heathen
           persecutions
           ;
           That
           to
           them
           wee
           owe
           the
           redemption
           of
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Gospell
           wee
           now
           professe
           from
           
             Romish
          
           corruption
           ;
           That
           many
           of
           them
           for
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           became
           such
           glorious
           Martyrs
           ;
           That
           divers
           of
           them
           (
           lately
           and
           )
           yet
           living
           with
           us
           ,
           have
           beene
           so
           great
           assertours
           of
           our
           Religion
           against
           its
           common
           enemy
           of
           
             Rome
          
           ;
           And
           that
           their
           Government
           hath
           beene
           so
           long
           approved
           ,
           so
           oft
           established
           by
           the
           Common
           and
           Statute-lawes
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ;
           And
           as
           yet
           nothing
           in
           their
           Doctrine
           (
           generally
           taught
           )
           dissonant
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           Articles
           ratified
           by
           Law
           .
           In
           this
           case
           to
           call
           their
           Government
           ,
           a
           perpetuall
           Vassalage
           ,
           an
           intollerable
           Bondage
           ;
           And
           
             (
             prima
             facie
             &
             inaudita
             altera
             parte
             )
          
           to
           pray
           the
           present
           removall
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           in
           some
           of
           their
           Petitions
           )
           to
           seeke
           the
           utter
           dissolution
           and
           ruine
           of
           their
           offices
           (
           as
           Antichristian
           )
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           to
           relish
           o●
           justice
           or
           charity
           ,
           nor
           can
           wee
           joyne
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           when
           wee
           consider
           the
           tenour
           of
           such
           writings
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Petitions
           ,
           are
           spread
           amongst
           the
           Common-people
           ;
           the
           tenents
           preached
           publiquely
           in
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           the
           contents
           of
           many
           printed
           Pamphlets
           ,
           swarming
           amongst
           us
           ;
           all
           of
           them
           dangerously
           exciting
           a
           disobedience
           to
           the
           established
           forme
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           their
           severall
           intimations
           of
           the
           desire
           of
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Keyes
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           Congregations
           may
           execute
           Ecclesiasticall
           censures
           within
           themselves
           ,
           wee
           cannot
           but
           expresse
           our
           just
           feares
           that
           their
           desire
           is
           to
           introduce
           an
           absolute
           Innovation
           of
           Presbyterall
           Government
           ,
           whereby
           wee
           who
           are
           now
           governed
           by
           the
           Canon
           and
           Civill
           Lawes
           ,
           dispensed
           by
           twenty-six
           Ordinaries
           (
           easily
           responsall
           to
           Parliaments
           for
           any
           deviation
           from
           the
           rule
           of
           Law
           )
           conceive
           wee
           should
           become
           exposed
           to
           the
           meere
           Arbitrary
           Government
           of
           a
           numerous
           Presbitery
           ,
           who
           together
           with
           their
           ruling
           Elders
           ,
           will
           arise
           to
           neere
           forty
           thousand
           Church
           Governours
           ,
           
           and
           with
           their
           adherents
           ,
           must
           needs
           beare
           so
           great
           a
           sway
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           that
           if
           future
           inconvenience
           shall
           be
           found
           in
           that
           Government
           ,
           wee
           humbly
           offer
           to
           consideration
           ,
           how
           these
           shall
           bee
           reducible
           by
           Parliaments
           ,
           how
           consistent
           with
           a
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           how
           dangerously
           conducible
           to
           an
           Anarchy
           ,
           which
           wee
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           pray
           against
           ,
           as
           fearing
           the
           consequences
           would
           prove
           the
           utter
           losse
           of
           Learning
           and
           Lawes
           ,
           which
           must
           necessarily
           produce
           an
           extermination
           of
           Nobility
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           and
           Order
           ,
           if
           not
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           With
           what
           vehemency
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           these
           things
           are
           prosecuted
           ,
           and
           how
           plausibly
           such
           popular
           infusions
           spread
           as
           incline
           to
           a
           parity
           ,
           wee
           held
           it
           our
           duty
           to
           represent
           to
           this
           Honourable
           assembly
           ;
           And
           humbly
           pray
           .
           That
           some
           such
           present
           course
           be
           taken
           ,
           as
           in
           your
           Wisdomes
           shall
           bee
           thought
           fit
           ,
           to
           suppresse
           the
           future
           dispersing
           of
           such
           dangerous
           discontents
           amongst
           the
           Common-people
           .
           Wee
           having
           great
           cause
           to
           feare
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           the
           distempers
           that
           at
           present
           threaten
           the
           well-fare
           of
           this
           State
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           more
           worthy
           the
           mature
           and
           grave
           consideration
           of
           this
           Honourable
           assembly
           ,
           then
           to
           stop
           the
           Torrent
           of
           such
           Spirits
           before
           they
           swell
           beyond
           the
           bounds
           of
           Government
           :
           Then
           wee
           doubt
           not
           but
           his
           Majesty
           persevering
           in
           his
           gracious
           inclination
           to
           heare
           the
           complaints
           ,
           and
           relieve
           the
           grievances
           of
           his
           Subjects
           in
           frequent
           Parliaments
           ,
           it
           will
           so
           unite
           the
           Head
           and
           the
           Body
           ,
           so
           indissolubly
           cement
           the
           affections
           of
           his
           people
           to
           our
           Royall
           Soveraigne
           ,
           that
           without
           any
           other
           change
           of
           Government
           ,
           Hee
           can
           never
           want
           revenue
           ,
           nor
           wee
           justice
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             
               Wee
               have
               presumed
               to
               annex
               a
               Coppy
               of
               a
               Petition
               (
               or
               Libell
               )
               dispersed
               ,
               and
               certaine
               positions
               preacht
               in
               this
               County
               ,
               which
               wee
               conceive
               ,
               imply
               matter
               of
               dangerous
               consequence
               to
               the
               peace
               both
               of
               Church
               and
               State
               .
               All
               which
               wee
               humbly
               submit
               to
               your
               great
               Judgements
               ,
               praying
               they
               may
               bee
               read
               .
               And
               shall
               ever
               pray
               .
            
          
           
             
               Subscribed
               to
               this
               Petition
               .
               
                 
                   
                     Foure
                     Noblemen
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Knight
                     Baronets
                     ,
                     Knights
                     and
                     Esquires
                     fourescore
                     and
                     odde
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Divines
                     ,
                     threescore
                     and
                     tenne
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Gentlemen
                     ,
                     three
                     hundred
                     and
                     odde
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Free-holders
                     ,
                     and
                     other
                     Inhabitants
                     ,
                     above
                     six
                     thousand
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 All
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 County
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
         
           
             To
             the
             High
             and
             Honourable
             Court
             of
             PARLIAMENT
             :
             The
             humble
             Petition
             of
             the
             Vniversity
             of
             
               OXFORD
               .
            
          
           
             Sheweth
             ,
          
           
             THat
             whereas
             the
             Vniversity
             hath
             beene
             informed
             of
             severall
             Petitions
             concerning
             the
             present
             Government
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             maintenance
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             which
             have
             of
             late
             beene
             exhibited
             to
             this
             Honourable
             Assembly
             ;
             Wee
             could
             not
             but
             thinke
             our selves
             bound
             in
             duty
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             this
             whole
             Nation
             ,
             charity
             to
             our selves
             and
             Successours
             ,
             who
             have
             ,
             and
             are
             like
             to
             have
             more
             then
             ordinary
             interest
             in
             any
             resolution
             that
             shall
             bee
             taken
             concerning
             Church-affaires
             ,
             in
             all
             humility
             ,
             to
             desire
             the
             continuance
             of
             that
             forme
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             is
             now
             established
             here
             ,
             and
             hath
             beene
             preserved
             in
             some
             of
             the
             Easterne
             and
             Westnerne
             Churches
             ,
             in
             a
             continued
             Succession
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
            
             downe
             from
             the
             very
             Apostles
             to
             this
             present
             time
             ;
             the
             like
             whereof
             cannot
             bee
             affirmed
             of
             any
             other
             forme
             of
             Government
             in
             any
             Church
             .
             Vpon
             which
             consideration
             ,
             and
             such
             other
             motives
             as
             have
             beene
             already
             represented
             to
             this
             Honourable
             Parliament
             from
             other
             Persons
             and
             places
             (
             with
             whom
             Wee
             concurre
             )
             in
             behalfe
             of
             
               Episcopacy
               .
            
             Wee
             earnestly
             desire
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             protect
             that
             ancient
             and
             
               Apostolicall
               Order
            
             from
             ruine
             or
             diminution
             .
          
           
             And
             become
             farther
             Suiters
             for
             the
             continuance
             of
             those
             pious
             Foundations
             of
             
               Cathedrall
               Churches
               ,
            
             with
             their
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             ,
          
           
             As
             dedicate
             to
             the
             Service
             and
             Honour
             of
             God
             ,
             soone
             after
             the
             Plantation
             of
             Christianity
             in
             the
             
               English
               Nation
               :
            
          
           
             As
             thought
             fit
             and
             usefull
             to
             bee
             preserved
             for
             that
             end
             ,
             when
             the
             Nurseries
             of
             Superstition
             were
             demolished
             ,
             and
             so
             continued
             in
             the
             last
             and
             best
             times
             ,
             since
             the
             blessed
             Reformation
             ,
             under
             King
             
               Edward
            
             6.
             
             Queen
             
               Elizabeth
               ,
            
             and
             King
             
               James
               ,
            
             Princes
             renowned
             through
             the
             World
             for
             their
             piety
             and
             wisdome
             :
          
           
             As
             approved
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             Lawes
             of
             this
             Land
             ,
             ancient
             and
             moderne
             :
          
           
             As
             the
             principall
             outward
             motive
             and
             encouragement
             of
             all
             Students
             ,
             especially
             in
             Divinity
             ,
             and
             the
             fittest
             reward
             of
             some
             deepe
             and
             eminent
             Schollars
             :
          
           
           
             As
             producing
             or
             nourishing
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             many
             godly
             and
             learned
             Men
             ,
             who
             have
             most
             strongly
             asserted
             the
             truth
             of
             that
             Religion
             Wee
             professe
             ,
             against
             the
             many
             fierce
             oppositions
             of
             our
             adversaries
             of
             
               Rome
               .
            
          
           
             As
             affording
             a
             competent
             portion
             in
             an
             ingenuous
             way
             to
             many
             younger
             Brothers
             of
             good
             Parentage
             ,
             who
             devote
             themselves
             to
             the
             Ministery
             of
             the
             Gospell
             :
          
           
             As
             the
             onely
             meanes
             of
             subsistence
             to
             a
             multitude
             of
             Officers
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             with
             their
             Families
             depend
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             are
             wholly
             maintained
             by
             them
             :
          
           
             As
             the
             maine
             authours
             or
             upholders
             of
             diverse
             Schooles
             ,
             Hospitals
             ,
             High-wayes
             ,
             Bridges
             ,
             and
             other
             publique
             and
             pious
             Workes
             :
          
           
             As
             speciall
             causes
             of
             much
             profit
             and
             advantage
             to
             those
             Cities
             where
             they
             are
             scituate
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             relieving
             their
             poore
             ,
             and
             keeping
             convenient
             Hospitality
             ,
             but
             by
             occasioning
             a
             frequent
             resort
             of
             Strangers
             from
             other
             parts
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             benefit
             of
             all
             Tradesmen
             ,
             and
             Inhabitants
             in
             those
             places
             :
          
           
             As
             the
             goodly
             Monuments
             of
             our
             Predecessours
             Piety
             ,
             and
             present
             Honour
             of
             this
             Kingdome
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             Forraigne
             Nations
             :
          
           
             As
             the
             chiefe
             support
             of
             many
             thousand
             Familes
             of
             the
             Laity
             who
             enjoy
             faire
             estates
             from
             them
             in
             a
             free
             way
             :
          
           
             As
             yeelding
             a
             constant
             and
             ample
             revenue
             to
             the
             Crowne
             :
          
           
             And
             as
             by
             which
             many
             of
             the
             learned
             
               Professours
            
             in
             our
             
               Vniversity
            
             are
             maintained
             .
          
           
             The
             subversion
             or
             alienation
             whereof
             must
             (
             as
             wee
             conceive
             )
             not
             onely
             bee
             attended
             with
             such
             consequences
             as
             will
             redound
             to
             the
             scandall
             of
             many
             well
             affected
             to
             our
             Religion
             ,
             but
             open
             the
             mouthes
             of
             our
             adversaries
             ,
             and
             of
             Posterity
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             is
             likely
             in
             time
             to
             draw
             after
             it
             harder
             conditions
             upon
             a
             considerable
             part
             of
             the
             Laity
             ,
             an
             universall
             cheapnesse
             and
             contempt
             upon
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             a
             lamentable
             drooping
             and
             defection
             of
             industry
             and
             knowledge
             in
             the
             
               Vniversities
            
             ;
             which
             is
             easie
             to
             foresee
             ,
             but
             will
             bee
             hard
             to
             remedy
             .
          
           
             
               May
               it
               therefore
               please
               this
               
                 Honourable
                 Assembly
                 ,
              
               upon
               these
               and
               such
               other
               Considerations
               as
               your
               great
               Wisdomes
               shall
               suggest
               ,
               to
               take
               such
               pious
               care
               for
               the
               continuance
               of
               these
               
                 Religious
                 Houses
                 ,
              
               and
               their
               Revenewes
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               best
               intentions
               of
               their
               
                 Founders
                 ,
              
               as
               may
               be
               to
               the
               most
               furtherance
               of
               Gods
               glory
               and
               service
               ,
               the
               Honour
               of
               this
               Church
               and
               Nation
               ,
               the
               advancement
               of
               
                 Religion
              
               and
               
               
                 Learning
                 ,
              
               the
               encouragement
               of
               the
               modest
               hopes
               and
               honest
               endeavours
               of
               many
               hundred
               
                 Students
              
               in
               the
               
                 Vniversities
              
            
          
           
             
               Who
               doe
               and
               shall
               ever
               pray
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   Dat.
                
                 Anno
                 Dom.
                 
                   Millesimo
                   sexcent
                   '
                   quad
                   '
                   primo
                   è
                   Domo
                   Convocationis
                   ,
                   in
                   celebri
                   Conventu
                   Doctorum
                   ac
                   Magistrorum
                   ,
                   omnibus
                   &
                   singulis
                   assentientibus
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           Honoratissimis
           viris
           Equitibus
           ,
           Civibus
           ,
           &
           Burgensibus
           Supremae
           Curiae
           Parliamentariae
           SENATORIBUS
           Consultissimis
           .
           Summa
           cum
           demissione
           .
        
         
           
             Senatores
             Honoratissimi
             ,
          
        
         
           NOn
           veremur
           ne
           voluentibus
           tanta
           negotia
           molesti
           simus
           
             Accademia
             Cantabrigiensis
             ,
          
           cum
           nihil
           sit
           aut
           ad
           
             Religionem
          
           certius
           ,
           aut
           ad
           splendorem
           nominis
           excelsius
           ,
           quàm
           suscipere
           
             Litterarum
          
           clientelam
           .
           In
           quo
           studio
           ,
           cùm
           singu●aris
           animi
           vestri
           propensio
           semper
           eluxerit
           ,
           tum
           nulla
           in
           re
           magis
           possit
           eminere
           ,
           quàm
           si
           
             Ecclesiae
          
           honestamenta
           ea
           ,
           quae
           sub
           
             optimis
             Regibus
          
           tam
           diu
           optinuerunt
           ,
           indelibata
           tucamini
           .
        
         
           Non
           enim
           agitur
           unius
           
             Accademiae
             ,
          
           non
           unius
           aetatis
           causa
           ;
           nam
           nec
           industria
           poterit
           non
           relanguescere
           ,
           nec
           bona
           indoles
           ali
           ,
           atque
           augeri
           nec
           vota
           parentum
           non
           in
           irritum
           cadere
           ,
           nisi
           spe
           non
           vana
           suffulciantur
           .
           Quàm
           praematurum
           putemus
           bonis
           artibus
           oc●asum
           imminere
           ,
           si
           stipendium
           idem
           
             Militi
          
           sit
           quòd
           
             Imperatori
             ?
          
           Sun●
           qui
           exp●diendis
           
             Scholasticorum
          
           ambagibus
           ,
           evoluendis
           antiquorum
           
             Patrum
          
           monumentis
           ,
           expurgandae
           
             feci
             Romanae
             ,
          
           velut
           
             Augiae
             stabulo
             ,
          
           se
           totus
           impenderunt
           ;
           nec
           aliam
           mercedem
           prensant
           ,
           quam
           in
           
             Ecclesia
             Cathedrali
          
           tandem
           aliquando
           quasi
           in
           portu
           conquiescere
           ;
           it
           a
           fit
           ,
           ut
           quod
           ignavis
           
             Asylum
             incitiae
          
           est
           ,
           id
           candidioribus
           ingeniis
           
             pro
             stimulo
          
           sit
           ad
           optima
           persequend●
           ,
           nec
           aequitas
           juditiorum
           vestrorum
           ferret
           ,
           improbitatem
           nonnullorum
           in
           publicam
           calamitatem
           redundare
           .
           
             Impetigo
             Romana
          
           quam
           amplam
           tum
           sibi
           nacta
           videbitur
           se
           diffundendi
           materiam
           ,
           cùm
           non
           sit
           nisi
           imbelles
           adversarios
           habitura
           ?
           neque
           enim
           certamini
           ,
           vacare
           possunt
           ,
           qui
           id
           unicè
           agunt
           ,
           
           ut
           in
           
             rostris
             Concionibus
          
           sudent
           ;
           etiam
           ▪
           num
           percentiscere
           nobis
           videmur
           undam
           atque
           inanem
           
             Accademiam
             ,
          
           &
           antiquam
           paupertatem
           quasi
           p●aeludio
           perhorrescimus
           :
           nec
           vestra
           progenies
           non
           aliquando
           ventura
           est
           in
           tantarum
           miseriarum
           partes
           .
           
             Quin
             itaque
             Senatores
             Amplissimi
             ,
             per
             spes
             Parentum
             ,
             per
             illecebras
             industriae
             ,
             per
             subsidia
             simul
             &
             ornamenta
             pietatis
             ,
             per
             vincula
             ,
             nervos
             ,
             &
             firmamenta
             Literarum
             ,
             velitis
             splendorem
             Ecclesiae
             ,
             qui
             longissimis
             ab
             usque
             temporibus
             ,
             ad
             nostra
             tempora
             deductus
             est
             ,
             authoritate
             vestra
             communire
             .
          
           Sed
           quia
           Lingua
           nativa
           dolores
           &
           desideria
           sua
           faelicius
           exprimit
           ,
           annexam
           
             Literis
             Peti●ionem
          
           benevolis
           auribus
           excipietis
           .
        
         
           
             
               Honori
               vestro
               Deditissimi
            
             Procancellarius
             ,
             reliquusque
             caetus
             Accademiae
             
               CANTABRIGIENSIS
               .
            
          
           
             
               Datae
               è
               frequenti
               Conventu
               nostro
            
             Cantabr
             .
             
               tertio
               Idus
               Aprilis
               
                 1641.
                 
              
            
             Lecta
             
               
                 12.
                 
              
               Maii
               
                 1641.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             Commons
          
           assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           
             Vniversity
          
           of
           
             CAMBRIDGE
             .
          
        
         
           Sheweth
           ,
        
         
           THat
           your
           
             Petitioners
          
           having
           heard
           of
           divers
           suggestions
           offered
           to
           this
           
             Honourable
             Court
          
           by
           way
           of
           Remonstrance
           ,
           tending
           to
           the
           subver●●on
           of
           
             Cathea
             all
             Churches
             ,
          
           and
           alienation
           of
           those
           
             Lands
             ,
          
           by
           which
           they
           are
           supported
           ,
           being
           the
           ancient
           Inheritance
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           Founded
           and
           bestowed
           by
           the
           Religious
           bounty
           of
           many
           
             Famous
             and
             Renowned
             Kings
             and
             ●rinces
             of
             this
             Land
             ,
          
           and
           other
           
             Benefactours
             ,
          
           both
           of
           the
           
             Clergy
             and
             Laity
             ,
          
           and
           established
           and
           confirmed
           unto
           them
           by
           the
           
             Lawes
          
           of
           this
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           and
           so
           accordingly
           have
           beene
           employed
           to
           the
           advancement
           of
           
             Learning
             ,
          
           the
           encouragement
           
           of
           
             Students
             ,
          
           and
           preferrement
           of
           
             Learned
             men
             ,
          
           besides
           many
           other
           pious
           and
           charitable
           
             Vses
             .
          
        
         
           May
           it
           please
           this
           
             Honourable
             Court
             ,
          
           out
           of
           their
           great
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           tender
           care
           for
           the
           cheerishing
           of
           
             Learning
             ,
          
           and
           furtherance
           of
           the
           
             Studies
             ,
          
           and
           paines
           of
           those
           who
           have
           ,
           and
           doe
           devote
           themselves
           to
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           gratiously
           to
           Protect
           ,
           and
           secure
           those
           
             Religious
             Foundations
          
           from
           ruine
           ,
           and
           Alienation
           ;
           and
           withall
           to
           take
           order
           that
           they
           may
           bee
           reduc'd
           to
           the
           due
           observation
           of
           their
           
             Statutes
             ,
          
           and
           that
           all
           
             Innovations
          
           and
           
             Abuses
             ,
          
           which
           have
           by
           some
           mens
           miscarriages
           crept
           in
           ,
           may
           bee
           reformed
           ,
           that
           so
           the
           
             Students
          
           of
           our
           
             Vniversity
             ,
          
           which
           by
           the
           present
           feares
           ,
           both
           are
           ,
           and
           will
           bee
           much
           sadded
           and
           dejected
           may
           bee
           the
           better
           invited
           to
           pursue
           their
           
             Studies
          
           with
           alacrity
           ,
           and
           the
           places
           themselves
           disposed
           to
           the
           most
           serviceable
           and
           deserving
           men
           ;
           according
           to
           their
           first
           Institution
           .
        
         
           
             And
             your
             Petitioners
             as
             in
             duty
             bound
             shall
             ever
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           
             Commons
          
           now
           assembled
           in
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           The
           most
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           Nobility
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           Commons
           within
           the
           County
           of
           
             Nottingham
             .
          
        
         
           Humbly
           shewing
           ,
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           wee
           are
           informed
           ,
           that
           a
           Petition
           ,
           together
           with
           a
           Remonstrance
           ,
           hath
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           this
           County
           ,
           beene
           heretofore
           presented
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           for
           the
           alterations
           in
           Church-Government
           .
        
         
           Wee
           doe
           humbly
           crave
           leave
           to
           certifie
           your
           Honours
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           was
           done
           without
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           or
           consent
           ,
           and
           that
           wee
           doe
           hereby
           dis-avow
           the
           same
           .
           And
           with
           the
           like
           humility
           ,
           doe
           desire
           That
           the
           long
           established
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           may
           still
           continue
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           abuses
           and
           errours
           of
           some
           particular
           persons
           may
           
           not
           cause
           the
           alteration
           of
           the
           ancient
           Government
           ;
           but
           rather
           ,
           that
           such
           persons
           should
           suffer
           according
           to
           their
           Demerits
           .
           And
           wee
           likewise
           humbly
           crave
           ,
           the
           
             Booke
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             ,
          
           by
           Law
           established
           ,
           may
           continue
           in
           force
           ,
           with
           such
           alteration
           (
           if
           there
           bee
           cause
           )
           as
           to
           your
           Honours
           Wisdomes
           shall
           seeme
           meet
           .
        
         
           
             And
             as
             in
             Duty
             bound
             ,
             Wee
             shall
             dayly
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
             Subscribed
             by
             one
             Viscount
             ,
             five
             Knights
             ,
             above
             a
             hundred
             Gentlemen
             of
             quality
             ,
             all
             the
             Clergy
             of
             the
             County
             ,
             and
             above
             six
             thousand
             Commoners
             ,
             being
             all
             of
             them
             Communicants
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           The
           Remonstrance
           and
           Petition
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Huntington
             ,
          
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           Clergy
           ,
           Free-holders
           ,
           and
           Inhabitants
           .
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           Lords
           ,
           and
           Commons
           assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           the
           
             Church-Government
             ,
          
           and
           
             Divine
             Service
             ,
          
           or
           Booke
           of
           
             Common-prayer
             .
          
        
         
           Presented
           to
           the
           House
           of
           Peeres
           by
           the
           Lord
           Privy
           Seale
           the
           
             
               8.
            
             of
             
               December
               ,
               1641.
               
            
          
        
         
           We
           humbly
           shew
           ,
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           many
           attempts
           have
           beene
           practised
           ,
           and
           divers
           Petitions
           from
           severall
           Counties
           ,
           and
           other
           places
           within
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           framed
           and
           penned
           in
           a
           close
           and
           subtle
           manner
           ,
           to
           import
           more
           than
           is
           at
           first
           discernable
           by
           any
           ordinary
           eye
           ,
           or
           that
           was
           imparted
           to
           those
           who
           signed
           the
           same
           ,
           have
           beene
           carried
           about
           to
           most
           places
           against
           the
           present
           forme
           and
           frame
           of
           
             Church-Government
             ,
          
           and
           
             Divine-Service
             ,
          
           or
           
             Common
             Prayers
             ,
          
           and
           the
           hands
           of
           many
           persons
           of
           ordinary
           quality
           sollicited
           to
           the
           same
           ,
           with
           pretence
           to
           bee
           presented
           to
           this
           Honourable
           assembly
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           under
           colour
           of
           removing
           some
           Innovations
           lately
           crept
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           reforming
           some
           abuses
           in
           the
           Ecclesiasticall
           Courts
           ,
           which
           wee
           conceiving
           and
           fearing
           not
           so
           much
           to
           aime
           at
           the
           taking
           away
           of
           the
           said
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           Reformation
           of
           abuses
           ,
           as
           tending
           to
           an
           absolute
           Innovation
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           
           and
           subversion
           of
           that
           Order
           and
           Forme
           of
           
             Divine
             Service
          
           which
           hath
           happily
           continued
           amongst
           us
           ever
           since
           the
           Reformation
           of
           Religion
           :
           Out
           of
           a
           tender
           and
           zealous
           regard
           hereunto
           ,
           wee
           have
           thought
           it
           our
           duty
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           disavow
           all
           such
           Petitions
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           manifest
           our
           publike
           affections
           ,
           and
           desires
           to
           continue
           the
           Forme
           of
           
             Divine
             Service
             ,
          
           and
           
             Common-prayers
             ,
          
           and
           the
           present
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           same
           have
           beene
           continued
           since
           the
           first
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           stand
           so
           established
           by
           the
           Lawes
           and
           Statutes
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           For
           when
           wee
           consider
           that
           the
           Forme
           of
           
             Divine
             Service
          
           expressed
           and
           contained
           in
           the
           Booke
           of
           
             Common
             prayer
             ,
          
           was
           with
           great
           care
           ,
           piety
           ,
           and
           sincerity
           ,
           revised
           and
           reduced
           from
           all
           former
           corruptions
           and
           
             Romish
          
           Superstitions
           ,
           by
           those
           holy
           and
           selected
           Instruments
           of
           the
           Reformation
           of
           Religion
           within
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           was
           by
           them
           restored
           to
           its
           first
           purity
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           was
           instituted
           and
           practised
           in
           the
           Primitive
           times
           ,
           standeth
           confirmed
           ,
           established
           ,
           and
           enjoyned
           by
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           Royall
           Injunctions
           ,
           and
           hath
           ever
           since
           had
           the
           generall
           approbation
           of
           the
           godly
           ,
           and
           a
           publike
           use
           and
           continuance
           within
           this
           Church
           .
           And
           that
           Bishops
           were
           instituted
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           their
           being
           and
           continuance
           ever
           since
           the
           first
           planting
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Christian
           World
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           the
           lights
           and
           glorious
           Lamps
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           of
           them
           sowed
           the
           seeds
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           in
           their
           blouds
           ,
           which
           they
           willingly
           powred
           out
           therefore
           ,
           that
           by
           them
           Christianity
           was
           rescued
           and
           preserved
           from
           utter
           extirpation
           in
           the
           fierce
           and
           most
           cruell
           Persecutions
           of
           Pagan
           Emperous
           ,
           that
           to
           them
           wee
           owe
           the
           redemption
           of
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           the
           Reformation
           of
           the
           Religion
           wee
           now
           professe
           ,
           from
           
             Romish
          
           corruption
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           them
           for
           the
           propagation
           of
           that
           Truth
           became
           glorious
           Martyrs
           ,
           leaving
           unto
           us
           an
           holy
           example
           ,
           and
           an
           honourable
           remembrance
           of
           their
           faith
           and
           Christian
           fortitude
           ,
           that
           divers
           of
           them
           lately
           ,
           and
           yet
           living
           with
           us
           ,
           have
           beene
           so
           great
           Assertours
           and
           Champions
           of
           our
           Religion
           against
           the
           Common
           enemy
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           and
           that
           their
           Government
           hath
           beene
           so
           ancient
           ,
           so
           long
           approved
           ,
           and
           so
           often
           established
           by
           the
           Lawes
           and
           Statutes
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           as
           yet
           nothing
           in
           their
           Doctrine
           (
           generally
           taught
           )
           dissonant
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           Articles
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           and
           that
           most
           of
           them
           are
           of
           singular
           learning
           and
           piety
           .
           In
           this
           case
           to
           call
           the
           forme
           of
           
             Divine
             Service
          
           and
           
             Common-prayers
             ,
          
           Erronious
           ,
           Popish
           ,
           Superstitious
           ,
           Idolatrous
           ,
           and
           Blasphemous
           ,
           and
           to
           call
           
           the
           Government
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           a
           perpetuall
           vassallage
           ,
           and
           intollerable
           bondage
           :
           and
           at
           the
           first
           step
           ,
           and
           before
           the
           parties
           concerned
           bee
           heard
           ,
           to
           pray
           the
           present
           removall
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           the
           utter
           dissolution
           and
           extirpation
           of
           them
           ,
           their
           Courts
           ,
           and
           their
           Officers
           ,
           as
           Antichristian
           and
           Diabolicall
           ,
           wee
           cannot
           conceive
           to
           savour
           or
           relish
           of
           piety
           ,
           justice
           ,
           or
           charity
           ,
           nor
           can
           wee
           joyne
           with
           them
           herein
           ,
           but
           rather
           humbly
           pray
           a
           Reformation
           of
           the
           abuses
           ,
           and
           punishment
           of
           the
           Offenders
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           ruine
           or
           abolition
           of
           the
           Innocent
           .
        
         
           Now
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           when
           wee
           consider
           the
           tenour
           of
           such
           writings
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Petitions
           are
           spread
           amongst
           the
           Common
           people
           ,
           the
           contents
           of
           many
           printed
           Pamphlets
           swarming
           at
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           over
           all
           Countries
           ,
           the
           Sermons
           preached
           publikely
           in
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           other
           private
           places
           ;
           and
           the
           bitter
           invectives
           divulged
           ,
           and
           commonly
           spoken
           by
           many
           disaffected
           persons
           ,
           all
           of
           them
           shewing
           an
           extreme
           aversenesse
           and
           dislike
           of
           the
           present
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Service
           or
           Common
           Prayers
           ;
           dangerously
           exciting
           a
           disobedience
           to
           the
           established
           forme
           of
           Government
           and
           Church
           Service
           ,
           their
           severall
           intimations
           of
           the
           desire
           of
           the
           power
           of
           the
           keyes
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           congregations
           may
           bee
           independent
           ,
           and
           may
           execute
           Ecclesiasticall
           censures
           within
           themselves
           ,
           whereby
           many
           Sects
           ,
           and
           severall
           and
           contrary
           opinions
           will
           soone
           grow
           and
           arise
           ,
           whereby
           great
           divisions
           and
           horrible
           factions
           will
           soone
           ensue
           thereupon
           ,
           to
           the
           breach
           of
           that
           union
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           sacred
           band
           and
           preservation
           of
           the
           Common
           peace
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           :
           their
           peremptory
           desires
           and
           bold
           assuming
           to
           themselves
           the
           liberty
           of
           conscience
           to
           introduce
           into
           the
           Church
           whatsoever
           they
           affect
           ,
           and
           to
           refuse
           and
           oppose
           all
           things
           which
           themselves
           shall
           dislike
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           dislike
           must
           not
           onely
           to
           themselves
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           all
           others
           bee
           scandalous
           and
           burdensome
           ,
           and
           must
           bee
           cried
           out
           upon
           ,
           as
           great
           and
           unsupportable
           grievances
           ,
           yea
           though
           the
           things
           in
           themselves
           bee
           never
           so
           indifferent
           ,
           of
           never
           so
           long
           continuance
           in
           use
           and
           practise
           ,
           and
           never
           so
           much
           desired
           and
           affected
           of
           others
           ,
           so
           that
           where
           three
           or
           foure
           of
           them
           bee
           in
           a
           Parish
           ,
           though
           five
           hundred
           others
           desire
           the
           use
           and
           continuance
           of
           things
           long
           used
           ,
           all
           must
           bee
           altered
           or
           taken
           away
           as
           scandals
           and
           grievances
           for
           these
           three
           or
           foure
           ,
           though
           to
           the
           offence
           of
           many
           others
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           they
           will
           have
           introduced
           ,
           must
           bee
           imposed
           upon
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           must
           by
           all
           bee
           admitted
           without
           scandall
           or
           offence
           ,
           whereby
           multitudes
           of
           godly
           and
           wel-affected
           people
           are
           in
           some
           things
           deprived
           or
           abridged
           of
           what
           they
           desire
           and
           take
           comfort
           in
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           a
           
           long
           and
           lawfull
           use
           and
           practise
           of
           ,
           and
           other
           things
           imposed
           upon
           them
           against
           their
           wils
           and
           liking
           ,
           as
           if
           no
           accompt
           were
           to
           bee
           made
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           no
           liberty
           of
           conscience
           were
           left
           unto
           them
           :
           which
           bold
           attempts
           of
           some
           few
           to
           arrogate
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           exercise
           over
           all
           others
           ,
           what
           high
           presumption
           is
           it
           ?
           and
           how
           great
           a
           tyranny
           may
           it
           prove
           over
           the
           minds
           and
           consciences
           of
           men
           ?
           The
           great
           increase
           of
           late
           of
           Schismaticks
           and
           Sectaries
           ,
           and
           of
           persons
           not
           onely
           separating
           and
           sequestring
           themselves
           from
           the
           publike
           Assembly
           at
           
             Common
             Prayers
          
           and
           
             Divine
             Service
             ,
          
           but
           also
           opposing
           ,
           and
           tumultuously
           interrupting
           others
           in
           the
           performance
           thereof
           in
           the
           publike
           Congregation
           ,
           the
           frequent
           and
           many
           Conventicles
           held
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           often
           meetings
           at
           all
           publike
           conventions
           of
           Assizes
           ,
           Sessions
           ,
           Faires
           ,
           Markets
           ,
           and
           other
           publike
           Assemblies
           ,
           their
           earnest
           labouring
           to
           sollicit
           and
           draw
           the
           people
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           generall
           correspondence
           held
           amongst
           them
           to
           advance
           their
           ends
           herein
           .
           Of
           these
           things
           wee
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           ,
           and
           must
           needs
           expresse
           our
           just
           feares
           ,
           that
           their
           desires
           and
           endeavours
           are
           to
           worke
           some
           great
           change
           and
           mutation
           in
           the
           present
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           Government
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Forme
           of
           the
           publique
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Service
           ,
           and
           Common
           Prayers
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           Common
           grievances
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           wee
           as
           others
           ,
           have
           beene
           and
           are
           sensible
           ,
           and
           doe
           professe
           that
           wee
           have
           just
           cause
           with
           joy
           and
           comfort
           to
           remember
           ,
           and
           with
           thankefulnesse
           to
           acknowledge
           ,
           the
           pious
           care
           which
           is
           already
           taken
           for
           the
           suppressing
           of
           the
           grouth
           of
           Popery
           ,
           the
           better
           supply
           of
           able
           and
           painefull
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           the
           removing
           of
           all
           Innovation
           ,
           and
           wee
           doubt
           not
           but
           in
           your
           great
           Wisdomes
           you
           will
           regulate
           the
           rigour
           and
           exorbitancy
           of
           the
           Ecclesiasticall
           Courts
           to
           suit
           with
           the
           temper
           of
           our
           Common
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           the
           nature
           and
           condition
           of
           Freemen
           :
           And
           wee
           hope
           and
           humbly
           pray
           ,
           that
           the
           present
           Forme
           of
           Church
           Government
           ,
           and
           of
           Church
           Service
           ,
           and
           Common
           Prayers
           ,
           now
           established
           by
           the
           Statutes
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           shall
           bee
           setled
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           such
           as
           shall
           oppose
           themselves
           against
           the
           same
           ,
           or
           shall
           doe
           ,
           or
           speake
           any
           thing
           in
           derogation
           or
           depraving
           of
           the
           said
           Divine
           Service
           ,
           or
           Booke
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           ,
           may
           without
           any
           further
           tolleration
           or
           connivence
           undergoe
           the
           paines
           ,
           punishment
           ,
           and
           forfeitures
           due
           therefore
           ;
           and
           that
           such
           care
           shall
           bee
           taken
           for
           placing
           of
           Orthodox
           and
           peaceable
           men
           ,
           Lecturers
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           whose
           Doctrine
           may
           tend
           rather
           to
           sound
           instruction
           and
           edification
           ,
           then
           lead
           to
           Schisme
           and
           Faction
           ;
           All
           which
           wee
           humbly
           submit
           to
           your
           great
           judgements
           ,
           and
           shall
           
           pray
           to
           God
           to
           assist
           and
           direct
           you
           from
           above
           with
           his
           heavenly
           wisdome
           ,
           to
           guide
           and
           bring
           all
           your
           consultations
           to
           happy
           conclusions
           .
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           High
           and
           Honourable
           Court
           of
           
             Parliament
          
           now
           sitting
           .
           The
           humble
           Petition
           and
           Remonstrance
           ,
           of
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Clergy
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Somerset
             .
          
        
         
           Delivered
           to
           the
           
             House
             of
             Peers
             ,
          
           by
           the
           Lord
           Marquesse
           
             Hartford
             ,
          
           
             the
             10.
             of
             
               December
               ,
            
             1641.
             
          
        
         
           Wee
           humbly
           shew
           ;
        
         
           THat
           having
           with
           griefe
           of
           mind
           heard
           of
           sundry
           Petitions
           ,
           which
           have
           beene
           exhibited
           to
           this
           Right
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           by
           some
           of
           the
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           about
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           some
           Counties
           ,
           tending
           to
           the
           subversion
           of
           the
           Church-government
           established
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           ;
           Wee
           therefore
           ,
           tendring
           the
           Peace
           and
           Welfare
           of
           Both
           ,
           Doe
           in
           all
           humblenesse
           presume
           to
           make
           knowne
           our
           Opinions
           and
           Desires
           concerning
           the
           same
           :
           Nothing
           doubting
           ,
           of
           the
           like
           good
           acceptance
           of
           our
           humble
           
             Petition
          
           and
           
             Remonstrance
          
           in
           this
           behalfe
           ;
           being
           tendred
           with
           no
           lesse
           good
           Affection
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Happinesse
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           prosperity
           of
           His
           Sacred
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           this
           whole
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           present
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           we
           are
           most
           thankefull
           to
           God
           ,
           believing
           it
           in
           our
           hearts
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           most
           pious
           and
           the
           wisest
           ,
           that
           any
           People
           or
           Kingdome
           upon
           earth
           ,
           hath
           beene
           blest
           withall
           ,
           since
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           :
           though
           wee
           may
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           through
           the
           frailty
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           corruption
           of
           Times
           ;
           some
           things
           of
           ill
           consequence
           ,
           and
           other
           needlesse
           ,
           are
           stollen
           ,
           or
           thrust
           into
           it
           ;
           which
           wee
           heartily
           wish
           may
           be
           reformed
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           restored
           to
           its
           former
           Purity
           .
           And
           to
           the
           end
           it
           may
           be
           the
           better
           preserved
           from
           present
           and
           future
           Innovation
           ;
           We
           wish
           ,
           the
           wittingly
           and
           maliciously
           guilty
           ,
           of
           what
           condition
           soever
           they
           be
           (
           whether
           Bishops
           or
           inferior
           Clergy
           )
           may
           receive
           condigne
           punishment
           .
           But
           ,
           for
           the
           miscarriage
           of
           Governours
           ,
           to
           destroy
           the
           Government
           ;
           we
           trust
           it
           
           shall
           never
           enter
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           this
           wise
           ,
           and
           Honourable
           assembly
           .
        
         
           Wee
           will
           not
           presume
           to
           dispute
           the
           Right
           of
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           whether
           it
           be
           
             Divine
          
           or
           not
           ;
           It
           sufficeth
           us
           to
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church-government
          
           by
           Bishops
           is
           ancient
           ,
           even
           neere
           to
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           :
           and
           that
           it
           hath
           pleased
           God
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           most
           glorious
           instruments
           for
           the
           propagation
           ,
           and
           preservation
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           :
           which
           with
           their
           blood
           ,
           they
           have
           frequently
           sealed
           to
           Posterity
           .
           And
           how
           much
           this
           Kingdome
           in
           particular
           is
           indebted
           to
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           Piety
           ,
           their
           Wisedomes
           ,
           and
           Sufferings
           ;
           wee
           trust
           shall
           never
           be
           forgotten
           .
           Our
           hearts
           desire
           therefore
           is
           ;
           That
           the
           
             Precious
          
           may
           be
           separated
           from
           the
           
             Vile
          
           ;
           that
           the
           bad
           may
           be
           rejected
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           retayned
           .
           Furthermore
           ,
           having
           credibly
           heard
           ,
           that
           our
           
             Common
             Prayer
          
           hath
           beene
           interrupted
           and
           despised
           of
           some
           mis-understanding
           or
           mis-led
           people
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           scandall
           of
           the
           Religion
           professed
           in
           our
           Church
           ;
           Wee
           humbly
           beseech
           you
           to
           take
           into
           your
           care
           the
           Redresse
           therof
           ,
           as
           of
           an
           Impiety
           not
           to
           be
           endured
           :
           as
           also
           to
           take
           order
           for
           the
           severe
           punishment
           of
           those
           men
           (
           if
           they
           may
           be
           discovered
           )
           who
           frequently
           publish
           Pamphlets
           ,
           under
           a
           veile
           of
           Religion
           ,
           yet
           ,
           conducing
           to
           confusion
           and
           Rebellion
           .
        
         
           All
           which
           wee
           humbly
           offer
           to
           your
           Wisedomes
           as
           the
           thoughts
           and
           desires
           of
           this
           
             County
             .
          
           And
           as
           wee
           are
           perswaded
           of
           multitudes
           of
           the
           sound
           Members
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           and
           his
           
             Sacred
             Majesties
          
           most
           loyall
           Subjects
           .
        
         
           Beseeching
           God
           to
           direct
           and
           prosper
           your
           Counsels
           ,
           and
           yee
           to
           pardon
           our
           Errors
           ;
           Wee
           rest
           At
           your
           Commands
           
             
               Knights
               ,
               Esquires
               ,
               Divines
               ,
               Gentlemen
               ,
               Free-holders
               ;
               Inhabitants
               of
               the
               County
               of
               Somerset
               ,
               (
               none
               of
               them
               Papists
               ,
               but
               all
               Protestants
               of
               the
            
             Church
             
               of
            
             England
             )
             
               and
               his
               Majesties
               loyall
               Subjects
               .
            
             14350
             
               Whereof
               ,
               Knights
               ,
               Esquires
               ,
               and
               Gentlemen
            
             —
             200
             
               Divines
            
             —
             221
          
        
         
           Io
           :
           BROVVNE
           Cler.
           Parliament
           .
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           high
           and
           honourable
           Court
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           
             Knights
             ,
             Esquires
             ,
             Gentlemen
          
           and
           Housholders
           
             in
             the
             County
             of
             RVTLAND
             ;
          
           in
           behalfe
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           our
           Families
           .
        
         
           And
           of
           the
           
             Parsons
             ,
             Vicars
          
           and
           
             Curats
          
           for
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           in
           behalfe
           of
           themselves
           and
           their
           Families
           .
        
         
           Humbly
           shewing
           ,
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           there
           have
           beene
           divers
           Petitions
           exhibited
           to
           this
           Honourable
           Court
           ,
           by
           persons
           disaffected
           to
           the
           present
           Government
           ,
           for
           the
           utter
           extirpation
           of
           the
           apostolicall
           Government
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           by
           Bishops
           ;
           They
           by
           sedulity
           ,
           and
           zeale
           supplying
           the
           want
           of
           faire
           pretences
           for
           the
           abolition
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           wee
           hope
           ,
           no
           just
           reason
           can
           condemne
           :
           and
           on
           the
           otherside
           ,
           many
           pious
           persons
           ,
           true
           sonnes
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           have
           represented
           their
           just
           desires
           of
           the
           continuance
           of
           it
           ,
           upon
           great
           and
           weighty
           causes
           ,
           both
           in
           Divinity
           and
           true
           Policy
           ;
           wee
           also
           ,
           lest
           we
           might
           seem
           unconcerned
           ,
           and
           for
           feare
           lest
           our
           silence
           should
           be
           exacted
           as
           a
           crime
           at
           our
           hands
           if
           wee
           be
           deficient
           ,
           to
           what
           wee
           are
           perswaded
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ;
           In
           pursuance
           of
           their
           pious
           intendments
           ,
           and
           in
           allowance
           of
           their
           Reasons
           ,
           doe
           also
           presse
           to
           your
           great
           Tribunal
           ,
           and
           begge
           of
           you
           that
           which
           is
           the
           honour
           of
           Kings
           ,
           to
           be
           
             Nutricij
          
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           her
           most
           ancient
           and
           successive
           Government
           .
        
         
           
             Wee
             therefore
             humbly
             beg
             of
             you
             ,
             to
             leave
             us
             in
             that
             state
             the
             Apostles
             left
             the
             Church
             in
             ;
             That
             the
             three
             Ages
             of
             Martyrs
             were
             governed
             by
             ;
             That
             the
             thirteene
             Ages
             since
             them
             have
             alwayes
             gloried
             in
             ,
             (
             by
             their
             Succession
             of
             Bishops
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             proving
             themselves
             members
             of
             the
             Catholike
             and
             Apostolike
             Church
             )
             that
             our
             Lawes
             have
             established
             ,
             so
             many
             Kings
             and
             Parliaments
             have
             protected
             ,
             into
             which
             we
             were
             baptized
             ;
             as
             certainely
             Apostolicall
             ,
             as
             the
             observation
             of
             the
             
             Lords
             Day
             ,
             as
             the
             distinction
             of
             Books
             Apocryphall
             from
             Canonicall
             ,
             as
             that
             such
             Bookes
             were
             written
             by
             such
             Evangelists
             and
             Apostles
             ;
             as
             the
             consecration
             of
             the
             Eucharist
             by
             Presbyters
             ;
             as
             any
             thing
             which
             you
             will
             doe
             by
             upholding
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             we
             againe
             and
             againe
             ,
             begge
             of
             you
             to
             doe
             ,
             having
             pitty
             on
             our
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             not
             forcing
             of
             us
             to
             seeke
             Communion
             ,
             as
             yet
             we
             know
             not
             where
             .
             So
             shall
             we
             be
             bound
             to
             pray
             with
             a
             multiplyed
             Devotion
             ,
             for
             the
             increase
             of
             publike
             ,
             and
             personall
             blessings
             to
             your
             Honourably
             assembly
             ,
             to
             your
             Noble
             Persons
             .
          
        
         
           
             Wee
             also
             doe
             with
             all
             Humility
             begge
             leave
             to
             represent
             these
             our
             Considerations
             ,
             subjoyned
             ,
             which
             wee
             hope
             you
             will
             favourably
             expound
             to
             be
             a
             well-meant
             zeale
             ,
             and
             at
             least
             ,
             a
             confidence
             of
             duty
             ,
             and
             charity
             to
             those
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             from
             whom
             wee
             have
             received
             ,
             and
             daily
             hope
             to
             receive
             ,
             many
             issues
             of
             spirituall
             Benison
             .
          
           
             1
             WEe
             consider
             that
             Christ
             ,
             either
             left
             his
             Church
             without
             a
             lasting
             Government
             ,
             or
             else
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             under
             them
             are
             that
             Government
             ;
             the
             former
             wee
             feare
             to
             say
             ,
             lest
             wee
             might
             seeme
             to
             accuse
             the
             Wisdome
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             of
             Improvidence
             ,
             in
             the
             not
             providing
             for
             his
             Family
             ;
             the
             Feeder
             and
             the
             Ruler
             in
             Scripture
             being
             all
             one
             in
             Office
             ,
             ●n
             expression
             ,
             in
             person
             :
             So
             that
             ,
             if
             hee
             left
             no
             Rulers
             ,
             hee
             left
             no
             Feeders
             ;
             The
             latter
             wee
             are
             more
             confident
             of
             ,
             for
             that
             Christ
             did
             clearely
             institute
             a
             disparity
             in
             the
             
               Clergy
               ,
            
             (
             which
             is
             the
             maine
             Stone
             of
             offence
             )
             appeares
             in
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             seventy
             two
             Disciples
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             voyce
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             and
             traditive
             Interpretation
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             respectively
             doe
             succeed
             ;
             and
             also
             many
             actually
             did
             succeed
             the
             Apostles
             in
             their
             
               Chaires
               ,
            
             being
             ordained
             Bishops
             by
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             that
             did
             survive
             ,
             and
             also
             beyond
             all
             exception
             that
             Christ
             did
             institute
             a
             Government
             ;
             appeares
             in
             those
             Evangelicall
             words
             ,
             (
             who
             then
             is
             that
             
               Faithfull
               and
               wise
               Steward
               whom
               his
               Lord
               shal
               make
               Ruler
               over
               his
               houshold
               ,
               &c.
               )
            
             which
             Rulers
             are
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Priests
             under
             them
             ,
             or
             else
             the
             Church
             hath
             beene
             Apostate
             from
             
             her
             Lord
             ,
             shee
             having
             clearely
             for
             fifteene
             hundred
             yeares
             had
             no
             other
             Rulers
             then
             such
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Wee
             consider
             that
             ,
             whether
             it
             can
             be
             a
             Church
             or
             no
             without
             Bishops
             ,
             is
             at
             least
             a
             question
             of
             great
             consideration
             ,
             and
             the
             Negative
             is
             maintained
             by
             Apostolicall
             ,
             and
             Primitive
             men
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Christendome
             ;
             and
             those
             few
             (
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             that
             dissent
             being
             most
             certainely
             ,
             not
             infallible
             ,
             to
             bee
             sure
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             a
             Church
             
               eatenus
               ,
            
             therefore
             it
             is
             the
             surest
             course
             to
             retaine
             it
             ,
             for
             feare
             we
             separate
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             Pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             Truth
             .
          
           
             3
             No
             Ordination
             never
             was
             without
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             if
             any
             Presbyter
             did
             impose
             hands
             ,
             unlesse
             in
             conjunction
             with
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             hee
             was
             accounted
             an
             Usurper
             ,
             and
             anathematized
             by
             publike
             and
             unquestioned
             authority
             ;
             and
             so
             without
             Bishops
             ,
             no
             Presbyter
             ,
             then
             no
             absolution
             ,
             no
             consecration
             of
             the
             Sacraments
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             and
             for
             these
             wants
             no
             man
             can
             make
             a
             recompence
             or
             satisfaction
             .
          
           
             4
             No
             Presbyter
             did
             ever
             impose
             hands
             on
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             
             which
             if
             so
             famous
             a
             resolve
             ,
             or
             publike
             voice
             of
             Christendome
             may
             have
             an
             estimate
             ,
             shewes
             their
             disparity
             ,
             and
             that
             a
             Bishop
             hath
             a
             Character
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             imprinted
             without
             at
             least
             ,
             an
             equall
             hand
             .
          
           
             5
             VVithout
             Bishops
             no
             Confirmation
             of
             Children
             ,
             and
             yet
             confirmation
             (
             called
             in
             Scripture
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             )
             Saint
             
               Paul
            
             in
             his
             famous
             Catechisme
             accounts
             a
             Fundamentall
             point
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             hath
             alwayes
             used
             it
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             appropriate
             to
             Bishops
             ,
             by
             the
             laudable
             custome
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             the
             case
             of
             the
             
               Samaritane
            
             Christians
             ,
             whom
             
               Phillip
            
             the
             Evangelist
             had
             converted
             ,
             and
             is
             charged
             upon
             the
             Parents
             of
             Children
             ,
             that
             they
             bring
             their
             children
             to
             Bishops
             to
             be
             confirmed
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             never
             otherwise
             ,
             but
             just
             as
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             
               (
               videlicet
               )
            
             by
             singularity
             and
             usurpation
             ,
             till
             of
             late
             that
             the
             Iesuits
             to
             enlarge
             their
             
               Philacteries
               ,
            
             have
             striven
             to
             make
             Bishops
             not
             necessary
             ,
             by
             communicating
             Confirmation
             to
             the
             Priests
             of
             their
             Order
             .
          
           
             6
             To
             take
             away
             Bishops
             ,
             is
             against
             the
             Wisdome
             of
             the
             State
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             ever
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             having
             beene
             attempted
             by
             clancular
             practises
             ,
             was
             checked
             by
             the
             Princes
             respectively
             ,
             and
             their
             Councell
             ,
             and
             confidently
             ,
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             preceeding
             Parliaments
             ,
             and
             this
             although
             the
             Bishops
             then
             were
             lesse
             learned
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             infamed
             .
          
           
             7
             We
             are
             sure
             that
             Episcopall
             Government
             hath
             consisted
             with
             Monarchy
             ,
             ever
             since
             the
             
               English
            
             Monarchy
             was
             Christian
             ,
             &
             we
             are
             to
             try
             whether
             any
             innovated
             Government
             can
             or
             will
             .
          
           
           
             8
             Wee
             consider
             ,
             that
             if
             it
             could
             consist
             with
             Monarchy
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             byassed
             by
             the
             Popes
             prevalent
             incroachment
             ,
             much
             more
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             when
             the
             King
             hath
             the
             raines
             in
             his
             owne
             hand
             ,
             and
             can
             give
             them
             Lawes
             ,
             and
             ascertaines
             them
             by
             their
             immediate
             dependance
             ,
             both
             for
             their
             Baronies
             ,
             and
             Election
             ,
             and
             personall
             Iurisdiction
             on
             the
             Crowne
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Statute
             of
             Submission
             .
          
           
             9
             Wee
             consider
             that
             Saint
             
               Hierome
            
             (
             pretented
             as
             the
             maine
             Authenticke
             enemy
             against
             Episcopacy
             )
             yet
             sayes
             ,
             
             That
             Bishops
             were
             constituted
             as
             an
             antidote
             and
             deletory
             to
             dis-improve
             the
             issues
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             best
             knew
             the
             remedies
             .
             And
             now
             that
             Schismes
             multiply
             ,
             there
             is
             more
             need
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             taken
             away
             ,
             upon
             pretence
             their
             Regiment
             is
             not
             necessary
             ,
             for
             the
             taking
             them
             away
             makes
             them
             more
             necessary
             by
             the
             multiplication
             of
             Schismes
             .
          
           
             10
             All
             Learning
             will
             be
             discountenanced
             ,
             if
             not
             extinguished
             ,
             upon
             the
             demolition
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             being
             parties
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             Learning
             ;
             and
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             if
             the
             Government
             should
             be
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             Presbitery
             ,
             or
             lay
             Elders
             ,
             we
             know
             no
             reason
             sufficient
             to
             stifle
             our
             feares
             ,
             lest
             preferment
             be
             given
             to
             people
             unlearned
             and
             unfit
             to
             have
             the
             mannaging
             of
             Soules
             ,
             especially
             ,
             since
             a
             learned
             
               Clergy
            
             will
             be
             suspected
             by
             their
             Lay-Elders
             ,
             as
             too
             knowing
             to
             be
             ruled
             by
             their
             Dictates
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             have
             so
             much
             artifice
             and
             finenesse
             ,
             as
             to
             command
             by
             strength
             of
             reason
             :
             which
             our
             feares
             are
             also
             increased
             ,
             by
             considering
             that
             by
             the
             multiplication
             of
             Lay-Elders
             ,
             or
             other
             Governours
             ,
             their
             personall
             interest
             being
             increased
             partiality
             must
             be
             more
             frequent
             ,
             and
             all
             this
             is
             besides
             their
             incompetency
             of
             judging
             the
             abilities
             of
             Schollers
             .
          
           
             11
             The
             remove
             all
             of
             Bishops
             would
             be
             a
             scandall
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             many
             weake
             Christians
             ,
             who
             feare
             all
             Innovation
             ,
             as
             guilty
             of
             some
             ill
             intendments
             upon
             their
             consciences
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             the
             strongest
             ,
             which
             shewes
             it
             to
             be
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             giver
             ,
             not
             the
             weaknesse
             of
             the
             receiver
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             must
             not
             scandalize
             our
             weake
             brethren
             ,
             much
             lesse
             our
             strong
             ;
             since
             this
             will
             intrench
             upon
             us
             in
             a
             high
             measure
             ,
             they
             not
             being
             apt
             to
             be
             scandalized
             upon
             umbrages
             ,
             and
             impertinencies
             .
          
           
             12
             Where
             Bishops
             are
             not
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             an
             Honourable
             ,
             but
             Familike
             Clergy
             ,
             against
             the
             Apostolicall
             rule
             of
             double
             honour
             .
          
           
             13
             By
             putting
             downe
             Episcopacy
             ,
             wee
             deprive
             our selves
             of
             those
             solemne
             benedictions
             ,
             which
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             and
             the
             profession
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             enjoyning
             the
             Bishop
             rather
             to
             pronounce
             the
             blessing
             at
             the
             end
             of
             the
             Communion
             ,
             appropriates
             to
             Episcopall
             preheminence
             above
             Priestly
             authority
             .
          
           
           
             14
             Two
             parts
             of
             three
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             are
             governed
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             Superintendents
             (
             which
             is
             properly
             the
             Latine
             word
             of
             Bishops
             )
             and
             the
             other
             part
             that
             wants
             them
             ,
             have
             often
             wished
             them
             ,
             as
             their
             owne
             Doctors
             doe
             professe
             .
          
           
             15
             It
             is
             against
             the
             liberties
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             indulged
             to
             them
             by
             the
             
               Magna
               Charta
               ,
            
             granted
             and
             confirmed
             by
             so
             many
             Kings
             ,
             and
             about
             thirty
             Parliaments
             in
             expresse
             act
             ,
             and
             the
             violation
             of
             any
             part
             of
             it
             by
             intrenchment
             upon
             the
             right
             of
             the
             lay
             Subject
             ,
             justly
             accounted
             a
             great
             grievance
             ,
             the
             Charter
             it selfe
             being
             as
             Fundamentall
             a
             Law
             (
             as
             we
             conceive
             )
             as
             any
             other
             ,
             and
             any
             of
             us
             may
             feare
             lest
             his
             Liberties
             may
             be
             next
             in
             question
             .
          
           
             16
             The
             foure
             great
             Generall
             
               Councels
               ,
            
             in
             estimation
             next
             the
             foure
             
               Evangelists
               ,
            
             and
             by
             the
             Statutes
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             made
             the
             rules
             of
             judging
             Heresies
             ,
             were
             held
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             greatest
             fires
             and
             pests
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             the
             old
             Heresies
             ,
             were
             by
             their
             Industry
             extinct
             ;
             
             Church
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             pious
             constitutions
             by
             them
             established
             ,
             many
             Nations
             by
             them
             converted
             ,
             many
             Miracles
             done
             for
             the
             confirmation
             of
             
               Christian
               Faith
               ,
            
             one
             of
             the
             Gospels
             written
             by
             a
             Bishop
             (
             Saint
             
               Marke
            
             of
             
               Alexandria
            
             )
             if
             wee
             beleeve
             as
             authentike
             Records
             ,
             as
             any
             are
             extant
             ;
             Three
             Epistles
             of
             Saint
             
               Paul
            
             written
             to
             Bishops
             ;
             Seven
             Epistles
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             himselfe
             ,
             recorded
             in
             the
             
               Revelation
               ,
            
             and
             sent
             to
             seven
             
               Asian
            
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             all
             ancient
             Fathers
             accord
             ;
             the
             names
             of
             twelve
             men
             ,
             beside
             Apostles
             ,
             mentioned
             in
             Holy
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             all
             antiquity
             reports
             to
             have
             beene
             Bishops
             ;
             Most
             of
             the
             Fathers
             ,
             whose
             workes
             all
             Posterity
             embraces
             with
             much
             zeale
             and
             admiration
             ,
             were
             Bishops
             ;
             these
             also
             in
             our
             apprehensions
             advance
             that
             holy
             Function
             ,
             to
             a
             high
             and
             unalterable
             estimate
             .
          
           
             17
             Very
             many
             of
             the
             fairest
             Churches
             and
             Colledges
             ,
             and
             places
             of
             Religion
             ,
             were
             built
             by
             Bishops
             ;
             which
             are
             faire
             Caracters
             to
             shew
             their
             promptnesse
             to
             doe
             publike
             acts
             of
             Piety
             ,
             and
             that
             persons
             so
             qualified
             as
             they
             were
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Governours
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             fairly
             endowed
             ,
             is
             an
             excellent
             composition
             to
             advance
             publike
             designes
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Promotion
             of
             publike
             Piety
             .
          
           
             18
             Since
             it
             hath
             pleased
             this
             Honourable
             Court
             ,
             of
             late
             to
             commend
             a
             Protestation
             to
             us
             ,
             which
             we
             by
             solemne
             Vow
             engaged
             our selves
             to
             attest
             with
             our
             lives
             and
             fortunes
             ,
             the
             established
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             wee
             consider
             ,
             that
             since
             the
             36.
             article
             hath
             approved
             and
             established
             the
             booke
             of
             
               Consecration
            
             of
             Bishops
             ;
             the
             abolition
             of
             Episcopacy
             would
             nullifie
             that
             article
             ,
             and
             should
             not
             we
             make
             humble
             Remonstrance
             to
             the
             contrary
             ,
             we
             should
             suddenly
             
             recede
             from
             our
             great
             and
             solemne
             Protestation
             for
             maintenance
             of
             our
             
               Church
            
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             
               But
               may
               it
               please
               this
               Honourable
               Assembly
               ,
               wee
               consider
               on
               the
               other
               side
               .
            
          
           
             19
             The
             introducing
             of
             Lay
             Elders
             ,
             must
             needs
             bring
             an
             insupportable
             burthen
             to
             all
             Parishes
             ,
             by
             maintaining
             them
             at
             the
             Parish
             charge
             (
             for
             they
             must
             bee
             maintained
             ,
             or
             else
             a
             transgression
             is
             made
             against
             an
             Apostolicall
             Rule
             .
             For
             the
             principall
             ,
             and
             indeed
             the
             onely
             colourable
             pretended
             place
             for
             Lay
             Elders
             ,
             injoynes
             their
             maintenance
             :
             So
             that
             ,
             either
             the
             people
             must
             bee
             oppressed
             with
             so
             great
             burthens
             ,
             or
             else
             Saint
             
               Pauls
            
             Rule
             not
             obeyed
             ,
             or
             else
             there
             is
             no
             authority
             for
             Lay
             Elders
             ,
             as
             indeed
             there
             is
             not
             .
          
           
             20
             And
             also
             there
             can
             bee
             no
             lesse
             feare
             of
             Vsurpation
             upon
             the
             Temporall
             power
             by
             the
             Presbitery
             ,
             then
             is
             pretended
             from
             Episcopacy
             ,
             since
             that
             Presbitery
             challenges
             cognisance
             of
             more
             causes
             and
             persons
             ,
             then
             the
             Episcopacy
             does
             ,
             (
             so
             making
             a
             dangerous
             entrenchment
             upon
             the
             Supremacy
             )
             and
             derives
             its
             pretence
             from
             Divine
             Institution
             ,
             with
             more
             confidence
             ,
             and
             more
             immediate
             derivation
             then
             Episcopacy
             ,
             though
             indeed
             most
             vainely
             as
             wee
             conceive
             .
          
           
             21
             Wee
             crave
             leave
             also
             to
             adde
             this
             ,
             that
             these
             two
             
               (
               viz.
               )
            
             Episcopacy
             and
             Presbitery
             being
             the
             onely
             two
             in
             contestation
             ,
             if
             any
             new
             designe
             should
             justle
             Episcopacy
             ,
             wee
             are
             confident
             that
             as
             it
             hitherto
             wants
             a
             name
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             want
             a
             face
             ,
             or
             forme
             of
             reason
             (
             in
             case
             of
             Conscience
             )
             when
             it
             shall
             appeare
             .
          
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Signed
                     by
                     Knights
                     ,
                     Justices
                     ,
                     Gentry
                     ,
                     and
                     Freeholders
                     ,
                     about
                  
                   800.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     By
                     Ministers
                     ,
                     about
                     the
                     number
                     of
                  
                   40.
                   
                
              
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           
             Cheshire
          
           Petition
           for
           establishing
           of
           the
           Common-Prayer-Booke
           ,
           and
           Suppression
           of
           Schismatiques
           ,
           presented
           to
           the
           Kings
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           from
           him
           recommended
           to
           the
           House
           of
           Peeres
           ,
           by
           the
           Lord
           KEEPER
           .
           To
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           Lords
           ,
           and
           the
           Honourable
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           Assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           divers
           of
           the
           Nobility
           ,
           Justices
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           
             Palatine
          
           of
           
             Chester
             ,
          
           whose
           Names
           are
           nominated
           in
           the
           Schedule
           annexed
           .
        
         
           Your
           Petitioners
           with
           all
           cheerefulnesse
           and
           contentation
           ,
           ●ffying
           in
           the
           happy
           settlement
           of
           the
           distractions
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           by
           His
           Majesties
           pious
           care
           ,
           and
           the
           prudent
           and
           religious
           endeavours
           of
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           with
           due
           humility
           and
           obedience
           submitting
           to
           the
           unanimous
           conclusions
           thereof
           ,
           yet
           conceive
           themselves
           bound
           in
           Duty
           .
        
         
           HVmbly
           to
           represent
           to
           your
           mature
           considerations
           ,
           that
           the
           present
           disorders
           of
           many
           turbulent
           and
           ill
           disposed
           Spirits
           ,
           are
           such
           ,
           as
           give
           not
           onely
           occasion
           of
           present
           discontent
           to
           your
           Petitioners
           ,
           but
           seeme
           to
           import
           some
           ill
           event
           without
           early
           prevention
           .
        
         
           The
           pure
           seed
           of
           our
           Faith
           (
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           true
           Reformed
           Protestant
           Religion
           )
           established
           by
           so
           many
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           so
           harmoniously
           concurring
           with
           the
           confessions
           of
           all
           other
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           being
           tainted
           with
           the
           Tares
           of
           divers
           Sects
           and
           Schismes
           lately
           sprung
           up
           amongst
           us
           .
        
         
           Our
           pious
           ,
           laudable
           ,
           and
           ancient
           forme
           of
           Divine
           Service
           ,
           composed
           by
           the
           holy
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           worthy
           Instruments
           of
           Reformation
           established
           by
           the
           prudent
           Sages
           of
           State
           (
           your
           religious
           Predecessours
           )
           honoured
           by
           the
           approbation
           of
           many
           learned
           forraigne
           Divines
           ,
           subscribed
           by
           the
           Ministery
           of
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           generall
           content
           received
           by
           all
           the
           Laity
           ,
           that
           scarse
           any
           Family
           
           or
           person
           that
           can
           read
           ,
           but
           are
           furnished
           with
           the
           Bookes
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           :
           In
           the
           conscionable
           use
           whereof
           many
           Christian
           hearts
           have
           found
           unspeakable
           joy
           and
           comfort
           ,
           wherein
           the
           famous
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           our
           deare
           Mother
           ,
           hath
           just
           cause
           to
           glory
           ;
           And
           may
           shee
           long
           flourish
           in
           the
           practise
           of
           so
           blessed
           a
           
             Liturgy
          
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           now
           ,
           not
           onely
           depraved
           by
           many
           of
           those
           who
           should
           teach
           conformity
           to
           established
           Lawes
           ,
           but
           in
           contempt
           thereof
           in
           many
           places
           wholly
           neglected
           .
           All
           these
           dayly
           practised
           ,
           with
           confidence
           ,
           without
           punishment
           :
           To
           the
           great
           dejection
           of
           many
           sound
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           occasioning
           so
           great
           insultation
           and
           rejoycing
           in
           some
           Separatists
           ,
           as
           they
           not
           onely
           seeme
           to
           portend
           ,
           but
           menace
           some
           great
           alteration
           ;
           And
           not
           containing
           themselves
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           Civill
           Government
           ,
           doe
           commit
           many
           tumultuous
           ,
           (
           if
           not
           Sacrilegious
           )
           violences
           both
           by
           day
           and
           night
           upon
           divers
           Churches
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           your
           Petitioners
           being
           all
           very
           apprehensive
           of
           the
           dangerous
           consequences
           of
           Innovation
           ,
           and
           much
           scandalized
           at
           the
           present
           disorders
           .
        
         
           
             Doe
             all
             unanimously
             pray
             ,
          
        
         
           
             That
             there
             bee
             admitted
             no
             Innovation
             of
             Doctrine
             or
             Liturgy
             ,
             that
             holy
             publike
             Service
             being
             so
             fast
             rooted
             by
             a
             long
             setled
             continuance
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             that
             in
             our
             Opinion
             and
             Judgements
             it
             cannot
             bee
             altered
             (
             unlesse
             by
             the
             advice
             and
             consent
             of
             some
             Nationall
             Synode
             )
             without
             an
             universall
             discontent
             .
             And
             that
             some
             speedy
             course
             bee
             taken
             to
             suppresse
             such
             Schismatiques
             and
             Separatists
             ,
             whose
             factious
             Spirits
             doe
             evidently
             endanger
             the
             peace
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             .
          
        
         
           
             And
             your
             Petitioners
             shall
             ever
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               
                 The
                 Petition
                 signed
                 by
                 Lords
                 ,
                 Knights
                 ,
                 Iustices
                 of
                 the
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Esquires
                 :
                 94.
                 
              
               
                 By
                 Gentlemen
                 of
                 quality
                 ,
                 440.
                 
              
               
                 By
                 Divines
                 ,
                 86.
                 
              
               
                 By
                 Freeholders
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 ;
                 8936.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           
             Kings
          
           Most
           Excellent
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           And
           to
           the
           High
           Court
           of
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           
             Colledges
          
           and
           
             Halls
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           well-willers
           to
           Piety
           and
           Learning
           ,
           throughout
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
           Sheweth
           ,
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           many
           Persons
           dis-affected
           to
           the
           present
           forme
           of
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           (
           established
           not
           onely
           by
           the
           Ecclesiasticall
           ,
           but
           also
           by
           the
           Common
           Law
           of
           this
           Realme
           ,
           and
           diverse
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           )
           have
           of
           late
           in
           great
           multitudes
           petitioned
           this
           Honourable
           Court
           against
           the
           Orders
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           Iurisdiction
           ,
           and
           meanes
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ;
           And
           have
           published
           such
           their
           desires
           in
           print
           ,
           and
           Pulpit
           ,
           and
           dayly
           seeke
           to
           advance
           and
           propagate
           the
           same
           :
           To
           the
           great
           disheartning
           of
           all
           Learning
           ,
           (
           if
           such
           designes
           find
           favour
           )
           the
           grievous
           scandall
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           as
           unstable
           ,
           and
           the
           unspeakeable
           advantage
           of
           our
           Enemies
           of
           
             Rome
             .
          
        
         
           WEe
           therefore
           (
           well
           weighing
           ,
           that
           the
           Seminaries
           must
           decay
           when
           the
           Garden
           shall
           bee
           wasted
           )
           in
           all
           humility
           most
           heartely
           pray
           Your
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           this
           Honourable
           Court
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Orders
           of
           Holy
           Church
           ,
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           and
           Decons
           ,
           which
           from
           the
           Apostles
           times
           till
           these
           ,
           have
           withstood
           so
           many
           Practices
           ,
           may
           have
           yet
           hopes
           to
           flourish
           under
           Your
           gracious
           Protection
           .
           And
           that
           by
           your
           assistance
           ,
           under
           our
           most
           Religious
           Soveraigne
           ,
           the
           ancient
           Catholique
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           as
           also
           the
           devout
           and
           decent
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           our
           Church
           Liturgy
           ,
           may
           bee
           defended
           from
           all
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           Novelties
           :
           The
           meanes
           and
           liberties
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           as
           well
           Cathedrall
           ,
           and
           Collegeat
           ,
           as
           Parochiall
           ,
           to
           them
           hitherto
           of
           right
           belonging
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           pious
           Wills
           of
           their
           blessed
           Founders
           ,
           may
           bee
           continued
           and
           preserved
           :
           Many
           thousand
           Families
           which
           on
           them
           depend
           ,
           secured
           from
           ruine
           :
           And
           that
           our
           Nation
           ,
           whose
           Lawes
           already
           favour
           as
           much
           as
           any
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           right
           of
           the
           First
           borne
           ,
           may
           retaine
           Ecclesiasticall
           promotions
           ,
           as
           the
           Patrimony
           of
           younger
           Children
           ,
           the
           prize
           of
           labour
           and
           study
           ,
           an
           incitement
           of
           learning
           ,
           and
           a
           reward
           of
           those
           that
           can
           intitle
           themselves
           thereto
           by
           honest
           desert
           .
        
         
           
             
               And
               your
               Petitioners
               shall
               ever
               pray
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
             
               This
               Petition
               is
               subscribed
               ,
               generally
               by
               all
               the
            
             Doctors
             ,
             Masters
             ,
             
               and
            
             Batchelours
             
               of
               all
               Degrees
               and
               Faculties
               in
               the
               Vniversity
               of
            
             Oxford
             ;
             
               And
               by
               very
               many
               other
               persons
               of
               quality
            
             :
             Baronets
             ,
             Knights
             ,
             Esquires
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             
               and
            
             Gentlemen
             ,
             
               within
               the
               Counties
               of
            
             Oxford
             ,
             Berks
             ,
             Wilts
             South-hampton
             ,
             Dorset
             ,
             Kent
             ,
             Surrey
             ,
             Westmerland
             ,
             Cumberland
             ,
             
               and
               other
               Shires
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           Devonshire
           Petition
           .
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           Lords
           
             Spirituall
          
           and
           
             Temporall
             ,
          
           now
           assembled
           in
           the
           House
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           The
           humble
           Information
           and
           Petition
           ,
           of
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Esquires
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           and
           others
           of
           ability
           ,
           within
           the
           Diocesse
           of
           
             Exeter
             .
          
        
         
           WEe
           whose
           Names
           are
           underwritten
           ,
           have
           for
           these
           many
           yeares
           ,
           found
           the
           benefit
           and
           comfort
           of
           
             Episcopall
             Government
             ,
          
           under
           which
           wee
           have
           lived
           hitherto
           peacebly
           ,
           and
           happily
           ,
           with
           great
           freedome
           and
           frequency
           of
           the
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           incouragement
           of
           the
           conscionable
           and
           painefull
           Preachers
           thereof
           .
           As
           wee
           blesse
           God
           for
           his
           favour
           to
           us
           in
           the
           behalfe
           ,
           So
           wee
           doe
           humbly
           and
           earnestly
           professe
           our
           desire
           that
           the
           same
           Government
           may
           bee
           still
           continued
           both
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           posterity
           ,
           submitting
           all
           personall
           offences
           ,
           and
           redresse
           of
           abuses
           to
           your
           Honourable
           Wisdomes
           .
        
         
           
             
               In
               witnesse
               whereof
               wee
               have
               hereunto
               subscribed
               .
            
             Signed
             by
             Knights
             ,
             Esquires
             ,
             Gentlemen
             ,
             and
             other
             Inhabitants
             ,
             neere
             upon
             
               Eight
               thousand
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Staffordshire
           Petition
           .
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           LORDS
           ,
           and
           COMMONS
           assembled
           in
           the
           High
           Court
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           
             The
             humble
             Petition
             of
             the
          
           Knights
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           ,
           within
           the
           County
           of
           
             STAFFORD
             ,
          
           hereunto
           subscribed
           .
        
         
           Who
           Most
           humbly
           pray
           ,
        
         
           THat
           the
           present
           publique
           forme
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           ,
           and
           administration
           of
           the
           blessed
           Sacrament
           ,
           with
           other
           Rites
           agreeable
           to
           Gods
           holy
           Word
           ,
           and
           purest
           antiquity
           ,
           which
           hath
           beene
           formerly
           ,
           sundry
           times
           established
           by
           godly
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           may
           now
           againe
           in
           these
           broken
           and
           troubled
           times
           ,
           bee
           to
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           Peace
           ,
           re-established
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           .
        
         
           That
           Episcopacy
           being
           the
           ancientest
           ,
           and
           Primitive
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           renowned
           for
           successes
           ,
           victorious
           against
           Schismes
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           especially
           of
           late
           yeares
           ,
           against
           that
           
             Hydra
          
           of
           Heresies
           ,
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Papacy
           ,
           glorious
           for
           ancient
           and
           late
           Martyrdomes
           ,
           happy
           before
           the
           corruption
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           since
           the
           Reformation
           in
           the
           Plantation
           ,
           and
           Preservation
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Peace
           ;
           eminently
           serviceable
           to
           this
           Common-wealth
           ,
           most
           compliable
           with
           the
           Civill
           Government
           (
           into
           the
           Fabrick
           ,
           and
           body
           of
           which
           it
           is
           riveted
           ,
           and
           incorporate
           )
           &
           most
           apt
           &
           easie
           a●
           all
           times
           by
           the
           State
           to
           be
           reduced
           into
           Order
           ,
           may
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           as
           formerly
           ,
           by
           your
           Great
           Authority
           bee
           continued
           ,
           and
           maintained
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           preservation
           of
           Order
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Vnity
           ,
           the
           Reformation
           and
           suppression
           of
           wickednesse
           and
           vice
           ,
           and
           the
           mature
           prevention
           of
           Schismes
           ,
           Factions
           ,
           and
           Seditions
           .
           The
           which
           wee
           ,
           your
           humble
           Petitioners
           ,
           the
           more
           earnestly
           beseech
           your
           Honours
           to
           grant
           ,
           For
           that
           strong
           feare
           doe
           possesse
           our
           hearts
           ,
           that
           the
           sudden
           mutation
           of
           a
           Government
           so
           long
           setled
           ,
           so
           well
           knowne
           ,
           and
           approved
           ,
           cannot
           recompence
           with
           any
           proportionable
           utility
           ,
           the
           disturbances
           ,
           and
           disorders
           which
           it
           may
           worke
           by
           novelty
           ,
           being
           most
           confident
           ,
           in
           your
           Honours
           ,
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           Iustice
           ;
           That
           all
           excessive
           exorbitances
           ,
           and
           incroachments
           ,
           
           which
           shall
           bee
           found
           issuing
           ,
           not
           from
           any
           poison
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Discipline
           ,
           but
           rather
           from
           the
           infirmity
           ,
           or
           corruption
           of
           the
           person
           (
           unto
           which
           the
           very
           best
           Government
           is
           subject
           ,
           shall
           bee
           duely
           regulated
           ,
           and
           corrected
           .
        
         
           
             
               And
               your
               Petitioners
               shall
               duly
               pray
               for
               your
               Honours
               happiest
               proceedings
               .
            
             Subscribed
             by
             3000.
             of
             the
             best
             quality
             of
             the
             County
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           
             Kings
          
           Most
           Excellent
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           And
           to
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           LORDS
           ,
           and
           the
           Honourable
           the
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           
             The
             most
             humble
             Petition
             of
             divers
          
           Baronets
           ,
           Knights
           ,
           Iustices
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Freeholders
           ,
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             KENT
             ,
          
           within
           the
           Diocesse
           of
           
             CANTERBURY
             .
          
        
         
           Most
           humbly
           shewing
           ,
        
         
           THat
           notwithstanding
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           hath
           by
           the
           singular
           providence
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           for
           many
           yeares
           last
           past
           ,
           happily
           flourished
           ,
           above
           all
           other
           Nations
           in
           the
           Christian
           World
           ,
           under
           the
           Religion
           and
           Government
           by
           Law
           established
           :
           Yet
           hath
           it
           beene
           of
           late
           most
           miserably
           distracted
           through
           the
           sinister
           practises
           of
           some
           private
           persons
           ill
           affected
           to
           them
           both
           .
        
         
           By
           whose
           meanes
           the
           present
           Government
           is
           disgraced
           and
           traduced
           ,
           The
           Houses
           of
           God
           are
           prophaned
           ,
           and
           in
           part
           defaced
           ,
           The
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           are
           contemned
           and
           despised
           ,
           The
           Ornaments
           ,
           and
           many
           Vtensils
           of
           the
           Church
           are
           abused
           ,
           The
           Liturgy
           and
           Booke
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           depraved
           ,
           and
           neglected
           ,
           That
           absolute
           modell
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           
             The
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
          
           vilified
           ,
           The
           Sacraments
           of
           the
           Gospell
           in
           some
           places
           unduly
           administred
           ,
           in
           other
           places
           omitted
           ,
           Solemne
           dayes
           of
           fasting
           observed
           ,
           and
           appointed
           by
           private
           persons
           ,
           Marriages
           illegally
           Solemnized
           ,
           Burials
           uncharitably
           performed
           ,
           And
           the
           very
           Fundamentall
           of
           our
           Religion
           subverted
           ,
           by
           the
           publication
           of
           a
           new
           Creed
           ,
           and
           teaching
           the
           abrogation
           of
           the
           Morall
           Law
           .
           
           For
           which
           purpose
           ,
           many
           offensive
           Sermons
           are
           dayly
           Preached
           ,
           and
           many
           impious
           Pamphlets
           printed
           ,
           and
           in
           contempt
           of
           authority
           ,
           Many
           doe
           what
           seemeth
           good
           in
           their
           owne
           eyes
           ,
           onely
           as
           if
           there
           were
           no
           King
           ,
           nor
           Government
           ,
           in
           this
           our
           
             Israel
             .
          
        
         
           Whereby
           Almighty
           God
           is
           highly
           provoked
           ,
           his
           sacred
           Majesty
           dishonoured
           ,
           The
           peace
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           endangered
           ,
           The
           Consciences
           of
           the
           people
           disquieted
           ,
           The
           Ministers
           of
           Gods
           Word
           disheartned
           ,
           and
           the
           Enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           emboldned
           in
           their
           enterprises
           .
        
         
           
             For
             redresse
             whereof
             ,
             May
             it
             please
             this
             Great
             and
             Honourable
             Councell
             ,
             speedily
             to
             command
             a
             due
             observation
             of
             the
             Religion
             and
             Government
             ,
             by
             Law
             established
             ;
             in
             such
             manner
             ,
             as
             it
             may
             seeme
             best
             to
             the
             Piety
             and
             Wisdome
             of
             his
             Royall
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             this
             Honourable
             Court
             .
          
        
         
           
             Your
             Petitioners
             as
             they
             shall
             Confidently
             expect
             a
             blessing
             from
             Heaven
             upon
             this
             Church
             and
             Kingdome
             ,
             So
             shall
             they
             have
             this
             further
             cause
             to
             implore
             the
             Divine
             Assistance
             upon
             this
             Most
             Honourable
             Assembly
             .
          
           
             
               Subscribed
               by
            
             
               
                 Knight
                 Barronets
                 ,
                 and
                 Knights
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Esquires
                 and
                 Gentlemen
                 of
                 note
                 ,
                 above
                 300.
                 
              
               
                 Divines
                 108.
                 
              
               
                 Freeholders
                 ,
                 and
                 Subsidie
                 men
                 800.
                 
              
            
             All
             within
             the
             Diocesse
             of
             
               Canterbury
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             Commons
          
           assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           
             Gentry
             ,
             Clergy
             ,
          
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           ,
           subscribed
           ,
           of
           the
           Counties
           of
           
             Flint
             ,
             Denbigh
             ,
             Mountgomery
             ,
             Carnarvan
             ,
             Anglesey
             ,
             Merioneth
             ,
          
           being
           the
           sixe
           Shires
           
             of
             Northwales
             .
          
        
         
           As
           it
           was
           presented
           this
           present
           
             
               March
            
             the
             
               5.
               1641.
               
            
          
           Acccompanied
           with
           thirty
           thousand
           hands
           .
        
         
           WHereas
           the
           present
           condition
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           (
           in
           the
           publike
           Liturgy
           thereof
           ,
           in
           the
           ancient
           liberties
           and
           
           forme
           of
           Government
           ,
           as
           they
           doe
           now
           stand
           established
           by
           Law
           )
           hath
           beene
           lately
           brought
           in
           question
           ,
           and
           manifold
           Petitions
           from
           the
           severall
           quarters
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           other
           such
           like
           addresses
           concerning
           the
           same
           ,
           have
           beene
           presented
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           .
        
         
           Wee
           his
           Majesties
           faithfull
           Subjects
           in
           the
           Principalities
           and
           Counties
           of
           
             North-wales
          
           whom
           it
           equally
           concerneth
           ,
           and
           as
           strongly
           tied
           in
           duty
           and
           conscience
           ,
           doe
           likewise
           presume
           to
           make
           our
           humble
           Remonstrance
           ,
           and
           wee
           doe
           it
           after
           a
           long
           silence
           and
           expectation
           ,
           joyned
           with
           some
           feares
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           ,
           for
           those
           things
           which
           concerne
           the
           publique
           Service
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           they
           bee
           of
           neerest
           importance
           ,
           and
           wee
           nothing
           doubt
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           take
           unto
           your
           tendrest
           thoughts
           ,
           so
           wee
           doe
           earnestly
           propound
           and
           prostrate
           before
           you
           that
           dangerous
           consequence
           of
           Innovation
           in
           matters
           of
           so
           high
           concernment
           ,
           as
           wee
           conceive
           ,
           and
           leave
           it
           to
           your
           owne
           great
           Wisdomes
           to
           Iudge
           ,
           what
           scruples
           and
           jealousies
           are
           like
           to
           arise
           ,
           if
           wee
           bee
           taught
           a
           new
           and
           different
           way
           of
           serving
           God
           after
           a
           full
           perswasion
           of
           the
           lawfulnesse
           of
           that
           which
           is
           prescribed
           according
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           without
           the
           deliberate
           ,
           and
           concurrent
           approbation
           and
           industry
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Church
           ,
           of
           this
           and
           other
           Nations
           ,
           and
           the
           possession
           of
           so
           many
           yeares
           in
           the
           practise
           thereof
           ,
           and
           all
           since
           the
           blessed
           time
           of
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           The
           meere
           report
           hereof
           hath
           already
           produced
           no
           good
           effect
           ,
           breeding
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           ill-disposed
           persons
           Insolence
           and
           contempt
           ,
           in
           others
           perplexity
           and
           griefe
           ,
           not
           knowing
           how
           to
           settle
           themselves
           ,
           or
           forme
           their
           obedience
           in
           such
           distractions
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           repugnancy
           of
           commands
           .
        
         
           Then
           for
           the
           outward
           policy
           and
           forme
           of
           Government
           ,
           under
           the
           Iurisdiction
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           bounded
           by
           Law
           ,
           and
           kept
           within
           their
           owne
           limits
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           as
           wee
           beleeve
           ,
           that
           forme
           which
           came
           into
           this
           
             Island
             ,
          
           with
           the
           first
           Plantation
           of
           Religion
           heere
           ,
           and
           God
           so
           blest
           this
           
             Island
             ,
          
           that
           Religion
           came
           earely
           in
           ,
           with
           the
           first
           dawning
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           very
           neere
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           .
           And
           in
           the
           succession
           of
           all
           after
           Ages
           ,
           the
           same
           hath
           beene
           constantly
           maintained
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           any
           eminent
           interruption
           ,
           or
           gaine-saying
           ,
           even
           till
           these
           our
           dayes
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           from
           the
           comfortable
           experience
           which
           wee
           feele
           ,
           and
           which
           our
           Fathers
           have
           told
           us
           ,
           of
           the
           conveniency
           and
           moderation
           
           of
           this
           Government
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           antiquity
           of
           the
           same
           (
           a
           strong
           argument
           of
           Gods
           speciall
           Protection
           .
           )
           Wee
           doe
           in
           all
           humility
           represent
           ,
           and
           pray
           that
           the
           same
           may
           be
           still
           preserved
           entire
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           thereof
           ,
           professing
           yet
           withall
           ,
           that
           wee
           heartily
           disclaime
           all
           scandalous
           Innovation
           ,
           and
           Popish
           corruption
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           And
           we
           are
           the
           more
           incouraged
           in
           this
           suit
           ,
           because
           wee
           find
           it
           to
           be
           the
           unanimous
           and
           undevided
           request
           and
           vote
           of
           this
           whole
           Country
           ,
           who
           cannot
           without
           some
           trembling
           entertaine
           a
           thought
           of
           change
           .
           In
           all
           which
           we
           doe
           not
           presume
           to
           give
           any
           rules
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           becomes
           us
           ,
           humbly
           declare
           and
           open
           our
           owne
           breasts
           ,
           and
           labour
           to
           deliver
           our
           owne
           soules
           in
           testimony
           of
           our
           loyalties
           ,
           and
           discharge
           of
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           who
           shall
           ever
           take
           comfort
           to
           find
           the
           same
           way
           of
           honouring
           God
           ,
           continued
           in
           his
           owne
           House
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           lawes
           of
           the
           land
           put
           to
           actuall
           execution
           ,
           the
           Peace
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           preserved
           ,
           the
           rumor'd
           alterations
           declined
           ,
           and
           the
           distractions
           already
           too
           visible
           arising
           thereupon
           avoyded
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           wee
           doubt
           not
           but
           your
           great
           Wisdomes
           will
           take
           care
           that
           our
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           established
           ,
           shall
           be
           still
           in
           force
           ,
           and
           observed
           ,
           untill
           by
           some
           absolute
           law
           ,
           and
           the
           opinions
           of
           learned
           Convocations
           ,
           or
           Synod
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Customs
           of
           our
           prudent
           fore-Fathers
           in
           best
           times
           )
           it
           be
           otherwise
           ordained
           .
        
         
           So
           shall
           wee
           never
           cease
           to
           pray
           for
           a
           permanent
           blessing
           upon
           your
           Counsels
           and
           Resolutions
           ,
           to
           the
           generall
           happinesse
           of
           Church
           and
           Kingdome
           .
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           sacred
           MAIESTIE
           ,
           of
           our
           most
           Gracious
           Soveraigne
           Lord
           ,
           King
           CHARLES
           ;
           by
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           
             England
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
             France
             ,
          
           and
           Ireland
           ,
           
             KING
             :
          
           Defender
           of
           the
           Faith
           .
           The
           humble
           Gratulation
           and
           Petition
           of
           divers
           ,
           His
           Majesties
           faithfull
           Subjects
           (
           of
           the
           true
           Protestant
           Religion
           )
           within
           the
           County
           
             Palatine
          
           of
           
             Lancaster
             .
          
        
         
           
             Most
             gracious
             Soveraigne
             ,
          
        
         
           THe
           most
           Reall
           and
           convincing'st
           testimonies
           of
           your
           Princely
           care
           ,
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           Gods
           true
           Religion
           in
           your
           Majesties
           
           Realmes
           :
           And
           the
           common
           good
           of
           all
           your
           Subjects
           .
           Could
           no
           lesse
           then
           draw
           from
           us
           (
           who
           have
           hitherto
           in
           these
           stirring
           Times
           sate
           still
           )
           this
           humble
           acknowledgement
           of
           our
           due
           and
           necessary
           thankes
           .
        
         
           Wee
           with
           the
           inmost
           and
           choicest
           thoughts
           of
           our
           soules
           ,
           doe
           esteeme
           and
           prize
           your
           Majesties
           most
           righteous
           intentions
           ,
           of
           governing
           your
           liege
           people
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           wholsome
           Lawes
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           .
           A
           thing
           so
           often
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           earnestnesse
           avowed
           by
           your
           sacred
           Majesty
           ,
           whereunto
           we
           yeeld
           that
           hearty
           credence
           ,
           which
           is
           due
           to
           so
           religious
           a
           Prince
           .
           Wee
           doe
           also
           with
           all
           humility
           and
           thankfulnesse
           acknowledge
           your
           manifold
           and
           evident
           manifestations
           ,
           (
           to
           the
           world
           )
           that
           you
           affect
           not
           an
           Arbitrary
           Government
           ,
           But
           the
           common
           prosperity
           ,
           and
           happinesse
           of
           all
           your
           loyall
           subjects
           :
           by
           your
           readines
           to
           joyn
           with
           your
           Parliament
           in
           speedy
           raysing
           of
           forces
           for
           a
           timely
           suppression
           ,
           of
           that
           odious
           Rebellion
           in
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           by
           your
           late
           .
           Proclamation
           for
           the
           putting
           in
           due
           execution
           the
           Lawes
           against
           Papists
           .
           By
           your
           most
           gracious
           condiscending
           to
           the
           desires
           of
           your
           Great
           Councell
           ,
           in
           signing
           the
           Bill
           for
           the
           trienniall
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           the
           relinquishing
           your
           Title
           of
           imposing
           upon
           Merchandize
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           pressing
           souldiers
           .
           For
           the
           taking
           away
           the
           Star-chamber
           :
           and
           High
           Commission
           Courts
           ,
           for
           regulating
           of
           the
           Councell
           Table
           ,
           As
           also
           for
           the
           Bils
           for
           the
           Forrests
           and
           Stannerie
           Courts
           ,
           with
           other
           most
           necessary
           acts
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           wee
           are
           confident
           ,
           and
           well
           assured
           of
           your
           Majesties
           zeale
           ,
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           the
           true
           Protestant
           Religion
           .
           And
           with
           inexpressible
           joy
           doe
           understand
           your
           most
           Christian
           and
           pious
           resolution
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           those
           powerfull
           encouragements
           of
           Industry
           ,
           Learning
           ,
           and
           Piety
           ,
           the
           meanes
           and
           honour
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           for
           the
           maintenance
           and
           continuance
           of
           our
           Church
           Government
           ,
           and
           solemne
           Liturgy
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           of
           long
           continuance
           ,
           and
           generall
           approbation
           of
           the
           most
           pious
           and
           learned
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           of
           other
           countries
           :
           Composed
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Primitive
           Patterne
           )
           by
           our
           blessed
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           other
           religious
           and
           learned
           men
           .
           As
           also
           your
           gracious
           pleasure
           ,
           that
           all
           abuses
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           shall
           bee
           reformed
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           modell
           of
           Queene
           
             Elizabeths
          
           dayes
           ,
           (
           of
           ever
           blessed
           and
           famous
           memory
           .
           )
           By
           the
           one
           you
           have
           weakned
           the
           hopes
           of
           the
           sacrilegious
           devourers
           of
           the
           Churches
           Patrimony
           (
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           :
           )
           And
           by
           the
           other
           provided
           against
           all
           Popish
           Impieties
           and
           Idolatries
           :
           and
           also
           against
           the
           growing
           danger
           of
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Brownists
             ,
          
           and
           other
           
             Novelists
             .
          
           All
           which
           Piety
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Iustice
           ,
           wee
           beseech
           God
           to
           
           returne
           into
           your
           Royall
           bosome
           .
           But
           yet
           most
           gracious
           Soveraigne
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           thing
           that
           sads
           our
           hearts
           ,
           and
           hinders
           the
           perfection
           of
           our
           happinesse
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           distance
           and
           mis-understanding
           between
           your
           Majesty
           and
           your
           Parliament
           ,
           whereby
           the
           hearts
           of
           your
           subjects
           are
           filled
           with
           feares
           and
           jealousies
           (
           Iustice
           neglected
           ,
           sacred
           ordinances
           prophaned
           ,
           and
           Trading
           impaired
           ,
           to
           the
           impoverishing
           of
           many
           of
           your
           liege
           people
           .
           For
           the
           Removall
           whereof
           wee
           cannot
           find
           out
           any
           lawfull
           meanes
           without
           your
           Majesties
           assistance
           and
           direction
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           we
           humbly
           beseech
           your
           most
           excellent
           Majesty
           ,
           to
           continue
           your
           most
           Christian
           and
           pious
           Resolution
           of
           ruling
           your
           people
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           maintaining
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           of
           being
           a
           zealous
           Defender
           of
           the
           estabilshed
           Doctrine
           ,
           Liturgie
           ,
           and
           Government
           of
           our
           Church
           from
           heresies
           ,
           Libertinisme
           ,
           and
           prophannesse
           ;
           an
           advancer
           of
           Learning
           ,
           Piety
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ;
           an
           Encourager
           of
           Learned
           ,
           Painefull
           ,
           Orthodox
           Preachers
           .
           And
           whatsoever
           your
           Parliament
           shall
           offer
           to
           your
           Royall
           view
           ,
           conducing
           to
           this
           blessed
           end
           ,
           the
           common
           good
           and
           tranquillity
           of
           your
           subjects
           ,
           to
           be
           pleased
           to
           condiscend
           unto
           ,
           and
           graciously
           to
           confirme
           ,
           and
           withall
           to
           declare
           unto
           us
           some
           expedient
           way
           ,
           how
           we
           may
           make
           a
           dutifull
           addresse
           unto
           your
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           the
           taking
           away
           of
           these
           differences
           and
           impediments
           ,
           which
           stay
           the
           happy
           proceedings
           (
           of
           that
           most
           honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           whereof
           your
           Majesty
           is
           the
           Head
           )
           which
           once
           removed
           ,
           wee
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           bee
           as
           neare
           your
           Parliament
           in
           Person
           ,
           as
           in
           affection
           .
           That
           there
           may
           be
           a
           blessed
           harmony
           ,
           betwixt
           your
           Highnesse
           ,
           and
           that
           great
           Councell
           ,
           wee
           shall
           with
           all
           alacrity
           oserve
           the
           same
           .
           Humbly
           rendring
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           fortunes
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           your
           Royall
           Person
           ,
           Crowne
           ,
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           bounden
           duty
           ,
           and
           allegiance
           .
           And
           heartily
           praying
           for
           your
           Majesties
           long
           and
           prosperous
           Raigne
           over
           us
           .
        
         
           
             
               Wee
               the
               Subscribers
               of
               this
               Petition
               ,
               doe
               hereby
               give
               authority
               unto
               the
               Bearers
               hereof
               ,
               to
               put
               our
               names
               to
               such
               Transcript
               hereof
               ,
               as
               shall
               be
               presented
               to
               His
               Majesty
               .
               Attested
               by
               Knights
               and
               Esquires
            
             64.
             
             
               Divines
            
             55.
             
             
               Gentlemen
            
             740.
             
             
               Free-holders
               neare
            
             7000.
             
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           MAIESTIE
           .
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Cornewall
             .
          
        
         
           WEe
           your
           Majesties
           loyall
           subjects
           ,
           In
           all
           duty
           render
           unto
           your
           Majesty
           all
           thankfulnesse
           ,
           for
           your
           Majesties
           unexampled
           favour
           ,
           and
           grace
           in
           granting
           unto
           your
           Subjects
           (
           in
           concurrence
           with
           your
           Parliament
           )
           such
           Lawes
           and
           Freedomes
           ,
           which
           have
           most
           fully
           expressed
           your
           Majesties
           Gracious
           Goodnesse
           unto
           your
           people
           ,
           And
           wee
           most
           thankfully
           receive
           your
           Majesties
           free
           offer
           of
           a
           generall
           pardon
           ,
           whereof
           wee
           most
           humbly
           desire
           to
           be
           made
           Partakers
           .
           And
           wee
           most
           humbly
           beseech
           your
           Majesty
           never
           to
           suffer
           your
           Subjects
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           an
           arbitrary
           Government
           ,
           nor
           admit
           an
           alteration
           in
           Religion
           .
           And
           your
           Petitioners
           being
           most
           feelingly
           grieved
           for
           your
           Majesties
           discontents
           :
           partly
           occasioned
           by
           divers
           scandalous
           Pamphlets
           ;
           and
           no
           way
           lessened
           by
           seditious
           Sermons
           :
           Doe
           wish
           a
           confluence
           of
           all
           comforts
           ,
           honour
           ,
           and
           happinesse
           unto
           your
           Majesty
           :
           and
           doe
           heartily
           pray
           for
           the
           reconcilement
           betwixt
           your
           Majesty
           and
           your
           Parliament
           .
           And
           in
           all
           thankfulnesse
           for
           your
           Majesties
           said
           Grace
           and
           Goodnesse
           ,
           your
           Petitioners
           doe
           offer
           themselves
           most
           ready
           to
           maintaine
           ,
           and
           defend
           with
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           fortunes
           ,
           your
           Maiesties
           sacred
           Person
           ,
           Honour
           and
           Estate
           :
           And
           lawfull
           Prerogative
           against
           all
           persons
           whatsoever
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           oaths
           of
           allegeance
           and
           Supremacy
           .
           
             May
          
           22.
           1642.
           
        
         
           
             Jndorsed
             ,
          
        
         
           
             
               Wee
               the
               Petitioners
               to
               this
               Petition
               ,
               doe
               constitute
               ,
               and
               appoint
            
             Peter
             Courtney
             ,
             Walter
             Langdon
             ,
             Benatus
             Bellot
             ,
             
               and
            
             Nevill
             Bligh
             ,
             
               Esquires
               ,
               to
               deliver
               this
               Petition
               ,
               in
               the
               name
               of
               the
               county
               of
               Cornwall
               to
               His
               sacred
               Majesty
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           assembled
           in
           Parliament
           .
           The
           Humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           Gentry
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Commonalty
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Kent
             ,
          
           agreed
           upon
           ,
           at
           the
           generall
           Assizes
           of
           the
           County
           .
        
         
           Most
           Humbly
           sheweth
           ,
        
         
           THat
           wee
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           ,
           how
           welcome
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           many
           Petitions
           have
           beene
           ,
           which
           yet
           came
           not
           from
           an
           assembled
           body
           of
           any
           county
           (
           as
           this
           doth
           )
           wee
           doe
           therefore
           hope
           to
           find
           as
           gentle
           and
           favourable
           a
           reception
           of
           this
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           have
           found
           of
           their
           Petitions
           ,
           our
           hearts
           witnessing
           unto
           us
           ,
           as
           good
           ,
           peaceable
           ,
           and
           pious
           purposes
           as
           the
           best
           .
        
         
           
             These
             are
             therefore
             the
             true
             and
             Ardent
             desires
             of
             this
             County
             .
          
        
         
           1
           That
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           accept
           our
           due
           ,
           and
           hearty
           thankes
           for
           those
           excellent
           Lawes
           (
           which
           by
           his
           Majesties
           grace
           and
           goodnesse
           )
           you
           have
           obtained
           for
           us
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           all
           Lawes
           against
           Papists
           ,
           be
           put
           in
           due
           execution
           ,
           and
           an
           account
           taken
           of
           their
           disarming
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           children
           of
           the
           Papists
           may
           be
           brought
           up
           in
           the
           reformed
           Religion
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           the
           soelmn
           
             Liturgy
          
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           (
           Celebrious
           by
           the
           piety
           of
           the
           Bishops
           and
           Martyrs
           who
           composed
           it
           )
           establisht
           by
           the
           supreame
           Lawes
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           attested
           and
           approved
           by
           the
           best
           of
           all
           Forraigne
           Divines
           ,
           confirmed
           by
           the
           subscription
           of
           all
           the
           Ministry
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           a
           Clergy
           as
           able
           and
           Learned
           as
           any
           in
           the
           Christian
           world
           ere
           injoyed
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           holy
           Love
           embraced
           by
           the
           most
           and
           best
           of
           all
           the
           Laity
           ,
           that
           this
           holy
           exercise
           of
           Religion
           may
           by
           your
           authority
           be
           injoyed
           quiet
           and
           free
           from
           interruptions
           ,
           scornes
           ,
           prophanenesse
           ,
           threats
           and
           force
           of
           such
           men
           ,
           who
           daily
           doe
           deprave
           it
           ,
           and
           neglect
           the
           use
           of
           it
           in
           divers
           Churches
           ,
           in
           despight
           of
           the
           Lawes
           established
           .
        
         
         
           4.
           
           That
           Episcopall
           Government
           ,
           as
           ancient
           in
           this
           Iland
           as
           Christianity
           it selfe
           ,
           deduced
           and
           dispersed
           throughout
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           Apostlicall
           times
           ,
           may
           bee
           preserved
           (
           as
           the
           most
           pious
           ,
           most
           prudent
           ,
           and
           most
           safe
           Government
           )
           for
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           all
           differences
           concerning
           Religion
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           may
           be
           referred
           to
           a
           lawfull
           free
           ,
           and
           Nationall
           Synod
           ,
           as
           your
           Remonstrance
           promiseth
           ,
           to
           a
           generall
           Synod
           of
           most
           grave
           ,
           learned
           ,
           pious
           and
           Iudicious
           Divines
           ,
           (
           the
           proper
           agents
           )
           whose
           interests
           ,
           gifts
           ,
           and
           callings
           ,
           may
           quicken
           them
           in
           that
           great
           Worke
           ,
           whose
           choyce
           to
           be
           by
           all
           the
           Clergy
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           because
           all
           the
           Clergy
           are
           to
           bee
           bound
           by
           their
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           the
           determination
           of
           this
           Synod
           to
           bind
           us
           all
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           first
           formed
           them
           into
           a
           Law
           ,
           and
           this
           we
           take
           to
           be
           according
           to
           the
           ancient
           and
           fundamentall
           Law
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           confirmed
           by
           
             Magna
             Charta
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           some
           speedy
           and
           good
           provision
           may
           be
           made
           (
           as
           by
           his
           Majesty
           hath
           beene
           ,
           and
           is
           by
           all
           good
           men
           desired
           )
           against
           the
           odious
           and
           abominable
           scandall
           of
           schismaticall
           and
           seditious
           Sermons
           and
           Pamphlets
           ,
           and
           some
           severe
           Law
           made
           against
           Lay-men
           ,
           for
           daring
           to
           arrogate
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           execute
           the
           holy
           function
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           who
           (
           some
           of
           them
           )
           doe
           sow
           their
           impious
           and
           discontented
           Doctrine
           even
           in
           sacred
           places
           ,
           by
           abuse
           of
           sacred
           Ordinances
           ,
           to
           the
           advancing
           of
           Heresie
           ,
           Schisme
           ,
           Prophanenesse
           ,
           Libertinisme
           ,
           Anabaptisme
           ,
           and
           Atheisme
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           That
           if
           the
           coertive
           power
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Courts
           by
           way
           of
           Excommunication
           be
           already
           abrogated
           ,
           or
           shall
           be
           thought
           fit
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           some
           other
           power
           &
           authority
           speedily
           established
           ,
           for
           suppressing
           the
           heynous
           ,
           and
           now
           so
           much
           abounding
           sins
           of
           Incest
           ,
           Adultery
           ,
           and
           Fornication
           ,
           and
           other
           crimes
           ,
           and
           for
           recovering
           Tythes
           ,
           repayring
           of
           Churches
           ,
           Probate
           of
           Wils
           ,
           Church
           assesses
           ,
           providing
           Bread
           and
           Wine
           for
           the
           Communion
           ,
           and
           choyce
           of
           Church-Wardens
           ,
           and
           other
           Officers
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           especially
           for
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           neglect
           the
           Celebrating
           of
           the
           Holy
           Communion
           ,
           and
           the
           Parishioners
           for
           not
           Receiving
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           That
           the
           Professors
           of
           that
           Learned
           faculty
           of
           the
           Civill
           Law
           ,
           and
           (
           without
           which
           this
           Kingdome
           cannot
           but
           suffer
           manifold
           Inconveniences
           )
           may
           not
           find
           discouragements
           ,
           and
           so
           divert
           their
           studies
           and
           Professions
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           That
           honour
           and
           profits
           the
           powerfull
           encouragements
           of
           Industry
           ,
           Learning
           ,
           and
           Piety
           ,
           may
           be
           preserved
           without
           further
           dimination
           to
           the
           Clergy
           .
        
         
         
           10.
           
           That
           you
           please
           sadly
           to
           consider
           the
           bleeding
           wounds
           of
           our
           Brethren
           in
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           and
           with
           speedy
           succours
           endeavour
           to
           preserve
           them
           ,
           whereunto
           his
           Majesty
           hath
           promised
           a
           gracious
           concurrence
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           That
           you
           will
           please
           to
           frame
           an
           especiall
           Law
           for
           the
           Regulating
           of
           the
           
             Militia
          
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Subject
           may
           know
           how
           at
           once
           to
           obey
           ,
           both
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           both
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           a
           Law
           whereby
           may
           bee
           left
           to
           the
           discretion
           of
           Governours
           ,
           as
           little
           as
           may
           bee
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           number
           of
           Armes
           ,
           and
           what
           measure
           of
           punishment
           shall
           bee
           inflicted
           upon
           the
           offendours
           ,
           may
           bee
           expresly
           set
           downe
           in
           the
           Act
           ,
           and
           not
           left
           to
           any
           Arbitrary
           power
           ,
           and
           that
           according
           to
           the
           president
           of
           former
           Lawes
           ,
           the
           offendours
           may
           not
           bee
           tried
           out
           of
           the
           County
           .
        
         
           12.
           
           That
           the
           precious
           liberty
           of
           the
           Subject
           (
           the
           Common
           birth-right
           of
           every
           
             English
             man
          
           )
           may
           bee
           as
           in
           all
           these
           points
           preserved
           entire
           ,
           so
           in
           this
           also
           ,
           that
           no
           order
           of
           either
           of
           both
           Houses
           ,
           not
           grounded
           on
           the
           Lawes
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           may
           be
           enforced
           on
           the
           Subject
           ,
           till
           it
           bee
           fully
           enacted
           by
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           That
           his
           Majesties
           gracious
           Message
           of
           the
           20.
           of
           
             Jan.
          
           last
           ,
           for
           the
           present
           and
           future
           establishment
           of
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           the
           free
           enjoying
           of
           our
           estates
           and
           Fortunes
           ,
           the
           Liberty
           of
           our
           persons
           ,
           the
           security
           of
           the
           true
           Religion
           professed
           ,
           the
           maintaining
           of
           his
           Majesties
           just
           and
           Regall
           Authority
           ,
           the
           establishing
           his
           Revenue
           ,
           may
           bee
           taken
           into
           speedy
           consideration
           ,
           the
           effecting
           whereof
           will
           satisfie
           the
           desires
           of
           all
           us
           ,
           his
           faithfull
           and
           loving
           Subjects
           .
        
         
           14.
           
           That
           all
           possible
           care
           may
           bee
           taken
           ,
           that
           the
           Native
           Commodities
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           may
           have
           a
           quick
           Vent
           ,
           and
           that
           Cloathing
           ,
           and
           other
           Manufactures
           may
           bee
           improved
           ,
           wherein
           the
           livelihood
           of
           many
           thousands
           doe
           consist
           ,
           and
           that
           Trade
           may
           bee
           ballanced
           ,
           that
           the
           importation
           doe
           not
           exceed
           the
           exportation
           ,
           otherwise
           it
           will
           prove
           a
           consumption
           of
           the
           Land
           .
        
         
           15.
           
           That
           you
           please
           to
           frame
           some
           Lawes
           concerning
           Depopulations
           ,
           Purveyances
           ,
           Cart-taking
           ,
           delayes
           in
           Iustice
           ,
           Traffick
           ,
           Fishing
           in
           the
           Coasts
           ,
           Fulling
           earth
           ,
           that
           our
           Sea
           Forts
           may
           bee
           repaired
           ,
           and
           our
           Magazines
           renewed
           .
        
         
           16.
           
           That
           you
           please
           to
           consider
           the
           generall
           poverty
           that
           seemes
           to
           overgrow
           this
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           17.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           Wee
           humbly
           beseech
           you
           to
           consider
           the
           sad
           condition
           ,
           that
           wee
           and
           the
           whole
           Land
           are
           in
           ,
           if
           a
           good
           understanding
           
           bee
           not
           speedily
           renewed
           betweene
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           both
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           Our
           hopes
           are
           yet
           above
           our
           feares
           ,
           secure
           them
           wee
           beseech
           you
           ,
           God
           direct
           and
           guide
           your
           consultations
           for
           the
           removing
           of
           all
           distrusts
           and
           Iealousies
           ,
           for
           the
           renuing
           that
           tye
           of
           confidence
           and
           trust
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           highest
           happinesse
           )
           betweene
           our
           gracious
           Prince
           ,
           and
           his
           loving
           Subjects
           .
        
         
           
             And
             you
             shall
             have
             the
             dayly
             prayers
             of
             your
             humble
             Oratours
             of
             the
             Commonalty
             of
          
           Kent
           .
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             Commons
          
           assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           
             Baronets
             ,
             Knights
             ,
             Esquires
             ,
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Clergy-men
             ,
             Free-holders
             ,
             Subsidy-men
             ,
          
           and
           others
           of
           good
           Rank
           and
           Quality
           in
           the
           County
           of
           
             OXFORD
             .
          
        
         
           Agreed
           upon
           ,
           and
           subscribed
           ,
           at
           the
           times
           of
           their
           meetings
           to
           take
           the
           Protestation
           sent
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           Humbly
           shewing
           ,
        
         
           THat
           whereas
           some
           
             Petitions
          
           have
           beene
           exposed
           ,
           in
           print
           ,
           the
           common
           view
           under
           the
           names
           of
           the
           
             Knights
             ,
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Freeholders
             ,
             Subsidy-men
             ,
             of
             the
             best
             Ranke
             and
             Quality
             of
             the
             County
             of
             Oxford
             ,
          
           as
           preferred
           to
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           Wee
           doe
           hereby
           crave
           leave
           ,
           to
           shew
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           that
           such
           
             Petitions
          
           have
           not
           received
           
             Publique
             Examination
          
           among
           us
           ,
           at
           any
           Generall
           meeting
           directed
           by
           
             Authority
             ,
          
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           
             County
             .
          
        
         
           ANd
           wee
           your
           now
           
             Petitioners
             ,
          
           knowing
           our selves
           to
           bee
           to
           
             Major
             part
          
           of
           those
           degrees
           within
           this
           County
           ,
           and
           as
           desirous
           to
           expresse
           our
           Gratitude
           in
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           for
           your
           unwearied
           labours
           ,
           and
           the
           happy
           effects
           thereof
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           this
           Land
           
           and
           State
           ,
           doe
           hereby
           offer
           up
           in
           all
           Humility
           ,
           the
           greatest
           expression
           of
           our
           Thankefulnesse
           :
           And
           in
           like
           manner
           ,
           our
           unanimous
           desires
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           
             Government
          
           of
           this
           
             Church
          
           may
           continue
           ,
           as
           is
           now
           by
           Law
           established
           :
           And
           that
           the
           
             Liturgy
          
           may
           bee
           setled
           with
           such
           alterations
           (
           if
           there
           bee
           cause
           )
           as
           your
           Wisdomes
           shall
           approve
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           Lawes
           against
           
             Papists
          
           which
           oppose
           our
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           And
           against
           
             Sectaries
          
           (
           of
           late
           dangerously
           encreased
           among
           us
           )
           that
           trouble
           the
           
             Peace
          
           thereof
           ,
           may
           bee
           put
           in
           full
           execution
           :
           And
           where
           those
           Lawes
           are
           defective
           ,
           such
           further
           remedy
           therein
           may
           bee
           provided
           ,
           as
           to
           your
           wisdomes
           shall
           seeme
           fit
           .
        
         
           That
           a
           free
           
             Synod
          
           of
           
             Orthodox
          
           and
           peaceable
           
             Divines
          
           may
           bee
           convened
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           forme
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             ,
          
           and
           Purest
           times
           of
           
             Christianity
             ,
          
           for
           composing
           of
           all
           differences
           in
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ceremonies
          
           of
           
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           That
           the
           Safety
           of
           this
           County
           and
           Kingdome
           may
           bee
           provided
           for
           ,
           by
           the
           disposing
           of
           such
           a
           
             Militia
             ,
          
           as
           may
           consist
           with
           the
           native
           
             Liberties
          
           of
           the
           
             Subject
             .
          
        
         
           That
           you
           would
           bee
           pleased
           to
           continue
           your
           Care
           in
           hastening
           the
           further
           Reliefe
           of
           our
           distressed
           Brethren
           in
           
             Ireland
             .
          
        
         
           And
           your
           
             Petitioners
          
           shall
           bee
           ready
           to
           maintaine
           ,
           with
           their
           
             Lives
          
           and
           
             Estates
             ,
          
           his
           
             Majesties
          
           Person
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           and
           Estate
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Rights
           and
           Priviledges
           of
           
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           
             And
             your
             Petitioners
             shall
             ever
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Most
           Honourable
           and
           High
           Court
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           :
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           the
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
           and
           other
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Cornwall
             .
          
        
         
           HAving
           seene
           and
           heard
           the
           many
           (
           though
           scarce
           divers
           )
           Petitions
           to
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           by
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           divers
           Counties
           and
           Cities
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           as
           also
           Corporations
           ,
           Companies
           ,
           and
           Trades
           ,
           some
           against
           Bishops
           ,
           some
           against
           the
           Common
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           all
           against
           such
           Iudiciall
           ,
           and
           things
           Super-elementary
           to
           the
           region
           
           of
           their
           capacity
           of
           judging
           ,
           and
           matters
           onely
           belonging
           to
           the
           Iudicature
           of
           this
           grave
           
             Synod
             ,
          
           which
           seemes
           either
           to
           distrust
           ,
           or
           direct
           ,
           or
           both
           ,
           your
           great
           Wisdomes
           ;
           Wee
           therefore
           the
           Gentlemen
           ,
           and
           other
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           
             Cornwall
             ,
          
           with
           as
           many
           hearts
           ,
           though
           not
           hands
           ,
           with
           as
           many
           good
           willes
           ,
           though
           not
           persons
           ,
           not
           in
           imitation
           ,
           but
           rather
           by
           provocation
           ,
           and
           necessity
           ,
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           to
           shew
           our
           good
           minded
           affections
           ,
           doe
           humbly
           prostrate
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           service
           to
           your
           feet
           .
           In
           which
           (
           or
           rather
           after
           which
           )
           wee
           take
           leave
           humbly
           to
           begge
           .
        
         
           THat
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           bend
           your
           auxiliary
           and
           good
           affections
           to
           the
           redresse
           of
           the
           distresse
           of
           the
           miserable
           Protestants
           in
           
             Ireland
             .
          
           To
           gaine
           whose
           good
           ,
           prosperity
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           tranquility
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           that
           Land
           to
           our
           Royall
           King
           ,
           and
           to
           maintaine
           His
           ,
           and
           this
           Kingdomes
           Honour
           ,
           We
           shall
           willingly
           lay
           downe
           our
           lives
           and
           fortunes
           .
        
         
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           continue
           your
           great
           respect
           ,
           dutifull
           love
           ,
           and
           true
           obedience
           ,
           to
           our
           Royall
           Soveraigne
           ,
           by
           maintaining
           his
           just
           ,
           and
           no
           way
           Antilegall
           Prerogative
           .
        
         
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           put
           the
           Lawes
           in
           due
           execution
           against
           all
           Iesuites
           ,
           Seminaries
           ,
           Papists
           ,
           and
           Recusants
           .
        
         
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           looke
           upon
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           and
           duly
           weighing
           the
           actions
           (
           or
           rather
           factions
           )
           of
           some
           ,
           (
           whom
           most
           men
           call
           Citizens
           )
           to
           scourge
           their
           irregular
           and
           disorderly
           Schisme
           ,
           and
           Hereticall
           Sects
           ,
           into
           right
           paths
           of
           serving
           God
           ,
           to
           frequent
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           to
           Pray
           as
           well
           as
           Heare
           ,
           to
           allow
           Order
           ,
           and
           obey
           Conformity
           ,
           to
           reverence
           Learning
           ,
           and
           bow
           to
           Authority
           ,
           to
           bee
           under
           a
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           order
           .
        
         
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           maintaine
           and
           establish
           the
           Ancient
           ,
           Fundamentall
           ,
           and
           most
           venerable
           Lawes
           ,
           Order
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           both
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           to
           continue
           the
           reverenced
           Office
           ,
           and
           punish
           the
           offending
           persons
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           to
           have
           in
           high
           account
           ,
           and
           eternize
           (
           as
           farre
           as
           in
           you
           lies
           )
           the
           Divine
           and
           excellent
           forme
           of
           Common-prayer
           ,
           to
           correct
           braine-forg'd
           doctrine
           ,
           by
           your
           examplary
           precepts
           strike
           a
           Reverence
           of
           Gods
           House
           into
           every
           mans
           breast
           .
        
         
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           intimate
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           your
           Honourable
           and
           wise
           intentions
           concerning
           Divine
           Service
           ,
           lest
           while
           you
           hold
           your
           peace
           ,
           some
           rejecting
           it
           in
           part
           ,
           others
           altogether
           ,
           they
           vainly
           conceive
           you
           countenance
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Lastly
           ,
           (
           not
           to
           trouble
           your
           great
           affaires
           any
           longer
           )
           That
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           take
           into
           your
           Sage
           consideration
           ,
           those
           Scandalous
           and
           ill-affected
           Pamphlets
           ,
           which
           fly
           abroad
           in
           such
           swarmes
           ,
           as
           are
           able
           to
           cloud
           the
           pure
           aire
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           present
           a
           darke
           ignorance
           to
           those
           who
           have
           not
           the
           two
           wings
           of
           Iustice
           and
           Knowledge
           to
           fly
           above
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           polish
           this
           our
           worke
           with
           a
           smooth
           demonstration
           of
           our
           modest
           intents
           ,
           that
           the
           tinctures
           which
           in
           Introduction
           fell
           on
           the
           fore-mentioned
           presents
           ,
           may
           slide
           without
           a
           staine
           from
           this
           ;
           Wee
           doe
           in
           all
           humility
           declare
           ,
           that
           neither
           distrust
           of
           your
           intentions
           ,
           nor
           opinion
           of
           any
           of
           our
           Counsels
           worthy
           your
           eares
           ,
           ever
           tainted
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           but
           that
           wee
           have
           still
           beene
           ,
           and
           are
           confident
           ,
           that
           this
           most
           wise
           
             Synod
          
           hath
           ever
           thought
           fit
           ,
           resolv'd
           ,
           and
           will
           confirme
           into
           action
           ,
           what
           wee
           now
           humbly
           request
           ;
           therefore
           this
           our
           present
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           a
           Petition
           ,
           as
           a
           Prayer
           of
           willing
           and
           thankefull
           hearts
           for
           the
           hoped
           sequell
           ,
           is
           onely
           to
           shew
           our
           true
           intentions
           and
           good
           will
           towards
           his
           gracious
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           this
           High
           Court
           ,
           as
           Instruments
           of
           the
           peace
           of
           our
           soules
           and
           bodies
           ,
           for
           which
           wee
           are
           unanimously
           ,
           and
           immutably
           resolv'd
           to
           spend
           our
           dearest
           bloud
           .
        
         
           
             
               Published
               by
            
             I.B.
             
             
               Gent.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           LORDS
           ,
           and
           COMMONS
           assembled
           in
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           
             The
             humble
             Petition
             of
             the
          
           Knights
           ,
           Esquires
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           ,
           within
           the
           County
           of
           
             HEREFORD
             .
          
        
         
           Who
           Most
           humbly
           pray
           ,
        
         
           THat
           the
           present
           publique
           forme
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           ,
           and
           the
           Administration
           of
           the
           blessed
           Sacraments
           ,
           with
           other
           Rites
           agreeable
           to
           Gods
           holy
           Word
           ,
           and
           purest
           Antiquity
           ,
           which
           have
           beene
           sundry
           times
           established
           by
           godly
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           may
           now
           againe
           in
           these
           broken
           and
           troubled
           times
           ,
           bee
           to
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           Peace
           ,
           re-established
           and
           confirmed
           ;
           That
           Episcopacy
           being
           the
           Ancient
           and
           Primitive
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           Renowned
           for
           Successes
           ,
           Victorious
           against
           Schismes
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           ;
           
           and
           especially
           ,
           of
           late
           yeares
           against
           that
           
             Hydra
          
           of
           Heresies
           ,
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Papacy
           ,
           Glorious
           for
           ancient
           and
           late
           Martyrdomes
           ,
           Happy
           before
           the
           corruption
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           since
           the
           Reformation
           in
           the
           plantation
           and
           preservation
           of
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           ,
           eminently
           serviceable
           to
           this
           Common-wealth
           ,
           most
           compliable
           with
           the
           Civill
           Government
           ,
           into
           the
           Fabrick
           and
           Body
           of
           which
           it
           is
           riverted
           and
           incorporated
           ,
           and
           most
           apt
           and
           easie
           at
           all
           times
           by
           the
           state
           to
           bee
           reduced
           into
           Order
           :
           may
           for
           the
           future
           (
           as
           formerly
           )
           by
           your
           great
           authority
           bee
           continued
           and
           maintained
           ,
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           preservation
           of
           Order
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Vnity
           ,
           the
           Reformation
           and
           suppression
           of
           wickednesse
           and
           vice
           ,
           and
           the
           mature
           prevention
           of
           Schismes
           ,
           Factions
           ,
           and
           Seditions
           ,
           That
           Cathedrals
           ,
           the
           Monuments
           of
           our
           Forefathers
           Charity
           ,
           the
           reward
           of
           present
           Literature
           and
           furtherance
           of
           Piety
           ,
           bee
           also
           continued
           .
        
         
           The
           which
           wee
           your
           humble
           Petitioners
           the
           more
           earnestly
           beseech
           your
           Honours
           to
           grant
           ,
           for
           that
           strange
           feares
           doe
           possesse
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           that
           the
           sudden
           Mutation
           of
           Government
           ,
           so
           long
           setled
           ,
           so
           well
           knowne
           ,
           and
           approved
           ,
           cannot
           recompence
           the
           Disturbances
           and
           Disorders
           which
           it
           may
           worke
           by
           Novelty
           ,
           with
           any
           proportionable
           utility
           ,
           being
           most
           confident
           ,
           in
           your
           Honours
           ,
           Wisdomes
           ,
           and
           Iustice
           ,
           that
           all
           Excesses
           ,
           Exorbitances
           ,
           and
           Encroachments
           ,
           that
           shall
           bee
           found
           issuing
           not
           from
           any
           poyson
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Discipline
           ,
           but
           rather
           from
           the
           infirmity
           and
           corruption
           of
           the
           Persons
           (
           unto
           which
           the
           very
           best
           Government
           is
           subject
           )
           shall
           bee
           duely
           regulated
           and
           corrected
           .
        
         
           
             
               And
               your
               Petitioners
               shall
               pray
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               
                 Subscribed
                 by
                 
                   Knights
                   ,
                   Esquires
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   Gentlemen
                
                 of
                 Quality
                 ,
                 68
              
               
                 
                   Doctours
                   ,
                
                 8
              
               
                 
                   Ministers
                   of
                   good
                   repute
                   ,
                   as
                   will
                   appeare
                   by
                   the
                   Originall
                   Petitions
                   ,
                
                 150
              
               
                 
                   Freeholders
                   and
                   Inhabitants
                   of
                   the
                   County
                   of
                
                 Hereford
                 .
                 3600
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           
             Commons
          
           assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           
             The
             humble
             Petition
             of
             the
          
           Knights
           ,
           Esquires
           ,
           Gentlemen
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           ,
           of
           the
           County
           of
           
             Cornwall
             .
          
        
         
           Humbly
           shewing
           ,
        
         
           THat
           wee
           are
           no
           lesse
           thankefull
           for
           the
           many
           excellent
           Lawes
           which
           by
           his
           Majesties
           grace
           and
           favour
           ,
           and
           your
           care
           and
           assiduousnesse
           ,
           
           you
           have
           obtained
           for
           us
           ;
           then
           those
           who
           have
           beene
           more
           forward
           to
           present
           you
           with
           Petitions
           ;
           doubting
           not
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           welcome
           this
           with
           as
           hearty
           acceptance
           ,
           as
           you
           have
           done
           any
           other
           ,
           it
           proceeding
           from
           loyall
           hearts
           to
           our
           Soveraigne
           ,
           a
           tender
           care
           of
           our
           Protestation
           ,
           and
           aboundance
           of
           affection
           to
           the
           Common-wealth
           ;
           And
           whereas
           wee
           understand
           that
           there
           is
           a
           purpose
           ,
           if
           not
           a
           presentment
           already
           to
           this
           honourable
           House
           ,
           of
           a
           Petition
           heretofore
           by
           some
           Iustices
           of
           the
           Peace
           tendred
           to
           the
           grand
           Enquest
           ,
           at
           our
           last
           Assises
           ,
           to
           be
           by
           them
           considered
           ,
           whether
           fit
           to
           be
           presented
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ;
           which
           on
           deliberate
           debate
           was
           much
           disliked
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           laid
           ;
           but
           since
           (
           as
           we
           are
           informed
           )
           indirectly
           obtruded
           on
           diverse
           persons
           ,
           without
           reading
           or
           peru●all
           ;
           many
           of
           them
           since
           retracting
           their
           opinions
           ,
           and
           wishing
           back
           their
           hands
           ;
           and
           we
           having
           resolved
           to
           rest
           upon
           the
           abilities
           ,
           and
           care
           of
           our
           Knights
           and
           Burgesses
           ,
           our
           hands
           and
           mouths
           ,
           for
           matter
           of
           our
           particular
           concernments
           ;
           yet
           since
           their
           absence
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           attendance
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           finding
           and
           feeling
           our
           owne
           grievances
           ,
           giving
           us
           just
           grounds
           and
           feare
           of
           sudden
           misery
           ,
           by
           disobedience
           and
           contempt
           of
           Lawes
           ;
           thus
           provoked
           with
           bleeding
           hearts
           ,
           wee
           beg
           the
           helpe
           of
           your
           Wisedomes
           ,
           to
           advise
           and
           apply
           some
           speedy
           remedy
           for
           these
           felt
           and
           feared
           evils
           ,
           And
           for
           as
           much
           as
           there
           are
           lately
           risen
           amongst
           us
           some
           few
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           the
           Laity
           ,
           publike
           contemners
           and
           depravers
           of
           the
           Ceremonies
           and
           the
           Service
           of
           the
           Booke
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           ,
           by
           Law
           established
           ,
           irreverent
           vilifiers
           of
           Gods
           House
           ,
           and
           Church
           Assemblies
           in
           Prayer
           times
           ,
           and
           generally
           disobedient
           to
           Ecclesiasticall
           Government
           ,
           of
           whom
           many
           have
           subscribed
           or
           subsigned
           to
           the
           recited
           Petition
           ;
           Although
           the
           said
           Ceremonies
           and
           Booke
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           ,
           are
           by
           far
           the
           greater
           and
           discreeter
           part
           of
           our
           Congregations
           inoffensively
           and
           reverently
           received
           and
           approved
           .
        
         
           1
           WE
           pray
           (
           no
           way
           presuming
           )
           to
           prescribe
           rules
           ,
           but
           submitting
           to
           your
           graver
           Judgements
           ,
           that
           a
           Nationall
           Synod
           of
           our
           learned
           ,
           and
           approved
           Clergy
           ,
           by
           the
           rest
           to
           be
           chosen
           ,
           may
           be
           convened
           ,
           and
           some
           Parliamentary
           course
           speeded
           ,
           for
           the
           ordaining
           ,
           confirming
           ,
           &
           establishing
           of
           the
           said
           Service
           Booke
           ,
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           or
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           others
           not
           repugnant
           to
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           tending
           most
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           purity
           of
           our
           Religion
           and
           Church
           ;
           before
           which
           settlement
           ,
           our
           humble
           desires
           are
           ,
           that
           a
           Parliamentary
           Declaration
           ,
           may
           speedily
           issue
           forth
           ,
           for
           requiring
           of
           obedience
           to
           the
           Lawes
           established
           .
        
         
         
           2
           We
           likewise
           humbly
           pray
           the
           continuance
           of
           that
           ancient
           and
           ever
           reverenced
           Episcopall
           Government
           in
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Delinquences
           of
           any
           particular
           person
           ,
           may
           not
           cause
           that
           high
           and
           holy
           Office
           ,
           or
           Calling
           ,
           to
           suffer
           .
        
         
           3
           We
           pray
           likewise
           that
           in
           every
           Parish
           unprovided
           ,
           there
           may
           bee
           a
           Preaching
           Minister
           ,
           and
           a
           competent
           maintenance
           raised
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           where
           Impropriations
           are
           ,
           and
           Preaching
           Ministers
           not
           sufficiently
           cared
           for
           ,
           allowance
           may
           be
           had
           or
           bettered
           .
        
         
           4
           We
           pray
           likewise
           that
           such
           of
           our
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           upon
           enquiry
           ,
           shall
           be
           found
           either
           Scandalous
           or
           not
           Orthodox
           ,
           may
           bee
           admonished
           ,
           and
           bound
           for
           the
           better
           supply
           and
           discharge
           of
           their
           Cures
           ,
           or
           removed
           .
        
         
           5
           Wee
           pray
           likewise
           that
           some
           positive
           Law
           may
           bee
           Inacted
           for
           Parsons
           and
           Vicars
           recovery
           of
           their
           Tithes
           ,
           and
           that
           such
           course
           may
           bee
           taken
           for
           the
           obtaining
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           may
           bee
           most
           speedy
           ,
           and
           least
           chargeable
           ;
           
             That
             so
             those
             that
             Minister
             at
             the
             Altar
             ,
             may
             live
             by
             the
             Altar
             .
          
        
         
           6
           We
           pray
           likewise
           that
           for
           the
           restraining
           and
           preventing
           of
           inordinate
           licenciousnesse
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           some
           penall
           Law
           Inacted
           for
           the
           punishment
           of
           Adulteries
           ,
           and
           diverse
           other
           offences
           not
           punishable
           by
           the
           Common
           Law
           .
        
         
           7
           As
           likewise
           that
           there
           may
           be
           some
           Coersive
           power
           or
           Law
           ,
           ordained
           for
           compelling
           of
           refactory
           men
           to
           the
           payment
           of
           their
           rates
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           reparations
           of
           their
           Parish
           Churches
           ,
           in
           which
           of
           late
           some
           are
           growne
           very
           remisse
           and
           backward
           .
        
         
           8
           Wee
           pray
           likewise
           that
           great
           care
           may
           bee
           taken
           not
           onely
           for
           disarming
           of
           Recusants
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Education
           of
           their
           children
           in
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           .
        
         
           9
           Wee
           likewise
           pray
           that
           some
           speedy
           course
           may
           bee
           taken
           for
           the
           Redemption
           of
           those
           wofull
           Christian
           Captives
           in
           
             Barbarie
             ,
          
           the
           want
           of
           whom
           ,
           hath
           occasioned
           an
           extraordinary
           decay
           and
           poverty
           in
           our
           Maritine
           Townes
           and
           Parishes
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           Coasts
           may
           bee
           sufficiently
           gaurded
           and
           secured
           .
        
         
           10
           Wee
           likewise
           pray
           that
           whereas
           this
           County
           hath
           beene
           and
           is
           surcharged
           double
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           with
           Armes
           ,
           and
           very
           high
           in
           Subsidies
           ,
           much
           above
           our
           abilities
           ,
           and
           the
           respective
           charge
           of
           diverse
           parts
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ;
           we
           may
           (
           in
           consideration
           hereof
           )
           bee
           relieved
           in
           future
           .
        
         
           11
           Wee
           likewise
           pray
           that
           the
           Sheriffes
           Turne
           ,
           now
           growne
           an
           unnecessary
           Court
           ,
           and
           onely
           used
           to
           the
           grievous
           oppression
           of
           the
           
           meaner
           sort
           of
           people
           ,
           may
           bee
           suppressed
           ,
           and
           taken
           away
           ,
           it
           being
           more
           burdensome
           then
           the
           Office
           of
           the
           Clerke
           of
           the
           Market
           formerly
           hath
           beene
           .
        
         
           12
           Wee
           likewise
           pray
           that
           such
           Dutchcy
           Tenants
           as
           within
           our
           County
           pay
           over
           their
           rightfull
           Rents
           and
           Duties
           unto
           the
           Dutchy
           Officers
           may
           not
           bee
           doubly
           charged
           by
           Proces
           out
           of
           the
           Exchequer
           ,
           as
           now
           they
           are
           ,
           by
           extreame
           and
           continuall
           Amercements
           .
        
         
           13
           Wee
           likewise
           pray
           that
           there
           may
           bee
           a
           reparation
           of
           the
           decay
           of
           the
           Castle
           of
           Saint
           
             Mawes
             ,
          
           and
           that
           there
           may
           bee
           a
           supply
           of
           the
           wants
           of
           Ordnances
           ,
           Carriages
           ,
           Powder
           ,
           and
           Ammunition
           ,
           in
           all
           which
           ,
           it
           is
           extreamely
           defective
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           with
           all
           humblenes
           ,
           Craving
           pardon
           for
           with-holding
           you
           from
           your
           other
           Weighty
           Affaires
           ,
           but
           perswaded
           that
           the
           cause
           is
           considerable
           ,
           and
           may
           well
           challenge
           a
           part
           of
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           be
           put
           in
           action
           ;
           for
           the
           effecting
           of
           which
           ,
           as
           of
           all
           things
           standing
           to
           the
           Purity
           and
           Peace
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           safe
           Defence
           and
           Honour
           of
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           his
           Royall
           Posterity
           ,
           and
           Kingdomes
           ;
           And
           in
           these
           ,
           your
           and
           our
           happinesse
           ,
           as
           for
           uniting
           of
           his
           Gratious
           Majestie
           and
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           in
           a
           mutuall
           consent
           and
           compliancy
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           unanimous
           and
           prosperous
           proceedings
           of
           this
           Parliament
           ,
           wee
           doe
           ,
           and
           ever
           shall
           ,
           with
           humble
           hearts
           implore
           Gods
           gracious
           assistance
           and
           blessing
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           The
           Index
           of
           the
           
             Petitions
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHeshire
             .
             Pag.
             
               1
            
          
           
             Oxford
             University
             .
             Pag.
             
               4
            
          
           
             Cambridge
             Universitie
             .
             Pag.
             
               6
            
          
           
             Nottingham
             .
             Pag.
             
               8
            
          
           
             Huntington
             .
             Pag.
             
               9
            
          
           
             Somerset
             .
             Pag.
             
               13
            
          
           
             Rutland
             .
             Pag.
             
               15
            
          
           
             Cheshire
             .
             Pag.
             
               21
            
          
           
             Colledges
             ,
             Halls
             ,
             &c.
             Pag.
             
               23
            
          
           
             Exeter
             Diocesse
             .
             Pag.
             
               24
            
          
           
             Stafforashire
             .
             Pag.
             
               25
            
          
           
             Diocesse
             of
             Canterbury
             .
             Pag.
             
               26
            
          
           
             Six
             Counties
             of
             North-Walles
             .
             Pag.
             
               27
            
          
           
             Lancashire
             .
             Pag.
             
               29
            
          
           
             Cornwall
             .
             Pag.
             
               32
            
          
           
             Kent
             .
             Pag.
             
               33
            
          
           
             Oxford
             County
             .
             Pag.
             
               36
            
          
           
             Cornwall
             .
             Pag.
             
               37
            
          
           
             Hereford
             .
             Pag.
             
               39
            
          
           
             Cornwall
             .
             Pag.
             
               40
            
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26103e-2730
           
             Viz.
             
               De
               jure
               ,
               non
               eidem
               de
               facto
               ,
            
             till
             555
             years
             after
             Christ
             ,
             and
             then
             but
             once
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Pope
             
               Pelagius
               ,
            
             and
             that
             irregularly
             &
             never
             since
             unlesse
             by
             Papall
             usurpation
             .
          
           
             Comment
             in
             Epist.
             ad
             Titum
             .
          
           
             Timotheus
             ▪
             Titus
             .
             Clements
             ▪
             Linus
             .
             Marcus
             .
             Dyonysius
             .
             Onesimus
             .
             Caius
             .
             Epaphroditus
             .
             Iacobus
             Hierosolimit
             .
             Evodias
             .
             Simeon
             .