The Humble PETITION OF Many Well-affected Persons of Somerset, Wilts, and some part of Devon, Dorset and Hampshire, To the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, Against tithes. Together with The Parliaments Answer thereunto, AND RESOLVES thereupon.  
LONDON: Printed for Livewel Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley. 1659.   


To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, assembled at Westminster:  
The humble Representation and Petition of many well-affected persons in the Counties of Somerset, Wilts, and some part of Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.  
HUMBLY SHEWETH,  
THat whereas many and sore Grievances have long lain on the Estates and Consciences of your poor Petitioners, and notwithstanding all our Groanings and Complainings in all humble sort under the same, many of the remain unredress'd to this day: And the Lord having, as we hope, by those various dispensations which have past on these poor Nations of late years, prepared your Honours for a more clear and candid carrying on the public Work in your hands, whom he at first exercised and honoured in contesting with, and bringing down those Powers which greatly obstructed the public Weal of these Nations, and the Christian Liberties of the Lords people therein: And you being now( as we are persuaded by the good hand of God, which we cannot but aclowledge to his praise) after some years unhappy diversion from a Free State to a Single Person, unexpectedly restored to the rightful capacity of Ruling these Nations, and administering thereto, in all wise, equal and just sort; We are again encouraged humbly to present unto and petition as followeth.  
1. The matter of tithes, so long complained of, we find by sad experience, is still a heavy and unequal burden upon us, on a double account: 1. As it is an oppression to us in our Estates, to pay the Tenth of our labour, cost, and increase of our Land: which also( we judge) is no small discouragement to the improvement of Lands, and one occasion,( as we humbly conceive) of the Dearth and Scarcity of Grain in this Nation. 2. We find this exaction of tithes from us as aforesaid, to be a Soul-oppression, which we esteem the greatest of all; it being as we conceive, in its original, either Jewish, or Popish, or both; and so contrary to the Gospel Rule by which we ought to walk.  
2. That we are constrained to pay to the Repairing and Upholding of the public Meeting-houses in this Nation,( commonly called by the name of Churches) though not permitted ourselves to meet in them at such times when no other do make use of them: which charge we judge the more unequal, because we are necessitated in many places to purchase, hire and build Meeting places for ourselves, at our own costs and charges.  
3. That we still observe the corrupt, fraudulent, burdensome, vexatious, expensive and delatory proceedings at Law remaining, both as they respect the keeping or gaining our just Rights; arising, as we conceive, very much from the numerous Volumes, and intricate Interpretations thereof; and that which should be for a Cure, oftentimes in both proves equally as bad, if not worse then the Disease: Yet hitherto have found no relief, but our burdens thereby rather increased; giving men of corrupt mindes, and contentious dispositions, great advantage against us. And we humbly conceive, that in some criminal cases, the Punishments inflicted are very unequal to the Offences.  
4. That though we have many of us adventured Person and Estate equally with others, to purchase our Liberties, and have been publicly assured to have equal Liberty with other judged godly in the Nation; yet have we been frequently molested and disturbed in the peaceable practise of our Profession, Preaching, and holding forth the Gospel of peace to poor sinners; our persons seized on and imprisoned, and some of us sometimes otherwise abused in the discharge of our duties to the Lord.  
The premises considered, we humbly pray,  
That as those who are differently minded in matters of Worship, are not required nor desired to pay to our Ministers, we may not be constrained to pay to the maintenance of theirs: but we humbly crave, that this Oppression of tithes may be removed, it being burdensome to our consciences.  
And for the public Meeting-houses before mentioned, we humbly beg we may be wholly discharged from being compelled to bear any part of the charge about the repairing of such places, unless we may have the liberty to make use of them.  
And as to the Law, our humble Desire is, That the Laws of the Land may be( according to your Wisdoms) made, contracted and explained, and put in such a way of execution, as may be most suitable to a Free Commonwealth: And that what Overtures have been already made, or hereafter may be further tendered from any person of known integrity and ability, may be received and considered by you, in order to that end: And that the same may become the more effectual, we humbly pray, that such persons may be appointed to the exercise of all places of Trust and Judicature, as are men fearing God and hating covetousness, and known asserters of the common Liberties of the good people of this Commonwealth, in their civil and religious concernments.  
That some public Edict or Law may be enacted, for giving Protection to us, with all other Godly in the Nation, though of differing apprehensions about the things of God in matters of Worship, protecting us in our Persons, Liberties and Estates, in the peaceable preaching & practising the truths we profess, from the violence and injury of any; whereby we may be encouraged to walk in all ways of godliness and honesty under such protection.  
Finally, It is our humble and earnest Request, That you take very great heed of that dangerous Rock on which many have split themselves, viz. exercising a coercive power or jurisdiction over the consciences of men in divine concernments: And that the Laws yet in force, unrepealed, by which many of the Lords people have suffered, and more have been exposed thereunto, may speedily be repealed.  
All which our complaints and Petitions before mentioned, we humbly pray your Honours to lay to heart; and that you will up and be doing in the faithful discharge of your duty: And in so doing, we doubt not but the Lord will be with you; and our hearty prayers shall be continued to the Lord for a blessing upon you; and shall labour( through grace) to be Your humble Petitioners, and faithful servants, &c.   

Tuesday June 14. 1659.  
THe House being informed that divers Gentlemen of the Counties of Somerset, Wilts, and some part of Devon, Dorset and Hampshire were at the door, they were called in. And one of the Petitioners acquainted the House, That he with the rest were entrusted on the behalf of divers well-affected in the Counties of Somerset, Wilts, and some part of Devon, Dorset and Hampshire, to present this their humble Petition: and therewith delivered a Petition, which after the Petitioners were withdrawn was red, and was entitled, The humble Representation and Petition of many well-affected persons in the Counties of Somerset, Wilts, and some part of Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.  
The Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer:  
Gentlemen, the House hath red your Petition; and for your good affections in the acknowledgement of them, do give you Thanks. And for the matter of tithes, the House hath commanded me to let you know, that they resolve to give encouragement to a godly, preaching, learned Ministry throughout the Nation; and for that end, to continue the payment of tithes, till they can find out some other more equal and comfortable Maintenance for the Ministry, and satisfaction of the People; which they intend with all convenient speed.  
Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee to consider how a more equal and comfortable maintenance may be settled for the ministry, and satisfaction of the People, then by tithes; and to have regard to the Interest and Title of Impropriators; and to present their opinions to this House.  
Resolved, That it be referred to a Grand Committee.  
Resolved, That the House be resolved into a Grand Committee on this day seven night, upon this business; and that Mr. Speaker do then forbear to take the chair.  
THO. St. NICHOLAS, Clerk of the Parliament.   
FINIS.