The humble Petition of the poor distressed Prisoners in the counter at Bishops-gate, Being almost an hundred persons in number; Against this time of the Birth of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  
 factotum block of a rose 
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THE poor PRISONERS IN WOOD ST   
Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the needful time of trouble, and his seed shall be blessed upon earth.  Psal. 41.  

MOst humbly sheweth to your Christian Charity the lamentable estate of the poor Prisoners in the counter at Bishops-gate, being almost an hundred persons in number, and the most part of us Free-men of this Honourable City, greatly afflicted with many miseries, as hunger, could, nakedness, noisome smells, with many other calamities that dwell with us in this our loathsome Dungeon. Nevertheless knowing like so many good Samaritans, you need no instigation to pour the oil of Charity into the deep wounds of our afflictions, we are emboldened to present this our humble Petition, onely to pray and beseech your favourable remembrance of us in your Godly and charitable benevolence extended towards our relief and comfort against this time of the Birth of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who once was a Prisoner for us all. Your reward shall be, for giving us bread to feed our Bodies, the food of Angels to refresh your Souls: for giving us water to quench our thirst, you shall taste of the Well of Life: and forbeing good to us Prisoners, you shall be made free denizens of that old and glorious City Jerusalem. Therefore do as God shall move your hearts: and so blessed be his Name for all our good Benefactors.  
We most humbly pray and beseech, that your Charity may be put into this Bearers Box, sealed with the House-Seal, as it is figured upon this Petition,   

Printed by J. F. one thousand six hundred sixty and six.