To the Honourable House of Commons, commonly called, The Lower House of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Masters or Governors of the Mystery and Commonalty of Barbers and Surgeons of LONDON.  
MOST humbly showing, That the Petitioners being an Ancient Corporation, and confirmed, and their Science and Profession consisting not only in outward practice and experience, but also in the Theory knowledge of the causes of all manner of outward Soars, Blanes, Swell, Impostumations, and the wounds and causes of the same, and the Symptoms that do follow and accompany them, and of the natures and qualities of all manner of Salves, Plasters, Balms, Ointments, Baths, Poultices, Waters, Herbs, and all other things fitting the cure of such diseases, and fit to be ministered or applied for the curing thereof. And the Petitioners have not only served many years, and been trained and brought up in the said Art and Science, but have by their study, practice and experience, attained such knowledge and perfection therein as tendeth not only to the maintenance of themselves, their wives, children and families, but to the great good of the King's people both by Sea and Land in their lives and limbs.  
Yet so it is, That the Physicians of London (being grave learned men, worthy of all lawful favour in their own Professions) have of late obtained a Grant or Patent from his Majesty, whereby they do not only seek to have a superintendency over the Petitioners in their own Profession, But also seek to abridge the Petitioners, and to restrain them from using part of their Art, which they have studied and served for, and have done and do lawfully use, and without which many times they cannot perform their Cures, nor give such ease and remedy to their Patients as is fit they should do; In which respect the said Grant will be very prejudicial to the Petitioners, and all his Majesty's Subiests, who shall have occasion to use their help, if the same should be confirmed by Act of Parliament, as the said Physicians desire.  
The humble suit of the Petitioners is, That either no Act may pass for confirmation of his said Majesties Grant unto the Physicians; Or if any shall pass, that the Petitioners may be heard. And if upon hearing, it shall seem good to this Honourable House a Proviso or saving may be therein contained, that the Petitioners may not be any way restrained thereby, but may in all things use their said Profession, as they have heretofore lawfully done, and may lawfully use the same, And the Petitioners as by duty bound, shall daily pray, etc.