To the honourable the COMMONS of ENGLAND assembled in Parliament at Westminster.  
The humble Petition of Ministers and other Inhabitants in and about London.  
Humbly showeth,  
THAT in August last, in London-House a Lecture was happily begun for the propagation of piety, and learning, in the discovery of the Oriental Languages (to this nation remaining but yet obscure) which hitherto hath been elaborately performed twice a week, since that time near fourscore Lectures in Latin, and highly approved by those of greatest parts and learning that frequent the same: And your Petitioners fearing lest a work of this nature, for the advancing such learning and Languages, should for want of maintenance and countenance from Authority fall to the ground. And forasmuch as an estimate hath been taken of the necessary charge which is requisite for the maintenance of Professors, and Students, as also for the erection of a press, for those Languages for the more effectual prosecution of the desired ends. And your Petitioners considering Your Honours many Declarations, and that Reserve, which you have with so much constancy still kept to be a support to a preaching ministry and learning, and being confident that a work of so public concernment for the advantage of this and future ages will not want your due encouragement, and assistance.  
Therefore are your Petitioners bold to make this humble address to your Honours, That if to your wisdoms this kind of learning, on which the clearer knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, and our usefulness for the propagation of the Gospel, to such as understand those languages, and their usefulness to us so much dependeth, and is therefore in the present age so much esteemed by other reformed Churches, shall also be judged useful for this kingdom. Your Petitioners hope that that which they have in readiness to offer, will be sufficient to lay a good foundation to so blessed a work, and in such a manner as is most facile and suitable to the nature of the thing. If Your Honours shall deem it worthy of your consideration, And shall please to appoint a Committee to receive the same from us.  
And your Petitioners shall pray, &c. Signed by about 40 Ministers, and 60 Citizens of quality.