Gold tried in the fire, OR The  Petitions revived.  
A Preface.  
June 14th 1647  
COuteous Reader, I shall give thee a short Narative of some passages upon the following Petitions, first concerning the large Petition: Divers printed copies thereof being sent abroad to gain subscriptions, one whereof was intercepted by an Informer, and so brought to the hands of Mr. Glyn Recorder of London, and a member of the Commons House: who was pleased to call it a scandalous, and seditious paper: Whereupon it was referred to Colonel Leighes Committee (it being that Committee appointed to receive informations against those men who preached without licence from the Ordainers) to find out the Authors of the said Petition; upon this a certificate being drawn up, and intended by the Petitioners, to have been delivered to the said Committee, for vindication of the said Petition, as will appear by the certificate herewith printed; and notice being taken of one of the petitioners named Nicholas Tue, who red the said certificate in the Court of Request; for the Concurrence of friends who had not formerly seen nor subscribed the certificate: and for his so doing he was sent for presently before the said Committee, and for refusing to answer to Interrogatories, was presently by them Committed, and still remaineth in prison, it being at the least three Months since his first commitment.  
Likewise Major Tuledah, was upon complaint of that Committee, the next day committed by the House; but since discharged upon bail, without any just cause shown for either of their Commitments: and others of the Petitioners abused, and vilified by that Committee; some of them offering to draw their swords upon the Petitioners. All which, with more was ready to be proved to the whole House, but could by no means be obtained, though earnestly desired, by a Petition, presently delivered into the House, humbly desiring the examination of these miscarriages; but after eight week's attendance, with much importunity; after many promises and days appointed to take their Petition into consideration, they obtained a very slight answer: which was that they could not like of their Petition.  
Occasion being taken suddenly after to commit one of the Petitioners named Mr. Browne to the prison of Newgate; for his importunity in desiring an answer to that Petition, after many promises and delays. Shortly after the slight answer obtained to the said Petition, the Petitioners thought good to deliver a second Petition to the House, to see if it were possible to obtain a better answer to their just desires; hoping that they would better consider of things, but after attendance and importunity, they obtained an answer in these words. That the Parliament had Voted it a breach of privilege, scandalous, and seditious, and that Petition, and the large Petition, to be burned by the hand of the Hangman; which was accordingly done by Order of the House, in these words.  

Die jovis 20 May, 1647,  
Resolved etc. That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, be required, to take care that the Petition and paper be burnt, which accordingly was done, before the Exchange, two days after the said Vote and Order of the House.   
And shortly after this the Petitioners prepared a third Petition, which is the la●t Petition herewith printed: and after much importunity with the Members of the House; after almost two day's attendance, obtained so much favour from one of the Members, as to present that Petition to the House, and after all this could obtain no other answer to that Petition; but the House after long dispute thereupon passed this Vote.  
Upon the 2d. of June 1647. That no answer shall be given to the Petition at the present: and two days after the Petitioners attended the House, for a further answer delivering copies of their Petition to the several Members of the House, but could obtain no further answer thereunto; but received many vilifying, and disgraceful speeches, from several Members of the House: and so after a whole day's attendance, departed without any hope, to receive any answer to their just desires in the said Petition.  
And thus I have faithfully, and truly (though briefly) given ye an account of the proceed upon the ensuing Petitions. Now let the judicious and considerate Reader judge whether the Petitioners have received equal and even dealing herein from this present Parliament: the Petitioners being such who have laid out themselves, both in their persons and purses, far above their abilities; who have not valued their lives, their children's lives, nor their servants lives, nor estates, to dear for the service of the Parliament, and Commonwealth.  
And is this the reward they shall receive, after they have thus laid out themselves? Nay, they have just cause to fear that they and their friends are men appointed to utter ruin, and destruction; otherwise what meaneth all the railing, reviling, and reproachful speeches of their Ministers, and Agents, out of the pulpit and press, to stir up the rude multitude to fall upon them, and destroy them; is not this ingratitude in the highest degree, shall not the very Heathen rise up in judgement against such a generation, of degenerate men as these? Who could say, Si ingratum dixeris, omnia dixeris.  
You cannot choose but take notice of several Remonstrances, and Petitions presented to the House from these men, who call themselves Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons, of the City of London in Common-council assembled, what high affronts they have offered to the Parliament; yet they have in some measure by steps, and degrees, answered the Remonstrances, and granted their Petitions, and you may observe what answer they have given to their last Petition, for raising of Horse, etc. (The tendency whereof may be of very dangerous consequence if well weighed) which is thus. Mr. Speaker by command of the House, express unto them the true sense the House hath of their constant good affections to this Parliament; and that no alterations whatsoever can work any change in their duty, and love; for which he is to give them the heartiest thanks of this House.  
I could enlarge myself, but I affect brevity, and the judicious and considerate Reader, may enlarge himself in his own thoughts: well weighing the matter in the said Remonstrances, and Petitions; and upon due consideration may judge whether their Petitions, or the Petitions burnt, vilified, and disgraced, deserve most thanks, or tend most to the safety of the Parliament, and Commonwealth.  
And will hence forth conclude, that as there is little good to be hoped for from such Parliaments, as need to be Petitioned; so there is none at all to be expected from those that burn such Petitions as these.  
If the endeavours of good Commonwealths-men in the House could have prevailed, these Petitions had not been burnt, nor the Petitioners abused; but the sons of Zerviah were to strong for them, that is to say, the Malignants, and Delinquents, the Lawyers (some few excected) the Monopolising merchants, the sons and servants of the Lords; all these joining together, over Voted them about 16 Voices; but God in time, will we trust, deliver the people of this Nation, from their deceit, and malice; and therefore let us not sorrow as men without hope, nor be discouraged, but go on and persist, for the just liberties of England, a word to the wise is sufficient.  
Farewell,  By a wellwisher to truth and peace.  

Printed in the year 1647.