The humble PETITION AND REPRESENTATION OF Several Churches of God in London, commonly( though falsely) called ANABAPTISTS.  
Which was presented on Monday the second of April, to the supreme Authority of the Nation, the Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
Together with the Answer and Approbation of the Parliament thereunto.  
LONDON, Printed for Francis titan and John Playford, and are to be sold at their shops in Fleet-street, and in the Inner Temple. 1649.   

TO THE Right Honourable THE COMMONS of ENGLAND assembled in PARLIAMENT;  
The humble Petition and Representation of several Churches of God in London, commonly, though falsely, called Anabaptists;  
Humbly sheweth,  
THat when we considered the late unnatural Wars, and the heavy pressures, grievous calamities, spoils and outrages that followed thereupon, our hearts were exceeding sad; yet when we beholded the raging of those waves in a good measure calmed, we were something cheered in the hopeful expectation of a safe harbour for this Nation, having nigh suffered shipwreck by more then seven years distress.  
But with great grief we acknowledge out fears have of late been renewed, by reason of those many obstructions which have interrupted the settlement of the Liberty and Freedom of this distressed Common-wealth, which when we seriously mind, considering also that a Printed Paper, entitled, The second part of Englands new Chains discovered, was publicly, red in the time and place of solemn public meeting on the 25 of March last, to the intent, those then present might subscribe it; and well weighing how through the injustice of Historians, or the headiness of some unruly men formerly in Germany called Anabaptists, our righteous profession heretofore hath been, and now may be made odious, as if it were the Fountain and Source of all Disobedience, Presumption, Self-wil, Contempt of Rulers, Dignities, and Civil Government whatsoever: And fearing if we should be silent, such surmises might justly beget jealousies of us, and our peaceable meetings, both in the thoughts of this honourable House, and many others: We thought ourselves bound in duty to God, to this honourable House, the Common-wealth, and the Truth,( which is dearer to us then our lives,) humbly to Remonstrate;  
That we neither had nor have heart nor hand in the framing, contriving, abetting or promoting of the said Paper, which though red in several of our public meetings, we do solemnly profess it was without our consent or approbation, being there openly opposed by us.  
That our meetings are not at all to intermeddle with the ordering or altering Civil Government( which we humbly and submissively leave unto the supreme Power,) but solely for the advancement of the Gospel. It being our grief that our meetings should be perverted to any sinister ends, or earthly respects whatsoever, whereby the spiritual seed of the Word should be stisted or hindered, which precious time we earnestly desire with much seriousness and solemnity might be improved to the Worship of our God.  
That it hath been, and ever shal be our endeavour in our several stations & callings, to advance what may tend to the Nations good, wherein we live, no way complying with the disturbers therof; that so we may approve ourselves a People never to be justly adjudged heady, high minded, or despisers of them that are in authority; but as much as in us lies, such as desire to live peaceably and quietly under Magistrates, and with all men.  
That we do thankfully take notice of that good hand of God, in affording to us the mercy of living peaceably and quietly without molestation, in the profession of godliness, and honesty, under your Authority and Jurisdiction, hoping, and earnstly praying, that God will be pleased to repair the breaches of this wasted Nation, and cause it, through you, as instruments, more to flourish then in former days.  
We beseech you, that what you have found in your hearts to express before all the world for the settling of the Common-Wealth, the relieving of the oppressed, removing all the grievances of the people, and providing for the languishing condition of the poor of this Nation: that you would do it speedily, with all your might, that thereby all interests might receive just satisfaction; the want whereof, will certainly occasion matter of sadness to yourselves, and hazard to the Nation.  
That you ●ould effectually provide for the making, and due execution of sufficient Laws against wheredoms, Drunkenness, Cheating, and all such like abominations( of civil Cognizance) in whomsoever, for which things sake this Land mourns, and the wrath of God is provoked against it: by doing whereof, you will answer the proper and of Magistracy, in being a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well.  
And Your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c.   

Die Lunae, 2. April. 1649.  
THe House being informed, that divers Petitioners were at the Door, they were Ordered to be called in, and being come to the Bar, Mr KIFFIN presented a Petition, speaking to this effect; Mr Speaker, we have not troubled this honourable House with any Petition, nor had done it now, had not we been necessitated thereunto by a late Paper called Englands second Chains, brought to our Congregations, and publicly red in some of our public Meetings, without our consent or approbation, being there openly opposed by us, and we could do no less, in conscience of our duty to God and you, then to disown and disavow it.  
The Petition being received, which was entitled thus; The humble Petition and Representation of several Churches of God in London, commonly though falsely, called Anabaptists, the Petitioners withdrew, and the Petition was red.  
The Petitioners being again called in, Mr Speaker returned them this Answer:  
The House doth take notice of the good Affection to the Parliament and public, you have expressed both in this Petition and otherways; That they have received satisfaction thereby, concerning your disclaiming of that Pamphlet, which gave such just Offence to the Parliament, and also concerning your disposition to live peaceably, and in submission to the civil Magistracy: Your expressions whereof they account very christian and seasonable: That for yourselves and other Christians walking answerable to such Professions, as in this Petition you make, They do assure you of Liberty and protection, so far as God shall enable them, in all things consistent with Godliness, Honesty and civil Peace: And the House doth give you leave to print your Petition.  
Hen: Scobel, clear Parliament.   
FINIS.