The humble PETITION OF THE Inhabitants of the County of suffolk: Presented to the Right Honourable the House of Peers, on Tuesday the 16. of February, 1646.  
With their Answer thereunto.  


Die Mercurij 29 Febr. 1646.  
ORdered by the Lords Assembled in Parliament, That this Petition and Answer be forthwith printed and published.  
Jo. Brown clear. Parliamentorum.    
London Printed for John Wright at the Kings Head in the old Bayley. feb: 17th 1646.   

TO The Right Honourable the House of peers assembled in Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of suffolk:  
Sheweth:  
THat when we call to mind your Honours large expressions, and deep engagements in your many Declarations, and most solemn Covenant for the preservation of the Liberties of the Subject, and the Reformation of the Church and State, and consider how blessed an opportunity to effect your undertakings the Lord hath now afforded you by subduing your enemies, and yet find our heavy burdens so slowly taken off, and Reformation come more slowly on; We cannot but conceive that some great obstructions( like those from the Bishops, and others in the beginning of this Parliament) do nip your godly endeavours in the bud, and call once more for a general discovery of the affections both of the City and Country, in this humble way of Petitioning for the removing thereof; should we now therefore be wholly silent, we should show ourselves too insensible of our present condition, too forgetful of our solemn Covenant for the furthering Reformation to our power, and too unmindful of your Honours former favourable acceptations, and of that strengthening of your hands, which you may in this way justly expect from us, for the taking away those encumbrances, and redressing all those pernicious evils, which dreadfully threaten the speedy ruin of our dearest Religion and Country; the most principal whereof are feelingly expressed in the Petition, and Representation of the famous City of London,( for whose constant fidelity and zeal, we have great cause to bless the Lord) and we being no less sensible do humbly crave, That you will be pleased to take into your most serious consideration our following Requests, the granting whereof we humbly conceive, will exceedingly conduce to the welfare of the Church and State, and turn away Gods heavy judgements from us. We humbly pray: 

1. THat the national Covenant may be solemnly sworn by all men throughout the kingdom, without respect of persons, under such penalties in case of refusal as to your wisdoms shall seem fit, and that no person be continued or employed in public trusts or service, who shall not take the same, or that having taken it shall yet appear dis-affected thereunto.  
2 That whereas you have long since declared for Church Government by congregational Elderships, Classis, provincial Synods, and national Assemblies, You will now be pleased to cause the same to be put in execution amongst us, and in other parts of the kingdom, and to back it strongly, that it may be effectual for public Reformation.  
3 That an Ordinance may be made for the speedy suppressing of Blasphemies, Sects, and Heresies, that so no hope may be left for an accursed toleration of every one to do what he pleaseth in the matters of God.  
4. That for the happier settling of the differences about Religion, a Directory for Church Government, a Confession of Faith, and a catechism agreeable to the Word of God, may be made public by your Authority.  
5 That for the firm settling of a well grounded Peace, special care may be had for the preservation of his Majesties Person and Authority, in the maintenance of true Religion, privileges of the Parliament, and Liberties of the kingdom.  
6 That for so much as divers Ministers want a sufficient livelihood for themselves and families, and very many Parishes are far short of a competent means to maintain a Minister, whereby the people are destitute of Pastours, and subject to be corrupted by seducers; some effectual course may be taken for the remedy hereof out of the Estates of Bishops, deans, and Chapters, or otherwise as in your wisdoms shall seem fit, that godly and Orthodox Ministers may be encouraged, and such as are erroneous and scandalous removed; and that others intruding themselves into the work of the Ministry may be punished and suppressed.  
7 That since, by the blessing of the Almighty upon the industry of our valiant general and soldiery, the common enemies of our peace are subdued, the Armies may now be disbanded, that so our exhausted estates may be henceforth freed from Taxes, according to the hopes formerly given us of their ending; and our poor brethren in Ireland even ready to perish, may be relieved with aid suitable to their necessities.  
8 That the garrison in the Isle of Ely on the one side of our County, now as we humbly conceive of little use, may be discharged, and the printed design for putting a Garrison into the Hundred of Lothingland may be disappointed by your wisedoms, that so we may enjoy our estates and families the freer from oppression, and that if need shall so require, some Trustees of this County may receive order from your Honours for the securing of the whole County as formerly.  
9. That the Estates of Papists and Delinquents may be faithfully improved for the re-payment of the loans and other debts of the kingdom, according to several Orders; And that the just debts of Delinquents may be paid out of their Estates.  
10. That so long as there shall be a necessity of continuing the excise, it may be better regulated, and be betrusted in the hands of persons of known ability and fidelity; And that the poor may not be overburdened by the ill managing of it.  
11. That condign punishment may be inflicted upon all those, that by slanderous reports or otherwise, shall endeavour to make division between us and our Brethren of Scotland, so happily united by solemn League and Covenant.  
12. That the Authors, Licensers, and Printers of Books and Pamphlets, containing points contrary to the Doctrine professed in the Reformed Churches; or abusive and lying intelligence, may be severely censured.  
13. That your Honours utmost endeavours may be improved to the taking away of divisions in the Church of God, That the Lord may be one, and his Name one in the three kingdoms.    
And finally we humbly pray, That this Honourable House will be pleased to take in good part these our humble desires, as proceeding onely from the deep sense of the Common Calamity, the conscience of our duty, and the zeal we owe towards God, Your Honours, and the kingdom.  
And your Petitioners shall pray.   

The Lords Answer to the said Petition.  
THe Lords aclowledge the constant faithfulness, and good affections which the County of Suffolk hath upon all occasions expressed to the Parliament and kingdom; for which they have commanded me to return you thanks; and to assure you, That they will be careful to make good their solemn League and Covenant, and to give you all encouragements to go on in your care for the true Worship of God, and for the preservation of the public Liberties. They are sorry to hear that the Directory, so long since Ordered to be sent into the several Counties, is not yet come in a public way into your County; and they will take care that it shall not longer be neglected in the sending it to you.  
They give you thanks for this your Petition; and the Particulars of it they will speedily take into their serious consideration.  
Joh. Brown clear. Parliamentorum.   
FINIS.