The Humble PETITION OF THE MINISTERS Of the Counties of suffolk and Essex, Concerning Church-Government.  
Presented to the Right Honourable the House of Peers on friday, May 29. 1946.  
With their Answer thereunto.  


Die Veneris 29 Maii, 1646.  
ORdered by the Lord 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. 1 June 1646.   

To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
The Humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolk and Essex.  

Sheweth,  
THat your solemn League and Covenant, your great and glorious Victories, the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas, the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland, the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly, and the great City of this kingdom, the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country, cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word. From the want of this it is, Right Honourable, that the name of the most High God is blasphemed, his precious truths corrupted, his Word despised, his Ministers discouraged, his Ordinances vilified. Hence it is, that schism, heresy, Ignorance, profaneness, and atheism, flow in upon us, Seducers multiply, grow daring and insolent, pernicious Books poison many souls, piety and learning decay apace, very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours, the Sacrament of baptism by many neglected, and by many re-iterated, the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly profaned, confusion and ruin threatening as in all our Quarters.  
In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the public good, your successful endeavours for saving this Kingdom, your hopeful beginnings of a blessed Reformation; we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God, and the salvation of our people, beseech your Honours, That a form of Church-Government, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches, may with all possible speed be perfected, & confirmed by your civill sanction; that schismatics, heretics, seducing Teachers, and soul-subverting Books, be effectually suppressed; That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers, and all good means used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion. So shall the Church of God be settled, your hands strengthened, the sacred Covenant performed, our fears prevented, the Judgements of God diverted.  
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c.   



For the County of suffolk.  
Matth. Laurence.  
Robert Stansbye.  
Thomas Cave.  
Isaac Basil.  
John Fuellr.  
Nathaniel Smart.  
William Fincham.  
Christop. Glascock.  
John Wallace.  
Thomas Warren of Witnesham.  
Robert Steffe.  
Robert Cade.  
William Austen.  
Thomas Richer.  
William Redgrave.  
Matth. Brownrigge.  
John Cooper.  
Richard Jennings.  
John Wilkinson.  
Thomas Warren of Layham.  
John swain. Sen.  
William Douglas.  
Hugh Driver.  
Barthol. Golding.  
Henry younger.  
Nicholas Leverton.  
Barthol. Allerton.  
John carry.  
William brown.  
Samuel Hudson.  
Robert Wicks.  
Bezaleel Carter.  
Robert Mead.  
John Goldson.  
John mayor.  
John Trebicke.  
Henry Bridon.  
Samuel Spring. Jun.  
John Long.  
Samuel Samwayes.  
John Rewse.  
John Witham.  
Spencer Fell.  
John Thurleby.  
Samuel Knapp.  
Benjamin Farifax.  
Richard Neach.  
James Votier.  
John clerk.  
William Cockram.  
William Hodskins.  
George Cock.  
Thomas Fowle.  
Patrick Lindsay.  
Richard Olmsted.  
Thomas Nuttall.  
William dowel.  
Richard Davis.  
Samuel pierce.  
George Germy.  
Henry Searle.  
Thomas Batho.  
George Turnbull.  
Thomas Sotheby  
Samuel Spring, Sen.  
Mathias Candler.  
Jer. catiline, Sen.  
John swain, Jun.  
Henry Cowper.  
Seth Etcocks.  
Jer. Catiline, Jun.  
Richard Rogers.  
John whiteing.  
Edward Brasyer.  
John Cocksedge.  
John Dodds.  
Abraham chaplain.  
Richard Ward.  
John Forgon.  
Isaac Wilham.  
John Marleton.  
Rob. Andrews, Sen.  
Rob. Andrews, Jun.  
Thomas peak.  
James Bacon.  
Thomas Grunby.  
Robert Harris.  
Edward Willan.  
Christo. Wragge.  
William Bedell.  
Nathaniel Cotton.  
Andrew chaplain.  
Zachary Catlin.  
John powel.  
John Dodd.  
Robert Devereux.  
Daniel Sutton.  
Abraham Wright.  
John own.  
William Cropton.  
Joshua randal.  
William Pickering.  
Sansuel Bordman.  
Thomas Crosby.  
Paul Rainham.  
Charles Harrison.  
John Alexander.  
joseph Ward.  
Richard Golty.  
Sam. Faireclough.  
Richard Blackberie.  
Thomas Turnill.  
John Allot.  
Anth. Thompson.  
Edward Eyres.  
Robert cook.  
Christopher Burrell.  
John Westley.  
John Pindar.  
John Cradock.  
Peter Sainthill.  
Edward Voice.  
Robert Underwood  
John Wall.  
Simon jackson.  
Anthony Fenton.  
Theoph. Luddinton.  
Ambros. Salmbury.  
Rich. chamberlain.  
Philip jacob.  
George-Speed.  
Robert owlet.  
Richard hun.  
John Syer.  
John burrow.  
Clement ray.  
Robert Stafford.  
John Frost.  
Samuel Bradstreet.  
Christopher pert.  
Tho. Rewse.  
George Nelson.  
Thomas Warren of Polsted.  
John Brunning.  
William Munning.  
John Prat.  
Robert Asty.  
John wield.  
Isaac Harrison.  
Samuel mail.  
Tho. Walker.  
John Drake.  
John Hale.  
William Chapman.  
Robert web.  
Thomas Curtis.  
Samuel Sutton.  
Richard Faucet.  
Robert Sayer.  
John Prat.  
Joseph Herdson.  
Anthony Barthelet.  
John Ashburne.    


For the County of Essex.  
JOhn Morse.  
John Ferrar.  
Tho. Holmsled.  
Joseph Downing.  
Alexander Pigot.  
Robert Harmer.  
Robert Mercer.  
Timothy Rogers.  
Samuel Rogers.  
John White.  
Gamaliel Carr. jun.  
John Okye.  
George Smith.  
William Cunninghame.  
Thomas Beard.  
John Ludgater.  
Tho. Turner.  
Tho. Simpson.  
Nath. Bugg.  
Tho. Lawson.  
John Lorkin.  
Thomas pain.  
John Hubbert.  
Samuel Hoard.  
John Ferriby.  
Matth. Elliston.  
Hugh Glover.  
John powel.  
William Hales.  
Phil. Sanders.  
Edward Bentall.  
Robert powel.  
John Lavender.  
Henry Havers.  
Francis Hill.  
George bound.  
Elias Pledger.  
Constant Jessop.  
John pool.  
John Wilson.  
Robert White.  
Patrick Weems.  
John Benson.  
Ralph Wharton.  
Edward Ford.  
Nich. Folgingham.  
Tho. Lathum.  
Will. Web.  
Samuel Collins.  
Ralph hills.  
John Paynell.  
edmond Brewer.  
I. Gent.  
John Ovend.  
Wil. Blackmore.  
Thomas Watson.  
John Wood.  
John Norton.  
Thomas Dearsly.  
James Sutton.  
Francis Gisbrough.  
Edward Thomas.  
John Firmyn.  
R. Moseley.  
Thomas templar.  
Daniel wield.  
Israel Heuet.  
John Symson.  
Will. Guthrie.  
Aug. Hill.  
John Andrewes.  
Anthony Sammes:  
Thomas laws.  
Thomas Nicholson.  
William ●uckley.  
Nathan. ●ewitson.  
William Danes.  
John Shunman.  
Will. Tabor.  
Robert brook.  
Tho. Moody.  
John Reddrich.  
Isaac Seredge.  
james Maldon.  
John Wyllys.  
Nichol. North.  
Will. How.  
Nath. Ranew.  
Samuel Smith.  
Nehemiah Homes.  
Christopher Wragg.  
Francis chandler.  
Nehemiah Long.  
John Peachie.  
John Elborowe.  
Dan. Lathum.  
Will. Alscough.  
Samuel Wharton.  
John Smith.  
Will. Willis.  
John Argor.  
Thomas peck.  
John Church.  
Tho. Orsby.  
Edward Wichy.  
Richard carnal.  
Tho. Silverwood.  
Marmaduke james.  
Samuel Bridge.  
Edward Clyffe.  
Ben. Wynington.  
Samuel Smith.  
Hierom jones.  
Rich. Ba●●ingtion  
Anthony Whit●ng.  
Robert city.  
William Pipple.  
John Malden.  
Henry Steinmer.  
Step. Pipple.  
John Edes.  
Nath. Carr.  
Thomas Salter.  
Robert Peartree.  
George Wilkinson.  
George Catony.  
Edward D●●wet.  
Nicholas Beard.  
Abraham Caley.  
John Augur.  
Is. Sutcliffe.  
Will. Wells.  
james Nonis.  
Samuel purchase.  
John Bedle.  
Timothy Woodcoffe.  
Samuel Ainsworth.  
Robert Rogers.  
Sam. Nowell.      

The Lords Answer to the said Petition.  
THe Lords are glad to find this zeal and care in the ministry of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex, for the preventing the further increase of heresy and profaneness, and for the promoting a growth in the power of godliness. The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein, and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement. They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause, and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of error, heresy, seducing Teachers, and soule-subverting books, and likewise for the settling of Church government according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches, to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemn League and Covenant, & that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this Answer shall be printed and published.  
John Brown clear. Parliamentorum.   

The Answer to the House of Commons to the Ministers Petition.  
Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646.  
THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the County of suffolk and Essex were at the door, they were called in, and presented to the House a Petition, entitled, The humble Petition of the Ministers of suffolk and Essex, the which was red.  
The Ministers were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by command of the House acquainted them, That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration, and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily: That the House is very sensible, that through some intervening obstructions the Church Government hath not been so fully settled as they desire, and that they give them thankes for their good affections, and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church Government as lie within their power.  
H. elsing clear. Parl. D. come.   
FINIS.