To the honourable, The Commons assembled in Parliament: The humble Petition of divers Gentlemen, Ministers, and well-affected Inhabitants in the County of Somerset,  
Showeth,  
THat your Petitioners calling to mind the continuate actions of your Enemies for years past (especially those mentioned in your several Declarations) and their late Design for a second War, find their aims destructive, and their Malice adusted, and can expect no Peace from them (their specious pretence notwithstanding:) But when your Petitioners reflect their thoughts on that powerful Providence which hath still attended your Preservation (even to the height of Miracle) and frustrated that late Design (laid confidently for your ruin) by the hands of a few of your dispersed Army, weakened by neglect of Friends, and fighting a potent enraged Enemy (emboldened with assurance of Success) We your Petitioners rest in admiration of God's mercy towards you; and do hope shortly to enjoy a well-grounded Peace (if the Vote of No further Address be not too much forgotten) and a Reformation, according to the Word of God (the result of our wishes and prayers) and to see Justice executed, the ends of the National Covenant. In pursuance of which we humbly pray,  
That you accept of that Peace which God, your Protector, tenders, and not take one from flesh, or from the hands of your Enemies, lest the Kingdom, yourselves, and we, become their prey.  
That a Reformation be speedied and settled, according to God's Word.  
That justice be done on great offenders (a second time brought before you) in satisfaction of the blood shed in your quarrel, confessed by your very Enemies to be innocent, and not to be quieted (we are confident) by an Act of Oblivion, or otherwise, then by an impartial justice.  
That your Armies (approved faithful) be encouraged, duly paid, not laid aside, until your Enemies have laid down their thoughts of Blood and Slaughter.  
That the pious ministry may have a settled sufficiency, and not deprived of their augmentation; the fruits of your justice, and reward of their Sufferings.  

Die lovis, 21 Decembr. 1648.  
THe House being informed, That some Gentlemen of the County of Somerset were at the door, they were called in; and there presented a Petition, which was entitled, The humble Petition of divers Gentlemen, Ministers, and well-affected Inhabitants of the County of Somerset, which after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read: The Petitioners being afterwards called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;  
Gentlemen,  
THe House hath read your Petition, which consists of three Points, which showeth your great care of justice, Safety and Religion; wherein you deserve extraordinary Thanks, and the House hath commanded me to give you Thanks, and I do give you Thanks accordingly. And the House hath commanded me to tell you, That it is their Resolution with all speed to take into their serious consideration the three Points of your Petition, consisting of justice, Safety and Religion.    

ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Petition be forthwith printed and published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons. Jan. 5. 1648.