TO THE HONOURABLE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS NOW ASSEMBLED IN PARLIAMENT. The humble Petition of divers Knights, Esquires, Ministers, Gentlemen, and Freeholders of the County Palatine of Lancaster.  
Shows,  
THat your Petitioners with all the gratitude that thankful hearts can express, do acknowledge the fidelity, patience, and unparaleld industry of this Honourable House in the endeavours to restore to order the discomposed condition of this Church and State; and to put the same into a way to unity, purity, and peace. For purging the Fountains of Government, and establishing his Majesty's royal Throne upon the old and sure foundation of impartial justice, Nationall Laws, and the Subjects love. For the blessed union of two Kingdoms, to the terror of our enemies, the strength and splendour of both Nations. For expunging out of the Church innovations, and confining Church men to their proper functions; and the future hopes of a Nationall Synod of able Divines, to compose the Civil war of the Church, and settle the differences both of doctrine and discipline. For restoring to the Subjects of this Kingdom, courage, industry, and vivacity of Spirit, by the freedom of their persons and estates. For settling the present fruition, and the hopes of a lasting possession of these high and unvalueable benefits, by disposing of the Militia, and Forts of the Kingdom under the commands of persons of Honour and unquestionable fidelity (of which number your Petitioners do acknowledge the Noble Lord, the L. Wharton, appointed by Parliament Lord Lieutenant of this County, whom with all thankfulness they do receive, and according to the power wherewith he shall be trusted, will ever most readily and willingly obey.) For giving life (by execution) to the Laws against Recusants, and security of life to the Protestants by their disarming. For vindication of the Privileges of Parliament, (the firm Basis of this Government, the inheritance of the Subject, and the best guard of his Majesty's royal person, crown and dignity:) So that by the blessing of Almighty God, and the prosperous care of this Honourable House, the practices (whether foreign, or domestic) of the enemies to this State, shall be averted, detected, and brought to nought.  
Yet in regard the course of these great affairs, so highly concerning the safety, plenty, and quiet of the Kingdom, hath been much interrupted by some, whose sinister ends, or corrupted understandings (capable of no amendment) hath made them active for introduction of public calamities. And your Petitioners being seated in the mouth of danger, and having fresh and daily spectacles of the Irish cruelties presented to their eyes, cannot choose but apprehend fear from the novelty of so great barbarism: And lest that Kingdom (for want of timely aids) being lost, the war (or rather the Massacre) should be transported hither from the opposite shore, where the number of popish Recusants, and the opportunity of landing may invite an invasion. Your Petitioners therefore do in all humbleness present to the consideration of this Honourable Assembly their fears, dangers, and desires; humbly praying  
That such persons whether Ecclesiastical or Temporal, whose ends and interesses are not the same with the Protestants of this Kingdom, may be removed from the great counsel of the Kingdom.  
That the distractions of the Church may be settled by a Nationall Synod.  
That the number of preaching Ministers may be augmented in this County, and a better distribution of the Church revenue, that so the tithes of vast Parishes may not be wholly drawn to the Parish Church, and the Ministers of the Chapels far distant, be exposed to the exhibition of a poor and ignorant auditory.  
That as well a provision be made for the distressed (and destitute of all the comforts of this life) our poor brethren of Ireland, that in multitudes daily arrive in this County; as a speedy aid advanced to stay the insolency and cruelty of the enemy, whose boast is to make the fruitful parts of this Kingdom the seat of war, when they have cleared that Kingdom from strangers.  
THAT a Fleet of small Ships may be appointed for the guard of this Coast, as well to prevent the aid and intelligence that may be given to the Rebels from the Papists of these, or any other parts, as for defence of your Petitioners, and other Protestants, his Majesty's faithful Subjects, inhabiting the Maritime parts of this Kingdom, opposite to Ireland.  
THAT the Recusants of this County may be disarmed, and such Ports or other strengths, as yet remain in any of their keep, may be disposed into the hands of Protestants, and that sufficient Guards may be appointed in places convenient, and the Militia of the County put into a posture for defence of the same.  
THAT the petition concerning the breach of Privileges at the Election of Knights for this County (unparaleld by any Election in this Kingdom, as your Petitioners believe)▪ As also the other grievances of the County (contained in a petition exhibited twelve Months since, and more particularly related in a Declaration lately presented to some Members of this Honourable House) may receive examination, and redress: And that such as shall be found to have been instruments of bringing in an Arbitrary and insolent Government, may make reparation for the oppressions they have done to their Country, And henceforth be excluded from the exercise of that authority, which (it may be feared) they would again abuse, if they had again the like occasion.  
And your Petitioners will be ever ready with their lives and estates to defend his Majesty's Royal Person, the persons and Privileges of the Members of this House, the Protestant Religion, and Laws of this Kingdom, and to bring to condign punishment all opposers, as they are bound by their late Protestation: And ever to pray for the happy proceed of this Parliament.   

Printed by Felix Kingston. 1641.