To the Honourable, the supreme Authority of this Nation, the Commons of England, in Parliament Assembled.  
The humble Petition of divers Inhabitants of the County of [〈◊〉] in the behalf of the poor of this Nation.  
Showeth,  
THat as nothing is more acceptable to God then relieving the Oppressed, so nothing is more Constantly practised by wicked men then grinding the Faces of the poor: And that the neglect of Justice, upon such Offenders hath much emboldened them, As to bring many to poverty, so to keep them in a Famishing condition by withhoulding from them many Stipends and legacies, And keeping them from the due benefit of free-schools, Hospitalies', almshouses and Lands; As also of many fens, Chases, forests, Heaths, mountains, plains, Greens, Leezes, Leacons, Woods, Copses, highways, and other Commons, which of right and due belong unto them; As also by Trading with unlawful I beams, weights, and Measures.  
The extremity they are brought unto by such unjust dealings: Together with the want of employment, engageth your Petitioners (new some obstructions are removed) to make known their desires to this Honourable House.  
1. That some punishment may be inflicted upon all those, that know of any kind of benefit belonging to the poor, and shall not forthwith discover the same, to such persons as shall be appointed by this Honourable House.  
2. That all that have any moneys, goods, or necessaries in their possession, belonging to the poor, may be enforced to perfect their accounts.  
3. That the poor may enjoy all moneys, Goods, victual, Firing, clothes, and other necessaries belonging to them.  
4. That all free-schools, hospitals, almshouses and lands, may be put to the uses for which they were given and bequeathed.  
5. That all fens, Chases, forests, Heaths, Mountains, plains, Green's, Leezes, Leacons woods Copses, highways, and other Commons, which have been wrongfully enclosed, may forthwith be laid open, and employed only to the use of such as do (Indeed) stand in want of the same.  
6. That those that have any way wronged the poor, may suffer according to their demerits.  
7. That the weights and measures allowable in this Nation, may be alike in all places of the same: And that no man presume to buy or sell, by any other weight or measure, then what shall be sealed, and agreeable unto the standard of the same; but shall rather alter the price of the commedity, than the weight or measure by which it is bought and sold.  
8. That some effectual course may be taken to set the poor on work; that those that are able to work and will not, may neither be suffered to beg, nor receive any benefit belonging to the poor; And that those who are not able to work, or cannot in any wise by their labour maintain their charge, may be kept from perishing by some more equal way, than the alms of that particular parish wherein they dwell.  
And we doubt not but the equity and great necessity of these our just desires, will prevail with you for a speedy remedy hereof. In so doing, you may with confidence expect a blessing from God, and will also engage the hearts of your Petitioners, and other good men, the more firmly unto you, who in the beholding of Justice,  
Will pray for a blessing upon this honourable House.  
POSTSCRIPT.  
It is desired that this Petition be read in the Parish Churches, and that all the subscriptions gathered thereunto, be sent to the House of William Wallis a Hosier, at the sign of the Gun at Algate, London, upon, or before the 14. day of March, 1648. (At which place you may have copies of this Petition)