To the Kings most Excellent majesty.  
The humble Petition of the Gentry, Ministers and freeholders of the County Palatine of Chester, and of the Inquests serving at the Assizes for the body of of the said County. Presented to His majesty at York, MAY 7. 1642.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat though our heart breaking griefs have been many and great, though a lively apprehension of our woeful disstractions, which have been of late much increased by this long night of your absence from your great council; yet we have had some surviving relics of hope, that the sighs and groans, the tears and prayers of so many dutiful and well affected subjects from all parts might (in time) have been accepted and at length have proved powerful to have melted your royal breast into Compassion, and with (such a loving and pleasant violence) might have won you to embrace again with all tenderness Your whole kingdom, as it is at this presen● represented in Parliament.  
But now we lament that even those hopes appear to us ghastly as brea●…hing their last, having little vigour remaining in them to uphold our hearts for our sorrows are doubled our fears multiplied, by the report of your majesty's Resolutions to undertake a dangerous) voyage into your kingdom of Ireland, whereon we look with much wonder and astonishment, far be it from you (dread sovereign to blame our hearts, which (guided by the strength of law and duty) cannot consent to a Journey so perilous, by which your royal person (wherein we challenge so great an Interest, that it is no more Yours than ours) shall undergo variety of dangers by Sea and Land, wind and waters, having no difference betwixt a King and his meanest vassal.  
And if God (the Guardian and preserver of Princes) shall safely waft you over, what valuable security can be given us of Your life being amongst such Papish, barbarous, and cruel rebels, as (having banished the sense of all Religion, piety, and humanity, and rejecting God, and You their King from reigning over them,) do continue to murder daily Your innocent and Protestant subjects, of all ages, sexes, and conditions, and which they would persuade the world they do act by Your Authori●●e, Approbation and Command, thereby heaping vengeance upon their own heads, and rendering them uncapable and unworthy, the thoughts of the least grace and favour, let Your justice, we beseech Your majesty have its proper work upon them, and your mercy upon Us, by granting our most humble prayers to these particulars.  
To comfort our hearts by your residing where you may with best conveniency Consult with your great council before you thus hazard your person and your people.  
To Consider to what danger hereby you expose us by the popish faction, when your Majesty shall leave us naked, and not put into a posture of defence, to repel the rage and attempts of the enemies to our religion when we have too just cause to fear that they do but wait for an opp●rtunity to bring to birth their cruel Conceptions. And what so great advantage can they hope for, as would be this of your absence.  
To advise whether this Journey would not much retard the intended relief for Ireland since (upon the first rumour) many who were minded to subscribe thereto, do demur in their proceedings, and others wish they might recall what they have subscribed.  
Not to deprive Us at once of that poor remainder of hope we have to reap further good by the endeavours of Your Parliament whereof we shall despair when Your presence shall be wanting to infuse life in their life proposals and Conclusions.  
To believe that a Journey to White-Hall will be the more for Your Honour and safety, and far more acceptable to Your truest Subjects than a Voyage to Ireland.  
To view at our humble entreaty that part of King David's story, who being resolved in person to war against his own Rebels, acquainted the people with his Intention in these words of Resolution, I will go with you myself also, but his best Subjects (that were ready to hazard their lives for him, would not suffer him to venture his regal Person which was to them so perilous) opposed him these terms, Thou shalt not go forth, neither did David reject them as presumptuous, knowing that their confident expression in that particular was the issues of their duty and love, but gave them this mild and satisfactory reply, (which we humbly beg may be Your majesty's Answer to Your Parliament: Us, And all other Your good Subjects) what seemeth You best, that will we do,  
So shall we ever pray, &c.   

London Printed for Richard Lownes at his shop adjoining without Ludgate 1642.