To the Right Honourable the Lords now assembled in Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the High-Sheriff, Knights, equires, Gentlemen, Ministers, Freeholders, and other the inhabitants of the County of Berks.  
Showeth,  
THat your Petitioners with all joy and thankfulness of heart, acknowledge the happy concurrence of your Lordships, with the honourable House of Commons, to the effecting of many great and excellent things; And we hope of a full and perfect Reformation in the Government of this Church and commonwealth; Whereby so many threatning dangers to this Kingdom both at home and from abroad, by your great wisdoms may be prevented, to the perpetual Honour of your Lordships and this Parliament.  
We humbly pray the continuance of this happy consent, and joint endeavour for the public good, earnestly desiring your lordship's assistance, in putting our county, together with all other Counties of this Kingdom into a present Posture of defence, and we shall be ever ready with our Lives, Powers, and Fortunes, to maintain and defend His majesty's Person, Honour, and Estate, your Lordships in that happy concurrence, and the Rights and privileges of Parliament.  
And shall ever pray, &c.   

To the Honourable Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons now assembled in Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the High-Sheriff, Knights, equires, Gentlemen, Ministers, Freeholders, and other inhabitants of the County of Berks.  
Showeth,  
THat your Petitioners acknowledge with all dutiful and most hearty thanks, the great Piety, courage and constancy of this Honourable House, in your unwearied labours, for the good of this Church and State, whereby great things are done for us already; for which we bless God who hath made His Majesty and you, the happy instruments thereof, and enlarge our hopes of a prosperous continuance of the good success of your endeavours. We do with like zeal and affection to your proceedings, humbly crave leave to Petition, That all Innovation in God's worship, may be removed. Such as take upon them the Function of the Ministry unauthorised, and those who are Popishly affected, and oppose the due Reformation of Church Government may be disabled from hindering your pious intentions, and such things established, as are most agreeable to Christ's Gospel, and most advantageous to His Kingdom. That scandalous Ministers may be displaced, and God's people enjoy the comfort of zealous and painful Preachers in their Rooms. That known and professed Arminians and Socinians may not be entrusted in any place of Government. That our Liturgy may be reviewed, and purged of all things not warranted by the Word of God, and justly scandalous. That you would be a means to His Majesty, and the House of Peers, that the Votes of Popish Lords in the House of Peers, may be taken away; and that the frequent assemblies and consultations of Priests, Jesuits, and their adherents plotting mischief against this State, may be prevented and punished, and a watchful eye had over them, that they strengthen not themselves, with new supplies of arms, which we conceive they may be apt to do, unless the Justices of peace may have power to examine the abuses upon oath. That this Kingdom may be put into a fit Posture of defence, and the Militia thereof settled according to your prudent advice and purpose. That the Persons of the most active Papists may be secured, the Laws duly executed upon them, who are the evil councillors, raisers, and fomentors of the troubles, and distempers of this commonwealth. That Churches and chapels of ease, may be endowed with competent maintenance for preaching Ministers. That you will please to continue your care of our poor distressed Brethren, in the bleeding Kingdom of Ireland. That the Statute for robberies may be reviewed and amended. The forest Laws ascertained. The abuses of Purveyors, and Cart-takers reformed. That you will take into your speedy consideration, to advance the trade of clothing, a chief support of many poor of this County, the general present decay, whereof may breed great mischiefs; unless by your wisdoms it be speedily prevented. For these particulars, and many others, which you can better understand than we express, we know your wisdoms are so prudent, that we would have been silent still, but that we begin to doubt our silence may encourage the malignant party, to think we are of their opinion. Your Petitioners being ever ready with all cheerfulness to hazard our lives, power, and estates, to maintain, and defend His majesty's Person, Honour, and Estate, this Honourable House, and the privileges of Parliament.  
And your Petitioners shall pray, &c.   

These Petitions were delivered by the chief Gentry of the County, Subscribed with above 3000. hands.   

March 5. London, Printed by John Raworth. 1641.