To the Supreme Authority, the right Honourable the Commons of England assembled in PARLIAMENT. The humble Petition of Godfrey Goodman, late Bishop of Gloucester. Shows, THat your Petitioner hath suffered in these times, as much proportionably, and in as hard a manner as any other man hath done (as verily he believeth.) Though no man can produce better Certificates, or give greater assurance of his innocency, than your Petitioner can do; That his Pockets have been twice searched, all his Letters perused, and much enquiry made to find out accusations against him: Yet he humbly thanks God that he hath ever been found innocent; That he hath not only lost in effect, all his own moneys, But very much what belongs to others, insomuch that for Orphans alone he hath passed over a Lease which in former times would have yielded fouteene or fifteen hundred pounds, besides great Arrears which are behind and unpaid, and for which he should make satisfaction to a great value; though he used all possible means to preserve them, sending moneys beyond Seas to Hamborow by Bill of Exchange, yet were they called back again, and paid to the use of the Parliament, as may appear by the Acquittance, the like whereof he conceives hath not befallen any other man though the greatest delinquent. That notwithstanding all his former sufferings, yet he still cannot be freed. Lately there came an Officer to demand Ninety six pound, pretending it to be a debt due to your Pet. and that he was to receive it for the use of the Parliament. Within this month two of his neighbours were brought up to London living above 40 miles distant, only to be examined what debts were due to your Pet. that others might receive them. Your Pet. holding one Personage in Commendam, one Mr. Newberry now for some years hath enjoyed the whole benefit, upon pretence that your Pet. is Sequestered, and his serving the Cure there. Whereas your Petitioner is freed from Sequestration by the Articles of Anglesey; neither hath he discharged the Cure, for that he hath not administered the Communion all his time, nor Baptised their children: The Parishioners have generally made their Certificates in the behalf of your Pet. who in his wants desiring to have some relief out of his Parsonage, it being well worth 180 l. per annum. Mr Newberry gave him him this answer, that he ought to have none, because he had neither wife nor children, though indeed your Pet. had very well deserved of him. That while he enjoyed his preferments, he takes God to witness, that he never thought it lawful for him to enrich himself by any Church means, but did ever desire God to direct him, that he might spend his Church means in a Church-like manner, and to the best uses: Insomuch that being of himself meanly provided, and having lived seven years without Rents, upon his own stock; which being now wholly exhausted, he wants means to subsist, and doth humbly beg some maintenance for his Relief, and that he may be freed from Sequestrations or any Delinquency, protesting that wittingly and willingly he never did, nor ever shall offend the Parliament. August 31. 1649. And your Petitioner shall daily pray God to reward you. Godfrey Goodman. Quarto Aprilis 1649. WE whose names are hereunto subscribed do hereby certify; That Godfrey Goodman late Bishop of Gloucester, hath lived in this Country and County, now for the space of six years or thereabouts, in effect during the whole time of the War, in which time there have been here divers and several Armies, some for the King, some for the Parliament: Yet we neither know, nor ever heard that the said Godfrey Goodman, did ever interpose or intermeddle in any matters of War; but hath ever lived quietly & privately. And this we can do no less than testify at his request, now at his departure out of this Country. Tho: Madrin. Vic. Car. Tho: Williams john Owen. Io. Parry. WE also whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby testify that the above mentioned Godfrey Goodman, for the space of a year last passed since our residence in Carnarvan, hath not intermeddled with any business concerning Warlike affairs; but hath demeaned himself as is above specified by the Gentlemen of that Country. Tho: Mason. Mark Mould. To the Honourable William Lenthall, Speaker of the Parliament of England and Recorder of the City of Gloucester, and to the Knight's Citizens and Burgesses of the said City and County of Gloucester. attending in PARLIAMENT. Honourable, AT the earnest request of our late Bishop Doctor Goodman, who by his own relation hath suffered in these times as much proportionably as any man hath done; Yet hath Certificates from the high Sheriff, Justices, Committees, Governors of Castles where he lived, that he never inteposed in any matter of Warr. Having lost in effect all his means, and not only his own, but very much what belonged to others, by whom he was entrusted, and for which he must make satisfaction, to a very great value. Though we writ nothing in commendations of him (which he in his Modesty desires may be forborn) Yet surely we can do no less than give him this Testimony, that he hath lived very quietly and lovingly amongst us for these twenty years. And considering the course of his expense, we conceive he could not enrich himself by his Bishopric. And having now lived for the space of Seven years wholly upon his own stock, and that now utterly exhausted. Our humble desire is, that ye move the Honourable House of Commons, that he may have some means wherewith to subsist, and that ye would be pleased to further him in his Petition, which we hope will be done, the rather upon our recommendations whom you represent in Parliament; And this we earnestly desire, ever resting Your humble and faithful Servants, Gentlemen of Gloucester-shire. William Shepherd William Stafford Edward Kingscot Richard Yate john Brain john Giffard John Corwell Anthony Gifford William Selvyn Thomas Hylwey Arthur Fonler William Leigh William Mewe Thomas Estcourt Citizens of Gloucester. Henry Cugly Major. William Singleton john Hanbury Thomas Hill Edward Nurse Laurence Singleton De: Wise john Madocke jas. Clutterbooke james Stephens john Dorney William Clarke, Richard Tailor Richard Harware Nathaniel Hodges Edward Collett John Wood Robert Tyther Robert Pewin Thomas Peirce jam. Commelin Thomas Cook. Burgesses of Tukesbury. john Man Chr: Atkinson Bailiffs. William Wilson Richard Mince Thomas Hale Edward jenings Thomas Hales, Senior. William Whitledge john Orrell john Schiter john Millington Philip Hilly john Carver Henry Robins William Fowler john Browne William Scudamore Burgesses of Cirencester Andrew Solace Giles Handcox Amos Dansey john Broade Thomas Roberts john Woodball Thomas Deacon Edmond Freeman john Kenible Thomas Gibbs Richard Massinger john Shingleton Thomas Witcombe Thomas Trippett john Maddockes john Screven William Starr john Tomes William Russell jeffery Beale Windsor and some other Gentlemen of Bark-shire have written to the same effect, but because they writ some thing in commendation, etc. therefore they are not published. In regard of my age being near 70. and a great infirmity, I cannot solicit my own business, but do desire that what favour shall be showed me, may be ascribed under God's mercy and providence, to your own goodness and compassion, and not to my importunity.