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            <title>A collection of svndry petitions presented to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie as also to the two most honourable houses, now assembled in Parliament, and others, already signed, by most of the gentry, ministers, and free-holders of severall counties, in behalfe of episcopacie, liturgie, and supportation of church-revenues, and suppression of schismaticks / collected by a faithful lover of the church, for the comfort of the dejected clergy, and all moderately affected Protestants.</title>
            <author>Aston, Thomas, Sir, 1600-1645.</author>
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               <date>1642</date>
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                  <title>A collection of svndry petitions presented to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie as also to the two most honourable houses, now assembled in Parliament, and others, already signed, by most of the gentry, ministers, and free-holders of severall counties, in behalfe of episcopacie, liturgie, and supportation of church-revenues, and suppression of schismaticks / collected by a faithful lover of the church, for the comfort of the dejected clergy, and all moderately affected Protestants.</title>
                  <author>Aston, Thomas, Sir, 1600-1645.</author>
                  <author>Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649.</author>
                  <author>England and Wales. Parliament.</author>
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               <extent>[4], 43, [1] p.   </extent>
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                  <publisher>Printed for William Sheares,</publisher>
                  <pubPlace>[London] :</pubPlace>
                  <date>1642.</date>
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                  <note>Attributed to Sir Thomas Aston. cf. BM.</note>
                  <note>Index: p. [1] at end.</note>
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         <div type="title_page">
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            <p>A COLLECTION OF SVNDRY PETITIONS Preſented to the KINGS Moſt excellent Majeſtie. AS ALSO To the two moſt Honourable Houſes, now aſſembled in PARLIAMENT. AND OTHERS, Already ſigned, by moſt of the <hi>Gentry, Miniſters,</hi> and <hi>Free-holders</hi> of ſeverall Counties, in behalfe of <hi>Epiſcopacie, Liturgie,</hi> and ſupportation of <hi>Church-Revenues,</hi> and ſuppreſſion of <hi>Schiſmaticks.</hi> Collected by a faithfull Lover of the <hi>Church,</hi> for the comfort of the dejected <hi>Clergy,</hi> and all moderatly affected <hi>Proteſtants.</hi> Publiſhed by his Majeſties ſpeciall Command.</p>
            <q>
               <bibl>
                  <hi>Ezek. 34.18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.</hi>
               </bibl>
               <p>Seemeth it a ſmall thing unto you to have eaten up the good paſture, but you muſt tread downe with your feet the reſidue alſo. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God, Becauſe ye have thruſt with ſide and with ſhoulder, and puſht all the diſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>eaſed with your hornes, till you have ſcattered them abroad; therefore will I ſave my flock, and they ſhall be no more a prey; and I will judge betweene Cat<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tell and Cattell. And I will ſet up one Shepheard ouer them, and he ſhall feede them, even my ſervant <hi>David;</hi> he ſhall feed them, and he ſhall be their Shep<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>heard. J the Lord will be their God, and my ſervant <hi>David</hi> a Prince among them. J the Lord have ſpoken it.</p>
            </q>
            <p>Printed for <hi>William Sheares,</hi> 1642.</p>
         </div>
         <div type="coat_of_arms">
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            <p>
               <figure/>
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         <div type="to_the_reader">
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            <head>The Collector to the Reader.</head>
            <opener>
               <salute>READER,</salute>
            </opener>
            <p>
               <seg rend="decorInit">L</seg>ET mee put thee in mind (as theſe times doe mee) of a ſpeciall Law in (that ſingular Patterne of a well compoſed State) <hi>Sparta.</hi> So ſenſible were they of the ill effects of Innovations in Government, that who ever propoſed a new Law, preſented himſelfe with a Halter about his neck, his Head paid the treſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>paſſe of a new invented Prejudice. But oh; <hi>Quantum mutantur Tem<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pora, quantum nos,</hi> So rare a gift have the illuminated fancies of this all-knowing age, That old women without Spectacles can diſcover Popiſh plots, young men and prentizes aſſume to regulate the Rebel<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lion in <hi>Jreland,</hi> Sea-men and Marriners Reforme the Houſe of Peers, Poore men, Porters, and Labourers ſpy out a malignant party, and diſcipline them; The countrey clouted-ſhoe renew the decayed trade of the Citie. The Cobler patch up a Religion, &amp; all theſe petition for a tranſlation, both of Church and State, with ſo little feare of the Halter, that they would thinke themſelves neglected, if they had not thanks for their care of the Re-publicke; only he that deſires the ratification of an old Law, or of a long ſetled Eccleſiaſtick Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, lookes as if the Halter were his ſhare; And though there be thir<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty thouſand hands ſubſcribed to it; 'Tis ods, not one of all thoſe dares preferre a Petition to that purpoſe: <hi>Oh! Quis pudor quod non praeſtet fides quod praeſtitit infidelitas.</hi> Oh! what a ſhame is it that an igno<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rant Seperatiſt ſhall covertly draw Subſcribers out of blind zeale to looſe papers, and thoſe to be annext to ſome <hi>Embryon</hi> yet unhatcht, and delivered in the name of a County, with confidence, when a Knight of a ſhire ſhall perhaps ſmother the true child, and dares not owne it. That a few Innovators ſhall be able to ſummon to <hi>Black-heath, South-warke,</hi> and <hi>Saint-george</hi> his fields, thouſands of credu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lous people, with implicite faiths, to goe along with Petitions ſhall be ſhewed them when they come there, for the alteration of Lawes, and Government: and the Reſolutions of an aſſizes or Seſſions of Iuſtices, publiſhed in all Pariſhes, ſigned by all the Free-holders of a County for the ſupportation of Lawes and Government, ſhall not produce one Patriot to preſent the unanimous deſires of a County: yet it fals out often<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> ſo when ſingle hearted men are encounter'd by a faction, each man thinkes he ſtands alone unaſſured of a ſecond; when
<pb facs="tcp:59547:3"/>
ten of the other confederated make more noyſe then 10000. ſilent men. Epiſcopacy and Lyturgie are both legally planted at this time both violently aſſaulted: The queſtion is, whether the battery, or the defence be the ſtronger: the one ſide charges furiouſly; the other ſuffers ſilently, patiently, and a reſerved ſtrength oft maſters a violent: But each orthodox ſonne of the Church thinkes himſelfe in <hi>Eliahs</hi> caſe, that hee alone is left of all the Prophets, and alas, what can hee doe? And perhaps thou my Reader art one of thoſe, <hi>Courage man</hi>; the ſame God that taught him to know, he had reſerved ſeven thou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſand, that had never bowed their knees to <hi>Baall,</hi> when he opens thy eyes, can ſhew thee not ſeven, but ſeventy times ſeven thouſand true Proteſtants, that will lend their hands and hearts to uphold that A<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſtolicke order, this bleſſed forme of divine ſervice. The buſines is, 'tis a hard time, every man's afraid to breake his ſhins by being foremoſt: But the Ice is broke already. This Collection of theſe many ſleeping Petitions wil ſhew every County that the way is open: And ſince noiſe and number are taken into conſideration, the for<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wardneſſe of the Aſſaylants will, I beleeve, put ſhame upon the De<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fendants to be ſo farre behind. The Iudges being honourable, and impartially receiving the arguments on both ſides, I preſume none will diſcover a diſtruſt of a faire acceptance, or betray a Truſt (out of a perſonall reſpect) by detayning ſuch Petitions, as the Counties have committed into their hands. If all ſuch as are already ſigned ſee the light, I am ſure this volume will be a large one, and the Number, and quality of the Defendants, as much over-ſway the Opponents; as their arguments drawne from the Lawes of God and man, will out-weigh the Motives of thoſe, who only will, becauſe they will. As if it were cauſe enough to overthrow eſtabliſhed Lawes, that they have deſired it, though they ſhew no reaſon for it: But if all other Counties, all true Proteſtants with like liberty expreſſe their affecti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons; the diſtractions of the Church will be quickly ſetled; To that good worke I have lent my hand, by lending thee and the world this light. <hi>Farewell.</hi>
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         <div type="petition">
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            <head>A PETITION DELIVERED In to the Lords SPIRITUALL and TEMPORALL. By Sir THOMAS ASTON <hi>Baronet,</hi> from the County <hi>Palatine</hi> of <hi>Cheſter,</hi> concerning EPISCOPACY. </head>
            <opener>To the High and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT. The Nobility, Knights, Gentry, Miniſters, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the County <hi>Palatine</hi> of <hi>Cheſter,</hi> whoſe Names are ſubſcribed in the ſeverall Schedules hereunto annexed. <hi>Humbly ſhew;</hi>
            </opener>
            <p>
               <seg rend="decorInit">T</seg>Hat whereas divers Petitions have lately beene carried about this County, againſt the preſent forme of Church-governe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, (and the hands of many perſons of ordinary quality ſolicited to the ſame, with pretence to bee preſented to this Honourable Aſſembly) which wee con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceiving not ſo much to aime at Refor<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mation, as abſolute Innovation of Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment, and ſuch as muſt give a great advantage to the Adverſaries of our Religion, wee held it our duty to diſavow them all.</p>
            <p>And humbly pray, that wee incurre no miſcenſure, if any ſuch clamours have (without our privity) aſſum'd the name of the County.</p>
            <p>Wee, as others, are ſenſible of the common grievances of the Kingdome and have juſt cauſe to rejoyce at, and acknowledge with
<pb n="2" facs="tcp:59547:4" rendition="simple:additions"/>
thankefulneſſe, the pious care which is already taken for the ſup<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>preſſing of the growth of Popery, the better ſupply of able Mini<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſters, and the removing of all Innovation; and wee doubt not, but in your great Wiſedomes you will regulate the rigour of Eccle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſiaſticall Courts, to ſuit with the temper of our Lawes, and the na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ture of Free-men.</p>
            <p>Yet when wee conſider, that Biſhops were inſtituted in the time of the Apoſtles; That they were the great lights of the Church in all the firſt generall Counſels; That ſo many of them ſowed the ſeeds of Religion in their bloods, and reſcued Chriſtianity from utter extirpation in the Primitive Heathen perſecutions; That to them wee owe the redemption of the purity of the Goſpell wee now profeſſe from <hi>Romiſh</hi> corruption; That many of them for the propagation of the truth, became ſuch glorious Martyrs; That divers of them (lately and) yet living with us, have beene ſo great aſſer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tours of our Religion againſt its common enemy of <hi>Rome</hi>; And that their Government hath beene ſo long approved, ſo oft eſtabliſhed by the Common and Statute-lawes of this Kingdome; And as yet nothing in their Doctrine (generally taught) diſſonant from the Word of God, or the Articles ratified by Law. In this caſe to call their Government, a perpetuall Vaſſalage, an intollerable Bondage; And <hi>(prima facie &amp; inaudita altera parte)</hi> to pray the preſent remo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vall of them, or (as in ſome of their Petitions) to ſeeke the utter diſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſolution and ruine of their offices (as Antichriſtian) we cannot con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceive to reliſh o<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap> juſtice or charity, nor can wee joyne with them.</p>
            <p>But on the contrary, when wee conſider the tenour of ſuch wri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tings, as in the name of Petitions, are ſpread amongſt the Common-people; the tenents preached publiquely in Pulpits, and the contents of many printed Pamphlets, ſwarming amongſt us; all of them dan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gerouſly exciting a diſobedience to the eſtabliſhed forme of Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment, and their ſeverall intimations of the deſire of the power of the Keyes, and that their Congregations may execute Eccleſiaſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>call cenſures within themſelves, wee cannot but expreſſe our juſt feares that their deſire is to introduce an abſolute Innovation of Presbyterall Government, whereby wee who are now governed by the Canon and Civill Lawes, diſpenſed by twenty-ſix Ordina<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ries (eaſily reſponſall to Parliaments for any deviation from the rule of Law) conceive wee ſhould become expoſed to the meere Arbi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>trary Government of a numerous Presbitery, who together with their ruling Elders, will ariſe to neere forty thouſand Church Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernours,
<pb n="3" facs="tcp:59547:4" rendition="simple:additions"/>
and with their adherents, muſt needs beare ſo great a ſway in the Common-wealth, that if future inconvenience ſhall be found in that Government, wee humbly offer to conſideration, how theſe ſhall bee reducible by Parliaments, how conſiſtent with a Monarchy, and how dangerouſly conducible to an Anarchy, which wee have juſt cauſe to pray againſt, as fearing the conſequences would prove the utter loſſe of Learning and Lawes, which muſt neceſſarily produce an extermination of Nobility, Gentry, and Order, if not of Religion.</p>
            <p>With what vehemency of Spirit, theſe things are proſecuted, and how plauſibly ſuch popular infuſions ſpread as incline to a parity, wee held it our duty to repreſent to this Honourable aſſembly; And hum<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bly pray. That ſome ſuch preſent courſe be taken, as in your Wiſdomes ſhall bee thought fit, to ſuppreſſe the future diſperſing of ſuch dange<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rous diſcontents amongſt the Common-people. Wee having great cauſe to feare, that of all the diſtempers that at preſent threaten the well-fare of this State, there is none more worthy the mature and grave conſideration of this Honourable aſſembly, then to ſtop the Torrent of ſuch Spirits before they ſwell beyond the bounds of Government: Then wee doubt not but his Majeſty perſevering in his gracious inclination to heare the complaints, and relieve the grie<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vances of his Subjects in frequent Parliaments, it will ſo unite the Head and the Body, ſo indiſſolubly cement the affections of his people to our Royall Soveraigne, that without any other change of Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, Hee can never want revenue, nor wee juſtice.</p>
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            <div type="preamble">
               <p>
                  <hi>Wee have preſumed to annex a Coppy of a Petition (or Libell) diſperſed, and certaine poſitions preacht in this County, which wee conceive, im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ply matter of dangerous conſequence to the peace both of Church and State. All which wee humbly ſubmit to your great Judgements, praying they may bee read. And ſhall ever pray.</hi>
               </p>
               <closer>
                  <signed>Subſcribed to this Petition.
<list>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Foure Noblemen.</hi>
                        </item>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Knight Baronets, Knights and Eſquires foureſcore and odde.</hi>
                        </item>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Divines, threeſcore and tenne.</hi>
                        </item>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Gentlemen, three hundred and odde.</hi>
                        </item>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Free-holders, and other Inhabitants, above ſix thouſand.</hi>
                        </item>
                     </list>
                     <hi>All of the ſame County.</hi>
                  </signed>
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               <head>To the High and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT: The humble Petition of the Vniverſity of <hi>OXFORD.</hi>
               </head>
               <opener>Sheweth,</opener>
               <p>THat whereas the Vniverſity hath beene informed of ſeverall Pe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>titions concerning the preſent Government of this Church, and maintenance of the Clergy, which have of late beene exhibited to this Honourable Aſſembly; Wee could not but thinke our ſelves bound in duty to God, and this whole Nation, charity to our ſelves and Suc<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceſſours, who have, and are like to have more then ordinary intereſt in any reſolution that ſhall bee taken concerning Church-affaires, in all humility, to deſire the continuance of that forme of Government, which is now eſtabliſhed here, and hath beene preſerved in ſome of the Eaſterne and Weſtnerne Churches, in a continued Succeſſion of <hi>Biſhops,</hi> downe from the very Apoſtles to this preſent time; the like whereof cannot bee affirmed of any other forme of Government in any Church. Vpon which conſideration, and ſuch other motives as have beene already repreſented to this Honourable Parliament from other Perſons and places (with whom Wee concurre) in behalfe of <hi>Epiſcopacy.</hi> Wee earneſtly deſire, that you would protect that ancient and <hi>Apoſtolicall Order</hi> from ruine or diminution.</p>
               <p>And become farther Suiters for the continuance of thoſe pious Foundations of <hi>Cathedrall Churches,</hi> with their Lands and Reve<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nues,</p>
               <p>As dedicate to the Service and Honour of God, ſoone after the Plantation of Chriſtianity in the <hi>Engliſh Nation:</hi>
               </p>
               <p>As thought fit and uſefull to bee preſerved for that end, when the Nurſeries of Superſtition were demoliſhed, and ſo continued in the laſt and beſt times, ſince the bleſſed Reformation, under King <hi>Ed<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ward</hi> 6. Queen <hi>Elizabeth,</hi> and King <hi>James,</hi> Princes renowned through the World for their piety and wiſdome:</p>
               <p>As approved and confirmed by the Lawes of this Land, ancient and moderne:</p>
               <p>As the principall outward motive and encouragement of all Stu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dents, eſpecially in Divinity, and the fitteſt reward of ſome deepe and eminent Schollars:</p>
               <p>
                  <pb n="5" facs="tcp:59547:5" rendition="simple:additions"/>As producing or nouriſhing in all ages, many godly and learned Men, who have moſt ſtrongly aſſerted the truth of that Religion Wee profeſſe, againſt the many fierce oppoſitions of our adverſaries of <hi>Rome.</hi>
               </p>
               <p>As affording a competent portion in an ingenuous way to many younger Brothers of good Parentage, who devote themſelves to the Miniſtery of the Goſpell:</p>
               <p>As the onely meanes of ſubſiſtence to a multitude of Officers and other Miniſters, who with their Families depend upon them, and are wholly maintained by them:</p>
               <p>As the maine authours or upholders of diverſe Schooles, Hoſpi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tals, High-wayes, Bridges, and other publique and pious Workes:</p>
               <p>As ſpeciall cauſes of much profit and advantage to thoſe Cities where they are ſcituate, not onely by relieving their poore, and keep<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing convenient Hoſpitality, but by occaſioning a frequent reſort of Strangers from other parts, to the great benefit of all Tradeſmen, and Inhabitants in thoſe places:</p>
               <p>As the goodly Monuments of our Predeceſſours Piety, and pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent Honour of this Kingdome in the eye of Forraigne Nations:</p>
               <p>As the chiefe ſupport of many thouſand Familes of the Laity who enjoy faire eſtates from them in a free way:</p>
               <p>As yeelding a conſtant and ample revenue to the Crowne:</p>
               <p>And as by which many of the learned <hi>Profeſſours</hi> in our <hi>Vniverſity</hi> are maintained.</p>
               <p>The ſubverſion or alienation whereof muſt (as wee conceive) not onely bee attended with ſuch conſequences as will redound to the ſcandall of many well affected to our Religion, but open the mouthes of our adverſaries, and of Poſterity againſt us, and is likely in time to draw after it harder conditions upon a conſiderable part of the Laity, an univerſall cheapneſſe and contempt upon the Clergy, a lamentable drooping and defection of induſtry and knowledge in the <hi>Vniverſi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties</hi>; which is eaſie to foreſee, but will bee hard to remedy.</p>
               <p>
                  <hi>May it therefore pleaſe this <hi>Honourable Aſſembly,</hi> upon theſe and ſuch other Conſiderations as your great Wiſdomes ſhall ſuggeſt, to take ſuch pious care for the continuance of theſe <hi>Religious Houſes,</hi> and their Revenewes, according to the beſt intentions of their <hi>Founders,</hi> as may be to the moſt furtherance of Gods glory and ſervice, the Ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nour of this Church and Nation, the advancement of <hi>Religion</hi> and
<pb n="6" facs="tcp:59547:6"/>
                     <hi>Learning,</hi> the encouragement of the modeſt hopes and honeſt endea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vours of many hundred <hi>Students</hi> in the <hi>Vniverſities</hi>
                  </hi>
               </p>
               <closer>
                  <signed>Who doe and ſhall ever pray, &amp;c.</signed>
                  <dateline>
                     <date>
                        <hi>Dat.</hi> Anno Dom. <hi>Milleſimo ſexcent' quad' primo è Domo Convoca<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tionis, in celebri Conventu Doctorum ac Magiſtrorum, omnibus &amp; ſingulis aſſentientibus.</hi>
                     </date>
                  </dateline>
               </closer>
            </div>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>Honoratiſſimis viris Equitibus, Civibus, &amp; Burgenſibus Supremae Curiae Parliamentariae SENATORIBUS Conſultiſſimis. Summa cum demiſſione.</head>
            <opener>
               <salute>Senatores Honoratiſſimi,</salute>
            </opener>
            <p>NOn veremur ne voluentibus tanta negotia moleſti ſimus <hi>Accademia Cantabrigienſis,</hi> cum nihil ſit aut ad <hi>Religionem</hi> certius, aut ad ſplendorem nominis excelſius, quàm ſuſcipere <hi>Litterarum</hi> clientelam. In quo ſtudio, cùm ſingu<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>aris animi veſtri propenſio ſemper eluxerit, tum nulla in re magis poſſit eminere, quàm ſi <hi>Eccleſiae</hi> honeſtamenta ea, quae ſub <hi>optimis Regibus</hi> tam diu optinuerunt, indelibata tucamini.</p>
            <p>Non enim agitur unius <hi>Accademiae,</hi> non unius aetatis cauſa; nam nec induſtria poterit non relangueſcere, nec bona indoles ali, atque augeri nec vota parentum non in irritum cadere, niſi ſpe non vana ſuffulciantur. Quàm praematurum putemus bonis artibus oc<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>aſum imminere, ſi ſtipen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dium idem <hi>Militi</hi> ſit quòd <hi>Imperatori?</hi> Sun<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap> qui exp<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>diendis <hi>Scholaſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>corum</hi> ambagibus, evoluendis antiquorum <hi>Patrum</hi> monumentis, expur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gandae <hi>feci Romanae,</hi> velut <hi>Augiae ſtabulo,</hi> ſe totus impenderunt; nec aliam mercedem prenſant, quam in <hi>Eccleſia Cathedrali</hi> tandem aliquan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>do quaſi in portu conquieſcere; it a fit, ut quod ignavis <hi>Aſylum incitiae</hi> eſt, id candidioribus ingeniis <hi>pro ſtimulo</hi> ſit ad optima perſequend<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>, nec aequi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tas juditiorum veſtrorum ferret, improbitatem nonnullorum in publicam calamitatem redundare. <hi>Impetigo Romana</hi> quam amplam tum ſibi nacta videbitur ſe diffundendi materiam, cùm non ſit niſi imbelles adver<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſarios habitura? neque enim certamini, vacare poſſunt, qui id unicè agunt,
<pb n="7" facs="tcp:59547:6" rendition="simple:additions"/>
ut in <hi>roſtris Concionibus</hi> ſudent; etiam<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> num percentiſcere nobis vide<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mur undam atque inanem <hi>Accademiam,</hi> &amp; antiquam paupertatem quaſi p<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>aeludio perhorreſcimus: nec veſtra progenies non aliquando ventura eſt in tantarum miſeriarum partes. <hi>Quin itaque Senatores Ampliſſimi, per ſpes Parentum, per illecebras induſtriae, per ſubſidia ſimul &amp; orna<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>menta pietatis, per vincula, nervos, &amp; firmamenta Literarum, velitis ſplendorem Eccleſiae, qui longiſſimis ab uſque temporibus, ad noſtra tempora deductus eſt, authoritate veſtra communire.</hi> Sed quia Lin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gua nativa dolores &amp; deſideria ſua faelicius exprimit, annexam <hi>Literis Peti<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                     <desc>•</desc>
                  </gap>ionem</hi> benevolis auribus excipietis.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>Honori veſtro Deditiſſimi</hi> Procancellarius, reliquuſque caetus Accademiae <hi>CANTABRIGIENSIS.</hi>
               </signed>
               <dateline>
                  <hi>Datae è frequenti Conventu noſtro</hi> Cantabr.
<date> tertio Idus Aprilis <hi>1641.</hi>
                  </date> Lecta
<date>
                     <hi>12.</hi> Maii <hi>1641.</hi>
                  </date>
               </dateline>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Honourable the Knights, Citi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>zens, and Burgeſſes of the Houſe of <hi>Commons</hi> aſſembled in <hi>Parliament.</hi> The humble Petition of the <hi>Vniverſity</hi> of <hi>CAMBRIDGE.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Sheweth,</opener>
            <p>THat your <hi>Petitioners</hi> having heard of divers ſuggeſtions offered to this <hi>Honourable Court</hi> by way of Remonſtrance, tending to the ſubver<gap reason="illegible" extent="2 letters">
                  <desc>••</desc>
               </gap>on of <hi>Cathea all Churches,</hi> and alienation of thoſe <hi>Lands,</hi> by which they are ſupported, being the ancient Inheritance of the <hi>Church,</hi> Founded and beſtowed by the Religious bounty of many <hi>Famous and Renowned Kings and <gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                     <desc>•</desc>
                  </gap>rinces of this Land,</hi> and other <hi>Be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nefactours,</hi> both of the <hi>Clergy and Laity,</hi> and eſtabliſhed and confir<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>med unto them by the <hi>Lawes</hi> of this <hi>Kingdome,</hi> and ſo accordingly have beene employed to the advancement of <hi>Learning,</hi> the encourage<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment
<pb n="8" facs="tcp:59547:7"/>
of <hi>Students,</hi> and preferrement of <hi>Learned men,</hi> beſides many o<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther pious and charitable <hi>Vſes.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>May it pleaſe this <hi>Honourable Court,</hi> out of their great wiſdome, and tender care for the cheeriſhing of <hi>Learning,</hi> and furtherance of the <hi>Studies,</hi> and paines of thoſe who have, and doe devote them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves to the ſervice of the Church, gratiouſly to Protect, and ſecure thoſe <hi>Religious Foundations</hi> from ruine, and Alienation; and withall to take order that they may bee reduc'd to the due obſervation of their <hi>Statutes,</hi> and that all <hi>Innovations</hi> and <hi>Abuſes,</hi> which have by ſome mens miſcarriages crept in, may bee reformed, that ſo the <hi>Students</hi> of our <hi>Vniverſity,</hi> which by the preſent feares, both are, and will bee much ſadded and dejected may bee the better invi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted to purſue their <hi>Studies</hi> with alacrity, and the places themſelves diſpoſed to the moſt ſerviceable and deſerving men; according to their firſt Inſtitution.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>And your Petitioners as in duty bound ſhall ever pray, &amp;c.</signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Honourable Houſe of <hi>Commons</hi> now aſſembled in the high Court of <hi>Parliament.</hi> The moſt humble Petition of the Nobility, Gentry, Clergy, and Commons within the County of <hi>Nottingham.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Humbly ſhewing,</opener>
            <p>THat whereas wee are informed, that a Petition, together with a Remonſtrance, hath in the Name of this County, beene heretofore preſented to this Honourable Houſe, for the alterations in Church-Government.</p>
            <p>Wee doe humbly crave leave to certifie your Honours, that the ſame was done without our knowledge, or conſent, and that wee doe hereby diſ-avow the ſame. And with the like humility, doe deſire That the long eſtabliſhed Government of the Church may ſtill con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tinue, and that the abuſes and errours of ſome particular perſons may
<pb n="9" facs="tcp:59547:7"/>
not cauſe the alteration of the ancient Government; but rather, that ſuch perſons ſhould ſuffer according to their Demerits. And wee likewiſe humbly crave, the <hi>Booke of Common Prayer,</hi> by Law eſtabli<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſhed, may continue in force, with ſuch alteration (if there bee cauſe) as to your Honours Wiſdomes ſhall ſeeme meet.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>And as in Duty bound, Wee ſhall dayly pray, &amp;c. Subſcribed by one Viſcount, five Knights, above a hundred Gentlemen of quality, all the Clergy of the County, and above ſix thouſand Commoners, being all of them Communicants.</signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>The Remonſtrance and Petition of the County of <hi>Huntington,</hi> the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, Free-holders, and Inhabitants. To the Right Honourable the Lords, and Commons aſſem<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bled in <hi>Parliament,</hi> for the continuance of the <hi>Church-Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment,</hi> and <hi>Divine Service,</hi> or Booke of <hi>Common-prayer.</hi>
            </head>
            <head type="sub">Preſented to the Houſe of Peeres by the Lord Privy Seale the
<date>
                  <hi>8.</hi> of <hi>December, 1641.</hi>
               </date>
            </head>
            <opener>We humbly ſhew,</opener>
            <p>THat whereas many attempts have beene practiſed, and divers Petitions from ſeverall Counties, and other places within this Kingdome, framed and penned in a cloſe and ſubtle manner, to im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>port more than is at firſt diſcernable by any ordinary eye, or that was imparted to thoſe who ſigned the ſame, have beene carried about to moſt places againſt the preſent forme and frame of <hi>Church-Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment,</hi> and <hi>Divine-Service,</hi> or <hi>Common Prayers,</hi> and the hands of ma<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ny perſons of ordinary quality ſollicited to the ſame, with pretence to bee preſented to this Honourable aſſembly in Parliament, and under colour of removing ſome Innovations lately crept into the Church, and Worſhip of God, and reforming ſome abuſes in the Eccleſiaſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>call Courts, which wee conceiving and fearing not ſo much to aime at the taking away of the ſaid Innovations, and Reformation of abuſes, as tending to an abſolute Innovation of Church-Government,
<pb n="10" facs="tcp:59547:8"/>
and ſubverſion of that Order and Forme of <hi>Divine Service</hi> which hath happily continued amongſt us ever ſince the Reformation of Religion: Out of a tender and zealous regard hereunto, wee have thought it our duty, not onely to diſavow all ſuch Petitions, but alſo to manifeſt our publike affections, and deſires to continue the Forme of <hi>Divine Service,</hi> and <hi>Common-prayers,</hi> and the preſent Government of the Church, as the ſame have beene continued ſince the firſt Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>formation, and ſtand ſo eſtabliſhed by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome.</p>
            <p>For when wee conſider that the Forme of <hi>Divine Service</hi> expreſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſed and contained in the Booke of <hi>Common prayer,</hi> was with great care, piety, and ſincerity, reviſed and reduced from all former cor<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ruptions and <hi>Romiſh</hi> Superſtitions, by thoſe holy and ſelected Inſtru<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ments of the Reformation of Religion within this Church, and was by them reſtored to its firſt purity, according as it was inſtituted and practiſed in the Primitive times, ſtandeth confirmed, eſtabliſhed, and enjoyned by Act of Parliament, and Royall Injunctions, and hath ever ſince had the generall approbation of the godly, and a pub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>like uſe and continuance within this Church. And that Biſhops were inſtituted, and have had their being and continuance ever ſince the firſt planting of Chriſtian Religion amongſt us, and the reſt of the Chriſtian World, that they were the lights and glorious Lamps of Gods Church, that ſo many of them ſowed the ſeeds of Chriſtian Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ligion in their blouds, which they willingly powred out therefore, that by them Chriſtianity was reſcued and preſerved from utter extir<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pation in the fierce and moſt cruell Perſecutions of Pagan Emperous, that to them wee owe the redemption of the purity of the Goſpell, and the Reformation of the Religion wee now profeſſe, from <hi>Romiſh</hi> corruption, that many of them for the propagation of that Truth be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>came glorious Martyrs, leaving unto us an holy example, and an ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nourable remembrance of their faith and Chriſtian fortitude, that di<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vers of them lately, and yet living with us, have beene ſo great Aſſer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tours and Champions of our Religion againſt the Common enemy of <hi>Rome,</hi> and that their Government hath beene ſo ancient, ſo long approved, and ſo often eſtabliſhed by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome, and as yet nothing in their Doctrine (generally taught) diſſonant from the Word of God, or the Articles eſtabliſhed by Law, and that moſt of them are of ſingular learning and piety. In this caſe to call the forme of <hi>Divine Service</hi> and <hi>Common-prayers,</hi> Erro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nious, Popiſh, Superſtitious, Idolatrous, and Blaſphemous, and to call
<pb n="11" facs="tcp:59547:8"/>
the Government by Biſhops, a perpetuall vaſſallage, and intollerable bondage: and at the firſt ſtep, and before the parties concerned bee heard, to pray the preſent removall of them, or the utter diſſolution and extirpation of them, their Courts, and their Officers, as Anti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>chriſtian and Diabolicall, wee cannot conceive to ſavour or reliſh of piety, juſtice, or charity, nor can wee joyne with them herein, but ra<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther humbly pray a Reformation of the abuſes, and puniſhment of the Offenders, but not the ruine or abolition of the Innocent.</p>
            <p>Now on the contrary, when wee conſider the tenour of ſuch wri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tings, as in the name of Petitions are ſpread amongſt the Common people, the contents of many printed Pamphlets ſwarming at <hi>Lon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>don,</hi> and over all Countries, the Sermons preached publikely in Pul<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pits, and other private places; and the bitter invectives divulged, and commonly ſpoken by many diſaffected perſons, all of them ſhewing an extreme averſeneſſe and diſlike of the preſent Government of the Church, and Divine Service or Common Prayers; dangerouſly exci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ting a diſobedience to the eſtabliſhed forme of Government and Church Service, their ſeverall intimations of the deſire of the power of the keyes, and that their congregations may bee independent, and may execute Eccleſiaſticall cenſures within themſelves, whereby many Sects, and ſeverall and contrary opinions will ſoone grow and ariſe, whereby great diviſions and horrible factions will ſoone enſue thereupon, to the breach of that union, which is the ſacred band and preſervation of the Common peace of Church and State: their peremptory deſires and bold aſſuming to themſelves the liberty of conſcience to introduce into the Church whatſoever they affect, and to refuſe and oppoſe all things which themſelves ſhall diſlike, and what they diſlike muſt not onely to themſelves, but alſo to all others bee ſcandalous and burdenſome, and muſt bee cried out upon, as great and unſupportable grievances, yea though the things in themſelves bee never ſo indifferent, of never ſo long continuance in uſe and pra<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctiſe, and never ſo much deſired and affected of others, ſo that where three or foure of them bee in a Pariſh, though five hundred others deſire the uſe and continuance of things long uſed, all muſt bee altered or taken away as ſcandals and grievances for theſe three or foure, though to the offence of many others, and whatſoever they will have introduced, muſt bee impoſed upon all others, and muſt by all bee admitted without ſcandall or offence, whereby multitudes of godly and wel-affected people are in ſome things deprived or abridged of what they deſire and take comfort in, and have had a
<pb n="12" facs="tcp:59547:9"/>
long and lawfull uſe and practiſe of, and other things impoſed upon them againſt their wils and liking, as if no accompt were to bee made of them, or no liberty of conſcience were left unto them: which bold attempts of ſome few to arrogate to themſelves, and to exerciſe over all others, what high preſumption is it? and how great a tyranny may it prove over the minds and conſciences of men? The great increaſe of late of Schiſmaticks and Sectaries, and of perſons not onely ſepa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rating and ſequeſtring themſelves from the publike Aſſembly at <hi>Common Prayers</hi> and <hi>Divine Service,</hi> but alſo oppoſing, and tumul<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tuouſly interrupting others in the performance thereof in the publike Congregation, the frequent and many Conventicles held amongſt them, and their often meetings at all publike conventions of Aſſizes, Seſſions, Faires, Markets, and other publike Aſſemblies, their earneſt labouring to ſollicit and draw the people to them, and the generall correſpondence held amongſt them to advance their ends herein. Of theſe things wee cannot but take notice, and muſt needs expreſſe our juſt feares, that their deſires and endeavours are to worke ſome great change and mutation in the preſent ſtate of the Church Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment, and in the Forme of the publique Worſhip of God, and Divine Service, and Common Prayers.</p>
            <p>Of the Common grievances of the Kingdome, wee as others, have beene and are ſenſible, and doe profeſſe that wee have juſt cauſe with joy and comfort to remember, and with thankefulneſſe to acknow<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ledge, the pious care which is already taken for the ſuppreſſing of the grouth of Popery, the better ſupply of able and painefull Mini<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſters, and the removing of all Innovation, and wee doubt not but in your great Wiſdomes you will regulate the rigour and exorbitancy of the Eccleſiaſticall Courts to ſuit with the temper of our Common Lawes, and the nature and condition of Freemen: And wee hope and humbly pray, that the preſent Forme of Church Government, and of Church Service, and Common Prayers, now eſtabliſhed by the Statutes of this Kingdome ſhall bee ſetled, and that all ſuch as ſhall oppoſe themſelves againſt the ſame, or ſhall doe, or ſpeake any thing in derogation or depraving of the ſaid Divine Service, or Booke of Common Prayer, may without any further tolleration or connivence undergoe the paines, puniſhment, and forfeitures due therefore; and that ſuch care ſhall bee taken for placing of Orthodox and peaceable men, Lecturers in all places, whoſe Doctrine may tend rather to ſound inſtruction and edification, then lead to Schiſme and Faction; All which wee humbly ſubmit to your great judgements, and ſhall
<pb n="13" facs="tcp:59547:9"/>
pray to God to aſſiſt and direct you from above with his heavenly wiſdome, to guide and bring all your conſultations to happy conclu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſions.</p>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the High and Honourable Court of <hi>Parliament</hi> now ſitting. The humble Petition and Remonſtrance, of the Knights, Gentry, Cler<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gy, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the County of <hi>Somerſet.</hi>
            </head>
            <head type="sub">Delivered to the <hi>Houſe of Peers,</hi> by the Lord Marqueſſe <hi>Hart<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ford,</hi>
               <date>the 10. of <hi>December,</hi> 1641.</date>
            </head>
            <opener>Wee humbly ſhew;</opener>
            <p>THat having with griefe of mind heard of ſundry Petitions, which have beene exhibited to this Right Honourable Aſſembly, by ſome of the Clergy and Laity about <hi>London,</hi> and ſome Counties, tending to the ſubverſion of the Church-government eſtabliſhed in this Kingdome; Wee therefore, tendring the Peace and Welfare of Both, Doe in all humbleneſſe preſume to make knowne our Opini<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons and Deſires concerning the ſame: Nothing doubting, of the like good acceptance of our humble <hi>Petition</hi> and <hi>Remonſtrance</hi> in this behalfe; being tendred with no leſſe good Affection to the Peace and Happineſſe of the Church, the proſperity of His Sacred Maje<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſty, and this whole Kingdome.</p>
            <p>For the preſent government of the Church, we are moſt thanke<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>full to God, believing it in our hearts, to be the moſt pious and the wi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeſt, that any People or Kingdome upon earth, hath beene bleſt with<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>all, ſince the Apoſtles dayes: though wee may not deny, but through the frailty of Men, and corruption of Times; ſome things of ill conſequence, and other needleſſe, are ſtollen, or thruſt into it; which wee heartily wiſh may be reformed, and the Church reſtored to its former Purity. And to the end it may be the better preſerved from preſent and future Innovation; We wiſh, the wittingly and malici<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ouſly guilty, of what condition ſoever they be (whether Biſhops or inferior Clergy) may receive condigne puniſhment. But, for the miſcarriage of Governours, to deſtroy the Government; we truſt it
<pb n="14" facs="tcp:59547:10"/>
ſhall never enter into the hearts of this wiſe, and Honourable aſſem<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bly.</p>
            <p>Wee will not preſume to diſpute the Right of <hi>Epiſcopacy,</hi> whe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther it be <hi>Divine</hi> or not; It ſufficeth us to know, that the <hi>Church-government</hi> by Biſhops is ancient, even neere to the Apoſtles dayes: and that it hath pleaſed God from time to time, to make them moſt glorious inſtruments for the propagation, and preſervation of Chri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtian Religion: which with their blood, they have frequently ſealed to Poſterity. And how much this Kingdome in particular is indeb<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted to them, for their Piety, their Wiſedomes, and Sufferings; wee truſt ſhall never be forgotten. Our hearts deſire therefore is; That the <hi>Precious</hi> may be ſeparated from the <hi>
                  <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>ile</hi>; that the bad may be re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>jected, and the good retayned. Furthermore, having credibly heard, that our <hi>Common Prayer</hi> hath beene interrupted and deſpiſed of ſome miſ-underſtanding or miſ-led people, to the great ſcandall of the Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ligion profeſſed in our Church; Wee humbly beſeech you to take into your care the Redreſſe therof, as of an Impiety not to be endured: as alſo to take order for the ſevere puniſhment of thoſe men (if they may be diſcovered) who frequently publiſh Pamphlets, under a veile of Religion, yet, conducing to confuſion and Rebellion.</p>
            <p>All which wee humbly offer to your Wiſedomes as the thoughts and deſires of this <hi>County.</hi> And as wee are perſwaded of multi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tudes of the ſound Members of the <hi>Church of England,</hi> and his <hi>Sacred Majeſties</hi> moſt loyall Subjects.</p>
            <closer>Beſeeching God to direct and proſper your Counſels, and yee to pardon our Errors; Wee reſt At your Commands
<signed>
                  <hi>Knights, Eſquires, Divines, Gentlemen, Free-holders; Inhabitants of the County of Somerſet, (none of them Papiſts, but all Proteſtants of the</hi> Church <hi>of</hi> England) <hi>and his Majesties loyall Subjects.</hi> 14350 <hi>Whereof, Knights, Eſquires, and Gentlemen</hi> —200 <hi>Divines</hi> — 221</signed>
            </closer>
            <trailer>Io: BROVVNE Cler. Parliament.</trailer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="15" facs="tcp:59547:10"/>
            <head>To the high and honourable Court of PARLIAMENT. The humble Petition of the <hi>Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen</hi> and Houſholders <hi>in the County of RVTLAND;</hi> in behalfe of our ſelves, and our Families.</head>
            <head type="sub">And of the <hi>Parſons, Vicars</hi> and <hi>Curats</hi> for the Clergy, in behalfe of themſelves and their Families.</head>
            <opener>Humbly ſhewing,</opener>
            <p>THat whereas there have beene divers Petitions exhibited to this Honourable Court, by perſons diſ affected to the preſent Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment, for the utter extirpation of the apoſtolicall Government of the <hi>Church</hi> by Biſhops; They by ſedulity, and zeale ſupplying the want of faire pretences for the abolition of that, which wee hope, no juſt reaſon can condemne: and on the otherſide, many pious per<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſons, true ſonnes of the Church of <hi>England,</hi> have repreſented their juſt deſires of the continuance of it, upon great and weighty cauſes, both in Divinity and true Policy; wee alſo, leſt we might ſeem un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>concerned, and for feare leſt our ſilence ſhould be exacted as a crime at our hands if wee be deficient, to what wee are perſwaded is the cauſe of God; In purſuance of their pious intendments, and in al<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lowance of their Reaſons, doe alſo preſſe to your great Tribunal, and begge of you that which is the honour of Kings, to be <hi>Nutricij</hi> of the Church, and her moſt ancient and ſucceſſive Government.</p>
            <p>
               <hi>Wee therefore humbly beg of you, to leave us in that ſtate the Apoſtles left the Church in; That the three Ages of Martyrs were governed by; That the thirteene Ages ſince them have alwayes gloried in, (by their Succeſſion of Biſhops from the Apoſtles, proving themſelves members of the Catholike and Apoſtolike Church) that our Lawes have eſta<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bliſhed, ſo many Kings and Parliaments have protected, into which we were baptized; as certainely Apoſtolicall, as the obſervation of the
<pb n="16" facs="tcp:59547:11"/>
Lords Day, as the diſtinction of Books Apocryphall from Canonicall, as that ſuch Bookes were written by ſuch Evangeliſts and Apoſtles; as the conſecration of the Euchariſt by Presbyters; as any thing which you will doe by upholding the Government of the Church by Biſhops, which we againe and againe, begge of you to doe, having pitty on our Conſciences, and not forcing of us to ſeeke Communion, as yet we know not where. So ſhall we be bound to pray with a multiplyed Devotion, for the increaſe of publike, and perſonall bleſſings to your Honourably aſſembly, to your Noble Perſons.</hi>
            </p>
            <div type="part">
               <head>Wee alſo doe with all Humility begge leave to re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>preſent theſe our Conſiderations, ſubjoyned, which wee hope you will favourably expound to be a well-meant zeale, and at leaſt, a confidence of duty, and charity to thoſe our Fathers, from whom wee have received, and daily hope to receive, many iſſues of ſpirituall Beniſon.</head>
               <p n="1">1 WEe conſider that Chriſt, either left his Church without a laſting Government, or elſe Biſhops and Presbyters un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>der them are that Government; the former wee feare to ſay, leſt wee might ſeeme to accuſe the Wiſdome of the Father, of Improvi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dence, in the not providing for his Family; the Feeder and the Ruler in Scripture being all one in Office, <gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                     <desc>•</desc>
                  </gap>n expreſſion, in perſon: So that, if hee left no Rulers, hee left no Feeders; The latter wee are more confident of, for that Chriſt did clearely inſtitute a diſparity in the <hi>Clergy,</hi> (which is the maine Stone of offence) appeares in the Apo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtles, and ſeventy two Diſciples, to whom, according to the voyce of Chriſtendome, and traditive Interpretation of the Church. Biſhops and Presbyters reſpectively doe ſucceed; and alſo many actually did ſucceed the Apoſtles in their <hi>Chaires,</hi> being ordained Biſhops by the Apoſtles themſelves that did ſurvive, and alſo beyond all exception that Chriſt did inſtitute a Government; appeares in thoſe Evange<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>licall words, (who then is that <hi>Faithfull and wiſe Steward whom his Lord ſhal make Ruler over his houſhold, &amp;c.)</hi> which Rulers are Biſhops, and Prieſts under them, or elſe the Church hath beene Apoſtate from
<pb n="17" facs="tcp:59547:11"/>
her Lord, ſhee having clearely for fifteene hundred yeares had no o<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther Rulers then ſuch.</p>
               <p n="2">2. Wee conſider that, whether it can be a Church or no without Biſhops, is at leaſt a queſtion of great conſideration, and the Nega<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tive is maintained by Apoſtolicall, and Primitive men and Martyrs, and by the greateſt part of Chriſtendome; and thoſe few (in reſpect of the whole, that diſſent being moſt certainely, not infallible, to bee ſure with Epiſcopacy, it may be a Church <hi>eatenus,</hi> therefore it is the ſureſt courſe to retaine it, for feare we ſeparate from the Church, the Pillar and ground of Truth.</p>
               <p n="3">3 No Ordination never was without a Biſhop, and if any Presby<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ter did impoſe hands, unleſſe in conjunction with a Biſhop, hee was accounted an Uſurper, and anathematized by publike and unqueſtio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ned authority; and ſo without Biſhops, no Presbyter, then no ab<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſolution, no conſecration of the Sacraments of the Lords Supper, and for theſe wants no man can make a recompence or ſatisfaction.</p>
               <p n="4">4 No Presbyter did ever impoſe hands on a Biſhop,<note place="margin">Viz. <hi>De jure, non eidem de facto,</hi> till 555 years after Chriſt, and then but once in the caſe of Pope <hi>Pe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lagius,</hi> and that irre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gularly &amp; never ſince unleſſe by Papall u<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſurpation.</note> which if ſo famous a reſolve, or publike voice of Chriſtendome may have an eſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mate, ſhewes their diſparity, and that a Biſhop hath a Character, which cannot be imprinted without at leaſt, an equall hand.</p>
               <p n="5">5 VVithout Biſhops no Confirmation of Children, and yet con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>firmation (called in Scripture Impoſition of hands) Saint <hi>Paul</hi> in his famous Catechiſme accounts a Fundamentall point, and the Church hath alwayes uſed it, and it was appropriate to Biſhops, by the lau<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dable cuſtome of Chriſtendome, and by the example of the Apoſtles, in the caſe of the <hi>Samaritane</hi> Chriſtians, whom <hi>Phillip</hi> the Evange<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liſt had converted, and is charged upon the Parents of Children, that they bring their children to Biſhops to be confirmed, and it was ne<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ver otherwiſe, but juſt as in the caſe of Ordination, <hi>(videlicet)</hi> by ſingularity and uſurpation, till of late that the Ieſuits to enlarge their <hi>Philacteries,</hi> have ſtriven to make Biſhops not neceſſary, by com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>municating Confirmation to the Prieſts of their Order.</p>
               <p n="6">6 To take away Biſhops, is againſt the Wiſdome of the State of <hi>England,</hi> ever ſince the Reformation, and having beene attempted by clancular practiſes, was checked by the Princes reſpectively, and their Councell, and confidently, by the wiſdome of preceeding Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liaments, and this although the Biſhops then were leſſe learned, and as much infamed.</p>
               <p n="7">7 We are ſure that Epiſcopall Government hath conſiſted with Monarchy, ever ſince the <hi>Engliſh</hi> Monarchy was Chriſtian, &amp; we are to try whether any innovated Government can or will.</p>
               <p n="8">
                  <pb n="19" facs="tcp:59547:12"/>8 Wee conſider, that if it could conſiſt with Monarchy, when it was byaſſed by the Popes prevalent incroachment, much more ſince the Reformation, when the King hath the raines in his owne hand, and can give them Lawes, and aſcertaines them by their immediate dependance, both for their Baronies, and Election, and perſonall Iuriſdiction on the Crowne, and by the Statute of Submiſſion.</p>
               <p n="9">9 Wee conſider that Saint <hi>Hierome</hi> (pretented as the maine Au<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>thenticke enemy againſt Epiſcopacy) yet ſayes,<note place="margin">Comment in Epiſt. ad Titum.</note> That Biſhops were conſtituted as an antidote and deletory to diſ-improve the iſſues of Schiſme, and that by the Apoſtles, who beſt knew the remedies. And now that Schiſmes multiply, there is more need of Biſhops, ſo that they cannot be taken away, upon pretence their Regiment is not ne<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceſſary, for the taking them away makes them more neceſſary by the multiplication of Schiſmes.</p>
               <p n="10">10 All Learning will be diſcountenanced, if not extinguiſhed, upon the demolition of Epiſcopacy, the Biſhops being parties for the ad<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vancement of Learning; and on the other ſide, if the Government ſhould be in the hands of Presbitery, or lay Elders, we know no rea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſon ſufficient to ſtifle our feares, leſt preferment be given to people un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>learned and unfit to have the mannaging of Soules, eſpecially, ſince a learned <hi>Clergy</hi> will be ſuſpected by their Lay-Elders, as too knowing to be ruled by their Dictates, which will not have ſo much artifice and fineneſſe, as to command by ſtrength of reaſon: which our feares are alſo increaſed, by conſidering that by the multiplication of Lay-Elders, or other Governours, their perſonall intereſt being increaſed partiality muſt be more frequent, and all this is beſides their incom<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>petency of judging the abilities of Schollers.</p>
               <p n="11">11 The remove all of Biſhops would be a ſcandall, not onely to many weake Chriſtians, who feare all Innovation, as guilty of ſome ill intendments upon their conſciences, but alſo to the ſtrongeſt, which ſhewes it to be the fault of the giver, not the weakneſſe of the recei<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ver; and if we muſt not ſcandalize our weake brethren, much leſſe our ſtrong; ſince this will intrench upon us in a high meaſure, they not being apt to be ſcandalized upon umbrages, and impertinencies.</p>
               <p n="12">12 Where Biſhops are not, there is not an Honourable, but Fa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>milike Clergy, againſt the Apoſtolicall rule of double honour.</p>
               <p n="13">13 By putting downe Epiſcopacy, wee deprive our ſelves of thoſe ſolemne benedictions, which the Faith of Chriſtendome, and the profeſſion of the <hi>Church of England,</hi> enjoyning the Biſhop ra<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther to pronounce the bleſſing at the end of the Communion, appro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>priates to Epiſcopall preheminence above Prieſtly authority.</p>
               <p n="14">
                  <pb n="18" facs="tcp:59547:12"/>14 Two parts of three of the Reformed Churches are governed by Biſhops, or Superintendents (which is properly the Latine word of Biſhops) and the other part that wants them, have often wiſhed them, as their owne Doctors doe profeſſe.</p>
               <p n="15">15 It is againſt the liberties of the Clergy, indulged to them by the <hi>Magna Charta,</hi> granted and confirmed by ſo many Kings, and about thirty Parliaments in expreſſe act, and the violation of any part of it by intrenchment upon the right of the lay Subject, juſtly ac<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>counted a great grievance, the Charter it ſelfe being as Fundamen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tall a Law (as we conceive) as any other, and any of us may feare leſt his Liberties may be next in queſtion.</p>
               <p n="16">16 The foure great Generall <hi>Councels,</hi> in eſtimation next the foure <hi>Evangeliſts,</hi> and by the Statutes of the Kingdome, made the rules of judging Hereſies, were held by Biſhops, the greateſt fires and peſts of Chriſtendome, the old Hereſies, were by their Induſtry extinct;<note place="margin">Timotheus<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> Titus. Clements<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> Linus. Marcus. Dyonyſius. Oneſimus. Caius. Epaphro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ditus. Iacobus Hieroſoli<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mit. Evodias. Simeon.</note> Church Diſcipline, and pious conſtitutions by them eſtabliſhed, many Nations by them converted, many Miracles done for the confirmation of <hi>Chriſtian Faith,</hi> one of the Goſpels written by a Biſhop (Saint <hi>Marke</hi> of <hi>Alexandria</hi>) if wee beleeve as authentike Records, as any are extant; Three Epiſtles of Saint <hi>Paul</hi> written to Biſhops; Seven Epiſtles by the Holy Ghoſt himſelfe, recorded in the <hi>Revela<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion,</hi> and ſent to ſeven <hi>Aſian</hi> Biſhops, as all ancient Fathers accord; the names of twelve men, beſide Apoſtles, mentioned in Holy Scrip<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ture, which all antiquity reports to have beene Biſhops; Moſt of the Fathers, whoſe workes all Poſterity embraces with much zeale and admiration, were Biſhops; theſe alſo in our apprehenſions advance that holy Function, to a high and unalterable eſtimate.</p>
               <p n="17">17 Very many of the faireſt Churches and Colledges, and places of Religion, were built by Biſhops; which are faire Caracters to ſhew their promptneſſe to doe publike acts of Piety, and that perſons ſo qualified as they were, that is, Governours and Clergy, and fairly en<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dowed, is an excellent compoſition to advance publike deſignes for the honour of God in the Promotion of publike Piety.</p>
               <p n="18">18 Since it hath pleaſed this Honourable Court, of late to com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mend a Proteſtation to us, which we by ſolemne Vow engaged our ſelves to atteſt with our lives and fortunes, the eſtabliſhed Doctrine of the Church of <hi>England,</hi> wee conſider, that ſince the 36. article hath approved and eſtabliſhed the booke of <hi>Conſecration</hi> of Biſhops; the abolition of Epiſcopacy would nullifie that article, and ſhould not we make humble Remonſtrance to the contrary, we ſhould ſuddenly
<pb n="20" facs="tcp:59547:13"/>
recede from our great and ſolemne Proteſtation for maintenance of our <hi>Church</hi> Doctrine.</p>
               <p>
                  <hi>But may it pleaſe this Honourable Aſſembly, wee conſider on the other ſide.</hi>
               </p>
               <p n="19">19 The introducing of Lay Elders, muſt needs bring an inſup<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>portable burthen to all Pariſhes, by maintaining them at the Pariſh charge (for they muſt bee maintained, or elſe a tranſgreſſion is made againſt an Apoſtolicall Rule. For the principall, and indeed the one<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ly colourable pretended place for Lay Elders, injoynes their mainte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nance: So that, either the people muſt bee oppreſſed with ſo great burthens, or elſe Saint <hi>Pauls</hi> Rule not obeyed, or elſe there is no au<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>thority for Lay Elders, as indeed there is not.</p>
               <p n="20">20 And alſo there can bee no leſſe feare of Vſurpation upon the Temporall power by the Presbitery, then is pretended from Epiſco<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pacy, ſince that Presbitery challenges cogniſance of more cauſes and perſons, then the Epiſcopacy does, (ſo making a dangerous entrench<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment upon the Supremacy) and derives its pretence from Divine Inſtitution, with more confidence, and more immediate derivation then Epiſcopacy, though indeed moſt vainely as wee conceive.</p>
               <p n="21">21 Wee crave leave alſo to adde this, that theſe two <hi>(viz.)</hi> Epiſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>copacy and Presbitery being the onely two in conteſtation, if any new deſigne ſhould juſtle Epiſcopacy, wee are confident that as it hitherto wants a name, ſo it will want a face, or forme of reaſon (in caſe of Conſcience) when it ſhall appeare.</p>
               <closer>
                  <signed>
                     <list>
                        <item>
                           <hi>Signed by Knights, Juſtices, Gentry, and Free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>holders, about</hi> 800.</item>
                        <item>
                           <hi>By Miniſters, about the number of</hi> 40.</item>
                     </list>
                  </signed>
               </closer>
            </div>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="21" facs="tcp:59547:13" rendition="simple:additions"/>
            <head>The <hi>Cheſhire</hi> Petition for eſtabliſhing of the Common-Prayer-Booke, and Suppreſſion of Schiſmatiques, preſented to the Kings Majeſty, and from him recommended to the Houſe of Peeres, by the Lord KEEPER. To the Kings moſt Excellent Majeſty, and to the Right Honourable the Lords, and the Honourable the Houſe of Commons Aſſembled in <hi>Parliament.</hi>
            </head>
            <head type="sub">The humble Petition of divers of the Nobility, Juſtices, Gentry, Mi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>niſters, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants of the County <hi>Palatine</hi> of <hi>Cheſter,</hi> whoſe Names are nominated in the Schedule annexed.</head>
            <opener>Your Petitioners with all cheerefulneſſe and contentation, <gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>ffying in the happy ſettlement of the diſtractions both of Church and State, by His Majeſties pious care, and the prudent and religious endeavours of this Honourable Aſſembly, and with due humility and obedience ſubmitting to the unanimous concluſions thereof, yet conceive themſelves bound in Duty.</opener>
            <p>HVmbly to repreſent to your mature conſiderations, that the pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent diſorders of many turbulent and ill diſpoſed Spirits, are ſuch, as give not onely occaſion of preſent diſcontent to your Peti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tioners, but ſeeme to import ſome ill event without early preven<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion.</p>
            <p>The pure ſeed of our Faith (the Doctrine of the true Reformed Proteſtant Religion) eſtabliſhed by ſo many Acts of Parliament, and ſo harmoniouſly concurring with the confeſſions of all other Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>formed Churches, being tainted with the Tares of divers Sects and Schiſmes lately ſprung up amongſt us.</p>
            <p>Our pious, laudable, and ancient forme of Divine Service, compo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſed by the holy Martyrs, and worthy Inſtruments of Reformation eſtabliſhed by the prudent Sages of State (your religious Predeceſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſours) honoured by the approbation of many learned forraigne Di<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vines, ſubſcribed by the Miniſtery of the whole Kingdome, and with ſuch generall content received by all the Laity, that ſcarſe any Fa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mily
<pb n="22" facs="tcp:59547:14"/>
or perſon that can read, but are furniſhed with the Bookes of Common Prayer: In the conſcionable uſe whereof many Chriſtian hearts have found unſpeakable joy and comfort, wherein the famous Church of <hi>England,</hi> our deare Mother, hath juſt cauſe to glory; And may ſhee long flouriſh in the practiſe of ſo bleſſed a <hi>Liturgy</hi>; yet it is now, not onely depraved by many of thoſe who ſhould teach con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>formity to eſtabliſhed Lawes, but in contempt thereof in many places wholly neglected. All theſe dayly practiſed, with confidence, without puniſhment: To the great dejection of many ſound Prote<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtants, and occaſioning ſo great inſultation and rejoycing in ſome Separatiſts, as they not onely ſeeme to portend, but menace ſome great alteration; And not containing themſelves within the bounds of Civill Government, doe commit many tumultuous, (if not Sacri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>legious) violences both by day and night upon divers Churches.</p>
            <p>Therefore your Petitioners being all very apprehenſive of the dangerous conſequences of Innovation, and much ſcandalized at the preſent diſorders.</p>
            <p>
               <hi>Doe all unanimouſly pray,</hi>
            </p>
            <p>
               <hi>That there bee admitted no Innovation of Doctrine or Liturgy, that holy publike Service being ſo faſt rooted by a long ſetled continuance in this Church, that in our Opinion and Judgements it cannot bee altered (unleſſe by the advice and conſent of ſome Nationall Synode) without an univerſall diſcontent. And that ſome ſpeedy courſe bee taken to ſuppreſſe ſuch Schiſmatiques and Separatiſts, whoſe fa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctious Spirits doe evidently endanger the peace both of Church and State.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>
               <hi>And your Petitioners ſhall ever pray, &amp;c.</hi>
            </p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <list>
                     <item>The Petition ſigned by Lords, Knights, Iuſtices of the Peace, and Eſquires: 94.</item>
                     <item>By Gentlemen of quality, 440.</item>
                     <item>By Divines, 86.</item>
                     <item>By Freeholders and others, in all; 8936.</item>
                  </list>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="23" facs="tcp:59547:14"/>
            <head>To the <hi>Kings</hi> Moſt Excellent <hi>Majeſty,</hi> And to the High Court of <hi>Parliament.</hi> The humble Petition of <hi>Colledges</hi> and <hi>Halls,</hi> and others, well-willers to Piety and Learning, throughout the Kingdome of <hi>England.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Sheweth,</opener>
            <p>THat whereas many Perſons diſ-affected to the preſent forme of Government of the Church of <hi>England</hi> (eſtabliſhed not onely by the Eccleſiaſticall, but alſo by the Common Law of this Realme, and diverſe Acts of Parliament) have of late in great multitudes petitio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ned this Honourable Court againſt the Orders, Honour, Iuriſdiction, and meanes of the Clergy; And have publiſhed ſuch their deſires in print, and Pulpit, and dayly ſeeke to advance and propagate the ſame: To the great diſheartning of all Learning, (if ſuch deſignes find favour) the grievous ſcandall of the Reformed Religion as un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtable, and the unſpeakeable advantage of our Enemies of <hi>Rome.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>WEe therefore (well weighing, that the Seminaries muſt de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cay when the Garden ſhall bee waſted) in all humility moſt heartely pray Your Majeſty, and this Honourable Court, that all the Orders of Holy Church, of Biſhops, Prieſts, and Decons, which from the Apoſtles times till theſe, have withſtood ſo many Practices, may have yet hopes to flouriſh under Your gracious Protection. And that by your aſſiſtance, under our moſt Religious Soveraigne, the ancient Catholique Faith, and Diſcipline, as alſo the devout and decent ſervice of God, in our Church Liturgy, may bee defended from all Innova<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, and Novelties: The meanes and liberties of the Churches, as well Cathedrall, and Collegeat, as Parochiall, to them hitherto of right belonging, according to the pious Wills of their bleſſed Founders, may bee continued and preſerved: Many thouſand Families which on them depend, ſecured from ruine: And that our Nation, whoſe Lawes already favour as much as any in the World, the right of the Firſt borne, may retaine Eccleſiaſticall promotions, as the Patrimony of younger Children, the prize of labour and ſtudy, an incitement of learning, and a reward of thoſe that can intitle themſelves thereto by honeſt deſert.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>And your Petitioners ſhall ever pray, &amp;c.</hi>
                  <pb n="24" facs="tcp:59547:15"/>
                  <hi>This Petition is ſubſcribed, generally by all the</hi> Doctors, Maſters, <hi>and</hi> Batchelours <hi>of all Degrees and Faculties in the Vniverſity of</hi> Ox<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ford; <hi>And by very many other perſons of quality</hi>: Baronets, Knights, Eſquires, Miniſters, <hi>and</hi> Gentlemen, <hi>within the Coun<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties of</hi> Oxford, Berks, Wilts South-hampton, Dorſet, Kent, Sur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rey, Weſtmerland, Cumberland, <hi>and other Shires.</hi>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>Devonſhire Petition. To the Right Honourable the Lords <hi>Spirituall</hi> and <hi>Temporall,</hi> now aſſembled in the Houſe of PARLIAMENT. The humble Information and Petition, of the Knights, Eſquires, Gen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tlemen, and others of ability, within the Dioceſſe of <hi>Exeter.</hi>
            </head>
            <p>WEe whoſe Names are underwritten, have for theſe many yeares, found the benefit and comfort of <hi>Epiſcopall Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment,</hi> under which wee have lived hitherto peacebly, and happily, with great freedome and frequency of the Preaching of the Goſpell, and incouragement of the conſcionable and painefull Preachers thereof. As wee bleſſe God for his favour to us in the behalfe, So wee doe humbly and earneſtly profeſſe our deſire that the ſame Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment may bee ſtill continued both to us, and our poſterity, ſub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mitting all perſonall offences, and redreſſe of abuſes to your Honou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rable Wiſdomes.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>In witneſſe whereof wee have hereunto ſubſcribed.</hi> Signed by Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen, and other Inha<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bitants, neere upon <hi>Eight thouſand.</hi>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="25" facs="tcp:59547:15"/>
            <head>The Staffordſhire Petition. To the Right Honourable the LORDS, and COMMONS aſſembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT. <hi>The humble Petition of the</hi> Knights, Gentlemen, Miniſters, Free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>holders, and other Inhabitants, within the County of <hi>STAFFORD,</hi> hereunto ſubſcribed.</head>
            <opener>Who Moſt humbly pray,</opener>
            <p>THat the preſent publique forme of Gods Worſhip, and admini<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtration of the bleſſed Sacrament, with other Rites agreeable to Gods holy Word, and pureſt antiquity, which hath beene formerly, ſundry times eſtabliſhed by godly Acts of Parliament, may now a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gaine in theſe broken and troubled times, bee to Gods glory, and the Churches Peace, re-eſtabliſhed, and confirmed.</p>
            <p>That Epiſcopacy being the ancienteſt, and Primitive Government of the Church, renowned for ſucceſſes, victorious againſt Schiſmes, and Hereſies, and eſpecially of late yeares, againſt that <hi>Hydra</hi> of Here<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſies, the <hi>Roman</hi> Papacy, glorious for ancient and late Martyrdomes, happy before the corruption of Popery, and ſince the Reformation in the Plantation, and Preſervation of Truth, and Peace; eminently ſer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>viceable to this Common-wealth, moſt compliable with the Civill Government (into the Fabrick, and body of which it is riveted, and incorporate) &amp; moſt apt &amp; eaſie a<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap> all times by the State to be reduced into Order, may for the future, as formerly, by your Great Authority bee continued, and maintained for the glory of God, preſervation of Order, Peace, and Vnity, the Reformation and ſuppreſſion of wicked<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>neſſe and vice, and the mature prevention of Schiſmes, Factions, and Seditions. The which wee, your humble Petitioners, the more ear<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>neſtly beſeech your Honours to grant, For that ſtrong feare doe poſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeſſe our hearts, that the ſudden mutation of a Government ſo long ſetled, ſo well knowne, and approved, cannot recompence with any proportionable utility, the diſturbances, and diſorders which it may worke by novelty, being moſt confident, in your Honours, Wiſdome, and Iuſtice; That all exceſſive exorbitances, and incroachments,
<pb n="26" facs="tcp:59547:16"/>
which ſhall bee found iſſuing, not from any poiſon in the nature of the Diſcipline, but rather from the infirmity, or corruption of the perſon (unto which the very beſt Government is ſubject, ſhall bee duely regulated, and corrected.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>And your Petitioners ſhall duly pray for your Honours happieſt proceedings.</hi> Subſcribed by 3000. of the beſt quality of the County.</signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the <hi>Kings</hi> Moſt Excellent <hi>Majeſty,</hi> And to the Right Honourable the LORDS, and the Honourable the Houſe of COMMONS aſſembled in PARLIAMENT. <hi>The moſt humble Petition of divers</hi> Baronets, Knights, Iuſtices, Gentry, Miniſters, and Freeholders, Inhabitants of the County of <hi>KENT,</hi> within the Dioceſſe of <hi>CANTERBURY.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Moſt humbly ſhewing,</opener>
            <p>THat notwithſtanding this Kingdome, hath by the ſingular provi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dence of Almighty God, for many yeares laſt paſt, happily flou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>riſhed, above all other Nations in the Chriſtian World, under the Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ligion and Government by Law eſtabliſhed: Yet hath it beene of late moſt miſerably diſtracted through the ſiniſter practiſes of ſome pri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vate perſons ill affected to them both.</p>
            <p>By whoſe meanes the preſent Government is diſgraced and tra<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>duced, The Houſes of God are prophaned, and in part defaced, The Miniſters of Chriſt are contemned and deſpiſed, The Ornaments, and many Vtenſils of the Church are abuſed, The Liturgy and Booke of Common Prayer depraved, and neglected, That abſolute modell of Prayer, <hi>The Lords Prayer,</hi> vilified, The Sacraments of the Goſpell in ſome places unduly adminiſtred, in other places omitted, Solemne dayes of faſting obſerved, and appointed by private perſons, Mar<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>riages illegally Solemnized, Burials uncharitably performed, And the very Fundamentall of our Religion ſubverted, by the publication of a new Creed, and teaching the abrogation of the Morall Law.
<pb n="27" facs="tcp:59547:16"/>
For which purpoſe, many offenſive Sermons are dayly Preached, and many impious Pamphlets printed, and in contempt of authority, Many doe what ſeemeth good in their owne eyes, onely as if there were no King, nor Government, in this our <hi>Iſrael.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>Whereby Almighty God is highly provoked, his ſacred Majeſty diſhonoured, The peace of the Kingdome endangered, The Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſciences of the people diſquieted, The Miniſters of Gods Word diſheartned, and the Enemies of the Church emboldned in their enter<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>priſes.</p>
            <p>
               <hi>For redreſſe whereof, May it pleaſe this Great and Honourable Coun<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cell, ſpeedily to command a due obſervation of the Religion and Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, by Law eſtabliſhed; in ſuch manner, as it may ſeeme beſt to the Piety and Wiſdome of his Royall Majeſty, and this Honourable Court.</hi>
            </p>
            <closer>
               <hi>Your Petitioners as they ſhall Confidently expect a bleſſing from Hea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ven upon this Church and Kingdome, So ſhall they have this fur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther cauſe to implore the Divine Aſſiſtance upon this Moſt Honou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rable Aſſembly.</hi> 
               <signed>
                  <hi> Subſcribed by</hi>
                  <list>
                     <item>Knight Barronets, and Knights 24.</item>
                     <item>Eſquires and Gentlemen of note, above 300.</item>
                     <item>Divines 108.</item>
                     <item>Freeholders, and Subſidie men 800.</item>
                  </list>All within the Dioceſſe of <hi>Canterbury.</hi>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Honourable the Knights, Citi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>zens, and Burgeſſes of the Houſe of <hi>Commons</hi> aſſembled in <hi>Parliament.</hi> The humble Petition of the <hi>Gentry, Clergy,</hi> and other Inhabitants, ſub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſcribed, of the Counties of <hi>Flint, Denbigh, Mountgomery, Carnarvan, Angleſey, Merioneth,</hi> being the ſixe Shires <hi>of Northwales.</hi>
            </head>
            <head type="sub">As it was preſented this preſent
<date>
                  <hi>March</hi> the <hi>5. 1641.</hi>
               </date>
Acccompa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nied with thirty thouſand hands.</head>
            <p>WHereas the preſent condition of the Church of <hi>England</hi> (in the publike Liturgy thereof, in the ancient liberties and
<pb n="28" facs="tcp:59547:17"/>
forme of Government, as they doe now ſtand eſtabliſhed by Law) hath beene lately brought in queſtion, and manifold Petitions from the ſeverall quarters of this Kingdome, and other ſuch like ad<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dreſſes concerning the ſame, have beene preſented to this Honourable Houſe.</p>
            <p>Wee his Majeſties faithfull Subjects in the Principalities and Counties of <hi>North-wales</hi> whom it equally concerneth, and as ſtrong<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ly tied in duty and conſcience, doe likewiſe preſume to make our humble Remonſtrance, and wee doe it after a long ſilence and expe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctation, joyned with ſome feares.</p>
            <p>And firſt, for thoſe things which concerne the publique Service of God, as they bee of neereſt importance, and wee nothing doubt, but you will take unto your tendreſt thoughts, ſo wee doe earneſtly propound and proſtrate before you that dangerous conſequence of Innovation in matters of ſo high concernment, as wee con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceive, and leave it to your owne great Wiſdomes to Iudge, what ſcruples and jealouſies are like to ariſe, if wee bee taught a new and different way of ſerving God after a full perſwaſion of the law<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fulneſſe of that which is preſcribed according to the Word of God, not without the deliberate, and concurrent approbation and in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>duſtry of the moſt learned of the Proteſtant Church, of this and o<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther Nations, and the poſſeſſion of ſo many yeares in the practiſe thereof, and all ſince the bleſſed time of Reformation.</p>
            <p>The meere report hereof hath already produced no good ef<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fect, breeding in the minds of ill-diſpoſed perſons Inſolence and contempt, in others perplexity and griefe, not knowing how to ſet<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tle themſelves, or forme their obedience in ſuch diſtractions, and ſometimes repugnancy of commands.</p>
            <p>Then for the outward policy and forme of Government, under the Iuriſdiction of Biſhops, bounded by Law, and kept within their owne limits.</p>
            <p>It is as wee beleeve, that forme which came into this <hi>Iſland,</hi> with the firſt Plantation of Religion heere, and God ſo bleſt this <hi>Iſland,</hi> that Religion came earely in, with the firſt dawning of the day, very neere, or in the time of the Apoſtles themſelves. And in the ſucceſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſion of all after Ages, the ſame hath beene conſtantly maintained a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mong us, and that without any eminent interruption, or gaine-ſaying, even till theſe our dayes.</p>
            <p>And now from the comfortable experience which wee feele, and which our Fathers have told us, of the conveniency and moderation
<pb n="29" facs="tcp:59547:17" rendition="simple:additions"/>
of this Government, together with the antiquity of the ſame (a ſtrong argument of Gods ſpeciall Protection.) Wee doe in all humility re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>preſent, and pray that the ſame may be ſtill preſerved entire in all the parts thereof, profeſſing yet withall, that wee heartily diſclaime all ſcandalous Innovation, and Popiſh corruption whatſoever.</p>
            <p>And we are the more incouraged in this ſuit, becauſe wee find it to be the unanimous and undevided requeſt and vote of this whole Country, who cannot without ſome trembling entertaine a thought of change. In all which we doe not preſume to give any rules, but as it becomes us, humbly declare and open our owne breaſts, and labour to deliver our owne ſoules in teſtimony of our loyalties, and diſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>charge of our Conſciences, who ſhall ever take comfort to find the ſame way of honouring God, continued in his owne Houſe of Prayer, the lawes of the land put to actuall execution, the Peace and Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment of the Church preſerved, the rumor'd alterations declined, and the diſtractions already too viſible ariſing thereupon avoyded.</p>
            <p>And as wee doubt not but your great Wiſdomes will take care that our Doctrine and Diſcipline eſtabliſhed, ſhall be ſtill in force, and ob<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſerved, untill by ſome abſolute law, and the opinions of learned Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vocations, or Synod (according to the Cuſtoms of our prudent fore-Fathers in beſt times) it be otherwiſe ordained.</p>
            <closer>So ſhall wee never ceaſe to pray for a permanent bleſſing upon your Counſels and Reſolutions, to the generall happineſſe of Church and Kingdome.</closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the ſacred MAIESTIE, of our moſt Gracious Soveraigne Lord, King CHARLES; by the grace of God, of <hi>England, Scotland, France,</hi> and Ireland, <hi>KING:</hi> Defender of the Faith. The humble Gratulation and Petition of divers, His Majeſties faithfull Subjects (of the true Proteſtant Religion) within the County <hi>Palatine</hi> of <hi>Lancaſter.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>
               <salute>Moſt gracious Soveraigne,</salute>
            </opener>
            <p>THe moſt Reall and convincing'ſt teſtimonies of your Princely care, for the advancement of Gods true Religion in your Ma<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>jeſties
<pb n="30" facs="tcp:59547:18"/>
Realmes: And the common good of all your Subjects. Could no leſſe then draw from us (who have hitherto in theſe ſtirring Times ſate ſtill) this humble acknowledgement of our due and neceſſary thankes.</p>
            <p>Wee with the inmoſt and choiceſt thoughts of our ſoules, doe e<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſteeme and prize your Majeſties moſt righteous intentions, of gover<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ning your liege people, according to the wholſome Lawes of this Kingdome. A thing ſo often, and with ſuch earneſtneſſe avowed by your ſacred Majeſty, whereunto we yeeld that hearty credence, which is due to ſo religious a Prince. Wee doe alſo with all humility and thankfulneſſe acknowledge your manifold and evident manifeſtations, (to the world) that you affect not an Arbitrary Government, But the common proſperity, and happineſſe of all your loyall ſubjects: by your readines to joyn with your Parliament in ſpeedy rayſing of forces for a timely ſuppreſſion, of that odious Rebellion in <hi>Ireland,</hi> by your late. Proclamation for the putting in due execution the Lawes againſt Papiſts. By your moſt gracious condiſcending to the deſires of your Great Councell, in ſigning the Bill for the trienniall Parliament, for the relinquiſhing your Title of impoſing upon Merchandize, and power of preſſing ſouldiers. For the taking away the Star-chamber: and High Commiſſion Courts, for regulating of the Councell Table, As alſo for the Bils for the Forreſts and Stannerie Courts, with other moſt neceſſary acts. Moreover, wee are confident, and well aſſured of your Majeſties zeale, for the advancement of the true Proteſtant Religion. And with inexpreſſible joy doe underſtand your moſt Chriſtian and pious reſolution, for the preſervation of thoſe power<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>full encouragements of Induſtry, Learning, and Piety, the meanes and honour of the Miniſtry, for the maintenance and continuance of our Church Government, and ſolemne Liturgy of the Church, of long continuance, and generall approbation of the moſt pious and learned of this Nation, and of other countries: Compoſed (according to the Primitive Patterne) by our bleſſed Martyrs, and other religious and learned men. As alſo your gracious pleaſure, that all abuſes of Church and State ſhall bee reformed, according to the modell of Queene <hi>Elizabeths</hi> dayes, (of ever bleſſed and famous memory.) By the one you have weakned the hopes of the ſacrilegious devou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rers of the Churches Patrimony (if there be any ſuch:) And by the other provided againſt all Popiſh Impieties and Idolatries: and alſo againſt the growing danger of <hi>Anabaptiſts, Browniſts,</hi> and other <hi>Noveliſts.</hi> All which Piety, Love, and Iuſtice, wee beſeech God to
<pb n="31" facs="tcp:59547:18"/>
returne into your Royall boſome. But yet moſt gracious Soveraigne, there is one thing that ſads our hearts, and hinders the perfection of our happineſſe, which is the diſtance and miſ-underſtanding between your Majeſty and your Parliament, whereby the hearts of your ſub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>jects are filled with feares and jealouſies (Iuſtice neglected, ſacred ordinances prophaned, and Trading impaired, to the impoveriſhing of many of your liege people. For the Removall whereof wee cannot find out any lawfull meanes without your Majeſties aſſiſtance and direction.</p>
            <p>Wherefore we humbly beſeech your moſt excellent Majeſty, to conti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nue your moſt Chriſtian and pious Reſolution of ruling your peo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ple, according to the Lawes of the Land, and maintaining of the ſame, of being a zealous Defender of the eſtabilſhed Doctrine, Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>turgie, and Government of our Church from hereſies, Libertiniſme, and prophanneſſe; an advancer of Learning, Piety, and Religion; an Encourager of Learned, Painefull, Orthodox Preachers. And whatſoever your Parliament ſhall offer to your Royall view, con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ducing to this bleſſed end, the common good and tranquillity of your ſubjects, to be pleaſed to condiſcend unto, and graciouſly to confirme, and withall to declare unto us ſome expedient way, how we may make a dutifull addreſſe unto your Parliament, for the taking away of theſe differences and impediments, which ſtay the happy proceedings (of that moſt honourable Aſſembly, whereof your Majeſty is the Head) which once removed, wee doubt not, but you will bee as neare your Parliament in Perſon, as in affection. That there may be a bleſſed harmony, betwixt your Highneſſe, and that great Councell, wee ſhall with all alacrity oſerve the ſame. Humbly rendring our lives, and fortunes for the preſervation of your Royall Perſon, Crowne, and Dignity, according to our boun<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>den duty, and allegiance. And heartily praying for your Maje<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſties long and proſperous Raigne over us.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>Wee the Subſcribers of this Petition, doe hereby give authority unto the Bearers hereof, to put our names to ſuch Tranſcript hereof, as ſhall be preſented to His Majeſty. Atteſted by Knights and Eſquires</hi> 64. <hi>Divines</hi> 55. <hi>Gentlemen</hi> 740. <hi>Free-holders neare</hi> 7000.</signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="32" facs="tcp:59547:19"/>
            <head>To the Kings moſt Excellent MAIESTIE. The humble Petition of the County of <hi>Cornewall.</hi>
            </head>
            <p>WEe your Majeſties loyall ſubjects, In all duty render unto your Majeſty all thankfulneſſe, for your Majeſties unexam<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pled favour, and grace in granting unto your Subjects (in concurrence with your Parliament) ſuch Lawes and Freedomes, which have moſt fully expreſſed your Majeſties Gracious Goodneſſe unto your people, And wee moſt thankfully receive your Majeſties free offer of a gene<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rall pardon, whereof wee moſt humbly deſire to be made Partakers. And wee moſt humbly beſeech your Majeſty never to ſuffer your Subjects to be governed by an arbitrary Government, nor admit an alteration in Religion. And your Petitioners being moſt feelingly grie<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ved for your Majeſties diſcontents: partly occaſioned by divers ſcan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dalous Pamphlets; and no way leſſened by ſeditious Sermons: Doe wiſh a confluence of all comforts, honour, and happineſſe unto your Majeſty: and doe heartily pray for the reconcilement betwixt your Majeſty and your Parliament. And in all thankfulneſſe for your Ma<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>jeſties ſaid Grace and Goodneſſe, your Petitioners doe offer them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves moſt ready to maintaine, and defend with their lives, and for<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tunes, your Maieſties ſacred Perſon, Honour and Eſtate: And law<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>full Prerogative againſt all perſons whatſoever, according to the oaths of allegeance and Supremacy. <hi>May</hi> 22. 1642.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>Jndorſed,</signed>
            </closer>
            <postscript>
               <p>
                  <hi>Wee the Petitioners to this Petition, doe conſtitute, and appoint</hi> Peter Courtney, Walter Langdon, Benatus Bellot, <hi>and</hi> Nevill Bligh, <hi>Eſquires, to deliver this Petition, in the name of the county of Corn<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wall to His ſacred Majeſty.</hi>
               </p>
            </postscript>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <pb n="33" facs="tcp:59547:19"/>
            <head>To the Honourable Houſe of Com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mons, aſſembled in Parliament. The Humble Petition of the Gentry, Miniſters, and Commonalty of the County of <hi>Kent,</hi> agreed upon, at the generall Aſsizes of the County.</head>
            <opener>Moſt Humbly ſheweth,</opener>
            <p>THat wee cannot but take notice, how welcome to this Ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nourable Houſe, many Petitions have beene, which yet came not from an aſſembled body of any county (as this doth) wee doe therefore hope to find as gentle and favourable a reception of this, as any other have found of their Petitions, our hearts witneſſing unto us, as good, peaceable, and pious purpoſes as the beſt.</p>
            <p>
               <hi>Theſe are therefore the true and Ardent deſires of this County.</hi>
            </p>
            <p n="1">1 That you will be pleaſed to accept our due, and hearty thankes for thoſe excellent Lawes (which by his Majeſties grace and good<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>neſſe) you have obtained for us.</p>
            <p n="2">2. That all Lawes againſt Papiſts, be put in due execution, and an account taken of their diſarming, and that all children of the Papiſts may be brought up in the reformed Religion.</p>
            <p n="3">3. That the ſoelmn <hi>Liturgy</hi> of the Church of <hi>England</hi> (Celebri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ous by the piety of the Biſhops and Martyrs who compoſed it) eſta<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bliſht by the ſupreame Lawes of this Land, atteſted and approved by the beſt of all Forraigne Divines, confirmed by the ſubſcription of all the Miniſtry of this Land, a Clergy as able and Learned as any in the Chriſtian world ere injoyed, and with a holy Love embraced by the moſt and beſt of all the Laity, that this holy exerciſe of Reli<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gion may by your authority be injoyed quiet and free from interrup<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, ſcornes, prophaneneſſe, threats and force of ſuch men, who daily doe deprave it, and neglect the uſe of it in divers Churches, in deſpight of the Lawes eſtabliſhed.</p>
            <p n="4">
               <pb n="34" facs="tcp:59547:20"/>4. That Epiſcopall Government, as ancient in this Iland as Chri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtianity it ſelfe, deduced and diſperſed throughout the Chriſtian world, even from the Apoſtlicall times, may bee preſerved (as the moſt pious, moſt prudent, and moſt ſafe Government) for the peace of the Church.</p>
            <p n="5">5. That all differences concerning Religion and Ceremonies, may be referred to a lawfull free, and Nationall Synod, as your Remon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtrance promiſeth, to a generall Synod of moſt grave, learned, pious and Iudicious Divines, (the proper agents) whoſe intereſts, gifts, and callings, may quicken them in that great Worke, whoſe choyce to be by all the Clergy of the Land, becauſe all the Clergy are to bee bound by their Reſolutions, and the determination of this Synod to bind us all, when you have firſt formed them into a Law, and this we take to be according to the ancient and fundamentall Law of this Land, confirmed by <hi>Magna Charta.</hi>
            </p>
            <p n="6">6. That ſome ſpeedy and good proviſion may be made (as by his Majeſty hath beene, and is by all good men deſired) againſt the odi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ous and abominable ſcandall of ſchiſmaticall and ſeditious Sermons and Pamphlets, and ſome ſevere Law made againſt Lay-men, for da<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ring to arrogate to themſelves, and to execute the holy function of the Miniſtry, who (ſome of them) doe ſow their impious and diſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>contented Doctrine even in ſacred places, by abuſe of ſacred Ordi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nances, to the advancing of Hereſie, Schiſme, Prophaneneſſe, Liber<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tiniſme, Anabaptiſme, and Atheiſme.</p>
            <p n="7">7. That if the coertive power of Eccleſiaſticall Courts by way of Excommunication be already abrogated, or ſhall be thought fit ſo to be, that there be ſome other power &amp; authority ſpeedily eſtabliſhed, for ſuppreſſing the heynous, and now ſo much abounding ſins of In<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceſt, Adultery, and Fornication, and other crimes, and for recove<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ring Tythes, repayring of Churches, Probate of Wils, Church aſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeſſes, providing Bread and Wine for the Communion, and choyce of Church-Wardens, and other Officers in the Church, and eſpeci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ally for Miniſters, who neglect the Celebrating of the Holy Com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>munion, and the Pariſhioners for not Receiving.</p>
            <p n="8">8. That the Profeſſors of that Learned faculty of the Civill Law, and (without which this Kingdome cannot but ſuffer manifold In<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>conveniences) may not find diſcouragements, and ſo divert their ſtu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dies and Profeſſions.</p>
            <p n="9">9. That honour and profits the powerfull encouragements of In<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>duſtry, Learning, and Piety, may be preſerved without further dimi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nation to the Clergy.</p>
            <p n="10">
               <pb n="35" facs="tcp:59547:20" rendition="simple:additions"/>10. That you pleaſe ſadly to conſider the bleeding wounds of our Brethren in <hi>Ireland,</hi> and with ſpeedy ſuccours endeavour to preſerve them, whereunto his Majeſty hath promiſed a gracious concur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rence.</p>
            <p n="11">11. That you will pleaſe to frame an eſpeciall Law for the Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gulating of the <hi>Militia</hi> of this Kingdome, ſo that the Subject may know how at once to obey, both his Majeſty, and both Houſes of Parliament, a Law whereby may bee left to the diſcretion of Gover<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nours, as little as may bee, but that the number of Armes, and what meaſure of puniſhment ſhall bee inflicted upon the offendours, may bee expreſly ſet downe in the Act, and not left to any Arbitrary power, and that according to the preſident of former Lawes, the of<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fendours may not bee tried out of the County.</p>
            <p n="12">12. That the precious liberty of the Subject (the Common birth<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>right of every <hi>Engliſh man</hi>) may bee as in all theſe points preſerved entire, ſo in this alſo, that no order of either of both Houſes, not grounded on the Lawes of this Land, may be enforced on the Subject, till it bee fully enacted by Parliament.</p>
            <p n="13">13. That his Majeſties gracious Meſſage of the 20. of <hi>Jan.</hi> laſt, for the preſent and future eſtabliſhment of the Priviledges of Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liament, the free enjoying of our eſtates and Fortunes, the Liberty of our perſons, the ſecurity of the true Religion profeſſed, the maintai<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ning of his Majeſties juſt and Regall Authority, the eſtabliſhing his Revenue, may bee taken into ſpeedy conſideration, the effecting whereof will ſatisfie the deſires of all us, his faithfull and loving Sub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>jects.</p>
            <p n="14">14. That all poſſible care may bee taken, that the Native Commo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dities of this Kingdome, may have a quick Vent, and that Cloathing, and other Manufactures may bee improved, wherein the livelihood of many thouſands doe conſiſt, and that Trade may bee ballanced, that the importation doe not exceed the exportation, otherwiſe it will prove a conſumption of the Land.</p>
            <p n="15">15. That you pleaſe to frame ſome Lawes concerning Depopu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lations, Purveyances, Cart-taking, delayes in Iuſtice, Traffick, Fiſhing in the Coaſts, Fulling earth, that our Sea Forts may bee repaired, and our Magazines renewed.</p>
            <p n="16">16. That you pleaſe to conſider the generall poverty that ſeemes to overgrow this Kingdome.</p>
            <p n="17">17. Laſtly, Wee humbly beſeech you to conſider the ſad condi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion, that wee and the whole Land are in, if a good underſtanding
<pb n="36" facs="tcp:59547:21"/>
bee not ſpeedily renewed betweene his Majeſty, and both Houſes of Parliament.</p>
            <p>Our hopes are yet above our feares, ſecure them wee beſeech you, God direct and guide your conſultations for the removing of all diſtruſts and Iealouſies, for the renuing that tye of confidence and truſt, (which is the higheſt happineſſe) betweene our gracious Prince, and his loving Subjects.</p>
            <closer>
               <hi>And you ſhall have the dayly prayers of your humble Oratours of the Commonalty of</hi> Kent.</closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Honourable the Knights, Citi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>zens and Burgeſſes of the Houſe of <hi>Commons</hi> aſſembled in <hi>Parliament.</hi> The humble Petition of the <hi>Baronets, Knights, Eſquires, Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men, Clergy-men, Free-holders, Subſidy-men,</hi> and others of good Rank and Quality in the County of <hi>OXFORD.</hi>
            </head>
            <head type="sub">Agreed upon, and ſubſcribed, at the times of their meetings to take the Proteſtation ſent unto them.</head>
            <opener>Humbly ſhewing,</opener>
            <p>THat whereas ſome <hi>Petitions</hi> have beene expoſed, in print, the common view under the names of the <hi>Knights, Gentlemen, Free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>holders, Subſidy-men, of the beſt Ranke and Quality of the County of Ox<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ford,</hi> as preferred to the Honourable Houſe of <hi>Parliament.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>Wee doe hereby crave leave, to ſhew to this Honourable Houſe, that ſuch <hi>Petitions</hi> have not received <hi>Publique Examination</hi> among us, at any Generall meeting directed by <hi>Authority,</hi> for the ſervice of the <hi>County.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>ANd wee your now <hi>Petitioners,</hi> knowing our ſelves to bee to <hi>Major part</hi> of thoſe degrees within this County, and as deſirous to expreſſe our Gratitude in this Honourable Houſe, for your unwea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ried labours, and the happy effects thereof, for the good of this Land
<pb n="37" facs="tcp:59547:21" rendition="simple:additions"/>
and State, doe hereby offer up in all Humility, the greateſt expreſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſion of our Thankefulneſſe: And in like manner, our unanimous de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſires.</p>
            <p>That the <hi>Government</hi> of this <hi>Church</hi> may continue, as is now by Law eſtabliſhed: And that the <hi>Liturgy</hi> may bee ſetled with ſuch alte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rations (if there bee cauſe) as your Wiſdomes ſhall approve.</p>
            <p>That the Lawes againſt <hi>Papiſts</hi> which oppoſe our <hi>Religion,</hi> And againſt <hi>Sectaries</hi> (of late dangerouſly encreaſed among us) that trou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ble the <hi>Peace</hi> thereof, may bee put in full execution: And where thoſe Lawes are defective, ſuch further remedy therein may bee provided, as to your wiſdomes ſhall ſeeme fit.</p>
            <p>That a free <hi>Synod</hi> of <hi>Orthodox</hi> and peaceable <hi>Divines</hi> may bee con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vened, according to the forme of the <hi>Primitive,</hi> and Pureſt times of <hi>Chriſtianity,</hi> for compoſing of all differences in <hi>Doctrine,</hi> and <hi>Cere<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>monies</hi> of <hi>Religion.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>That the Safety of this County and Kingdome may bee provided for, by the diſpoſing of ſuch a <hi>Militia,</hi> as may conſiſt with the native <hi>Liberties</hi> of the <hi>Subject.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>That you would bee pleaſed to continue your Care in haſtening the further Reliefe of our diſtreſſed Brethren in <hi>Ireland.</hi>
            </p>
            <p>And your <hi>Petitioners</hi> ſhall bee ready to maintaine, with their <hi>Lives</hi> and <hi>Eſtates,</hi> his <hi>Majeſties</hi> Perſon, Honour, and Eſtate, together with the Rights and Priviledges of <hi>Parliament.</hi>
            </p>
            <closer>
               <signed>And your Petitioners ſhall ever pray, &amp;c.</signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Moſt Honourable and High Court of PARLIAMENT: The humble Petition of the <hi>Gentlemen,</hi> and other of the Inhabi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tants of the County of <hi>Cornwall.</hi>
            </head>
            <p>HAving ſeene and heard the many (though ſcarce divers) Peti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions to this Honourable Aſſembly, by the Inhabitants of divers Counties and Cities of this Land, as alſo Corporations, Companies, and Trades, ſome againſt Biſhops, ſome againſt the Common Prayer, and all againſt ſuch Iudiciall, and things Super-elementary to the re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gion
<pb n="38" facs="tcp:59547:22" rendition="simple:additions"/>
of their capacity of judging, and matters onely belonging to the Iudicature of this grave <hi>Synod,</hi> which ſeemes either to diſtruſt, or direct, or both, your great Wiſdomes; Wee therefore the Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men, and other the Inhabitants of <hi>Cornwall,</hi> with as many hearts, though not hands, with as many good willes, though not perſons, not in imitation, but rather by provocation, and neceſſity, in theſe times, to ſhew our good minded affections, doe humbly proſtrate the utmoſt of our ſervice to your feet. In which (or rather after which) wee take leave humbly to begge.</p>
            <p>THat you will bee pleaſed to bend your auxiliary and good affe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctions to the redreſſe of the diſtreſſe of the miſerable Proteſtants in <hi>Ireland.</hi> To gaine whoſe good, proſperity, peace, and tranquility, to preſerve the Soveraignty of that Land to our Royall King, and to maintaine His, and this Kingdomes Honour, We ſhall willingly lay downe our lives and fortunes.</p>
            <p>That you will bee pleaſed to continue your great reſpect, dutifull love, and true obedience, to our Royall Soveraigne, by maintaining his juſt, and no way Antilegall Prerogative.</p>
            <p>That you will bee pleaſed to put the Lawes in due execution againſt all Ieſuites, Seminaries, Papiſts, and Recuſants.</p>
            <p>That you will bee pleaſed to looke upon the other ſide, and duly weighing the actions (or rather factions) of ſome, (whom moſt men call Citizens) to ſcourge their irregular and diſorderly Schiſme, and Hereticall Sects, into right paths of ſerving God, to frequent his Houſe, and to Pray as well as Heare, to allow Order, and obey Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>formity, to reverence Learning, and bow to Authority, to bee under a Diſcipline, and live in order.</p>
            <p>That you will bee pleaſed to maintaine and eſtabliſh the Ancient, Fundamentall, and moſt venerable Lawes, Order, and Diſcipline, both of our Church and Common-wealth, to continue the reverenced Office, and puniſh the offending perſons of Biſhops, to have in high account, and eternize (as farre as in you lies) the Divine and excellent forme of Common-prayer, to correct braine-forg'd doctrine, by your examplary precepts ſtrike a Reverence of Gods Houſe into eve<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ry mans breaſt.</p>
            <p>That you will bee pleaſed to intimate to the people, your Honou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rable and wiſe intentions concerning Divine Service, leſt while you hold your peace, ſome rejecting it in part, others altogether, they vainly conceive you countenance them.</p>
            <p>
               <pb n="39" facs="tcp:59547:22"/>Laſtly, (not to trouble your great affaires any longer) That you will bee pleaſed to take into your Sage conſideration, thoſe Scanda<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lous and ill-affected Pamphlets, which fly abroad in ſuch ſwarmes, as are able to cloud the pure aire of Truth, and preſent a darke igno<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rance to thoſe who have not the two wings of Iuſtice and Know<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ledge to fly above them.</p>
            <p>Now to poliſh this our worke with a ſmooth demonſtration of our modeſt intents, that the tinctures which in Introduction fell on the fore-mentioned preſents, may ſlide without a ſtaine from this; Wee doe in all humility declare, that neither diſtruſt of your intentions, nor opinion of any of our Counſels worthy your eares, ever tainted our thoughts, but that wee have ſtill beene, and are confident, that this moſt wiſe <hi>Synod</hi> hath ever thought fit, reſolv'd, and will confirme into action, what wee now humbly requeſt; therefore this our preſent, not ſo much a Petition, as a Prayer of willing and thankefull hearts for the hoped ſequell, is onely to ſhew our true intentions and good will towards his gracious Majeſty, and this High Court, as Inſtruments of the peace of our ſoules and bodies, for which wee are unanimouſly, and immu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tably reſolv'd to ſpend our deareſt bloud.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>Publiſhed by</hi> I.B. <hi>Gent.</hi>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Right Honourable the LORDS, and COMMONS aſſembled in the high Court of PARLIAMENT. <hi>The humble Petition of the</hi> Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen, Mini<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſters, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, within the County of <hi>HEREFORD.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Who Moſt humbly pray,</opener>
            <p>THat the preſent publique forme of Gods Worſhip, and the Ad<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>miniſtration of the bleſſed Sacraments, with other Rites agreea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ble to Gods holy Word, and pureſt Antiquity, which have beene ſundry times eſtabliſhed by godly Acts of Parliament, may now a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gaine in theſe broken and troubled times, bee to Gods glory, and the Churches Peace, re-eſtabliſhed and confirmed; That Epiſcopacy be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing the Ancient and Primitive Government of the Church, Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nowned for Succeſſes, Victorious againſt Schiſmes, and Hereſies;
<pb n="40" facs="tcp:59547:23"/>
and eſpecially, of late yeares againſt that <hi>Hydra</hi> of Hereſies, the <hi>Ro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>man</hi> Papacy, Glorious for ancient and late Martyrdomes, Happy be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fore the corruption of Popery, and ſince the Reformation in the plan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tation and preſervation of Truth and Peace, eminently ſerviceable to this Common-wealth, moſt compliable with the Civill Govern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, into the Fabrick and Body of which it is riverted and incor<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>porated, and moſt apt and eaſie at all times by the ſtate to bee reduced into Order: may for the future (as formerly) by your great authority bee continued and maintained, for the glory of God, the preſerva<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion of Order, Peace, and Vnity, the Reformation and ſuppreſſion of wickedneſſe and vice, and the mature prevention of Schiſmes, Fa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctions, and Seditions, That Cathedrals, the Monuments of our Fore<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fathers Charity, the reward of preſent Literature and furtherance of Piety, bee alſo continued.</p>
            <p>The which wee your humble Petitioners the more earneſtly be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeech your Honours to grant, for that ſtrange feares doe poſſeſſe our Hearts, that the ſudden Mutation of Government, ſo long ſetled, ſo well knowne, and approved, cannot recompence the Diſturbances and Diſorders which it may worke by Novelty, with any proportionable utility, being moſt confident, in your Honours, Wiſdomes, and Iuſtice, that all Exceſſes, Exorbitances, and Encroachments, that ſhall bee found iſſuing not from any poyſon in the nature of the Diſcipline, but rather from the infir<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mity and corruption of the Perſons (unto which the very beſt Government is ſubject) ſhall bee duely regulated and corre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cted.</p>
            <closer>
               <signed>
                  <hi>And your Petitioners ſhall pray, &amp;c.</hi> 
                  <list>
                     <item>Subſcribed by <hi>Knights, Eſquires,</hi> and <hi>Gentlemen</hi> of Quality, 68</item>
                     <item>
                        <hi>Doctours,</hi> 8</item>
                     <item>
                        <hi>Miniſters of good repute, as will appeare by the Originall Peti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions,</hi> 150</item>
                     <item>
                        <hi>Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of</hi> Hereford. 3600</item>
                  </list>
               </signed>
            </closer>
         </div>
         <div type="petition">
            <head>To the Knights, Citizens, and Burgeſſes of the Honourable Houſe of <hi>Commons</hi> aſſembled in PARLIAMENT. <hi>The humble Petition of the</hi> Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen, Miniſters, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, of the County of <hi>Cornwall.</hi>
            </head>
            <opener>Humbly ſhewing,</opener>
            <p>THat wee are no leſſe thankefull for the many excellent Lawes which by his Majeſties grace and favour, and your care and aſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſiduouſneſſe,
<pb n="33" facs="tcp:59547:23" rendition="simple:additions"/>
you have obtained for us; then thoſe who have beene more forward to preſent you with Petitions; doubting not, but you will welcome this with as hearty acceptance, as you have done any other, it proceeding from loyall hearts to our Soveraigne, a tender care of our Proteſtation, and aboundance of affection to the Common<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wealth; And whereas wee underſtand that there is a purpoſe, if not a preſentment already to this honourable Houſe, of a Petition here<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tofore by ſome Iuſtices of the Peace tendred to the grand Enqueſt, at our laſt Aſſiſes, to be by them conſidered, whether fit to be preſen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted to this Honourable Houſe; which on deliberate debate was much diſliked, as it was laid; but ſince (as we are informed) indirectly ob<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>truded on diverſe perſons, without reading or peru<gap reason="illegible" extent="1 letter">
                  <desc>•</desc>
               </gap>all; many of them ſince retracting their opinions, and wiſhing back their hands; and we having reſolved to reſt upon the abilities, and care of our Knights and Burgeſſes, our hands and mouths, for matter of our particular con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cernments; yet ſince their abſence from us, and attendance in Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, finding and feeling our owne grievances, giving us juſt grounds and feare of ſudden miſery, by diſobedience and contempt of Lawes; thus provoked with bleeding hearts, wee beg the helpe of your Wiſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>domes, to adviſe and apply ſome ſpeedy remedy for theſe felt and fea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>red evils, And for as much as there are lately riſen amongſt us ſome few of the Clergy, and many of the Laity, publike contemners and de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pravers of the Ceremonies and the Service of the Booke of Common Prayer, by Law eſtabliſhed, irreverent vilifiers of Gods Houſe, and Church Aſſemblies in Prayer times, and generally diſobedient to Ec<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cleſiaſticall Government, of whom many have ſubſcribed or ſubſigned to the recited Petition; Although the ſaid Ceremonies and Booke of Common Prayer, are by far the greater and diſcreeter part of our Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gregations inoffenſively and reverently received and approved.</p>
            <p n="1">1 WE pray (no way preſuming) to preſcribe rules, but ſubmit<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ting to your graver Judgements, that a Nationall Synod of our learned, and approved Clergy, by the reſt to be choſen, may be convened, and ſome Parliamentary courſe ſpeeded, for the ordaining, confirming, &amp; eſtabliſhing of the ſaid Service Booke, and Ceremo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nies, or ſome of them, or others not repugnant to Gods Word, ten<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ding moſt to the peace and purity of our Religion and Church; before which ſettlement, our humble deſires are, that a Parliamentary Decla<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ration, may ſpeedily iſſue forth, for requiring of obedience to the Lawes eſtabliſhed.</p>
            <p n="2">
               <pb n="42" facs="tcp:59547:24"/>2 We likewiſe humbly pray the continuance of that ancient and ever reverenced Epiſcopall Government in our Church, and that the Delinquences of any particular perſon, may not cauſe that high and holy Office, or Calling, to ſuffer.</p>
            <p n="3">3 We pray likewiſe that in every Pariſh unprovided, there may bee a Preaching Miniſter, and a competent maintenance raiſed for him, and where Impropriations are, and Preaching Miniſters not ſuffi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ciently cared for, allowance may be had or bettered.</p>
            <p n="4">4 We pray likewiſe that ſuch of our Clergy, as upon enquiry, ſhall be found either Scandalous or not Orthodox, may bee admoniſhed, and bound for the better ſupply and diſcharge of their Cures, or re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>moved.</p>
            <p n="5">5 Wee pray likewiſe that ſome poſitive Law may bee Inacted for Parſons and Vicars recovery of their Tithes, and that ſuch courſe may bee taken for the obtaining of them, as may bee moſt ſpeedy, and leaſt chargeable; <hi>That ſo thoſe that Miniſter at the Altar, may live by the Altar.</hi>
            </p>
            <p n="6">6 We pray likewiſe that for the reſtraining and preventing of in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ordinate licenciouſneſſe, there may be ſome penall Law Inacted for the puniſhment of Adulteries, and diverſe other offences not puniſh<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>able by the Common Law.</p>
            <p n="7">7 As likewiſe that there may be ſome Coerſive power or Law, ordained for compelling of refactory men to the payment of their rates, and for the reparations of their Pariſh Churches, in which of late ſome are growne very remiſſe and backward.</p>
            <p n="8">8 Wee pray likewiſe that great care may bee taken not onely for diſarming of Recuſants, but for the Education of their children in the Proteſtant Religion.</p>
            <p n="9">9 Wee likewiſe pray that ſome ſpeedy courſe may bee taken for the Redemption of thoſe wofull Chriſtian Captives in <hi>Barbarie,</hi> the want of whom, hath occaſioned an extraordinary decay and pover<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty in our Maritine Townes and Pariſhes, and that our Coaſts may bee ſufficiently gaurded and ſecured.</p>
            <p n="10">10 Wee likewiſe pray that whereas this County hath beene and is ſurcharged double, at leaſt, with Armes, and very high in Subſidies, much above our abilities, and the reſpective charge of diverſe parts of this Kingdome; we may (in conſideration hereof) bee relieved in future.</p>
            <p n="11">11 Wee likewiſe pray that the Sheriffes Turne, now growne an unneceſſary Court, and onely uſed to the grievous oppreſſion of the
<pb n="43" facs="tcp:59547:24"/>
meaner ſort of people, may bee ſuppreſſed, and taken away, it being more burdenſome then the Office of the Clerke of the Market for<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>merly hath beene.</p>
            <p n="12">12 Wee likewiſe pray that ſuch Dutchcy Tenants as within our County pay over their rightfull Rents and Duties unto the Dutchy Officers may not bee doubly charged by Proces out of the Exchequer, as now they are, by extreame and continuall Amercements.</p>
            <p n="13">13 Wee likewiſe pray that there may bee a reparation of the de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cay of the Caſtle of Saint <hi>Mawes,</hi> and that there may bee a ſupply of the wants of Ordnances, Carriages, Powder, and Ammunition, in all which, it is extreamely defective.</p>
            <closer>And thus with all humblenes, Craving pardon for with-holding you from your other Weighty Affaires, but perſwaded that the cauſe is conſiderable, and may well challenge a part of your thoughts, and be put in action; for the effecting of which, as of all things ſtanding to the Purity and Peace of our Church, and Religion, as for the ſafe Defence and Ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nour of his Majeſtie, his Royall Poſterity, and King<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>domes; And in theſe, your and our happineſſe, as for u<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>niting of his Gratious Majeſtie and this Honourable Aſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſembly in a mutuall conſent and compliancy, as for the una<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nimous and proſperous proceedings of this Parliament, wee doe, and ever ſhall, with humble hearts implore Gods gracious aſſiſtance and bleſſing.</closer>
         </div>
      </body>
      <back>
         <div type="index">
            <pb facs="tcp:59547:25"/>
            <head>The Index of the <hi>Petitions.</hi>
            </head>
            <list>
               <item>CHeſhire. Pag. <hi>1</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Oxford Univerſity. Pag. <hi>4</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Cambridge Univerſitie. Pag. <hi>6</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Nottingham. Pag. <hi>8</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Huntington. Pag. <hi>9</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Somerſet. Pag. <hi>13</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Rutland. Pag. <hi>15</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Cheſhire. Pag. <hi>21</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Colledges, Halls, &amp;c. Pag. <hi>23</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Exeter Dioceſſe. Pag. <hi>24</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Stafforaſhire. Pag. <hi>25</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Dioceſſe of Canterbury. Pag. <hi>26</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Six Counties of North-Walles. Pag. <hi>27</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Lancaſhire. Pag. <hi>29</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Cornwall. Pag. <hi>32</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Kent. Pag. <hi>33</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Oxford County. Pag. <hi>36</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Cornwall. Pag. <hi>37</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Hereford. Pag. <hi>39</hi>
               </item>
               <item>Cornwall. Pag. <hi>40</hi>
               </item>
            </list>
         </div>
      </back>
   </text>
</TEI>