Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	king_n	kingdom_n	majesty_n	5,039	5	6.1083	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26103	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.	Aston, Thomas, Sir, 1600-1645.; Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649.; England and Wales. Parliament.	1642 (1642)	Wing A4073; ESTC R208748	30,703	48

of the County of KENT within the Diocesse of CANTERBURY Most humbly shewing THat notwithstanding this Kingdome hath by the singular providence of Almighty God for many yeares last past happily flourished above all other Nations in the Christian World under the Religion and Government by Law established Yet hath it beene of late most miserably distracted through the sinister practises of some private persons ill affected to them both By whose meanes the present Government is disgraced and traduced 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 The Lords Prayer 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 Marriages 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 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 Israel Whereby Almighty God is highly provoked his sacred Majesty dishonoured The peace of the Kingdome endangered The Consciences of the people disquieted The Ministers of Gods Word disheartned and the Enemies of the Church emboldned in their enterprises For redresse whereof May it please this Great and Honourable Councell speedily to command a due observation of the Religion and Government by Law established in such manner as it may seeme best to the Piety and Wisdome of his Royall Majesty and this Honourable Court Your Petitioners as they shall Confidently expect a blessing from Heaven upon this Church and Kingdome So shall they have this further cause to implore the Divine Assistance upon this Most Honourable Assembly Subscribed by Knight Barronets and Knights 24. Esquires and Gentlemen of note above 300. Divines 108. Freeholders and Subsidie men 800. All within the Diocesse of Canterbury To the Honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons assembled in Parliament The humble Petition of the Gentry Clergy and other Inhabitants subscribed of the Counties of Flint Denbigh Mountgomery Carnarvan Anglesey Merioneth being the sixe Shires of Northwales As it was presented this present March the 5. 1641. Acccompanied with thirty thousand hands WHereas the present condition of the Church of England in the publike Liturgy thereof in the ancient liberties and 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 addresses concerning the same have beene presented to this Honourable House Wee his Majesties faithfull Subjects in the Principalities and Counties of North-wales whom it equally concerneth and as strongly tied in duty and conscience doe likewise presume to make our humble Remonstrance and wee doe it after a long silence and expectation joyned with some feares 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 conceive 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 lawfulnesse of that which is prescribed according to the Word of God not without the deliberate and concurrent approbation and industry of the most learned of the Protestant Church of this and other Nations and the possession of so many yeares in the practise thereof and all since the blessed time of Reformation The meere report hereof hath already produced no good effect breeding in the minds of ill-disposed persons Insolence and contempt in others perplexity and griefe not knowing how to settle themselves or forme their obedience in such distractions and sometimes repugnancy of commands Then for the outward policy and forme of Government under the Iurisdiction of Bishops bounded by Law and kept within their owne limits It is as wee beleeve that forme which came into this Island with the first Plantation of Religion heere and God so blest this Island 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 succession of all after Ages the same hath beene constantly maintained among us and that without any eminent interruption or gaine-saying even till these our dayes And now from the comfortable experience which wee feele and which our Fathers have told us of the conveniency and moderation of this Government together with the antiquity of the same a strong argument of Gods speciall Protection Wee doe in all humility represent 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 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 discharge 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 Government of the Church preserved the rumor'd alterations declined and the distractions already too visible arising thereupon avoyded And as wee doubt not but your great Wisdomes will take care that our Doctrine and Discipline established shall be still in force and observed untill by some absolute law and the opinions of learned Convocations or Synod according to the Customs of our prudent fore-Fathers in best times it be otherwise ordained So shall wee never cease to pray for a permanent blessing upon your Counsels and Resolutions to the generall happinesse of Church and Kingdome To the sacred MAIESTIE of our most Gracious Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland KING Defender of the Faith The humble Gratulation and Petition of divers His Majesties faithfull Subjects of the true Protestant Religion within the County Palatine of Lancaster Most gracious Soveraigne THe most Reall and convincing'st testimonies of your Princely care for the advancement of Gods true Religion in your Majesties Realmes And the common good of all your Subjects Could no lesse then draw

of the Church of England Celebrious by the piety of the Bishops and Martyrs who composed it establisht 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 Religion may by your authority be injoyed quiet and free from interruptions 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 4. That Episcopall Government as ancient in this Iland as Christianity 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 5. That all differences concerning Religion and Ceremonies may be referred to a lawfull free and Nationall Synod as your Remonstrance 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 Magna Charta 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 odious and abominable scandall of schismaticall and seditious Sermons and Pamphlets and some severe Law made against Lay-men for daring to arrogate to themselves and to execute the holy function of the Ministry who some of them doe sow their impious and discontented Doctrine even in sacred places by abuse of sacred Ordinances to the advancing of Heresie Schisme Prophanenesse Libertinisme Anabaptisme and Atheisme 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 authority speedily established for suppressing the heynous and now so much abounding sins of Incest Adultery and Fornication and other crimes and for recovering Tythes repayring of Churches Probate of Wils Church assesses providing Bread and Wine for the Communion and choyce of Church-Wardens and other Officers in the Church and especially for Ministers who neglect the Celebrating of the Holy Communion and the Parishioners for not Receiving 8. That the Professors of that Learned faculty of the Civill Law and without which this Kingdome cannot but suffer manifold Inconveniences may not find discouragements and so divert their studies and Professions 9. That honour and profits the powerfull encouragements of Industry Learning and Piety may be preserved without further dimination to the Clergy 10. That you please sadly to consider the bleeding wounds of our Brethren in Ireland and with speedy succours endeavour to preserve them whereunto his Majesty hath promised a gracious concurrence 11. That you will please to frame an especiall Law for the Regulating of the Militia 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 Governours 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 offendours may not bee tried out of the County 12. That the precious liberty of the Subject the Common birth-right of every English man 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 13. That his Majesties gracious Message of the 20. of Jan. last for the present and future establishment of the Priviledges of Parliament the free enjoying of our estates and Fortunes the Liberty of our persons the security of the true Religion professed the maintaining 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 Subjects 14. That all possible care may bee taken that the Native Commodities 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 15. That you please to frame some Lawes concerning Depopulations Purveyances Cart-taking delayes in Iustice Traffick Fishing in the Coasts Fulling earth that our Sea Forts may bee repaired and our Magazines renewed 16. That you please to consider the generall poverty that seemes to overgrow this Kingdome 17. Lastly Wee humbly beseech you to consider the sad condition that wee and the whole Land are in if a good understanding bee not speedily renewed betweene his Majesty and both Houses of Parliament 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 And you shall have the dayly prayers of your humble Oratours of the Commonalty of Kent To the Honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons assembled in Parliament The humble Petition of the Baronets Knights Esquires Gentlemen Clergy-men Free-holders Subsidy-men and others of good Rank and Quality in the County of OXFORD Agreed upon and subscribed at the times of their meetings to take the Protestation sent unto them Humbly shewing THat whereas some Petitions have beene exposed in print the common view under the names of the Knights Gentlemen Freeholders Subsidy-men of the best Ranke and Quality of the County of Oxford as preferred to the Honourable House of Parliament Wee doe hereby crave leave to shew to this Honourable House that such Petitions have not received Publique Examination among us at any Generall meeting directed by Authority for the service of the County ANd wee your now Petitioners knowing our selves to bee to Major part of those degrees within this County and as desirous to expresse our Gratitude in this Honourable House for your unwearied labours and the happy effects thereof for the good of this Land and State doe hereby offer up in all Humility the greatest expression of our Thankefulnesse And in like manner

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 infirmity and corruption of the Persons unto which the very best Government is subject shall bee duely regulated and corrected And your Petitioners shall pray c. Subscribed by Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of Quality 68 Doctours 8 Ministers of good repute as will appeare by the Originall Petitions 150 Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Hereford 3600 To the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Knights Esquires Gentlemen Ministers Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Cornwall Humbly shewing THat wee are no lesse thankefull for the many excellent Lawes which by his Majesties grace and favour and your care and assiduousnesse 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-wealth And whereas wee understand that there is a purpose if not a presentment already to this honourable House of a Petition heretofore by some Iustices of the Peace tendred to the grand Enquest at our last Assises to be by them considered whether fit to be presented to this Honourable House which on deliberate debate was much disliked as it was laid but since as we are informed indirectly obtruded on diverse persons without reading or peru●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 concernments yet since their absence from us and attendance in Parliament 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 Wisedomes to advise and apply some speedy remedy for these felt and feared 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 depravers 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 Ecclesiasticall 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 Congregations inoffensively and reverently received and approved 1 WE pray no way presuming to prescribe rules but submitting 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 establishing of the said Service Booke and Ceremonies or some of them or others not repugnant to Gods Word tending most to the peace and purity of our Religion and Church before which settlement our humble desires are that a Parliamentary Declaration may speedily issue forth for requiring of obedience to the Lawes established 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 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 sufficiently cared for allowance may be had or bettered 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 removed 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 That so those that Minister at the Altar may live by the Altar 6 We pray likewise that for the restraining and preventing of inordinate licenciousnesse there may be some penall Law Inacted for the punishment of Adulteries and diverse other offences not punishable by the Common Law 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 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 9 Wee likewise pray that some speedy course may bee taken for the Redemption of those wofull Christian Captives in Barbarie the want of whom hath occasioned an extraordinary decay and poverty in our Maritine Townes and Parishes and that our Coasts may bee sufficiently gaurded and secured 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 11 Wee likewise pray that the Sheriffes Turne now growne an unnecessary Court and onely used to the grievous oppression of the meaner sort of people may bee suppressed and taken away it being more burdensome then the Office of the Clerke of the Market formerly hath beene 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 13 Wee likewise pray that there may bee a reparation of the decay of the Castle of Saint Mawes and that there may bee a supply of the wants of Ordnances Carriages Powder and Ammunition in all which it is extreamely defective 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 Honour of his Majestie his Royall Posterity and Kingdomes And in these your and our happinesse as for uniting of his Gratious Majestie and this Honourable Assembly in a mutuall consent and compliancy as for the unanimous and prosperous proceedings of this Parliament wee doe and ever shall with humble hearts implore Gods gracious assistance and blessing The Index of the Petitions CHeshire Pag. 1 Oxford University Pag. 4 Cambridge Universitie Pag. 6 Nottingham Pag. 8 Huntington Pag. 9 Somerset Pag. 13 Rutland Pag. 15 Cheshire Pag. 21 Colledges Halls c. Pag. 23 Exeter Diocesse Pag. 24 Stafforashire Pag. 25 Diocesse of Canterbury Pag. 26 Six Counties of North-Walles Pag. 27 Lancashire Pag. 29 Cornwall Pag. 32 Kent Pag. 33 Oxford County Pag. 36 Cornwall Pag. 37 Hereford Pag. 39 Cornwall Pag. 40 Viz. De jure non eidem de facto till 555 years after Christ and then but once in the case of Pope Pelagius and that irregularly never since unlesse by Papall usurpation Comment in Epist. ad Titum Timotheus Titus Clements Linus Marcus Dyonysius Onesimus Caius Epaphroditus Iacobus Hierosolimit Evodias Simeon

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 separating and sequestring themselves from the publike Assembly at Common Prayers and Divine Service but also opposing and tumultuously 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 Government and in the Forme of the publique Worship of God and Divine Service and Common Prayers 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 acknowledge the pious care which is already taken for the suppressing of the grouth of Popery the better supply of able and painefull Ministers 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 pray to God to assist and direct you from above with his heavenly wisdome to guide and bring all your consultations to happy conclusions To the High and Honourable Court of Parliament now sitting The humble Petition and Remonstrance of the Knights Gentry Clergy Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Somerset Delivered to the House of Peers by the Lord Marquesse Hartford the 10. of December 1641. Wee humbly shew 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 London 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 Opinions and Desires concerning the same Nothing doubting of the like good acceptance of our humble Petition and Remonstrance in this behalfe being tendred with no lesse good Affection to the Peace and Happinesse of the Church the prosperity of His Sacred Majesty and this whole Kingdome For the present government of the Church we are most thankefull to God believing it in our hearts to be the most pious and the wisest that any People or Kingdome upon earth hath beene blest withall 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 maliciously 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 shall never enter into the hearts of this wise and Honourable assembly Wee will not presume to dispute the Right of Episcopacy whether it be Divine or not It sufficeth us to know that the Church-government 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 Christian Religion which with their blood they have frequently sealed to Posterity And how much this Kingdome in particular is indebted to them for their Piety their Wisedomes and Sufferings wee trust shall never be forgotten Our hearts desire therefore is That the Precious may be separated from the Vile that the bad may be rejected and the good retayned Furthermore having credibly heard that our Common Prayer hath beene interrupted and despised of some mis-understanding or mis-led people to the great scandall of the Religion 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 All which wee humbly offer to your Wisedomes as the thoughts and desires of this County And as wee are perswaded of multitudes of the sound Members of the Church of England and his Sacred Majesties most loyall Subjects Beseeching God to direct and prosper your Counsels and yee to pardon our Errors Wee rest At your Commands Knights Esquires Divines Gentlemen Free-holders Inhabitants of the County of Somerset none of them Papists but all Protestants of the Church of England and his Majesties loyall Subjects 14350 Whereof Knights Esquires and Gentlemen 200 Divines 221 Io BROVVNE Cler. Parliament To the high and honourable Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Knights Esquires Gentlemen and Housholders in the County of RVTLAND in behalfe of our selves and our Families And of the Parsons Vicars and Curats for the Clergy in behalfe of themselves and their Families Humbly shewing THat whereas there have beene divers Petitions exhibited to this Honourable Court by persons disaffected to the present Government for the utter extirpation of the apostolicall Government of the Church 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 persons true sonnes of the Church of England 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 unconcerned 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

should teach conformity 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 Protestants 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 Sacrilegious violences both by day and night upon divers Churches Therefore your Petitioners being all very apprehensive of the dangerous consequences of Innovation and much scandalized at the present disorders Doe all unanimously pray 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 factious Spirits doe evidently endanger the peace both of Church and State And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Petition signed by Lords Knights Iustices of the Peace and Esquires 94. By Gentlemen of quality 440. By Divines 86. By Freeholders and others in all 8936. To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty And to the High Court of Parliament The humble Petition of Colledges and Halls and others well-willers to Piety and Learning throughout the Kingdome of England Sheweth THat whereas many Persons dis-affected to the present forme of Government of the Church of England 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 petitioned 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 unstable and the unspeakeable advantage of our Enemies of Rome WEe therefore well weighing that the Seminaries must decay 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 Innovations 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 And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. This Petition is subscribed generally by all the Doctors Masters and Batchelours of all Degrees and Faculties in the Vniversity of Oxford And by very many other persons of quality Baronets Knights Esquires Ministers and Gentlemen within the Counties of Oxford Berks Wilts South-hampton Dorset Kent Surrey Westmerland Cumberland and other Shires Devonshire Petition To the Right Honourable the Lords Spirituall and Temporall now assembled in the House of PARLIAMENT The humble Information and Petition of the Knights Esquires Gentlemen and others of ability within the Diocesse of Exeter WEe whose Names are underwritten have for these many yeares found the benefit and comfort of Episcopall Government 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 Government may bee still continued both to us and our posterity submitting all personall offences and redresse of abuses to your Honourable Wisdomes In witnesse whereof wee have hereunto subscribed Signed by Knights Esquires Gentlemen and other Inhabitants neere upon Eight thousand The Staffordshire Petition To the Right Honourable the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Knights Gentlemen Ministers Freeholders and other Inhabitants within the County of STAFFORD hereunto subscribed Who Most humbly pray THat the present publique forme of Gods Worship and administration 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 againe in these broken and troubled times bee to Gods glory and the Churches Peace re-established and confirmed 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 Hydra of Heresies the Roman 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 serviceable to this Common-wealth most compliable with the Civill Government into the Fabrick and body of which it is riveted and incorporate most apt easie a● 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 wickednesse and vice and the mature prevention of Schismes Factions and Seditions The which wee your humble Petitioners the more earnestly beseech your Honours to grant For that strong feare doe possesse 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 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 And your Petitioners shall duly pray for your Honours happiest proceedings Subscribed by 3000. of the best quality of the County To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty And to the Right Honourable the LORDS and the Honourable the House of COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT The most humble Petition of divers Baronets Knights Iustices Gentry Ministers and Freeholders Inhabitants

from us who have hitherto in these stirring Times sate still this humble acknowledgement of our due and necessary thankes Wee with the inmost and choicest thoughts of our soules doe esteeme and prize your Majesties most righteous intentions of governing 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 Ireland 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 powerfull 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 Elizabeths dayes of ever blessed and famous memory By the one you have weakned the hopes of the sacrilegious devourers 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 Anabaptists Brownists and other Novelists All which Piety Love and Iustice wee beseech God to 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 subjects 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 Wherefore we humbly beseech your most excellent Majesty to continue your most Christian and pious Resolution of ruling your people according to the Lawes of the Land and maintaining of the same of being a zealous Defender of the estabilshed Doctrine Liturgie 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 conducing 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 bounden duty and allegiance And heartily praying for your Majesties long and prosperous Raigne over us 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 64. Divines 55. Gentlemen 740. Free-holders neare 7000. To the Kings most Excellent MAIESTIE The humble Petition of the County of Cornewall WEe your Majesties loyall subjects In all duty render unto your Majesty all thankfulnesse for your Majesties unexampled 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 generall 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 grieved for your Majesties discontents partly occasioned by divers scandalous 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 Majesties said Grace and Goodnesse your Petitioners doe offer themselves most ready to maintaine and defend with their lives and fortunes your Maiesties sacred Person Honour and Estate And lawfull Prerogative against all persons whatsoever according to the oaths of allegeance and Supremacy May 22. 1642. Jndorsed Wee the Petitioners to this Petition doe constitute and appoint Peter Courtney Walter Langdon Benatus Bellot and Nevill Bligh Esquires to deliver this Petition in the name of the county of Cornwall to His sacred Majesty To the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament The Humble Petition of the Gentry Ministers and Commonalty of the County of Kent agreed upon at the generall Assizes of the County Most Humbly sheweth THat wee cannot but take notice how welcome to this Honourable 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 These are therefore the true and Ardent desires of this County 1 That you will be pleased to accept our due and hearty thankes for those excellent Lawes which by his Majesties grace and goodnesse you have obtained for us 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 3. That the soelmn Liturgy