To the Right Honourable the LORDS, and COMMONS assembled in the high Court of PARLIAMENT. The humble Petition of the Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, Mini∣sters, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, within the County of HEREFORD.

THat the present publique forme of Gods Worship, and the Ad∣ministration of the blessed Sacraments, with other Rites agreea∣ble to Gods holy Word, and purest Antiquity, which have beene sundry times established by godly Acts of Parliament, may now a∣gaine in these broken and troubled times, bee to Gods glory, and the Churches Peace, re-established and confirmed; That Episcopacy be∣ing the Ancient and Primitive Government of the Church, Re∣nowned for Successes, Victorious against Schismes, and Heresies; Page  40 and especially, of late yeares against that Hydra of Heresies, the Ro∣man Papacy, Glorious for ancient and late Martyrdomes, Happy be∣fore the corruption of Popery, and since the Reformation in the plan∣tation and preservation of Truth and Peace, eminently serviceable to this Common-wealth, most compliable with the Civill Govern∣ment, into the Fabrick and Body of which it is riverted and incor∣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∣tion of Order, Peace, and Vnity, the Reformation and suppression of wickednesse and vice, and the mature prevention of Schismes, Fa∣ctions, and Seditions, That Cathedrals, the Monuments of our Fore∣fathers Charity, the reward of present Literature and furtherance of Piety, bee also continued.

The which wee your humble Petitioners the more earnestly be∣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∣mity and corruption of the Persons (unto which the very best Government is subject) shall bee duely regulated and corre∣cted.