To the King's most Excellent Majesty.
The humble Petition of your Majesties most Loyal and Obedient Subjects, whose Names are here under-writ∣ten, in behalf of themselves and divers others.
Most Gracious Soveraign,
THE sense of that Duty and Service which we owe unto your Sacred Majesty, and our earnest Affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England, have moved us in all humility to beseech your Royal Majesty, to give us leave to offer unto your most Prince∣ly Wisdom, the Apprehension which we and o∣ther your faithful Subjects have conceived of the great Distempers and Dangers now threat∣ning the Church, and state of your Royal Per∣son, and the fittest means by which they may be prevented.
The Evils and Dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take no∣tice, are these;
1. That your Sacred Majesty is exposed to hazard and danger in the present Expedition a∣gainst the Scotish Army, and by the occasion of the War, your Revenue is much wasted, your Sub∣jects burthened with Coat and Conduct Money, Billetting of Souldiers, and other Military Charges, and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts in this your Realm, by the Souldiers raised for that Service, and your whole Kingdom become full of fear and discon∣tent.
2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Re∣ligion, the Oath and Canons lately imposed upon the Clergy, and other your Majesties Sub∣jects.
3. The great Encrease of Popery, and Im∣ploying of Popish Recusants, and others ill∣affected to the Religion by Law established in places of Power and Trust, and especially com∣manding of Men and Arms both in the Field and other Counties in this Realm, whereas by the Laws they are not permitted to have Arms in their own Houses.
4. The great mischief which may fall upon this Kingdom, if the Intentions which have been credibly reported, of bringing in of Irish Forces, shall take effect.
5. The urging of Ship-money, and prosecu∣tion of some Sheriffs in the Star-Chamber for not levying of it.
6. The heavy Charges of Merchandize to the discouragement of Trade, the multitude of Mo∣nopolies, and other Patentees, whereby the Commodities and Manufactures of the King∣dom are much burthened, to the great and uni∣versal Grievance of your People.
7. The great grief of your Subjects by the Intermission of Parliaments, in the late former dissolving of such as have been Called, with the hoped Effects which otherwise they might have procured.
For a remedy whereof, and prevention of the danger that may ensue to your Royal per∣son, and to the whole State, we do in all humi∣lity and faithfulness beseech your most Excel∣lent Majesty that you would be pleased to sum∣mon a Parliament within some short and conve∣nient time, whereby the cause of these, and o∣ther great Grievances, which your poor Petiti∣oners now lye under, may be taken away, and the Authors and Counsellors of them, may be there brought to such Legal Trial, and condign punishment, as the nature of the offence does require, and that the present War may be com∣posed by your Majesties wisdom without Blood∣shed, in such manner as may conduce to the ho∣nour and safety of your Majesties person, and content of your People, and continuance of both of your Kingdoms against the common E∣nemy of the Reformed Religion.
- ...Francis Bedford.
- ...Ro. Essex.
- ...William Hartford.
- ...Warwick.
- Earl of Bristol.
- ...Mulgrave.
- Say and Seal.
- ...Ed. Howard.
- ...Bullingbrook.
- ...Mandevile.
- ...Brook.
- ...Pagett.