¶Vnto the King and Queenes most excellent Ma∣iesties, and to their most honourable and high Court of Parliament.
IN most humble and lamentable wise complain vnto your Ma∣iesties, and to your high court of Parliament,* 1.1 your poore deso∣late & obedient subiects, H. F. T. B. P. R. S. &c. That where as your said subiects liuing vnder the lawes of God and of this realme in the days of the late most noble king Edward 6. did in all things shew themselues true, faithfull and diligent subiects, accord••ng to their vocation, as well in the sincere ministring of Gods holy word, as in due obedience to the higher powers, & in the dayly practise of such vertues and good demeanor, as the lawes of God at all tymes, and the statutes of the realme did then allow: Your sayd subiects neuerthelesse, contrary to all lawes of iustice, equi∣tie and right, are in very extreme maner, not onely cast into pri∣son (where they haue remained now these 15. or 16. months) but their liuings also, their houses and possessions,* 1.2 their goodes and bookes taken from them, and they slandered to be most hainous heretikes, their enemies themselues being both witnesses, accu∣sers, and Iudges, belying, slandering, and misreportyng your said subiectes at their pleasure, whereas your sayd subiectes beyng straightly kept in prison, cannot yet be suffred to come forth and make aunswer accordingly.
In consideration whereof, it may please your most excellent Maiesties, and this your high court of Parliament, graciously to tender the present calamitie of your sayd poore subiects, and to call them before your presence, graunting them liberty, either by mouth or writing in the playne English tong, to aunswer before you or before indifferent Arbiters to be appointed by your Ma∣iesties vnto such articles of controuersie in religion as their sayd aduersaries haue already condemned them of,* 1.3 as of hainous he∣resies: Prouided, that all things may be done with such modera∣tion & quiet behauior, as becommeth subiectes and children of peace, & that your said subiects may haue the free vse of all their owne bookes and conference together among themselues.
Which thing beyng granted, your said subiects doubt not but it shall plainly appeare that your sayd subiects are true and faith∣ful christians, & neither heretikes, neither teachers of heresie, nor cut of from the true catholike vniuersal church of Christ: Yea, that rather their aduersaries themselues be vnto your Maiesties, as were the charmers of Egypt vnto Pharao Sedechias & his ad∣herents, vnto the king of Israel,* 1.4 and Bariesu to the Proconsul Ser∣gius Paulus. And if your said subiects be not able by the testimo∣nie of Christ, his prophets, Apostles, & godly fathers of his church to prooue, that the doctrine of the church, homilies, and seruice taught and set forth in the tyme of our late most godly prince and king, Edward the 6. is the true doctrine of Christes Catholicke church, and most agreeable to the articles of the christian fayth: your sayd subiects offer themselues then to the most heauy pu∣nishment, that it shall please your maiesties to appoynt.
Wherfore for the tender mercy of God in Christ (which you looke for at the day of iudgement) your sayd poore subiectes in bonds, most humbly beseech your most excellent maiesties, and this your high court of Parliament, beningly and graciously to heare and graunt this their petition, tendyng so greatly to the glory of God, to the edifiyng of his church, to the honor of your maiesties, to the commendation and maintenāce of iustice, right, and equitie, both before God and man. And your sayd subiectes according to their bounden duety, shall not cease to pray vnto almighty God, for the gracious preseruation of your most excel∣lent maiesties long to endure.