The Petition of the six countries of South-wales, and the County of Monmouth presented to the Parliament of the common-wealth of England, for a supply of ministers in lieu of those that have been ejected.

To the Supreme Authority, the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of South-Wales and County of Monmouth.

Sheweth

1 THat your Petitioners cannot but with all humblenes acknowledge your Honours cōstant care in pro∣viding for the supply of their spi∣rituall necessities, & the advance∣ment of the Gospel of Christ, and particularly in passing the Act of the 22th. of Feb. 1649. intituled an: Act for the propagation of the Gospell in Wales, so much really intended by your Honours, which filled the hearts of your Petitioners, and all the Inhabitants of Wales with joy & gladnes, in hopes to find the fruites thereof accordingly: Ne∣vertheless your Petitioners humbly shew, that since the passing of the said Act, all or most of the Mini∣sters of South-Wales, together with the County of Munmouth, have been (and stand) ejected from their Benefices: and but few or none of the said re∣spective Counties have been supplyed with any competent number of Godly able Teachers to offi∣ciate

in the roomes of the outed Ministers: Neither hath there been provided any convenient number of godly Schooles for the education of Children, and advancement of learning, as was intended by your Honors, and the true purport of the said Act, as they humbly conceive, there being not above four or five Itine rary Teachers in some of the said Counties appointed, and approved of to teach the Gospell; whereas some of the said Counties do consist of a∣bove six score Parishes, and the least of fifty or three-score, many whereof have at least two thousand Soules.

2 That some persons deriving Authority from the said Act, have for these two years last past, re∣ceived and disposed of all the profits of the Tithes of Church-livings, and all other Benefices and Im∣propriations sequestered within the said six Coun∣ties of South-Wales, and County of Monmouth, which are annually worth twenty thousand pound or thereabouts; Out of which, little hath been con∣verted towards the propagation of the Gospell, or accompted for to the State.

3 That for want of the due execution of the said Act, your Petitioners, together with the said Inhabitants, indure a Famine of the Word of God; Children are not bred up in the instruction and in∣formation of the Lord; The vast Revenue of the outed Ministers are set out at extraordinary under∣values; the Churches are in most places shut up, and the Fabrick thereof ready to fall to the ground for want of repair: Neither can the Inhabitants take

notice of your Honours Acts, Edicts, and Procla∣mations, (wherein the publike welfare, the liberty and safety of their Persons and Estates are con∣cerned) for want of a fitting number of Teachers in each County to publish the same.

Your Petitioners therefore, out of their duty to God, the preservation of the Souls of the In∣habitants of their Countrey, the Common-wealths Interest, and the earnest desire they have that your Honors most pious intentions expressed in the said Act may be accordingly observed, do hold themselves bound in con∣science, out of Christian and Soul-saving ne∣cessity to present the Premises to your Ho∣nors consideration; earnestly beseeching your Honors in pursuance of your wonted Zeal and unfeigned affection to Gods Glory, and the increase of true Religion, Learning, and Piety, to take such a course for the future sup∣ply of their respective Counties with such convenient number of Godly able Teachers, and for provisions of Schooles and Nurseries of Learning and Religion there; As also to call to account such persons as have received the profits of the said Tithes, Church-Livings and Prebends, and the sequestered Impropriati∣ons, as to your Honors grave wisedom shall seem meet.

And your Petitioners shall (as in duty bound) most humbly and heartily pray &c.