Two petitions to the honourable Court of Parliament in behalfe of episcopacy. One delivered by Sir Thomas Aston from the County Palatine of Chester. The other from the citties of L. and W.

TO THE HONORABLE, THE Knights, Cittizens, &c.

The humble Petition of the Citties of L. and W.

Humbly sheweth,

THAT whereas there hath of late a Petition subscribed by many (who pretend to be In∣habitants of these Citties) been delivered, received, and read in this HO∣NORABLE House, against the ancient, present, and by Law established Govern∣ment of the Church, and that not so much for the Reformation of Bishops, as for the utter subversion and extirpation of Episco∣pacy

it selfe; Wee whose names are un∣derwritten, to shew there be many, and those of the better sort of the Inhabitants of these Citties otherwise and better minded, doe humbly represent unto this Honorable House, these considerations following.

I. That Episcopacy is as ancient as Christianity it selfe in this Kingdome.

II. That Bishops were the chiefe in∣struments in the Reformation of this Church against Popery, and afterwards the most eminent Martyrs for the Protestant Religion, and since, the best and ablest Champions for the defence of it.

III. That since the Reformation, the times have been very peaceable, happy, and glorious, notwithstanding Episcopall Go∣vernment in the Church: and therefore that this Government can be no cause of our unhappinesse.

IV. We conceive that not only many Learned, but diverse other Godly persons would be much scandalled and troubled in Conscience, if the Government of Episco∣pacy,

conceived by them to be an Apostoli∣call Institution, were altered: & since there is so much care taken, that no man should be offended in the least Ceremony, we hope there will be some, that such mens Consci∣ences may not be pressed upon, in a matter of an higher nature and consequence, espe∣cially considering that this Government by Episcopacy, is not only lawfull and conve∣nient for edification, but likewise sutable and agreeable to the Civill policie and Go∣vernment of this State.

V. That this Government is lawfull it appeares by the immediate, universall & constāt practise of all the Christian World, grounded upon Scripture, from the Apo∣stles time to this last Age, for above 1500 yeares together: It being utterly incredible, if not impossible, that the whole Church for so long a time, should not discover by Gods word this Government to be unlaw∣full, if it had been so. To which may be ad∣ded, that the most learned Protestants, even in those very Churches which now are not

governed by Bishops, doe not only hold the Government by Episcopacy to be lawfull, but wish that they themselves might injoy it.

Againe, that the Government by Episco∣pacy is not only lawfull, but convenient for edification, & as much, or more conducing to Piety and devotion then any other, it ap∣peares, because no modest man denies, that the Primitive times were most famous for Piety, Constancy, & Perseverance in the Faith, notwithstanding more frequent and more cruell persecutions then ever have been since; and yet it is confessed, that the Church in those times was govern'd by Bishops.

Lastly, That the Government of the Church by Episcopacy, is most sutable to the frame and forme of the Civill Govern∣ment here in this Kingdome, it appeares by the happy & flourishing Union of them both, for so long a time together; Whereas no man can give us an assurance, how any Church Government besides this (whereof

We have had so long an experience) will suit and agree with the Civill policie of this State. And We conceive it may be of dangerous consequence, for men of setled fortunes to hazzard their estates, by making so great an alteration, and venturing upon a new forme of Government, whereof nei∣ther We, nor our Ancestors have had any tryall, or experience; especially considering that those, who would have Episcopacy to be abolished, have not yet agreed, nor (as We are verily perswaded) ever will or can agree upon any other common forme of Government to succeed in the roome of it, as appeares by the many different and con∣trary draughts, and platformes they have made & published, according to the several humors and sects of those that made them. Whereas, seeing every great alteration in a Church or State, must needs be dangerous, it is just and reasonable that whosoever would introduce a new forme in stead of an old one, should be obliged to demonstrate and make it evidently appeare aforehand,

that the Government he would introduce, is proportionably so much better, then that he would abolish, as may recompence the losse we may sustaine, and may be worthy of the hazzard we must run, in abolishing the one, and in introducing and setling of the other. But this We are confident can ne∣ver be done, in regard of this particular.

And therefore our humble and earnest request to this Honorable House is, that as well in this consideration, as all the other a∣foresaid, We may still injoy that Govern∣ment, which most probably holds its Insti∣tution from the Apostles, and most certainly its plantation with our Christian Faith it selfe in this Kingdome, where it hath ever since flourished, and continued for many Ages without any interruption or alterati∣on: whereby it plainly appeares, that as it is the most excellent Government in it selfe; so it is the most sutable, most agreeable, and every way most proportionable to the Ci∣vill constitutions and temper of this State. And therefore We pray and hope will al∣wayes

be continued, and preserved in it & by it, notwithstanding the abuses and cor∣ruptions which in so long tract of time through the errors or negligences of men may have crept into it: Which abuses and corruptions being all of them (what and how many soever they may be) but meere∣ly accidentall to Episcopacy; We conceive and hope, there may be a Reformation of of the one, without destruction of the o∣ther.

Which is the humble suit of Ten thousand thousand.