HAving observed on th'one parte your Maiesties Princely inclination to distribute iustice and mercie amongst your people , and called to mind on the other parte the interest we have , as being your Subiects , to the worthie comforts & advantages which the King of Kings hath inclosed in your Royall Scepter , that you might deliver them foorth & dispose them according to the occasions presented : We your High . faithful servants the silenced and disgraced Ministers of the Gospel , together with sundrie others concurring in opinion and persuasion of religion with vs , do in all humilitie presume to make tender vnto your Ma. of an humble motion , such as concerneth the glorie of Christs Kingdome , the adorning of your Imperial Crowne , the service of the Churches amongst vs , and the particular comfort of vs the said Ministers and people in this time of our extraordinarie distresse . To the offer whereof wee have the rather imboldned our selfes , in that wee have out of your gracious proceedinges towards some of a Romish & disaffected spirit discerned a great and comfortable presumption , that it shal be lawfull for each loyall and religious subiect without preiudice to his life or libertie , not only to sigh at home in the case of publike and private grievances , but ( so farre as it may be done with all dew regarde and reverence ) to crye also by way of Supplication in the eare of his Prince : who will ( we do not doubt ) out of an honorable respect to iustice , take notice of the weightie motions offered by his people : and whose sacred persone wee hope th'Almightie hath reserved and designed to be the proper meane and instrument , not only of further establishment , protection and beautie to the Churches amongst vs , but also of a final ruine to that Dagon of Rome , and to all the appendants & pompe thereof . Wee acknowledge you are the Lords Lieu-tenent : wee finde you haue such care of matters ciuill , that you proceede in the managing of the same according to the commission you haue received from so high and glorious a Maiestie . And therefore wee can not otherwise apprehend but that you will performe the like in the cause of the Lords spirituall Kingdome : wherein if you shall answereably to the addresse and instructions you haue from him sway your royal Scepter , and approve vnto him and to the people vnder your charge , that your care in this behalfe is so much the greater , by how much heaven is to be prized above earth , immortalitie aboue mortalitie , and the power of the spirit aboue all excellencie of the flesh : your Ma : shall greatly honour your selfe in the eye of your people , and establish the throne you sit on : so as neither your enemies shall adventure to attempt or plot ought against it , nor your most noble issue feare any impeachment or disturbance therein .

Vnder this hope of a gracious acceptation on your Ma : parte , and withall out of a perswasion of the equitie of the cause we pleade for ( we resting as yet vnconvinced by the Prelates of any error ) and out of a conscience of the integritie and dutiefulnes of our hearts to your High . Witnes the offer of Disputat . and other bookes yet vnanswered . having never intertained or harboured in them the least spark of * * My L. of Salisburie in his answ . to certaine scandal . papers . disloyaltie to your Persone & Crowne ; we prostrate our selves at your High . feete , most humbly intreating , That whereas the Prelates , our professed adversaries , and their officers , have not either for the nature of their offices , or for the qualitie of their proceedings any warrant from the word of the Lord IESVS , or the lawes of this Kingdome ( as we , in case your Ma : shall vouchsafe vs audience , are readie to iustifie ) your Ma : would bee pleased that wee the saide Ministers and others may for the considerations hereafter mentioned , have allowed vnto vs by way of Toleration . First , the libertie of enioying and practising the holy ordinances enacted and left by the Lord for the perpetual direction and guiding of his Churches . Secondly , an entier exemption from the iurisdiction of the said Prelates and their officers . And lastly , this happines to live vnder the commaund & charge of any your subordinate civill Magistrats , and so to be for our actions and cariage in the ministerie accomptable vnto them , and likewise liable vnto all such duties and taxations , as are by the law and custome of this lande in any sort chargeable vpon subiectes of our calling and condition .

The considerations that may induce your Ma : to yeeld vs satisfaction herein , are in summe these . First , in that the church-governement solicited by vs , is more compatible with your Imperiall Scepter and more advantageable thereto , then that of the said Prelates . Secondly , in that it standeth with the policie and reason of State to allow the Toleration and exemption desired by vs. Thirdly , in that the courses held by the said Prelates against vs , are for the extreeme rigour and partialitie of them such , as your Ma : vpon dew information received , cannot but in iustice and commiseration affoord vs reliefe and redresse .

Touching the first consideration , viz. That the Church-governement sollicited by vs doth better sure with your Imperiall Scepter , and is of greater advantage thereto , then that of the Prelats . The truth hereof will appeare vnto your Ma : in case you shal be pleased to take knowledge in particular of the opinions and proceedings helde by the Prelats of this your Realme on the one side , and by vs the Petitioners for the said Toleration on the other .

Whereas the State of England is free , intier and independent , holding immediatly from the Lorde of heaven each office and ministerie aswell in the Churches as the Common-wealth , & not deriving it , either in whole or in parte , from any forreine Potentate & Governour on earth . It may please your Ma. to examine , whether Wee , your most humble Petitioners ( who avow and professe that wee have and ought to have our whole spirituall office and power of administration at home and from among our selves ) doe herein preiudice the saide free and independent State of England , or the Prelats , who hold their office and ministerle to be essentially derived and conferred vpon them not by any authoritie domesticall and proper to the State , but by vertue of such ordination as was conveyed to their predecessors from the Church of Rome . Wherein as the saide Prelats doe cast an apparent blemish and dishonour vpon the Gospell professed by your Ma. and your people , as if from and by the meanes of Antichrist , the Churches of Christ should receive the assurance and warrant of their ministerie , and consequently of their faith and celestiall inheritance : so doe they in this particular disclayme the soveraine absolutenes and independencie of the State wherin they live , and make both your Maiestie and them selves tyed , in regard of their said ministerie so received , to acknowledge some obligation and homage to the sea of Rome .

We not finding either in the doctrine propounded in the Gospel , or in the practise observed by the Apostles in the churches planted by them , any warrant for Provinciall or Diocesan Bishops , doe hold their function and calling to be meere humane institutions ; and therefore that it is in your Maiesties power to remove them from out your Dominions , and to confine them to Rome or Toledo . And this was the iudgement of the Prelates and Clergie in the dayes of King Henrie the 8. as may appeare by a Treatise intituled , The institution of a Christian man , published and dedicated to the said King . This also was the opinion of this whole State in the time of K. Edw . 6. and since of the late most worthie Queene : yea of Archbishop a a Preface pag . 2 et pa. 8● . ●17 . 372 Whitegift likewise , and R. Hooker , who spared not to divulge and notifie so much vnto the world . b b Pag 133. 136. 139. 154. 155. 156. 159. 165. Herevnto doe subscribe the best reformed churches in Europe . But our Prelates on the contrarie , vnder pretext of deriving the title and birth of their functions and dignities from Christ and his Apostles , by the interposing of the Pope & church of Rome , doe absolutely denie vnto your Ma. the saide power : and so abridging you in an high point of your supremacie , doe intercept and defalke a prerogative annexed to your Crowne .

Wheras we the said Ministers holde , that the Prelates both Provinciall and Diocesan ought ( according to the c c 1. Eward . 6. cap . 12. Item anno . 1. Iacobi . cap . 25. Statutes provided in that behalfe ) to derive by vertue of Letters pattents , their Episcopal iurisdiction and authoritie of keeping Courtes and sending forth processe from and in the name , & vnder the seale of armes of your Highnes and Successors : they , the said Prelates , on the contrarie have recourse to Provinciall and Diocesan Deanes and Chapters for this their imployment : and do in their owne names keepe Courtes , sende foorth processe , and execute other partes of iurisdiction ecclesiasticall : wherein whether they incounter not your Ma. Soveraintie , Prerogative and Lawes , wee humbly leave vnto you to be considered .

We the said Ministers take it as a certaine & vncontrolable Maxime , that it resteth in your Ma. to dispose of the temporalities of the Church . This was the iudgement of that worthie Iohn a a Wals histor . R. 2. Wickliffe . And the Emperour Frederick could say : b b Catal . test . Veritat . in Frederic . Auferamus illis nocen tes divitias : hoc enim facere , est opus charitatis . For the doing wherof , he may seeme to haue received incouragement from c c Ambros . contra . Auxent . Ambrose , who approveth this course , and from a certen d d Decret p. 2. caus . 11. Q 1. c . 27. canon agreeing in iudgement with Ambrose . But the said e e Admonit against Mar tin Marprelat . Prelates accompting it a piece of Sacriledge to have drawen and resumed from them & their state what hath bin conferred vpon them , will not allowe vnto your Ma : this regall power .

We the said Ministers keepe our selves within the limites of our function Ecclesiasticall , wholy refusing all publique civill offices and governement : whereas the Prelates , disbanding them selves , as it were , from out the compasse assigned vnto them , doe rancke their persons with , and before temporall Lords : and ioyne in commission for the managing of State affaires with the Nobilitie and Gentrie of the Realme : so farre foorth as they make no scruple and difficultie to professe , that in case by your Ma. and the State they should be discharged and secluded from all Civil power and office as persons incapable thereof , you should thereby doe vnto them a manifest wrong , and expose the Church to the hazarde of ruine . Wherein as they greatly preiudice your Imperial Crowne : so they offer no meane indignitie and iniurie to the temporal State , by intercepting and feazing vpon the Magistracie & charges , which are the proper right and interest of the Nobilitie and Gentrie : and doe likewise worke an extraordinarie impeachement and hurt to the publique good of your High . person , governement & kingdome , by withdrawing their personall indeavours and cares from informing your subiects in the dueties of obedience , to God and your Ma.

We hold that all Officers and Ministers of the Gospel ought to be subject to your High . and to all and everie your subordinate civill Magistrates . And that the civil Magistrates only ought to be the Overseers of Provinces and Dioceses , and of the severall Churches therein : And that it is a dutie enioyned them by God , and which your Ma. should by way of commission impose vpon the Nobilitie & Gentrie in the severall Counties of your Kingdome , namely to sit in commission , and to take notice of al mis-government in persons Ecclesiastique , committed either in the course of their life , or teaching : and so to proceede accordingly to censure & redresse . But the Prelates will not allow vnto your Ma. this point of Regall supremacie : they cannot thus subiect and abase themselves . They must be , some of them great Primates : some Countie Palatines : most of them Commissioners for the peace : al of them of an eminent authoritie & power within their proper Dioceses : so as for persons of their rancke & qualitie to be subiect to the proceedings and censure of such , as in everie severall Countie carie the sword and authoritie civill vnder your Ma : is held by them no lesse intollerable , then for a Counseler of State to be subiect to a pettie Constable or Borsholder .

As we holde that your Ma. within your Dominions hath power to cal Synods & to dissolve them : so we hold likewise that ruling Synods and vnited Presbyteries exercising government and imposing Lawes & Decrees vpon severall Churches , and the Pastors of them , are not onely humane institutions , but in regarde of the said governement and authoritie of imposing lawes , altogether vnlawfull , and vsurping vpon the Supremacie of the civill . Magistrate , Protest . of the Kings Suprem . pag . 4. sect . 8. in whose power only it resteth to enact & ordeine lawes ecclesiasticall for and over all the churches within his Dominions . And therefore they are not desired by vs as a meane either to curbe & force the civill Magistrate ( a course abhorred by vs , and vtterly repugnant to our profession and practise ) or to procure countenance and respect to our ministeriall function amongst others . We acknowledge ( as hath bin above remembred ) no other power & authoritie for the overseeing , ruling and censuring of particular Churches ( how many soever in number ) in the case of their misgovernement , thē that which is originally invested in your Royall person , & from it derived to such of your laitie , as you shall iudge worthie to be deputed to the execution of the same vnder you . So as the favour humbly sollicited by vs , is , that whereas our Lord Iesus hath given to each particular church or ordinarie congregation this right and priviledge , viz. to elect , ordeine , and deprive her owne Ministers , and to exercise all other partes of lawful ecclesiasticall iurisdiction vnder him , your Ma. would be pleased to take order aswell that each particular church , that shal be allowed to pertake in the benefite of the said Toleration , may haue , enioy , and put in execution and practise this her said right and priviledge : as that some your subalterne civill officers may be appointed by you to demand and receive of each church a dew and iust accompt of their proceedings . Here we doe humbly , intreat that we may not be so interpreted as if wee disclaymed all sortes of Synods . It is the ruling and not the deliberative and persuasive Synode which wee except against . That a Synode should inioyne vs to receive and intertaine a constitution inacted by them selves , we hold it vnlawfull . To be moved thereto by way of persuasion grounded vpon a cleare demonstration of vtilitie and advantage growing thereby to the churches , we doe in no sorte dislike . How farre in this question of Synods , the Prelates doe dissent from vs , both touching opinion and practise , it cannot be vnknowen to any , who are in any measure acquainted with the cariage of church affaires . They , the said Prelates for the a a Whitegift pag . 436. calling of Synodes mainteine the necessitie of the office of an Archbishop : b b Bish . of Lincol . in his answ . to a catho . pag . 170. they assume to them selves the power of enacting lawes : and leave to your Ma. a bare commaund for the execution of them . The Synods held by them are of a large extent : their authoritie reaching from Dan to Beersheba , from Dover in Kent to the Mount in Cornewall : and are withall of such power and readie execution , as where their Canons and Decrees encounter contradiction , there they proceed to the extremest censures . They imploy their apparitors to cite and commaunde appearance ; they imprison : they deprive : they degrade : they excommunicate : they anathematize . Here we appeale to your Ma. humbly beseeching you to consider , whether the Prelates , whose spirituall arme is of an exorbitant strength , and reaching from the East of your Kingdome to the West thereof , and is able in sort to curb your Nobilitie and Gentrie : or wee the Ministers solliciting reformation , whose power is bounded within the limites of a poore parishe , and subiect to the authoritie and controlement of any your meanest Commissioners for the peace , doe exercise a iurisdiction and governement most compatible with your imperiall Scepter . It may please you to examine and weigh in your Princely apprehensions & thoughtes , to whom the title and name of Pope ( so often obiected by our adversaries to a Parish pastor ) may with best reason be appropriated , whether to a poore Minister ( who of him selfe and without assistance from others , standeth disabled for matter of iurisdiction , and when he hath out of a concurrence from his Collegues with him an authoritie to proceed iudicially , yet cannot make it obligatorie & of validitie otherwise then with the consent and within the proper precincts of his particular congregation ) or to a Prelate , who ruleth alone without check , and whose power of iurisdiction is not onely spiritual but also civil : and not confined to a Parish but extended to whole Dioceses & Provinces . If your Ma. shal thinke meete for the clearing of this point of the appropriation of the title and name of Pope or popeling , to relye vpon the iudgement of your greatest Prelates , you may readily be satisfied and resolved herein . For they haue by the mouth of Dr Downame preaching at Lambeth in favour and defence of Episcopall preheminence and authoritie concluded , and since cum privilegio vnder speciall allowance divulged & recommended to the world this theologicall and vndoubted Maxime , viz. That a Minister having supreme and sole authoritie in the Church and causes ecclesiasticall , or ruling alone without controlement , & not subiected to the authoritie of a Diocesan or Provinciall Bishop , ruleth as a Pope . The application of this Maxime we humbly leave to your Maiestie .

Lastly , whereas by their Canons they crosse the equall and proportionable distribution of iustice enioyned by the lawes of the Land , in that they censure some enormous crimes lightly , and impose a severe punishment on some cariage that in the iudgement of the lawes of God & of this Realme , either runneth not in the accompt of a crime , or is in the nature of a light transgression . And whereas by the 53. Canon they take from the subiect the libertie granted him by law divine and humane to deliver his opinion in a controverted point of Religion : and likewise by another a a Canon 98 Canon all benefite of appeale allowed by the Lawes of this Kingdome . And whereas also they excommunicate such as b b Canon 139. denie the Convocation to be the representative Church of the true churches of God within Englande , which said churches are in the true sense and intendement of our lawes iudged to consist not only of the Clergie but of the King , Nobilitie and Commons : wee doe in all hum litie beseech your Ma. to consider , whether the said Prelats doe in these severall points proceed with dew regarde vnto your Ma. and the State .

Now forasmuch as the saide Prelats , By deriving their office and ministerie from the forrein power of the church of Rome : By denying vnto your Ma : the authoritie of removing & abrogating the functions of Diocesan and Provinciall Bishops : By executing iurisdiction Episcopall in their owne names , and vnder their owne Seale of armes , contrarie to the expresse letter of the Statutes provided in that behalf : By accompting it sacriledge that your High should by your regall authoritie dispose of the temporalties of the church : By vsurping and managing civill offices , and so withdrawing them selves from informing your Subiects in the dueties of obedience to God and your Ma : By exempting their persons , in regard of their eminent dignitie and charge both in church and common wealth , from vnder the iurisdiction and power of your subordinate civill Magistrats : By drawing into vse ruling Synods , such namely as whose power is extendable to the vtmost confines of this your Kingdome , and over such your Subiects , as are aswell of a Noble ranke and qualitie , as of a meane degree and condition : By taking and assuming to them selves the power of enacting lawes ecclesiasticall , & leaving to your Ma. a bare commande only to see them executed . Forasmuch as the saide Prelats doe , by these their proceedings grounded vpon opinions in them answerable thereto , not a litle disadvantage your Ma. in the point of your regall power and soveraintie : We doe in al humblenes intreate that the consideration hereof may pleade with your High . in favour of vs the said Ministers , who neither hold in opinion nor intertaine in practise any matter either preiudiciall to your royall State , Supremacie and Prerogatives ( as our Adversaries doe ) or pertaking of Confusion growing from the roote of that accursed paritie , which incountreth the subordination of officers , which we , agreeably to the word of trueth , doe mainteine to be of as necessarie and worthie vse in the body of Christ , as in a body naturall : in which all members are not eyes , or heades or handes , but one is an heade , another is an hande , &c. so in the body of Christ one is Pastor , another Teacher , others Elders , others Deacons , &c. And yet we disclayme not such equalitie as betwixt distinct and separate churches the Spirit of all wisedome hath instituted & recommended : it being in them , as they are with respect of the one to the other considered , no more an incongruitie or disproportion , then parity in eminencie and power betwixt the several Kings and Kingdomes of Europe . As it would be a matter of infinite harshnes and of perillous sequele to sovereine Princes , if one amongst them should seaze vpon the peculiar soveraintie of each , and so intercept that paritie in Scepter and governement , which the Prince of Princes hath betwixt them respectiuely ordeyned : so can it not succeed otherwise in the case of distinct churches , when that power , which is proper to each by divine institution , shal be transferred and linked vpon one . This Primacie in power of one Pastor and Church over the rest in the same Kingdome , would ( where there be of Arch prelats sundrie and distinct Seas ) be hardly with patience endured by them . With vs the Arch-prelats of Canterbury and Yorke : in France of Rhemes and Lyons : in Germany of Coleyn and Mentz , can well brooke some subiection to their severall Princes . But a subordination of Yorke to Canterburie , of Rhems to Lyons , of Coleyn to Mentz , would happely prove in the stomacks of deintie Prelats a matter of such crudity and indigestion , as that Subordination would bee held by them the mother of Confusion and Paritie magnified as the authour of excellent beautie and grace in the church .

For a further inducement to your Ma. in this behalf , we are bold to adde herevnto , that it standeth with Policie and reason of State to allowe the Toleration and exemption desired by vs. But here wee doe humbly beseech your Ma. not to thinke that by our sute for the said Toleration wee make an ouverture and way for Toleration vnto Papistes , our Sute being of a different nature from theirs , and the inducements therof such , as cannot conclude ought in favour of them , whose head is Antichrist : whose worshippe is Idolatrie , whose doctrine is heresie , and a profession directly contrarie to the lawfull State and Governement of free Countries and Kingdomes , as your Ma. hath truly and iudiciously observed . As we doe not herein give advantage vnto Papistes , so doe wee not by way of Separation disclay me communion with such Churches amongst vs , as in opinion of Ecclesiasticall regiment differ from vs : being readie to communicate with them in the Lords worship , when without personall and voluntarie participation in sinne , wee may doe the same . For your satisfaction then in this point , vouchsafe vs ( most mightie and noble Prince ) this princely equitie and patience , as to be informed of that which we doe here present .

May it therefore please your Ma. in the first place to be remembred , that it is sutable with the wise proceedings of worthie Kings for the reducing of partialities & troubles in their States to a peaceable issue , to draw into practise that expedient and meane , which former experience hath proved to be of worthie vse to this purpose . If a Prince should make question hereof : the Physiciā & Navigator could resolve him herein : the one is in his cure , the other in sayling , ever holding that course , which observation & trial hath discovered to be fit and serviceable to the endes they ayme at . That the said Toleration is for pacifying contentions in the matter of religion professed by vs a readie meane , may appeare hereby , in that it removeth both the original cause & nourishment thereof : & in that it hath been for this excellent service intertained by great Monarchs and Potentats both in ancient times & of late yeres . Vpon this ground did the Romane Empetours surcease their persecution of the Christians , granting vnto thē the libertie not only to serve the Lord Iesus according to the holy Ordinances prescribed by him , but to erect also for the better accomplishment thereof convenient buildings & places . Vpon this ground did Athenagoras in his Apologie , persuade the Emperour Commodus thereto . There hath not yet passed much more then halfe an age , since Charles the fifth , a Prince of deepe & politike reach , permitted vnto those in Germanie ( whom hee had for the cause of Religion pursued with armes ) as the fittest meane of pacification , the free vse of the Profession embraced by them . Herein was Charles a worthie patterne and precedent to Maximilian the Emperour , who at Vienna , and in the Cities descended vnto him by inheritance , was out of the rule of Policie , well pleased to yeelde intertaynement to that Religion , which himselfe regarded not . It is knowen to sundrie yet living , that the French King Henrie the third , when he was to receive the Crowne of Poland , notwithstanding his zeale to the church of Rome , condescended to the observation and practise in that Kingdome , of the whole doctrine propounded in the writings of the Evangelistes and Apostles . Comment de stat . Relig . & Reip . sub Henr . 3.5 . part . lib . 14. In the time of the said Henry the third , when the Prince of Condy and other Protestants of note and dignitie confederate with him , became suters for Toleration of Religion , it is worthie to be considered what course was helde by Emanuel Duke of Savoy , being drawen to mediate with the said King in furtherance of the Protestants sute . Though he , the said Duke , acknowledged all service and devotion to that Romish and Antichristian Sea , yet in the instructions delivered by him to his servant Molarius , whom for the purpose aforesaid he addressed into France , hee expresly charged him to pleade with all earnestnes for the grant of Toleration to the Protestants : and not only to propounde vnto the King the exemple of the course held by him the said Prince for tolerating the introduction and exercise of Religion in sundrie parts of Savoy , but likewise to advertise him of the advantage and good succes he , the saide Duke , had in his particular experience discerned and founde of the Toleration allowed by him . And not satisfied herewith , he further enjoyned Molarius to treate in all serious maner with the Embassadours sent from the popish Cantons in Zuitserland , that they likewise would vrge and recommend vnto the French King the cause of Toleration . At the same time it pleased the late Queene Elizabeth , of happy memorie by her Ambassador D. Dale , to negotiate with the said King a pacification in the behalf of the Protestants , and to presse , as a special and worthy remedy of the present troubles , a grant on the Kings parte of libertie for thē to professe in publique & with securitie to their persons , honors & goods the Religion liked and followed by them . This course of Toleration is held by Henrie the fourth now reigning in France : by the present Emperour in divers parts of his Territories : by the King of Poland , and allowed off by the Spaniard in his late Treatie with the States of Holland , and other the vnited Provinces . The libertie of the Gospell and the free exercise of every part thereof both for Doctrine and Governement , is observed to be of so harmeles & peaceable a nature and cariage , and so farr from wronging any Monarch in his Soveraintie and publike interest , that the very Heathen , the Persian namely and the Turke , give passage and entertainement therevnto . What advantage the Princes above named doe receive therby , to the assuring of their Scepters , and to the advancement of the common good and honor of their estates : the same ( O mightie Prince ) may your Maiest . reape with the addition of a great glory to your person .

As the grant of Toleration persuaded by vs , is accompanied with this vnvaluable effect of giving end to Controversies and Dissentions in a State , such as issue from difference in opinion touching points of our Religion : so in case your Ma. shall bee pleased to condescend therevnto , it will bee found not vnworthie the intertayning for matter of Commoditie . For whereas the Prelats by their Courts & their Officers and such proceedings as they observe likewise in private , doe yeerely , without all warrant from the word of God , drawe from the Subiect no lesse a proportion then a Subsidie or two amounteth vnto , and so disable the Subiect to furnish the ordinarie payments & contributions of State : if it shal be iudged meet by your High . to honor the people vnder your governement with so gracious a priviledge , as that so many of thē , as relish the Reformation vrged by vs , may be exempted from the power of the Rochet and Crozier , and allowed to live vnder the Governement and holy ordinances of the Lord Iesus , which will and ought to be in each parte of the Kingdome freely and without charge administred to the people : it will fall out that how much is defalked and withdrawen from the Courts of the Prelats , and intercepted from the fingers of their Officers , so much is reserved in the purse of the Subiect , whereby to inhable him for your Ma : service . Of what advantage and consequence this may grow to be to your imperiall Crowne and dignitie , and of what comfort and satisfaction to your people now a long time harassed & wearied by Chancellors , Commissaries , Arch-deacons , Apparitors , and others of this Trade and Mysterie , we humbly pray to bee examined .

Further , we doe in all submissive sorte beseech your Ma. to call to minde & to weigh in your most wise and grave Deliberations , whether it bee not agreeable with the rule of sound Policie , that each Constitution and established order in a State should sorte & corresponde with the nature and disposition of the people living therein . The greatest Politickes have ever held it for a principle vndoubted & observeable . If your Ma. likewise shal so apprehend therof : may it please you thē to consider what correspondence the Canons and Constitutions Pontificall now in force against vs the saide Ministers and others your loyall Subiects , have with the nature & qualitie of a great parte of the people within the Churches of Englande . It is not vnknowen that partly by the powerfull ministerie of the Gospell , partly by the Plots and attempts on the parte of the Romanists for supplanting the Gospell and the Professors thereof , many thousands of your people are wrought to a speciall distaste of such Constitutions and Orders of the Prelats , whereby both the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell are in all disgracive and vnworthy sorte ( in regarde of their Inconformitie to Popish rites and ceremonies ) discarded and removed from being any longer the Lords Sentinels and Watchmen : and the people also either forced to honor and approve by their presence & practise some the Devises and Institutions of the Romish Synagogue , left amongst vs in the worship of the Lord , or drawen into question in the case of refusall to their extraordinarie trouble and expense . If then to no meane a multitude of your most dutifull and loving Subiects the saide Constitutions and Canons be for the respects above mentioned , as a Dose of wormewood and gall : Wee beseech you in your royall wisedome to consider , whether it sute not with the reason of State to limite and restreyne the execution of them , and so to regarde your people , that they may be discharged of al obligation on this behalfe , and allowed in the service of the Almightie , not to borrow ought from their sworne & capitall Adversaries the Idolaters of Rome , but to interteyne the ordinances enacted by Christ and his Apostles .

And whereas a Prince is , by vertue of his regall function and office , tyed to distribute in equall and proportionable sorte the testimonies of his love & care to the good of his people : it may please your Ma. to debate with your royall self . First whether it stande with the received Axiomes of Policie , to yeeld respect , countenance & support to one parte of your people vnder your governement , and to suffer the other ( who is no lesse , if not more loyall then the former , and whose indeavours have been and are of excellent vse and service for the advancement of the Gospell ) to rest exposed to vnmercifull censure and disgrace . And secondly , whether a proceeding of this nature and vpon this grounde of inconformitie with Rome in her outwarde and ceremonial cariage , accompanied with a reproach in an high degree , wil not disaffect & discourage the Subiect ( which in all hearty and affectionate sorte wee desire of the Lord , may never happen ) though not in the point of loyaltie , yet in the cheerful course of duetie to his Prince . If now your Ma. shall discover that the saide proceeding may thorough the continuance thereof , fall out ( which we trust shall never , and pray that it may not ) to be of speciall inconvenience and disadvantage vnto you in regard of the said discouragement and disaffection it may raise in the hearts of some your people : And that it is an error in Policie for a Prince to carie an vnproportionable and partiall hande towards those , who in matters which concerne the Gospel & the Lords worship , are equally to communicate in the Demonstrations and pleadges of his favour . It may then please your excellent Ma. ( if you finde it to be your owne cafe ) to deliberate of redresse in this behalfe : and to affoorde the Lord that honor , your selfe that right , your people that contentement and comfort , as to confine and limite the iurisdiction of the Prelats , that it extend not to those who approove Reformation , but that they may in the service of the Lord Iesus be suffered to observe the Orders and Constitutions enacted by him .

Moreover , if no reason of State will allow the continuance of that course , which is specially affected and liked by our extreemest enemies , as being of great advantage vnto them in the perill and hurt it worketh to the Churches of this Kingdome and to the profession of the Gospell imbraced by them . And if common sense and experience will advertise vs , that the intertayning of those proceedings and practises , which are most distasted by our adversaries as being readie meanes to frustrate their hopes , will best assure vs against their proiects & designes : then we presume your Ma. will call to minde how much it importeth you both to commaund a surcease on the Prelats parte of executing their authoritie in the silencing and deprivation of their fellow-servaunts the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell : and likewise to take order that the reliques of Antichrist , which have given life & grouth to the partialities and factions amongst vs , being displanted , & removed , the holy Ordinances only of our blessed Redeemer and King may by way of Toleration receive passage and admittance into some Churches to be gathered by your Ma : speciall grace in some partes of this Kingdome . That the course helde by the Prelats against Reformation and the Ministers vrging the same , is of an excellent relish in the taste of the Papists , as the Papists them selves wil readily acknowledge : so the particulating of the effects issuing thereon will evidently convince . What is more pleasing and of greater contentement to a Romanist , then the disgracing and silencing of him , who laboureth the subversion of the Doctrine and Sea of Rome ? When he shall withall discerne that by occasion of the said Course , many Students of worthie parts , doe stay and divert them selves from imployment in the Ministerie : that there is nourished and fed in Romish Catholikes at home and abroad a speciall hope of restoring Poperie to her former reputation amongst vs : that there is raised much splene betwixt the Laborers in the Lords harvest , much harshenes betwixt the severall favorers of either opinion , much disorder and dissolution of life : that there is an opportunitie presented vnto Priests and Iesuits for passage hether , and to negotiate a reconcilement to the Church of Rome : when a Romanist ( I say ) shall discerne this effect and issue of the saide course Pontificall , will it not cheere and refresh his danted spirits ? will it not occasion him to chant a Te Deum in regard thereof ? That the course solicited by vs the said Ministers is detested by the Romanists , and that it is able to furnish vnto a Prince the meanes of disappointing their hopes , and of securing his State against their plots and attempts , if it needed for the evidencing thereof anie further Discourse : we could not onely cleare it , by laying forth the admirable power and fruits of the Lords sacred Ordinances practised in forme & maner as is prescribed in the worde , but verifie it also out of exemple and experience . If wee should by way of instance name onely vnto your Ma. your Kingdomes of England and Scotland , none knoweth so exactly as your noble selfe the malice conceived by Romanists against the Gospell and the securitie yeelded to your person & Crowne by the free and sincere exercise thereof .

Seeing then the free exercise of the Gospell , in sorte as is desired , is a meane to assure your Scepter imperiall against the conspiracies of your capitall & greatest Adversaries , the Admirers of that romane Arch-Priest and his triple Crowne : And sith the said course held by the Bishops is in regard aswell of the manifold hurtes growing thereby to the Churches of this Realme , as of the sundrie advantages rising therefrom to the Synagogue of Rome , exceedingly approoved and affected by your saide Adversaries : we hope your Ma. will call into deliberation this worthie Admonition : Neque tuae occasioni desis , neque suam hostides : and so resolve to give vs contentment in this our iust Sute .

For your Maiesties further inducement whereto , let it not be vnpleasing vnto you to haue it represented to your memorie , that where there bee two factions , the weakning of the one is the strengthening of the other . There is within this your Kingdome a faction of Romanists : for Number , Strength , Dependancie at home and abroad not to be contemned : for Watchfulnes and Readines to take the advantage of all occurrents and tymes , not vnworthy to be carefully eyed and observed : for Malice to the Gospell and the Professors thereof , vnsatiable : for Desire & secret indeavour to reestablish the authoritie of S t Peters chaire amongst vs , most affectionate . Now this faction can not but grow so much the more renforced and potent , by how much the Protestant party shal be infeebled , & lessened . And the Protestant party can not but diminish and languish , in case the aforesaid course of the Prelats be continued . For what hindereth the gaining of great numbers to the side of the Gospel , that must of necessitie impaire and distrengthen the same side . If it shal be in favour of the Prelats replied , that no action can lye against them for any such regarde of hinderance given to the winning and adding of any to the church . It may please your Ma. to remember , that when the ordinarie meane fayleth of gaining to the true Churches of Christ , the act of gaining numbers thereto must determine : but by pursuing the course Pontificall aforesaid , the ordinarie meane of conversion from Blindnes and Infidelitie to the Knowledge and Faith of the Gospel is and hath bin interrupted and crossed : not onely in that humane ordinances in the Lords worship receive speciall intertainement amongst vs , and Poperie findeth favour for venting and dispersing her infection in discourses from abroad , & in Sermons sometimes from our Pulpits at home , but likewise in that so many worthy Lights have thereby been removed from shining in the Church , so many able and well qualified Students discouraged from holding place and office therein , so many of good wit and spirit kept from the Vniversitie and disposed of to mechanicall imployments , and so many fitter to labour in the vineyards of Gascoine , then in the harvest of the Lord , obtruded to the church . For in turbis etiam prauus sortitur honorem : & quam dignitatis sedem quieta repub . desperat , eam perturbata se consequi posse arbitratur . If then the said course Pontificall worke in the party imbracing the Gospell a decay of strength , and consequently a further vigour and spirit in the opposite faction : we hope it wil be iudged agreeable with the rule of wisedome , by grant of the Toleration desired to prevent the decay of the one , and to incounter the rising and grouth of the other .