The Purchasers of Bishops and Deans and Chapters Lands , By their Petition offered to this Honourable House Humbly shew ,

THat notwithstanding his Majesties gracious Declaration from Breda concerning Sales : The Declaration of this Honourable House of the 8th of May last . His Majesties Proclamation of the 6. of June for quieting Possessions : And Your Honours Order of the 6. of August last , restraining Ecclesiasticks from granting Leases of any of the said Lands ; Yet so it is , That divers Leases are granted over the Purchasers head ; they disquieted in their Possessions , forcible Entries made upon their Estates , Actions at Law brought against them , Court kept upon their Mannors , their Court Rolls seized their Rents received by the said Ecclesiasticks , or stayed in the hands of the under-Tenants ; Whereby they are reduced to great straits , and ruined in their Credits .

And therefore Pray , First , That the Act mentioned in Your Declaration of the 8th of May last for confirmation of Sales may be taken into speedy Consideration ; And the Petitioners have their Purchases confirmed to them in such manner as to Your Great Wisdomes shall seem meet .

Secondly , That in the mean time their Possessions may be quieted , and their Tenants ordered to pay them their Rent , together with the Arrears thereof ; And that all Proceedings at Law against the Purchasers may be stayed .

Thirdly , That all Leases of any of the Purchased Lands made to any other then the Purchasers or their Assigns , may be voided : And the Ecclesiasticks restrained , according to Your said Order of August last , from making Leases or other Estates of the Premises , until the said Act for Confirmation be Determined .

Lastly , That Your Petitioners may by the Favour of this Honourable House be heard before they be concluded against ; Hoping they may offer something to Consideration satisfactory to all Interests .