❧
To
the
Honourable
the
Knights
,
Citizens
,
and
Burgesses
,
in
this
present
Parliament
assembled
.
The
humble
Petition
of
the
High-Sheriff
,
Knights
,
Esquires
,
Gentlemen
,
Ministers
,
Freeholders
,
and
Inhabitants
of
the
County
of
Sussex
.
Humbly
Sheweth
,
THat
your
Petitioners
having
suffered
in
as
deep
a
nature
,
both
in
our
Religion
,
Laws
,
Estates
,
and
Liberties
,
as
the
many
thousands
of
our
Brethren
,
who
have
already
made
known
their
condition
to
this
honourable
Assembly
:
Notwithstanding
we
cannot
but
thankfully
acknowledge
the
benefits
which
we
have
received
already
by
your
unwearied
labours
,
faithfull
endeavours
,
and
undaunted
resolutions
against
all
delayes
,
desperate
plots
upon
your
Persons
,
Estates
,
and
Liberties
;
many
heavy
takes
we
are
eased
of
;
much
freedome
we
enjoy
in
our
consciences
and
livelyhood
;
defending
us
from
the
violent
cruel●ies
,
and
sormidable
power
of
the
Prelates
and
their
Courts
,
making
good
our
Lawes
against
Treasons
and
evill
Councells
,
maintaining
the
true
Religion
and
the
glory
of
it
,
maugre
the
endeavours
of
Arminians
,
Bishops
,
ill
affected
Clergy
and
others
,
and
the
distructive
plots
of
Papists
,
and
the
power
of
Popish
Lords
;
opening
the
mouthes
of
faithfull
Ministers
long
since
silenced
,
enlarging
those
who
were
in
prison
and
exile
;
appointing
Lievtenants
of
trust
;
providing
relief
for
distressed
Ireland
,
the
crying
object
of
Pitty
,
and
subject
of
our
enemies
cruelty
,
our
humble
desires
are
above
all
,
That
the
Laws
of
God
be
truely
maintained
;
Government
and
Discipline
so
setled
,
that
we
may
conforme
therein
,
to
the
perfect
rule
of
Gods
Word
;
able
,
learned
,
and
painfull
Ministers
may
be
encouraged
,
scandalous
speedily
displaced
;
Pluralities
and
unwarranted
orders
and
dignities
of
the
Clergy
taken
away
;
that
the
probates
of
Wills
and
Testaments
,
may
be
reserved
to
the
cognizance
of
the
Temporall
Courts
;
that
places
of
concernment
in
the
Kingdom
,
may
be
in
the
hands
of
Persons
of
integrity
and
good
conversation
;
Papists
may
be
totally
disarmed
,
the
Persons
confined
,
the
subtile
conveyances
of
their
estates
discovered
,
and
prevented
;
secret
evill
Councells
and
Councellors
taken
away
from
His
Majesty
;
Delinquents
punished
;
sail
of
Honour
,
and
Offices
restrained
:
That
our
County
more
then
seventy
miles
,
naked
to
the
Sea
,
may
speedily
be
put
into
a
posture
of
warlike
defence
by
Sea
and
Land
;
Sea-men
encouraged
;
fishing
maintained
;
Ireland
farther
relieved
;
the
Clergy
,
and
others
disobeying
your
late
Orders
in
our
Cathedrall
,
and
other
Churches
questioned
;
the
Universities
throughly
purged
;
the
Masse
utterly
abolished
.
For
the
perfecting
of
which
,
and
all
other
your
Honourable
endeavours
,
that
the
glory
of
God
may
be
by
your
zealous
and
loyall
intentions
propogated
,
The
honour
and
safety
of
His
Majestie
and
His
Kingdomes
advanced
,
the
Priviledges
of
Parliament
,
and
every
Member
thereof
maintained
,
we
shall
never
be
wanting
with
our
prayers
,
lives
,
and
Estates
,
according
to
our
Protestation
to
give
you
our
uttermost
assistance
.