To
the
Honourable
the
Knights
,
Citizens
and
Burgesses
of
the
House
of
Commons
,
now
assembled
in
Parliament
.
The
humble
Petition
of
the
Knights
,
Gentlemen
,
Freeholders
,
and
other
Principall
Inhabitants
of
the
County
of
Somerset
in
behalfe
of
themselves
and
many
thousands
of
their
County
:
Sheweth
,
THat
whereas
in
stead
of
a
setled
peace
and
safety
(
the
long
expected
fruit
of
your
faithful
Endeavours
and
our
cheerefull
Contributions
)
great
distractions
and
dangers
are
dayly
multiplied
and
increased
,
threatning
the
utter
disappointment
of
our
hopes
,
&
the
overthrow
of
the
very
foundation
of
our
Weale
and
Liberty
,
to
our
extreame
griefe
and
sorrow
,
especially
for
the
late
breach
of
the
priviledges
of
Parliament
upon
your
Persons
in
an
unparraleld
manner
,
by
the
wicked
counsels
and
devises
of
a
malignant
party
(
as
we
conceive
)
of
Popish
Lords
and
Bishops
and
others
.
We
being
struken
with
the
sence
and
horror
of
so
desperate
a
mischiefe
,
do
hold
it
high
time
to
declare
the
sincere
and
ardent
Affection
of
our
hearts
,
which
we
are
ready
to
seale
with
our
purest
blood
,
in
defence
of
our
Religion
,
his
Sacred
Majesty
,
our
deare
Country
;
and
that
which
is
the
life
of
our
Liberty
,
the
Rights
and
Priviledges
of
Parliament
.
May
it
therefore
please
this
Honourable
Assembly
to
assist
the
earnest
desires
of
your
Petitioners
,
That
all
Priviledges
of
Parliament
(
the
Inheritance
and
safety
of
the
Subject
)
may
be
made
firme
,
that
Popish
Lords
and
Bishops
be
forthwith
removed
from
voting
in
the
House
of
Peeres
,
that
all
evill
Counsellors
and
other
Delinquents
may
receive
condigne
punishment
;
that
a
sufficient
remedy
be
provided
against
the
scandalous
Ministers
,
that
to
secure
us
from
all
home●●●●
and
forraigne
practises
,
this
Kingdome
be
〈…〉
put
in
a
Posture
of
Defence
,
and
that
〈…〉
efe
and
Safety
of
our
distressed
Brethren
〈…〉
and
be
effectually
prosecuted
.
And
We
shall
incessantly
Pray
,
&c.