THat your Lordships happy concurrence with the House of Commons , in the pasing many bills for the generall good of this Kingdome , especially in your late joyning with them in your votes , for the setling the Militia and Forts in such hands as the Common-wealth may confide in , and the Kingdome in such a posture as may be for it 's defence and safeguard , hath beene long the earnest desire , and is the present joy of your petitioners , yet we cannot but very much condole the miserable condition of the poore distressed Protestants in Ireland , who through the great delay which hath beene found amongst your Lordships , notwithstanding the pressing endeavours of the House of Commons , together with many of your Lordships in sending timely reliefe unto them , have beene exposed to the inhumane cruelties of their mercylesse and Barbarous enemies , to the great dishonour of this Nation , the losse well neere of that part of his Majesties dominions , and apparent danger of the rest .

With the like griefe we apprehend the fearefull distractions of this Nation , the composer of which is altogether hopelesse , so long as the Sacred Throne of his Gracious Maiesty is surrounded with evill Councellors of state producing ( besides other dangerous effects , the high and unheard of breaches of the Priviledges of Parliament , your Lordships and our common birth-rights , and so long as the votes of Popish Lords and Bishops are continued in your House , to the animating of the Papists in th●se Kingdomes in their pernitious practices , and the retarding of our generally desired reformation , and so long as our Churches doe abound with superstitious Clergy-men , many of whom lying under the censure of Parliament , for their owne securety breed and toment dev●sions and factions , thereby to threat and overthrow the proceedings of this Parliament .

Wherefore your Petitioners doe humbly pray and beseech this Honorable House , that you would goe on in a constant Vnion wit● the House of Commons , in providing for the Kingdomes safety , by putting the Melitia and Forts into such hands as shall be recommended by both Houses , that you would expedite a continuall supply according to the emergent necessities of almost ruined Ireland , that all evill councellors ( the immediate causes of our present distractions may bee found out and brought to condigne punishment .

That the Votes of Popish Lords and the Bishops the maine obstructors of passing many good Bills , may be speedily removed ; that the Church may be purged of all corrupt and scandalous Ministers , That the Popish Recusants may be more then superficially disarmed , and some way found out by your wisedomes , for the detecting of Church Papists , as most dangerous to this State , that so the peace of the Kingdome may be established , the priviledges of Parliament vindicated and secured to posterity , the purity of Religion setled and preserved .

And the Petitioners shall ever in duty be obliged to defend and maintaine with their lives and estates , his Maiesties Royall Person Crowne and Dignitie and your Lordships , so farre as you shall be united with the Honorable House of Commons in all their iust and pious proceedings .