A
PETITION
DELIVERED
INTO
The
Lords
Spirituall
and
Temporall
,
by
Sir
THOMAS
ASTON
,
Baronet
,
from
the
County
Palatine
of
CHESTER
concerning
EPISCOPACIE
.
To
the
High
and
Honorable
Court
of
PARLIAMENT
.
The
Nobility
,
Knights
,
Gentry
,
Ministers
,
Free-Holders
,
and
Inhabitants
of
the
County
Palatine
of
Chester
,
whose
names
are
subscribed
in
the
severall
Schedules
hereunto
annexed
.
Humbly
shew
,
THat
whereas
divers
Petitions
have
lately
been
carried
about
this
County
,
against
the
present
forme
of
Church-Government
,
(
and
the
hands
of
many
persons
of
ordinary
quality
solicited
to
the
same
,
with
pretence
to
be
presented
to
this
Honorable
Assembly
:
)
which
we
conceiving
not
so
much
to
ayme
at
reformation
as
absolute
innovation
of
Government
,
&
such
as
must
give
a
great
advantage
to
the
Adversaries
of
our
Religion
,
We
held
it
our
duty
to
disavow
them
all
.
And
humbly
pray
,
that
We
incurre
no
miscensure
,
if
any
such
clamours
have
(
without
our
privity
)
assum'd
the
name
of
the
County
.
We
,
as
others
,
are
sensible
of
the
common
Grievances
of
the
Kingdome
,
&
have
just
cause
to
rejoyce
at
,
and
acknowledge
with
thankfulnesse
,
the
pious
care
which
is
already
taken
for
the
suppressing
of
the
growth
of
Popery
,
the
better
supply
of
able
Ministers
,
and
the
removing
of
all
Innovation
;
and
We
doubt
not
but
in
your
great
Wisedomes
,
you
will
regulate
the
rigour
of
Ecclesiasticall
Courts
,
to
suit
with
the
temper
of
our
lawes
,
and
the
nature
of
Freemen
.
Yet
when
We
consider
,
that
Bishops
were
instituted
in
the
time
of
the
Apostles
;
That
they
were
the
great
lights
of
the
Church
in
all
the
first
generall
Councells
;
That
so
many
of
them
sowed
the
seeds
of
Religion
in
their
bloods
,
and
rescued
Christianity
from
utter
extirpation
in
the
Primitive
Heathen
persecutions
;
That
to
them
we
owe
the
redemption
of
the
purity
of
the
Gospell
We
now
professe
from
Romish
corruption
;
That
many
of
them
for
the
propagation
of
the
truth
,
became
glorious
Martyrs
;
That
divers
of
them
(
lately
and
yet
living
with
us
)
have
been
so
strong
assertors
of
our
Religion
against
its
common
enemy
of
Rome
;
And
that
their
Government
hath
beene
so
long
approved
,
so
oft
established
by
the
Common
and
Statute-Lawes
of
this
Kingdome
;
And
as
yet
nothing
in
their
doctrine
(
generally
taught
)
dissonant
from
the
Word
of
God
,
or
the
Articles
ratified
by
Law
:
In
this
case
to
call
their
Government
a
perpetuall
vassalage
,
an
intollerable
bondage
;
And
(
primâ
facie
&
inauditâ
alterá
parte
)
to
pray
the
present
removall
of
them
,
or
(
as
in
some
of
their
Petitions
)
to
seeke
the
utter
dissolution
and
ruine
of
their
Offices
(
as
Antichristian
:
)
We
cannot
conceive
to
relish
of
justice
or
charity
,
nor
can
We
joyne
with
them
.
But
on
the
contrary
,
when
We
consider
the
tenor
of
such
Writings
,
as
in
the
name
of
Petitions
are
spread
amongst
the
Common
People
;
the
tenents
preached
publiquely
in
Pulpits
,
and
the
contents
of
many
printed
Pamphlets
,
swarming
amongst
us
;
all
of
them
dangerously
exciting
a
disobedience
to
the
established
forme
of
Government
,
and
their
severall
intimations
of
the
desire
of
the
power
of
the
Keyes
,
and
that
their
Congregations
may
execute
Ecclesiasticall
Censures
within
themselves
:
We
cannot
but
expresse
our
just
feares
,
that
their
desire
is
to
introduce
an
absolute
Innovation
of
Presbyterial
Government
,
whereby
We
,
who
are
now
governed
by
the
Canon
and
Civill
Lawes
,
dispensed
by
twenty-six
Ordinaries
(
easily
responsall
to
Parliaments
for
any
deviation
from
the
rule
of
Law
,
)
conceive
We
should
become
exposed
to
the
meere
arbitrary
Government
of
a
numerous
Presbytery
,
who
together
with
their
ruling
Elders
will
arise
to
neere
forty
thousand
Church-Governours
,
and
with
their
Adherents
,
must
needs
beare
so
great
a
sway
in
the
Common-wealth
,
that
if
future
inconvenience
shall
be
found
in
that
Government
,
We
humbly
offer
to
consideration
,
how
these
shall
be
reducible
by
Parliaments
,
how
consistent
with
a
Monarchy
,
and
how
dangerously
conducible
to
an
Anarchy
,
which
We
have
iust
cause
to
pray
against
,
as
fearing
the
consequences
would
prove
the
utter
losse
of
Learning
and
Lawes
,
which
must
necessarily
produce
an
extermination
of
Nobility
,
Gentry
,
and
Order
,
if
not
of
Religion
.
With
what
vehemency
of
spirit
,
these
things
are
prosecuted
,
and
how
plausibly
such
popular
infusions
spread
as
incline
to
a
paritie
,
We
held
it
our
duty
to
represent
to
this
Honorable
Assembly
;
And
humbly
pray
,
that
some
such
present
course
be
taken
,
as
in
your
Wisedomes
shall
be
thought
fit
,
to
suppresse
the
future
dispersing
of
such
dangerous
discontents
amongst
the
Common
People
.
We
having
great
cause
to
feare
,
that
of
all
the
distempers
that
at
present
threaten
the
wellfare
of
this
State
,
there
is
none
more
worthy
the
mature
and
grave
consideration
of
this
Honorable
Assembly
,
then
to
stop
the
Torrent
of
such
Spirits
before
they
swell
beyond
the
bounds
of
Government
:
Then
We
doubt
not
but
his
Maiestie
persevering
in
his
gracious
inclination
to
heare
the
complaints
,
and
relieve
the
grievances
of
his
Subiects
in
frequent
Parliaments
,
it
will
so
unite
the
Head
and
the
Body
,
so
indissolubly
cement
the
affections
of
his
people
to
our
Royall
Soveraigne
,
that
without
any
other
change
of
Government
,
He
can
never
want
revenue
,
nor
We
iustice
.
We
have
presumed
to
annex
a
Coppy
of
a
Petition
(
or
Libell
)
dispersed
,
and
certaine
positions
preacht
in
this
County
,
which
We
conceive
imply
matter
of
dangerous
consequence
to
the
peace
both
of
Church
and
State
.
All
which
We
humbly
submit
to
your
great
Iudgments
,
praying
they
may
be
read
.
And
shall
ever
pray
,
&c.
Subscribed
to
this
Petition
,
-
Foure
Noblemen
.
-
Knight
,
Baronets
,
Knights
and
Esquires
,
fourescore
and
odde
.
-
Divines
,
threescore
and
ten
.
-
Gentlemen
,
three
hundred
and
odde
.
-
Freeholders
and
other
Inhabitants
,
above
six
thousand
.
All
of
the
same
County
.
The
Anti-Petition
,
or
Answere
to
this
,
is
a
base
Libell
and
a
forgerie
.
TO
THE
HONORABLE
,
THE
Knights
,
Cittizens
,
&c.
The
humble
Petition
of
the
Citties
of
L.
and
W.
Humbly
sheweth
,
THAT
whereas
there
hath
of
late
a
Petition
subscribed
by
many
(
who
pretend
to
be
Inhabitants
of
these
Citties
)
been
delivered
,
received
,
and
read
in
this
HONORABLE
House
,
against
the
ancient
,
present
,
and
by
Law
established
Government
of
the
Church
,
and
that
not
so
much
for
the
Reformation
of
Bishops
,
as
for
the
utter
subversion
and
extirpation
of
Episcopacy
it selfe
;
Wee
whose
names
are
underwritten
,
to
shew
there
be
many
,
and
those
of
the
better
sort
of
the
Inhabitants
of
these
Citties
otherwise
and
better
minded
,
doe
humbly
represent
unto
this
Honorable
House
,
these
considerations
following
.
I.
That
Episcopacy
is
as
ancient
as
Christianity
it selfe
in
this
Kingdome
.
II.
That
Bishops
were
the
chiefe
instruments
in
the
Reformation
of
this
Church
against
Popery
,
and
afterwards
the
most
eminent
Martyrs
for
the
Protestant
Religion
,
and
since
,
the
best
and
ablest
Champions
for
the
defence
of
it
.
III.
That
since
the
Reformation
,
the
times
have
been
very
peaceable
,
happy
,
and
glorious
,
notwithstanding
Episcopall
Government
in
the
Church
:
and
therefore
that
this
Government
can
be
no
cause
of
our
unhappinesse
.
IV.
We
conceive
that
not
only
many
Learned
,
but
diverse
other
Godly
persons
would
be
much
scandalled
and
troubled
in
Conscience
,
if
the
Government
of
Episcopacy
,
conceived
by
them
to
be
an
Apostolicall
Institution
,
were
altered
:
&
since
there
is
so
much
care
taken
,
that
no
man
should
be
offended
in
the
least
Ceremony
,
we
hope
there
will
be
some
,
that
such
mens
Consciences
may
not
be
pressed
upon
,
in
a
matter
of
an
higher
nature
and
consequence
,
especially
considering
that
this
Government
by
Episcopacy
,
is
not
only
lawfull
and
convenient
for
edification
,
but
likewise
sutable
and
agreeable
to
the
Civill
policie
and
Government
of
this
State
.
V.
That
this
Government
is
lawfull
it
appeares
by
the
immediate
,
universall
&
constāt
practise
of
all
the
Christian
World
,
grounded
upon
Scripture
,
from
the
Apostles
time
to
this
last
Age
,
for
above
1500
yeares
together
:
It
being
utterly
incredible
,
if
not
impossible
,
that
the
whole
Church
for
so
long
a
time
,
should
not
discover
by
Gods
word
this
Government
to
be
unlawfull
,
if
it
had
been
so
.
To
which
may
be
added
,
that
the
most
learned
Protestants
,
even
in
those
very
Churches
which
now
are
not
governed
by
Bishops
,
doe
not
only
hold
the
Government
by
Episcopacy
to
be
lawfull
,
but
wish
that
they
themselves
might
injoy
it
.
Againe
,
that
the
Government
by
Episcopacy
is
not
only
lawfull
,
but
convenient
for
edification
,
&
as
much
,
or
more
conducing
to
Piety
and
devotion
then
any
other
,
it
appeares
,
because
no
modest
man
denies
,
that
the
Primitive
times
were
most
famous
for
Piety
,
Constancy
,
&
Perseverance
in
the
Faith
,
notwithstanding
more
frequent
and
more
cruell
persecutions
then
ever
have
been
since
;
and
yet
it
is
confessed
,
that
the
Church
in
those
times
was
govern'd
by
Bishops
.
Lastly
,
That
the
Government
of
the
Church
by
Episcopacy
,
is
most
sutable
to
the
frame
and
forme
of
the
Civill
Government
here
in
this
Kingdome
,
it
appeares
by
the
happy
&
flourishing
Union
of
them
both
,
for
so
long
a
time
together
;
Whereas
no
man
can
give
us
an
assurance
,
how
any
Church
Government
besides
this
(
whereof
We
have
had
so
long
an
experience
)
will
suit
and
agree
with
the
Civill
policie
of
this
State
.
And
We
conceive
it
may
be
of
dangerous
consequence
,
for
men
of
setled
fortunes
to
hazzard
their
estates
,
by
making
so
great
an
alteration
,
and
venturing
upon
a
new
forme
of
Government
,
whereof
neither
We
,
nor
our
Ancestors
have
had
any
tryall
,
or
experience
;
especially
considering
that
those
,
who
would
have
Episcopacy
to
be
abolished
,
have
not
yet
agreed
,
nor
(
as
We
are
verily
perswaded
)
ever
will
or
can
agree
upon
any
other
common
forme
of
Government
to
succeed
in
the
roome
of
it
,
as
appeares
by
the
many
different
and
contrary
draughts
,
and
platformes
they
have
made
&
published
,
according
to
the
several
humors
and
sects
of
those
that
made
them
.
Whereas
,
seeing
every
great
alteration
in
a
Church
or
State
,
must
needs
be
dangerous
,
it
is
just
and
reasonable
that
whosoever
would
introduce
a
new
forme
in
stead
of
an
old
one
,
should
be
obliged
to
demonstrate
and
make
it
evidently
appeare
aforehand
,
that
the
Government
he
would
introduce
,
is
proportionably
so
much
better
,
then
that
he
would
abolish
,
as
may
recompence
the
losse
we
may
sustaine
,
and
may
be
worthy
of
the
hazzard
we
must
run
,
in
abolishing
the
one
,
and
in
introducing
and
setling
of
the
other
.
But
this
We
are
confident
can
never
be
done
,
in
regard
of
this
particular
.
And
therefore
our
humble
and
earnest
request
to
this
Honorable
House
is
,
that
as
well
in
this
consideration
,
as
all
the
other
aforesaid
,
We
may
still
injoy
that
Government
,
which
most
probably
holds
its
Institution
from
the
Apostles
,
and
most
certainly
its
plantation
with
our
Christian
Faith
it selfe
in
this
Kingdome
,
where
it
hath
ever
since
flourished
,
and
continued
for
many
Ages
without
any
interruption
or
alteration
:
whereby
it
plainly
appeares
,
that
as
it
is
the
most
excellent
Government
in
it selfe
;
so
it
is
the
most
sutable
,
most
agreeable
,
and
every
way
most
proportionable
to
the
Civill
constitutions
and
temper
of
this
State
.
And
therefore
We
pray
and
hope
will
alwayes
be
continued
,
and
preserved
in
it
&
by
it
,
notwithstanding
the
abuses
and
corruptions
which
in
so
long
tract
of
time
through
the
errors
or
negligences
of
men
may
have
crept
into
it
:
Which
abuses
and
corruptions
being
all
of
them
(
what
and
how
many
soever
they
may
be
)
but
meerely
accidentall
to
Episcopacy
;
We
conceive
and
hope
,
there
may
be
a
Reformation
of
of
the
one
,
without
destruction
of
the
other
.
Which
is
the
humble
suit
of
Ten
thousand
thousand
.