To the high and honourable court of Parliament. The humble petition of sundry of the nobles, knights, gentry, ministers, freeholders, and divers thousands of the inhabitants of the county palatine of Chester, whose names are subscribed to the several schedules hereunto annexed. In answer to a petition delivered on to the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, by Sir Thomas Aston, Baronet, from the county palatine of Chester, concerning episcopacie.
      
       
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         ESTC R205594
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             To the high and honourable court of Parliament. The humble petition of sundry of the nobles, knights, gentry, ministers, freeholders, and divers thousands of the inhabitants of the county palatine of Chester, whose names are subscribed to the several schedules hereunto annexed. In answer to a petition delivered on to the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, by Sir Thomas Aston, Baronet, from the county palatine of Chester, concerning episcopacie.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
          
           1 sheet ([1] p.).
           
             s.n.,
             [London? :
             1641]
          
           
             Imprint suggested by Wing.
             Reproduction of original in the Jesus College (University of Cambridge) Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Aston, Thomas, -- Sir, 1600-1645.
           Episcopacy.
           Cheshire (England) -- Religion -- 17th century.
           Great Britain -- Religion -- 17th century.
           Broadsides -- England -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A94441  R205594  (Wing T1396D).  civilwar no To the high and honourable court of Parliament, the humble petition of sundry of the nobles, knights, gentry, ministers, freeholders, and di [no entry] 1641    2789 7 0 0 0 0 0 25 C  The  rate of 25 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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        2008-02 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
           To
           the
           High
           and
           Honourable
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           sundry
           of
           the
           Nobles
           ,
           Knights
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Freeholders
           ,
           and
           divers
           thousands
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           County
           Palatine
           of
           
             Chester
             ,
          
           whose
           names
           are
           subscribed
           to
           the
           several
           Schedules
           hereunto
           annexed
           .
        
         
           
             In
             Answer
             to
             a
             Petition
             delivered
             in
             to
             the
             Lords
             Spirituall
             and
             Temporall
             ,
             by
             Sir
             
               Thomas
               Aston
               ,
            
             Baronet
             ,
             from
             the
             County
             Palatine
             of
             CHESTER
             ,
             concerning
             Episcopacie
             .
          
        
         
           Humbly
           shew
           ;
        
         
           THAT
           whereas
           divers
           Petitions
           ,
           by
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           Prelates
           and
           our
           present
           Diocesan
           ,
           have
           been
           lately
           posted
           about
           this
           County
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           our
           present
           exorbitant
           Hierarchie
           and
           Church-Government
           ,
           under
           which
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           hath
           long
           time
           groaned
           ,
           and
           the
           hands
           of
           many
           persons
           of
           sundry
           qualities
           (
           sollicited
           to
           the
           same
           by
           the
           Prelates
           agents
           )
           with
           intent
           to
           be
           preferred
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           which
           we
           conceiving
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           to
           ayme
           at
           our
           Church
           and
           Prelates
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           maintenance
           of
           their
           absolute
           Jurisdiction
           and
           Innovations
           both
           in
           Religion
           and
           Government
           ,
           which
           will
           give
           the
           greatest
           advantage
           to
           the
           adversaries
           of
           ou●
           Religion
           :
           We
           hold
           it
           our
           duties
           to
           disavow
           them
           all
           ,
           especially
           that
           lately
           tendred
           to
           the
           Lords
           Spirituall
           and
           Temporall
           ,
           by
           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Aston
          
           Baronet
           .
        
         
           And
           hu●bly
           pray
           ,
           that
           we
           incurre
           no
           mis-Censure
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           scattered
           Papers
           have
           (
           without
           our
           privitie
           )
           surreptitiously
           assumed
           the
           name
           of
           our
           County
           .
        
         
           We
           ,
           (
           as
           all
           other
           Counties
           of
           this
           Realme
           )
           are
           deeply
           sensible
           of
           the
           many
           common
           and
           heavie
           Grievances
           (
           under
           which
           the
           whole
           three
           Kingdomes
           suffer
           )
           occasioned
           by
           the
           Prelates
           ,
           and
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           rejoyce
           at
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           with
           thankfullnesse
           ,
           the
           pious
           care
           already
           taken
           by
           your
           Honours
           for
           the
           suppressing
           of
           the
           growth
           of
           Popery
           ;
           the
           better
           supply
           of
           able
           Ministers
           in
           all
           places
           to
           instruct
           the
           People
           ;
           removing
           of
           all
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           for
           your
           indeavours
           to
           suppresse
           and
           remove
           our
           Lordly
           Prelates
           ,
           the
           sole
           Authors
           of
           all
           our
           present
           miseries
           ,
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           most
           professed
           enemies
           of
           the
           Gospell
           :
           and
           we
           doubt
           not
           but
           in
           your
           great
           Wisdomes
           you
           will
           not
           only
           regulate
           the
           rigour
           of
           their
           exorbitant
           Ecclesiasticall
           Courts
           ,
           but
           likewise
           wholly
           extirpate
           them
           ,
           as
           neither
           suiting
           with
           the
           Temper
           of
           our
           Laws
           ,
           nor
           the
           nature
           of
           Free-men
           .
        
         
           And
           when
           we
           consider
           ,
           that
           Diocesan
           Lordly
           Bishops
           ,
           superiour
           to
           Presbyters
           ,
           were
           neither
           Instituted
           ,
           nor
           heard
           of
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           
             who
             alwayes
             ordayned
          
           
             a
          
           
             sundry
             Bishops
             in
             every
             particulor
             Congregation
             ,
             and
             those
             all
             equall
             in
             Authority
             ;
             not
             one
             Bishop
             over
             many
             hundred
             Churches
             ,
          
           and
           he
           paramount
           his
           fellow
           
             Presbyters
             :
          
           That
           our
           
             b
          
           
             Church
             of
             England
             (
             with
             that
             of
             Scotland
             )
             from
             the
             first
             plantation
             of
             the
             Gospell
             here
             ,
             in
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ,
             for
             some
             hundred
             of
             yeares
             after
             had
             no
             Bishops
             at
             all
             to
             governe
             it
             .
          
           That
           
             c
          
           
             all
             ancient
             Authors
             and
             Historians
          
           unanimously
           record
           ,
           
             that
             our
             Archbishops
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             succeeded
             the
             Heathenish
             Arch-Flammines
             and
             Flammines
             here
             planted
             in
             times
             of
             Paganisme
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             Institution
             ,
             Jurisdiction
             and
             Seas
             ;
          
           and
           so
           are
           onely
           of
           Ethnicall
           or
           Diabolicall
           ,
           not
           Apostolicall
           Institution
           .
           That
           they
           
             were
             the
             greatest
             fire-brands
             of
             contention
             ,
             and
             Authors
             of
          
           
             d
          
           
             all
             the
             Schismes
             in
             the
             first
             generall
             Councels
             ,
             and
             Primitive-Church
             .
          
           That
           so
           many
           of
           them
           have
           sowed
           the
           tares
           of
           
             Heresie
             ,
             Popery
             ,
             Schisme
             ,
             Rebellion
             ,
             Sedition
             ,
          
           
             e
          
           
             opposed
             ,
             excommunicated
             ,
             dethroned
             ,
             yea
             murthered
             Christian
             Kings
             ,
             Emperours
             ,
             and
             raysed
             up
             many
             bloody
             warres
             to
             the
             effusion
             of
             much
             Christian
             blood
             ,
             in
             all
             Kingdomes
             ,
             where
             they
             have
             swayed
             ;
             preserved
             and
             rescued
             Popery
             and
             Heresie
             from
             utter
             extirpation
             in
             this
             and
             former
             ages
             ;
             exceeded
             the
             Primitive
             persecuters
             in
             Martyring
             and
             shedding
             the
             blood
             of
             Gods
             deare
             Saints
             .
          
           That
           to
           them
           we
           owe
           the
           corruption
           of
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Gospell
           we
           now
           professe
           ,
           with
           Romish
           Errors
           and
           Superstitions
           ,
           as
           your
           Honou●s
           have
           already
           unanimously
           voted
           .
           That
           many
           of
           them
           for
           the
           propagation
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           suppressing
           of
           the
           Truth
           (
           especially
           the
           Arch-prelate
           of
           
             Canterbury
             ,
             William
             Laud
             ,
          
           accused
           by
           your
           Honours
           ,
           and
           committed
           to
           the
           Tower
           of
           
             London
             for
          
           
             *
          
           
             High
             Treason
             against
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             our
             Laws
             ,
             and
             established
             Religion
             ;
          
           Bishop
           
             Wren
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Mountague
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Pierce
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Goodman
             ,
          
           and
           others
           now
           in
           question
           before
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           )
           are
           like
           to
           become
           
             glorious
             Martyrs
             in
             the
             Roman
             Calendar
             .
          
           That
           (
           not
           divers
           ,
           but
           )
           most
           of
           them
           lately
           ,
           and
           yet
           living
           with
           us
           ,
           have
           been
           very
           great
           Oppugners
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           indeavouring
           to
           reduce
           or
           captivate
           it
           to
           the
           common
           enemie
           of
           
             Rome
             .
          
           And
           that
           their
           tyrannicall
           ,
           Papall
           ,
           Lordly
           government
           hath
           been
           so
           long
           oppugned
           by
           
             f
          
           
             infinite
             godly
             Martyrs
             and
             writers
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ;
          
           established
           (
           through
           their
           own
           over-swaying
           power
           ,
           and
           undermining
           subtiltie
           )
           by
           the
           Common
           and
           Statute
           Laws
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           made
           onely
           in
           times
           of
           Popery
           ,
           but
           oft
           exploded
           or
           restrained
           by
           sundry
           Laws
           and
           Statutes
           since
           the
           time
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           though
           with
           little
           good
           successe
           :
           And
           as
           yet
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           their
           Doctrine
           (
           generally
           taught
           ,
           when
           they
           rarely
           preach
           )
           but
           what
           is
           dissonant
           from
           the
           word
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           or
           the
           Articles
           ratified
           by
           Law
           .
           In
           this
           case
           ,
           not
           to
           call
           their
           government
           ,
           a
           
             perpetuall
             vassalage
             ,
          
           an
           
             intollerable
             bondage
             .
          
           And
           (
           
             prima
             facie
             ,
          
           though
           not
           ,
           
             inaudita
             altera
             parte
             ,
          
           of
           whom
           your
           Honours
           have
           heard
           so
           much
           evill
           already
           in
           the
           
             Committees
          
           for
           Religion
           ;
           for
           the
           
             High
             Commission
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Wren
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Peirce
             ,
          
           the
           
             Ministers
             Londoners
             ,
             and
             other
             Counties
             Petitions
             against
             Prelacie
          
           )
           not
           to
           pray
           the
           removall
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           seek
           the
           utter
           desolation
           and
           ruine
           of
           their
           Offices
           as
           ●●●hristian
           (
           as
           divers
           Counties
           else
           have
           done
           in
           their
           Petitions
           to
           your
           Honours
           ,
           )
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           but
           to
           relish
           of
           injustice
           ,
           and
           uncharitablenesse
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           So●●●●
           Bodies
           and
           Estates
           of
           us
           and
           our
           Posteritie
           ;
           nor
           can
           we
           joyne
           with
           them
           who
           petition
           for
           their
           continuance
           .
        
         
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           the
           Tenor
           of
           such
           writings
           and
           Books
           as
           by
           the
           Prelates
           and
           their
           agents
           have
           been
           lately
           spread
           among
           the
           people
           with
           their
           publike
           allowance
           (
           as
           the
           Prelates
           
             New
             Canons
             ,
             Oath
             ,
          
           and
           
             act
             for
             a
             malevolent
             Benevolence
             ,
          
           for
           non
           payment
           whereof
           every
           Minister
           shall
           at
           first
           bout
           
             be
             ipso
             facto
             deprived
             ,
             without
             the
             benefit
             of
             any
             Appeale
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Mountagues
             ,
          
           Dr.
           
             Heylins
             ,
          
           Dr.
           
             Pocklingtons
             ,
             Shelfords
             ,
             Doves
             ,
             Reeves
             ,
             Francis
             Salis
             ,
             Franciscus
             de
             Sancta
             Clara
             ,
          
           their
           late
           Books
           ,
           with
           others
           :
           and
           our
           Prelates
           Letters
           in
           nature
           of
           Commissions
           ,
           for
           the
           collecting
           of
           the
           late
           Lone
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           the
           Warres
           against
           the
           
             Scots
             ,
          
           which
           Bishop
           
             Peirce
          
           affirmed
           in
           sundry
           speeches
           to
           the
           Clergie
           of
           his
           Diocese
           ,
           to
           be
           
             Bellum
             Episcopale
             ,
          
           the
           Bishops
           Warre
           ,
           using
           it
           as
           the
           chiefe
           motive
           why
           they
           should
           liberally
           contribute
           towards
           it
           .
           When
           we
           againe
           ponder
           the
           Tenents
           preached
           publiquely
           in
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           the
           Contents
           of
           many
           Printed
           Pamphlets
           swarming
           every where
           amongst
           us
           ,
           
             *
          
           
             against
             the
             frequencie
             power
             and
             use
             of
             Parliaments
             ;
          
           the
           Right
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           the
           propriety
           of
           their
           goods
           ;
           in
           advancing
           the
           exorbitant
           Jurisdiction
           of
           Prelates
           ,
           their
           Inj●nctions
           and
           Courts
           under
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           their
           asserting
           of
           his
           Majesties
           absolute
           power
           both
           over
           the
           Laws
           ,
           Goods
           ,
           Lives
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subject
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           all
           of
           them
           dangerously
           tending
           to
           the
           introduction
           of
           a
           lawlesse
           tyrannie
           ,
           and
           arbitrarie
           form
           of
           Government
           both
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ;
           to
           rob
           his
           Majestie
           of
           the
           hearts
           and
           loyall
           affections
           of
           his
           people
           :
           And
           then
           further
           consider
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           Bishops
           severall
           usurpations
           of
           the
           sole
           power
           of
           the
           Keyes
           ,
           and
           Ordination
           ,
           but
           likewise
           their
           intimations
           of
           their
           desire
           of
           the
           full
           power
           of
           the
           Sword
           ,
           that
           they
           in
           their
           severall
           Courts
           (
           as
           they
           doe
           in
           all
           their
           High-Commissions
           )
           may
           execute
           both
           Ecclesiasticall
           and
           Civill
           Censu●es
           within
           themselves
           .
           We
           cannot
           but
           expresse
           our
           just
           feares
           ,
           that
           their
           intention
           is
           to
           introduce
           an
           absolute
           Innovation
           of
           tyrannicall
           and
           Papall
           Government
           :
           Whereby
           we
           who
           are
           now
           governed
           only
           by
           the
           Common
           and
           Statute
           Laws
           of
           this
           Realme
           made
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           
             shall
             be
             governed
          
           (
           as
           our
           Anti-petitioners
           confesse
           we
           are
           )
           
             only
             by
             the
             Canon
             and
             Civill
             Laws
             (
             which
             the
             now
          
           
             g
          
           
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             professed
             he
             would
             introduce
             and
             governe
             us
             by
          
           )
           made
           and
           dispensed
           only
           by
           twenty-six
           Ordinaries
           and
           their
           under-Officers
           (
           or
           rather
           only
           by
           one
           over-potent
           Arch-Prelate
           )
           not
           easily
           responsible
           to
           Parliaments
           ,
           for
           their
           deviations
           from
           the
           Rules
           of
           Law
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           they
           enjoy
           such
           ample
           Lordly
           Revenues
           ,
           continue
           Lords
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           Lords
           of
           the
           Privie
           Counsell
           ,
           and
           greatest
           swaying
           Officers
           in
           the
           Realme
           ,
           
             h
          
           
             able
             to
             dissolve
             even
             Parliaments
             themselves
             in
             case
             they
             attempt
             to
             question
             them
          
           (
           as
           we
           know
           by
           many
           late
           experiments
           ;
           )
           whereas
           if
           we
           were
           governed
           (
           as
           
             was
             the
          
           
             i
          
           
             Primitive
             Church
             )
             by
             a
             numerous
             Presbytery
             and
             ruling
             Elders
             ,
          
           (
           farre
           lesse
           in
           power
           ,
           though
           more
           in
           number
           )
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           and
           those
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           (
           not
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           or
           every
           Bishop
           in
           his
           Diocese
           at
           his
           meere
           pleasure
           )
           shall
           prescribe
           ;
           we
           dare
           assure
           our selves
           ,
           no
           such
           inconveniences
           shal
           be
           found
           in
           that
           Government
           ,
           equivalent
           to
           those
           of
           Episcopacie
           ;
           which
           how
           corrigible
           they
           have
           been
           by
           Parliaments
           and
           Councels
           ,
           how
           ill
           consistent
           with
           a
           Monarchie
           ;
           and
           how
           dangerously
           conducible
           to
           an
           Anarchie
           ;
           their
           incorrigiblenesse
           ,
           Treasons
           ,
           Rebellions
           ,
           Conspiracies
           ,
           with
           the
           Warres
           and
           tumults
           occasioned
           by
           them
           in
           all
           former
           ages
           ,
           and
           now
           ,
           abundantly
           manifest
           .
           And
           therfore
           we
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           pray
           against
           their
           continuance
           ,
           as
           fearing
           their
           consequences
           would
           prove
           the
           utter
           losse
           of
           pietie
           ,
           Libertie
           ,
           unitie
           ,
           peace
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           and
           divine
           learning
           ,
           and
           necessarily
           produce
           an
           extermination
           ,
           if
           not
           of
           Nobilitie
           ,
           Gentrie
           ,
           and
           Order
           ,
           yet
           certainly
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           all
           true
           pietie
           .
        
         
           With
           what
           vehemencie
           and
           arrogancie
           of
           Spirit
           the
           Prelates
           and
           their
           Instruments
           have
           prosecuted
           all
           good
           Ministers
           and
           people
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           losse
           of
           Members
           ,
           Blood
           ,
           Libertie
           ,
           Life
           ,
           Goods
           ,
           Fortunes
           :
           and
           how
           many
           thousands
           of
           his
           Majesties
           good
           Subjects
           they
           have
           driven
           out
           of
           the
           Realme
           into
           Forraigne
           parts
           ;
           and
           how
           plausible
           your
           Honourable
           proceedings
           in
           this
           present
           Session
           of
           Parliament
           against
           their
           Innovations
           ,
           Canons
           ,
           Exorbitances
           ,
           (
           yea
           ,
           and
           their
           very
           Callings
           too
           )
           have
           been
           to
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           (
           who
           daily
           blesse
           
             God
          
           for
           them
           )
           we
           need
           not
           represent
           to
           your
           honours
           .
           And
           therfore
           humbly
           pray
           ,
           that
           some
           present
           speedie
           course
           may
           be
           taken
           ,
           as
           in
           your
           Wisdomes
           shall
           be
           thought
           fit
           ,
           to
           suppresse
           all
           Lordly
           Prelates
           ;
           together
           with
           the
           importing
           ,
           Printing
           and
           dispersing
           of
           all
           Popish
           and
           Arminian
           Bookes
           ,
           and
           the
           calling
           in
           and
           burning
           of
           those
           forenamed
           ,
           (
           especially
           of
           the
           late
           Canons
           ,
           Oarh
           ,
           and
           Act
           for
           the
           Benevolence
           )
           which
           have
           produced
           dangerous
           discontents
           both
           in
           the
           Clergie
           and
           common
           people
           ,
           We
           having
           great
           cause
           to
           feare
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           the
           distempers
           which
           at
           present
           threaten
           the
           welfare
           of
           this
           State
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           more
           worthy
           the
           mature
           and
           grave
           consideration
           of
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           then
           to
           stop
           the
           Torrent
           of
           such
           ambitious
           Spirits
           ,
           as
           lye
           masked
           under
           our
           Lordly
           Prelates
           white
           Rochets
           ,
           before
           they
           swell
           beyond
           the
           bounds
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           drown
           his
           Majesties
           three
           whole
           Kingdomes
           in
           a
           deluge
           of
           blood
           ,
           and
           utter
           desolation
           .
           Then
           we
           doubt
           not
           but
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           persevering
           in
           his
           gracious
           inclination
           to
           heare
           the
           Complaints
           ,
           and
           relieve
           the
           grievances
           of
           his
           Subjects
           in
           frequent
           Parliaments
           ,
           it
           will
           so
           unite
           the
           Head
           and
           the
           Bodie
           (
           
           
             severed
             principally
             by
             the
             practises
             and
             continuance
             of
             the
             Prelates
          
           )
           and
           so
           indissolublie
           cement
           the
           affections
           of
           the
           people
           to
           our
           Royall
           Soveraigne
           ;
           that
           without
           any
           future
           government
           at
           all
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           he
           shal
           be
           a
           more
           absolute
           and
           happy
           Prince
           then
           any
           of
           his
           Predecessors
           ,
           and
           shall
           never
           want
           revenue
           ,
           and
           honour
           ,
           nor
           his
           people
           justice
           .
        
         
           
             We
             have
             presumed
             to
             annex
             a
             Copy
             of
             severall
             Petitions
             exhibited
             to
             your
             Honours
             against
             the
             Prelates
             this
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             of
             sundry
             Positions
             preached
             by
             their
             instruments
             in
             this
             and
             other
             Counties
             ,
             which
             we
             conceive
             imply
             matter
             of
             dangerous
             consequence
             to
             the
             peace
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             :
             together
             with
             a
             briefe
             Remonstrance
             of
             sundry
             Grievances
             ,
             Innovations
             and
             Persecutions
             ,
             under
             which
             we
             of
             this
             County
             (
             especially
             those
             of
             the
             City
             of
          
           Chester
           )
           
             have
             miserably
             suffered
             ,
             by
             meanes
             of
             our
             now
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             the
             High-Commissioners
             at
          
           Yorke
           .
           
             All
             which
             we
             humbly
             submit
             to
             your
             grave
             judgements
             ,
             praying
             that
             they
             may
             be
             read
             ,
             and
             redressed
             .
          
        
         
           
             Subscribed
             to
             this
             Petition
             ,
          
           
             
               
                 Eight
                 Noblemen
                 .
              
               
                 Knight
                 Baronets
                 ,
                 Knights
                 and
                 Esquires
                 ,
                 ninescore
                 and
                 nineteen
                 .
              
               
                 Divines
                 ,
                 one
                 hundred
                 and
                 forty
                 ;
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 a
                 maker
                 ,
                 taker
                 ,
                 or
                 approver
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 
                   &c.
                
                 Oath
                 and
                 Canons
                 .
              
               
                 Gentlemen
                 ,
                 seven
                 hundred
                 fifty
                 seven
                 .
              
               
                 Freeholders
                 and
                 other
                 Inhabitants
                 ,
                 above
                 twelve
                 thousand
                 .
              
            
          
           All
           of
           the
           same
           mind
           ,
           and
           County
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           of
           them
           a
           Popish
           Recusant
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A94441e-30
           
             a
             Acts
             11.
             30.
             c.
             14.
             23.
             
             c
             ,
             15.
             2.
             4
             ,
             6.
             22
             ,
             23.
             c.
             16.
             4.
             c.
             20.
             17.
             28.
             c.
             21.
             17
             ,
             18.
             c.
             22.
             5.
             
               phil.
            
             1.
             1.
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             5.
             17.
             c.
             3.
             1.
             to
             9.
             c.
             4.
             14.
             
             
               Tit.
            
             1.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             
               Iam.
            
             5.
             14.
             1
             
               pet.
            
             5.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             
               Rev.
            
             4.
             10.
             c.
             5.
             11.
             14.
             c.
             7.
             11.
             13.
             c.
             11.
             16.
             c.
             19.
             4.
             
             If
             than
             it
             be
             of
             Divine
             and
             Apostolicall
             institution
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             many
             Bishops
             and
             
               presbyters
            
             in
             every
             particular
             Church
             ;
             Then
             it
             is
             point
             blank
             against
             it
             ,
             to
             erect
             one
             Bishop
             over
             many
             Churches
             ,
             and
             one
             Archbishop
             over
             many
             Bishops
             ,
             one
             patriarch
             over
             them
             and
             one
             pope
             superiour
             to
             them
             all
             :
             And
             if
             one
             mans
             possessing
             of
             a
             plurality
             of
             Churches
             hath
             been
             ever
             held
             infamous
             and
             unlawfull
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             because
             he
             cannot
             discharge
             their
             cure
             ,
             much
             more
             must
             one
             Bishops
             Superintendencie
             over
             many
             hundreds
             or
             thousands
             of
             Churches
             ,
             which
             he
             cannot
             duly
             governe
             and
             instruct
             ,
             be
             more
             unlawfull
             .
          
           
             b
             See
             Bishop
             
               Vsher
               Do
               Brit.
               Eccles.
               primordiu
            
             c.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             c.
             16.
             pag.
             800.
             
             
               Fordon
               Scotchton
            
             l.
             3.
             c.
             8.
             
             
               Major
               de
               Gest.
               Scoter
               .
            
             l.
             2.
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             c
             Bishop
             
               Vsher
               De
               Brit.
               Eccles.
               primordiu
            
             c.
             5.
             p.
             56
             ,
             57
             ,
             58
             ,
             59.
             
          
           
             d
             
               Cent.
               Magd.
            
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             cap.
             8.
             
          
           
             e
             See
             
               Baleus
               de
               vitis
               pontificum
               .
            
             The
             Imperiall
             History
             .
             
               Morney
            
             his
             mystery
             of
             Iniquity
             .
             The
             English
             and
             French
             Book
             of
             Martyrs
             ,
             
               Holingshead
               ,
               Speed
               ,
            
             and
             
               Goodmans
            
             Catalogue
             of
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             *
             See
             his
             Articles
             .
          
           
             f
             See
             
               Catalogus
               Testium
               veritatu
               :
               Flagellum
               pontificu
            
             the
             last
             Edition
             ,
             and
             a
             Catalogue
             of
             Testimonies
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             
               &c.
            
             lately
             Printed
             .
          
           
             *
             See
             the
             Archbishops
             Articles
             ,
             n.
             2.
             
          
           
             g
             See
             the
             Archbishops
             Articles
             Art
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             h
             Archbishops
             Articles
             ,
             Ar.
             13.
             
          
           
             i
             See
             the
             Answer
             to
             an
             Humble
             Remonstrance
             .
             
               Gersonius
               Encerus
               de
               Gobernat
               .
               Ecclesiae
               .
            
          
           
             (
             k
             )
             Archbishops
             Charges
             Art.
             14.
             
             Mr.
             
               Nathanael
               Fines
            
             Speech
             in
             parliamett
             ,
             Febr.
             9.
             p.