The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, in behalf of the able, faithful, godly ministry of this nation / delivered by Colonel Jeff Bridges, and M. Thomas Foly, December 22, 1652 ; with the Parliaments answers thereunto.
England and Wales. Parliament.
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The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, in behalf of the able, faithful, godly ministry of this nation / delivered by Colonel Jeff Bridges, and M. Thomas Foly, December 22, 1652 ; with the Parliaments answers thereunto.
England and Wales. Parliament.
Bridges, John, Colonel.
Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
Foley, Thomas, 1617-1677.
8 p.
Printed by Robert White, for Francis Tyton, and Thomas Underhill and are to be sold at their shops ...,
London :
1652.
Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
Attributed to John Bridges and Richard Baxter. cf. Wing.
eng
Church and state -- England.
A29382 R15906 (Wing B4477). civilwar no The humble petition of many thousands, gentlemen, free-holders, and others, of the county of Worcester, to the Parliament of the Common-weal Baxter, Richard 1652 2864 6 0 0 0 0 0 21 C The rate of 21 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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THE
HUMBLE
PETITION
OF
Many
thousands
,
Gentlemen
,
Free-holders
,
and
others
,
of
the
County
of
WORCESTER
,
To
the
Parliament
of
the
Common-wealth
of
ENGLAND
.
In
behalf
of
the
Able
,
Faithful
,
Godly
Ministry
of
this
NATION
.
Delivered
by
Colonel
John
Bridges
,
and
Mr.
Thomas
Foly
,
December
22.
1652.
VVith
the
Parliaments
Answer
thereunto
.
LONDON
,
Printed
by
Robert
White
,
for
Francis
Tyton
,
and
Thomas
Underhill
,
and
are
to
be
sold
at
their
Shops
,
the
three
Daggers
in
Fleet
street
,
and
the
Bible
〈…〉
To
the
Honourable
the
Parliament
of
the
Common-wealth
of
ENGLAND
.
The
Humble
Petition
of
us
Gentlemen
,
Free-holders
,
and
others
inhabiting
the
County
of
Worcester
.
SHEVVETH
,
THAT
your
Petitioners
having
with
grief
observed
both
the
Language
of
many
Pamphlets
and
persons
of
late
times
,
against
the
Ministers
of
Christ
among
us
,
and
Petitions
preferred
to
you
against
their
present
maintenance
,
without
any
regard
to
the
substitution
of
a
fitter
:
and
these
pretending
to
the
relief
of
the
impoverished
Nation
,
as
if
they
were
the
very
sense
and
language
of
the
body
of
this
Commonwealth
:
We
cannot
but
suspect
,
yea
discern
that
there
is
a
party
that
desire
and
endeavour
the
subversion
of
the
Ministrie
;
yet
have
we
hitherto
remained
silent
,
partly
in
hopes
that
they
were
so
few
and
inconsiderable
,
as
not
to
deserve
to
be
publikely
taken
notice
of
,
and
mentioned
,
to
the
dishonour
of
our
Nation
:
partly
that
we
might
not
interrupt
your
weighty
consultations
,
but
chiefly
lest
we
should
be
mis-interpreted
to
suspect
your
fidelitie
to
the
Ministrie
,
and
consequently
to
Christianity
and
Christ
himself
:
which
we
know
you
must
needs
resent
as
an
uncharitable
censoriousness
,
considering
how
evident
you
have
seen
,
and
how
often
acknowledged
with
greatest
solemnity
,
the
Lord
Jesus
in
your
preservations
;
and
how
deeply
you
are
engaged
to
him
above
most
men
on
earth
,
and
how
sensibly
you
vindicated
a
persecuted
Ministrie
in
the
very
beginning
of
this
Parliament
,
and
how
strongly
you
have
obliged
your selves
,
not
only
to
preserve
the
Reformed
Religion
in
Doctrine
,
Worship
,
Discipline
,
and
Government
;
but
also
to
promote
in
all
these
a
further
reformation
where
it
is
wanting
;
as
also
considering
what
a
tender
respect
to
a
faithful
Ministrie
you
have
all
along
to
this
day
professed
,
and
are
still
consulting
for
the
Propagation
of
the
Gospel
,
and
have
done
Justice
on
some
opposers
so
near
you
;
besides
the
augmentations
you
have
allowed
to
many
places
where
means
was
wanting
.
We
disclaim
therefore
all
such
ungrateful
censoriousness
,
and
thankfully
acknowledge
all
your
favors
to
the
Ministrie
and
Gospel
of
the
Lord
Jesus
,
who
is
easily
able
to
reward
you
,
and
see
that
you
be
no
losers
by
him
and
his
Cause
.
But
yet
least
our
continued
silence
should
seem
to
signifie
our
consent
to
those
that
would
undo
us
,
under
pretence
of
releiving
us
;
and
lest
they
be
thought
to
speak
our
sense
,
lest
their
audaciousness
encrease
while
none
contradict
them
:
and
lest
we
dishonour
our
Nation
in
the
eyes
of
the
Christian
world
,
whilest
they
think
that
the
voice
of
these
few
is
the
common
voice
:
and
lest
your
own
hearts
should
be
overwhelmed
with
grief
,
not
only
to
see
such
a
degenerated
people
living
under
your
Government
;
but
also
that
so
few
gain
▪
say
them
,
as
if
the
Nation
had
lost
their
love
to
the
Gospel
:
and
that
after
such
light
,
profession
and
engagements
;
and
consequently
you
may
think
they
will
prove
an
ungrateful
people
to
you
,
who
prove
so
ungrateful
to
the
Lord
their
Saviour
;
We
have
therefore
adventured
on
this
bold
enterpellation
,
and
crave
your
patience
,
while
we
do
with
more
then
ordinary
importunity
bespeak
you
,
seeing
it
is
in
the
zeal
of
the
Lord
,
for
his
glory
,
his
Church
,
his
Gospel
,
and
the
souls
of
our selves
and
posterity
.
We
know
it
was
by
Ministers
of
the
Gospel
,
that
the
Lord
Jesus
did
set
up
his
Kingdom
on
earth
,
and
hath
subdued
so
much
of
the
World
to
himself
,
destroying
the
Kingdom
of
Darkness
,
Paganism
,
Idolatry
,
and
wickedness
:
we
know
he
granted
their
Commission
upon
the
reception
of
his
plenipotencie
,
and
upon
his
ascending
he
gave
them
for
the
perfecting
of
the
Saints
,
and
the
edifying
of
his
body
,
till
they
come
to
his
fulness
,
and
that
as
a
means
to
preserve
them
from
Seducers
,
and
being
tossed
and
carryed
about
as
children
with
every
wind
of
Doctrine
,
Eph.
4
9.
to
15.
and
hath
promised
to
be
with
them
to
the
end
of
the
world
:
which
promise
he
hath
hitherto
eminently
accomplished
.
It
is
the
Ministrie
by
which
Christ
hath
continued
his
Church
to
this
day
:
nor
do
we
know
,
or
have
heard
of
that
place
on
earth
where
Christianity
was
ever
maintained
in
splendor
and
vigor
(
if
at
all
continued
)
without
a
Ministrie
.
It
was
the
Ministers
by
whom
Christ
did
waken
the
superstitious
world
,
and
discover
to
them
the
Romish
delusions
;
and
by
whom
he
begun
and
carryed
on
the
Work
of
Reformation
,
by
them
exciting
a
zealous
Magistracie
;
and
after
all
their
labours
,
multitudes
of
them
did
sacrifice
their
lives
in
the
flames
.
It
is
the
writings
of
a
learned
able
Ministrie
which
yet
stand
up
in
the
face
of
Heathenish
,
Mahometan
,
and
Romish
adversaries
,
to
their
vexation
and
confusion
,
which
they
may
sooner
reproach
or
burn
,
then
answer
:
by
which
after-ages
are
,
and
still
may
be
stablished
in
the
truth
,
against
all
the
subtill
endeavours
of
Seducers
.
It
is
a
learned
,
able
,
faithful
Ministrie
,
which
yet
is
the
daunting
and
discouragement
of
the
Jesuits
and
other
deceivers
,
who
well
know
,
if
these
were
but
taken
out
of
their
way
,
how
boldly
they
might
dare
us
,
how
insultingly
they
might
challenge
us
to
dispute
for
our
Religion
,
and
how
easily
they
might
silence
and
shame
us
,
and
thereby
carry
away
the
multitude
after
them
.
For
who
should
strengthen
the
Peoples
hearts
,
and
defend
the
Cause
of
the
LORD
against
them
,
if
such
a
Ministry
were
down
?
It
was
a
faithfull
Ministry
who
revealed
Gods
Mercy
,
and
the
precious
Truths
of
the
Gospel
to
our
own
souls
,
and
whom
God
by
the
Cooperation
of
his
Spirit
hath
blessed
to
be
the
means
of
converting
,
or
confirming
,
or
both
,
the
souls
of
all
those
of
us
who
have
attained
to
any
saving
knowledge
of
himself
.
When
we
remember
how
often
,
and
how
happily
our
souls
have
been
revived
and
refreshed
by
their
Ministry
,
we
are
ashamed
of
the
remisness
of
our
Zeal
in
this
Cause
;
when
we
think
that
they
are
our
Fathers
,
and
confirmers
in
Christ
,
and
how
they
must
present
us
to
him
at
his
appearing
as
their
Joy
and
Crown
,
Phil.
2.
19
,
20.
and
that
when
we
have
escaped
the
flames
of
Hell
,
and
meet
them
in
glory
,
we
must
acknowledge
them
Instruments
of
so
unvaluable
a
blessing
;
we
had
rather
there
were
no
tongues
in
our
mouths
,
then
that
ever
we
should
joyn
with
their
reproachers
,
and
had
rather
suffer
greater
wants
then
ever
we
yet
suffered
,
then
ungratefully
deny
them
their
necessary
maintenance
,
seeing
our
Lord
himself
said
,
when
he
set
them
upon
his
Work
,
The
Labourer
is
worthy
of
his
hire
;
and
the
Holy
Ghost
saith
,
Who
goeth
to
warfare
at
his
own
charge
?
They
that
minister
about
holy
things
,
live
of
the
things
of
the
Temple
;
even
so
hath
the
Lord
ordained
,
that
they
which
preach
the
Gospel
,
should
live
of
the
Gospel
,
1
Cor.
9.
7.
to
15.
Considering
also
that
they
are
not
Forreigners
,
but
Englishmen
,
our
own
Brethren
,
and
Sons
that
receive
it
from
us
,
even
that
which
by
Law
is
not
ours
but
theirs
;
and
considering
also
how
much
more
liberal
Papists
are
to
their
Mass-Priests
and
seducing
Jesuits
then
we
are
to
a
faithfull
Ministry
of
Christ
.
And
when
we
consider
,
that
if
England
do
excell
other
Nations
in
the
light
of
knowledge
,
and
power
of
Godliness
,
it
is
the
Ministry
that
are
herein
our
glory
,
and
the
means
of
what
the
People
do
enjoy
,
we
cannot
be
so
ungratefull
to
them
as
to
starve
them
and
cast
them
off
;
nor
yet
such
enemies
to
Englands
happiness
and
honour●
yea
▪
when
we
consider
how
the
dreadfull
,
omnipotent
King
of
Saints
doth
call
them
his
Co-workers
,
and
hath
sent
them
in
subserviency
to
his
own
blood-shed
,
and
Spirit
,
and
said
,
He
that
despiseth
you
,
despiseth
me
;
we
had
rather
endure
any
corporal
calamities
,
then
stand
charged
with
such
a
sin
at
the
Bar
of
our
Lord
:
Yea
▪
and
when
we
consider
how
he
hath
owned
and
stood
by
them
,
and
rebuked
Kings
for
their
sakes
and
his
Churches
,
charging
them
to
do
his
Prophets
no
harm
;
and
how
well
those
Rulers
have
sped
,
that
have
most
obeyed
,
and
encouraged
them
in
the
Work
of
the
Lord
;
and
how
God
hath
broken
those
powers
that
have
disobeyed
and
abused
them
,
2
Chron.
36.
15
,
16
,
17.
and
how
severely
he
hath
dealt
in
England
before
our
eyes
with
that
generation
of
men
that
silenced
,
reproached
,
and
persecuted
them
;
we
tremble
at
Gods
Judgements
,
and
dare
not
venter
into
the
same
consuming
fire
,
whose
flames
are
yet
so
fresh
in
our
memory
.
Your
Petitioners
having
as
in
the
presence
of
the
Lord
made
this
necessary
and
solemn
profession
of
their
Judgements
,
Affections
,
and
Resolutions
,
to
acquaint
you
how
far
they
are
from
approving
or
consenting
to
any
opposers
or
underminers
of
the
Ministry
and
Gospel
of
the
Lord
Jesus
,
do
humbly
address
themselves
,
with
these
earnest
requests
,
to
this
Honourable
Assembly
.
First
,
That
you
will
be
pleased
,
not
only
to
continue
your
owning
of
,
and
tenderest
care
for
the
upholding
or
an
Able
,
Godly
,
Faithfull
Ministry
(
of
which
we
dare
not
doubt
)
but
also
that
you
will
so
far
countenance
and
encourage
them
in
the
Lords
Work
,
and
discountenance
all
that
oppose
them
,
directly
or
indirectly
that
all
the
World
,
and
especially
the
People
of
this
Common-wealth
,
may
still
see
,
and
acknowledge
your
open
and
resolved
adhering
to
the
Reformed
Christian
Religion
,
and
Interest
of
the
Lord
Jesus
:
and
seeing
all
the
ungodly
(
besides
misguided
distempered
Christians
)
are
ever
discouragers
of
them
,
God
having
sent
them
on
a
Work
so
unpleasing
to
flesh
and
blood
,
you
will
the
more
sedulously
encourage
them
,
as
nursing
Fathers
of
the
Church
.
Secondly
,
that
you
will
be
pleased
to
this
end
,
to
take
special
care
of
their
competent
maintenance
,
that
we
may
not
have
an
ignorant
Ministry
,
while
they
are
forced
to
be
labouring
for
food
and
raiment
,
while
they
should
be
in
their
studies
,
or
watching
over
their
flocks
;
and
that
through
disability
or
unpreparedness
,
they
disgrace
not
the
work
of
Christ
,
nor
make
it
and
their
office
contemptible
,
thereby
rejoycing
the
enemy
,
and
hindring
the
saving
of
souls
;
specially
seeing
it
is
expected
that
they
credit
their
Doctrine
with
works
of
Charity
:
And
seeing
that
a
dependant
and
beggarly
Ministry
will
lose
so
much
of
their
Authority
with
the
souls
that
most
need
them
,
and
themselves
will
be
laid
open
to
the
sore
temptation
of
Man-pleasing
;
besides
the
probability
of
the
suffering
of
their
children
,
when
they
are
dead
:
And
if
the
Ministers
of
this
Age
be
never
so
resolved
to
continue
their
work
through
all
necessities
,
yet
in
the
next
Age
the
Church
is
like
to
be
destitute
and
desolate
,
because
men
will
set
their
sons
to
other
studies
and
imployments
:
We
therefore
humbly
crave
,
that
this
Honorable
Assembly
will
not
take
down
the
present
Maintenance
by
Tythes
(
though
we
have
●s
much
reason
to
be
sensible
of
those
inconveniences
that
it
is
charged
with
,
as
others
)
or
at
least
,
not
till
they
,
instead
of
it
,
establish
as
sure
,
and
full
,
and
fit
a
Maintenance
.
Thirdly
,
That
you
will
be
pleased
to
take
into
your
compassionate
thoughts
,
both
the
dark
places
in
England
and
Wales
which
want
able
godly
Teachers
;
and
the
state
of
great
Cities
,
and
populous
Towns
,
where
through
the
exceeding
number
of
souls
,
one
Minister
hath
more
work
then
can
possibly
be
done
by
many
:
whereby
while
they
are
confined
to
the
publike
work
alone
,
all
private
Ministerial
Instruction
,
Admonition
,
and
other
oversight
,
must
needs
be
neglected
:
That
therefore
to
such
very
numerous
Congregations
,
you
would
allow
a
maintenance
,
if
not
to
Ministers
proportionable
to
the
number
of
souls
,
and
greatness
of
the
work
;
yet
at
least
more
then
in
smaller
places
:
We
offer
but
the
same
request
to
you
,
in
your
places
,
which
Christ
hath
commanded
us
to
offer
to
God
himself
.
That
where
the
harvest
is
great
,
and
the
Labourers
are
few
,
more
Labourers
may
be
sent
into
the
harvest
.
Fourthly
,
That
you
will
be
pleased
to
continue
your
care
of
the
Universities
,
and
Schools
of
Learning
,
and
tenderly
preserve
their
maintenance
and
necessary
priviledges
,
that
there
may
be
a
meet
supply
of
Labourers
for
the
continuation
of
the
Gospel
,
and
the
glory
of
England
to
our
Posterity
.
Fifthly
,
And
because
our
sad
divisions
in
matter
of
Religion
,
especially
about
Church-Government
,
have
been
such
a
hinderance
to
the
propagation
of
the
Gospel
,
that
you
will
be
pleased
speedily
to
imploy
your
utmost
wisdom
and
power
for
the
healing
of
them
:
And
to
that
end
would
call
together
some
of
the
most
godly
,
prudent
,
peaceable
Divines
of
each
party
,
that
differs
in
points
of
Church-Government
,
and
lay
upon
them
your
Commands
and
Adjuration
,
that
they
cease
not
amicable
consulting
and
seeking
God
,
till
they
have
found
out
a
meet
way
for
accommodation
and
unity
,
and
acquainted
you
therewith
:
And
if
through
Gods
heavy
displeasure
against
us
,
he
shall
suffer
the
spirit
of
division
and
prejudice
so
far
to
prevail
,
as
to
frustrate
their
consultations
(
the
contrary
whereto
we
should
strongly
hope
)
that
you
would
be
pleased
to
advise
with
those
Divines
that
are
most
judicious
and
peaceable
,
and
least
addicted
to
parties
;
and
thereupon
to
recommend
at
least
to
the
people
,
so
much
of
Church-Order
and
Government
,
as
you
finde
to
be
clearly
required
by
Jesus
Christ
,
and
vouchsafe
it
your
publique
Countenance
and
Encouragement
,
though
you
scruple
an
enforcement
.
These
things
we
humbly
and
earnestly
request
of
this
Honorable
Assembly
,
in
the
behalf
of
Jesus
Christ
(
to
whom
we
doubt
not
but
you
are
daily
Petitioners
)
and
of
this
Commonwealth
,
and
the
souls
of
men
:
beseeching
you
to
let
the
interest
of
the
Gospel
have
the
most
speedy
and
resolute
dispatch
in
your
consultations
,
and
at
least
to
equal
it
with
our
most
necessary
defence
,
whereby
you
will
the
more
engage
Christ
to
defend
both
you
and
us
,
whom
you
have
so
often
found
to
be
the
surest
defence
:
So
shall
you
be
called
The
Repairers
of
our
Breaches
;
And
shall
oblige
us
to
pray
,
&c.
[
Subscribed
by
above
Six
thousand
.
]
COl
:
Iohn
Bridges
,
and
Mr.
Thomas
Foly
being
called
in
to
the
House
,
Master
Speaker
told
them
,
the
House
had
read
and
considered
the
Petition
brought
up
out
of
the
County
of
Worcester
,
and
the
House
had
commanded
him
to
give
them
thanks
on
the
behalf
of
those
of
the
County
of
Worcester
that
sent
it
,
for
their
good
affections
expressed
therein
:
And
accordingly
he
did
give
them
the
thanks
of
the
House
,
and
that
they
would
take
their
Petition
into
serious
consideration
in
due
time
.
FINIS
.