To the Kings most Excellent Maiestie.

The humble Petition of the Ministers of the Church of England, desiring Reformation, of certain Ceremonies and abuses of the Church.

MOst Gracious and dread Sovereigne, seeing
it hath pleased the divine Majesty, to the
great comfort of all good Christians, to
advance your Highnesse, according to your
just title, to the peaceable government of
this Church and Commonwealth of England:
wee the Ministers of the Gospell in
this Land, neither as factious men, affecting a popular Paritie

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the State Ecclesiasticall: but as the faithfull servants of Christ,
and loyall subjects to your Majestie, desiring and longing for the
redresse of divers abuses of the Church, could do no lesse, in our obedience
to God, service to your Majesty, love to his Church, then acquaint
your Princely Majesty with our particular griefs. For as
your Princely pen writeth, The King as a good Physician,
must first know what peccant humours his patient naturally
is most subject unto; before hee can begin his cure:
And although divers of us that sue for Reformation, have formerly
in respect of the times subscribed to the book, some upon
Protestation, some upon exposition given them, some with condition,
rather then the Church should have beene deprived of their
labour and Ministery: yet now we, to the number of more then a
Thousand, of your Maiesties Subiects and Ministers, all groaning
as under a common burden of humane Rites and Ceremonies,
do with one joynt consent humble our selves at your Majesties
feet, to be eased and relieved in this behalf. Our humble suit
then unto your Maiesty is, that these offences following, some may
be removed, some amended, some qualified.

1 In the Church Service.

That the Crosse in Baptisme, Interrogatories ministred to Infants,
Confirmation as superfluous, may be taken away. Baptisme
not to be ministred by Women, and so explanted. The Cap and
Surplice not urged. That examination may goe before the Communion.
That it be ministred with a Sermon. That divers terms
of Priests, and Absolution, and some other used, with the Ring
in Marriage, and other such like in the book, may be corrected.
The long-somnesse of service abridged. Church-songs and Musick
moderated to better edification. That the Lords day be not
prophaned. The rest upon Holydayes not so strictly urged. That
there may be an uniformity of doctrine prescribed. No Popish opinion
to be any more taught or defended. No Ministers charged
to teach their people to bow at the Name of Jesus. That the Canonicall
Sciptures onely be read in the Church.

2 Concerning Church Ministers.

That none hereafter be admitted into the Ministery, but able
and sufficient men, and those, to preach diligently; and especially
upon the Lords day. That such as be already entred and cannot
preach, may either be removed, and some charitable course taken
with them for their reliefe: or else to be forced, according to the
value of their livings, to maintain Preachers. That Non-residency
be not permitted. That King Edwards Statute for the
lawfulnesse of Ministers marriage be revived. That Ministers
be not urged to subscribe, but, according to the Law, to the Articles
of Religion, and the Kings Supremacy onely.

3 For Churchlivings and maintenance.

That Bishops leave their Commendams: some holding
Prebends, some Parsonages, some Vicarages with their Bishopricks.
That double-beneficed men be not suffered to hold, some
two, some three Benefices with Cure, and some two, three, or foure
dignities besides. That Impropriations annexed to Bishopricks
and Colleges, be demised only to the Preachers Incumbents, for
the old Rent. That the Impropriations of Laymens fee, may be
charged with a sixt or seventh part of the worth, to the mayntenance
of the preaching Minister.

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4 For Church Discipline.

That the Discipline, and Excommunication may be administred
according to Christs own institution. Or at the least, that
enormities may be redressed. As namely, That Excommunication
come not forth under the name of lay persons, Chancellours, Officials;
&c. That men be not excommunicated for trifles and
twelve peny matters. That none be excommunicated without consent
of his Pastor. That the Officers be not suffered to extort unreasonable
fees. That none having jurisdiction or Register places,
put out the same to farm. That divers Popish Canons, as for restraint
of marriage at certain timesbe reversed. That the long-somnesse
of suits in Ecclesiasticall courts, which hang sometime
two, three, foure, five, six or seven years may be restrained. That
the Oath ex Officio, whereby men are forced to accuse themselves
be more sparingly used. That licenses for mariage without Banes
asked, be more cautiously granted.
These with such other Abuses yet remayning and practised in
the Church of England, we are able to shew, not to be agreeable
to the Scriptures, if it shall please your Highnesse further to heare
us, or more at large by writing to be enformed, or by conference
among the learned to be resolved. And yet we doubt not, but
that without any farther processe, your Majesty of whose Christian
judgement we have received so good a tast already is able of
your selfe to judge of the equity of this cause, God wee trust hath
appointed your Highnesse our Physician, to heale these diseases.
And we say with Mordecay to Hester, who knoweth, whether
you are come to the Kingdome for such a time? Thus
your Majesty shall do that, which we are perswaded, shall be acceptable
to God, honorable to your Majestie in all succeeding ages,
profitable to his Church which shall be thereby encreased, comfortable
to your Ministers, which shall be no more suspended, silenced,
disgraced, imprisoned for mens traditions: and prejudiciall to
none, but to those that seeke their own quiet, credit, and profit in
the World. Thus with all dutifull submission, referring our selves
to your Majesties pleasure, for your gracious answer, as God shall
direct you, we most humbly recommend your Highnesse to the divine
Majesty; whom we beseech for Christ his sake to dispose your
royall heart to doe herein, what shall be to his glory, the good of his
Church, and your endlesse comfort.

Your Majesties most humble Subjects.

The Ministers of the Gospell, that desire not a disorderly
Innovation, but a due and godly Reformation.