THE

HUMBLE PETITION AND REPRESENTATION 3

Of Several Churches of God in London, commonly (though falsly) called ANABAPTISTS. Which was presented on Monday the second of April, to the Supream Authority of the Nation, the Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT. Together with the Answer and Approbation of the Parliament thereunto.

LONDON:

Printed for Francis Tyton and John Playford, and are to be sold at their shops in Fleet-Street, and in the Inner Temple. 1649.

To the Right Honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament;

The humble Petition and Representation of several churches of God in LONDON, commonly, though falsely, called Anabaptists.

That when we considered the late unnatural wars, and the heavy pressures, grievous calamities, spoils, and outrages that followed thereupon, our hearts were exceeding sad. Yet

when we beheld the raging of those waves in a good measure calmed, we were something cheered in the hopeful expectation of a safe harbour for this nation, having nigh suffered shipwreck by more than seven years' distress.

But with great grief we acknowledge our fears have of late been renewed, by reason of those many obstructions which have interrupted the settlement of the liberty and freedom of this distressed commonwealth; which when we seriously mind, considering also that a printed paper, entitled, The Second Part of England's New Chains discovered, was publicly read in the time and place of solemn public meeting on the 25th March last, to the intent those then present might subscribe it; and well weighing how, through the injustice of historians, or the headiness of some unruly men formerly in Germany, called anabaptists, our righteous profession heretofore hath been and now may be made odious, as if it were the fountain and source of all disobedience, presumption, self-will, contempt of rulers, dignities, and civil government whatsoever; and fearing if we should be silent, such surmises might justly beget jealousies of us and our peaceable meetings, both in the thoughts of this Honourable House, and many others: we thought ourselves bound in duty to God, to this Honourable House, the Commonwealth, and the truth (which is dearer to us than our lives), humbly to remonstrate;

That we neither had nor have heart, nor hand, in the framing, contriving, abetting, or promoting of the said paper, which, though read in several of our public meetings, we do solemnly profess it was without our consent or approbation, being there openly opposed by us.

That our meetings are not at all to intermeddle with the ordering or altering civil government (which we humbly and submissively leave to the supreme power), but solely for the

advancement of the gospel. It being our grief that our meetings should be perverted to any sinister ends, or earthly respects whatsoever, whereby the spiritual seed of the word should be stifled or hindered, which precious time we earnestly desire, with much seriousness and solemnity, might be improved to the worship of our God.

That it hath been, and ever shall be, our endeavour, in our several stations and callings, to advance what may tend to the nation's good wherein we live, no way complying with the disturbers thereof; that so we may approve ourselves a people never to be justly adjudged heady, high-minded, or despisers of them that are in authority; but as much as in us lies, such as desire to live peaceably and quietly under magistrates, and with all men.

That we do thankfully take notice of that good hand of God, in affording to us the mercy of living peaceably and quietly without molestation, in the profession of godliness and honesty, under your authority and jurisdiction, hoping, and earnestly praying, that God will be pleased to repair the breaches of this wasted nation, and cause it, through you, as instruments, more to flourish than in former days.

We beseech you that what you have found in your hearts to express before all the world for the settling of the Commonwealth, the relieving of the oppressed, removing all the grievances of the people, and providing for the languishing condition of the poor of this nation, that you would do it speedily, with all your might, that thereby all interests might receive just satisfaction; the want whereof will certainly occasion matter of sadness to yourselves and hazard to the nation.

That you would effectually provide for the making and due execution of sufficient laws against whoredoms, drunkenness, cheating, and all such like abominations

(of civil cognizance) in whomsoever: for which things' sake this land mourns, and the wrath of God is provoked against it; by doing whereof, you will answer the proper end of magistracy, in being a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well.

And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.

Die Luna, 2nd April, 1649.

The House being informed that divers petitioners were at the door, they were ordered to be called in; and being come to the bar, Mr. Kiffin presented a petition, speaking to this effect:-Mr. Speaker, we have not troubled this honourable house with any petition, nor had done it now, had not we been necessitated thereunto by a late paper called "England's second Chains," brought to our congregations, and publicly read in some of our public meetings, without our consent or approbation, being there openly opposed by us; and we could do no less, in conscience of our duty to God and you, than to disown and disavow it.

The petition being received, which was entitled thus: The humble petition and representation of several churches of God, in London, commonly, though falsely, called Anabaptists; the petitioners withdrew, and the petition was read.

The petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker returned them this answer:

The House doth take notice of the good affection to the parliament and public, you have expressed both in this petition and other ways; that they have received satisfaction thereby, concerning your disclaiming of that pamphlet, which gave such just offence to the parliament, and also concerning your disposition to live peaceably, and in submission to the civil magistracy; your expressions whereof they account very

Christian and seasonable; that for yourselves and other Christians walking answerable to such professions as in this petition you make, they do assure you of liberty and protection, so far as God shall enable them, in all things consistent with godliness, honesty, and civil peace; and the House doth give you leave to print your petition.

HEN. SCOBEL,

Cler. Parliament.