460 The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap.I, XingJamesl. " firft recêtved a meffage, and fince by his majefty's fpeech had been v'° " commanded to refrain from debating upon things relating to the chief Record of " points of government; they do hold it their undoubted right to examine dlugs lta- " into thegrievances of the febjeti, and to enquire into their own rights and of meat, sóro. « properties, as well as his ma ' e i v's prerogative ; and they molt humbly " and inftantly befeech his gracious majefty, that without offence to " ° the fame, they may according to the undoubted right and liberty " of parliament, proceed in their intended courfe againft the late new " impofitions. " In another petition they befeech his majefty to put the laws in exe- cution -againft papils; and with regard to the puritans they fay, In favour of " Whereas divers learned and painful paftors that have long travailed in thepuraans. " the work of the miniftry with good fruit and blefling of their labours, " who were ever ready to perform the legal fubfcription appointed by the " 13th of Elizabeth, which only concerneth the profeffion of the true chriffian faith and dottrine of the facraments, yet for not conforming " in fome points of ceremonies, and for refuting the fubfcription directed by the late canons, have been removed from their ecclefraftical livings, being their freehold, and debarred from all means of maintenance, to the great grief of your majefly's fubjects, feeing the whole people that want inftruction lie open to the feducement of popifh and ill affetted perform; we therefore mofe humbly befeeeh your majefly, that fuch deprived and filenced minifters may by licenfe, or permìfon of the " reverend fathers in their feveral diocefes, inftruEl and preach unto " their people in fuch parifhes and places where they may be employed, fo as they apply themfelves in their miniftry to wholefome dottrine and exhortation, and live quietly and peaceably in their callings; and fhail (c not by writing or preaching impugn things eftablifhed by publick au- " thority. They alto pray, that difpenfations for pluralities of benefices " with cure of fouls, may be prohibited ; and that toleration of non- °` refdency may be retrained. And forafmuch as excommunication is exercifed upon an incredible number of the common people, by the " fubordinate officers of the jurifdittion ecclefiaftical, for fmall caufes, by c` the foie information of a bateapparitor, fo that the poor are driven to ex- " ceffive expences for matters of (mall moment, while the rich efcape that " e confine by commutation of penance; they therefore moft humbly pray " for a reformation in the premifes." In another petition they reprefent to his majefty the great grievance of the COMMISSION ECCLESIASTICAL, and in all humility befeech his majefly to ratify the law they had prepared for reducing it within reafon- able and convenient limits ; they fay, " that the flátute I Eliz. cap. I. by " which
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