PETITIONS FROM THE COUNTY OF NOTTINGHAM. The documents, copies of which I inclose, are written on the blank leaves in a copy of Willett's _Hexapla_, edit. 1611. I should be glad to know if the petitions, of which they are drafts, or rather copies, were presented, and _when_? There is no date to the petitions; but the copy of a letter, on another blank page, which seems to be in the same handwriting (signed "William Middleton"), is dated February 5th, 1658. Any information regarding the parties whose names are appended to the petitions would be acceptable. "To his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, the humble Address and Petition of diuers Justices of the Peace, Gentlemen, Ministers of the Gospell, and others, wel-affected persons, inhabitants in the County of Nottingham. "Upon consideration of the signall and glorious appearances of God on the behalfe of his people and interest, wherein he hath pleased to make great use of your Highness, we account ourselues deeply engaged to acknowledge the wonderfull power, wisdome, and {176} goodness of God, and to ascribe the glory to him alone, yet would we not be found ingratefull to your Highness, as an eminent instrument under God of the peace and liberty we have injoyed, with a continued series of manifold mercies from the Lord, under your Highness' gouernment (notwithstanding all our declensions and unworthynesses), together with the influence it hath had upon the nations abroad to the promoteing of the Protestant interest, we judge it alsoe exceedingly remarkable that the Lord hath so signally blasted the pernicious designes of the common enemy against your Highness' person and gouernment, and against the common interest of the people of God and of these nations, for which we desire unfeignedly to bless the Lord. "These things premised, we humbly pray, "That the Lord would please to stir up the heart and strengthen the hands of your Highness, in carrying on what yet remains for the reforming of these nations (according to the word of God) and the secureing of the interest of godlyness and righteousness for the future, that such as are found in the faith and of holy conversation may live peaceably, and receive encouragement to persevere in that upon which the Lord may delight to doe your Highness and these nations good; in order whereunto we humbly propose these following particulars to your Highness' consideration: "1. First, that a stop may be put to the spreading infection of damnable errors and heresies, by a lively and due suppressing of them according to the mind of the Lord.