"We are not undmindfull of, nor would we be unthankfull for, what hath been indeauoured this way by former Parliaments, yet we cannot but sadly resent the many obstructions this work hath hitherto met withall, and how much it hath been retarded, chiefly, we confess, by our own sins, and the sins of these nations, partly through the malice of Satan, the diuisions of brethren, the secret and subtile practices of Romish emissaries, fomenting errors and heresies, and not a little, as we humbly conceive, through the want of church gouernment, settled and established by the ciuil authority, whereby those unto whom the exercise of church power is committed by Christ may be impoured to keep back ignorant and prophane persons from polluting the ordinances of God, as alsoe by reason of some ancient lawes, alledged and urged by diuers as yet in force, injoyning ministers to dispense the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, without affording them (as we conceiue) sufficient power regularly to keep back such as are not duly qualified for the same, by reason whereof ministers are liable to prosecution att law (of which we have had a late instance in this county). "We therefore, your petitioners, in faithfulness to the interest of God and his glory, Christ and his gospell, our own and other men's soules, and from our sincere desires of the aduancement of the kingdome of Christ in these nations, in the promoting whereof the interest and welfare of states and nations is uery much concerned, we neither could nor durst be longer silent, but being persuaded of your willingness to act for Christ, and hopeing that God hath raised you up to carry on the work of reformation already begun amongst us, and to be repairers of our breaches and restorers of pathes to dwel in, we are incouraged humbly to pray, "1. That such ancient lawes as may be yet in force relating to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, so far as they are or may prove burdensome to truly godly and conscientious ministers and people, may be duly regulated. "2. That so far as you in your wisdomes shall think fitt, ordinances of Parliament that have been made after aduice had with the late Assembly of Diuines in order {177} to Church settlement, may be returned upon, and begun reformation carried on. "3. That in regard a thorough settlement of Church affaires may be long under debate, in the mean time some speedy and effectuall course may be taken, where by ignorant and scandalous persons may be kept from the Lord's Supper. "And your petitioners shall ever pray.