TO CERTAINE NOBLE AND HONORABLE Persons of the Honorable House of Commons assembled in Parliament.
My hard fortune enforceth me to solicite such friends, & necessitates me thus to seeke unto you, that you would be pleased to take notice that I have suffered about 18 monthes imprisonment, with what impairing of my subsistance, I forbeare.
As for my Condition,
It is such as will soone and certainly destroy me, if divine providence prevent not. But if I be destinate to ruine, I wish I might perish by some other way, rather then you should be accessary.
As for my desires,
My petition relates, and my request (Right worthie) to You, is only that you would present this Postscript-Petition to the House, and but so far to favour it; as you feele your selves in honour & humanitie concerned. And if any man can object, and convince me of disaffection to your generall good and proceedings; or that I have in the least receded from what I beleeve honorable and conducible, that I may suffer for it: If not, that my sufferings may have expiated for my diversitie of Iudgement in case of Conscience.
Thus being reduced to this; either to Rott in a Goale, or thus to importune my libertie; having no other way left me; this necessity (I hope) will iustifie and excuse the course I have now taken.
So being yours both by obligation and purchase, I hope your goodnesse will make me mine owne; and remaine,
To the Honorable, the Commons assembled in Parliament. The Petition of Paul Best, prisoner in the Gate-house in Westminster.
THat your Petitioner hath suffered a long and close imprisonment, the cause being sufficiently kowne to your honours.
Wherefore he makes it his humble suit to this Honorable House: that in consideration of his service, and sufferings you would be pleased to release him, or grant him a speedie hearing as your Honours shall in charitie think fitting.