THAT whereas the Uni­versitie hath bin informed of severall Petitions con­cerning the present Go­vernment of this Church, & maintenance of the Cler­gie, which have of late been exhibited to this [Page 2]Honourable Assembly; Wee could not but think our Selves bound in duty to God, and this whole Nation, in charity to our Selves and Successors, who have and are like to have more then ordinary interest in any re­solution that shall bee taken concerning Church-affaires, in all humility, to desire the continuance of that forme of Government, which is now established here, and hath bin preserved in some of the Easterne and We­sterne Churches, in a continued Succession of Bishops, downe from the very Apostles to this present time; the like whereof cannot be affirmed of any other forme of Govern­ment in any Church. Upon which conside­ration, and such other motives as have beene already represented to this Honourable Par­liament from other Persons & places (with whom We concurre) in behalfe of Episco­pacy, Wee earnestly desire, that you would protect that ancient and Apostolicall Order from ruine or diminution.

And become farther Suiters for the conti­nuance [Page 3]of those pious Foundations of Cathe­drall Churches, with their Lands and Re­venues,

As dedicate to the service and honour of God, soone after the plantation of Christia­nity in the English Nation:

As thought fit and usefull to be preserved for that end, when the Nurseries of supersti­tion were demolished, and so continued in the last and best times since the blessed Re­formation, under King Edw. 6. Q. Elizab. & K. James. Princes renowned through the would for their piety and wisdome:

As approved and confirmed by the Lawes of this Land, ancient and moderne:

As the principall outward motive and encouragement of all Students, especially in Divinity, and the fittest reward of some deep and eminent Schollars:

As producing or nourishing in all Ages many godly and Learned men, who have most strongly asserted the truth of that Reli­gion Wee professe, against the many fierce oppositions of our Adversaries of Rome:

As affording a competent portion in an ingenuous way to many younger Brothers of good Parentage, who devote themselves to the Ministery of the Gospell:

As the onely meanes of subsistence to a multitude of Officers and other Ministers, who with their Families depend upon them and are wholly maintained by them:

As the main Authors or upholders of di­verse Schooles, Hospitalls, high-waies, brid­ges, and other publique and pious works:

As speciall causes of much profit and ad­vantage to those Cities where they are scitu­ate, not only by relieving their poore & kee­ping convenient hospitality, but by occasio­ning a frequent resort of Strangers from o­ther parts, to the great benefit of all Trades­men, and most Inhabitants in those places:

As the goodly Monuments of our Prede­cessors Peity, and present Honour of this Kingdome in the eye of forreigne Nations:

As the chiefe support of many thousand Families of the Laity, who enjoy faire estates [Page 5]from them in a free way:

As yeelding a constant and ample revenue to the Crowne:

And as by which many of the learned Professours in our University are maintained.

The subversion or alienation whereof must (as we conceive) not only be attended with such consequences as will redound to the scandal of many well affected to our Re­ligion, but open the mouthes of our Adver­saries, and of Posterity against us, and is likely in time to draw after it harder conditions upon a considerable part of the Laity, an u­niversall cheapnesse and contempt upon the Clergie, a lamentable drooping and defe­ction of industry and knowledge in the Vni­versities; which is easie to foresee, but wil be hard to remedy.

May it therefore please this Honourable As­sembly, upon these and such other Considerati­ons as your great Wisedomes shall suggest, to [Page 6]take such pious care for the continuance of these Religious Houses, and their Revenews, according to the best intentions of their Foun­ders, as may bee to the most furtherance of Gods glory and service, the Honour of this Church and Nation, the advancement of Re­ligion and Learning, the encouragement of the modest hopes and honest endeavours of many hundred Students in the Universities