THat as nothing is more acceptable to God then releeving the Oppressed, so nothing is more Constantly practised by wicked men then grinding the Faces of the poore: And that the neglect of Justice, upon such Offenders hath much imboldned them, As to bring many to poverty, so to keepe them in a Famishing condition by withhoulding from them many Stipends and Lega­sies, And keeping them from the due benefit of Free-Schooles, Hospitalies, Almes-Houses and Lands; As also of many Fenns, Chases, Forrests, Heaths, Mountaines, Playnes, Greens, Leezes, Leacons, Woods, Copses, High-wayes, and other Commons, which of right and due belong unto them; As also by Trading with unlawful I Beames, VVeights, and Measures.

The extreamity they are brought unto by such unjust dealings: Together with the want of imploy­ment, engageth your Petitioners (new some obstructions are removed) to make known their desires to this Honourable House.

1. That some punishment may be inflicted upon all those, that know of any kind of benefit belonging to the poore, and shall not forthwith discover the same, to such persons as shall be appointed by this Honourable House.

2. That all that have any monies, goods, or necessaries in their possession, belonging to the poore, may be inforced to perfect their accounts.

3. That the poore may injoy all Monies, Goods, Victuall, Firing, Cloaths, and other necessaries belonging to them.

4. That all Free-Schooles, Hospitalls, Almes-houses and lands, may be put to the uses for which they were given and bequeathed.

5. That all Fenns, Chases, Forrests, Heaths, Mountains, Plaines, Greenes, Leezes, Leacons VVoods Copses, High-wayes, and other Commons, which have been wrongfully enclosed, may forth­with be laid open, and imployed only to the vse of such as do (Indeed) stand in want of the same.

6. That those that have any way wronged the poore, may suffer according to their demerrits.

7. That the weights and measures allowable in this Nation, may be alike in all places of the same: And that no man presume to buy or sell, by any other weight or measure, then what shall be sealed, and agreeable unto the standard of the same; but shall rather alter the price of the comme­dity, then the weight or measure by which it is bought and sold.

8. That some effectuall course may be taken to set the poore on work; that those that are able to work and will not, may neither be suffered to begg, nor recive any benefit belonging to the poore; And that those who are not able to work, or cannot in any wise by their labour maintaine their charge, may be kept from perishing by some more equall way, then the almes of that particular pa­rish wherein they dwell.

And we doubt not but the equity and great necessity of these our just desires, will prevaile with you for a speedy remedy hereof. In so doing, you may with confidence expect a blessing from God, and will also engage the hearts of your Petitioners, and other good men, the more firmly unto you, who in the beholding of Justice,

VVill pray for a blessing upon this honourable House.

It is desired that this Petition be read in the Parish Churches, and that all the subscriptions gathered therunto, be sent to the House of William Wallis a Hosier, at the signe of the Gun at Algate, London, upon, or before the 14. day of March, 1648. (At which place you may have coppies of this Petition)