THat forasmuch as the original ground of our many yeers burthensome Warres and Miseries hath been from the Incroachments and Innovations which have been frequently made, and inforced upon the people, at the pleasures of some men ruling meerly according to their will, and power: And forasmuch as those many Victories, mercifully vouchsafed by Almighty God, in approbation of his Cause, have not been obtained at a lowe and easie rate, but as through a Sea of blood, and all kind of miseries, whereof we have had a large proportion, thereby rendring the Cause more precious to our thoughts: And whereas amongst the rest of the grievances of this Common-wealth, The unlawful, Antichristian, unsupportable oppression of Tithes, and forced Maintenance is not the least, by which our Consciences are insnared, our Estates destroyed, our persons imprisoned daily, for that which hath no foundation nor warrant from Christ, or his Apostles, throughout the whole word of the Gospel.

We are therefore imboldned in conscience towards God, and You, to present these our just desires for the welfare and preservation of this Common-wealth, which will be established by righteousness, And therein implore your serious endevours, that this unjust oppression of Tithes and forced Main­tenance may be abolished, as a testimony of your resolutions, to instate this Common-wealth in all their just Rights and Liberties, and in so doing, you will engage the hearts of all the honest and god­ly people of this Nation, who have been bowed down under this Oppression; And all being disen­gaged, from corrupt and self Interests, will chearfully adventure their lives and Estates for Your preservations and the Nations Peace, being the just end of our Warres, the proper and long hoped for fruits of righteousness, bringing glory to God, in discharge of your trust to him, and to this wearied Common-wealth, in loosing the bonds of wickedness, and setting us free from Antichristian Tyranny.

And your Petitioners shall, &c.