Be likewise beseeched, not to slight good ministers, whom you were wont to reverence much, they are Gods Embassadours, your Ephods, your Starres, your Horse-men & Chariots, your Watchmen, & under Christ your Salvation, I know no deadlier Symptome of a dying People than to undervalue godly Ministers, whosoever despiseth them shall certainly be despised of God and men at one time or other.
A most humble heel-piece.
to the
Most Honourable Head-piece
the
Parliament of England.
I Might excuse my selfe in Part, with a speech Lycurgus used in the like exigent of State, senectute fio audacior, publica necessitate loquacior, but it much better becomes mee with all lowlinesse and uprightnesse, wherein I have failed to pray pardon on both my knees, which I most humbly and willingly doe; only, before I rise, I crave leave to present this six-fold Petition.
That you would be pleased
To preserve the Sacred reputation of Parliaments, or, wee shall have no Common-wealth.
To uphold the due estimation of good Ministers, else, we shall have no Church.
To heale the sad dislocation of our Head, throughly, perfectly, or, wee shall have no King.
To oppugne the bold violation of divine Truths, else wee shall have no God.