uncurtailed. Although the fact of the presentation of this petition has
been well known, it has not been accurately described by any of our
historians, none of them appearing to have seen more than incorrect and
imperfect epitomes of it.[220]

"TO THE KING OUR SOVEREIGN LORD

"In most humble wise show unto your Highness and your most prudent wisdom
your faithful, loving, and most obedient servants the Commons in this your
present parliament assembled; that of late, as well through new fantastical
and erroneous opinions grown by occasion of frantic seditious books
compiled, imprinted, published, and made in the English tongue, contrary
and against the very true Catholic and Christian faith; as also by the
extreme and uncharitable behaviour and dealing of divers ordinaries, their
commissaries and sumners, which have heretofore had, and yet have the
examination in and upon the said errours and heretical opinions; much
discord, variance, and debate hath risen, and more and more daily is like
to increase and ensue amongst the universal sort of your said subjects, as
well spiritual as temporal, each against the other--in most uncharitable
manner, to the great inquietation, vexation, and breach of your peace
within this your most Catholic Realm:

"The special particular griefs whereof, which most principally concern your
Commons and lay subjects, and which are, as they undoubtedly suppose, the
very chief fountains, occasions, and causes that daily breedeth and
nourisheth the said seditious factions, deadly hatred, and most
uncharitable part taking, of either part of said subjects spiritual and
temporal against the other, followingly do ensue.--

"I. First the prelates and spiritual ordinaries of this your most excellent
Realm of England, and the clergy of the same, have in their convocations
heretofore made or caused to be made, and also daily do make many and
divers fashions of laws, constitutions, and ordinances; without your
knowledge or most Royal assent, and without the assent and consent of any
of your lay subjects; unto the which laws your said lay subjects have not
only heretofore been and daily be constrained to obey, in their bodies,
goods, and possessions; but have also been compelled to incur daily into
the censures of the same, and been continually put to importable charges
and expenses, against all equity, right, and good conscience. And yet your
said humble subjects ne their predecessors could ever be privy to