THE humble PETITION OF THE HARTFORDSHRIE-MEN. BEING About the number of two thousand, already lodged in London; coming to the Parliament House. for a redress of their Grievances: Which they hope they shall be eased of, as well as other parts of the kingdom. coming, With as faithful and loyal hearts to their King and Country, as any Shire of England whatsoever.  
LONDON: Printed for JOHN GREENSMITH. 1641.   

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THE HUMBLE PETITION Of the inhabitants of the County of Hartfordshire.  
HUMBLY SHEWETH,  
THat whereas many other shires to the checking of our obedience, have stepped before us to prostrate themselves and their grievances to your all-seeing considerations: witness the late Petitions we have heard, and since we now are come to Town, have seen, and presented to your view, as those of Buckingham shire, and Essex, &c.  
May ye also be pleased, to except ours, the true and loyal subjects of the King and Country. Wee men of Hartfordshire, what other reasons might have provoked our neighbour brethren to leave their families, habitations, and children: together with their daily labours, and sweat of their brows which they omit, itis known to you all, whose tenants are the like, we may go supperless to bed. The City of London, nay and all Cities with corporations of the kingdom: without this sweat of us, they can no way subsist, and to proceed unto a further, and a deeper reason, that when our six days of commanded labour, are with toil and pains overcome, there is a seventh day commanded by Almighty God: wherein we our man-servants, our maid servants, and strangers that are within our Gates; nay our very beasts must cease from labour: All which we think each of us here have done, and at our first summons to the Church thither, have quietly, and as wee thought religiously relieved ourselves. To serve in one day him, who gave us six days for to serve ourselves.  
Where until now, we thought in many things we had done well, guided by out person, persuaded by our Vicar, or overruled by the Bishop of our Drocesse, either our purses or our consciences suffered shipwreck: and now to give a bolder word, after the great illumination of your Parliament, we may justly and with one mouth pronounce, that we in both have suffered; that is, both in purse and conscience.  
But since already you have taken away the one, which is too much intolerable tyranny of the high Commission, so likewise, you would also be pleased to take away the handmaids of that great courtesan, Leges Civilis quae Civilitatis, Speciem prae se prefert.  
And reduce our ancient and primitive, and most perfect Religion, to bee attended on by neither Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Prebends, or such suckers of the Lords vine and vineyards: unless they will honestly, laying aside treason and ambition, and plainly laying aside all luxury and idleness, truly, plainly, as it behoves them to preach to their miserable and distracted flock, which you see here are forced from their sheepfolds, the plain and real way to heaven and salvation.  
In this joint of our Religion we appear to you, like the great Cathedrall of the City St. Pauls Church, as the first object before wee come at it, knowing well that we must first serve God before we serve ourselves.  
In the next clause, as true lovers of our Country, protesting before hand as a full satisfaction to all Objections, we come not hither invited or incited, onely fearful our slowness might have bread your blame: Or, you would be pleased( 'tis all we ask) nor to attribute more to the men of Essex or Buckinghamshire than to ourselves, who now have and will neglect those fore-named Families Estates, Lives and Fortunes, and hither come to the protection of your great capital; assuring you, although we do appear in coats and cudgels, we have armor, which we will manage with as strong arms and hearts, as the best of your Artillery. One slighter cause remains, which be pleased to peruse, and we have done: the rumour being generally spread amongst us, and verified by good men of our shire, that Sir Thomas Dakers( was unfortunately slain.) Whom by the virtue of his Majesties Writ, we choose Knight of our Shire, was amongst a Popish tumult slain, which drew the minor part of us hither: One indeed well-beloved amongst us, and as we hope, throughout the whole kingdom, whom since we hear alive, God with you all protect, and guard your Honourable Assembly.  
So humbly prayeth The men of Hartfordshire, Your most humble Petitioners.  
FINIS.  
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