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.
To proceed with what zeale you began, or what you began can come to little end.
To expedite worke with what speede you safely may, else ignorant people will feare they shall have no end at all.
Hee that is great in Counsell, and Wonderfull in Working, guide and helpe you in All things, that doing All things in Him, by Him, and for Him, you may doe All things like Him.
So be it.