PETITION AGAINST THE SAME,

To his Excellency the Honourable George Clinton captain Generall and Governour in Chief of the province of New York and territories thereon depending in America Vice Admirall of the same and Admirall of the White Squadron of his Majesties Fleet. The humble Petition of Michael Christian Knoll the officiating Minister over and of severall of the Congregation of the protestant Lutheran Church of Beekmans precinct in Dutches County whose names are under written. Sheweth

That your Excellency on a former petition was pleased by advice of his Majesties Councill to Inhibit one Johann Lodwick Hoofgoed from Excercising the office and Duty of a Minister untill he should have made it appear to your Excellency in Councill by proper and Authentick Vouchers that he had been regularly Ordained.

That Notwithstanding the said Hoofgoed had been served with a Copy of your Excellencys said Order of Inliibition yet he hath taken upon himself and still doth Continue to Execute the office of a priest in Orders and is Now at Beekmans precinct in Dutches Coimty where he Continues to preach Baptize and Administer the Sacraments without any warrant or Authority for so Doing -- That his Doctrines which he preaches and Inculcates are founded on principles altogether unorthodox and tending to enthusiasm and Sedition in the Church, part of whose

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members by his influence are akeady Divided and others wavering in the true Received Approved and Lung EstabUshed Articles of faith and must in the End if no stop l^e put to it tend to Divide the Little flock under tlie care and instruction of the said Michael Christian Knoll thek Right and Lawfully Ordained Pastor. May it therefore please your Excellency in youi- tender Consideration for the petitioners strictly to Charge the said Johan Lodwick Hoofgood that he Desist from Excercisiug tlie Office of a Minister till he shall produce to your Excellency proper Credentialls of his being Duly Quahfied and Admitted into that Office by Lawfull Authority and shall obtain Your Exeellencys Lycence for that pui-pose.