The humble PETITION Of the many Peaceable Citizens of London, TO THE RIGHT honourable THE Lord mayor, the Right worshipful the Aldermen and Commons of the CITY of LONDON, IN common-council assembled.  
LONDON, Printed by Richard coats, 1647.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable THE Lord mayor, the Right worshipful the Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common council assembled.  
The humble Petition of many peaceable Citizens of the City of London.  
Sheweth,  
THat our deep sense of the Kingdoms and this Cities near and impending dangers will not suffer us longer to keep silence, but provokes us to renew our humble addresses to you the careful Fathers of this honourable City.  
We hoped that the bitterness of death was past; yet how do we behold again with sadness of heart our miseries afresh returning upon us. We must needs aclowledge the just hand of God in threatening us with new calamities, as for other our iniquities, so in special for our breach of Covenant; That though our God have graciously performed with us in completing our deliverance, yet we have refused to perform with him, whereby to give him just occasion to cause his destroying sword to enter the second time to ●venge the quarrel of his broken Covenant upon our heads.  
In this juncture of time we cannot but declare to all the world, that we would be so far from being the incentives of another War, that we do even abhor the very mention of it: & doubt not but Divine vengeance will certainly find out those that shall be found fomenters of the same, whereby to frustrate the expected hopes of the happy enjoyment of a blessed peace, the desired fruit of all our prayers, with the expense of so much blood and wealth; The dreadful thoughts of the ensuing miseries which must needs befall this kingdom by such a cursed design, doth make our hearts to tremble, though in the goodness of our God we trust, that he will blast it in the root, and bee the Rock of our salvation.  
But lest we should any ways be guilty of our own and this kingdoms ruin through our silence and security in this time of streight and exigency, we have thought fit to make this application through you the Worthy Senators of this famous city to the Parliament of England,( the Ancient refuge of the oppressed in this kingdom) and in all humility do pray;  
That you will please to become suitors to both the honourable Houses in your own and our names, That a solemn day bee speedily appointed to seek Almighty God by humiliation, to turn his fierce wrath away, which threatens to consume this Land; and for his gracions blessing and direction to such a speedy and effectual course for settling of the peace ●●d happiness both of Church and State, as may hopefully put an issue to our present miseries, and remove our fears of future dangers.  
For which end to desire, That his royal Majesty may come to his Parliament in honor and safety, that they may have opportunity to make unto him such addresses as may produce a happy close between him and his Parliaments of both kingdoms,( the likeliest means under God to reconcile our unhappy differences) that once more( to the joy of our hearts) we may see his Majesty established again upon his Throne in peace, to rule in righteousness and truth.  
And further to desire their honors,( for the vindication of this present Parliament, and satisfaction to the Kingdom) that all such as are under age, outlawed persons, and others unduly elected, may, without delay be expelled the honourable House of Commons. And for future right constitution of Parliaments, and preservation of the Liberties and Rights of the people, That it may by a Law bee made felony or treason for any of what quality or degree soever by fraud, force, fear, letters, purchase, promises, or by any other indirect means, contrary to the peoples Liberties to endeavour the election of any Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses to fit in Parliament; or for any sheriff, mayor, or bailiff to retard elections, or to make delatory or undue returns: And that the issuing out of Writs for elections, may be no longer delayed for time to come.  
That all arbitrary Committees throughout the kingdom may speedily be suppressed.  
That the Lands or Moneys bestowed on Members of either Houses of Parliament by gr●tuity or reparations may be restored to the public Treasury, and respited until the public debts of the kingdom, especially those of the soldiery be first satisfied, And that special care may speedily be taken for their indemnity and full discharge of their arrears with all convenient expedition.  
That power be given to the Committees of accounts of the kingdom, not only to audit and inquire into the accounts of Committees, and such as have relation thereunto, and al others as have had to do in the public moneys, but to punish the persons they find faulty in their accounts, either corporally or otherwise, according to the nature and quality of their offences, and that if any in either of the honourable Houses shall be found guilty herein, and to have defrauded the State, or shall refuse to come to their respective accounts, that then they would speedily vindicate their own honor by inflicting upon them suitable condign punishment.  
That there may be a free and interrupted course of justice according to the Law of the Land, and that all business determinable by Law may be thither referred.  
That all persons of what degree or condition soever be left subject to process of Law for recovery of just debts.  
That for the ease and benefit of the Subjects some course may be settled; whereby all actions of an in feriour nature may receive a speedy determination in the respective Counties where the business doth depend: And  
That for the ease and encouragement of Merchants, and benefit of trade, some speedy and effectual way bee thought upon, and put in execution for dispatching and regulating of Maritine affairs.  
Thus having made known the substance of our desires to this honourable Court, where in wee humbly do entreat their mediation to the honourable Houses( in which, if satisfaction shall bee given, we hope it may be a strong engagement upon the Army peaceably to disband) we further earnestly do pray.  
That some effectual provision in your wisedoms be made out of hand for security of this great City against its present threatening and approaching dangers, whether from with in or from without.  
And to desire, that, as the Army will make appear to us and al the world the reality of their affections to the welfare of this populous City, so they would with draw 40. miles distance from the same, thereby to prevent all discontents that may arise from the scarcity or dearness of provision, which may occasion the putting this City into some extraordinary posture for their own defence: Both which will unavoidably follow upon the continuance of their so near approach.  
And that they may be desired further to manifest their resolutions and intentions for the peace and safety of the kingdoms by restoring the Kings Majesties Person, and observing the commands and directions of both the Honourable Houses of Parliament whose mutual honors and preservation in their just and lawful Rights and privileges, we are resolvd though we bee otherwise aspersed) to the utmost of our power, to the hazard of our lives and fortunes, against any force or terror whatsoever by Gods assistance, according to our Covenant to maintain,  
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c.  
FINIS.