TO THE Right Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. The humble Petition of thousands of the well affected Inhabitants of the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof, with the Borough of Southwark, and places adjacent, in behalf of themselves and other well-affected persons in the Kingdom of ENGLAND.  
Shows,  
THAT Your Petitioners having of long time been silent observers of the malicious progress of the Oppressors of this Commonwealth, increasing exceedingly both in numbers and strength from mean and low beginnings (being then too much contemned) and withal observing to what an height of villainy and impiety they are grown through their dissembled pretences and Protestations of mainetaining the true reformed Protestant Religion, the Liberty of the Subject and privileges of Parliament: In the mean time, without any touch of conscience, and in defiance of God, raising an Army of Papists, Outlaws, and Traitors, being all incited and provoked to the robbing, burning, murdering and destroying of the Religious, honest, and well meaning people; And that not by a foreign enemy, but (to the astonishment of all good men) by him whom the people of this Nation have highly honoured as their King, and used with abundance of love and indulgence, whereof he hath made no better use than to bring them to slavery or destruction, as thousands of our dear Brethren have found by most woeful experience: To effect which (open and professed violence being not sufficient) the Irish Rebels are invited, and a most hellish plot contrived, and countenanced by the Kings own Hand, and the Great Seal. Which (had it taken effect (as blessed be God it did not) it had made one of the most woeful bleeding spectacles that ever the world beheld, sufficient to witness unto all men, that the Authors and approvers thereof have sold themselves to work all manner of wickedness; which yet is made more evident by a late, most unjust, and scandalous Proclamation, therein defaming, and (as much as in them lay) dissolving the Parliament, against the fundamental constitution of the Kingdom, and an express Act made this very Parliament, putting all wise and considerate men out of doubt, that there remaineth no more hope of reducing such wolvish dispositions by persuasions and right reason (which have been too long applied in vain,) but by powerful force and constraint.  
Having also observed (with greatest thankfulness,) the manifold endeavours of this Honourable House, for suppressing these Outlaws and Traitors, being aided and assisted therein with Men and Monies from all parts of the Kingdom, amounting to a great and numerous Army, and many resolved parties in divers Counties, and yet all of them not sufficient to dissolve their Forces, or not so suddenly as the necessities of the people do require, thousands of them being liable to misery through decay of Trade, and ready to perish as much through poverty and want of necessaries, as through violence. And notwithstanding the confidence reposed in the faithfulness and courage of his Excellency our Noble General, and in the undaunted spirits of those under his Command, that have voluntarily devoted their lives and estates to the service of the Commonwealth: yet considering the doubtful hazards of war, the miserable consequences of prolonging thereof; the perilous relying of this so populous a Kingdom upon one Army, the manifold miseries and distresses of our Prethrens in Ireland, and multitudes of our Brethren in most parts of this Kingdom, and the inevitable ruin which is even ready to seize upon us all, if not very speedily prevented; The cowardice wherewith we shall be branded to all posterity, if (when so many of our Brethren are hazarding their lives, and the rest of the Kingdom would do the like by our example) we should prefer our present case and sloth before the purchase of a sound and lasting peace, and the quiet enjoyment of that Religion, and those Liberties that God hath endowed us withal: We are pierced at our hearts, and our spirits even burn within us, that we can no longer remain silent, but are constrained to address ourselves in our usual and lawful way, and to become most earnest and humble suitors to this most High and Honourable House, that as in your Wisdoms, you have thought meet by divers and sundry Orders to invite all well-affected men in all parts, to appear and lay out themselves for restraint of the common enemies, so you would be pleased to make use of some more powerful means (then as yet hath been applied) to raise the whole people both in the City of London and all other parts of the Kingdom. And for the more speedy effecting thereof.  
That you would be pleased to ordain a Committee of such worthy members of this Honourable House as are here expressed, who we hope will be entreated to undertake the Service: Notwithstanding the many great employments of this house, viz. My Lord Major, Mr. Morley, Mr. Blackston, Mr. Bainton, Mr. Asharst, Mr. Strode, Mr. Bond, Mr. Gourdon Mr. Marten Mr. Hoile, Mr. Rigbie, Sir Henry Heyman, and Sir William Masham. And to give them full and ample Commission, that they, or any seven of them may have power to list and dispose as many of the Petitioners as are willing, and all others of like affection to the Cause in a warlike manner, into Companies and Regiments; to appoint a Commander in chief, and all other Commanders and Officers to receive contributions and subscriptions for Money, Ammunition, Arms, Horses, and any other necessary Provision for strength and maintenance of an Army: And to compel all sorts of men that shall by them be thought fit, (though unwilling) to contribute moneys, Horses, Arms and other necessaries as shall to them seem just and reasonable: And to engage the public Faith for satisfaction of whatsoever they shall receive for the public service. To call unto them for their assistance, and to make Sub-Committees of such persons as themselves shall approve of, and to put in execution whatsoever shall be necessary for this Service. That so the fullness of their Commission may encourage the whole Nation as one man (according to the true intent of the late Covenant, with all cheerfulness and vigour to join themselves with us for the speedy ending this destructive War. We most earnestly pray you according to that great power wherewith you are solely entrusted by the people, that you will now at length break through all opposition, and making use of a resolved and willing people; preserve both yourselves and them before the season be over, (which passeth swiftly) and it be too late. That as this present age, so the Ages to come may have real cause to bless God for the wisdom, courage, and faithfulness of this great Assembly.  
For whom we shall ever pray, etc.   

This Petitition was presented to the right Honourable the House of Commons, the 20. of July, 1643. and a Committee was then appointed for the speedy advance of this service.  
This is licenced and entered into the Hall Book according to Order: Henry Walley.   

Printed at London for Peter Cole, and John Sweeting, 1643.