THE HUMBLE Acknowledgement, AND PETITION OF DIVERS INHABITANTS, IN, AND ABOUT THE city OF LONDON.  
Presented to the Honourable the COMMONS of ENGLAND IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED the second of June. 1646.  
fireship is added, The ANSWER returned by the said honourable House of COMMONS.  
Published by authority.  
LONDON, Printed by M. S. for Henry Overton, in Popes-head-Alley. 1646.   

The humble Acknowledgement and Petition of divers Inhabitants, in, and about the city of LONDON.  
prophesieth;  
THat the High Court of Parliament, being in this kingdom that fundamental constitution, wherein the supreme power resideth, the safety, the liberty, and proprieties of the People are bound up, and by whom alone( under God) they are able to provide for their welfare, and save themselves from violence and oppression; it hath been in all ages the constant practise, of those who sought their own greatness and the Peoples slavery, to invade that highest Court, endeavouring by open force to bereave them of their power and privileges, and by subtle devices and Hellish designs, to disparaged their proceedings, and withdraw the affections and concurrence of the People from them, which when it hath taken effect, this Nation hath( too late) seen itself made miserable, and brought into bondage by its own folly; And seldom if ever, hath it recovered itis former freedom without extreme trouble, and the expense of much blood and Treasure.  
Of all which this present age can abundantly witness, wherein the eyes of many of us have seen Parliaments, though seldom called, yet suddenly dissolved, shamefully traduced, and many of their worthy Members( in terror to the rest) imprisoned, and termed factious; Arbitrary government, illegal Courts, and oppressive practices advanced, and the Liberties of England languishing, and even at their last period.  
And since the calling of this present Parliament, your Petitioners are deeply sensible of those manifold desperate designs, cunning devices, and wicked practices, contrived and propagated in the dark, and driven on under specious pretences. Those open violences, horrid rebellions, and unnatural warres, stirred up against you by the enemies of our liberties and peace, to divert your Councells, distracted your proceedings, and render you burdensome to the People, or unable to help them.  
From the consideration of all which, your Petitioners do with all humility, and thankfulness, aclowledge the great mercy and goodness of almighty GOD to this kingdom; as in the Convening, so in the preservation of this Honourable Assembly; That your spirits have not fallen, nor your courage fainted; Notwithstanding the policy and power of your enemies, and the greatness of your work. That your unwearied pains, and noble endeavours for the public good, have been sealed and crwoned from Heaven, with blessed success; your Councells prospered, and your Armies made victorious. That the renewed attempts of many to withdraw the affections and influences of this city, and other places from you, have hitherto been defeated. And that the day of our long desired deliverance and peace doth now approach, ready to shine upon us, if the cloud of ingratitude and contempt of our happy deliverers hinder not.  
In all which mercies, as your Petitioners freely aclowledge the good hand of our God, so may we not omit to present that great obligement of duty and thankfulness which lieth upon us, towards this Honourable Assembly, who have been the happy Instruments of so many blessings to us, and whose faithfulness and constancy, in the public Cause( wherewith you are entrusted) will we doubt not, be had in thankful and sacred remembrance in all ages to come, as an excellent pattern for them to walk by in their generations.  
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray, That this Honourably Assembly will be pleased to proceed in the managing and ordering of the affairs of this kingdom, the punishing Delinquents therein, and procuring the peace and safety thereof, according to your own best wisdoms and understandings, the great trust reposed in you, and that worthy manifestation of your true intentions touching the same, made in your last Declaration of the seventeenth of april last,( for which we tender our most humble thanks) That so Justice and Judgement may run down as a stream, & mercy & truth may take place amongst us. And that you would never suffer the free born People of this kingdom to be enslaved, or brought under the power of any, upon what colourable pretence soever; Nor any to share with the High Court of Parliament, or prescribe unto them in the Government or Power of this Nation, whose great Interest it hath ever been, to order their own matters by their own great council, without the confluence of any other. And the blessing of the most high God be upon you, and the hearts, the hands, the lives and estates of your Petitioners, and( wee are very confident) of many thousands more shall still be with you, to stand by you, and support you against whomsoever shall with open force, or secret conspiracies, opprese you therein.  
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. This Petition is subscribed by many thousands.