The humble PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-council assembled:  
TO THE Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in High Court of PARLIAMENT.  
Whereunto is annexed, TWO PETITIONS; The one Entitled, The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens of the City of London.  
The other Entitled, The humble Petition of divers Youngmen, Citizens, and other Apprentices of this Honourable CITY.  
Printed by Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON, 1647.   


TO THE HONOURABLE THE House of Commons assembled in High Court of Parliament: The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat the Petitioners have by Ordinance of Parliament, dated the 23 present, taken notice of the pleasure of both Houses, for constituting a new Committee for the Militia of the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, and of all other places within the Lines of Communication, and the weekly Bills of Mortality, and for determining of a former Ordinance for the Militia of this City, etc. dated the Fourth day of May last: Which being taken into serious consideration, the Petitioners could not but first call to mind, how fare both Houses of Parliament had formerly honoured the City, when they first established the Committee for the Militia, and since enlarged or altered the same, to take the sense of this Court, before they finally resolved thereupon; Which confidence the Petitioners are not conscious to themselves to have forfeited: And next being sensible, by two Petitions presented to this Court, (the Copies whereof are annexed) the one entitled, The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens of the City of London; and the other entitled, The humble Petition of divers Youngmen, Citizens, and others Apprentices of this City; what a general distemper this sudden change hath already made, and may further raise in the City; besides that hereby the City is for the present put out of all regular posture of defence:  
The Petitioners could not but return unto this Honourable House, and humbly and earnestly pray, That the Militia which was established by Ordinance of the fourth of May last, as aforesaid, and then ordered to continue for one whole Year, may be reestablished; That so the present fears and distempers in the City may be dispersed and appeased; whereunto as the Petitioners humbly conceive this to be the only present safe means, next under the mighty hand of God; so they will not doubt but that the said Militia, as hitherto they have done, will in all things perform their duties according to their Trust.  
And the Petitioners shall pray, etc.   

To the Right Honourable the Lord Major, the Right Worshipful the Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-council Assembled.  
The humble Petition of divers well affected Citizens of the City of London;  
Shows,  
THat whereas we have lifted up our hands to the High God, for the Reformation and defence of Religion, his Majesty's just power and authority, the Liberties of the Subjects, and the Privileges of Parliament; and seriously considering the late transactions to violate all these, and to weaken the zeal and forwardness of this City, and this Honourable Court in the maintenance of the same; by endeavouring to remove the present Militia confirmed by authority of a free Parliament for a year, and made choice of by this Honourable Court: In this strait and exigency we are bold in all humility, yet with all earnestness to pray; that this Honourable Court would sadly weigh the present dangers: and as in former times it hath been your honour to be instrumental for the preservation of this miserable and dying Kingdom, by the interposition of your courage, power, and wisdom in a time of need, so you would not suffer it to be buried in perpetual oblivion and reproach by yielding up that Militia, which by the good providence of God and the authority of a free Parliament, hath been invested in your hands, the only visible means under God we have now left for the security of our Religion, Lives, and Liberties.  
And we shall pray, etc.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE The Lord Major, the Right Worshipful the Aldermen, and the Worshipful the Commons in Common-council assembled.  
The humble Petition of divers Young men, Citizens and others Apprentices of this Honourable City.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat your Petitioners being sadly affected with the distractions of these times (wherein divers discontented Persons (for the advancement of their own Interests) labour to sow new seeds of Division and discord amongst us, whereby Incendiaries are encouraged, the well-affected discountenanced, the privileges of Parliament violated, the public Worship of God slighted, the Liberties and properties of the faithful subjects of this Kingdom, and especially of this City much endangered, and the long desired for end of these troubles (by his Majesty's gracious compliance with, and his safe and Honourable return to his Parliament, which we hoped was almost obtained) now retarded, and for present altogether frustrated) have presented their humble Petition to both Houses of Parliament, a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed, the which they have thought it their duty, likewise to tender unto this Honourable Court; being confident, that as their desires in these their humble Addresses, arise from no other ends whatsoever, but, the glory of God, and the discharge of their consciences, in pursuance of that solemn League and Covenant which lies upon them, To endeavour to their utmost in their places and callings, to use all lawful ways and means, for the conservation and maintenance of the just Rights and Privileges of Parliament (lately so much violated;) The preservation and defence of his Majesty's Royal Person and Authority, together with the true Religion and Liberties of this Kingdom, And for the discovery and bringing to condign punishment all evil Instruments whatsoever, which labour by fomenting groundless fears and jealousies, to divide and make parties amongst the people, thereby to retard the settlement of Church and State; So we doubt not but this Honourable Court (who have been Instrumental to Invite us, 
Declaration to the Kingdom, 12 July 164●.  both by example and persuasion (according to several Ordinances and Declarations of Parliament,) to engage ourselves to the Prosecution of the said ends, 
* An Ordinance for Sr. Tho. Fairfax, 15. july 1644.  wherein you have already done very much to your everlasting praise & commendation) will still with all Reality, constancy and undaunted magnanimity, pursue the same, and likewise encourage all those, that shall according to their duty, labour to promote the same ends: Wherefore we humbly pray,  
That this Honourable Court would be pleased to use their uttermost endeavours, by their addresses to the Parliament, and otherwise, as they in their wisdoms shall think fit, for the furthering of your Petitioners desires, contained in the above mentioned Petition.  
We cannot (likewise) but with all thankfulness take notice of what this Honourable City hath done, for the putting in execution of several Ordinances of 
* Ordinance 27. june 1643. Ordinance 30. Nou. 1643. Ordinance 2 Feb. 1643.  Parliament, That none be put into any place of trust, either in Church or Commonwealth, but such as have taken, and now stand well affected to the Covenant, to which we are confident that you will still adhere.  
And whereas there have been and still are several factious persons, who stile themselves the well-affected of this City (though unworthy of that name) who labour to Traduce the actions thereof, thereby to bring an Odium upon it, & to lay it open to their malice; A fresh Instance whereof, we have in a late Petition presented to the Parliament, pretended to be the Petition of the Young men and Apprentices of this City; As likewise by a Petition pretended to be presented to Sir Thomas Fairfax, the which we are ready to produce, and refer the Consideration of them to this Honourable Court. And further pray,  
That as both the Militia of this City, hath been legally chosen by this Honourable Court, according to Ordinance * of Parliament, and the Common-council legally chosen by the several Wards (according to the ancient Custom of this City,) you would be pleased to retain the same Power both Civil and Military in your own hands. And  
That you would be pleased (for the prevention of the many Imminent dangers, to which this City may be liable by reason of these distractions) to take such effectual and speedy course for the safeguard and defence thereof; that the fear, either of any Mutiny within, or of any unwarrantable Power from abroad, may in some measure be taken away, whereby Trade (the main support of this City) now mightily impaired, may be again revived, and the Franchises and Liberties of this Honourable City (to which we are the Apparent heirs) maintained and defended.  
And as your Petitioners are in duty bound, both by that Relation which they stand in to the Honourable City, as by that solemn engagement whereinto they have entered, so they will be always ready to hazard their lives for the defence thereof, and not suffer themselves directly, or indirectly, by any terror or persuasion to be drawn from their duty herein.   
FINIS.