THE Humble Remonstrance of the APPRENTICES Of the City of LONDON.  
To the Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR Court of Aldermen, and COMMON council of the same CITY, &c.  
As also to the whole kingdom.  
London printed 1647.   

The humble Remonstrance of the Apprentices of the City of LONDON.  
To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, and Common council of the same City, &c.  
Right Honourable;  
AS formerly in matters of greater importance, so now in those of lesser moment; we cannot but publish to this City and kingdom the Candidness of our intentions, and how far we are resolved, whereby we may continue a right understanding of all our actions, and preserve peace and amity. 'Tis not long since( upon good grounds, and happily out of a more pious end then may or is conceived) that we were emboldened in the presentment of a Petition unto the Honourable Houses of Parliament, fo● the re-establishment or institution of some certain and seasonable times for our recreation( those times which were formerly authorised) being duly and justly d●●●●●ulled; or not at all regarded: Insomuch that we were deprived of all privileges and liberty whatsoever, enjoyed in former ages by our predecessors. The Honourable Houses( who have indeed studied public peace, more then private safety) having as we conceive a greater in-sight into our demands, and the grounds thereof, then possibly every capacity can apprehended; they were pleased to take our Petition into consideration: and upon several addresses by us unto their Honours, much importuning them, and urging the lawfulness and concernment of our requests, fetched from an enforced disrespect and neglect of the Sabbath; and other dayes appointed for Gods public service( whereby God is greatly d●●●onoured, and our Religion scandalised) they were pleased to expedite an Ordinance some ways satisfactory to our demands and desires. Yet being not so complete as was expected, nor so firm in the authorizing an observance of the day, as was conceived might be; and fearing small fruits and effects thereof, whereby many inconveniences, and great distractions might have arose: We were again emboldened earnestly to press the Honourable Houses of Parliament for an enlargement, and addition unto their former Ordinance: and withall( willing to evidence to the world the sense we have and sorrow for the extravagant and evil courses of too too many in this City and Kingdom; and of their evil inclinations and untoward dispositions) to give limits and bounds to their own affections, and to prescrib Laws to their wills: whereupon, some conditional clauses( were then presented unto the honourable houses) for the more strict enjoining a general observance and regard of such dayes by cessation of our weekly labours and shop-shutting, &c. whereby, wee conceive no one man might be more endamnified or prejudiced then another, whereas had there been only the first Ordinance in force, many great dissensions and disturbances would have unavoidably arose: All which are now prevented, by a second and more ample Order and our desires( which we hope hath given distaste to none) fully satisfied.  
Now for further satisfaction unto this Honourable City of the grounds and reasons of this our accomplished design, as also for the obtaining your approbation, giving assurance of our good behaviours and civill carriage on such times we are bold to offer unto your and the kingdoms public view, and perusal these ensuing lines, from whence you may clearly gather, that it was something more then our desire of liberty, that moved us to become suitors to you in this matter.  
And first; It cannot be unknown to you how intractable Youth generally have been and are in their ways; also what absurdities and foul enormities are daily committed by them of the inferior sort; and how greatly they trespass and transgress in their great neglect of those solemn duties of the Sabbath: to the great scandal of this City, and bad examples to adjacent Countries.  
And secondly, how even those of the best temper, and most pious education,( through the frequent seducements of the unbrideled) are too too often withdrawn from their usual employments and Masters service, both at unfit opportunities and unseasonable houres, to their Masters great detriment, and oftentimes to their own undoing.  
And thirdly, how this City is enforced to daily duties and pocturnall watches, for the preservation of your peace, too too often violated and broken through the ex●●avagancy and riot of divers young men and Apprentices,( amongst others) who are enforced to steal time, when employed about their Masters affairs, for the supplying of their ordinary pleasures and refreshment, and oftentimes necessitated, to use as it were,( upon several occasions) the night as the day; to the great disquiet of this City, and their own distemper and ruin. All which, with many other inconveniences which daily arise, wee cannot but impute to the hard usage and slavish bondage, born and endured by many Apprentices and Servants in this City and kingdom: whereas, wee are confident( and rest assured, experience will evidence it as a truth) that such dayes being observed( for which GOD willing wee are resolved) and enjoyed by us in such manner as is provided; that then the Government of this City will be much bettered; and so consequently the whole kingdom better ordered and regulated. And now that none be left enraged against us or remain disasted, pardon us if wee are bold to make a little digression.  
And 1. Many there are that much wonder wee should become such earnest suitors for a little Recreation, or as some please to style it, a Play-day. We answer, 'tis no wonder why they wonder; we know there is a great difference wrought both in the affections and inclinations, betwixt Master and Servant, through a more ripe maturity of years which the one hath attained unto. Which oftentimes makes the Master to condemn his Servant for seeking after such and such things, which happily were more sought after by himself in his younger yeares and time of minority.  
But 2. 'tis more wondered at by some, why wee should prevail with the Honourable houses of Parliament, for setting apart a day for recreation, when as we enjoy liberty at our Masters pleasure, and whatsoever is requisite from them. To answer which, 'tis ture, many enjoy great liberty, and 'tis not questionable but most could procure some leave for a little absence upon occasion: but then wee know that all Masters are not alike reasonable, but rather dumb to such rhetoric, and so some are mewed and penned up, and early and late at their labours, whilst othersome enjoy pleasure and great liberty. And further, here would arise a greater inconvenience then hath yet appeared, should our Masters at their best times not deny us this liberty; for oftentimes i● may so fall out,( if not in all trades, yet in most) that through our absence our Masters may be greatly prejudiced, ●●d lose more in one hour, then our three dayes diligence can countervayle. And moreover in most Trades, many men will have a great advantage over others, as having attendance in thier shops whilst happily the other have none, and so great variance and difference may happen and arise betwixt Master and Se●vant, and often betwixt neighbours. Whereas now all will be alike attended and guarded for receipt of custom, nor one man can be more prejudiced or hindered then another, there being certain provisoes in the Ordinance to this effect; as if extraordinary occasion require &c. And now we hope you are fully satisfied as well of what it was that moved us hereunto, as in what manner we shall employ ourselves on such allowed dayes. You ●●●not b●● know in what manner wee proposed unto the Honourable houses of Parliament, as well for a tie upon ourselves, as a strict observance of the day, on which( GOD willing) wee are resolved: withall, assuring you we abhor and detest the least thought of any licentiousness or kind of excess; declaring, that whatever act shall be committed by any Apprentice or servant, to the disturbance of the Peace or disquiet of the City; that none shall appear more willing or ready, in the aiding such persons to examination and so to deserved punishment, then ourselves. And we desire no favour towards such as shall be found any ways herein tardy or culpable. We could not but satisfy you ●●●●in, and with all desire you to take notice 〈◇〉 T●●●day being the 13th of July is our first Monthly-day, which( GOD willing we are resolved to observe) and whatsoever mischief shall grow or arise, from any opposition intended by you, or any, we by this our admonition and notice given, shall hold ourselves not guilty, but blameless.  Voluptas non nocens, necessaria. 
FINIS