To all the Honest, Wise, and Grave-Citizens of London, but more especially to all those that challenge an interest in the Common-Hall.  
GRAVE CITIZENS  
YOU cannot but account it an extraordinary great blessing from God, that a day of Right, or rather of Inheritance (as I may call it to every Citizen) should offer itself unto you, the 24. day of this instant June, for a common-Hall: Time hath now put that into your hands, which Petition upon Petition could not obtain, for such is our miseries, that those which had Power had not Will to grant our Requests, and experience hath not only satisfied me, but (I think) every honest man, that the ground of our neglects or rather denials, are self interests, and private respects, which indeed are and have been, from time to time, the very fludgates to let in our miseries, and the very choke pear to Peace, the blessed ground of all our happiness: for who more averse to any motion or Petition for Peace in this City, than they that are invested in places of power and profit, and what greater unhappiness can befall us then this, that our grand trusties, should as much as in them lies, bring King, kingdom, and city into an everlasting undoing; behold than you gallant and brave Citizens, and know that it is yet in your power (through the mercies of our God) to prevent a final ruin, of this distressed, distracted, dying kingdom; and the better to effect it, let it be your first work on the Hall-day (and be sure to do it the first) remove the causes, and the effects will cease, be not overpowered with policy, nor with enforcement of arguments, nor with the approach of soldiers, and Troopers; the two first may seem to persuade you, the latter may terrify you into an everlasting undoing, but I say first press on to the mark, lest you shut the stable door when the steed is stolen; which is, to point out the Acans that trouble your city, for it is to be feared, except those wicked (I had like to have said accursed) things be removed, this City and kingdom will hardly be established in Peace; Oh! what madness is it for you to nurse such serpents in your bosoms as would (not many months ago) have totally destroyed you? putting their helping hands to introduce a merciless, and blood thirsty army into the bowels of this famous city, such now you have in high places and high Offices, but root them out, and make choice of those that will (all sinister ends set apart) act for the peace and prosperity of this languishing city, and kingdom, you may be hold to do this, for it is your right, granted in your Charter, to locate, or dislocate, place, or displace, any Officer that is in this City; therefore grave Citizens betray not your own immunities, lose not your privileges, stand for truth and peace, and according to your oaths of allegiance, your protestation, your late Covenant, pity the sad condition of your most religious, and gracious King Charles, pressing hard that a petition may be forthwith drawn, for a speedy personal Treaty with his Majesty: the best way in all human apprehension to establish Peace, and prevent those dangers, which seem to approach near unto us. Look, Oh look! with an impartial eye, and yet with the eye of pity (before it be too late) upon the distemper of the whole kingdom, and consider how this city is almost hated of all, beloved of few: What black curses there are against you abroad, what distempers and murmurings within, your daily actions hourly dissever you from the love of strangers, that know you not, and from the love of your neighbours and friends that know you, witness Surrey, Kent, and Essex.  
Besides look towards the North, and you shall see a cloud, so full of darkness moving this way, that it seems to threaten our final ruin; but some may say, we need not fear for we have money, and men, and ammunition enough, and this Fort, and that Tower; but good Citizens be not lulled asleep with careless security, for what can money, and men, and Ammunition do, so long as Acans trouble your city? go on then boldly (in the name of God) to your own work, and in the election of Officers let me give you this caution.  
In no ways to trust any general with full power in this great and populous City, that dares not trust his Wife, Children, Family and Fortunes in it. Trust not your Officers of Excise. Trust not any man that hath place of great profit; as you tender the peculiar welfare of yourselves, your Wives and Children; and as you tender the welfare of this Glorious City, Let none snch bear Office in this Choice: This done, a short time may make you and the kingdom happy in a well grounded Peace:  
Which shall ever be the Prayer of your well-willing Friend and Brother-Citizen A. L. 23. Junii 1648.  
Lastly, let me remember you of a brother Citizen one Mr. Matthew Barker, who was taken out of his house the last week, and imprisoned in several places, without bail or mainprise, not yet any Cause shown. Hodie mihi, cras tibi.