TO THE HONOURABLE city OF LONDON. The Humble Petition of Philip Skippon, Efq  
Showeth.  
THat your Petitioner was a very eminent Instrument in carrying on the Work of Reformation; and that he did promote the Good Cause with the same zeal and endeavours as he did advance himself; whereto he is in gratitude obliged to say, you were (if not more forward) yet equally prompt with your Petitioner.  
But now so it is (may it please your Honours) that he finds all that former affection towards him so cold since his Patron Oliver forsook this light, that he fears you will bring his grey hairs down with sorrow to his grave. He would attribute this change of your favourable and benign Aspect to the various mutations of the Times, but that they look so inauspiciously and dangerously on him, he dares not think on them for his life, although the pleasure and delight of that is already fled with his money beyond Sea, from whence he is alarum'd the Dutch will not part with one stiver since they heard of his disgrace.  
In this straight and exigence he hath betook himself to his Book of Corollaries, the Christian soldiers Exercise, but to very little consolation, for there's not a word of returning his coin again, but a long frivolous Discourse of Patience, which he never intended for himself. And oh that one ray of Comfort more would shine forth from the Bodkins and Thimbles and the bright Plate-candlesticks in Guildhall, how would he improve such an advantage to his external happiness! But alas those Silver days are done, and this iron Age hath overtaken your poor Petitioner.  
Nevertheless, in regard of his Service at Leistithiel, where he alone despaired not of your Cause (for Essex had left him in the lurch, and 'twas his best course to show confidence) be pleased to consider him in this his distress, and befriend him in these following Requests.  
That You would be pleased by interposing Your powerful assistance with the governors of Sutton's Hospital, to get him admitted a pensioner there; or rather that You would please to obtain for him from the Parliament the next vacancy of a poor Knight at Windsor; otherwise your Petitioner, for all General monks detestation of Oaths and Abjuration, will set up for himself a Knight of the Post, that's a Military as well as Civil term, and will serve to compensate his lost Command of Major General.  
And your Petitioner shall pray, &c.   

LONDON: Printed for William Waterson.