TO The honourable Houses of PARLIAMENT. THE humble PETITION OF THE Inhabitants of the cities of London and Westminster, And the Borough of Southwark, in the behalf of themselves, and of Millions in this kingdom distressed in point of Conscience.  
WHereas your Petitioners having formerly contributed, freely and liberally to the King and Parliament in conjunction, do now refuse further to contribute or pay, conceiving them in opposition; as by reason His majesty's person was invaded in battle at Keinton (contrary to the many Declarations of taking up arms for the safety of His majesty's person) so in regard there is no express care of His person and honour in your late Ordinance, for the assessing the Twentieth part in London, nor in your Declaration for levying of money in the counties.  
And whereas this their refusal is merely out of Conscience, according to that information they have Concerning the Divine Constitution of particular Kings in their several kingdoms, and of Subjection to them both Active and Passive, and of the damnableness of Resisting; from  
First, The word of God: Dan. 4. 17. & 25. 32. where thrice in one Chapter it is said, That the kingdoms be Gods, and he gives them to whom he will. 1 Sam. 26. 9 Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless. And the same blessed spirit which calls David the Lord's anointed, Psalm. 89. 20. doth call Cyrus a Heathen Prince the Lord's anointed also. Esa. 45. 1. Rom. 13. Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers, for there is no Power but of God; The Powers that be are ordained of God, whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (yea we acknowledge in our book of Common Prayer, that King CHARLES is God's Minister, and that he hath God's Authority, and so fighting against him, we fight against God himself.  
Secondly, Mr Calvin and other Protestants, their exposition on Rom. 13. and 1 Pet. 2.  
Thirdly, The Harmony of Reformed Churches concerning Magistracy.  
Fourthly, The Doctrine of the Church of England in the books of homilies delivered, concerning civil obedience.  
Fifthly, From the laws of the Land, which declare it to be Treason to levy war against the King in this kingdom, and to encounter in fight, and kill such as are assisting to the King, or come to help him, or to aid in those cases.  
And the Action of the Earl of Essex was adjudged Treason, though he pretended nothing but removing evil Counsellors from the Queen. Now that which is evil in its own nature cannot be the subject of any Command, nor induce any obligation upon any man by any Authority whatsoever. Remonstrance, May 19 And we may not do evil that good may come of it, Rom. 3. 8.  
Sixthly, Also in regard of the late Protestation, relating to the said Doctrines, and to His Majesty respectively, which Protestation, you have bound yourselves to maintain, and all those that do any thing in pursuance of it.  
You would at least be pleased in your present undertakings for Religion, and for the Law of the Land and the Liberty and Property of the Subjects, to proceed in the way of Religion without violence to the Conscience, in a case that concerns no less than Salvation or Damnation (As you profess your tenderness of the Conscience even in matters of Indifferency) And that first your authentical Divines (Dr Burgess, Mr Martial, &c.) may publish something for the resolving of Conscience in this way clearly out of the word of God, and home to the Action at Keinton, taking notice also, That His Majesty took up arms for the maintenance of the laws, concerning the public worship of God, and for the privileges of and freedom of Parliament, notoriously invaded by Brownists and Separatists; and that now He continues them also for the necessary defence of His Person, manifestly in danger since the battle at Keinton. To which (satisfying the Premises) your Petitioners (Far from contemptuousness and obstinacy against the clear word of God and lawful Authority) shall ingenuously condescend; and readily make payment of these several Rates accordingly.  
And pray for &c.  
FINIS.   

LONDON, Printed in the year of our Lord, 1643.