TO THE HONOURABLE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ASSEMBLED IN HIGH COURT OF PARLIAMENT: The Humble Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council Assembled.  
May 26/ LONDON, Printed by Richard Goats. 1646.   

TO THE HONOURABLE the HOUSE of COMMONS Assembled in High Court of PARLIAMENT: The humble Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled.  
OUR duty, in the first place, doth lead us to begin all our Addresses, as we most hearty and humbly do these, with all due and humble acknowledgement of the great Labours and endeavours which this Honourable House hath, these many years, employed, in Reformation both of the Church and Commonwealth, and in preservation of both, with the humble tender of our constant devotion to serve the Parliament, according to our Covenant made before Almighty God.  
In the next place, we do most humbly crave pardon, although woe do presume to return again unto this Honourable House, and humbly, yet plainly, lay open the sorrowe●●●d fears of our hearts, even in this season, when as God hath ●●●…sed your Armies with the greatest successes, and that Man might persuade himself that the War is almost at an end.  

Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom, pag. 19  For first, when we remember that this Honourable House hath long since declared it to be fare from their purpose or desire to let lose the golden Reins of Discipline and Government in the Church, or to leave private persons, or particular Congregations, to take up what form of Divine Service they please, when we look upon what both Houses have resolved against Brownism, and Anabaptism, properly so called, when we meditate on our Protestation and Covenant.  

The Parliaments Declaration, upon his Majesty's Declaration after the Battle at Edghill. p. 659.  And lastly, when we peruse the Directory, and other Ordinances for Presbyterial Government, and yet find private and separate Congregations daily erected in divers parts of the City, and elsewhere, and commonly frequented (and Anabaptism, Brownism, and almost all manner of Heresies, Schisms, and Blasphemies, boldly vented, and maintained, by such as, to the point of Church-Government, profess themselves Independent) we cannot but be astonished at the swarms of Sectaries, which discover themselves every where, who, if by their endeavours, they should get into places of Profit and Trust, in Marshal or Civil affairs, it may tend much to the disturbance of the Public Peace both of the Church and Commonwealth. And we cannot but be throughly awakened, when we consider, how the said Sectaries do encourage themselves, by their misconstruction of that expression in the late Declaration concerning tender Consciences, to expect a Toleration (contrary to the Nationall Covenant (as we humbly conceive) which must needs be a very great hindrance to that happy agreement of all the differences in matters of Discipline and Government of the Church, endeavoured by the wisdom of both Houses of Parliament, and which hath been so long prayed, and hoped for by us.  
And in pursuance of that noble Resolution of this Honourable House for the due observation of the Covenant, and their expectation of the conformity of the People of England thereunto, expressed in the late Declaration, we do resolve by the grace of God, not to receive impression of any forced construction thereof, being already fully satisfied in our Consciences from the very Letter of the Covenant, of the true meaning and intention thereof, and in this particular of God's Worship, and the Discipline and Government of the Church, without any further exposition, clearly convinced; That Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, in the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, are sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of God, to endeavour in their several Places and Callings, the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England, and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches, and are to endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity, in Religion, Confession of Faith, Form of Church-Government, Directory for Worship, and Catechising, that we and our posterity after us, may, as Brethren, live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us; and in like manner without respect of persons, to endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godliness, lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues, and that the Lord may be one, and his Name one, in the three Kingdoms; And therefore from the bottom of our hearts, seriously profess before Almighty God, that we do not conceive it in the power of any humane authority to discharge or absolve us from adhering thereunto, and endeavouring in our several Places and Callings to maintain and defend the same.  
We also cannot but call to mind what Vows we have made to God in the same Covenant, as well as our former Protestations, to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliament, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms, and to preserve and defend the King a Majesty's Person and Authority, in the preservation and Defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms, that the world may bear witness with ●our Consciences, of our Loyalty, and that we have not though or intentions, to diminish His Majesty's just power and …nesse, and do humbly rest in the assistances we ha●● … ved in the many former Declamations of both Houses, … ning their intentions towards his Majesty, his Royal Posterity, and the Peace of this Kingdom.  
And further we humbly acknowledge the particular assurance this Honourable House hath again given the whole 〈◊〉, in their late Declaration, to lay hold on the first opportunity of procuring a safe and well grounded Peace in the three Kingdoms, which we doubt not but this Honourable House will pursue with all speedy dispatch of Propositions to His Majesty, now whilst God doth so mercifully and miraculously go along with your Armies in all the parts of the Kingdom.  
We may not in the next place forget our Brethron of S●●●land, how first they were invited to engage with this Kingdom in God's Cause, when yet they were at Peace at home, in what Covenant this Nation is mutually linked with them, at what time, in relation both to the weak condition of our Forces then, and the season of the year, they adven●●●●● upon an Enemy warmly lodged▪ and well 〈◊〉 〈…〉 and; what they have since suff●●ed for 〈…〉 Kingdom, how successefulle 〈…〉 God hath 〈…〉 F●●ces in suppressing the Common 〈…〉 Nature's, and what present hopes we have of a well 〈…〉 continue in this mutual Amity; And then ca●● 〈…〉 the many jealousies which the Enemies of our Peace, 〈◊〉, and good Government, do now ●…lve to beget between both Nations, and tremble at the sad effects thereof, if not … lie prevented by the wisdom of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms.  
We cannot also, but with reverence look upon this Honourable House, as trusted with a great share of the supreme power of this Kingdom, and as it is the representative of the whole Nation, out of which, and by whom, the Members thereof are chosen, do fix our hearts the more upon the same, and do by the mercy of God, so long as this Kingdom doth adhere to our Covenant, promise ourselves now and in all future a●●●, great blessings and assurances from the endeavours and labours of this Honourable House; and in regard of this dignity of Trust, we have and do submit to all Privileges of Parliament; yet because it may now become a Tenure for life, if this privilege should be so made use of by such Members of Parliament as owe great sums of Money, and protect divers under them as Servants, Attendants, Officers, yea, and their Servants, if all these should be exempted from course of Law, how many Citizens of London, and other Subjects of this Kingdom may be undone? We do therefore with all Duty and Thankfulness put this Honourable House in mind, that in a Remonstrance to the Kingdom, 15. December, 1642. we find this expression; viz. That for the matter of Protections, the Parliament is so sensible of it, that therein they intent to give whatsoever ease may stand with Honour and Justice, and are in a way of passing a Bill to give satisfaction concerning the same.  
And now that the Kingdom is almost reduced, by which means the Revenue● of the Kingdom will be unburthened, and the Customs and Excise increase, and the public charge of the Kingdom decrease, now that Delinquents do daily come in and compound, and now that the Enemy hath but few Holds left, we hope that the great and extraordinary Taxes and burdens on this City and their Trade, shall be in the future abated; that the Debts owing to the City and Citizens of London, either by particular Assurances of the Parliament, or upon the public faith of the Kingdom, be taken care for and discharged, as well as those assigned upon the Excise, and may not be diverted from the uses appointed by former Acts and Ordinances.  
And we cannot but with all due acknowledgement remember what this Honourable House hath lately declared concerning the extraordinary ways the Parliament hath been put upon for procuring of Money for their many pressing occasions; and hereupon we presume to present to the consideration of this Honourable House, the Committee at Haberdashers-hall, as being one of the greatest grievance● of this City, and which, so long as it is co … d, doth hinder the concourse of people thereunto, and tendeth much to the destruction of the Trade, and Inhabitants thereof.  
And now also we doubt not but God will give the Parliament some better means and opportunity for the relief of our bleeding Brethren in Ireland, and the suppressing of those horrid Rebels, and reducing of that Kingdom, wherein, besides the public and common interest, we are particularly concerned.  
Lastly, we should have much to say for this City, if we could imagine that its fidelity & constant services and devotion to the Parliament could either be questioned or forgotten, that little we shall express on the part of the City, is, not to repeat how zealous we have been in the cause of God, and this Parliament, how we have spilt our blood, and laid out ourselves and Estates in maintenance thereof; how many public acknowledgements we have by us of the favourable acceptance of them, and promises to leave Testimonies thereof to all future ages; but only to beseech this Honourable House to consider how much our hearts may justly be dejected, now that God hath followed your endeavours, and our prayers, with so many successes, and brought the War to a probable period, as to the sense of Man, that this City should yet in us receive so great a mark of the displeasure of this Honourable House, as that the Letter sent us from the Parliament of Scotland should still be detained, though Petitioned for, as if this Honourable House were doubtful of our fidelity. That although in the last Propositions to his Majesty at Uxbridge, the power of the Militia of this City was fully represented; that it should now be re-assumed and endeavoured to be altered, to the endangering of this City, and the Parts adjacent, as if we now deserved less Trust from this Honourable House, than a twelve Month ago. That some late Petitions of this City presented to this Honourable House, should yet lie unanswered. That Quarterman a notorious Sectary, one whom the City not long since cast out for his misdemeanours, should presume, in the contempt of the privileges and Government thereof, to enter the City, and to make Proclamation with Trumpet, without acquainting the Lord Major therewith; the like of which (to our best knowledge) in no age, when the City was most neglected, was ever so much as attempted.  
And lastly that after the present Lord Major had so faithfully behaved himself in his Office, and with the testimony of the City, so carefully discharged the same, that yet he should be suspected and questioned upon general informations, which (it may well be doubted) might be designed to divide between the Parliament and the City.  
We could add much more of the daily invectives against us from the Pulpit, and other places where the Bowtefew's of these Sectaries are admitted, the scurrilous and seditious Pamphlets daily broached against, and in the City: And the great contempt of, and discouragement unto the Ministers of the Gospel, who adhere to the Presbyterial Government: But we shall conclude with this brief and humble representation of our Petitions and desires to this Honourable House in the name of the whole City.  

I. That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregations.  
II. That all Anabaptists, Brownists, Heretics, Schismatics, Blasphemers, and all such Sectaries as conform not to the public Discipline established, or to be established by Parliament, may be fully declared against, and some effectual course settled for proceeding against such persons.  
III. That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdom, so all may be equally required to yield obedience unto the Government se● forth, or to be set forth by the Parliament.  
iv That no person disaffected to the Presbyterial Government set forth, or to be set forth by the Parliament, may be employed in any place of public Trust.  
V That this Honourable House will please to hasten Prepositions to his Majesty, for settling of a safe and well grounded Peace amongst us, after so long and unnatural a War.  
VI That this Honourable House, according to the Covenant and Treaties, will please to study all means to preserve the Union between the t●o Nation● of England and Scotland, and to remove all 〈◊〉 which may endanger our mutual agreement.  
VII. That this Honourable House will please to consider of some means whereby the privilege which its Members their Servants and others enjoy by being protected and exempted from being proceeded against for their Debts, may be so qualified, as that the Subject may be able to recover his own in some due time.  
VIII. That all public Revenues and Receipts may be employed to public uses, that so the Taxes of the City may be abated.  
IX. That the Estates and Compositions of the Delinquents, may, according to the engagements by Ordinances of Parliament, be applied to discharge the great sums owing to this City and Citizens.  
X. That the Plymouth Duty may be taken off the Trade, especially now the West is reduced.  
XI. That the Committee at Haberdashers-hall may be presently dissolved; or at least so limited and regulated, as that the City may have no cause of complaint.  
XII. That the reducing of the Kingdom of Ireland may be taken into consideration, before the good party there be too fare wasted and discouraged.  
XIII. That the Original Letter of the Parliament of Scotland to this City may be returned.  
XIV. That the City may enjoy the Militia fully, as it was presented at the last Treaty at Uxbridge.  
XV. That Quarterman may be brought to some exemplary punishment, for the affront done by him to the Privileges and Government of this City.  
XVI. That the Lord Major of this City may be fully vindicated.  
XVII. And lastly, and above all, That this honourable House will please not to look upon any expressions of this our Remonstrance and Petition, as charging any thing upon this Honourable House, or as intended to entrench upon any privilege thereof, but favourably to accept thereof, and so to interpret the same, as from a single and humble heart it is sincerely, and without any by-ends, or to comply with any Party whatsoever, intended and breathed forth from the sad heart of the Petitioners, who are overwhelmed with many fears on all sides. And who call God, the Searcher of all hearts, to witness, that according to their Covenant and duty, their zeal, devotion and obedience, is as fervent and prostrate as ever to serve the Parliament with their Lives and Estates, against all the Enemies of our Peace, to conjoin the City more and more to the Parliament, and to maintain the Union of both Nations against all Opposers whatsoever.   
All which we humbly submit unto the wisdom of this Honourable House.  
FINIS.