TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS ASSEMBLED IN HIGH COURT OF PARLIAMENT: The Humble PETITION of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council Assembled.  
TOGETHER WITH An humble Representation of the pressing grievances, and important desires of the well-affected Freemen, and Covenant-engaged Citizens, of the City of LONDON.  
LONDON, Printed by Richard Cotes. 1646.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS Assembled in High Court of PARLIAMENT; The Humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-council Assembled,  
SHOWETH;  
THat the loud and unanimous cry of many thousands of our fellow-Citizens, as well as our own sense and fellow-feeling, hath obliged us to make this present Interposition, amongst other your public and weighty Affairs; We do in the annexed, humbly offer unto your Lop. their own words and expressions, with some omissions and few alterations, as they were delivered unto us by a great number of considerable Citizens of known worth, and of approved integrity to the Parliament; that your Lordships may the more clearly see the deep sense they have of the growing miseries and increasing distractions of these times; The chief matter thereof is the same with our late addresses, unto which we humbly hope your Lps will still find the same reasons to give your favourable acceptance and noble regard, as we humbly and thankfully acknowledge you readily showed unto the same when we rendered them unto your Lordships, as the representative Body of the City alone. The obligation that lies upon us to them, the duty we own to the Parliament, and the interest this City hath in the Peace of the whole Kingdom, would not permit us either to reject their Petitions, or to conceal their Grievances from your Lordships, neither yet can we ourselves but both own their griefs and fears, and so humbly join with them in the same desires.  
But to those Reasons in which we have concurred with our said Fellow-Citizens, for the more speedy disbanding of that Army among others, which hath in the sight of the Kingdom by God's blessing obtained so many signal Victories; We humbly crave leave, that as we detract not from their merit, so we may also add thus much, which is daily complained of, That there are some Officers, and many common Soldiers of that Army, who either have never taken the Covenant, or are disaffected to the Church-government held forth by the Parliament; That the Pulpits of divers godly Ministers are often usurped by Preaching Soldiers, and others, who infect their Flock, and all places where they come, with strange and dangerous Errrours; And then we humbly submit it to your Lordships to consider, what security or settlement can be expected while they are Masters of such a power; and what example, if not encouragement, the people may take from them, to refuse the Covenant; or if they have taken it, to contemn the same, to the great derogation of that Church-Government, which the Parliament hath declared. We humbly hope, that although such were dismissed, the Parliament by their authority may otherwise, if occasion sh●ll require, sufficiently provide for the safety of the Kingdom.  
But this great work, as also that which is of so high concernment to the establishing of a perfect and well grounded Peace, (The bringing home of his Majesty) we do humbly and wholly submit, and commit next to the Almighty hand of God's Providence, unto the Wisdom of both Houses of Parliament, being confident that they will preserve and defend His Majesty's Royal Person, and Authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdom, according to the Covenant.  
To that also which concerns the Estates of Delinquents which are under Sequestration, or are or shall be either wholly confiscated, or else compounded for, We humbly desire leave to add this Petition in behalf of ourselves, and many thousands of our fellow-Citizens and all others who have adhered to the Parliament, That all just Debts may be first paid and satisfied, and to that end that no Committees of Sequestration or Sequestrators may interrupt just proceed at Law for recovery of such Debts. And that the Heirs and Estates of those who have died since these Wars on the Enemy's Par●, may be yet liable to pay just Debts, notwithstanding any Entails or Deeds in Trust, made since the beginning of these general Distractions, which are conceived to have been made purposely to defeat the Creditor. And because of the long continuance of these Wars and Divisions, that the Statute may not be pleaded to any Book Debt for not being demanded within six years since the beginning of the Parliament, otherwise there are none in the Kingdom like to suffer more than the well-affected, and such as have adhered to the Parliament.  
Lastly, We humbly conclude with this Petition in behalf of this City, That as this Court as the Representative Body of the City, hath hitherto by Authority of Parliament had the nomination of the Persons entrusted with their Militia, so now also we may by Ordinance of Parliament be authorized to elect and choose fit Persons for that Charge once every year, agreeable to the Practice and Custom of the City in all other chief Offices and Trusts concerning their Government.  
And now whatsoever Expressions or Desires our Cares and Fears have led us unto, or what ever we or our fellow-Citizens have presumed to take notice of, or touch upon, We humbly pray both for ourselves and them, That your Lordships will remit all to our and their great ze●le for God's Glory and the Peace of the Kingdom. And that it may be remembered, That we and they are those whom you have with yourselves engaged in one Covenant, to whom God hath given Hearts as well to adventure all for your Service and preservation, as to be ever thankful for the continual protection and great deliverances they have received by God's blessing through your constant Endeavours, and whose hands God hath strengthened to fight his and your Battles; We do humbly assure your Lps that we and they have still the same dutiful hearts, and in the sincere pursuance of our solemn League and Covenant, no Interest or influence shall (with the blessing of God) be ever able to withdraw our obedience, or divert our affections from the Parliament of England.  
We humbly submit all to your L ● great Wisdoms, and shall daily pray, etc.