TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THE LORDS AND COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT.  
The humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and common-council of the City of EXETER.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat they have received late Petitions from the Commons of the said City and County, signed by very many hands, wherein they present the great decay and deadness in the Trades of the said City; especially in the manufacture of Serges or Perpetuanies: as also the distresses of our Brethren in Ireland, which kingdom hath afforded great relief and trade to these parts: And in their said Petitions do apprehend the grounds of all to arise from the distractions in the City of London, which, as they humbly conceive, are occasioned by the infringing of the Rights and privileges of Parliament, and the just liberty of the Subject; and by the opposition and hindrances which the Bishops and Popish party have laid in the way of the proceedings of your honourable Assembly: And do further show, that (Unless God by some speedy and timely remedy do prevent it) this City and County are like greatly to be endangered by reason of the decay of the commerce (with its inseparable companion Poverty) which will, as they justly fear, stir up many thousand persons to insolent and outrageous actions.  
They do therefore earnestly pray us to present the premises to your Honours, with their great fears and sensible apprehensions, that the source of all doth spring from the Bishops, the Popish party, and their designs.  
We thought it our bounden duty humbly to prefer and present the same to your Honours accordingly, being very sensible of the said grievances and fears, and knowing that they cannot but inevitably occasion ruin and confusion to this City and County, unless God in his mercy prevent it by your Honours wise and speedy endeavours.  
Wherefore we humbly pray your Honours to take these our desires & humble requests into your deep considerations: That the true Protestant Religion may be still preserved, the Rights and privileges of Parliament maintained, and the just Liberties of the Subject supported; and that the Popish party may be disarmed, which (notwithstanding the former laws and Orders) have been neglected; and that the kingdom may be put into a posture of Defence, and the Forts and places of strength may be committed to the hands of trusty persons; and that the power of voting in Parliament may be taken from the Bishops and Popish Lords, and also the said distresses of our afflicted Brethren in Ireland may throughly be taken to heart, and speedily remedied. So may we expect the happiness and flourishing of this kingdom, and shall have more and more cause to bless God for his Majesty; and your Honours.  
And, as duty binds us, shall ever pray, &c.   

Printed for William Hope, 1641.