royal coat of arms (1603 version) and coat of arms of the city of London To the Right Honourable Thomas Adam's, Lord Major of the famous city London, the worshipful the Sheriffs, Master Thomas foot, and Master John Kendrick, with the rest of the Aldermen their Brethren:  
THese are to give your Honour and Worships to understand: That your Petitioners have taken notice, of many worthy actions done for the honour of God, the safety of the King and Kingdom, the preservation of the Gospel and true religion amongst us, and especially by the strict Keeping of the lordsday: as in reforming the river of Thames, by watermen's not labouring on the Sabbath-day: and it is an honourable act of them that have done it, which we ascribe to no other but the Parliament: and some of your petitioners have been troubled for Trifles, not worth the nominating: like those Pharisees in the Gospel, which rebuked our Saviour Christ Jesus his Disciples for pulling the ears of corn on the Sabbath-day (yet they themselves ride on the Sabbath-day in Coaches) as if God saw not that sin, by setting Men and Horse at work, as Hackney coachmen (which is their trade) why not watermen or any other tradesmen, if they be suffered? But your Petitioners having experience of many worthy actions which you have already done, for King, Church, and State, your loyalty to your King, your piety in desiring an established Church-Government, and for your fidelity to the Parliament (which they themselves cannot deny) to the wonder of the world, and to the everlasting Fame of this Honourable city London, that so great a City, so populous, which may, and (as we have read) hath been compared to a petty world, for the stateliness of its governors, and Corporations therein.  
Wherefore, that to everlasting Fame you may be eternised, that you all (as one man) will be pleased to move the Honourable Houses of Parliament, that as they have reformed the ancient river Thames, That they would be pleased to reform, the almost as ancient renowned City London, of Coaches travelling about the City on the lordsday, which is a higher breach of the fourth Commandment then that which the Parliament have reformed; by setting the Beasts to work on that day, which ought (by the law of God) to rest as well as man, and he that doth but rest, little differeth from a Beast.  
And to take notice how many Churches in London are annoyed by their passing by in Sermon time, to the great dishonour of God, and to the hindrance of the hearers of the Word, which is the only means under God of our salvation; And if not speedily Reformed, it will breed a great scandal on the Parliaments Reformation, which may be such like words as these, That they could see to reform Boats; but they cannot, or will not reform Coaches.  
This petition hath been read in the Ears of a Thousand Citizens of good rank and quality.   

Printed at London for Benjamin Green, and are to be sold at his house in three leg-Court in Fleetstreet, over against the White-friars'. 1646.