blazon of the City of London, consisting of a shield bearing the cross of St. George (patron saint of England) with a sword (emblem of the martyrdom of St. Paul, patron saint of London) in the first quarter of the shield  
A DECLARATION AND MOTIVE Of the Persons trusted, usually meeting at Salter's Hall in BREADSTREET, to all well affected persons in the several Parishes within LONDON, and the parts adjacent, for Contributing the value of a Meal weekly, towards the forming of some Regiments of Volunteers, to be paid during these times of Danger.  

WHereas for better preservation and safeguard of the City, against the continued desperate practices, and wretched designs of the many Adversaries of the Peace thereof, visible to every eye not wilfully blinded: The Committee for the City's Militia, mindful by all good ways and means, of dischargeing the trust in them reposed, have by the labour and endeavour of some trusted Persons, in nature of a Sub-Committee, by them authorized for that purpose, brought near unto a readiness of Listing and forming divers Regiments of Horse and Foot, compounded and made up of honest and well-affected Persons, Refiants in the City and Neighbourhood thereof, under command of known and trusty Officers, which new Regiments are to be as Auxiliaries to the Trained Bands, and to be used for defence of Parliament, City, and parts adjacent, as occasion shall require: And whereas for provision of Horse and Arms, weekly disciplining of so great listed numbers, and for defraying of other Charges incident to a service of this nature, and necessary for the carrying on and perfitting this great Work, so much concerning the preservation of this place, and therein the safety and well-being of the Parliament and the whole State, some course must needs be held; and yet that the same may be with the least trouble and inconveniency that may be, and with all possible ease and indifferency; respect being had to the many burdens incumbent upon this City and disbursements of the same: It is therefore upon due consideration had of the premises propounded, and as a fit way to effect in some good measure the aforementioned good intendments, by direction and advice of the said Sub-Committee, and divers Reverend Divines, and other worthy Persons known well-willers and actors for the public; as their joint suit and hearty request to all well-affected Persons and Families of the City, Suburbs; and parts adjacent, recommended and desired; That during these times of imminent and evident dangers, all such Persons and Families sensible of the premises, and willing to promote their own safety, and the means thereof, will according to the precedent begun by those who recommend this, be pleased every of them to abstain and forbear some one Meal in the Week, and on every Monday (the first payment beginning on Monday next the vl of this instant May) pay and deliver the true value thereof, to the Collectors nominated for their several Precincts, who are to pay over the same to Treasurers especially entrusted therewith, of whose accounts and disbursements for the ends aforesaid, exact care will be taken, which in all probability will be a good way without burden or difficulty to advance weekly considerable sums for these good uses. And although this be not imposed but desired and expected as a free will offering to help on so good a Work, yet it is hoped that none will oppose it, who are sensible of their own danger, and love their safeties, especially ●f they consider (amongst many other weighty Reasons which might be rendered.) 

1. That all of every condition are concerned in the Danger, and by God's blessing in the Deliverance, and therefore all aught to contribute their proportion towards their just defence, poor aswell as rich being able to allow their shares herein, for that in effect it takes nothing from their purses.  
2. This being no Fast properly so called, but a Meals voluntary abstinence once a week, is no more than what we do each week commonly undergo by reason of our other worldly employments; and therefore such an abstinence for so good a purpose, should not be thought too strict a performance.  
3. There is nothing more equal, or can less be expected, than that reasonable provision should be made for them that under God are likely to be the Authors of so great a good for us, and are to expose their lives to the utmost hazards for defence of us and ours. We add no other reasons drawn from policy, as the feared Famine, saving of Victuals, or the like (which with prudent men, and as these times are will be of no small consideration) but we conclude with this, that the end of our eating and drinking is but to support and preserve our natural lives, and the end of this abstinence is not only to preserve our lives and theirs also who adventure for us, but to preserve to us and them and our posterities, what should be more dear than all our lives, even Religion (the life of our lives) and our Laws and Liberties, which no good man will willingly survive, nor wise man doubt, but that they are sufficiently endangered, if not lie a bleeding; and if the Parliament and this City (the great maintainers of them) should miscarry (which God forbidden) to all humane judgement are quite lost. It will be therefore our wisdom before God and man, and our duty too (as we conceive) to further this, and all other good suggested ways, tending to the preservation of them. And so we leave the design to God's blessing, and the consideration of all such as hereof are made partakers, and are alike with us concerned in the common safety.    
It i● desired of all the Collectors of the respective Parishes and Precincts, That for every their Parish and Precinct, they make a Role or Book, and therein enter the Parishioners and parties names, who agree to make the weekly contributions before mentioned, desiring such as can write to put down their own names, and the day of the Month wherein their subscriptions are and the sum they will please so to pay; and for others, to take their marks, and put down their names, which may be done under this or the like general form.  
We whose names are underwritten, towards the raising, Arming and Disciplining of certain Regiments of Horse and Foot, raised in London, and the adjacent places, for the defence thereof and of the Parliament, will freely pay in Money each Monday, the value of the best ordinary Meals Meat in our Families weekly (being as followeth) during the continuance of the present troubles, and the King's distance from his Parliament.   

TO appointed Collectors for the Parish or Precinct of by them to be imparted to the several Househoulders, and others of that Parish or Precinct as they shall think fit, and receiving the subscription Moneys, thereof to render an account to the Treasurers for Arms at Salter's Hall in Breadstreet every Wednesday morning weekly, so as the same may be issued for the ends before mentioned, whereof due care shall be taken by such as are designed by the Sub-Committee for that purpose, and every person interessed, shall at pleasure have account thereof.  
It is lastly the earnest request of the Sub-Committee, to all the godly Ministers of those places where this shall be published; That they taking to their assistance such other willing able persons of their several Precincts, as will make Conscience to forward this Work, will be pleased by such Arguments as they shall think fit to use, and the matter itself prompts, press on the subscriptions desired, and what may more effectually help to carry on this Work; Is hereby recommended to the Judgements and good affections of the said Ministers and Collectors, to prepare and put on the performance of the same, and the reward of their labour will be, that of a good Conscience, and the issue by God's blessing the commonwealths, and therein their own safeties.   
From the Sub-Committee for Volunteers, usually sitting at Salters-hall in Breadstreet, this 4 th'. of May, 1643.   

LONDON, Printed by R. Oulton and G. Dexter for John Wright in the Old-Baily, 1643.