To the Most honourable Assembly of the house of Commons of the High Court of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of Thousands of Carpenters, Bricklayers, Smiths, Plasterers, Glasiers, Painters, and other Handicrafts men in and about the City of London and Westminster with the Suburbs.  
IN most humble wise showeth. That whereas your poor Petitioners exhibited their humble Petition unto this honourable Assembly the last Session, for a Confirmed authority to repair Houses, and for a reformation of Building, as fare forth as might be requisite for the present use of the Inhabiters, as also for restraint of fire; Arguments and reasons were forthwith exhibited to that effect, and thereupon was an Order granted for a day of hearing which order is extant, howbeit by reason of many other great and weighty occasions and the Session so suddenly prorogued, nothing was done for the Confirmation of the said premises: In tender Consideration whereof, it would please this honourable Assembly forth of your Noble and grave disposition, to grant us a day of hearing of our cause whereby such order and course may be taken for repairing of Houses and reformation of Building, so fare forth as may be with conveniency for the present use and benefit of the Inhabiters, and also for safety and restraint of fire for a general good.  
And your poor Petitioners (shall as duty bindeth them) pray unto God not only for a prosperous proceeding in this your great and weighty employments, to the glory of God, the good of the Church, and the benefit of the Common wealth: but also for your healths, peace and tranquillity, long to continue.