SInce by too-apparent demonſtrations it appeares, that the King (deluded, and ſeduced by the evill Counſels of a malignant party, whoſe Spirits are ill-affected to the publike peace of this Kingdome) intendeth to make warre againſt the Parliament, and that in continuance of the ſame intention, he hath already collected and levyed great forces both of Horſe and Foot, to maintain the former reſolution throughout the County of York, and a multitude of Papiſts, and other reſolute and ill-diſpoſed perſons in other Counties adjacent; all which doe apparently intimate his reſolution to make warre againſt the Parliament: They have therefore after a ſerious and deliberate conſideration thereof, propounded certaine Propoſitions to the Citie of London, deſiring their aſſiſtance in a preſent ayde for the ſecurity of both Houſes; for otherwiſe the pernicious malice of ſuch deſperate perſons, imployed in ſo horrid, and unnaturall an Act, will be ready to commit all outrage and violence, which will conſequently tend to the diſſolution of this preſent governement, the violation of the Priviledges of Parliament, the deſtruction of our Religion, and all hopes in reforming the Church, to the perpetuall ruine of the Lawes, the liberty and propriety of the Subjects. Wherefore the Lords and Commons, conſidering how great an obligation doth lie upon them in Honour, Conſcience, and Duty, according to the high truſt repoſed in them by the whole Kingdom, to uſe all poſſible meanes in ſuch caſes for the timely prevention of ſo great and irrecoverable evils, have thought it expedient to publiſh their ſence and apprehenſions of theſe imminent dangers; thereby to excite and extimulate all well-affected perſons to contribute their reſpective aſſiſtance to the preparations neceſſary for the oppoſing and ſuppreſſing the trayterous attempts of thoſe malignant ſpirits. The Citie of London ſeemed to ſympathize exceedingly with theſe Propoſitions: and the Parliament were not more ready to propound them, then they as ready to performe, and obey the ſame.

Laſt Tueſday the Lord Maior, Court of Aldermen, and Common-Councell-men, met at Guild-Hall in diſtribution of their affections, and in conſultations what ſhould be diſpenſed out of the Citie Treaſurie. Every Company likewiſe did meet at their Halls, and there diſtributed every man reſpectively; for men had better diſpenſe with their Money and Plate, conditionally to receive the ſame with intereſt, and have the publike faith of the whole Kingdome engaged for the ſecurity thereof, then being parſimonious and refractory, perhaps have that Money and Plate taken violently from them by inteſtine enemies: and let any man judge, Whether the prevention of ſuch impendent dangers be not more plauſible then the policy and diligence of a Remedie, when extremity ſhall drive a man to the laſt hopes: It is more eaſie to keepe out of dangers, then to get out of them. Wherefore it were more prudent for men (that can ſpare money, without any detriment or prejudice to themſelves) to diſpenſe with what money they can, for the conſervation of peace voluntarily, then when violent warre ſhall come ruſhing in upon us, to diſpenſe then with compulſion; or elſe perhaps to be reduced to an eſtate not leſſe miſerable then ſlaviſh. But not to hold the Readers deſiring eye in any longer ſuſpenſe, I will delineate, and expreſſe the particular proportion of moneys gathered in London. The Lord Maior, Court of Aldermen, and Common-Councell-men, ſitting at Guild-Hall, made a finall determination of their intents, and have diſburſed fifty thouſand pounds, partly out of the Citie Treaſury, and partly out of their owne purſes; and will maintaine fifty Horſe. Moſt of the twelve Companies have diſpenſed twenty thouſand pounds a piece; and of the other Companies, ten thouſand pounds is the leaſt that any have disbuſed: beſides an infinite number of Plate that is lent, of an unknowne worth. Some Companies maintain three-ſcore Horſe, ſome forty, ſome thirty, but twenty is the leaſt that any Company maintaines, with as many Horſe men: for the preſervation of the publike peace and tranquility of the Kingdome, for the perſonall defence of the King, and both Houſes of Parliament. The affection of no man was meaſured by any limitation, but according to the proportion of his offer, he expreſſed his good will to this ſervice. But according to the appointment and direction of both Houſes of Parliament, the Money, Plate, Horſe, or Horſe-men were delivered to Sir Iohn Wollaſton, Knight and Alderman, Alderman Towſe, Alderman Warner, and Alderman Andrewes: for they were Ordered to be Treaſurers to receive all the Money and Plate, brought in for the purpoſes aforeſaid. And the Acquittances of them, or of any two of them (as it was ordered by the Parliament) for the Receit of the ſame is a ſufficient ground for the Party ſo lending Money, or Plate, to demand the ſame againe with intereſt; and likewiſe conſideration for the faſhion of the Plate. The totall ſumme of all the Moneys and Plate that the Citie hath brought in to the ſaid Aldermen, is ſuppoſed to amount to above ten hundred thouſand pounds: the Horſe and Horſe-men to the number of about eight hundred and fifty; but there are many more Horſe in preparation to bee ſent.