THat the favourable acceptation of this Ho­nour [...]ble Court which we have ever found in all our humble addresses, and particularly in your chearfull concurrence with your Petitioners in their late humble Represen­tation to the Honourable Houses of Parliament (which we cannot but with all joy and thankfulnes acknowledge) doth further imbolden us in all humility again to renew [Page 2]our requests unto you. And because we are not ignorant how oftentimes the good indeavours, and worthy results of the Counsels of this Honourable Court (produced with much pains and faithfulnes, have presently perish­ed after the birth: and the comfort [...]ble expected fruits thereof through the subtill practices, and fruitlesse oppo­sition of factious Sectaries have been frustrated unto us: And for as much as we have learn'd by too often expe­rience (the best School mistresse of all others) that the worthiest undertakings have proved abortive for want of an uncessant and vigorou [...] prosecution.

We therefore humbly pray, that in your Wise­doms you will please to advise and conclude upon such wayes and means, as may best tend to the further­ance of such an effectuall Answer to the humble Peti­tion of this Honourable Court, and our late Represen­tation by you presented to the Parliament, as may yeeld sufficient remedy against our pressing and af­flicting grievances: And give such Commission by your Authority to those whom you shall appoint con­tinually to attend the Honourable Houses, which may beget that countenance and respect as may hopefully produce so full and expeditious satisfaction of our just desires therin, as the urgency and importance of them do [...]h require.

And because the glory of God in the propagation of his Gospel, & the winning of souls to Jesus Christ, ought chiefly to be the designe of Christians that fear his Name, and do professe his truth: And it is certain that one singular means of promoting so glorious ends is the countenance and incouragement of a painfull, learned, and godly Ministery: And considering the [Page 3]sad condition of many Congregations of this City, who for want of such to break unto them the bread of life, are fain to wander about to other places, as sheep that have no Shepherd; either having lost their pain­full orthodox Teachers for want of competent main­tenance, or not being able to find any that are willing to take their Charges upon them, by reason of the shortnesse of the means of their subsistance, together with the uncertainty of that which is in being, through the subtill undermining devices of Malignants, and Sectaries, who are continually labouring what in them lyes, to discourage the Ministery by withholding what is due: And being very sencible into what contempt and scorn the Ministery it self is brought through want of an honourable Maintenance according to Christs appointment, 1 Tim. 5.17. And withall un­derstanding what this Honourable Court hath begun already to act with relation to this blessed work. Therefore (as we cannot but heartily blesse God, who hath graciously put these worthy thoughts into your hearts, so) we are bold humbly to beseech, that (out of the sincere affections, which we are confident you bear to the House of God, and to his truth) you would hasten these good beginnings to full maturity and per­fection, as they may be ready to receive with all con­venient speed the confirming stamp of Civill Autho­rity from both the Honourable Houses of Parlia­ment. Which undertaking (if God shall honour you to accomplish) will rest undoubtedly as a Crown of glory upon the head of all your other actions, and procure a rich and certain blessing from the God of heaven: Mal. 3.10. and be a worthy President to the [Page 4]Kingdom, to the great joy and comfort of all Gods faithfull people, and much redound to the furtherance of his glory.

And whereas the Honourable House of Commons hath lately put forth a Declaration, expressing their dislike of, and resolution to proceed against such as take upon them to Preach, and expound the Scripture in any publick place, being not ordained, &c We do intreat that this Honourable C [...]urt will please to re­present our thankfull acknowledgements to that Ho­nourable House for these so hopefull beginnings; and further to move the Honourable Houses, that (in pur­suance of these pious resolutions) they will please to annex such power by the joynt and mutuall Authori­ty of them both, as may give the Magistrate incou­ragement to suppresse these Mechanick and Schisma­ticall Preachers; and inable him for this end to punish their presumption in this kinde for time to come.

And further, we earnestly do pray, that you will please to certifie our humble desires to the Honour­able Houses, for removing that part of the Army without delay which at this present is quartered near the City, as also for a prevention of the like for the future; considering the great scarcity that is like to follow by their so near approach (the inconvenience whereof we do already feel.) And the discontents that may arise among the poorer sort by means thereof, the greatnesse of whose numbers is not to be despi­sed: As also what other mischiefs may hereby be in­tended, as it will appear to be no groundlesse suspicion and fear, if the mutinous and menacing words of some of the Souldery be well weighed.

And lastly, Because we hold our selves obliged to do what in us lyes, as we are Citizens, to maintain the Ho­nour of the City, and Authority of this Honourable Court; we cannot but declare the deep sence we have of the bold presumption of the weekly Pamphleters, who with their scurrilous Pens upon all occasions are still tra­ducing your Religious Actions founded upon our so­lemn Covenant, being constant Factors for their bene­ficiall Masters the Sectaries; putting fair Colours upon their hereticall, and Church-dividing practises, and, to gratifie these, labour to besmeare the proceedings of this Honourable Court to render this City and their Acti­ons odious to the Kingdom. For which cause in consci­ence of our duty we humbly pray, that this Honourable Court will please to put forth their Authority for the future suppression of these lying & ungodly Pamphlets; and inflict such punishment upon the wicked contrivers of them, as your Power will reach unto: that the mouthes of lyars may be stopped, and Truth and Innocency may take place.

And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. [Page 6]

PResentēd to the Common-Councell, Munday the 25. of January, 1646. by many Citizens of known integrity, and good quality; To whom Thanks was re­turned by the Lord Mayor in the Name of that Honour­able Court: and a Committee appointed to take the particular Branches of it into consideration. And by the said Court, in Answer to the first Head of the Petition, voted, that the Aldermen and the Common-Councell­men of two Wards of the City, with such Citizens of these Wards as they shall think fit to take to their as­sistance, shall attend day by day in course upon both the Houses of Parliament in the Name of the City of Lon­don, till they receive an effectuall Answer of their hum­ble Petition and Representation now lying before the Honourable Houses.