THat they have received late Petitions from the Commons of the said City and Coun­ty, signed by very many hands, wherein they present the great decay and deadnesse in the Trades of the said City; especially in the manufacture of Serges or Perpetuanies: as also the distresses of our Brethren in Ireland, which Kingdome hath afforded great reliefe and trade to these parts: And in their said Petitions doe apprehend the grounds of all to arise from the distractions in the City of London, which, as they humbly conceive, are occasioned by the in­fringing of the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament, and the just liberty of the Subject; and by the opposition and hinderances which the Bishops and Popish party have laid in the way of the proceedings of your honourable Assembly: And doe further shew, that (unlesse God by some speedy and timely remedy doe prevent it) this City and County are like greatly to be in­dangered by reason of the decay of the Comerce (with its inseparable companion Poverty) which will, as they justly feare, stirre up many thousand persons to insolent and outragious actions.

They doe therefore earnestly pray us to present the premisses to your Honours, with their great feares and sensible apprehensions, that the source of all doth spring from the Bishops, the Popish party, and their designes.

We thought it our bounden duty humbly to preferre and present the same to your Honours accordingly, being very sensible of the said grievances and feares, and knowing that they cannot but inevitably occasion ruine and confusion to this City and County, unlesse God in his mercy prevent it by your Honours wise and speedy endeavours.

Wherefore we humbly pray your Honours to take these our desires & humble requests into your deepe considerations: That the true Protestant Religion may be still preserved, the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament maintained, and the just Liberties of the Subject supported; and that the Popish party may be dis-armed, which (notwithstanding the former Lawes and Orders) have been neglected; and that the Kingdome may be put into a posture of Defence, and the Forts and places of strength may be committed to the hands of trusty persons; and that the power of voting in Parliament may be taken from the Bishops and Popish Lords, and also the said di­stresses of our afflicted Brethren in Ireland may throughly be taken to heart, and speedily re­medied. So may we expect the happinesse and flourishing of this Kingdome, and shall have more and more cause to blesse God for his Majesty; and your Honours.

And, as duty bindes us, shall ever pray, &c.