The Citizens of LONDON their Petition to both Houses of Parliament for Peace.
The humble Petition of divers Inhabitants of the City of LONDON, and the Liberties
thereof.
THat the present sence of our miseries, and apprehensions of inevitable Ruine both of Church and Common-wealth makes us become humble Suitors to this Honourable Assembly, the likest meanes under God for our reliefe, to consider our distressed estate, and provide a speedy remedy for our present and future evils.
Earnestly desiring you to waigh the care and judgement of our Predecessors, who by a knowne Law setled and preserved our Protestant Religion, our Liberties and Properties, with a right understanding between King and Subjects, which produced Peace and Plenty in our Streets: And to reflect with serious thoughts upon our present distempers, violating Religion by Papists and Sectaries, ingaging our Nation in a civill and destructive Warre; invading our Lawes and Liberties, endangering all our lives, and utterly disabling us to relieve our distressed brethren in Ireland.
We beseech you likewise to consider the effects of a continued Warre, as the destruction of Christians, the unnatural effusion of blood, Fathers against Sonnes, Brothers by Brothers, Friends by Friends slaine; then Famine and Sicknesse the followers of a civill Warre, making way for a generall Confusion and Invasion by a foraigne Nation, while our Treasures are exhausted our Trade lost, and our Kingdom dis-peopled: These things waighed and enlarged by your wisdomes, we doubt not will be a strong motion in you to labour, as in us to desire a speedy Peace and happy Accommodation.
Wherefore we humbly crave that (not lending an eare to any somentors of the present Warre, under what pretence soever, nor remembring ought that may encrease jealousies, or continue divisions between His Majesty and His Houses of Parliament) you will speedily tender His Majesty, according to His Royall Intimations, such Propositions for Accommodation, as He may in Honour, and with safety to the whole Kingdome accept: For the effecting whereof, we shall be ready to assist you with the best and utmost of our Abilities: and whilst you endeavour Peace, we shall send up our prayers to Heaven for the blessing of Peace upon you and all that desire it.
Assented and subscribed to by many thousands of Hous-keepers under their hands.
London, Printed for Iohn Iohnson. 1642.