To The Lord Mayor
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A91301.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
To the Right Honorable, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON in Common-Council Assembled; The Humble Petition and Address of the Sea-men, and Watermen, in and about the said City of LONDON.
THat they cannot without much grief of heart, and consternation of spirit, consider and bewail the Extraordinary decay of Merchandize, Trade, Religion, Justice, Piety, and in undation of all sorts of Oppressions Miseries, Rapines Wars Tumults, Sects, Heresies Blasphemies, Alterations of Government and destructive Confusions, which have over whelm'd our formerly flourishing and renowned Nations, and this famous City ever since the notorious violations, and subversions of our Fundamental Laws, Liberties, Properties Governments and Parliaments, by the treachery, and armed violence of ambitious, treacherous Mercenaries of inconsiderable Fortunes and corrupt Principles usurping a more arbitrary dominion over Our Lives, Persons, Estates, and Privileges, than the worst of Our Kingly Governors whose desperate Counsels Practises and Innovations have made Vs the scorn, derision of all the World and plunged Our Church State Nations, and this famous City, into the very Gulf of inevitable Ruin; unless speedily and timely prevented by your prudent, unanimous Counsels, and standing up in the G • p in this day of Our public Calamity, by improving your power and interest to accomplish these just Desires of Your Petitioners, and many Thousands of these Nations, which we humbly conceive to be the only visible means (through God's blessing on them) to obviate our Dangers, compose Our Divisions and restore Our pristine Peace, Unity, Trade, Prosperity, and make Vs once more a praise amongst the Kingdoms, Churches, and Nations, whom the Lord hath signally blessed with glorious Deliverances, and transcendent Mercies.
We shall therefore humbly importune this Honorable Assemblie (to whom We can make Our Addresses) to endeavor,
- I. That a Free and Legal Parliament, may with all convenient speed be convened to sit within the City of London, without any forcible Interruption or Molestation, to Settle the Government, Redresse the Grievances, Restore the Peace, Merchandize, Trade, and Navigation of this Nation.
- II. That the Militia of the City may be presently raised, and put into the hands of such Persons, whose Principles and Actions have evidenced them to be Well-affected to Government, Magistracy, Ministry, Laws, Liberties, the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, and Reformed Religion here Established. That the Guards of the City may be put into their Hands, and all Obtruded Guards, disturbing the Peace, obstructing the Trade of, and Threatning Danger to the City, removed.
- III. That all such Officers and Soldiers of the Army in and about the City and elsewhere, who shall obey your Commands, and contribute their Assistance for the Calling, & Safe-Sitting, of a FREE PARLIAMENT, may be assured and speedily paid their Arrears; and those, who shall oppose the same, and Settlement of the Nation, and City, left to public Justice for the Murders lately Committed, and other Misdemeanours.
- IV. That the Nobility, and Gentry of Quality, in and about the City, may be Invited to contribute their Counsels and assistance for effecting the Premises.
In the prosecution whereof, and Our former Oaths, Protestation▪ Vow and Covenant' We shall with Our Estates, Lives and last drop of Our Bloods▪ constantly and unanimously assist Your Honors, and all others adhering to You, to promote and accomplish the Promises and what else Your Wisdom shall think fit to conduce to the Restitution of the Public Peace, Trade and Welfare of this City, and Our Three Distracted Nations.