OBserving with what diligence and expedition, Parties are drawne together, armed, and by whom: we cannot but de­mand, to what end? The Country is quiet, and desires so to continue: Our Interest is peace, not rapine and bloodshed: yet are we also resolved, not to fall tame sacrifices to the spirit of slumber and delusion, and render up our Religions, Lawes, lives and fortunes, upon such cold conditions.

We must crave leave to tell you, that a Petition, concluded on, and avowed by the Universality of this County, representing their honest desires, in a modest way, to the two Houses of Parliament, accor­ding to the practice, nay the approbation of this present Parliament; —That this Petition is by the most active in this new commotion, discountenanced and menaced, which makes us reasonably suspect, whither those designes may tend, whereof they have the sole con­duct. Our addresses are to the Parliament, not you, and from them we shall await a seasonable Returne; our desires being of a moment above your cognizance. That we labour for is peace; and in a peaceable manner: Nor can we without horrour think of a fresh imbroylement.

The Petition we do all owne, affirming the scope thereof so inno­cent, that we dare deliver it up to heaven with our soules; and so de­termine to do, if thereunto reduced by any troublesome interpositi­on, till the great Councell of the Kingdome (to whom onely and properly it referres) shall advise upon it. Wherefore, to avoid the ef­fect of jealousies, (the fountaine of this late warre) we desire also the causes may be removed, lest introductive to another.

When you have satisfied this scruple, you have obliged your friends.

⟨may .18th.⟩