His Maiesties speciall command under the great seale of England to the Lord Major of the honourable city of London dated Decemb. 9, 1641 : for the speedy sending of precepts into severall wards of the city : to suppresse the tumultuous and unlawfull assemblies and riotous disorders both in the city of London and VVestminster : vvith a relation of the riotous assemblies, mutinous vproares and disorders made and committed by a company of Brownists or Seperatists within the city of London and VVestminster : also in what manner they entred into St. Georges church where one of them made a sermon on Sunday Decemb. 12 : vvhereunto is added the riotous insurrection and rebellion of some prisoners in New-gate condemned to dye on Munday December 13, 1641.

A Relation of the disorders, muti∣nous assemblies, vprores, and distracti∣ons, committed by many Schismaticall people, but especially by the Brownists or Separatists of this Kingdome.

HOw many Sects, and Schismes, are lately sprung up heere in this Kingdome, that they (like the plagues of Egypt) have over∣runne the Land, but namely the Brownists or Sepera∣tists, beare the greatest sway, to what a height of im∣pudency, and Insolencie, have they aspired unto, being upheld by too many of that sect, they like the Phili∣stins

bring their, Goliah to fight their Battells, but there is no doubt but there will arise a David of truth, to beare downe their violent and Phantasticall Doctrine, by which so many people are seduced, these are those Sectarists that will abide no degrees in Schooles, all humane Learning must be layd by, Accademies are to them abhominable.

Hence come those violent outrages, and sacrilegi∣ous disorders committed in the Church, even in time of Divine service, and the hubbubs, and strange Tu∣mults raised, where reverend silence ought to be used, by laying violent hands upon the Ministers in divers places and Parishes within this City, impudently as∣cending into their Pulpits, assuming to themselves the power of preaching, others rending the Surplices from their backs, they hardly escaping in their per∣sons from being torne in peeces, and that when the Psalme hath beene singing, and the Preacher ready to goe up into the Pulpit, to deliver his Sermon, like∣wise by rending of the Rayles about the Communion Table chopping them in peeces, and burning them in Church-yard, and this to be done without Commissi∣on or order, in a rude and riotous manner, as if wee lived vnder no government; how many Riotous assem∣blies and Routs by their concourse and disorderly meetings in severall places of the Cities of London & Westminster, committing such insolencies and outra∣ges at severall times, as if Justice and authority had no power over them, to the great scandall and defa∣mation of the Government of this City and King∣dome.

Witnesse their tumultuous assembling and flocking

to the Parliament at divers times, with their vndecent gestures and irreverent speeches in Westminster Hall, and other places, for which to instance, there was 4. men brought before the House of Commons Nov. 30. 1641. for making a hubbub in the Hall, crying downe Antichrist and the Bishops, and saying, if they could not be heard, they would have a farre greater number the next day to back them, and the like.

Likewise the next day many hundred of Citizens flocking to the houses of Parliament, and called upon the members, as they passed from their houses, to sup∣presse Bishops, crying aloud, no Bishops, no Bishops, calling them the limbes of Antichrist.

On Wednesday Sir Iohn Strangwaies made a com∣plaint that he was assaulted by 100 in the streets, & had received offensive words, whereupon the House fell into consideration for suppressing and repelling of tumults, and disorders of that nature.

This evening the Citizens begun to rayse the like clamour againe, but being intreated to forbeare, and depart home to their houses, the tumult ceased for that time.

Againe, on Friday Decemb. 4. many hundred of Citizens and Brownists flocked to Westminster armed with Swords and staves, as if they came to besiege the Parliament-house, whereupon the Trayned Bands was raised, and ceazed upon them, not knowing otherwise, but that they came against the Parliament-house, to that their plea was, they came to defend the truth, but it was very true, that many of them were com∣mitted to prison.

Vpon Friday notice was given to the Parliament,

how that their number was so great, so that instantly there was warrants sent unto each Constahle, to com∣mand sufficient men with Swords and Halberds, to guard the Parliament-house.

On Sunday last Decemb. 12. was a great assembly of these Brownists gathered about St. Georges Church in Southwarke, and one of their Preachers a Cobler by profession violently went up into the Pulpit, & made a Sermon above an houre long, whom they assisted, untill all the Constables thereabouts had raised ayd to suppresse these tumultuous outrages.

After this he went from thence to St. Olaves Church neere the Bridge, with all his illitterate audience af∣ter him, thinking to make another Sermon there also, but being prevented, and that they could not get into the Church, this Preaching Cobler stood up in the Church Porch, and made a Sermon to them all.

These and the like disturbances and distractions I hope the King and Parliament will take into their grave con∣siderations and pious care, that the peace of this Church and State, may not be clowded nor eclipsed by these mists and errours of darkenesse and ignorance, and let it bee the Prayer of all good Christians, that these AEgyptian Locusts, that swarme in every corner of this City and Kingdome, may be expelled, that we may enjoy the light of the Gospell.