Page [unnumbered]
To the Right Worshipful Sir RICHARD HART, Knight, And THOMAS EARLE, Esquire. Now chosen Representatives in Parliament for this City of Bristol.
WE, Citizens and Freeholders of this City, hold our Selves obliged to return You our hearty Thanks for Your Exem∣plary Loyalty to the King and the Present establishment in the Church and State, notwithstanding all the Designs here, or elsewhere, to vilisie or subvert them, under the specious Pretences of Arbitrary Power and Popery; hoping you will act with all expressions of Duty and Allegiance to the King, of whose good Af∣fections to his People and Established Religion we have no doubt, though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men have endeavoured to suggest other Opinions to his Subjects.
And as You are our Representatives, we lay before you these Severals.
First, That some expedient By-Law be Endeavoured, to punish such as shall insinuate into the People any designs in our King or Government, to set up Arbitrary Power, or shall Calumniate the prosessed Sons of the Church of England (His Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects) as Papists, and Men of Arbitrary Principles.
Secondly, That no Laws be Repealed, whereby the Church or State may be less secured against their Enemies; But such New Laws may be added to those now in force, that may Effectually defend them from the Horrid and Hellish Plots of the Papists: And from a Second Ruine and Desolation, by the under-hand Contrivances, and restless Endeavours, of Ambitious and Fanatical Parties.
Thirdly, That You preserve the Prerogatives of the Crown, and the Pro∣perty of the Subjects, that the King, and his Successors, may be assured of our Duty and Allegiance; and we receive from them Mercy and Justice. Then will God bless us, whilst we serve Him and his Anointed, and Righte∣ousness and Peace shall kiss each other.
Fourthly, That You endeavour to preserve Us from Illegal Imprison∣ments and exactions of Fees by our Fellow-Subjects, least we be enslaved under Arbitrary Power (as in the late Rebellion) contrary to Magna Charta, and other good Laws: But if any shall offend, let them be punished in such sort as the Laws direct.
Fifthly, That the King be supplied with Money, to secure Us from, the Power of France at Land and Sea; That what Alliances the King hath, or shall make for the defence of Europe and the Protestant Religion, may be performed, and our Merchants encouraged to send forth those large Adven∣tures they are inclined unto, could they be secured by good Fleets in the Four Seas, and remoter Parts; They being at present apprehensive the French may possess their Estates (at pleasure) at Sea, as he doth those of the Subjects of the Empire on Land; from whence cometh a diminution of Trade in the Kingdom.
In Endeavouring these Particulars, You will truly represent Us.