To the Worshipful the Bench of Justices now Sitting
at Hicks Hall

The humble petition of Several Butchers whose
names are hereunto Subscribed.

Humbly Sheweth

That your Petitioners with many others of the Same business living in
or near London have for Several years past entered into agreements together in
order to Present and Suppress the open and publick prophanation of the Lord day
by divers Persons of the Same trade in selling and exposing of [..] ca [..] to Sale on
that day to great dishonour of God, the Contempt of Religion and defyance
of the Laws made for the Strict Observance of the Lords day.

That altho your petitioners have used their almost endeavours to prevent
such Practices and for that purpose have expended Several Sums of money to
detect Prosecute and convict those who have been and are Still guilty of
such Crimes Yet all their endeavours have hitherto Proved ineffectual
to Suppress the Same.

That among many other places in the Suburbs of London where meat are
exposd to sale on the Lords day; There is every Sunday morning and often time
all the day a Certain Market Kept and great Quantities of Meat Publickly set
forth and exposed to Sale and Sold by divers Butchers in Turnmil Street in
the Parish of Clerkenwell in the time of Divine Service as appears upon
the Oaths in the Affidavit Annexed to the great Prejudice and Annoyance
of the Inhabitants and the evil example of others, which Said wicked
Practices are grown So Common that they are even become troublesome
to the Parishioners and inhabitants as they go thro' that Street to and
from Church.

That your petitioners humbly conceive that thro' the neglect of Several officers
in not detecting Such Sabbath breakers, and for that No Indictment prosecution
as Your Petitioners Are Advised can be Supported for Such officers but only a
for feiture of the goods, So Sold upon Conviction the perpetrators of Such Crimes
Still Continue Comitting the same without remorse

Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray that your Worships
Will be Pleased to take this into Consideration and give Some Direction
For the Suppressing of that Sunday Market in Turnmil Street
and other Places and that the peace officers May being Such offenders
to Justice both there and in other places where they Shall be Found offending
in the manner above mentioned

And your Petitioners Shall ever Pray Etc