THAT Sir Robert Atkins and Sir John Knight have had great experience in Parliamentary Affairs , and thereby are much more fit to serve this City in that capacity , than Sir Richard Hart and Mr. Earle who were never there .

That the King's Life , as well as the Nation , is very much in danger by a Popish Plot , of which is Majesty his very sensible in his last Speech ; and by his Writ does direct his Subjects to chuse the wisest and most Judicious Men to advise with in Parliament what to be done .

That with the Parliament we trust our Lives , Liberties , Estates , and Religion , and whatsoever is near and dear unto us , in their hands ; so that 't is against all Reason to put out Men , of whose Loyalty , Wisdom and Integrity we have had large experience , and to venture our All with those who were never tried .

That the Cities of London and Westminster , and Borough of Southwark , and almost all the places in the Kingdom , have elected their old and knowing Members , thanking them for the pains they have taken : And shall Bristol be said to be unkind to Sir John Knight their honest old Member , and Sir Robert Atkins their worthy Recorder ?

That Sir John Knight is a very knowing Merchant , and Sir Robert Atkins a great Lawyer ; and can do much more Service for this City , in getting an Act for Merchandizing to the East-Indies and Turkie , by their Interest and knowledg in the Parliament-House , than either Sir Richard Hart , or Mr. Earle , who have no such Interest with the Lords and Commons as they have .

That every Inhabitant of this City may easily see the difference betwixt Sir Robert Atkins and Sir John Knight on the one side , and Sir Richard Hart and Mr. Earl on the other , by the great numbers lately admitted to the Freedom of this City , of which every Lover of the City is desired to take notice , That Sir Robert Atkins and Sir John Knight have not made one free on their account , nor would have any of their Friends so do ; as highly valuing the Priviledg and Freedom of this great City : and would rather not be Parliament-men than do the City so much wrong , as to make any person free that has no right .

That several hundreds have been lately made free , and they no way concerned in it , to the very great detriment of most of the Freemen of this City , who will more and more find it prove prejudical to all the Carpenters , Coopers , Taylors , Shoomakers , Smiths , Joyners , and other Tradesmen , Journymen and Apprentices .

That by these hundreds of Freedoms you may easily perceive what Pride and Ambition will do ; and if , to be Parliament-men , your Freedoms shall at first be so poorly valued ; what may such Men do in Parliament for more Honour ? Remember that they also may give away your ALL .

That the Mayor and some others have ordered the Town-Clerk and Chamberlain , that Sir Robert Atkins and Sir John Knight shall have no Copy of the many hundreds that are lately made free , tho they are Justices of the Peace , and have power to know . By which every one may perceive their design ; as also that several hundreds of Copies are kept by some in this City , when-as the persons they belong to ought to have the keeping thereof themselves ; of which an accompt will be taken when time shall serve .

That Sir Robert Atkins and Sir John Knight were always known to be of the Church of England ; and as loyal to their King as Sir Richard Hart or Mr. Earl can possibly pretend to ; tho some unworthy persons ( who dare not tell them so to their faces ) asperse them otherwise .

That in so great a Concern you are not to chuse for favour nor affection , but such Men that can best serve the Nation in general , which we ought to prefer above private Esteem or Friendship : Otherwise , should any ill come by chusing new Men , and putting by good old ones , we may fear the fate of Rehoboam , who by advising with New Counsellors , and refusing the Advice of the old ones , the Kingdom was rent assunder : which God grant may never be this Nation's nor this Citie's Case . Amen .