55 - 30 Jan. To the Barber-Surgeons’ Company

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

After my verie hartie commendations.

you cannot but take notice of his Majesties most honourable and pious intention, for the Repaire of the decayes of St Pawles Church, here in London, being the Mother Church of this Citty and Diocess, and the greate Cathedrall of this Kingdome. A greate dishonour it is not onely to this Citty, but to the whole State to see that Auncient and goodly Pyle of building soe decayed as it is, but it will be a farr greater, if care should not be taken to prevent the fall of it into ruin. And it would be noe lesse disgrace to Religion happily established in this Kingdome, if it should have soe litle power over the mindes of men, as not to prevaile with them to keepe those eminent places of Gods service in due and decent repaire which their Forefathers buylt in tymes, by their owne confession, not soe full of the full of the knowledge of gods truth, as this present Age is. I am not ignorant how many worthy workes have bene done of late, in, and about this Citty towards the building the building and repayring of Churches, which makes me hope that every mans purse will open to this greate and necessary worke (according to Gods blessinge upon him) soe much tending to the service of God and the honour of this nation. The generall body of the Cittye have done verie worthily in theyr bounty allready, as alsoe the lord Maiour, Aldermen, and Sheriffes severally for their owne persons. Theis are therefore accordinge to theire examples hartily to pray and desire you, the Maister, Wardeins, and other Assistants of the worthy Company of Barbar Surgions, to contribute out of your publike Stock to the worke aforesaid, what you, out of your Charitye and devosion shall thinke fitt, and to pay the Summe resolved on by you into the Chamber of London, at or before our Lady Day next, praying you that I may receave by any servant of your Companye, a note what the Summe is, which you resolve to give. And for this Charity of yours whatsoever it shall prove to be, I shall not onely give you harty thankes but be as ready to serve you, and every of you, as you are to serve God and his Church.