THe said College was founded by Dr. Thomas White , Vicar of St. Dunstans in the West , &c. and confirmed by the Charters of the Kings , Charles the First and Second . It is governed by a President , two Deans , and four Assistants , annually chosen out of the Ministers of London , who are all Fellows of the said College .

It consists of a Hall , Library , other publick Rooms , Chambers for Students , and a Hospital for twenty poor aged People , men and women .

In the dreadful Fire of London all the Buildings were consumed , a third part of the Books burnt , and Rents lost to the yearly value of one hundred and six Pounds , six Shillings .

By the Charity of several worthy Benefactors ( whose names are to be seen in the Publick Register kept in the Library ) the said Library and Hospital were soon rebuilt in as good or better manner than before the Fire ; The Hall and publick Rooms are brought up to the Roof , and covered . There hath been already expended in these Works the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds and upwards , and it will require about Four Hundred Pounds more to finish them .

Besides the great loss of Rents , before-mentioned , the Lands which were appropriated to the maintenance of the Poor are within these few years sunk from One hundred and twenty to Seventy Pounds per annum ; so that the Pensions of the Poor which were formerly Six Pounds per annum , are now fallen to Three pounds ten . And though the Salaries of the Clerk and other Officers have been lessened , and divers other Expences wholly taken away , the College is yet indebted near Four hundred pounds .

It is therefore humbly recommended to all the lovers of Piety and Learning , as a proper object for their charity and munificence , that by their assistance the debts of the said College may be discharged , the remaining part of the Buildings finished , and the Poor receive the same comfortable allowances which they formerly enjoyed .

And for the speedy finishing of the Buildings , it may be considered that it will be much for the credit of this Honourable City , not to suffer any part of the said College to lie in ruines , here being the only publick Library in London , whither divers Strangers and Foreiners are wont to resort .

Those who shall be pleased to contribute any thing towards all or any of the purposes herein expressed , are desired to lodge their Charity in the hands of some of the Governours , or other Ministers of London , to be delivered to some of the Governours for the time being , to be by them imployed according to the intent of the Donors .