WHEREAS a Commission under the Great Seal of England , bearing date at Westminster the Three and Twentieth day of August now last past , hath been directed unto Me , and divers others in the said Commission nominated , Authorizing the said Commissioners , or any Four or more of them , by such Ways and Means as therein is directed , to enquire within the City and Diocess of Canterbury in the County of Kent , as well within Liberties as without , for the due Execution of the Statute made in the Three and Fortieth year of the Raign of our late Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth , what Lands , Tenements , Rents , Annuities , Profits , Hereditaments , Goods , Chattels . Money , and Stocks of Money , have been heretofore given by any well-disposed Person or Persons for Relief of Aged , Impotent , and Poor People , Maintenance of Sick and Maimed Soldiers and Mariners , Schools of Learning , Free-Schools , and Scholars of Universities , Repair of Bridges , Ports , Havens , Causeways , Churches , Sea-Banks , and High-ways , for Education and Preferment of Orphans , for or towards the Relief , Stock or Maintenance for Houses of Correction , Marriage of Poor Maids , Supportation , Aid and Help of young Tradesmen , Handycrafts-men , and Persons decayed , Release and Redemption of Captives , Aid or Ease of any Poor Inhabitants , concerning Payment of Fifteens , Setting out of Soldiers , and other Taxes , and of the Abuses , Breaches of Trust , Negligences , Misimployment , not Imploying , Concealing , Defrauding , Misconverting and Misgoverning of the same Lands , Tenements , Stocks of Money , and other Things given to any of the Charitable Uses aforesaid , and to set down such Orders , Judgments and Decrees , as that the same Lands , Tenements , Money , and other things may be duly imployed to and for such of the Charitable Uses aforesaid for which they were given , limited or appointed by the Donors and Founders thereof :

These are therefore to Will and Require you , the next Lords Day after the receipt of this Order , in your Parish-Church after the Nicene Creed , publickly to Read the same ; to the end that all Persons may know it , and have the benefit thereof . And that all due Proceedings may be had for Recovery and Settlement for the future of such Charitable Uses as have been misconverted and misimployed , I have appointed Tho. Bourchier Doctor of Laws , our Commissary of Canterbury , George Thorpe Doctor in Divinity , one of the Prebendaries of Canterbury , and William Man Esquire , or any one of them , to receive all such Complaints as shall be made . And that all Persons concerned may come fully prepared , they are to produce to the Persons abovesaid , or some one of them , all such Wills , Charters , Evidences , and other Writings , whereby the respective Charities were given , limited and appointed , who will then give them such further direction as shall be necessary for the due Prosecution of such Complaints .