75 - 22 Jan. To the mayor and aldermen of London

Summary

Salutem in Christo

After my hearty Commendations etc.

Wheras his Majestie out of his Princely bounty to the Repayre of St. Paules Church in London, and his religious care of that great and pious worke, did promise 500^li a yeare towards it for the space of 10 yeares, and afterwards as the Worke might then require. And wheras for the last yeare the said promised Summe of 500^li could not conveniently be paid into the Chamber of London, by reason of the greate Expense of his Majesties Journey into Scotland. His Majestie taking this into his religious and prudent care, that noe stay of his moneys, upon what urgent cause soever occasioned, might any way hinder the bounty of his well minded People, or cause any the least iealousye of his royall intentions towards that Worke, hath att this present sent in 500^li for his payment appointed in November 1632 and 500^li his Majestys payment in November 1633 and hath commanded me to see the said Summe sent in, and an Acquittance taken by me to his Majesties use. And haveing now performed this Trust, I thinke it my dutye to his Majestie, to express to your Lordship and the rest of the Aldermen, and Governours of that Honourable Cittye this his Religious and Princely bounty, which I am very confident will quicken the Payments of such wardes as are behind in London, and sett an edge upon your Lordship and other particular men in your severall Proportions to add to that greate worke, which will adde as fast, and as much, to your owne honour, as to Gods Service, and the Churches safetye. And here give me leave to desire of your Lordship and the rest of the Aldermen, an Addition to your former Gifte. For most of the Aldermen att the first tyme gave but 10^li a man, wheras divers well minded Citizens have profest unto my selfe, that they would have given a greater Summe then that, if they could have thought it any way fitt or convenient, to give more then their Superiors did. Soe that upon the matter, that lowe example hath much hindred the worke. And if your Lordship and your Brethren shall now be pleased to add, and make your Gift, what ever it be, annuall, it wilbe a greate encouragement to others, and as great advancement to the worke.