His Majesties COMMISSION FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF S. PAUL In LONDON.  
 arms of James II 
J 2 R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
LONDON, Printed by Charles Bill, Henry Hills, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1685.   

His Majesties COMMISSION.  
JAMES the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.  
Whereas the Kings Most Excellent Majesty Charles the Second of most Blessed Memory, Our most Dear and most Entirely Beloved Brother, was Graciously pleased out of his Pious and good Intentions towards the Rebuilding of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in London, to Constitute and Appoint several Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other Persons of known Worth and Integrity, Commissioners in the Commission under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date the Twelfth day of Novemb. Anno Dom. 1673. since which time a Considerable Progress hath been made in the said Building;( which said Commission by the Decease of Our said most Dear and Royal Brother is become voided.)  
To the Intent so great and good a Work may effectually be carried on, We are Graciously pleased to renew the said Commission, and have Nominated, Constituted and Appointed, and do by these Presents Nominate, Constitute and Appoint Our Trusty and well-beloved Sir Robert Jefferies Knt. Lord Mayor of Our City of London, and the Lord Mayor of Our said City of London for the time being;  
The most Reverend Father in God, Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved counselor, William Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitan, and the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, George Lord Jefferies, Baron of Wem, Lord High Chancellor of England, and the Lord High Chancellor of England for the time being, and the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England for the time being;  
The most Reverend Father in God, John Lord Arch-Bishop of York, Primate of England, and Metropolitan, and the Lord Arch-Bishop of York for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, laurence Earl of Rochester, Lord High Treasurer of England, and the Lord High Treasurer of England for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, Robert Earl of Sunderland, Lord President of Our Council, and Our Principal Secretary of State, and the Lord President of Our Council for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Henry Earl of Clarendon, Keeper of Our Privy Seal, and the Keeper of Our Privy Seal for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin, Henry Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, and the Earl Marshal of England for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, James Duke of Ormond, Lord Steward of Our household, and the Lord Steward of Our household for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, Christopher Duke of Albemarle;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, Henry Duke of Newcastle;  
Our Right trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and counselor, Henry Duke of Beaufort;  
Our Right trusty, and Right wellbeloved Cousin and counselor, Robert Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain of England, and the Lord Great Chamberlain of England for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, John Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Chamberlain of Our household, and the Lord Chamberlain of Our household, for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Aubrey Earl of Oxford;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Theophilus Earl of huntingdon;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, John Earl of Bridgwater;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Henry Earl of Peterborow;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Philip Earl of Chesterfield;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, John Earl of Bath;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor William Earl of Craven;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, George Earl of Berkley;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Daniel Earl of Nottingham;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Thomas Earl of Plymouth;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Charles Earl of Middleton, One of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and both Our Principal Secretaries of State for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Thomas Viscount Fawconberge;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin, Francis Viscount Newport, Treasurer of Our household, and the Treasurer of Our household for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and Right well-beloved Cousin and counselor, Richard Viscount Preston;  
The Right Reverend Fathers in God, Henry Lord Bishop of London; Nathaniel Lord Bishop of Durham, Our counselor, and Dean of Our chapel; Peter Lord Bishop of Winchester; Francis Lord Bishop of Ely, Our Almoner; Thomas Lord Bishop of Rochester, Clerk of Our Closet, and Dean of Westminster; and the Bishops of London, Durham, Winchester, Ely, and Rochester, Our Almoner, Dean of Our chapel, Clerk of Our Closet, and Dean of Westminster for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved, William Lord Maynard, Our controller of Our household, and the controller of Our household for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, George Lord Dartmouth, Master of Our Ordnance, and the Master of Our Ordnance for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, Sidney Lord Godolphin, Chamberlain to Our Royal Consort the Queen, and the Chamberlain to Our Royal Consort the Queen for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, Sir John Ernle Knt. Chancellor and Under-treasurer of our Exchequer, and the Chancellor and Under-treasurer of Our Exchequer for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, Sir Thomas Chichley Knt. Chancellor of Our duchy of Lancaster, and the Chancellor of Our duchy of Lancaster for the time being;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, Henry Coventry Esq;  
Our Right trusty, and well-beloved counselor, Sir Edward Herbert Knt. Chief Justice of the Pleas before Us to be holden, assigns, and the Chief Justice of the Pleas, before Us to be holden, assigns for the time being;  
Sir John Trevor Knt. Master of the Rolls, and the Master of the Rolls for the time being;  
Sir Thomas Jones Knt. Chief Justice of Our Court of Common-Pleas, and the Chief Justice of Our Court of Common-Pleas for the time being;  
William montague Esq; Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer, and the Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer for the time being;  
Sir Francis Withens, Sir Richard Holloway, Sir Robert Wright Knights, Justices of the Pleas before Us to be holden, assigns, and the Justices of the Pleas before Us to be holden for the time being;  
Sir Job Charlton, Sir Creswell Levinz, Sir Thomas Street Knights, Justices of Our Court of Common-Pleas, and the Justices of Our Court of Common-Pleas for the time being;  
Sir Robert Atkins, Sir William Gregory, Sir Edward nevil Knights, Barons of Our Court of Exchequer, and the Barons of Our Court of Exchequer for the time being;  
Sir Robert Sawyer Knt. Our Attorney General, Heneage Finch Esq; Our Solicitor General, and Our Attorney General and Solicitor General for the time being;  
Sir William Dugdale Knt. Garter Principal King of Arms, and the Garter Principal King of Arms for the time being;  
Sir Thomas St. George Knt. Norroy King of Arms, and the Norroy King of Arms for the time being;  
Sir Henry St. George, Clarencieux King of Arms, and the Clarencieux King of Arms for the time being;  
Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Meeres Knights, Sir John Cutler Knt. and Bar. Sir John Nicholas Knight of the Bath, Sir Philip Lloyd Knt. William Brigman and Philip Musgrave Esq; Clerks of Our Council, and the Clerks of Our Council for the time being;  
Sir Richard Lloyd Knt. Dean of the Arches Court of Canterbury, and Judge of Our High Court of Admiralty, and the Dean of the Arches, Court of Canterbury, and Judge of the High Court of Admiralty for the time being;  
Richard rains Doctor of Laws, Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and the Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury for the time being;  
Sir Thomas Exton Knt. Our Advocate General, and Vicar General of the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and Chancellor of the Lord Bishop of London, Our Advocate General, and Vicar General of the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and Chancellor of the Lord Bishop of London for the time being;  
Henry Paman Doctor of Laws, and Master of the Faculties, and the Master of the Faculties for the time being;  
Sir William Turner Knt. Sir William Hooker Knt. Sir Robert Viner Knt. and Bar. Sir James Edwards, Sir John Moore, Sir William Prichard, Sir Henry Tulse, Sir James Smith Knights, Sir Thomas Jenner Knt. Sergeant at Law, Recorder of Our said City of London, and the Recorder of Our said City of London for the time being; Sir John peak, Sir John Chapman, Sir simon Lewis, Sir Jonathan Raymond, Sir Peter Daniel Knights, Sir Peter Rich Knt. Chamberlain of Our said City of London, and the Chamberlain of Our said City of London for the time being; Sir Samuel Dashwood, Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Sir John Buckworth, Sir Benjamin Newland Knights, Jacob lucy, Charles Duncombe, Peter Parravicini Esq; Sir William Goslin Knt. Sir Peter Vandeput, Aldermen of Our said City; Sir Benjamin Thorogood, Sir Thomas Kensey Knights, Sheriffs of Our said City, and the Aldermen and Sheriffs of Our said City for the time being;  
Edward Stillingfleet Doctor in Divinity, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London; John Tillotson Doctor in Divinity, and Dean of Canterbury; William Holder Doctor in Divinity, and Henry Godolphin Doctor in Divinity, Residentiaries of the said Cathedral Church, and the Dean and Residentiaries of the said Cathedral Church for the time being;  
Sir Christopher Wrenn Knt. Surveyor General of Our Works, and Surveyor also of these Works, and the Surveyor General of Our Works for the time being;  
Thomas Pinfold Doctor of Laws, Our Advocate in Our High Court of Admiralty, and Our Advocate in Our High Court of Admiralty for the time being; and John Phelips Esq; one of Our Auditors of Our Court of Exchequer, to be Our Commissioners for Carrying on, Finishing and Adorning the said Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London.  
And We do by these Presents give full Power and Authority to you, or any six or more of you, whereof the Lord Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Pauls for the time being to be one, to demolish and take down what is yet remaining of the old fabric, and carry on the new Work, or such part or portion of it, and in such Order and Method, and by such Ways and Means, and according to such Rules and Directions as to you shall seem best; and to call to your Aid and Assistance, such skilful Artists, Officers and Workmen as ye shall think fit, and to appoint each of them his several Charge and employment; to minister to such Artists and Officers, and to all and every other Person and Persons to be employed in the said Service, to whom you shall think meet, such Oath or Oaths for the due performance of their several Duties, Employments, Offices, Charges and Trusts to them or any of them to be committed, as shall by you be thought reasonable and convenient; and out of such Money as shall be received for this Work, to allow to them, and every of them, such Salaries, Wages, and Rewards respectively as to you shall seem fitting and proportionable to their Employment, and the Service they shall do; and to Consider, advice, and Agree of, and set down particular Orders and Instructions, as well for the safe, and well keeping, both of the Money from time to time, brought into the Treasury, and of the Materials and Provisions to be from time to time brought into the Stores; and also for the faithful and frugal issuing out and disposing of the same, for the public Use intended, and no other; and to direct and appoint by whom, and in what manner the Books and accounts of both shall be from time to time kept, comptrolled, audited, and transcribed, and certified; and to put such a Cheque upon the Receipt and issuing out of both, as you shall judge necessary; And out of yourselves, and such other Persons of known Ability and Integrity, as you shall choose from time to time, and as oft as you shall judge it Expedient to appoint, constitute, and make, such and so many Sub-Committees as you shall think meet, for the better managing and carrying on of this whole Work; and to invest them with such powers pursuant to the Authorities hereby given, as shall be requisite; and to revoke, annul, and determine the same; and to revive, and make new the said Sub-Committees, or any others, when, and as often as you shall find it needful and conducing to the Service; and advice, Treat, and Consider of all other things, ways, and means for the better Advancement and Furtherance of this Great and Excellent Work, and to the finishing and perfecting the same, and to put the said ways and means in due and speedy Execution; and finally to Consult of, and Frame meet Orders, Ordinances, and Constitutions for the better preservation and maintenance of the said Cathedral Church in time to come, and for preventing and suppressing of all present and future Annoyances and Purprestures, and Encroachments, which do, shall, or may any way tend to the Damage or Hurt, Blemishing or Disgrace of the same; And the said Orders, Ordinances, and Constitutions being reduced into Writing, to present to Us; to the end the same being by Us perused and considered of, may receive Our Royal Approbation and Allowance, with such further Orders from Us for the strengthening the same by Our Royal Signature, or under Our Great Seal of England, or otherwise as We shall find meet, that so they may be put in due Execution accordingly.  
Now, forasmuch as it appears, by an Act lately to Us presented, that a Considerable Sum hath already been expended upon the said Work, and that the same is very well advanced; lest after so great an expense, there should be any obstruction in so good a Work, We were Graciously pleased to give Our Royal Assent to a Bill in Parliament, for the term of Thirteen years, to Commence from the Twenty ninth day of Septemb. 87. by an Imposition upon Coals: And do further hereby give and grant unto you the said Henry Lord Bishop of London, and to the Bishop of that See for the time being, and to you the present Dean and others Residentiaries of Our said Cathedral Church, and to your Successors, the Dean and others Residentiaries thereof for the time being, full Power and Authority to Receive and take the free and voluntary Contributions of all Persons whatsoever as shall willingly Contribute to the said Work, and to Constitute and Appoint such other Person or Persons, as any three or more of you( whereof the Lord Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Pauls to be one) shall think most ready, to assist in Gathering and Receiving the said Contributions; and also to provide and keep Books or Registers, such as have been formerly kept upon the like occasion, to take the said Subscriptions.  
All which Money already so subscribed or given, raised, collected, or received, or which shall hereafter be given, collected or received, as also such Money as shall become due and payable by virtue of the aforesaid Act of Parliament, and shall be issued out by Warrant under the Hands and Seals of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and the Lord Mayor of London for the time being, or any two of them, for the use of the said Cathedral Church according to the said Act, shall be paid to such Person or Persons as by any six or more of you Our said Commissioners( whereof the Lord Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Pauls for the time being, to be one) shall be from time to time chosen and appointed to Receive the same, and to give Acquittances and Discharges for it to such Person or Persons as shall pay it as aforesaid.  
And for the further easing and defraying of so vast an expense as this Work shall require, and in order to the better Recovery, and preservation of whatsoever hath or shall be given, or intended to be given, purchased or provided for that purpose, being very desirous that a true and perfect discovery may be made, as well of all such Legacies, Bequests, Gifts both of Lands and Sums of Money, or other Profits, as have been at any time hereafter, or hereafter shall be given, subscribed, or intended for the Rebuilding, Maintaining, Repairing or Adorning of the said Church; as also of all Materials, Instruments or Utensils at any time purchased or prepared for that Work, but Fraudulently and Sacrilegiously concealed, detained, or converted to private use and advantage: We do by these Presents, give and grant unto you, or any six or more of you( whereof the Lord Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Pauls for the time being, to be one) full Power and Authority, as well by the Oath of Honest and Lawful Men, as by the Examination of Witnesses upon their Oaths( which said Oaths both to Jurors and Witnesses, you or any six or more of you, as aforesaid, are hereby authorized to Administer) or without Oath, and by all other Ways and Means whatsoever, from time to time to inquire and examine as well of and concerning all and every Sum and Sums of Money, or other Gifts whatsoever, which heretofore have, or hereafter shall be given, bequeathed, subscribed, advanced, raised, collected or received for or towards the Reparation or Rebuilding of the said Cathedral Church, or for Beautifying or Adorning thereof, or for providing of any Instruments, Utensils or Ornaments for the same, and touching the Payment and employment thereof, and what remains yet unpaid or unaccounted for, and in whose Hands; as also of and concerning all and every the Materials and Utensils at any time provided for the Repairing or Rebuilding of the said Church, or any belonging to the same, or of the particular value thereof, and how, and by whom the same, or any part thereof, hath been taken away, disposed, conveyed and employed otherwise then to the use intended; and to sand for and Convene, and Cause to come before you all such Farmers, Tenants, Trustees, Treasurers, Receivers, Accountants, Clerks, and other Officers and Ministers, Parties and Witnesses whatsoever, which are any way concerned, or can give Testimony touching the premises, and which you shall think necessary to call before you, and to Examine them severally upon their Oaths, and to Cause all and every Person and Persons whom you shall think good from time to time, to bring and show before you, either upon Oath or without Oath, all and singular such Books and Records, Registers, Surveys, Accounts, Evidences, and other Notes and Writings any way relating to the premises, and remaining in their Hands, as you shall think fit to be produced, whereby the truth of the premises may the better and more plainly be found out and discovered, and to let you have use and perusal of the same.  
And for your ease and better Expedition in the Execution of this part of Our Commission, Our Will and Pleasure is; And We do hereby Charge and Command, that all such Surveyors, Actuaries, Registers, Officers and Ministers whatsoever, which you or any six or more of you, as aforesaid, shall think fit and require, shall be ready and attendant upon you or any six or more of you, for the doing and performing any thing necessary and expedient to be done in the Execution of this Our Commission.  
And forasmuch as the Letters Patents granted in the Life time of Our said most Dear and Royal Brother, to Our said Commissioners, for procuring of Contributions and Subscriptions within Our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, have not brought in such Sums as was reasonably expected, for want of pursuing the Methods and Directions in the said Letters Patents mentioned; and as We are Credibly informed, there hath been no Returns made from a considerable number of Parishes, of Moneys therein Collected by virtue of the said Letters Patents, for Rebuilding of the said Cathedral: And to the intent so great Neglects for the time to come may be amended, and that all Moneys already given, may be truly paid in, We are Graciously pleased, and do hereby strictly Charge and Command all Our Clergy, and all other Persons exercising Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction within Our said Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, that they take especial Care to certify under their Hands what Sum and Sums of Money have been collected and paid, and to whom: And We do hereby Require and Command all Sheriffs, Justices of of the Peace, Constables, bailiffs, and all other Our Officers, Ministers, and Loving Subjects whatsoever, upon any Warrant or Precept to be issued from you, Our said Commissioners, or any six or more of you, as aforesaid, to Return Jurors, serve Orders and Summons, and be aiding and assisting in all things tending to the effectual Execution of the said Commission: And We do hereby authorize you, or any six or more of you, as aforesaid, to demand and call for, and Order to be paid into the Hands of the Receiver or Receivers so appointed as aforesaid, all such Sum and Sums of Money as by the Means and Methods, and in any of the Cases aforesaid, now are, or hereafter shall be found to be remaining in the Hands of, or due and payable by, or Chargeable upon any Person or Persons whatsoever, with Damages for the same; or such Compositions either of Principal or Damages as you shall think fit to be made therein; and in default of payment, to inform Us and Our Council of such Person, or Persons so found to be Indebted, which shall in Contempt of this Our Commission, refuse to pay the said Debts. And out of such Money as shall be so discovered, recovered, and received, to allow fitting and proportionable Salaries, Gratuities and Rewards to such Clerks, Messengers, and others who shall any ways advance the said Service, or be employed in discovery or getting in the said Moneys.  
And lastly, Our Pleasure is, That this Commission shall continue in force; And, We do hereby authorize you Our said Commissioners, or any six or more of you( whereof the Lord Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Pauls for the time being, to be one) to proceed in the Execution thereof, and of all and every the Matters and Things therein contained from time to time, as often as you or any six or more of you( whereof the said Bishop, or the said Dean for the time being, to be always one) shall think convenient, although the said Commission be not continued from time to time by Adjournment. And for doing of all this, and for using and exercising all and every the Powers above herein granted, or mentioned to be granted, in such manner as is above directed, these Presents shall be unto you, and unto every of you, and to all other Persons employed therein, a sufficient Warrant and Discharge. In Witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.  
Witness ourself at Westminster, the Twenty second day of January, in the First year of Our Reign. PER BREVE DE PRIVATO SIGILLO. Barker.  
GOD SAVE THE KING.