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At a Court held by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor precedent, and the rest of the Governors of the Corporation for the Poor of London, the 6th of February, 1655.  
WHereas the Governors of the Corporation for the Poor of London, have from year to year given public notice of their having a Stock of Flax, Hemp, and Tow, at either of their Workhouses, to employ the Poor within this City and Liberties thereof; And for some years together did employ about one thousand Poor at Work, besides the Poor Children that are Educated by the said Corporation in Learning and Arts; Yet nevertheless there are many Vagrants and Common beggars which continually frequent the Streets of this City, and refuse to receive or undertake any lawful work, or employment, to the scandal of the Government of this City, and the profession of Religion. For Prevention whereof, It hath pleased the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of this City President of this Corporation, lately to issue his lordship's Precepts to all the Constables of this City, requiring them diligently to prosecute the Laws of this Nation against Vagrants and Common beggars, and hath also given them a Breviate of the Statutes in force, the better to inform them of their respective duties, and of the penalties which they and others concerned must sustain, if they shall not pursue the said directions; In the further pursuance whereof his Lordship and the rest of the Governors of the said Corporation, (by and with the advice of the Treasurers and others, Governors of the several hospitals of this City) have resolved to give each other their best Assistance for the Vigorous and Constant carrying on of the same.  
And to this end have appointed a Competent number of able men under a salary, to spend their whole time in their respective appointed divisions, to be Assisting to the Constables of this City, in the apprehending of all sorts of beggars, to the end that such of the Poor belonging to this City, as will Work, may be sent to the Workhouses (at the minories and the Wardrobe) belonging to the said Corporation, there being a Stock of Hemp, Flax, and Tow, in readiness to employ them: And that the rest may be sent to the house of Correction, or be passed away according to the directions inserted in his lordship's Precepts.  
And to the end the broken Bread and Meat within this City (which hath usually been distributed to the aforesaid Common beggars) may not be lost: It is thought meet (respect being had to the several Prisons within this City) that such Basketmen as shall be judged convenient, being recommended by the Churchwardens or Overseers of the out-Parishes, shall be allowed to Gather and Receive the said broken Bread and Meat in such places as shall be assigned to them, to be distributed to such of the poorest sort of people, as the said Churchwardens and Overseers shall appoint to receive the same, they giving a Badge of distinguishment to such as they shall judge meet for that service.  
Towards the more effectual carrying on of which good work, his Lordship with the rest of the Governors of the said Corporation, do earnestly desire the Ministers of the gospel within this City and Liberties thereof, to publish the same, together with the heads of the Statutes inserted in his lordship's Precept hereunto Annexed, the next Lord's day in their respective Congregations: And to stir up all good people to be cheerfully active (in their several duties) for the encouragement of the great work under the management of the said Corporation, And more especially to implore the blessing of God and his gracious Assistance in and upon their endeavours.  
Signed by the Appointment of the said Corporation; By William Haslope Clerk to the said Corporation.   

Printed by James Flesher, Printer to the Honourable City of London, 1655.