THE STATE OF ZION COLLEGE LONDON, 1681.  
THe said College was founded by Dr. Thomas White, Vicar of St. Dunstan's in the West, etc. and confirmed by the Charters of the Kings, Charles the First and Second. It is governed by a Precedent, 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 public 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 Public 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 public 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, , 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 Expenses 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 ruins, here being the only public 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 Governors, or other Ministers of London, to be delivered to some of the Governors for the time being, to be by them employed according to the intent of the Donors.