Directions of the Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-council Assembled. To the several Ministers of the City of London, and Liberties thereof; For the stirring up their Hearers to a voluntary and general Contribution, for the raising of a Stock, For the setting of the Poor of this City at Work as is hereafter expressed.  
THis Court having received a Narative from the Corporation for the Poor, of their intended Method for setting the Poor at work on the several Manufactures hereafter mentioned, Whereby the Poor may be kept from idleness, and enabled to earn a proportionable livelihood for themselves, which as it will tend much to the honour of God, the good of the Nation, So unto the special Weal of this City, in that the Poor shall be kept from extreme want, the streets cleared from Vagarants, the Unlearned taught, and the Idle kept from such temptations as attend that kind of life.  
Hereupon this Court have thought fit, for the better carrying on the said work, and encouraging of all well minded persons to a free and liberal contribution, For the advancement of so pious and charitable a work, have thought fit to acquaint all persons with the Intentions of the said Corporation, when they shall be enabled thereunto by a Stock, viz.  
1. To clear the streets of all Vagarants and sturdy Beggars.  
2. To employ the Poor who are any ways able to work, and have not wherewithal to employ themselves.  
3. To take care that such Children that lie under stalls, and wander about streets be set to work, and earn their bread, and also receive fitting Education.  
4. That such poor housekeepers, which are in great necessity for want of work, shall have materials home to their own houses, so as they procure persons of credit to engage for the return of the same when it's wrought.  
The way and means (among others) proposed by them to effect the aforegoing particulars, are as followeth.  
1. To employ these Poor in the making of all sorts of necessaries belonging to the Fishing trade, which will accommodate both young and old with fitting employment.  
2. In making Canvas, Pouldavis, Sack cloth, and other Linen cloth.  
3. In picking, sorting, carding and spinning of Cotten Wool, for the making of Fustians, and all other Manufactures which they are capable of, and the Stock will enable thereunto.  
In consideration of these preparations to so good a work, this Court earnestly desire you in your several places to stir up your Hearers with the most Religious and pressing arguments to so pious and charitable a Work, That so this City might not be found guilty of such a neglect as not to provide for the Poor, whom our Saviour hath told us, We shall have always with us; knowing that what we have is received from the riches of his Grace, that respects our thankfulness by giving to them that want, we being but Stewards, and shall shortly give an account of our Stewardship.  
And what God shall move the hearts of his people to give, This Court hath desired that every respective Alderman, Deputy and Common councel-man in their several Wards and Precincts, shall upon Monday and Wednesday next, meet in their several Wards; and subscribe themselves, and take the subscription of all and every person that shall willingly Contribute, and appoint Receivers of the same, and return an account of their proceed therein, unto this Court, who are resolved to their uttermost both in Care and Council, that the charity received might be well improved.  
Sadler.   

Foot, Major. Commune Concilium tent' in Camera Guildhald. London. sextimo die Februar. 1649.  
IT is thought fit and desired by this Court, that every respective Alderman with his Deputy and the Common-councel-men shall upon Monday and Wednesday next, meet in his Ward, and send for the Inhabitants thereof before them, and underwrite, towards raising of a Stock to set the Poor on work, and then take the subscriptions of the said Inhabitants, (what sums they shall willingly contribute thereunto) and appoint Receivers of the same; And further that every Common-council-man accompanied with such of his Neighbours as he shall think fit, shall repair to the several houses of those in his Precinct, (who shall not appear at the said meeting) and take their subscriptions for the purpose aforesaid, and return an account of their proceed to this Court.  
Sadler.   

Printed by Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON.