Midd. ss.WHereas there is a special Commission directed to Us, under the Great-Seal of England, by his Higness Oliver Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging, for the redressing of the misimployment and concealing of Lands, Goods and Stocks of Money heretofore given to Charitable uses, as well by Kings and Queens of England, as by other well disposed persons. Some for relief of aged impotent and poor people; Some for maintenance of Sick and maimed Souldiers and Mariners, Schools of Learning, Free-Schools, and Schollers in Universities; Some for repair of Bridges, Ports, Havens, Cause-waies, Churches, Sea-banks, and High-waies; Some for education and perferment of Orphans; Some for or to­wards relief, Stock or maintenance for houses of Correction; Some for Marriages of poor Maids; Some for supportation, aid and help of young Tradesmen, Handicrafts-men, and Persons decayed; And others for relief or redemption of Prisoners or Captives, and for aid or ease of any poor Inhabitants concerning payment of Fifteens, setting out of Souldiers and other Taxes: Wee doe therefore in conscience of our dutie towards God and Man, hereby order & declare That if any poor per­son or persons whatsoever, under any the qualifications before specified, doe or shall find themselves justly grieved with fraud or violence, in the concealement, detention, or abuse of any (though never so Rich and great Oppressors) of any thing that is or shall be due to them, or any of them by the gift, appointment or assignment of any well disposed persons, and shall make their greivances appear before us to be reall; That they and every of them so grieved, shall have and receive sufficient remedie in the same both for what hath been formerly concealed or detained, as also for what is at present concealed or de­tained from them amongst such cruell oppressors, their heires, executors and administrators, if they or any of them have Assets in Law or Equity, with all possible speed, and without any fear of their Adversaries malitious power or greatness, either for the present or for time to come; And also that if any person or persons shall out of a due sence and apprehension of the oppressed and perishing condition of the Poor, make any just complaint of any Concealement or detention of any Gift, Appointment, or Assignement of any Lands, Rents, or Monies belonging to any Poor by whomsoever, and shall or can make a clear and full discoverie thereof, every such person or persons so doing shall and may recover the same before us for the use of the said Poor, together with all the arreares, against any such unjust dealers whomsoever, their heires, executors, or administrators, if they or any of them have Assets either in Law or Equity. And for their further encouragement herein, the said Discoverers shall have and receive a fourth part of the damages awarded against such Delinquents to be allowed them, for their charges, care and pains herein; and we doe hereby further will and require all Church-wardens, Over­seers of the poor, and all other Officers authorized by law, to sue for and recover such rights to such uses, to accompt for and pay what they have recovered to the use of any poor concerned therein, And to sue for where none else will or can pro­secute what they have not recovered, being due, upon penaltie to pay damages for their neglect herein, being found guiltie thereof by due Inquisition; And that none may be ignorant how to perform what they would or should doe herein, We doe appoint all that are or may be concerned in what is by us required as aforesaid, to repair to Walter Sheldon Gent, Clerk of the Commission (at his house at little Queens-street end, in high Holborne, over against the sign of the George, by the Kings-Gate that leadeth into Graies-Inn-Fields, in the said County of Middlesex) who shall and will be readie to receive their presentments, and to direct and instruct them at all convenient times. For the better effecting whereof, wee doe hereby will and require all and singular the Ministers of the County of Middlesex, as well within liberties, as without, to make publica­tion hereof in their severall Congregations both in the forenoon and afternoon of the next Sabbath-day after his or their receipt of the same, and afterwards to cause it to be fixed on the Church-Doors, where it may be easily seen and read by all people; And that no person or persons whatsoever presume or attempt either to deface or take it off from thence, upon their perils, to be proceeded against as contemners of his Highness Authoritie and Commission.

Given at Worcester-house in the Strand, 22 of October, 1655.