Whereas Letters haue been lately addressed vnto me, from the most Reuerend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterburie his Grace, recommending, according vnto speciall directions, by him receiued from his Maiesty and the Lords of the most Honourable Priuie Councell, the publication of a Discourse written by Captaine Richard Whitbourne, concerning New-found-land, and a Collection to be thereupon made in all the seuerall Parishes within this Kingdome of England: And that by my selfe and my Officers I would giue my best furtherance thereunto. Now, forasmuch as the publication of the said Discourse tends principally to the aduancement of his Maiesties Plantation already there begun, by inciting Aduenturers thereunto, as well for the propagation of the Gospell in that Countrey, as also for many great benefits that may be there gotten to all such as will be Aduenturers therein; and likewise for the generall good and inriching of the whole Kingdome, and not be any way burdensome, or hurtfull to any of his Maiesties subiects, as by the Discourse it selfe, herewith sent vnto you, doth more at large appeare; And for that his Maiesty and the Lords of the Councell haue so well approoued the said Captaines good endeuours herein, as to recommend him in an extraordinary manner; That towards his great trauels, charge, and expence of time, with seuerall Commissions, and otherwise in this businesse; and towards the Printing and free distributing his Bookes, and his seuerall great losses receiued at Sea by Pirats and otherwise, in aduenturing to further the said Plantation, and partly discouering the good which may come thereby vnto all his Maiesties subiects; The voluntary bounties of all his Maiesties subiects should be collected to his vse and behoofe, as by their Lordships Letters, and his Maiesties pleasure thereupon signified, which is Printed in the forepart of the Booke, doth appeare.
These are therfore to pray & require you my Brethren of the Ministery, in your seueral parish Churches & Chappels, thorowout my Diocesse of London; That within one moneth next after the said Captaine Whitbournes Booke, with this my Letter, which I do allow to be Printed, shall be by him, his Assignee or Assignes brought vnto any of you, you signifie vnto your Parishioners in so friendly and effectuall manner as possibly you can, vpon some Sabbath day, in the time of Diuine Seruice, and when no other Collection is to be made, this my Letter, and the scope and intent of his Discourse, and seriously stir vp and exhort them to extend their bountifull liberality herein; which you the Churchwardens are [...]o collect, after the due and vsuall manner from seate to seate; and such of the Parishioners as shall be then absent, to collect their gratuities thereunto at their houses, and then ioyntly with the Minister endorse the summe and place where it is collected, in letters, and not in figures, vpon these Letters, So as his good endeauours, seuerall great losses and expence of his time and meanes therein, may be friendly considered, and speedily returne the same (vnto your Archdeacons Register, who is vpon receit therof to conuey both money & Letters) vnto M r. Robert Christian, Gent. at his house in Knight-rider▪street, neere the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London: To be redeliuered ouer to the foresaid Captaine Whitbourne or his lawfull Assignee or Assignes.
Any Parator or other person that shall bring this Letter with the Booke vnto any Parish, is agreed withall for his paines therein beforehand, that none such shall receiue any of the money that shalbe collected, as abouesaid.