Sion COLLEGE, or the college of the London clergy, was formerly a religious house, next to a spittal or hospital; and now it is a composition of both, viz. a college for the clergy of London, who were incorporated in 1631, at the request of Dr White, under the name of the president and fellows of Sion-college; and an hospital of ten poor men, the first within the gates of the house, and the latter without.
This college consists of a president, two deans, and four assistants, who are annually chosen from among the rectors and vicars in London, subject to the visitation of the bishop. They have one of the finest libraries in England, built and stocked by Mr Simpson, chiefly for the clergy of the city, without excluding other students on certain terms; they have also a hall with chambers for the students, generally filled with the ministers of the neighbouring parishes.