THE copy OF A LETTER SENT From William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury the 28. of June MDCXLI. unto the university of OXFORD: SPECIFYING, His willingness to resign his Chancellor-ship, And withal deploring his sad Estate now in the time of his Imprisonment.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

The archbishops Letter to the University of OXFORD, declaring his willingness to resign up the Chancelorship. Dated June 28. 1641.  
MY present Condition is not unknown to the whole world, yet by few pitied, or deplored; The righteous God best knows the justice of my sufferings, on whom both in life and death, I will ever depend, the last of which shall be most welcome, in that my life is now burdensome unto me, my mind attended with sad, and grievious thoughts, my soul continually vexed with anxiety & trouble, groaning under the heavy burden of a displeased Parliament; my name dispersed, and grossly abused by the multiplicity of Libellous Pamphlets, and myself bard from any wonted access to the best of Princes, and it is vox populi that I am Popishly affected: How earnest I have been in my disputations, exhortations, and otherwise, to quench such sparks, lest they should become coals. I hope after my decease, you will acknowledge, yet in the midst of my afflictions there is nothing hath so nearly touched me, as the remembrance of your free and joyful acceptance of me, to be your chancellor, and that I am now shut up from being able to do you that Service which you might justly expect from me, when I first received this honour, I intended to have carried it with me to the Grave, neither were my hopes any less, since the Parliament by his majesty's Command, committed me to this royal Prison.  
But sith (by reason of matters of greater consequence yet in hand) the Parliament is pleased to procrastinate my trial, I do hereby as thankfully resign my office of being chancellor, as ever I received that dignity, entreating you to elect some honourable Person; who upon all occasions may be ready to serve you; I do beseech God to send you such a one as may do all things for his glory, and the furtherance of your most famous University,  
This is the continual Prayer of  
Your Dejected Friend and Chancellor, W. CANT.  
FINIS.