THE university of Oxford's Plea refuted. OR, A full ANSWER to a late printed Paper, entitled, The privileges of the university of Oxford in point of Visitation: Together with, the universities Answer to the Summons of the Visitors.  
Manifesting the Vanity and Falsity of this pretended university privilege and Plea to the Visitors Jurisdiction; That the right of Visiting the university of Oxford is only in the King's majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction by its Foundation, Prescription, and several Grants of Exemption. And insufficiency of all the Allegations and Authorities produced to support it.  
Published for the information of the judgements, and satisfaction of the consciences of all ingenuous Members of that university, who only out of Ignorance or Error, not Obstinacy or Malignity, have demurred to the jurisdiction of the Visitors thereof, though appointed, authorized by Ordinance of Parliament, and Commission under the Great Seal of England.  
By William Prynne, Esq one of the said Visitors  
Prov. 19 20. hear counsel, and receive Instruction, that thou Mayst he wise in in thy latter end.  
London, Printed by T. B. for Michael Spark, 1647.  
ROBERT: DAVIES of ILannerch● Denbighshire●   

The university of Oxford's Plea refuted.  
THE ingenuous Answer of some of the Doctors, and both the Proctors of my Mother-University of Oxford, to the honourable standing Committee of Lords and Commons for its regulation, on the 16. of this instant November, (before whom they were then personally convented, for demurring to the jurisdiction of the Visitors appointed them by both houses of Parliament) to this effect: That they did in their former papers presented by the Proctors, October 8. by way of petition, only represent their sense of their own privileges, and their Obligations (as they conceived) by divers oaths for the maintaining of them, without circumscribing or limiting, much less denying or contemning the authority of the Lords and Commons, but purposely avoiding (as still they did desire to avoid) all questions of so high and transcendent a nature; it being possible that they might be in an error, and yet to be obliged in conscience, not to do otherwise then they have done, till they are convinced of that error. And therefore humbly d●sired convenient time to advise with council, more fully to inform themselves, in a case so extraordinary, and of so great concernment, not only to themselves, but to the whole university in present, and in future, &c. induced me, not only then to move this honourable Committee, that the University and they might be fully heard by their Counsel on a convenient day, to allege whatever they could, both in maintenance of their respective Answers delivered in under their hands to some of the Visitors, and then by them there acknowledged, which was accordingly ordered in their favour; But likewise to borrow some time from my other employments, to examine and refute all those pretended University privileges, and false allegations to support them, in a Letter lately printed at Oxford (by the Universities approbation, if I am not misinformed) entitled, The privileges of the university of OXFORD in point of Visitation, &c. (which hath seduced many to dispute and disobey the Visitors power;) wherein the substance of all their Objections against the Visitors jurisdiction in point of law or conscience, are comprised; that so I might in a University way, by strength of argument and evidence, not by power and force, inform the misguided judgements, and satisfy the erroneous consciences of all such members of this University, liable to our visitation, whose obstinacy or malignity shall not render them altogether incapable of better instruction, and consequently of any hopes of commiseration or pardon for their contumacy.  
I● is not my design in this summary Discourse, to enter into any large debate of the Sovereign power of both houses of Parliament, whose supreme jurisdiction to visit, punish; reform all abuses and corruptions in the Kings own Court, in the highest Courts of Justice, the greatest Officers of State, and in all Corporations and Societies of men whatsoever, within this Realm, I have largely vindicated in 
a The Sovereign Power of Parliaments and kingdoms, Part 1, 2. and the Appendix at the end of the fourth part.  other Treatises, seeing the University itself, and the parties convented, do willingly wave this dangerous Dispute, as fatal and destructive to them, if positively insisted on; but only to demonstrate to them the vanity and falsity of this their pretended privilege they peremptorily assert, and principally rely on, as their lawful Inheritance and birthright, which they are obliged by oath and duty to maintain.  
That the right of visiting the university of Oxford is only in the King's Majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction, both by foundation, prescription, and several grants of exemption.  
This their claim and assertion, I shall irrefragably falsify and refute by Histories and Records, which clearly evidence;  
First, That the University of Oxford was anciently of right for many ages, under the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishop of Lincoln, as he was their Diocesan.  
Secondly, that it was anciently of right, and so continued till this Parliament, under the visitation & jurisdiction of the Archbishops of Canterbury as Metropolitans (who have frequently visited this University and Cambridge too) as being within their Province, and have been acknowledged and adjudged by King Richard the second, King Henry the fourth, and an whole Parliament in his reign, and by King Charles himself, upon solemn debate, to be lawful Visitors of it, de jure. And that these three Kings, and the Parliament of 13. H. 4. have by their Charters and Votes absolutely disclaimed the King's sole right of visiting the Universities, and always resolved the contrary, when the Universities for their own ends have set it on foot, and laid claim unto it: no King of England before Henry the eight, ever visiting either of the Universities, for aught appears by any authentic Records.  
Thirdly, That the Pope by his legate hath visited both Universities, without resistance, or any Plea put in to his jurisdiction, no longer since then Q. Mary's reign; and that the Universities are subject to their chancellors jurisdiction and visitation too, by their own conffessions.  
Fourthly, That most particular colleges and halls in both Universities, as colleges, halls and Members of the University● have their particular Visitors appointed by the founders, to whose visitation and jurisdiction they are subject, and not to the King's alone.  
Fiftly, That their pretended grants of exemption were procured only from Popes, not from the Kings of England; that our Kings themselves & one Parliament, have damned them, as derogatory to the King's Prerogative, even in times of Popery, and the university itself disclaimed and renounced, them both before the King, and in full Convocation, as a grievance, not a privilege, obtained against their wills, and without their privity, to their prejudice.  
When I have made good these positions, the whole University and their Delegates (if not stupendiously obstinate) must necessarily retract this their Plea as false and nugatory, and disclaim their imaginary privilege.  
For the first of these, it is as clear as the noon● day Sun, that the University of Oxford was under the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishops of Lincoln, as being their Diocesans: First, by the very bulls of Pope 
a About Anno 1300.  Boniface the eight, and 
b Anno 1475.  Sixtus the fourth, cited in the third page of the privileges of the university of Oxford in point of Visitation; in express terms exempting the University, ab omni jurisdictione Episcopali & a Visitatione: which needed no such exemption by two successive Popes, from the Bishop's jurisdiction and visitation, if the University (founded many hundred years before these bulls were granted) had never been subject to, but exempted from it by foundation and prescription too, as is pretended; it being then a mere superfluity for these Popes to grant, or the University to embrace, as a special privilege and indulged favour.  
Next, by these ensuing clear Historical passages: 
c Tiguri 1589.  Matthew Paris in anno dom. 1257. pag. 915, 916. writes thus concerning the Bishop of Lincoln's and University of Oxford's contest then happening between them about his jurisdiction and the Universities privileges, which he endeavoured to infringe in the general, without specifying the particulars, which difference was referred to the Parliament then at hand to determine.  
Eodem tempore, videlicet septimo idus Martii, venerunt ad sanctum Albanum quidam Magistri Oxoniae, circitèr novem Artistle, q●i querula voce coram Rege, in Capella Sancti Oswini reposuerunt querimoniam de Episcopo Lincolniensi, qui contra Statuta Universitatis antiqua & approbaca, nitebatur libertates Scholarium eneruare: & statutus est dies responsionis ad instans magnum Parliamentum, ut auditis partium rationibus, pacificarentur, &c. 
a Godwin's Catalog●e of Bishops, p. 241 242. who likewise recites this controversy.  Henry Lexinton was then Bishop of Lincoln.  
What the Parliament (here made the proper Judge of the Universities privileges by the Kings own reference) determined in this controversy, or what the privileges controverted were, I find not in any Historian or Record: but certain it is, they determined nought against the Bishop's jurisdiction over the University of Oxford, who had the better cause and right; as appears by this passage of Matthew Parker, in his 
b Londini 1572.  Antiqu. Ecclesiae Brit. p. 204. in the life of John Peckam, anno 1287.  
Hoc etiam tempore lis quaedam inter. Lincolniensem Episcopum & Universitat●m Oxon, aliquot innis de jurisdictione Episcopi in scholar's Universitatis agitata est. In qua Joannis Cantuariensis, cum SCHOLARIVM causam VACILLARE, NEC jura STARE POSSE intellexerat, Scholaribus rescripsit; si in Jure contenderent, VINCI EOS ET superari NECESSE ESSE; praesertim cùm his quibus uterentur Privilegiis A jurisdictione EPISCOPALI jure communi STABILITA, EXIMI NEQVAQVAM POTVISSENT: 
c Godwins Catalog●e o● Bishops, p. 242.  Oliver Sutton was then Bishop of Lincoln.  
Upon this advice, it seems the University submitted to the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction, as their Diocesan, so far as to present their chancellor to him for his approbation and confirmation; as is evident by this History, recorded in Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 268.  
Anno 1350. Oxoniensis Universitatis scholar's Cancellarium suum, quendam Willihelmum de Palmorna elegerunt: Qui cùm ad Lincolniensem Episcopum, in cujus Diocaesi tunc ste●i● Oxonium confirmandus venisset, crebris procrastinationibus in aliud temporis ab Episcopo rejectus est: Id tàm Universitas Oxonien●is quàm ipse Cancella●ius electus indignè tulit. Qui facti querela coram A●●chiepiscopo (Simone Islippe) declarata, ab eo opem & remedium ad tam diutinam & voluntariam sine causa tollendam moram, petierunt. Archiepiscopus edicto Lincolniensi praecepit, Ut Cancellarium electum die quodam statuto confirmaret, aut coràm se compareret, dicturus causam, cur admitti & confirmari non debeat. Interea Archiepiscopus causam Johanni Coulton Cancellario suo, & Ecclesiae Cathedralis Wellensis Decano commisit. Die statuto aderant Cancellarius electus, & Oxoniensis Universitatis procuratores, qui confirmationem & consecrationem instanter petierunt; Lincolniensis autem Episcopus non comparuit: in cujus absentis contumaciam Cantuariensis Cancellarius in negotio electionis legitimè procedens, eam legitimè ritèque celebratam, ac canonicam esse pronunciavit. Quo facto Archiepiscopus Cancellarium confirmavit, & eundem ad Universitatem Oxoniensem regendam admisit; gregique Scholarium scripsit, ut ei jam admisso juxta Universitatis jura ac statuta obtemperent atque pareant. Ab hac admissione Lincolniensis Episcopus privilegie suo antedictó (ut se suosque papali privilegio, quod Avinione à Papa Clement magnis muneribus impetravit, ab hujus Archiepiscopi jurisdictione defenderet) fretus, ad Papam appellavit. Archiepiscopus antem rejecta appellatione, eum ut suae jurisdictionis & Archiepiscopalis authoritatis contemptorem, ad sui tribunal vocavit, & non accedentis proterviam interdictis Ecclesiasticis in ejus terras praediaque latis mulc●avit: multa deinceps in hac lite coram Papa agitanda controversa sunt, in quibus Lincolniensis revocato suo privilegio a Cantuariensi victus succubuit.  
This great Contest happened in the time of John Synwell Bishop of Lincoln, as 
d Catalogue of Bishops, p 95, 245.  Godwin (who relates it too) informs us; adding, That the Pope also granted at the same time unto the University, that the chancellor should be only elected by the scholars themselves, and so presently authorized to govern them, without the admission of any other.  
But this I conceive is a clear mistake; for Matthew Parker (out of whom he relates it) records, That this exemption of the University of Oxford from the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction, was procured by the intercession of William Wittlesey Archbishop of Canterbury, about the year 1375. (and that from another Pope, not Clement but Vrban, some 25. years after this contestation) which he thus expresseth, Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 283.  
Hujus Archiepiscopi intercessione atque gratia Oxoniensis Academia à jurisdictione Lincolniensis Episcopi, per Urbanum Papam quintum EXEMPTAEST: & tàm libera potestas Cancellarium suum eligendi ●acta Scholaribus ut Cancellarius sine admissione quacunque simulatque electus sit magistratum inire atque gerere possit. An undeniable evidence, that till this papal exemption procured, the University and chancellor of Oxford were under the Bishops of Lincol●ns jurisdiction, as their Diocesans.  
After this, Thomas Hyndeman chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Nicholas Faux his Commissary, procuring another exemption from the Pope [BONIFACE the eighth, as some affirm] of this University and the scholars in it, both from Archiepiscopal and EPISCOPAL JURISDICTION; the scholars, and Doctors of Oxford complained of it to Archbishop Arundel, and the whole Convocation at London in the year 1396. and there openly renounced it, as non mod● in Metropolitanis & ORDINARII, sed & ipsius universitatis praejudicium atque gravamen: Whereupon it was damned by the whole Convocation (as you may read at large in Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 304) and likewise by King Richard the second, in the twentieth, and by Henry the fourth, and the Lords and Commons in Parliament in the 13th year of his reign: (of which more anon:) whereby the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction over the University of Oxford was not only acknowledged and revived, but likewise submitted to by the whole University of Oxford; and this exemption from it by Pope's bulls only, declared to be a prejudice and grievance to the University itself, and the Bishop too: whose jurisdiction thus revived, was never afterwards impeached or abrogated by any subsequent bulls or Patents I can meet with, but continued its vigour till the erection of the bishopric of Oxford out of Lincoln by Act of Parliament, and Letters Patents of King Henry the eighth, in the year 1541. which abolished the Bishop of Lincoln's power, and translated this part of his diocese to the Bishop of Oxford, as the Patents of 33. & 37. H. 8 to the Bishop of Oxford demonstrate.  
In fine, Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln, 
Godwin's Catalogue of Bishops, p. 246.  in the year 1430 founded Lincoln college in Oxford, and William Smith Bishop of Lincoln, anno 1513. founded Brasenose college in Oxford; of both which colleges (though members of the University) and of some others, he and his Successors continued Visitors till this present Parliament.  
By all these evidences, I humbly conceive I have sufficiently fortified my first position, That the University of Oxford was subject to the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishops of Lincoln (as the University of Cambridge was to the Bishops of Ely, which I can fully evidence, were it pertinent) and refuted the Universities and their Delegates false plea, That the right of visiting the university of Oxford is only in the King's Majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction, by its foundation, prescription, and several grants of exemption.  
I shall now proceed to the proof of my second position, touching the Archbishops of Canterbury's right & jurisdiction to visit the University of Oxford (and Cambridge too) as Metropolitans, being situated within their province, by History, Records, and our Kings avowing of this their right, and disclaiming their own only OR SOLE RIGHT TO VISIT THE UNIVERSITIES; wherein I shall make use of non● bu● punctual authorities.  
Godwin in his Catalogue of English Bishops p. 74. writes thus of Robert Kilwardly Archbishop of Canterbury; That (in the year 1278.) he visited all his Province, and BOTH THE universities; in which he disputed excellently, and showed himself in divers kinds of exercise. And Matthew Parker in his Ant. Eccles. Brit. p. 198. records of him, Totam Cantuar. Provinciam visitationis jure peragravit; In hac VISITATIONE ACADEMIAS IPSAS METROPOLITICA authoritate INGRESSVS EST; (and that without any opposition or demurrer to his jurisdiction, for aught appeareth:) & Oxonii in Scholis, non modò de Theologia, sed de Philosophia atque Logica argutè disp●tavit. In quibus artibus multas Oxoniensium opiniones & sententias tanquam minus probabiles reprehendit atque refellit.  
His next Successor John Peckam, anno 1288. visited the University of Oxford by his Metropolitical right, without any resistance or dispute, Antiqu. Ecclef. Brit. p. 204. Ipseque perlustrata reliqua Provincia OXONIENSEM ACADEMIAM IURE METROPOLITICO VISIT Aturus ADLIT: In qua visitatione, quasdam philosophicas opiniones, quos errores, & a Roberto Kylwarby ante reprehens●s docuit, tanquam Haereses & à fide Christianâ abhorrentes è suggestu Latinè refellit.  
Simon Islippe Archbishop of Canterbury anno 1350. received an Appeal from the Chancellour-elect and Proctors of Oxford against the Bishop of Lincoln, who refused to admit and conform William Palmorin, whom they had elected and presented to him for their chancellor; upon whose default, he admitted and approved of his election, confirmed him in his Office, and wrote to the scholars of the university to submit unto and obey him, according to the laws and statutes of the university, as Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 258. and Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops, p. 95. affirm, and 
* Pag. 5, 6.  I have formerly manifested more at large: A pregnant evidence of his Metropolitical jurisdiction both over the chancellor and University.  
Anno 1390. William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury (as Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 302. inform us) Visitationem totius Provinciae suscepit: and being strongly opposed by the Bishops of Exeter and Sarisbury, whom he enforced to cry peccavi, and to submit to his visitation at last; reliquas tunc Diocaeses sine molestia visitavit: In Lincolniensi solummodo a visitatione quorundam Monachorum, gratia & intercessione Abbatis Albanensis, OXONII cessavit: (visiting all the rest of the University.) Ita visitatione peracta aliquantulum cessavit. And in the Register of Archbishop Arundel, fol. 46. the Doctors, bachelors and scholars of the University of Oxford, in their Articles exhibited against their chancellor and vicechancellor, to Archbishop Arundel and the Convocation of the Clergy, recite and make this honourable mention of this Archbishop Courtney's visitation of the University (where he was joyfully received without the least opposition, though forcibly resisted in other places) Quod dictus Archiepiscopus IPSAM VNIVERSITATEM TAM IN CAPITE QVAM IN MEMBRIS, plura gravamina revocando, crimina corrigendo, excessus reformando, diversas personas ab act: scholasticis suspendendo, authoritate SVA METROPOLITICA VISITAVIT.  
These three Archbishops having visited the University of Oxford (and Cambridge too) in their Metropolitical visitations without the least contest or opposition; Thomas Hyndeman their chancellor, and Nicholas Faux his Commissary, without the Universities and scholars consents, procured a Bull from the Pope, to exempt themselves, together with the University, colleges and scholars in it, from all Archiepiscopal and Episcopal jurisdiction and visitation: Whereupon Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury, intending to visit the University (as his Predecessors had done) in the year of our Lord 1396. was opposed by the chancellor and vicechancellor, who pleaded the self same plea against this Archbishop's visitation, as the Universities Delegates and Doctors do now against the Visitors appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, and Commission under the great Seal; namely, That the visitation of the university of Oxford, as a university, belonged only and solely to the King, and not to the Archbishop, or any other: and that the university and scholars in it, were by the Popes own Bull exempted from the Archbishops and Bishop's jurisdiction and visitation. Whereupon the Doctors, Proctors and scholars of the University complained to Archbishop Arundel and the Convocation against the chancellor and vicechancellor for procuring this Bull, which they renounced, and the Convocation then damned; and the whole matter coming afterwards before King Richard the second, he disclaimed any such privilege and Prerogative of sole visiting the University, as they would fasten on him, acknowledged and ratified the Archbishops and Ordinaries jurisdiction over them, and nulled the Pope's Bull of exemption. This is apparent by Archbishop Arundels Register, fol. 46, 91, 92. by Archbishop Parker's Register fol. 269. and these ensuing passages in Antiq. Eccles. Brit. transcribed out of it, pag. 304. Anno 1397. Januarii 19 Cleri Synodus Londini convenit. In hac Synodo scholar's Oxonienses quaerelam contra Thomam Hyndeman Universitatis Cancellarium, & Nicholaum Faux ejus Commissarium proposuerunt; Quod exemptionis jura, quibus ab Archiepiscopali & Episcopali jurisdictione Universitas fiat immunis a Papa impetrassent, non modo in Metropolitanis & Ordinarii, SED IN ipsius universitatis praeiudicium ATQVE GRAVAMEN: Quod privilegium servitutis potius QVAM LIBERTATIS INSTAR ESSE DOCEBANT. Cùm enim anteà si iniquis Cancellarii aut Procancellarii imperiis opprimerentur, aut injuriis afficerentur, appellationibus & Archiepiscopali aequitate subventum eis suit, nunc in unius potestatem redacti, a quo nec permissa esset provocatio, nec superioris jurisdictione possit coerceri, quasi perpetuae servituti subjacerent. Itaque ab Archiepiscopo petierunt, ut QVONIAM SVAM IN EOS jurisdictionem AGNOSCERENT, & antecessoris sui Willielmi Courtney moderationem atque prudentiam cum ACADEMIAM OXONIENSEM TAM IN CAPITE QVAM IN MEMBRIS VISIT art, experti essent, VT EA a Cancellario ejusque Commissario procurata PRIVILEGIA RESCINDRET; qvibus IPSI, interposito ad id Michaele Sergeaux juris utriusque Doctore legitimo procuratore, express ATQVE PUBLICE IN SYNODO renunciarunt. Eam renunciationem Archiepiscopus RATAM HABVIT, ET EXEMPTIONIS OXONIENSIS PRIVILEGIA IRRITAET IN ANIA judicavit. Tum Cancellarius quasi furore actus petulanter ac immodestè se abdicavit Magistratu, Synodoque sine venia discessit; sed Archiepiscopus eum edicto revocavir, ejusque proterviam atque audaciam repressit. In eadem Synodo DOCTORES OXONIENSES quosdam Joannis Wicly●●i opiniones exposuerunt, quas Synodus condemnavit. And pag. 309. anno 1413. Legatis autem ad concilium generale Pisis emissis, archepiscopus in ea Synodo Jura quaedam quibus TAM CANTABRIGIENSIS QVAM OXONIENSIS ACADEMIAE tenerentur, condidit; quoe in publicis constitutionibus continentur; Nam & RICHARDUS REX, Thomae Arundel Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, antequàm in exilium iret VTRASQVE ACADEMIAS, ETSI EXEMPTIONEM CLAM A PAPA OBTINVISSENT, subiecit, ET OBTENTA PRIVILEGIA non minus ARCHIEPISCOPALI QVAM REGIAE authoritati praeiudicialia, IDEOQVE RESCINDENDA, DECREVIT.  
This will yet more evidently and undeniably appear by the Patent of King Richard the second himself, recorded in the Patent-Rols, De anno Vicessimo Richardi secundi, parte 3. Memb. 9 and entered in the Registers of Archbishop Warham, fol. 111. and Archbishop Parker, fol. 269, which for fuller satisfaction, I shall at large transcribe.  
Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. falutem. Sciatis quod cum quaedam dissentiones, lites & debatae nuper motae fuerunt & subortae inter Venerabilem Patrem Thomam Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem ex parte una, & Cancellarium Universitatis Oxoniensis, & QUOSDAM ALIOS (not the whole body or major part) ejusdem Universitatis ex altera, super ●su & exercitio jurisdictionis & VISITATIONIS dictae UNIVERSITATIS, clamante videlicet prae●ato Archiepiscopo & VENDICANTE JURISDICTIONEM ET VISITATIONEM HUJUSMODI AD IPSUM ET SUCCESSORES SUOS, AC ECCLESIAM SUAM PERTINERE, AC PERTINERE DEBERE, Praedecessoresque suos hujusmodi jurisdictionem ET VISITATIONEM IN UNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTA HABUISSE ET EXERCUISSE. Allegantibusque praefato Cancellario & aliis praedictis (the very plea in terminis alleged by the university and their Delegates now) Visitationem dictae Universitatis ut Universitatis, AD NOS SOLUM ET IN SOLIDUM PERTINERE, ET PERTINERE DEBERE (the very first time that any such pretence or privilege was insisted on without any authority or precedent to back it;) Nos volentes hujusmodi dissentiones, lites & debatas, prout Regiae convenit Majestati (attentis damnis & periculis quae inde verosimiliter evenire possint) sedare & pacificare, ac pacem, quietem & tranquilitatem inter partes praedictas pro viribus con●overe; ac considerantes, QUOD VISITATIO HUJUSMODI AD PRAEFATUM ARCHIEPISCOPUM ET SUCCESSORES SUOS, AC ECCLESIAM SUAM PRAEDICTAM DE JURE COMMUNI PERTINET, AC PERTINERE DEBET; QUODQUE NOS AUT PROGENITORES NOSTRI CANCELLARIUM AC UNIVERSITATEM PRAEDICTAM RETROACTIS TEMPORIBUS MINIME VISITARE CONSUEVIMUS, (a clear evidence and fatal judgement against this pretended privilege and feigned plea, which this King himself in terminis disclaimed, when first invented and alleged:) Volumus & EX CERTA SCIENTIA DECLARAMUS, Quod VISITATIO Cancellarii & Procuratorum dictae UNIVERSITATIS qui pro tempore fuerint, necnon OMNIUM DOCTORUM, MAGISTRORUM REGENTIUM ET NON REGENTIUM, AC SCOLARIUM ejusdem universitatis, Qvorumcunqve eorum servientium, aliarum personarum QVARVMCVNQVE cujuscunque status vel conditionis extiterint, libertatibus ant privilegiis dictae Universitatis utentium● se● illis gaudere volentium; NECNON universitatis PRAEDICTAE ETIAM UT universitatis, AD praefatum archiepiscopum, successores suos, AC ECCLESIAM SVAM PERTINET, ET PERTINERE DEBET, AC PERPETVIS futuris temporibus PERTINEBIT. Salvis Nobis & Haeredibus Nostris omnibus aliis quibus in Vniversitate praedicta Nos & Progenitores Nostri uti consuevimus temporibus retroactis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Iunii: Per ipsum Regem.  
An ancient royal Declaration and judgement in the present controversy, so full and diametrally opposite against the universities and Delegates present Plea and pretences, that nothing can be replied thereunto.  
This Declaration and Resolution of King Richard the 2d, was afterward more fully recited, approved and ratified by King Henry the fourth, and the Lords and Commons in Parliament, as I shall presently manifest in its proper place.  
Not long after this Declaration and Patent, this Archbishop Thomas Arundel, in the year of our Lord 1407. visited the university of Cambridge, and the colleges therein, thus summarily expressed by Matthew Parker in his Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 308, 309. Post haec Archiepiscopus Cantabrigiensem Academiam jure METROPOLITICO VISITAVIT, multaque Collegiorum statuta ordinavit, pravas consuetudines delevit, facinora Scholarium castigavit, & cum visitationem remisit, omnia quae sibi in visitatione detecta fuerunt, causasque de quibus cognoscere ac inquirere caepit, suae jurisdictioni reservavit.  
The relaxation of this Metropolitical Visitation was not till Octob. 15. 1404. so as it depended three whole years or more, as is apparent by the Register of Arundel, 1. pars, f. 388 wherein the whole form of his visitation of Cambridge university and colleges, being at large recorded, fol. 491, 492, 493. it will neither be impertinent nor unprofitable to give you this account thereof, in the words of the Register, fol. 492, &c. which may serve for a pattern of direction now.  
Item decimo septimo die mensis Septembris anno domini 1401. idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus, visitavit Cancellarium & Vniversitatem Cantabrigiae in domo Congregationis ejusdem universitatis, comparentibus tunc ibidem coram eo Cancellario, a● omnibus & singulis Doctoribus & Magistris regentibus & aliis personis quibuscunque dictae universitatis qui hujusmodi visitationi interesse tenebantur, & deberent de consuetudine vel de jure: & facta deinde collatione, ac proposito verbo Dei, & causis suae visitationis hujusmodi seriosè expositis; Cancellarius universitatis praedictae certificatorium de & super execution mandati. Sibi pro ipsa visitatione alias directi, coram eodem Reverendissimo Patre tunc ibidem exhibuit, sub eo qui sequitur verborum tenore. Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino, Domino Thomae Dei gratia Cantuariensis Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae primati & Apostolici sedis Legato, ejusve Commissariis quibuscunque, suus humilis & devotus filius Cancellarius universitatis Cantabrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, tàm debitam quàm devotam, obedientiam cum omni reverentia & honore debitis tanto Patri mandatum vestrum reverendum nuper recepi, tenorem continens subsequentem. Thomas permissione, &c. Dilecto filio Cancellario universitatis Cantabrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, nostrae Provinciae Cantuariensis, salutem, &c. Quia nos in progressu visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae in dicta Diocaesi exercenda, vos & dictam Vniversitatem adjuvante Domino proponimus visitare; vos tenore praesentium peremptory Citamus & per vos omnes & singulos Doctores & Magistros regentes, & alias personas quascunque praedictae universitatis qui nostri visitationi hujusmodi interesse tenentur de consuetudine vel de jure, citari volumus & mandamus, quod compareatis & compareant coram nobis in domo Congregationis universitatis praedictae decimoseptimo die mensis Septembris proxime futuri, cum continuatione & prorogatione dierum tunc sequentium, visitationem nostram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, facturique ulterius & recepturi quod Canonicis conveni● institutis: & quid f●ceritis in praemissis nobis dictis die & loco debitè certificetis per literas vestras patentes, hunc tenorem, una cum nominibus & cognominibus omnium & singulorum per vos in hac parte Citatorum in schedula eisdem literis vest is annectenda descriptis habent●s, sigillo vestro consignata: Datum in Manerio nostro de Lambeth 18. die mensis Augusti, anno domini millesimo quadringentesimo primo, & nostrae translationis anno quinto. Cujus auctoritate mandati omnes & singulos doctores & magistros regentes & alias personas quascunque praedictae universitatis tempore receptionis dicti mandati vestri, & nunc in dicta Vniversitate existentes, qui dictae visitationi vestrae hujusmodi interesse tenentur de consuetudine vel de jure personaliter inventos, peremptoriè Citavi, quod compareant coram vobis aut vesti is Commissariis dictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione praedictis visitationem vestram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, facturique ulterius & recepturi quod in ea parte canonicis convenit institutis. Quantum verò ad personam meam, dictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione consimili coram vobis seu vestris Commissariis annuente domino personaliter comparebo facturus humiliter & recepturus quod dictum mandatum vestrum exigit & requirit. Nomina vero & cognomina omnium & singulorum doctorum & magistrorum regentium, & aliarum personarum dictae universitatis quarumcunque per me citatorum in schedula praesentibus annexa continentur: In cujus reitestimonium Sigillum officii mei praesentibus apposui; Dat. Cantebrigiae quoad sigillationem praesentium. Idib. Septembris anno Domini supradicto. Quo certificatorio tunc ibidem incontinenti perlecto, idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus ab eisdem Cancellario, ac Doctoribus, magistris regentibus & personis aliis supradictis, & a singularibus personis eorundem obedientiam recepit canonicam. Et deinde examinavit dictum Cancellarium singulariter ac secret● & sub silentio dictis doctoribus & magistris regentibus & aliis personis supradictis seorsim separatis, super i●●is particulis, videlicet. An statuta & laudabiles consuetu●lines universitatis abamnibus observentur? Item, an sint aliqui scholar's in dicta Vniversitate mandatis & monitionibus dicti Cancellarii obtemperare nolentes? Item, an sint aliqui pacem & Vnitatem in dicta Vniversitate perturbantes? Item, an communes cistae & pecuniae ac claves earundem fideliter conserventur? Item, an Magistri, Doctores Bacchalaurei & scholar's debi●è & fideliter perficiant formas suas, & meritis & scientia exigentibus ascendant gradus suos? Item, an sint aliquae personae & suspectae de Lollardia vel de haeretica pravitate? Item, si Doctores reputant & disputent publicè in scholis, & quotiens & quando? Item, si sit numerus sociorum completus in Aulis sive Collegiis dictae universitatis juxta ordinationem & voluntatem fundatorum? Item, an sint aliqui scholar's aliquo notorio crimine irretiti seu infamati, vel non proficientes in studio, aut impedientes alios quo minus proficiant? Item, qualiter regitur eadem● Vniversitas, videlicet in victualibus & aliis necessariis? &c. Et examinatus ●uit idem Cancellarius super aliis Articulis etiam in hujusmodi visitatione de jure requisitis. Aliis insuper Doctoribus, Magistris & personis aliis supradictis secundum quod de jure debuerunt secretè, & singulariter examinatis, & eorum dictis & depositis conscriptis in registro, idem reverendissimus Pater singula tunc ibidem successiuè exercuit quae in hujusmodi visitatione de jure quomodolibet fuerunt requisita.  
Item, eodem die reverendissimus Pater per certos Commissarios suos visitavit Collegium sanctae Trinitatis Cantebrigiae, in capella ejusdem Collegii, comparentibus coram eisdem commissariis Gardiano sive custode, unà cum singulis suis consociis & scholaribus ejusdem collegii; quibus singulariter & secretè examinatis super statu & regimine ipsius collegii, & aliis articulis in hujusmodi visitatione de jure requisitis, & eorum dictis & depositis conscriptis in Registro, ab eisdem & eorum singulis, vice & auctoritate dicti reverendissimi Patris, obedientiam receperunt canonicam, & singula exercuerunt ibidem quae de consuetudine vel de jure ulterius quomodolibet fuerint requisita; & exhibitum suit certificatorum pro visitatione hujusmodi per Gardianum sive custodem supradictum continens hunc tenorem. Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino suo Domino Thomae, &c. ejusve Commissariis quibuscunque suus humilis & devotus ●ilius Gardianus sive custos Collegii Sanctae Trinit●●is Cantebrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, tam debitam quam devotam obedientiam, cum omni roverentia & honore debito tanto Patri, mandatum vestrum reverendissimum nuper recepi, tenorem continens subsequentem. Thomas &c. dilecto in Christo filio Gardiano sive custodi Collegii Sanctae Trinitatis Cantebrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, nostraeque Cantuariensis provinciae salutem, &c. Quia nos in progressu visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae praedictae Diocaesis vos & Collegium vestrum in personis & rebus annuente Domino, visitare intendimus, tenore praesentium peremptoriè vos citamus, & per vos omnes & singulos consocios & scholar's praedicti Collegii citare volumus & mandamus, quod compareatis & compareant coram nobis & Commissariis nostris in capella sive domo capitulari praedicti Collegii decimo septimo die mensis Septembris proxime futuri, cum continuatione & prorogatione dierum tunc sequentium, visitationem hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, ulteriusque facturi & recepturi quod canonicis convenit institutis, & quid feceritis in praemissis nos aut Commissarios hujusmodi dictis die & loco debitè certificetis per literas vestras patentes, hunc tenorem, una cum nominibus & cognominibus omnium & singulorum sociorum & scholarium per vos in hac parte citatorum in schedula eisdem literis annectenda descriptis habentes. Dat. in manerio nostro de Lambeth 18. die mensis Augusti anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo primo, & nostrae translationis anno quinto. Cujus auctoritate mandati omnes & singulos consocios & scholar's praedicti collegii in eodem collegio tunc praesentes personaliter inventos, peremptoriè citavi, aliis vero tunc absentibus, infra tamen provinciam vestram existentibus, dictum mandatum vestrum & visitationem hujusmodi intimari et notificari, eosque praemuniri feci, quod dictis die et loco cum continuatione et prorogatione praedictis coram vobis seu vestris Commissariis compareant, visitationem vestram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam recepturi, facturique ulterius & recepturi quicquid dictum mandatum vestrum exigit & requirit; caeteros autem consocios et scholar's dicti Collegii ab eodem Collegio tunc et nunc absentes, & in diversis remotis partibus etiam extra dictam provinciam agentes, non citavi nec praemunivi prout nec pot●i quovismodo: Quantum ad personam meam, praedictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione praedictis, coram vobis s●u Commissariis vestris, Dante Domino, personaliter comparebo, fecturasque humiliter & recepturus quod dictum, &c. In cujus rei testimonium Sigill●m commone dicti Collegii duxi praesentibus apponendum. Datum Cantebrigiae in dicto Collegio quoad consignationem praesentium 2● Id. Septembris, Anno Domini supradicto.  


Visitatio 

Collegii de Clara, Collegii beatae Mariae, Procratus Alborum Canonicorum     Item, eodem die eisdem modo & forma idem Reverendissimus Pater visitavit per Commissarios suos Collegium de Clare Hall Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii: Et Collegium Annunciacionis beatae Mariae Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii; ac Prioratum Alborum Canonicorum Cantebrigiae in ecclesia ejusdem Prioratus, recepta obedientia Canonica, & singulis aliis exercitis in et circa loca praemissa quae in visitationibus hujusmodi de jure fuerint quomodolibet requisita.  
Item decimo nono die dicti mensis Septembris idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus per certos Commissarios, quos ad hoc sufficienter deputavit, visitavit domum sive Prioratum Monialium Sanctae Radegundis Cantebrigiae, Priorissam, ac singulas consorores et commoniales suas in dicta domo capitulari ejusdem prioratus, recepta ab eisdem et earum singulis obedientia Canonica, et ipsis secretè et singulariter examinatis, earumque dictis et depositis conscriptis in registro; similiterque aliis exercitis quae in hac parte de jure fuerint requisita, ac sub modo & forma in aliis locis hujusmodi superius observatis seu r●citatis.  
Item, eodem die modo et forma in aliis Collegiis superius observ●tis, Dominus visitavit per Commissarios suos Collegium Sancti Michaelis Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii; et eodem die per Commissarios hujusmodi visitatum suit Hospitale sive domus Sancti Iohannis Cantebrigioe in Ecclesia ejusdem Hospitalis; & Collegium Sancti Petri in capella ejusdem Collegii; ac Collegium de Pembroke Hall Cantebrigioe in capella ejusdem Collegii: et eodem die idem reverendissimus Pater iter ar●ip●it versus Ecclesiam Cathedralem Eliensem, pro sua visitatione hujusmodi inibi exercenda; ubi eodem die a venerabili patre Domino Johanne, Dei gratia Eliensi Episcopo, ad suum palatium Eliense cum se et suis honorificè fuit receptus.  
This Archbishop having thus peaceably without any resistance, visited the University, colleges and scholars of Cambridge by his mere metropolitical right, as being within the diocese of Ely, and part of his Province (though in regard of their foundation and bulls of exemption from several Popes, they might have pleaded as full an exemption from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal jurisdiction and visitation as the University of Oxford, which I could demonstrate, if material) After this, in the year of our Lord 1411. he determined to visit the University of Oxford in the twelft year of King Henry the fourth his reign; but coming thither to visit, was repulsed by the chancellor Richard Courtney, Benedic●● Brent and John B●rch Proctors, and some scholars of their faction, which Thomas Walsingham in his Historia Angliae, and ●podigma Neust●iae too (Anno Dom. 1411. thus relates: Dominus Cantuariensis dum ni●itur visitare Vniversitatem Oxoniarum, repulsam passus est. Whereupon the Archbishop complaining to the King of that affront, both parties referred themselves to his royal determination of this controversy; who after a full h●a●ing of both parties, the seventeenth day of December, in the twel●t year of his reign, by deliberate advice of his council, confirmed the Order ●ormerly made by King Richard the second, overruled the chancellors and Proctors pretences, (now revived and insisted on) That the university was exempt from all archiepiscopal and Epi●copall visitation by the Bull of Pope Boniface the eight (which he d●clared null & prejudicial to his crown, and they then renounced the second time) and that the King was the only and sole Visitor of the university as a university: which he then likewise disclaimed, and adjudged, That the Archbishops of Canterbury should and aught for ever after to visit the university, chancellor, Proctors, and all Doctors, scholars and Members of the university whatsoever; and that if the Archbishops were hereafter disturbed in their Visitations of the university, all its Franchises, Liberties and privileges should be seized into the King's hands till their submission thereunto; and they should likewise pay a thousand pound fine to the King for such their disturbance. Which resolution and proceedings before the King in this cause being drawn up in writing and presented to the King, Lords and Commons in the Parliament of 13. Henry 4. and there read before them, were they all ratified and confirmed by them, and enacted to be of as great vigour and effect, as if they had been done and made in Parliament; which is evident by the Parliament Roll itself, An. 13. H. 4. num. 15. and by Archbishop Parker's Register, fol. 269. a true transcript whereof (for the full conviction and satisfaction of all our present Opposers) I shall here insert  
Memorandum, quod venerabilis in Christo Pater Thomas Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis in praesenti Parliamento nostro exhibuit quandam petitionem, una cum quadam schedula eidem annexa in haec verba. A Tressovereigne Sr. Nostre Sr. Le Roy supply humblement vostre humble chapellein Thomas Archevesque de Canterbiis, Que pleise a vous Tressovereign Sr. par assent de Signeurs Esperit aelx & Temporells, & les Comes in cest present parliament, de graunteir approver, ratifier & confirmer tout cest quest compris en un cedul●, a cest bille annex, & que meisme ceste cedule puisse se e●tre enrollee & enact in cest present parliament selo●e la form & effect de mesme le cedule, & que mesme la cedule & tout ceo quest compris e● icelle soient de taunt de force effect & authority, & mesme les force effect & authority eient & teignent, come ils ussent estre faict●● en ceste parliament & per authority de mesme le parliament.  
Memorandum, Quod cum Richardus secundus, nuper Rex Angliae, propter diversas dissentiones, lites et discordias quondam habitas in Vniversitate Oxoniensi super jure & titulo visitationis dictae universitatis, ac de quadam Bulla exemptionis praetensa ad excludendum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem tunc existentem & Successores ●uos, ac quoscunque ali●s Ordinarios infra Vniversitatem praedictam, ac quoscunque fundatores dictae universitatis ac Collegiorum ejusdem universitatis a visitatione dictae universitatis, & ab omni jurisdictione Ordinaria, per eosdem Archiepiscopum Ordinarium & fundator●s & suos successores ac commissarios suos in eadem Vniversitate fa●iond. & ex●rcend. Per breve su●m venire fecerit in Cancellaria sua apud Westmonasterium Bullam Praedictam; & Cancellarius et Procuratores dictae Universitatis tunc existentes sufficiens Warrentum sigillo commune Universitatis praedictae ●igil. latum pro se et Universitate praedicta habentes, et secum in Cancellaria praedicta deferentes, ad exhibendum, publicandum ostendendum et praesentandum coram dicto nuper Rege in Cancellaria praedicta Bullam praedictam; necnon ad respondendum ibidem, et ulterius faciendum et recipiendum quod per eundem nuper Regem & consilium suum ord●natum fuisset & definitum, prout de recordo in eadem Cancellaria plenius liquet: ac postmodum iidem Cancellarii, et Procuratores pro se & to●a Vniversitate praedicta submiserunt se de materiis praedictis Ordinationi et di●finitioni dicti nuper Regis: Q●i quidem nuper Rex, habita inde matura & pleniori deliberatione cum consilio suo, ac clarè considerans, Eullam praedictam fore impetratam in praejudicium ●o●onae suae, ac legum & con●uetudinum Regni sui enervationem, & in Haereticorum & Lollardorum, ac homicidiarum & aliorum male factorum favorem, & audaciam, dictaeque universitatis verisimil●m destructionem; Ordinavit, & per breve suum praecepit & inhibuit dicto Cancellario, Magistris, Doctoribus et Scholaribus Universitatis praedictae, in fide, Legeancia & dilectione quibus sibi tenebantur, ac sub poena amissionis privilegiorum universitatis praedictae, & sub forisfactura omnium aliorum que sibi forisfacere poterant, ne dictam Bullam in aliqua sui part● exiqui, seu exercere, sue beneficium aliquod exemp●ionis per Bullam illam aliqualiter repor●are seu reciper● praesume●ent, sed omnibus exemptionibus & privilegiis in ea parte contentis, coram tune dil●cto clerico suo notorio Richardo Renhalle, quem ad eos ex causa praedicta destinavit, palam & publicè, pro imperpotuò renunciarent, ac super renunciationem hujusmodi quandam certificationem sibi sub sigillo dictae Universitatis, ac publica instrumenta fieri, er sibi per eundem Clericum suum transmitti facerent, sub poenis supradictis. Postmodum allegantur praefato Cancellario et aliis sibi adhaerentibus nomine Universitatis praedictae VISITATIONEN PRAE●DICTAM AD DICTUM RICHARDUM NUPER REGEM SOLUM ET INSOLIDUM PERTINERE; consideransque, quod visitatio universitatis praedictae ad praefatum Archiepiscopum & successores suos, ● ac ad eccles●am su●m Cantuarien●em PERTINUIT ET PERTINERE DEBUIT; QUOD QUE IPSE AUT PROGENITORES SUI CANCELLARIUM AC UNIVERSITATEM PRAEDICTAM RETROACTIS TEMPORIBUS MINIME VISITARE CONSUEVERUNT. Voluit & ex certa scientia sua declaravit, quod visitatio Cancellarii ac Procuratorum dictae universitatis qui pro tempore fuerint, necnon omnium Doctorum, Magistrorum Regentium & non Regentium, ac Schola●ium ejusdem universitatis quorumcunque, eorumque servientum, aliarumque personarum cujuscunque status vel conditionis exstiteriat libertatibus aut privilegiis dictae universitatis utentium seu illis gaudere valentium, NECNON UNIVERSITATIS PRAEDICTAE ETIAM UT UNIVERSITATIS, ad praefa●um Archiepiscopum & Successores suos, ac ecclesiam suam praedictam PERTINUIT ET PERTINERE DEBUIT, AC FUTURIS TEMPORIBUS PERTINERET. Postmodumque praedictus ●uper Rex per diversa Brevia sua Cancellario, Procuratoribus, cunctis Doctoribus & Scholaribus universitatis praedictae praeceperat, quod ipsi Archiepiscopo praedicto & successoribus suis in visitatione sua praedicta in eadem Universitate facienda in omnibus sub poenis praedictis parerent et obedirent; Postmodumque sicut datum fuit intelligi Domino nostro Regi Henrico quarto post conquestuw quod visitante Thoma Archiepiscopo Cantuari●nsi jure suo Metropolitico Diocaesi Lincoln. Anno Regni dicti Henrici Regis duodecimo, venit ad praedictam Vniversitatem Oxonii ad exequendam in forma juris ecclesiastici ibidem visitationem suam, Richardus Courtnay ad ●unc Cancellarius Universitatis praedictae, ac Benedictus Brent & Johannes Birch ad tunc Procuratores dictae universitatis, ac quamplures alii eis adherentes, in eadem Vniversitate dictum Archiepiscopum de visitatione sua praedicta & jurisdictione ejusdem Archiepiscopi manuforti injust impedierunt, et ei absque causa rationabili resistebant: super quo diversae lites dissentiones & discordiae inter ●r fatum Thomam Archiepiscopum & eosdem Cancellarium & Procuratores ac alios scholar's Universitatis praedictae eorumque fautores, de & super jure & impedimento visitationis, & jurisdictionis praedictarum, mot●● fuerint & exortae in Vniversitate praedictae, & super hoc praesente Thoma Comite Arundel, & aliis personis honorabilibus secum existentibus in Vniversitate praedicta, tam Praefatus Archiepiscopus pro se & Ecclesia sua praedicta quam praefatus Richardus Courtnay Cancellarius universitatis praedictae & Benedictus Brent & Johannes Birch Procuratores ejusdem universitatis, pro se et eorum adhaerentibus in m●teriis praedictis ac pro Vniversitate praedicta per assensum eorundem adhaerentium se submisserunt & concesserunt stare arbitrio judicio & ordinatione ac decreto illustrissimi Principis & Domini dicti Domini nostri Regis Henrici de & super jure & impedimento visitationis & jurisdictionis praedictarum per dictos Magistrum Richardum Cancellarium & sibi adhaerentes praestito● ac dissentionibus, Litibus & discordiis praedictis, & earum dependentiis, & super hoc dictus Dominus noster Rex Henric●s dictum Magistrum Richardum Courtney Cancellarium ac dictos Benedictum Brent & johannem Birch venire fecit coram eo in propria persona apud Lambeth in crastino Nativitatis beatae Mariae dicto anno Regni sui duodecimo, ad faciendum & recipiendum quod per cundem dictum Regem de advisamento Consilii sui foret consideratum in materiis praedictis; & praedictus Archiepiscopus ibidem coram praefato Domino Rege comparuit, & tàm praefatus Archiepiscopus quam iidem Cancellarius & Procuratores ad tunc & ibidem coram dicto Domino Rege submissionem praedictam in omnibus (ut praedictum est) fore factum in forma praedicta recognoverunt, & ibidem concesserunt stare arbitrio, judicio & ordinacioni ejusdem Domini nostri Regis de & super jure & impedimento visitationis & jurisdictionis praedictorum ae aliis mate●iis & omnibus dependentiis earundem: Qui quidem Dominus Rex postea 17. die mensis Septembris dicto anno duode●imo apud Lambeth praedictum, auditis & intellectis tam allegationibus quam responsionibus partium praedictarum, & etiam habens considerationem ad dictam submissionem factam tempore dicti Regis RICHARDI, ac ordinationem judicium & determinationem super eandem submissionem, tangentem visitationem & jurisdictionem praedict. ac clare consid●rans, QVOD VISITATIO universitatis pra●dictae etiam us universitatis, ET OMNIVM IN VNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTA commorantium AD dictum archiepiscopum ET successores suos VT DE jure ECCLESIAE PRAEDICTAE PERTINET ET DE jure PERTINERE DEBERET, et quod iidem Cancellarius et Procuratores ac alii ●is in hac parte adhaerens●s ●undem Archiepiscopum de visitatione et jurisdictione praedictis iniuste & ABSQVE titulo SEV RATIONABILI CAVSA manuforti impedierunt, dictum judicium, ordina●ionem & determinationem praedicti Richardi nuper Regis ratificavit, approbavit, & confirmavit PRO IMPERPETVO duratura; & ulterius tam authoritate sua Regia quàm virtute submissionis praedictae sibi factae ad ●uncibidem arbitratus fuit, ordinavit, consideravit, decrevit & adjudicavit, QVOD PRAEDICVS archiepiscopus ET successores SVI imperpetwm HA●EANT VISITATI●NEM ET jurisdictionem IN VNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTATAM CANCELLARII● COMMISSARII, quàm Procurat●rum eiusdem universitatis QVI PRO TEMPORE fuerint; NECNON OMNIVM doctorum, magistrorum RE●ENTIVM & non Regentium ac Scholarium ejusdem Universitatis quorumcunque, eorum servientium, aliarumque personarum cujuscunque status v●l conditioni● ex●iterint, ET ETIAM eiusdem universitatis VT universitatis; & quod Cancellariu●, Commissarius, et Procuratores Universitatis praedic●ae qui pro tempore fuerint, eorum Successores, et omnes alii in dicta Universitate pro tempore commorantes, futuris temporibus eidem Archiepiscopo et Successoribus suis in visitatione et jurisdictione● Universitatis praedictae etiam ●t Universitatie, in omnibus pareant et obedi●nt; et quod ne● aliqui● aliu● in Universitate praedicta● aliquod privilegium se●beneficium examptionis ad ex●ludendum praesatum Archiepiscopum seu. Success●res suo● de-visitatione et jurisdictione praedictis in Universitate praedicta colore alicujus Bullae seu alterius tituli cujuscunque erga praedictum Archiepiscopum seu Successores ●uos clameant, habeant seu vendicent ullo modo in futuro: et quod quotiens Cancellarius, Commissari●s vel locum tenens ipsorum, vel alicujus ipsorum, vel Procuratores di●tae Universit●tis, qui pro tempore fuerint, vel eorum Successores; ●ive aliquis eorum impedierint, vel impedierit praefatum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut ecclesiam suam praedictam, aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel commissarios de hujusmodi visitatione seu jurisdictione dictae● Universitatis, vel in aliquo contravenerint dictis arbitrio, ordinationi ●ive judicio per praetatum Richardam nuper Regem factum, sive arbitrio, judicio, decreto, considerationi vel ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Hen●i●i in ●ac casu 〈…〉 aliquis dictae Universitatis in fut●●● impedierit dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos, aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam, aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarios vel Commissarium, de visitatione sua aut jurisdictione antedictis, vel in aliquo contravenerit d●cto arbicrio five judicio per praefatum Richardum nuper Regem in forma praedicta facto, vel arbitrio, judicio, decreto considerationi seu ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici; & quod Cancellarius, Commissarius Procuratores Universitatis praedictae tunc non fe●erint diligentiam & posse eorum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepilcopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam praedictam, seu Commissarium vel Commissario● de visitatione aut jurisdictione antedictis, vel in aliquo contravenerint dictis arbit●io ordinationi ●ive judicio per praefatum Richardum nuper Regem in forma praedicta factis, vel arbitrio, judicio, decre●o, considerationi seu ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henr●●; & quod Cancellarius, Commissarius & Procuratores Universitatis praedictae tunc non fecerint diligentiam & posse ●orum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepiscopum & Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam, seu Commissarium vel Commiss●●os suos in hujusmodi Casu, ac etiam ad puniendum hujusmodi impedientes & resistentes; Quod to●iens omnes Franches●●e, lib●rta●es, ac omnia privilegia ejusdem Universitatis in manu● Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum seisiantur, in eisdem manibus ipsorum Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum remansura quo usque praedictus Archiepiscopus vel Successores sui pacificam visitationem ac jurisdictionem in forma praedicta in dicta Universitate habuerit vel habuerint, & etiam totiens Cancellarius, Commissarius, & Procuratores ejusdem Universitatis quo pro tempore fuerint & eorum Successores, ac Universitas praedicta solvant & teneantur, solvere ipso Domino nostro Regi Henrico & haeredibus suis mille libras legalis monetae Angliae: Quae quidem cedula visa ac cum matura & diligenti deliberatione examinata & intellecta, dictus Dominus Rex in pleno Parliamento asseruit & declaravit, omnia & singula in eadem schedula contenta per ipsum secundum quod in eadem continetur facta, arbitrata, ordinata, considerata, decreta & adjudicata in omnibus esse & ex●itisse: & sic de assensu Dominorum Spiritualium & Temporalium necnon Communitatis in eodem Parliamento existentium qui super eisdem pleniorem deliberationem similiter habuerunt & eisdem decreto & judicio plenariè consenserunt & agreaverunt, eandem cedulam & omnia & singula in eadem contenta concessit approbavit, ratificavit & confirmavit: Quodque eadem schedula in Rotulo parliamenti secundum formam & effectum ejusdem irrotularetur & inactaretur, ac etiam quod eadem schedula & omnia in ea contenta sunt tanti et talis valoris effectus et authoritatis, et eosdem valorem effectum et authoritatem habeant et teneant ac si in praesenti Parliamento, ac per auctoritatem ejusdem Parliamenti facta exti●issent.  
Et puis apres sur diverses matieres' moeney par entre le dit Erceve●que et Lercevesque Deverwyke sur certaines privileges pretences par le dit Ercevesque Deverwike pour le College appellee Queen-hall, en la university Oxenford, le dit Erchevesque de Canterbiis en presence du Roy et des Signeurs en le dit parliament provist, que se le dit Erchevesque Deverwyck purroit sufficientment monstrer ascum privilege ●u especialtee de recorde perount le dit Er●evesque de Canterbiis ne deust user ne exercer s● visitation du dit College, il se vorroit eut abstinier; Sauvant a Luj touteffois la visitation de les Escoliers demourantez en le dit College solone les juggementx & decrees faictz & donnez par le dit Roy Richard, & par nostre Signeur le Roy Henry pressed come en le recorde eut fuit plus ple nement est declarez.  
This Act is likewise recorded even by Robert Hare himself, in his Collectio Libertatum & Privilegiorum universitatis Oxon.  
Lo here a full and punctual resolution of two successive Kings, Richard the second and Henry the fourth, and of the Lords and Commons in Parliament against the present pretended privilege and Plea of the University of Oxford and their Delegates, which subverts all the grounds of their feigned exemption from all other Visitors but the King, either by foundation, prescription or papal bulls and Grants.  
This Archbishop Arundel not only visited the University of Oxford, but likewise held a provincial council therein Anno Dom. 1408. in which he made a constitution concerning the Heads and Wardens of the University, thus entitled, Gardianis principales & Praepositi Universitatis Oxoniensis, semel in singulis mensibus inquirant de moribus & Doctrina suorum Scholarium (and that under pain of deprivation, in case of wilful neglect) which Constitution is recorded at large by Johannis de Aton, Constitutiones Legit. fol. 154. Yea, 
* Ex memorand. Philip Repingdon, Epist. Lincol. f. 196.  Philip Repingdon Bishop of Lincoln sent forth his Citations for a visitation to the University of Oxford, as their Diocaesan, intended to be held by him in St Mary's Church in Oxford, dated, apud Leicest. 12. Feb. Anno Dom. 1415. (being the first year of Henry the fift his reign) to which the University, as to some particulars readily submitted, as is evident by their answer to him, viz. That they intended to make PERSONAL APPEARANCE to his Summons at the time and place appointed, Recepturi quae ad Officium inquisitionis haereticae pravitatis duntaxat pertinere noscumtur. Sub hac tamen protestatione, quod per illam personalent comparitionem non intendimus in vos consentire super Qvibuscunqve Articulis. (haereticae pravitatis duntaxat exceptis) &c. Datum apud Oxon. 4● mensis Martii Anno Dom. 1413. A clear evidence, that by the repeal of the Pope's bulls of exemption in Parliament, 13. H. 4. not only the Archbishops of Canterbury, but likewise the Bishops of Lincoln's jurisdiction over, and visitation of the University of Oxford as their Diocesan, was revived and submitted to, at least in cases of heresy.  
And in this very year 1413. this Archb. Arundel made certain Statutes for the government of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. relates, p. 309. the greatest badge of his jurisdiction over them.  
Anno Dom. 1417. Henry Chirbley Archbishop of Canterbury upon the frequent and grievous complaints of divers in both universities, made a Constitution and Ordinance in full convocation, to endure for ten years, touching the promotion of Graduates in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, enroled in his Register, fol. 13, & 14.  
John Morton Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year of our Lord 1490. visited divers dioceses within his Province, and among others the diocese of Lincoln, wherein the university of Oxford then was, Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 342, 343. in which visitation it is probable he visited the university, as part of that diocese, though I find no express mention of it.  
Anno Dom. 1557. Reginald Poole Archbishop of Canterbury, visited the universities of Oxford and Cambridge by his Delegates, the History where of its recorded at large in Master Fox his Acts and Monuments, Vol. 3. Edit. 1640. p. 762. to 780. and epitomised in Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 422. which Visitation some say he kept only as Pope's legate, not in his Metropolitical right, though I conceive he visited in both those capacities; altering and reforming the Statutes of both universities, and making new ones of his own for them to observe, yet extant among their Records.  
An. 19 of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Edmund Grindall Archbishop of Canterbury and his Commissary, received an Appeal from William Wylson elected Rector of lincoln-college in Oxford, whom the Bishop of Lincoln and his Delegates (Visitors of that college) refused to admit, and thereupon granted an Inhibition to the Bishop and his Visitors, and summoned them to appear before him to determine this election, as appears by the Queen's Commission to examine this business, dated 23. Apr. 19 Eliz. endorsed on the Rolls of that year.  
In the twelft year of King CHARLES William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury intending to visit both Universities by his Metropolitical Right, the Universities revived this Plea against his jurisdiction, which had rested in peace without any controversy from K. Henry the 4th his resolution, Anno 1612. till that very year 1635. The Universities alleged, that the King only was and ought to be their sole Visitor, and that they were exempt from all. Archiepiscopal and Episcopal visitation by foundation, prescription, papal bulls, royal Charters and express Statutes; & the vicechancellor, and Heads of the University of Cambridge, on the 24. of December 1635. presented this ensuing Paper to the Archbishop, against his metropolitical power to visit them (Comprising in it whatever the University of Oxford hath alleged, or can colorably object against their present visitation) the original whereof I have in my custody, endorsed with the Archbishop's own hand.  

A Summary Brief or Extract of the REASONS wherefore the University of CAMBRIDGE is exempt both from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Jurisdiction and VISITATION.  
IT being laid for a ground, that the chancellor of the University as Ordinarius, hath, and of ancient time had ordinary jurisdiction within the university, as may appear, as well by the Letters patents of King Richard the second, under the great Seal of England, of a grant to the chancellor, to make a significavit into the Chancery of his excommunications, as Bishops used to do; whereupon the Writ of De excommunicato capiendo was to issue; as also, by a multitude of precedents, of the exercise of spiritual Censures and Jurisdictions; amongst which it doth appear, that in the time of King Edward the first, the chancellor of the university did excommunicate the Builiffs of Cambridge for infringing the privileges of the university: and in the time of King Henry the eighth, John Edmunds then Master of Peter-house, and vicechancellor of the University did excommunicate Dr cliff, chancellor to the Bishop of Ely, for excommunicating a privileged man, and the matter coming before Cardinal Woolsey the Pope's Legate, it was ordered for the University; and Doctor cliff submitted to the said Vice chancellor, and was absolved by him publicly in the university.  In the first place, 
The university of Cambridge is Studium generale, and Communitas Clericorum; and it is 
f Note this, the very first Plea of our Oxonians now.  one of the royal Prerogatives of the Kings of England, that where they are founders of Monasteries, Colleges, or other Religious places, such Religious places, so founded are eo ipso exempt from episcopal and archiepiscopal jurisdiction, and are only to be visited by persons delegated by the King's Majesty, by Commission under the great Seal of England.  
That the University is of the royal foundation of the King's Progenitors or Predecessors, it appears not only by authentic Historians, but also by a Petition exhibited by the chancellor and scholars of the University, 5. R. 2. to the King in Parliament, concerning the Townsmen of Cambridge burning their Charters and other Writings and Muniments, &c. And the reason of the Petition is given, Cum dicta Vniversitas Cantebrigiae sit ex. ordinatione & fundatione illustrium Progenitorum vestrorum, propter honorem Dei & Sanctae Ecclesiae. which Petition was accepted, and a Decree thereupon made in Parliament against the Townsmen.  
2. The Popes of Rome until 26. H. 8. did usurp upon the Imperial Crown of the Realm, and did assume to themselves a superiority and supremacy in all matters of Ecclesiastical government, and in very 
g The same with the Oxenians second Plea, in words and substance.  ancient times there were Grants, Rescripts or bulls to free the university from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the diocese, and of the Archbishop.  
Pope John the two and twentieth, in the eleveneh year of the reign of King Edward the second, and at his request, doth confirm to this university (which he called Studium generale) all manner of privileges and Indulgences before that time granted to it by any of his Predecessors, or any Kings of this Realm.  
The Prior of Barnwell also, Anno Dom. 1430. as delegate to Pope Martin the fift, by virtue of that power committed to him, confirmeth the jurisdiction and exemption of the university by an authentic instrument under the seal of the said prior and his Covent, called, Processus Barnwellensis, the Original whereof is still in Archivis Academia.  
Pope Eugenius Anno Dom. 1433. being 12. H. 6. reciting the bulls of Pope Honorius & Sergius primus (the which were 
n I doubt these pr●●ended Bu●s were mcc● forgeries and bais indeed.  seven hundred years before that time) for the freeing of the university from the jurisdiction of the Bishop and Archbishop, and reciting the process of Barnwell, doth confirm the same, and supplies all defects, as appears by the Original in Parchment in Archivis universitatis.  
3. There is a 
o The Xovians third Plea in words and substance.  constant custom and prescription for the freeing of the university from the jurisdiction of the Bishop and Archbishop; And a Prescription and custom will prevail in this case, as well upon the canon Law, as it will upon the municipal and fundamental laws of the Kingdom: and the rather, because the canon Law had his force in this Realm by usage and custom: And to prove, that this custom and Prescription was ancient in the time of Henry the sixt; it appears by the foresaid instrument under the seal of the Prior of Barnwell, termed Processus Barnwellensis, that the Masters, Doctors and scholars of the University, for the preserving of their immunities and exemptions from the Bishop and Archbishop (their Charters and bulls from the Popes being lost or burnt) did address themselves by Petition to Pope Martin the fift, who did make a Commission Delegate to the Prior of Barnwell and John Deeping, and to either of them to inquire, &c.  
The Prior takes upon him the execution of the Commission; the University in the Regent house make a Proctor under the common Seal: There are seven Witnesses examined who speak for the time of their memory, some of them for sixty years, that (by all that time) the chancellor of the university had exercised Ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the University, and names Richard Scroop, and eleven other chancellors of the university, and 
p This was direct perjury, since Archbishop Arunde● visited that University, & all colleges in it An. 1477 not 30. years before, p. 3. 54. &c.  that no Archbishop or Bishop did interpose; and doth instance Doctor Fordham Bishop of Ely, coming to Cambridge with an intention to visit the University, when he understood of the privilege of the university, he did supersede. Sithence that process, being above two hundred years ago,. there have been fourteen Archbishops of Canterbury, and sixteen Bishops of Ely, and none of them have visited the university of Cambridge, notwithstanding they have visited their diocese and Province.  
4. Not insisting on sundry 
p The Oxonians fourth Plea in substance and words.  ancient Charters of former Kings; King Edward the second, An. 11. of his reign, writes to Pope John the two and twentieth for confirming the ancient privileges which the university then used, with augmentation of new; the which is in the Tower of London, and was under the great Seal of England. And 22. Maii 36. Edw. 3. that King directeth Letter Patents to the Archbishops, Bishops and ecclesiastical persons by way of Prohibition, that scholars should not be cited into ecclesiastical Courts out of the university: And 6. Hen. 5. when a Commission was granted for the enquiring and correcting of heretics, according to the Statute of 2. Hen. 5. there is this clause; Nolumus tamen quod aliquis vestrum de aliquo praemissorum quae per privilegia & libertates universitatis per Cancellarium ejusdem universitatis solummodo corrigi & terminari debent, colore praesentis commissionis nostrae in aliquo intromittatis.  
In the Letters Patents of King James of blessed memory, in March 20. of his reign, he first declares his intention to confirm the privileges and customs used in the university: Secondly, he doth in express terms confirm the jurisdiction as well spiritual as temporal, the privileges, Quietances and Exemptions, not only by the Grants of his Progenitors, vel aliarum personarum quarumcunque, but also praetextu aliquarum Chartarum, donationum, consuetudinis, praescriptionis, &c. And thirdly, Grants that the chancellor, and (in his absence) the vicechancellor shall visit colleges which have no special Visitor, which Charter is also exmero motu & certa scientia.  
5. It appears by the Statute of 25. H. 8. cap. 19 & 21. that albeit the supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical be resumed to the Crown from the Pope, yet no part of that power which the Pope or Archbishop of Canterbury (as his legate) in any wise ever had, is invested In the Archbishop; but it is 
q alleged by the Oxonians too.  especicially provided, That in the case of Monasteries, Colleges, &c. exempt from episcopal power, and immediately subjected to the Pope, the Visitation shall not be by the Archbishop, but by Commissioners to be nominated by the King by his commission under the great Seal. It is true, that by the Statute of 31. H. 8. in a proviso therein contained, there the Bishop and Archbishop have a power given unto them over Monasteries, colleges, &c. which before were immediately subjected to the Pope; but that enlarging of the power of the Archbishop doth extend only to Religious houses dissolved; it doth not extend to the university: and the Statute of 1. Phil. & Mary cap. 8. repealing the Statutes made against the Pope's Supremacy, and giving power to the Archbishop, &c. to visit in places exempt, hath a special proviso thereby, not to diminish the privileges of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, nor the privileges granted to the church of Westminster, Windsor, and the Tower.  
There is no new power given to the Archbishop by the Statute of 1. Elizabethae, and this appears evidently in the proviso therein touching the Visitation, for (if he will visit) he must be having jurisdiction, and he must visit only within his jurisdiction, and the power is also given to Ordinaries within their jurisdictions.  
6. 
i The Oxonians Argument too.  precedents and examples in the very point; wherein not to insist upon the precedent of any Archbishop before the time of 26. H. 8. in as much as the Pope then being reputed the supreme head of the church, and the Archbishop of Canterbury having a Legatine power, his acts then are not to be ensampled to the succeeding Archbishops, who have not any power in the point in question touching visitation, from the Pope; but what hath been done sithence is most material, and that time hath taken up above an hundred years, which by the Canon Law is accounted not only tempus antiquum, but tempus antiquissimum.  
The first Visitation of the University, sithence that time was 27. H. 8. when the Lord Cromwell was chancellor of this University, and the same was by 
* There is no such Commission to be found.  commission under the great Seal of England (to the Lord Cromwell chancellor, and others) according to the foresaid Statute of 25. H. 8. The second visitation was 
k This Commission is extant.  3. Edw. 6. and as it doth appear by the Letter of the Duke of Somerset the than chancellor of the University, that visitatio Regia was, by reason that he was moved by the Letters of the University to send Visitors: he being then Protector was not in Commission.  
In the third and fourth year of the reign of Philip and Mary (the Pope being restored to his usurped power) Cardinal Poole did visit the University; but it appears in the process, that it was as Legatus, by Commission from the Pope, cui Papa commisit visitationem & reformationem studiorum generalium: which clause, together with the proviso in the said Statute 1, & 2. Phil. & Mary, proveth, that this Visitation was not authoritate Metropolitica.  
And lastly, there was a royal Visitation 1. Eliz. by 
m There is no such Commission extant in the rolls.  Commission under the great Seal, to Sir William Cecil, than the chancellor of the University, and to others: The Queen's Letter before the said Visitation, to Sir William Cecil, is, Because the chief order and governance of Our university of Cambridge appertaineth to you, being the chancellor of the same, &c. We thought meet to will you in Our name to give signification, that We mean very shortly, with your advice, to visit the same by some discreet and meet persons.   
Yet notwithstanding all these reasons, presented by the Vniver. of Camb. & others of like nature sent from Oxf. amplified by council, upon a full & deliberate hearing of both parties before the King himself & the Lords of the privy Counsel at Hampton court, the King and Lords resolved against the Universities claims and reasons, and confirmed the ancient Declarations and Resolutions of King Richard the second, and Henry the fourth, disclaiming this new revived Monopoly, of the King's sole right of visiting the universities, they would attribute to him as his royal Prerogative, and their grand privilege and Birthright (which they are bound by oath and duty to maintain) as this ensuing Charter of King Charles himself will demonstrate, to their eternal refutation.  

Anno duodecimo CAROLI, pars sexta Novemb 2.  
Commis. visitat. Archiepiscopo Cant.  
REX omnibus ad quos, &c. Suborta nuper lite & controversia inter Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, & universitates nostras Oxonii & Cantebrigiae super jure & titulo visitationis Metropoliticae Universitatum praedictarum, praefato Archiepiscopo jus visitandi praedictas Universitates sibi & Ecclesiae suae Metropoliticae Christi Cantuariensi vendicante; praefatisque Universitatibus se a visitatione praedicta exemptas esse pretendentibus; liteque & controversia praedictis, ad Nos & judicium & sententiam nostram Regiam delatis, Nos ad stabiliendam pacem inter partes praedictas & ad tollendam in perpetuum bujusmodi controversiae materiam, Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem praedictum & perquàm fidelem Consiliarium nostrum Willielmum, providentia divina Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem totius Angliae Primatum & Metropolitanum, & universitatis Oxonii Cancellarium, Necnon perdilectum & perquàm fidelem consanguineum & Censiliarium nostrum Henricum Comitem Holland, universitatis Cantebrigiae Cancellarium, aliosque nonnullos a praedictis Universitatibus mandata sufficientia habentes, venire fecimus coram Nobis & Consiliariis Nostris in Aula Nostra apud honorem Nostrum de Hampton Court vicessimo primo die mensis Junii, Anno Regni Nostri duodecimo; ibidemque auditis & intellectis quae per partes praedictas hinc inde dici & allegari potuerunt, habitaque cum praefatis Consiliariis Nostris deliberatione matura, ad definiendam & dejudicandam litem & controversiam praedictam processimus in modum fequentem. Primò & ante omnia per probationes legitimas & per confessionem utriusque partis, Nobs constabat, Nos jure Coronae nostrae Regni Angliae habuisse & habere potestatem visitandi Universitates praedictas quoties & quandocunque Nobis & Successoribus nostris visum ● fuerit: praefatumque Archiepiscopum jure Ecclesiae suae Metrop●●●ticae Christi Cantuariensis habuisse, & habere potestatem visitandi totam Provinciam suam Cantuariensem, in qua Universitates praedictae positae sunt. Cum verò ex parte Universitatum propositum esset, Universitates praedictas per quasdam Chartas nostras & Praedecessorum nostrorum, & Bullas Papales fuisse exemptas & immunes ab omni visitatione & jurisdictione Archiepiscopi praedicti, eandemque immunitatem ligitima temporis usu fuisse praescriptam; ex parte praefati Archiepiscopi coram Nobis ostensum & probatum fuit, tres Praedecessores suos Archiepiscopos Cantuarienses actualiter visitasse Universitates praedictas jure Ecclesiae suae Metropoliticae Christi Cantuariensis, & non per potestatem legitimam; ortaque olim lite inter Archiepiscopum Canturiensem & Universitatem Oxon. super jure visitationis praedictae tempore Richardi secundi Praedecessoris Nostri, Regis Angliae, eundem Praedecessorem Nostrum plenè auditis quae per partes utrinque proponi potuerint, pro Archiepiscopo & jure visitationis suae judicasse; eademque controversia itorum emergente inter Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem & Universitatem Oxon. tempore Henrici quarti Praedecessoris Nostri Regis Angliae, eundem Praedecessorem Nostrum similiter pro Archiepiscopo praedicto & JURE VISITATIONIS SUAE PRAEDICTAE PRONUNCIASSE ET DETERMINASSE, EASDEMQUE SENTENTIAS ET DETERMINATIONES PER ACTUM PARLIAMENTI Anno tertiodecimo Henrici quarti fuisse ratificatas & confirmatas. Quinetiam Nobis constabat, praedictas exemptiones & immunitates a visitatione Metropolitica Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, vel earum aliquam, per aliquam Chartam Nostram vel Praedecessorum Nostrorum non fuisse concessas, easdemque per Bullas Papales concedi non potuisse, nec per cursum temporis citra actuales visitationes Archiepiscoporum praedictorum fuisse legitimè praescriptas, nec de jure Nostro Ecclesiastico potuisse praescribi: praefatus●● Archiepiscopus coram Nobis protulit schedulam subscriptam manibus Magistrorum Collegiorum Universitatis Cantebrigiensts in qua Magistri pro se & Universitate sua, privilegiis & immuntatibus Papalibus Universitati praedictae concessis, renunciabant. Quibus omnibus per Nos consideratis, habitaque deliberatione cum praefatis consiliariis Nostris, JUDICAVIMUS ET DETERMINAVIMUS JUS VISITANDI CANCELLARIOS, MAGISTROS ET SCHOLARES UNIVERSITATUM PRAEDICTARUM, SUCCESSORUM SUORUM, eorumque SERVIENTIUM, ALIARUMQUE PERSONARUM PRO TEMPORE EXISTENTIUM LIBERTATI ET PRIVILEGIIS UNIVERSITATUM PREFAT. utentium, NECNON UNIVERSITATUM praedictarum VT universitates, SPECTARE ET PERTINERE ad praefatum Archiepiscopum & successores suos & Ecclesiam Metropoliticam praedictam, PER SE, Commissarium SEV COMMISSARIOS suos exercendum: Et quod praefati Cancellarii, Magistri, scholar's, & reliquae personae Privilegiis Vni. versitatum utentes, eorumque Successores, PERPETVIS futuris temporibus EIDEM ARCHIEPISCCPO ET svocessoribus SVIS, eorumve COMMISSARIIS IN VISITATIONE ET jurisdictione vniversitatum praedictarum IN omnibus PAREANT ET OBEDIANT. Cum vero coram Nobis praeterea proponeretur non satis constare quoties & visitatio praedictarum Vnivesitartum exerceri debeat, ad amputandas similes controversias in futuro, Ordinavimus, quod licebit praefato Archiepiscopo & Successoril us suis VISITARE universitates PRAEDICTAS NON tantum SEMEL IN VITA, sicut in reliquis partibus Provinciae Cantuariensis nuper visitat. suit, verii ETIAM QUOD LICEBIT jis EORUMQUE SINGULIS POST PRIMAM VISITATIONEM METROPOLITICAM FINITAM PRAEDICTAS universitates PER SE VEL COMMISSARIOS suos VISITARE QVOTIESCVNQVE illud Necessarium PRAEFATIS ARCHIEPISCOPIS visum fuerit EX CAVSA RATIONABILI ET LEGITIMA PER NOS ET successores NOSTRO SP rimitus APPROBANDA. Cumque praeterea coram Nobis proponeretur, ex parte Cancellarii praedicti, futurum valdè incommodum sibi & successoribus suis pro dignitate personarum suarum, si in visitationibus praedictis personaliter debeant comparere; declaravimus, jure satis consultum esse eorum incommodis in hac parte, cum possint in visitationibus praedictis per Procuratores suos comparere. Denique per praefatum Archiepiscopum a Nobis humiliter petitum fuit, hoc Nostrum judicium & declaratio potestatis visitandi universitates praedictas sibi & successoribus suis jure Ecclesiae Metropoliticae Christi Cantuariensis, competent. non possint in futuro extendi ad EPISCOPOS ET ARCHIDIACONOS locorum IN QUIBUS universitates PRAEDICT. POSITAE sunt: Et ut praefatae universitates per praefatos Episcopos & Archidiaconos imposterum NON POSSINT VISITARI: Et ut hoc nostrum judicium, ordinationem & determinationem sub magno sigillo Angliae concedere confirmari dignaremus: cujus petitioni annuentes, declaravimus, QVOD universitates PRAEDICTAE PER EPISCOPOS ET ARCHIDIACONOS PRAEDICTOS imposterum NON visitentur. Et hoc Nostrum judicium, ordinationem & declarationem sub magno sigillo Angliae communiri, & confirmari jussimus. Mandantes praefatis Cancellariis Magistris & Scholaribus Vniversitatum praedictarum ut VISITATIONI PRAEFATI ARCHIEPISCOPI ET successorum svorum SE submittant, ET VT nullam EXEMPTIONEM SEV immunitatem adversus VISITATIONEM PRAEDICTAM SIBI VENDICARE praesumant.  
In cujus rei, &c. T. R. apud Westm. tricessimo die Januarii, Anno Regni Caroli Regis Angl. &c. duodecimo. Per breve de privato Sigillo.   
By all these recited Histories and Records it is unquestionably apparent, both in point of fact and right too, That the Archbishops of Canterbury have from time to time visited the Universities both of Oxford and Cambridge, the several colleges and halls in them, by their mere Metropolitical right. That this right of theirs, and jurisdiction over the Universities, was never opposed, nor this Plea or privilege of the King's sole right, ever pretended or insisted on till 20. R. 2. and that only by a factious party in the University of Ozford. That this King himself, on whom that Prerogative was first fixed, did by an express Charter and Decree absolutely disclaim, and adjudge it for the Archbishops, against the University of Oxford, upon a solemn reference of the whole business to him. That when the university of Oxford renewed it again, King Henry the fourth, to whose determination the university and Archbishop submitted the descision thereof, adjudged it for the Archbishops against the university, and disclaimed this pretended Prerogative of his sole visiting she universities: which determination of his was ratified by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, as a binding Decree against the university, and their Successors: That the Archbishops of Canterbury enjoyed the Privilege of visiting the universities without dispute, till 12. Caroli, who upon full hearing of both universities and the Archbishop, before himself and his council, by his Letters Patents under the great Seal, confirmed the descisions of Richard the second, and Henry the fourth, and the Archbishops Metropolitical right of visiting the universities, notwithstanding all Pleas, bulls and Charters alleged for their exemprion; and likewise disavowed his own pretended right of sole visiting the universities as universities; That the Pope's bulls now insisted on for exempting the universities from Episcopal and Archiepiscopal jurisdiction and visitation, have been renounced by the universities themselves, and declared null and void by these three Kings, and the Parliament of 13. H. 4. and no bar at all to the Archbishops right then, much less to the Parliaments now: That no Kings of England ever visited the universities till King Henry the eighth, and that neither his visitation of the university by his Commissioners (if real) nor K. Edward the sixt by his, nor the Statutes of 26. H. 8. c. 1. 25 H. 8. c. 19, 31. nor 1 & 2 Phil. & Mary c. 8. nor 1 Eliz. c. 1. did deprive the Archbishops of Canterbury of this jurisdiction, nor yet the Bishop of the diocese, whose jurisdiction continued till the twelft year of King Charles, as this clause in his Letters Patens, Declaramus quod universitates praedictae per Episcopos & Archidiaconos IN posterum NON visitentur, intimates: which fully makes good my second, and fift position too, in every particular branch.  
I shall be brief in proof of my third. That Cardinal Poole Archbishop of Canterbury, in the third and fourth year of Queen Mary's reign, as Pope's legate, visited both universities, is thus related by Matthew Parker his immediate successor, Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 422. Reginaldus Polus in LEGATIONE ADMINISTRANDA, quia ●um in vivis vix aliqui Evangelici quas flammis extingueret noti essent, in mortuos saevire decrevit. Ac primum Cantuariensem Diocaesim VISITAVIT; deinde CANTEBRIGIENSEM ET OXONIENSEM ACADEMIAS, Johanni Christophersono Cicestrensi, & Cutberto Scoto Cestrensi Episcopis, necnon Colo, & maximè Ormaneto (quem omnit us rebus praefecit) lustrandas, & ad Pontificiam ●mussim atque normam reducendas commisit. Hi c●●m in collegi●s omnia perturbassent, novisque duris legibus multorum juvenum praeclar●s indoles a studiis prorsus alienassent, ne quid crudelitatis omitterent, mort●orum sepulchra violarunt, &c. The whole form and proceedings of their visitation of the university and colleges of Cambridge, is at large recorded by Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments, Edit. 1640. Vol. 3. p. 762, to 780. where those who please may read them at their leisure; both the universities submitting to his Visitors visitation of them, not only as Archbishop, but Pope's legate too: cui Papa commisii visitationem & reformationem Studiorum generalium; as he expressed in his process: This Cardinal altered the old, and made new Statutes for the universities, rejecting those made by King Edward the sixt his authority, which Statutes of his are yet remaining among the Records of both universities.  
That the chancellors of both Universities have anciently, and at this day claimed a power of jurisdiction and visitation too (in some cases) over them, is confessed and argued by the University of Cambridge, in the Summary Brief of their Reasons, forecited, p. 29, 32. they alleging this as one principal reason, why they should be exempt from all episcopal and archiepiscopal jurisdiction and visitation too, in some cases: and the University of Oxford, (as is apparent by the words of the Commission of Queen Elizabeth, 23. Aprilis, 19 Eliz.) made the se●● same Plea and suggestion against Archbishop Grinda●s jurisdiction in receiving an Appeal from William Wilson (Rector elect of lincoln-college in Oxford) against the Bishop of Lincoln and his Visitors, who refused to admit him Rector of chat college, That the Chancell●ur of the university of OXFORD, time out of mind, had been in quiet possession of this privilege among others: Quod Doctores, Magistri & scholar's omnes & singuli dictae & Academiae, ab omni jurisdictione, Dominio vel potestate quorumcunque Archiepiscoporum, etiam Legatorum natorum, necnon Episcoporum, aliorum Ordinariorum, & judicum quorumcunque quoad omnes Contractiones, vel quasi initos infra praedictam Vniversitatem, & quoad OMNIA CRIMINA, vel quasi & punitionem corundem (exceptis prae-exceptis, mahemia, & felonia, & Assisis, & placitis de libero tenemento) & quoad OMNES ACTVS SCHOLASTICOS, quamdi● degerint in e●dem Vniversitate, sunt exempti & totalitèr liberati, & praedicto CANCELLARIO SUBJECTI. Et quod CANCELLARIUS praedictae universitatis OMNEM ET OMNIMODAM JURISDICTIONEM ECCLESIASTICAM ET SPIRITUALEM IN PRADICTOS scholar's ET ALIAS PERSONAS EXERCERE LIBERE ET LICITE posset ET VALEAT. The reality of which pretended exemption, privileges and infringement of them by Wilson's Appeal, the Queen referred to the examination and determination of the Bishops of London and Rochester, Christopher Wray chief Baron of the Exchequer, Sir William Cordell Master of the rolls, Thomas Wilson Doctor of Law, one of the Masters of Request●, John Gibbons, Doctor of Law, and one of the Masters of the Chancery, and John Griffeth Doctor of Law, or any seven, six, five, four, three or two of them; but what they did or determined therein is uncertain.  
If then the Pope's legates and the chancellors of both Universities, have exercised, and time out of mind enjoyed such jurisdiction over the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; their pretence, of being subject only to the King's visitation and jurisdiction, must necessarily be disclaimed, being directly contrary to their own express claims, in relation to their chancellors.  
My fourth position, That the particular colleges, halls and Members of the university have their particular Visitors appointed by their founders and private Statutes, to whose visitation and jurisdiction they are subject, not to the King's alone; is such a known truth, that I need not prove it, having given some touches upon it 
* Pag. 7.  already in lincoln-college and Brasennose. The rather, because the author of the privileges of the University of Oxford, p. 6. makes this Argument against the Visitors present jurisdiction, We have yet a more strict and particular Obligation, being sworn by our respective Statutes, to allow and submit to no visitation but from those who are nominated by our Founders. And the common and Statute Law of England allows the Founders of any college, Abbey, Hospital, Free-school or free-chapel, without cure of souls, to visit or nominate those who shall visit the same, as is evident by 8 Ass. 29. 8. E. 369. 13 Ass. 2. 11 H 4 12. 84. 27 E. 3 84. 6 H. 714. Fitz. Nat. Bre. 42. a. b. 50. 〈…〉. Brook Praemunire 1. 5. H. 5. c. 1. 25 H. 8 c. 21. 43 Eliz. c. 4. Now of all the colleges or halls in the University of Oxford, as Doctor Fell (the pretended Vice chancellor alleged before the Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating the University) there is none but Christ. Church only, of which the King is immediate Visitor, (and that originally founded by Cardinal Woolsey, not the King's Progenitors) and no more but it and 
* Speed's History, p. 1066, 1085, &c.  Orial college, and St. Mary-Hall (founded by K. Edward the 2d) and jesus-college (founded by Qu. Elizabeth) whereof the King and his Progenitors have been Founders; which three later have their particular Visitors appointed by their founder's Statutes: and no college in the University of Cambridge but kings-college, Trinity-college any christs-college, whereof the King's Ancestors are immediate Founders; how then the King can truly and really be styled, the sole Founder or Visitor of both or either our Universities (there being but three colleges in Oxford, and three in Cambridge of his foundation, and but one of his visitation) I desire the University at leisure to resolve, since this their Plea, We have yet a more strict & particular obligation, being sworn by our respective Statutes, to allow and submit TO NO VISITATION but from those who are appointed by our Founders, quite subverts their grand pretended privilege, and strongest Plea in Bar (which the Author of The privileges of the university of Oxford undertakes to make good) That the right of visiting the university of Oxford, is only in the King's Majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction, by its Foundation, Prescription and grants of Exemption; when as I have proved it to be anciently and legally subject both to the jurisdiction and visitation of the Bishops of Lincoln, of the Archbishops of Canterbury, the Pope's legates, the chancellor; and the colleges and halls as Members of it, to sundry particular Visitors, appointed by their respective Statutes and Founders; the two last whereof themselves acknowledge and urge too. Which fully refutes the King's pretended royal Monopoly of sole visiting the University, which himself and his Progenitors have several times disclaimed and resolved against in express terms, as I have manifested.  
My fift position is 
* P. 9, 10, 11, 21, 36, 38.  already substantially proved in every syllable, in the evidence for probat of the second; which I shall not repeat, but only conclude, the Author of the universities privileges was very ill advised to plead Popes exploded, illegal, Antichristian bulls in Bar against the jurisdiction of both houses, and the Visitors deputed by them, in these Anti-papal times of Reformation, which might justly induce them to suspect, that the Heads and Members of the University have a higher and more reverent esteem of the Popes usurped, abandoned authority, and illegal bulls, then of both houses rightful Power and Ordinances, which they would have these void papal bulls (no better than the white Bull in Osny Tower) control, though the very Letter of them extends only to exempt themselves from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal, not Parliamentary jurisdiction and visitation, no more than regal.  
These five positions being all confirmed, and the Universities pretended grand privilege and false Plea thereby sufficiently refuted, I shall next examine and refeil the false grounds and impertinent Evidences produced by their advocate to make them good, and so leave them without excuse.  

Object.  The first ground in maintenance of this exemption is, That the university 
The universities privilege, p 2, 3.  of Oxford wholly refers to the King, as its original & Founder; That almost 800. years' since, King Alured not only founded public Schools of Arts & Lectures, but their privileges & Immunities, having gotten them confirmed by the than Pope; That the university ever submitted and she●●●red themselves under the title of the King's Foundation & yet do. For which some Instruments of the University to K. Richard the 2d, and others, wherein they recite they are Vestrae fundationis & Patronqtus, are cited in the Margin: Now all Societies whereof the King or his Predecessors were Founders, are only VISITABLE BY THE KING, by the common Law of this Realm 6 H. 7 f. 14. 2 H. 5 (I suppose he intends the Statute of 2 H. 5 c 1. since there is nothing in the year book to that purpose.)  
To this I answer, 
Answ.  first, That the original Founder of the University of Oxford is not certainly known: Secondly, That King Alured was not the first Founder of this university, or of Schools and Lectures in it, (which had been time out of mind before, as Master Cambden in his Britiania, p. 378. proves out of Ass●r) but only the Restorer and Repairer of them, recalling the long banished Muses unto their own sacred cells, it being a university above three hundred years before at lest; its Orders and Ordinances for Lectures, &c. being made and established by Gildas, Melkin, Ninnius, Kentigerne, and other godly and learned men, which Saint German wondrous well allowed of ● which the old Schoolmen of the university proved by the undoubted testimony of old Chronicles before King Alured, in their contest with Grimbald their Divinity Professor there: And it is one thing to be a Founder, another a Repairer or enlarger; else every Founder of a new college or School in the university, or Repairer of an old one, should be the Founder of the University and college itself. Thirdly, That this King conferred any privileges or Immunities on this university, & got them confirmed by the Pope; I find no satisfactory evidence: but admit he did, this makes him no more a Founder of the university, than Edward the 3d, Richard the 2d, King Henry the 8th, Queen Elizabeth, King James, or King Charles, who confirmed and allowed the universities ancient privileges. Fourthly, there are only three colleges and one Hall in Oxford now remaining of the King's and his Predecessors foundation, and one of them Christchurch, was really founded by Cardinal Wool●ey as a college, and by the 
* Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 404.  King only as a deanery and Cathedral; all other colleges and halls, with the public Schools and Library had other Founders; therefore the King and his Progenitors cannot be properly styled, the sole Founder of the whole university, and so the only Visitors by the common Law. Fiftly, the Parliament itself (to speak properly) is the true real Founder and establisher of both universities, they being incorporated and made capable to sue, purchase and enjoy all their privileges and Lands without controversy, only by an act of Parliament in the 13. year of Queen Elizabeth, rot. 36. the title whereof is only mentioned in the printed Acts; therefore the Parliament being the true Founders of it, have best right to visit it by the common Law, by us their Commissioners, as this Objection proves. Sixtly, this plea, That the university is of the King's foundation only, (as the Objector grants) is but the universities own device, who anciently did, and yet do shelter themselves under the title of it, against their lawful Visitors, and are very ill advised to fly to this false shelter now, since three Kings and one Parliament have several times driven them from it, as the premises evidence. Seventhly, admit the antecedent true, that the King and his Predecessors were sole Founders of the university, yet the sequel is unfound: Ergo they only are the Visitors of it, and none others, seeing I have proved, that others have of right visited and had jurisdiction in and over it as a university from time to time, besides our Kings, and that of right, by our Kings and Parliaments resolutions, notwithstanding this pretext of being sole Founders. Eightly, the King and his progenitors by their Charters are as much Founders of every Corporation, every Company of Merchants and other Tradesmen in London and other Cities, as of the universities; will it therefore follow, Ergo, none must visit or regulate them but the King, and the houses of Parliament, the Committees for Trades, Complaints, Grievances, Clothiers, Weavers, &c. may not regulate nor reform them, much less the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen, as they have usually done. Ninthly, the Book of 6 H. 7 14. is no resolution, but a private opinion; It only speaks of the King's free chapels without cure, which he or his chancellors shall visit, not the Bishop, but by Commission; not of universities or colleges, the thing in question; nor yet of Monasteries, Churches and chapels with cure of souls, which the Archbishop and Bishop of the diocese shall visit, though built, founded and endowed by the King himself, as this very Law-book [6 H. 7 14.] grants; whence most ancient abbeys founded by our Kings, were exempted from archiepiscopal and Episcopal visitation and jurisdiction by special Charters confirmed in 
* Spelman Concil. Tom. 1. p. 631. to 635. Ioan. S●ldeni No●ae ad Eadmerum p. 165.  Parliament, and Pope's bulls, the King's mere foundation and Charters alone being no legal exemption from their power by the common or Canon Law. As for the Statute of 2 H. 5 c. 1. it speaks only of Hospitals of the King's foundation, that the Ordinaries shall visit them by his Commission, not of colleges or universities; without the words and intention of the act. Tenthly, this and other Law-books only say, that the Bishop shall not visit Hospitals and freechappels of the King's foundation; but no Book avers, the Houses of Parliament may not visit them nor their Delegates: and to argue, the Bishop of the diocese may not visit the King's freechappels or Hospitals; Ergo, the Parliament may not do it; is no better logic then; The Ordinary cannot visit nor reform the greatest Officers of State, the course of Justice at Westminster, the Kings own Court; nor any civil abuses, and public grievances: Ergo, the Houses of Parliament cannot do it. Yea, all our Books agree, that the Bishop by Commission, under the great Seal, may lawfully visit the King's Freechappels & Foundations, and the stat. of 2. H. ●. c. 1. enacts as much: But we have such a Commission to visit the University, therefore we may lawfully do it. These answers, I suppose, have sufficiently shaken the sandy foundation of the Universities Exemption, the King's Foundation of it, whereon they most rely.  
Yea, but the Objector learnedly replies, p. 3. Here you may please to consider, that the Foundation of the university being the King's personal act, his interest lies not within the reach of that Beaten evasion, of a public and politic Capacity. I answer, I understand not well what he means by the King's personal act: Unless the act of the King in his natural Capacity, as a Man, not in his politic, as a King. If so, than it follows: 1. That the King and his Progenitors, as Kings in their public and politic Capacities, were not founders of the University, but only in their natural, as private men; which subverts his own assertion and foundation. 2. That this privilege of a Founder is not annexed to the King's public and politic, but natural and personal Capacity, and so not descendible nor hereditary; since personal actions, acts and privileges, by the rules of the Law, 
* Actio personalis moritur cum persona.  die with the person. If he mean by the King's personal act; that the King in person, laid the very first Foundation stone of the University with his own hands; or writ and sealed the Patent or Charter that first founded it, himself, and not by any Substitutes or Officers: This will b● hard for him to prove; and the sequel will be; That the King only in his own Royal person, must visit the university now; but net by any Commissioners or Delegates; and so all his other Foundations, contrary to all former precedents, Statutes and Law-books, that he may visit them by Commissioners, which the Un●versities Answer acknowledgeth, and himself to●  
The next* Ground of Exemption urged, 
Object. 2.  is pre-scription and Bulls of Popes; both which being abandantly refuted in the premised positions, and no plea at all against both Houses of Parliament, or any power derived from them, (not mentioned, nor included in, nor yet confinable by these Bulls) though they might hold good against any ordinary or inferior Jurisdiction, if true, I shall here therefore pretermi● without further Answer.  
The 3d, 
Object. 3.  ground of Exemption alleged, it 
* Page 2. 3. 4.  grants of Exemption by Popes, allowed and confirmed by Charters from several Kings, both by themselves and in Parliaments; to prove which, there are quoted in the Margin some Pope's bulls, out of H●re, the old book of Oxford Statutes, and the Senior proctor's Book, with this addition, 25. H. 8. c. 21. All power of Visitation is given only to such, as shall have immediate Authority by the King's Commission, under the great Seal of England, in places formerly exempted; as colleges &c. All Letters, Patents heretofore made by the King's Progenitors, in behalf of the universities, are confirmed by act of Parliament. 13. Eliz. & 19 Eliz. part. 13. in Dorso; The privileges of the university are confirmed in the very words of Boniface, 8. acknowledged they had them by prescription; the immediate subjection of the university to the Authority and jurisdiction of the Prince, and all their other Exemptions ratified; and those acknowledged to be sworn to, in the Oath taken by every Graduate. These are all the evidences of moment produced to make good this ground.  
I answer. 
Answer.  1. That all these Pope's Bulls of Exemption now insist●●●on, were so far from being allowed and confirmed by Charters from several Kings, both by themselves and in Parliaments; that King Richard the 2. and King Henry the 4. by both their Charters, and in Parliament, upon solemn debate, disallowed, ●ulled and declared them merely void, and the University itself, absolutely renounced them as nullities and prejudicial, in both their reigns: King Charles himself by his Charter, ratifying and approving their resolutions herein, as I have proved. Therefore this allegation is a most palpable falsehood, there being no one Charter, nor Act of Parliament that ever allowed or confirmed them before or since these King's Declarations of their nullity. And admit these Bulls so confirmed, yet they ex end only to exempt the University from Archiepiscopal, or Ordinaries Visitations and Jurisdictions, not from the Kings or Parliaments, not mentioned nor intended in them.  
I shall close up this with Matthew Parker's Authority, the first Arch Bishop of Canterbury, in Queen Elizabeth's reign. De Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 35, (before the archbishops lives) where thus he writes of the Jurisdiction of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, even in this Queen's reign, & of these Pope's bull's nullity. Episcopatus et Diocaeses suae Provinciae quandocunque, et quocunque ordine sibi videbitur expedire, visitat &c. Tamque latè patent hujus Archiepiscopatus privilegia, ut in loca firmissimi● septa ac munita privilegijs se insinuent. Multa onim loca quae a Metropolitica et Ordinaria jurisdictione se eximi procurassent, ab hujus tamen Authoritate immunia ac tuta esse non poterant. Inter quae ILLAE CELEBRES CANTABRIGIENSIS ET OXONIENSIS in Anglia ACADEMIAE, quanquam peculiaria jura, et exemptionis privilegia sibi quondam á Papa concedi procurassent, illis tamen authoritate posteá Regia irriti● ac rescissis, IN CANTVARIENSIS ARCHIEPISCOPI authoritatem SESE reddiderunt, et tam VISITATIONES SVAS subire coguntur, quàm ad Synodalia sua concilia per Cancellarios acceduxt: In Cantabrigiae Collegio S. Petri, cujus Eleensts Episcopus est patronus, sede vacant, tàm Praefectum quàm socios admittit, et uni scholarium cui gratificare voluerit, vacantsem societatem confert. OXONII, Collegiorum omnium animarum, et Mertoniensis est Patronus, ac in utrisque Ordinariam et OMNIMODAM jurisdictionem EXERCET. So that he reputed this Jurisdiction of visiting the universities, a Right belonging to the archbishops of Canterbury, notwithstanding any pretended exemptions, Charters or Statutes to the contrary, then in being; or the Bulls of Pope Boniface the 8, which Joannes Cajus: De AntiqueCantabrig. Academiae, p. 71. confesseth to be abolished, by the Le●ters Patents of K. Richard the 2. made to Archbishop Arundel, in the 20. year of his reign, and after confirmed by King Henry the fourth, and an act of Parliament, in the 13 year of his reign; as the Premises at large demonstrate.  
2. I answer, that the objected clause of the Act of Parliament 25. H. 8. c. 21. extends not at all to the university of Oxford, or any colleges in it, as is most evident by the express words of the proviso, which I shall here transcribe.  
Provided always, that the said Archbishop of Canterbury, or any other person or persons, shall have no power or authority, by reason of this act, to visit or vex any Monasteries, abbeys, Priories, colleges, hospital, houses, or other places Religious. Which be or were exempt, before the making of this act, any thing in this act to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. But that Redress, Visitation and Confirmation shall be had by the King's highness, his heirs and successors, by Commission under the Great Seal, to be directed to such persons as shall be requisite for the same, in such Monaster●●s colleges, Hospitals, Priories, houses and places Religious, exempt. So that no Visitation nor Confirmation shall from henceforth be had or made in, or at any such Monasteries, colleges, Hospitals, Priories, houses and places Religious Exempt, by the said Bishop of Rome; nor by any of his authority, nor by any out of the King's Dominions; nor that any person Religious, or other resident in any the King's Dominions, shall from henceforth depart out of the King's Dominions, to or for any Visitation, Congregation, or assembly for Religion. But that all such Visitations, Congregations, and Assemblies shall be within the King's Dominions.  
By this it is apparent. First, that this act extends only to such 
* See Speeds Catalogue of Religious houses, colleges and Hospitals.  colleges, is were Religious Houses, consisting of Menks and Friors, not to colleges of scholars in the University, as the coupling it with Monasteries, abbeys, Priories, and other Places religious, and the last clause: Nor that ANY PERSON religious, depart out of the King's D●minions, to or for any Visitation or Assembly FOR RELIGION, manifests: 2. That it excludes only the Archbishop of Canterbury, his Commissaries, and under-Officers , formerly mentioned in the body of the Act (the any other person or persons, intended in this clause) from visiting these exempted colleges and Religious Houses: and that not simply, but BY REASON OF THIS ACT: Not the Houses of Parliament, or any visitors of their appointment, 3. It extends only to colleges, not to universities, not once named or intended in this Law: And a college (especially of Monks and Religious persons as here) is one thing, a university another, by the Objectors own concession. p. 6. 4. It reacheth only to such colleges and Places Religious, as were exempt from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Vis●●ation, AT, & BEFORE THE MAKING OF THIS ACT; Therefore, not to the Universities and colleges of Oxford and Cambridg, which at and before its making were not exempt, but subject both to the archbishops and Bishops Visitation and Jurisdiction, as I have largely proved, 5. Such exempt colleges as are within this Act, are to be visited, not by the King in person, or such persons as he shall personally nominate, as the Objector dreams (no such words being in this Act) but, BY COMMISSION UNDER THE GREAT SEAL, TO SUCH PERSONS AS shall BE APPOINTED, and requisite for the same; & that either by both houses of Parliament, or by the Keepers of the Great Seal, who usually nominate and appoint all Commissioners of the Peace, Sewers, Oyer and Terminer, for Visitations, Inquiries, and the like, not the King in person. And the present Visitors of Oxford, being thus appointed by Ordinance of both Houses, and by commission under the Great Seal; are sufficiently authorized to visit the university and colleges in it, admit them places exempt within this proviso, as they are not. 6. Admit all that can be; it is clear, that both H●uses of Parliament by this Law conferred the Power of visiting Monasteries, abbeys, Priories, colleges, Hospitals, houses, and other places Religious, exempt before this act, from Archiepiscopal and Ordinary Visitation, on the King, his heirs and successors; who could not confer it on themselves. Ergo, by the selfsame reason, both Houses may now by Ordinance and Commission, lawfully confer the like power of visiting the University, though formerly exempted, on the Visitors now appointed by them; they being the supreme Visitors and Reformers of all corruptions and abuses, both in Church and State, and appointing who shall be Visitors, and what person or person shall be visited, and what things inquired of in Visitations, in sundry other Acts of Parliament, as 31. E. 1. Rastal 304. 2 H. 5. c. 1. 25. H. 8. c. 21. 26. H. 8. c. 21. 26. H. 8. c. 1. 28. H. 8. c. 10. 31. H. 8. c. 13. 14. 2. E. 6. c. 1. 5. E. 6. c. 3. 1. & 2. Phil. & Mary, c. 1. 8. 1. Eliz. c. 1. 2. 14. Eliz. c. 5.  
3. I answer, it is true, That the ancient privileges, Liberties and Franchises of the respective universities of Oxford and Cambridge, heretofore granted, ratified and confirmed by the Queen's Highness, and her most noble Progenitors, for the better increase of learning, and further suppressing of Vice, are confirmed by Act of Parliament, An 13. Eliz. rot. 36. which incorporates both universities; but it neither confirmed the Pope's Bulls of exemption, nor gave them any Immunity from Archiepiscopal or Episcopal Jurisdiction and Visitation, it being no ancient liberty, privilege, or Franchise, ratified or confirmed to them by the Queen, or any of her noble Progenitors, nor yet once mentioned or intended in the Large Patent of privileges, of King Henry the 8. bearing date the 10, of April. in the 14, year of his R●ign, made and granted to the Chancellor, and scholars of Oxford, nor in Queen Elizabeth's Patent to the Chancellor, Masters and scholars of the University of Cambridge, bearing date the 26, of April, in the 3, years of her reign, particularly confirmed by this Act. Therefore this Act makes nothing at all to purpose.  
4. The Objected Commission in 19, Eliz, part. 12. in dors●, pretends no exemption of the university and colleges from Archiepiscopoll and episcopal Visitation and Jurisdiction simply; the thing not then in question; neither doth it acknowledge or confirm the universities privileges, and all other Exemptions, in the very words of Boniface the 8. and acknowledge they had them by prescription &c. as is untruly surmised. But first, it mentions divers privileges then claimed by the Chancellor, Doctors and scholars of the university, and some exemptions in causes wholly belonging to the chancellor's conusance; and next it only complains of William Wilsons infringing these privileges and Exemptions contrary to his Oath, in complaining to the Dean of the Arches of Canterbury, and to Archbishop Grindal, against the Bishop of Lincoln, and his Visitors of Lincoln college in Oxford, for refusing to admit him to the Rectorship thereof to which he falsely pretended he was really and lawfully elected and presented; and for sending Inhabitions and Citations thence to the Bishop and his Visitors (who were Members of the university) to appear in the Arches, and with taking the final Examination and Determination of this election unto themselves, which of right belonged to the Chancellor and University. Upon which bare suggestion and complaint, the Queen granted a Commission to two Bishops and six others, in a summary way; without any noise or formal proceedings, according to the truth and mere equity of the cause, by the best and most effectual means they could; De et super VERITATE praemissorum et Privilegiorum et exemptionum DICTAE universitatis, ac in causa et causis praedictis &c. procedere, et fine debito, omni appellatione et querela nuillitatis, et supplicatione quacunque remotis, terminare; statutis, Canonibus, et consuetudinibus in contrarium editis, litisve pendentibus, in aliquo non obstante. So as this Commission doth no ways confirm the privileges, nor ratify the exemptions therein claimed by the Chancellor and university, by Charter, statutes and prescription; for than it would have remitted this cause of Election from the Dean of the Arches, and Arch Bishops Delegates to the Chancellor and university (to whom by ancient privilege they alleged it did belong) but only refers the Examination of the truth of the Premises, privileges, Exemptions, and Determination of this cause and controversy about this Election to certain Commissioners, thus summarily to determine, any Statutes, Canons, customs, or suits depending to the contrary, notwithstanding, and so rather doubts of, and questions the truth of there alleged university privileges and Exemptions, then confirms them, though procured by the Chancellors and Universities means, and drawn up by their own directions.  
But admit this Commission ratified and confirmed the privileges and Exemptions claimed in it by the university; yet the substance of them is no more than this: That 
* See the Charter of 36 E, 3, pars. 1, mem. 5 Rot, Claus. 9 R. 2 & 15 R 2 mem 17. in Tur. London. to this effect, & p 41  all personal contracts, suits, controversies, and offences of scholars and privileged persons arising within the precincts of the university (except maihmes and felonies) are to be tried and determined in the university before the Chancellor only, not before any archbishops, Legates, Bishops, or Ordinary Judges, out of the university. Will it therefore follow; Therefore the university cannot without multiplied perjury, acknowledge any Visitor but the King, and such as are immediately sent by him; and is totally exempted, not only from all Archiepiscopal and Episcopal, but likewise from the Parliaments, and their Delegates Visitation? No doubtless; the rather, because King Charles himself, and his Couns●● resolved, that neither this Commission, nor 
* Here p 36  any other Charter of privileges or Exemptions, did free the Universities from the Archbishop of Canterbury's Metropolitical Visitation, much less than from both Houses Delegates, authorized by Ordinances and Commission for to visit it.  
The 4th. ground and argument urged for the Universities Exemption from our Visitation, 
Object. 4.  is this. 
* Page. 4.  That all visitations of the universities (except in Queen Mary's reign, by Cardinal Pool, as Pope's legate) were held by the respective Prince's authority, and the persons visiting were immediately sent by them, only as their Representatives, and who ever sat, the King visited; For which one Visitation, by K. Henry the 8. another by King Edward the 6. a third by Queen Elizabeth's Visitors & Commissions are cited: therefore the Universities are exempt from all other Visitors, and those now appointed by both Houses, but not immediately by the King.  
To this I answer: 
Answer.  First, That no King of England before Henry the ●, did either in Person or by Commission visit the Universities; and his once mere Visitation of them by Commissioners (if true, since I find no such Commission extant after much inquiry) was no exemption of them, in point of Law, from their former Visitors, no more than of the particular colleges (which they likewise visited) from the Visitors designed them by their Founders. Secondly, King Edward the 6. his Commission, and Commissioners, for their Visitation, were made by the advice of the Lord Protector, and others of his privy council, (He being then an infant but of 11. years of age) & not made nor nominated personally and immediately by himself, as the Commissions themselves attest: And for any Commission under the great Seal of Queen Eliz. for the universities Visitation, it is to me a mere non liquet, which I cannot find upon search after it. Thirdly, King Charl● himself and his Counsel resolved upon f●l d●bate● that those Royal Visitations of his Predecessors did not exempt them from the Archbishop's Visitation by his metropolitical right. Therefore they can much less privilege them against the present Visitors, commissioned under the great Seal and armed with both Houses right, from whom our Kings derived their power of Visitation at first.  
The 5. 
Object 5.  and principal Plea in point of conscience, most inculcated, is this: 
* Page 6.  That the Heads and Members of the university are sworn by their respective Statutes, to allow or submit to no Visitation, but fr●● those who are nominated by their Founder●● Therefore they cannot, without multiplied perjury, submit to the present Visitors.  
I answ: 
Answ.  First, That this Oath obligeth them not as Members of the University, but only as fellows of particular colleges or halls: therefore it cannot be pleaded against our visiting the University in general, but such particular colleges only who are obliged by such an Oath. Secondly, This Oath was never made not prescribed with any intention to exempt those particular colleges that take is from the Kings or his Commissioners Visitations, as the Objectors (I presume) will grant, not yet from the Archbishops, (which I have formerly proved) though not appointed Visitors by the Founders, to both which these colleges have submitted, without any perjury or violation of their Oath; the end whereof was only to exclude all wrongful intrusions of coordinate or inferior visitors and persons, upon the Founders right, by way of usurpation, not any superior lawful Jurisdiction or Authority, which the Founders had neither power nor right to ab●idg. This is evident in the common case of Hospital; which though bound by Oath and Sta●utes to admit no other Visitors but such as their Founders appoint; yet the Ordinaries both by Statute, Common and Canon Law, 〈◊〉 and aught to visit them notwithstanding, as is evident by 2 H. 5. c. ● by virtue of their superintendent power. Thirdly, This Oath is like the Oath of Homage at the common Law, having an implied ●avi●g●● it, as that hath an express: I become your man from this day forwards of life and limb and of earthly worship, 
Littleton l. 2. chap. 1●  and unto you shall be true and faithful, and bear you faith for the Tenement that I claim to hold of you; saving the faith that I owe unto our sovereign Lord the King. O●, salva●fide Deo & terrae Principi. The reason of which Saving is, because the King is the sovereign landlord & Paramount the Mean-lord. Which Oath of Homage.* Walter Bishop of Exon giving to his Tenants in Cornwall, nulla facta mentione de Homagio & Fidelitate Domino Regidebitis: thereupon one Michael de North exhibited an Information against, 
co●ks 1 Instit, f. 65  them in 6. E. 〈…〉 to the King's Crown, ●i ad damnum & ded●cus ipsius Domino Regis, And upon the same ground it is, that if a man hold 〈◊〉 Ho●●ge of divers Lords, he 〈◊〉 say in the end of his Homage done savings he faith which I owe to our Lord the King; 〈…〉 other Lord●. If a man should make ● solemn Vow (having been overtaken with wine) never to drink wine more; 〈◊〉 one addicted to swearing, vow never to swear any more: yet these Vows would not extend to exclude him from drinking wine at the Lord's Supper: or taking an oath upon summons or just occasion in any Court of Justice, or before a lawful Magistrate. So if a servant swear, not to bewray his Master's secrets; or a fellow of a college, not to discover the secrets of the Ho●se, or a Grand-Ju●or, not to discover his fellows secrets; yet these Oa●●● bind them not when they are called to discover them in a legal way, upon a just cause before a lawful Magistrate, upon any Action of Account, B●ls of discovery or trial; it being not within the intention of these Oaths, nor in the power of those who prescribed them to restrain such legal discoveries, or abridge the superior Magistrates power to the obstructing of public justice: upon which gro●nd, the Lords and others of the privy council heretofore, and this very Pa●l●ament in the case of the Earl of Strafford, when summoned as witness●●, 
〈…〉  have without pe●jury, or breach of trust discovered their Fellow-Councellors evil counsel & secret advice to his Majesty, contrary to the Letter of their Oaths. Fourthly, It is the Apostles express command, Col. 3. 20, 22, Children obey your Parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Servants obey your Masters in all things according to the flesh: Yet all Divines, 
* See Gratian Caus. 11, qu. 3  Canonists, and Casuists, resolve: That if Parents and Masters command one thing; and Kings, Magistrates or God himself command another thing; Children and Servants in such a case ought rather to obey the Magistrates, King and God himself, then either their Parents or Masters; notwithstanding these universal precepts of obeying them in all things; which, have this employed qu●lification involved in them, to wit, in all lawful things not contrary to the superior just commands of the King, Magistrate or God himself, which being the superior powers, ought principally to be obeyed before natural Parents and Masters. Hence is that known resolution of Augustine subscribed by 
* Caus. 11. q. 3  Gratian, and all Canonists. Quiresistit potestati De●●rdinations resistit. Sed quid 〈◊〉 jubentur 〈◊〉 quod non, debe●● facere? hic sanè conte●●● potestate●. 〈…〉 Legum grad●s adverte verte: Si aliquid ●uss●rit curator, faciendum est; non tamen s● contra Proconsul jubeat. Non utique contemnis potestatem sed eligis majori servire; nec hic debet minor irasci si maior pr●elatus est. Rursus, si ipse Consul aliquid jubeat, & aliud jubeat Imperator; vel si aliud jubeat Imperator, et aliud Deus, quid i●dicatis? Maior potestas De●s: da veniam ô Imperator: Tu carcerem, ille gehen●am mi●atur. Hic jam tibi assu●●nd● est ●ides tua tanqu●m scutum, in quo possis om●ia ignea iacula inimici oxtinguere. This resolve of his, will dissolve the present Objection; that these Oaths and Statutes of particular colleges, will exclude all other Visitors appointed by an equal or inferior, but not by a superior Authority, as the present visitors are. Fifthly, I find an express precedent in point. When 
* Fox Acts and Monuments Vol. 3. p. 765, 766.  Cardinal Pool by his D●legates v●si●●d the university of Cambridg in Queen Mary's days, Robert Brassy Master of King's college, (aworthy old man both for his wisdom and hoar hairs) hearing his own nam●●ecited next after the Vice-Chancellors, said. He was there present as all the other were; nevertheless for as much as the Reformation of his House was wholly RESERVED to the discretion of the Bishop of Lincoln, not only by the King's Letters patents, but also by grant of confirmation of the Bishop of Rome himself, under a penalty, if he should suffer any stranger to intermed●e, he openly pro●essed in discharge of his duty, that ●nlesse their, Commission gave them Authority and jurisdiction upon, the college, either by 
* Our Ordinances and C●mmissions do so in express words.  express words or manifest sense, he utterly exempted himself from being present. This his exception they took all in greas displeasure, alleging, that they were fully authorized for the order of the matter by the Cardinal, out of whose jurisdiction no place nor person was exempted: wherefore he had done evil, to call in question their Authority, so well known to all men. The next day the Delegates going to visit this college, Mr. Brassy the Master excusing himself, made the same exception to them then he had before. To which the Bishop of Chester, with a frowning look and angry coun●enance, said; He needed not to repeat the things he had protested before, nor they to make answer any more to those things wherein they had sufficiently informed him before. He rather feared that their quarrel was not good, that they made such a do about it, and s●ught such starting ●ol●●. For so were diseased persons oft times wont to do, whe● for the pain and grief they are not able to abide a stronger medicine: As though that any ever were able to grant so strong a privilege, as to withstand the Pope's authority. As for the Pope's Letters, they must needs make on his side and those that were with him, (and could not in any wise be alleged against him. Therefore he admonished him to desist from his ●nprofitable altercation, and to conform himself and his to such things as were then in doing. Whereupon the Master and scholars submitted to their Visitation, and were at sworn and examined to such interroga●●ries as were propounded them; but some of them swore conditionally, so as their faith formerly given to the college were not impeached thereby; Which submission and precedent in print, in case of the Pope and his Legates Visitors should induce all these Oxonians whom it concerns, in like manner to submit to both Houses Visitors, (having express power by Ordinance and Commission to visit all colleges &c.) notwithstanding these objected Oaths and Statutes.  
Having (as I conceive) satisfactorily answered all Objections against the Jurisdiction and Power of the Oxford Visitors, 
object. 6.  I shall briefly answer some allegations against their persons and proceedings.  
Their exceptions to all their persons in general (and 
* Page 4, 5.  that with wonder and just scorn) is; That they are their fellow-subjects; When as for almost 800 years before they have been the care and stri●e of Princes. King Alured himself visits, An. 806. Edw. ●. & Rich. 2. descided Controversies in the university. The late Visitations performed by Commissioners, were by the chief Nobility of the Kingdom; And his majesty that now is visited Christ Church personally, with 8 Lord● of the council. To others of them in particular; That they 〈◊〉 their own members, who having sworn the observation of their Statutes, Liberties and Customs, cannot appear as judges over them without a violation of their Oaths, nor yet without a manifest opposition of Nature, where 
* Do not the King and Parliament, let parts judge the whole?  part judge the whole; and the Laws of justice too, especially if they consider the Interests and Engagements may often professions of the most active instruments of this work.  
To the fifth I answer; 
Answer.  First, that if these Objections were of moment, they might all be made against all proceedings of Justices of Ass●●, Justices of Peace, and Juries, at Assi●es and Sessions; yea, against Magna Chart●, and the fundamental Laws of the Realm, which enact; That no man shall be condemned or proceeded against, but by the lawful judgement of his PEERS, not of Kings and Nobles, of his Superior●; And against all proceedings in the University itself, either in Congregation, Convocation or the Vice-Chancellors Court, where scholars and others are judged and ordered by fellow-subjects, and the whole University, by some particular Members of it, without any guilt of perjury or violence offered, either to nature or common justice. 2. I answer, that though the Visitors nominated by the Houses, are but their fellow-subjects, and neither Kings nor Nobles, yet many of them are persons of quality and reputation, meet for such an employment. Two of them are dignified with the honourable order of Knighthood, by the King himself; 
* Sir Natha. Brent.  and one of them formerly in visiting as Vicar General to the late Archbishop of Canterbury (Chancellor of the University of Oxford) who thought him worthy to visit the whole Province of Canterbury, and therefore fit and meet to visit the university. Others of them are Esqui●es by birth, place, or profession; others dignified with the highest. Titles the university could bestow upon them, where they have been ancient. Governors, and the meanest of them are sufficiently eminent both for piety and learning: Therefore, not to be slighted with wonder and just scorn, especially by their equals, or inferiors in all respects, as most in the University are 3. That King Alured himself visited the university in person, or any other of our Kings after him; it is untrue; as for King Charles and his Nobles visiting of Christ Church personally, otherwise then by resorting to it, to behold a Play, or pastoral heretofore, or to lodge in it in these times of War; I never heard of it till now: That King Alured, Edward the 1, Richard the 2, (yea Henry the 4, and King Charles too) did themselves decide Controversies between the University and others about their privileges, and concerning the archbishops metropolitical Right to visit them, is true; the distempers of the University requiring it, who would rest satisfied with no meaner parties decision; yet no● her of them visited it in Person or by Commission. Thirdly in the Visitation of the Universities by the King's Commissions, the Visitors named, were not all Princes and Nobles, as is suggested. There are but two such Commissions extant on record; the one in 2 Ed. 6. pars. 3. in Dorso, for visiting the University of Cambridg; wherein Sir William Paget, Contributor of the King's household, Thomas Smith the King's Secretary, John Cheek the Kings Tutor●William Mayor Doctor of Law; one of the Master of Requests, and Dean of Paul's, and Thomas W●●die the King's physician, or any 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. or one of them were the sole Visitors, not one of them a Peer, much less of the chief Nobility. The other in 3 Edward 6. pars. 2. for visiting the University of Oxford; wherein John Earl of Warwick, high Chamberlain, Henry Bishop of Lincoln, and Richard Bishop of Rochester, William Paget, Controulor of the household, William Peter Knight, the King's Secretary, Richard Fox the King's Almoner and Tutor, Simon Heynes Dean of Ex●ter, Christopher Nevense Doctor of Law, and Richard Morison. Esquire, or any 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. or one of them were nominated Visitors; the meanest of them only doing the work, without any exceptions to their inferior quality. What Delegates Cardinal ●●ole appointed to visit both universities you have heard already; and that our archbishops and Bishops have usually appointed as mean persons as any nominated by the Parliament, to visit their P●ovi●ces and dioceses is well known to all. In fine, the Visitors now appointed have no absolute definitive power in all things, but are subordinate to the honourable Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating the University, to whom they are to certify all their proceedings, & to whom there is liberty of appealing granted to any that deem themselves injured: so as this honourable Committee, and both Houses are in truth, the real Visitors, the others but their Substitutes. Therefore these scorns against their persons (which must reflect upon the Parliaments wisdom and judgement) might have well been spared. As for any of their interests, engagements and professions, I shall believe they are all public and sincere, till the contrary be demonstrated.  
The next exception is to their proceedings; 
Object. 7.  
* Page. 5.  That their power was not manifested by some legal way &c.  
I answer; 
Answer.  That this is untrue, ●or it was first manifested by a printed Ordinanos of both Houses, wherein their names and power were comprised. 2. In a public Citation, subscribed by most of them, of which all the University, colleges and Halls had legal notice. 3. By an additional Ordinance of both Houses, and a Commission under the Great Seal of England, of which they had a copy delivered to them upon their own request, by the Visitors that sat.  
The last Objection 
Objection.  is, 
* Page. 6.  That there is now no necessity nor want of a Visitation &c.  
I answer; 
Answer.  That this is to question the wisdom of both Houses, who deem a Visitation necessary; and to prejudge the Visitors, who may find more enormities in the persons to be visited, than they can yet discern in themselves, who 
* unusquisque sui ipsius iniquus Iudex.  are no competent judges in their own cause. However, if their Innocency be such as to evidence to the world, they are not those Monsters, that their enemy's Charactor would speak them; Nor yet are altogether unworthy their Education, or their founder's Magnificance; as the Objector blasons them; they have then the less cause to refuse or decline the Visitors test, and will come off with greater honour to themselves, and shame to their unjust Accusers, if they appear such after strictest S●rutiny, then if they had not at all been brought to such a public trial.  
I have now made good all my Positions, and answered all the Universities allegations in point of Law or Conscience against their present Visitors Jurisdiction; not out of any design to diminish or infringe the Universities just privileges (which I have been formerly sworn to maintain) in the least title, but out of a real affection to the universities welfare, and a desire to rectify the erroneous judgements, and satisfy the scrupelous Consciences of all present Opposers of the Visitors power, to prevent those tragical effects which their Obstinacy and Contumacy in this high contest are like inevitably to produce, to their own and the universities prejudice, if persisted in. I shall ever endeavour to my power, that the University may enjoy all her just Rights and privileges, with Subordination to both Houses superior Authority, and flourish more abundantly now then ever in piety, virtue, and all sorts of learning, which they cannot take unkindly at my hands. I shall only add: That as the university of Cambridg submitted to the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, made for its regulation, dated 22. Jan. 1643. which enabled the honourable Ea●le of Manchester alone, to appoint a Committee under him, who should have full power to call before them all Provosts, Masters and Fellows of colleges, Students and Members of that university, who were scandalous in their lives, or ill affected to the Parliament, or fomentors of these unnatural wars, or wilful refusers to obey the Ordinances of Parliament, or deserters of their places of residence and to send for witnesses, and examine any complaint or testimony against them upon Oath, and to certify their names with the Charge and proofs against them to the said Earl, who had power thereby given him to sequester and elect them. and put others in their places; which he accordingly executed without any such public opposition as we now find at Oxford: So I hope the university of Oxford will receive so good satisfaction of their scruples, from the premises, as shall induce them to a like submission to their present Visitors, authorized by both Houses Ordinances, and a Commission under the great Seal, without any further plea or demurrer, or else leave them without excuse to both Houses severest justice, for their wilful contempt of their sovereign power, against which they have publicly (in words) disavowed the least opposi●ion or dispute, and yet strenuously oppose it in reality, by this contest against their Visitors, upon mere groundless Pretences so frequently overruled against them heretofore, that it can be b●t mere obstinacy in them to insist upon them any longer now.   

The Statutes of 9 H. 5. c. 8. 1. H. 6. c. 3. 2. H. 6. c. 8. 14. H. 8. c. 2. 5. 21. H. c. ●6. 1. E. 6. c. 14. 7. E. 6. c. 5. 1. Phil. & Mar. c. 3. 1. & 2. Phil. & Mar, c. 7. 8. 2. & 3. Phil. & Mar. c. 15. 1. El. c. 4. 5. El. c. 8. 13. El. c. 10. 12. 18. El. c. 6. 20. 3. Iac. c. 4. make mention of the universities, and give them some privileges, but no exemption from Visitations, and prescribe Laws unto them.   

ERRATA.  
P. 18. l. 9 read facturusque p. 20. l. 10 they were p. 23. l. 12. Ordinationi l. 31. pradictarum p. 25. l. 13. factis p. 31. l. 5. Academiae l. 38. university p. 38. l. 4. primitus. p. 40. l. 17. quos  
P. 27. l. 3 in the margin, Episo. p. 31. l. 18. 1407.  
FINIS.