Letter I. By the King.
Source.—Burnet's History of the Reformation, Book III.; Collection of Records, Book II. No 17.
Trusty and well beloved subjects, we greet you well. And whereas we have, for an high and weighty cause of ours, not only consulted many and substantial well learned men within our Realm and without, for certain considerations our conscience moving, we think it also very convenient to feel the minds of you amongst you in our University of Oxenford, which be erudite in the faculty of Divinity, to the intent we may perceive of what conformity ye be with the others, which marvellously both wisely and substantially have declared to us their intent and mind: not doubting but that ye for the allegiance and fidelity that ye are bound unto us in, will as sincerely and truly without any abuse declare your minds and conscience in this behalf, as any of the other have done. Wherefore we will and command you, that ye not leaning to wilful and sinister opinions of your own several minds, not giving credence to misreports and sinister opinions or persuasions, considering we be your sovereign Liege Lord, totally giving your true mind and affection to the true overture of Divine learning in this behalf, do shew and declare your true and just learning in the said cause, like as ye will abide by; wherein ye shall not only please Almighty God, but also us your Liege Lord. And we for your so doing shall be to you and our University there so good and gracious a Sovereign Lord for the same, as ye shall perceive it well employed to your well fortune to come; in case you do not uprightly according to Divine Learning hand yourselves herein, ye may be assured, that we, not without great cause, shall so quickly and sharply look to your unnatural misdemeanour herein, that it shall not be to your quietness and ease hereafter. Wherefore we heartily pray you, that according both to Duty to God and your Prince, you set apart all untrue and sinister informations, and accommodate yourselves to mere truth as it becometh true subjects to do; assuring you that those that do, shall be esteemed and set forth, and the contrary neglected and little set by: trusting that now you know our mind and pleasure, we shall see such conformity among you, that we shall hereof take great consolation and comfort, to the great allegement of our conscience; willing and commanding you among you to give perfect credence to my Lord of Lincoln our Confessor in this behalf and matter: and in all things which he shall declare unto you or cause to be declared in our behalf, to make unto us either by him or the authentic letters full answer and resolution, which, your duties well-remembered, we doubt not but that it shall be our high contention and pleasure.
Given under, etc.