+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.