payment of first fruits and tenths, for ever, and the act 35th Henry VIII. for paving the town of Cambridge. This appointed a paving leet, to be held every Easter and Michaelmas, by the vice-chancellor and mayor.

But the most memorable and important of all were, the royal injunctions, transmitted through lord Cromwell (appointed general visitor by Henry VIII.), in which, among other things, members are forbidden to graduate in canon law; and sundry articles, conformable to them, were delivered by Dr. Leigh, surrogate to lord Cromwell. Copies of these important instruments may be seen in Dr. Fuller. Among other things, every college is ordered to send in all its grants, charters, statutes, and bulls, with a rental of its estates, and inventory of its goods. After due inquiries, by royal authority, into the public and private business of the University, the charters were returned; but, the intention being entirely to suppress the pope's authority, it is doubted whether the bulls were ever restored, and it is most reasonable to suppose they never were. This was in the 27th year of Henry VIII. About the same time, archbishop Cranmer was employed in visiting the monasteries.

Lord Cromwell was the greatest theological politician of his age: raised from humble life to be made secretary to cardinal Wolsey, he became, at length, master of the jewel house, secretary of state, baron, vicar-general, master of the rolls, knight of the garter, keeper of the privy seal, lord high chamberlain, and earl of Essex. His employment at Cambridge is thus described, by a shrewd writer :-" His conscience inclined him to the church's

• History of Cambridge, p. 109, 110, &c.
b Hare's MS. Index.

G

b

reformation, his interest complied with the king's: he unlocked the secrets of monasteries by his spies, and put the king upon destroying them by his power. The University of Cambridge made him chancellor to save itself, where, though he did no great good, yet his greatness kept others from doing harm, in an age wherein covetousness could quarrel a college, as well as an abbey, into superstition. He was trusted by the king with the rolls and records of England; and by the scholars, with the charters and statutes of the University. He reforms the University, in order to the reformation of the church; enjoining the study of the scriptures and tongues, instead of school divinity and barbarism; recommending Aristotle, Agricola, Melanchton, to their reading; and the doctrine, which is in spirit and truth, to their faith; and razing the pope's bulls, to make way for the king's fa

voursa.

Though Henry VIII. is of great account in our University, and college histories, he made some of its most learned members disgrace themselves; and some, the most distinguished, he destroyed, whether catholic, or protestant, as suited his lust; and is justly characterized, as a king with a pope in his bellyb.

In Edward VI.'s reign we have letters patent, in which are recited and confirmed, various letters patent of Edward IV. Henry VI. Richard II. and Henry VII. Edward also, or rather his commissioners, gave statutes to the University, April 8, 1549; and July 2, 1549, injunc

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