The answer of the chancellor, masters and scholars of the Vniversity of Oxford, to the petition, articles of grievance, and reasons of the city of Oxon presented to the honorable committee for regulating the University of Oxford the 24. of July, 1649.

To the Conclusion.

By what hath been said on either party we sup∣pose it does sufficiently appeare that some of the particulars in controversy betwixt us (which the Vniversity claimes as their iust and ancient Privi∣ledges, and the Citty complaine of as Grievances) doe concerne meerely matter of profit and interest•• to which i•• our Title be good in Law, we hope they will not be thought inconvenient for us to enjoy, though the Citty desire to strip us of them; And because a full hearing and exact discussion of all their and our Charters and Pretensions would oc∣casion much trouble to this Honorable Commit∣tee, we therefore humbly pray that we may be left to a tryall at Law for all such things as are me••rely matter of Title, and not be disturbed in our possessi∣on till we shall be evicted by Law.

As for other Particulars which concerne matter of

Power and Iurisdiction we likewise h••mbly desire, That our Right may be cleared and acknowledged first, and then the matter of Convenience taken into consideration; whereby we hope it will appeare, that as those Priviledges are just and legall, so they are no way unfit, but absolutely necessary for us to enjoy; as tending to the advancement of Piety, Ci∣vility, and Learning, no way derogatory to the Power of the Civill••Magistra••e, not founded upon Supers••ition or Tyranny, nor inconsistent with the just freedome and immunities of the Cittizens. Wherein we d••••••••e it may be considered, That ma∣ny large immunities and Priviledges have been granted and are enjoyed by the Citty in respect of the Vniversity: That their principall Benefactors have been members of the Vniversity: That they receive an ample benefit by our continuall com∣merce and trading with them, all or most of our Revenue coming in from abroad, but expended a∣mongst them: That their Children receive a libe∣rall education and preferment amongst us beyond the proportion of other places: That, if it were not for the Vniversity, the Citty of Oxford would be but of mean consideration: That there are many o∣ther Citties, but only one more University in the Land, and those two as famous as any in the World: That the Vniversities are the publique Nurseries of Religion, Piety, Learning, and Civility, and there∣fore have ever been the great Care of Parliaments and the Glory of the Nation: That though some of the Powers claimed and exercised by the Vni∣versity over the Cittizens may seem Grievous to the

Cittizens, yet are they Necessary for us, without which it would be impossible to give a good ac∣compt of that great trust which is committed to us for the training up of youth, upon whose educati∣on not only their own wellfare, but the flourishing condition of the Common-wealth (next under God) does very much depend.

We therefore humbly desire and pray, That the Golden reignes of that ancient Discipline, by which both the Vniversity and Citty have for so many hundred of years stood and flourished together, may not be let loose, to the certain debauching of both Bodies, for the enriching and advantage of one; nor be committed to other hands•• which would (we feare) engage the members of both Bodies in continuall quarrells, and open a gap to such sad consequents, as we shall be sorry to see but unable to prevent••