The power of the Archbishop of Canterbury[71] to confer degrees of all kinds (a relic of Papal usurpation transferred to him by statute 25 _Hen._ 8. _c._ 21) has induced a belief that the Archbishop has a power of granting licences to practise physic, and several have been granted accordingly; among others _Wm. Lilly_, the astrologer, was licenced to practise physic, except in London and within seven miles; for his diploma, the wording of which is curious, _see the Appendix_. Now though the Pope may have had the power of granting degrees and licences in physic, the concluding words of the 14th and 15th _Hen._ 8. confirmed by 1st _Mary_, are sufficient to exclude the authority either of the Pope or of the Archbishop, “that no person from henceforth be suffered to exercise or practise in Physic through all England until such time as he be examined at London by the said President and three of the said Elects, and to have from the said President or Elects Letters Testimonials of their approving and examination, except he be a Graduate of Oxford or Cambridge, which hath accomplished all things for his Form without any Grace.” Then as it cannot be pretended that the Archbishop’s licentiate, though he may be a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge, is one who has accomplished all things for his form (_subaudi_ in physic) without any grace, it follows that such degree or licence is void as respects the authority of the College of Physicians. The provisions of the Act of the 3d _Hen._ 8. could produce no permanent benefit, and we therefore find within seven years, that the continuance of the abuses which it was intended to remedy, was made the foundation of granting its powers to a Corporation better calculated to exercise them; what these powers are we must now investigate somewhat minutely, for it is an essential branch of Medical Jurisprudence to regulate and define the privileges and office of those who are best able to give effect to its institutions.