Whereas I am given to understand that you have heard that the last year I would not give way to two or three for the obtaining a Licence to practise Physick, nor to a Doctor of Leyden to be incorporated with us without giving publick testimony of his abilities, and I further understand that yourself and the whole College are well pleased therewith, I have cause to rejoice: and further thought fit at this time to acquaint you with my real intentions, which I shall eagerly prosecute, if I may have countenance and assistance. I have observed and have grieved to see sometimes a Serving-man sometimes an Apothecary oftentimes Masters of Arts (whereof some have afterwards assumed holy Orders) admitted to a Licence to practice in Physick, or to be incorporated to a Degree without giving any publique testimony of their learning and skill in the Profession. And what hath followed hereupon? The Minister hath neglected his own calling and trespassed upon another’s, not without endangering the Souls of the people of God, and the losse of the Lives of many of the King’s Subjects. The Serving-man and Apothecary upon a Licence obtained have been presently made Doctors by the breath of the people, and Doctors indeed undervalued. Masters of Arts after Licence obtained have taken as I said holy Orders, that if one Profession did faile them another might supply them. And Incorporation being in an instant obtained by a little summe of money which by orderly proceeding (I speake concerning the Doctor’s Degree) would cost 12 years study in the University besides performance of exercises and much expence; It is come to passe, that in the University at this time I doe protest I doe not know any one that intends the study of Physick, and practice thereof according to the Statutes. Chirurgeons and Apothecaries are sought into, and Physicians seldome but in a desperate case are consulted with, when the Patient is ready to dye and in this kind we have too many examples. The consideration of these mischiefs redounding to the Church, Commonwealth, University, and our Profession, hath often troubled me, when I had no power to prevent them. But now seeing it hath pleased God and the King to conferre such power upon me, that without me neither Licence nor Degree in Physick can be obtained at _Cambridge_ (for I have solicited Dr. _Nichols_ and Dr. _Allet_ to joyne with me; and I have prevailed soe farre with them that they will doe nothing without me) I doe intend by the grace of God to give way unto noe man to obtain a Licence or Degree without keeping an Act at the least, &c. unless it shall happen that with some one particular man it shall be dispenced withall by supreme Authority or in some extraordinary case. But all this will be to little purpose, unlesse yourselfe and the College will solicite Dr. _Clayton_, his Majesties Professor at _Oxford_, and others of the faculty there, to doe the like; or rather Petition to my Lord’s Grace of _Canterbury_, who out of his