200 - 26 July To the rector and senior fellows of Lincoln College Oxford

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

After my Hearty Commendations etc.

Uppon Thursday the 18^th of this præsent July I heard the Cause of your College as it was brought to mee by Mr Webberley. The Articles putt up against the Rector were very foule, and such as would have deserved a very severe Punishment, had they bin prooved against him. But they all fell away from want of Proofe: Saveing that the Rector did some thinges (into which hee was led by the Continued Practise of his Prædecessours) which were not Statutable nor Convenient. But there was neither Corruption, nor other willfull Crime proovd against him. By which meanes Mr Webberley stood before mee both in regard of the want of his owne Proofe, and of the Proofe made against him, like a very malicious man, and a great slaunderer of his Governour, to whom hee ought ﹛to owe﹜ Obedience. And were it not, that I am only Visitour of your College at this præsent by Accident, and so unwilling to bee found too severe, I should make Mr Webberley an Example of factious disobedience, and disturbance of the Governement and Society wherein hee lives. But now I shall content my selfe with this, That hee acknowledge before the Fellowes that hee hath done the Rector wrong; And that hee is sorry for this his Offence: And shall loose his Commons in the Colledge for two Moneths. Unlesse the Rector bee pleasd to remitt this unto him in hope of Amendment. And for such things as are amisse in the College by the Prevalence of Custome against Statute, I shall take a tyme to rectifye them, so soone as I can gett any Leysure. In the meane tyme, I leave you all to Gods Blessed Protection, and rest,

Your very Loveing Friend and Visitor.

W. Cant.

Lambeth. July 26^th. 1639.