SECOND LETTER то THE MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS; RELATING TO THE SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED OF GRADUATES IN THE UNIVERSITIES. BY A CHRISTIAN WHIG. 1772. A SECOND LETTER, &c. AMONG the multiplicity of Tracts which have been published for and against the Clerical Petition, I had no expectation, that The Christian Whig would have been distinguished by a second edition. It too freely and manifestly militates against the prejudices of both parties, to be well received by either. However, as a respect for truth, and a total indifference as to the pleasing or displeasing of parties, induced the Author to throw it into the world; the same principles make him embrace with pleasure this opportunity of appealing once more to the good sense of the Members of the House of Commons, upon a subject not indeed connected with, yet greatly analogous to, the D 3 the Petition of the Clergy; and which, it is said, will speedily be submitted to their decision. I speak of the question which has been lately agitated in the University of Cambridge, relative to the abolition of a subscription, which all persons are required to make, before they can be admitted to any degree in that University. Without doubt, her Sister Oxford is shackled by the same fetters, and pants for the same freedom: But as I take my ideas from what has been lately published upon the subject, I will confine my observations to Cambridge.-James I. in the year 1613, sent letters to that University, requiring them not to confer the degree of bachelor of divinity, or of doctor in any faculty, upon any person whatsoever, before he had subscribed to the three Articles contained in the 36th Canon. The then senate of the University passed a grace, beginning with this preamble, "Placeat vobis, ut juxta tenorem "literarum a Serenissimo Rege missarum, "hoc in Senatu decernatur," &c. and enjoining enjoining a subscription to the three Articles contained in the 36th Canon, as an indispensable mean towards obtaining either of the forementioned degrees.About three years after, when the King was at Newmarket, he condescended in person, and afterwards by letter, to signify his pleasure to the Vice-chancellor and heads of houses, that he would have all who take any degree in schools, subscribe to the three Articles.-These, I believe, are the foundations upon which the right of requiring subscription is built.-The character of James you are no stranger to. You cannot be surprised at this instance of his pedantry, this injudicious exertion of his prerogative; nor can you candidly censure the then senate of the University for their supine submission to his authority: the Houses of Parliament would not have been less complaisant. The limits of the prerogative were not then so circumstantially defined, nor the rights of individuals and corporations so explicitly declared, as at present.-It has lately, D 4 I understand, |