August, 1647
[26 August, 1647.]
Ordinance for the Visitation, &c., of Oxford University.
For the more effectual and speedy Reformation and Regulation
of the University of Oxon, and the several Colleges and Halls
therein, according to a former Ordinance of May last, and for
Explanation of the same: The Lords and Commons assembled
in Parliament do Declare, that the Cathedral Church or College
of Christ's Church, with the Dean, Prebnds, Students, Scholars
and Officers therunto belonging, are within the Words and
Intention of the said Odinance, to all Intents and Purposes:
And it is further Ordaine, That the Visitors thereby appointed
or any Five or more of them, shall have full Power and Authority
to tender and administer the solemn League and Covenant and
Negative Oath to all and every the Governors, Professors,
Graduates, Masters, Fellows, Scholars, Students, and Officers, of
the said University, and of the respective Halls and Colleges
therein; and to send for, examine, and peruse, all and every their
Books of Statutes, Registers, Journals, Books of Entries, Accompts,
Orders, and other Writings, which concern the Government or
Affairs of the said University, or respective Colleges and Halls;
and to send for in Custody, and commit to Prison, all such
Persons who, after Personal Summons, shall contemptuously
refuse to produce and deliver the same, or any of
them, to the said Visitors, or not shew sufficient Cause of their
not producing them, or any of them, respectively, until they
shall be accordingly produced and delivered: And likewise all
such Masters, Professors, Fellows, Scholars, Students, and
Officers, of the said University, Colleges, Halls, or any of them
respectively, who, during the said Visitation, shall, after a
Second Personal Summons, wilfully neglect or refuse to appear
before them; and also to impannel such and so many Members
and Officers of the said University, Colleges, Halls, and other
Persons, within the Limits and Precincts of the said University,
being of the Age of One and Twenty Years or upwards, as they
shall think fit to enquire of; and present, upon their Corporal
Oath, all Offenders and Offences comprized within the said
Ordinance, upon such Articles of Enquiry, grounded on the
said Ordinance, as shall be approved of by the Standing Committee of Lords and Commons mentioned in the said Ordinance;
and likewise to examine Witnesses upon Oath, for Proof of any
Offence or Misdemeanors enquirable or punishable by the said
Ordinance: And Oliver St. John Esquire His Majesty's Solicitor
General is hereby required and authorized to draw up and prepare a Commission, and direct the same to the said Visitors, for
visiting the said University, Colleges and Halls, and every of
them respectively, and the respective Governors, Masters, Professors, Scholars, Fellows, Students, Officers, and Members, in as
large and ample Manner as by the said Ordinance and this
present Ordinance is prescribed, without any further Warrant;
and that the Commissioners of the Great Seal of England shall
have Authority hereby to pass the said Commission under the
said Great Seal accordingly: And the said Visitors, and every
of them, shall be protected and saved harmless, by the Authority
of this present Parliament, against all Persons for whatsoever
they shall act or execute in Pursuance of the said Ordinances:
And the said Visitors, or any Five or more of them, shall have
Power to appoint a Register, and such other Officers as are
necessary to be employed in the said Visitation, who shall receive such Recompence and Salary for their Pains therein, and
out of such Monies, as the said Standing Committee of Lords
and Commons shall think meet: And all Sheriffs, Mayors, and
other Officers, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting to
the said Visitors, or any Five or more of them, and to their
Officers, in the Execution of this and the former Ordinance.