, they preach one sermon to the people in English,
and another to the university in Latin. They answer all comers also in
their own persons unto two several questions of divinity in the open
schools at one time for the space of two hours, and afterward reply twice
against some other man upon a like number and on two several dates in the
same place, which being done with commendation, he receiveth the fourth
degree, that is, bachelor of divinity, but not before he has been master
of arts by the space of seven years, according to their statutes.

The next, and last degree of all, is the doctorship, after other three
years, for the which he must once again perform all such exercises and
acts as are before remembered; and then is he reputed able to govern and
teach others, and likewise taken for a doctor. I have read that John of
Beverley was the first doctor that ever was in Oxford, as Beda was in
Cambridge. But I suppose herein that the word "doctor" is not so strictly
to be taken in this report as it is now used, since every teacher is in
Latin called by that name, as also such in the primitive church as kept
schools of catechists, wherein they were trained up in the rudiments and
principles of religion, either before they were admitted unto baptism or
any office in the Church.

Thus we see that from our entrance into the university unto the last
degree received is commonly eighteen or twenty years, in which time, if a
student has not obtained sufficient learning thereby to serve his own turn
and benefit his commonwealth, let him never look by tarrying longer to
come by any more. For after this time, and forty years of age, the most
part of students do commonly give over their wonted diligence, and live
like drone bees on the fat of colleges, withholding better wits from the
possession of their places, and yet doing little good in their own
vocation and calling. I could rehearse a number (if I listed) of this
sort, as well in one university as the other. But this shall suffice
instead of a large report, that long continuance in those places is either
a sign of lack of friends, or of learning, or of good and upright life, as
Bishop Fox[236] sometime noted, who thought it sacrilege for a man to
tarry any longer at Oxford than he had a desire to profit.

A man may (if he will) begin his study with the law, or physic (of which
this giveth wealth, the other honour), so soon as he cometh to the
university, if his knowledge in