Church History of Britain

Of Miracles in general, to which Monasteries did much pretend.

RIGHT is the Rule of what is So, and what is otherwise. We will therefore premise the description of a true Miracle. A Miracle is a work of God passing the power of nature done for the confirmation of Faith on the Mission generally of a new Ministry.

1. Work of God] who only doth wondrous things. For though He sometimes useth men as Moral instruments whereby, yet never as Natural causes to effect Miracles.

2. Passing the power of Nature.] Hence it is, that it is not done by leisure, but presently; not by degrees, but perfectly. God's Cures are never subject to Relapse, once healed and ever healed, except the party run on the score of a new guilt, Thou art made whole, sin no more, left a worse thing befall thee.

3. Done for the confirmation of faith.] God will not make his works cheap by prostituting them merely for the satisfaction of man's curiosity.

4. On the Mission generally of a new Ministry.] For, although some sprinkling of Miracles on other occasions; yet their main body was done by Moses, a new Law-giver to the Jews; by Elias, and Elisha, two grand Restorers (adequate almost to a Giver) of the Law, in a general-visible defection to Idolatry, by Christ and his Apostles, as the first Preachers of the Gospel.

In this our description, no mention of the rarity of Miracles, because the same resulteth from the premises, frequency abating from the due wonder thereof.

2. Now that such Miracles long since are ceased, appears by the confession of ancient Fathers, and most ingenious Romanists: S. Chrysost: 23 Hom: on S. John, thus expresseth himself, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . For even now there be Seekers and Sayers, wherefore also now are not Miracle done? for if thou beest a Believer, as thou oughtest to be, and dost love Christ as thou oughtest to love him, thou hast no need of Miracles. For Miracles are given to unbelievers.

3. S. Augustine passing his Censure on the Miracles of his Age, had so low an opinion of their truth, that he ranked them under two heads:

• 1. Figmenta mendacium hominum, Forgeries of lying men.
• 2. Portenta fallacium spirituum, Prodigies of deceitful Devils.

4. Bishop Fisher himself writing against Luther, and occasionally treating of the power of Miracles, Cujus effectum nune nullum cernimus, of which (saith he) we now see no effect; which addeth to the wonder, that so wise a man should engage in the foolish wonder of the holy Maid of Kent.

5. The true cause of the ceasing of Miracles is not any want of Divine power to effect them, as if that infiniteness could ever, like Naomi, be superannuated and effoete to have no more true wonders in the womb thereof, but because Miracles are the swaddling clothes of infant-Churches. And when Doctrines are once established and received in a Church, Miracles are impertinent: yea, it is no better than a tempting of God, after such assurance given long since to the Truth, still to expect a miraculous confirmation thereof.

6. Wherefore when the importunity of Papists presseth us to produce Miracles to atrest our Religion, we return unto them, That ours is an old Faith founded long since on the Scriptures, and we may justly lay claim to all the Miracles in the New Testament to be ours, because done in demonstration of that Doctrine, which we at this day do defend, and are the Seals of that Instrument, the writing wherein we desire and endeavor to maintain and practice.

7. Such forgery must needs be an high and heinous offense. If the counterfeiting of the Mark, Tokens, and Letters of others, so as to gain any money into their hands thereby, be punishable by Pillory, Imprisonment, or any other corporal penalty under death, at the discretion of the Judge; yea, if it be Treason for any to forge the King's Sign Manual, Privy Signet, or Privy Seal, How great a guilt do they contract, who falsify the Signature of the high God of Heaven? Miracles being of that nature, whereby he immediately impresseth his own Power and Presence on that, which is so supernaturally brought to pass.

8. I know what such Forgers plead for themselves, viz: That they have a good intent therein to beget, continue, or increase a reverence to Religion, and veneration to the Saints and Servants of God, so to raise up vulgar fancies to the highest pitch of piety. Wherefore, as Lycurgus made a Law, not that Theft should be death, but death to be caught in their Thieving; so these conclude, counterfeiting Miracles no fault, but when done so bunglingly, that it is detected, conceiving otherwise the glory accreweth to God by their hypocrisy.

9. But, what saith the Holy Spirit? Will you speak wickedly For God, and talk deceitfully For Him? will you accept his Person, will you yet contend for God? Do you so mock him, shall not his Excellency make you afraid? Yea, so far is such fraud from adding repute to Religion, that being found out, it disposeth men to Atheism, and to a suspicion of the truth, even of the real Miracles in Scripture.

10. The pretended causes of which Miracles are generally reduceable to these two heads:

• 1. Saints Relicts.
• 2. Saints Images.

How much forgery there is in the first of these is generally known; So many pieces being pretended of Christ's Cross as would load a great Ship, but amongst all of them, commend me to the Cross at the Priory of Benedictines at Bromeholme in Norfolk, the Legend whereof deserveth to be inserted: Queen Hellen, they say, finding the CROSSE of Christ at Jerusalem, divided it into nine parts, according to the nine Orders of Angels, of one of these (most besprinkled with Christ's blood she made a little Cross, and putting it into a box, adorned with precious stones, bestowed it on Constantine her Son. This Relict was kept by his Successors until Baldwin Emperor of Greece, (fortunate so long as he carried it about him, but) slain in fight when forgetting the same; after whose death, Hugh his Chaplain, (born in Norfolk, and who constantly said Prayers before the Cross) stole it away, Box and all, brought it into England and bestowed it on Brome-holme in Norfolk. It seems there is no felony in such wares, but catch who catch may; yea, such sacrilege is supererogation. By this Cross thirty nine dead men are said to be raised to life, and nineteen blind men restored to their sight. It seems such Merchants trade much in odd numbers which best fasteneth the fancies of folk, whilst the smoothness of even numbers makes them slip the sooner out of men's memories.

11. Chemnisius affirmeth from the mouth of a grave Author, That the teeth of Saint Apollonia being conceived effectual to cure the Tooth-ach, in the Reign of King Edward the sixth, (when many ignorant people in England relied on that receipt to carry one of her teeth about them) the King gave command in extirpation of superstition, That all her teeth should be brought in to a public Officer deputed for that purpose, and they filled a Tun therewith. Were her stomach proportionable to her teeth, a County would scarce afford her a meals meat.

12. The English Nuns at Lisbon do pretend, That they have both the Arms of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury; and yet Pope Paul the third in a public Bull, set down by Sanders, doth pitifully complain of the cruelty of King Henry the eighth, for causing the bones of Becket to be burnt, and the ashes scattered in the wind: the solemnity whereof is recorded in our Chronicles, and how his Arms should escape that Bonfire is to me incredible.

13. The late mentioning of Apollonia curing the Tooth-ach, mindeth me of the Popish designing of Saints, some to be Physicians of diseases, and others Patrons of occupations.

• S. Sebastian, cureth the Plague.
• S. Petronel, the Fever.
• S. Macurine, the Frensie.
• S. Maine, the Scab.
• S. Genow, the Gout.
• S. Clare, the Sore-eyes.
• S. Crepin, protects Shoemakers
• S. Roch, the Cobblers.
• S. Wendelin, the Shepherds.
• S. Pelaud, protects Neatherds.
• S. Anthony, the Swineherds.
• S. Gertrude, the Rat-catchers.
• S. Honor, the Bakers.
• S. Eloy, the Smiths.
• S. Luke, the Painters.
• S. Nicholas, the Mariners.
• S. Hubert, the Hunters.
• S. Lue, the Lawyers.

Not to speak of S. Anne, proper to help people to lost goods: S. Leonard said to open the doors of Goales, and make Prisoners fetters fall off; and pity it is, that he should show a cast of his office to any save to honest Persons in durance. Expect not from me a reason why such Saints are Patrons to such Professions, superstitious fancy being all the Author thereof. Otherwise were Judgment consulted with, Luke should be Tutelar to Physicians as his proper calling, though perchance he entertained Painting also as a quality for delight and accomplishment.

14. Now most Miracles may be called Conventual, Monks being more dexterous thereat than Secular Priests, because their Covents afforded greatest conveniency of contrivance, with more heads and hands to plot and practice therein. And this may be conceived one main cause, which justly incensed Divine jealousy against them, and in due time advanced the destruction of Monasteries, because fathering the issue of earth or Hell to be the offspring of Heaven, intituling their monstrous delusions to be miraculous operations.

Of false Miracles, many broods whereof were hatched in Monasteries.

SUch false Miracles are reducible to two Ranks:

• 1. Reported, but never done.
• 2. Done, but not true Miracles, as either the Product of Nature, Art, or Satanical Machination.

2. Of the former, whose being is only in report, were many thousands, whose Scene, for the better countenancing thereof, is commonly laid at distance both of Time and Place. These, like the stuff called Stand-far-off, must not have the beholder too near, lest the coursnesse thereof doth appear. Thus any redish liquor (especially if near the eyes of the Image of a Saint) is reported blood, any whitish moisture, (especially if near the breast of the Image of a she-Saint) is related to be milk. Though both of them neither more nor less true, than what William of Nuborough writes of the place near Battail-Abbey in Sussex, where the fight was fought between the Normans and English, that on every shower fresh blood springeth out of the earth, as crying to God for vengeance; being nothing else than a natural tincture of the earth, which doth die the rain red, as in Rutland, and in other places.

3. Of pretended Miracles which are really done, let precedency be allowed to those which proceed from Natural causes, and here we will instance in one out of many thousands. St. Nuns Pool in Cornwell, was formerly famous for curing Mad folk, and this the manner thereof:

4. The Water running from St. Nuns Well, fell into a square and close walled Plot, which might be filled to what depth they listed. Upon the Wall was the Frantick person set, his back being towards the Pool, and from thence with a sudden blow on the breast tumbled head-long into the Pond: where a strong fellow (provided for the nonce) took him and tossed him up and down along and athwart the water, until the Patient forgoing his strength had somewhat forgot his fury. Then was he conveyed to the Church, and certain Masses said over him, and St. Nun had the thanks of his recovery. Amidst all this Water there was not one drop of Miracle, but mere natural causes artificially managed, and that not curing the frenzy, but abating the Fit for the present.

5. But other seeming Miracles, done by Nature and the concurrence of Art, were spun with a finer thread, especially when they made advantage of occult qualities, the certain reason whereof no Philosopher can render. Such casualties happen in sometimes and places, which properly are not Miracles, though they puzell all men to assign the cause whereby they are effected. One of which kind I here transmit to posterity, invested with all the circumstances thereof, which I have carefully (not to say curiously) inquired into.

6. In the year of our lord 1646, on the 16 of February, this happened in the Parish Church S. Leonard 's Eastcheap, whilst Mr. Henry Roughborough was Minister, and Mr. John Taylor upper Church Warden thereof. Thomas Hill the Sexton of that Parish, making a Grave in the Night-time for George Streaton in the South-side in the passage into the Chancel, and under the first Stone opened a Grave wherein he found two Skulls, and (as he conceived) the proportionable Bones of Bodies belonging unto them; under all these, he light on a Corps, whose Coffin above was consumed, but the Body, which he brought out of the Grave, complete and entire, save that the Nose thereof flatted with his Spade, as the Sexton believed: The Flesh thereof, both for Colour and Hardness like Scalded Bacon dried: His Hair and Nails complete with his Eyes, (but sunk into his Head) and all his Enerails entire (for a young Chirurgeon did open him) save that shrunk very much within his Body.

7. Some said it was the Corps of Mr. Pountney in Soper-lane, a Merchant, buried Thirty four years before; others, of one Paul, a wealthy Butcher in East cheap, (which was averred both by his principal Apprentice, as also by William Hail the old surviving Sexton) interred Four and twenty years ago. I read a Memoriall hereof entered in their Parish Register, and thousands of people are alive to attest the truth thereof. Had this happened in the time of Popery, what a Stock had here been to graft a Miracle on, the branches of the fame whereof would have spread all over Christendom.

8. Such false Miracles succeed which are effected by Art alone, whereof several kinds, first such as are done by confederacy, wherein if but five complete together, they may easily deceive five thousand. Thus the holy Maid of Kent was admired for telling men's secret sins, by keeping correspondency with the Friers that formerly had heard their confessions: others, done by Leger-de-main. Thus there was a Rode at Boxly in Kent made with devices to move the eyes and lips, (but not to see and speak) which in the year 1538, was publicly shown at S. Paul 's by the Preacher (then Bishop of Rochester) and there broken in pieces, the people laughing at that which they adored but an hour before. Such imposture was also used at Hailes-Abbey in Gloucester shire, where the blood of a Duck (for such at appeared at the dissolving of the House) was so cunningly conveyed, that it strangely spirted or sprang up, to the great amazement of common people, accounting it the blood of our Savior.

9. Thirdly, strange things are done by Ventriloqui, which is a mysterious manner of uttering words, not out of the porch of the mouth & entry of the throat (the common places of speech) but out of the inward-room or rather arched-cellar of the belly, yet so that the hollowness thereof seemingly sixeth the sound at a distance, which (no doubt) hath been mistook for the voice of Images.

10. Lastly, such as are done by the power of Satan, who hath a high Title and large Territory, as termed Prince of the power of the air. Now the air being Satan's shop, he hath therein many tools to work with, and much matter to work on. It is the Magazine of Meteors, Lightning, Thunder, Snow, Hail, Wind, Rain, Comets, &c. wherewith many wonders may be achieved, and it is observable that Air is required to those two Senses sight and hearing which usher in most outward objects into the soul. False lights are of great advantage to such as vent bad wares: Satan's power must needs be great in presenting shows and sounds, who can order the air, and make it dark or light, or thick or thin, at pleasure.

11. We will conclude with one particular kind of Miracles, wherein Monks by the Devil's help did drive a great trade: namely, Predictions, or pretended Prophecies. Of these some were Post-nate cunningly made after the thing came to pass, and that made the Invention of Prometheus, which was the act of Epemetheus. Others were languaged in such doubtful Expressions, that they bare a double sense, and commonly came to pass contrary to the ordinary acceptance of them. However, hereby Satan saved his credit (who loves to tell lies, but loathes to be taken in them) and we will only instance in two or three, which we may write and hear with the more patience, because the last in this kind, which at the dissolution of Abbeys, brought up the rest of Monastical Prophecies.

12. There was in Wales a great and Loobily Image, called DARVELL GATHERNE, of which an old Prophecy went, That it should burn a Forest, and on that account was beheld by the Ignorant with much Veneration. Now at the dissolution of Abbeys it was brought up to London, and burnt at the Gallows in Smithfield, with Friar Forest, executed for a Traitor.

13. A Prophecy was current in the Abbey of Glassenborough, That a Whiting should swim on the top of the Torr thereof, (which is a steep hill hard by, and the credulous Country▪ people understood it of an eruption of the Sea, which they suspected accordingly. It happened that Abbot Whiting (the last of Glassenbury) was hanged thereon for his Recusancy to Surrender the Abbey, and denying the King's Supremacy, so swimming in air and not water, and waved with the wind in the place.

14. We will close all with the Prophetical Mottoes (at leastwise as men since have expounded them) of the three last successive Abbots of Gloucester, because much of modesty, and something of piety contained therein.

• 1. Abbot Boulers, Memento, memento, that is, (as some will have it) Remember, remember this Abbey must be dissolved.
• 2. Abbot Sebruck, Fiat voluntas Domini, that is, if it must be dissolved, the will of the Lord be done.
• 3. Abbot Mauborn, Mersos reat • suscita, Raise up those which are drowned in guiltiness.

Which some say was accomplished, when this Abbey found that favor from King Henry the eighth, to be raised into a Bishopric. But, I like the Text better than the Coment, and there is more humility in their Mottoes, than solidity in the Interpretations.

That many precious Books were embezeled at the dissolution of Abbeys, to the irreparable loss of learning.

THe English Monks were bookish of themselves, and much inclined to hoard up monuments of learning. Britain, (we know) is styled Another world, and in this contradistinction (though incomparably less in quantity) acquits itself well in proportion of famous Writers, producing almost as many Classical School-men for her Natives, as all Europe besides. Other excellent Books of foreign Authors were brought hither, purchased at dear rates; if we consider that the Press (which now runs so incredibly fast) was in that Age in her infancy, newly able to go alone, there being then few Printed Books, in comparison of the many Manuscripts. These, if carefully collected and methodically compiled, would have amounted to a Librarie, exceeding that of Ptolemy 's, for plenty; or many Vaticans, for choiceness, and rarity. Yea, had they been transported beyond the seas, sent over, and sold entire to such who knew their value, and would preserve them, England 's loss had been Europe 's gain, and the detriment the less to Learning in general. Yea, many years after the English might have repurchased for pounds, what their Grand-fathers sold for fewer pence into foreign parts.

2. But alas! those Abbeys were now sold to such Chap-men, in whom it was questionable, whether their ignorance, or avarice were greater, and they made havoc, and destruction of all. As Broakers in Long-lane, when they buy an old suit, buy the lineings together with the outside: so it was conceived meet, that such as purchased the buildings of Monasteries, should in the same grant have the Libraries (the stuffing thereof) conveyed unto them. And now these ignorant owners, so long as they might keep a Lieger-book, or Terrier, by direction thereof to find such straggling acres as belonged unto them, they cared not to preserve any other Monuments. The covers of books, with curious brass bosses, and clasps, intended to protect, proved to betray them, being the baits of covetousness. And so, many excellent Authors, stripped out of their cases, were left naked, to be burnt, or thrown away. Thus Esop 's cock, casually lighting on a pearl, prefer'd a grain before it; yet he left it as he found it; and, as he reaped no profit by the pearl, it received no damage by him. Whereas these cruel Cormorants, with their barbarous beaks, and greedy claws, rent, tore, and tatter'd these inestimable pieces of Antiquity. Who would think, that the Fathers should be condemned to such servile employment, as to be Scavengers, to make clean the foulest sink in men's bodies? Yea, which is worse, many an ancient manuscript Bible cut in pieces, to cover filthy Pamphlets: so that a case of Diamond hath been made to keep dirt within it; yea, the Wisemen of Gotham, bound up in the Wisdom of Solomon.

3. But hear how John Bale, a man sufficiently averse from the least shadow of Popery, hating all Monkery with a perfect hatred, complained hereof to King Edward the sixth. Covetousness was at that time so busy about private commodity, that public Wealth in that most necessary, and of respect, was not anywhere regarded. A number of them, which purchased those superstitious mansions, reserved of those Library-books, some to serve their jakes, some to scour their candlesticks, and some to rub their boots; some they sold to the Grocers, and Sope sellers, and some they sent over sea to the Book binders, not in small number, but at times whole ships full. Yea, the Universities of this Realm are not all clear in this detestable fact. But cursed is that belly, which seeketh to be fed with so ungodly gains, and so deeply shameth his natural Country. I know a Merchant-man (which shall at this time be nameless) that bought the contents of two noble Libraries for forty shillings price, a shame it is to be spoken. This stuff hath he occupied instead af gray paper, by the space of more than these ten years, and yet he hath store enough for as many years to come. A prodigious example is this, and to be abhorred of all men, which love their Nations, as they should do. Yea, what may bring our Realm to more shame, and rebuke, than to have it noised abroad, that we are despisers of learning? I judge this to be true, and utter it with heaviness, that neither the Britain's, under the Romans, and Saxons; nor yet the English people under the Danes, and Normans, had ever such damage of their learned monuments, as we have seen in our time. Our posterity may well curse this wicked fact of our Age, this unreasonable spoil of England's most noble antiquities.

4. What soul can be so frozen, as not to melt into anger hereat? What heart, having the least spark of ingenuiry, is not hot at this indignity offered to literature? I deny not, but that in this heap of Books there was much rubbish. Legions of lying Legends, good for nothing but fuel, whose keeping would have caused the loss of much precious time, in reading them. I confess also, there were many volumes full fraught with superstition, which notwithstanding might be useful to learned men; except any will deny Apothecaries the privilege of keeping poison in their shops, when they can make antidotes of them. But be sides these, what beautiful Bibles? rare Fathers? subtle School-men? useful Historians, ancient, middle, modern? what painful Comments were here amongst them? what monuments of Mathematics? all massacred together; seeing every book with a cross was condemned for Popish; with circles, for conjuring. Yea, I may say, that then holy Divinity was profaned; Physic itself, hurt; and a trespass, yea, a riot committed on the Law itself. And, more particularly, the History of former times, then, and there received a dangerous wound, whereof it halts at this day; and without hope of a perfect cure, must go a cripple to the grave.

5. Some would persuade us, that in all this there was a smack, or taste of Anabaptistical fury, which about this time began in Germany, where they destroyed the stately Libraries of Munster, and Osnabrude. Indeed, as the wicked tenants in the Gospel, thought themselves not safe in▪ and sure of the vineyard, till they had killed the heir, that so the inheritance might be their own; so the Anabaptists conceived themselves not in quiet possession of their Anarchy, and sufficiently established therein, whilst any learning did survive (which in process of time might recover its right against them) and therefore they bent their brains to the final extirpation thereof. But I am more charitably inclined to conceive, that simple ignorance, not fretted & embossed with malice, or affected hatred to learning, caused that desolation of Libraries in England: though perchance some there were, who conceived these books, as the garment spotted with sin, had contracted such a guilt, being so long in the possession of superstitious-owners, that they deserved as an anathema, to be consigned to a perpetual destruction.

6. Some will say, that herein I discover an hankering after the onions, and flesh-pots of Egypt, and that the bemoaning the loss of these monuments, is no better than Lot 's wives looking back, with a farewell-glance to the filthy City of Sodom. To such, I protest myself not to have the least inclination to the favor of Monkery. But enough. For, I know, some back-friends of learning there be, that take it ill, that we have jogg'd them in this discourse, and therefore we will let them alone to be settled quietly on the lees of their own ignorance, praying to God, that never good Librarie may lie at the mercy of their disposal; lest having the same advantage, they play the like prank, to the prejudice of Learning and Religion.

Many good bargains, or rather, cheap penny-worths, bought of Abbey-lands.

IF ever the Poets fiction of a golden shoure rained into Danae her lap, found a moral or real performance, it was now, at the diffipation of Abbey-lands. And, though we will not give hearing, or belief in full latitude of his slanderous pen, that reports, how King Henry (when ancient and diseased, choleric and curious in trifles) was wont to rewards such as ordered His skrine, or chair, in a convenient distance from the fire, so as to please Him, with the Church of some Abbey, or lead of some Church. Yet it is certain, that in this Age, small merits of Courtiers met with a prodigious recompense for their service. Not only all the cooks, but the meanest turn-broach in the King's kitchen, did lick his fingers. Yea, the King's servants, to the third and fourth degree, tasted of His liberality, it being but proportionable, that where the Master got the Manor in fee, his man under him should obtain some long Lease of a Farm of considerable value.

2. Indeed K. Henry (besides His own disposition to munificence) was doubly concerned to be bountiful herein. First, in honor; for, seeing the Parliament with one breath had blown so much profit unto Him, and had with their suffrage confer'd the harvest of Abbey-lands on the Crown; it was fitting that some (especially the principal Advancers of the business) should, with Ruth, glean amongst the sheaves. Secondly, in policy; to make many, and great men, effectually sensible of the profit of this dissolution, and so engaged to defend it. Wherefore, as He took the greater flowers to garnish His own Crown: so He bestowed the less buds to beautify His Noble-men's Coronets. But, besides these, He passed Abbey lands in a fourfold nature to persons of meaner quality.

3. First, by free Gift. Herein take one story of many. Master John Champernoun, Son and Heir apparent of Sir Philip Champernoun, of Modbery in Devon, followed the Court, and by his pleasant conceits wan good grace with the King. It happened, two or three Gentlemen, the King's servants, and Mr. Champernoun 's acquaintance, waited at a door where the King was to pass forth, with purpose to beg of His Highness a large parcel of Abbey-lands, specified in their Petition. Champernoun was very inquisitive to know their suit, but they would not impart the nature thereof. This while our comes the King; they kneel down, so doth Mr. Champernoun (being assured by an implicit faith, that Courtiers would beg nothing hurtful to themselves) they prefer their Petition; the King grants it; they render Him humble thanks, and so doth Mr. Champernoun. Afterwards he requires his share, they deny it; he appeals to the King, the King avows His equal meaning in the Largesse. Whereupon, his companions were fain to allot this Gentleman the Priorie of S. German in Cornwall (valued at two hundred forty three pound and eight shillings of yearly rent; since, by him, or his heirs, sold to Mr. Eliot) for his partage. Here a dumb beggar met with a blind giver, the one as little knowing what he asked, as the other what He granted. Thus King Henry made cursorie Charters, and in transitu transacted Abbey-lands. I could add, how He gave a Religious house of some value, to Mistress for presenting Him with a dish of Puddings, which pleased His palate.

4. Secondly, by Play. Whereat He lost many a thousand pound per annum. Once being at dice, He played with Sir Miles Patridge, (staking an hundred pounds against them) for Jesus Bells, hanging in a Steeple not far from S. Paul 's in London, and as great, and tuneable as any in the City, and lost them at a cast. I will not (with some) heighten the guilt of this act, equal to that which cast lots on Christ's garments; but sure it is no sin to say that such things deserved more serious and deliberate disposal.

5. Thirdly, by Exchange. To make these chops, none were frighted with the Kings power, but flattered into them, by the apprehension of their own profit. For, many lands of subjects, either naturally bald, or newly shaven of their woods, were commu • ed for Granges of Abbeys, which like Satires, or Salvages, were all over grown with trees and timber: besides other disadvantages, both for quantity and quality of ground, as enhaunced for old rent. Oh! here was the Royal Exchange.

6. Lastly, by sale at under-rates. Indeed, it is beneath a Prince (enough to break His state, to stoop to each Virgate and rod of ground) Pedlar-like to higgle for a toy by retail, and all Tenants, and Chapmen, which contract with Kings, expect good bargains; yet Officers entrusted to manage the revenue of the Crown, ought not to behold it abused out of all distance, in such under-valuations. Except any will say, He is not deceived who would be deceived, and King Henry (for the reason aforesaid) connived at such bargains; wherein rich Meadow was sold for barren Heath, great Oaks for Fewell, and Farms for revenue passed for Cottages in reputation. But for farther instruction, we remit the Reader to that information presented to Queen Elizabeth by a man in authority (though nameless) of the several frauds and deceits offered the Crown in this kind. But the motion rather drew odium on the Author, than brought advantage to the Crown: partly, because of the number, and quality of persons concerned therein; and partly, because (after thirty years) the owners of Abbeys were often altered. And, though the chamber be the same, yet if the guests be a new company, it is hard for the host from them to recover his old arrearages. Yea, by this time (when the foresaid information was given in) the present possessors of much Abbey-land were as little allied to those, to whom King Henry granted them, as they, to whom the King first passed them, were of kin to the first Founders of those Monasteries.

Of the actions of policy, piety, charity, and justice, done by King Henry the eighth, out of the revenues of dissolved Abbeys.

WE would not willingly be accounted like those called the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 amongst the Jews, whose office it was, only to take notice of the blots or blemishes, the defects and deformities in sacrifices. We would not weed King Henry 's actions in His dissolving of Abbeys, so as only to mark the miscarriages, and misdemeanous therein. Come we to consider, what commendable deeds this King did raise on the ruins of Monasteries.

2. First, He politically increased the revenues of the Crown, and Dutchie of Lancaster (on which He bestowed the rich Abbey of Fourness in that County) with annexing much land thereto, and erecting the Court of Augmentations (whereof largely hereafter) for the more methodical managing thereof; though (alas!) what the Crown possessed of Abbey-land, was nothing to what He passed away. Surely, had the revenues of Monasteries been entirely kept, and paid into the Exchequer, there to make an Aerarium sacrum, or Public treasury, it is questionable, whether the same had been more for the ease of the Subject, or use and honor of the Sovereign.

3. Secondly, He piously founded five Bishoprics de novo (besides one at West -minster which continued not) where none had been before. For, though anciently there had been a Bishops Seat at Chester for a short time, yet it was then no better than the Summer-house of the Bishop of Lichfield (only during the life of one Peter living there) which now was solemnly made a Bishopric for succession, and four others, namely,

4. Thirdly, where He found a Prior and Monks belonging to any ancient Cathedral-Church, there He converted the same into a Dean and Prebendaries; as in

• 1. Canterbury.
• 2. Winchester.
• 3. Eli.
• 4. Norwich.
• 5. Worcester.
• 6. Rochester.
• 7. Duresme.
• 8. Carlisle.

5. Fourthly, He charitably founded many Grammar-schools (great need whereof in that Age in this Land) as in Canterbury, Coventry, Worcester, &c. allowing liberal salaries to the Masters and Ushers therein, had they been carefully preserved. But sometimes the gifts of a bountiful Master shrink in the passage thorough the hands of a covetous Steward.

6. Fifthly, He charitably bestowed Gray Friers (now commonly called Christ-Church) and the Hospital of S. Bartholomew in London, on that City, for the relief of the poor thereof. For the death of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, His beloved Brother-in-Law, happ'ning the July before, so impressed King Henry with a serious apprehension of His own mortality (such the sympathy of tempers, intimacie of converse, and no great disparity of age betwixt them) that He thought it high time to bethink Himself of His end, and to do some good work in order thereunto. Hereupon on the 13 of January following, Anno 1546. He bestowed the said Hospitals on the City; a gift afterwards confirmed, and enlarged by King Edward the sixth.

7. Sixthly, He built and endowed the magnificent College of Trinity, finished Kings-College Chapel -in Cambridge, and founded Professors places for Languages, Physic, Law, and Divinity, in both Universities; as in the proper place thereof shall hereafter largely appear.

8. Seventhly, He employed John Leland, a most learned Antiquary, to perambulate, and visit the ruins of all Abbeys, and record the Memorables therein. It seems, though the buildings were destroyed, King Henry would have the builders preserved, and their memories transmitted to posterity. This task Leland performed with great pains, to his great praise, on the King's purse, who exhibited most bountifully unto him, as himself confesseth in these his Latin verses:

Pity is is, that Leland 's worthy Collections were never made public in print; and some, justly to be praised for care in preserving, may as justly be taxed for envy in ingrossing such monuments of Antiquity. But let us a little trace Leland 's Itineraries, after he in writing had finished the same. First, his Collections came into the hand of Sir John Cheek, School-master, then Secretary to King Edward the sixth, leaving the same to Henry Cheek, his eldest son, Secretary to the Counsel in the North. Here our great Antiquary, who afterwards described Britain, got a sight, and made a good use thereof, it being most true, Si Lelandus non laborâsset, Camdenus non triumphâsset. From Mr. Cheek (by what transactions I know not) four of Leland 's Works came into the possession of William Burton, as he confesseth in his Description of Leicester-shire, and by him were bestowed on the Public Library at Oxford, where the Original • emaineth, and scarce so many Copies of them as properly may be called some, are at this day in private men's possessions.

9. This Leland, after the death of King Henry the eighth, his bountiful Patron, fell distracted, and so died; uncertain, whether his brains were broken with weight of work, or want of wages, the latter more likely; because after the death of King Henry, his endeavors met not with proportionable encouragement. By the way, we may sadly observe, that two of the best Scholars in this King's Reign (loved, and preferred by Him) died both mad, and bereft of their wits; Richard Pacie, Dean of S. Paul 's, and this Leland. Which I mark not our of ill will to the dead, to lessen their memory amongst men; but of good will to the living, to greaten their gratitude to God. Especially to Scholars, that God may preserve them in a sound mind, both in the Apostles high sense, and in the common acception thereof. The rather, because the finer the string, the sooner, if overstrained, is it broken.

10. He maintained many learned youths on great cost and charges, in all foreign Courts, and Countries. For, this was the fashion in His Reign, to select yearly one, or moe, of the most promising pregnancies our of both Universities, and to breed them beyond the seas on the King's exhibitions unto them. Sir Thomas Smith, bred in Queens-College in Cambridge, and afterward principal Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, was one of the last, educated in this manner. These young men proved afterwards the pick-locks of the Cabinet-Counsels of foreign Princes, no King having better intelligence, than King Henry, from beyond the seas.

11. Lastly, He justly paid a great yearly sum of money to many Monks, and Nuns, during their lives: the manner and condition of which Pensions we will now at large relate.

Of the many and large Pensions constantly paid by King Henry, to Monks and Nuns, during their lives.

1. IT was in those days conceived highly injurious, to thrust Monks and Nuns out of house and home, without assigning them any allowance for their subsistence. Alas! many of them dig they could not, and, to beg they were ashamed. Their fingers were, either too stiff (by reason of their old age) to begin now to bow to a manual trade; or hands too soft (because of their tender breeding) to take pain in a laborious vocation. And, although there wanted not some to persuade the King, to out them without any maintenance (it being but just they should practice real, who had professed seeming poverty) yet the King, better natured herein than some Courtiers, allowed, and duly paid, to some large, to most competent, to all certain annuities.

2. Indeed, there cannot be an higher piece of unjustice, than for a King, or State, publicly to promise pensions to necessitous persons, and never perform the same; so that poor people shall have some hundreds in common report, and not one penny in real and effectual payment. For, first, the grant raiseth and erecteth the spirits of such Pensioners for the present, which soon after (tyranny so to torture them) sink, and settle down on the non-performance thereof. Secondly, such expectations often make people proportion their present expenses, according to those their hopes, to their great damage and detriment, yea, sometimes to their utter undoing. Thirdly, such noise of pensions granted, takes off from them the charity of their kindred and friends, as needless to persons presumed able to subsist of themselves. Not to speak, how much it lessens the reputation of a State, rendering them justly censurable, either of indiscretion in granting pensions where not deserved, or injustice in not paying them when granted.

3. Yet all persons were not promiscuously capable of the King's pensions, but only those who were qualified accordingly. Namely, first, such as at the dissolution of their Abbeys, were not preferred to any other dignity, or Benefice. By the way, this was a temptation to the King, and Chancellor, ofttimes to prefer mean men (which formerly had been Monks, and Friers) to no mean Livings, because (beside the general want of able Ministers) such Incumbents being so provided for, their pensions ceased, and the Exchequer was disburdened from future paving them any exhibition.

4. These pensions of the King were confirmed to the Monks and Nuns by his Letters Patents under the Broad Seal, and Registred in the Court of Augmentations: One Copy whereof we here insert, having seen some hundreds of them, all the same in essentials, not conceiving it impertinent to translate the same, desiring the Lawyers not to laugh at us if we miss the Legal terms, whilst we hit the true meaning thereof:

HENRICUS Octavus, Dei gratia Angliae et Franciae Rex fidei defensor Dominus Hiberniae & in terra supremum caput Anglicanae Ecclesiae. Omnibus ad quos praesentes litterae pervenerint Salutem. Cum nuper Monasterium de Carthus de Hinton in Com nostro Somer. jam dissolvatur, unde quidam Edmundus Horde tempore dissolutionis illi{us} et diu antea Prior inde fuit; Nos volentes rationabilem annualem pensionem sive promotionem condignam eidem Edmundo ad victum exhibitionem & sustentationem suam melius sustinendum provideri. Sciatis igitur quod nos in consideratione praemissorū de gratia nostra specially ac ex certa scientia & meros motu nostris per advisamentum & consensum Cancellarit & consilii Curiae Augmentationum reventionum Coronae nostrae, dedimus & concessimus, ac per praesentes damus & concedimus eidem Edmundo quandam annuitatem sive annualem pensionem quadragint' quatuor librar' sterlingorum, babend, gaudendum & annuatim percipiendum easdem quadraginta quatuor libras praefato Edmundo & assignatis suis à festo Annuntiationis beatae Mariae virginis ultimo praeterito ad terminum & pro termino vitae ipsius Edmundi vel quos{que} idem Edmundus ad unum vel plura Beneficia Ecclesiastica, sive aliam promotionem condignam clari annui valoris quadragint' quatuor librarum aut ultra per nos promotus fuerit, tam per manus Thesaurarii reventionum augmentationum Coronae nostrae pro tempore existentis de Thesauro nostro in manibus suis de reventionibus praedictis remanere contingen' quam per manus receptor. exituum & reventionum dicti nuper Monasterii pro tempore existen' de eisdem exitibus & reventionbus ad festum Sancti Michaëlis Archangeli, & Anuntiationis beatae Mariae virginis, per aequales portiones. Et ulterius de uberiori gratia nostra, Dedimus & pro consideratione praedicta per praesentes concedimus praefato Edmundo Horde undecim libras sterlingorum habend, eidem Edmundo ex dono nostro per manus Thesaurarii praedicti de Thesauro praedicto vel per manus dicti Receptoris de exitibus & reventionibus maneriorum terrarum & tenementorum dicti nuper Monasterii solvend'. Eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo, Aut de certitudine praemissorum, sive eorum alicujus aut de aliis donis sive concessionibus per nos praefato Edmundo ante haec tempora fact' in praesentibus minime fact' existit, aut aliquo statuto actu ordination provisione, sive restrictione in contrarium inde habit', fact', ordinat' seu provis', aut aliqua alia re causa, vel materia quacunque in aliquo non obstante. In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Tesse Ricardo Riche Milite apud Westmonasterium vicesimo septimo die Aprilis, anno Regni nostri tricesimo primo.

Duke Per Cancellarium & concilium Curiae Augmentationum Reventionum Coronae Regiae virtute warranti Regii.

HENRY the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and supreme Head of the English Church on earth. To all to whom Our present Letters shall come Greeting. Whereas the Monastery of the Carthusions of Hinton in Our County of Somerset is now lately dissolved, whereof Edmond Horde was Prior at the time of the dissolution thereof, and long before; We are willing that a reasonable Pension annual, or suitable promotion should be provided for the said Edmond, the better to maintain and sustain him in diet and maintenance. Know therefore, that We, in consideration of the premises, out of Our special Grace and favor, certain knowledge, and Our mere motion, by the advice and consent of the Chancellor, and Counsel of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of Our Crown, Have given and granted, and by these presents do give and grant to the same Edmond an annuity or yearly Pension on of forty four pounds sterling: that the said forty four pounds may be had, enjoyed, or yearly received by the aforesaid Edmond, and his Assigns, from the Feast of the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary last past to the term and for the term of the life of the said Edmond, or until the said Edmond shall be preferred by Us to one or more Ecclestasticall Benefices or other suitable Promotion of the clear yearly value of forty four pounds or upwards, as well by the hands of the Treasurer of the Augmentations of the Revenues of Our Crown for the time being, out of Our treasure, which shall chance to remain in his hands, of the Revenues aforesaid; as from the Receiver of the profits and revenues of the said late Monastery for the time being, out of the said profits and Revenues at the feast of Saint Michael the Arch-angel, and the Anuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary, by equal portions. And furthermore of Our more plentiful Grace, We have given, and for the consideration aforesaid by these presents do grant to the aforesaid Edmond Horde eleven pounds sterling, that the said Edmond may have it from Our gift by the hands of Our foresaid Treasurer of Our foresaid Treasure, or by the hands of Our foresaid Receiver to be paid out of the profits and Revenues of the Manours, Lands, and Tenements of the said late Monastery.

any Statute, Act, Ordinance, promission, or restriction to the contrary, had, made, ordained, or provided, or any other matter, cause, or thing whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony whereof We have made these Our Letters Patents, witness Richard Rich Knight, at Westminster, the twenty seventh day of April, in the one and thirtieth of Our Reign.

Duke By the Chancellor and Council of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of the Crown by virtue of the King's Warrant.

See we here the payment to this Prior consisted of two Summes of several natures or conditions: Namely,

• 1. The forty four pounds being properly the Pension paid yearly unto him.
• 2. The additional eleven pounds, granted with an ulterius, paid but once as advance-money, to fit him with necessaries at his departure out of the Covent.

This is observable in all the Patents I have seen, That constantly the King's gratuity for their vale (some small fractions excepted) bears the proportion of a fourth part of their yearly Pension.

5. Suppose then this our Prior preferred to a Church Dignity, or Living, amounting very near, but not to the full value of forty four pounds yearly, this did not avoid his Pension; but that he might hold it and his Living together. Wherefore, as it was the desire and endeavor of every Monk so advanced, to beat down the value of his Church-Living as low as might be (thereby to render himself capable of it and his Pension) so was it the proper work of the King's Officers in the Augmentation Court truly to state the valuation of the Livings of such Pensioners, that the Crown might not be defrauded. Where, by the way, I conceive Livings were estimated not according to the favorable rates in the King 's Book (where few of forty four pounds per annum) but according to the ordinary value as they were worth to be let and set in that Age.

6. Here fain would I be satisfied from some Learned in the Laws, That whereas provision is made in this Patent for the Prior to enjoy his Pension until per nos by the King's self, or His under-Officers, he was preferred to promotion of equal value, whether or no this Pension determined, if not the King, but some inferior Patron provided such preferment for him. Seeing in a general sense all may be said, presented by the King, as Patron Paramount of the Church of England, who by virtue of His Law have institution and induction into any Ecclesiastical promotion.

7. That effectual passage is inserted in all Patents of Abbots, Priors, and Monks, that they were in the Covent Diu antea, Long before the Dissolution thereof. Otherwise many young folk who lately came in, even barely went out, without any Pensions. Such Novices and Probationers, whose Coules came but yesterday out of the Drapers shop, having youth and strength to provide for themselves, were left to the choice of their own calling, without any other annuity allowed them.

8. Their Pensions, though seeming but small, being many in number, made a deep hole in the King's revenue, insomuch that He received from some Houses but small profits de claro until the said Pensions were extinguished: As will appear (guess Hercules from his Foot) by comparing the Profits arising from, with the Pensions allotted to the Monks in the aforesaid Priory of Hinton in Somersetshire.

Edmond Hord Prior, his Pension 44 li. his Gratuity 11 li.

Now whereas the Priory of Hinton, at the dissolution thereof, was valued at no more than two hundred sixty two pounds twelve shillings; if the aforesaid sum of yearly Pensions be thence deducted, the clear remainder to the King was but ninety nine pounds five shillings four pence. But the Crown had a double advantage: One, that Priory-Lands were lasting, whilst Pensions expired with Monks lives: and the other, that the pensions were but bare Penny-Rent, whilst AbbeyLands were lowly rated far beneath their true valuation.

9. Now because our hand is in, and I for the present can make use of an Authentic Manuscript (once Henry Baron Hunsdon 's Lord Chamberlain) Kindly communicated to me by a worthy friend of all the Pensions in Somerset-shire, it will not be amiss to exemplify such as were allotted to the several Abbots and Priors therein.

The aforesaid Book reacheth not Bristol, because not properly in Somerset-shire, but a County Incorporate by itself. As for Whiting, late Abbot of Glassenbury, he was executed for a Traytour, and so his Pensions paid. No mention therein of the Prior of Mucchelnye, whose place may be presumed void by his death, or he otherwise preferred.

10. We may observe great inequality in these Pensions, not measured as the Jews Manna by one and the same Homer, but increased or diminished: 1. According to the wealth of the house dissolved. For where more profit accrued to the King by the suppressions, their larger Pensions were allowed to the Prior or Monk thereof. 2. According to the merits of the man. 3. According to his age and impotency needing relief. Lastly, and chiefly according as the Parties were befriended by the King's Officers in the Augmentation-Court; wherein as in all other Courts, favor ever was, is, and will be in fashion.

11. But of all Pensions, the largest in proportion, and strongest in conveyance (as passed not as the rest by Letters Patents, but by Act of Parliament) were those assigned to the late Lord Prior, and those of the Order of the Knights Hospitalars. These being men of high birth and honorable breeding; The King no less politically than civilly thought fit to enlarge their allowance (a main motive which made them so quietly to surrender their strong and rich Hospitals) as in the printed Statute doth appear.

To Anthony Rogers, Oswald Massingberd, &c. ten pounds a piece yearly to be paid, as all the former Pensions, during their natural lives. In the same Statute it is provided, that John Maplesden, Clerk, Sub-Prior of the said Hospital; William Ermsteed, Clerk, Master of the Temple in London; Walter Limsey, and John Winter, Chaplains there, should everyone of them have, receive, and enjoy, (the said Master and two Chaplains of the Temple doing their duties and services there during their lives) all such Mansion-houses, stipends, wages, with all other profits of money in as large and ample manner as they were accustomed to do.

12. No mention (as in other Patents) of any Gratuities in ready moneys given unto them, which probably cast into their Pensions, made them mount so high. As for the thousand pounds yearly allowed Sir Will: Weston, not one penny thereof was paid, he dying the next day (the House of his Hospital and of his Earthly Tabernacle being dissolved both together) Soul-smitten with Sorrow, Gold, though a great Cordial, being not able to cure a Broken heart.

13. We will here present a Female-Patent of the Pension allowed to the Abbess of Buckland, though in all essentials very like unto the Former.

HENRICUS Octavus, Dei gratia, &c. Cum nuper Monasterium de Buckland in Com' nostro Som ' jam dissolvatur, unde quaedam Katherina Bowser tempore dissolutionis illius & dicti antea Priorina inde fuit. Nos volentes rationabilem annualem Pensionem sive promotionnem condignam eidem Katherinae ad victum exhibitionem & sustentationem suam melius sustinendum provider • . Sciatis igitur quod nos in consideratione praemissorum de Gratia nostra specially ac ex-certa scientia & mero motu nostris per advisamentum & concensum Can • ellari • & Concilii Curiae Augment' reventionum Coronae nostrae Dedimus & concessimus at per praesentes damus & concedimus eidem Katherinae quandom anno itatem sive annualem Pensionem quinquaginta librarum sterlingorum, iabendum g •• dendum & annuatim percipiendum easdem quinquaginta libr' praefat' Katherinae & assignatis suis a festo Annuntiationis beata Mariae virginis ultimo praterito, ad terminum vitae ipsus Katherinae tam per manus Thesaurarii nostri Reventionum augmentationum Corona nostra pradict pro tempore existen' de Thesauro nostro in manibus suis de reventionibus praedict' remanere contingen' quam per manus Receptor' Exituum & reventionum dict' nuper Manner' pro tempore existen' de eisdem exit' & reventionibus ad festum Sancti Michaëlis Archangeli & Annuntiationis beatae Mariae virginis per aequales portiones solvendum. Et ulterius de uberiori Gratia nostra, Damus & pro consideratione praedicta per praesentes concedimus prafatae Katherinae viginti quinque libr' sterlingor' Habend' eldem Katherinae ex dono nostro per manus dict' Thesauraii de Thesaure praedicto, vel per manus dict' Receptoris de exitibus & reventionibus Maneriorum terrarum & tenementorum dicti nuper Monasterii solvend'. Eo quod expressa mentio, &c. In cujus Rei testimonium, &c.

Teste Richardo Riche Milite apud Westmonasterium decimo die Maii, Anno Regni nostri tricesimo primo.

HENRY the Eighth, by the Grace of God, &c. whereas the late Monastery of Buckland, in Our County of Somerset, is now lately dissolved; whereas one Katherine Bowser was Prioresse at the time of the dissolution thereof, and long before. We are willing that a reasonable Pension annual, or suitable promotion should be provided for the said Katherine, the better to sustain her in diet and maintenance: Know therefore, that We in consideration of the premises of Our special Grace and certain Knowledge, and Our own mere motion by the advice and consent of the Chancellor and Counsel of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of Our Crown, Have given and granted, and by these presents do give and grant unto the said Katherine a certain annuity or annual Pension of fifty pounds sterling, That the said Katherine or her assigns, may have, enjoy, or yearly receive the said fifty pounds from the Feast of the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary last past for the term of the life of the said Katherine, as well by the hands of Our Treasurer of the Augmentation of the Revenue of Our Crown for the time being out of Our Treasure which shall happen to remain in his hands out of the Revenues aforesaid, as by the hands of the Receiver of the profits and revenues of the said late Monastery for the time being out of the said profits and revenues at the feast of S. Michael the Archangel, and the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary, to be paid by equal portions. And furthermore of Our more plentiful Grace, and for the considerations aforesaid, We give, and by these presents do grant to the aforesaid Katherine twenty five pounds sterling for the said Katherine to have of Our proper gift by the hands of Our foresaid Treasurer out of Our treasury aforesaid, or by Our said Receiver to be paid out of the profits & revenues of the Manours, Lands, and Tenements of the said late Monastery, because that express mention, &c. In witness whereof, &c.

Witness Rich: Rich Knight • , at Westminster, the tenth of May, in the thirty first year of Our Reign.

There are but two considerable differences betwixt this and the former Patent: 1. Whereas Pensions allotted to Priors and Monks were conditional, as determinable upon their preferment to Ecclesiastical promotion of equal value; this to the Prioresse (as to all Nuns) was absolute for term of life, Women being not capable of any Church-advancement. Secondly, whereas the Gratuity allotted to Monks generally, amounted to a fourth part of their Pension; this to the Prioresse was double as much as a just moyety thereof. Whether this proceeded from the King's courtesy to the weaker Sex, or because Mundus Muliebris, there was such a world of Tackling required to Rigge and Lanch them forth to shift for themselves in a Secular life.

14. But as for ordinary Nuns, we find that four pounds Pension, and forty shillings Gratuity, was generally their provision, and that only for those qualified with a Diu antea, that they had been in the Covent a long time before the dissolution thereof, otherwise I meet with no Portions to those that lately were entered into the Houses, being outed, and left at large, to practice the Apostles precept, I will that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, &c.

15. The vivacity of some of these Pensioners is little leste than a Miracle, they survived so long. For though none will say, they lived out of despite to anger the King to pay their Pensions, surely none so highly affected Him as to die in duty to exonerate His Exchequer of their Annuity. Isabell Sackvile, Lady Prioresse of Clarkenwell, is an eminent instance of longevity in this kind. For,

• 1. In the one and twentieth of King Henry the seventh, she was a Nun in Clarkenwell -Priory, when a Legacy was bequeathed her as Niece by William Sackvile Esquire, and must be then conceived fifteen years of age.
• 2. She was the last Prioresse of Clarkenwell, at the dissolution thereof.
• 3. She died in the twelfth of Queen Elizabeth, (as appears by her Epitaph in Clarkenwell -Church) and by Computation must be allowed Eighty years of age.

But far older was that Monk or Nun (I am assured of the Story, not the Sex) to whom Living in or near Hampshire, Mr. John Pymme, then an Officer in the Exchequer, paid the last payment of his Pension about the fifth year of King James.