Church History of Britain

Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents.

Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown, was not over-busy at the first, but for some months permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs. Insomuch, that in the first Parliament of Her summoning, She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam, and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Council. Whither they repaired, and wherein they took their places accordingly.

2. Sir Thomas (as Lord Prior) above, but the Abbot beneath all the Temporal Lord's, being the lag of the House, and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho, lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz: Her creation. But they had hardly set down on their seats, before they were raised up, and dissolved, with all the rest of the late-restored Orders.

3. I have not met (to my best remembrance) with any Statute, enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary, whereby She was legally empowered for the re-erection of these Convents, done it seems by Her Prerogative, by connivance, not concurrence of the Parliament. Nor can I find, in the first year of Queen Elizabeth, any particular Statute wherein (as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth) these Orders are nominatim suppressed, this probably being supposed needless, as I conceive, (with submission to the Learned in that Profession) their Houses having no Legal settlement: Or else, when the general Statutes against Superstition, were laid like the Ax to the root of the Tree, these Orders are under-branches, fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same.

4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. John 's, from Iordanus Briset, their first Founder. But their Records being all burnt in that fire, which was kindled by Straw in his commotion, it is impossible to complete the Catalogue. At and since which difaster, such as we can recover, are not contiguous in times, and distanced with many years betwixt them, though perhaps not unuseful to be inserted.

• 1. Sir Robert Hales, Lord Treasurer of England, slain in the tumult of Tyler, Anno 1380, in the fourth of K. Richard the second. At which time,
• 2. Next him, Sir John Long-strother, I say next, proximus at longo qui proximus intervallo, siding with the House of Lancaster; he was taken prisoner in Teuxbury Battail, Anno 1471, and by King Edward the fourth put to death in cold blood, contrary to the promise of a Prince, who had assured his life unto him.
• 3. Sir Thomas Dockwray, is the next (not of all) but in our discovery. A person of much desert, expending himself wholly for the credit and profit of his Priory, as who re-edified the Church out of its ruin, finishing it Anno 1504, as appeareth by the Inscription over the Gate-house yet remaining.
• 4. Sir William Weston succeeds (of whom before) dissolved this List on the very day of the dissolution of this Priory.
• 5. Sir Thomas Tresham, was the first and last of Q. Mary 's re-erection. There goeth a tradition, that Q. Elizabeth in consideration of his good service done to Her self in Her Sister Q. Mary, whom he proclaimed, and Their Titles being shut out of doors together, both were let in again at once, though to take place successively, allowed him to be called Lord Prior during his life, which was not long, and the matter not much, deriving no power or profit unto him.

Here I purposely omit Sir Richard Shelley, (which family I find of remark for worship and antiquity at Michel-Grove in Sussex.) He bare a great enmity to Q. Elizabeth, especially after She had flatly denied Philip King of Spain, whither Shelley was fled) to consent to his abiding there, and to his quier receiving his rents out of England. However, the Spanish King employed him in an Honorable Ambassy unto Maximilian King of the Romans, weating the high title of Prior of the Order of St. John' s in England. A Prior without a Posterior having none ununder him to obey his power, nor after him to succeed in his place. We behold him only as the wry-stroke given in by us out of courtesy, when the game was up before.

5. The Site of the Priory of S. John 's was lately the possession of William Earl of Exeter, whose Countess Eliz: Druery was very forward to repair the ruined Choir thereof. Doct. Ios: Hall preached at the solemn Reconciling thereof, on S. Stephen 's day 1623, taking for his Text, Hag. 2. 9. The glory of the latter house, shall be greater than of the former saith the Lord of Hosts. At this day, though coarctated, having the side-Isles excluded, (yet so that their upper part is admitted, affording conveniencies for attention) it is one of the best private Chapels in England, discreetly embracing the mean of decency betwixt the extremes of slovenly profaneness and gaudy superstition, and belongeth at this present to the truly noble Thomas as Earl of Elgin.

SECTION VI.

Of English Nunneries beyond the Seas.

THus were all Monks, Friars, and Nuns, totally routed by the coming in of Qu. Elizabeth. I find not that any Pensions were allowed to those Votaries, who at this time were outed their Covents, though large Annuities were assigned to such who were ejected their Monasteries, Colleges, or free Chanteries, in the Reigns of King Henry the eighth, and Edward the sixth: whereof this may seem the reason, because now, caveat ingressor, He or She might beware who entered an Abbey, be it at their own peril, seeing they formerly had so fair a warning, though indeed some of them who had no friends to help them, were left in no very good condition, and died in much want and distress.

2. But now in the beginning of this Queens Reign, a complaint did arise, That Pensions were detained from many ejected out of Abbeys in her Father and Brother his Reign, who being poor, old, and impotent, and repairing to the Queens Officers for their Pensions, were instead of money paid with ill language and affronts. Her Majesty possessed with the truth hereof, took strict order both that their Arrears for the time past should be satisfied, and their Aunuities for the time to come effectually discharged, which much advanced her honor in pecuniary matters.

3. Hence grew the Proverb (crossed in the days of her successors) As sure as Exchequer pay. For all, who in this Queens Reign had sums due unto them from the Treasury, had no other trouble than to tell them there, and take them thence. Thus, it came to pass, that by Her maintaining of the Exchequer, the Exchequer maintained Her, having money at most, credit at all times on the reputation of so good a Pay-Mistress: insomuch that She was not only able to lay down Her stake, but also to vie ready silver with the King of Spain, when He, notwithstanding both His Indies, was fain to go on Bare board.

4. As for Popish (Religious) persons flying out of England at the coming in of this Queen, our pen shall follow them as fast as it can with convenient speed. We begin with the Nuns, partly because the courtesy of England alloweth the first place to the feeblest Sex; but chiefly, because they seem still to continue an entire body, and successively, an immortal corporation; being, with the Carthusians, the only stump that remaineth of the huge tree which once overspread and shadowed our whole Nation.

5. May the Reader be pleased to remember, that King Henry the fifth founded one Abbey of Nuns at Zion in Middlesex, peopling it with Brigetine Nuns and Friars, and another at Sheine in Surrey overagainst it, so ordering it that all the day long alternately when the Devotions of the one ended, the other should begin, that nothing should interrupt their Prayers, though the Thames did divide their Persons: Both those Covents dissolved by King Henry the eight were, as aforesaid, restored by Q. Mary, and re-dissolved by Q. Elizabeth. The Zion Nuns (though Clementia Thresham a principal amongst them, could not go with them for sickness (dying soon after, and buried at Rushton in Northampton shire) conveyed their persons and most portable Treasure beyond the Seas to Zurich Zey in Zealand, thence to Macklin in Brabant, thence to Roan in Normandy, but found no certain place of abode till they came to Lisbone in Portugal.

6. For here they had a daily Pension of five Crowns from the King of Spain, and wheat more than sufficient whilst Lisbone was His (and I doubt not but the present King of Portugal performeth the same) they have Vine-yards, Olivefields, Corn-grounds, and Houses, to the value of four hundred Mil-reis a year, which was the Portion of a Portugese (sole Heir to her wealthy Father) who becoming a Religious Sister in this Covent, conveyed her inheritance unto it. So that by their boxes in Indian and Brasilean ships, sale of Masses, and other perquisites, they are said yearly to lay up six hundred pounds.

7. Indeed, they began with a good bank, and hereon hangs a story worth reporting. When Doctor Lopez a Jew-Portugal undertook to poison Queen Elizabeth, he would not (to show himself a Jew indeed) do his work till in some sort secured of his wages. The sum promised him was deposited with these Nuns, whilst as yet they lived at Roan in Normandy. But Lopez his design failing, the same halter which bereaved him of life, endowed these Nuns with a livelihood: For the King of Spain either out of scrupulosity not to resume the same into his Treasury as the price of blood, or out of liberality conferred those moneys on the Nuns, which since they have well house-wived and increased.

8. We need not repeat what we have formerly said of the Brigetine Nuns (first founded by Briget Queen of Swedeland) having Friars permitted to live under the same roof (though disjoined with walls) for their better consolation. Some thirty years since Father Joseph Foster was their Confessor, having two other Priests and a Lay Brother to assist him, whose names I am less careful to insert, because they change them as often as snakes their skins, both what they took at the font, and fetched from their Fathers, truly called by what they are not known, and commonly known by what they are not truly called. Elizabeth Preston about that time was Abbess, who being outed as in disgrace with Father Foster, Barbara Wiseman succeeded in her place.

9. Such as desire further satisfaction herein, may consult the Anatomy of the English Nunnerie at Lisbone, made by Thomas Robinson, published by authority, and lately reprinted. I confess, it may seem cruelty to cut up the living, and the best of mortals would winch to purpose if diffected alive. But very much of truth is believed in his Discovery, telling us of a grate betwixt those Friars and Nuns, sometimes so churlish as to divide them, sometimes so charitable as consenting to be drawn up, and so to admit them to a mutual society: so that if the Friar calleth, the Nun cometh incontinently at his command. I have heard since that their Covent of late hath casually been burned down, which, if so, I doubt not but they are able to rebuild it, as gaining more by water (the gratuities of Merchants) than they have lost by fire.

Bruxells Nunnerie.

THey are of the Order of S. Benedict, and yet solely under the inspection of the Jesuits, which seems improper, seeing it would sound like truer construction that Benedictine Nuns should be subject to Benedictine Monks. The truth is, that at the first founding hereof the Jesuitical activity got the start of the Benedictine dullness, and these men of lasting metal (as good at length as at hand) keep the advantage which once they have gotten. Indeed. no Nuns come hither but such as are transported by the Jesuits special recommendation, and therefore it is but equal they should dress and prune the Vines of their own planting, I assure you, the place is too costly for my Daughter to be entered there, seeing they receive none into their Abbey and habit unless she have a thousand pound or two for her Portion.

2. The Abbey is very rich, having purchased whole Manours, and Lordships in Brabant, with many thousand of pounds at use in the Lombards and elsewhere, all which the English Jesuits do dispose of. Father Gardener, and Father Walgrave aliàs Flower were Anno 1630, their Overseers, being some sixty English Damosells under their Abbess, then the Sister of the (Aunt to the present) Earl of Northumberland.

Cambray Nunnerie.

DON Carlos de Colmna Governor of the City and Country of Cambray for the King of Spain, and sometimes Ambassador for England, was so allured with the beauty, or affected with the piety of our English Women, that (as it is generally reported) he gave them a Cloister within this City, where now they live and have an English Congregation erected according to the Order of S. Benedict. Lately they had no lands purchased, though possibly since they may be endowed.

Gravelin Nunnerie.

THe Family of the Gages at Furle in Suffex were their principal Benefactors (whereof John Gage Privy Counselor, as I take it, to Q. Mary, deserted the land and his own large estate at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth) as appears by certain Tablets to be seen in their Church. Yet are they the poorest of all Foreign Convents, being the discalceated Nuns of the Order of S. Clare. Size cinque, are sent to Bruxells, persons Nobly born, or richly dowried, Quatur tray to Lisbone or Cambray, receiving those of a middle rank, whilst Duce ace, yea Ames ace, are sent to Gravelin the Alms-basket of other Covents; Cum nemini obtrudi potest, itur ad &c. Such who come over with empty hands must be Nuns at Gravelin with naked feet.

2. Here I purposely omit the Nuns of Lovaine in Brabant, because not speaking pure English, and scarcely medietatem lingue, being a Hodge-podge of Dutch and English, and the former at this day most numerous. Yea, oftentimes the two Nations here strive for Superiority, and though nature inclineth me in this contention to favor my Country women: yet I conceive it better to leave them alone to agree with themselves, and proceed to the Jesuitesses.

jesuitesses.

THese began at Luke or Liege about thirty years since. Mistress Mary Ward, and Mistress Twitty being the first beginners of them. They are not confined, as other Nunns to a Cl • yster, but have liberty to go abroad where they please to convert people to the Catholic Faith. They wear a Huke like other women, and differ but little in their habit from common persons. The aforesaid two Virgins, or rather Viragins travelled to Rome with three the most beautiful of their society, endeavoring to procure from his Holiness an establishment of their order, but no Confirmation, only a Toleration would be granted thereof. Since I have read, that Anno 1629, Mistress Mary Ward went to Vienna, where she prevailed so far with the Emperesse, that she procured a Monastery to be erected for those of her Order, as formerly they had two Houses at Liege. Since I have heard nothing of them, which rendereth it suspicious that their Order is suppressed, because otherwise such turbulent spirits would be known by their own violence, it being all one with a storm not to be and not to bluster: For, although this may seem the speediest way to make their Order to propagate when Iesuita shall become hic & haec of the common gender, yet conscientious Catholics conceived these Lady Errants so much to deviate from feminine (not to say Virgin) modesty, (what is but going in Men being accounted gadding in Maids) that they zealously decried their practice, probably to the present blasting thereof.

The foreign Covents of English Monks and Friars.

WE will not so far distrust the Readers memory as to repeat our premised distinction betwixt Monks and Friars: Only know that the Papists themselves report, that towards the end of Queen Elizabeth there was but one English Monk (Mauro by name) living in the whole world. A thing not incredible to such who consider Monks generally grown men before admitted into their Order, and that more than sixty years were passed from the dissolution of Abbeys to the end of Queen Elizabeth. Hereupon, several Catholics of the Anti-Jesuitical faction (as Doctor Gifford, Bagshaw, Stevens, Smith) fearing the Jesuits on Father Mauro 's death, would (for want of lawful successors to the old English Benedictine Monks) enter upon all the Abbey lands they had here, solicited many English Students then living in their Colleges and Seminaries to become Monks of the Order of S. Bennet, persuading them that hereby they should entitle themselves to a large Patrimony of land now likely to fall unto them.

2. Here am I put to a double wonder. First, whereon this Papistical confidence was grounded of the speedy restitution of Abbey land at Queen Elizabeth her death, finding no visible probability for the same. Secondly, I admire how Jesuits could pretend (in default of Benedictine issue) themselves Heirs to these lapsed or vacant lands, seeing other Orders, far more ancient, might lay a better claim thereto. Except they conceive such English Abbey-lands held in Burrough English, wherein the youngest, according to the custom of some Manours, is to inherit; and so by the same advantage this last and newest of all Orders possessed themselves thereof.

3. However, to prevent them, at the instance of the aforesaid secular Priests many English students got into foreign Covents of Benedictines, and took on them the habit of S. Bennet. John Roberts first a Lawyers Clerk in London, then a student in the English College at Vallydolid first led the dance, running away to a neighbouring Covent of Spanish Benedictines. More of the flock followed this Bell-weather thick and threefold, leaving the College of the Jesuits in despite of all the care and caution of their Father-Prefects. Father Augustine (if that his true and not assumed name) was the second Monk of note at this time, a name very active, I am sure, in propagating superstition in England, and Roberts and Augustine, the two revivers of the new Benedictines. These obtained leave of Pope Pius quintus, and the King of Spain, to build them a Covent at Douay. And though Roberts coming over into England to procure the Catholics contribution thereunto, had the hard hap to meet with Tyburne in his way; yet the design proceeded, and was perfected.

Douay Covent in Artois.

FOr the Lord Abbot of S. Vedastus (angliee S. Forsters) in Arras, a wealthy man, and great favourer of the English (yea, generally good to all poor people) built them a Cloister, and fine Church adjoining, on his own proper cost. To whom, and his successors, the English Monks are bound to pay yearly on the first of February a wax-Candle weighing threescore pound by way of homage and acknowledgement of their Founder.

S. Mallowes Covent in Bretaigne.

DOctor Gifford Dean of the Collegiate Church of S. Peter 's in Ritsell (aliàs Insula in Flanders) erected a small Congregation of English Monks at S. Mallowes in France, whereof he himself became Prior. Here he remained some years, till at last resigning it to another Monk, he removed unto Paris Covent.

Paris Covent.

WHich the aforesaid Doctor (but now advanced and augmented with the honor and profit of the Archbishopric of Rheams) built and endowed on his own expenses, conferring thereon whatsoever he can get from his Archbishopric, on the profits whereof the Duke of Guise was suspected too heavily to quarter.

2. Passe we now from our English Monks to the Friars, and begin with the Carthusiaus. These being outed of Shoine in Surrey at the coming in of Queen Elizabeth, wafted themselves over the Seas with so much wealth as bought them a Cloister with lands to maintain it at Machlin. These take themselves to be the most visible Church of English Friars as continuing an uninterrupted succession, and so puffed up with hopes of regaining their old lands, that when Prince Charles went to Spain they sent two of their Friars into England to take possession both of Charter-House and Sheine. Say not one of those places had been fair at first, seeing to save double pains and charges, they did well to claim them both together, as likely to possess them both together, as no doubt they had done long ago, had not the rightful Owners, then, and ever since, detained the same.

Douay.

SOme report this erected by Count Gundamor: others, more probably, by the charity of English Catholics for recollect Friars of the Order of S. Francis. They have a strong fancy, that Christ-Church in London, shall one day be theirs, at the next return of times. The best is, being to go bare foot by the rules of their Order, they are well provided to wait for dead-men's shoes. Here I omit the little Cloister of Benedictine Monks in the Dukedom of Loraine near Ponto-Mouson, as also some other Nunneries and Fryeries since erected at Paris, and elsewhere: for surely, these Orders have spauned much since our late Civil Wars, Protestant confusions multiplying Popish foundations.

2. Yet I cannot believe what one reports of two Covents in London, set up about the year 1640. One, at the Lord Gages near Queens-street: the other, at Westminster. For, finding no person who is properly termed the Lord Gage, I suspect all the rest. And though I confess Catholics then arrived at such boldness, as rather to dare, than dread any discovery; yet it seemeth improbable any should abide there save only to wait conveniency of transportation. And so much for English Covents beyond the Seas, which discourse let none censure as alien, and not pertaining to the History of England. For, I would willingly be condemned for a needless excursion on the condition that they belonged not at all unto us who daily fetch over too much money hence, and do mutually bring back too much mischief hither.

To whom the Sites of Mitred Abbeys were granted, and by whom they are possessed at this day.

IT were a work almost impossible for our pen to pursue the Lands of each Religious house from the time that they parted from the Crown to the present Owners thereof. Yea, such a task when ended, were endless, of no other use, than the satisfaction of curiosity. As therefore the best Anatomists cannot hunt out the deviations of every petty vein (embracing several courses in sundry bodies) but abundantly acquit their skill and industry if truly discovering the trunkveins (observing the same channels in all people) Kephalicall, Basilicall, &c. So we conceive our duty discharged to any rational expectation, if instancing only (out of the Original Records) in the Sites of the Mitred Abbeys marking their fluctuation since passed from the Crown, into the possession of several subjects.

2. Here I intended to present the Reader with the particulars of all those Owners through whose hands these Mitred Abbeys have passed, from those to whom King Henry granted them, to those who at this day are possessed thereof. A thing with very much difficulty (such the frequencies of the exchange) collectible out of the several fines paid at their alienation: but having tired out mine own modesty, (though not my good friend Mr. John Witt 's officious industry) in being beholden to him above my possibility of requital for perusing so many Records, I desisted from so difficult a design.

Hitherto we have proceeded on the most authentic authority out of Records. And although we are confident of the truth of such as follow; yet, wanting the like assurance in the Dates, Tenures, and Considerations, we thought fit to rank them by themselves.

2. Battle-Abbey in Sussex was bestowed by King Henry the eighth on Sir Anthony Brown, Knight of the Garter, and Master of His Majesty's Horse, enjoyed by his heir-male in a direct line at this day.

3. Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge-shire, was conferred by King Henry the eighth, on John Lord Russell, and is possessed by his Abnepos, William Earl of Bedford, in a lineal descent.

4. S. John 's Priory in Coventry, was given by King Henry the eighth to Hales Esquire, Clerk of the Hanaper, at this day in possession of one of his name, and lineage.

5. Eversham-Abbey in Worcester-shire, I find not to whom first granted, but by a long Lease it was in the possession of one Mr. Andrew's, father and son, whose Grandchilde living now at Berkhampsteed in Hertford shire, hath better thrived by God's blessing on his own industry than his Father and Grandfather did with Evesham-Abbey. The sale of the stones whereof, he imputeth a cause of their ill success. Lately it was Sir William Curteens, and I know not to whom his Son sold it.

6. The Abbey of S. Bennet 's in the Holme in Norfolk was never sold, but only changed in the two and thirtieth of King Henry the eighth with the Bishop of Norwich, as appeareth by the printed Statute, which affirmeth, That the lands settled by the King on the Bishopric were of a greater yearly value than the Lordships and Manours given to his Grace. Which might be so, seeing all profit consists not in annual revenue; but much in casualties of Fines. Indeed, generally Coronets did gain, but Miters lose in their exchanges with the Crown.

7. S. Mary's in York (with Selby, the only Mitred Abbey beyond Trent) was kept in the Crown to be the Kings Palace, when repairing into those parts. Since called the Manor, where the Lord President of the Council in the North held his residence. At this day it is in the hands of the States, as excepted by name in the Ast for the sale of Kings lands, and one was allowed a Fee for the careful keeping thereof.

8. My inquire cannot attain, to whom S. Mary's in Shrewsburie was passed. As for Augustine 's in Canterbury, I conceive it never aliened from the Crown, reading in my worthy friend, that the remaining ruins thereof are made subject to public uses. And thus we have a perfect account of all the Mitred. English-Abbeys. The Reader well remembering, what we have formerly written at large, of S. John's of Jerusalem, and Waltham; as also of Gloucester, Peterborough, and Westminster, advanced into Cathedrals, save that the last was afterwards altered into a Collegiate-Church.

9. we may observe that the greatest Abbeys (founded in Cities ) were of the least profit. because so straight-laced with streets and houses round about them that they could not grow to any extraordinary bulk for ground continued thereunto: so that the Sites were but Sites, as in S. Albans, S. Edmunds-Bury, Hyde, &c. Whereas Monasteries in Country-Towns let loose at more liberty to dilate themselves, had generally a large Manor and ample Demesnes annexed unto them.

10. Wise men have informed me, that had succeeding Princes followed King Henry 's pattern, generally granting Abbeys only in Capite, that such lands (though passed gratis from the Crown under small rents ) would notwithstanding in some part have returned thither again, as affording Respit of Homage, Reliefs, Wardships, Fines for alienation for a constant revenue. Whereas being afterwards granted in free soccage whilst the tenure only advanced the present sale; the Crown was deprived of much Emolument, and more obligation.

11. Richard Williams (aliàs Cromwell ) Esquire, (to whom Ramsey Abbey was partly given, partly sold) was one of the five, who in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth, made the bold challenge at Justs to all comers that would, in France, Flanders, Scotland, and Spain. Here it was expected that some of our Knights Hospitallers, whose House by Act of Parliament was dissolved but a month before) should appear valiantly in their vindication, if conceiving any injustice offered unto them. But they kept themselves close, probably not so much for fear of all the Challengers as of one of the Spectatours, viz: King Henry Himself, as sure, if Conquerors of the King's anger, and others envy, if worsted, of their own disgrace. Besides, by the laws of their Order they were not to Tilt against Christians, but only to spend their spears against Pagans and Infidels. Lastly, the challenge seemed only confined to foreigners.

12. This Richard Williams (aliàs Cromwell ) came into the place an Esquire, but departed a Knight, dubbed by the King for his valor, clearly carrying away the credit: overthrowing Mr. Palmer in the field at Justs one day, and the next serving Mr. Culpepper at Barriers in the same manner. Hereupon, there goeth a Tradition in the Family, that King Henry highly pleased with his prowess, Formerly, (said He) thou wast My Dick, but hereafter shalt be My Diamond, and thereat let fall His Diamond-Ring unto him. In avowance whereof, these Cromwells have ever since given for their Crest a Lyon holding a Diamond-Ring in his Fore-paw.

13. Some conceive these Abbey-Lands more unsuccessfull than any other, and infectious to the third Generation: Yea, Papists would persuade us, that as Bucephalus cast all his Riders till backed by Alexander his Lord and Master, so these skittish-Lands will dismount all that bestride them, until forsooth they be (as they hope) restored to their proper Owners. And this they impute to the curse of their Founders denounced to such who should alienate them from their first institution. Others maintain, that no certainty can be concluded from such casualties, but that all things come to pass alike to all. As die Abbey-Lands, so die other lands when in the hands of a riotous person. Thus Lands as well as goods and chattels are moveables, though not from their Center, yet from their Owner. Yea, our draught lately presented, doth prove, that many Mitred Abbeys have survived the dangerous Climactericall of the third Generation.

14. For mine own part, my tongue, is so far from bespeaking such lands with any ill success, that I wish to all lawfully possessed of them (either by the bounty of their Prince, their own, or Ancestors fair purchase) that peaceably and prosperously they may enjoy them: Et nati natorum, ut qui nascantur ab ipsis. However, it will not be amiss to insert the observation of a most worthy Antiquary in the County wherein he was born and best experienced: who repor • e • h, • hat in Norfolk there were an hundred houses of Gentlemen before the Dissolution of Abbeys, possessed of fair estates, of whom so many as gained accession by Abbey-lands, are at this time extinct, or much impaired; bemoaning his own family under the latter notion, as diminished by such an addition.

15. Hear also what his son faith to the same purpose, King Henry exchanged Abbey-lands, and by this means (like the dust flung up by Moses ) they presently disperse all the Kingdom over, and at once become curses both upon the Families and Estates of the Owners; they often viciously spending on their private occasions, what was piously intended for public devotion; insomuch, that within twenty years next after the Dissolution, moe of our Nobility, and their children, have been attainted, and died under the sword of Justice, than did from the Conquest, to the Dissolution, being almost five hundred years; so as if thou examine the List of the Barons in the Parliament of the 27 of Henry the eighth, thou shalt find very few of them, whose Sons do at this day inherit their Fathers titles and estates, and of these few, many to whom the King's favor hath restored, what the rigorous Law of Attainder took, both Dignity, Lands, and Posterity. And doubtless the Commons have drunk deep in this cup of deadly wine; but they, being more numerous and less eminent, are not so obvious to observation.

16. As for the report of Reynerus , the Reader may believe the less thereof for his known engagement to Rome, thus expressing himself, At the Dissolution, Henry the eighth divided part of the Church-spoils among two hundred and sixty Gentlemen, of families in one part of England; and at the same time Thomas Duke of Norfolk rewards the service of twenty of his Gentlemen, with the grant of forty pounds a year out of His own inheritance; and while not sixty of the Kings Donees had sons owning their fathers estates, everyone of the Dukes hath a son of his own loins, flourishing in his fathers inheritance, and I could have set down their several names, had conveniency required it.

17. But it is high time for me to put a period to this subject; lest, as the Abbeys were complained to grow so great, that they engrossed the third part of the Land: so my discourse of them (infected with the same fault) will be condemned by the Reader, for the tedious prolixity thereof. The rather, because this old and trite subject is now grown out of fashion, men in our Age having got a new object to fix their eyes, and observation thereon, taking notice how such Church-lands do thrive, which since hath been derived into the hands of new possessors.

Observations on the Kings Injunctions.

Let us here admire God's wisdom in our first Reformers, who proceeded so moderately in a matter of so great consequence: To reform all at once, had been the ready way to reform nothing at all. New wine must be gently poured into old bottles, lest the strength of the liquor, advantaged with the violence of the infusion, break the vessel. Jacob could not keep pace with Esau (presumed fleet on foot as used to hunting) whilst he had in his company, the tender children and flocks with young, which if over driven one day, would die. And though no doubt he himself was foot-man enough to go along with his Brother, yet he did lead on softly according as the cattle and children were able to endure. Thus our wise Reformers reflected discreetly on the infirmities of people, long nouzled in ignorance and superstition, and incapable (of a sudden and perfect alteration.)

On this account (in the third Injunction) they reduced Candles formerly sans number in Churches to two, upon the high Altar, before the Sacrament; these being termed lights, shows they werenot luminacaeca, but burning. Know also that at this time there was an universal dilapidation of Chancells, and men had seen so many Abbey-Churches plucked down, that they even left Parish-Churches to fall down on themselves; now to repair them all at once, would have stopped the holes in the Chancells, and made one in the states of the Ministers. It was therefore in the sixteenth Injunction ordered, That a fifth part of their means should be employed therein, whereby the work was effectually done without any great damage to the Repairers.

By Memories appointed to be omitted, [Injunction 21.] we understand, the Obsequia for the dead, which, some say, succeeded in the place of the [Heathen] Roman Parentalia.

The abolishing Processions is politically put on a civil account, [Injunction 23.] to avoid contention about places. Indeed, people's pride herein, consisted in pretended humility, which the Injunction at large, termeth a fond Courtesie. For in a mock-practice of the Apostles precept, in honor preferring one another, they strained courtesy to go last. Where, by the way, I conceive that accounted the highest place, which was next the Cross bearer, or next the Priest carrying the Host.

Quaere, whether in the 24 Injunction, laboring in time of Harvest on Holydaies, and Festivals, relateth not only to those of Ecclesiastical constitution, (as dedicated to Saints) or be inclusive of the Lord's day also.

Mr. Calvin in his Letter to the Lord Protector, disliketh the praying for the dead: and this is one of those things, which he termed, tolerabiles ineptias, Englished by some, tolerable fooleries; more mildly by others, tolerable unfitnesses. In requital whereof, Bishop Williams was wont to say, That Master Calvin had his tolerabiles morositates.

And thus moderately did our first Reformers begin, as the subject they wrote on would give them leave; for as careful Mothers and Nurses on condition they can get their Children to part with knives, are contented to let them play with raitles: So they permitted ignorant people still to retain some of their fond and foolish Customs, that they might remove from them the most dangerous and destructive Superstitions.

Come we now to give in a List of such principal Books which in the Reign of this King and His Father, as Preparatory to, and Introductive of Reformation; And to bring them high enough, we will begin with

These are the principal State-books which that Age produced, (not mentioning such, (as numberless) which private persons set forth) only I cannot as yet recover the Lord Cromwell 's Catechism, except it be concealed under another name, amongst the Books aforementioned.

4. Come we now to the Liturgy, which in the Reign of K. Henry the eighth, was said or sung all in Eatine, save only the Creed, Pater noster, and ten Commandments, put into English by the Kings command, Anno 1536. Nine years after, viz: 1545, the Litany was permitted in English, and this was the farthest pace which the Reformation stepped in the Reign of King Henry the eighth. But under His son King Edward the sixth, a new form of Divine worship was set forth in the vulgar Tongue, which passed a threefold purgation.