Carmelites; and praise of their industry-The legend of Simon Stock

—Augustinian hermits-Trinitarian friars-Bons hommes, or good men

-Their rich revenues-Crouched [Crutched] friars-Friars of the sack

and Bethlemites-Friars Robertines. Sweating moisture out of tombs

no miracle-Why so various the number of monks-A catholic's cause-

less accusation of Mr. Lambert justly disproved-Antipathy betwixt

friars and parish-priests, in Erasmus's jest-earnest dialogue. Monks,

why hating friars-Friars stinted to four orders-The numerousness of

nuns. The ancientest and poorest nuns. Bridgetteans the last order

of nuns-The mystical number of Bridgetteans-The prioresses of Cler-

kenwell-A good exchange-Exactness in dates not to be expected. A

pleasant story-Jesuats different from Jesuits-Jesuits the best but-

tresses of the Romish church. Jesuits' policy. In England like astro-

logers in Rome-Leprous people not mentioned herein. Pages 140

-166.

SECTION II.

ENCOU

I. ABBEYS ENGROSSED TRADE, IMPOVERISHED PARISH-PRIESTS,

RAGED OFFENDERS: Abbots, farmers, tanners, brewers-Abbots rob

parish vicars, by appropriations; and other priests from exemption

from tithes-Freedom from tithes goeth by favour; confined to lands

given before the Lateran Council. Offend none in a captious age-A

prize in the hand, but no heart-Sanctuaries sewers of sin. The con-

scientious abbot of Crowland-II. OF THE PRIME OFFICERS AND

OFFICINES OF ABBEYS: The abbot; the prior; the sub-prior; the

secretary; the chamberlain; the cellarer-The gate-house; the refec-

tory; the parlour; the oriol; the dormitory; the laundry; the library;

the kitchen-The several parts in the church-The century; the

firmory; the stables; the gaol; the grange-Barbarous names and

offices. Rooms in small, houses in great abbeys. The use of cells.

The honours in Canterbury priory-III. SOME GENERAL CONFORMITIES

OBSERVED IN ALL CONVENTS: Rules calculated for the Benedictines

without any grand error will serve all orders-IV. OF SUCH ABBOTS

WHO ATTAINED TO BE PARLIAMENTARY BARONS: Numerous abbots

summoned to parliament; who afterwards decline their troublesome

service-Their number contracted to twenty-six. Doubtful barons

amongst the abbots-A short-lived barony made by king Henry VIII.

-Abbesses no baronesses, though holding baronies-Prior of Jeru-

salem chief baron. Next, the abbot of St. Alban's-The careless order

of the rest. Seniority not observed in the summons; nor ranked by

their wealth. Tewkesbury to be added to the catalogue-Some abbots

not barons richer than those that were- -Shaftesbury the richest nun-

nery-A profane proverb. No country free from monks. Query,

What meant by four abbots peculiarly exempt-V. OF THE CIVIL

BENEFITS, AND TEMPORAL CONVENIENCES, ACCRUING TO THE STATE

BY THE CONTINUANCE OF ABBEYS: Give abbeys their due; they con-

venient to dispose youngest children in; an eminent instance thereof-

Children taught therein. Conveniency of she-colleges-Monks the

sole historians, and why-Abbots excellent landlords, and admirable

housekeepers-Objection against their hospitality. The same answered

--Ely puts all abbeys down for feasting-A pleasant story of king Henry

VIII. He proves a good physician-VI. PRESAGES of the approach-

ING RUIN OF ABBEYS: Oldham's prophecy of the friars' fall; seconded

by abbot Whitgift-Ominous burning of abbeys, often by lightning.

Bells no effectual charm against lightning-VII. OF THE ESSAYS AND

OFFERS TO OVERTHROW ABBEYS BEFORE THEY TOOK EFFECT: Orders

of friars alterable according to the pleasure of their founders. Particu-

lar convents, on misdemeanour, dissolvable. Whole orders routed out

by the pope for their faults-The first stroke at the root of abbeys-

The objection of covetousness against abbeys (though not answered)

evaded by archbishop Chicheley-VIII. OF THE SUPPRESSION OF
ALIEN PRIORIES: The original of priories aliens-Alien priories of two
natures-Their dissolution. The dangerous influence of this prece-
dent. Pages 166-200.

SECTION III.

I. OF CARDINAL WOLSEY'S OMINOUS SUPPRESSING OF FORTY LESSER MO-

NASTERIES, THEREWITH TO BUILD TWO COLLEGES: Wolsey's wealth

and want. Wolsey's act justly censured—Fig-leaves to cover it, in

vain. The miserable ends of the cardinal's instruments herein-II. OF

THE FIRST PRIORY WHICH WAS SOLEMNLY SUPPRESSED BY KING HENRY

VIII. Christ-Church priory near Aldgate first and solely dissolved.

The antiquity, wealth, and dignity thereof—A guess at king Henry's

design. The priory taken by composition; the effect thereof upon the

people-This the ancientest of all priories; at this day called the

Duke's Place-III. OF THE SUPPRESSION OF THE ORDER OF OBSER-

VANT FRIARS, AND A PREPARATORY FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF ALL

THE REST: Observant friars, why first falling under king Henry's dis-

pleasure totally and finally dissolved-The supplication of beggars,

with the sense thereof. The geometry, arithmetic, and chronology of

the author thereof-The anti-supplication of the souls in purgatory—

The first supplication best received-IV. THE LESSER MONASTERIES

BESTOWED ON THE KING: A gainful motion made for the king:

reported, by mistake, opposed by bishop Fisher; easily passed in par-

liament-A preamble of importance restored out of the records to the

printed statute. Two principles which must not be questioned-Exact

measuring to the standard of dissolution. Many aged persons at a

loss for livelihood. Abbey-lands politicly scattered among many pur-

chasers. The number of the lesser monasteries-Why the king cajoleth

the great monasteries. Specious uses pretended on heavy penalties.

Such penalties graciously repealed by king James. Some grudge at so

great a grant-V. THE NORTHERN REBELLION OCCASIONED BY THIS

DISSOLUTION: Northern rebellion begun, suppressed, punished; ex-

cused by Sanders unjustly-Persons executed-VI. THE RETURn of

THE VISITORS OF ABBEYS: The return of the lord Cromwell's agents.

The principal commissioners-Their two-edged sword, Monks weary

of their lives-VII. THE SECOND SORT OF INSINUATING EMISSARIES:

Others undone by their own dissensions. A charitable censure-VIII.

SOLICITING AND TEMPTING EMISSARIES COMPLAINED OF BY THE

PAPISTS: A devilish design, if true. A memorable story: sin plot, sin

pay for. Application as far as concerns the matter in hand-A com-

plaint of the papists; a sad story, if true. The pedigree of this tradi

tion-IX. SOME CONVENTS ON EXAMINATION APPEARING VERY VIR-

TUOUS: Some convents retaining their primitive piety; but too few to

preserve the rest-X. THE GENERALITY OF MONASTERIES NOTORIOUSLY

VICIOUS: Charitable premisses. Read, and blush, and sigh—A coltish

trick served upon the monks of Waltham. More talk than truth of

under-ground vaults-Provision made for their lust. Charity best in

doubtful evidence-A Sodom in Sion nunnery-XI. ABBOTS WIL-

LINGLY-UNWILLING RESIGNED THEIR MONASTERIES ΤΟ THE KING:

Monks, persuaded into a resignation, strive who should be the fore-

most-The surrender of the warden and friars of St. Francis in Stan-

ford-A more humble form of surrender-Betwixt first and last no

great difference-XII. THE SEAL OF ARMS OF THE MITRED ABBEYS

IN ENGLAND: The design of the work. The arms of Tavistock, of

Glastonbury, of Middleton, of Malmsbury, of Abingdon, of Reading,

of Hide, of Battle, of St. Augustine, of Gloucester, of Tewkesbury, of

Winchcomb, of Cirencester, of St. Alban's, of St. John's of Jerusalem,

of Waltham, of Colchester, of Bury, of St. Benet's, of Thorney, of

Ramsey, of Peterborough, of Crowland, of Bardney and Evesham, of

Shrewsbury, of Selby, of York-XIII. THE LORD DARCY'S EXTRAC-

TION JUSTLY VINDICATED: A causeless aspersion grounded on passion.

What the lord Marney was-Three noble branches of the Darcyes in

the north-Thomas lord Darcy-XIV. THE ANCIENT ENGLISH NOBI-

LITY GREAT LOSERS BY THE DISSOLUTION OF ABBEYS: Ancient nobi-

lity losers. Good rents ill paid. Services wholly lost, with the com-

modity of corrodies-XV. THE PREMISSES PROVED BY INSTANCE IN

THE FAMILY OF THE BERKELEYS: Robert Derby, last abbot of Crox-

ton-XVI. INGRATITUDE TO THEIR FOUNDERS, A GRAND FAULT IN

MANY ABBEYS: If unthankful, all bad-Great bounty ill-requited.

Summum jus-Another instance of ingratitude-A cause of their ruin.

An over-wise conceit easily confuted. Strong faith to believe so much

of king Henry's charity. Pages 200-237.

SECTION IV.

I. OF MIRACLES IN GENERAL, TO WHICH MONASTERIES DID MUCH PRE-

TEND: A true miracle described-Miracles long since ceased, by St.

Augustine's confession [as well as bishop Fisher]-Why miracles

ceased. The magazine of protestant miracles-Counterfeiting miracles,

a heinous offence. The forger's plea confuted-The forgery in relics,

and the cross especially. False teeth of Apollonia. False arms of

Thomas Becket-Saints, their several employments-Miracles, why

most in convents-II. OF FALSE MIRACLES, MANY BROODS WHEREOF

WERE HATCHED IN MONASTERIES: A dichotomy of miracles; reported,

not done; done by nature. St. Nun's cure of madmen—Occult quali-

ties no miracles. A wonder akin to a miracle in London: a corpse

unconsumed-Seeming miracles done by art. Mysterious ventriloqui

--Plenty of false prophecies. A forest-burning image.

phinus in ulmo-Prophetical mottoes inscribed in Gloucester church-

III. THAT MANY PRECIOUS BOOKS WERE EMBEZZLED AT THE DISSO-

LUTION OF ABBEYS, TO THE IRREPARABLE LOSS OF LEARNING: Eng-

lish libraries excellently furnished-The miserable martyrdom of inno-

cent books-John Bale lamentably bemoaneth this massacre-Learn-

ing receiveth an incurable wound by the loss of books-No Anabap-

tistical humour, but downright ignorance, the cause thereof. Sullen

dispositions causelessly aggrieved-IV. MANY GOOD BARGAINS, OR

RATHER CHEAP PENNYWORTHS, BOUGHT OF ABBEY-LANDS: The pro-

fuse gifts and grants of king Henry. King Kenry's engagement to

liberality-How Mr. Champernoun got the priory of St. Germain.

How Sir Miles Partridge got Jesus's bells. Glaucus and Diomedes's

exchange. Unconscionable under-sale of abbey-lands-V. Or the

ACTIONS OF POLICY, PIETY, CHARITY, AND JUSTICE, DONE BY KING

HENRY VIII. OUT OF THE REvenues of dissOLVED ABBEYS: Good, as

well as bad, must be observed in mixed actions. King Henry aug-

mented the crown-revenues; founded five new bishoprics. Monks'

places turned into prebends-Grammar-schools founded by him. Hos-

pitals by him conferred on London. Trinity College in Cambridge,

and professors' places by him endowed-Leland employed by him to

survey, collect, and preserve antiquities. Read, and be thankful—

Intelligencers bred by him beyond the scas-VI. OF THE MANY AND

LARGE PENSIONS CONSTANTLY PAID BY KING HENRY TO MONKS AND

NUNS DURING THEIR LIVES: The good nature of king Henry therein.

High injustice to detain promised pensions-The first qualification of

his pensioners. A copy of the king's letters patents for pensions-

What church-livings were inconsistent with pensions. A query pro-

pounded-Seniority in convents an advantage. Many pensions mount

to much money-The pensions of the abbots in Somersetshire-Pen-

sions go by favour. Largest pensions allotted the Hospitallers—Stout

hearts can bear the less grief-The patent for a pension to the prioress

of Buckland-Youth and strength accounted a pension to itself—

Methuselah pensioners. Pages 237-265.

SECTION V.

I. OF THE ERECTION, OFFICERS, USE, CONTINUANCE, AND ABOLISHING OF

THE COURT OF AUGMENTATION: Augmentation-court, when erected—

The employment of the officers in this court-Motives for the disso-

lution of this court; finally dissolved in the first year of queen Mary-

II. THE LANDS OF CHANTRIES, FREE CHAPELS, AND COLLEGES DIS-

SOLVED: Prodigality always wanteth. King Henry's three meals on

abbey-lands-The Universities' fears happily turned into joy and

thankfulness-What chanters, &c. were-Two statutes on different

considerations-Forty-seven chantries in St. Paul's church, London-

Chantries, when they began by royal license-The altar in St. Paul's

scarce to be seen for altars-More sirs than knights. Deductions out

of chantry-revenues-Charitable swallowed with superstitious uses :

the righteous destroyed with the wicked-Gainful contracting the

number of the priests. Gainful annexing of chantries. There is a

generation rich, and maketh themselves poor. Nothing (pretended)

gotten-The great, though uncertain, number of chantries-Free

chapels and colleges—A nemo scit of wealth accruing to the crown-

Pensions assigned to chantry-priests-Some tenderness to hospitals—

III. QUEEN MARY, ON HER OWN COST, RESTORETH SOME CONVENTS:

Queen Mary imparts her intents to four counsellors-Several orders

re-erected by her—A general jealousy of abbey-holders. Nimia cautela

non nocet. The best work of queen Mary-IV. QUEEN ELIZABETH

DEMOLISHETH THE NEW-ERECTED CONVENTS: Violent alterations dan-

gerous-A query to the learned in law-An imperfect list better than

none-Cecil the present owner of this priory. Pages 265–282.

SECTION VI.

I. OF ENGLISH NUNNERIES BEYOND THE SEAS: Why no pensions paid to

outed votaries by queen Elizabeth. Detained pensions paid to old

friars and nuns. Chequer pay the best of payments-The only stump

of an old tree. The progress of nuns from Sion to Lisbon. The

revenue and wealth of the Lisbon nuns. A price of blood their first

portion. Their confessor and abbess-The anatomy of the nuns of

Lisbon-Brussels nunnery: their great wealth-Cambray nunnery—

Gravelines nunnery. Nuns of Louvain, why omitted-Jesuitesses-

II. THE FOREIGN CONVENTS OF ENGLISH MONKS AND FRIARS: Jesuits,

gaping for the Benedictines' lands in England, defeated by father

Roberts and others-Douay convent in Artois. St. Malo's convent in

Britanny. Paris convent―The Carthusian convent at Mechlin. Douay.

Two convents reported in London-III. TO WHOM THE SITES OF

MITRED ABBEYS WERE GRANTED, AND BY WHOM THEY ARE POSSESSED

AT THIS DAY: A possible design preferred, impossible declined-St.

Mary's in York, how disposed. Country abbeys largest in profit.

Present gain, future loss-A solemn tilting proclaimed. The noble

achievements of Richard Cromwell-Censure on abbey-lands. Sir

Henry Spelman's observations on abbey-lands; his son's on the same

-A papist's observation. The conclusion. Pages 283-297.

The hopeful beginning of king Edward-Peace and prosperity to the pro-

testants in England-Commissioners sent into several counties with

instructions to reform-The king's injunctions-The form of bidding

the Common-Prayers-OBSERVATIONS ON THE KING'S INJUNCTIONS—

The wisdom of our reformers-Only two lights left. What meant by

"memories"-Good policy. Mr. Calvin dissents. Moderation goeth

far-The protestant library-The Liturgy, or Common-Prayer-The

translation of the Bible into English-A catalogue of proclamations—

A panic silence of pulpits-A proclamation against stage-plays-Oxford

library reformed of all its ancient manuscripts--Loath to believe-An

epidemical distemper of disloyalty-Abstracts of church-matters out of

king Edward's own diary-The conception of nonconformity-The

favourers and opposers thereof-Hooper refuseth to wear the episcopal

habit, but is forced at last. Defended for keeping Worcester in com-

mendam-Why Latimer was not restored to the bishopric of Worces-

ter-Hooper and Ridley reconciled by afflictions-Three sorts of

nonconformists-The Psalms translated into metre-The meanness of