The church-history of Britain from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year M.DC.XLVIII endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Voluntary MONKS, embracing that Life, not for Necessity, but Conveniency.

AFter these succeeded a Second Sort of Monks leading a Solitary Life, when no visible need forced them thereunto, as neither feeling nor fearing any apparent Persecution; Yet these considering the inconstancy of hu∣mane matters, that though they had Prosperity for the present, it might soon be changed into a contrary condition, if either the restlesse endevours of the Devil took effect, or sinfull Christians were rewarded according to their deserts, freely chose a Lone life, also prompted perchance thereunto by their own Melancholy disposition.

2. Afterwards it was counted convenient, that such who hitherto dwelt deso∣late in Desarts, scattered asunder, should be gathered together to live under one Roof, because their Company would be Cheerfull in Health, and Needfull in Sicknesse one to another. Hence these two words, though contrary to sound, signifie the same:

• Monasterium,
• Coenobium,
  • A place containing men living
    • Alone.
    • In common.

For though they were sequestred from the rest of the World, yet they enjoyed mutuall Society amongst themselves. And again, though at solemn times they joyned in their Publick Devotions and Refections, yet no doubt, they observed howers by themselves in their Private Orisons: Of these, some were Gardeners like Adam, Husbandmen like Noah, caught Fish with Peter, made Tents with Paul, as every man was either advised by his Inclination, or directed by his Dex∣terity, and no Calling was counted Base that was found Beneficiall. Much were they delighted with making of Hives, as the Embleme of a Covent for Order and Industry; wherein the Bees under a Master their Abbot, have severall Cells, and live and labour in a regular discipline. In a word, they had hard hands and tender hearts, sustaining themselves by their labour, and relieving others by their Charity, as formerly hath been observed in the Monks of Bangor.

3. Take a tast of their Austerity who lived at Vall Rosine, since called Minevea in Pembroke-shire, under the Method of S. David. They were raised with the crowing of thea Cock from their beds, and then betook themselves to their pray∣ers, and spent the rest of the day in their severall calling; when their task was done, they again bestowed themselves in prayers, meditations, reading & writing; and at night when the heavens were full of starres, they first began to feed, ha∣ving their temperate repast to satisfie hunger on bread, water, and herbs. Then the third time they went to their prayers, and so to bed, till the circulation of their daily employment returned in the Morning. A spectacle of virtue and conti∣nence, who although they received nothing, or any thing very unwillingly of others, yet were so farre from wanting necessaries, that by their pains they pro∣vided sustenance for many poor people, Orphans, Widows, and Strangers.

4. Here as we cannot but highly commend the integrity of their Hearts herein, so we must withall bemoan, that what in them was intentionally good, proved oc∣casionally evill, hatching Superstition under the warmth of their Devotion. For though even these as yet were free from humane Ordinances and Vows, yet Will∣worship crept in insensible in the next Age, (Tares are easier seen grown than growing) and error and vitlousnesse came in by degrees. The Monks afterwards having sufficiency turned lazie, then getting wealth waxed wanton, and at last en∣dowed with superfluity became notoriously wicked, as hereafter shall appear. Thus as Pliny reporteth of the GAGATE-stone, that set a fire it burneth more fiercely if water be cast on, but is extinguished if oyle be poured thereupon: So the zeal of Monastick men was inflamed the more with the bitter water of affliction, whilst in prosperity the oyle of plenty quenched their piety. So ill a Steward is humane cor∣ruption of outward happinesse, oftner using it to the Receivers hurt, than the Gi∣vers glory.

Notes

• Silver Monks succeeded the former golden ones.
• Fetcht from wandring in the wilderness to dwell toge∣ther.
• The discipline of British 〈◊〉〈◊〉 under S. David.
• a

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hist Eccl. Angl. p. 40.
• Superstition unawares oc∣casioned by them.