- ...
Seale) was rather borne about him, than worn on his finger.
- 7. Re-edified by devout persons:] It is out of doubt that Papists con∣tributed
many pretious Utensils unto these Orders, as also that they were
bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habita∣tion;
but by Sanders his leave. No visible refunding of land doth appear.
Which if he had known of, no doubt he would have told posterity, as
tending (according to his principles) so much to the credit of those per∣sons.
I say again (though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus
in them) yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly
as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any at∣tendants,
as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former
Order. No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute (though formerly
solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of
England to Rome) would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex, or
poor Priory of Barnewell, nigh Cambridge, &c. but kept all his pluralities
in that nature, though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those
of his own Religion.
- 8. The Catholick Princes:] Meaning Philip and Mary, and surely
though we cannot insist on the particulars, that Kings inclinations are suf∣ficiently
known: zealous for the promoting of His own Religion.
However, it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the
hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England, fearing in processe of time
a reverting of them to their former use; the rather because Cardinall Poole in
that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners (without the
passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned, Papistry could not have
been restored in that Parliament) did not, as some think, absolve their consciences
from restitution, But onely made a palliate cure, the Church but suspending that
power, which in due time she might put in execution.
3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys, which still were extant,
entire, looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them. In
prevention whereof such as possest them for the present, plucked out their eyes, by
levelling them to the ground, and shaving from them (as much as they could)
all Abbey-Characters, disguising them (as much as might be) in a Lay-habit,
matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure, because on this very
motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation.
4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire, (a certain information where∣of
I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel
Roper of Lincolnes-Inne, how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon▪ Abbey
in Derby-shire, alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys
again (and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have) upon a Sun∣day
(belike, the better day, the better deed) called together the Carpenters and Ma∣sons
of that County, and plucked down in one day (Church-work is a cripple in
going up, but rides post in coming down) a most beautifull Church belonging
thereunto, adding, He would destroy the Nest, for fear the Birds should build therein
again.
5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary, a Protestant may
begin, I say, Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any
instanced
in by Sanders for the relief of poor people: First, because poor, qua
poor may be said to be Jure Divino: The rich and poor meet together, and the
Lord maketh them both. Not onely as Creatour of their persons, but Assigner of
their conditions. Besides, the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the
words of our Saviour, The poor ye have alwaies with you: but more properly
hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary.