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CHAP. II. Of the Reformation of the Ecclesiastical Order.
Which represents the ill State of the Church at the beginning of the King's Reign; the Present State thereof; and what is necessary to be done to put it in that in which it ought to be.
WHEN I remember to have seen Gentle∣men and other Lay Persons, in my Youth, who held not only the major part of Priories and Abbies, but also of Cures and Bishoprick in Com∣mendam; and when I consider that in my first Years there was such a Licentiousness in Monaste∣ries of both Sexes, that nothing but Scandals and ill Examples were met with in places where Edifi∣cation was to be look'd for, I own that it is no small Satisfaction to me, to see those Disorders ab∣solutely banish'd under your Majesty's Reign; and that the said Tenures and the Disorders of Mona∣steries are scarcer than lawful Possessions and Or∣derly Communities were at that time.
The best Method, in my Opinion, for your Ma∣jesty to continue and to increase that Blessing, is to take a particular Care to place Persons of Merit and of exemplary Lives, in Bishopricks; to bestow Abbies and other simple Benefices of your Nomi∣nation on Persons of Probity; to deprive those who lead Licentious Lives in so holy a Station, as that is which unites men particularly to God; of your Sight and Favours, and to make an exem∣plary punishment of the Scandalous.