Short Studies on Great SubjectsFroude, James Anthony
Religion
Short Studies on Great Subjects
Froude, James Anthony
English essays; English literature; History; Religion -- Biography
Nevertheless, for no little time, during which you have presided in
the same monastery, you and certain of your fellow-monks and
brethren (whose blood, it is feared, through your neglect, a severe
Judge will require at your hand) have relaxed the measure and form
of religious life; you have laid aside the pleasant yoke of
contemplation, and all regular observances--hospitality, alms, and
those other offices of piety which of old time were exercised and
ministered therein have decreased, and by your faults, your
carelessness, your neglect and deed, do daily decrease more and
more, and cease to be regarded--the pious vows of the founders are
defrauded of their just intent--the ancient rule of your order is
deserted; and not a few of your fellow-monks and brethren, as we
most deeply grieve to learn, giving themselves over to a reprobate
mind, laying aside the fear of God, do lead only a life of
lasciviousness--nay, as is horrible to relate, be not afraid to
defile the holy places, even the very churches of God, by infamous
intercourse with nuns, &c. &c.
You yourself, moreover, among other grave enormities and abominable
crimes whereof you are guilty, and for which you are noted and
diffamed, have, in the first place, admitted a certain married
woman, named Elena Germyn, who has separated herself without just
cause from her husband, and for some time past has lived in adultery
with another man, to be a nun or sister in the house or Priory of
Bray, lying, as you pretend, within your jurisdiction. You have next
appointed the same woman to be prioress of the said house,
notwithstanding that her said husband was living at the time, and is
still alive. And finally, Father Thomas Sudbury, one of your brother
monks, publicly, notoriously, and without interference or punishment
from you, has associated, and still associates, with this woman as
an adulterer with his harlot.
Moreover, divers other of your brethren and fellow-monks have
resorted, and do resort, continually to her and other women at the
same place, as to a public brothel or receiving house, and have
received no correction therefor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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