eucharist in one kind only, in allowing private
masses, and in requiring the celibacy of the clergy.[*]

* Collier, vol. ii. p. 145, from the Cott. Lib. Cleopatra,
E. 5, fol 173.

Henry would by no means acknowledge any error in these particulars; and
was displeased that they should pretend to prescribe rules to so great
a monarch and theologian. He found arguments and syllogisms enough to
defend his cause; and he dismissed the ambassadors without coming to
any conclusion. Jealous, also, lest his own subjects should become
such theologians as to question his tenets, he used great precaution
in publishing that translation of the Scripture which was finished this
year. He would only allow a copy of it to be deposited in some parish
churches, where it was fixed by a chain: and he took care to inform the
people by proclamation, "that this indulgence was not the effect of
his duty, but of his goodness and his liberality to them: who therefore
should use it moderately, for the increase of virtue, not of strife: and
he ordered that no man should read the Bible aloud, so as to disturb
the priest while he sang mass, nor presume to expound doubtful places
without advice from the learned." In this measure, as in the rest, he
still halted half way between the Catholics and the Protestants.

There was only one particular in which Henry was quite decisive; because
he was there impelled by his avarice, or, more properly-speaking, his
rapacity, the consequence of his profusion: this measure was the entire
destruction of the monasteries. The present opportunity seemed favorable
for that great enterprise, while the suppression of the late rebellion
fortified and increased the royal authority; and as some of the
abbots were suspected of having encouraged the insurrection, and of
corresponding with the rebels, the king's resentment was further incited
by that motive. Anew visitation was appointed of all the monasteries in
England; and a pretence only being wanted for their suppression, it was
easy for a prince, possessed of such unlimited power, and seconding the
present humor of a great part of the nation, to find or feign one. The
abbots and monks knew the danger to which they were exposed; and having
learned by the example of the lesser monasteries that nothing
could withstand the king's will, they were most of them induced, in
expectation of better treatment, to make a voluntary resignation of
their houses. Where promises