Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/90

 taken, accepted and reputed, the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia." A little later in the Lecture we shall notice what this title "Supreme Head of the Church of England" meant, as understood by the clergy.

After this great Act of the Reformation, then, the Pope's authority was no longer to be recognized in our land. The king was, in a sense, to take his place. This explains why the fortunes of religion in England in the next few generations depended largely upon the religious character of the reigning Sovereign.

In continuing to relate the changes in the Church in Henry's time, we might in the next place refer to the wholesale destruction of the Monasteries. Cromwell, Henry's minister, was chiefly concerned in this.

It is perfectly true that many of the Monasteries of this time had sunk into a terrible state of vice and corruption. But they were not all given over to licentiousness. Some of them were doing excellent work in educating the poor and administering to the corporal wants of the sick and needy. But Henry grew rapacious. He saw behind the walls of the Monasteries an immense store of wealth. The Monasteries, we must remember, were staunch supporters of the Pope, and therefore they defied Henry's supremacy. Accordingly a Commission was appointed to visit them and to report upon their state and work. Two eagle-eyed men, Legh and Leyton, were appointed to the business. The result of their labours was put before Parliament in what was called the "Black Book." It was clearly to be seen that the smaller Monasteries were given over to revel and debauchery. Their