Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/95

 As a consequence of these reforms, more interest was taken in the subject of religion than ever before, and especial interest was taken in the reading of the Bible. This last fact ultimately led to many wrangles, and so bitter were they that Henry was fearful of the results. Already he had requested that the Holy Scriptures should not be made a subject of discussion. But now "the king complained," says Mr. Hore, "that the Bible was made the cause of wrangles and disputes in every tavern and ale-house." To give a check to these displays of temper then, Henry passed and put into force the six Articles, the whip with six strings, to which I have already referred.

I must now turn to the state of affairs in the time of Edward VI. In his reign further changes were made, but they were of a more revolutionary character. Edward was really a Protestant, but he was a mere boy, and was guided by such men as the Protector Somerset, who practically steered the ship of State. "The Reformation now," says Mr. Hore, "became deformation and spoliation." The people severely rebelled against such sudden changes as were made. Once more the hand of the spoiler was placed upon the Church's property. Chantries were destroyed. At one time it was the Protector's intention to pull down our beautiful Westminster Abbey, that the site might be used to build a palace for himself. He was only turned from his purpose by gifts of money. He did destroy the town houses several of the Bishops to make room for his own servants. Five or six more Abbeys were appropriated, and amongst these was the magnificent Abbey of Glastonbury, now a