A Place Truly Fitted For
Contemplation, A Happy And Delightful Spot, Fully Competent, From
Its First Establishment, To Supply All
Its own wants, had not the
extravagance of English luxury, the pride of a sumptuous table, the
increasing growth of
Intemperance and ingratitude, added to the
negligence of its patrons and prelates, reduced it from freedom to
servility; and if the step-daughter, no less enviously than
odiously, had not supplanted her mother.
It seems worthy of remark, that all the priors who were hostile to
this establishment, died by divine visitation. William, {61} who
first despoiled the place of its herds and storehouses, being
deposed by the fraternity, forfeited his right of sepulture amongst
the priors. Clement seemed to like this place of study and prayer,
yet, after the example of Heli the priest, as he neither reproved
nor restrained his brethren from plunder and other offences, he died
by a paralytic stroke. And Roger, who was more an enemy to this
place than either of his predecessors, and openly carried away every
thing which they had left behind, wholly robbing the church of its
books, ornaments, and privileges, was also struck with a paralytic
affection long before his death, resigned his honours, and lingered
out the remainder of his days in sickness.
In the reign of king Henry I., when the mother church was as
celebrated for her affluence as for her sanctity (two qualities
which are seldom found thus united), the daughter not yet being in
existence (and I sincerely wish she never had been produced), the
fame of so much religion attracted hither Roger, bishop of
Salisbury, who was at that time prime minister; for it is virtue to
love virtue, even in another man, and a great proof of innate
goodness to show a detestation of those vices which hitherto have
not been avoided.
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