Of the first Institution of Monks.
THose who have writ of this Subject have produced for In the Proem. Examples of the Monastick Life, out of the Old Testament, Samuel, Elias, and the Sons of the Prophets; and out of the New, St. John the Baptist, and our Saviour Christ himself, who exhorted his Disciples to leave all Secular concerns and follow him. After his Ascention the Apostles and Disciples lived in common; But after the Apostles were martyr'd, some Christians retain'd Property; others still endeavour'd to continue the Apostolick Life, and live in Common: such were the Monks in Egypt; Anthony, Hilarion, Macarius, &c. After them St. Jerome, St. Augustin, till at last St. Benedict in the year 516. at Mount=Cassin, writ his Rule, which was approved by the whole Church.
Of the Rules of Monks, and other Religious Persons there have been several Authors, some of the Principle were, St. Basil, who writ his Rule for Monks, Anno Dom. 350. St. Angustin Bishop of Hippo made a Rule for Canons Regular, Anno Dom. 400. St. Benedict, before-mention'd, about Anno 516. St. Bruno, for Carthusians, An. 1083. Robert an Abbot in Burgundy instituted the Cistercians, An. 1098. Norbert, the Premonstratenses An. 1120. In the same year began also the Hospitallers and Templers. St. Gilbert of Sempringham founded his Order, An. 1148. St. Dominick, An. 1198. St. Francis 1260. The Carmelites were settled and establisht by Pope Martin, An. Dom. 1279.
Kings of this Land who have become Monks.
Petroc, King of Wales; Constantine, King of Cornwall; Sebby, Offa, and Sigebert, Kings of the East-Saxons; Ethelred, and Kynred, Kings of Mercia; Coelwulph, and Edbricht, Kings of Northumberland.
