ad flatly refused a favour to the monk who
superintended the priory-farm.

"I will not have your beasts in my orchard," he had said roughly. "You
are not my masters."

The congregations too were visibly declining, as the guest-master had
said. The great nave beyond the screen looked desolate in the
summer-mornings, as the sunlight lay in coloured patches on the wide
empty pavement between the few faithful gathered in front, and the half
dozen loungers who leaned in the shadow of the west wall--men who
fulfilled their obligation of hearing mass, with a determination to do
so with the least inconvenience to themselves, and who scuffled out
before the blessing.

It was evident that the tide of faith and reverence was beginning to ebb
even in the quiet country towns.

As the summer drew on the wider world too had its storms. A fierce
sermon was preached at the opening of Convocation, by Dr. Latimer, now
Bishop of Worcester, at the express desire of the Archbishop, that
scourged not only the regular but the secular clergy as well. The sermon
too was more furiously Protestant than any previously preached on such
an occasion; pilgrimages, the stipends for masses, image-worship, and
the use of an unknown tongue in divine service, were alike denounced as
contrary to the "pure gospel." The phrases of Luther were abundantly
used in the discourse; and it was evident, from the fact that no public
censure fell upon the preacher, that Henry's own religious views had
developed since the day that he had published his attack on the foreign
reformers.

The proceedings of Convocation confirmed the suspicion that the sermon
aroused. With an astonishing compliance the clergy first ratified the
decree of nullity in the matter of Anne's marriage with the King,
disclaimed obedience to Rome, and presented a list of matters for which
they requested reform. In answer to this last point the King, assisted
by a couple of bishops, sent down to the houses, a month later, a paper
of articles to which the clergy instantly agreed. These articles
proceeded in the direction of Protestantism through omission rather than
affirmation. Baptism, Penance and the Sacrament of the Altar were spoken
of in Catholic terms; the other four sacraments were omitted altogether;
on the other hand, again, devotion to saints, image-worship, and prayers
for the departed were enjoined with important qualifications.

Finally it was agreed to support the King in his refus