work, published by one Fish, called "_The Supplication of
Beggers_." Upon this book being read through in the presence
of Henry, the latter observed, shrewdly enough, "If a man
should pull down an old stone wall, and begin at the lower
part, the upper part thereof might chance to fall upon his
head." "And then he took the book, and put it into his desk,
and commanded them, upon their allegiance, that they should
not tell to any man that he had seen this book." Fox's _Book
of Martyrs_; vol. ii., p. 280: edit. 1641. Sir Thomas More
answered this work (which depicted, in frightful colours,
the rapacity of the Roman Catholic clergy), in 1529; see my
edition of the latter's _Utopia_; vol. i., xciii.]

[Footnote 304: "These were some of the resolute steps King
Henry made towards the obtaining again this long struggled
for, and almost lost, right and prerogative of kings, in
their own dominions, of being supreme, against the
encroachments of the bishops of Rome. Secretary CROMWEL had
the great stroke in all this. All these counsels and methods
were struck out of his head." Strype's _Ecclesiastical
Memorials_; vol. i., p. 205. When great murmurs ensued, on
the suppression of the monasteries, because of the cessation
of hospitality exercised in them, "CROMWELL advised the king
to sell their lands, at very easie rates, to the gentry in
the several counties, obliging them, since they had them
upon such terms, to keep up the wonted hospitality. This
drew in the gentry apace," &c. Burnet's _Hist. of the
Reformation_; vol. i., p. 223. "ARCHBISHOP CRANMER is said
to have counselled and pressed the king to dissolve the
monasteries; but for other ends (than those of personal
enmity against 'the monks or friars'--or of enriching
himself 'with the spoils' of the same); viz. that, out of
the revenues of these monasteries, the king might found more
bishoprics; and that dioceses, being reduced into less
compass, the diocesans might the better discharge their
office, according to the scripture and primitive
rules.----And the archbishop hoped that, from these ruins,
there would be new foundations in every cathedral erected,
to be nurseries of learning for the use of the whole
diocese." Strype's _Life of Archbishop Cranmer_, p. 35.]

[Footnote