131: GENERAL HISfORY 



of which the one received the denomination of 

 Crenobites, and the other that of Eremites. The 

 former lived in a fixed habitation, and made up one 

 large community, under a chief whom they called 

 father, or abbot : the latter drew out wretched lives 

 in perfect solitude, and were scattered here and 

 there, in caves, in desert?, and in the hollows of 

 rocks ; sheltered from the wild beasts, only, by the 

 cover of a miserable cottage; in which each one 

 lived sequestered from the rest of his species. 



These different orders were hitherto composed of 

 the laity, and were subject to the jurisdiction and 

 inspection of the bishops ; but many of them now 

 became adopted amongst the clergy ; and that even 

 by the command of the emperors. 



The fame of monastic piety and sanctity, became 

 PO universal, that bishops were frequently chosen 

 out of them. No sooner had Constantine abolished 

 the superstition of his ancestors, than magnificent 

 churches Mere every where erected. Some were 

 built over the tombs of martyrs, and were frequent- 

 ed only at stated times ; whilst others were set 

 apart ibr the ordinary assemblies of Christians in 

 divine worship; and at this time it was looked upon 

 as an essential part of religion, to have in every 

 country a multitude of churches : and here we must 

 look for the origin of what is called right of patron- 

 age ; which MBS introduced with no other view, 

 than to encourage the opulent to erect a great num- 



In nunneries, there was a correspondence of all these 

 offices and officers. 



BURTON'S MONASTICOW. 



