OF MONASTERIES, &C. 135 



bt>r of churches, by giving them the privilege of 

 appointing the ministers who were to officiate in 

 them. 



In making some further observations on monastic 

 institutions, we may observe, that in consequence 

 of the persecutions which attended the first stages 

 of the gospel, some Christians were forced to retire 

 from the world, and live in deserts and unfrequent- 

 ed places, in hopes of finding that comfort in those 

 situations, which was denied them amongst men. 



This being the case with some very extraordina- 

 ry persons, their example gave s,o much reputation 

 to retirement, that the practice continued, when the 

 reason of its commencement ceased. 



The monastic orders were at first under the im- 

 mediate jurisdiction of bishops, from which they 

 were exempted by the Roman pontiff, about the end 

 of the seventh century ; and the monks in return 

 devoted themselves wholly to advance the interest, 

 and to maintain the dignity of the bishop of Rome. 

 This immunity which they obtained, was a 

 fruitful source of licentiousness and disorder, and 

 occasioned the greatest part of the vices, with which 

 they were afterwards so justly charged. But not- 

 withstanding all this, they were respected with the 

 highest veneration. Several kings and emperors 

 called them to their courts, and employed them in 

 civil affairs of the greatest moment. 



In the eleventh century, they were exempted by 

 the Popes, from the authority of sovereigns ; and 

 new orders of monks were continually established ; 

 insomuch that in the council of Lateran, held in 



