1S6 GENERAL HISTORY 



1215, a decree was passed, by advice oflnnocent III., 

 to prevent any new monastic institutions ; and 

 several were suppressed. 



In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, it appears 

 from the testimonies of the best writers, that the 

 monks were indolent, illiterate, profligate, and li- 

 centious ; whose views in life were confined to 

 opulence, idleness, and pleasure. The Reformation, 

 however, had manifest influence in restraining their 

 excesses, and making them more circumspect in 

 their external conduct. 



The different orders of the religious, are distin- 

 guished by the colour of their habits; which were 

 white, black, grey, &c. 



Some of the monks were called monks of the 

 chair, others professed monks, and others lay monks ; 

 which last were destined for the service of the con- 

 vent, and had neither clericate nor literature. To 

 these were added uncloistered monks, who, not- 

 withstanding resided in the house ; but are so 

 called, in opposition to such monks as had benefi- 

 ces depending on the monasteries to which they 

 belonged. 



As has been before stated, the monks were first 

 laymen, and were only distinguished from the rest 

 of the people by a peculiar habit, and extraordinary 

 devotion : but pope Syriceus called them to the 

 clericate; there being a scarcity of priests : since 

 which time the priesthood has been usually united 

 to the monastical profession. 



In this country, religious houses were very nu- 

 merous : they were built at different times ; and 



