You find Luther attacking monastic life, even though he's been part of it and has been brought up in the Augustinian order, but saying monastic vows are not only unnecessary, but they are harmful to salvation.
Don Gaston readily chimed in with his Lady's wishes: But knowing the sentiments of the Duke, his Brother, respecting a Monastic life, it was determined that your Sister's destination should be carefully concealed from him.
Better instructed in the disgust and ennui of a monastic life, Agnes had penetrated the designs of the Domina: She trembled for the innocent Girl, and endeavoured to make her sensible of her error.
Around 40 monks lived in the Abbey until it was dissolved in 1541 by Henry VIII and the abbey church became the Cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Chester.
Understand that the author is trying to bring you into the monastic pace of life, and the seemingly smaller concerns of the monks at the center of his story.
The German aristocracy are no longer interested in leading that kind of quasi-monastic life, and especially as that devotional element, that crusading element, has been compromised to some extent.