Against the Excesses
of
Puritanism
The Rise of Puritanism
Puritanism’s Tenets
Puritanism’s Tenets
(Cont’d)
XXIII. Of Ministering in the Congregation
It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of public preaching,
or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully
called, and sent to execute the same.
And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen
and called to this work by men who have public authority given unto them in the
Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's vineyard.
XXV. Of the Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men's
profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of
grace, and God's good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in
us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in
him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to
say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance,
Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of
the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the
Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not
like nature of Sacraments with Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, for that they
have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments are not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried
about, but that we should duly use them.
And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome
effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to
themselves damnation, as Saint Paul saith.
XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church
It is not necessary that the Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or
utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed
according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that
nothing be ordained against God's Word. Whosoever,
through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the
Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of
God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked
openly, (that others may fear to do the like,) as he that offendeth against the
common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and
woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.
Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and
abolish, Ceremonies or Rites of the Church ordained only by man's authority, so
that all things be done to edifying.
XXXVI. Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers
The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops, and Ordering of Priests
and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at
the same time by authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to
such Consecration and Ordering; neither hath it any thing, that of itself is
superstitious and ungodly. And therefore
whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that Book, since
the second year of the forenamed King Edward unto this time, or hereafter shall
be consecrated or ordered according to the same Rites; we decree all such to be
rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered.
XXXVII. Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates
(1571)
The King's Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other his
Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm, whether
they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor
ought to be, subject to any foreign Jurisdiction. Where we attribute to the King's Majesty the
chief government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous
folks to be offended; we give not our Princes the ministering either of God's
Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set
forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify; but that only
prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in
holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and
degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or
Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and
evil‑doers.
The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England.
The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and
grievous offenses.
It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear
weapons, and serve in the wars.
XXXVII. Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates (1801,
USA)
The Power of the Civil Magistrate extendeth to all men, as well Clergy as
Laity, in all things temporal; but hath no authority in things purely
spiritual. And we hold it to be the duty
of all men who are professors of the Gospel, to pay respectful obedience to the
Civil Authority, regularly and legitimately constituted.
Richard Hooker
Richard Hooker
(1554-1600)
Early Life & Career
The Temple Church
Richard Hooker & Walter
Travers
Of the Laws of
Ecclesiastical Polity
“The Church hath authority
to establish that for an order at one time, at which another time it may
abolish, and in both do well . . . Laws touching matter of order are
changeable, by the power of the Church; articles concerning doctrine are not so
. . .
Be it in matter of the one
kind or the other [doctrine or order], what Scripture doth plainly deliver, to
that first place both of credit and obedience is due; the next whereunto is
whatsoever any man can necessarily conclude by force of reason; after these the
voice of the Church succeedeth. That which the Church by her ecclesiastical
authority shall probably think and define to be true or good, must in congruity
of reason over-rule all other inferior judgments whatsoever.
Richard Hooker, The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, V.8:2
Hooker’s Principles
Discussion Question
How should Richard Hooker’s authorities of Scripture, Reason and Tradition
continue to guide Anglicans today?