THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTORY. The death of Elizabeth an epoch-Providential overruling in the Chap. I. English Reformation-Its conservative character-Importance of this Personal character of the rulers in the Reformationera not favourable to it-Great services of Archbishop Whitgift-Poverty of parochial clergy-Church dragged into persecution by State; but in some points deserving blame-Horrible treatment of the fanatics-Guilt of the Queen-Arbitrariness of her rule-The Church affected by it-Great advantage to the Church of the reign of Edward VI.-Want of popular sympathy with the Established Church - The PuritansChange in the ground of controversy between them and the Church-Beginning of the assertion of Episcopacy by divine right-Opinions on the Predestinarian doctrines-Doctrine of the Eucharist-Of the observance of the Lord's Day-State kept by the Bishops-Adulation used by Bishops-Court of High Commission-Difficulties of all parties-Puritan expectations from James-His real views of the Puritans-Importance of the character of the king-A review of king James's writings Paraphrase on Apocalypse; Treatise on Demonology; Basilicon Doron; True law of free Monarchies; Counterblast to Tobacco; Apology for Oath of Allegiance; Treatise against Vorstius; Against Cardinal Perron; Meditations on Lord's Prayer-Character of his writings-His opinions and character-Chief divines at this period-Bilson's Treatise on Chap. I. The death of Elizabeth an epoch. Church Government-Field "of the Church"-Controversy forced upon our divines-Bishop Andrewes's Sermons-Want of earnestness prevalent in the Church-Strange doctrines in Bishop Andrewes's sermons-Controversial and Political character of the Church gives great advantage to Puritans-The Romanists-Hardships of their condition-Difficulties through which the Church had to pass-Danger of power to the Church. HE death of Elizabeth marks an epoch in the history of the English Church. The period of the Reformation is past. The Church having learnt a theology and a ritual, having withstood the buffetings of Papist and Puritan, is able to dispense with the support of the vigorous hand which upheld it, and to stand by its own strength. In the quiet last years of the great Queen's reign, the historian is able to find a moment's breathing-time, and to cast his eyes back over the struggles of near a century. He can trace Providential the Providential overruling so manifest throughout overruling in all the period of convulsion-selfish and evil motives Reformation. producing good and useful results-a time of poli the English tical weakness allowing opportunity for a great religious work-the bitterness of fanatical murderings giving the strength of a baptism in blood-the haughty arbitrariness of tyranny directed in a channel of profit and glory to the nation. While he will find much to censure throughout all the period, he will also be able to recognise great argument for praise, and to look back with the glance of affectionate gratitude to the men, who, in those troublous times, amidst the deep upheavings of all the ancient landmarks, had the sense to see, Chap. I. and the firmness to hold fast, the good things of old. tive charac ter. of this. The change of religion in this country was brought about by the action of the Government, not, as in Scotland and Germany, by popular movement and impulse. The considerable insurrections under Henry VIII., Edward, and Elizabeth, testify that the humbler classes clung much to the old faith. It was the policy of the rulers backed by the support of the intelligence of the nation which carried forward the Reformation. To this the change of religion owes its conservative character. Hence we Its conservawere spared the horrors of an iconoclastic devastation. Hence a calmly considered ritual became possible, and the forms of primitive antiquity were preserved to us. We can scarcely over-estimate Importance the importance of this. In the certain conflict of opinions which arises when the deep thoughts of the heart are stirred, it is much to have saved the creeds and formularies of venerable age, in which humble and loving souls can contentedly acquiesce. It is much not to be driven to construct afresh all the fundamentals of religion. It is much to have some first principles on which to build a character impressed both on theology and ritual, which shall give a distinctive mark to the struggling Church, a purpose and a meaning to the efforts of its defenders. This, which has been denied to the Presbyterian Reformed Churches, was happily permitted to the Church of England. Reforming slowly and calmly under the shadow of power; not driven in Chap. I. Personal cha rulers in the era not favourable. a moment of excitement to cast off everything, and to rush wildly into the extreme most opposite to the old tainted superstition, the divines of the Reformation were able to conserve with a moderation which we cannot too much admire. They were able to avoid drawing over-tightly the necessary definitions and limits of conformity,* and to take in with a glance of comprehensive wisdom all the different elements for which they had to find a place in their system. How many thoughtful and holy men how many Hookers, and Herberts, and Hammonds, and Kens-names canonized in the affections of all good churchmen-do we owe to this calm wisdom! Great, however, as was the advantage of reformracter of the ing under the shadow of power, it is nevertheless Reformation- to be noted, on the other side, that the personal character of the rulers who promoted the change of religion was not the most suitable for a calm and temperate review of the fundamentals of our faith. It is probable that the majority of Englishmen will ever regard Henry VIII. as a lustful and cruel tyrant, who had no definite religious purpose save the reckless assertion of his own will; and in spite of all that has been written to the contrary, we believe that the popular verdict is the true one. Elizabeth, with her arbitrary vigour, her unhesitating seizure of Church property, and her unscrupulous tyrannising over Churchmen, must have * "Children's clothes ought to be made of the biggest, because afterwards their bodies will grow up to their garments."-Fuller. |