The evolving reputation of Richard Hooker : an examination of responses to the Ecclesiastical Polity, 1640-1714
This thesis considers the contribution of seventeenth-century responses to the Polity towards the creation of Hooker's Anglican identity. It begins with an examination of the growing tensions between the old Refonned understanding of Hooker, and the new Laudian desire to comprehend the Polity as the expression of a distinctive doctrinal religious settlement. Although the dominance of the latter group was temporarily eclipsed by the Civil War it was their understanding of Hooker which emerged as the authentic opinion of the English Church at the Restoration. The examination of the Restoration response to Hooker considers how his recently established image as an Anglican father was perpetuated, the methods used to suppress rival assessments, and the weaknesses of this interpretation. The accession of the Catholic James effectively challenged the Restoration Hooker-sponsored belief in passive obedience, and challenged his Anglican credentials through the large numbers of Catholics who cited the Polity in support of the Roman Church. The long term effects of this upon Hooker are evaluated during the reign of William and Mary. The Whig desire to justify William encouraged them to exploit Hooker's belief in an original
Brydon, Michael Andrew
Reformation England
The evolving reputation of Richard Hooker : an examination of responses to the Ecclesiastical Polity, 1640-1714. This thesis considers the contribution of seventeenth-century responses to the Polity towards the creation of Hooker's Anglican identity. It begins with an examination of the growing tensions between the old Refonned understanding of Hooker, and the new Laudian desire to comprehend the Polity as the expression of a distinctive doctrinal religious settlement. Although the dominance of the latter group was temporarily eclipsed by the Civil War it was their understanding of Hooker which emerged as the authentic opinion of the English Church at the Restoration. The examination of the Restoration response to Hooker considers how his recently established image as an Anglican father was perpetuated, the methods used to suppress rival assessments, and the weaknesses of this interpretation. The accession of the Catholic James effectively challenged the Restoration Hooker-sponsored belief in passive obedience, and challenged his Anglican credentials through the large numbers of Catholics who cited the Polity in support of the Roman Church. The long term effects of this upon Hooker are evaluated during the reign of William and Mary. The Whig desire to justify William encouraged them to exploit Hooker's belief in an original
evolve reputation hooker examination response ecclesiastical polity considers seventeenth_century response polity towards creation hooker anglican identity begin_examination grow tension old hooker new desire comprehend polity expression distinctive doctrinal religious settlement although dominance latter group temporarily eclipse civil war hooker emerge authentic opinion english church restoration examination restoration response hooker consider recently establish image anglican father perpetuate method_use suppress rival assessment weaknesses interpretation accession catholic james effectively challenge restoration hooker belief passive obedience challenge anglican credential large_number catholics cite polity support roman church long_term effect_upon hooker evaluate reign william mary whig desire justify william encourage exploit hooker belief original