Laud, William

A Relation of the Conference Between William Laud, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr. Fisher the Jesuit, by the Command of King James

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... as the infallible rule; the Bishop reiterating that the only rule is Scripture. The Jesuit then recommences. The Church is a kingdom and must Itave a king. Laud answers that Christ is t/ie only King, and that He rules through an aristocratic system of Bishops; that for t/ie first six centuries at all events this was acknowledged; and that the great Patriarchs were treated as equal. It is also necessary that the Church should have no earthly head, for such a monarch must come into collision with the temporal monarchs; e.g. it would be so in France and Spain unless the Pope were as he is the mere tool of the Sovereign. And if there is to be one spiritual monarch, men will want next one temporal monarch; no doubt the Jesuits would like to put all countries under the King of Spain: the system of Innocent III. was a Pope and an J mperor, answering to the Sun and Moon. Laud then examines the position of the Jewish kings under the Law; and points out that the early Church always recognised the authority of kings. This is t/te principle of the English Church. Laud then argues that just as in England and other free countries, no change can be made in the laws except by Parliament; so in the Church no changes should be made except by a Council. Councils must rule the Church. Fisher asks why the English do not acknowledge the Council Impossible Conditions Ml of Trentf Tie reply is tiat tiat Camndlwas (l) V iegil-.0.wr it Srmarrogated to itself tie right to desidt questions vijmt SsripSxrt and L (b) simce the Pope, who truj erne of tit parties, votim, .vjuw tie right to preside; nor (2) sruj it general; iiert Bytv ai1 fTs&r/-.- /ii Eastern Ciurcies, EngUnd su; Iv rrpntsenitii, and Frame xvy...