Digital Logos Edition
This first volume includes biographical information about the life of Hooker, providing valuable context before delving into his theological treatises. Hooker's most famous essay, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity is included in this work. Some of the topics Hooker covers in this work are harmony of the Old and New Testaments, the goodness of the laws and traditions, differences between laws of men and God, use of Scripture in daily life, glorifying God as a way of life, purifying faith, the evils of complacency, and the place of human authority in the life of a Christian.
“. That little thereof which we darkly apprehend we admire, the rest with religious ignorance we humbly and meekly adore.” (Page 204)
“men will not bend their wits to examine whether things wherewith they have been accustomed be good or evil.” (Page 235)
“baptizing infants: these with such other principal points, the necessity whereof is by none denied” (Pages 268–269)
“the Church is always a visible society of men; not an assembly, but a society.” (Page 351)
Richard Hooker (1554–1600) was born in England. He was an Anglican theologian and priest known for promoting reason and tradition. Hooker wrote extensively on the relationship between Church and State, as well as well interpretation, salvation, and morality. Considered one of the greatest influences on Anglicanism, Hooker was a proponent of Thomas Aquinas. He was acclaimed by Elizabeth I and James I.