Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
From what I can gather, Andrew Willet was not advocating wholesale reform of the Church of England's polity, but even he had serious issues with Richard Hooker's views on various subjects (even if some of his criticisms do seem to have been a bit unfair). In fact, he believed that Hooker was undermining the doctrine of the English Church with some of his arguments:
... We have made choice therefore of a few principal things, which trouble many godly minded Christians, who advisedly read over your books, that by the sincere answering and upright clearing of them, you might satisfy us all, both in them and in all the rest, and free your self from all suspicion of falsehood or treachery, and make us able to give a reason of defence unto all such as stumble at your writings. And for your better ease herein, and our more ready satisfaction, we have compared your positions and assertions in your long discourses, unto the articles of religion set forth An̄. Dn̄i 1562. and confirmed by Parliament the 13. of her Majesty’s most blessed & joyful reign, and unto the Apologies of such Reverend Fathers and chief pillars of our church, as from time to time since the Gospel began to shine among us, have written and preached, and every way laboured to advance and defend the same, with the Liturgy & church government established among us. ...
For more, see Andrew Willet on Richard Hooker’s Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity and the doctrine of the English Church.
... We have made choice therefore of a few principal things, which trouble many godly minded Christians, who advisedly read over your books, that by the sincere answering and upright clearing of them, you might satisfy us all, both in them and in all the rest, and free your self from all suspicion of falsehood or treachery, and make us able to give a reason of defence unto all such as stumble at your writings. And for your better ease herein, and our more ready satisfaction, we have compared your positions and assertions in your long discourses, unto the articles of religion set forth An̄. Dn̄i 1562. and confirmed by Parliament the 13. of her Majesty’s most blessed & joyful reign, and unto the Apologies of such Reverend Fathers and chief pillars of our church, as from time to time since the Gospel began to shine among us, have written and preached, and every way laboured to advance and defend the same, with the Liturgy & church government established among us. ...
For more, see Andrew Willet on Richard Hooker’s Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity and the doctrine of the English Church.
