Abstract
Scholars have hitherto treated Bridges's Defenceprimarily as an apology for the Church of England in the later 1580s. This essay, however, assesses this text with respect to Bridges's self-declared intention to offer a persuasive work that would convince presbyterians to conform to the Church of England. Bridges strongly backs scriptural Christianity while strenuously rejecting the scriptural perfectionism he finds in Theodore Beza. Instead, he argues that new dispensations comprehend the unchanging natural qualities of human society and earthly government. Moreover, early Christian Fathers understood this. In the DefenceBridges uses the early Church's ambiguities as much as its authority to form a relatively labile, discursive space necessary for his persuasive efforts.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
