The Pillars of Priestcraft Shaken: The Church of England and Its Enemies, 1660-1730First published in 1992, this book examines the intellectual confrontation between priest and Freethinker from 1660 to 1730, and the origins of the early phase of the Enlightenment in England. Through an analysis of the practice of historical writing in the period, Champion maintains that historical argument was a central component for displaying defences of true religion. Taking religion, and specifically defences of the Church of England after 1660, as central to the politics of the period, the first two chapters of the book explore the varieties of clericalist histories, arguing that there were rival emphases upon regnum or sacerdos as the font of true religion. The remainder of the book examines how radical Freethinkers like John Toland or the third Earl of Shaftesbury set about attacking the corrupt priestcraft of established religion, but also importantly promoted a reforming civil theology. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Ars historica | 25 |
Arimathea to Cranmer | 53 |
Historia monotheistica | 99 |
Prisca theologia | 133 |
Civil theology | 170 |
From theology to ethics | 196 |
Conclusion | 223 |
Bibliography | 237 |
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Common terms and phrases
ancient Anglican argued argument attempted authority belief Bishop Blount body British Burnet Cambridge central century chapter Christ Christian Church Church of England Cicero cited civil claims classical clergy clerical Collections commented common Concerning considered continued corrupt created defence directed discussion divine doctrine early edition England English Enlightenment established evidence examine example fact faith Harrington Heylyn High historian History Hobbes human Ibid idea important independent insisted institution intention interest interpretation Islam issue John King Letters Mahomet manuscript matter moral Moyle nature Note notion opinion original Oxford particular passions period philosophy polemic political practice premise presented priest principles published radical reader reason Reformation religion religious Republican Restoration Rhetoric Roman Shaftesbury social society Socinian soul Stillingfleet Studies suggested theology Thomas thought Toland tradition translation true truth Unitarian University Vindication virtue volumes worship writing wrote