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Show Ill "Is it asking so much to allow men freedom to worship as they see fit?" returned Lathrop. "That kind of freedom could spawn churches on every corner, all preaching and practicing something different at every minister's whim! No, John Lathrop, that's not an alternative for England. In ecclesiastical matters men should obey, not question. After all, we worship the same God, we use the same scriptures--the differences are not worth creating a dissension." Bishop Laud was horrified at the thought of allowing churches to arise at will. "If the differences are so insignificant, then why do you not allow us the privilege of a few differences?" queried Lathrop. "Because they interfere with his Majesty's decree that there can be only one church in England!" Laud noticed a smile creeping into the corners of Tomlinson's mauth. "Tomlinson, leave us!" After the pursuivant exited, the Bishop regained his composure and spoke once more condescendingly to Lathrop. "Reverend Lathrop, I'm giving you an opportunity to save yourself. Are you going to reject it?" "Save myself? By returning to candles and crucifixes? To bowing before altars? To being restricted to saying prayers only from the prayer book? What you call saving myself, I call idolatry. I agree with' Bastwick that the Church is as full of ceremonies as a,dog is full of fleas," was Lathrop's brazen reply. |
