SOURCE: Stanwood, P. G. “Richard Hooker's Discourse and the Deception of Posterity.” In English Renaissance Prose: History, Language, and Politics, edited by Neil Rhodes, pp. 75-90. Tempe, Ariz.: Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies, 1997.

In the following essay, Stanwood surveys the critical reaction toOf the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, arguing that various groups have interpreted Hooker's writings to serve their own ends.

Though for no other cause, yet for this; that posteritie may know we have not loosely through silence permitted things to passe away as in a dreame, there shall be for mens information extant thus much concerning the present state of the Church of God established amongst us, and their carefull endevour which woulde have upheld the same.

—Richard Hooker, opening statement to “A Preface” Of the Lawes of Ecclesiasticall Politie (1593)

Clarendon begins his history by recalling Hooker's opening words, directing them to a time of disappointed...