‘Meddle Not With Them That Are Given to Change’:
Innovation as Evil
Benoît Godin
385 rue Sherbrooke Est
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H2X 1E3
benoit.godin@ucs.inrs.ca
Project on the Intellectual History of Innovation
Working Paper No. 6
2010
2
Working Papers
1. B. Godin, Innovation: the History of a Category.
2. B. Godin, In the Shadow of Schumpeter: W. Rupert Maclaurin and the Study of Technological
Innovation.
3. B. Godin, The Linear Model of Innovation (II): Maurice Holland and the Research Cycle.
4. B. Godin, National Innovation System (II): Industrialists and the Origins of an Idea.
5. B. Godin, Innovation without the Word: William F. Ogburn’s Contribution to Technological Innovation
Studies.
Project on the Intellectual History of Innovation
385 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, Canada, H2X 1E3
Telephone: (514) 499-4074 Facsimile: (514) 499-4065
www.csiic.ca
3
Abstract
Innovation has become a central value of modern society. It has not always been so. As a
matter of fact, innovation had a pejorative connotation for centuries. This paper looks at one
episode of the contested use of the category ‘innovation’. It documents the first controversy
on innovation in the seventeenth century. Starting in the mid-1620s, Henry Burton, a
Church of England minister and Puritan, accused the bishops of innovating in matters of
Church doctrine and discipline, contrary to His Majesty’s instructions. In 1636, Burton
published two of his sermons in a polemical form and was brought before the Court. His
opponents produced answers accusing Burton himself of innovating. Burton had his ears
cut and was sentenced to imprisonment.
The study of this controversy teaches us what innovation meant to contemporaries, the
values it embedded, what uses were made of the category and what the context was from
which Western representations of innovation emerged. One had to wait until the second half
of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century for more positive evaluations of
innovation. The study of the controversy teaches us about both the similarities and the
differences in representations of innovation between the two periods.
4
The opinion of some private man prove not in my poore Logick an
Innovation (…). To make an innovation (…), there must be an unanimous
and general concurrence of minds and men, to let on foote the new and
desert the old; not the particular fancie of one private man (P. Heylin, A
brief and moderate answer to the seditious and scandalous Challenge of
H. Burton, 1637, p. 124).
5
‘Meddle Not With Them That Are Given to Change’:
Innovation as Evil 1
Introduction
In 1548, Edward VI, King of England (1547-53), issued A Proclamation against Those
that Doeth Innovate. The proclamation placed innovation in context, constituted an
admonition not to innovate and imposed punishments on offenders:
Considereing nothing so muche, to tende to the disquieting of his realme, as diversitie of
opinions, and varietie of Rites and Ceremonies, concerning Religion and worshippyng of
almightie God (…); [considering] certain private Curates, Preachers, and other laye men,
contrary to their bounden duties of obedience, both rashely attempte of their owne and
singulet witte and mynde, in some Parishe Churches not onely to persuage the people, from
the olde and customed Rites and Ceremonies, but also bryngeth in newe and strange orders
(…) according to their fantasies (…) is an evident token of pride and arrogance, so it
tendeth bothe to confusion and disorder (…): Wherefore his Majestie straightly chargeth
and commandeth, than no maner persone, of what estate, order, or degree soever he be, of
his private mynde, will or phantasie, do omitte, leave doune, change, alter or innovate any
order, Rite or Ceremonie, commonly used and frequented in the Church of Englande (…).
Whosoever shall offende, contrary to this Proclamation, shall incure his highness
indignation, and suffer imprisonment, and other grievous punishementes.
The proclamation was followed the following year by the Book of Common Prayer
(1549), which established the provision of a public liturgy which could teach the new
doctrine of English Protestantism. The preface, written by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer,
deplored that the whole Bible was not read once every year in the church service because
the order of the ancient Fathers “hath been so altered, broken and neglected by planting in
uncertain stories and legends, with multitude of responds, verses, vain repetitions,
1
Special thanks Markku Peltonen for excellent and detailed comments on a previous draft of this paper.
Thanks also to the participants to a workshop on ‘The Rhetoric of Innovation in Contemporary Society’,
University of Helsinki, 7-8 February 2010, and a seminar on Public Understanding of Science, London
School of Economics, 11 February 2010. Finally, let me mention several colleagues who have read the
paper and have offered most relevant suggestions: Gerald Barnett, Denise Lemieux, Pierre Lucier and
Christine Macleod.
6
commemorations and synodals”. “Here is set forth”, Cranmer wrote, an order “cut off of
anthems, responds, invitatories and such like things as did break the continual course of
the reading of the Scripture”. The preface contained one more rationale on the “diversity”
and “multitude” of practices in the country’s church service and ceremonies and opposed
the “folly” and “innovations and new-fangledness” of some men. “Although the keeping
or omitting of a ceremony, in itself considered, is but a small thing, yet the willful and
contemptuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small
offence before God”. The new order and discipline were enforced with the Act of
Uniformity (1549) which established the First Prayer Book as the only legal form of
worship. “The King’s Majesty (…) hath divers times essayed to stay innovations or new
rites (…) yet hath not had good success”. The act established “uniform rite and order” in
prayer (Book of Common Prayer) and ceremonies and punishments to “offenders” (both
ministers and ordinary people) against the rules. 2
Negative thoughts on innovation would reach their climax in mid-seventeenth century
England. By the early 1600s Protestantism defined the English identity – although
Catholics denied this. However, according to some, there still was no purity of
Protestantism. The idea that innovation in doctrine, discipline and prayer constitutes
superstition and idolatry was shared by many English divines from the Reformation
onward. Innovation came to share a place with heresy in the vocabulary of orthodoxy.
Pejorative representations of innovation (any kind of innovation) would remain the rule
until the second half of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century.
Puritans, among others, took the king’s injunctions seriously. Henry Burton, an English
minister, used the king’s declarations to attack the church hierarchy. “We are
professedly”, wrote Burton, “against all those usurpations and innovations, which the
Prelates of later dayes have haled in by the head and shoulders, being besides and against
the Law and the Land, and much more against the Law of God” (Burton, 1636b: 111). On
November 5, 1636 Burton preached two sermons attacking the bishops for introducing
2
Both the 1549 Act and the preface to the Prayer Book are reproduced in Bray (1994: 266-76). Most other
ancient documents used in this paper are original editions.
7
innovations into the Church of England regarding doctrine, discipline and worship. He
launched a controversy on innovation, indeed the first such. 3
This paper documents the controversy (1636-41). Seventeenth century England was a
period of change in religion despite many decades of effort to establish a new orthodoxy
(Protestantism). The Reformation was still in the making. Tensions, debates and war
characterized the period. The conflicts led to the use of innovation as a category for the
unorthodox, deviants, and transgressors of norms or heretics. Burton accused no less a
personage than the Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud of innovating in matters of
doctrine and discipline, contrary to the established rule. He used the category
‘innovation’ as a polemical weapon against his enemies. His opponents produced (just as
polemical) answers to Burton’s charges, using their arguments to call for censure by the
High Commission, which led to Burton’s imprisonment. Among these opponents were
Peter Heylin and Christopher Dow, two “Laudian” devotees.
The first part of this paper discusses innovation according to this period of history, as
discussed by Henry Burton. 4
It documents the innovations Burton accused the bishops of
grouped under eight headings. The second part of the paper part analyzes what innovation
meant to Burton and discusses why Burton stressed a use of the category different from
the dominant one. The third part of the paper documents the rhetoric used by Burton’s
opponents to bring him before the court. The replies were exactly the opposite of
Burton’s arguments, and add up to accusing him of being the innovator, not they. The last
part of the paper examines what innovation meant to his contemporaries and explains
why it had a pejorative connotation.
No doubt some readers will be put off by the extensive use of cited passages from
original sources, particularly when the texts are written in early modern English, which I
3
In the early 1600s, a “controversy” arose on “abuses” in the Church according to the bishops (The Humble
Petition, 1603). King James rapidly settled the controversy: organizing a conference and issuing a
Proclamation which minimized the “innovations” (James, 1603; Barlow, 1604).
4
Two phamphleteers and sympathizers with Burton’s views that I have not included here are John
Bastwick and William Prynne. To a certain extent, the arguments used are the same as Burton’s. For
example, Prynne produced a pamphlet (News from Ipswich) which was often falsely attributed to Burton at
the time (Prynne, 1636). The latter document is the only one which I have used here.
8
have chosen to leave in the original. My purpose is to give the readers a sense of the
vocabulary used and the rhetoric developed for talking about innovation. One of my
theses being that innovation during this controversy was essentially polemical, I have
deemed it necessary to let the reader experience the ‘tone’ of the polemic. Too often
historical work stops after summarizing the arguments of the time, thus leaving the reader
with an appetite for a more detailed analysis. The intellectual history of concepts is that
of words, their meaning and their uses. Certainly, such a history deals with the context
and the values in which words are embedded and which ‘determine’ meanings and uses. I
have tried to do this here. However, I believe that one cannot write the history of
concepts if he does not, to a certain extent, let the actors speak for themselves. The reader
may have a look at the Appendix before reading this paper. He will get a preliminary idea
of Burton’s language and the range and depth of how innovation is connected to
established social values.
Burton’s Innovations
The complaints against doctrinal innovations emerged in the 1590s and reached a climax
in the 1630s. The 1590s were marked by a sense of change, decay and ferment in English
religious affairs (Milton, 1995: 11). As Anthony Milton put it, the Reformation retained a
structure of worship and administration which had not broken as decisively with the
Roman past as had been the case in other Protestant countries. Unsettled issues were
therefore a subject for constant reinterpretation and recriminations. The accusation of
popery (a return to Rome’s doctrine) characterizes the period. Following Peter Lake,
Milton has suggested that “many of the religious controversies of the period relied on the
manipulation and assimilation of the opponent’s position into an anti-type of either antipopery
or Puritanism” (Milton, 1995: 4; Lake, 1989). To many divines, like the moderate
Puritan Andrew Willet in the late sixteenth century, it was the duty of all the churches of
England to unite against a common enemy – the Church of Rome (rather than against
domestic enemies whom they called puritans). Opposition to Rome (anti-popery) served
several purposes: manifesting one’s commitment to true religion, preventing conversions
to Rome and endearing puritans to the establishment.
9
According to Milton, in order to understand the controversies of the period we must first
“understand how contemporaries understood orthodoxy in the first place and under what
circumstances they were likely to believed they were threatened” by their opponents’
heterodoxy (Milton, 1995: 4). The anti-papal religious controversy prompted the
systematic formulation of differences. There was a broad spectrum of different religious
views, but they were portrayed and understood in a dualistic terminology. Anti-popery
was “a polemical tactic aimed at undermining the position of a rival faction in the
struggle for power and influence” (Milton, 1995: 55), “a channel through which the
church’s own internal conflicts found expression” (Milton, 1995: 92). In this context, any
contrary idea to the established doctrine (the jure divino theory of the government of
bishops – prelates rule the church by divine authority and right –, predestination,
justification, salvation) like those of conformist Richard Hooker or Archbishop Richard
Bancroft, easily led to accusations of popery and … novelty.
Then, in the 1620s, a more skeptical assessment emerged. Anti-popery might be
undermining the Church of England itself. It might be a potential front for seditious
activity and encourage people to uncover popery within the English Church. As a matter
of fact, anti-popery was a label extended to any and all opponents; it conflated an
opponent’s position with that of Rome. Almost all churchmen endured accusations of
anti-popery at one time or another. As a reaction, from King James I (1603-25) onward,
fear of popery thus began to shift to more toleration. The much criticized William Laud
(1573-1645), Archbishop of Canterbury (1633-45) was a pure representative of this view
of ‘negative popery’. He invoked an anti-Romanist opposition against which he defined
himself, because anti-popery threaten to frustrate his efforts to revive and re-establish old
doctrines as well as neglected and more reverent forms of worship and ceremonies. As a
matter of fact, Laud was more preoccupied with the dangers of profanity and sacrilege
than with anti-popery. His campaign against anti-popery was aimed at avoiding offending
potential converts, above all the aristocracy and gentry. The agenda of Laud and the
Laudians combined Arminian views on salvation by works with strict uniformity in
10
worship and an increased emphasis on ceremony and the importance of episcopacy. 5
In
the light of this agenda, the charge of popery was soon raised against Laud himself and
his reforms. Laud was accused of reintroducing popery, namely of ‘innovation’.
It is here that Henry Burton (1578-1648) enters the story – and that my small contribution
to the study of the period is situated. From 1612 onward, Burton was Clerk of the Closet
to young Prince Charles. When the Prince became King in 1625, Burton “became
concerned that the new King was showing too much favor toward Catholic sympathizers”
(Auchter, 2001). The King dismissed Burton, who became minister at Saint Matthew
where he continued attacking the church hierarchy with sermons and pamphlets,
particularly against Laud. In 1637, he was arrested and brought before the Star Chamber
to explain himself, together with two other puritans and pamphleters (William Prynne
and John Bastwick). Burton’s sermons were said to contain “seditious and factious”
passages. “These scandalous and seditious pamphlets”, stated Heylin, “are now growne
so rise, that every day doth produce new Monsters; there being more of them divulged at
this present time, then any former age can speak of” (Heylin, 1637: 191). “It hath been
found at other times as necessary, that the tongue which speaketh proud words be cut off
for ever” (Heylin, 1637: 192).
The innovation controversy was launched in 1636 when Burton produced a pamphlet For
God and the King, the sum (with additions and enlargements) of two sermons preached
on November 5 “to teach my people obedience to both” God and the King in these times
of disobedience and of “innovations tending to reduce us to that Religion of Rome”.
“How frequentlie and Solemlie” wrote Burton, “hath your Majestie made most Sacred
Protestations to all Your loving Subjects, that you would never suffer the least innovation
to creep unto Your Kingdome”. But innovations continued, according to Burton. “All
which well considered, how audacious, yea how impious are our Innovatours, how
feareless of Your Majestie, how regardless of Your Royall Honor, that in their
innovations made such havocke, commit such outrages”. Burton asked the King to stop
“the course of all innovators”.
5
For an excellent analysis on the ‘logic’ of laudianism, see Lake (1992; 1993).
11
For God and the King is based on Proverb 24, 21: 6
My Sonne, feare thou the Lord, and
the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change. For their calamity shall rise
suddenly; and who knoweth the ruine of them both? Burton’s text proceeded in two steps.
In the first half of the pamphlet, Burton conducted an exegetical analysis of the proverb.
In the second part, he launched accusations against the church hierarchy.
To Burton, the proverb is a threefold lesson. First, it is an exhortation: the object is fear of
both God and the king. The religious and the civil fear differ in kind, “yet in resemblance
and similitude they are not unlike” (Burton, 1636b: 6). Fear of the Lord is obedience to
God. It is a “duty which God requireth of his children” (Burton, 1636b: 12). “We are
bound to perform all obedience to God (...). Else it is rebellion (...), a mass of Idolatry
and Superstitution, Will-Worship of man’s invention” (Burton, 1636b: 14). Fear of the
king is not a “fear with terror” but a “natural affection” (Burton, 1636b: 42), namely “the
duties due from Subjects to their King” (Burton, 1636b: 36). It means honoring the king
as with all superiors (parents, masters, princes), “yea greater love than natural Children
beare unto their Parents, namely as [Subjects] are members of the great politicke body”
(Burton, 1636b: 43).
Second, the proverb is an admonition. It admonishes one not to become involve with
innovators in matters of religion or government, “that is, have no fellowship, side not,
countenance not, approve not, applaud not such men in their evil wayes” (Burton, 1636b:
6). To Burton, men given to change “are always notorious detractors, and sycophants,
derogating from those things, which they goe about to innovate or abrogate, that so they
may establish their owne novelties, whither in Church, or State, or both” (Burton, 1636b:
8).
Burton suggests five reasons not to meddle with “innovators”. The first is guilt by
association: “if we bee silent and doe not detect them, nor labour to defeate them (...) we
6
The book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient proverbs (or ‘sayings’ or ‘adages’), of which many existed
in the Near East at the time. The collection is attributed to Solomon, Israel’s greatest king.
12
shall be found guilty” and “so pertake of the like punishment” (Burton, 1636b: 93). The
second reason is what Burton refers to as ‘dangers’: political innovation leads to Tyrany
(Burton, 1636b: 93) and religious innovation to ruin, troubles and discontent in the State
(Burton, 1636b: 95). Here Burton uses Aristotle’s Politics (Book V, viii) (not Republic as
he erroneously suggests) in which the Greek author “compares changes in a State, which
at first seeme but small and insensible, to the expenses of a house, and the wasting of a
man substance by little and little, which in a short time consumes all” (Burton, 1636b: 93-
94). This has been a much repeated argument against innovation over the centuries, one
to which we will return below. A third reason for not meddling with innovators is that
they turn things upside down (Burton, 1636b: 96): undermining and overthrowing “the
State of Church and Common weale, and mingle heaven and earth together” (Burton,
1636b: 99 164). Burton’s fourth reason continues in the same vein: innovation “may set
up Antichrists throne againe (...), Popery piety, and Superstition holiness” (Burton,
1636b: 99). Burton ends his list of reasons not to meddle with innovators by accusing the
latter of being enemies to the king. As examples, Burton discusses the gunpowder plot
(the attempted assassination of King James on November 5, 1605). “What tongue can tell
or what heart conceive”, Burton asks, “the miserable changes, that must have ensued,
upon that desperate designe, if it had beene effected” (Burton, 1636b: 100). Burton also
looks at the history of the church and argues that past changes and innovations – he cites
Virgil’s De Inventoribus Rerum with regard to popes’ inventions – led to the ‘infection’
of superstition and idolatry: ceremonies, tables, altars, robes and bowing. According to
Burton, these kinds of innovation had not stopped. On the contrary, the ‘spirit of Rome’
continues corrupting the worship of God, troubling the peace of the church, captivating
“mans consciences with their humane invention”, exercising tyranny and seeking the ruin
of Christ’s kingdom (Burton, 1636b: 109).
Finally, according to Burton’s exegesis, the proverb offered a reason for admonition.
Burton had already dealt with the matter above. Briefly stated, “calamity shall rise above
[the innovators], and bring them to ruine” (Burton, 1636b: 8). To Burton, the “instruction
arising from this text” is simple: “every one ought so to address himself to the hearing of
the Word of God” (Burton, 1636b: 9).
13
Then, Burton devotes the rest of his text to discussing innovations under eight headings
(Table 1) (Burton, 1636b: 111-58). It is worth looking at the innovations one by one, for
it gives a sense of what innovation is according to Burton. As will become evident in the
following pages, popery is Burton’s main argument against innovation.
Table 1.
Burton’s Innovations
Innovation in Doctrine
Innovation in Discipline
Innovation in the Worship of God
Innovation in the Civil Government
Innovation in Altering of Books
Innovation in the Means of Knowledge
Innovation in the Rules of Manners
Innovation in the Rule of Faith
Innovation in doctrine was a much debated topic in the 1630s. Burton discusses several
books published by the prelates and which, according to his view, put several elements of
the Protestant doctrine into question as regards, for example, transubstantiation and the
Sabbath (more on the latter below). He condemns, and here his opponents would reply
that it is only a matter of time and circumstances, the “inhibiting of young Ministers to
preach of the Doctrines of Election and Predestination” (Burton, 1636b: 114). 7
He also
argues against the prohibition that “Students should not read the modern learned writers
such as Calvin, Beza, and others of the Reformed Churches” (Burton, 1636b: 111).
According to Burton, this innovation (the prohibition) brings us back to Rome. Laudians
7
Predestination is the belief that god had chosen some men to be saved but most will be damned.
14
would deny such an innovation: it would constitute a misunderstanding on the part of
Burton (see below).
Innovation in discipline holds a particular place in Burton’s list because he felt personally
concerned. In the introductory epistle, Burton claimed that For God and the King was
produced to present the king “a true account” of his views. Burton maintained that the
sundry “innovators” had “falsely and maliciously” presented his own views. “I humblie
appeale to the King Majestie Sovereign and Patron, as my judge in this cause (…), for I
hold it not fit that they who are my adversaries should be my judges”. In a second
document that he produced in defense of his censure, An Apology of an Appeale (1636),
he explicitly accused the tribunal of unjustness and repeated the above accusation
verbatim. The judges were “incompetent” because “they plainly appeare to be both
parties in the cause” (Burton, 1636a: 6). To Burton, innovation in discipline means
censuring people and ministers “because they will not conforme to their [bishops]
impious orders” (Burton, 1636b: 127). Innovations allow the prelates to “catch more
Ministers to outt them of their Ministry and living” (Burton, 1636b: 64). “For not
yielding [to the innovations], Ministers are Excommunicated, suspended, yea threatened
with Pistolling, and with blood-shedding and hanging as Rebels” (Burton, 1636b: 25).
The next innovation Burton discusses – innovation in the worship of God – may seem a
‘minor’ innovation to most of us today, and was indeed considered as such by his
accusers, but constituted a ‘major’ innovation according to Burton. It concerned the
introduction of new rites and ceremonies and “outward performances and duties”
(Burton, 1636b: 17) or superstition and idolatry: “Will-worship of mans devising,
consisting in some externall complements, and gesticulations, as cringing and crouchings,
bowing, or standing upright at some Scriptures more than at others; also a punctuall
observance in these formalities, as in bowing to the name of Jesus, to the Communion
table, or rather Altar (...), praying with their faces towards the East, thus tying God to a
fixed place, standing at reading of the Gospell, and the like” (Burton, 1636b: 128-29). To
these, Burton adds the cathedral with “her pompous Service, her Altars, Palls, Copes,
Crucifixes, Images, superstitious gestures and postures, all instruments of musicke”. The
15
“Papall Pompe”, Burton believes, constitutes “ornaments of the Romish whore” (Burton,
1636b: 162), coming from “desperate and all daring Popish innovators” (Burton, 1636b:
164).
Another type of innovation which may seem minor to us, as to Burton’s accusers to
whom it made “little difference”, was that of the altering of books. The Prayer Book was
a real issue at the time and Burton was probably right in calling alterations of it an
innovation. In 1637, a Royal prerogative imposed on Scotland a new Prayer Book,
fashioned mainly on the basis of the English liturgy. The result of this laudian innovation
was a riot and eventually the so-called Bishops’ wars, which played a key role in the
events leading to the English Civil War and Revolution. Burton looks at words left out,
changed or added in recent editions of the prayer books which make “the religion of
Papists the true religion” (Burton, 1636b: 131). 8
“I say still, and here write it in capitall
Letters, that THE CHURCH OF ROME TEACHETH DISLOYALTY AND
REBELLION AGAINST KINGS, AND LEADES HER PEOPLE INTO ALL
CONSPIRACIES, AND TREASONS AGAINST STATES AND KINGDOMES”
(Burton, 1636b: 133). Burton attributed the plague to the “altering [of] the Fast-Book and
prohibiting preaching in all place infected”. Since few people go to the church and
preach, there had been a weekly increase in the number of sick people (Burton, 1636b:
144), while “preaching was never more necessary in this City than at this time” (Burton,
1636b: 148).
Similar accusations were made against what Burton calls innovations in the means of
knowledge (suppressing and cutting short preaching and limiting all sermons to one hour)
and the rule of manners. Prelates “allow one part of the Day for God, and the rest to mans
carnall Lusts, Sin, the world, the Devil” (Burton, 1636b: 157). He was referring to
Charles I’s reissue of the Book of Sports in 1633 which allowed several leisure activities
on Sunday, including Church ales (i.e. beer drinking after Sunday services). To Burton,
8
One example among many: “Instead of this passage, Root out that Babilonish and Antichristian Sect,
Which say of Jerusalem, &c. They in the Last Edition, 1635. set it downe thus, Root out that Babilonish
and Antichristian Sect of THEM, which say of Jerusalem, &c” (Burton, 1636b: 130). To Burton, the change
was made to restrain or transfer the accusation to Puritans.
16
“sports and Pastimes deface and destroy the very face, beauty and power of all religion”
(Burton, 1636b: 157). “I am ashamed of you” claimed Burton (Burton, 1636b: 49).
“When the Lord calls to Fasting, you fall a Feasting” (Burton, 1636b: 50). Sports bring
“the precipice and downfall of the people soules into perdition” (Burton, 1636b: 60).
“Rebels and Sabbath breakers goe hand in hand together” (Burton, 1636b: 63). Like the
prohibition of preaching, public assemblies brought us “a double increase of the Plague”
(Burton, 1636b: 50) – a statement reproduced by Prynne, who added precise numbers to
it: from 458 to 838 plague deaths (Prynne, 1636). “Preaching is made dangerous by you,
for feare of the plague; which should [rather] be a meanes (as it hath beene formerly) to
drive away the plague” (Burton, 1636b: 50).
All in all, the bishops’ innovations are witness to what Burton discussed under one more
heading: innovation in the rule of faith, namely the bishops’ liberty in interpretation of
the scriptures. “Our new Doctors cry up the dictates of the Church, to wit, of the Prelates,
be our only guides” whereas “the true rule of faith is the Holy Scriptures” (Burton,
1636b: 151). Burton concluded his pamphlet as it started: My Sonne, feare thou the Lord,
and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change. For their calamity shall
rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruine of them both?
The Politics of Innovation
For God and the King openly challenges the government of the bishops. As innovators,
the bishops would be revolutionaries: factious, seditious and rebels (Burton, 1636b: 9,
11). Innovators refuse to acknowledge their subjection to the King (Burton, 1636b: 41):
“The maine Principle of Popery is to exalt and acknowledge the Pope as supreme over all
Powers, as Emperors, Kings, Princes, States, etc (...). The Pope, and not the King, is the
Papists King and Soveraigne” (Burton, 1636b: 40-41). In other words, popery constitutes
rebellion against the king.
17
While discussing religious innovation, Burton thus meddles with politics. 9
This would be
turned to an argument against him at court. Burton used a political and revolutionary
vocabulary and talked of a time of disobedience to both God and the king from the very
beginning of the pamphlet. He tells his readers that the king prohibits innovations, but
that innovators ignore the king’s laws. The king’s enemies are those who “transgresse
and oppose his Majesties royall Lawes, Proclamations and Declarations against all
Innovations in matter of Religion, etc. And thereby disturbe the peace of his Majesties
Kingdome and weaken the State” (Burton, 1636b: 10), while “His Majesty has committed
to you the sword of Justice (...) to defend the lawes against such Innovators who (...)
divide between the King and his people” (Burton, 1636b: 31). Burton accuses the
innovators of a plot to overthrow the state of religion and of the commonwealth (Burton,
1636b: 5, 93, 99-100), changing a kingdom into a tyranny little by little, and changing
laws, thus leading the country to troubles and discontent (Burton, 1636b: 93-95).
Burton’s pamphlet discussed two central political issue of the Reformation, the
jurisdiction between ecclesiastical and temporal power – the jure divino doctrine or the
prelates’ claim to rule the church by divine authority and right – and obedience and the
right to (duty of) resistance. On one hand, while discussing fear of the King, Burton had
already suggested that “to transgress [the King’s] rule brings us under the guilt and
penalty of rebellion” (Burton, 1636b: 38). “When the King taking an explicit solemn oath
to maintaine the ancient Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdome, and so to rule and
governe all his people according to those Lawes established: So consequently and
implicitly, all the people of the Land doe sweare featly, allegiance, subjection and
obedience to their King, and that according to his just Lawes” (Burton, 1636b: 39). On
the other hand, in matters of religion kings have no unlimited power. “The King cannot
give that power to others, which he hath not himself. For the Power that is in the King is
given unto him by God (...). Neither God in his Law, nor the Lawes of the Land, doe
allow the King to alter the State of Religion (...). Kings are the Ministers of God”
(Burton, 1636b: 72-3). To Burton, “all our obedience to Kings and Princes, and other
9
As a matter of fact, at the time, the affairs of religion and the state were one and the same. On changes and
the connections between the two fields, see Russell (1967) and Bernard (1990).
18
Superiors, must be regulated by our obedience to God (...). If Princes shall command any
thing against God and his Law, then we (...) must obey man in nothing that stands not
with our obedience first to God (...). To obey or fear man before God and so above or
against God, is to make an Idol of man” (Burton, 1636b: 76).
A similar argument is offered against the bishops. The eighth innovation that Burton
documents is innovation in the civil government. According to Burton, bishops “labor to
reduce and transferre [the civil government] to Ecclesiasticall”, making the people “used
rather as vassals and slaves to the Prelates than as the free subjects of the King” (Burton,
1636b: 129). The prelates (and the High Commission) pretend to act in the king’s name,
but give themselves unlimited power, changing doctrine, rites and ceremonies as they
wish. Burton calls for an insurrection against the bishops and for people to “stand out
against the creeping gangrene” (Burton, 1636b: 34).
Burton’s crusade against innovation was most certainly not foreign to his own situation –
and his accusers have not failed to reproach him for this bias. To Burton, rebels are those,
like bishops and judges of the High Commission, who “falsly charged” himself – “a
loving, dutifull, faithfull, obedient peacable subject” – and “suggest and whisper into
Kings eares evill and false reports” (Burton, 1636b: 45-46). They “set the whole State in
a combustion, by stirring up and fomenting the fire of dissension betweene our gratious
Soveraigne, and his loving and loyall Subjects” (Burton, 1636b: 46). “This arte of Satan
was much practiced in those times against those that were most religious and pious, and it
prevailed much to the corrupting and overthrowing of Religion (...). This is also
remarkable in this present Century (...). They creep into Courts, and by their hypocrisy,
false tales, and detractions of sincere teachers and by a kind of collusion with Courtiers,
they doe surprise the mindes of the great ones, and Magistrates” (Burton, 1636b: 47-48).
Burton then drop a series of names onto them: blind watchmen, dumbe dogs, plagues of
soules, false Prophets, ravening wolves, theeves and robbers of soules (Burton, 1636b:
48); Declamers, Factious, Seditious, Turbulent, Disafected to the present government,
Enemies of the King (Burton, 1636b: 49); Pope Factors who “do labour to divide the
19
King from his good Subjects, by poysoning his gentle eares with their Serpentive breath”
and “seducing the people to their Superstition and Idolatry” (Burton, 1636b: 51).
In sum, following some puritans and Catholics of the late 1500s and early 1600s, Burton
appropriated a political category (innovation), a category defined by authorities as
forbidden and, as a mere king’s subject, has applied it as a catchword for all men given to
change, including authorities (bishops). Armed with such an understanding of the
category, Burton produced the first full-length discussion of innovation: What is
innovation? Who is an innovator? What aims? What effects? Burton was responsible for
launching the first controversy on innovation. Hundreds of pages were produced on both
side of the controversy (see next section). From then on, innovation got increasingly into
the everyday vocabulary.
To properly understand what innovation meant to Burton, the reader must keep in mind
that in religious (and political) matters it was the political hierarchy (including
ecclesiasts) who legitimately defined what innovation is. The explicit forbidding of
innovation goes back to the 1540s with Edward VI’s declaration (see introduction above)
and continued in Burton’s time: in 1626, only one year into his reign, Charles I, King of
England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49) issued a Proclamation for the Establishing of
the Peace and Quiet of the Church of England: Suppressing Dissent, Innovation, and
Controversy:
In all ages great disturbances, both to Church and State, have ensued out of small
beginnings (…). Because of “the professed enemies of our Religion, the Romish Catholics,
the professours of our Religion may bee drawen first to Schism, and after to plaine Popery
(…). His Majestie therefore (...) hath thought fit, by the advice of his reverend Bishops, to
declare and publish, not onely to his owne people, but also to the whole world, his utter
dislike to all those, who to shew the subtility of their wits, or to please their owne passions,
doe, or shall adventure to stirre or move any new Opinions, not only contrary, but differing
from the sound and Orthodoxall grounds of the true Religion, sincerely professed, and
happily established in the Church of England; And also to declare his full and constant
resolution, that neither in matter of Doctrine, or Discipline of the Church, nor in the
government of the State, he will admit of the least innovation (...). Then Charles “admonish,
and also straitly charge and command all his subjects of this Realme, and his Realme of
Ireland (...) especially those who are Church-men (...), that neither by writing, preaching,
20
printing, Conferences, or otherwise, they raise any doubts, or publish, or maintaine any new
inventions, or opinions, concerning Religion.
Two years later (1628), Charles dissolved Parliament – a well-known period in England
history – and, in order to silence his opponents, issued a declaration explaining why he
dissolved the institution (His Majesty’s Declaration to all his loving Subjects, of the
Causes which moved him to dissolve the last Parliament). Discussing the state of
government, church and Commonwealth, and the schisms and divisions which have
ensued in the Church, his Majesty claimed his intention to “tie and restrain all Opinions
that nothing might be left for private Fancies and Innovations (...). Neither shall we ever
give Way to the Authorising of any Thing, whereby any Innovation may steal or creep
into the Church; but to preserve that Unity of Doctrine and Discipline established”.
Only one year after the Burton-Laud controversy (1638), Charles I issued a declaration
on religious innovation again. “Great Disorders have daily increased” following the
introduction of new editions of the Service Book, Book of Canons and the actions of the
High Commission. His Majesty defended himself against introducing innovation in
religion and laws. “We neyther were, are, nor by the Grace of God ever shall bee stained
with Popish Superstition: But by the contrarie, are resolved to maintaine the true
Protestant Christian Religion”. To Charles I, it was not innovation but “feare of
innovation that hath caused the disorders which have happened of late within this Our
ancient Kingdom”. To His Majesty, “Our true meaning and intention is, not to admit of
anie innovation eyther in Religion or Lawes, but carefully to mayntayne the puritie of
Religion alreadie profest and established”. The King reiterated his opposition to
innovation in 1641 (The King’s Proclamation on Religion).
In light of this context, one observes that Burton used a category (innovation) more
extensively than the authorities did. While the latter used innovation against the king’s
subjects, it was here used by a subject who accused authorities of innovating and was
used in a polemical way. Burton’s rhetorical move was appropriating a political term,
including all “deviants” in the category of innovators and developing a full-length
21
discourse on such innovation. Extending the meaning of a term is a frequent rhetorical
strategy. It is what happened to heresy, a term of Greek origins (hairesis: 1. to take; 2.
choice), a term which turned pejorative in Jews’ and Christians’ hands. As E. Peters has
documented, from the late tenth century the term heresy “came to be used of all forms of
dissent, from the personal to the political”, from the intellectual to the popular (Peters,
1980: 91). To Burton, “men given to change” are innovators “either of Religion or of the
Republick” (Burton, 1636: 7): heretics, as well as those acting against the king, be they
lay people or officials, and the King himself when he allows the bishops to innovate.
Throughout the pamphlet, Burton’s rhetoric stressed the political effects of such
innovators on the country: they bring in ruin and tyranny. The political rhetoric helped
make Burton’s case against religious innovations.
The Innovators’ Answer
Burton’s opponents were not fooled by his rhetoric. The innovators denied all Burton’s
charges. Burton was the innovator, not they: “You have acted the false Accuser” claimed
Peter Heylin; “your selfe must be reputed for the Innovator” (Heylin, 1637: 170). “No
men”, claimed Laud, “in any age of it, have been more guilty of innovation than [Burton
and his complices]” (Laud, 1637: 42).
The most complete answers to Burton’s pamphlet came from Peter Heylin and
Christopher Dow. In 1637, they both produced replies of two hundred pages each
discussing Burton’s allegations point by point. Archbishop Laud also produced a speech
for Burton’s trial. Since Laud relied mostly on Heylin’s answer published several months
earlier, I use the latter as well as Dow in what follows. These are also more interesting,
since the tone of the answers clearly demonstrates the polemical purpose of the authors.
Heylin (1599-1662), first biographer of Archbishop Laud (Heylin, 1668), was ‘employer’
in the High Commission when he wrote his answer to Burton. “Being now employed in
the Examiners Office”, stated Heylin, “I must deale with you” (Heylin, 1637: 1-2). “I was
commanded by authority to returne an Answer to all the challenges and charges, in the
22
said two Sermons and Apology of Master Burton” (Heylin, 1637: preface, no page
number). Dow’s Laudian pamphlet Innovations Unjustly Charged offered, as the author
put it, “an answer to clamorous and scanderous railers” who “levell their poisoned arrows
of detraction against the Soveraigne Power, and against the Fathers of the Church” (Dow,
1637: 2). Dow’s goal was “to examine this Grand crimination, and to speake of the
severall supposed innovations” (Dow, 1637: 31) in order “to prevent the growth of so
great a mischiefe”. “We must no longer be silent”, he said. “It is high time then to
speake” (Dow, 1637: 3-4).
Burton’s opponents made use of many arguments, from the ad hominen and ad populum
arguments to historical ‘evidence’. To every argument, they offered a counter-argument,
to every accusation they developed a counter-accusation.
To both Heylin and Dow, Burton was simply a frustrated individual whose aim was
revenge. In the past, Burton had accepted the established practices, but he was dismissed
from the court and started writing against the bishops. Having failed at court, suggested
Heylin, Burton “thought it then high time to Court the people; that he might get in the
hundreds what he lost in the countie”. “Such is the humour of most men, whom the Court
casts out; that they do labour what they can, to out-cast the Court” (Heylin, 1637: preface,
no page number; see also Dow, 1637: 9-13). To Heylin, “Burton the Dictator” was “a
man in whom the Element of fire has the most predominance”.
“The pulpit”, Heylin continued, “first erected onely for preaching of the word of God,
was by him made a Sanctuary, or privilieged place, from whence to raile against the time,
to cry downe all the orders of holy Church, and to distract the people with needless
controversies”. Burton “declame [s] the Clergy, and Inflame [s] the people”. To Dow, “it
seemes” that Burton’s “ayme in his Sermons was the same which the Poet had in making
his comedyes, To please the people” (Dow, 1637: 19). In an “approbious language”,
Burton “mocke [s] at the devout gestures, and pious expressions of holy reverence in
Gods Service”, he “deride [s] the whole service of God allowed and approved in our
Church” (Dow, 1637: 23-24).
23
Ad hominen arguments and charges of seeking for popularity mixed with accusations of
invention (in a pejorative sense). When discussing the suppression of preaching, Heylin
accused Burton of having “brought in new forms of [his] owne devising” (lecturing for
sedition rather than preaching) (Heylin, 1637: 38, 166). ‘Fancy’ is another term used.
Dow talks of the “fancied platform” of Calvinists (Dow, 1637: 193) and Heylin of the
“fancies” of individuals: “The opinion of some private man prove not in my poore Logick
an Innovation (…). To make an innovation (…), there must be an unanimous and general
concurrence of minds and men, to let on foote the new and desert the old; not the
particular fancie of one private man (Heylin, 1637: 124).
Heylin and Dow next turn to more ‘empirical’ arguments. According to Dow, Burton had
misunderstood His Majesty. On the reviving of the Act on Sports on Sundays, His
Majesty intended “onely to take away that scandall which some rigid sabbatarians had
brought upon our Religion” (Dow, 1637: 78). He “onely permit [s], and not impose[s] the
use of recreations”, for “all men not being morally able to apply themselves for space of
the whole day to spirituall and religious exercises and to divine Meditations onely” (Dow,
1637: 80); second he authorizes “provided that the proper worke of the day, the publick
service of God be first ended” (Dow, 1637: 81); and third “he only condemns drunkeness
and disorders (Dow, 1637: 83) and “dancing of men and women together” (Dow, 1637:
84). “Alwaies the end and other circumstances ought to be considered, as well as the bare
letter of the Law” (Dow, 1637: 89). Similarly, on innovation in civil government, Dow
could find no proof in Burton, only a misunderstanding: “All that was intended by His
Majestie [is] not to suppresse Gods truth, but curiosity (...). Men cannot bee curious or
over-daring without impiety” (Dow, 1637: 126). Briefly stated, the argument sums up to:
you “misinterpret his Majesties most pious Act, in an undutiful and scandalous manner
(…) to serve your owne turne” (Heylin, 1637: 47). The king “labours to suppress those
innovations which you and those of your dissent have introduced” (Heylin, 1637: 82).
Burton would have misinterpreted the Reformation too. On innovation in doctrine,
particularly on not studying the modern authors, Dow replies that it is “a thing acted
24
twenty yeares agoe [King James]”; “if [Burton] had gone backe but twice as many more,
hee might have found the reading of Calvin and Beza accounted as great an Innovation”
(Dow, 1637: 32). King James “enjoyne young students rather to looke into the Fathers,
and acquaint themselves with the judgment of the Ancient Church, than to take up
opinions upon trust of those moderne Authors” (Dow, 1636: 34). “The truth is that King
James (...), having taken some just distaste at some novell points delivered by some
young Divines [who] were ill affected to Monarchical Government and injurious to the
just right of Kings”, decided that studies should not be grounded upon “unsound and
dangerous opinions to the State” (Dow, 1637: 35-36). To Heylin, there has never been a
prohibition against reading Calvin, Beza and others of the Reformed Church, it is only
that the students should not begin with these but with the Scriptures “and by degrees to
those Divines” (Heylin, 1637: 119).
On change in the doctrine of obedience to superiors (too much obedience and unlimited
power to Kings), Dow accuses Burton of conjectures: “Proofes I can finde none” but
“conjectures and surmises” (Dow, 1637: 60). The Bishops “teach no other doctrine of
obedience to Superiours than hath beene ever taught in the Church of God (...). They give
to God and Caesar both their dues” (Dow, 1637: 64).
Time and circumstances, or history, also has to be taken into account, according to Dow.
Why not alter the books “when the occasion ceased, as well as make it to serve the
present occasion of those times” (like the danger of contagion) (Dow, 1637: 133).
Burton’s fancies “shall receive from me the answer it deserves: silence” (Dow, 1637:
143). Similarly, on Charles’ Declaration on the Articles of Religion supposed to have
suppressed election and predestination, Dow replied, “is it not better that some truth for a
while be suppressed, than the peace of the Church disturbed?” (Dow, 1637: 39). “When
this Declaration was published by His Majesty, men were uncapable of these doctrines”
(Dow, 1637: 40). The doctrine was not suppressed, added Dow, but “profit being
unknown” (Dow, 1637: 40-41). Time and circumstances matter to Heylin too. On
innovations in the altering of the book of prayers, Heylin replies that many of Burton’s
innovations make “so little difference” (Heylin, 1637: 152). “As if a forme of prayer for a
25
particular time and purpose must be still observed, when there is no such cause to use it,
as at first to make it” (Heylin, 1637: 160).
Finally, on the innovations in the worship of God, qualified as superstition and idolatry
by Burton, Dow suggests that the novelties are rather symbolic and are “nothing of the
substance of God worship” (Dow, 1637: 113). They constitute reverence and external
ceremony (Dow, 1637: 114). Some are also simply accidents, like placing the altar to the
east (Dow, 1637: 117): “We turne to the East, not as if God who is every where, were
there” (Dow, 1637: 119). “God is not tyed to any fixed place”. He may be found
anywhere and, if anywhere, then also in the east. “Why we may not doe it toward the
East, according to the custome” (Dow, 1637: 119). 10
However, the main argument of both Heylin and Dow concerns ‘renewal’. There is no
innovation but a restoration (Heylin), no innovation but a restitution (return) to or
continuance of ancient customs (Dow). Burton’s innovations “are injuriosly so termed”
stated Dow (Dow, 1637: 30). Burton had already identified this bishops’ tactical move:
prelates “doe plead that they bring in no changes, but revive those things which ancient
Canons have allowed and prescribed (...)”. (Burton, 1636b: 158). “Innovations, Say they?
Wee bring no innovations, no new rites, but what hath beene in use ever since the
Reformation (...). All that we goe about is to reduce inferior churches to an unity, and
conformity to their Mother Churches” (Burton, 1636b: 159).
As a matter of fact, while discussing innovations in the worship of God, Dow argues: “I
cannot but wonder with what face he can accuse any of these things of novelty, when
there is not one of the things he names which hath not been used in the primitive and
purest ages of the Church” (Dow, 1637: 114). They were introduced in the beginning of
Christianity, continued at the Reformation and confirmed by the Parliament (Dow, 1637:
120). Similarly, Heylin could find not a single innovation in Burton: “The Papists and
these men, how different soever they may seeme to bee in other matters, have (...) agreed
10
However, God is not in every individual. While discussing transsubstantiation, Dow says: “Gods
presence is not everywhere alike (...). He is not so in the brute creatures as in the rationall; nor so in the
wicked as in his Saints” (Dow, 1637: 119).
26
to charge this Church with novelties and innovations (...). But in the reformation of this
Church, we introduced no novelties (...) but onely laboured to reduce her to that estate
and quality, whereby she was in her originall beauty and the Primitive times (...). All
those Innovations which they have charged upon the Church in their scandalous
Pamphlets, are but a restitution of those ancient orders, which were established heere at
that Reformation” (Heylin,1637: preface, no page number). “It is no innovation to admit
traditions” stated Dow. “Onely we doe not admit any traditions contrary to the
Scriptures” (Dow, 1637: 167-68). To Laud, ancient practices have been altered little by
little in the past “and now, if any authority offer [s] to reduce it, this ancient course of the
Church is by and by called an innovation” (Laud, 1637: 55).
The argument of renewal is used for every innovation identified by Burton. On the
limited power of the king to alter the state of religion (instituting new rites and
ceremonies), Heylin says the king only “restore[s] this Church to its ancient luster”
(Heylin, 1637: 82). On the jure divino power of the bishops, Heylin replies that “this is
no new saying devised but yesterday” (Heylin, 1637: 64). Similarly, discipline (censures
of the Church) “proceed[s] no otherwise now then of the old did” (Heylin, 1637: 131);
the worship of God is “long since ordained by Canon (…), a reforme certainely as old as
the Reformation” (Heylin, 1637: 135), an “ancient custom” (Heylin, 1637: 136), and a
“reviver and continuance of the antient usages which have been practiced in this Church
since the Reformation, and were commended to it from the purest ages” (Heylin, 1637:
140); alterations of books yes, but “a restitution onely of the proper reading” (Heylin,
1637: 150). Mr. Burton, “YOU are the innovator” (Heylin, 1637: 38).
All said, Burton is a revolutionary. He puts into question both the king’s and the bishops’
authority and calls for popular insurrection. As Laud put it, all these libels “are against
the King and the Law, and can have no other purpose than to stir up sedition among the
people” (Laud, 1637: 43-44). Heylin put it similarly: “There is none of any age, nor all
together in all ages, which hath shewne greater malice unto the Church, and to the
governors and Teachers of it, then you, Master Burton (…). You have the King’s royal
power in question”. But “it is a kind of disobedience and disloyalty to question what a
27
King can do” (Heylin, 1637: 178-79) and a sedition to call up people to insurrection
(Heylin, 1637: 185). You “stirre up the people to effect the ruine [of Bishops] (...), to
bring them into discredit and contempt (...) and incense his Majestie against them”
(Heylin, 1637: 183).
The accusation of rebellion and sedition is similar to that Burton made against his
opponents. As a matter of fact, to every accusation, there is an answer or reply. To every
innovation there is a denial: others innovate, not oneself. There is something ironic here
about the protestant churchmen hostile to innovation in the wake of the biggest
innovation of them all, the Reformation. How could innovation be such a fuzzy concept
and be amenable to so many contradictory interpretations?
What is Innovation?
In 1637, Burton had his ears cut and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, after
three years he was released by Parliament. He went back to his position at Saint Matthew
and became a popular hero (Hughes, 1974; Auchter, 2001). As a matter of fact, the tide
was turning against Archbishop Laud. Parliament accused Laud of treason and
imprisoned him in the Tower of London. Laud was beheaded in January 1645. This put
an end to the innovation controversy.
Parliament had always been against innovation – but was silenced for years by King
Charles. As early as 1628-29, the third Parliament had set up a committee to inquire into
innovation in religion and politics and adopted a Resolution against “divers courses and
practices tending to the change and innovation of religion” (Resolutions on Religion
Drawn by a Sub-Committee of the House of Commons). As commented by
parliamentarian John Eliot, the Parliament voted “whosoever shall bring in innovation in
religion, or (…) seek to extend or introduce Popery or Arminianism, or any other opinion
disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church, shall be reputed a capital enemy to this
kingdom and commonwealth” (Forster, 1864: 419-20. However, to Parliament, Laud was
not the only enemy. Charles was another. The king had levied a tax without Parliament’s
28
approval. He was “reputed an innovator in the Government” (Protestation of the House of
Commons, 1628-29). As Eliot put it, the tax was “against the ancient and settled course of
government, and tending to an innovation therein” (Forster, 1864: 455). In his declaration
dissolving Parliament, Charles declared that “these [political] Innovations [Parliament’s
committees] we will never permit again”.
When Parliament reconvened in 1640 after an eleven-year absence, it resolved that many
censures and sentences of the High Commission were illegal and void. The House of
Commons also voted that: 1. The communion table should stand east and west; 2) Games
and pastime on the Lord’s day should be prohibited; 3) pictures and images in churches
should be taken away (The Orders from the House of Commons for the Abolishing of
Superstition, and Innovation in the Regulation of Church Affairs, 1641). Parliament was
backed by hundreds of petitions (Morrill, 1985), national ‘convenants’ from Londoners
and Scots “forbearing the practice of all novations”, and some bishops who had
constructed a listing of (forbidden) innovations in doctrine, discipline and the Common
Prayer Book (A Copy of the proceedings of some worthy and learned Divines Touching
Innovations in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, 1641).
In order to appreciate the historical relevance of the controversy to the history of
innovation, at least four elements have to be taken into account: the context out of which
innovation as a category emerged, the meaning of the category, the values held by the
people at the time and the uses to which the category was put.
The innovation controversy was embedded in a context or period of history governed by
the paradigm of orthodoxy, authority and order. Innovation was forbidden. Church and
State were interwoven and innovation in one threatens authority in the other. Innovation
fears ‘crown sourcing’ that would led any kind of change tests the waters. Burton put it in
terms of fear or obedience to both God and kings. For nearly a hundred years there was a
new orthodoxy in England (Protestantism) to which subjects (including the bishops) had
to submit. But some, according to Burton, were corrupting the established doctrine with
29
idolatry and superstition. When Burton accused the bishops of innovating, he was calling
for a restoration of purity in the English reformed tradition.
Seventeenth-century England (and Europe) was also a context of change (political,
economic, social and cultural). New and radical ideas and projects abounded, turning the
world ‘upside down’ (Hill, 1972). Order and orthodoxy had to be enforced and it became
a matter of discipline to obey the authorities. Printing seditious pamphlets to incense the
people against the king (Heylin, 1637: 43) or using the pulpit to “ransack the affaires of
state” (Dow, 1637: 156) was unacceptable. “If every man had leave to cast his cruple,
the balance of authority would soone weighed downe” and bring “Anarchie”, stated
Heylin (Heylin, 1637: 38, 40).
Putting into question the discipline of the bishops was not allowed. Burton had compared
the High Commission to “the arte of Satan”. However, replied Heylin, “as farre as you
have said the truth, they [the judges] will all joyne with you. But when you leave to speak
the trueth, which is the Office of a preacher, and fall upon Seditious, false and factious
discourse, to inflame the people, and bring them into ill opinion, both of their King, and
those to whom the government of the Church is by him intrusted; you are no more a
preacher, but a Prevaricator, a dangerous Boutefeu, and Incendiarie” (Heylin, 1637: 6). 11
Too many “speake evill of the things they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption” (Heylin, 1637: preface, no page number). “What authority”, asked Dow,
“hath [Burton] to demand a fight of [Church] Authority? Who made him Inquisitor
generall over the Bishops, to examine their actions” (Dow, 1637: 106). To Dow, “in any
Church since the beginning of Christianity was it ever knowne that any Church, or any
evill government did, or could subsist, without inflicting censures upon the willfull
violators of their orders and constitutions?” (Dow, 1637: 109). The punitions are neither
an innovation nor a persecution but an “act of justice” (Dow, 1637: 112).
11
Similar accusations abound in Dow: “a projector” (projecting plots) (Dow, 1637: 27-28), “a captain of
factions” (Dow, 1637: 179) and “a broacher of novell opinions” (Dow, 1637: 213).
30
What was innovation to people of the time? Like heresy (and heterodoxy), innovation
“does not exist in and of itself”, but only in relation to orthodoxy and order. Orthodoxy
claims that there exist right and wrong beliefs concerning Christ and his teachings
(Peters, 1980: 14). In light of this context, innovation had a specific meaning. It had
nothing to do with originality or creativity – not yet. Innovation has nothing to do with
progress either: it is rather subversive. Innovation is essentially defined as ‘change’ in
accepted practices, more specifically ‘introducing change’ (or ‘alterations’) in ‘public’ or
state affairs: in religious matters – “new I call it because it is flat contrary both to the
expresse Scriptures and to the judgment of all Divines in all ages of the Church” (Burton,
1636b: 77) – and in politics – “King and novelties here doe stand in opposition one
against the other” (Burton, 1636b: 100). Given this meaning (introducing change), it is
not surprising that innovation has been discussed in terms of ‘cultural change’
(anthropologists), ‘social change’ (sociologists) and ‘technological change’ (economists)
when, in the twentieth century, it came back into the vocabulary after centuries of
‘terrorism’. 12
Innovation was not a neutral term but a morally charged one. It was a pejorative
designation: a derogatory label applied to opponents and enemies and, like heresy, what
we know about innovators “we know largely from the records left by their enemies, who
sought to emphasize the fact and consequences of their deviance, not accurately report
them” (Peters, 1980: 61). 13
It reflected the values and attitudes of its users and the
reaction to nonconformists and deviants, namely all those who redefine the boundaries of
‘normal’ behavior (as many other terms did at the time: curiosity, virtuoso, originality,
eccentricity and enthusiasm) and act contrary to the established custom. To His Majesty
innovation was no less than a deliberate transgression of norms. It was both heretical and
revolutionary. The kings’ declarations and proclamations discussed above are witness to
this interpretation.
12
On innovation and other concepts like change, novelty and creativity, see Godin, 2011.
13
In his book Concerning Heretics, the humanist Sebastian Castellio (1515-63) had defined heretics simply
as those “with whom we disagree”. Cited in Skinner (1978: 247).
31
To others, innovation was mere fancy. When Burton labeled all those who do separate the
fear of the Lord and of the king 14
as “Novell Doctors” (Burton, 1636b: 81, 126, 151,
153), “Novellers” (Burton, 1636b: 96, 99, 100, 156), “New Babel-builders” (burton,
1636b: 32), “New Reformers” (Burton, 1636b: 66), “Reformers of Religion” (Burton,
1636b: 106, 107) and “New Masters” (Burton, 1636b: 107, 108, 163), he was referring to
practices (idolatry or new forms of worship) which were “of their own invention”
(Burton, 1636b: 15, 109). It was seen as “man’s device” and a matter of “private
opinion”. In sum, innovation was mere novelty and fondness for novelty. Similar
pejorative uses of the term novelty were made in Heylin and Dow (see p. 22 above). As a
matter of fact, the distinction between novelty (as curiosity, contemplation, subtlety and
fashion) and invention (as useful) was still in the making (Francis Bacon, Novum
Organum, 1620) – and had not yet gained pre-eminence. 15
Because of its pejorative connotation, the use and diffusion of the category innovation
developed slowly over many centuries. In the church of the 1500s, there were occasional
charges of ‘novelty’ and ‘innovation’. Certainly, the removing of novelties was a major
goal of the reformers. However, novelty was discussed in terms of ‘heresy’, and ‘enemy’
was used as a term for innovator. ‘Private opinion’ (and ‘variety of opinions’) was also a
popular term. Innovation really started being used more widely in the 1600s, above all
during the Burton-Laud controversy and after. There ‘innovators, novelers, novelists,
etc.’, emerged as labels for those who worked for a ‘return’ to Rome as well as for a
number of ideas and behaviours previously called heresy and heretical. Innovation came
to share the vocabulary with heresy. 16
Burton’s popularity – together with William
Prynne – may have furthered the diffusion of the term.
14
Anabaptists and Papists who refuse to honor the King, and Jesuits who attribute unlimited power to
Kings.
15
The history of the concept of invention remains to be written (Godin, 2008).
16
At this time, the vocabulary of heresy also came to share its place with other terms like ‘error’. Anthony
Wotton in Runne from Rome (1624) talked of erroneous rather than heretical beliefs in order to avoid
needless wrangling over the word, “for it seemes to many somewhat doubtfull what is properly to be called
heresy” (Milton, 1995: 210). Novelty was sometimes discussed in terms of the paradigm of truth too: from
“antiquity of truth to novelty of errors” (Burton, 1636b: 100).
32
Nevertheless, the pejorative connotation of the term gave rise to a whole vocabulary on
‘renovation’, ‘restoration’ and ‘reformation’ (Erneuerung in German) in lieu et place of
innovation. 17
As a matter of fact, English Protestants denied that they had created a new
religion, and talked instead of a reformed one. 18
In the ensuing centuries, innovation
continued to be seen as negative. ‘Violent’, ‘dangerous’, ‘pernicious’, ‘zealous’,
‘unscriptural’ and ‘schismatic’ are only some of the terms used to talk of innovation
among eighteenth and nineteenth century divines. Pejorative associations also abounded
in clerical titles of the same period: ‘ignorance and innovation’, ‘superstition and
innovation’, ‘usurpation and innovation’, ‘revolution and innovation’. At the same time,
there were very few uses of innovation elsewhere in a positive sense, whether in science,
literary criticism or mechanical arts, each developing its own ‘disciplinary’ vocabulary,
respectively the terms ‘discovery’, ‘imagination’ and ‘invention’. 19
As a consequence
those who, in the ensuing centuries, wanted to rehabilitate innovation had to develop
‘strategic’ thoughts on how to deal with resistances to innovation.
The use of innovation has another characteristic: its subjectivity. To a certain extent,
innovation is ‘objective’: it is change in the established order. However, we have seen
that what order, change and innovation are seen to be varies according to individuals’
interpretations. Innovation is ‘subjective’: others (enemies) innovate, not oneself. As the
ars rhetorica of the culture of humanism suggests “it is always possible to construct a
17
It is often suggested (or assumed) in the literature that the language of innovation, because it is
pejorative, was not used, but rather renovation and the like instead (Panofsky, 1960: 37-38; Burke, 1974:
221-27; Whitney, 1986; Palonen, 2003: 76-77). However, that another vocabulary came into use has not
eliminated that on innovation. As this paper has documented, the language of innovation was used by
authorities and other people, although with a negative connotation.
18
Arguments for a Reformation may be summed up as 1) 1500s: not a new church (vis-à-vis Rome) but a
reformed one; removing of corruption, removing of novelties; 2) 1600s: return to primitive church and true
church – scriptures, invisible church (God church, true believers), medieval church (sects like those of Hus
and Wycliff as proto-protestants) (Milton, 1995: chapter 6).
19
Certainly, ‘new’ and associated concepts abound in the writings of the time, and need to be studied
seriously in any historiography of innovation. However, the ‘new’ was not talked about in terms of
‘innovation’. The use of ‘new’ is also not without contradiction. For example, on one hand, the tradition of
ars rhetorica denied innovation: the central argument of rhetoricians, according to which persuasion
consisted in convincing an audience to accept something they did not already hold to be true, was to be
achieved by means of accommodating the unfamiliar or unpopular proposition to the values of the
audience. On the other hand, rhetorical manuals advised the orator that he should guarantee the
attentiveness of his audience. This could be done if the orator demonstrated that the matters which he was
about to discuss were important (magna), novel (nova) or incredible. I owe this point on rhetoric to Markku
Peltonen.
33
plausible argument in utramque partem, on either side of the case” (Skinner, 1996: 9, 97-
99). Burton attributed innovation to Laud and the bishops; Laud, Heylin and Dow denied
being innovators and accused Burton of innovating. The use of the category moved from
being a well-defined transgression (King’s proclamations) to being polemical: anyone
who, according to an accuser, brought in novelties as regard scriptures was an innovator.
In fact, the participants in the controversy identified a varying number of innovations.
Burton discussed the bishops’ innovations under eight headings. However, to Laud there
were fourteen innovations in Burton, not eight, and “some few more there are” (Laud,
1637: 68) To Dow, the number varied considerably: “I have gone over these eight heads
of Innovations [but] I might easily have reduced them to halfe that number” (Dow, 1637:
192). At the very end of his pamphlet, Dow claimed that he could have charged Burton
and his party “with five times that number” (Dow, 1637: 213).
The subjectivity of innovation got into twentieth century representations. In 1962, in a
book that has remained a classic for some decades (five editions), US sociologist E. M.
Rogers defined an innovation as an idea perceived as new by its adopter (Rogers, 1962).
This subjectivity explains the reluctance of economists to study innovation late in the
twentieth century, namely following anthropologists and sociologists. Nonetheless,
subjectivity got into the methodological manual used by officials for measuring
technological innovation, the OECD Oslo manual: innovation differs according to
whether it is conducted at the firm, market or world level (OECD, 2005).
In his study of the period 1600-1640, Milton suggested that (what I have called) the
controversy on innovations “derived less from any easily identifiable novelty than from
the fact that a practice so notable for its associated Roman errors was expounded and
encouraged without a single caveat or even allusion to any papal corruption” (Milton,
1995: 69-70). “The engine behind religious conflict”, argued Milton, “was not their
introduction of any specific doctrinal innovations – indeed many of the ideas which
provoked most complaint may be found expressed, in different polemical contexts,
among their opponents. Rather, what triggered conflict was the manner in which these
34
ideas were presented, the specific polemical context in which an idea was expressed and
the presence or absence of caveats which were standard in a particular polemical genre”
(Milton, 1995: 543). Innovations did violence to wider aspects of Protestantism. They
were breaks with aspects of religion (the Reformation) which served national identity:
they were symbols of deviation in Anglican doctrine and superstition and idolatry
(Milton, 1995: 98-100).
That there was no innovation or no “identifiable or specific” novelty deserves
qualification. The innovations were ‘minor’ perhaps, as some would say today, but
nevertheless ‘symbolic’ and, for this reason they were real innovation to many at the
time. Milton defined innovation from today’s point of view: an innovation must be
something new. 20
This is a recurrent misunderstanding in the literature on this period.
Historians often confuse our meaning of innovation with the aim of innovators. Because
‘innovation’ at the time aimed at a restoration, reformation and renewal, it would not
really be innovation; it was not something novel (or ‘first’ introduction) but a return to
earlier and purer orthodoxy. However, once innovation is understood as ‘introducing
change’ (not creativity or originality) and ‘perceived’ change, one cannot deny that there
were many ‘innovations’ at the time and that Burton had a good case for his claim that
his adversaries were introducing innovations. That the ‘innovations’ were really
understood as innovation is attested by the severity of the punishments. As Bray put it
while discussing the series of acts from the mid-1500s onward designed to enforce
uniformity in religion, “The severity of the punishments, which included death for
relatively minor offences, reflected the concern felt by many that the ‘old religion’ was
being overthrown [and] demonstrates the essential hollowness of the opposition to
reform” (Bray, 1994: 221).
Another element of interpretation would take into account a shared perception of the
time: innovation was regularly defined as a slow and gradual process, but one which,
20
How much novelty is a matter of debate. Controversial classifications have been developed and contrast
major to minor or incremental innovation. Similarly, distinctions are often made between innovation (as
first adoption of a new idea, thing or behavior) and imitation (diffusion of the innovation or adoption
among followers, even if it is new to them).
35
over time, gets out of proportion. Little things do matter. Put differently, over the long
term ‘minor’ innovations have cumulative and undesirable effects. To Burton, alterations
and innovations “doe fill the peoples minds with jealousies and feares of an universall
[my italics] alteration of Religion” (Burton, 1636b: 147); to Prynne, they “breed a
generall [my italics] feare of a sudden alteration of our Religion” (Prynne, 1636). “Little
by little” they change a kingdom into a tyrany (Burton, 1636b: 93). The argument has a
long history, going back to Aristotle (see above, p. 11). It was used by N. Machiavelli in
his discussion of innovation in The Prince (1513). Charles I also made use of it in his
1626 declaration (see p. 20 above). The argument would remain popular among many
others in discussing innovation. Sixty years after the controversy (1696), an anonymous
British Baptist wrote a pamphlet on the “innovation of singing” in the Church. Singing in
itself is not “a matter of the greatest moment”, said the author, but if similar innovations
multiply, in forms of praying for example, “it might tend to the utter ruine of Primitive
Christianity” (Anonymous, 1696). The argument was not much different from Cranmer’s
in the preface to the 1549 prayer book (see p. 6 above). One hundred years later (1785),
the English divine George Berkeley would pronounce a sermon in which he suggested:
“At first [innovation] runs in a gentle rill, but, by degrees, the rill swells into a mighty
torrent that sweeps away every thing before it” (Berkeley, 1785: 34-35).
Conclusion
Innovation would continue to have bad press in the following centuries. Together with
negative religious connotation, political considerations contributed to a pejorative
representation of innovation. Berkeley is witness to such a representation. He used the
same Solomon’s proverb as Burton to discuss innovation. Berkeley was concerned with
those who attempt “by violent methods, to reform the Constitution” (Berkeley, 1785: 6),
“the danger and the sin of making violent innovations in any constitution of government
whatever, that has been long established, and to which the people have been accustomed
quietly to submit” (Berkeley, 1785: 7).
36
Berkeley offered three reasons for avoiding violent innovation. One was the nature of
man: man is made for society and “society necessarily implies laws and subordination”
(Berkeley, 1785: 15). Second, to Berkeley there existed diverse dangers of innovation in
forms of government. Certainly, to Berkeley, “nothing human is absolutely fixed (…).
General alterations in the modes of government are, perhaps, unavoidable”. But “great
and violent innovations no individual is entitled to make” (Berkeley, 1785: 33).
Alterations perhaps, innovations no. “Much more ill than good is ever to be expected
from them” (Berkeley, 1785: 34). As an example, Berkeley discussed the history of
Charles I. In fact, Berkeley’s sermon was preached on January 31, as was Burton’s, the
day appointed to be observed as the anniversary of the martyrdom of the king. He looked
at the attempts of the Commons to abolish the royalty, which led to a civil war. This
served as his third reason for avoiding innovation. “The usual pretence of those ‘who are
given to change’ is to redress grievances, and to reform the constitution” (Berkeley,
1785: 35). But “it has been commonly found that, after civil broils, a return of peace has
not brought back with it freedom and happiness. Not to insist upon the executions,
proscriptions, and confiscations which must inevitably take place” (Berkeley, 1785: 36).
To Berkeley, “it is hardly to be expected that (…) the grievances complained of should be
redressed; an unsuccessful rebellion having been ever found to strengthen the
government it intended to destroy” (Berkeley, 1785: 36-37).
Berkeley concluded as follows. It is worth reproducing a passage at length from this
conclusion:
That our constitution is absolutely perfect, it would be ridiculous to assert. Perfection
belongs not to lapsed humanity. That a better constitution may be conceived, we do not
positively deny (…). It may, however, be consistently asserted that so few and so
unimportant are the defects, so many and so valuable the perfections, of the nicely balanced
British Constitution, as to render it highly probable that any innovations in its system will
be more likely to injure than to improve it (p. 87-88). No plan of representation could
possibly be devised in which the WHOLE NATION would agree. Why then should we
hazard the consequences of an innovation, which it is barely possible might do some good;
but which is much more likely to create discord (p. 91). My Son, fear thou the Lord and the
King, and meddle not with them that are given to change.
37
A few years later, two more English ministers would make use of Solomon’s proverb to
discuss innovation in sermons preached before local military associations. They both
argued for respect and submission to superiors. Thomas Ackland in Religion and Loyalty
Recommended, and a Caution Against Innovation (1798), suggested “not to meddle with
them that are given to change; that is, do not listen to, do not consort with, much less
yield to those persons, who whilst they talk of reformation, and pretend only to improve
or to renovate the government of the English nation, seek to make fundamental
alterations, to the subversion of the monarchy, and to the utter abolition of all
establishments” (Ackland, 1798: 15). Henry Fly in Loyalty Recommended by its
Connection with Religion, and the Effects of a Fondness for Innovation (1798), using the
“popular fury of 1780” in England and the French revolution as examples, discussed how
the “love of novelty” “plunge[s] a whole nation into the most dreadful calamities”.
The twentieth century representation of innovation had a more positive value, and it owes
to ‘usefulness’ (Godin, 2011). As a contributor to the French Gazette infernale put it as
early as 1789: “On ne doit jamais craindre d'innover, quand le bien public est le résultat
de l'innovation” (Anonymous, 1789). Innovation has shifted from being a ‘private’
(individual) and subversive affair to a social and progressive one. To this end, innovation
had to move to another social ‘arena’ and get disentangled from both religion and state
affairs: innovation serves goals intended to advance society rather than serves as a
permission and protection from a government. The value of innovation is no more based
on an assessment of inclusion based on purity but on throughput quality. When contested,
innovation is the object of satires instead of fears.
The new value of innovation owes largely to technological invention and technology’s
theorists. By the second half of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century
technology is increasingly reputed to be a factor of social and economic ‘progress’ and
many started using technological innovation (or simply innovation without
determinative) to talk about ‘social change’ and ‘economic development’. 21
By the end
21
The story is not linear but discontinuous. As a matter of fact, innovation has remained a contested
category over time, and its value has varied according to people, field and context. For example, in the
38
of the twentieth century, several traditions of research had developed on studying
technological innovation, government policies on technological innovation have emerged
and firms were regularly invited to measure how and why they innovate. To many,
innovation came to mean (marketed) technological innovation, and this understanding
became the ‘dominant’ one. Innovation has shifted from being evil to being panacea.
This paper suggests that religion hold a special place in explaining the long pejorative
meaning of innovation – another factor is politics (Godin, 2011). While the impacts of
religion on science – directly by way of inquisition (Bruno; Galileo) and indirectly
through affinities between ideas – have been well documented, no one has yet studied
what innovation owes to religion (as well as to politics). For a long period in Western
history, innovation threatened authority. The innovator was a heretic and a revolutionary.
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries innovators (called ‘projectors’) already held a language on ‘progress’,
but they were not trusted and thus have acquired a pejorative connotation (Yamamoto, 2009). To a certain
extent, the innovative ideologists of the twentieth century have ‘decontested’ innovation and have given it a
positive value (Godin, 2010; on deconstested concept, see Norval, 2000).
39
Burton’s Vocabulary
(For God and the King, 1636)
New Everywhere
Innovators Everywhere
Innovation Everywhere
Alteration Everywhere
Change Everywhere
The Innovator
Changers 24
Re-founders 105
Re-builders 32, 159
New Babel-builders 32
Builders 32 (2)
Planters 128
New masters 107, 108, 163
New reformers 66
Reformers (of
religion) 106, 107
Novell Doctors 81, 126, 151, 153
Novellers 96, 99, 100, 156
Perturbers Dedicatory epistle, 164
Disturbers Dedicatory epistle
Distractors 8, 51
Transgressors 38, 95
Dividers 51, 67, 73, 75, 85
Usurper 72, 164
Oppressor 72, 100
Persecutor 72
Troubler 72
Rebel 25, 37, 41, 56 (3), 63, 77, 81, 83, 96, 133
Enemies 18, 140
Traitors 133
Workers of iniquity 140
Satan 34, 35, 63, 82
Antichrist 35, 83, 139
Devil 15, 139
Sabbath breakers 63
False prophets 11
Heretics 7, 112, 114, 118, 127, 135, 136 (4)
40
Abuse 91
Pretend 109
Malicious 91
Tyran 88, 143
Wicked 83
Parasites 87 (2)
Dragon 11
Beast 11, 82
Vipers and pests 96
Monster 101, 164
Creeping gangrene 34
Miserable 102
Desperate 102
The innovation
Res novas 95
Novelty 8, 100, 164
Invention 14, 15, 25, 29, 104, 109
Imagination 32, 100
Machination 84, 99
Fashion 129, 161
Fooleries 60
Subtlety 18
Device 17, 98, 128, 146, 150
Design 102
Engine 59
Toy 108
Flattery 88, 91
Idol 14 (2), 16, 101, 103, 162
Idolatry and
superstition 31, 33, 51, 66, 109, 113, 143 (2), 162, 163 (2)
Rebellion 14, 38, 40, 41, 56, 61, 63, 81, 131, 132 (3), 138, 140
Sedition 7, 15, 45, 48, 52
Faction (factors) 46, 47, 51, 57, 81 (2), 121 (2), 131, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140 (2)
Confusion 140
Scandal 140
Dishonor 140
Corruption 2, 11, 47, 74, 100, 108, 113
Danger(ous) 62, 67 (2), 140
Evil 6, 18, 37 (2), 38, 41, 74, 80, 81 (2), 143, 144
Sect 48, 139, 140, 141
Profanes 60
Sacrilegious 80
Impiety 81, 83
41
Libertism 60
Original 108, 124, 130
Different 137
Contrary 77 (2), 109, 146
Error 135
Opposition 82, 98, 109
Separation 73
Defection 73
Poison 51, 75, 106, 113
Infection 106, 113
Innovating
Introduce 158
Institute 137
Bring in 57 (2), 60, 72, 162, 163 (2)
Undertake 118
Turn 131 (2)
Metamorphose 126, 161,164
Reform 50, 143 (2)
Restore 20, 114
Remove 126
Reduce 164
Overthrow 62, 108
Usurping 83, 87, 111
Break 7, 63, 95
Violate 8
Abrogate 8
Pollute 63
Prostitute 83
Intoxicate 88
Incensing 91
Effects
Trouble 109
Disorder 127
Destruction 97 (2), 140
Disunion 51
Division 51, 64
Schism 51, 122 (2)
42
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