Christopher St German on Scripture, councils, and monarchs
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This article explores the idiosyncratic reflections on ecclesiastical and royal power sketched out in a little known manuscript by the Henrician lawyer and publicist, Christopher St German. His Dyalogue shewinge What we be bounde to byleve as thinges necessary to salvacion investigated the question of ecclesiastical authority with respect to Christian doctrine. Its argument hinged on a unique interpretation of the Matthaean ‘binding and loosing’ texts (Matt: 16:19 and 18:18) which was designed to identify the point in history at which ecclesiastical authority was transferred from bishops to kings. And it is proposed here that the ulterior motive was to insulate Christian monarchs in general – and the king of England in particular – from the impact of any ecclesiastical power, be it papal or conciliar.
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1743-1727