Reading, enlarged S. John's College at Oxford, where he had been bred, established an Arabic lecture in that University, and presented to the Bodleian Library as many Greek and Oriental manuscripts as he could procure from the East."[1] These facts show his love for learning. Besides, he was an active teacher in the University. He was Divinity Professor at S. John's. Laud's rise was rapid in the ecclesiastical world. He became the Chaplain of the Bishop of Rochester. In 1616 he was Dean of Gloucester: 1621 he was consecrated Bishop of S. David's. Five years later he was translated to the Bishopric of Bath and Wells. In the year 1627 he was one of the King's Privy Council. He became Bishop of London in 1628, and on August 4th, 1633, he was translated to the See of Canterbury. He attained to these positions through many difficulties. The Puritans were ever his bitter opponents. At Oxford, as Divinity Professor, he imparted sound Church teaching to the undergraduates who came under his influence. This brought him into prominence, and the Puritans then saw the type of man they would have to deal with. When he was offered the Bishopric of S. David's he showed his firmness of character when the question of his consecration was under discussion. It was Abbot's duty to perform this service. But Laud would not allow this, because, as we have already related, Abbot had accidentally killed a man, and Laud, therefore, considered that Abbot was not "a fit" person to perform so solemn an office as the Consecration of a Bishop. Laud was ultimately consecrated by the Bishop of London and five other Bishops of the Bench.
The Church principles of Laud were much the same as
- ↑ Southey, p.451.
