“Difference of religion breeds more quarrels than difference of politics,” said Wendell Philips in 1860. James I of Great Britain knew that very well. Riding to London to assume his new throne, a delegation of Puritans met him so that they could be the first to give the new king their view of things. They didn’t like making the sign of the cross. They didn’t like certain liturgical vestments. And they didn’t like wedding rings. Of course, the religious establishment of the Church of England disagreed.
On this date, October 24th in 1604, James announced a conference of “bishops and other learned men” to deal with religious issues. When the conference met the following January, James said, “I assure you we have not called this assembly for any innovation…but…because we have received complaints….our purpose therefore is, like a good physician, to examine and try the complaints.” (Burke, “Translation that Openeth the Window,” p. 64)
In fact, one innovation did come out of that conference. James ordered a new translation of the Bible, what we know as the King James Bible. Even in religious quarrels the promise of Romans 8:28 is proven true again. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
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