Ordinary churchfolk

Usage examples of laity.

Let the laity undergo the judgment of the secular arm, that either sewn up in sacks they may be carried out to Neptune, or planted in the earth may fructify for Pluto, or may be offered amid the flames as a fattened holocaust to Vulcan, or at least may be hung up as a victim to Juno: while our nursling at a single reading of the book of life is handed over to the custody of the Bishop, and rigour is changed to favour, and the forum being transferred from the laity, death is routed by the clerk who is the nursling of books.

But the priests in the Heptarchy, after the first missionaries, were wholly Saxons, and almost as ignorant and Barbarous as the laity.

The general stress on the priesthood of all believers had made both clergy and laity less sure about the role of the clergy, even to the point, figuratively speaking, of seeming to unordain the ordained, and without clearly defining the ministry of the lay member.

From these materials, with the counsel and approbation of the patriarch and barons, of the clergy and laity, Godfrey composed the Assise of Jerusalem, a precious monument of feudal jurisprudence.

It claims to be an everlasting protest against priestly tyranny, and monkish authority, and abject spiritual servitude in the laity.

Hussites who deny transubstantiation and demand the cup for the laity.

May God forgive us all, both laity and clergy, every cruel word, every uncharitable thought, every hasty judgment.

Like so many of the beleaguered Catholics in England, men and women, the laity as well as the axxi priesthood, nobles and serving people, Father Weston wondered whether a new reign might not bring relief.

This was in effect a revival of the so-called Donatist doctrine, that the laity had a right to judge the priesthood.

It was strongest and most apparent among laymen, for a famous monastic writer of the fourteenth century testified that the laity led better lives than the clergy.

Tulkinghorn, one of its trustiest representatives--may scatter, on occasion, in the eyes of the laity.

When a breeze from the country that has lost its way takes fright and makes a blind hurry to rush out again, it flings as much dust in the eyes of Allegory as the law-or Mr. Tulkinghorn, one of its trustiest representatives--may scatter, on occasion, in the eyes of the laity.

For, however barbarous and bloody the common superstitions often are to the laity, they usually turn to the advantage of the holy order.

The chancel was, as in most of the new churches built at this time, only deep enough for the sanctuary, as surpliced choirs had not been thought possible in villages, and so many old chancels had been invaded by the laity that it was an object to keep them out.

The chancel was, as in most of the new churches built at this time, only deep enough for the sanctuary, as surpliced choirs had not been thought possible in villages, and so many old chancels had been invaded by the laity that it was an object to keep them out.