Editing Matthew Parker (section)

=== Later years ===
Parker avoided involvement in secular politics and was never admitted to Elizabeth's [[Privy Council of England|Privy Council]]. Ecclesiastical politics gave him considerable trouble. Some of the [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] reformers wanted [[liturgical]] changes and at least the option not to wear certain clerical [[vestments]], if not their complete prohibition. Early [[presbyterians]] wanted no bishops, and the conservatives opposed all these changes, often preferring to move in the opposite direction toward the practices of the Henrician church. The Queen herself begrudged episcopal privilege until she eventually recognised it as one of the chief bulwarks of royal supremacy. To Parker's consternation, the queen refused to add her ''[[imprimatur]]'' to his attempts to secure conformity, though she insisted that he achieve this goal. Thus Parker was left to stem the rising tide of [[Puritan]] feeling with little support from Parliament, [[convocation]] or the Crown.

The bishops' ''Interpretations and Further Considerations'', issued in 1560,{{sfn|Kennedy|1908a}}  tolerated a lower [[vestments controversy|vestments]] standard than was prescribed by the rubric of 1559, but it fell short of the desires of the anti-vestment clergy such as Coverdale (one of the bishops who had consecrated Parker) who made a public display of their nonconformity in London.

The ''[[Book of Advertisements]]'', which Parker published in 1566 to check the anti-vestments faction, had to appear without specific royal sanction; and the ''Reformatio legum ecclesiasticarum'', which [[John Foxe]] published with Parker's approval, received neither royal, parliamentary or synodical authorisation. Parliament even contested the claim of the bishops to determine matters of faith. "Surely", said Parker to [[Peter Wentworth]], "you will refer yourselves wholly to us therein." "No, by the faith I bear to God", retorted Wentworth, "we will pass nothing before we understand what it is; for that were but to make you popes. Make you popes who list, for we will make you none."

Disputes about vestments had expanded into a controversy over the whole field of church government and authority. Parker died on 17 May 1575, lamenting that Puritan ideas of "governance" would "in conclusion undo the Queen and all others that depended upon her". By his personal conduct, he had set an ideal example for Anglican priests.{{sfn|Pollard|1911}}

He is buried in the chapel of Lambeth Palace. Matthew Parker Street, near [[Westminster Abbey]], is named after him.{{sfn|Fairfield|1984|p=209}}