Dr. D.G. Selwyn: "Cranmer's Library: Its Potential for Reformation Studi...

2. Cranmer’s Library: its potential for Reformation Studies—D. G. Selwyn, 39-74. Cranmer’s library is well-dispersed since its seizure in Mary’s times, 1552. A collection of the original Greek, Cappadocian father, Gregory of Nyssa, bound with the Orations of Gregory of Nazianzus, are in library at Durham University, allegedly, one of one hundred volumes of Greek and Latin fathers to the time of Gregory the Great. A second volume in Durham University is Wycliffe’s Trialogus, bound up with Jan Huss’s book The Unity of the Church, was published in Worms in 1525. Dr. Cranmer described Wycliffe as a “singular instrument of God in his time to set forth the truth of the Gospel” (PS. I. 196). The third volume is a 13th century Benedictional, a liturgical volume. The fourth volume is Luther’s Preface to the Romans, translated by Justas Jonas at Mainz, 1524, a volume that influenced Tyndale. Cranmer’s doctrine of justification is seen in his 1527 Homily of Salvation. Dr, Cranmer owned a copy of one volume of four volumes by Luther, a Latin edition, published in 1545. Of note, there are no quotes of Luther in his Commonplace Books. Why so few of Luther? And Calvin? Dr. Cranmer owned 5 volumes by Oecolampadius: commentaries on Daniel, Job and the last three Prophets. Dr. Cranmer also owned the selected works Zwingli published at Basel, 1536. 14 other Protestant volumes include Johann Brentz, Martin Bucer, Bullinger, Francois Lambert, and Melancthon. Dr. Selwyn theorized that Dr. Cranmer had many more as shown from his quotes. His purpose is: (1) give a reconstruction effort, (2) provide a history since the dispersal of Dr. Cranmer library and (3) show the potential for Reformation and Cranmer-students.