Cranmer Studies

Rev. Dr. Gerald Bray, “Documents of the English Reformation:” Tyndale continues his Preface to the 1526/1545 NT with a terse and sensible walk-through of the books of the NT. He also comments adversely but gently of George Joye’s apparent one-upmanship, taking Tyndale’s translation and getting it to the printer before Tyndale, simultaneously complaining that Joye rendered the word “resurrection” as “life eternal.” Tyndale is not amused (28). Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” The good preacher is a means of grace, but God’s means to use as He pleases. The ministers’ duties are faithful exposition. God saves whom He wills is the consistent testimony of Latimer, the Bible-man. Interestingly, Latimer calls sacraments “sermons” that preach Christ. Had that been carried through, we wouldn’t have the uncured wreckage that resulted Cranmer’s still-Romanized baptismal formula, cured by Puritans, evangelical Anglicans, and old-school Reformed Episcopalians. To discuss this with the new American Anglicans is to reach above most heads. Latimer was spot-on (133). Sacraments preach. The Holy Spirit works faith. The recipient receives by faith the promises of Word and sacraments. Margot Johnson’s “Thomas Cranmer: 500th Commemoration of his Birth:” Bates wonks out (again) on the BCPs (114). Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer:” The Six Articles are passed in summer 1539. Margaret Cranmer and children pack their bags. MacCulloch tells us, laughably, that time was given for a “decent” and “dignified” departure (250). Yeah, tell that to these victims of royal, episcopal, and Parliamentary abuse. “Get out” said nicely, kindly and with a smile. Gimme a break, Prof. A “decent” and “dignified” departure? Sell those sun glasses and bathing suits to other Eskimoes, just not these Eskimoes. Arthur Innes: “Cranmer and the Reformation in England:” he Pilgrimage of Grace results in the north in response to the religious innovations and monastic closures. It finishes in 1539ish. How cool is that, bro? The King got rich. What was the cut for Crum and others? Who was on the make? (77). It is only of grace that anything of good counsels, good desires, and good thoughts—out of this hot English mess—only of God that anything good came. Harry was running things. Crum was on the make. Cram was on the leash. No wonder there was a Puritan movement. And no wonder that Englishmen wanted a new experiment in New England. The lid popped off in the 17th century.