Thomas Cranmer

Rev. Dr. Gerald Bray, “Documents of the English Reformation:” Dr. Bray promises an inclusive set of documents, but, necessarily, must exclude Reformation documents such as “The Institution of a Christ Man” (1537, known as the “Bishops’ Book” and commentary on the Ten Articles), “A Necessary Doctrine for the Erudition of a Christian Man” (1543, and commentary on the former), and the “Book of Common Prayer” (1549, 1552, 1559, 1637 and 1662). Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” 4. Preaching and Worship, 119-158. The primacy of preaching is recovered as the Bible is recovered. Preaching had fallen on hard times through indolence, ignorance, and vacant parishes and dioceses by absentee officers. One could gain such through preferments or money. Bishop John Jewel in 1550 or 1551 preached in St. Mary’s, Oxford, that “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4.11). Hence, preaching is to be oriented to the Bible itself and alone (122). Margot Johnson’s “Thomas Cranmer: 500th Commemoration of his Birth” 7. The Worthy Communicant—Hugh Bates, 103-121. An Act of Parliament in Dec 1547, just before Henry’s death, makes discussion of the Sacrament of the Altar a “no-go” area. Discussion, pamphleteering, or controversial preaching was verboten. That won’t last long. We are mindful of Cranmer’s culpable role as an accessory to the first degree homicide of John Lambert in 1538, but we digress. Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer” Salvaging the Cause: 1539-1542. The Six Articles form a setback for Cranmer and his reforms. Margaret is sent packing to Germany. Melanchthon is utterly doubtful about England and he smells Gardiner in the background (and he would be right on that point). Luther and Melancthon were not buying into Henry’s program (237). Cromwell would be dead in 1540 and Cranmer’s protective covering removed, giving way later to the Prebendaries’ Plot (with Gardiner again in the mix).