Dr. Thomas Cranmer: Williams, 188ff: 1552-1553

1552 BCP. The Parliament of 1552 passed the Act of Uniformity for Dr. Cranmer’s third project—a 1552 revision of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. As early as 1550, Dr. Cranmer was consulting with Bucer and Vermigli. Objections were raised about vestments, prayers for the dead, invocation of the Holy Spirit in the Prayer of Consecration. The Communion service was altered from “The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee, preserve they body and soul unto everlasting life” to “Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.” This reflected Cranmer’s view from Christ-in-the-crumbs to Christ-in-the-heart of believers. This was an “assault” on Babylonian (and Lutheran) views. In 1559, Elizabeth put both statements back-to-back. The 1552 funeral rite precluded influence upon the departed by prayers by the living. Stone altars on the eastern end were replaced by wooden Tables, rood screens were removed, the Agnus Dei was expunged, and ordinary bread replaced leavened bread. The 1552 was scheduled for use nationally on All Saints’ Day, although a dust-up occurred with John Knox on 19 Sept 1552 about kneeling at Communion. Cranmer was appointed to investigate and he issue his acidic sarcasm and dagger was seen, “[Communicants} might as well lie down on the ground and eat their meat like Turks or Tartars.” So much for this alleged gentleness, frequently averred, but infrequently noted. The acerbic remark resulted in the “Black Rubric” which forbad adoration of the host. The Reformed view would prevail in Anglican history until the 19th century Anglo-Papists and Anglo-Babylonians arose in England and at Nashotah House in the USA. Edward VI’s death. Edward died 6 July 1553 of, apparently, tuberculosis, at age 15. Controversies swirled about Edward’s new will, replacing Henry’s (that had been ratified by Parliament). Lawyers and Privy Council members made Lady Jane Grey the new Queen, should Edward’s anticipated death come. Cranmer rejected the move, but was pressed by Edward, the lawyers and others to sign it. Sixteen provisions were included, the second of which was “to not suffer any piece of religion to be altered.” Life as Dr. Cranmer once knew it was about to change.