Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

arrangement is left to stand in the Extracts, as it does in the original; because it does not materially affect any point of doctrine, is at once corrected by the eye, and is essential to the literal accuracy of the transcript.

EDWARD THE SIXTH'S CATECHISM*, entitled, "A Short Catechisme or Playne Instruction, conteynynge the Summe of Christian Learninge, sett fourth by the King's Maiesties Authoritie, for all Scholemaisters to teach,"-received

Strype's Memorials, Vol. II. B. II. ch. xv. "A Catechism for the Instruction of Children in the Fundamentals of true Religion passed the said Synod: but who was the author, was not known in those days." Cranmer and Ridley assented to it in Convocation, but Ridley denied that he was the author when it was attributed to him.

Strype's proceeds thus. "What I have to say more of this Catechism is, that it seems to have been published in English, as well as in Latin, that John Day printed it, and licensed to come abroad 1552......But it was not printed before 1553. And the reason it was so long between the licence and the publication, (half a year and more,) I conjecture was, because it was thought fit to have the allowance first of the Convocation, for the giving it the greater countenance and authority. It was certainly writ by Alexander Noel, as I find by comparing Noel's Catechism and this together. The Collocutus are in both Catechisms the same, viz. Magister and Auditor. And in other places, the very same questions and answers are given verbatim ; only Noel's Catechism, published under Queen Elizabeth, is much larger. In May the next year, viz. 1553, the Council sent their Letters abroad in behalf of this Catechism, enjoining it to be taught to scholars, as the ground and foundation of their learning, as it is expressed in the Warrant Book."

the sanction of Convocation at the same time (in 1552) with the Forty-two Articles, and in 1553 it was published in one volume with them by the Royal Authority. Prefixed to it is "AN INJUNCTION given by the King our Sovereign Lord His Most Excellent Majesty, to all Schoolmasters and Teachers of Youth within all His Grace's Realm and Dominions, for authorizing and establishing the use of this Catechism." This Catechism then, bearing the stamp of the highest authority, and assented to by Convocation, is carefully to be perused by the serious inquirer into the real state of religious opinion at the termination of Edward's reign. It is brief, but clear and forcible in its expositions; and is therefore every way fitted for the use made of it in these volumes. Whether the author of it were Dean Nowell or Dr. Poynet, Bishop of Winchester, which has been contested, it is more than probable that Archbishop Cranmer had a great share both in preparing it for public use and in procuring its adoption by the King. It is not constructed so much upon the same plan with the Church Catechism, which had been introduced into both the first and second editions of the Book of Common Prayer before the publication of this much larger summary, as to warrant the conclusion that they were both by the same hand, still less, as Archbishop Wake supposes, that the model of the Church Catechism was laid in this.

* Todd on Original Sin, &c. Introd. xxiii.

It is scarcely necessary to say, that during the fearful reign of Mary no public act took place in furtherance of Protestant Christianity; unless, indeed, it were the martyrdom of those holy men, who, having in their lives, through evil report and good report, held fast the faith, now suffered for its defence, and shed their blood in confirmation of their own sincerity and devotedness to the truth,—thus adding strength to the cause by inspiring others with fortitude and zeal, though the Church was by their death deprived of the inestimable support of their piety and talents.

When, however, at the accession of Elizabeth the Common Prayer-Book of Edward, and a revised edition of his Articles were restored to the Church, and the Roman Catholic ascendancy was subdued, measures were speedily taken to publish to the Christian world not only the grounds on which England had seceded from the Romish Communion, but also the real state of religious belief in which she then stood, and by which she desired to be judged. Of the nature of a manifesto composed for these purposes was

JEWELL'S APOLOGY*, entitled in the original

* Strype's Annals, ch. xxv. "And as an handmaid to the Holy Bible, this year also (1562) Bishop Jewel's Latin Apology was first printed, though written the year before. Which book was approved by the allowance and authority of the Queen, and published by the consent of the Bishopsand others."

"This book was entituled, in English, An Apology or Answer in Defence of the Church of England: with a brief

Latin, "Apologia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ. Authore Joanne Juello, Episcopo Sarisburiensi." It was

and plain Declaration of the true Religion professed and used in the same...•••••

"Of what esteem and reputation it was in the Church of England in these times, appears by a State-book set forth the year after; 'I refer you to the Apology, which our Church hath placed openly before the eyes of the whole Christian world, as the common and certain pledge of our religion.' So that it was written upon a State account by the common advice and consultation, no doubt, of the College of Divines that were then met about Reformation of the Church......It was composed and written by this reverend father as the public confession of the Catholick and Christian Faith of all Englishmen.. ... And it is so composed, that the first part is an illustration of the true doctrine, and a paraphrastical exposition of the Twelve Articles of the Christian Faith. The second a succinct and solid reprehension of objections. If the order of the book be regarded, nothing could be more distinct; if the perspicuity, nothing more clear; if the style, nothing more terse; if the words, nothing more eloquent; if the manner, nothing more nervous."

"This famous Apology was soon after translated into proper English by a very learned Lady, (the Lady Bacon,) and published for common use, which we shall mention under the year 1564. There was also another English translation of the Apology before this, done by the said Lady, came forth, viz. this year, 1562."

Strype gives much the same account of the "Apology" as the above, in his Life of Parker, Book II. ch. v.

In Book II. ch. xxv. he says, "This year came forth, by the Archbishop's order, being printed by Reginald Wolf, Bishop Jewel's Apology for the Church of England, translated into English by the Lady Ann Bacon, wife to Sir

entitled, "Catechismus, sive Prima Institutio Disciplinaque Pietatis Christianæ Latine expli

he dedicated to the said Secretary who set him on work And the Clergy of the Convocation thought fit to peruse it, and having well considered it, and making some corrections, gave it a more public character, as proceeding from them, and so allowing and approving the use of it. In the 22d Session of this Convocation, the Prolocutor, with Sampson and Day attending him, presented it to the upper house, as unanimously consented to by those of the lower. This taking up time, it was somewhat longer before the Dean could send it again to the said Secretary's hands....

This Catechism lay in Cecil's hand for above a year, and then was returned to Nowell again, with some learned man's notes, remaining with him till 1570, and then it was called for again by both Archbishops, in order to the publishing of it, and by Cecil's consent, (to whom it was dedicated before) being dedicated now by the Author to the two Archbishops, and the Bishop of London by name, and to all the rest of the Bishops, it was printed: and printed again 1572, and again 1578, bearing this title, Christiana Pietatis prima Institutio, ad usum Scholarum Latine scripta. This Catechism was translated also by the same Dean's procurement into English and Greek, for the use also of young learners.

This Catechism seems to be the same with that set forth a month or two before King Edward's death, and licensed and recommended by the said King's letter set before it......

Yet not so the same, but that now in the Convocation, 1562, it had undergone divers and great alterations:..... "Let me add that many years after, concerning this Catechism, thus it was writ by a great Bishop," (Cooper, in 1589,)“ in answer to Martin Marprelate, ' For a Catechism, I refer them to that which was made by the learned and

[ocr errors]
« ForrigeFortsæt »