The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-20
THE ENGLISH REFORMATION.

Church at the time OF the Reformation
In answering this question it may be well
to ask what English Reformers them
selves thought upon that point. And
here a general statement may be required
as preliminary, Four periods have been
noted in the Reformation in England.
1. From 1927 to 1871 under Henry VIII
2. From 1547 to 1853 under Edward VI.
This last included the period of the Re,
formation in its decided character, and
under it the ~ Articles of religion latter
wards reduced to 99) and the Book of
Common Prayer, were formed. 3. From
1858 to 1858 under Queen Mary, during
which time the work of reformation pro-
crossed, in spite of the efforts of this
Sovereign to reestabEsh POpery. 4. From
1858 to 1903, under Queen Elizabeth.
This was the period in which the Rector
nation was restored and established.
The Roman Catholic hierarchy of Mary
was replaced by Protestant one, and
the Articles Of religion and the Book Of
Common Prayer of the reign of Edward
were again introduced after having been
submitted to q revision.
The character of the Reformation as
settled under Elizabeth, cannot be fully
understood without an accurate knowl-
edge of her character. There can be no
question that she was at heart any thing
but Protestant. but favored the Refor.
nation from political and personal mo-
tives Her life seems never to have
been brought under the power of the
gospel, and her morals even were grave
" censurable. She seldom attended
church, was violently opposed to clergy
men marrying, held preaching in con
tempt, oppressed and feeced her best
clergy and bishops, and swOre profanely
at them and others with no little free
dom. She was believer in the doctrine
of "the real presence" was anxious to
restore the broken-down altar pieces,
images, pictures and crucifxes, which
had formerly been worshipped in the
churches.
1t would be naturally inferred from
all these facts, that whatever this sover
eign could do to retain some "dregs ef
Popery," as Bishop Jewell called them,
would not be omitted. "This arbitrary
monarch" says an Episcopalian writer
of England. ''had tendency towards
Rome almost in every thing, but the doc
trine of the papal supremacy" To the
"real presence" she is understood to have
had no objection; the celibacy of the cler
gy she decidedly approved; the gorgeous
rites of the ancient form of worship she
admired, and in her own chapel retained. "
Dr. Short in his History makes the same
admission again and again.
We might here notice the ecclesiastical
prerOgatives conceded to the Sovereign,
and show how the liberties of the Church
we're thus laid prostrate in the dust,
where, as to the Church of England,
they lie to this day. This was meas
ure pregnant with the very essence of
Popery.. Aud the fact would be not If
relevant to our position, which requires
us to show that leayen of POpery, in
the opinion of many, both within and
without, was left in that Church. But
as the Episcopal Church in this country
is not thus {, ttered we pass it by.
Almost as soon as Elizabeth had sum-
moned her first parliament she appointed
a commission to prepare liturgy for
adoption. They were instructed 20 CON-
pare the two liturgies of Edward with
the Popish Offices which had been in use
under Mary, giving the preference TO
Elward's first liturgy, supposed to incline
most to ROmish practices to be cautious
about innovations, and especially to ex-
press matters debated between Protest
ants and Papists in such general terms
that the latter would not be offended.
Before the work of this commission was
presented to parliament, it was brought
to the queen, who made various impor
tant alterations in it.
Now there are two facts that ought
not to be overlooked. One is that the
Reformers on the Continent were exceed
ingly dissatisfied with many things in the
English Prayer Book; and the other is
that when copy of it was sent to the
Pope, so well was he satisfied that he
offered, through his nuncio, to ratify it
for England, if the Queen would only
admit the supremacy of the See of Rome.
(Strypes Annals l, $40; Burnet II, CAS- J
We shall next adduce abundant evil
denee to show how much the Reformers
themselves were dissatisfied; for they
would gladly have left no leaven what
ever of Rome in their Church, but were
prevented from carrying out their wishes.
P.S. The Southern Churchman of
the 14ih inst, has come to hand; some
of the statements it contains will be
brought under review in due time.