The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-27
OPINIONS OF ENGLISH REFORMERs

The fact that so much satisfaction was
expressed by Roman Catholics with the
English Prayer Book, would of itself lead
us to infer that it was not satisfactory to
the Reformers. And such was the case.
The Continental Reformers declared their
disapproval of many things it contained
in the most downright terms. Beza, that
accomplished theologian, and by no means
inclined to extreme opinions, said
clearly perceive that Popery has not been
elected from that kingdom, but has been
only transferred from the Pope to the
Queen; and the only aim of parties in
power there is to bring back matters to
the state in which they formerly stood. -
But the opinions of Anglican Reform
ers themselves are to be adduced. Not
having access to original authorities, we
quote from one of the most accurate and
learned historians of this century-the
late DR.. McCrie, of Scotland. Let us
begin with the good Archbishop Jewell.
Among the passages which might be per
tinently quoted, we take the following as
specimen. In writing to Bullinger,
February Sth, 1866, he says that he
''wished that the slightest footsteps Of
POPery might be removed out of the
church and minds of men; but the Queen
elizabeth would at that time suffer no
change in religion" Burnet 3; Appen-
dix, page POI; ? Appendix, page 351 ;
Stripes Annals, 1, ia He elsewhere
speaks of the clerical vestments as a
"stage dress" and "relics of the Amo
rites"
Grindall, Bishop of London, and af-
forwards Archbishop of York and Can
terbury, wrote to Zurich, Switzerland,
that they did not approve, but merely
suffered kneeling in the eucharist and
signing with the cross in baptism, with
some other ceremonies, hoping they
would speedily obtain their abrogation.
Burnet 2, 80, S14. To these might be
added the opinions of Bishops Parkhursr,
Pilkinton, and others.
But a very significant testimony re-
mains to be noticed. There were three
prelates of the first set appointed by
Elizabeth, who are claimed as having
been in favor of the Church of England
in its reformed condition, namely, Arch
Bishop Parker, Cox of Ely, and Horne
of Winchester. Now it is a remarkable
fact that even these were dissatisfied with
the condition of the Church, and desired
it should be further reformed. Parker
was one of the compilcrs of the Prayer
Book. But Bishop Short in his recent
History says "that Parker himself enter
tanned some doubts concerning the points
which were afterwards disputed between
the Puritans and the High Church party"
Bishop Cox says, in letter to Bullinger,
in 1551-"I think all things in the
Church ought to be pure and simple, re-
moved at the greatest distance from the
pomp and elements of the world. But
IN this oar Church what can l do in so
low a station" He was then only an
ArchdeacOn.) Bishop Horne might be
quoted to the same .purport.
Bishop Maddox, of England, who about
a hundred years ago wrote a work against
the Puritans, makes the following re
markable admission" Besides, as the
nation in general was popish, it plainly
appeared an act of great compassion to
many thousand souls, as we'll as necessary
to the Queens safety, and the success of
the Reformation, to contrlge, if it were
possible, such a form Of scorship, without
idolatry, which might keep the Popisd
people az the Church" Here now is
the explicit avowal of this Bishop that
the offices of the Church of England
we're finally settled, not upon the consid-
Grafton Of what was purest and most
scriptural, but upon the policy of keep
ing the Papists IN the Church, that is to
say, upon the plan of retaining just as
much of POpish cast and forms as could
be done without idolatry."
Here then are few samples of the evil
dence which might be brought forward to
establish what We have affirmed, viz. that
in the estimation of many within the
Church of England as well as without
it, there was decided leayen of Popery
left within it at the time of the Refor-
nation. 1t was in fact common Opin-
ion of those English RefOrmers that their
Church was only partially reformed, both
as to its polity and worship. They were
exceedingly anxious to make thorough
work of it, but were bafied by the queen.
If any further testimony were needed it
might be drawn from the whole host of
Puseyites, who with their Romish opin
ions and tendencies are of course exceed
ingly grateful to Elizabeth for hindering