considered as his coadjutor in the same undertaking. That each of these respectable bishops was consulted on the occason appears highly probable. Ridley, if an anecdote 'recorded of him be accurate, expressly stated, that he both perused the production before its publication, and noted many things for it; that he thus consented to it, but that he was not the author of it. The venerable Latimer, who had resigned his bishopric in the reign of Henry, declining a reinstatement in it, then dwelt under the roof of the archbishop, by whom, for his virtues and integrity, he was sincerely respected and cordially beloved. To a divine of this description, so peculiarly circumstanced, it is impossible to suppose a design of such importance not to have been communicated; to one who had acquired the proud title of the apostle of England, who had long been the primate's fellow-labourer in the work of reformation, and who was capable not only of improving it by his wisdom and experience, but of conferring upon it an old man's benediction. But although we allow this, and even more than this; although we admit, that Cranmer held in the highest esteem the masculine mind of Ridley, and the plain but strong sense as well as unshaken probity of Latimer; men, who bore able testimony to the truth, while in prosperity, and in adversity sealed it with their

'By Foxe.

blood; yet it appears not that, from any consciousness of personal inferiority, he ever beheld them with an obsequious eye. He indeed ought alone to be considered as the real and ostensible author of the production; although collecting the sentiments of others, yet in all cases exercising the privilege of accepting or rejecting what may have been offered to him at pleasure, and regulating his decisions by a judgment, to which all with submission bowed; which, matured by the most extensive reading, and formed upon the purest principles, his adversaries respected and his friends revered."

To other prelates, besides Ridley and Latimer; to the six royal chaplains, 2 Harley, Bill, Horn, Grindal, Perne, and Knox; to his fellowlabourer in various transactions to promote the Reformation, Dr. Cox; and to the distinguished laymen, Cecil and Sir John Cheke; the Articles were indeed submitted. The wish to be guided by the judgment of others, was the result of that modest opinion which Cranmer constantly entertained of his own, however excellent it was. After the Articles had been first shewn to Cecil and to Cheke, and had been returned with some remarks, he in the month of September amended the com

1 Strype.

' Ibid. A copy of the Articles in Latin, with copies of their names subscribed, is now in the State-Paper Office.

1

pilation, but still earnestly entreated the further consideration of both the learned courtiers. "1I have sent," he writes to Cecil, "the book of Articles for Religion unto Mr. Cheke, set in a better order than it was, and the titles upon every matter, adding thereto that which lacked. I pray you, consider well the Articles with Mr. Cheke; and, whether you think best to move the king's Majesty therein before my coming, I refer that unto your two wisdoms."

The Articles were immediately laid before the king; at the beginning of the next month the royal chaplains, already mentioned, were required to overlook them; and the Privy Council, a few weeks afterwards, dispatched the book to the archbishop, for "the last corrections of his judgment and his pen," at his residence in Kent, whence he returned it to them with the following letter.

"2 After my very humble recommendations unto your good lordships, I have sent unto the same the book of Articles, which yesterday I received from your lordships. I have sent also a cedule enclosed, declaring briefly my mind upon the said book; beseeching your lordships to be means unto the king's Majesty, that all the bishops may have authority from him to cause all their

1

Strype, Append. No. 66.

VOL. II.

U

2 Ibid. No. 67.

preachers, archdeacons, deans, prebendaries, parsons, vicars, curates, with all their clergy, to subscribe the said Articles. And then I trust, that such a concord and quietness in religion shall shortly follow thereof, as else is not to be looked for, many years. God shall thereby be glorified, His truth shall be advanced, and your lordships shall be rewarded of Him as the setters forward of His true Word and Gospel. Unto whom is my daily prayer, without ceasing, to preserve the king's Majesty, with all your honourable lordships. From my house at Ford, the xxiv. of this present month of November, [1552.7

"Your lordships' ever to command,

"T. CANTUAR."

The mandate of the king, to cause the required subscription, was issued not many days before his death. What occasioned this delay of publication more than six months, after the examination which the Articles thus had undergone, and after the last corrections of the principal composer's pen, it is impossible now to affirm. But it is probable they were, in that interval, submitted to the two houses of convocation, and that out of both a committee was chosen who might assent

1

1As the preface to the Latin edition of the Articles seems to imply. Dr. Nares, Mem. of Lord Burghley, i. 369.

to them in the name of the whole. Burnet 1 contends that they were not thus offered alike to the prelates and the inferior clergy; but admits the probability of their having been brought into the upper house only.

The first impression of the Articles, it has been 2 said, presented a Catechism before them. It is true that such an edition of the Articles was published. But the king's printer published them separately, and with a title in spirit indeed, but not in the letter, agreeing with that which Burnet asserts to be the first appearance of them. It was as follows: " Articles agreed on by the bishops and other learned men in the synod at London, in the year of our Lord God, 1552, for the avoiding of controversy in opinions, and the establishment of a godly concord in certain matters of religion. Published by the king's Majesty's commandment in the month of May, 1553. Rich. Graftonus, typographus regius excudebat. Lond. mense Junii, 1553." The copy to which Burnet alludes, coupled with the Catechism, was thus entitled: "A short Catechism, or plain instruction, containing the sum of Christian learning, set forth by the king's Majesty's authority, for all school

1 Hist. Ref. iii. ann. 1552.

By Burnet, ibid.

3 So the Catechism of 1548 was entitled a short instruction; but in size it far surpassed the present, amounting to not less than 500 pages.