[372] Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of
England, took an important part in the Reformation of his country
during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Edward VI. He laboured
assiduously with the Reformers of the Continent, who esteemed
his learning and honoured his character, to establish a bond of
union between the foreign churches and his own; and if he did not
live to see his efforts crowned with success, he at least left
behind him an example worthy of imitation. What is most notable
in these endeavours is to be found in Cranmer's Letters to the
leading theologians of Switzerland and Germany, reproduced in the
Collections of his Works published by the _Parker Society_. They
are likewise to be found in the Collection of _Zurich Letters_,
1st series, vol. i. p. 21-26, from which we borrow the following
letter to Calvin, which furnishes us with the date of the Reformer's
reply to the Prelate:--"As nothing tends more injuriously to the
separation of the Churches than heresies and disputes respecting
the doctrines of religion, so nothing tends more effectually to
unite the Churches of God, and more powerfully to defend the fold
of Christ, than the pure teaching of the Gospel and harmony of
doctrine. Wherefore I have often wished, and still continue to do
so, that learned and godly men, who are eminent for erudition and
judgment, might meet together, and, comparing their respective
opinions, might handle all the heads of ecclesiastical doctrine, and
hand down to posterity, under the weight of their authority some
work not only upon the subjects themselves, but upon the forms of
expressing them. Our adversaries are now holding their councils at
Trent, for the establishment of their errors; and shall we neglect
to call together a godly synod, for the refutation of error, and for
restoring and propagating the truth? They are, as I am informed,
making decrees respecting the worship of the host; wherefore we
ought to leave no stone unturned, not only that we may guard others
against this idolatry, but also that we may ourselves come to an
agreement upon the doctrine of this sacrament. It cannot escape
your prudence how exceedingly the Church of God has been injured
by dissensions and varieties of opinion respecting the sacrament
of unity; and though they are now in some measure removed, yet I
could wish for an agreement in this doctrine, not only as regards
the subject itself, but also with respect to the words and forms of
expression. You have now my wish, about which I have also written
to Masters Philip [Melanchthon] and Bullinger; and I pray you to
deliberate among yourselves as to the means by which this synod can
be assembled with the greatest convenience. Farewell.--Your very
dear brother in Christ,
"THOMAS CANTUAR.
"LAMBETH, _20th March 1552_."
Calvin could only subscribe to the wishes so nobly expressed by
Cranmer, and which harmonized so well with the most elevated
sentiments of the Reformer of Geneva.
Agreement to the proposal for assembling a General Synod for the
more close union of the Reformed Churches.