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Martyred for the Gospel

Martyred for the Gospel
The burning of Tharchbishop of Cant. D. Tho. Cranmer in the town dich at Oxford, with his hand first thrust into the fyre, wherwith he subscribed before. [Click on the picture to see Cranmer's last words.]

Daily Bible Verse

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

1552 Book of Common Prayer: Prayer for Rulers in Authority

ALMIGHTIE and everlastyng god, we be taughte by thy holy word, that the heartes of kinges are in thy rule and governaunce, and that thou dooeste dispose, and turne them as it semeth best to thy godly wysedome: we humbly beeseche thee, so to dispose and governe the heart of Edwarde the sixth, thy servaunt, our king and governoure that in al his thoughts, wordes, and workes, he may ever seke thy honor and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godlynes. Graunt this, O mercifull father, for thy deare sonnes sake Jesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.


Notice from the above that Archbishop Thomas Cranmer upholds the doctrine of the sovereignty of God over even the heart, thoughts and mind of kings and rulers. The line reading, "we be taught by thy holy word, that the hearts of kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose, and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom: we beseech thee, so to dispose and govern the heart of Edward the sixth, thy servant, our king and governor that in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honor and glory...," is in fact a Calvinistic or Reformed prayer in that it says specifically that God is in control of everything the king says and does to accomplish God's will. The Scripture texts from which Cranmer draws the theology of this prayer are Proverbs 21:1; Psalm 33:13-15; Ezra 6:22; Hebrews 4:12.

There are many other references to the sovereignty of God in the Scriptures but we are often taught to overlook them as they are explained away by the Arminians. I would highly recommend Loraine Boettner's book, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. Boettner's book is available online at: The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination.

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