Gerald Bray: Documents of the English Reformation

Bray, Gerald, ed. Documents of the English Reformation. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1994.

There are 654 pages with appendices. Mr. (Rev.Dr.) Bray will invite one to histories, documents and “more friends.” A 2005 edition is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Documents-English-Reformation-Revd-Gerald/dp/0227172396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374785087&sr=1-1&keywords=gerald+bray+english+reformation

Mr. Bray builds the structure on six foundations:

1. The Break with Rome (1526-1534)
2. Henrician Reformation (1534-1547)
3. Cranmer’s Reformation: Edward VI (1547-1553)
4. Reaction and Recovery (1553-1559)
5. Progress of Protestantism (1560-1625)
6. Protestant Schism and Final Settlement (1625-1700)

Mr. Bray introduces us to four friends:

1. Elton, G.R. The Tudor Constitution. Cambridge Press, 1982. It is available at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Tudor-Constitution-Documents-Commentary/dp/052128757X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1374782952&sr=8-4&keywords=G.R.+Elton. From the amazon.com website, the following commendation is made: “There is no alternative in sight which comes close to conveying the story of the English Reformation in narrative power and substantial information.” Heiko A. Oberman, University of Arizona
2. Dickens, A.G. The English Reformation, 2nd Ed. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1989. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/English-Reformation-G-Dickens/dp/0271028688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374783627&sr=1-1&keywords=a.g.+dickens
3. Kenyon, J.P. The Stuart Constitution, 1603-1688: Documents and Commentary. Cambridge Press, 1986. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Stuart-Constitution-1603-1688-Documents-Commentary/dp/0521313279/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374783489&sr=1-1&keywords=j.p.+kenyon

Mr. Bray has included Romanist and Protestant documents without partisanship. He notes that those seeking a Puritan perspective should consult:

4. Murray, Iain. The Reformation of the Church: Collection of Reformation and Puritan Documents on Church Issues. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1965. It is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Reformation-Church-Iain-H-Murray/dp/085151118X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374783845&sr=1-1&keywords=iain+murray+the+reformation+of+the+church

Mr. Bray notes that his omissions are:

5. Institution of a Christian Man. This is contained in Lloyd, Charles (bp.). Formularies of Oxford. Oxford Press, 1825.
6. Necessary Doctrine and Erudition for a Christian Man. See #5 above.
7. The Books of Common Prayer of 1549, 1552, 1559, 1637, and 1662. Various.
8. The Homilies. Various.
9. Canons of 1571, 1575, 1584, 1597, 1603, 1606, and 1640.
10. The above canons are available in Cardwell, E. Synodalia. A Collection of Articles of Religion, Canons and Proceedings of Convocation, 1547-1717. Oxford, 1842. Reprinted in 1968. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00DP830RO/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
It is also available online at: http://books.google.com/books?id=p_9JAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=e.+cardwell+synodalia&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yovxUaKOA4XS9AShlYGoCA&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
11. Spalding, J.C. The Reformation of the Ecclesiastical Laws of England, 1552. Kirksville, MO: Trueman State University Press, 1992. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Reformation-Ecclesiastical-England-Sixteenth-Century/dp/0940474204/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374784607&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=j.c.+spalding+the+reformation+of+the+ecclesiastical+laws+of+england

As the Proverbs repeatedly counsel, one avoids fools and must embrace wise men and women. Sometimes, that takes time to assess. Or, with St. Paul, we choose justified saints with whom to associate. Drain the tub of dirty water. Without tossing the baby.