We edited/added “Me” and “Thomas Cranmer” throughout for
clarification. Upon the first read, it
was not clear with just italics identifying Thomas Cranmer.
Thomkins,
Simon. “Formulary Friday: An interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury Posted
by Simon Tomkins, 2 May 2014.” Church
Society. 2 May 14. http://churchsociety.org/blog/entry/formulary_friday_an_interview_with_the_archbishop_of_canterbury#When:06:00:00Z
. Accessed 3 May 2014.
Me: Archbishop Cranmer, do I really need to read my Bible
when I get up tomorrow morning?
Thomas
Cranmer: Unto a Christian man there can be nothing either more necessary or
profitable than the knowledge of holy Scripture. Will I enjoy it? As drink is
pleasant to them that be dry and meat to them that be hungry, so is the
reading, hearing, searching and studying of holy Scripture to them that be
desirous to know God or themselves , and to do his will.
Me: But aren’t there lots of people who don’t like the
Bible?
Thomas
Cranmer: As they that are sick of an ague, whatsoever they eat or drink, though
it be never so pleasant, yet it is as bitter to them as wormwood… even so is
the sweetness of God’s word bitter, not of itself, but only unto them that have
their minds corrupted with long custom of sin.
Me: If I read it lots, do you think I’ll be able to impress
others with how well I know it?
Thomas
Cranmer: In reading of God’s word, he most profiteth not always that is most
ready in turning of the book, or in saying of it without the book; but he that
is most turned into it, that is,…he that is daily less and less proud, less
wrathful, less covetous, and less desirous of worldly and vain pleasures; he
that daily, forsaking his old vicious life, increaseth in virtue more and more.
Me: So are you saying it doesn’t matter that I don’t know
my Bible very well?
Thomas
Cranmer: If we profess Christ, why be we not ashamed to be ignorant in his
doctrine? ...What excuse shall we therefore make at the last day before Christ
that delight to read or hear men’s phantasies and inventions [i.e., read newspapers,
novels and watch TV] more than his most holy Gospel; and will find no time to
do that which chiefly, above all things, we should do; and will rather read
other things than that for the which we ought rather to leave reading of all
other things?
Me: But what if I misinterpret the Bible and get its
meaning wrong?
Thomas
Cranmer: Read it humbly, with a meek and lowly heart, to the intent you may
glorify God, and not yourself, with the knowledge of it; and read it not
without daily praying to God, that he would direct your reading to good effect;
and take upon you to expound it no further than you can plainly understand it.
For, as St. Augustine saith, the knowledge of holy Scripture is a great, large,
and a high palace, but the door is very low; so that the high and arrogant man
cannot run in, but he must stoop low and humble himself that shall enter into
it.
Me: Can’t I just listen to the Scriptures read in church
instead?
Thomas
Cranmer: I say not nay, but a man may prosper with only hearing; but he may
much more prosper with both hearing and reading.
Me: Thanks for your time. Any final advice on how we should
read the Scriptures?
Thomas
Cranmer: Let us ruminate and as it were chew the cud, that we may have the
sweet juice, spiritual effect, marrow, honey, kernel, taste, comfort, and
consolation of them. Let us stay, quiet, and certify our consciences with the
most infallible certainty, truth, and perpetual assurance of them. Let us pray
to God, the only Author of these heavenly studies, that we may speak, think,
believe, live, and depart hence [i.e., die], according to the wholesome
doctrine and verities of them.
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, author of The Book of Homilies (including this from Homily 1) was
‘interviewed’ by Simon Tomkins Simon Tomkins is Curate of All Saints, Little
Shelford.
See more at: http://churchsociety.org/blog/entry/formulary_friday_an_interview_with_the_archbishop_of_canterbury#When:06:00:00Z
No comments:
Post a Comment