Apologia pro Ecclesia Anglicana: Anglican Spiritual Patrimony III

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Anglican Spiritual Patrimony III

Flowing from these two characteristics, comes a unique humanism and a unique optimism. The harsher elements of St Augustine (regrettably the better known part of his ascetic), or of Carmelite and Carthusian religion find little place in English spiritual writing. Yet it is neither sentimental nor lax. The agonizing penitence of Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich is as plain as can be, but so is the tremendous virtue of unquenchable hope: "all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well". The Caroline moralists must be technically grouped as "rigorists"; like their fourteenth-century ancestors they make no bones about the hardship along the narrow way, but a calm optimism still reigns. The Middle English writings in particular, give rise to a whole new spiritual vocabulary of a pronounced "domestic" flavour, while the satanic sulphur and fiery brimstone analogies, or the Christian militarism so loved by St Ignatius Loyola, are very rarely found. St Benedict's family theme remains constant: it may be a hard home but it is not a barracks.

Martin Thornton, 1915-1986

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Our Precepts

To observe the Festivals and Holy Days appointed.
To keep the Fasting Days with devotion and abstinence.
To observe the ecclesiastical customs and ceremonies established, and that without frowardness or contradiction.
To repair unto the public service of the Church for Matins and Evensong, with other holy offices at times appointed, unless there be just and unfeigned cause to the contrary.
To receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ with frequent devotion, and three times a year at least, of which Easter to be always one. And for better preparation thereunto, as occasion is, to disburthan and quit your consciences of those sins that may grieve us, or scruples that may trouble us, to a learned and discreet priest, and from him to receive advice, and the benefit of Absolution.

+John Cosin, 1594-1672

Our Unity

The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself — Baptism and the Supper of the Lord — ministered with unfailing use of Christ's Words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by Him.
The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.

The Lambeth Quadrilateral, 1888

Our Eucharist

Those words which Our Blessed Saviour used in the institution of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, This is my Body, which is given for you, This is my Blood which is shed for you, for the remission of sins, are held and acknowledged by the Universal Church to be most true and infallible; and if any one dares oppose them, or call in question Christ's veracity, or the truth of His words, or refuse to yield his sincere assent to them except he be allowed to make a mere figment or bare figure of them, we cannot, and ought not, either excuse or suffer him in our churches.

+John Cosin, 1594-1672

Our Ecclesia Anglicana

What can be supposed wanting in order to salvation? We have the Word of God, the Faith of the Apostles, the Creeds of the Primitive Church, the Articles of the first four General Councils, a holy liturgy, excellent prayers, perfect Sacraments, faith and repentance, the Ten Commandments, and the sermons of Christ, and all the precepts and counsels of the Gospel. We teach the necessity of good works, and require and strictly exact the severity of a holy life. We live in obedience to God, and are ready to die for Him, and do so when He requires us to do so. We speak honourably of His most Holy Name. We worship Him at the mention of His Name. We confess His attributes. We love His servants. We pray for all men. We love all Christians, even our most erring brethren. We confess our sins to God and to our brethren whom we have offended, and to God's ministers in case of scandal or of a troubled conscience. We communicate often. We are enjoined to receive the Holy Sacrament thrice every year at least. Our priests absolve the penitent. Our Bishops ordain priests, and confirm baptized persons, and bless their people and intercede for them. And what could here be wanting to salvation?

+Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667