BISHOP JENNER AND TRANSUBSTANTIATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 52, 6 February 1869, Page 3

BISHOP JENNER AND TRANSUBSTANTIATION.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sib, — In your last issue I noticed an article on Bishop Jenner (taken from the " Pall Mall Gazette " of November 6), in which the writer observes that at an " inaugural service " in connection with English Church Union at St. Margaret's, Leicester, the Bishop gave expression to some very advanced doctrines indeed. I think, however, the term " advanced " is a misnomer as applied to the doctrine specially brought forward, *as I always thought it was one of the old, old errors, which we were supposed to have renounced long ago ; although there was a time when calling it an error was punished by torture, and even death, as the following historical extract will show. Shortly after Henry VIII had enacted the law of the Six Articles, commonly called tho ."Bloody Statute," Anne, daughter of Sir William Askew, was taken into custody and sent to the Tower, as she was suspected of not believing in the doctrine of transubstantiation. The following Bhort account of her examination may not, perhaps bo unacceptable to some of your readers . — Sir Martin Bowes (Lord Mayor) sitting with tlie Council, aa most meet for his wisdom, aud seeing her stanEl upon life .and death, " I pray you," quoth lie, " my Lords, give me leave to talk to this woman." Leave waa granted. Lord Mayor : Thou foolish woman, sayest thou that the priest can not make the holy body of Christ ? Anne Askew : I sr.y no, my Lord ; for I have read that God made man ; but that man made God 1 never read, nor do I suppose ever shall read it. Lord Mayor : No ! Thou foolish, woman, after tho words of consecration is it not the Lord's body ? Anno Askew : No ; ib is but consecrated broad, or sacramental bread. Lord Mayor . What if a mouse eat it after consecration ; what shall become of this mouse'? What sayest thou, then, foolish woman? Anne Askew : What do you say shall become of her, my Lord ? Lord Mayor : 1 say that tha mouso is damned. Anne Askew : Alack, poor mouse ! Sir Martin Bowes, thus finding that his eloquence was of no avail, proceeded to sterner measures. She was stretched on the rack, her limb 3 dislocated, and tlien taken to the place of execution. While she was at the stake, letters wero brought her from the Lord Chancellor, offering her the King's pardon if sho would recant. But she refused to look at them, telling the messenger that "she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master." Whereupon the Lord Mayor commanded the fire to be kindled ; and with savage ignorance cried out, Fiat justitia — " Let justice take its course." The faggots being lighted, ahe commended her soul with the utmost 'composure into the hands of her Maker ; and expired, praying for her murderers, July 16, 1546, in the 25th year of her age. Happily, the days of religious persecution have passed away, otherwise we might have the " advanced " Ritualists adding human sacrifice to their already sensational programme, with a large organ to drown the screams of their victims. — I am, &c, Peotesiaxt.