WHAT DID ARCHBISHOP CRANMER MEAN?
 Cranmer
When Archbishop Cranmer (in the 1500’s) preached the sermon at the Coronation of Edward VI. He said:
“Your Majesty is God’s vice regent and Christ’s vicar within your own dominions, and to see, with your predecessor Josias, God truly worshipped, and idolatry destroyed; … these acts be signs of a second Josias, who reformed the Church of God in his days …“
What did Archbishop Cranmer know and believe to make him assert that Josias was the predecessor of Edward VI, which the modern Church of England has forgotten? Cranmer was a great scholar. He would not have said what he did in a coronation sermon without good reason. It is worth careful thought today. Josias was of the House and lineage of David – the only monarch (save Saul) in respect of whom there is direct evidence that his Crown and throne had absolute Divine sanction and authority. It is interesting.
Reprinted from Special Office Brief, November, 1987
