A History of the book of Common Prayer With a Rationale of Its Offices

not as yet read in the public service. In 1542 it was proposed in Convocation that certain church-books2 should be examined and corrected, and especially that the names and titles of popes, and of Thomas Becket, should be carefully erased3. A new edition of the Sarum Breviary4 was issued at the same time; and the House of VIII. 1 Stiype, Crammer, i. 21. See an account of Early English translations of the Bible in Joyce, England's Sacred Synods, pp. 404 sqq.; Hardwick, Reformation, p. 196, note 5. 2 ' These books, which the archbishop signified it was the King's pleasure they should be examined, were all mass-books, antiphoners and portuises: that they should be corrected, reformed and castigated from all manner of mention of the Bishop of Rome's name; and from all apocryphas, feigned legends, superstitious oraisons, collects, versicles, and responses: and that the names and memories of all saints, which be not mentioned in the scriptures, or other authentic doctors, be put away... It was ordered that the examination and correction of the said books of service should be committed to the bishops of Sarum and Ely, taking to each of them three of the lower house, such as should be appointed for that purpose. But mat the lower house released. (A gentle refusal to have anything to do therein).' Strype, Mem. JScclet. Urn. VIII. bk. L ch. 50. Wilkins, ConcU. in. 861. Portiforiitm sccundum usual Sarun noviter impressum, et a plu- rimis purgatum mendis.... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.