Coronation of Edward VI - 1546
A Proper Estimation of the Word of God
As the preparations were being made for the coronation procession, the piety of the youthful monarch was shown in an incident that is worth remembering. John Bale relates, upon the authority of credible witnesses, that when three swords were brought to be carried in the procession, as emblematic of his three kingdoms, the king said “there was one yet wanting.”
The nobles inquired what it was and he answered, “The Bible,” and then added, “That book is the sword of the Spirit, and to be preferred before these swords. That ought in all right to govern us, who use them for the people’s safety by God’s appointment. Without that sword we are nothing, we can do nothing, we have not power. From the Bible we are what we are this day. From it we receive whatsoever it is that we at present do assume. He that rules without it, is not to be called God’s minister or king. Under the Bible, the word of God, we ought to live, to fight, to govern the people and to perform all our affairs. From it alone we obtain all power, virtue, grace, salvation and whatsoever we have of divine strength. “
Now, that is the kind of earthly ruler we need today! Wouldn’t it be something if even the average Christian esteemed the word of God like young Edward VI did back in 1546.
God bless
A Proper Estimation of the Word of God
As the preparations were being made for the coronation procession, the piety of the youthful monarch was shown in an incident that is worth remembering. John Bale relates, upon the authority of credible witnesses, that when three swords were brought to be carried in the procession, as emblematic of his three kingdoms, the king said “there was one yet wanting.”
The nobles inquired what it was and he answered, “The Bible,” and then added, “That book is the sword of the Spirit, and to be preferred before these swords. That ought in all right to govern us, who use them for the people’s safety by God’s appointment. Without that sword we are nothing, we can do nothing, we have not power. From the Bible we are what we are this day. From it we receive whatsoever it is that we at present do assume. He that rules without it, is not to be called God’s minister or king. Under the Bible, the word of God, we ought to live, to fight, to govern the people and to perform all our affairs. From it alone we obtain all power, virtue, grace, salvation and whatsoever we have of divine strength. “
Now, that is the kind of earthly ruler we need today! Wouldn’t it be something if even the average Christian esteemed the word of God like young Edward VI did back in 1546.
God bless
