Bishops’ Book

The Institution of a Christen Man or the “Bishops' Book” was a compromise doctrinal statement of the English bishops and divines in 1537. More conservative than the Ten Articles,* it reestablished the seven sacraments though not all on the same level. Luther's influence was still apparent-transubstantiation was not mentioned, the definition of justification was moderately Protestant, images were attacked, and the supremacy of Rome was denied, while the freedom and equality of national churches were upheld. Henry VIII did not give it official authority, and indeed in 1538 began to correct it extensively and conservatively, and was courageously opposed in private by Cranmer.*