"Like Zerubbabel": rejoicing with Lancelot Andrewes on Gloriana Day

In 1604 the little-known St Evurtius was added as a Black Letter Day to the Prayer Book Kalendar. It allowed for commemoration of the birthday of Gloriana, Elizabeth I, who had died the previous year. 7th September, therefore, is Gloriana Day, a day to rejoice in the Elizabethan Settlement.

To mark the occasion, words from a 1594 sermon by Lancelot Andrewes, rejoicing in Elizabeth's reign and her fidelity to the ecclesiastical settlement, the "corner-stone" which this latter-day Zerubbabel had laid "in a troublesome time", maintaining it in the face of Papalist and Puritan hostility, ensuring that it flourished into the "Head-stone".

The Elizabeth Settlement continues to shape and define the Anglican experience: Prayer Book and married clergy, national churches and Choral Evensong, Hooker and Andrewes. Those of us whose Christian life is nourished and sustained within the Anglican tradition - a small part of the universal church and, in many places, a distinct minority - might identify with Andrewes' joy in this Zoar, the city of refuge for Lot: "It is a little one, but therein our souls shall live".

And blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we stand in the presence of such a Prince, who hath ever accounted of perseverance, not only as of Regina virtutum, 'the Queen of virtues,' but as of virtus Reginarum, 'the virtue of a Queen.' Who, like Zerubbabel, first by princely magnaminity laid the corner-stone in a troublesome time; and since, by heroical constancy, through many both alluring proffers and threatening dangers, hath brought forth the Head-stone also with the Prophet's acclamation, 'Grace, grace, unto it' - Grace, for so happy a beginning, and Grace for so thrice happy an ending. No terrors, no enticement, no care of her safety hath removed her from her steadfastness; but with a fixed eye, with straight steps, with a resolute mind, hath entered herself, and brought us into Zoar. It is a little one, but therein our souls shall live; and we are in safety, all the cities of the plain being in combustion round about us. Of whom it shall be remembered, to her high praise, not only that of the Heathen, Illaque virgo viri [a reference to Cicero praising maidens for manly courage]; but that of David, that all her days she served God 'with a covenant of salt', and with her Israel, from the first day until now. And of this be we persuaded, that 'He which began this good work in her, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ', to her everlasting praise, comfort, and joy, and in her to the comfort, joy, and happiness of us all.

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