Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant Thomas Ken grace and courage to bear witness to the truth before rulers and kings: Give us also thy strength that, following his example, we may constantly defend what is right, boldly reprove what is evil, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.
Lots of Anglicans sing Ken’s famous Doxology without knowing that he wrote it: “[i]Praise God from whom all blessings flow…[/i]” And even more fail to realize that this beloved doxology is just the final verse of bishop Ken’s marvelous hymn texts to celebrate sunrise and sunset as part of Morning and Evening Prayer. [Those fine hymns are included in the Hymnal 1982]
As a “Non-Juror,” Thomas Ken had the courage to be faithful to his convictions at great cost, forfeiting his bishopric and living in a sort of self-iimposed ecclesial exile. He died fervently claiming to still be a faithful Anglican, although no longer in communion with Canterbury and the King. In so doing, he is a model figure for those of us who have made the same choice.
David Handy+