Reason #6: I'm Repentantly Patriotic

So here we are in Oxford!

Yesterday I was saying that since the Archbishop needs to submit to the queen and I'm a royalist, I would be a suitable candidate.

Today, we suggest that the Archbishop needs to engage constructively and critically with England's history.

This Oxford Martyr's Memorial is a good example of what I'm talking about.

It reminds us of the terrible fact that at one time the Queen of this country had three faithful men -- Ridley, Cranmer and Latimer -- put to death for nothing worse than believing the gospel.

And as someone who believes in England and the established Church and in the queen, it is necessary to accept responsibility and apologize for such tragic events.

But at the same time, it reminds us that there have been faithful English Christians (Cranmer being the very standard of an Established Anglican Churchman) who have been willing to die for the gospel.

As Christian Englishmen, we are guilty of the sort of sins that have harmed innocent people. But we should also recognise that our nation's Christian history has been a source of blessing not only to people in Britain but across the world, especially in the way that England has sent out missionaries to share the truth of the gospel.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.