CONFORMITY AND DISSENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 13

CONFORMITY AND DISSENT

The Development of Religious Toleration in England. By W. K. Jordan, ph.D. Allen and Unwin. 543 pp. (21/- net.) Dr. Jordan’s previous volume on this subject was favourably reviewed in “The Press” three years ago. His second volume is even better than the first. It traces the development of religious toleration from the accession of James I. to the convention of the Long Parliament. In England the dominant groups during this period were Anglican. Dr. Jordah fills his first chapters with an account of the attitude ot these groups to Roman Catholic and Puritan Dissent. Roman Catholic nonconformity could then be divided into two sections, the spiritual one, which asked only for tolerance, and the “missionary” one, which Was actively disloyal. The Government of James I. adopted a moderate policy towards the first, but sought to extirpate the latter. From 1625 to 1640 the Arrmhian, or what Dr. Jordan calls the Anglo-Catholic, Party grew in powdr in the affairs of the Established Church, and, in the author’s' opinion, increased the number of extreme puritans by us Rome-ward tendencies. The greater part of the book is given Up to summarising the opinions of notable thinkers. This work is done with great learning and skill. Dr. Jordan is not only skilful and learned, but has great discernment also, foxexample, he shows HoW the sceptical spirit df John Belden found a basis for toleration, and that his temper of mind is of the utmost importance in the history of thought, yet that justly famous jurist quite failed to comprehend those passions and instincts which compel men arid Create history. Within the limits he has set himself, the author of this book has produced a fifst-ciaes piece ol historical writing.