DR. PUSEY AND THE MASTER OF THE ROLLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 4 December 1852, Page 10

DR. PUSEY AND THE MASTER OF THE ROLLS.

The Rev. Dr. Pusey would be obliged to the Editor of the Times to insert the accompanying letter, Avhich relates to a statement publicly circulated in all the Papers. Christchurch, July 21. To the Right Hon. Sir John Romilly, Master of the Rolls. Sir, —I see ascribed to you the following words :—" lam strongly opposed to the Roman Catholic religion, and as strongly to the doctrines of that peculiar sect of persons commonly called Puseyites, Avhom I consider more dangerous than open and avowed Roman Catholics." I cannot but hope that there may be some error in the report of your words, and that you did not really say this. If you did say it, permit me with all respect to enquire Avhether, on reflection, it seems to you just and equitable that one holding your office should have spoken such Avords publicly ? If I mistake not, you are yourself a judge in the very court which, if these doctrines were legally called in question, and there were any appeal from the loAver court, would have to try them in the last resort. Bearing the sacred office of a judge, you would, in your oAvn court, have thought it a bounden duty before God and man not to prejudge a cause. " Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and knoAv Avhat he doeth ?" In this instance you have descended from the office of a judge to that of a public accuser. You have implied that certain persons, more or fewer, contemptuously called by my name, firstly teach doctrines Avhich they do not openly avow ; and, secondly, that such doctrines are at variance with those of the Church of England. I Avill not believe, unless I am obliged, that you did this for any political object. I will believe that it is your sincere, although unfounded, conviction. But then you must desire, equally with myself, that this state of things should not last. You must be as anxious that the evils which you deprecate should be removed, as I am that the truth should not be evil spoken of. I have taught nothing in private Avhich I have not taught openly. lam ready to give public account, not only of what I have taught, but of every point of my belief and practice. I should be glad to do this, in order that it might, if any thought good, be made the subject of a prosecution in an ecclesiastical court. I pledge myself to do this—publicly, fully, distinctly, without reserve —that if you think my teaching on any point not implicit enough for the IaAV to take cognizance of it, it may be the more easily tested, whether it is or is not, in accordance with the doctrine of the Church of England. I do so because I believe that it would be a relief to many minds to have this question formally settled. And now, I solemnly call upon you to take one of these three courses:— 1. To disavow or withdraw the words ascribed to you. 2. To sue me in an ecclesiastical court. In this case I will defend myself Avithout any resort to any legal or technical grounds, simply upon the merits of the case itself. I will interpose no plea which the state of the law might allow me, but simply maintain what I have taught to be in conformity with the doctrines of the Church of England, or agreeable thereto. If you do not, I call upon you and your friends, at least, thirdly, as you respect the principles of justice and honesty, and much more, as you stand in awe of the Judgment-seat of Christ, in Avhich account is to be given of every idle word, not again to impute to me. or to my friends, that our doctrines are not "open or avoAved," nor to inflame the people against their pastors by insinuations which you cannot substantiate. Your humble servant, E. B. Pusey. Christchurch, July 21.