This book is a consideration of the divergent views that prevailed, and especially of the uprising and influence of a group of independent reformers who would be

satisfied with nothing less than a return to the principles and practices of the apostolic church in so far as these accorded with the revealed mind of Christ. This involved an unfortunate division of the forces of reform, but these more radical reformers believed that the principles and observances which they advocated would give the whole movement completeness, distinctiveness, and authority. They claimed the warrant of the New Testament for the position they assumed, and, with a resolution as clear and confident as Martin Luther's, they asserted their position before the world. One historian has described this further effort at reform as a “protest against Pro­testantism”.¹  To the independent reformers it was vastly more—it was a protest against an uncompleted Protestantism. Their contention was that the Reformation was not sufficiently progressive; the goal had not been reached; the pace was much too slow. Greatly dis­appointed with the results of the changes already introduced, they insisted that the only way to make real advancement, and thus perfect the Reformation, was by a speedy and unreserved return to the spirit and practice of primitive Christianity. Failing to enlist the co-operation of the orthodox reformers, they decided to inaugurate a forward movement of their own.

This book is a consideration of the divergent views that prevailed, and especially of the uprising and influence of a group of independent reformers who would be satisfied with nothing less than a return to the principles and practices THIS IS ONLY A TEST of the apostolic church in so far as these accorded with the revealed mind of Christ. This involved an unfortunate division of the forces of reform, but these more radical reformers believed that the principles and observances which they advocated would give the whole movement completeness, distinctiveness, and authority. They claimed the warrant of the New Testament for the position they assumed, and, with a resolution as clear and confident as Martin Luther's, they asserted their position before the world. One historian has described this further effort at reform as a “protest against Pro­testantism”.¹  To the independent reformers it was vastly more—it was a protest against an uncompleted Protestantism. Their contention was that the Reformation was not sufficiently progressive; the goal had not been reached; the pace was much too slow. Greatly dis­appointed with the results of the changes already introduced, they insisted that the only way to make real advancement, and thus perfect the Reformation, was by a speedy and unreserved return to the spirit and practice of primitive Christianity. Failing to enlist the co-operation of the orthodox reformers, they decided to inaugurate a forward movement of their own.