Latitudinarian Sectarianism (James Buchanan)

[Reformed Covenanter]

It has been justly remarked, that "many persons, perhaps most, are tolerant or intolerant, according to their respective tempers, and not according to their principles." And hence, while some who have held latitudinarian views, have been violent persecutors,— others, who have advocated strict, and even exclusive opinions, have been mild and liberal, both in their language and conduct.

James Buchanan, On the “Tracts for the Times.” (Edinburgh: John Johnstone, 1843), p. 44.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

James Buchanan makes another observation on the exclusiveness of the Oxford Movement, which may also be applied to others with too high a view of certain subjects:

This is the natural fruit—not of a belief in Episcopacy as a useful, or even as a divinely instituted office in the Christian Church,—for that belief may be entertained consistently with the maintenance of a truly catholic spirit, but of a belief in Episcopacy as essential to the very being of the Church, which is alike destitute of any foundation in Scripture, and unauthorised by the Articles of the Church of England.

James Buchanan, On the “Tracts for the Times.” (Edinburgh: John Johnstone, 1843), pp 46-47.