J.C. Ryle: Unity at the Cost of Protestant Faith?

Unity built on an amalgamation of Lambeth and the Vatican, so long as Rome is what she is, is the" baseless fabric of a dream." Protestantism is the backbone of the Church of England; and any attempt to procure unity by removing or weakening Protestantism endangers the life of the Church. Peace between the Anglican and Roman Churches, unless Rome first makes peace with Christ and the Bible, I hold, with Bishops Jewell and Hall, to be objectionable and impossible.  The parties were rightly divorced three centuries ago, and cannot be reunited. -- Bishop J. C. Ryle

ART. I.-UNITY AMONG CHURCHMEN.

I SHALL not waste the time of my readers with trite commonplaces about the priceless value of unity in a visible Church. We are all agreed, I presume, that in every Christian communion Unity is one grand secret of strength, usefulness, and comfortable working. We are equally agreed, I am afraid, that there is a sad want of practical Unity in the Church of England just now. Our parishes are often like islands in some parts of the Pacific Ocean, almost within sight of one another, but inhabited hy distinct tribes, variously coloured and dressed, ruled by ever-quarrelling chiefs, and with a deep sea rolling between.  The result of this state of things is not merely a degree of weakness in the Church, wholly disproportioned to our numbers, but something far more serious. The Holy Spirit is grieved, and the blessing of God is withheld!

I give notice at the outset that I shall spend no words on the idea of unity between loyal Churchmen and those within our pale who are striving to bring back Romish doctrines, practices, and ceremonial amongst us, and openly avow their dislike to the principles of the Reformation. Unity built on an amalgamation of Lambeth and the Vatican, so long as Rome is what she is, is the" baseless fabric of a dream." Protestantism is the backbone of the Church of England; and any attempt to procure unity by removing or weakening Protestantism endangers the life of the Church. Peace between the Anglican and Roman Churches, unless Rome first makes peace with Christ and the Bible, I hold, with Bishops Jewell and Hall, to be objectionable and impossible.  The parties were rightly divorced three centuries ago, and cannot be reunited. I, for one, shall never cease to forbid the banns. 

To read the rest of the article click here:  J. C. Ryle.  "Unity Among Churchmen," The Churchman, November 1879.  Vol. 1, No. 2.  Pp. 81-90.

Addendum:  Unfortunately, I don't agree with the rest of Ryle's article.  He seems to think that Arminianism and latitudinarianism are matters of indifference.  Since I believe that Calvinism IS the Gospel, I have to vehemently disagree with the late Bishop Ryle.  To compromise with false doctrine leads to liberalism.  Those who are willing to stand for the truth must be willing to separate themselves from false religion.  Ironically Ryle concludes his remarks by admitting that it is impossible to share pulpits with broad church or high church ministers because they would all use that as an occasion to beat up on the other side.