The Radical Phase of the Oxford Movement

Abstract

Hitherto we have depended on the State, i.e. on the ruling powers in the country—the King and the aristocracy … But these recollec-tions of the past must not engross our minds, or hinder us in looking at things as they are, and as they will be soon, and inquiring what is intended by Providence to take the place of the time-honoured instrument which he has broken (if it is yet to be broken) the regal and aristocratic power, I shall disgust many men when I say, we must look to the people’. (J. H. Newman, British Magazine, 1833).

The Oxford movement studies: Main historiographical problems and trends

“…The movement as a whole is regarded by him as revolutionary and anti-Protestant in its direction [30, p. 146]. In the book, and especially in the previously published article [31], he stresses anti-Erastianism of the starting years of the movement ("radical phase"), which went as far as desiring disestablishment of the Church of England. Pusey, who according to Griffin did not share such views, is viewed by him as a companion rather than an active participant of the movement in its initial phase [30, p. 47-57].…”