The following words from the Spectator newspaper, in reply to a
letter from a correspondent on " Schism and the English Reforma-
tion," should carry some weight upon this question. " The English
Church broke off doctrinally from Rome as well as politically. "We
do not understand the dread felt of the word ' schism ' where there
is no fear of the thing. If Rome were wrong both politically and
doctrinally, then the schism was right, but it was schism all the
same. If Rome were right, then the schism was wrong ; but
whether right or wrong, the breaking off from Rome was schism." —
Ed. Sixdator, Dec. 24, 1892.
NOTES ON CONTINUITY OF THE CHURCH

We are well aware that the theory of the identity of the po.st-
Reformation and pre-Reformation Church can plead the sanction
and authority of not a few eminent names — W. E. Gladstone, the
historian Freeman, Dean Hook, J. A. Blunt, and a host of Anglican
writers ; but no authority and no consensus of authority can avail
to establish what is so manifestly opposed to the logic of fact and
evidence.
Most conclusively we think Mr. Child has shown, in hi.s impartial
and careful study of CPmrch and State under the Tudors,^ that there
was not and could not, from the nature of the then existing circum-
.stances, be anj'tliing that answered to the designation of a national
Church uj) to the time of the breach with Rome under Henry viil.
