History of the So-Called Jansenist Church of Holland

by John Mason Neale

"Utrecht is the head-quarters of the Jansenists, a sect of dissenters from the Roman Catholic Church, who object to the Bull of Pope Alexander VII condemning as heretical certain doctrines of Jansenius, Bishop of Ypres. They scarcely exist in any number, except in Holland, where they are now reduced to five thousand." -from the Preface The Old Catholic churches have branches-both official and unofficial-all over the world. They constitute one of the most interesting and diverse movements in Christian history, a movement worthy of greater visibility and academic attention. Here is the classic history of Old Catholic beginnings-first comprehensive work of its kind in English, now back in print for the first time in decades from Apocryphile Press.

411 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1858

About the author

Rev. John Mason Neale, DD (1818-1866) was an Anglican priest, scholar, and hymn-writer. In 1854, he co-founded the Society of Saint Margaret, an order of women in the Anglican Church dedicated to nursing the sick. He was strongly high church in his sympathies, and had to endure opposition, including a fourteen years' inhibition by his bishop. Neale translated the Eastern liturgies into English, and wrote a mystical and devotional commentary on the Psalms. However, he is best known as a hymn writer and, especially, translator, having enriched English hymnody with many ancient and medieval hymns translated from Latin and Greek. More than anyone else, he made English-speaking congregations aware of the centuries-old tradition of Latin, Greek, Russian, and Syrian hymns. His works include: Herbert Tresham: A Tale of the Great Rebellion (1843), The Unseen World: Communications With it, Real or Imaginary (1847), Theodora Phranza; or, The Fall of Constantinople (1857), Voices From the East: Documents on the Present State and Working of the Oriental Church (1859) and Lucia's Marriage; or, The Lions of Wady-Araba (1871). (source: Wikipedia)