Gangraena

"Gangraena" is the title of a book by Thomas Edwards published in 1646.

Thomas Edwards was a Presbyterian minister concerned about the growth of religious Independency (Congregational churches as opposed to a strong central organisation). In 1641 he published an attack on Independency, claiming that it would lead to unlimited toleration and a breakdown of social order. His major work was Gangraena, a heresiography (recording of heresy), compiling a list of the practices of the Independents and more extreme radicals. He hoped that the list would silence his opponents but they responded, criticising Presbyterianism. He was particularly concerned about religious sectarianism in the army.

Further reading

* "Gangraena and the struggle for the English revolution" by Ann Hughes ISBN 0-19-925192-4