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Chapter 13—The Netherlands and Scandinavia
In the Netherlands the papal tyranny very early called forth
protest. Seven hundred years before Luther, the Roman pontiff was
fearlessly impeached by two bishops, who, having been sent on an
embassy to Rome, had learned the true character of the “holy see”:
“You set up yourself in the temple of God; instead of pastor, you are
become a wolf to the sheep. ... Whereas you ought to be a servant
of servants, as you call yourself, you endeavor to become a lord of
lords. ... You bring the commands of God into contempt.
Others arose from century to century to echo this protest. The
Waldensian Bible they translated in verse into the Dutch language.
They declared “that there was great advantage in it; no jests, no
fables, no trifles, no deceits, but the words of truth.” Thus wrote the
friends of the ancient faith, in the twelfth century
Now began the Romish persecutions; but the believers continued
to multiply, declaring that the Bible is the only infallible authority in
religion and that “no man should be coerced to believe, but should
be won by preaching.
The teachings of Luther found in the Netherlands earnest and
faithful men to preach the gospel. Menno Simons, educated a Roman
Catholic and ordained to the priesthood, was wholly ignorant of the
Bible and would not read it for fear of heresy. In dissipation he
endeavored to silence the voice of conscience, but without avail.
After a time he was led to the study of the New Testament; this, with
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Luther’s writings, caused him to accept the reformed faith.
He soon after witnessed a man put to death for having been re-
baptized. This led him to study the Bible in regard to infant baptism.
He saw that repentance and faith are required as the condition of
baptism.
1
Gerard Brandt, History of the Reformation in and About the Low Countries, bk. 1,
p. 6.
2
Ibid., p. 14.
3
Martyn, vol. 2, p. 87.
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