During this long period, including the rise of Wickliffe and the Reformation, while the Baptists were thus suffering in Great Britain, there were not wanting those on the continent of Europe who avowed the same opinions, and braved the like hazards. While in England many of them were suffering the loss of all things, among whom was Sawtry, the first English martyr, their principles were at work in other lands. Opposed as they were to the existing system of making the baptismal register an instrument of state police, in 1528, the Senate of Zurich issued an edict against rebaptization, under the penalty of being drowned. Two years before that, a man was drowned at Zurich for the same offence. It was Felix Manz, of noble family, who, together with Grebel, first originated a Baptist Society at Zurich, and both are said, by Meshovius, a catholic writer, to have been men of extensive learning.* About the same time, there were public discussions on that subject in Switzerland, between Oecolampadius and some Baptist teachers at Basle, and also between others of the same faith, and the ministers of the established church at Berne. Even Zuinglius, at one time, avowed his conviction that the sen

* Meshovius, lib. II, c. I. Apud Gill, vol. II, p. 272. London, 1773.

timents of the Baptists were true. They were broached at Wittenberg in 1522, and made a favorable impression on the mind of Melancthon.* Luther made a powerful effort to save his amiable friend from their influence, and afterwards procured the banishment of Carlostadt and several others, for maintaining principles so obnoxious to the ruling powers, and which he thought would endanger the progress of the reformation. "I confess," says Dr. Haweis, "I have always honored Carlostadt. In learning, he was Luther's equal; in some of his opinions respecting the eucharist, more scriptural, and only beneath him in a commanding popularity of address. The obstinacy of Luther's character is indefensible. He claimed the authority to dictate, which he was himself so averse to allow the Pope. Let us drop a tear over human infirmity, learn by experience to bear and forbear, and remember always that the best of men are but men at best."+

From the evidence which history furnishes of the extensive spread of Baptist sentiments, it needs no comment of ours to show the absurdity of a statement which has been often repeated,

*See Appendix D.

+ History of the Revival and Progress of the Church of Christ, &c. By Rev. T. Haweis, LL. B. and M. D., Rector of All-Saints, Aldwinckle, Northamptonshire. Worcester ed. 1803, p. 29, 34.

that the Baptist denomination in Europe, originated in the movements of some fanatics in Munster, a city of Westphalia, in the early part of the sixteenth century. It might task our ingenuity or our charity to account for this, did we not know that even men well versed in history, seldom take much trouble to ascertain the truth of ill reports touching a despised or dreaded sect; a truth illustrated by the fact, that for many years in a neighboring state, the name of Roger Williams was but little known, except as an anabaptist, an opposer of government, and a disturber of the public peace. Bishop Burnet however, candidly acknowledges that the Bap-. tists have been unjustly injured, by being identified with the men who engaged in the political disturbances of Munster. He attributes the rise of the Baptists in Germany, to their carrying out the principles of Luther, regarding the sufficiency of the Scriptures, and the rights of private judgment; and in this the Catholic writers agree with him, who charge Luther with being the father of the German Baptists, and say that when he persecuted them, "he let out the life of his own cause." They themselves declared that they learned their principles from that great

* Burnet's History of Reformation, II, 176. + Robinson's Ecc'l Researches, p. 543.

reformer; an assertion which reminds us of the fact, that Melancthon confessed that Luther and he were here attacked in å "weak point,' and in reviewing the whole matter said, “the questions concerning baptism affected me, and in my opinion not without good reason."*

The truth is, the revolution at Munster arose from two causes. First, the galling slavery of the feudal system which pressed sorely on the peasants; secondly, the spirit of liberty which the writings of Luther had done much to arouse, and which was diffused among the people of the country, by the preaching of Thomas Muncer, a Baptist Minister, who had been a parish priest, and afterwards, a disciple of Luther. The example of Luther too, must have had a powerful effect. Had he not kindled a fire near Wittenberg, assembled ten thousand people of all orders, publicly burnt the Pope's decree and the canons of the church, and been declared by the Emperor and Princes, an enemy of the holy Roman empire? Even peasants groaning under civil bondage, could reason from such an example, tending as it did to elicit those latent sparks of love to liberty, which lie deeply hidden in the bosoms of the multitude. Nevertheless, the troubles at Munster were commenced in 1532,

* Planck's History of Protestant Theology, Vol. II, p. 47.

by Bernard Rotman, a Lutheran minister, not a Baptist.* Some months after, the peasants were in arms; Muncer drew up for them their manifesto of twelve articles, copies of which were presented to the princes, scattered through Germany, setting forth in a convincing manner, the justice of their cause, and has drawn from Voltaire an eloquent eulogium.† It is said that at the close of it, they appealed to Luther, who answered by showing that a state of servitude is not inconsistent with religion, and that their complaints against tythes, indicated a wish to annihilate civil government. The army of the peasants was composed of men of various characters, among whom were the most ignorant and wild fanatics; but no denomination of christians is responsible for their proceedings, nor even Luther himself, who did more than any other man, to rouse those spirits, which at last, no earthly power could control.

During the long night which preceded the rise of Wickliffe, the general ignorance was so great, that few thought for themselves. The Papal government was then in the height of its power, and among the nations which lay beneath

* Dr. Gill's Collections, vol. II, 271.

+ Additions to General History, vol. 30. See Appendix E. Robinson's Ecc'l Researches, p. 552.