# Summary Of Baptism In The Sixteenth Century. · Page 1 of 5 [Previous page: AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-an-account-of-the-holy-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: SUMMARY OF BAPTISM IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-summary-of-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century/part-2/) [The controversy of the so-called clergy the cause, in this century, that the Anabaptists increased the more, which forms the beginning of this account. In the meantime, the difference is shown, between the old Waldenses and the apostate Hussites, respecting the article of holy baptism. The Waldenses in Hungary were now, in the year 1507, greatly persecuted; concerning whom it is stated, that they led an innocent life; and it is also declared that in their confession, which they delivered this year, as well as in their defense, in the year 1508, nothing at all is said about infant baptism. Ludovicus Vives is introduced, for the year 1521, who, commenting on Augustine, says: That formerly the adults alone were admitted to baptism, and that even in his time said practice was still maintained in some cities of Italy. Two articles of the old Waldenses are related, one of which is against the Pope, the other on holy baptism. For the year 1540, mention is made of the churches in Thessalonica, who were said to have remained unchanged in faith from the time of the apostles, and agree with the Anabaptists. From two different authors particulars corroborating the matter of said Thessalonian churches are given; from the testimony of other writers and credible memoirs. In a note it is shown, that in Thessalonica alone the Christians have more than thirty churches, or meeting houses, while the Turks have only three. D. Vicecomes mentions the time when the Thessalonian Christians administered baptism. We then proceed to some confessors who lived and were put to death in the time of our fathers; some good and wholesome testimonies regarding this article, left by them as Thomas van Imbroeck, A. D. 1558; Jacob de Roore, A. D. 1569; John Wouters van Kuyck, A. D. 1572, Christian Gastayger, A. D. 1586; Bartholomew Panten, A. D. 1592. Finally, about A. D. 1600, an entire confession of faith follows, such as has been believed and practiced for many years, by those called Mennists. With this we conclude the whole account of holy baptism and Christian worship in those times.] It is now our purpose to fulfill the promise we made in the preceding part, and to this end have come here, namely, to show also in this century, that the distinguishing mark of the believers, that is, baptism according to the institution of Christ, was at this time also correctly taught, practiced and 352 maintained, by those who may be called orthodox believers; notwithstanding said article had to suffer much opposition, violence and molestation, and this not only from the papists (who, however, have nearly always opposed it), but also from other persuasions who had abhorred the doctrine of the papists in many other points, and with fear and terror had fled from the Roman church, as from a confused Babel. However, all this, instead of obscuring the truth, tended only to illuminate and glorify it the more, just as gold when contrasted with copper, the mountain’s height with the deep valley, and the light of day with the darkness of night, can be distinguished the more plainly; also the praiseworthy commended, and the contemptible contemned. This was the case at that time, not only with the assailed truth, but also with those who defended it, as shall be related and proven in the sequel. Jacob Mehrning’s History of Baptism, making mention of the sixteenth century, that is the time from A. D. 1500 until A. D. 1600, begins with these words: Page 772 “At this time there arose, principally in Germany, a most severe persecution against the old Waldenses and their followers, through the violent controversy of the so-called clergy, and the disputations waged against them by the pens of the learned.” [The Waldenses] in consequence of this, however, gained far more Anabaptists (namely Baptists), than there had ever before, in any country, been seen. This indicates that the old orthodox Waldenses, notwithstanding the severe persecutions, existed also at this time, yea, insomuch that now they increased more than ever before. But this was also the century in which Luther in Germany, Zwingli in Switzerland, and afterwards Calvin in France, began to reform the Roman church; and to deny, oppose and contend with the authority of God’s holy word against the supposed power of the Roman Pope, and many papal superstitions, however, in order to avoid too great dissatisfaction, as it seems, they remained in the matter of infant baptism, in agreement with the Roman church, though they abandoned many incidents which the papists observe at the baptism of infants, such as the salt, spittle, exorcism, and the like. They also have retained with the papists, the swearing of oaths, the office of secular authority, war against enemies, and sometimes also against each other, etc., of which things the old Waldenses had purified themselves, and would have no communion with any who would practice these things. Hence, we will leave them, and turn to our fellow believers. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_352) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-an-account-of-the-holy-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: SUMMARY OF BAPTISM IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-summary-of-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century/part-2/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-summary-of-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Summary+Of+Baptism+In+The+Sixteenth+Century.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+5&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0ASummary+Of+Baptism+In+The+Sixteenth+Century.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+5%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-summary-of-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-summary-of-baptism-in-the-sixteenth-century%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+16th+century+%28source+section%29%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)