Of A Decree Published By Those Of Groningen And Sneeck Against The Anabaptists, A. D. 1601.

With the beginning of this century, when the constraint exercised by the papists upon the faith and conscience of the pious, began to cease somewhat, some who had separated from popery, and yet nevertheless retained the disposition of the papists, in the matter of oppressing others for their religion, poured out their bitterness not only upon those who had formerly oppressed them, but principally upon such as had never done them evil, but always good; however, not unto death, nor severe punishment of the body, but lighter and lesser penalties, of which those of Groningen and Sneeck were the inventors and inaugurators. Which decree, as far as it is directed against the Anabaptists, we shall copy literally.