The United Brethren—Relations with Luther—Luther’s Goodwill—Discussions on the Lord’s Supper—The Calixtines—Poland evangelized by the Bohemians—First Successes—Luther’s Reformation in Poland—Jacob Knade at Dantzic—The Gospel well received—Religious Liberty—A Revolution at Dantzic—Reorganization of the Church—Appeal of the Catholics to the King—Harshness of Sigismund—Final Triumph of the Gospel—The Gospel at Cracow—Embraced by many eminent Persons—Words of Luther—Attempted Reformation in Russia 417 CHAPTER VII. THE POLISH REFORMER. (1524 to 1527.) John Alasco—At Zurich—His Intercourse with Zwinglius—His Stay at Basel—His Intimacy with Erasmus—Study of Holy Scripture—His Diligence and Progress—Spiritual Enjoyments of his Life at Basel—Praised by Erasmus—Alasco compelled to leave Basel—His Travels—Return to Poland—His Life at Court—His Weakness—Suspected of Heresy—An Investigation—Alasco’s Renunciation of Reform—His Fall—Honors—Awakening of Conscience—His better Knowledge of the Truth—Liberty—New Honors—Alasco’s Refusal of Them—His Departure from Poland—On his Way to the Netherlands 433 CHAPTER VIII. THE POLISH REFORMER IN THE NETHERLANDS AND IN FRIESLAND. (1537 to 1546.) Alasco’s Marriage—Trials and Consolations—Religious Condition of Friesland—Alasco in Poland—His Return to Friesland—His Relations with Hardenberg—Seeking after Separation from Rome—Alasco Superintendent of Friesland—Prudence and Zeal—Accusations—Threats—Hatred of the Monks—A Letter of Alasco—God or the World—The Reformer’s Victory—Patience and Success—Various Sects—A false Christ Unmasked—Government of the Church—Doctrine—Oppositions—New Strength—Tribulations—A hidden Protector—Viglius of Zuychem—His elevated Position—Secret Report on his Tendencies—His real Sentiments—Contrast 455 CHAPTER IX. BEGINNING OF REFORMATION IN THE NETHERLANDS. (1518 to 1524.) Freedom and Wealth—Ambition of Charles V.—Precursors of the Reformation—The Reformation at Antwerp—At Louvain—Erasmus attacked—Violent Proceedings of the Monks—Persecuting Edict—Arrest of Jacob Spreng—His Recantation—His Grief and Repentance—The Inquisition—Cornelius Grapheus, an Erasmian—His Imprisonment—Useless Abjuration—Henry of Zutphen, Evangelist—His Stay at Wittenberg—His Preaching at Antwerp—-His Arrest—His Rescue by the People—His Fate in Holstein—Demolition of the Convent of the Augustines—Numerous Adhesions to Reform—The Heavenly Spouse—Faith and Courage—Conventicles—A Martyr—Tolerance of some of the Bishops—One of the ‘Illuminated’—Luther’s Counsels 480 CHAPTER X. OUTWORKS. (1525 to 1528.) Charles V.—His Policy in the Netherlands—Charles of Egmont’s Letter to the Pope—The Pope’s Answer—Jan van Bakker—His Faith—His Breach with Rome—His Imprisonment—His Trial—Refusal to recant—Condemnation—Martyrdom—A Legend—Fruitless Attempt at Outward Reformation—New Edict of Persecution—The Humanist Gnapheus—The Widow Wendelmutha—Attempt to make her give Way—Her Condemnation—Execution—The Renewed Gospel 506