Reformation and the Sword

Introduction The Reformation of the sixteenth century in general and the Reformation in the Netherlands in particular frequently were made possible by the aid of the secular magistrate and by the sword that the secular magistrate wielded. Wars were fought against enemies of the Reformation, wars that from our earthly point of view made the Reformation possible. Especially in the Netherlands the success of the Reformation, culminating in the great Synod of Dordt, was dependent upon the might...