The Development of Church Order in the Netherlands

The development of church polity in the Netherlands arose out of the crucible of persecution. From 1515 to 1555, Charles V of Spain ruled the Netherlands, which at that time included Holland, Belgium, and a portion of Northern France. When it came to maintaining the strength of the Roman Catholic Church, this Roman Catholic king ruled with an iron fist. Those who had been brought under the influence of the Reformation, and particularly those who would promote the teachings of the Reformation,...