Anabaptists (2)

Anabaptists Of these people there were a large number of sects who had nothing in common except the one doctrine of the necessity of rebaptism. Such were —

1. The Adamites, who numbered no more than three hundred, and who ran about naked on the tops of mountains expecting to be caught up into heaven.

2. The Apostolici, who, acting upon the letter of our Saviour's words, mounted on the house-tops and preached to the people. They are said to have derived their name from their leader, Samuel Apostool, who separated from the Waterlandians in 1664.

3. The Taciturni, or Silentes, who observed an inviolable silence as to their religious opinions.

4. The Perfecti, who separated themselves from the world in order to obey the precept not to conform themselves to this world. They held that a smile or the smallest appearance of happiness in the countenance was sufficient to draw down the curse threatened by our Lord in these words, "Woe unto you that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep" (Lu 6:25).

5. The Impeccables, who held that after baptism it was impossible to commit sin, and consequently omitted the words "forgive us our trespasses," etc., from the Lord's Prayer.

6. The Free Brothers, or Libertini, who declared all servitude to be contrary to the spirit of Christianity.

7. The Sabbatarians, who held that Saturday, and not Sunday, should be kept holy.

8. The Clancularii, who held that in public it was a duty to speak of matters of religion as the generality of persons did, but in private to confess one's real opinion.

9. The Manifestarians, who held exactly the contrary doctrine.

10. The Weepers, who endeavored to attain to the power or weeping constantly, believing it to be acceptable to God.

11. The Rejoicers, who held that feastings, revellings, and merriment formed the most acceptable tribute to God.

12. The Indifferents, who took no particular part in religious matters and held all forms equally good.

13. The Sanguinarii, who sought to shed the blood of Catholics and Protestants.

14. The Anti-Marians, who refused all veneration whatever to the Blessed Virgin.