Nicolas, Henri

Nicolas, Henri a Dutch Anabaptist, was born in Leyden towards the close of the 15th century. We have few details of his life. We encounter him as the Anabaptist leader after Joris had retired from that position. Nicolas believed himself, called to found a new religion, which he named the House of Love. He declared himself superior to Moses, who had taught only hope, — also to Christ, who had preached only faith, while he, Nicolas, brought to men the doctrine of charity. That did "not prevent him, however, from excluding from eternal happiness all those who would not believe in him. His principles, expressed by himself in some writings, such as the Evangelium regni, Sententiae documentales, Prophetia spiritus amoris, Pacis super terram publicatio, etc., found some adherents among the lower people of Holland. In 1540 he engaged in a discussion with T. H. Volkard Kornheert, who also wished to establish a new faith. In the last quarter of the 16th century, the sect of Familists, SEE ANABAPTITST, which had become his followers, after David Joris abandoned them, but was not numerous, endeavored to make proselytes in England. They joined themselves to the Dutch congregation in London; but the severe edicts pronounced against them by queen Elizabeth rendered their attempts at proselytism futile, and they soon died out. See Hoornbeck, Summa controversiarum; Alting, Theologia Historica; Camden, Annales (annee 1580); Fuller, Ch. Hist. 9:3, § 38; Wright, Queen Elizabeth and her Times, 2:153. (J. H. W.)