The  important  coincidence  was,  that  the  growing  anabaptism  of  Holland
happened  to  find  its  way  into  Minister  at  a  point  of  time  when  the  politico-
religious  movement  had,  as  yet,  no  definite  aim  ;  and  a  half-suppressed
party  was  rousing  itself  for  fresh  struggles  with  the  existing  order  of
things.  The  leaders  of  this  party  seized  upon  it,  partly  from  conviction,
partly  as  means  to  their  own  ends  ;  and  it  was  thus  adopted  by  a  numerous
community,  amidst  whom  it  could  expand  all  its  forces.
