Toleration in the Low Countries

A commitment to political independence predated and paved the way for ideas of religious liberty. It was an attitude that was expressed in many dutch political treatises the time. Magistrates were encouraged to stand against religious dissodence by means of debate and refutation, not execution or imprisonment. While the reformed might tolerate other mainstream protestants and peacefully debate with them, they were not always so patient with groups like the anabaptists.