1517 AD / Even before Luther came out, there were, Baptists churches in Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands (the Dutch), Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, Scotland and more. Baptist churches in Ireland, early Middle Ages A few words about The Irish Baptists may properly close this chapter. We have already seen that, in the introduction of Christianity, Ireland abounded in those large baptismal occasions wherein many thousands were baptized in a day. For hundreds of years this practice was contnued, as Irish ecclesiastical history shows, and as is attested by the ruins of several elaborate baptisteries still extant, amongst which is that of Mellifont. In the early Middle Ages the Irish Christians were amongst the first scholars in Europe, but the Danish and English conquests reduced that fair land to gross ignorance. It was then, as now, largely Catholic, but Protestantism grew under Henry and Edward, his son. Mary attempted to frustrate it by persecution but Elizabeth protected it, and under James I, the province of Ulster was filled with colonists from Scotland, who laid the foundations of Irish Presbyterianism. Under the treachery of Charles I., who hoped for the support of Catholics, the vile insurrection of Catholics and massacre of Potestants took place in 1641. As the strength of Cromwell's army consisted of Baptists and Independents; when he overran Ireland, 1649, Baptists abounded in his forces, and they organized churches as opportunity served. (History of the Baptists, by Armitage, p219) Baptist churches in Switzerland, in the thirteenth century Waldenses, who survived such unbelievable slaughter from the church of Rome, became the seed of the Baptist movement once the Reformation of the sixteenth century had made it clear that they were not going to be accepted by the reformers as long as they held to the separation of church and state; refused infant baptism, and also refused Catholic baptisms as well. Their New Testament simplicity of worship, and congregational government were too simplistic for the men who had been raised in Roman Catholicism. Dr. Christian, giving heath in the Contemporary Review, March, 1891, as his authority, states that "In those places where the Waldenses flourished there the Baptists set deep root. This statement holds good from country to country, and from city to city. Innumerable examples might be given. For long periods there were Waldenses in Cologne. The Beghards were spread all over the Flemish Netherlands; and in Switzerland, along the Rhine, and in Germany, where afterwards we meet the Baptists." He also states, giving Mehrning, in Baptisma Historia as his authority, that "Many able preachers of the Waldenses became widely known as Baptist ministers," and he even names some of them by saying, "Such were the martyrs, Hans Koch, Leonard Meyster, Michael Sattler and Leonard Kaser, who were all renowned Baptist ministers." (I. K. Cross, Battle for Baptist History, p112) Whatever injury the society sustained by persecution, must have been in some measure repaired by a corresponding class coming into Germany out of Italy in the early part of the thirteenth century, 1210 AD. These Baptists, with others who had previously settled, became known by the appellation of brethren of the free Spirit, or Beghards. It was no uncommon thing, in those dark times, to reproach persons for their devotional conduct, as Massalians, Euchites, Bogomites, and Beghards, meaning "persons of prayer," which, in our view, confers on such persons the meed of praise. These accessions from Italy, with numbers of the Albigenses who escaped the sword and flames in Languedoc, taking refuge in Germany, will account for the prominency of the Beghards in the histories of those times, and the establishment of their reputation at this period. They first appeared as a religious body so early as the eleventh century, probably from the labors of those men already mentioned, 1025 AD, out of Italy; but came more particularly into reputation during this century. "Their primitive establishment," says Mosheim, "was undoubtedly the effect of virtuous dispositions and upright intentions. A certain number of pious women, both virgins and widows, in order to maintain their integrity, and preserve their principles from the contagion of a vicious and corrupt age, formed themselves into societies, each of which had a fixed place of residence, and was under the inspection and government of a female head. (More below) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UyDogE4wgQ

1517 AD / Even before Luther came out, there were, Baptists churches in Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands (the Dutch), Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, Scotland and more. Letters of the Dutch and English Baptist Churches "As concerns magistracy and weapons, or the profession of arms, we will by no means either or assume one of them. Some of us will not do so for conscience sake, others for that of peace, now and for ever." "Thus we have, with few words, answered according to your desire, while we have no time to write now more about these things, and if we had, we could not, at all events, force you. We hope that you are in or near the fulness of joy, and the point of perfectness in all things, which we believe, but from which we are still far. But we will not cease praying, that He which hath begun a good work may perform it in you and us to the day of Jesus Christ. All of us salute you most heartily in the Lord. Mercy be with you. Amen. "We pray you also that, if you may receive us in your communion, that it may please you to write a few words to John Morton and his friends, in order to augment peace and welfare. We, from our side, will do as much as we can to bring this matter to an end. Many that are with him are ready to comply with the doctrine of toleration in order to promote peace. There are two (that were at his side) who have paid attention to the personal succession from the time of the apostles, and they wished to know whether some of those which profess to be true constituted churches, can say that they have their origin from the time of the apostles. They are good people, and wish to please God and to live in a true way; therefore, we hope you will do what is possible to pacify them. Your friends in and for the holy truth and the heavenly life," "Elias Tookey, and the others." "Jan. 3, 1624. London" (From The Early English Baptists, by Evans, p21-24.) This letter, and some which follow, throw light on some points of our history hitherto unknow. Tookey and his friends were members of a church which had, probably, been formed by Helwys, but at this time was under the pastoral care of Morton, his companion in suffering, and who had returned with him to England. The points in dispute, and the cause of their disunion, will become manifest from subsequent letters, if they are not so already from the one before the reader. "Dear, and, in God, beloved Father in Christ, Hans de Ries. Peace be with you!" "To-day, two English have visited us as being commissioners of five churches in England, and who had carried with them a certain letter for you, Renier Wybrant, and the other ministers of our church, which letter is translated by one of our English brethren from English into Latin; from which we understand that they have read our Confession, and (as they have written) must carefully have reflected on it, and therefore should be inclined to unite themselves with us, as they are of the same opinion in everything of it, except the article on the oath. 2. That they also think that the Lord's Supper ought to be celebrated every Sunday, unless it be hindered by a reasonable difficulty. 3. That the brethren, without imposition (of hand) or being ordained to it by the bishop (pastor), are allowed and ought to preach and to administer the Sacraments when the bishops are absent. 4. They are of opinion that the officers of the authority or government may be observed by a Christian, though they cannot be reckoned to belong to the church, but are worldly officers. As a proof of their opinions they use some reasons, the principle of which is, that the officers is good in itself, and that they, therefore, take it that the use of it does not keep or put one out of the church, nor hinder that he be a Christian." "These count a number in England of undoubtedly 150 persons. They have separated from Elias Tookey, and belong to the people of Jan Morton and Thomas Denys. These two here seem to be clever men, and tolerably excellent in their habits; they have also, as the others write us, suffered very much for the name of Christ, and have been a long time prisoners." "To our dear friends, Hans de Ries and Renier Wybrant, and their churches, with all the other servants and churches walking in the same way with them, and living in Holland and those neighbourhoods; with the churches of Jesus Christ which are in England, and live in London, Lincoln, Sarum, Coventry, and Tiverton, all salvation, while they heartily wish that much mercy may be multiplied from God the Father by our Lord Jesus Christ." "Sir, I perceive you are an Anabaptist, and therefore I shall speedily make good my promise; and, indeed, some thirty years ago, Mr. Morton, a teacher of a church of Anabaptists in Newgate, then his confessions comprehended all the errors of the Arminians, which now of late many that go under your name in and about London, dissent from." (More below) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLZbjYyx4qk