The Generality lands, North Brabant and Dutch Flanders, were entirely of the Roman faith.

In Holland, Zeeland and especially in Friesland and Groningen the Mennonite Baptists and other sects had numerous adherents.

Liberty of thought and to a large extent of worship was in fact at this time the characteristic of the Netherlands, and existed in spite of the unrepealed placards which enforced under pain of heavy penalties a strict adherence to the principles of Dort.
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