The first persons to be arrested were the Prior of Antwerp, Probst, [Sidenote: 1522] who recanted, but later escaped and relapsed, and two other intimate friends of Erasmus.
[Sidenote: The Inquisition] Charles wished to introduce the Spanish inquisition, but his councillors were all against it.

Under a different name, however, it was exactly imitated when Francis van der Hulst was appointed chief inquisitor by the state, [Sidenote: April 23, 1522] and was confirmed by a bull of Adrian VI.

[Sidenote: June 1, 1523] The original inquisitorial powers of the bishops remained, and a supreme tribunal of three judges was appointed in 1524.
[Sidenote: Martyrs, July 1, 1523] The first martyrs, Henry Voes and John Esch of Brussels, said Erasmus, made many Lutherans by their death.

Luther wrote a hymn on the subject and published an open letter to the Christians of the Netherlands.
[Sidenote: 1524] Censorship of the press was established in Holland in vain, for everything goes to show that Lutheranism rapidly increased.
Popular interest in the subject seemed to be great.

Every allusion to ecclesiastical corruption in speeches or in plays was applauded.
Thirty-eight laborers were arrested at Antwerp for assembling to read and discuss the gospel.