. Wessel Gansfort, life and writings . age to ourown to whom the term Protestant might properly beapplied. They were men who dissented from things asthey were, pointed out the better way, and became atonce the disturbers and the benefactors of the Protestants, in this more general sense, Wesselunquestionably deserves a place. But should we apply to him the term Protestant in itsrestricted and partisan sense? Facts like the followingwould seem quite conclusive. Wessel assailed the abusesin Church administration against which the Reform-ers aimed their attacks. He stressed doctrines
. Wessel Gansfort, life and writings . age to ourown to whom the term Protestant might properly beapplied. They were men who dissented from things asthey were, pointed out the better way, and became atonce the disturbers and the benefactors of the Protestants, in this more general sense, Wesselunquestionably deserves a place. But should we apply to him the term Protestant in itsrestricted and partisan sense? Facts like the followingwould seem quite conclusive. Wessel assailed the abusesin Church administration against which the Reform-ers aimed their attacks. He stressed doctrines whichthey restored to their original prominence. He put thesame emphasis that they did upon the Scriptures, as thesupreme authority in faith and conduct. His conceptionof the Church and of the relation of the individual toChrist reveals a type of thought and experience commonto the Reformers. In his view of the sacraments heanticipated that of the most radical of the Reformers. Hence it was to be expected that the Reformers would 128. The Church of St. Martin, Groningen, in which the Bones of Wessel Gansfort now Rest Wessel as a Protestant 129 claim Wessel as a kindred spirit. Luther, who did notmake the acquaintance of Wessels writings till about1520, (when he had already taken his characteristic posi-tions,) said that if he had made their acquaintance earlier,his enemies might have accused him of having taken mostof his ideas from them. That other German and Swissand Dutch Reformers were strongly influenced by Wesselin the formation of their theological views and claimedhim as their spiritual father we have abundant Erasmus affirmed that Wessel had taught all thatLuther was teaching, only in a much less violent and offen-sive manner. That the Reformers should thus haveclaimed discipleship to Wessel and concerned themselvesin the publication of his writings is quite decisive. Itmay be safely assumed that they could be trusted todistinguish a friend from a foe. I
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