Radical sects at the time of the Republic

Baptists

• Beliefs:  Faith could not be taught/learned; great importance placed on the act of adult baptism; a direct denial of the need for an organised Church
• Why were they a threat? Thought to be associated with the German Anabaptists, who were notorious for their defiance of the law

Congregationalists

• Beliefs: rejected the idea of a national Church; did not seek to impose a rigid theology
• Why were they a threat? Rejected the idea of a national Church

Fifth Monarchists

• Beliefs: five great monarchies would rule the earth - the execution of Charles I had ushered in the reign of Jesus; the government must…