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Summary
The primary spiritual goal for the Familists was the reaching of
that state of the ultimate form of perfect love with God revealed
through the Family of Love, and the works of "N. H.". That state
of perfection as attained in Christ would guarantee its
membership the salvation that neither the Church, nor what the
Scriptures could not offer. The Spirit was superior to the
Scriptures in authority according to the Familists.
Literary itself could become a weapon against the status quo, and
"right thinking" itself. Familists held strict relationships within
their own community. Their was a form of hierarchy with the
Elders who represented their spiritual and community elders, or
leaders.
English Familists
Unlike their Continental cousins, English Familists seems to have
developed along slightly different lines. Familist activities in
England may date from the early 1550's. There are references to a
certain individual Christopher Vittels, a former English joiner, and
a sometime itinerant preacher, and a early disciple of Henry
Nicholas of Delph (Holland). Vittels is reported to have been
active active in England ca. 1555. Vittels has often been referred
to by some as the first English Familists. Vittels was also an early
translator of Nicaels works into English. There was a local
tradition that Niclaes may have visited England on two different
occasions during his own lifetime. Good hard evidence is still
lacking here.
Primary Sources
[Anon.] An Apologie for the Service of Love, and the that own it,
commonly called, the Family of Love (1656)
[Anon.] A Brief Rehersall of the Beleef of the goodwilling in
England which are named the Family of Love (1575); [STC
10681.5]
______, Howle and Weepe for the Day of the Lorde is in Hande
(1575)
Secondary Sources
Dietz Moss, J., Godded with God: Hendrick Nicaels and his Family
of Love (1981)
Heal, F., "The Family of Love and the Diocese of Ely", Studies in
Church History 9,1972
Moss, J.D., "Godded with God": Hendrik Niclaes and his Family of
Love (1981)
Nippold, F., "Heinrich Niclaes und das Haus der Liebe", Zeitschrift
fr die historische Theologie 36,1862