ABSTRACT
The Family of Love was a kind of crossroads where spiritual thoughts intersected with humanism in the sixteenth century. People such as Lipsius, Arias Montano, and Plantin flocked together around the secret society. Although their membership and loyalty remain questionable, the Familists' ideas had certain appeal to those learned people. Guillaume Postel also came close to the crossroads. His correspondence with Plantin indicated his sympathy for the secret religious group led by another prophet, Hendrik Niclaes. It is strongly presumed that he had at least some knowledge regarding the thoughts of Niclaes, most likely by reading some books published by the prophet, and it would not be surprising if he came to feel sympathy for the Family of Love, which "taught the inevitable restitution of the world to its original innocence." Because the doctrine of the secret society was characterized by Niclaes's inclination towards messianism and eschatology, the Familists were abhorred by both Catholics and Protestants.
