The Secession (Afscheiding)
The Dutch Reformed Church and the Dutch government made the Seceders suffer terribly for their convictions. Their meetings were often broken up by mob violence; they were fined and imprisoned. On 25 October 1834 a company infantry (104 soldiers) were sent by the Dutch government to Ulrum and to other places where the Seceders had established separate congregations and were billeted in the homes of the seceders. These people were usually rather poor, which also why the other clergymen held them in contempt; yet they were forced to feed and shelter the soldiers, tend to their needs, and live their lives with the soldiers always present. The soldiers stayed there until the end of January 1835, and even then, half of them remained until 7 July 1835.
As a counter-measure to the Secession, the Dutch government reinstated an old French law from the time of Napoleon, that forbade any assembly of more than 20 people. This made it difficult, if not impossible, for the Seceders to gather to worship.
If any regulations imposed on them were broken, they were fined vast sums of money. And if they were unable to pay the fines, their possessions were sold in Sheriff's sales and the proceeds paid to the government. If even this did not suffice, they would be imprisoned. Hendrik de Cock himself was fined 150 florin (guilders) and spent three months in prison, separated from wife and family.
Not until under King William II in 1841 would this counter-measure and the religious persecution end.
Read more about this topic: Hendrik De Cock