History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

of oppression. Money and materials, however,
were forthcoming in abundance: the latter were
somewhat too plentiful; fragments of broken
images and demolished altars were lying about
everywhere, and were freely but indiscreetly used
by the Protestants in the erection of their new
fabrics. The sight of the things which they had
worshipped, built into the walls of a heretical
temple, stung the Romanists to the quick as the last
disgrace of their idols.
The levies of the regent were coming in
rapidly, and as her soldiers increased her tone
waxed the bolder. The Accord of the 25th of
August, which was the charter of the Protestants,
gave her but small concern. She had made it in her
weakness with the intention of breaking it when
she should be strong. She confiscated all the
liberties the Reformed enjoyed under that
arrangement. The sermons were forbidden, on the
ridiculous pretext that, although the liberty of
preaching had been conceded, that did not include
the other exercises commonly practiced at the field
assemblies, such as singing, praying, and
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