13.03.2019 Views

History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

country. "Arouse ye, <strong>the</strong>n," were <strong>the</strong> thrill<strong>in</strong>g<br />

words <strong>in</strong> which St. Aldegonde concluded his<br />

oration, "awaken your own zeal and that <strong>of</strong> your<br />

sister cities. Seize Opportunity by <strong>the</strong> locks, who<br />

never appeared fairer than she does to-day."<br />

St. Aldegonde was fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>structed by <strong>the</strong><br />

pr<strong>in</strong>ce to state <strong>the</strong> broad and catholic aims that he<br />

proposed to himself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> struggle which <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were to wage toge<strong>the</strong>r. If that struggle should be<br />

crowned with success, <strong>the</strong> Papist would have not<br />

less cause to rejoice than <strong>the</strong> Protestant; <strong>the</strong> two<br />

should divide <strong>the</strong> spoils. "As for religion," said St.<br />

Aldegonde, "<strong>the</strong> desires <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>ce are that<br />

liberty <strong>of</strong> conscience should be allowed as well to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Reformed as to <strong>the</strong> Roman Catholics; that each<br />

party should enjoy <strong>the</strong> public exercise <strong>of</strong> it <strong>in</strong><br />

churches or chapels, without any molestation,<br />

h<strong>in</strong>drance, or trouble, and that <strong>the</strong> clergy should<br />

rema<strong>in</strong> free and unmolested <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir several<br />

functions, provided <strong>the</strong>y showed no tokens <strong>of</strong><br />

disaffection, and that all th<strong>in</strong>gs should be cont<strong>in</strong>ued<br />

on this foot<strong>in</strong>g till <strong>the</strong> States-General o<strong>the</strong>rwise<br />

directed." In <strong>the</strong>se <strong>in</strong>tentions <strong>the</strong> States expressed<br />

316

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!