History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

Protestant as his companion in arms the Popish
Fleming, was a Pacification that in fact created two
armies, by proposing two objects or ends on the
liberal side. To the Popish inhabitants of the
Netherlands the yoke of Spain would in no long
time be made easy enough; for the edicts, the
Inquisition, and the bishops were things that could
have no great terrors to men who did not need their
coercion to believe, or at least profess, the Romish
dogmas. The professors of the Romish creed, not
feeling that wherein lay the sting of the Spanish
yoke, could not be expected therefore to make
other than half-hearted efforts to throw it off.
But far different was it with the other and older
combatants. They felt that sting in all its force, and
therefore could not stop half-way in their great
struggle, but must necessarily press on till they had
plucked out that which was the root of the whole
Spanish tyranny. Thus William found that the
Pacification of Ghent had introduced among the
Confederates divided counsels, dilatory action, and
uncertain aims; and three years after (1579) the
Pacification had to be rectified by the "Union of
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