History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

such lofty spirits as William, and could only see
the whims of fanaticism, or the aspirings of
ambition, in the profound piety and grand aims of
William. He even attempted, through a malcontent
party that now arose, headed by the Duke of
Aerschot, to work the Pacification of Ghent so as
to restore the Roman religion in exclusive
dominancy in Holland and Zealand, as well as in
the other Provinces. But these attempts of Don
John were utterly futile.
William had no difficulty in penetrating the
true character and real design of the viceroy. He
knew that, although the Spanish troops had been
sent away, Philip had still some 15,000 German
mercenaries in the Provinces, and held in his hands
all the great keys of the country. William
immovably maintained his attitude of opposition
despite all the little arts of the viceroy. Step by step
Don John advanced to his design, which was to
restore the absolute dominancy at once of Philip
and of Rome over all the Provinces. His first act
was to condemn to death Peter Panis, a tailor by
trade, and a man of most exemplary life, and whose
451