The Revolt of The Netherlands, book 3 | Page 4

which Philip of Marnix was the
first to subscribe his name: "Whereas certain ill-disposed persons,
under the mask of a pious zeal, but in reality under the impulse of
avarice and ambition, have by their evil counsels persuaded our most
gracious sovereign the king to introduce into these countries the
abominable tribunal of the Inquisition, a tribunal diametrically opposed
to all laws, human and divine, and in cruelty far surpassing the
barbarous institutions of heathenism; which raises the inquisitors above
every other power, and debases man to a perpetual bondage, and by its
snares exposes the honest citizen to a constant fear of death, inasmuch
as any one (priest, it may be, or a faithless friend, a Spaniard or a
reprobate), has it in his power at any moment to cause whom he will to
be dragged before that tribunal, to be placed in confinement,
condemned, and executed without the accused ever being allowed to
face his accuser, or to adduce proof of his innocence; we, therefore, the
undersigned, have bound ourselves to watch over the safety of our
families, our estates, and our own persons. To this we hereby pledge
ourselves, and to this end bind ourselves as a sacred fraternity, and vow
with a solemn oath to oppose to the best of our power the introduction
of this tribunal into these countries, whether it be attempted openly or
secretly, and under whatever name it may be disguised. We at the same
time declare that we are far from intending anything unlawful against
the king our sovereign; rather is it our unalterable purpose to support
and defend the royal prerogative, and to maintain peace, and, as far as
lies in our power, to put down all rebellion. In accordance with this

purpose we have sworn, and now again swear, to hold sacred the
government, and to respect it both in word and deed, which witness
Almighty God!
"Further, we vow and swear to protect and defend one another, in all
times and places, against all attacks whatsoever touching the articles
which are set forth in this covenant. We hereby bind ourselves that no
accusation of any of our followers, in whatever name it may be clothed,
whether rebellion, sedition, or otherwise, shall avail to annul our oath
towards the accused, or absolve us from our obligation towards him.
No act which is directed against the Inquisition can deserve the name of
a rebellion. Whoever, therefore, shall be placed in arrest on any such
charge, we here pledge ourselves to assist him to the utmost of our
ability, and to endeavor by every allowable means to effect his
liberation. In this, however, as in all matters, but especially in the
conduct of all measures against the tribunal of the Inquisition, we
submit ourselves to the general regulations of the league, or to the
decision of those whom we may unanimously appoint our counsellors
and leaders.
"In witness hereof, and in confirmation of this our common league and
covenant, we call upon the holy name of the living God, maker of
heaven and earth, and of all that are therein, who searches the hearts,
the consciences, and the thoughts, and knows the purity of ours. We
implore the aid of the Holy Spirit, that success and honor may crown
our undertaking, to the glory of His name, and to the peace and
blessing of our country!"
This covenant was immediately translated into several languages, and
quickly disseminated through the provinces. To swell the league as
speedily as possible each of the confederates assembled all his friends,
relations, adherents, and retainers. Great banquets were held, which
lasted whole days--irresistible temptations for a sensual, luxurious
people, in whom the deepest wretchedness could not stifle the
propensity for voluptuous living. Whoever repaired to these
banquets--and every one was welcome--was plied with officious
assurances of friendship, and, when heated with wine, carried away by
the example of numbers, and overcome by the fire of a wild eloquence.
The hands of many were guided while they subscribed their signatures;
the hesitating were derided, the pusillanimous threatened, the scruples

of loyalty clamored down; some even were quite ignorant what they
were signing, and were ashamed afterwards to inquire. To many whom
mere levity brought to the entertainment the general enthusiasm left no
choice, while the splendor of the confederacy allured the mean, and its
numbers encouraged the timorous. The abettors of the league had not
scrupled at the artifice of counterfeiting the signature and seals of the
Prince of Orange, Counts Egmont, Horn, Mcgen, and others, a trick
which won them hundreds of adherents. This was done especially with
a view of influencing the officers of the army, in order to be safe in this
quarter, if matters should come at last to violence. The device
succeeded with many,