The Revolt of The Netherlands, book 3 | Page 8

invincible
courage may not really be the truth. In France and in England the same
severities may have been inflicted on the Protestants, but have they
been attended with any better success there than here? The very earliest
Christians boasted that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the
church. The Emperor Julian, the most terrible enemy that Christianity
ever experienced, was fully persuaded of this. Convinced that
persecution did but kindle enthusiasm he betook himself to ridicule and

derision, and found these weapons far more effective than force. In the
Greek empire different teachers of heresy have arisen at different times.
Arius under Constantine, Aetius under Constantius, Nestorius under
Theodosius. But even against these arch- heretics and their disciples
such cruel measures were never resorted to as are thought necessary
against our unfortunate country--and yet where are all those sects now
which once a whole world, I had almost said, could not contain? This is
the natural course of heresy. If it is treated with contempt it crumbles
into insignificance. It is as iron, which, if it lies idle, corrodes, and only
becomes sharp by use. Let no notice be paid to it, and it loses its most
powerful attraction, the magic of what is new and what is forbidden.
Why will we not content ourselves with the measures which have been
approved of by the wisdom of such great rulers? Example is ever the
safest guide.
"But what need to go to pagan antiquity for guidance and example
when we have near at hand the glorious precedent of Charles V., the
greatest of kings, who taught at last by experience, abandoned the
bloody path of persecution, and for many years before his abdication
adopted milder measures. And Philip himself, our most gracious
sovereign, seemed at first strongly inclined to leniency until the
counsels of Granvella and of others like him changed these views; but
with what right or wisdom they may settle between themselves. To me,
however, it has always appeared indispensable that legislation to be
wise and successful must adjust itself to the manners and maxims of the
times. In conclusion, I would beg to remind you of the close
understanding which subsists between the Huguenots and the Flemish
Protestants. Let us beware of exasperating them any further. Let us not
act the part of French Catholics towards them, lest they should play the
Huguenots against us, and, like the latter, plunge their country into the
horrors of a civil war."
[No one need wonder, says Burgundias (a vehement stickler for the
Roman Catholic religion and the Spanish party), that the speech of this
prince evinced so much acquaintance with philosophy; he had acquired
it in his intercourse with Balduin. 180. Barry, 174-178. Hopper, 72.
Strada, 123,124.]
It was, perhaps, not so much the irresistible truth of his arguments,
which, moreover, were supported by a decisive majority in the senate,

as rather the ruinous state of the military resources, and the exhaustion
of the treasury, that prevented the adoption of the opposite opinion
which recommended an appeal to the force of arms that the Prince of
Orange had chiefly to thank for the attention which now at last was
paid to his representations. In order to avert at first the violence of the
storm, and to gain time, which was so necessary to place the
government in a better sate of preparation, it was agreed that a portion
of the demands should be accorded to the confederates. It was also
resolved to mitigate the penal statutes of the Emperor, as he himself
would certainly mitigate them, were he again to appear among them at
that day --and as, indeed, he had once shown under circumstances very
similar to the present that he did not think it derogatory to his high
dignity to do. The Inquisition was not to be introduced in any place
where it did not already exist, and where it had been it should adopt a
milder system, or even be entirely suspended, especially since the
inquisitors had not yet been confirmed in their office by the pope. The
latter reason was put prominently forward, in order to deprive the
Protestants of the gratification of ascribing the concessions to any fear
of their own power, or to the justice of their demands. The privy
council was commissioned to draw out this decree of the senate without
delay. Thus prepared the confederates were awaited.

THE GUEUX.
The members of the senate had not yet dispersed, when all Brussels
resounded with the report that the confederates were approaching the
town. They consisted of no more than two hundred horse, but rumor
greatly exaggerated their numbers. Filled with consternation, the regent
consulted with her ministers whether it was best to close the gates on
the approaching party